A Journey To Rest

September 14, 2009September 14, 2009 / Tim A. / 1 Comment

Acts 9:26-31

It was at Saul’s feet the stoners of Stephen laid down their garments. I suppose he was responsible for caring for their clothing while they stoned a man to death. That sounds so heartless, because it is, and it was, however; at least it seems to have been this event; his hearing the word from Stephen, seeing and hearing his dying testimony; which had an impact on Saul coming to faith.

When Jesus confronts Saul as he is traveling to Damascus to capture, persecute, and jail Christians; Jesus says to Saul, “Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.” Acts 9:4-5 (KJV). His “kick against the pricks” is evidence that before the Lord confronted him he was deeply under the convicting power of the Spirit of God. Saul met Jesus Christ on that day, and he has been a blessing to Christians, the Church and the world ever since; because of the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

THE CONVERSION OF SAUL, AND THE CHURCHES REACTION (v. 26). Upon his salvation Saul is led to a man named Ananias, who shows Saul the way he is to go for the Lord. He is received by the disciples of Damascus. Saul had spent time in Damascus preaching the gospel. He was new to it for sure, but he started in faith and kept on faithfully until the day he died by losing his head at the hands of Rome.

The church of Jerusalem was reluctant to receive him into their midst. He had been their persecutor, he had shown them nothing but hate, and now he’s wanting to come into our fellowship. Can you understand their doubtful thinking about him? I can. He had received orders from the religious establishment of Jerusalem, and it was in Jerusalem where most of the persecution was still going on, and Saul had been the chief persecutor.

The Jerusalem church could not believe that their chief persecutor was now one with them. The disciples there – not the apostles – were afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple of Jesus now.

It is an awesome thing when one who has been against the church of Jesus Christ is changed and begins to walk, live, serve and glorify our Lord. Their testimony will be one of glorious change and the glory will belong to Jesus Christ. The glory will not return upon the professing individual, but go to the Lord.

BARNABAS RECEIVES SAUL, AND ENCOURAGES HIM AND THE CHURCH, AND THEY WALK AND WORK TOGETHER (vv, 27-28). Barnabas sees the rejection Saul experiences, sees a life who has been changed by the blood of Jesus Christ and takes Saul and makes him his disciple. The call of the great commission of Jesus Christ is to “Go and make disciples” there are more than twelve disciples; there are only twelve apostles; thirteen counting Saul – who later became Paul. We are not commanded to “make apostles” but disciples which is a “follower of Jesus Christ”

Known as an “encourager” Barnabas walks along side Saul when no one else will. He even takes him to see the apostles, and Saul shares with them his testimony of how he met the Lord on the road to Damascus, and they are told of his bold preaching in Damascus. After his visit with the apostles he is then seen leaving and entering the city with the apostles; they have received him as one of themselves.

The work of an encourager is a great work, and is much needed in the work of Christ and His Church. We all need someone to come alongside us, to pick us up when we are down on occasions. There are also occasions where we need to be the encourager, and pick up a friend, family member, church member, or a neighbor who needs to just get things clicking and right between them and the Lord.

SAUL’S PREACHING IN JERUSALEM IS BOLD, AND HE IS RUSHED OUT OF TOWN TO HIS OWN TOWN (vv. 29-30). Why is it a lot of preachers think they are called to popularity. Jesus was popular while He did His miracles, but when He got bloody and doctrinal concerning His body and the blood many of “His disciples left Him” (John 6:60-68). If popularity, or drawing a crowd, was the agenda of our Lord, the message would not be so hard and difficult for people to hear and believe. The message of the gospel of Jesus Christ is the simplest message ever proclaimed, yet people do not want to hear it.

Have you ever been run out of town for your preaching? I have not, but there are some places I have not been asked to return. I am grateful for the church where I am currently pastor. The Carr Lane Baptist Church maybe small in number, but we are big in heart for hearing the word of the Lord. When a preacher can stand in the pulpit week after week, Sunday after Sunday, and preach expository messages straight from Scripture, and you hear no negative comment, and you hear an “Amen” ever once in awhile you just got to know that they are hearing God, and not you.

The preacher when he is preaching the word of the Lord can boldly proclaim the message of God without fear or favor to those who are listening; and will glorify the Lord in the preaching. An Old Testament Prophet name of Jeremiah was one who convinced me that I needed to come out of my shell, preach the word and be faithful to the Lord. Jeremiah says, “Thou therefore gird up thy loins, and arise, and speak unto them all that I command thee: be not dismayed at their faces, lest I confound thee before them.” Jeremiah 1:17 (KJV). When you know you are delivering the word of God you have nothing to fear. Be bold, proclaim from the rooftops what God says in His Word.

Though Saul did get rushed out of town it was for a greater purpose. He would return to Jerusalem at a later time, and then be shipped to Rome. Saul’s/Paul’s message of Jesus Christ was not loved nor appreciated. Check your message; if you have crowds following you; change your message to the message of Jesus and Saul.

THE CHURCHES OF JERUSALEM THEN, HAD REST (v. 31) It was because of the change in Saul’s life that there was rest in the Jerusalem churches. The persecutor of persecutors was now one of them and being persecuted.

A few years ago I took the thirty first verse, disected, prayed, and developed a sermon, and called it THE THREE R’s FOR THE CHURCH getting the idea from what used to be the words for education Reading, ‘Riting’ and ‘Rithmetic; but changing that to be Reverence, Rest, and Results, as three points for the sermon. You can see the Reverence, “walking in the fear of the Lord”; the Rest in, “Then had the churches rest…” and the Results, “in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.” Acts 9:31 (KJV).

There is little fear of God, even in church these days we live in. There is more talk of “perfect love casts out fear”, so we don’t fear God. NOT! John’s writing has absolutely nothing to do with the reverence and fear of God. It does have to do with the condemnation of our sins, the lies of the devil, the lies of friends and family. It has to do with everyday events of life. Someone has said, “When we fear God; we need to fear nothing else.” If there is no fear of God, there will be fear of all else. Paranoia, schizoprenia, trouble and danger lurking behind every closed door, fear of darkness, fear of storms, fear of failure, fear of bankruptcy, fear of world financial failure. When even the child of God is not right with Him, out of His fellowship, we too can be fearful of these things.

Rest has come to the Jerusalem churches because the one who pursued them unto death was now one of them. He now was being persecuted. He had been pushed out of town; but unto a great endeavor of preaching the Word elsewhere; to his own home of Tarsus.

Results, come when the Christian and the church practice their faith, and live by that faith through their everyday lives. We have seen examples of this multiplication earlier in the book – 3000 saved on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2), more were saved according to Acts 4:4. It seems that people were being saved everyday in the early church. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to baptize at least one every Sunday during a worship service, maybe even more? Remembering it is the Lord who adds daily to His church. It is not programs, or money, but by and through the faithful witness of the Spirit of God through His faithful witnesses.

The rest you need can be found only in the Lord Jesus Christ. You may despise the gospel right now but realize, as did Saul, that Jesus died for your sins, was buried, and rose again the third day that we all who call on His name have eternal life with Him. Call on His name believing Him, and trusting Him with all your life, confessing your sins and repenting of them.

-Tim A. Blankenship

This is the study notes for a sermon preached in the morning worship at Carr Lane Baptist Church on October 12, 2008.

The Early Church and the Testimony of Scripture

September 11, 2009 / Tim A. / 1 Comment

Acts 7:1-60

Stephen, a spirit filled deacon, a servant of the early church, and serving tables; had stood up and preached the message of Jesus Christ, and was being called a “blasphemer”. In Acts 6:8-15 we see the beginning of chapter seven and Stephen’s sermon of the testimony of Scripture and the history of the Jewish people.

The charge of “blasphemy” is a serious charge, especially in Israel, during these early days. In some countries it is still a serious charge and often paid with the death of the accused or guilty. Blasphemy is the calling someone God who would be human, or using the name of God to proclaim a message that was not of God. In Stephen’s case all he had apparently done was quote the words Moses had written concerning the Prophet who was coming, and proclaimed Jesus as the Prophet, and preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ.

When the true gospel of Jesus is preached it reveals Him in His true character, ie., God-man. How could a man stop storms, walk on water, raise the dead? No mere man would willingly go to a cross of death in the place of a sinful world; Jesus did. No mere man has ever been raised to life in His own power; Jesus has. To these Jewish leaders Stephen was a blasphemer, because He had proclaimed Jesus as deity – the God-man. Thus, they sought to put Stephen on trial.

In verse eleven of chapter six we find them bringing in false witnesses against him. Sound familiar?

THE TESTIMONY OF ABRAHAM AND THE PATRIARCHS (vv. 1-8). Stephen, filled with the Spirit of God confronts them with their own Scriptures and history.

The history of Abraham is one of the nation of Israel. Without Abraham there would be no Israel. Abraham is the man whom God chose to use to birth the nation. He was a man of faith, and his faith grew.

Called out of Ur of the Chaldeans he left the life he knew to go to a land he had never seen, and did not go where he was going. All he knew was that he had met God, and God told him to “Get”, and he got going.

Stephen is not answering to the charge of blasphemy; he just gets into the Scriptures proclaiming to them, what they probably do not want to hear. He gives it to them anyway. Some preacher I once heard made this statement after telling about being caught in a mob, “When you have an angry crowd, and they are trying to do you bad; then preach”, at least something along that line. I would not say that is what Stephen is doing, but even if he is, it does not negate the message.

The land was promised to Abraham and he never so much as received one acre of it; with the exception of a tomb for Sarah, and himself (Genesis 23). Yet, he still believed, trusted the Lord and is an example of great faith to all followers of Jesus Christ today.

Isaac was/is the promised son of Abraham’s faith. Isaac also received the promise of the land, and of being a great nation; as did his son Jacob as well.

The message of Abraham is faith. The history of Abraham is faith. He left all to go where he knew not where. He faced famine in that land almost immediately upon arriving, yet even though he left the land, he returned and is called the “friend of God”. The ultimate test of his faith was when God called on him to offer his son Isaac as a sacrifice, and in that he was faithful.

THE TESTIMONY OF THE PATRIARCH’S ENVY, JOSEPH, AND EGYPT (vv. 9-16). When we find that Abraham was counted righteous by God, according to Scripture, we also find that God gave Abraham a bit of prophetic knowledge. In Genesis 15 we read,

“And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years; And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance.” Genesis 15:13-14 (KJV)

In verse 6 of Genesis fifteen we find these words,

“And he [Abraham] believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.”

He was not counted or reckoned “righteous” because of his good works, or for anything he had done, but because God had spoke and he acted on it believing God.

Joseph, the son of Jacob, the first born son of Rachel; Jacob’s beloved wife; was a dreamer of dreams. These dreams were not brought on by eating too much pizza, or from some dose of crazy weed, but they were from God. As a dreamer of God dreams he also had an understanding of dreams. Because of some of his dreams the other brothers got jealous of him. According to his dreams the brothers and the whole family would one day bow at his feet.

Joseph may not have realized the significance of his dreams. The significance was that what he was dreaming was going to be the fulfillment of God’s promise/prophecy to Abraham in bringing a nation out of Egypt. The significance was that God was working through the evil conduct of his brothers. You may flinch at that thought, but God is sovereign over all things, and so don’t think for a minute that evil thwarts the will of God; in fact He uses it to accomplish His purposes and will. That in no way means He approves it, causes it, or empowers it; it only means that man has a freewill, and God uses man’s freewill to accomplish His own.

The Psalmist wrote of Joseph:

“He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant: Whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron: Until the time that his word came: the word of the LORD tried him.” Psalm 105:17-19 (KJV)

Verse 19 in particular is the one we need to see. “Until the time that his word came the word of the LORD tried him.” From the time Joseph was sold by his brothers into slavery, into Egypt, to Potiphar, then to prison, then freed; there was probably a total of about twenty years. Do you think Joseph had ever dreamed that he would go through all these trials? I really doubt it. Joseph, however, remained ever faithful. There appears to be no doubts, no complaints, no anger toward God, no heart of vengeance against his brothers (though some may want to disagree with that when he comes face to face with his brothers). All the time Joseph was waiting for the word of the LORD to come to pass. Oh, how the Christian today needs that type of faith; that “waiting faith”; that faith that waits on God, and His time and place.

THE TESTIMONY OF MOSES, THE RED SEA, AND THE WILDERNESS (vv. 17-36). The time between the last verse of Genesis and the birth of Moses, recorded in Exodus 2 is near to 400 years; nearing the promise and prophecy of God to Abraham in Genesis 15.

The descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob have grown to quite a large number in those 400 years. They have become so numerous that the Pharoah who rules at the time of Moses’s birth is a tyrant toward Israel, has no memory of Joseph, and doesn’t care for the people at all; but fears their numbers. This tyrant Pharoah orders the death of all baby boys born to the Hebrews. The mother and father of Moses hid him for a period of three months, and then finally put him in a “ark of bulrushes” placed it in the Nile River, along the shore, and floating down near the place where the princess of Egypt bathed; was found and adopted by her. Only the sovereign LORD could work something like that out.

The Hebrew people were enslaved, and treated like livestock or worse. They were not allowed to worship God; and maybe only a few really knew about YHWH [YaHWeH]. We know that they did have homes to live in, though what condition we are not aware.

Moses was taken out of the water of the Nile and named Moses by the daughter of Pharoah. “Drawn out” is the meaning of his name and it is a perfect fit for him. We see him all his life being “drawn out”. He was “drawn out” of the water. He was “drawn out” to his own people. He was “drawn out” to the desert/wilderness. He was “drawn out” to serve Jethro for forty years.

For forty years Moses was in Egypt learning the ways of Egypt. For forty years he was in the desert with Jethro learning the ways of the desert/wilderness. After delivering the children of Israel from Egypt he spent forty more years in the wilderness preparing them for life in the Promised Land.

We complain if we must wait a minute or two at a traffic light. Lord help us. How we need to learn to wait, and trust the LORD with His word, His church and His people. Moses had to learn the lesson of waiting on God. He supposed that when he killed the Egyptian that the people would know that he was God’s deliverer, but it was not the time, and Moses had to leave Egypt to be prepared.

A THOUGHT: Joseph, by God’s providence, was in Egypt to prepare Egypt for the world famine, and to prepare Israel to become a nation. Moses fled from Egypt to be prepared to return to Egypt, and deliver the people from the world.

In the wilderness the new nation saw the mighty hand of God the LORD. When they did not see a way God made a way across the Red Sea. The LORD delivered them from their enemies by causing the Sea to collapse in upon the soldiers of Egypt, killing them all. The Almighty provided them water, meat to eat and He provided them with bread from heaven – “Manna” meaning “What is it?”

THE TESTIMONY OF ISRAEL’S REJECTION, REBELLION, AND CAPTIVITIES (vv. 37-50). Moses testified of One who would come, a Prophet, the Prophet of prophets. Stephen reminds his listeners, persecutors of the prophecy of Moses and his teachings. Hear the words of the prophet Moses concerning the Prophet;

“The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken…” Deuteronomy 18:15 (KJV).

While Moses was in the wilderness with the people we find them many times rejecting his leadership, such as while he went up on Mount Sinai receiving the Ten Commandments from the Lord. They built a golden calf to worship in the place of God. Our impatience is somewhat astonishing. God says something and we do the opposite.

We Christians have been accused by some who refer to themselves as atheist or agnostic of being “makers of our own god”, and they mean that of the world religions as well. With the latter I would agree. The God of Creation who created all that is is not a god of man’s own making, however. No man has ever imagined a god who is Almighty, All-Knowing, All-Present, All-Powerful, and Immutable. No man has ever invented a god who condemns sin and wickedness, and provides a means of fellowship, relationship, justification, sanctification, and being glorified together with him in an eternal home. No man has ever created a god that would send his only son to die for the sins of the world. The God of Christianity is the Creator of the universe, and all that is in it; and He loved us so much He did send His Son to die on a cross for our sins, was buried, and He rose again bodily from the grave and was witnessed by over 500 eyewitnesses.

All the gods of man’s creation allow them to behave and act any way they choose. The god’s of men cause the immorality of all the world. The god’s of men’s own making is what causes wars and strife. Every individual without Jesus Christ is their own god; and will one day crumble, fall at the feet of Jesus, and be cast from His presence into eternal fire.

The “golden calf” for those people of Israel was a reminder of their lives back in Egypt. They had been freed from its bondage, yet they still cling to it, even to the point of desiring to return and continue as slaves. Even the gods people worship today, the images, are images which puts no guilt on them, or would make them question their actions. The world hates any guilt, or shame. That is one of the things, however, which is needed in the world; ie., guilt and shame. It can be the “straw that broke the camel’s back” and turn them toward the only One who can cleanse them and forgive all their sin.

When people turn to Wall Street, Dow, or other stocks and bonds, etc. for their security; then they have turned their back on God. Christian we may be in a financial crisis in this nation [USA], however, there is a greater crisis that many do not even realize. That crisis is a Spiritual crisis. With greed ruling the day through the lies of satan; there is a genuine spiritual need for God. Whether it is believed or not; there is only one way to God and heaven, and that is the way He has provided; and that way is by way of the cross of Jesus Christ, his burial and resurrection.

Oh, how we need to understand the fulness, power, vastness, and glory of our God. The nation of Israel is still in rejection of their God, His Son and their future foretold by God.

THE TESTIMONY OF ISRAEL’S REJECTION OF JESUS AND THE HOLY SPIRIT (vv. 51-54). These men to whom Stephen was speaking were just as the prophets which foretold the coming of the Prophet, the Messiah, their Deliverer. “Stiffnecked and uncircumcised heart” shows a rebellious attitude and an unclean heart of these people.

All Stephen did was proclaim to them the truth of their own history, confront them with Jesus, their betrayal of him, and how they had “murdered him” (v. 52).

THE TESTIMONY OF STEPHEN A PERSECUTED, MARTYRED SOUL FOR JESUS CHRIST (vv. 55-60). When the angry men heard the message delivered by faithful Stephen they proceeded to kill him.

The Word of God works as a sword, a “twoedged sword”. In the book of Hebrews we read,

“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 (KJV)

In other words; that means God will make things uncomfortable for you until He gets you where He desires you to be; if you are His own. When you are God’s He will not allow you to remain in sinful behavior.

These men hated Stephen and his words that he spoke, then, they proceeded to kill him.

The deacon never sought to strike back. His last words before his dying breath was, “Lord, lay not this sin to their charge”, and then he “fell asleep”. The stones which were hurled at Stephen, hitting his body, were stones of identity. It is not without merit to mention that in the Revelation is mentioned a stone,

“He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.” Revelation 2:17

Stephen had his stones, and they were stones of blessing because as he was dying he looked into heaven and could see glory;

“Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.”

O, for the passion of our people like Stephen had. For a fire to burn in our hearts for people who are bound in religion, but hate Jesus Christ, and refuse His death, burial and resurrection, by continually trying to earn their way to God’s presence and favor. Preaching to the religious may not get you any popular vote, but you will see God.

-Tim A. Blankenship

These are the study notes for a sermon preached on October 05, 2008.

The Continuing Christian…

September 10, 2009 / Tim A. / Leave a comment

For forty days following the ascension of Jesus Christ the disciples waiting in the upper room prayed, waited, and encouraged one another; as they waited for that “power” that they were to receive from God.

As they waited they were in ”one accord” as Luke writes of these wonderful events. ”One accord” does not mean that the individuals did not have a independent mind, or thought. It means that they were together for one purpose, and that one purpose was the glory of Jesus Christ. That glory of Jesus Christ was to be the Holy Spirit of God that was coming upon them all as they studied, prayed, preached, and read the word, or had it read to them.

Forty day following the ascension of Jesus it happened. The long awaited event was coming and what an event it was. The sound of a “Mighty rushing wind”. That reminds me of a wind from a tornado, a hurricane, or shear winds. “Cloven tongues of fire” fell upon them, and caused each one to speak in a language that the people there for the feast would hear and understand. These “cloven tongues” were the sign that the Spirit of God was on them in this place.

We are told that they were “all filled with the Holy Ghost…” The many languaged people began to hear words from these followers of Jesus, which they had never heard. Words of life, words of liberty, and words of grace, peace and love. Some began to accuse these of being drunk. Being early of the morning was reason enough for Peter to remind them that it was morning, thus they were not drunk with wine from the vine, so to speak.

As a result of this heavenly event at least 3000 souls were saved. What happens following this wonderful event is the source of our study.

“Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” Acts 2:41-47(KJV)

Let’s see if we can find an outline for this text:

BAPTISM FOLLOWS THOSE WHO GLADLY BELIEVE (v. 41).
THEY ARE ONLY COUNTED WITH THE JERUSALEM NUMBER FOLLOWING BAPTISM (v. 41).
NOTE THE FOUR CHARACTERISTICS OF A NEW AND ACTIVE CHURCH (v. 42).
THERE WAS AN AWE OF RESPECT, A FEAR, WHICH SWEPT OVER THE PEOPLE, AND THE ONE’S WHO WERE BELIEVING HAD ALL THINGS COMMON (vv. 43-45).
THE ACTIVITIES OF THE EARLY CHURCH THROUGH THE WEEK (vv. 46-47).

BAPTISM FOLLOWS THOSE WHO GLADLY BELIEVE (v. 41). Receiving of the Word of God – the Gospel of Jesus Christ – is purely, surely a great joy and a gladness. When we hear the truth of the Word of God, believe it, and put it to work we have no problem following our Lord’s instruction for growing in faith.

Receiving the word and the gospel is far more than a mere belief in the existence of Jesus Christ, or His death on the cross, or His burial, or His resurrection. It is in truth the receiving of the Spirit of God into your life, who changes you, and grows in you each and every day for our God’s glory. It means the thief who believes is no longer a thief. It means that the murderer is no longer a murderer. It means the prostitute is no longer a prostitute. It means the liar is no longer a liar. Those who have been changed in their hearts now have desire to be more like Jesus Christ and give their lives completely to Him.

Where there had been only 120 Christians in the upper room; we now find that “about three thousand souls” were added to the Jerusalem church that day.

THEY ARE ONLY COUNTED WITH THE JERUSALEM NUMBER FOLLOWING BAPTISM (v. 41). Is the Point statement made here pertinent for today’s Christian? I believe it to be very pertinent. It gives Biblical guidance for local church membership. These were not or are not counted until we are told that they were baptised, then they are counted as “Members” of the local church. At that time there was only one local church, and it was the Jerusalem church.

There are some today who do not believe that local church membership is a Biblical idea, or principle. It seems clear to me, that the Bible says much about it. The letter to the Romans written by Paul the apostle was written to the church at Rome. The letter to the Galations was written to the church at Galatia. The letter to the Ephesians was written to the church at Ephesus. The letters to the Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians were written to the local congregations of those respective cities. In the Revelation Jesus Christ Himself sent a different letter to seven different churches. They are local churches.

Understand, none of this negates the fact that we are all part of the one body of Jesus Christ. Just as the human body has different parts, so too, does the body of Christ. Each local church has its own parts, and each one in the total Body of Christ has their parts.

We are baptised into the Body of Christ by the baptism of the Spirit of God. We profess our faith in a local congregation through water baptism. Water baptism testifies to the death – our not breathing going under the water, meaning immersion; burial – being put under the water; and the resurrection – coming up out of the water. This way is meaningless through sprinkling or pouring of water upon a participant.

Until a soul has been baptised Scripturally into the local body of Christ they are not qualified to particpate in the Lord’s Supper, are not counted as part of the local body, and have no membership privileges.

NOTE THE FOUR CHARACTERISTICS OF A NEW AND ACTIVE CHURCH (v. 42). There are four characteristics of this early church. The first one is that they “continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine”. What is the “apostles’ doctrine”? The things about Jesus Christ which He taught; the miracles of Jesus, His virgin conception, and virgin birth. The death, burial and bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ. And surely the apostles’ doctrine would include the last day prophecies, and the return of Jesus Christ at His second coming. This is not meant to be an exhaustive list. Those are the main things.

The second, fellowship. Fellowship is much more than sitting around a table sharing a meal together. It may include the meal, but fellowship is a bonding, a coming together, for the one goal and good of one cause. It is caring for one another, sharing with one another in the Word of God and material things. It is a casual sharing of a testimony of God’s grace and goodness in a daily event, or a tragic circumstance or what could have been a tragic circumstance.

The third is, “in breaking bread”. Now this could definitely be the breaking of the bread representing the body of Christ in the Lord’s Supper. This could also be the sharing of a meal. We see that this had gotten tangled up with the Corinthian church, and the apostle Paul had to rebuke them (1 Corinthians 11:20-34). They were not only defying the richness of the Lord’s Supper, but they were rude, unruly, showing partiality, and just plain ole, hypocritical in their behavior.

The fourth is prayer. Prayer is a very important part of the church. We go to God in prayer to share our hearts with Him; and we go to His Word so He can share His heart with us. I know it is much deeper than that. One thing being that in prayer, Biblical prayer, we go as an intercessor before the throne of God for others. We go before the throne to pray His will, not our own will. Going to the throne of grace we find grace to help in our time of need (Hebrews 4:16). Even though our heavenly Father knows what we need before we ask; our asking is a show of subjection, humility, and love to the One who supplies all our need. When we step out ahead of, or before God leads, or supplies we can get ourselves into very serious trouble. Most people have credit cards, for example, and will buy things without a thought as to its price; and often it is something they do not need. After many times and years go by, and they have paid only the minimum payment each month, while continuing to mount up the balance they find themselves in trouble. Why can we not pray, believe God to supply, instead of trusting in the plastic god?

