The Anointing of the King

/ Tim A. / 4 Comments

Matthew 3:13-17 continuing…

v. 16 –

There is an anointing of the King in this verse. As a man Jesus needed the empowering of the Holy Spirit for obedience; “Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;” Hebrews 5:7-9. I realize that these reference verses say nothing about the Holy Spirit, but it does mention “In the days of His flesh”, and the ‘strong crying and tears’. He would have had the Holy Spirit in Him strengthening and emboldening Him for the fulfillment of His ministry and calling. The Spirit was with Him in His teaching. He was present when Jesus healed sickness, and when the dead were raised to life again. Even when He confronted the evil hypocrites and demons the Holy Spirit was moving in power. The Holy Spirit was especially there when it came to His calling and purpose in coming; His agony, and the death of the cross. Let us never forget that the purpose of Jesus Christ, the Son of God becoming man; was to die on that old rugged cross; and receive the curse and sting of death for us.

There was a visible empowering of the Holy Spirit, and was a sign to all who were present, that this One is the Anointed One. The heavens were opened (v. 16; Acts 7:56; Ezekiel 1:1). Ezekiel 1:1 shows us that the ‘heavens were opened’ before so it is not without precedent, O, but for someone greater than Ezekiel; the creator of Ezekiel. When God chooses to open the heavens it is a spectacular event. It was witnessed by several people. We are not told how many were there on the Jordan River that day, but we could estimate in the hundreds, probably. What a glorious event to witness. The Anointing of the King. The visible sign came in the form of a dove lighting on Jesus; “And the Holy Spirit descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon Him…”. The “Bodily Shape” was so the witnesses could truly see what was taking place. Even Matthew, in verse sixteen witnesses, “…He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon Him…”. The dove, was to the Jew, a sacrifice of the poor. The dove signifies, that God has lowered Himself, to become a man as a man in need of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus trusted in the teaching and direction of the Spirit of God. Can we do any less.

Immersed Unto Righteousness

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 Matthew 3:13-17 continuing…

v. 15 –

The Son of God is baptized by John the Baptizer. This baptism is meant as immersion. The putting under of the whole body in the water. It has absolutely nothing to do with sprinkling of water, or pouring of water over a person. The idea is to put under, ie. immerse. In this is the true picture of death, burial, and resurrection. In Jesus’s baptism, He was not only fulfilling the demands of the law, but He was showing His own death, burial and resurrection which was to come a few years later. John’s baptism was for the repentance of sin, but Jesus had no sin. He was/is the Son of God and, God the Son; and God cannot sin.

By Jesus’s baptism Jesus declared John as a prophet, endorsing his ministry, and teachings, that his standard of righteousness was valid. If Jesus accepted the teachings of John as valid, then, he was to be received. They later rejected the messenger and the King. That is, the religious establishment rejected him, and not many paid any mind that the head of the baptist was served on a kings platter (14:1-9). By His baptism Jesus affirmed it [the message of the baptism] as the will of God, His Father, to which all are to be subjected.

We must follow the example our King left us when he was among us of humble birth, and accept God’s message and messenger; and in the example of His baptism. We being baptized into His death, and raised in His life.

Trout Day in Cassville, MO

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This post is varying away from my regular post for Fire and Hammer, but there was something I wanted to comment about.

As some of you know who come and read the articles here, I drive a School Bus for the Cassville, Missouri School District.  Well this is one of those holidays off.  Nothing gets in the way of this day off.  You could be twenty days behind in school due to heavy snow and any kind of bad weather, but this day is still guaranteed out.  It will never be used as a “Make up day”. 

Now, lest someone gets the wrong idea.  I have no problem with this.  I enjoy the day off, but it is amazing that a fish can gather so much attention.  On this day annually, thousands of people gather down at Roaring River State Park to catch thousands of Rainbow Trout.  I enjoy fishing once in awhile, but when I fish, I do not want to be rubbing elbows, shoulders, arms, and backsides with a bunch of other people. 

When they gather at Roaring River on the first day of March each year, and they stand on the banks waiting for the starting siren or gun, it is almost hillarious.  The rods and reels are swung backwards, brought forwards, the sound of the line spinning off the reel goes out into the water with the artificial bate (at least it is supposed to be), hits the water, then, the Rainbow’s are tempted with the jerking motions of the bait, and many bite, get reeled in and then, on to someone’s plate.  That sounds pretty good. 

That line sometimes, even many times goes out, in such a crowd and tangles with the fellow next to you, or with someone on the other side.  I find things like that aggravating.  There is one thing I know and that is, if you do it you must enjoy it.  My advice to those who are looking for something to do on March first, and your in the Cassville, Missouri area.  If you want to fish and be nearly alone go to Table Rock Lake, just a few miles from Roaring River State Park.  If you want to catch trout and be shoulder to shoulder, back to back with other people, then go to Roaring River State Park.

If you are into  hiking, the Park has several trails to walk, and they are  beautiful and sometimes difficult walks.

Righteousness Fulfilled

/ Tim A. / 6 Comments

Matthew 3:13-17 continuing…

One of the things that we must realize is that the reason for Jesus’s coming was to glorify His Father, and another was to fulfill all righteousness. When He came to present Himself for baptism He was not only glorifying His Father, and fulfilling righteousness; He was also doing a third thing. This was God’s endorsement, approval of John Baptist’s ministry.

Fulfilling righteousness, meant that He must meet every real requirement of the Law of God. By being baptised He was identifying Himself with man as the God-Man. He was also illustrating, and committing Himself to the righteous requirements of His Father and the law. Had He not done so He would not have fulfilled all righteousness.

Jesus did not make a dramatic approach onto this scene. He did approach with intention and purpose, and that was to be baptised by John. By His coming to John it does show that John is His herald and prophet. It would be good at this point to realize what John said when he saw Jesus coming, and it is not recorded in Matthew’s gospel, but it is in the Gospel of John (written by the apostle John, not John Baptist); “…Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” John 1:29. John is the one who declares Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Now, that is the ministry of the herald of the King of kings.

One other thing we will see in these few verses is that this King of kings is audibly confirmed by His heavenly Father. No kingship is genuine lest it be given and approved by God, the king maker.

Vv. 13-14 –

The major announcement which was made by the herald of the King is found in John 1:29, and is quoted above. “The Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world”. That is a wonderful, powerful, majestic announcement of John concerning the appearance of Jesus as he is baptizing in the Jordan River. Surely everyone who was there recognized the meaning of this declaration. They knew what the Old Testament laws were, what they said, and what they meant. They had heard all the prophecies of the Scriptures.

John, at first did not want to baptize Jesus. In this very action he was recognizing and declaring the deity of Jesus. He recognized him as being sinless, when he declared, “I have need to be baptized of Thee, and comest Thou to me?”

John had rejected baptizing hypocrites because they were unworthy, but rejects baptizing Jesus because He is without sin. John has an excellent gift of discernment. Of course his heart is right, and desires to fulfill righteousness, and he sees that what Jesus speaks is the truth, therefore, he goes ahead and baptizes Jesus.

The heart’s desire for every Christian is to see that the righteousness of God is lived out in their lives. Let’s begin to see that righteousness of Christ fulfilled in us by the power of God’s Spirit. Learn of the King, and learn from the King.

The Head of the Kingdom

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Matthew 3:1-12 concluded.

vv. 10-12

Now, I realize there is a bit of duplication of the verses, but I guess you could call that writers, or author’s privilege. In looking at these verses – using verse 10 a second time – I want us to see the HEAD OF THE KINGDOM. John confronted the legalists of the Pharisees, and the unspiritual Sadducees with their wickedness and unwilling, disobedient hearts, and has warned them of the “Ax laid to the root of the trees…”

My thought for this is, “Just who is swinging the ax?” It must be, and most assuredly is the King of the kingdom. John’s condemnatory preaching to them concerning their fruit, or lack thereof, shows they had no heart for God, right, or holiness.

The HEAD OF THE KINGDOM Jesus the Messiah will be the One who judges the fruit of the tree. Every unfruitful tree will be cut down and burned. Remember Jesus cursing the fig tree and it died. It was similar to these so called religious leaders who were professing fruit, but had none. The fig trees had leaves, but bore no fruit. Wasn’t it “figleaves” which Adam and Eve used to cover themselves in the garden. That is a state of declaration rather than a question. The fig leaves were hiding the evidence of no fruit, and yet saying it bore fruit.

John was baptizing the willing and obedient unto repentance. These baptized were confessing their sinfulness, giving themselves to repentance and cleansing from sin. There was a need for repentance in that day. There is a great need for repentance in our day, 2007. Yet, people want feel good sermons, songs that move them to tears, and great emotion, but do not lead to sorrow over sin.

When an individual receives the grace of God through Jesus Christ they are baptized in the Spirit. In that baptism there is cleansing by the fire and water of God’s holy Word, and the Spirit. There is a purging of sin. The old chaff [ie., the waste, the good for nothing junk of life, the stench of a dead, rotting corpse, the joy stealing self obsorbtion, etc.] are all burned away, and cast out.

Just as John and Jesus came preaching repentance; so too does it need preached today. It not only needs preached it needs to be lived out in our lives. When we truly repent, Jesus is Lord of our lives, and He is then, truly worshipped and glorified, and others will see Him in us, as the HEAD OF THE KINGDOM.

Stinky Rags???

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vv. 8-10

These religious leaders had come to see John Baptist; thinking or hoping they could gain some pull with him. They quickly found out they could not. They were quickly condemned and without apology.

They also, quickly learned that there was no benefit for them of being descendants of Abraham. No more than being born in a garage makes one a car. There is no security in one’s ancestry – not for eternity, unless your ancestry is being reborn into Jesus Christ, ie., being born again. They will be judged by their faith and the works that they did (James 2:17; Rev. 20:12).

Those who believe that their good works will out weigh the bad deeds they have done; as though God has a scale to weigh works; need to realize God is not like the lady justice who is blindfolded; God judges with His eyes wide open, and He sees quite clearly. All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). In that day of judgment at the Great White Throne you will be judged by your works, and will be found lacking. All God will see is “Filthy rags”, and it will be a stench to be cast out for the burning.

The Baptist and the Sticks

/ Tim A. / 2 Comments

Matthew 3:1-12 continuing…

v. 7 –

Let’s take a look at the confrontation that takes place between the Baptist, the legalists and the liberals. John Baptist immediately recognizes them as poisonous snakes, and he calls them such. Now, today, we would hear comments from the crowd, if a preacher were to say something so brash. Some would say, “He shouldn’t have said that”; others might add, “Well, that was just rude”, still others might say, “You can’t draw a crowd like that”. Did John care? I think he cared for the people, but not for the cold hearted attitudes of these rebellious religious leaders who cared nothing for the truth or whether the Messiah was coming or not.

These “Leaders” were subtle like a serpent. There is evidence that there were some serpents in the land of Israel that appear as sticks as they lay so still, and unmoving; someone could inadvertantly pick one up and be bitten by it. John’s condemnation of them immediately relates them to their spiritual father – the devil. Later Jesus Himself would call them a “Brood of vipers” (Matthew 23:33).

Calling religious leaders a “Brood of vipers” would certainly not be a way to get into goods with the denominational crowd or elite. It is not the way to win friends and influence people. At least not according to our modern folklore. Preaching is out. Singing, concerts, drama, sports, etc. is what is the in thing. What ever works to draw a crowd – do it.

The Baptist was faithful to his calling. He remained the herald of the Messiah until his death by the hands of Herod who had him beheaded for the pleasure of his adultery and adulterous wife and step daughter.

To all the men of God who stand in the pulpits of the churches around the world; BE FAITHFUL TO GOD’S CALL – PREACH THE WORD. Never stop. Do not let the praise of men cause you to do the opposite of preaching. Make the preaching of God’s Word central in all you do. Preach for repentance. Preach for Jesus sake. Preach for the glory of Jesus.

People of the churches; stand beside your pastor/preacher if he is preaching the Word. Pray for him. Encourage him. If you do not have a crowd in your church and your pastor is preaching faithfully the Word of God, then pray, and reach out to those you work with, those you hosts in your home, just keep being faithful to God’s Word.

Religious, but Condemned

/ Tim A. / 3 Comments

It is sad to say, but when we look at verses 7 – 9, the religious leaders came out to hear John, and evidently their whole attitude stank to heaven, because John, filled with the Spirit of God quickly jumps their case, “O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham”. He knew how to win friends among the religious elite, didn’t he. It is quite apparent from the Gospel accounts, that these religious nobles actually hated John, but could do nothing with him because of the people. He had the people’s ear, and they did not.

The Pharisees were sticklers of the law, conservative when it came to the Scriptures, but they were very legalistic, and never obeyed it in many ways themselves, by giving themselves loopholes that the people knew nothing of. They were very self-righteous.

Another group was the Saducees. They were very different from the Pharisees, because they did not believe in much, if anything, spiritual. You might call them the liberals among the groups. They claimed acceptance of the “Law of Moses” – our first five books of the Bible, but claimed no obedience to it. They did not believe in the supernatural – no angels, or bodily resurrection of the dead. I am pretty sure they would have equated the miracles of the deliverance from Egypt of the Israelite’s a mere metaphor or something. Elijah being caught up in a chariot of fire was probably a wild legend, or again a metaphor for some teaching purpose. Naaman would not have actually been healed of leprosy by dipping seven times in the muddy stream, and he probably wasn’t even healed at all in their way of thinking. Some one once made the statement, “No wonder they are called Saducees, for they are sad you see.”

I have already mentioned that we should not judge motives, but maybe that is what I am going to do now with these two groups. They are already condemned. Any of them who never trusted Jesus as their Lord and Savior are condemned for all eternity. Any of them who did go ahead and trust Jesus is in glory by now, so there is no way my judgment of them will make things any better or worse. It just makes me wonder what was their motive for being there to here John preach, since John asked them, “Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come” (v. 7)? It may have been out of curiosity. They may have heard about this preacher who was preaching about the coming of Messiah, calling for repentance, getting the hearts of people ready to receive their King. What was it about John that drew a crowd. There are preachers and religious leaders like that in 2007, who are more curious about how to draw a crowd, than about the preaching of God’s Word. No where are we commanded to draw a crowd. They probably came to check the message John was preaching. Was he really a prophet. They could tell. They knew when a prophet was among them. Maybe they also thought that they could gain his approval, and they could share in some of the crowd, and eventually take over the Baptist movement.

The Pharisees were ‘legalist’, and they offered no hope to anyone, except all who were perfect. They never found anyone like that, but themselves. Their humility is preposterous, and non-existent. They may have been the conservative group, but they were Jesus haters, and despisers. They led in the taking of Jesus to trial and crucifixion. They actually hated the truth of God’s Word, and especially His Living Word. Believing His Word we would trust Jesus, and follow Him.

The Saducees believed in nothing spiritual. According to them there was no resurrection of the dead, no angels, no life after death at all. What a sad existence that would be. That would be motive for eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we die. There is, however, life after death, and it can be spent in one of two places. There is hell for all who refuse and reject Jesus as personal Lord and Savior. There is Heaven for all who hear the call of the Father to His Son, and trust in His death, burial and resurrection. You will see Him face to face. Confess Him now as Lord, or do it then, and be cast alive into the lake of fire which burns forever; ie., Hell. God in His love, has positioned the cross between you and Hell to keep you from going there. You must come to Him.

Judge Not???

/ Tim A. / 4 Comments

In everything MOTIVE is everything. Why was the herald of the King delivering this message? What was his motive? To answer that question in one sentence; it seems to me that John was doing it because he knew the King, and that His kingdom was coming, and he wanted the people to be prepared for the King. He also knew that those without repentance are unfit for the kingdom of God’s glory, and cannot enter into it. There are two aspects to this kingdom; first, The outer – having to do with the outward appearances; false professions. Second, the inner – having to do with the genuine, abiding of the Spirit of the Lord in the heart. This is the part that Jesus is most concerned with.

We have heard it said – especially those who are pastors, or preachers, etc,. – “Well, we aren’t supposed to judge.” We may look at it sometime in the future at a little greater length and detail, but when Jesus said, “Judge not, lest ye be judged” He did not have in mind of not coming to a conclusion about the fruit of an individuals life. “O, we aren’t supposed to judge; so let’s just be quiet, and let them go on in their lifestyle”. We would not dare say “…Sinful lifestyle”, afterall that would be judging according to this interpretation. This is the conclusion which I have reached concerning Jesus’s words about judging – We should never judge another’s MOTIVE for doing something. I must say I have done it myself. When I have heard of a wealthy individual contributing millions to a needy cause; my thoughts say, “He is only doing it to call attention to himself, and/or his business.” That is not my judgment to make, that is only for God to judge.

I dare say that when John came preaching repentance; he saw a sinful people, and he did not mince words about it. John’s MOTIVE was clear. He was preparing the way of the King who was coming. Lord help my MOTIVE be to prepare Your way, and to see the hearts of many people know You as their Lord, Savior, and King.

In his ministry John preached genuine repentance; not a washed out repentance; that when it is all over nothing has changed. The baptism he baptized with was as a sign of the repentance of sin. It did not save, because only Jesus the King can save. These repentant hearts were now prepared to receive their King.

ARE YOU PREPARED TO RECEIVE KING JESUS.

The Message of Repentance

/ Tim A. / 5 Comments

Matthew 3:1-12 continuing…

 “Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (v. 2).

The next thing we see is the message of the herald. It was a message which needs to be proclaimed and heard today. The world does not need to hear little mamby, pamby, sissy messages of movie previews and reviews, and learning social skills. The message the world needs, and that religious people need is the same one John came preaching – repentance. The world needs to know they have sinned and grieved the heart of God, and that He is angry with their sin, but loves them, and has shown that love by judging sin upon His own Son on the cross. Repentance equals change – a complete reversal in direction. Repentance is a sorrow for abusing the glory of God, and changing your actions, your thoughts, your beliefs accordingly. When we look at those that came to hear John we see several religious elites who came, seeking the baptism of repentance, but John was quick to see that their hearts and lives were not in it. One’s religious heritage makes no difference; if there is no repentance they are without Christ.

The world today is in peril. The return of the Lord is closer than it has ever been, and the wickedness of mankind keeps degressing from worse to worse. Now, I know that sounds really negative, and I guess it is, but sometimes negative is the truth. A battery has no power without the negative; but when you put the negative and positive together you get POWER. If you do not believe it just go out to your car, truck or whatever you drive, and disconnect the negative cable from the battery; go ahead and see if it will start. I will guarantee that it will not. Put a piece of tape on the negative side of a regular “Energizer” type battery, put it in your i-Pod or whatever; see if you have anything. Again YOU WON’T. Positive has nothing without Negative. Before there is a positive response of people to the Gospel of Jesus Christ they must know that they need a Savior. With murders, rapes, robberies, home invasions, carjackings, and just out and out debauchery occurring daily it is time we proclaimed the fallenness of mankind, not be trying to tell them how good they/we are.

REPENT. Turn to the One who paid the penalty for your sin. That is King Jesus.

Messenger for the King

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Matthew 3:1-12 continued…

The message of Christ the King is a message that calls for change in living. When we here the call of this message of Jesus Christ the King it is not without merit, or aid from the King. He also calls those who have been changed to be like John the Baptist, and preach His message wherever we are, and in whatever we are doing. Just as John Baptist was a Messenger of the King, so too, are those who have been chosen by the King.

Let’s first look at the first six verses. Isaiah 40:3 is quoted in verse three of this chapter. In those days of John this is the way things were done by kings and monarchs. They would first send a “Herald” letting all the subjects of the kingdom that the king was on the way. That way the people would be prepared to present themselves to him. If they were not prepared then, that was their responsibility. John Baptist was the herald for King Jesus.

As we look at the herald of the King here is what we find about him. John Baptist was a man who was filled with the Holy Spirit even before birth; “For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb. And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God” Luke 1:15-16 – this was spoken by the ‘angel of the Lord’ to Zacharias concerning the birth of their son John in their old age. John was a man who was set for greatness (“And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord” Luke 1:17); of course, you would not think it to look at the way he dressed, and his “Social skills” were something that would make most of us blush. Jesus spoke of his greatness, “Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he” Matthew 11:11. He would follow the pattern of Elijah according to Luke 1:17. Elijah is sometimes referred to as the Prophet of Fire. Elijah trusted the Lord completely when it came to challenging the so called ‘prophets of Baal’. John was not afraid to challenge the Herods of His day. John came calling the people away from a dead and lifeless religious system to the source of light and life. It was dead and lifeless because the hearts of the people had grown cold, and hard to the Lord and His word.

Will you be a HERALD FOR THE KING? It starts with you making sure your heart and life is right with the King. That is King Jesus.

The Response of the Wise

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Matthew 2:1-23 conclusion…

 

“And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way” Matthew 2:11-12.

We have already looked at the testimony of the Magi, but now let’s finalize this study of the second chapter of Matthew by seeing the RESPONSE OF THE MAGI [wise men]. They first learned of the birth of this King by the appearance of a “Star”. As far as I am concerned it was a star; a very special star made up of the Glory of God just for this time, and this very special King. The fact that it moved suggest to me that it could have been the very Glory of God showing the way to the Lamb of God born in a manger.

These Wise men followed the Glory of God which had shined and led. When the wise men went to Jerusalem they went to the evil king Herod asking where the King of the Jews was to be born. He did not know. Herod called for the Priests and Scribes, who could have cared less, but did have a knowledge of the prophecies, but they did not go with the wise men. When they found out the baby would be born in Bethlehem, they were told by Herod to come and tell him so he could go and worship Him too.

When the wise men find Jesus, in a “House” they bowed and worshipped Him, and gave him “Their treasures, they presented unto Him gifts; gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” Their first response when they see Jesus is worship. Surely there must have been something different about the appearance of Jesus as they saw Him in their house. By the time the wise men found Jesus He could have been as much as two years of age. He was no longer the babe lying in a manger, but two year old child walking about the house, and probably talking as well.

Their second response was to give Him gifts. These are gifts given to kings. Gold is a precious metal of royalty; Frankincense is a precious fragrance of royalty; and Myrrh is another precious fragrance of royalty usually used in burials.

The response of those who are found by Him should be to worship Him, trust His Word the Scriptures of the Holy Bible, and know that all He has said will be fulfilled. THE WISE WORSHIP HIM – THE FOOLISH REMAIN INDIFFERENT.

What I am Reading

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Many years ago God gave me the discipline to read His Word, and that is the first book I pick up when I get up of the morning, with a couple of notebooks with it.  I will not bore anyone with that.

A year ago this past Christmas I received as gifts 2 novels.  One was by John Grisham titled THE BROKER.  It sat on my bookshelf for over a year.  The other book I received was one by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins title THE REGIME.  On Christmas day of 2006 I received another novel by Frank E. Perreti titled THE HOUSE.

After January first of this year (2007) I picked up THE HOUSE and began reading it.  I finished it the first week I started – I am not a speedy reader, but rather slow.  When I finished with it I began reading THE BROKER, and after a couple of weeks of reading finished it.  Understand when I read I do not go straight through.  I have other things to do.  I have not yet read THE REGIME because it is the second book in a series, and I do not like getting in the middle of a story.  Now, I will need to find the other two, or so.

I am currently reading, and about to finish a book by John Piper titled, THE PLEASURES OF GOD, and man, am I enjoying it.  It is amazing how big, wonderful and full of grace God is, and John Piper does a marvelous work in bringing out much of it.  Who knows where it would all end.  I have also read, DON’T WASTE YOUR LIFE by Piper, and it was really an encouraging book.  When I am finished with THE PLEASURES OF GOD I am going to begin in Piper’s book called FUTURE GRACE.

I enjoy reading a good novel from time to time.  They kind of break the routine, and get me out of a rut, which I can get into so easily at times.  All the books I mentioned are good reading.  I would not recommend any of John Grisham’s books for children, though. 

Indifference In The Pulpits

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Matthew 2:1-23 continuing

“And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet…” Matthew 2:4-5

Sometimes, even many times we are surprised by those who are religious leaders; look at the INDIFFERENCE OF THE CHIEF PRIESTS AND THE SCRIBES. The Chief priests had political and religious power. They were originally to descend from Aaron brother of Moses. During the time of Jesus this had become an office of political favor and could be purchased for the ‘right price’.

These men were supposed to be in charge of the temple, and its sacrifices. They were profiteers rather than servants of God and the people. That will later be seen in Jesus’s entering the temple area and upsetting the ‘Money changers’ tables. These would tell someone who had brought their own lamb for sacrifice that it had a blemish, thus was unfit as a sacrifice; sell this individual another lamb; then turn around and sell the one they had said was blemished to another unsuspecting customer. O, the power that religion holds on people. O, the shame it should be to all those who are truly in Christ Jesus; to see those who make profits from the selling of “healing merchandise”, “Handkerchiefs’, ‘cloths”, “Holy Oils” “a piece of the cross”, etc.; for the purpose of healing, blessing or whatever. THIEF.

These “Priests”, by representation, should have been seeking the Messiah, but it seems they had no care for it. These were supposed to be the spiritual leaders of their people “Israel”, but they were bought and paid for by the political system, and their own greed. The people who call themselves Christian must needs be very cautious when dealing in the political arena. There should never be an offer of material benefit for a candidate, nor receipt of material benefit from a candidate. The Christian person, nor Christian ministry is for sale. In case someone misunderstands I will state it again. The Christian is not for sale, nor is the ministry of the Word of God. I for one will not be found to be a part of the “woman” riding the beast of “Democracy” (Rev. 17:3).

The Scribes were authorities on Jewish law and the Scriptures. They too were negligent in searching for the Messiah. They were more concerned with the thing which are at hand. The coming of Messiah would take care of itself. There is a like negligence of the prophecies of God’s Word today; a denying of their importance. Wake up Christian. Wake up pastors. These Scribes just had no care. They too, were bound up in the office of their position, rather than in the One who came, and is coming again. I really hate to admit it, but that is the attitude I see in far too many pastors in 2007.

The Testimony of the Foolish

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Matthew 2:1-23 continuing…

“When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him” Matthew 2:3; “And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also” 2:8; “Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men” 2:16.

Another thing, the third thing we look at is the TESTIMONY OF HEROD’S JEALOUSY AND HOSTILITY. Herod was actually only a Roman appointed king of the Jews. He married a Jewish heiress in order to make himself more acceptable to the Jews. He was cruel and merciless. He was so incredibly jealous; even to the point of killing his own sons to protect ‘his’ throne.

Herod was troubled because he already saw this baby as a threat to his political and military power. This is the Herod known as “Herod the Great”. This Herod is founder of the famous and infamous line of Herods, and he ruled from 37 – 4 B.C.. In Psalm 2:1-2 we read, “Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed,…”. Surly, Herod the Great was the first to attempt the destruction of the Lord as He became a man.

This king was a man who was not beyond using deception to get information that he wanted, espcially if it affected his reign. He would deceive, lie, kill, do whatever it took to preserve his kingdom. He lied to the Magi to try and find out where this baby was; “Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.” (vv.7-8). Herod had no intention of worshipping this new born king. He would kill him, but not worship him. That is, if there had not been divine providence involved. One day Herod will fall down and worship at the feet of this King; whom he tried to kill; and will call Him Lord (Philippians 2:9-11).

One thing is for sure; God preserves His Word, ie., His Son, and the written Word; and those who trust Him. Those who try to destroy Him will be destroyed.

Looking For the King

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Matthew 2:1-23 continued…

“Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him” Matthew 2:2.

The second thing we look at is the TESTIMONY OF THE MAGI. The Magi were probably from the area of Persia, and were known as astrologers and/or magicians. This is by no means an approval on those practices of evil. It shows still the darkness of their hearts, but also a drawing power of God’s Spirit to people who do not know Him. The testimony of Daniel was strong even 450 years later.

So, what was the testimony of these Gentile “Magicians”? They came to the king, one who thought he was the king of Jerusalem, to find out where this King would be born (v. 2). First of all it seems they had a testimony of God’s Word. They had heard this message of a coming King of the Jews from somewhere and it must have been from the Scriptures which Daniel had written. They must have read of the “Stone cut out without hands”,

“He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.” Daniel 2:34. “Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.” Daniel 2:45.

The very fact that these men are seeking Him says much about who it is. Why would these men who held much importance for the king of Persia at the time be going off following a “Star”? Didn’t they have important matters to attend to? I mean by that things they would have considered important. Maybe they had other men who filled in for them in performing their duties.

One of the things that certainly can be said of these “Magi” is that they were seekers of the truth. In that endeavor we all should be, and those of us who know Jesus as our Lord and Savior have been found by Him.

The testimony of the Magi troubled king Herod. He was, according to historians of that time, a very jealous man. He was the “King of Jerusalem”, and no one was going to have his throne. Are you troubled by this King, or do you find life, hope, peace, joy, and eternal life in Him?

Evidence of Scripture

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THE ACTIONS OF WISE AND FOOLISH MEN

Matthew 2:1-23  There will be further posts from chapter 2 of Matthew

We are given evidence of the Kingship of Jesus. It is shown by the actions of men; both foolish and wisemen. There is evidence provided us by Scriptures which have been fulfilled only in the person of Jesus Christ. These evidences should evoke the sinner to ascribe to Him His worth by receiving Him; and the saint by ascribing all our worship to Him, through our love by obedience to His commandments.

In this chapter the “Wise men” are of course those who come seeking the one who was “Born King of the Jews”. Herod, of course, is one of the foolish men who by Hiis very act of free will was used to fulfill the very Word of God by his act of hatred.

We are not told how many of these “Wise men” there were. It has mostly been assumed that there were three, because when they brought their gifts to Jesus there was only three gifts; gold, frankincense, and myrrh (v. 11). Where did these wise men come from. It very well could be that these were men who came from the area around Persia, and their knowledge of Scripture could probably be traced back to Daniel (See Daniel 5:11). There is no evidence to back this up, but is only a possibility. Wherever they came from; whoever they were; somewhere they had gained a knowledge of a coming King of the Jews.

“Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem” Matthew 2:1; “And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son” 2:13-15; Verses 17-23 are also included in this section.

First of all let’s look at the EVIDENCE OF SCRIPTURE (v. 6). Now concerning the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem Micah the prophet wrote by the breath of God, “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.” (5:2). There are some who believe Jesus was merely a man who plotted to meet all the Scriptural evidence, and as if the Holy Spirit knew this would happen, He gives us evidence of His birth, knowing no man can plot or plan the place of their birth. I speak as a man to men. Concerning the escape from out of Egypt (vv. 13-15), we find Hosea writing by God’s breath, “When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.” (11:1). Certainly a reference to Jesus’s coming out of Egypt as a child.

In verses 17-18 of our text we find it proclaimed in Scripture, “Thus saith the LORD; A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping; Rahel weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not” Jeremiah 31:15. This was a proclamation of the hideous act of Herod’s jealousy, and his slaughter of innocent children two years of age and under. O, how there must have been much weeping when the soldiers came with swords, and the blood of infants flowed in the homes and streets of Ramah.

“He shall be called a Nazarene” (v. 23b). According to many scholars there are no written prophecies available to us which this would refer. It is interesting to note a few Scriptures which speak of Jesus being despised. The word ‘Nazarene’ could be a reference to one who is despised or detestable.

“Nazareth, an obscure town 55 mi. N of Jerusalem, was a place of lowly reputation, and nowhere mentioned in the OT. Some have suggested that ‘Nazarene’ is a reference to the Heb. word for brance in Isaiah 11:1. Others point out that Matthew’s statement that ‘prophets’ had made this prediction may be a reference to verbal prophecies nowhere recorded in the OT. A still more likely explanation is that Matthew is using ‘Nazarene’ as a synonym for someone who is despised or detestable–for that was how people from the region were often characterized (cf. John 1:46). If that is the case, the prophecies Matthew has in mind would include Ps.22:6-8; Is. 49:7; 53:3.” From the MACARTHUR STUDY BIBLE pg. 1396.

Those Scriptures say, “But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people. All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him.” Psalm 22:6-8. From Isaiah we read, ” Thus saith the LORD, the Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One, to him whom man despiseth, to him whom the nation abhorreth, to a servant of rulers, Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of the LORD that is faithful, and the Holy One of Israel, and he shall choose thee.” Isaiah 49:7; “He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.” Isaiah 53:3.

It is possible that more than one prophet wrote of Jesus being called a Nazarene. Matthew does mention, “…Which was spoken by the prophets…” (v. 23). Jesus was from Nazareth. He was despised of men and rejected. How do you see Jesus?

Some Good Reading

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There is one thing that I have discovered over the past year, and that is that I have found something that I really enjoy doing, and that is blogging.  I do not think that when I began on January 9, 2006 that I even had a purpose or reason for starting FIRE AND HAMMER blog, but I believe the Lord gave me one soon after.

I read a statistic that there are 1 billion people that have internet service or have access to it.  That clicked in my mind.  I read many blogs which seemed always negative about the SBC and such as that.  That really became discouraging to me.  If there is 1 billion people who have access to the internet, then it would appear to me that Christians should be using it to lift up the name of Jesus Christ, presenting Him as crucified, buried, rising again, and soon to return.  That is what I have endeavored to do.  Only God knows how many have been touched by the words that have been written here.

There are many other blogs which glorify Jesus, and point to Him.  These are some I want to recommend to the readers of Fire and Hammer. I have recently discovered two which are connected with Pyromaniacs. These are Biblical Christianity, and …And His ministers a flame of fire. I have not yet put them as a link here, but will soon.

There are others which I linked with from Heavenly Heartburn, and they are ChristianLifeAsATruckDriver; then, there is Gordon’s wife’s blog, Byway Blessings. Another one from Gordon Cloud’s site is, GodsLove&StoriesOfThePast

.

There are many wise words which are written on these blogs. There are many others which I could tell you about, but I will save that for another time; soon. There is truth, encouragement, and blessing in these. Let’s pray that we continue down this path, and not get away from seeking the glory of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. God bless you all

God’s Fulfilled Promises (2)

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Matthew 1:18-25 continued…

Joseph, then, obeyed the voice of God, and went and took Mary as his wife. He too had a heart similar to Mary’s, after the Angel came and confirmed Mary’s words to him. There does not seem to be a moments hesitation. In order to save he and Mary from some embarrassment they probably had their marriage soon after Joseph’s receiving the message.

It is so very important to believe the Word of God. It tells us these things of Jesus. His coming into the world, just like the rest of us, but as the seed of God, not of man. Note what verse 22 tells us, “Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet…”.

The virgin birth of Jesus is acknowledged by the Holy Spirit in the writing of Scripture, and in the conception of Jesus. Mary knew herself to be a virgin (Luke 1:34). Her virginity was evidence of her godliness. Her virginity protected the divine nature of the Son of God. If he would have been born of Joseph, or any other man he would have no divine nature.

The baby which was conceived by the Spirit of God was declared to be a “Son” by the Angel before this baby was born (Luke 1:31; Matthew 1:21). This was a long time before there was ‘ultra sound’, or any medical technology we know of in 2007. Joseph is to name Him Jesus; “He shall save His people from their sins”. The name ‘Jesus’ means “Jehovah will save”. In Hebrew it is the name ‘Joshua’.

The birth of this very special baby by the virgin is in fulfillment of the prophecies of the Old Testament. In particular Isaiah 7:14. Matthew’s Gospel continues throughout the Gospel to connect Jesus to the Old Testament. There are more Old Testament references in the Gospel of Matthew than in all the other Gospels. There are at least 100 references to the Old Testament with at least 93 actual references in this Gospel. This strongly shows us God’s power to keep His Word and fulfill His promises. Mary was indeed a virgin at the time of conception and at the time of the birth of Jesus. Immanuel – ‘God with us’ – God became man and dwelt among us.

There was a consummation of the virgin birth by Joseph’s determined action to be the husband of Mary and the legal father of Jesus. In essence the action was an act of obedience – obeying the messenger of God who came and confirmed the words of Mary. Joseph protected the virginity of Mary until after the child Jesus was born. There are some who want to continue to maintain the virginity of Mary even after the birth of Jesus, but this is fallacious; it has no merit at all up against the Scriptures. The fallacy of it is seen in the final verse – 25. “And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS”. It is seen in chapter 12:46; and again in chapter 13:55-56; and again in Mark 6:3. To deny the virgin birth of Jesus Christ is to deny the truth which Jesus Himself spoke unto us. “I and My Father are one” (John 10:30); “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me” (John 14:6). Who would or should even call Him a “Good man” if He told us nothing but lies? I am so thankful that the Word of God is true, trustworthy, completely reliable, and every word is God-breathed. Jesus was more than a ‘good man’; He is the God-man.

The virgin birth of Jesus is declared by the Old and New Testaments. It is believed by God’s people, by all who know His Son Jesus as their Lord and Savior. It does not matter who denies it or rejects it; it is the truth. Because of the virgin birth of Jesus we have further evidence of the reality, validity, and power of the life of Jesus. The way the world has been changed by the person, and the witness of Jesus is evidence of the truth of the virgin birth of Jesus Christ. The Scriptures are fulfilled because of this truth. The virgin birth of Jesus Christ is consummated every time a sinner is born of God.

Fulfilled Promises

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GOD’S FULFILLED PROMISESMatthew 1:18-25

This part of the study in Matthew’s Gospel has to do with one of the most controversial subjects concerning the birth of Jesus. That is the fact that He was virgin born. There is much importance to be placed upon this truth. The deity of Jesus Christ and His very own character hang on this truth. To doubt this truth is to doubt the very words of Jesus Himself, because if He was not virgin born, then He was not and is not deity; He is not the Son of God; His death is no different than the thieves who died along side of Him and He was most deserving of His death.

We could ask the question, “Why is the virgin birth so important?” I believe that question is answered in the paragraph above. It is important because it gives us evidence of the truth of who Jesus is. If He was born of a virgin, then, He fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah 7:14; and since He fulfilled that one He also fulfilled all the others concerning His first coming, and will fulfill all those concerning His return.

We do know that there have been myths of other religions which claimed someone was virgin born, but those prove to be nothing more than myth. These are attempts to deify their heroes or heroines. Within Roman Catholicism there is a teaching of Mary’s being virgin born; often referred to as “Immaculate Conception”, thus putting her in the level of deity. The thought is that Mary must be sinless, perfect, pure, clean, in order to bear the Son of God who is in fact “God with us’ – ‘Immanuel”. If you take that conclusion then, Mary’s mother would have to be “Immaculately born”, and her mother, and her mother, all the way back to Eve, before they fell. That did not happen. Mary, the mother of Jesus Immanuel, Son of God, was not without sin, she was not born of a virgin, and she herself recognized Jesus as her Savior (Luke 6:46-48). There is no Scriptural evidence to prove anything, but that Mary needed a Savior, she went on and became the mother of other children (v. 25; 12:46). There is no veneration due unto Mary. She is not a co-redemptrix. She is a sinner who has been saved by grace, through faith in Jesus Christ. Should we admire her? Yes! She obeyed God and became the mother of our Savior. O, that more of us had the heart of Mary, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word” Luke 1:38.

There are some who profess to be Christians but do not believe the virgin birth of Christ to have been possible. Can one be a Christian, and not believe that Jesus Christ was born of Mary who was a virgin at the time of His birth? It would seem that an individual who is coming to Jesus by faith at the early stages of faith would not necessarily know of this doctrine, but as they grow in grace and knowledge of Jesus, they would learn of it and believe it. They would believe it because the virgin birth of Immanuel was prophesied in Isaiah 7:14, and fulfilled in Matthew 1:22-23 and Luke 1:26-37. As evidence of one’s salvation they will believe the Word of God, and God says Jesus was born of Mary who was a virgin at the time of His birth. Jesus was conceived in the womb of a virgin by the Spirit of God, and she remained a virgin until after His birth. Argue against the virgin birth of Jesus Christ all you want. Say, “Well that is just not possible.” With the technology we have today it is possible for a young woman to have a child without ever having sexual intercourse with a man. In the physical act she could still be considered a virgin (I guess), but the very fact of the implanting of the seed, or the embryo it would still be the seed of a man, not God. All things are possible with God.

When Mary told Joseph of her encounter with God he did not believe her. He loved Mary, and was going to divorce her privately. Divorce was necessary, because in that culture ‘betrothel’ was as binding as the actual marriage. It was much more than the “engagements” our culture knows here in the United States which can be broken off with a moments notice. Joseph, “Being a just man…” knew the child was not his. He was not going to embarass her, nor did he desire to bring harm to her, but his first thought was ‘Divorce’ but privately. She had betrayed him – so he thought – so he could do this according to law. It was not to be. God sent His angel to Joseph to confirm everything Mary had said. “But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us” (vv. 20-23).

It is great to know that He is still with us.  He is always with us, and will never forsake those who trust in Him.

Ancestry of Sinners

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ANCESTRY OF SINNERS

Matthew 1:1-17 continued…

There is evidence of Jewish Royalty in an ancestry of sinners. This genealogy is evidence of divine lineage of Jesus, and succession of God’s establishment of

a people. It is given so that man may have proof of Jesus’s true identity. You could call this Gospel ‘The Identity Papers of Jesus the King’ It is proof positive that Jesus is the King of kings. For those who will not believe these papers, they would not believe my birth certificate either. I have much more confidence in God’s Birth Certificates than I do those that are manmade.

There are five people who are included in the genealogy of Jesus that most noble people would not want to claim, but here they are in the lineage of our Lord Jesus who is King of all kings, Lord of all lords, and He rules the Universe, and all that is within it. There is Tamar who deceived her father in law and committed an act of harlotry (Matthew 1:3; Gen. 38:13-30). Tamar is a representation of sin. The second person we see is Rahab, and she was a prostitute in the city of Jericho who was delivered from Jericho’s destruction because of her faith in the God of Israel (Matthew 1:5; Joshua 2:1-21; 6:23); Rahab is the representation of faith; she later married a Jew by the name of Salmon, and these were the proud parents of Boaz. And that leads us to the third woman and her name is Ruth – a Moabitish woman who was forbidden by law to enter the congregation; she represents the principle of grace (Matthew 1:5; Deut. 23:3-6; Ruth 1:16; 3:19; 4:18-22). These three women were Gentile women, and Tamar was a Canaanite (Gen 38:2) one of the peoples who were to be driven from the land of Promise and killed. The next woman on the list is not even named; she is instead called, “of her that had been the wife of Uriah” (v.6). We know her as Bathsheba – the partner in David’s great sin of adultery and murder, and she represents the principle of forgiveness. It is possible that Bathsheba was also a Gentile woman. How is all this possible? It shows that the God of the Old Testament is the same as the God of the New Testament. He is a God of grace and mercy, and made a way for all to trust Him and be eternally saved.

The fifth and final woman mentioned in this kingly genealogy is Mary. A woman loved, respected, and admired by many. It is so sad however to see some who hold her in an attitude of worship, and to go through her to Jesus. That is pure idolatry and forbidden. Jesus alone is worthy of our worship and we need no mediator to get to Jesus. He is the Mediator for us to the Father. Mary is to be loved, respected, admired and we should follow her in the willing example of faith that she displayed when the angel came and told her that she would bear a Son. Luke recorded, by the breath of God, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.” O, that we had a heart like Mary.

When it came to the moment of the conception and birth of the King, the Son of God, the mother must be as pure as is possible, and God chose Mary; a virgin – not just a young woman, which she probably was, but a virgin who had never had sexual intercourse with a man. God protects His purity. Matthew spares nothing to proclaim the virgin birth of Jesus.

Mary does have something in common with the other four women of this genealogy. They are all guilty of , or accused of sexual immorality. It is certain that people of Mary’s and Joseph’s town knew they were “Betrothed” which in that culture was much more than engagement for our culture. It would have taken Joseph to write a legal letter of divorcement for the marriage to cease, but he did not do that. There must have been suspicious, gossiping tongues, as they were seen together before there wedding became official. Mary was not without sin. She was a sinner, in need of a Savior, and she gave birth to her own Savior and ours. What a wonderful lady. We have much to thank Mary for.

Jesus is the only Jew, since 70 A.D., who know His genealogy, and can prove it. “Providence is God’s control of circumstances so that His will prevails in spite of the disobedience of man.” W.W. Wiersbe EXPOSITION OUTLINE pg. 9.

The genealogy of Jesus still continues today. NO! It is not like Dan Brown in THE DIVINCI CODE says which is nothing but purly fiction, and the thoughts of a warped mind. Who is in this genealogy today? All sinners who confess their sin, repent, and trust Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior; those who believe God and act on their faith that He gives; those whom God has chosen by His grace; those who have received God’s forgiveness; those who have surrendered to God’s will for their lives. Those who have been born into the family by the blood of Jesus shed on the cross, His body buried – carrying our sins away; and by His being raised to life again after three days. He ascended into Heaven. He will come again, and set up His kingdom.

Reason # 12

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REASON # 12 – There Are No Signs That Point To the Rapture – So Be Ready

We have come to the conclusion of this series of messages in looking at why we should believe in the Pre-Tribulation Rapture of the Church. Here is a list of the previous eleven; 1) The Unfulfilled Promises of God to Israel, 2) Scriptural/Historical Evidence of Previous Raptures, 3) The Scoffers Who Disclaim the Promise of Christ’s Return, 4) Jesus Said He Would Come Again and Take Us To a Prepared Place, 5) The Church Has Not Been Appointed to Wrath, 6) This View Maintains the Imminent Return of Jesus Christ, 7) Because of The Stronger Emphasis on Evangelism and Missions, 8) Because Israel is Put Aside for a Time; The Lord is Working In the Church Today, 9) The Scriptures Refer to “The Blessed Hope”, 10) Causes Us to Look for Jesus, 11) The Church is the Temple of the Holy Spirit, Who Restrains Evil.

 

“ Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee.  But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:  For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.  The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.  The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here” Matthew 12:38-42

 

If that generation did not need a sign, but the sign of an empty tomb, then, those who are in Christ today do not need any sign to be ready for the sudden appearing of the Lord Jesus to take us to Himself.

 

It seems that all the signs that the Scriptures give are for the coming Tribulation – Wrath of God – upon the people of the earth, and/or the Glorious Appearing of our Savior and His one thousand year reign on the restored earth.

 

I. ALL SIGNS WHICH HAVE BEEN GIVEN ARE SIGNS FOR THE DAY OF WRATH, OR THE GLORIOUS APPEARING OF JESUS TO RULE AND REIGN ON EARTH.

A. What about the preaching of the gospel being throughout all the earth?

1. “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come” Matthew 24:14.

2. Even the signs given for the period Jesus speaks of in the Sermon on Olivet; or the Olivet Discourse as it is called; are signs for the period of the Tribulation [This includes chapters 24 and 25 of Matthew’s gospel].

B. When the apostle Paul is writing of the Rapture in the Thessalonian letters he mentions nothing about signs being fulfilled, but rather awaiting the return of Jesus. “And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come” 1 Thes. 1:10. “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?” 1 Thes. 2:19. “ But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.  For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.  For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.  For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:  Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.  Wherefore comfort one another with these words” 1 Thes. 4:13-18. “For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ…” 1 Thes. 5:9. “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” 1 Thes. 5:23.

II. PAUL AND THE CHRISTIANS AT THESSALONICA WERE EXPECTING THE RAPTURE IN THEIR DAY, AND LIFETIME.

A. There were some who were concerned about their loved ones who had died and the Lord had not returned before.

1. There was concern that the rapture had already happened; IT HAD NOT.

2. In 2 Thessalonians Paul assures them that it had not already occurred.

“Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,  That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand” 2 Thes. 2:1-2.

B. That expectancy is seen in the verses read previously in the first letter chapter 4 and verses 13 through 18.

 

III. SINCE THERE ARE NO SIGNS GIVEN FOR THE RAPTURE WE MUST CONSTANTLY BE READY FOR OUR LORD’S RETURN FOR HIS BRIDE.

“Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh” Matthew 24:44.

“Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.  And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure” 1 John 3:2-3.

A. As Believers in Christ we should not spend our time gazing into Heaven, but ever be vigilant to the task to which we have been called.

B. The strongest drive in the heart of the Christian will be to glorify our Lord and Savior, and do that by telling others of His greatness, majesty, power and glory, and of what He has done and is doing for us.

C. We must always be ready, always alert, always watchful, always thankful – for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning us who are in Him

 

As Jesus ascended into heaven there were angels standing by and asked the disciples the question, “Why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven.” It seems the call of these messengers is go to the task and the call you have been given.

God’s Faithful Providence (1)

/ Tim A. / 1 Comment

This is the beginning of a new series.  I pray that God will speak to your heart as He has to mine in its preparation.  It is a study in the Gospel of Matthew.  I know the Modern Day Magi spent most of 2006 writing on this same Gospel, and he did a wonderful job.  With me it will just be coming from a different thought, because I am a different person.  The final chapter of the TWELVE REASONS FOR BELIEVING IN THE PRETRIBULATION RAPTURE will be posted on Monday – the Lord willing.

JESUS THE KING

 

GOD’S FAITHFUL PROVIDENCE

Matthew 1:1-17

The Gospel of Matthew begins with a genealogy of the King of the Hebrews. Matthew’s Gospel was written to the Hebrew. It is written so they might know that Jesus is their King. At the time they were blinded by their own religious practices, and ceremonies, and self-righteousness as a nation, but Jesus was at that time their Messiah and King and to this day is their King.

The following is the outline Warren W. Wiersbe gives for the Gospel according to Matthew in THE BIBLE EXPOSITION COMMENTARY –

I. The Revelation Of The King – chapters 1-10;

II. The Rebellion Against The King – chapters 11-13;

III. The Retirement Of The King – chapters 14-20;

IV. The Rejection Of The King – chapters 21-27;

V. The Resurrection Of The King – chapter 28

The Gospel begins with Jesus, and His genealogy beginning with Abraham; not Adam. Abraham the father of the Hebrews and their relationship to God the Father. In the Gospel of Luke the genealogy is given backwards and ends with Adam, showing Jesus to be the Son of Man. The Gospel of Mark has no genealogy, nor does the Gospel of John. Servants have no genealogy as in Mark’s account, nor does God have genealogy as in the Gospel of John.

By way of introduction let me give some information concerning the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The human penman for this Gospel is Matthew. He was called by Jesus while sitting at his place collecting taxes: “And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him” (Matthew 9:9). As a tax collector he would have been a reject to those who were religious rulers, they would have counted him a traitor, because he was collecting taxes from his people for the Roman government.

This Gospel was written to the Jews to declare and give evidence of Jesus’s royal lineage.

Look at the differences of the four Gospels. First of all in Matthew; Jesus is seen as the King, and is also the Lion of the tribe of Judah. For some help in seeing this look at what John wrote in the Revelation chapter four verses six and seven, “And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind. And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle”. There is a similar depiction of this in the writings of Ezekiel the prophet, “As for the likeness of their faces, they four had the face of a man, and the face of a lion, on the right side: and they four had the face of an ox on the left side; they four also had the face of an eagle” (Ezekiel 1:10). In Mark’s Gospel; Jesus is seen as a Servant, and is the ox/calf – Jesus Himself said in the Gospel of Mark, “For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). Then in the Gospel of Luke we see Jesus as the Son of Man, and represented, of course by the “face of a man”. Finally in the Gospel of John we see Him as the Son of God, and represented by the symbol of the eagle. The eagle above all, soaring in majesty, representing the All-Knowing power of God.

The Royal Lineage of Jesus is given by Matthew in verses 2 – 16, and with all its blemishes. Do not bolt about that statement, but rather rejoice in it, because actually within the lineage of Jesus are you and me as well.

In this Gospel we see a gracious King. We also see the wondrous providence of our great God and King.

In chapter one we have Matthew’s God breathed declaration of Jewish Royalty. David is considered, by the Jews, and by many others, to be the greatest of Israel’s kings. He was just a youngman when the prophet Samuel came to the household of Jesse by God’s appointment and chose and anointed David king the the place of Saul; in God’s own timing.

Abraham was the patriarch of Israel, and this identifies this gospel to the Jews, and to Jesus as being Jewish. Abraham’s faith is almost unsurpassed in all of the Scriptures and history. His faith speaks volumes for encouragement in growing in Christ, loving the Lord, trusting the Lord despite dire circumstances, and just plain ole ‘Holding on faith’ which is much more of God’s holding on than us holding on.

Jesus, of course, is who this Gospel is really about. But then, that is true of the whole of this book called the Bible. Jesus came and showed the people, and told the people who He was, but was despised by the Jewish religious establishment, and many of the people. He is defended by Matthew, as their King.

Reason # 11

/ Tim A. / 1 Comment

REASON # 11 – The Church Is the Temple of the Holy Spirit, Who Restrains Evil

We have looked at ten reasons for believing in the Pre-Tribulation Rapture of the Church 1) The Unfulfilled Promises of God to Israel, 2) Scriptural/Historical Evidence of Previous Raptures, 3) The Scoffers Who Disclaim the Promise of Christ’s Return, 4) Jesus Said He Would Come Again and Take Us To a Prepared Place, 5) The Church Has Not Been Appointed to Wrath, 6) This View Maintains the Imminent Return of Jesus Christ, 7) Because of The Stronger Emphasis on Evangelism and Missions, 8) Because Israel is Put Aside for a Time; The Lord is Working In the Church Today, 9) The Scriptures Refer to “The Blessed Hope”, 10) Causes Us to Look for Jesus.

 

The eleventh reason for believing in the pre-tribulation rapture of the Church is that as the temple of the Spirit of God, and the absence of the restraining of the Spirit of God is evidence of the absence of the Church during the period of time known as the Tribulation, ‘Time of Jacob’s trouble’, and so forth.

 

1 Corinthians 3:16-17 “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?  If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.”

 

There is an up close and very real analogy of the events that will take place during the period called the Tribulation. It can only be an analogy because what is to come will be far worse. The analogy is that of when we see people rampaging on the streets of the cities of the United States and in other countries and the police are near powerless to contain it.

The event of the Rodney King verdict in California during the early nineties is a good example of restraint being withheld while people threw rocks, bricks, and used anything they could get their hands on to destroy. The police just stayed out of the picture. It was uncontrolled violence against people and property…

“The 1992 Los Angeles riots, also known as the Rodney King uprising or the Rodney King riots, were sparked on April 29, 1992 when a mostly white jury acquitted four police officers accused in the videotaped beating of black motorist Rodney King, after he fled from police. Thousands of people in Los Angeles joined in what has often been characterized as a race riot, or a mini-civil war, involving acts of law-breaking compounded by existing racial tensions, including looting, arson and murder. In all, 55 people were killed during the riots.” Wikipedia Encyclopedia

Let’s look at the report of the damages and such… “Estimates of the number of lives lost during the unrest vary between 50 and 60, with as many as 2,000 persons injured. Estimates of the material damage done vary between about $800 million and $1 billion. Approximately 3,600 fires were set, destroying 1,100 buildings, with fire calls coming once every minute at some points. About 10,000 people were arrested; about 42% African American, 44% Latino, 9% white, and 2% other.” Wikipedia Encyclopedia

 

EVEN NOW THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS RESTRAINING EVIL (2 Thessalonians 2:6-7) “And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.  For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way”

We could ask, “Where was the Holy Spirit during the Rodney King riots?”, and we could answer correctly, “He was there in the midst of it”. It could have been much worse. There could have been more people killed, more damage done.

With so much evil in the world can we rightly say that there is a restraining force keeping evil at bay.? The answer to that question, of course is a most certain YES! So many times it is hard to understand why these evil things, and evil people happen, but God is still sovereign, and accomplishing His purposes and will.

Without law, and without the restraint of the Spirit of God there would be total chaos, with killing, rape, damages to property, everyone doing what is right in their own eyes, and tyranny would eventually rule.

 

IMAGINE THE HORROR OF THE TIME WITHOUT THE SPIRIT OF GOD RESTRAINING ON THE EARTH (Rev. 6).

There will be a ruler who comes in peace, and will give a temporary peace to the people of the earth (Rev. 6:1-2). A “peacemaker” with a bow, but no arrow in his hand. He will speak words of peace, but war is in His heart; particularly war against the holy.

What follows this rider on the ‘White horse’ is war, with much blood shed (Rev. 6:3-4). There will be blood shed of all those who oppose him, and mostly that will be those who take up the name of Jesus, and follow Him, without much thought of their lives.

With the shedding of much blood, the ruining of the lands famine will also come (Rev. 6:5-6). There will be starvation while the ruler of the world at this time seeks only for himself.

With the famine, the need for clean water and food, there will be much more death, and seems like and increase in death for humans by the beast of the field (Rev. 6:7-8). If we think pollution and things are bad now, we have seen nothing.

Many of those who turn to Jesus during that time will die for their faith, and their cries will reach up to heaven (Rev. 6:9-12). These will be those “Who loved not their lives unto death” (Rev. 12:11).

The earth itself will “Groan” as it has never before (Rom. 8:22) with earthquakes, pollution, the sun darkens, the moon becomes as blood, and the “People of the earth” cry out for the rocks and mountains to fall on them, rather than cry to God for mercy (Rev. 6:13-17).

 

WHEN THE SPIRIT OF GOD IS NOT RESTRAINING THE HORROR AND EVIL OF SATAN WILL BE UNLEASHED (2 Thessalonians 2:8-12).

He appears with power, with signs, and lying wonders to deceive and lead people to follow him (v. 9) “Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders…”

The people who follow him will be people who refused God’s grace, and mercy, and because of this God sends them a “Strong delusion” and they believe the lies of the devil (vv. 10-12).

 

THE GOOD NEWS IS THIS BEAST [the devil] IS OVERTHROWN BY THE WORD OF OUR LORD’S MOUTH (2 Thes. 2:8).

We see our Lord Jesus revealed coming with a sword in His mouth (Rev. 19:15 “And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God”.

All things will be placed under His feet, “ For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.  The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.  For he hath put all things under his feet” (1 Cor. 15:25-27). “And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church…” (Eph. 1:22).

Reason # 10

/ Tim A. / 3 Comments

It is good to be back to blogging.  On January 9, 2006 I began Fire and Hammer at another blogsite.  So I have been at this now for a year. 

I pray that all had wonderful Christmas celebrations, gave great gifts to others and that you received all that was good for you.  I will be continuing the post on the Reasons For Believing in the PreTribulation Rapture of the Church.  There is only two more following this one.  That does not mean that this list has exhausted the reasons.  There are others.

REASON # 10 – The Pre-Tribulation Rapture Causes Us To Look For Jesus

The nine reasons we have looked at thus far were 1) The Unfulfilled Promises of God to Israel, 2) Scriptural/Historical Evidence of Previous Raptures, 3) The Scoffers Who Disclaim the Promise of Christ’s Return, 4) Jesus Said He Would Come Again and Take Us To a Prepared Place, 5) The Church Has Not Been Appointed to Wrath, 6) This View Maintains the Imminent Return of Jesus Christ, 7) Because of The Stronger Emphasis on Evangelism and Missions, 8) Because Israel is Put Aside for a Time; The Lord is Working In the Church Today, 9) The Scriptures Refer to “The Blessed Hope”

 

Now the tenth reason is THE PRE-TRIBULATION RAPTURE CAUSES US TO LOOK TO JESUS.

Revelation1:1-3; 19:10

 

The premise of The Revelation is that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, Son of man, is the central character of all of Scripture, therefore, all of prophecy.

 

PAUL URGES THE THESSALONIAN CHURCH TO LOOK FOR JESUS.

“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first” 1 Thes. 4:16.

For this passage we must ask, “Who is it who is descending from heaven?” Look for Jesus.

 

“And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” 1 Thes. 5:23.

For the passage here we can clearly see it is speaking of the ‘coming of our Lord Jesus Christ’. Look for Jesus.

 

“And to wait for His Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come” 1 Thes. 1:10.

As in the former verses it is “His Son from heaven… even Jesus”, whom we are looking for. Look for Jesus.

 

“So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” 1 Cor. 1:7.

Here the Corinthians are told to “Wait[ing] for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ”. Look for Jesus.

 

“So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation” Heb. 9:28.

Notice the “…them that look for Him…”. Look for Jesus.

 

LOOKING FOR JESUS WE CAN COMFORT ONE ANOTHER. “Wherefore comfort one another with these words” 1 Thes. 4:18.

The words Paul is speaking of are those previously mentioned. Not just from verses 13 following, but the whole of what he has written to the Thessalonians. Although, it does seem he may be putting a strong emphasis on verses 13 through 17.

 

WHEN WE ARE LOOKING FOR JESUS WE CAN SEE HIM IN ALL OF SCRIPTURE. This is what all of Scripture is about.

These are not from me. I do not know who saw these and printed it up, but to whomever it was I give the credit. You can see Jesus if you so desire:

 

Genesis: The Seed of the Woman
Exodus: The Passover Lamb
Leviticus: The High Priest
Numbers: The Cloud and The Fire
Deut.: The Prophet Like Moses
Joshua: The Captain of Our Salvation
Judges: The Judge And Lawgiver
Ruth: The Kinsman Redeemer
1 & 2 Samuel: The Prophet of The Lord
1 & 2 Kings and 1 & 2 Chronicles: The Reigning King
Ezra: The Faithful Scribe
Nehemiah: The Rebuilder of The Broken Walls
Esther: Mordecai
Job: The Dayspring From on High
Psalms:The Lord Who Is Our Shepherd
Proverbs & Ecclesiastes: The Wisdom of God
Song of Solomon: The Lover & Bridegroom
Isaiah: The Prince of Peace
Jeremiah & Lamentations: The Weeping Prophet
Ezekiel: The Wheel Turning
Daniel: The 4th Man in The Fiery Furnace
Hosea: The Bridegroom
Joel: The Baptizer With The Holy Spirit
Amos: The Burden Bearer
Obadiah: The Mighty Savior
Jonah: The Forgiving God
Micah: The Messenger With Beautiful Feet
Nahum: The Avenger of God’s Elect
Habakkuk: The Great Evangelist, Crying For Revival
Zephaniah: The Restorer of God’s Lost Heritage
Haggai: The Cleansing Fountain
Zechariah: The Pierced Son
Malachi: The Son of Righteousness

NEW TESTAMENT –

Matthew: Messiah and King

Mark: The wonder working servant

Luke: The Son of Man

John: The Son of God

Acts: Ascended Lord

Romans; the Justifier

1 & 2 Corinthians: the Gift of the Spirit & the Gift Giver

Galations: the One who sets us free

Ephesians: the Christ of riches

Philippians: the God who meets our every need

Colossians: The fulness of the Godhead

1 & 2 Thessalonians: Soon coming King

1 & 2 Timothy: the Mediator between God and man

Titus: the Faithful Pastor

Philemon: The Friend closer than a brother

Hebrews: The blood that washes away our sins

James: the Great Physician

1 & 2 Peter: the Chief Shepherd

1,2 & 3 John: Everlasting Love

Jude: Coming with 10,000’s of His saints

Revelation: Jesus Christ is King of all kings, and Lord of all lords.