Category Archives: Christianity

The Priesthood of the Believer

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Ephesians 2:11-

11Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called“the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands—12remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. 17And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. 18For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. 19So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,20built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21in whom the whole structure, being joined together,grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

I Peter 2:4-5,9-10

So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. 2Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation—3if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.

4As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 5you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ

9But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10Once you were not a people,but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

The Church: Its Order – Martin Lutherhttp://www.darkfiber.com/ulc-tn/luthercalvinpoab.html

It has been devised, that the Pope, bishops, priests and monks are called the Spiritual Estate; princes, lords, artificers and peasants, are the Temporal Estate; which is a very fine, hypocritical device. But let no one be made afraid by it; and that for this reason: That all Christians are truly of the Spiritual Estate, and there is no difference among them, save of office alone. As St. Paul says (I Cor. xii), we are all one body, though each member does its own work, to serve the others. This is because we have one baptism, one gospel, one faith, and are all Christians alike; for baptism, gospel and faith, these alone make Spiritual and Christian people.

As for the unction by a pope or a bishop, tonsure, ordination, consecration, clothes differing from those of laymen — all this may make a hypocrite or an anointed puppet, but never a Christian or a spiritual man. Thus we are all consecrated as priests by baptism, as St. Peter says: “Ye are a royal priesthood, a holy nation” (I Peter ii:9); and in the book of Revelations: “and hast made us unto our God, kings and priests” (Rev. v:10). For, if we had not a higher consecration in us than Pope or bishop can give, no priest could ever be made by the consecration of Pope or bishop; nor could he say the mass, or preach, or absolve. Therefore the bishop’s consecration is just as if in the name of the whole congregation he took one person out of the community, each member of which has equal power, and commanded him to exercise this power for the rest; in the same way as if ten brothers, coheirs as king’s sons, were to choose one from among them to rule over their inheritance; they would, all of them, still remain kings and have equal power, although one is ordered to govern.

And to put the matter even more plainly: If a little company of pious Christian laymen were taken prisoners and carried away to a desert, and had not among them a priest consecrated by a bishop, and were there to agree to elect one of them, married or unmarried, and were to order him to baptize, to celebrate the mass, to absolve and to preach; this man would as truly be a priest as if an the bishops and all the Popes had consecrated him. That is why in cases of necessity every man can baptize and absolve, which would not be possible if we were not all priests. This great grace and virtue of baptism and of the Christian Estate, they have almost destroyed and made us forget by their ecclesiastical law.

Revelation 1:4-6

4John to the seven churches that are in Asia:

Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come,and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, 5and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth.

To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood 6and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

The Jewish Temple had courtyards/partitions for women,Gentiles,Jewish men,the Holy of Holies- only the High Priest could enter. Jesus has broken down the partitions. In the Body of Christ (the true Church) women and Gentiles are now “priests” of God as well as any Jewish men who believe in Jesus as the Messiah.

 

From a sermon at Grace Valley Christian Center – http://gracevalley.org/articles/Priesthood.html

Like a lion, Luther roared against the pretension and tyranny of the priestly class, especially in the thirty-sixth and thirty-seventh theses: “‘Every truly contrite Christian has plenary remission from punishment and guilt due to him, even without letters of pardon. Every true Christian, whether living or dead, has a share given to him by God in all the benefits of Christ and the Church, even without letters of pardon…’”2 Luther insisted that everyone who trusts in Jesus Christ is a priest.3 He wrote that his hope was for a day when “we shall recover that joyful liberty in which we shall understand that we are all equal in every right, and shall shake off the yoke of tyranny, and know that he who is a Christian has Christ, and he who has Christ has all things that are Christ’s, and can do all things.”4

The concept that all who believe in Christ are priests occurred to Luther after he became convinced that Scripture was the only authority for a Christian. As he studied the Bible, especially Paul’s Epistle to the Romans, he discovered that in and through Jesus Christ a believer possessed the righteousness of God, and therefore, immediate access to God without the mediation of an arrogant priesthood. Thus, the doctrine of the priesthood of all believers is a sequel to the doctrine of justification by grace alone through faith alone. Those who are clothed in the perfect righteousness of God are welcome in the presence of God. No Christian needs a pontiff, meaning a bridge builder, because Jesus Christ alone is the way to the Father. The difference between sacerdotalism and Reformation theology is seen when we ask the question “What must I do to be saved?” The Roman Catholic church would answer, “Look to the priesthood and the church.” But the Bible says: “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31)

All the sacrifices have been fullfilled in Christ -Hebrews 9:11-15

11 But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands,that is, not of this creation) 12 he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. 13 For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify6 for the purification of the flesh, 14how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.

15Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant

Hebrews 9:24-38

24For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. 25Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters the holy places every year with blood not his own, 26for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, 28so Christ,having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time,not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.

Summary

1. Hebrews 1 – God has spoken in these last days through His Son – final ultimate revelation- don’t need a Pope,or prophet to come up with new revelations.

2. Jesus is the final and only effective sacrifice – the basis of salvation is faith – not baptismal regeneration or any type of work.

3. Christians are all priests unto God who have different callings ,but are called to minister to one another. Function will differ,but we are all called to minister.

4. We have access to God the Father because of the finished work of Jesus Christ.

11 And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But when Christ2 had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, 13waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. 14For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.

15And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying,

16“This is the covenant that I will make with them

after those days, declares the Lord:

I will put my laws on their hearts,

and write them on their minds,”

17then he adds,

 

“I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.”

18Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.