THERE WAS AN AWE OF RESPECT, A FEAR, WHICH SWEPT OVER THE PEOPLE, AND THE ONE’S WHO WERE BELIEVING HAD ALL THINGS COMMON (vv. 43-45). As we look at these verses we see that wonderful, and awe-inspiring things took place in city of Jerusalem. The power of Jesus Christ Himself had come upon all who were in the upper room, ie., the Spirit of Christ, the Holy Spirit who is Christ in those who possess, and confess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, and are possessed by Him.

“Fear” is a God given emotion. Without fear we would be jumping to our deaths. We would be touching hot burning stoves. We would drive insanely speedily on hilly, curvy, terrain. You should get the picture with those matters. “Fear” can be a good thing. In the case of this verse it is a good thing. “And fear came upon every soul…” (v. 43). When we are before the presence of holy God we will shiver, tremble, and quake because we recognize His presence, person, power, and genuine prestige. This ‘fear’ is more than simple respect. It is an awe. He is more awesome than anything we can ever see. He is more awesome than any celebrity you will ever meet. He is more powerful than the President of the United States of America or any other country. Even the redeemed will bow before Him, and gladly call Him “LORD”.

We must note that this passage points out that it was through the apostles the Lord granted the “signs and wonders“. Why do people assume that there are apostles in the church today? There is no evidence of it. They have not been eyewitnesses of the resurrected Lord Jesus Christ. These signs and wonders were given to the apostles as testimony from God of their calling, their witness, and their preaching and teaching of Jesus Christ.

Some would liken the love and generosity of the early church and their sharing of their goods, land and homes as being the first socialistic order. That is not so. Socialism confiscates from those who have to give to those who have not. The order for the early church was that each one gave as they were able, and were blessed by God. Some of the early church sold their houses and land in order to be better servants to God and His Son Jesus, but no one forced the sale. It was an act of love not of a dictatorship. Christians who love the Lord and have burdens for the cause of Christ are still doing this; maybe not on the same scale and maybe to a greater scale. Every week when believers gather together we receive the tithes and offerings, and those come, sometimes with great sacrifice from the giver or givers. In most congregationally led churches no one is forced or shamed into giving tithes and offerings; it comes from their hearts most of the time. These funds were distributed as there was need among the people.

THE ACTIVITIES OF THE EARLY CHURCH THROUGH THE WEEK (vv. 46-47). The question has been asked, “How often should Christians meet as the Body of Christ?” There are many answers to that question and some would like to answer it with “Only twice a year. Easter and Christmas”. Oh, how far we have fallen. How often did the early church, the Church of Jerusalem meet? Look at verse 46, and the first part of 47:

“And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people.”

Note “…They, continuing daily…” and many professing Christians today have a hard time getting together one worship service per week. We should feel ashamed for our lack of faith, trust, and commitment to God, His Word, His Son and His Church. Why is that many Christians want to find an excuse to miss worship services on Sunday? Why do they want to go to the lake for swimming, water skiing, fishing or boating rather than spend time in the place of worship with brothers and sisters in Christ? They are missing the heart of worship. They are missing the very One who gives them that desire, and that drive. The early Christians loved being together. Christians today love being together, and seek every opportunity to do so.

The “Breaking bread” referred here has to do with the sharing of daily meals, and provisions. It was a time of fellowship, worship, praise, and Christian growth. In their gatherings they not only shared their food, and fellowship; they also shared “gladness and singleness of heart“, and Oh the joy which they had together worshipping, praising God and magnifying the name of Jesus. Their worship in the gatherings were without hypocrisy, they were genuine, and did not attempt to overshadow anyone else. They were a simple people with a simple goal; and that goal was to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ.

In the concluding part of verse 47 we read:

“And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.”

There are many attempts today to “grow the church”, “reach people for Christ”, etc. thus we have shows of entertainment, motorcycle jumping and racing, power teams, rock stars, and we get a crowd. The gospel is preached, and hundreds, maybe in some cases thousands, raise their hands of decision for Christ. For some it is genuine and they are born again to faith in Jesus Christ. For the others they go away thinking, “Man, I prayed some words tonight. I am alright with God. Let’s party.” and they are still on the road to destruction due to deception.

Notice who added the people to the church. It was the Lord who added to the church daily. It was not the apostles. It was not the women of the church. It was not the children of the church. It was not the men of the church. They had no programs. They had no visitation program. They were, however, faithful in worship, praise, and living a consistent Christian lifestyle which was a testimony of their faith.

It is my belief that when the people of God will get into His Word, read it, study it – pulling out the meaning, the message and power of the text, and apply it to our lives then, we will be more powerful affective witnesses and see multitudes come to faith in Jesus our Lord and Savior. It is not our doing, our calling to save sinners; that is the work of our Lord. It is our doing and calling to be faithful witnesses.

Continue Christians in the work of Jesus Christ.

-Tim A. Blankenship

These are my study notes for a sermon I preached at Carr Lane Baptist Church on September 28, 2008

Until Jesus Returns

September 9, 2009 / Tim A. / 1 Comment

Acts 1:1-26

1. PROCLAIM THE CONVINCING PROOFS OF OUR LORD’S PASSION (vv. 1-4).

Luke, our writer and historian of the Christ who was born in Bethlehem’s manger, gives us thorough details of the birth, the life, the death, and the resurrection of our Lord. You can read these details in the gospel of Luke. The book of Acts is a continued bit of history of Christ, His Holy Spirit at work in the Apostles in the early church.

The Gospel written by Luke is the “former treatise” which he had written to Theophilus. Luke, beginning the gospel, writes,

“Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us, Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word; It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.” Luke 1:1-4 (KJV)

He writes to an individual who must be of royal or noble family. The term, “Most excellent Theophilus” seems to be an indication of this. Luke sees it very important to record the documentation of the eyewitness accounts, and the preachers of the word. He also records it for the benefit of Theophilus, that he “…might know the certainty of those things…”.

The title “Most excellent” is dropped in the writing of Acts. It could be that Theophilus has become a believer in Jesus. Luke writes of the resurrection as those “to whom also He showed Himself alive” (v. 3). That is speaking of the apostles, and there were many more.

There are many atheist, doubters and sceptics who try and tell us that there is little to no evidence for the virgin conception, and virgin birth of Jesus Christ, and some who even deny He ever lived. What evidence can there be of the virgin birth? We have the testimony of Mary, Joseph, and best of all we have the testimony of Scriptures. The life of Jesus Himself shows us that He was not just another man, born by the seed of man, but by the seed of God.

Luke writes of the “passion” of Christ. Do you know that Jesus had a desire to go to Jerusalem that final time. Jesus had His mind set for Jerusalem. He had His mind set on obtaining the redemption of mankind. He had His mind set on paying the sin debt owed by all men and women. If we only had the passion for Christ He has for us; what could be done in this world for His glory.

2. WALK IN THE POWER OF THE SPIRIT AND GO INTO ALL THE WORLD (vv. 5-8).

The disciples had seen Jesus tried, convicted, and nailed to the cruel old wooden cross. At that time they had been fearful, and fled for their lives. Jesus speaks to us of leaving with us a “Comforter” in John, chapters fourteen and sixteen. We also have Jesus’s words that He is going away for a time, and then will return, and Paul tells us that the Holy Spirit [the Comforter] is an “Earnest” payment for the security and guarantee of His return.

Were these words, “but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence…” meant only for the disciples present at that time, or do they have application for His followers today? Yes and No! For the disciples then, they did need to do as Jesus had said, and wait for the promise of the baptism of the Spirit. He had not descended. For the follower of Jesus Christ today, you and I were baptized in the Spirit of Jesus Christ the day we prayed to receive His free gift of salvation and He saved us. There are times, however, where the follower of Jesus Christ today, needs to wait and make sure all things are right with and God, and that there are no hindrances to the work of God in our hearts and lives.

Every Christian has been given the power of Christ. The power to live a life that will glorify Jesus. The power to be a witness for Him in all our lives and life’s activities. The power of faith that will move mountains and cast sycamine trees into the sea. I have not seen any Christian who has that kind of faith today, however. Oh, that we would just believe God and His Word and trust the work and power of His Spirit in our lives.

We have been given the “Great Commission” of Christ Jesus in Matthew 28:18-20, and He gives it again before He ascends into the heavens. He tells the disciples then, “You shall receive power after the Holy Spirit is come on you…” It was yet a future event for them. It is an instantaneous event for the man, woman, boy or girl who calls on the name of Jesus for salvation today. You and I hear things about “Change” today. There is only one power that can change this world into a better world, and better men, women, boys, and girls; and that is the power of the Spirit of God in His people.

The hope of the world cannot be found in the political arena. It cannot be found in any political figure, or political promise. When we put our faith in the promises of men or women, we are bound to failure, and disappointment. The only hope for individuals, kings, commoners; rich or poor; is the Lord Jesus Christ, and as Christian disciples/followers we have not only been commissioned by our Lord to go and make disciples; He has given us the power to go and do it.

If you want true change in the United States or the world it will come only through the crucified, buried, risen and coming again Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God.

“It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” Acts 1:7-8 (KJV)

3. BE BUSY IN GROWING AND PRACTICE OF FAITH AND IN PRAYER (vv. 9-14).

Those of us who believe that the second coming of Jesus are often accused of having our head in the stars or the sand, and not dealing with the things which really affect mankind. I would agree that there are factions who claim to believe in the second coming of Jesus, but I have a question, “What Jesus do they believe in?” Do they believe in the Jesus who said, “I will come again”, but later He said, “No man knows the day or the hour”? or do they believe in the one who professes to have a secret knowledge of God and Jesus, and they know when He is coming? They might even say, “I am the one who is coming”.

We are told in Scripture, the words of Jesus to “Occupy till I come” (Luke 19:13). Though the preceding was spoken from a parable, it still has the intensity of the call Jesus has for us. He is telling His followers to keep at the tasks you have to do, maintain your lives, live and be faithful to the teachings of God’s word and all that He has taught us. He has not told us to give away all our possessions, sell our homes and go to a mountain top and wait for His return.

I would imagine that as Jesus was speaking to the disciples, and they seeing Him ascend into the coulds would have been standing there in awe of what they had just seen. For a while they would have put the words Jesus had just spoken to them out of their minds. WOW! Was probably what they were thinking. This was men who had seem Him walk on water, calm the storms, cast out demons, heal the sick, make the lame walk, heal the lepers, and raise the dead. And now, they see Him in a living body of flesh ascend out of their sight, and into the Father’s glory.

“Two men” probably angels confronted their awestruck eyes and minds, with the words we all need to hear, “Ye men of Galilee, 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.” Acts 1:11 (KJV) The disciples followed the instructions of the men/angels, went back to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, to the upper room and there they prayed, probably unlike any other time they had prayed. You will notice all the disciples were present with the exception of Judas who killed himself by hanging, and plunging to the bottom of a cliff.

“These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.” Acts 1:14 (KJV)

They had not yet received the Holy Spirit for power, witness and living. They were to wait for the promise, and the promise came.

Continuing prayer is prayer that abides, prayer that is unceasing, prayer that is diligent, faithful, and trusting and believing, that God will accomplish what He pleases, in His time and in His way. Those praying in the upper room numbered one hundred and twenty. Of those who were there, other than the disciples/apostles, were Mary the mother of Jesus, and the brothers of Jesus – James and Jude (not the apostles by the same name) – and the women who had faithfully trusted in, and ministered to Jesus.

4. KNOW AND UNDERSTAND THAT NO ONE IS INDISPENSIBLE (vv. 15-25).

In a lot of areas of life, work, and society and culture there are some who feel they are indispensible. They are badly mistaken, and sadly deceived. That may have been the heart of Judas, the betrayer, as he went to betray our Lord. He was in fact fulfilling a role in prophecy. Nevertheless guilty of sin, of unbelief, of betrayal.

It was Peter who stood up to make the leadership decision of replacing Judas. The question could be asked and I am asking it; “Why did they need to replace Judas?”. Maybe “Replace” is not the right term to use, because no one is really replaced. Someone that would have been a witness of the life, death, burial and resurrection of Jesus was required.

Peter saw that Judas and his acts, and the end of his life were a fulfillment of Scripture. David had written about this in the Psalms. See Psalms 69:25 and 109:8. There have been many people who have written of Judas’s; of which I have only heard and not read. I know there are some who with great assumption consider Judas to have been a genuine saved, follower of Jesus Christ, and that he lost his salvation; however, the losing of one’s salvation just does not fit with all of Scripture. Judas was just a man who never did see Jesus for who he really was, but was only his meal ticket and possible means of obtaining a high position in an earthly rule. In verse 25, it reads, “that he might go to his own place”; which seems to be meaning that he had his own eternal abode.

Now it is time to have someone fill his position with the twelve. It seems that there has been some debate over whether this was really necessary or not. There are probably a lot of reasons that could be given to support their installing a twelfth apostle, and I would think that to be to keep the order of twelve. There are twelve tribes of Israel. Twelve may be a symbol of a completed rule of government, and when Jesus returns to set up His earthly kingdom, these twelve and those who have believed because of their preaching and teaching will rule and reign with Him.

Each individual is unique within the kingdom of heaven, and the future kingdom of Jesus Christ on earth. There is, however, no one who is indispensable. Pride is the only thing that would cause anyone to usurp the authority of their own life over the rule of Jesus Christ, and the Father. That was so with Judas.

The eleven disciples take a vote [cast lots], and the lot fell to Matthais.

5. LET GOD LEAD AND PROVIDE OUR LEADERS (v. 26).

Both of the men which they must choose from were witnesses of the Lord Jesus, and His resurrection. That was a qualification of an apostle. Their life was one of following Jesus, and faithfulness. These were both well qualified men, but only one would be able to serve as apostles.

It would seem that all 120 people in the upper room had part in making this decision. Some may argue and say, “Well they should have waited because Paul should have been the twelfth apostle”, but that could not be. There must be one who was sent to the gentiles, and that was Paul who made a thirteenth apostle.

In the direction of choosing kings, presidents, premiers, and apostles and pastors we must let God lead and direct in that choosing. He has His way in the ballots, and the lots which are cast.

God places leaders of churches, communities, States and Nations as it pleases Him; and all for His glory. Trust Him. He knows what He is doing. He sees the total picture, and you and I only have a very small view, called today. Today is the day of salvation. Tomorrow may not come for you or me.

-Tim A. Blankenship

These are study notes for a sermon I preached September 14, 2008.

How Are We Doing?

September 8, 2009 / Tim A. / 1 Comment

In the past thirty years or so it would appear to me that Christians have fallen away from the idea of evangelism. We have turned to the political arena, and there have been some good things happen from going to the polls and letting “our vote count”, and we must continue to do that. However, dependence upon the political to legislate change, moral change in particular has given us government out of control. We are gradually losing our freedom of speech, and will eventually lose it entirely.

The power of changing lives of individuals is solely in the hands of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Forcing moral change through law has never worked, and never will. Paul the apostle wrote many years ago –

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” Romans 1:16 (KJV)

It would appear that we [Christians] have stopped believing in the power of the gospel of Christ. We place more hope in our government than in Christ. We have more confidence in the power of the president’s pen, than in the quiet, soft voice of the Spirit of God. We have more faith in the politicians power than the power of the Word of God.

Why do I say these things? We will strongly urge everyone, “Go and vote on election day”, but rarely do we say something like, “Be sure and tell someone about Jesus today, or this week”.

Let me give you a personal example. I am often asked, “What do ya know?”; and my answer is always disappointing to me. “Not much”. Though the question is often asked as a means of getting a conversation going it should give me the chance to tell what I do know about Jesus Christ, His life, death, burial, resurrection; and His second coming. Boy!!! would that be a conversation grabber. Now I know that everytime someone asks me “What do ya know?” they don’t really want to know what I know, but I should and could share with them anyway. I have responded a time or two, “Do really want to know?”

At any rate the hope of this world is not power, popularity, politics, or prestige. The hope of this world is Christ Jesus. Paul said he was not ashamed. No Christian will be ashamed of the very one who delivered and delivers us from our sin and eternal destruction.

Someone gave an acrostic for GOSPEL as God Offers Sinful People Eternal Life. That is what Jesus has done for us on His cross, and proved the power of the cross by the resurrection. He lives, and because He lives we live.

There is no power greater than the gospel of Jesus Christ. He possesses the power to change a murderer into one who loves life – his own and others lives. He empowers the child molestor to become a man or woman who loves children, and would never do anything to harm, molest, or torment them. He empowers the sexual deviant to become one who is moral, and respects his/her gender and the opposite gender in the correct, moral and Biblical manner. He empowers the sinner to become a lover of God, His Son, His Spirit and His Word; and live according to the directives of His Spirit and Word.

We must never forget that “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God”. That means me, and that means you. That means all with one exception, and His name is Jesus the Christ, Son of the Living God.

Let’s be faithful in sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ; “it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes”; and it matters not what sin they have sinned. Legislate morality all you want, still lives are not changed until we meet Jesus, surrender our wills to His, and then we are changed with the desire to be like Him.

In answer to the question, “How Are We Doing?” It does not seem too well. We can do better. I can do better. God has not failed us. He will never fail us. As the Lord has told us in His Word,

“The eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him” 2 Chronicles 16:9

Perfection is only through His Son Jesus. Believe on Him and live.

-Tim A. Blankenship

When You Go To Battle

September 3, 2009 / Tim A. / Leave a comment

It could be said, that you and I have either been in a battle, will be in a battle, are presently in a battle, or are just getting through a battle.

There are many times in Scriptures when God says, “Be not afraid…” or something equivalent to that phrase, like, “Fear not”. These are meant as words of comfort, encouragement, and trust in the Lord.

One of those verses is found in the twentieth chapter of Deuteronomy and in the first verse. “When thou goest out to battle against thine enemies, and seest horses, and chariots, and a people more than thou, be not afraid of them; for the LORD thy God is with thee, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.” Now isn’t that a wonderful verse of encouragement and hope.

As you read this you may think, “Well, I am not in battle.” Maybe you are thinking of a physical battle where blood is being shed, and that is not exactly what I mean. As Christians we face an enemy every day, and that enemy is also the enemy of God. He hates God, and hates God’s people and will attack the God of creation through His people.

Everyday we enter a battle. The word here is “Be not afraid of them”. The “Them” of course being the enemy. The reason we need not be afraid is because the LORD our God is with us, and He is the one who delivered us from our Egypt – the world of sin and its condemnation.

Do not fear; trust the LORD.

-Tim A. Blankenship

The Mercy Of The LORD

September 2, 2009 / Tim A. / Leave a comment

“O give thanks unto the LORD; for He is good: for His mercy endureth for ever.” Psalm 136:1 (KJV).

For the following 25 verses of this Psalm it says, “…For His mercy endureth forever”. The Psalmist wants us to know that God’s mercy endures forever. You and I know that “Forever” is a very long time. As a matter of fact the thought of God’s mercy enduring forever is to assure us that it never ends.

In the first thought of this verse we learn to be thankful. Thankfulness is often missing in our lives. There is much sickness in many families. There are many family tragedies. There is financial chaos. Sometimes being thankful and grateful to our creator is the farthest thing from our minds.

Let’s try this challenge, though; the next time you start feeling like the world is weighing down on your shoulders; the next time the doctor tells you things don’t look good; the next time you want to complain: offer God a word of thanks.

Thank Him for the things He has made. Thank Him for the breath of air you just inhaled, and exhaled. Thank Him for that step you just took, and even if you are in a wheelchair, thank Him for the next roll of the wheel. Thank Him for that next beat of your heart. If we would just look beyond our problems we can see much to be thankful for.

When you start being thankful, and you are trusting the Lord more fully, then you might even get to the place where you are thanking Him that He is working in your trials for your good and His glory.

Thank YOU Father.

-Tim A. Blankenship

A Bite And A Look

August 19, 2009 / Tim A. / Leave a comment

“And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived” Numbers 21:9 (KJV).

Many people do not realize the dangers of complaining. Anyone who has ever read this chapter in Numbers realizes that God does not delight in complaints from His people. He despises complaining, or murmuring. In chapter eleven and verse four of Numbers there is the mention of “a mixed multitude”, and these were probably a source of the complaints, though God’s people often need no help in complaining.

The result of their complaining was that “fiery serpents” came into the camp and bit people and they began dying from the poisonous bites. Do we realize just how poisonous or deadly complaining really is? I don’t think so. The individual who complains is spreading a deadly toxin throughout their body. It may take many years for it to show up, but can lead to death earlier. It is probably toxic to the people who hang around the complainer as well. If we are not careful about hanging around complainers we will find ourselves complaining. This is a complaint that robs us of faith, and puts more trust in self, or selfish desire than in God. Complaining may come because of fear.

The people, or our text, grew quite fearful, and came to Moses for help, even confessing “We have sinned” (v. 7). Moses prayed for the people and God gave Moses answer. The answer was to build the brazen serpent on the pole.

The promise is, “Any man [anyone], when they beheld the serpent of brass, she/he lived”. This serpent on the pole is a picture of a New Testament truth, with a present reality to the text. There was deliverance that day for all who believed and looked.

Today, our hope is in Jesus Christ. Sin was placed on Christ as he hung on the cross, becoming our sin, receiving God’s judgment [brass], and when we realize our sin and its death, we can look to Him and live. “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life” John 3:14-15 (KJV). Look to Jesus and live.

-Tim A. Blankenship

The Horrible Thing

August 18, 2009 / Tim A. / Leave a comment

Being told that the word God gives you is going to be as fire and the people to who you speak as the wood would be a very serious thing. This is what has happened to Jeremiah. In verse 14 of chapter five Jeremiah is told just that; “…I will make My words in your mouth fire, and this people wood, and it shall devour them.”

The weeping prophet I am pretty sure would have been weeping, sorrowing over these words. He had probably been weeping over the spiritual condition of His people. Their spiritual and moral condition was not good. They had an impending threat against them which they were oblivious of.

It is amazing how in a blessed society, of any age, or time how people begin wandering away from the One who has blessed them and begin attributing their blessings to human ability, or human achievements, or maybe even a religion of sorts, and their “faithfulness” to perform their rituals at the expense of truth and faithfulness to the One who has called for their faithfulness. Those things are what had happened in Judah, Jerusalem.

These things have happened in the world today in nations who once knew God, but have turned away from him. When they have done so they progressively become prone to dismissing evil actions as being good. Many of them will claim a rich history of faith, but have none now. It is a very sad thing when our Creator must speak words of judgment against us to call us back to Himself.

Hear the words of God to the prophet –

“Lo, I will bring a nation upon you from far, O house of Israel, saith the LORD: it is a mighty nation, it is an ancient nation, a nation whose language thou knowest not, neither understandest what they say. Their quiver is as an open sepulchre, they are all mighty men. And they shall eat up thine harvest, and thy bread, which thy sons and thy daughters should eat: they shall eat up thy flocks and thine herds: they shall eat up thy vines and thy fig trees: they shall impoverish thy fenced cities, wherein thou trustedst, with the sword. Nevertheless in those days, saith the LORD, I will not make a full end with you. And it shall come to pass, when ye shall say, Wherefore doeth the LORD our God all these things unto us? then shalt thou answer them, Like as ye have forsaken me, and served strange gods in your land, so shall ye serve strangers in a land that is not yours. Declare this in the house of Jacob, and publish it in Judah, saying, Hear now this, O foolish people, and without understanding; which have eyes, and see not; which have ears, and hear not: Fear ye not me? saith the LORD: will ye not tremble at my presence, which have placed the sand for the bound of the sea by a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass it: and though the waves thereof toss themselves, yet can they not prevail; though they roar, yet can they not pass over it? But this people hath a revolting and a rebellious heart; they are revolted and gone. Neither say they in their heart, Let us now fear the LORD our God, that giveth rain, both the former and the latter, in his season: he reserveth unto us the appointed weeks of the harvest. Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good things from you. For among my people are found wicked men: they lay wait, as he that setteth snares; they set a trap, they catch men. As a cage is full of birds, so are their houses full of deceit: therefore they are become great, and waxen rich. They are waxen fat, they shine: yea, they overpass the deeds of the wicked: they judge not the cause, the cause of the fatherless, yet they prosper; and the right of the needy do they not judge. Shall I not visit for these things? saith the LORD: shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this? A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land; The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?” Jeremiah 5:15-31 (KJV)

The LORD will not leave sin in the midst of those who profess His name. He will deal with those sins that offend Him. Those things which offend Him seem not to offend wayward people. Forsaking Him is the one thing that many seem to be doing today. It is, however, wonderful to know that there are many who are also coming to Him, and many who are faithful to Him. What is your relationship with the LORD today? How is your fellowship with the LORD today?

The prophet is being told that an army is coming which will destroy the nation, the temple, the way of life that they have grown so comfortable with, and yet so lax in sin. They have presented themselves as a godly people without worshipping God. They have turned their backs on fellowship with God.

Fellowship with God comes through faith in Christ Jesus. Fellowship with God is walking with Him. The prophet Amos asked the question, “Can two walk together except they be agreed?” (Amos 3:3) That simply means that to walk with God we must walk in agreement with Him. You aren’t walking with Him when you aren’t walking obediently.

In the middle of this Scripture we do find a promise. It is this, “Nevertheless, in those days, saith the LORD, I will not make a full end with you.” (v. 18). Even with judgment lurking at the door; they have the promise of God that He is not finished with His people.

I have said it before, and believe it to be a quote from Charles H. Spurgeon that, “God will not allow His children to sin successfully”. When we sin against Him the Holy Spirit within us will afflict us, make us very uncomfortable with our sin, and bring us back to Him. We cannot dwell/live with sin in our lives. To live with sin in our lives, and remain unconvicted, unrepentant, and unmoved would say quite loudly that we are not His. When we are His God will do whatever is necessary to bring us back into fellowship with Himself; even to the point of taking our wealth, our health, our family, our friends, or our freedom.

This is how the LORD worked in Judah and Israel. This is also how He can and does work in the lives of Christians. He is the One who is holy, righteous, and undefiled; and He will have His people to be holy, righteous and undefiled as well. When He speaks we better listen and obey.

How did Judah and Jerusalem end up with this looming threat over their heads? Verses 30 and 31 tell us; “A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land; the prophets prophesy falsely, the priest bear rule by their means; and My people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?”

People turning their backs on God because the prophet (preacher) and the priests (the spiritual leaders) do not proclaim the word of the LORD, but their own visions, dreams, hopes [empty] and desires. They have wanted a following for themselves rather than a holy people for God. They have feared the people rather than God.

Within Christianity every child of God through faith in Jesus Christ, His death, burial and resurrection; is a priest of God. We all have access to the very throne of grace, before the face of God. When we fail to have personal time before the throne we fail God, and the people we are witnesses to.

I wonder sometimes just how many churches and pastors there are in our country and the world who actually proclaims the word of God in the language of the people, from the throne of grace? By our silence of God’s word we condemn the people. We don’t help them with a message of prosperity, self helps, and or self praise. The word of God is what is needed in today’s world.

-Tim A. Blankenship

The Following Of Jesus

August 9, 2009 / Tim A. / Leave a comment

But Jesus withdrew himself with his disciples to the sea: and a great multitude from Galilee followed him, and from Judaea, And from Jerusalem, and from Idumaea, and from beyond Jordan; and they about Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, when they had heard what great things he did, came unto him. And he spake to his disciples, that a small ship should wait on him because of the multitude, lest they should throng him. For he had healed many; insomuch that they pressed upon him for to touch him, as many as had plagues. And unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell down before him, and cried, saying, Thou art the Son of God. And he straitly charged them that they should not make him known.” Mark 3:7-12 (KJV)

Great numbers of people with sicknesses sought Jesus for healing. It is sad that many who were healed by Him never really followed Him. This following was a temporary following. In fact it is quite possible that many who were healed by His touch were in the crowd some months later who were crying out, “Crucify Him. Crucify Him”.

So many today want the blessings that Jesus can give, but not the commitment of a life that is changed by His touch on the soul. A fickle lot the human race is. Thankful one moment for the work of the One who touches, heals and makes one well; and the next moment calling for the death of that same One. Everyone living has received the benefits of living; general blessing if you will. However, many who receive His blessings, still curse Him with every breath of His sweet oxygen.

While physical ailments were the needs of many, others came seeking deliverance from the demons which were possessing them, and making their lives miserable.

Those who were demon possessed came and began to proclaim that Jesus was the Son of God. Jesus told them to be silent. Jesus who is holy does not need vile, venomous, hateful spirits proclaiming His presence. It does not say it in the text, but I am certain that those who were demon possessed and came to Jesus were delivered from their possession.

The very fact these “spirits” [demons] recognized Jesus declares Him to be Deity, the Son of God, God in flesh – who is worthy of all our respect, praise, worship, and adoration. The demons recognized Jesus and Paul, “And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? Acts 19:15 (KJV)”. Do the demons of Hell know us? If we are in Christ Jesus, of course they do. It is a good thing to be known in hell. All hell trembles before those who are in Christ Jesus and are living for Him. Are you known in hell?

When we are known in hell we need to realize that the devil and his demons are out to get us, and destroy the testimony of Christ in our lives. If you have no testimony in Christ you have nothing to watch out for. You do have everything to fear. It is almost a “good thing” to always have the devil breathing down your neck, tormenting, tempting, and wreaking havoc in the Christian life. That only means you are tormenting Him by your life, and commitment to Christ. The devil cannot stand a life that is committed to Christ. He hates Jesus and he hates you.

If you need help to stand; help is as near as the written word and a prayer. Always look to Jesus. There is strength and deliverance in Him.

-Tim A. Blankenship

In A Foreign Land

August 3, 2009 / Tim A. / 2 Comments

Abraham, Sarah and Lot along with some servants had departed Ur of the Chaldees many years before, with a promise from God of a land; a Promise Land and promise of becoming a nation. Becoming a nation meant having a son. For years they had waited. Since departing Ur many things had happened. Lot and his family had gone their own way, along with his livestock and goods.

Now Sarah had died, and Abraham needed a place to bury her. Only thing was he was in a land that was not his own. He was a foreigner and had to purchase some land or receive it from the owners as a gift. The following is the narrative of what took place following the event of Sarah’s death:

“And Abraham stood up from before his dead, and spake unto the sons of Heth, saying, I am a stranger and a sojourner with you: give me a possession of a buryingplace with you, that I may bury my dead out of my sight. And the children of Heth answered Abraham, saying unto him, Hear us, my lord: thou art a mighty prince among us: in the choice of our sepulchres bury thy dead; none of us shall withhold from thee his sepulchre, but that thou mayest bury thy dead. And Abraham stood up, and bowed himself to the people of the land, even to the children of Heth. And he communed with them, saying, If it be your mind that I should bury my dead out of my sight; hear me, and intreat for me to Ephron the son of Zohar, That he may give me the cave of Machpelah, which he hath, which is in the end of his field; for as much money as it is worth he shall give it me for a possession of a buryingplace amongst you…” Genesis 23:3-9 (KJV)

The possessors of the lands knew Abraham, and knew he had been a good and decent neighbor. They knew him to have been a honorable man, just and fair in dealing with the people of the lands around them. So we have Heth making suggestion that he bury Sarah in one of their burial places. This however does not sit well with Abraham.

Abraham desires to have a piece of land, for which he is willing to pay a price; a fair price; and that will have his ownership of it. Through the purchase of this piece of land, the price paid for it would be security for future generations who would follow. It would also be a fulfillment of the promise of the land, though at this time a small portion of it.

He had previously “planted a grove in Beersheba” land of the Philistines, and in doing so was placing a claim on that land. Now he is purchasing a piece of land, and “planting” the body of his wife. Would that not also be a claim on the land. Many prayers of Abraham and Sarah had been offered in the almost sixty years of living in the land. Many tears had been shed, and much blood had been shed as well defending themselves against thieves, kidnappers-slave traders, and cutthroats who just wanted to kill.

Now there would be an actual possession of the land. The Promise of God was going to be fulfilled, and Abraham’s purchase was evidence of that faith in the promise.

A few years ago one church which I was pastor had an open lot. Things were not going real well for the church financially, and it was brought up to sell the lot. Well that was not how I believed the LORD was leading us. Financially it made sense to do so, but faith wise I believed we would not be trusting the Lord and His promises to us. I had read where the prophet Jeremiah was called by God to purchase land as evidence of faith that the people of Judah would return to Israel following their captivity in Babylon (Jeremiah 32). I believed, and to this day I still believe that it was God’s guidance to keep that piece of land as promise that God was going to bless that church. I don’t know if the church still has that piece of land or not; but for the time I believed it to be right, and the people decided it would be best not to sell it.

As Christians we are pilgrims and strangers in a foreign land, similar to Abraham. When we purchase, possess, or own a piece of land; it is God’s land. God owns all land on this earth. It is His. The Psalmist has written, quoting God “Every beast of the forest is Mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills” (Psalm 50:10), just a picturesque way of telling us that God owns it all. We are to be good stewards of God’s land while we are here, but this world, this land on which we live is not what has been promised us. There is a land greater and more grandeur than any land we can imagine here on this earth.

We have been promised the land which is called glory, heaven, with golden streets, gates of pearl, and a city with a foundation made of precious gems. Even better than that, it is the place where Jesus is. Take away the golden streets, gates of pearl, and only Jesus; and that would be sufficient for me.

Do you know Jesus? He is the one who came to this earth to die, and give His life as a payment for our sins. The price of His blood was paid to God our Father as the full price of our sin, and made a way of reconciliation between lost, condemned, dead people and the Living God. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life”.

Take care of the land and goods God has blessed you with here. Use them to honor and glorify His name. One day when He comes again He will take you to Himself; that where He is there we may be also.

-Tim A. Blankenship

Is It Lawful…To Do Good?

August 2, 2009 / Tim A. / 2 Comments

“And he entered again into the synagogue; and there was a man there which had a withered hand. And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the sabbath day; that they might accuse him. And he saith unto the man which had the withered hand, Stand forth. And he saith unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill? But they held their peace. And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other. And the Pharisees went forth, and straightway took counsel with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him.” Mark 3:1-6 (KJV)

These people came to “synagogue” seeking help. Did it matter that it was the “Sabbath Day”? Only to those who watched with a longingness to catch Jesus “breaking their law”. He was, in fact breaking no law; but fulfilling the law. They were looking for anything with which they could charge Jesus, and cause people to turn from Him.

The man with the withered hand was a human life. He had a need. He had probably been to the synagogue many times and no one offered to help him. Now Jesus was there with a message, a helping hand and a heart of grace, mercy and love.

The Pharisees even teamed up with the Herodians. The Herodians were a Jewish political “party” who were favorable toward Herod Antipas the governor at the time of Judea. These people hated the Pharisees, but they hated Jesus even more. The Pharisees hated Jesus because He was popular, powerful, and dangerous to their traditions and laws. The Herodians hated Jesus because He was seen as a threat to the rule of Judea – at least as they saw it.

Jesus’ question should have really thrown them off their guard (“And he saith unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill?”). Is not the life of a fellow human being of more value than a misinterpreted law or tradition? Jesus thought so; and taught so. The Pharisees did not. Who will we believe? Whom will we follow?

-Tim A. Blankenship

Psalm 109:9

August 1, 2009 / Tim A. / Leave a comment

“Let his children be fatherless, and his wife a widow.” Psalms 109:9 (KJV)

From the TREASURY OF DAVID and Psalm 109 commentary –

“Those who regard a sort of effeminate benevolence to to all creatures alike as the acme of virtue are very much in favour with this degenerate age; these look for the salvation of the damned, and even pray for the restoration of the devil.”

from verse 9

“To us it seems better to agree with God’s curses than with the devil’s blessings; and when at any time our heart kicks against the terrors of the Lord we take it as proof of our need of greater humbling, and confess our sin before our God.”

from verse 9 as well.
-T.A.

Put Off, Put On, Put Away

July 31, 2009October 5, 2009 / Tim A. / Leave a comment

Ephesians 4:20-25

A few years ago a church of which I was pastor had a Sunday afternoon Nursing Home ministry one Sunday of each month. There were several who attended the service, and we sung hymns, and I usually preached a short message.

Almost every Sunday we were there I made an attempt to visit a moment with each one, shaking their hand, placing a hand on their hand or shoulder, even kneeling beside them so I could hear what they wanted to say. One man in particular, which I remember well; and this shows the repulsive side of me; was a man who was pushed in a wheel chair to the service. This man was unclean, he stank, and it was so bad the flies even noticed. I tried to give him the same attention I gave all the others.

The first time I met him I am sure I pulled away, but quickly caught my action, and still spoke with him. That must be a small bit of how God senses our stink of sin. The odor of sin is more than He in His holiness, righteousness and justice can endure, but in His wondrous grace, and tender mercy He provides cleansing, and new clothing of righteousness which is the righteousness of Christ Jesus.

Would God provide this cleansing, new clothing, and new life to continue living in that stench from which we have been delivered? By no means.

OUTLINE –

I. THE CHRISTIAN LEARNS CHRIST (v. 20).

II. THE CHRISTIAN “PUTS OFF” THE “OLD MAN” (vv. 21-23).

III. THE CHRISTIAN “PUTS ON” THE “NEW MAN” (v. 24).

IV. THE CHRISTIAN “PUTS AWAY” LYING (v. 25).

THE CHRISTIAN LEARNS CHRIST. We already know the way we have left behind. It is time we learn Christ. This is not learning about Him, but LEARNING CHRIST. This means a life, road, path of sin, stench, death and destruction is left behind (Ephesians 2:1). It was a life that knew not that it was enslaved until the Light of Christ broke through.

It is good to learn about Jesus Christ, however the Christian LEARNS CHRIST. That means we love Him more than anything else; we love and enjoy sweet fellowship with Him. That means that we walk with Him and He with us (John 14:21, 23-24). That means to live His life so others see Him within us.

THE CHRISTIAN “PUTS OFF” THE “OLD MAN”. When Jesus delivers us from that life of sins condemnation and its stench the old stinky clothes of sin must be removed; sometimes, however the Christian getting full of themselves rather than full of God, put the old clothes back on. Delving into the sewage of our sins, the stench hangs around again, and we wonder why God seems so far away, and we have started getting into the old, former way of life.

The people of Ephesus were known to be worshippers of Diana, and this made the Christian life a little difficult, because all the Ephesians were almost expected to be Diana worshippers. Every culture or society is difficult for the Christian life. We say things today like, “It’s hard to be a kid today”. “Things are different in this day than they have ever been”. I am one who begs to differ with that. Someone has said, “The more things change; the more they remain the same”; and that looks right to me. I read the Bible, and in the prophets I see people who are absolutely no different than the people of today are. That is why we need the apostle’s inspired words today.

Put them off… that is not what you learned Christ. That old life of self, sin, and its stench must go. “Put off” that old garment spotted by the flesh. Since the apostle is telling us to “put off” that surely means that it is in our power, through the Spirit of Christ [Holy Spirit] to put it off. We have the POWER of God to put off the evil.

Then there must be “renewing in the spirit of your mind” as well. Before we were born of the Spirit of God our spirit was dead to God. By the power of the Spirit of God our spirit was born of God; we are empowered to overcome all sin; to put off the garment of sin, and put on the “new man”. The “putting off” comes before the “renewing the mind”. The old stench of sin on those grave clothes blocks the fragrant scents of heaven and of God’s glorious grace. (Colossians 3:8-9).

THE CHRISTIAN “PUTS ON” THE “NEW MAN”. The “new man” is born of God to be like God in His holiness, and righteousness; through His Son. We are told by Paul nine times within his epistles to “Put on” something…

1. In Romans 13:12 he writes, “Put on the armour of light…”
2. 1 Corinthians 15: 53 & 54 “Put on incorruption… ‘put on immortality” twice in these two verses;
3. In Galations 3:27 “put on Christ…”;
4. Ephesians 4:24 “Put on the new man…”
5. Ephesians 6:11 “Put on the whole armour of God…”
6. Colossians 3:10 “put on the new man…”
7. Colossians 3:12 “Put on… bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering”
8. Colossians 3:14 “Put on charity…”

We are to “put on” the life of Jesus Christ.

THE CHRISTIAN “PUTS AWAY” LYING. Lying is a means of deception. Deception should never be in the heart of the believer; the follower of Jesus Christ. Deception’s intent is to cover the truth, and reveals nothing except that the one lying, deceiving cannot be trusted. Deception is a tool of the enemy.

The truth is precious among friends, neighbors, and practiced among them. Sometimes truth hurts, however, it is a means of great peace, and to great peace. Truth is the way to the knowing of God, and all knowledge needed knowing. Truth is the way to strong faith, and new, rewarding fellowship with one another and with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Jesus is the Truth in Person.

Those who do the truth come to Jesus. “But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.” John 3:21 (KJV)
“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” John 3:36 (KJV)

-Tim A. Blankenship

Resting Is For Man…

July 26, 2009 / Tim A. / Leave a comment

“And it came to pass, that he went through the corn fields on the sabbath day; and his disciples began, as they went, to pluck the ears of corn. And the Pharisees said unto him, Behold, why do they on the sabbath day that which is not lawful? And he said unto them, Have ye never read what David did, when he had need, and was an hungred, he, and they that were with him? How he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and did eat the shewbread, which is not lawful to eat but for the priests, and gave also to them which were with him? And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath: Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.” Mark 2:23-28 (KJV)

“And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.” Gen 2:2 (KJV)

Thus God gave us a sign even in His creation work that we are to have rest. It was instilled into creation before it was in the law. It was given to benefit us, to care for our health and well being. God never intended it to be a crippling thing to keep us from having needs met or meeting others needs.

Even more importantly is the day of rest of which the writer of Hebrews speaks of

(“For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works. And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest. Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief: Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. For if Jesus [Joshua] had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. Hebrews 4:4-11 (KJV)”).

There is a rest which everyone needs, and that is the rest which can only be found by faith in Jesus Christ.

-Tim A. Blankenship

The Death Of Sarah

July 24, 2009 / Tim A. / Leave a comment

Abraham and Sarah had came to the land of Canaan about sixty two years previous. For twenty five of those years they had waited for the promised son, Isaac. They had been through much together.

Almost from the first day they arrived in the land a severe drought had struck the land, famine had set in, and they went to Egypt leaving the place of promise which had been given them by God [YHWH]. In Egypt they would have probably “picked up” Hagar, and Egyptian slave girl. The sovereign hand of God is seen in every element of the decisions which they made together. The LORD of all has a way of teaching us dependency upon Him.

For sixty plus years they had walked together, suffered doubts and fears together, believed together, grew together, and now with Sarah being one hundred and twenty seven years of age, her aged body dies.

We must remember; death is not a friend; it is the fruit of sin, or its wages as Paul says in Romans 6:23. Death is the enemy of mankind. God [YHWH] created us for eternity. He created us with an eternal soul that yearns for Him. It is a longing that far too many fight and struggle against by denying the existence of God. Denying the existence of God is almost like denying yourself. You exist, and since you exist means that you had a designer, builder, Creator, and His name is Jehovah [YHWH].

“And Sarah was an hundred and seven and twenty years old: these were the years of the life of Sarah. And Sarah died in Kirjatharba; the same is Hebron in the land of Canaan: and Abraham came to mourn for Sarah, and to weep for her.” Genesis 23:1-2 (KJV)

One of the things which Genesis is clear about is our life and death. It begins with creation and a garden, and ends with a “coffin in Egypt.” From creation to the grave. It is a sad commentary on the beginning and end plight of mankind. It reminds us that we have an eternal destiny, and that GOD is the one who is in charge, sovereignly guiding, the affairs of all people, and nations. We see that more clearly through all of Scripture.

Death is not a real pleasant thing to talk about. With some people you don’t even want to use the word “D-E-A-T-H”. Let’s be true and faithful about death. As I have already mentioned it is the enemy (1 Corinthians 15:26), and it is the “last enemy” to be destroyed; and that destruction will be by the appearing of Jesus Christ in His glory.

It doesn’t appear that Abraham or Sarah had a fear of death. The reason for that being their faith in GOD. It has been through the life, faith, and testimony of Abraham and Sarah that Jesus Christ has come into the world to save condemned, dying sinners from our plight. We are born spiritually dead – that means no relationship with God and thus no fellowship with God, because of sin. Because of the work of Jesus Christ, ie., His death on the cross, burial, and resurrection we can be “born again” into relationship, enabling our fellowship with Him; and receiving eternal life, living for Him now, and eternally with Him.

The follower of Jesus Christ need have no fear of death because of the cross of Jesus Christ, and His resurrection. The resurrection of Jesus proves without doubt that the enemy of death has been defeated. All who are in the faith of Jesus Christ will be raised to life.

Even Sarah, Abraham, all the patriarchs; and those who were before them; and all who came after them unto the cross of Christ will be raised to life again. All those who have believed following the death of Christ on the cross will also be raised to life. WOW!!! What a glorious day that will be.

It is a wonderful and glorious thing to know that though Genesis ends with that “coffin in Egypt”, the Scriptures end back in a garden, and in the presence of the LORD in glory – Heaven.

“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost…” Titus 3:5 (KJV)

The faith of Abraham and Sarah was looking to the One who would come, die for the sins of mankind, be buried, and rise again from the grave. Believe Jesus and be delivered from death, and its fear.

-Tim A. Blankenship

The Old and The New

July 20, 2009 / Tim A. / 2 Comments

“And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees used to fast: and they come and say unto him, Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but thy disciples fast not? And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days. No man also seweth a piece of new cloth on an old garment: else the new piece that filled it up taketh away from the old, and the rent is made worse. And no man putteth new wine into old bottles: else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred: but new wine must be put into new bottles.” Mark 2:18-22 (KJV)

The Old Testament Law only called for one fast per year, and that was on the “Day of Atonement”. The religious leaders of Jesus’ day had made it a pious thing to fast twice per week. If you did not do that you were not holy, or right with God. What it really was is you were not right with the Pharisaical interpretation of the law.

It was a new day. The Bridegroom was here, and He had gathered His “children of the bridechamber” and while He was with them was no time to fast, but rejoice, celebrate, work and be glad.

With Jesus’ death on the cross there is no more room for the sacrifice of bullocks, lambs, goats, birds, or grains. The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sin. The old has been done away, the new has come and the blending of the new and the old will not work. Old, used wine skins will crack and burst if new wine is put into them. A new piece of material used to patch an old garment will shrink and make the hole of the garment even worse when the garment has been washed.

The new man, (“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV)) in Christ Jesus has no need of the old ceremonial system, or dependence upon keeping the “feast days”. He has the real thing. He has Jesus. To incorporate them into the life would be to say the blood of Jesus is insufficient. It would tear the faith of Christ apart. The MacArthur Study Bible note says of Matthew 9:17,

“Jesus used this illustration to teach that the forms of old rituals, such as the cermonial fastings practiced by the Pharisees and John’s disciples, were not fit for the new wine of the New Covenant era (“Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.” Colossians 2:16-17 (KJV)) In both analogies, the Lord was saying that what the Pharisees did in fasting or any other ritual had no part with the gospel”

verses of Colossians 2:16-17 filled in by TAB.

There are times we need to learn to incorporate new things into our lives to live in the times in which we live. There does not have to be a compromise of truth in order to do that. Of course Jesus is speaking in this instance of the gospel, and its greatness.

-Tim A. Blankenship

The People Jesus Receives To Himself

July 12, 2009 / Tim A. / Leave a comment

“And he went forth again by the sea side; and all the multitude resorted unto him, and he taught them. And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him. And it came to pass, that, as Jesus sat at meat in his house, many publicans and sinners sat also together with Jesus and his disciples: for there were many, and they followed him. And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners? When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Mark 2:13-17 (KJV)

Jesus was teaching as He moved about from town to town. He taught with words, parables, and acts of behavior and miracles (v. 13).

He was about to teach another lesson to a despised tax collector, and to the Pharisees who would have nothing to do with these “dregs of society”. These “Tax collectors” were for the most part Hebrew people who had “contracted” their services to the Roman government. It was their duty to collect taxes from their family, friends, and religious leaders and their families. They were despised because it was believed that they had turned their back on their “religion”, and traitors to the Hebrew people, thus no one would have any associations with them, that is, at least until Jesus came along.

Jesus walks up to Levi, who is known as Matthew who wrote the first Gospel, and says to him, “Follow Me”, and Matthew just gets up and follows Jesus. Now that was an act of faith. This tax collecting was Matthew’s livelihood. It was his living for he and his family. Now, he just up and leaves it because a man whom he believes in says, “Follow Me”. How many people this day will do that? If you have been saved, truly saved, you have already. Are you continuing to follow Him? That is the question.

Jesus goes to the home of Matthew and they have a great time of fellowship, you might even call it a “party”, and it was of sorts, because Matthew had come to faith in Jesus, and now he was having his friends and associates together to meet Jesus. The old snooty scribes and Pharisees see Jesus with them, and begin to castigate, and question the actions of Jesus. I think they were only jealous because they were not invited.

The publicans/tax collectors were the lowest on the “totem pole” in Hebrew society right above the leper. Here came Jesus and gave them the love and encouragement, and attention they needed – the grace they needed. Now there is a bunch of old, hard nose, religious bigots who have no idea what ever of the “spirit of the law”, only their own additions to it, and they want to know why Jesus is associating with people whom they consider the “dregs of society”. The tax collectors know how they are viewed, and they also know they are needy of cleansing from sin, and in need of healing.

The question comes, “Whom does Jesus receive unto Himself?” He receives sinners to Himself. That means before one can come to Christ we must know we have sinned – know that we are sinners. He can do nothing for those who believe they are good, and can do no wrong. Those who believe that God will weigh their good deeds against their evil deeds. The greatest evil of all is refusing what God has given – the life of His Son Jesus. Those who are righteous in and of themselves will never see Jesus, nor Heaven.

-Tim A. Blankenship

Go To The One Who Can

July 5, 2009 / Tim A. / 4 Comments

FRIENDS WHO KNOW GO TO THE ONE WHO CAN.

“And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four. And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay. When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee. But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only? And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts? Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk? But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house. And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.” Mark 2:3-12 (KJV)

Even though it was in Capernaum there were some there who believed in who Jesus was. They went to great extremes to see that their friend who could not walk would be able to walk when he met Jesus. There was a problem, though. That was a problem of a crowd who had gathered to hear Jesus speak. It was in a home of someone who had invited Jesus to stay there, most likely. They could not get their friend through the crowd, so they went to the roof and began tearing away the dried clay, wood, and what ever other particles there was until there was a hole large enough to lower a man on a “bed”. What friendship. What devotion. What a faith.

Jesus makes a statement which caused some discontent in the thoughts of some who were present for this great gathering. “Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.” These “scribes” of the law accused Jesus of blasphemy. “Blasphemy” = “irreverence toward something considered sacred’ MIRRIAM/WEBSTER DICTIONARY. For Jesus these Scribes were thinking of Jesus taking on the role of God, and that was blasphemy. To the religious leader of Jesus’s day “Only God can forgive sin”, and that is absolutely correct. By this statement Jesus was declaring to these “leaders” that He was God. In order to prove He had the power, privilege, and authority to forgive sin He healed the man who was let down through the roof and ceiling.

We have no idea how long this man had been sick and unable to walk. It really does not matter though, because Jesus healed him and he got up, took his bedroll and went home. This event is in all three of the synoptic gospels. It is very similar in Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Matthew reckons the statement of the “Scribes” as “evil”. Jesus said, “Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?” (Matthew 9:4), after they were thinking Jesus being blasphemous. Luke’s version is, “What reason ye in your hearts?”.

βλασφημία blasphēmia
blas-fay-me’-ah

From G989; vilification (especially against God): – blasphemy, evil speaking, railing.

How they could accuse Jesus of blasphemy is beyond understanding. What He did He did in God’s name, He did for God’s glory – the crowd glorified God; and the man got up and went home. Because of the faith of these friends God is glorified and their friend is up walking, glorifying God as well as the throng of people who witnessed it.

In a world filled with turmoil it is great to know that we can still go to the One who can take care or our every need. Notice that “Need” not our every want. Go To The One Who Can. His name is Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God.

-Tim A. Blankenship

The Death Of The King

June 29, 2009 / Tim A. / 12 Comments

Just as surely as I post this writing of THE DEATH OF THE KING there will be some who will immediately think that I am writing of Elvis Presley or Michael Jackson. Not so on my part. As I thought of this title I was not even thinking of those two but of the One who is the genuine King of all kings; including the king of rock, and of pop as the world has called them.

It is sad that far too many people mourn the lives of two men whose lives were controlled by popularity, power, money, and drugs; and eventually taken possibly by the same things and drugs. Their lives are sad examples of wasted living, and wasted lives.

Enough about those lives, and on to the One whose life, though short was lived to glorify the Father, and to give His own life for the salvation of sinful men, and women.

It is sad to see a man live His life for good, God, and His glory; and then to have it taken from Him due to sin. Lust, power, envy, greed, politics, covetousness, popularity, and every sin among men who loved darkness rather than light had this man condemned to die. The ugliest of mankind was seen on the day or our Lord’s death.

Hear the words of Jesus –

“And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men: And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again. And they were exceeding sorry.” Matthew 17:22-23 (KJV)

Jesus had just spent time correcting His disciples concerning the reason why they could not cast a demon from a young man. They had tried and failed. The father of the boy was frustrated with them, and when Jesus came down from the mountain where He was transfigured before their eyes, took this boy and cast the demon out of him without much thought.

Now, while they are in Galilee Jesus tells them, as He has before of His death which is approaching. There is much evidence in the Gospels that Jesus’s heart was set on going to Jerusalem for the distinct purpose to die; and to do so for the sins of the world. And by the hands of sinful men be judged, found guilty (without guilt), beaten and whipped, mocked, be nailed to a cross, and hung on that tree (“Cursed is the man that hangeth on a tree” Galations 3:13; Deuteronomy 21:23), and took the curse that was meant for us all; the curse of sin and death.

It seems that the disciples, as Jesus spoke to them, were not thinking of who He was talking about or something. It had not sunk into their blind minds of whom He referred.

Of course Jesus was speaking of Himself who would die, and on the “third day rise again”. It could be too, that they heard the part about His death, but the part of the resurrection was not assimilated into their thinking. Thus they were sorry for His death.

We have this assurance that Jesus died for our sins according to the Scriptures, was buried, and rose again the third day, according to the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:1-8), and there was a multitude of witnesses.

Believe on Jesus Christ, trust your life to His care, and you will be saved for all eternity. There is no other way but through Jesus Christ.

-Tim A. Blankenship

Message Of Jesus – Still Needed

June 28, 2009 / Tim A. / Leave a comment

“And again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house. And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them.” Mark 2:1-2 (KJV)

“They crowded to hear Him, as we read in this passage, “until there was no room about the door.” They were amazed. They were astonished. They were filled with wonder at His mighty works. But they were not converted. They lived in the full noon-tide blaze of the Sun of Righteousness, and yet their hearts remained hard. And they drew from our Lord the heaviest condemnation that He ever pronounced against any place, except Jerusalem–“And you people of Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? No, you will be brought down to the place of the dead. For if the miracles I did for you had been done in Sodom, it would still be here today. I assure you, Sodom will be better off on the judgment day than you.” (Matt. 11:23, 24)” From J. C. Ryle Commentary

There is a need for humanity to hear the words of Jesus. It is a necessity of human beings; if we are to be eternally saved; to hear and heed His Word. The earthquake (December 26, 2004) which caused the tsunami in the Indian Ocean; and various other earthquakes, storms, and wars; should be a wake up cry to the world. God is still in charge of the world. The death toll has been staggering – to say the least – reaching into the hundreds of thousands, and many of those going into eternal fires of torment.

There is sin still in our world. Every one of us born of man is born into sin. We are sinners by birth and sinners by choice. It is because of sin that there is sickness, disease, death, tsunami, tornado, earthquake, storms, etc..

People will often gather; as they did for Jesus on the day we read here; to hear a great speaker, because of what they might see, receive, or to be entertained. The people of Capernaum were awed by Jesus, and the words He spoke, but they would not take heed to His words.

There are people who are asking, “If God is omnipotent and omniscient, then why did He not prevent this horrible disaster in the Indian Ocean?”, “Why did He not prevent the destruction of this tornado, earthquake, the death of my son or daughter; husband or wife?” God is Omnipotent [All-Powerful] and Omniscient [All-Knowing], and yes He could have prevented the disaster, but because of the fall “Nature” just as sin is allowed to run its course. We had just as well ask, “Why did my Dad die?” or “Why is there death in the world?” Most Christians would agree that death is the result of sin, because we know those verses that tell us “death came into the world because of sin” (Rom. 5:12-21).

The world needs to hear the words and message of Jesus because there is coming a judgment upon the world unlike which the world has never seen. It seems to me that God is screaming for mankind’s attention. Still there are those who keep asserting that “…these things are only a thing of nature, there is no God, and this tragedy only proves it.”

In stark reality it seems to me to show that God is truly gracious; for if He were to take His hand completely away from His creation; the universe and the world on which we live, and all that is in it would come to an abrupt end. And He would be completely just in doing so.

People in Ezekiel’s day would gather to hear a preacher preach, but not do according to his teaching (Ezekiel 33:30-33). Jesus said, “Why call ye me Lord, Lord, and do not what I say?” Good question. We as God’s people need to hear what God says and take heed to what He says. The people of the world need to hear what God says, they need to hear what He says about repentance and faith, about His Son Jesus and the way to eternal life through Him.

-Tim A. Blankenship

Jesus – The Eternal

June 25, 2009October 6, 2009 / Tim A. / 1 Comment

There are a lot of voices today saying things concerning Jesus; and many of them don’t know the real Jesus. To many Jesus was only a good teacher, a prophet, a good man, or a good example to follow. To others he never really existed; he is kind of like the legend of king Arthur; leaving a question or questions of like, “Did he really exist, or is he just folklore and legend?”

According to many scholars, historians, archeologists and others there is more evidence for the existence of Jesus Christ, His life, death, burial, and resurrection; than there is for the existence of George Washington, the first President of the United States of America. The purpose of this message is not to present these evidences, but to just take what John the apostle wrote as fact, and present it as truth, the truth of God; and let God speak for Himself.

Purpose – To introduce Jesus Christ to us in the beginning of John’s Gospel as the Word – to see what God is like; God’s communication of Himself to bring us to Himself.

INTRODUCTION –

The writer of the notes in the PILGRIM STUDY BIBLE says, “Words reveal thoughts and character; and just so the Lord Jesus expressed God’s thought and showed us what God is like.”

Jesus is introduced to us in the beginning of John’s Gospel as the Word. We are told by John that “the Word became flesh and dwelt amon us…” In chapter 12:20-21 there were some Greeks who had come to a feast of Israel. They came to Phillip and said, “Sir, we would see Jesus.” That is what I pray we get from this message from the Gospel of John.

If the world could get a clear picture of Jesus, and follow Him, it would help us all. The following story gives us the wisdom of a child;

“One day a father was sitting in his easy chair enjoying reading the daily paper. His young daughter came up to him saying, ‘Daddy will you play house with me?’ He would say, ‘Not now sweetheart. I am reading the paper rightenow. Please go a play without me.’ His daughter was persistent, though and kept coming back. Finally, after seveal approaches by the girl the father took a page of the peaper with a picture of the world on it, tore it into several pieces and gave it to her saying, ‘Here, see how long it takes you to put the pieces of the world together like a puzzle.’ She took that page and was gone a very short time, and returned to her father, and said, ‘Daddy, I got it all put together.’ He looked at the page, and asked her, ‘You finished so quickly. How did you do that?’ Her response was one that really should have an influence on us all. ‘Daddy’, she said, ‘There is a picture of Jesus on the back of the page, and when I got Jesus together the world came together too.”

John has some favorite words – “Life”, “love”, “witness”, “believe”, “truth, “know”, “light”, “darkness”, “world”, and “flesh”. you will notice these words in the reading of the gospel and his other writings.

“Jesus Christ as the Eternal Word is a revelation of God to man.” KJV BIBLE COMMENTARY

None of the Gospels are more clear on the Deity of Jesus Christ than is John’s Gospel.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.” John 1:1-5 (KJV)

OUTLINE:

I. JESUS IS THE IMAGE AND REPRESENTATION OF GOD (v. 1; Hebrews 1:3).

II. JESUS IS THE FULNESS OF THE GODHEAD (v. 2; Colossians 2:9).

III. JESUS IS THE LIFE AND LIGHT OF THE WORLD (v. 3-4, 3:19; Colossians 1:16; Genesis 1:1-3).

IV. JESUS IS THAT LIGHT WHICH DISPELLS THE DARKNESS (v. 5; 8:12; 12:46; Ephesians 5:8)

JESUS IS THE IMAGE OF AND REPRESENTATION OF GOD.

“Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;” Hebrews 1:3 (KJV)

He as the Living Word was creating from the beginning of all things (Genesis 1:1). A person’s words reveal their character, their hearts, their thoughts. You can trust God’s Word. In God’s case His Word is His character.

Jesus as the Living Word is revealed seven times in the first chapter of Genesis. In verses 3, 6, 9, 14, 20, 24, and 26 it reads, “And God said…”. What God said was His Word was going forth creating. All things that are were made by His Word – the Word who “was made flesh”.

Let’s hear what Jesus said of Himself;

“Then said they unto him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also.” John 8:19 (KJV)

“Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.” John 8:57-58 (KJV),

and who is “I Am”?

“And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them? And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.” Exodus 3:13-14 (KJV)

JESUS IS THE FULNESS OF ALL THE GODHEAD – SO HE WAS WITH HIM AND ALWAYS HAS BEEN WITH HIM.

“For in Him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.” (Colossians 2:9).

The Scriptures tell us that “God is Spirit” meaning, basically, that we cannot see God. “God is Spirit, and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth.” (John 4:24)

God in His love revealed Himself to us through His Son Jesus who is the Living Word. When we see Jesus we see the Father. When we hear the words of Jesus we hear the words of the Father. When we trust Jesus we trust the Father.

JESUS IS THE LIFE AND LIGHT TO THE WORLD. The implication is that the world is in darkness and in need of light. In the beginning God gave light for the earth. Where did the light come from? God is the light of the world. Jesus later said, “I am the Light of the world” (John 8:12; 9:5) The light was divided from darkness. One thing we must realize is, that, where there is light is no darkness at all.

Darkness is a way of hiding all that is evil and evil evidently does not realize that nothing is hid from God.

“And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.” John 3:19 (KJV)

Jesus is the light that shines in darkness, and darkness cannot overcome His light. The world and the devil may think He is defeated. We hear reports of Christianity slipping in growth, yet those who genuinely trust Jesus Christ are growing and the Body of Christ is still strong, and growing in faith; knowing that the return of Jesus Christ is soon.

The devil, that ole serpent, knows he has been defeated; but has many convinced that the battle has not yet been decided. Anyone believing that is a fool, and pawn of evil. The cross of Christ and His resurrection is the sure sign that the battle for the souls of men, has been won, and Jesus Christ is the Victor. Light has overcome the darkness.

JESUS IS THAT LIGHT WHICH DISPELLS DARKNESS – HE DRIVES IT AWAY. Who ever follows Jesus will not walk in darkness, but in the light.

“I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” John 8:12 (KJV)

People who walk with Jesus will not abide in darkness – we are of the light, because He is the Light.

“I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.” John 12:46 (KJV)

When you are trusting Jesus, walking with Him, He drives all the darkness away; or will walk with you through it (Psalm 23:4). If you are having a dark moment in your life, just look to Jesus, the One who endured the darkness of the cross for all our sin. Paul tells us to walk as children of the light.

“For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light…” Ephesians 5:8 (KJV)

SUMMARY –

i. To see God just look upon Jesus.
ii. Everything God is; Jesus is: Everything Jesus is God is.
iii. Where Jesus is there is no darkness at all.
iv. In the presence of Jesus there is no need for fear, unless you are on the wrong end of his judgment.

-Tim A. Blankenship

All Wise Savior

June 24, 2009 / Tim A. / Leave a comment

“To God our Savior, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen.” Jude 25 (NKJV).

In this closing statement by Jude he clearly declares the deity of the One we call Savior. “To God our Savior”. Anyone, person or religious organization who would deny the deity of Jesus Christ; or decrees deity to all who could or would achieve the “christ-spirit” or whatever they would call it; denies the very heart of Christ Jesus; therefore they do not know Him. They are in fact worshipping a different “Jesus”; a demon.

The Jesus whom Jude, Peter, James, John; and Matthew, Mark and Luke write of is Jesus Christ the Son of the living God, who is God made flesh, and “dwelt among us”. He alone is the One who died for the sins of the whole world, was buried in a dead human body; and rose victoriously over sin, death and hell in a glorified human body. If you don’t know the Jesus who died as the incarnate God, was buried as the incarnate God, and rose again as the bodily form of God, then you know not my Jesus.

Jude gives Jesus as the One “who alone is wise”. We can read the eighth and ninth chapters of Proverbs, and you see the Personification of wisdom, and that Person is none other than Jesus the Christ. Solomon is often given credit as being “the wisest man who ever lived”, but then, there is Jesus; the One who gave Him His wisdom. Jesus was wise to follow the guidance and direction of His heavenly Father. He desired to always do those things which pleased His Father, even to the death on the cross.

The glory of Jesus is in the fact that He did the Father’s will. We have all sinned and fell short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Jesus came, as like sinful men, yet without sin, and Himself was the glory of God on earth. He fulfilled the task which the first Adam failed to fulfill. As followers of Jesus Christ, and by imputation – the reckoning of God – we fulfill the glory of God. When we see Jesus we will see Him in all His glory and majesty. A couple of things we have which are symbols of majesty on earth are the eagle in the sky, and the lion. These pale in comparison to the majesty of Jesus.

With Jesus is all power, and He rules in the hearts of rulers, and will ultimately have His way in this world. One day the Lord Jesus will return to this earth, will overthrow the kingdoms of this world, and its rulers, and He Himself will rule, and sin will no more have rule and dominion in the hearts and minds of men or women. These qualities which Jude ascribes to Jesus are given to Him also by the angels, and the saints in heaven according to Revelation 4:10, 11; 5:12-14.

Give glory to the Lord Jesus Christ and the Father by believing in Jesus, and the work He has done on the cross, becoming sin for us, receiving the wrath of God that was ours, taking our sins away in His burial, then, rising victoriously over it all. Proving once and for all that He is all that He said He is. Proving that there is life after death, and that eternal life is found solely through the atoning work of Jesus Christ.

“To God our Savior, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen.”

-Tim A. Blankenship

Without Faith In Jesus

June 23, 2009 / Tim A. / Leave a comment

Jesus had been on the Mount where three disciples who were with Him had seen His glory. He was transfigured before their eyes; and He spoke with Moses and Elijah concerning the matter of His coming death and resurrection (Luke 9:30-31). While down below, at the foot of the mount, the other nine disciples were being unsuccessful delivering a man from the power, and torment of an evil spirit – a demon.

When Jesus came down from the encounter with His glory, Moses and Elijah; and Peter, James and John; He finds disappointment with the others. He says,

“O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me.” Matthew 17:17 (KJV)

and then delivers the young man from this demon.

Here was a father with a son who is tormented by a demon, the disciples “faithless and unbelieving” and Jesus in His glory [temporarily] to give us a lesson of faith.

Jesus knew of His impending death on the cross and the following resurrection, and that He was going away. In His absence -bodily – we would need faith. The disciples left at the foot of the mountain could be you and me, who are believing in Him, in the world today; and we have troubled people all around us.

People plagued by marriages, failing marriages, children, troubled children, elderly parents, sickness, disease, joblessness, fear; various fears concerning health, finances, world troubles, and as believers it seems sometimes that we have not much to offer a hopeless world. At least that is how we are seen.

After the disciples and Jesus leave the mountain they ask Jesus a question and He answers them –

“Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out? And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.” Matthew 17:19-21 (KJV)

Why do we seem so powerless in this day of trouble? Because we are not practicing the things of God. Prayer and fasting is often the farthest thing from our minds, and hearts. Prayer and fasting requires that our heart be on the things of Christ. If there is ever a time for prayer, communicating with our Lord, and denying ourselves the desires of the world it should be now.

Jesus is away from us bodily, but with us in His Spirit, living within guiding, comforting, convicting, teaching, and showing us all things concerning Jesus Christ. Are we listening? When we listen do we do what we know to do? What do we do when we don’t know what to do? Do what we know to do?

We are the disciples at the foot of the mountain awaiting the return of our King. Will He return and say to us,

“O faithless and perverse generation…”?

I pray not.

Let us who are the disciples of Jesus Christ be a people of faith, believing that Jesus will soon return, praying, fasting from the pleasures, and “tastiness” of this world; hearing the Lord Jesus speaking the words of peace as only He can. Get into His Word, read it, study it; let the Word by the Spirit of God read you; believe it, practice it, and let others see Jesus in you. When the world brings their problems – demons – to us then, by and in the power of the Spirit of Jesus Christ – cast those demons – problems – out.

Let’s appropriate the power of the Spirit of Christ in us with that faith that declares Jesus is coming soon. The focus of genuine faith is Jesus Christ.

-Tim A. Blankenship

Jesus – Ministry

June 21, 2009 / Tim A. / 2 Comments

The Gospel of Mark has for a theme, “I came not to be ministered [served]; unto, but to minister and give My life a ransom for many” and that is what Jesus did all of His three years of ministry. Jesus defines service, by His life, and work.

Mark 1:21-45

VV. 21 – 34 — PROOFS AND EVIDENCE OF THE LIFE AND MINISTRY OF OUR LORD.

In these verses we find religious leaders who are amazed and the people who are amazed by the teachings of Jesus. He did not teach theories, and philosophy. He taught the teachings and Word of God like He knew it. He was the One who had spoken the world into existence, and hung the stars and planets in place and gave them order in their revolutions. No one can speak the Word of God with authority except they have received it from God and His Son.

We see the uselessness of intellectual knowledge in religion. The demons cry out to Jesus in recognition of who He is. Jesus commands their silence. Someone so holy can not be rightly announced by what is unholy. Satan, the enemy of God and man – especially saved men and women – know who Jesus is, but they are not redeemed. The demons “Believe and tremble” (James 2:19), so when a man or woman say they believe in God, they are doing no more than the demons. It does not mean they have been redeemed by the life blood of Jesus Christ. You would not ever find a more “religious” lot than the demon lot condemned to Hell. Knowledge of who Jesus Christ does not save. Without trusting Jesus as Savior and Lord of one’s life you stand condemned.

Jesus commanded this “unclean spirit” to come out and he came out. This man who was possessed by this “demon” was brought to the right person. Have you ever asked yourself why a demon possessed man was at the synagogue in the first place. Could it be that the man still had some sense of the need of deliverance, and the providence of God put him there that very day for his deliverance and salvation? Could be.

The Lord provides complete and perfect cure when He heals Simon’s [Peter’s] mother in law. As soon as she is raised from her sickness she is in full health, and goes to serving the guests. Jesus has a heart for serving the people and giving them health. The most important health He provides and gives is spiritual/soul health. There is no better health than a healthy soul, and heart that is in tune with Jesus.

Jesus went about after these things and healed the sick and delivered captured souls. What a wonderful Servant/Savior we have.

VV. 35 – 39 — LOOK AT OUR LORD’S PRAYER LIFE.

To look at His prayer life is to get a perfect example of what a prayer life ought to be. First of all,

“His very perfection was a perfection kept through the exercise of prayer”. J. C. Ryle study of Mark’s Gospel

We ought to learn from that and realize that if we would pray we would become stronger against Satan and sin, and temptation. Secondly,

“To be prayerless is to be Christless, Godless, and in the high road to destruction”. J. C. Ryle study of Mark’s Gospel

It is by God’s Word that we can keep from sin through the power of prayer. The Word of God, hidden in our heart, and the commitment of prayer will strengthen us against sin.

The Lord came into this world to ultimately provide salvation for sinners by dying for mankind’s sin on the cross, being buried, and rising from the dead. He came to minister by preaching the truth of God. The Lord Jesus would have been the greatest preacher to ever live. He gave honor to the position of the preacher. It is sad that there are some who cause that honor to stink, and then it is no more honor. Our Lord was a preacher, and that gives it the highest honor possible, no matter what some may do.

VV. 40 – 45 — JESUS CARES FOR THE UNCLEAN.

The disease of leprosy was a dreaded, even feared disease. It would cause sores on the body, and the skin and flesh would rot on the body. The Old Testament condemns them as “unclean”. The person who had leprosy was not allowed to live with his or her family, they became “outcast”. Of course, family often cared for them, without getting near them; providing them food, and probably clothing and needed items. Here Jesus does something that was ceremonially forbidden. He touched the “Unclean”. Jesus was guilty. He was guilty of loving and giving His life. That is what He was guilty of.

As soon as Jesus touched the leper, and said, “I will; be thou clean”, the leprosy was gone and he was clean. The power of Jesus’ healing is wondrous, it is Almighty. It is great knowing that such a Man even cares for those who are “Unclean”. We were unclean by sin. We were as the leper. We were vile, desparate, and in need of healing, then Jesus came and He touched us, healed us and cleansed us. Notice, the leper came to Him. He was drawn by what he had heard. He was delivered by faith in the Lord, not by any work he had done. It was the Lord who touched him, and He was clean. He was healed. He was made whole. What a Savior. What a Great Physician.

When Jesus had healed and cleansed the leprous man, He told him to be silent about what had taken place in his life. Rather than being silent about it, though, he went and told every one he saw. Doing this crippled the ministry of Jesus to the people. There is a time for silence. Since the resurrection of Jesus we have been commanded to go and tell all that we have seen and heard of Jesus. The day of silence is over when it comes to talking about Jesus. There are still times we should remain silent. Jesus even told us not to cast our pearls before swine. Would that not be giving the gospel to those who do not want to hear it? Those who are imprisoned in self-righteousness? Those who are enamored in their own goodness, thinking God will have a scale and weigh their good deeds against their bad deeds, and the good will out weigh the bad? Those who are enjoying their wickedness are not ready for the truth of God’s Word, nor the gospel. These are the people who bask in their self righteousness.

-Tim A. Blankenship

	Tim A. on The Work of the Shepherd
	Ray on The Work of the Shepherd
	The Judgment You Jud… on Judging
	Tim A. on The Time Had Come
	Cameron Cloud on The Time Had Come

The Fire and Hammer

"Is not My Word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?" Jeremiah 23:29

Life

A Journey To Rest

The Early Church and the Testimony of Scripture

The Continuing Christian…

Until Jesus Returns

How Are We Doing?

When You Go To Battle

The Mercy Of The LORD

A Bite And A Look

The Horrible Thing

The Following Of Jesus

In A Foreign Land

Is It Lawful…To Do Good?

Psalm 109:9

Put Off, Put On, Put Away

Resting Is For Man…

The Death Of Sarah

The Old and The New

The People Jesus Receives To Himself

Go To The One Who Can

The Death Of The King

Message Of Jesus – Still Needed

Jesus – The Eternal

All Wise Savior

Without Faith In Jesus

Jesus – Ministry

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: