Be careful not to water down the word of God and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The same blood of Jesus that was shed on His cross, that saved then, still saves today. The Gospel, nor the Word of God has changed one dot or tittle since the day it was given.
“Preach the Word. Be instant; in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine”. 2 Timothy 4:2
-T.A.
Enemies of the Cross
Philippians 3:17-21
1. Paul addresses the brethren of Phillipi.
2. Paul as a “pattern” in example.
3. Weeping for the enemies of the cross.
4. Heavenly citizenship.
5. The enemy will be conquered.
I. THE BRETHREN ARE TO FOLLOW PAUL’S EXAMPLE (v. 17).
II. BEWARE THE ENEMIES OF THE CROSS OF JESUS CHRIST AND WEEP (vv. 18-19).
III. OUR EARTHLY AND OUR HEAVENLY CITIZENSHIPS (v. 20).
IV. A TRANSFORMATION AND CONFORMATION (v. 21)
i. We are to be an example for those who will come after us;
ii. Let us be defenders of the cross, living for Christ;
iii. Live as citizens of Heaven;
iv. Live as though the Kingdom is already come.
-T.A.
This is the sermon outline for the Sunday morning message at Carr Lane Baptist Church on 09/25/11.
Make Much of Prudence
Proverbs 16:21
references – Proverbs 12:16, 23; 13:16; 14:8, 18; 15:5; 18:15; 22:3; 27:12;
New Testament – Matthew 11:25; Luke 10:21; John 14:6; Romans 13:11-14; 2 Timothy 3:1-7
1. In our text the word “wise” is used of those who hearts are upon the ways of the LORD.
2. Again, the heart speaks of the inward man, the emotions, will, feelings, and even intellect.
3. The word “prudent” means to separate, distinguish, discern, to understand; and instruct.
4. The wise and prudent learn and are able to teach others wisdom and prudence.
I. WITH THE WORLD IN DARKNESS OF SIN THERE IS MUCH NEED FOR DISCERNMENT (Prov. 16:21).
II. GODLY WISDOM AND PRUDENCE ARE HIDDEN FROM THE WORLDLY WISE AND PRUDENT (Matthew 11:25; Luke 10:21).
III. THE WISE AND DISCERNING KEEP THEMSELVES FROM APPROACHING EVIL (Prov. 22:3; 27:12).
A. That means the wise are aware of evil.
1. What it is.
2. Where it is.
3. How to deal with it; or at least willing to learn how to deal with it.
B. It is the business of the LORD, His people to educate people about being discerning.
IV. THE DISCERNING WATCH THEIR STEPS – STEPS IN THE WAY OF THE CROSS OF THE LORD (Prov. 14:15; John 15:6; Romans 13:11-14; 2 Timothy 3:1-7).
Application –
i. With evil growing worse and worse; it is time for wise and discerning hearts to prevail against evil;
ii. We must realize that any “wisdom” or “prudence” which is against the Word of God is not godly wisdom or discernment; and rebuke it when it is spoken as the equal of the Word of God.
iii. As Christians we must maintain time with the Lord in His Word; His Word, not our emotions, or intellect dismissing or adjusting His Word.
iv. In this time of darkness and much dispair we must abide in the truth – what is truth for one is truth for all – keep your feet on the right path – and that is Christ Jesus.
-T.A.
These sermon notes are from a sermon preached by Tim A. Blankenship at Carr Lane Baptist Church morning worship 09/11/11
The following is a quote from Dr. Al Mohler, President of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY.
The denial of a historical Adam and Eve as the first parents of all humanity and the solitary first human pair severs the link between Adam and Christ which is so crucial to the Gospel.
If we do not know how the story of the Gospel begins, then we do not know what that story means. Make no mistake: a false start to the story produces a false grasp of the Gospel.
You may read the articles by clicking here and here.
The whole of the Bible is at stake, if the first nine chapters of Genesis are not historically true. Then, the message of sin, and the good news of the gospel of Christ and His cross would not be needed.
The Bible, including the first nine chapters of Genesis are literally true, the gospel is the good news needed for the world, and Jesus Christ is Lord of all.
-Tim A. Blankenship
“And He said unto them, ‘Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.’
19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, He was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. 20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.” Mark 16:15-20
Jesus gives us the Great Commission in Matthew 28 and it is longer and more detailed in its application there. Here, however, we have a simple “Go and preach the gospel to every creature”, and then, what follows are signs, evidence that they are servants of God. Because of the newness of this message of grace, that Christ died for our sins, was buried and rose again, there must of necessity have been proofs of their words being true. The gospel is true and powerful to save, but the Scriptures [New Testament] had not yet even started to be written. Today, we have the completed Scriptures [Old and New Testaments], and we no longer need evidence of the power of the gospel to save.
“He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved…” seems like a salvation of works, but any one who comes believing in Jesus will in obedience follow the Lord in water baptism. It is the “Public confession” of one’s faith in Jesus. When a person comes to faith in Jesus they have a desire to obey Him in all things. The first step of obedience, and the believer’s first call is a public testimony, and that is shown in baptism. Baptism is the testimony of Jesus’s death, burial and resurrection, and by baptism you tell the world of your faith in Jesus and that you have died to the old life, been buried putting it all away, and have risen to new life in Him.
According to the apostle John in the gospel he wrote, “He that believeth not is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” (John 3:18). You could ask the question, a fearful question, “What does one have to do to go to Hell? The answer to that is absolutely nothing. You can be saved by grace through faith in Jesus, His finished work on the cross and the resurrection, and enjoy the glory of Jesus for all eternity. You can do absolutely nothing and spend eternity in Hell. The truth of the matter is we are all condemned, dying, hellbound sinners. We are born in that condition – separated from God, hating God, loving ourselves, and seeking our own way, and not God’s way. There are some who believe that once this life is over that is it. There are even some professing Christians who believe only the saved will have an “Eternal life” while those who do not know God through His Son Jesus will simply go back to the dust, and their “spirits” will cease to exist. Part of the way that God created us in His image is that He gave us an eternal soul and spirit. Not “Eternal” in the sense that He is; like “Eternal past”, but an eternal future, and our eternity with Christ actually begins with our faith in Him. The condemned person’s eternity without Christ begins at the death of the physical body, and it will be an eternity without light, without friends, without satisfaction of desires. It will be an eternity of torment, or flames, heat, no water, nothing to quench your thirst. It will be a place without God’s love, only wrath.
These were signs of authentication. They were evidence of the power of God to save those who believe, and the resurrection of Jesus from the grave. The first sign Jesus gives is the power to “…Cast out devils [demons]”. There is evidence of this in Acts with a young girl who is “demon possessed”, and brings great profit to her owner, because she can “Foretell” the future. Paul was bitten by a poisonous serpent, and without harm (Acts 28). The apostles Peter and John, on their way to the temple, meet a man who is lame, and by their words, “Rise up and walk” he gets up and walks (Acts 3). Paul raises a young man named Eutychus from death (Acts 20). There are many accounts in the book of Acts of the work of the Spirit of God in the lives of the apostles, doing miracles, signs and wonders, to confirm the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is the Gospel which is being promoted not the miracles, and we must always remember that.
The changed lives of millions through the years is evidence of the power of the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Men and women who have had hate filled, murderous hearts are changed into loving, compassionate, caring individuals who reach out to others with the truth of Christ. Men and women who have selfishly stolen from others through greed, lust, and larceny are changed into giving, unselfish individuals who love Christ and have given their all for Him.
One sign of the resurrection of Jesus is His ascension into Heaven to His Father’s right hand. The apostles all witnessed it. Peter, James and John, Matthew, and all the rest, except Paul for he had not yet come to faith in Jesus. Jesus fulfilled all the Scriptures concerning the things concerning Himself and His first coming, and He will fulfill all the things concerning His Second coming.
The disciples/apostles were the ones who are responsible, by the power of the Holy Spirit, for the beginning of the Church – the Body of Christ. Without the Holy Spirit confirming their word, there would be no church.
Can we go out in the same power of the Spirit that they did? Most certainly, and now we have something much better than miracles, signs and wonders. We have God’s Spirit confirming His written Word. It is finished. There is no more being added to it, and anyone that does add to it or take away from it will find the curses of His Word in their lives (Rev. 22:18-19).
There is nothing impossible to those who walk in the Spirit of God. Praying for the power of the Spirit on Christian lives.
-Tim A. Blankenship
“And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost. 38 And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom. 39 And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God. 40 There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome; 41 (Who also, when he was in Galilee, followed him, and ministered unto him;) and many other women which came up with him unto Jerusalem.
42 And now when the even was come, because it was the preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath, 43 Joseph of Arimathaea, an honourable counsellor, which also waited for the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus. 44 And Pilate marvelled if he were already dead: and calling unto him the centurion, he asked him whether he had been any while dead. 45 And when he knew it of the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph. 46 And he bought fine linen, and took him down, and wrapped him in the linen, and laid him in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a rock, and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre. 47 And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses beheld where he was laid.” Mark 15:37-47 (KJV)
Jesus had finished the gruelling, cruel, task of bearing the sins of the world. Jesus spoke seven times from the cross one of which was, “It is finished”, which is recorded by John in chapter 19 verse 30.
Mark records something that is not recorded in the other Gospels, and that is the remark of the centurion in verse 39, “Truly this man was the Son of God”. Matthew, Mark and Luke mention the “Veil of the temple was rent” with Luke’s version leaving off that it was torn from top to bottom.
The “Veil” separated the “Holy place” from the “Holy of Holies”. The “veil” allowed only limited access, and that was only once per year on the day of Atonement by the high priest, and with the blood of a spotless sacrifice. The significance of the torn veil is that now the way has been made for all people to come into the presence of Holy God. Remember Jesus’ words, “I am the way…”. He parted the veil and “The Way” has been made. We can all now, “…Come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (Heb. 4:16). The special significance of the veil being torn from “top to bottom” is that it was done by God, not by man, showing that the only way to God is not by the works of flesh and law, but only by God’s grace.
The centurion was so amazed by the strength, power and authority of the voice of Jesus at His last words from the cross it made a lasting impression on him. Being a “centurion” he would have been in charge of 100 men, and according to the Gospel of Matthew chapter 27 verse 54,
“Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God. Matt 27:54 (KJV)”.
John MacArthur writes of this in the Study Bible,
“those with him. These were probably men under his charge. Mark 15:39 says the centurion was the one who uttered the words of confession, but he evidently spoke for his men as well. Their ‘fear’ speaks of an awareness of their sin, and the word ‘truly’ suggests a certainty and conviction that bespeaks genuine faith. These men represent an answer to Jesus’ prayer in Luke 23:34.”
“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do”. (Luke 23:34).
It is not improbable nor unlikely that this man and those with him are with Jesus in heaven.
At His death there were also several women who were there. Some of them are named here – Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the less, and of Joses, and Salome, and others. My how the work of women has improved since the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. The New Testament tells us nothing of any wicked women or wicked deeds compared to that of the Old Testament. Here we see the women had less fear for themselves than the men did, and they were closer to Jesus in His death than many of the disciples were.
At His death there was a man we do not know much about. He was one who “Waited for the kingdom of God…” and went and asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. He must have been a silent follower before or became one at His death. Anyway he has the bold courage to appear before Pilate and asks for the body. Joseph of Arimathaea is the man. After Pilate had affirmed that Jesus was dead he gave Joseph the body. Joseph, then, took the body of Jesus and prepared it with the proper perfumes, wrapped His body in “Fine linen”, and “…Laid Him in a sepulcher which was hewn out of a rock, and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulcher”. Matthew writes, “And laid it in his own new tomb,…” (Matthew 27:60).
The final verse of our text tells us that Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where the body was laid. They would not leave until they knew where Jesus would be buried. Jesus had no personal means of paying for a burial. He knew that would be taken care of by His Father.
So! Who was really on trial here? Who should have been crucified? Yet, He hung, He bled, He was accursed and died in our stead. It seems to me that what we see here in the trial and crucifixion of Jesus is the wicked, vile, sinful nature of mankind. That was what sent Jesus to the trial and to the crucifixion. It was His love that kept Him stedfast, and faithful to the finish.
-Tim A. Blankenship
“And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross.
22 And they bring him unto the place Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, The place of a skull. 23 And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but he received it not. 24 And when they had crucified him, they parted his garments, casting lots upon them, what every man should take. 25 And it was the third hour, and they crucified him. 26 And the superscription of his accusation was written over, THE KING OF THE JEWS. 27 And with him they crucify two thieves; the one on his right hand, and the other on his left. 28 And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And he was numbered with the transgressors. 29 And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads, and saying, Ah, thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, 30 Save thyself, and come down from the cross. 31 Likewise also the chief priests mocking said among themselves with the scribes, He saved others; himself he cannot save. 32 Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with him reviled him.
33 And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. 34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? 35 And some of them that stood by, when they heard it, said, Behold, he calleth Elias. 36 And one ran and filled a spunge full of vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink, saying, Let alone; let us see whether Elias will come to take him down.” Mark 15:21-36 (KJV)
After Jesus had been beaten with the “Cat o nine tails”, and stricken by the hands of His mockers and accusers Jesus would have been very weak physically. As they took Jesus on “The way of suffering” called “Via Delorosa” He may have stumbled from the weakness and they compelled one Simon from Cyrene to carry the cross, or help Him carry it. This wooden cross would have been heavy to bear even for a man who had not lost much blood, as Jesus had. This Simon was the father of Alexander and Rufus. This Rufus is probably the Rufus mentioned in the book of Romans, “Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.
(Rom 16:13)”. It is quite possible that because of this experience the man Simon and his two sons, Alexander and Rufus, became followers of Jesus. Simon was a help to Jesus and Jesus was certainly a help to Simon and his family.
They offered Jesus a “Wine mixed with myrrh to drink”, but He refused it. It was a drink that would have dulled His senses, and numbed His pain. Jesus’ choice of love was to endure the pain with all His senses about Him, and to suffer the full pain and retribution of sin, as His Father judged the sin of the world. Refusing the drink, He would still be able to communicate with His Father, and not sin.
The third “Help” does not seem much like help for Jesus. They actually were helping themselves to the garments which Jesus wore. It would take an awfully cold, calloused heart to set at the foot of a cross and gamble for the garments of a condemned man, be he innocent or guilty. Here these men were playing a game at the feet of an innocent, sinless, guiltless man, and seemingly with no remorse, or shame. My, how there is varied instance of people’s responses to the death of Jesus. Some are cold and callous, some are weeping, some are running away, some are just political, and some bow and call Him, Lord.
The time would have been 9 a.m. when the crucifixion took place. Pilate had a placcard written in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin, “The King of the Jews”. John writes, “Jesus of Nazareth the King of the Jews” (John 19:19).
According to John’s Gospel the “chief priests of the Jews” did not like the words, they believed it should say, that He said, “I am king of the Jews”. Pilate stood his ground and said, “What I have written I have written.”
One of the things Jesus was sure of, and committed to was the “Fulfillment of Scripture”. Here we have another fulfillment of the Scriptures. “He was numbered with the transgressors” –
“Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. Isaiah 53:12 (KJV)”.
There were three men hung on the tree that day- two thieves and the One who gives life to all who trust in Him. There is a song with the chorus that says, “The one on the left, he was a sinner, the one on the right was too, but the man in the middle He was the Savior, and He died just to save me and you.” We know from Scripture that one of these theives put his trust in Jesus (Luke 23:39-43).
The people who passed by the cross where Jesus was spoke in blasphemous, defaming, reviling words. They mocked His precious words in which He spoke of rising from the dead – “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it once again”. They commented about “Save Thyself and come down from the cross…” How could Jesus pay the sin debt of the world if He came down from the cross. On the cross, Jesus was doing the greatest work He came to do. He came to minister and give His life a ransom for many (10:45). His greatest work was to glorify the Father, and He did that by completing the task which was given Him. To die on the cross was the glory of the heavenly Father, and made it possible that wicked, sinful, blemished, spotted man might be reconciled to Him. If they had known what they were asking they would not have asked. Knowing what I know of this today, my question would be, “How could You do that for me?”
Likewise the “chief priests” were demanding that if He was indeed the Son of God, “Save yourself” and “…that we may see and believe”. They had seen the mighty works which He had done. They still would not believe, and because of that, and because they would not believe their scriptures, they would not believe though He arose from the dead.
There was a period of darkness over the land. My personal belief is that this darkness was more than just a local phenomonen. It was worldwide. The main and maybe only reason I believe that is, that, the reason Jesus died was for the sins of the world, thus the whole world would, most likely, have gone into this great darkness. It was a spiritual darkness unlike anything the world had ever seen. It was a total darkness. It lasted for three hours while Jesus suffered the wrath and judgment of the Father for sin – our sin. It was the darkest and most dreaded day of Jesus’ life. “My God, My God, Why hast Thou forsaken Me” was His cry after the judgment had been made. The Father had turned His back on His Son, because He had been made sin for us (2 Cor. 5:21).
Some who were standing there thought Jesus was calling for Elijah to come and rescue Him from the cross. One ran to get a sponge full of vinegar which Jesus now receives (John 19:30). His work was finished. There was no more for Him to do for the atonement of sin. I am so thankful that He was not calling for Elijah to come and remove Him from the cross, though I know He would have used other means. He could have called thousands of angels to come to His aid. He could have spoken a word, and it would have all been over. He could have called to the Father, “I cannot bear it”, but He bore it for you and for me. If He had not bourne it for us we would be forever doomed to eternal torment.
-Tim A. Blankenship
“And straightway in the morning the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council, and bound Jesus, and carried Him away, and delivered Him to Pilate. 2 And Pilate asked Him, ‘Art thou the King of the Jews?’ And He answering said unto him, ‘Thou sayest it.’ 3 And the chief priests accused Him of many things: but He answered nothing. 4 And Pilate asked Him again, saying, ‘Answerest Thou nothing? behold how many things they witness against Thee.’ 5 But Jesus yet answered nothing; so that Pilate marvelled. 6 Now at that feast he released unto them one prisoner, whomsoever they desired. 7 And there was one named Barabbas, which lay bound with them that had made insurrection with him, who had committed murder in the insurrection. 8 And the multitude crying aloud began to desire him to do as he had ever done unto them. 9 But Pilate answered them, saying, ‘Will ye that I release unto you the King of the Jews?’ 10 For he knew that the chief priests had delivered Him for envy. 11 But the chief priests moved the people, that he should rather release Barabbas unto them. 12 And Pilate answered and said again unto them, ‘What will ye then that I shall do unto Him whom ye call the King of the Jews?’ 13 And they cried out again, ‘Crucify Him.’ 14 Then Pilate said unto them, ‘Why, what evil hath He done?’ And they cried out the more exceedingly, ‘Crucify Him.’
15 And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged Him, to be crucified. 16 And the soldiers led Him away into the hall, called Praetorium; and they call together the whole band. 17 And they clothed Him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about His head, 18 And began to salute Him, ‘Hail, King of the Jews!’ 19 And they smote Him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon Him, and bowing their knees worshipped Him. 20 And when they had mocked Him, they took off the purple from Him, and put His own clothes on Him, and led Him out to crucify Him.” Mark 15:1-20 (KJV)
Due to the fact that Israel was not a free country, but was under Roman rule, they had lost their authority to put anyone to death. Therefore, they must take Jesus to the Roman governor, who is Pilate. The religious leaders had found Jesus guilty of blasphemy. The charge was actually that He had said, “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it again”.
God is on trial before humanity, but who is really the condemned here? Who are the guilty ones? Why is an innocent, guiltless, sinless, spotless, and blemishless man being sentenced to death? To answer those questions – The one’s who are pronouncing death to Jesus. That answers the first two questions. To answer the final one – Because only the death of an innocent, guiltless, sinless, spotless, and blemishless man can atone for sin before holy God, and Jesus fit the bill. It was guilty, sinful, spotted, blemished mankind that condemned Him, but it was for those who condemned Him that He died for the real condemned.
Pilate knows Jesus to be innocent of the charge brought against Him, and that the charge has only been brought due to “envy” (v. 10). Due to the pressure from the people, though, Pilate offers a choice between a murderer [Barabbas], and Jesus. Because of the conspiracy of the religious leaders the people and the priests choose Barabbas (v. 11). When the people cried out for Barabbas Pilate asked, “What shall I do with Jesus, whom you call, ‘King of the Jews?” Their answer to that was, “Crucify Him.”
What a horrible way for a man to die. What an awfully horrible way for the God/Man to die who was not guilty of any sin or wrong doing. Yet, it was determined in the foreknowledge of God, from the foundation of the world, that the Godly should die for the ungodly; the Righteous should die for the unrighteous; the Just should die for the unjust; that the Sinless should die for the sinful. “But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Rom. 5:8).
“And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: 18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, 21 Who by Him do believe in God, that raised Him up from the dead, and gave Him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.” 1 Peter 1:17-21
The hands of sinful men striking the sinless Son of God. The thorns of a tree representing the wages of sin placed on Jesus’ head and mocking Him as king. The words of men against the Living Word of God, condemning Him to die a cruel, cursing death. It is a “Cursing death” because the Scriptures say, “(For he that is hanged is accursed of God;)” (Deut.21:23; Gal. 3:13).
What will you do with Jesus? Will you just account Him as a good man, a good teacher, a good example; or maybe a work of fiction? Your indecision about Jesus has eternal consequences as well as the wrong decision. No decision is your decision. Choose Jesus as the God-Man who died for your sins, was buried carrying your sin away, and rose bodily from the grave and eternally lives. Trust Him with your life, and you too can live with Him.
-Tim A. Blankenship
Reading today from Deuteronomy 20 – 22.
The people of the day in which we live often think of hanging as a rope around the neck. That is my thinking as well, however, I do know that Scripture speaks of hanging on a tree in a much different light.
We are told in the following verses of hanging,
“And if a man have committed a sin worthy of death, and he be to be put to death, and thou hang him on a tree: his body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged is accursed of God;) that thy land be not defiled, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance.” Deuteronomy 21:22-23 (KJV)
As I read these verses the first thought I had was of the death of Jesus Christ.
In this Old Testament law when a man was judged worthy of death by hanging on a tree it was because of some grievous sin he had committed against God and man. If he were hanged he was “accursed of God”.
Jesus Christ had done no evil to GOD or man. His life was without sin. He had no blemish or mark on His life, yet He was found guilty by guilty men who were jealous of His power, and influence with people; and there were many who called out for Him
The text above says, “If a man have committed a sin worthy of death…” All those who accused Jesus, plucking the hair from His face, beating His face, whipping His back and finding Him “guilty” of blasphemy were the ones guilty of sin against GOD and man. They were the ones worthy of death and hanging on a tree.
The Accused never spoke a word for His defense. Heaven never said a word for His defense. However, when He died the earth groaned and shook with great intensity. While He was hanging there all the earth turned black as dark night in the middle of the day.
What do other Scriptures say?
“Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth: He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so He openeth not His mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare His generation? for He was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of My people was He stricken. And He made His grave with the wicked, and with the rich in His death; because He had done no violence, neither was any deceit in His mouth.
Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise Him; He hath put Him to grief: when thou shalt make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in His hand.” Isaiah 53:4-10“The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him. But when they came to Jesus, and saw that He was dead already, they brake not His legs: but one of the soldiers with a spear pierced His side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe. For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of Him shall not be broken. And again another scripture saith, They shall look on Him whom they pierced.” John 19:31-37
“Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, ‘Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree’: that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” Galations 3:13
The salvation provided to us by God is truly gracious. We can do nothing to earn God’s favor. He has done it all; even to the point of having Jesus His holy and righteous Son become our curse; that He might redeem us from the curse of sin.
Believe God today, and be saved.
Please read Deuteronomy 20 – 22.
-Tim A. Blankenship
Reading Deuteronomy 4 – 6.
In reading these chapters it seems quite apparent to me that GOD desires to speak with and to His people. The people of God should count it an awesome and glorious thing that GOD would desire to speak with a people who are sinful.
In chapter four GOD gives us decree not to “add unto” or “diminish aught from it” (4:2)speaking of His commands – His word. It is holy, separate, set apart, different, peculiar. That is the way His people are as well.
When Israel heard the voice of God speaking from the darkness of the mountain, out of the midst of the fire, they were so overwhelmed that they were fearful. They had heard God speak once, but if they heard Him again they might die.
“And ye said, ‘Behold, the LORD our God hath shewed us His glory and His greatness, and we have heard His voice out of the midst of the fire: we have seen this day that God doth talk with man, and he liveth. Now therefore why should we die? for this great fire will consume us: if we hear the voice of the LORD our God any more, then we shall die.” 5:24-25
GOD has called on His people to hear His voice. He is holy. We are unholy. The writer of the New Testament book of Hebrews wrote,
“It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” Hebrews 10:31
The best place to be is in the hands of the living God. We can only be in His hands of grace through the shed blood of the Lamb of God, His holy Son Jesus Christ. When we are in His hands; no man, no peril, no sword, no trial or fire, no spiritual entity can snatch us from His hands (John 10:29; Romans 8:37-39), that comes by hearing His voice.
Adam and Eve having sinned against God in the garden of Eden, heard the voice of GOD walking in the garden, hid themselves; and GOD called unto Adam, “Where art thou?”. GOD knew Adam’s whereabouts, but Adam didn’t. He was afraid of the voice of God. When you are fearful of the voice of GOD it is due to a lack of fellowship with GOD.
To the credit of the Israelites they did promise to do what ever the LORD commanded them, through the leadership of Moses (5:27).
The voice of the LORD is personified in the Person of Jesus Christ. We can come into the throne of God and petition Him, worship Him, be silent before Him (Hebrews 4:16); because of the precious blood of Jesus that was shed on Calvary’s cross.
Hear the voice of God today. He is calling you to come to Him through His Son. There is no other way.
Please read Deuteronomy 4 – 6.
-Tim A. Blankenship
“And immediately, while he yet spake, cometh Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. 44 And he that betrayed him had given them a token, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he; take him, and lead him away safely. 45 And as soon as he was come, he goeth straightway to him, and saith, Master, master; and kissed him. 46 And they laid their hands on him, and took him. 47 And one of them that stood by drew a sword, and smote a servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear. 48 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Are ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and with staves to take me? 49 I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took me not: but the scriptures must be fulfilled. 50 And they all forsook him, and fled. 51 And there followed him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body; and the young men laid hold on him: 52 And he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked.” Mark 14:43-52
Judas goes about doing his dirty, dispicable, dastardly deed. He betrays Jesus with the highest symbol of friendship in that society. This kiss was the way best of friends greeted one another, but Judas’s was an act of hypocrisy, betrayal.
They come with a large mob, to take the one who offered nothing to them except peace, hope, love, mercy, grace, and joy. They came as though He were a murderer, or a thief. The real thief was leading the way, and betraying the Master.
The lowly, miserable, sinful, unclean, wicked, deceitful, betraying, mob took hold of the sinless, perfect, holy, just, righteous, Son of God to take Him to a “trial” and then to take His life.
Peter’s response was to take the sword and attack, which he did and cut off the ear of a servant to the “High priest”. Other Gospel accounts tell us that Jesus healed this man’s ear (Luke 22:50-51). Peter was brave, but at a time when it was not necessary to act so brashly and without thought, but then, this was the character of Peter.
Jesus was always for the fulfillment of Scripture. In order for Him to be the true Christ [Messiah of Israel] all Scripture must be fulfilled. Not one “jot” or “Tittle” could go unperformed. God does not leave anything undone which He has spoken, nor will His Son. Jesus’s life, work, death and resurrection fulfill all Scriptures concerning Him and those events. Not one thing has been left undone. Just as the Scriptures had declared, and Jesus had said Himself all the disciples fled for their lives.
There is a young man, who is not identified, in the garden, and he flees without any garment. This “Young man” has been thought by some to have been John Mark – the writer of this Gospel. I see no problem believing that. Mark not wanting to draw any great attention to himself just identifies himself as a “Young man” who flees from the mob. He may have been hiding in the trees and rocks, looking onto the events of Jesus and His disciples, and was there when the mob came to take Jesus away.
Do we often try to hide when conflict comes? Jesus was willing to face the shame of the cross for our sins, and He willingly offered Himself for our sins.
-Tim A. Blankenship
“And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and He saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray. 33 And He taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy; 34 And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch. 35 And He went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. 36 And He said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt. 37 And He cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour? 38 Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak. 39 And again He went away, and prayed, and spake the same words. 40 And when He returned, He found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer Him. 41 And He cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42 Rise up, let us go; lo, he that betrayeth Me is at hand.” Mark14:32-42 (KJV)
This is the place called, “Gethsemane” which means “Oil press”. It must have been the place where the harvested olives were pressed for the oil. There probably can be no better representation of the “Press” Jesus Himself must have been in at this moment in time. Of course, Jesus’s press was a spiritual one; affecting Him physically; which was pressing on Him to fulfill the will and work of God in His life, and that was His will and choice as well. He came to do His Father’s will.
Jesus tells the disciples to sit in a certain place while He goes to pray. He takes with Him Peter, James, and John to stay a little closer with Him and to pray while He goes to be alone with the Father. The weight, agony, passion weighs heavily upon Jesus as this is being done, and he commands the three with Him to “Watch”; that is “Be vigilant”, “Be watchful” (v. 34).
At least from the time of the beginning of His ministry at the age of thirty the heart and mind of Jesus was on the cross; dying there for the sins of mankind. As the only blood atonement for all our sin. That was, afterall, the plan of the Father. That was His plan too. Having that as His heart and mind; is the old idea we have heard the right one, or could it be that He thought He could possibly die before He reached the cross due to His physically weakened condition; due to His grief and sorrow – His agony?
Could He truly have been praying that this time of passion “Might pass from Him”? If indeed that had been His heart and mind for many years? If so it would not be that He was questioning the Father’s will, it was the agony of His coming separation from the Father that was causing Him so much pain and agony. He is the Son of God in flesh, never away from the presence of God, and to take away the sin of the world would require separtion to provide justification, cleansing, and in the end our glorification. His death for sin was the only means by which a holy God could save mankind from their sins, and still remain just and holy. Jesus knew that, and thus prayed, “…Not what I will, but what Thou wilt” (v. 36).
Remember Jesus had told Peter, James, and John to be vigilant, watchful and pray, but He finds them sleeping. In the time of His own personal crisis His disciples – the three closest to Him at that – seem unaware at what is happening to Jesus. It may also be that they are so troubled that they are overwhelmed, and they are emotionally exhausted. It was a very trying time for them, but especially for their Master. That was the time for them to pray, not to sleep.
He went back to pray and returned again only to find them sleeping again. It happened again a third time and this time He tells them, “Sleep on”. The time of His betrayal was at hand. There was nothing more that they could do. Judas was coming with the mob to take Him and lead Him to trial for His murder.
One thing we can learn from this event is that we need to be diligent, alert, and aware in our praying. Sadly, there are far too many Christians asleep at spiritual living; especially in prayer. At the darkest points of our lives we must be praying. Maybe we are not even aware of those “darkest points”. We need to be. When we see the dark points of friends and family; we need to pray diligently. Lord help us to pray as we ought.
Lord, When we are in Gethsemane [the press] help us to pray, “Thy will be done”.
-Tim A. Blankenship
…and the only true way of doing that is to be blessed with the new birth found only through faith in Jesus Christ and His finished work on the cross. He loved you and me so much He died for our sins that we might have fellowship with God, and through Him.
I do want all who come here to have a great New Year in 2011. It almost seems hard to believe that a decade has passed since the beginning of a new century. To those of you who are “in Christ” we live in exciting times. The second coming of Jesus is drawing near, and the rapture of the Church is even nearer. Be ready, be right with God, and walk with Him.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Tim A. Blankenship
I continue now with the Scarlet Thread of redemption which runs through Scripture. It is in fact pictures, types, of the Lord Jesus Christ and His work on the cross. We previously looked at Cain and Abel. Now we turn our attention to the book of Exodus and the Passover.
The Passover is first mentioned in Exodus 12. The word “Passover” is not used until verse 11; it says,
“…And ye shall eat it in haste: it is the LORD’S passover”
It is called the LORD’S Passover because that night the LORD would be passing over Egypt in judgment, however for the children of Israel if they followed the LORD’S command, He said,
“When I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.” (Exodus 12:13)
The requirement for the house of Israel was to sacrifice a lamb. Every home must offer the life of a lamb whose blood would be shed. This could not be just any lamb. The lamb must be without blemish, a male of the first year (v. 5), all be killed in the same evening (vv. 5-6). With the blood of the lamb they were to take it with a “hyssop bunch” (v. 22) and dip it in the blood to strike it on the upper door post [lintel], and the two side posts of the door; and when the LORD saw the blood they were untouched by the “destroyer”.
”For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the LORD will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you.”
Within the picture of the “Passover” we find the lamb representing, figuring, the Lord Jesus Christ as the Lamb of God who came to take away the sins of the world (John 1:29). Jesus Christ Himself is the anti-type; He is the real thing of which all others are only the shadow, the figure.
You can know and rest assured that the price of the salvation of mankind has been fully paid for by the blood of the Lamb of God. He did come to take away our sins. He became our sin for us that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him (2 Corinthians 5:21). The blood of Jesus Christ was shed, then poured out on the doorposts of our lives. If you look you can see the cross in the blood on the doorposts. On the upper post was the blood splashed. On the two side posts was the blood splashed. Do you see the cross in the Old Testament? Do you see Jesus There? Most of all do you see Him living, having conquered sin, death, hell and the grave. He ever lives making intercession for us.
That is the SCARLET THREAD OF REDEMPTION.
-Tim A. Blankenship
There are many times that I would like to just be taken to be with the Lord. No, do not take that to mean I dislike living or that I am suicidal, because I am not. I enjoy this life for the most part. I still long for the day when Jesus comes again. On this day we have been looking at what is truly the “Lord’s Prayer” from John 17.
This is a request of Jesus in His prayer that should really cause us to have a heart full of praise and thanksgiving:
“I pray not that Thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that Thou shouldest keep them from the evil” John 17:15 (KJV).
Jesus has given His Word to His disciples, and the “World” hates His disciples. Why would that be? First of all, because the world hates Jesus, and secondly, because the world hates truth – the real truth. The truth that all who are apart from Jesus are apart from God. The truth that there is only one way to God and Heaven, and that is through faith in the One who died, was buried, and now lives again. The real problem the world has with Jesus is the cross. The cross of Jesus Christ offends the basic selfish drive that mankind has.
Jesus does not ask that His followers be delivered from the worlds hatred, but that we be sanctified through it. Whether we Christians want to believe it or not we will be hated by those who hate God. Yet, we are called to serve the Lord in this world. We are called to live for Him, proclaim Him, that those who would believe would be saved. We will be delivered from evil, and from the evil one.
The world with its evil intent will not prevail. The Lord’s work on the cross and the resurrection has already gained the victory. We are to wait with patience for that day when He comes to take us home to Himself.
-Tim A. Blankenship
“And he began again to teach by the sea side: and there was gathered unto him a great multitude, so that he entered into a ship, and sat in the sea; and the whole multitude was by the sea on the land. And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine, Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow: And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up. And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth: But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit. And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred. And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable. And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.” Mark 4:1-12 (KJV)
Someone defined a parable as “An earthly story with a heavenly meaning”, and I think that is a good definition if I do say so. They may or may not be fictional to point out a truth. Jesus used many of them to make points, and even to conceal the truth from some.
From what I have seen I know people like a good story. That is why novels sell so well. The Christian novel market is booming. Christian fiction is one of the hottest selling items going. When Frank E. Perretti wrote “This Present Darkness” and “Piercing The Darkness” it started the boom in Christian fiction novels. Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins co-authored the “Left Behind” series and it was and is a wonderful story of the last days. Many years ago a man in Southwest Missouri wrote “The Shepherd of the Hills” and it is a wonderful story. Harold Bell Wright wrote the story for his church and that book has become more popular in recent years.
When I was in school I would be assigned a novel to read and all I would do is scan it. I would read the first page of a chapter, a middle page and the final page of a chapter and then I would write a composition on it. It is no wonder my grades were no better than they were. Until I decided to read “This Present Darkness” I did not know what I had been missing. Now I will read at least one novel per year and sometimes even more.
The greatest story ever told, though, is the story of God, His creation, man and his fall away from God, God’s pursuit of fallen man through the death burial and resurrection of His Son, and bringing it all to a conclusion in that great day when we will all be forgiven, cleansed, and in the presence of Jesus for all eternity. That story tells us of the wickedness of fallen mankind, and the wonderful grace of Almighty God who created all that is.
Jesus tells the story of the soils and the seeds. For the people to whom He was speaking agricultural language, because that is the language they would understand. It is probably best called the “Parable of the Sower”. He was faithful in sowing the seed and leaves the results to God.
There are four types of soil represented here. In the first place some seed fell by the “wayside” onto hard ground, and the birds came and ate it up. The second type of soil was “stony ground” which had shallow soil and no way for the crop to take root. The third place where the seed fell was on “thorny soil”, and when the seed came up from the ground it was choked out by the thorns. It received no light from the sun, therefore could not grow as it ought. The fourth and final type of soil was good. The seed fell upon the good soil and brought forth an abundant crop.
Jesus uses parables to teach those who really want to know Him. If they are not interested in Him they will not understand the parables. “He that has ears to hear, let him hear” is the statement of such. Those who love Jesus or who are wanting to really know Him will listen, hear and obey what He has to say.
The parables Jesus told us many years ago are still applicable to the day we live and everyday in the lives of those who are willing to hear them and obey.
This same Jesus died on the cross for you, was buried carrying away all the sins of the world and the weight of guilt, and its condemnation, then rose from death’s grave overcoming the power of sin, death, and hell. Call on His name today. Trust His work He did for you.
-Tim A. Blankenship
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
“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
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
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
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
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
The gospels have been identified as being written identifying Christ from four different perspectives. First, Matthew shows Jesus as the King of the Jews; Mark shows Him as a servant – there is no genealogy showing His heritage in birth; Luke shows him as man – in fact the God-man; and John shows Him as deity – fully God and fully man, and makes quite clear (to all who can see and understand) that He is Deity.
This picture is even seen in the book of Ezekiel 1:4-14, and verse 10 shows us the faces of the gospel. The lion would represent royalty – the King; the ox face would represent service – the Servant; the man’s face would represent the man – the God-man; and the eagle represents majesty/deity – the God who became flesh and dwelt among us. In the Revelation 4:7 the Apostle John even list them in the same order as the gospels are in.
“And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle.” Revelation 4:7 (KJV)
Study of Mark 1:1-20:
VV. 1 – 8 — THE COMING OF THE ONE WHO CARES PROCLAIMED BY THE PROPHET.
The dignity of Jesus is full proclaimed by the messenger who was His fore runner preparing the way for Him – basically preparing the hearts of men to receive Him.
The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ was a fulfillment of prophecy – a fulfillment of Scripture.
The ministry of John the Baptist produced, for a time, a great effect upon the Jewish nation.
John’s doctrine of Christ was clear and characterized his own preaching – John knows that the one who is coming is mightier than he. The One coming will not baptize you with water, but with fire. He will change your life; cleanse you and make you whole.
VV. 9 – 20 — THE COMMITMENT AND AUTHENTICATION OF JESUS AND HIS MINISTRY.
Jesus, being totally committed to His Father’s direction and plan for His life shows the commitment by following the ordinance of the law, and identifying Himself with mankind in baptism. The Father confirmed Him by speaking from Heaven as an authentication of who He genuinely was/is.
Jesus was then placed under temptation without sinning to show Himself without sin to man, and as proof of His power to conquer sin and death.
The nature of our Lord’s preaching is similar to John’s in that He was calling sinners to repentance, and different in that He called for obedience to the gospel. Now; just what is the gospel? It is a word which means, “Good News”.
Jesus calls two men as He is walking on the sea shore – Simon and Andrew – and calls them to follow Him, and He will make them “Fishers of men”. They would no longer be fishing for fish, but they would be “fishing” for the souls of men. According to John’s Gospel chapter 1 and verses 40 – 42 Andrew is one who brought Simon [Peter] to Christ.
“One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.”John 1:40-42 (KJV)
That is an amazing thing for a brother to do. There is no contradiction here only further clarification. When you put the four gospels together you have a full story, not complete, but the story as the writers witnessed it.
These men were called to the office of a preacher. Not everyone considers the office a great one, but Jesus was a Preacher – a Preacher of preachers – if you will. Jesus was committed to the work which He came to do. In the beginning of His ministry it was to preach, and glorify His Father;
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.”Luke 4:18-19 (KJV)
-Tim A. Blankenship
Jesus and three of His disciples have descended the mount of transfiguration. The other disciples had remained down at the foot of the mountain with multitudes coming to them, and awaiting the return of Jesus, Peter, James and John.
A man with a son who was prone to epilepic seizures believes Jesus can heal him, however when he arrives Jesus is not present, only the nine disciples; and they have been unable to heal his son.
“And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying, Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water. And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him. Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me. And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.” Matthew 17:14-18 (KJV)
Epilepsy is a ailment affecting the brain, and causes dramatic seizures at times, and sometimes frozen stares; each case with individuals varries.
In the case of this father’s son his epilepsy was brought on by a demon. We can see by this that the devil and his minions have no love for the human race. The devil is seeking with every opportunity to destroy, divide, kill, maim, and cause humanity to hate God even more.
Some have wondered, “To whom was Jesus speaking when He asked the question, ‘O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you?” The answer to that question is the disciples who were unable to cast out the demon.
Jesus had given them the power and authority to cast out demons, and to heal (Matthew 10:5-10). It seems at this point their faith was wavering. We will deal with this issue later in our study in Matthew.
The father’s faith led him to bring his tormented son to Jesus. Jesus was not present at his coming to the base of the mount, but His nine disciples were. Therefore the father seeks their help, and their efforts were fruitless, and the young man continues in the torment of the demon.
The power of Jesus Christ is without question. He simply requested that the child be brought to Him; He rebukes the demon, and the demon flees. The child is cured. No more demon. No more epileptic seizures. No more epilepsy. The child was healed that very hour.
There is one thing for sure when it comes to being in a place of spiritual leadership; and the disciples were in that place. There are times when we are confronted with difficult situations, and circumstances. People will bring them to us. We have been given authority and power through Christ Jesus and our faith is week. We can try every thing; prayer is good; but are we praying with faith that we are being heard?
There is no doubt, that for these disciples this was a difficult situation, with a tormented child, afflicted and tormented by a demon; only divine intervention could provide the care, and heal the child. They had the power, but were not able or faithful to use it.
What about you and me? We have been given great power and authority by Jesus Christ our Lord; but do we walk in faith and appropriate it as we ought? I think not. Let us seek, through Christ, to put to work the power He has given us, and walk daily with Him.
There are mothers and fathers all around us who are hurting with hurting and suffering children. They need our touch, love and care. That is the only touch of Jesus Christ they can see and feel until they know Him for themselves.
Through the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ hearts and lives can be changed. Do we trust more in the efforts and “powers” of politics to change men’s hearts and lives? Do we trust more in the human endeavors of effort and work for the good of humanity, without any thought of God? Only to our destruction and death.
-Tim A. Blankenship
We watch television news and it can so depress us, discourage us, and drag us down. We should see it as ‘Birth pangs’ of the coming of our Lord Jesus. We have looked at the Second Psalm and the first seven verses, concerning how the rulers of the earth involve themselves; through the wiles of the devil, of course; in overthrowing the kingdom of God. The Lord laughs at their foolish attempt (v. 4).
“Ask of Me, and I shall give Thee the heathen [Nations] for Thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for Thy possession.” Psalm 2:8 (KJV).
Why would this promise be made to the Son? He left His glory in heaven to become a man. He became man, that He might die for the sins of mankind. He died to pay our sin debt to the Father. He was buried carrying our sins away, never to condemn us again. He rose from the grave in victory over sin, death, and the grave, and to assure those who believe in Him of their eternal destiny to His presence. Because, He did all this those who reject Him will be judged by Him, and the Word which He spoke. Jesus’s death on the cross was the judgment for all the sins of the world, even all nations, and when He is rejected; His love, mercy and grace the only thing left is judgment. All judgment has been given to the Son (John 5:22). The Nations, and the uttermost parts of the earth are given to Him for judgment.
“The earth is the LORD’S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.” Psalms 24:1 (KJV)
Let me leave you with this thought; If you don’t believe in Jesus; You had better be 100 percent sure you are right. Jesus is coming soon.
-Tim A. Blankenship
The Fire and Hammer 