The Full Assurance of Faith

19 Therefore, brothers,3 since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 21and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

As one can see from the above verses,not only is there not an intermediate priesthood in the New Testament- it is not necessary. It is necessary in Roman Catholicism,thus tying people to the Roman Catholic Church and its priests. As Francis Beckwith says,

According to Catholic theology, infused grace is required not only for the Christian’s entry into the family of God at baptism but also for her subsequent movement toward being conformed to the image of Christ.

The Catholic view is that the bread and wine literally become the body and blood of Christ when they are consecrated by the priest celebrating the Mass. According to the Catechism, “The essential signs of the Eucharistic sacrament are wheat bread and grape wine, on which the blessing of the Holy Spirit is invoked and the priest pronounces the words of consecration spoken by Jesus during the Last Supper: ‘This is my body which will be given up for you…. This is the cup of my blood….’ [Luke 22:17–20].”Journeys of Faith: Evangelicalism, Eastern Orthodoxy, Catholicism and Anglicanism by Robert L. Plummer

The sad irony is that Roman Catholicism twists the Scriptures,and substitutes rituals and priests who have not the Spirit of God for the true work of the Holy Spirit.

Resurrection Sunday !

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What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound?2By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? 3Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father,we too might walk in newness of life.5For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.(Romans 6:1-5)

 

One of my favorite preachers is Horatius Bonar of Scotland.

Born: De­cem­ber 19, 1808, Old Brough­ton, Ed­in­burgh, Scot­land.

Died: Ju­ly 31, 1889, Ed­in­burgh, Scot­land.

Buried: Can­on­gate church­yard.

Here is a message from him- enjoy !

 

The Cross And The Double Crucifixion.

imgThe words of this verse literally run thus: ‘From me, however, far be it that I should glory, save in the cross;’ and the form of expression reminds us of the frequent phrase in the Psalms, ‘But as for me;’ so calm, yet so decided; so, simple, yet so dignified. Others may glory in the flesh, or in forms, or in rites; but as for me, the cross is my only boast; all that I rejoice in centers there; it is my gain and my glory, it is my solace and my song. He lays great stress upon this ‘I’ or ‘me.’ Though the whole world were uniting to glory in other things, he could not; he would be inexcusable. He had a thousand reasons for rejecting every other boast,—more reasons than any other man. And he knew well what he was saying in this boast.

Let us take up here, the cross, the glorying, and the double crucifixion.

I. The cross.—It is not the literal piece of wood that he is speaking of, nor any figure or imitation of it, such as men in all ages have made for ornament or worship,—a piece of ecclesiastical furniture, or an article of female dress. It is the essence of the cross that he speaks of; the great truths represented by it; salvation by a crucified Christ; God’s way of justification through the death of a sin bearer. The sacrifice for sin upon the cross, the burnt-offering upon the altar; it is this that be keeps before his eyes, and would have us keep before ours. It is the slain Lamb which he holds up to view. Connected with the cross there is death, but there is also life; there is weakness, but there is also strength; there is poverty, but also riches; shame, but also glory; defeat, but triumph too. The cross, as it stood on Golgotha, has long since gone into dust; but that cross was a symbol, like the desert pole and the brazen serpent. That cross and that serpent embodied in them mighty truths; truths which were to the Jews a stumbling block, and to the Greeks foolishness; truths which the natural man despises and rejects, but which, to the new man, are the gladdest and most glorious of all glad and glorious things. It is as the embodiment of these things that the cross is here held up to us. Without these the cross is nothing save a piece of Hebrew wood, in no respect more precious than the other crosses erected at its side. Take away from it the sacrificial blood shedding, the propitiation for sin, and it is useless and worthless. The cross is mighty and venerable and glorious solely because of what it reveals concerning God, amid His way of saving the lost by providing a Saviour for the guilty. The cross is God’s verdict against sin; His exhibition of righteousness; His declaration of love to the sinner; His method of removing guilt from the condemned, and imparting life through death to every one who is willing to take life at His hands.

II. The Glorying.—Paul’s opinion of the cross had undergone a wonderful change. The cross was once the lowest object in his estimation, now it is the highest. He glories in it. This implies such things as these:—

(1.) To think well of it.—Once he had thought evil of it; now he thinks well. His estimate is changed,—reversed. He admires what he disesteemed.

(2.) To speak well of it.—He commends it to every one wherever he goes. He has not a good word to say for himself but he has good words without number for the cross. He dispraises self and the flesh and the world; he praises the cross. It is the tree of trees.

(3.) To boast of it.—It is to him the one object of boasting; all other boasting is excluded for ever. In it he exults as one who has found a treasure. He calleth together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me.’ And if men ask, What is thy cross more than another cross? he answers, My cross is the cross of crosses; there is nothing like it, so perfect, so admirable, so glorious; in it I have found the love of God, the pardon of sin, the life of my soul, the peace of my conscience, an everlasting kingdom.

(4.) To trust in it.—It is the tree of life, under whose shadow he sits down. It is the treasure-house of all riches; it is the fullness of all grace and blessing. It presents a resting-place to his weary soul. It invites and attracts and welcomes. Everything about it is fitted to remove distrust and awaken confidence. It is the end of fear and doubt; the producer of all happy, trustful thoughts. It is the place of light and peace. No wonder that he gloried in it. Let us learn to glory. The more we look at it and understand its meaning, the more we shall trust it, and in trusting it find rest to our souls. We cannot add to it, and we cannot take from it. It is perfect. Let us be satisfied in knowing that it is what it is,—the place of propitiation and of peace.

III. The Double Crucifixion.—The cross crucifies Paul; it crucifies the world to Paul. In crucifying Paul it crucifies time world, and in crucifying the world it crucifies Paul. They are crucified to each other. Paul is nailed to the cross, and becomes an object of contempt and hatred to the world. The world is nailed to the cross, and becomes an object of contempt to Paul. For the crucified object becomes, by being nailed to the tree of shame, a thing of degradation,—a ‘curse and an hissing.’ To be nailed to a cross was to be made a dead thing, a cursed thing, a shameful thing.

Thus it was mutually with Paul and the world. Each was dead to the other; they were mutually irreconcilable. The world saw nothing in Paul but vileness and meanness; Paul saw nothing in the world but the same. And it was the cross of Christ that had produced this reciprocal feeling of separation and abhorrence. It was a double crucifixion. That double crucifixion was the key to the apostle’s life. It set Christ between him and the world. It set the grave between him and his former self. Crucifixion with Christ had crucified him to the world and the world to him. Thus the old man was crucified; the flesh and all things pertaining to the flesh were crucified; and only out of resurrection could anything good or holy come. All that came short of resurrection came short of the glory of God.’

(1.) A Christian is a decided man.—The cross of Christ rejects all halfheartedness; nay, renders it impossible. There was no compromise upon yon cross, when the Father smote the Son, and the Son consented to be smitten; there can be none in those who are nailed to it.

(2.) A Christian is an unworldly man.—He was part of the world; he is so no longer. He has come out from it and become separate, and touches no more the unclean thing. He has bid farewell to the world and its vanities.

(3.) A Christian is a man of heaven.—He has set his affection on things above. He has gone up to be with his Lord upon the throne in the heavenly places. His heart and his treasure are above.

How glorious is the cross! How safe are they who have taken refuge there! It is the cross of the Divine Substitute. It stands forever, outliving ages and generations, like Egypt’s pyramids and palms. Its substitutionary value does net alter, and its efficacy for salvation to the chief of sinners is liable to no failure, no shortcoming. Its potency for shelter and deliverance and pardon knows no diminution; it is the same yesterday, today, and forever. We may be transgressors of no common order, both as to duration and enormity; we may have very superficial convictions of our own sinfulness, and very feeble thoughts of the sufficiency of the cross; we may have little faith, much unbelief; little light, much darkness; little repentance, much impenitence: still the sufficiency of the cross is infinite. Like the wide arch of heaven, it throws its canopy over the broadest circle of transgression and unworthiness. He who is willing to take shelter beneath it, whatever he may be, shall find it sufficient. To sit under its far-reaching shadow is certain life and safety; to sit anywhere else is certain wrath and doom. That shadow avails or takes effect in the case of all who, crediting God’s testimony concerning it, consent to be indebted to it for security and peace. For faith in the cross is no work or merit, which a poor sinner must toil at till he has secured enough to give him the benefit of the shelter. It is simply the relinquishment of all other pretended shelters, and the willingness to allow this divine shelter to be extended to him by the God who has provided it for the sinner. Whosoever will, is our proclamation. God does not mock you by providing a refuge and then throwing hindrances in your way, or refusing to remove existing obstacles out of your way. He provides the glorious shelter; He removes all obstacles without; He presents you with His own heavenly Spirit (better and more accessible than all self-power) to remove all hindrances within. It is in all respects a wondrous cross, for security, for sufficiency, for accessibility to the sinner. Its value is divine, and that is infinite; its sheltering canopy is wide,—wide as the world; wide as the sinner’s utmost sin and ruin; wide as heaven and hell; wide as earth and sea; wide as the wrath of the Judge; wide as the love of God and the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.

—Horatius Bonar, Light & Truth: Bible Thoughts & Themes

He was also a prolific hymn writer – http://www.cyberhymnal.org/bio/b/o/n/bonar_h.htm

Check out Frontline Missions,they have a great ministry that extends to several continents.

 

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Dispatches From the Front Trailer by Frontline Missions

If you are interested in ordering information for the videos,go here – http://www.dispatchesfromthefront.org/

 

Shaking the World With Truth

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but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you;yet do it with gentleness and respect,( I Peter 3:15)

 

Here is a very well reasoned,Scriptural basis for Christians to be involved in “apologetics” ,a defense of the faith.

 

Christian Apologetics Manifesto: Nineteen Theses To Shake the World With the Truth

By Douglas Groothuis

On this rock I will build my church,
and the gates of death will not overcome it—Jesus Christ (Matthew 16:9).

This is a manifesto to ignite the holy fire of apologetic passion and action. As did Jeremiah, we should have “fire in our bones” to communicate and commend Christian truth today (Jeremiah 20:9). This manifesto is not a sustained argument or a detailed development of themes. Rather, as a manifesto, it proclaims a short series of interrelated propositions crying out for both immediate and protracted reflection, prayer, and action. These challenges issue from convictions formed through my nearly thirty years of apologetic teaching, preaching, debating, writing, and Christian witness.

Because of (1) the waning influence of the Christian worldview in public and private life in America today, (2) the pandemic of anti-intellectualism in the contemporary church, and (3) the very command of God himself to declare, explain, and defend divine truth, I strongly advise that the following statements be wrestled with and responded to by all followers of the Lord Jesus Christ.

1. Christian apologetics involves the presentation and defense of Christianity as an integrated worldview that is objectively, universally, and absolutely true, reasonable, knowable, and existentially pertinent to both individuals and entire cultures. Apologetics involves rebutting unbelieving accusations against Christianity (2 Corinthian 10:3-5; Jude 3) as well as giving a constructive and persuasive case for Christian theism (Philippians 1:7; 1 Peter 3:15).

2. Any intellectual discipline, church practice, or teaching that minimizes or denigrates the importance of apologetics is unbiblical and must be repented of (Matthew 4:17; Acts 17:16-34; 2 Corinthians 10:3-5; 1 Peter 3:15; Jude 3). The degradation of apologetics can only lead to the further vitiation of the life of the church. “My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6).

3. The fundamental issue for apologetics is not how many apologists one has read, or what apologetic method one embraces (although that must be worked out carefully). Rather, the essential issue is whether or not one has a passion for God’s transforming truth—reasonably pursued and courageously communicated—and a passion for the lost because of the love of God resident and active in one’s life (Romans 9:1-3; 10:1). Like the Apostle Paul at Athens, we should both be “greatly disturbed” because of the rampant unbelief in our day. We, like that great apologist, should also be intellectually equipped and spiritually prepared to enter the marketplace of ideas for the cause of Christ (Acts 17:16-34).

Rest of the article here -

http://blogs.christianpost.com/bookstop/christian-apologetics-manifesto-nineteen-theses-to-shake-the-world-with-the-truth-8817/

Christ or Krishna ?

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Men are apt to be tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine and deceived by seducing spirits. One can be a “Christian” with his feeling and a heathen with his head. ( Lit-sen Chang,Zen-Existentialism,)

Here is a story from the blog of Joe Carter about a Reformed philosopher who has had a spiritual experience and become a devotee of Krishna.

The Story: Philosopher of religion Michael Sudduth recently announced in an open letter that he has undergone a surprising religious conversion: “Despite my long-standing adherence to the Christian tradition, my spiritual journey has now moved me eastward and outside the framework of Christian theism.”

In a lengthy explanation—which philosopher William Vallicella posted on his website— Sudduth says that for the past twenty-five years he has been “an adherent of the Reformed theological tradition.” But last September he underwent a religious experience that led him to embrace the Vaishnavism tradition of Hinduism:

Around 4:20am (Friday morning) September 16th, I woke suddenly from a deep sleep to the sound of the name of “Krishna” being uttered in some way, as if someone was present in my room and had spoken his name out loud. Upon waking I immediately had a most profound sense of Krishna’s actual presence in my bedroom, a presence no less real than the presence of another living person in the room, though I was alone at the time. I responded to this felt presence, first through my thoughts that repeated Krishna’s name (and inquired of his presence), and then verbally out loud by uttering Krishna’s name twice: Krishna, Krishna. I was seized at this moment with a most sweet feeling of completeness and joy. I felt as if Krishna was there with me in my room and actually heard my voice, and that my response had completed a process that began with his name within my mind. I pondered this experience for several minutes, while at the same time continuing to experience a most blissful serenity and feeling of oneness with God, not unlike I had experienced on many occasions in the past in my relationship with the Lord Jesus. It was a most profound sense of both awe and intimacy with God in the form of Lord Krishna.

Rest of the story here – http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2012/01/22/from-john-calvin-to-hare-krishna/

Krishna

Just a few observations.

  • Sudduth has been an “adherent of the Reformed theological tradition”. Has he ever been born again ? Has he ever repented of his sins and received the new life of Jesus Christ? Was he a follower of Christ, or a follower of the Reformed traditon?
  • After reading Sudduth’s “testimony” it was obvious that he was being drawn deeper and deeper into Eastern religious thought. The Bible’s claim is not that a person cannot have spiritual experiences that flow out of other religious traditions,but that these experiences are counterfeit experiences from the realm of darkness.

12 And what I am doing I will continue to do, in order to undermine the claim of those who would like to claim that in their boasted mission they work on the same terms as we do. 13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15 So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.(II Corinthians 11:12-15)

  • Spiritual warfare is real-the key is discerning whether one’s spiritual experiences are from God or not. Feelings of blissfulness,serenity,and oneness “with God” can be duplicated by drugs as well as by spiritual beings who are attempting to seduce one away from Jesus Christ.
  •  There is a tremendous movement in the world today to equate all religions as being one and the same. Krishna and Jesus Christ are not one and the same,and they are not spiritually or morally equivalent. Krishna is not another manifestation of God,or on the same level as Christ.

The Word Became Flesh- John 1:1-18

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Wordwas God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were madethrough him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In himwas life,and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness,and the darkness has not overcome it.

6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as awitness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him.8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.

9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world didnot know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receivehim. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave theright to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.15 (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said,‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”) 16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side,he has made him known.

 

 

Who has believed what he has heard from us?And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?2 For he grew up before him like a young plant,and like a root out of dry ground;he had no form or majesty that we should look at him,and no beauty that we should desire him.3 He was despised and rejected by men;a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.(Isaiah 53:1-3)

 

For more information on the topic of Krishna and Christianity check these sites out :

http://kingdavid8.com/Copycat/JesusKrishna.html

http://thedevineevidence.com/jesus_similarities.html

http://www.tektonics.org/copycat/krishna02.html

http://www.christianlibrary.org.au/cel/documents/cults/13.html

Find Rest for Your Soul

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Matthew 11:20-30 is a very interesting portion of Scripture for a number of reasons.

First, it clearly shows the Lord’s omniscience. He not only knows the future, he knows all possibilities of the future. If – then.

Second,the Lord states that there will be varying degrees of punishment in hell.

Third,the Lord clearly states that in His sovereignty , he has called men to repent and come to Him as little children. That is the only acceptable way of salvation,and no amount of theological reasoning,works,or imagined goodness can save one.

Fourth,as bad as the sin of homosexuality is,it is worse to ignore and reject the the mighty works and words of  Jesus Christ the Messiah and claim to be in right standing with God.

Fifth,the Son reveals Himself to those who realize they cannot unloose their heavy burden,and know that they have no ability to rescue themselves – Have mercy on me Lord for I am a sinner ! Our pride will cause us to stumble,but trusting the Lord as a child brings blessing and rest.

20Then he began to denounce the cities where most of his mighty works had been done, because they did not repent. 21“Woe to you,Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22But I tell you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you. 23And you, Capernaum,will you be exalted to heaven? You will be brought down to Hades. For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24But I tell you that it will be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom than for you.”

Come to Me, and I Will Give You Rest

25 At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; 26 yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.7 27All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. 28Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

How Much Does God Love You? This Much!

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I’m reading Tim Chester’s book-

A Meal With Jesus:Discovering Grace,Community,and Mission around the Tabel

.Product Details

This is not a good book,it is a great book. Consider buying it, it is a very reasonable price,and you will be edified,challenged,and blessed. Here is a sample :

 

Eventually Daniel was arrested for charges that included killing a police corporal. He wasn’t tried in a criminal court because he was considered insane; he was put instead in a secure mental institution. For two years he lived in a bare cell with no toilet and no clothes except a straightjacket, taking a daily cocktail of forty drugs. At one point he shared a cell with someone who believed God didn’t exist, but that the Devil did. This man suggested they read the Bible in forty days so he could find out about Satan. Daniel was reluctant, but the other man couldn’t read because his drugs had affected his eyes. So Daniel started reading fifty-nine pages a day, the rate required to complete the Bible in forty days. On day four he read: “The word is very near you. It is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can do it. . . . I call heaven and earth to witness against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live” (Deut. 30:14, 19). Both men felt God powerfully with them at that moment. The other man didn’t want to continue, but Daniel continued reading alone. After a few days he asked God to release him. Immediately he was free from tobacco and his cocktail of drugs, and he was in his right mind. Within two years he was released to do a menial job in the hospital, and then a few months later he was allowed to leave.

God’s grace in Daniel’s life radically changed him, making him a gracious person who has committed his life to the marginalized. The day after our meal we had a picnic for about fifty patients from the psychiatric hospital. We drank “mate” (a traditional Argentine drink), played soccer, talked, and sat in the sun. The patients could have a shower, a haircut, and a change of clothes. At the end of the afternoon we all gathered together. We sang Christian songs. Those with birthdays came to the front, and we sang “Happy Birthday.” Just like the meals of Jesus, the picnic beautifully embodied God’s love for this marginalized people.

 

Daniel read the story of the prodigal son and told them three things. First, we have a good Father. Daniel asked the patients how we know God is good. Someone said, “God gave us this day,” and Daniel said, “Yes, which businessman can give you a new morning?” Second, we have all turned from God like the son in the story, rejecting his love and living for ourselves. Third, God is ready to embrace us. In one sense we’re far from God. But in another sense God is very close to us—just as he was for Daniel in his psychiatric cell.

 

God runs to meet us.

There were two women in the first cell we entered when we visited the prisoners dying from AIDS. One was Sonia, a former prostitute. She said she wanted to believe, but found it hard. So Daniel spoke to her of the father in the story, the Father who was ready to embrace her. The other woman, Sonilda, took her Bible from under her pillow and said she was sure God accepted her. She read from one of the psalms:

In you, O Lord, do I take refuge;  let me never be put to shame! In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me;  incline your ear to me, and save me! Be to me a rock of refuge,     to which I may continually come; you have given the command to save me,for you are my rock and my fortress. (Ps. 71:1–3)

This is how great God’s grace is. Grace reaches down from heaven into a high-security prison in Argentina to a woman who’s committed serious crimes, a woman dying of AIDS, a woman separated from her family, and says, “God is your rock of refuge.” God’s grace reaches down from heaven into a mental institution to a man who’s committed terrible crimes, who’s out of his mind, and who’s reached the depths of human existence and transforms his life, making him a courageous, loving, and whole person. And God’s grace can reach down to you.

Eph 5:14
for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

What’s Love Got To Do With It ?Christians and Mosques

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There seems to be a lot of confusion about what it means to be a Christian who walks in love. For example,here is a story about a group of Christians in Sweden who sold their church building to a group of Muslims.

A Muslim group plans to turn a church into a mosque after Swedish pentecostalists decided to sell a superfluous property in Flen in eastern Sweden in a display of “Christian love”.
“We have been crowding together in a cellar now for twenty years, and as there are more members every month, it was time to buy larger premises,“ said Skender Zekic of the Swedish-Romani Association, which works together with the Bosnian association and al Houda, to the local Eskilstunakuriren daily.
The church in Flen in eastern Sweden, had been on the market since November last year when the al Houda Muslim Centre approached the real estate agency with the intent to buy the church.
The decision to sell had come after two congregations joined together and one of the premises therefore became surplus to requirements.
However, selling the church to a Muslim organisation was not a decision that the congregation took lightly, according to Christina Blomqvist.

Rest of the story here – http://islamineurope.blogspot.com/2011/05/sweden-church-sold-to-muslim-group-in.html

This reminds me of an incident that happened to my daughter in one of her Religious Studies classes. The professor put forth the proposition that Christians should help Muslims build their mosques rather than protest them or be against the building of mosques. Why ? Because this would be the loving thing to do. After all,as Christians we are to show love to all,and even love our enemies.

My daughter and two others were opposed to this mischaracterization of love,while the rest of the class supported it. I might add that this occurred at an evangelical college. The good news is that the professor will not be teaching this class any more,although for reasons not related to his lack of understanding of what love is.

One of the questions asked to the professor and his supporters was this- “ Would you help build a building (of worship),for a group of Mormons,Jehovah’s Witnesses,etc.? The answer was yes.

There is that awkward,politically incorrect part of Christianity known as truth. The attempt to emotionalize ethics leads to misunderstandings and false interpretations of how to live out the Christian life. Did Jesus,Paul,or any of the apostles seek to help in any way those with whom they regarded as false teachers ? Did the early church help the Gnostics build their buildings of worship,or give them money for their rent?How many synagogues for the Pharisees did Paul contribute to? As Paul says in Romans 12:9

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.

Promoting the worship of false gods,helping to spread false teachings that lead to the persecution of brothers and sisters in Christ,and enabling false teachings about Jesus Christ to flourish is the height of spiritual folly.Yes we extend love and grace,but with the truth of the gospel. Self sacrifice, yes,providing opportunities for falsehood,no.

As the Prime Minister of Turkey reminds us-

“Mosques are our barracks, minarets our bayonets, domes our helmets, the believers our soldiers.” by Recep Tayyip Erdogan

 

John 1:14 – 14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Honor:A Biblical Understanding

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I. Introduction

1. I’d like to thank all of you who have been praying for Dinah over the past four years. In the midst of her studies,trips to Spain,we appreciate all that this Body has done to encourage and support her.

2. I’m blessed to have a wife,son,and two daughters. On this mother’s day,I would like to focus this message towards the ladies here today. As we have studied through the various world religions in Sunday School, I have been struck by the unique blessings of what God has done in salvation,redemption,and in particular,the walls that have been broken down in regards to women.Biblical Christianity offers true freedom to women. We are one in Christ,and God doesn’t play favorites.

3. We will look at this multi-faceted work through the word “honor” and see how it is used in some of the Scriptures. Although the focus will be for the women,there will be plenty of application for all.

II. Honor defined

1. The Hebrew word for honor is kabod. It literally means heavy or weighty- akin to the meaning of glory. The more common meaning is “ to give weight to someone,to honor someone is to give weight,respect,and possibly authority,in one’s life,”

2. Practically speaking,honor is a heart attitude – it involves respect,courtesy,and reverence. One should display attention,and when appropriate,obedience. It is the opposite of thoughtlessness and neglect. To extend honor is to express value and worth.

Parents are honored through the obedience of their children,God is honored by our obedience to His revealed will.

III. Where does honor originate ?

The source of all honor is God,on the basis of his position as sovereign Creator and of His character as loving Father.(Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology,Sam Hamstra,Jr.)

So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you,the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. And greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel. 21 For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will. 22 The Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, 23 that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him.24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.

IV. What is man that You are mindful of him (us !) Psalm 8

1. God created man in the image of God- we have intrinsic meaning because we are God’s special creation. This reference refers to mankind- men and women.

2. Sin has separated us from God,each other,and ourselves. Rebellious hearts,fear,shame,and guilt,underlay our relationships and actions.

3. We were designed for dominion,honor,fellowship,peace,and fruitfulness.

V. The Fifth Commandment

Honor your father and your mother,that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.

We are to teach our children from an early age to honor their parents. However,this verse,and the Ten Commandments were not written to five year olds. There is application here for all of us who have parents who are still alive.

1. We should honor God by honoring our parents- this includes moms- not just dads !!

But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents,for this is pleasing in the sight of God.I Timothy,5:4

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother”(this is the first commandment with a promise),3 “that it may go well with you and that you may livelong in the land.” Ephesians 6:2

 

2. Those of us who are grown are no longer under the authority of our parents. We are to love and to serve God according to our understanding of the Word of God. However,we can extend courtesy,understanding,and help to our parents,even if we are in disagreement on some issues. If there are irreconcilable differences let it be because they will not talk or have anything to do with us. We should never cut them out of our lives,abandon them,or ignore them.

VI. Husbands and wives

1. The classic wedding vows : Remember,the marriage covenant is witnessed not only by the people who were invited to the wedding,but by the Lord Himself. It is a covenant. The rope that was one strand is now two- and the strength of that rope by God’s grace will be strong enough to withstand the tugs and pulls of life.

“Do you promise to love her,and honor and cherish her ??

Based on I Peter 3:7,and Ephesians 5:28-29

Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.

Husbands,do we recognize our wives worth? Do we place a high value on her? Does she know that you love her and cherish her?

Precept Austin – http://preceptaustin.org/1_peter_35-7.htm#3:7

Peter goes on in verse 7 to refer to the responsibilities of husbands. Do you notice that there is six times as much information given to wives here as there is to husbands-perhaps because it is six times more difficult for wives to live with their husbands than for husbands to live with their wives! He says,

You husbands likewise [Same conjunction. It is required of men too that they be submissive-not that they give in to the will of their wives, but that they give themselves up to their wives, which is the counterpart required of us as husbands-serving our wives], live with your wives in an understanding way, as with a weaker vessel, since she is a woman; and grant her honor as a fellow-heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.

Two commands are given along with the reasons for them. The first is to live with your wife according to understanding, or, as it actually is stated in the Greek, “according to knowledge”–because she is the weaker vessel. The second is to honor her because you are joint-heirs of the grace of life. What does Peter’ mean, “Live with your wife according to knowledge?” I believe he is referring to the knowledge of the Scriptures, the knowledge of the truth. Because the measure of a man’s manhood is the degree to which he gives himself to knowing and obeying the Word of God. Most of us men, at one time or another, question our manhood. That is what drives us to take up underwater demolition when we are fifty, or something of that nature! There is probably nothing wrong with being a fifty-year-old frogman, but that in itself is never going to prove anything to you. It will not make a man of you. The measure of a man is the degree to which he knows and obeys the Word. That is true manhood.

If you want to see a man, look at Christ. There is One who acted in every situation as a man should act. He was compassionate when he should have been compassionate, firm when he should have been firm. He was in every circumstance a man–”a man for all seasons”–because he acted according to the will of God. That is what will make us a man-if we will act according to the truth. The thing which is most impressive to your wife is not that you can press a two-hundred-pound barbell, but that you act according to the truth. It shakes her more than anything else when you do not act according to the truth. That is what is wrong with the man in verse 1 who is disobedient to the Word. His wife is frightened: “What will he do to me and my family?” But the man of the Word will act as he should act in every circumstance. He will be wise, discerning, strong, compassionate; he will be all that she could ever desire.

Peter says he is to act according to knowledge because his wife is the weaker vessel–not weaker intellectually, nor even physically, necessarily. I am convinced that women are much better able to withstand pain, that they live longer, and have fewer heart attacks. They cannot run quite as fast as men, yet, but they are getting there! No, women are weaker vessels in the sense that they are more easily broken, more fragile. The pressures and responsibilities of life more easily crush them and drive them away from a place of confidence in God. Therefore a man who lives according to knowledge, instead of reacting in anger or hostility or bewilderment to his wife, will direct her back to the Word. He will, as Paul says, “wash her with the water of the Word.” Now, if you do not have a husband who does this, then God himself takes this place in your life. You need not get frightened. But the word addressed to us, men, is that we must take this responsibility in the home.

Secondly, the husband is to honor his wife as a fellow-heir of the grace of life. Honor has to do with courtesy, respect, politeness, kindness. These give security to wives–things we did almost instinctively when we were courting them, but which we have long since abandoned–the quiet acts of courtesy and love. Somerset Maugham’s mother was a very beautiful woman, and she was married to a little, ugly, gnome-like man. No one could understand why she ever married him. In one of his books Maugham quotes her as saying she did so because “he would never hurt me.” He was courteous and kind, and she responded to that.

What not to do !!!

J H Jowett…(1864-1923)

What are the lineaments of the ideal husband? “Dwell with your wives according to knowledge.” [Verse 7] How shall we describe this characteristic? Let us call it the atmosphere of reasonableness. “According to knowledge.” We may grasp its content by proclaiming its opposite: “Dwell with your wives according to ignorance. Just walk in blindness. Don’t look beyond your own desires. Let your vision be entirely introspective and microscopic. Never exercise your eyes in clear and comprehensive outlook. Dwell in ignorance!”

No, says the apostle, “dwell according to knowledge.” Keep your eyes open. Let reason be alert and active. Let all your behaviour be governed by a sweet reasonableness. Don’t let appetite determine a doing. Don’t let thy personal wish have the first and last word. Exalt thy reason! Give sovereignty to thy reason! Be thoughtful and unceasingly considerate. It is the absence of this prevailing spirit of reasonableness which has marred and murdered many a bright and fair-promising communion. “He is not really bad at heart, but he doesn’t think!” That is the fatal defect. He does not think! He dwells according to ignorance; his reason is asleep, and the beautiful, delicate tie of wedded fellowship is smitten, wounded, and eventually destroyed.

 

In other words,a man can have a far better marriage if he is not overly self occupied,prideful,and willing to die to self !

Husbands,we are called to honor our wives-

Honor (time) reflects a manifestation of esteem (the regard with which one is held), honor, reverence. A related word timios in 1 Peter 1:19 (note) is translated “precious.”

Time is a term used to describe the value of a precious stone. Thus, wives are to be treasured as one would treasure a precious stone (cp Pr 31:10, Pr 31:10KJV speaking of her worth). Husbands are to show their wives they are precious by spending time with them, talking with them, praying with them, protecting them (see 1Cor 13:7-see note on meaning of “bears all things”), loving them as Christ loved the church and even as we do our own bodies (Eph 5:25-note, Eph 5:28.

Christian husbands are to deem their helpmate whom God has given them as precious, and so are to treat them with honor. Christianity introduced chivalry into the relationship between men and women. In the Greek and Roman culture it was common for the husband to expect his wife to carry out the domestic duties, but not to enter into a true, intimate friendship with him. In contrast, the Christian husband is to love and respect his wife so his prayers won’t be impeded. Since his prayers would include petitions for her salvation, it’s important that he develop an intimate friendship with her.

3. Wives/women – joint heirs- all Christians regardless of sex,are heirs with Jesus Christ- in Christ,and partakers of a heavenly calling. There is no spiritual heirarchy as with Mormonism,Roman Catholicism,Islam.

Ray Pritchard observes that…

Peter closes with a strong and strange warning. This is the motivation for taking his words with utmost seriousness: “that your prayers be not hindered.” The word for “hindered” is a military term for an army digging a trench in a road to stop the enemy’s advance. It describes what Satan will do in your spiritual life. If husbands do not take this seriously, Satan will dig a trench and your prayers will never get through. We all know that automobile engines get out of whack if only one little piece malfunctions. Likewise, our bodies have one breakdown and we end up in the hospital. There is a delicate balance between the physical and the spiritual. A marriage that is out of tune emotionally or physically will soon be out of tune spiritually. To put it bluntly, you can’t ignore your wife and get through to God. The Almighty takes the side of the weaker vessel! When we are truly one with each other, then we are truly one with God.
This principle applies in a broader way to all our relationships. If we harbor bitterness or if we are unkind or if we gossip about others, if we get angry and stay angry, our prayers will not get through to God. You cannot say, “I hate you,” to a brother or sister in Christ, and then blithely say, “I love you so much, Lord.” Or to be more accurate, you can say those words, but you’re just lying to yourself. If your prayers seem dead, dull and ineffective, maybe it’s time to do a relational inventory. God has wired us so that there is a direct connection between the horizontal and the vertical. The way you treat others has a direct impact on how God responds to your prayers. (1 Peter 3:7 Unhindered Prayers)

VII. The Gospel and Honor

1. At the Fall,man disobeyed God.This led to the Fall,and to our fallen nature. Our sin nature is our foundational problem. Out of that flow some obvious “sin characteristics” that tend to dominate in cultures,and in individual lives. Adam and Eve ate of the fruit,knew what they had done was wrong (guilt),were afraid of God and His reaction (fear),and were ashamed (shame) of what they had done.

2.Roland Muller writes about this in his book The Messenger,The Message,The Community. He makes a number of great points,and deals quite a bit with honor,shame,and the Biblical response to people who live in cultures that have been strongly influenced by the honor/shame world view,especially in Islam.

3.Muller points us to a verse that he shared with a Muslim that pictures the gospel – Hannah sings a song to the Lord when the Lord allows her to have Samuel- part of it is -

He raises up the poor from the dust;

he lifts the needy from the ash heap

to make them sit with princes

and inherit a seat of honor.

 

4. I Corinthians 1:26-31

26 For consider your calling, brothers:not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29 so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. 30 And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God,righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 31 so that, as it is written, Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

Many human beings seek honor. Power,worldly wisdom,position,fame,money,influence. In our own ways we want to be valued,respected and esteemed by others. The Pharisees in Jesus day often would pray and fast publicly in order to be noticed.

Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, 2 “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat, 3 so practice and observe whatever they tell you—but not what they do. For they preach, but do not practice. 4 They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear,and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger. 5 They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long,6 and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues 7 and  greetings in the marketplaces and being called rabbi by others. 8 But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers. 9 And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. 10 Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ. 11 The greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

When Jesus went to the cross and suffered public shame,crucified as a common criminal for our sins,taking our place and becoming our substitute, he dealt with the sin issue,and he dealt with guilt,shame and fear.

In Christ we are forgiven,redeemed,made righteous,set apart for God’s use,and seated in the heavens with Christ. Now there is no need to seek honor,we have been honored.It is an honor to serve the Lord and whether we receive any honor from another human being is irrelevant.

5. There is a time for everything a time to serve,a time to learn,and the Lord is to be first and honored in all things,

38 Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” 41 But the Lord answered her,“Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things,42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

But when the marriage feast of the Lamb occurs-

 

6 Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out,

“Hallelujah!

For the Lord our God

the Almighty reigns.

7 Let us rejoice and exult

and give him the glory,

for the marriage of the Lamb has come,

and his Bride has made herself ready;

8 it was granted her to clothe herself

with fine linen, bright and pure”—

for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.

9 And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.

God is worthy to receive glory and honor- He has done great and marvelous things. Miracles of grace – saving those who need a new heart. May we echo Paul’s statement in I Timothy 1:15-

15 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. 16 But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. 17 To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

God’s Remedy For the Hardness of Man’s Heart

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Would you know the reason why the state of people is so desperately helpless, if they die in their sins? Would you know why ministers feel so fearful about everyone who is cut off unprepared to meet God? The reason is, the hardness of man’s natural heart. What would a man do in heaven, if he got there, with his heart unchanged? By which of the saints would he sit down? What pleasure could he take in God’s presence and company? Oh no! It is vain to conceal it. There can be no real hope about a man’s condition, if he dies with his heart wrong.

~ J.C. Ryle

Old Paths, “The Heart”, [Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 1999], 348.

But God- He has made a way to Himself. In the sight of all the nations…

[10] The LORD has bared his holy arm
before the eyes of all the nations,
and all the ends of the earth shall see
the salvation of our God.
(Isaiah 52:10 ESV)

He who has eyes to see and ears to hear -

[53:1] Who has believed what he has heard from us?
And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?
[2] For he grew up before him like a young plant,
and like a root out of dry ground;
he had no form or majesty that we should look at him,
and no beauty that we should desire him.
[3] He was despised and rejected by men;
a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief;
and as one from whom men hide their faces
he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
[4] Surely he has borne our griefs
and carried our sorrows;
yet we esteemed him stricken,
smitten by God, and afflicted.
[5] But he was wounded for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
and with his stripes we are healed.
[6] All we like sheep have gone astray;
we have turned—every one—to his own way;
and the LORD has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.
(Isaiah 53:1-6 ESV)

God With Us : Immanuel Gives Light to Those Who Sit in The Shadow of Death

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[68] “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
for he has visited and redeemed his people
[69] and has raised up a horn of salvation for us
in the house of his servant David,
[70] as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old,
[71] that we should be saved from our enemies
and from the hand of all who hate us;
[72] to show the mercy promised to our fathers
and to remember his holy covenant,
[73] the oath that he swore to our father Abraham, to grant us
[74] that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies,
might serve him without fear,
[75] in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.
[76] And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High;
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,
[77] to give knowledge of salvation to his people
in the forgiveness of their sins,
[78] because of the tender mercy of our God,
whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high
[79] to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
(Luke 1:68-77; Luke 1:78-79 ESV)

O Come O Come Emmanuel :Lyrics

O come, O come, Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.
O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan’s tyranny
From depths of Hell Thy people save
And give them victory o’er the grave
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.
O come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
And death’s dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.
O come, Thou Key of David, come,
And open wide our heavenly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.
O come, O come, Thou Lord of might,
Who to Thy tribes, on Sinai’s height,
In ancient times did’st give the Law,
In cloud, and majesty and awe.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel