The Former Alienation of the Gentiles from the Jews
Eph 2:10-12 (paraphrased) "Because we are the work of God, created in Christ for good works, which God has preordained that we would do them, hence remember that we Gentiles were formerly in the flesh, uncircumcised, we were previously separated from Christ, excluded from the blessings of Israel, strangers to God's promise, with no hope and without God. "
But in Christ, through His blood, through the Cross, Unites, Brings Peace, Reconciles Both
2:13-16 (paraphrased) "But now in Christ, we have been brought near by the blood of Christ. Christ Himself is our peace who made both Jews and Gentiles into one and broke down the dividing wall. Through the flesh of Christ, He abolished the ceremonial laws, feasts and sacrifices so that in Him, Jews and Gentiles are made into one new man thus establishing peace, and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross."
No longer Aliens but Fellow Citizens, in the same Household, built on the same Foundation with Christ as Cornerstone, both forming the same Building, built together as a Holy Temple
2:17-22 (paraphrased) "Christ came and preached peace to you who were both far and near. Both to Jews and Gentiles. For through Christ, both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens but fellow citizens with the saints and of God's household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Himself being the corner stone, in whom the whole building being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit."
Are there any groups of people whom you are in enemity with? Are our hearts resistant to letting the peace and reconciliation through Christ unite us?
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Eph 2:5-10 Saved by Grace through Faith. Good Works Follow.
Eph 2:5-7 This is a result of us being saved by grace. Together with Christ, we were not only raised but seated in the heavens that in the coming ages we will receive the immeasurable richness of God's grace to us in Christ Jesus.
In the previous article, we know that we were once dead in our transgressions/sins. Unable to respond. Only able to be swept around by the tides and ways of the world. But why is it that we can be made alive and be awakened?
Eph 2:8-9 Why? For you are saved by grace through faith. This is not our own work, but God's. God's gift that no one can boast.
It is only by the grace of God. We cannot save ourselves from indulging in sin. Only when God saves us, through moving in our hearts that we have the faith to embrace Christ, that we are made alive in Christ. It is not by our own work, but God’s gift. It is not that we choose God, made a decision to accept Christ and determined our own salvation in our time, but that God chose us, in His time, worked in our hearts through faith in Christ.
We cannot boast that we have made the ‘right’ decision and made a reasonable decision to choose Jesus over other choices. It is solely by the sovereign choice of God, prepared beforehand by Him.
Asking Ourselves
If we are saved by God's choice, why do we then still have to preach the gospel to people around us?
Good works follow
What is subsequent and resultant to being saved and made alive in Christ is good works.
Eph 2:10 For we are created in Christ for good works which God has pre-ordained.
Like our salvation, good works of ours are not by our doing but ordained by God before time began. Hence, do not boast about your salvation, or boast about your good works, for these are the work of God, that all praise be to His glory.
Asking ourselves
Are we just having faith without good works? Understanding but not application? Knowledge without living?
In the previous article, we know that we were once dead in our transgressions/sins. Unable to respond. Only able to be swept around by the tides and ways of the world. But why is it that we can be made alive and be awakened?
Eph 2:8-9 Why? For you are saved by grace through faith. This is not our own work, but God's. God's gift that no one can boast.
It is only by the grace of God. We cannot save ourselves from indulging in sin. Only when God saves us, through moving in our hearts that we have the faith to embrace Christ, that we are made alive in Christ. It is not by our own work, but God’s gift. It is not that we choose God, made a decision to accept Christ and determined our own salvation in our time, but that God chose us, in His time, worked in our hearts through faith in Christ.
We cannot boast that we have made the ‘right’ decision and made a reasonable decision to choose Jesus over other choices. It is solely by the sovereign choice of God, prepared beforehand by Him.
Asking Ourselves
If we are saved by God's choice, why do we then still have to preach the gospel to people around us?
Good works follow
What is subsequent and resultant to being saved and made alive in Christ is good works.
Eph 2:10 For we are created in Christ for good works which God has pre-ordained.
Like our salvation, good works of ours are not by our doing but ordained by God before time began. Hence, do not boast about your salvation, or boast about your good works, for these are the work of God, that all praise be to His glory.
Asking ourselves
Are we just having faith without good works? Understanding but not application? Knowledge without living?
Monday, August 15, 2011
Eph 2:1-5 From Being Dead in Sin to Being Alive in Christ
Paul having demonstrated God's power in Christ, through raising Him from the dead (Eph 1:20), seating Him at His right hand in heaven above all authority (1:21), putting everything under His feet (1:22) for the church, makes the point in chapter 2 of Ephesians that we were once dead in sin, but now brought to life by Christ.
Paraphrasing Eph 2:1-3, We were once dead in our trespasses and sins when we previously walked in the ways of the world, being controlled by the ruler and spirit working in the disobedient. We lived in our fleshly desires, thought in the flesh, acted in the flesh. Because of these, we were under the wrath of God.
Someone who is dead cannot respond. They cannot react. A fish which is dead cannot swim. Needless to say, it cannot swim against the tide. It can only float while rotting, in the water being brought about by the current to where ever the tide brings.
We were once dead in our sinful ways. We drift according to the sinful trends of the world. We cannot react against the depravity of the world for we identify with it. Jealously, covetousness, hatred, sexual immorality, reigned in our hearts. This is even more so today where media surrounds us almost all the time. Television, movies, posters, magazines, websites, facebook, blogs, all portray sex, crime, adultery as something to be accepted, even to the point that it might look cool. Vulgarities, words of hate are carelessly spoken of or typed out in tweets or posts.
Take for example the recent riots by youths in the UK. Thousands of them stealing, hurting, putting fire, damaging property. While drifting along, we are constantly rotting. We are degrading our morals, being more and more insensitive to sin, because we are dead in sin.
If one can tolerate this, it is because he is dead in the ways of the world. Because he belongs to the disobedient, where he is ruled by the evil spirit (2:2).
We might think that we might get away with it. Since no one knows. The law cannot enforce itself on us. The police have no judicial rights on me. But 2:3 says that we are under the wrath of God.
The wrath of God on us sinners is the curse of death. Of eternal punishment. It cannot be taken lightly.
Eph 2:4-5 But our merciful God, because of His great love for us, made us alive in Christ while we were dead in our sins.
But we thank our merciful God, though having incurred His wrath and having every right to judge us, yet He loves us greatly and pulls us from the graves of sin back into life in Christ. He pulled us away from the wide path heading towards destruction, and placed us back on the narrow path heading towards life. He transforms us from sexual immorality to purity. From covetousness to contentment. From jealously to thanksgiving. From hatred, to love. From opposing Him, to submitting to Him.
God does this awakening through Christ, that we recognize Him, His dying on the cross for us, His resurrection, His ascension, His redemption, His lordship, His coming again, His rulership for eternity.
Friend, are you still in opposition to God yet in accordance to the world? Are you drifting in the tides of the world's ocean being tossed and turned by the waves of the world not realizing that you are sinking deeper and deeper into the depths of death? Are you still treating yourself as the absolute authority based on your own intelligence yet not considering the spirit's moving in your heart of heavenly authority as revealed through the bible?
Make Ephesians 2:4-5 apply to you. But our merciful God, because of His great love for _____, made _____ alive in Christ while _____ was dead in his/her sins.
In the next article, we will consider why one is able to be revived from death in sin, to being alive in Christ.
Asking ourselves
Is everyone really dead in sin? How about the 'good' people who do charity, feed the poor, help the weak?
Paraphrasing Eph 2:1-3, We were once dead in our trespasses and sins when we previously walked in the ways of the world, being controlled by the ruler and spirit working in the disobedient. We lived in our fleshly desires, thought in the flesh, acted in the flesh. Because of these, we were under the wrath of God.
Someone who is dead cannot respond. They cannot react. A fish which is dead cannot swim. Needless to say, it cannot swim against the tide. It can only float while rotting, in the water being brought about by the current to where ever the tide brings.
We were once dead in our sinful ways. We drift according to the sinful trends of the world. We cannot react against the depravity of the world for we identify with it. Jealously, covetousness, hatred, sexual immorality, reigned in our hearts. This is even more so today where media surrounds us almost all the time. Television, movies, posters, magazines, websites, facebook, blogs, all portray sex, crime, adultery as something to be accepted, even to the point that it might look cool. Vulgarities, words of hate are carelessly spoken of or typed out in tweets or posts.
Take for example the recent riots by youths in the UK. Thousands of them stealing, hurting, putting fire, damaging property. While drifting along, we are constantly rotting. We are degrading our morals, being more and more insensitive to sin, because we are dead in sin.
If one can tolerate this, it is because he is dead in the ways of the world. Because he belongs to the disobedient, where he is ruled by the evil spirit (2:2).
We might think that we might get away with it. Since no one knows. The law cannot enforce itself on us. The police have no judicial rights on me. But 2:3 says that we are under the wrath of God.
The wrath of God on us sinners is the curse of death. Of eternal punishment. It cannot be taken lightly.
Eph 2:4-5 But our merciful God, because of His great love for us, made us alive in Christ while we were dead in our sins.
But we thank our merciful God, though having incurred His wrath and having every right to judge us, yet He loves us greatly and pulls us from the graves of sin back into life in Christ. He pulled us away from the wide path heading towards destruction, and placed us back on the narrow path heading towards life. He transforms us from sexual immorality to purity. From covetousness to contentment. From jealously to thanksgiving. From hatred, to love. From opposing Him, to submitting to Him.
God does this awakening through Christ, that we recognize Him, His dying on the cross for us, His resurrection, His ascension, His redemption, His lordship, His coming again, His rulership for eternity.
Friend, are you still in opposition to God yet in accordance to the world? Are you drifting in the tides of the world's ocean being tossed and turned by the waves of the world not realizing that you are sinking deeper and deeper into the depths of death? Are you still treating yourself as the absolute authority based on your own intelligence yet not considering the spirit's moving in your heart of heavenly authority as revealed through the bible?
Make Ephesians 2:4-5 apply to you. But our merciful God, because of His great love for _____
In the next article, we will consider why one is able to be revived from death in sin, to being alive in Christ.
Asking ourselves
Is everyone really dead in sin? How about the 'good' people who do charity, feed the poor, help the weak?
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Eph 1:15-16 True Faith brings about True Love
Eph 1:15-16 “This is why, since i heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I never stop giving thanks in my prayers.”
Paul here upon hearing the faith of the Ephesus believers and their love for one another, gave thanks to God continously. Over here, we see from the example of the Ephesus believers that true faith is accompanied by love for one another. This is reverberated in Galatians 6 where Paul encourages believers that true faith in Christ brings true love which will share one another’s burdens. With this kind of love, there is no need for the law.
How often, we affirm sound doctrines of theology and are able to quote this verse and that. Yet, we lack in the exercise and show of love. We listen, we read, we sing, we may even preach, yet when it comes to a show of love, we bring about dragged feet, unwilling hearts. Help us to learn from the example of Jesus.
He was busy in the ministry. He preached forth truth. He rebuked, encouraged, warned people with truth. Yet, He was never too busy to stop by a blind or lame man and heal him unless when he was utterly exhausted or submitted to the Father for another ministry. Never too busy to take a route down Samaria and have a sincere chat with a Samaritan woman and reveal His messiah-ship. He was never too busy to dine with tax collectors and sinners. He was never too busy to attend a wedding, to visit Mary’s house or take a detour which involved the risk of murderous attempt on Him just to heal Lazarus.
True faith, brings about true love. For those being ministered to, that involves true love for your shepherd. For those ministering, that involves true love for the flock. And for all, true love for one another.
Paul here upon hearing the faith of the Ephesus believers and their love for one another, gave thanks to God continously. Over here, we see from the example of the Ephesus believers that true faith is accompanied by love for one another. This is reverberated in Galatians 6 where Paul encourages believers that true faith in Christ brings true love which will share one another’s burdens. With this kind of love, there is no need for the law.
How often, we affirm sound doctrines of theology and are able to quote this verse and that. Yet, we lack in the exercise and show of love. We listen, we read, we sing, we may even preach, yet when it comes to a show of love, we bring about dragged feet, unwilling hearts. Help us to learn from the example of Jesus.
He was busy in the ministry. He preached forth truth. He rebuked, encouraged, warned people with truth. Yet, He was never too busy to stop by a blind or lame man and heal him unless when he was utterly exhausted or submitted to the Father for another ministry. Never too busy to take a route down Samaria and have a sincere chat with a Samaritan woman and reveal His messiah-ship. He was never too busy to dine with tax collectors and sinners. He was never too busy to attend a wedding, to visit Mary’s house or take a detour which involved the risk of murderous attempt on Him just to heal Lazarus.
True faith, brings about true love. For those being ministered to, that involves true love for your shepherd. For those ministering, that involves true love for the flock. And for all, true love for one another.
The Purpose of the Spiritual Blessings - For God's Glory
What is the purpose of God giving us these spiritual blessings?
Eph 1:12 "so that we who had already put our hope in the Messiah might bring praise to His glory."
Eph 1:14 "He is the down payment of our inheritance, for the redemption of the possession, to the praise of His glory."
The Reason We Receive Spiritual Blessings - God's Choice
Why do we receive such spiritual blessings? Did we do a special something or are we morally better than others? No.
The reason we receive these spiritual blessings,
The reason we receive these spiritual blessings,
- He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world (Eph 1:4)
- In love, He predestined us...according to the kind intention of His will. (1:5)
- having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, (1:11)
Our identity is that we have been chosen by God. Let us live a life that matches up with this identity. Holy, Blameless.
Eph 1:9-10 Have Wisdom and understand that everything is brought together in Christ
Eph 1:9-10 "He made known to us to the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure that He planned in Him for the administration of the days of fulfillment - to bring everything together in the Messiah, both things in heaven and things on earth in Him."
God's gift of spiritual richness in Christ besides letting us have wisdom and understanding towards His Word, the ultimate understanding is that in His time and will, EVERYTHING will be brought together in Christ.
When Adam first sinned and sin entered the world, there was gulf between God and man. In God's will, He temporarily allowed sin to manifest. Man hated one another, murdered one another, both privately, and in public wars. Man indulged in their lusts. There was envy, jealously. God's judgments came in response to man's sins. All these will culminate in a climax when the anti-Christ comes during the seven years of tribulation (Revelation).
Yet, in Christ, the gulf of God and man is bridged. For those who embrace Christ as their Lord and Savior, Christ's righteousness is imputed onto them hence making them holy and blameless before God. Yet for those who reject the revelation of Christ, they will be judged for their sins. Christ though died, resurrected and ascended to heaven, will come once again at the end of the tribulation years and He will judge all man. He will overcome and thrown the Anti-Christ and Satan with the rest of the opposing angels into the great abyss. He will reign victory. If your name is not in the Book of Life, you will be thrown in the Lake of Fire. If you through Christ have your name in the Book of Life, you will be enter the Kingdom of Heaven of which Jesus has prepared for you and in that place, there are many rooms.
Christ will then begin His millenial Kingdom rule. Everything under heaven and earth will be brought together under Him. He will RULE.
This is further elaborated by Paul in Eph 1:18-23 "I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power towards us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all."
Do you believe this? God gives wisdom and understanding that we have faith and hope one day, everything will be brought under Christ where He will reign forever and ever. Exalted above all things.
If you do not believe, perhaps you have not been blessed with this wisdom and understanding in the mystery of God. Trust in Christ as Lord and Savior, where true grace and peace will abound in your hearts, and have wisdom and understand the mystery of God's will
God's gift of spiritual richness in Christ besides letting us have wisdom and understanding towards His Word, the ultimate understanding is that in His time and will, EVERYTHING will be brought together in Christ.
When Adam first sinned and sin entered the world, there was gulf between God and man. In God's will, He temporarily allowed sin to manifest. Man hated one another, murdered one another, both privately, and in public wars. Man indulged in their lusts. There was envy, jealously. God's judgments came in response to man's sins. All these will culminate in a climax when the anti-Christ comes during the seven years of tribulation (Revelation).
Yet, in Christ, the gulf of God and man is bridged. For those who embrace Christ as their Lord and Savior, Christ's righteousness is imputed onto them hence making them holy and blameless before God. Yet for those who reject the revelation of Christ, they will be judged for their sins. Christ though died, resurrected and ascended to heaven, will come once again at the end of the tribulation years and He will judge all man. He will overcome and thrown the Anti-Christ and Satan with the rest of the opposing angels into the great abyss. He will reign victory. If your name is not in the Book of Life, you will be thrown in the Lake of Fire. If you through Christ have your name in the Book of Life, you will be enter the Kingdom of Heaven of which Jesus has prepared for you and in that place, there are many rooms.
Christ will then begin His millenial Kingdom rule. Everything under heaven and earth will be brought together under Him. He will RULE.
This is further elaborated by Paul in Eph 1:18-23 "I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power towards us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all."
Do you believe this? God gives wisdom and understanding that we have faith and hope one day, everything will be brought under Christ where He will reign forever and ever. Exalted above all things.
If you do not believe, perhaps you have not been blessed with this wisdom and understanding in the mystery of God. Trust in Christ as Lord and Savior, where true grace and peace will abound in your hearts, and have wisdom and understand the mystery of God's will
Friday, August 12, 2011
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Eph 1:8-13 - Understanding of God's WIll. Wisdom to Live it Out.
Ready for more spiritual blessings in the epistle to the Ephesians?
The second set of spiritual blessings.
- Gives us wisdom and insight (1:8)
- Made known to us His will (1:9)
- Obtained an inheritance (1:11)
- Sealed in him with the Holy Spirit of promise (1:13)
God gives us wisdom and understanding to know His WILL which is that Christ will bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth. How do we know God's will? Through His Word. Hence, the second set of spiritual blessing centres in around understanding the Word of God.
God gives us understanding. He also gives us wisdom to understand His word enough that we can obey it and live it out in the many details of our lives. In other words, to APPLY it. To be able to apply God's word, we need to be reminded of it enough such that we can REMEMBER it when a situation in our lives requires the need for it. Often Christians keep talking about applying God's word when they are not interested in understanding it and remembering it. How then do we apply it?
Hence, let us READ, UNDERSTAND, REMEMBER, APPLY. By man's own intelligence, God's word is but foolishness to him (1 Cor 1-2). Even Christians sometimes feel that God's Word is irrelevant to him, is an embarrassment to him before friends/family, that he cannot live it out in his life. Do you feel so? If yes, God's Word is but foolishness to you, for you belong to the world. But to His children, He gives them wisdom and insight to understand it enough that it can be brought to reality in their lives.
And from where does a man gain the ability to apply understand God's word? Through the Holy Spirit sealed in us (1:13) which reminds us not to live by the flesh, but live by the Spirit. Not to sow to the flesh, but to sow to the spirit. Not to bear the rotten fruits of the flesh, but to bear the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5-6). It rebukes us and reminds us the teachings of Christ (Jhn 14, 16).
This is later further elaborated by Paul in Eph 1:17 " that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him."
In the next article, we will consider the understanding of God's will that Christ will bring all things to unity.
Eph 1:4-7 - Yearning for the Spiritual Blessings of Christ - Made Holy, Blameless. Being Adopted. Redeemed. Forgiven. Lavished.
We have talked about setting our hearts to yearn for spiritual blessings in Christ. Now just what are they?
The spiritual blessings of Ephesians which God lavished on us richly (1:7) have compared to the analogy of a bank cheque book which you can write any amount and any number of cheques and the account will NEVER run dry. You can always, seek from God, these riches and it will never run dry. Its like a fish who drinks from the ocean and the ocean will never run dry. Its like breathing air from the vastness of the earth and never running out of oxygen. Let's study what these blessings are.
First set of Spiritual Blessings: Made holy and blameless. Adopted as sons. Redeemed. Forgiven.
We are drenched in our sin. Lavish lusts, sexual lusts, lies, jealously, hatred. Sinful to the core, that no one can fathom. Yet God, is willing to make us holy and blameless? Willing to forgive us?
There was a story of a mongolian king, who wanted to stem crime in his country, set a law that whoever was caught committing a crime, who have to have his arm cut off. Because of this law, the crime rate subsided. Yet one day, it was brought to his attention that someone got caught! As he met the criminal, he got the shock of his life. The criminal was none other than his own mother. He wanted to spare his mother, however, everyone including his mother and himself was under the law. She had come under the curse of the law and the law requires a penalty for it.
In order to spare his mother and yet without her having to have her arm cut off, the king could only do one thing. Had his own arm cut off to substitute that of his mother. In doing so, he had paid the penalty of the law. He had ransomed his mother's crime. He had redeemed her iniquity.
We likewise are like the mother who committed a crime. Our sins requires a penalty which is eternal destruction. However, our loving Father sent His son, to pay the penalty for us by dying on the cross for us. Through the blood of Christ, we are made holy and blameless righteous before God, forgiven by God.
We are sons of sins. Yearning to sin. We have no value. Yet, God is willing to spare no efforts, even to the point of killing His son, to adopt us as sons? To redeem with such a huge price, people of absolute zero value?
What does this purification, adoption, redemption and forgiveness mean? That we do not have to stand before the great white throne of judgement, receiving sentences that condemn us to eternal hell. But rather, we stand before the seat of Christ, preparing to receive our rewards. Do you appreciate this? Have you ever thanked God for this?
More spiritual blessings to consider in the next article.
- We would be holy and blameless before Him. (Eph 1:4)
- Adoption as sons. (1:5)
- Redeemed through His blood. (1:7)
- Forgiveness of our trespasses (1:7)
- Lavished on us the riches of His grace (1:7)
The spiritual blessings of Ephesians which God lavished on us richly (1:7) have compared to the analogy of a bank cheque book which you can write any amount and any number of cheques and the account will NEVER run dry. You can always, seek from God, these riches and it will never run dry. Its like a fish who drinks from the ocean and the ocean will never run dry. Its like breathing air from the vastness of the earth and never running out of oxygen. Let's study what these blessings are.
First set of Spiritual Blessings: Made holy and blameless. Adopted as sons. Redeemed. Forgiven.
We are drenched in our sin. Lavish lusts, sexual lusts, lies, jealously, hatred. Sinful to the core, that no one can fathom. Yet God, is willing to make us holy and blameless? Willing to forgive us?
There was a story of a mongolian king, who wanted to stem crime in his country, set a law that whoever was caught committing a crime, who have to have his arm cut off. Because of this law, the crime rate subsided. Yet one day, it was brought to his attention that someone got caught! As he met the criminal, he got the shock of his life. The criminal was none other than his own mother. He wanted to spare his mother, however, everyone including his mother and himself was under the law. She had come under the curse of the law and the law requires a penalty for it.
In order to spare his mother and yet without her having to have her arm cut off, the king could only do one thing. Had his own arm cut off to substitute that of his mother. In doing so, he had paid the penalty of the law. He had ransomed his mother's crime. He had redeemed her iniquity.
We likewise are like the mother who committed a crime. Our sins requires a penalty which is eternal destruction. However, our loving Father sent His son, to pay the penalty for us by dying on the cross for us. Through the blood of Christ, we are made holy and blameless righteous before God, forgiven by God.
We are sons of sins. Yearning to sin. We have no value. Yet, God is willing to spare no efforts, even to the point of killing His son, to adopt us as sons? To redeem with such a huge price, people of absolute zero value?
What does this purification, adoption, redemption and forgiveness mean? That we do not have to stand before the great white throne of judgement, receiving sentences that condemn us to eternal hell. But rather, we stand before the seat of Christ, preparing to receive our rewards. Do you appreciate this? Have you ever thanked God for this?
More spiritual blessings to consider in the next article.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Eph 1:3 - Yearn for the Spiritual Blessings in Christ
Eph 1:3 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,"
The book of Ephesians is often labeled as the epistle with the most spiritual blessings. And rightfully so, as in the starting verse 1:3, "...who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing...". Remember that this epistle was written by Paul to the churches in Ephesus when he was in jail. Hence, when someone in jail who has no equity on money, status, assets, time, strength, opportunities yet still can exhort believers that they are blessed with every spiritual blessing, it means something.
What spiritual blessings was Paul talking about?
Firstly, the spiritual blessings are in the heavenly places in Christ. The spiritual blessings are in God's complete, eternal, heavenly domain. Not primarily on the earthly world's, incomplete, temporal domain. Hence, if the blessings that you seek are just earthly blessings, fame, fortune, assets, leisure, you will be disappointed. For the blessings that Paul refers too are of a greater nature, those of heaven. But the heavenly blessings are of an infinitely greater worth! I remember Jesus words in Matt 6:19-21,
"Do not store up treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal, but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy and where theives do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, your heart will be also."
If we focus on just blessings in the earthly nature, we will be sorely disappointed. In finance terms, they will depreciate. We see that happening now. Investments have lost much of their value when the US Treasury got a downgrade from S & P. As inflation strikes, value rots away. Treasures on earth get stolen too. They get stolen in a failed venture, failed investment or in a lawsuit over ownership of property. Earthly blessings though may bring us temporal happiness, but after the party is over, when the lights are turned on again, joy and happiness vanishes.
Hence, Jesus exhorts us to turn our eyes upon spiritual blessings where, moth and rust do not destroy. Again in finance terms, they have true intrinsic value. They WILL NOT DEPRECIATE. And they belong solely to yours. They will not flee from you. They will not be stolen from you. And when, we set our eyes on heavenly spiritual blessing, they will hearts be also. Away from the envy, jealously, bitterness, coveteousness of this world, but in the peace of God, joy in God's presence and in the contentment of His blessings.
In the next article, let's look at what spiritual blessings we gain in Christ.
The book of Ephesians is often labeled as the epistle with the most spiritual blessings. And rightfully so, as in the starting verse 1:3, "...who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing...". Remember that this epistle was written by Paul to the churches in Ephesus when he was in jail. Hence, when someone in jail who has no equity on money, status, assets, time, strength, opportunities yet still can exhort believers that they are blessed with every spiritual blessing, it means something.
What spiritual blessings was Paul talking about?
Firstly, the spiritual blessings are in the heavenly places in Christ. The spiritual blessings are in God's complete, eternal, heavenly domain. Not primarily on the earthly world's, incomplete, temporal domain. Hence, if the blessings that you seek are just earthly blessings, fame, fortune, assets, leisure, you will be disappointed. For the blessings that Paul refers too are of a greater nature, those of heaven. But the heavenly blessings are of an infinitely greater worth! I remember Jesus words in Matt 6:19-21,
"Do not store up treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal, but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy and where theives do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, your heart will be also."
If we focus on just blessings in the earthly nature, we will be sorely disappointed. In finance terms, they will depreciate. We see that happening now. Investments have lost much of their value when the US Treasury got a downgrade from S & P. As inflation strikes, value rots away. Treasures on earth get stolen too. They get stolen in a failed venture, failed investment or in a lawsuit over ownership of property. Earthly blessings though may bring us temporal happiness, but after the party is over, when the lights are turned on again, joy and happiness vanishes.
Hence, Jesus exhorts us to turn our eyes upon spiritual blessings where, moth and rust do not destroy. Again in finance terms, they have true intrinsic value. They WILL NOT DEPRECIATE. And they belong solely to yours. They will not flee from you. They will not be stolen from you. And when, we set our eyes on heavenly spiritual blessing, they will hearts be also. Away from the envy, jealously, bitterness, coveteousness of this world, but in the peace of God, joy in God's presence and in the contentment of His blessings.
In the next article, let's look at what spiritual blessings we gain in Christ.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Marks of a Good Pastor
A Good Pastor in the Pulpit.
1. The bible is his foundation, his centre.
2. A good pastor fades in the background and exalts Christ. He is an ambassador of Christ and not of himself.
3. A good pastor speaks with authority, not with suggestion, not for entertainment. He is under divine authority to be under the authority of the Word and to be an out channel of that authority.
4. A good pastor does not lord over the congregation, but serves the congregation.
5. A good pastor speaks with balance. Both what's true and to warn of what's not true. He preaches both the positive to pursue, and the negative to avoid. He does these to protect the flock. Titus 1:9, "exhort in sound doctrine and refutation of those who contradict."
The Pastor and his People
1. A good pastor has a personal relationship with his flock. He loves them and that's why he protects them. He is called to ministry, not to elevate himself, but to love and protect the flock. People are the reason for a pastor.
2. A good pastor affirms his flock. He encourages them with God's presence in their difficulty.
3. A good pastor expresses aspirations for his flock. He expresses how his flock should pursue spiritual maturity. He expresses that his flock not pursue wealth and health that suits the carnal desires, but promotes joy, holiness and the assurance of eternal life rather than temporal carnal desires.
To the People.
1. Appreciate a good pastor.
2. A good pastor is a gift from God.
1. The bible is his foundation, his centre.
2. A good pastor fades in the background and exalts Christ. He is an ambassador of Christ and not of himself.
3. A good pastor speaks with authority, not with suggestion, not for entertainment. He is under divine authority to be under the authority of the Word and to be an out channel of that authority.
4. A good pastor does not lord over the congregation, but serves the congregation.
5. A good pastor speaks with balance. Both what's true and to warn of what's not true. He preaches both the positive to pursue, and the negative to avoid. He does these to protect the flock. Titus 1:9, "exhort in sound doctrine and refutation of those who contradict."
The Pastor and his People
1. A good pastor has a personal relationship with his flock. He loves them and that's why he protects them. He is called to ministry, not to elevate himself, but to love and protect the flock. People are the reason for a pastor.
2. A good pastor affirms his flock. He encourages them with God's presence in their difficulty.
3. A good pastor expresses aspirations for his flock. He expresses how his flock should pursue spiritual maturity. He expresses that his flock not pursue wealth and health that suits the carnal desires, but promotes joy, holiness and the assurance of eternal life rather than temporal carnal desires.
To the People.
1. Appreciate a good pastor.
2. A good pastor is a gift from God.
How to Recognize a False Teacher
How to Recognize a False Teacher
1. A false teacher preaches that the way is not narrow. It is broad. He might preach of God and Christ. He might preach of sin. But he does not preach that Christ is the only way.
2. A false teacher does not claim that he is a false teacher. He is a wolf but in sheep's clothing. He claims to speak for God, to proclaim truth. He affirms some truth, but changes the meaning of important words. He is like Satan, disguising as an angel of light. He is subtle. He will not necessarily tell you something that is wrong, but he will not tell you the complete truth.
3. A false teacher has no genuine concern for his sheep.
4. A false teacher's lifestyle is recognized by his fruits.
Five Questions to Ask Regarding a False Teacher
1. When does he talk about the holiness and wrath of God? Romans 1:18
2. When does he talk about eternal judgment and the wrath of God? A teacher teaches the whole counsel of God. Not just the positive things.
3. When does he talk about sin and repentance? Luke 24:47
4. When does he talk about forgiveness of sin through Christ alone?
5. When does he talk about the substitutionary atonement of Christ?
1. A false teacher preaches that the way is not narrow. It is broad. He might preach of God and Christ. He might preach of sin. But he does not preach that Christ is the only way.
2. A false teacher does not claim that he is a false teacher. He is a wolf but in sheep's clothing. He claims to speak for God, to proclaim truth. He affirms some truth, but changes the meaning of important words. He is like Satan, disguising as an angel of light. He is subtle. He will not necessarily tell you something that is wrong, but he will not tell you the complete truth.
3. A false teacher has no genuine concern for his sheep.
4. A false teacher's lifestyle is recognized by his fruits.
Five Questions to Ask Regarding a False Teacher
1. When does he talk about the holiness and wrath of God? Romans 1:18
2. When does he talk about eternal judgment and the wrath of God? A teacher teaches the whole counsel of God. Not just the positive things.
3. When does he talk about sin and repentance? Luke 24:47
4. When does he talk about forgiveness of sin through Christ alone?
5. When does he talk about the substitutionary atonement of Christ?
What are the marks of a True Christian?
The Marks of a True Christian
1. He embraces scripture. He doesn't merely acknowledges scripture, but he embraces them with all his life. Embracing it as his highest authority in life. He embraces the bible with all his heart.
2. He embraces Christ personally as savior and sacrifice of his sin. He embraces Christ as not just a man, or prophet, but God in human flesh. He does not seek Christ for earthly reasons, to have a better marriage, or better health, or better wealth but...
3. He submits to Christ as Lord. He repents personally and trusts in Christ. He recognizes Him as authority in his life. Nothing in his life he does not withhold from His authority. His desire is to be obedient to Him.
4. He exhibits sanctification. He thinks rightly about the love of God. He does not measure the love of God by fluctuating circumstances. He knows how Jesus loves him just as how He loved him 2,000 like he was standing at the foot of the cross. And when he understands such a love, he will love his brethens.
1. He embraces scripture. He doesn't merely acknowledges scripture, but he embraces them with all his life. Embracing it as his highest authority in life. He embraces the bible with all his heart.
2. He embraces Christ personally as savior and sacrifice of his sin. He embraces Christ as not just a man, or prophet, but God in human flesh. He does not seek Christ for earthly reasons, to have a better marriage, or better health, or better wealth but...
3. He submits to Christ as Lord. He repents personally and trusts in Christ. He recognizes Him as authority in his life. Nothing in his life he does not withhold from His authority. His desire is to be obedient to Him.
4. He exhibits sanctification. He thinks rightly about the love of God. He does not measure the love of God by fluctuating circumstances. He knows how Jesus loves him just as how He loved him 2,000 like he was standing at the foot of the cross. And when he understands such a love, he will love his brethens.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
How the "Messiah" was written
One bitterly cold winter of 1741, Handel received a package in his lodging. It contained a text made up of scripture from his friend Charles Jennens.
"Comfort ye, comfort ye, My people, saith your God...Behold! A virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Emmanuel, God with us...and His name shall be calleed Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God..."
Excitedly, he read on. "He was despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows...I know that my Redeemer lives and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth...King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, Hallelujiah!"
Handel rushed to the piano with pencil in hand and began to write the music to the immortal Messiah. For two weeks, he labored incessantly. He saw no one and refused food and sleep.
At last, he finished the great oratorio. Tears were streaming down his face as he said, "I did think i did see all Heaven before me, and the great God Himself."
The composition was first heard in Dublin where it was an overwhelming success. Then in London, where the King rose to his feet at the great "Hallelujah Chorus," and the audience followed his example. Today, audiences all over the world still rise and remain standing during this Chorus.
Later, George Frederick Handel became poor and blind. But he neber permitted his misfortunes to overcome his spirit.
Bach's Biblical Music
Almost 250 years after he died, Bach's music still lifts the hearts and energizes the soul.
Bach wrote his music for God. Most of his works are explicitly biblical. The famous missionary doctor Albert Schweitzer, who was also an expert on Bach, called him the "Fifth evangelist." Bach's music is undisputably in a league by itself.
Bach set before himself and accomplished the seemingly impossible task of preparing a different cantata for every Sunday for a three year period. And remember that he not onlt had to create the music, but also get it copied for the performers and rehearse with them.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Do not mock God
We take God for granted. We take His grace for granted. We do not take Him seriously.
We only seek Him when we are in trouble. The moment our troubles are resolved, we depart from Him again and indulge in our own interests and only come back to Him when we need help.
God is not to be mocked. Either we are in His grace, or we are in His judgement. His judgement might not come immediately, but it will come if we continue in our own wilful ways and refuse to submit to Him despite the many chances to.
Remember that judgement is not immediate only because God is patient with everyone, giving them time to come to repentance. But there is a limit. Burst it and you can only regret for eternity.
You might not like what i have just posted. But trust me, this post is one which i post with responsibility.
With the responsibility that i do not lead your soul to the wrong end but to the right one.
Would you rather that i keep on encouraging one to drive on and over the cliff to plunge to his/her death? Or should I alert those on the road to deviate away from the path that leads to destruction and onto the narrow path that leads to eternal life?
You don't have to like me. But when it comes to the matters of God, please think twice before you hastily reject Him.
Please consider what your own heart and conscience tells you about God. Listen to yourself. Are you suppressing the truth?
Consider who created this universe? Consider who sustains it? Consider what comes after our temporal lives on earth.
We only seek Him when we are in trouble. The moment our troubles are resolved, we depart from Him again and indulge in our own interests and only come back to Him when we need help.
God is not to be mocked. Either we are in His grace, or we are in His judgement. His judgement might not come immediately, but it will come if we continue in our own wilful ways and refuse to submit to Him despite the many chances to.
Remember that judgement is not immediate only because God is patient with everyone, giving them time to come to repentance. But there is a limit. Burst it and you can only regret for eternity.
You might not like what i have just posted. But trust me, this post is one which i post with responsibility.
With the responsibility that i do not lead your soul to the wrong end but to the right one.
Would you rather that i keep on encouraging one to drive on and over the cliff to plunge to his/her death? Or should I alert those on the road to deviate away from the path that leads to destruction and onto the narrow path that leads to eternal life?
You don't have to like me. But when it comes to the matters of God, please think twice before you hastily reject Him.
Please consider what your own heart and conscience tells you about God. Listen to yourself. Are you suppressing the truth?
Consider who created this universe? Consider who sustains it? Consider what comes after our temporal lives on earth.
Reflecting on the past week.
Its been a week since Luke was born. I still remember one week ago, i was still waiting outside the operating theatre waiting anxiously for Cat to come out. By God's grace, Cat's bleeding stopped and she soon returned home. There wasn't much subsequent bleeding after that.
I think i have to thank God for the alert doctors who noticed Cat's profuse bleeding and initiated action towards it. It was already a miracle that she got pregnant and further, the entire pregnancy went well without periods of threatening. And finally, Luke was born.
The same goes for Caleb as well. There is just too much to thank for.
Though Luke's jaundice level went up too high and was referred to KKH, after 3 days 2 nights of photo therapy, his jaundice level has stayed consistently in healthy ranges.
I thank God for hearing and answering my pleas to Him to keep my family safe.
I think i have to thank God for the alert doctors who noticed Cat's profuse bleeding and initiated action towards it. It was already a miracle that she got pregnant and further, the entire pregnancy went well without periods of threatening. And finally, Luke was born.
The same goes for Caleb as well. There is just too much to thank for.
Though Luke's jaundice level went up too high and was referred to KKH, after 3 days 2 nights of photo therapy, his jaundice level has stayed consistently in healthy ranges.
I thank God for hearing and answering my pleas to Him to keep my family safe.
Sunday, June 05, 2011
The Fragility of Life
The fragility of life
Life is so fragile.
A baby born to this world, cannot do without the care of her parents to feed her.
A teenager so often gets himself into car accidents or violent fatal fights.
A young adult not thinking about the sexual diseases he might get infected with sleeps around.
Cancers, terminal diseases pounce on anyone at any age surprisingly.
Natural calamities claim thousands of lives in a moment.
Life is so fragile.
We are only kept living for the next second by the grace and mercy of God.
We are only protected from the results of our sinful actions by the loving patience of our God.
Life is fragile. You do not know what are the days God has ordained for you.
Trust in Him now. Do not reject Him.
Turn life's fragility into one like a firm fortress. That though the waves of turmoil sweeps around you, you are firm, because you are standing on a solid foundation of rock.
Submit your lives to God, that it no longer hinges on the fragility and hopelessness of men, but stands upon this eternal rock, of value, of purpose, of a living hope, of eternal life.
Our rock is the Christ, Son of the living God.
Life is so fragile.
A baby born to this world, cannot do without the care of her parents to feed her.
A teenager so often gets himself into car accidents or violent fatal fights.
A young adult not thinking about the sexual diseases he might get infected with sleeps around.
Cancers, terminal diseases pounce on anyone at any age surprisingly.
Natural calamities claim thousands of lives in a moment.
Life is so fragile.
We are only kept living for the next second by the grace and mercy of God.
We are only protected from the results of our sinful actions by the loving patience of our God.
Life is fragile. You do not know what are the days God has ordained for you.
Trust in Him now. Do not reject Him.
Turn life's fragility into one like a firm fortress. That though the waves of turmoil sweeps around you, you are firm, because you are standing on a solid foundation of rock.
Submit your lives to God, that it no longer hinges on the fragility and hopelessness of men, but stands upon this eternal rock, of value, of purpose, of a living hope, of eternal life.
Our rock is the Christ, Son of the living God.
Friday, June 03, 2011
Delivery of Luke
Baby Luke, our second child is finally born into the world. I really have to give thanks for God's mercy in this pregnancy and delivery.
Cat actually has fibroids which would diminish her chances of pregnancy. But by God's grace, I am already a father of two. Our gynae has also warned us of complications during delivery, but my God's grace, both deliveries went well.
During the second delivery, there was a knot found in the umblical cord. This meant that there was a danger that baby would not receive adequate oxygen while in the womb. Also, as Luke was almost 4kg, it was a miracle that he could come out smoothly without suction or caesarean.
What's left is just cat's recovery from her wounds. May God heal her bleeding due to the fibroids.
Cat actually has fibroids which would diminish her chances of pregnancy. But by God's grace, I am already a father of two. Our gynae has also warned us of complications during delivery, but my God's grace, both deliveries went well.
During the second delivery, there was a knot found in the umblical cord. This meant that there was a danger that baby would not receive adequate oxygen while in the womb. Also, as Luke was almost 4kg, it was a miracle that he could come out smoothly without suction or caesarean.
What's left is just cat's recovery from her wounds. May God heal her bleeding due to the fibroids.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Denying Youself
What does it mean to live a life of self‑denial, dying to self? What does that really mean? Have you ever thought about that? Think of it this way. When you are neglected, unforgiven, or when you are purposely set at naught and you sting and you hurt with the insult of that oversight, but your heart is happy, being counted worthy to suffer for Christ, that is dying to self. When your good is evil spoken of, when your wishes are crossed and your advice is disregarded and your opinions are ridiculed, and you refuse to let anger rise in your heart or even defend yourself, you take it all patiently in loving silence, you're dying to self.
And when you lovingly and patiently bear any disgrace, any regularity, any annoyance, when you can stand face to face with folly and extravagance and spiritual insensitivity, and endure it as Jesus did, that is dying to self. When you are content with any food, any money, any clothing, any climate, any society, any solitude, any interruption by the will of God, that is dying to self. And when you never care to refer to yourself in conversation or record your own good works, or itch after commendation from others, and when you truly love to be unknown, that is dying to self. When you see your brother prosper and have his needs wondrously met, and can honestly rejoice with him in spirit and feel no envy and never question God, though your needs are greater and still unmet, that is dying to self. And when you can receive correction, and reproof from one of less stature than yourself and humbly admit inwardly as well as outwardly that he's right and find no resentment and no rebellion in your heart, that is dying to self.
John Macarthur - Sermon "Winning by Losing: The Paradox of Discipleship"
And when you lovingly and patiently bear any disgrace, any regularity, any annoyance, when you can stand face to face with folly and extravagance and spiritual insensitivity, and endure it as Jesus did, that is dying to self. When you are content with any food, any money, any clothing, any climate, any society, any solitude, any interruption by the will of God, that is dying to self. And when you never care to refer to yourself in conversation or record your own good works, or itch after commendation from others, and when you truly love to be unknown, that is dying to self. When you see your brother prosper and have his needs wondrously met, and can honestly rejoice with him in spirit and feel no envy and never question God, though your needs are greater and still unmet, that is dying to self. And when you can receive correction, and reproof from one of less stature than yourself and humbly admit inwardly as well as outwardly that he's right and find no resentment and no rebellion in your heart, that is dying to self.
John Macarthur - Sermon "Winning by Losing: The Paradox of Discipleship"
Saturday, April 09, 2011
The Most Important Thing.
Mike Hanzas was a different sort of guy. He lived alone. Two years before he died, he began making preparations for his death. He bought a lot in the cemetery. He made weekly visits to the cemetery, planted grass over his plot, mowed it regularly, even put flowers there. He wanted to see the flowers there before he was gone. He bought a casket and visited the funeral home to see the casket. He’d stand beside the casket and say, “That’s where I’m going to live someday!”
One day Mike invited his family to come and see him. After a good meal, he gave out some canned goods he figured he wouldn’t need, and some personal items, and his will. As he did this, he suffered from a heart attack and passed away.
A lot of preparation I’d say. . . .
But you know what the sad thing is?
As far as we know, Mike Hanzas had made every provision for his body but none for his soul.
Do you recall the words of Matthew 16:25, 26
“For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake
will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own
soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?”
If you stand before God, with a lost soul, an unsaved soul, a soul that never got around to
accepting the Lord Jesus Christ, you will face tremendous loss.
You will have nothing to look forward to but hell. . . .and eternal separation from God. At that moment when you stand before God, what will you use to bargain with God for your soul?
Nothing...
When you stand before God, it will be too late to make any changes. . . you won’t be able to
exchange anything for your soul.
You’ll be lost forever.
If you’re waiting for your deathbed to do business with God about your eternal destiny, Satan’s
got you so fooled. He’s got you right where he wants you. And if you keep putting that decision off, and putting it off, thinking that you can sluff your way into eternity, God will somehow open the doors of heaven to you. . . you’re fooling yourself.
By the time you finally wake up and see the truth, it will be too late. Vast amounts of people in good churches across this nation are pursuing their financial future, their comfort and their possessions to the detriment of their soul.
Don’t let that be you!!! Because in the end, God will say, “you fool, this very night your life will be required of you!” And you will be able to do nothing about it.
I can guarantee that within less than a second after you die, that money you spent a life time
amassing will be the furthest thing from your mind. The only question on your mind will be. . . “am I ready to face eternity?” And by then, it’s too late to prepare.
No one escapes death. . . no one!
The question is. . . are you ready?
The only way for you to be ready is if your soul has been bought, paid for and purchased.
What buys, pays for, and purchases a soul?
Only the blood of Jesus.
When He died, He hung on that cross in agony, to pay for your soul.
When He rose again, He did it for you. . . to insure that if you trust Him, He will raise
you up from the dead.
The only thing that remains for your soul to be ready for death is to come to Christ to be
saved from sin.
Jesus said:
“All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no
wise cast out.”
Have you come to Jesus?
If you haven’t. . . you’re selling your soul to something that doesn’t care about you.
But Jesus is the rightful Owner of your soul. . . .
Have you received Him personally?
Why not now?
One day Mike invited his family to come and see him. After a good meal, he gave out some canned goods he figured he wouldn’t need, and some personal items, and his will. As he did this, he suffered from a heart attack and passed away.
A lot of preparation I’d say. . . .
But you know what the sad thing is?
As far as we know, Mike Hanzas had made every provision for his body but none for his soul.
Do you recall the words of Matthew 16:25, 26
“For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake
will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own
soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?”
If you stand before God, with a lost soul, an unsaved soul, a soul that never got around to
accepting the Lord Jesus Christ, you will face tremendous loss.
You will have nothing to look forward to but hell. . . .and eternal separation from God. At that moment when you stand before God, what will you use to bargain with God for your soul?
Nothing...
When you stand before God, it will be too late to make any changes. . . you won’t be able to
exchange anything for your soul.
You’ll be lost forever.
If you’re waiting for your deathbed to do business with God about your eternal destiny, Satan’s
got you so fooled. He’s got you right where he wants you. And if you keep putting that decision off, and putting it off, thinking that you can sluff your way into eternity, God will somehow open the doors of heaven to you. . . you’re fooling yourself.
By the time you finally wake up and see the truth, it will be too late. Vast amounts of people in good churches across this nation are pursuing their financial future, their comfort and their possessions to the detriment of their soul.
Don’t let that be you!!! Because in the end, God will say, “you fool, this very night your life will be required of you!” And you will be able to do nothing about it.
I can guarantee that within less than a second after you die, that money you spent a life time
amassing will be the furthest thing from your mind. The only question on your mind will be. . . “am I ready to face eternity?” And by then, it’s too late to prepare.
No one escapes death. . . no one!
The question is. . . are you ready?
The only way for you to be ready is if your soul has been bought, paid for and purchased.
What buys, pays for, and purchases a soul?
Only the blood of Jesus.
When He died, He hung on that cross in agony, to pay for your soul.
When He rose again, He did it for you. . . to insure that if you trust Him, He will raise
you up from the dead.
The only thing that remains for your soul to be ready for death is to come to Christ to be
saved from sin.
Jesus said:
“All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no
wise cast out.”
Have you come to Jesus?
If you haven’t. . . you’re selling your soul to something that doesn’t care about you.
But Jesus is the rightful Owner of your soul. . . .
Have you received Him personally?
Why not now?
A Dream of Denial
There was once a Christian who had a dream.
I saw in a dream that I was in the Celestial City. I was one of a great multitude from all countries and people and times and ages. I found out that the saint who stood next to me had been in Heaven more than 1,860 years.
"Who are you?" I said to him? We both spoke the same language of Heaven, so we could understand each other.
Said he "I was a Christian who lived in the days of the apostle Paul. I was one of those who died in Nero's persecutions. I was covered with pitch and fastened to a stake and set on fire to light up Nero's gardens."
"How awful!" I exclaimed.
"No," he said. "I was glad to do something for Jesus. He died on the cross for me."
Another man beside me then spoke. "I have been in Heaven only a few hundred years. I came from an island in the South Seas. John Williams a misionary, came and told me about Jesus, and I too learned to love Him. My fellow countrymen killed the missionary and they caught and bound me. I was beaten till i fainted and they thought I was dead, but I revived. Then next day, they knocked me on the head, cooked and ate me."
"How terrible!" I said.
"No," he answered, "I was glad to die as a Christian. You see the missionaries had told me that Jesus was scourged and crowned with thorns for me."
Then they both turned to me and said, "What did you suffer for Him? Or did you sell what you had for the money which sent men like John Williams to tell man kind about Jesus?"
And I was speechless. And while they both were looking at me with sorrowful eyes, I awoke, and it was a dream! But I lay on my soft bed awake for hours, thinking of the money I had wasted on my own pleasures; or my extra clothing, and costly car, and many luxuries; and I realized that I did not know what the words of Jesus meant: "If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me."
I saw in a dream that I was in the Celestial City. I was one of a great multitude from all countries and people and times and ages. I found out that the saint who stood next to me had been in Heaven more than 1,860 years.
"Who are you?" I said to him? We both spoke the same language of Heaven, so we could understand each other.
Said he "I was a Christian who lived in the days of the apostle Paul. I was one of those who died in Nero's persecutions. I was covered with pitch and fastened to a stake and set on fire to light up Nero's gardens."
"How awful!" I exclaimed.
"No," he said. "I was glad to do something for Jesus. He died on the cross for me."
Another man beside me then spoke. "I have been in Heaven only a few hundred years. I came from an island in the South Seas. John Williams a misionary, came and told me about Jesus, and I too learned to love Him. My fellow countrymen killed the missionary and they caught and bound me. I was beaten till i fainted and they thought I was dead, but I revived. Then next day, they knocked me on the head, cooked and ate me."
"How terrible!" I said.
"No," he answered, "I was glad to die as a Christian. You see the missionaries had told me that Jesus was scourged and crowned with thorns for me."
Then they both turned to me and said, "What did you suffer for Him? Or did you sell what you had for the money which sent men like John Williams to tell man kind about Jesus?"
And I was speechless. And while they both were looking at me with sorrowful eyes, I awoke, and it was a dream! But I lay on my soft bed awake for hours, thinking of the money I had wasted on my own pleasures; or my extra clothing, and costly car, and many luxuries; and I realized that I did not know what the words of Jesus meant: "If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me."
Friday, April 01, 2011
Love one another - C.S. Lewis
"Be kind to those who have chosen different doors and to those who are still undecided. If they are wrong, they need your prayers all the more; and if they are your enemies, then you are under orders to pray for them."
C.S. Lewis
C.S. Lewis
Thursday, March 31, 2011
In Pictures - Luke 21
In Pictures - Luke 21
9 When you hear of wars and uprisings, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.”
10 Then he said to them: “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.
11 There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.
25 “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish
and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea.
26 People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken.
27 At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
28 When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
29 He told them this parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. 30 When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. 31 Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.
32 “Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
34 “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life,
and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap.
35 For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth.
36 Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”
36 Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”
A Lesson on Submission
1Peter 5: 5 In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,
“God opposes the proud
but shows favor to the humble.”
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.
James 4:13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.
James 4
1 What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? 2 You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. 3When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Blind Leaders of Blind
On one occasion, Col. Robert G Ingersoll, the agnostic lecturer of the last century, was announced to give an address on Hell. He declared he would prove conclusively that hell was a wild dream of some scheming theologians who invented it to terrify people.
As he was launching into his subject, a half-drunken man arose in the audience and exclaimed: "Make it strong, Bob. There's a lot of us poor fellows depending on you. If you are wrong, we are all lost. So be sure you prove it clear and plain."
If hell is not real, does it matter what sins i commit, for there are no consequences?
But what if hell is real? (Luke 16:19-30)
If all roads lead to heaven, does it matter what my belief is? For couldn't I just believe in my dog?
But what if there is only one road, one way, one path? (John 14:6)
If doing good can lead me to heaven, does it matter how much good I do, for it is sufficient?
But what if I am not doing enough good? Not enough to guarantee me a ticket to heaven? (Romans 3:23)
If the bible teaches of a loving God who loves me dearly, wants me to be reconciled to Him in His eternal joyous Kingdom, wants to take care of me, wants to wipe off every tear that I have ever shed, is willing to accept me into His Kingdom regardless of the evil deeds I have done, is willing to die the most tragic death ever, to save me despite my sin, why am I hardening my heart to reject Him? (Man)
As he was launching into his subject, a half-drunken man arose in the audience and exclaimed: "Make it strong, Bob. There's a lot of us poor fellows depending on you. If you are wrong, we are all lost. So be sure you prove it clear and plain."
Matt 15:14 "If the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch."
If hell is not real, does it matter what sins i commit, for there are no consequences?
But what if hell is real? (Luke 16:19-30)
If all roads lead to heaven, does it matter what my belief is? For couldn't I just believe in my dog?
But what if there is only one road, one way, one path? (John 14:6)
If doing good can lead me to heaven, does it matter how much good I do, for it is sufficient?
But what if I am not doing enough good? Not enough to guarantee me a ticket to heaven? (Romans 3:23)
If the bible teaches of a loving God who loves me dearly, wants me to be reconciled to Him in His eternal joyous Kingdom, wants to take care of me, wants to wipe off every tear that I have ever shed, is willing to accept me into His Kingdom regardless of the evil deeds I have done, is willing to die the most tragic death ever, to save me despite my sin, why am I hardening my heart to reject Him? (Man)
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Sanctus, "I am a Christian"
"I am a Christian."
The young man said nothing else as he stood before the Roman governor, his life hanging in the balance. His accusers pressed him again, hoping to trip him up or force him to recant. But once more, he answered with the same short phrase, "I am a Christian."
It was the middle of the second century, where Christianity was illegal and believers throughout the Roman empire faced the threat of imprisonment, torture or death. Sanctus, a deacon from Vienna, had been arrested and brought to trial. The young man was repeatedly told to renounce his faith. But his resolve was undeterred. "I am a Christian."
When at least it became obvious that he would say nothing else, he was condemned to severe torture and a public death in the amphitheater. On the day of his execution, he was forced to run the gauntlet, subjected to wild beasts, and fastened to a chair of burning iron. Throughout all of it, his accusers kept trying to break him, convinced that his resistance would crack under the pain of torment.
But as Eusebius recounted, "He did not utter a word except the confession he had uttered from the beginning."
His dying words tell of an undying commitment. His rallying cry remained constant throughout his entire trial. "I am a Christian."
Matt 24:13 "But the one who endures to the end, he shall be saved."
The young man said nothing else as he stood before the Roman governor, his life hanging in the balance. His accusers pressed him again, hoping to trip him up or force him to recant. But once more, he answered with the same short phrase, "I am a Christian."
It was the middle of the second century, where Christianity was illegal and believers throughout the Roman empire faced the threat of imprisonment, torture or death. Sanctus, a deacon from Vienna, had been arrested and brought to trial. The young man was repeatedly told to renounce his faith. But his resolve was undeterred. "I am a Christian."
When at least it became obvious that he would say nothing else, he was condemned to severe torture and a public death in the amphitheater. On the day of his execution, he was forced to run the gauntlet, subjected to wild beasts, and fastened to a chair of burning iron. Throughout all of it, his accusers kept trying to break him, convinced that his resistance would crack under the pain of torment.
But as Eusebius recounted, "He did not utter a word except the confession he had uttered from the beginning."
His dying words tell of an undying commitment. His rallying cry remained constant throughout his entire trial. "I am a Christian."
Matt 24:13 "But the one who endures to the end, he shall be saved."
The Parable of the Sower - Retold for a new generation (Matt 13)
Jesus once told his disciples a parable of the sower.
A sower who sowed the seeds of the gospel sowed it across a field.
Guarding against Procrastination (Matt 13:19)
Some of the seeds fell beside the road where birds came and ate them up. The seeds are those who hears the gospel yet do not understand it. The devil comes and snatches away what is in the their hearts.
Are you this seed? Are you still procrastinating in believing the Word of God? Without faith first, can you understand? Has the devil snatched away what's is in your heart?
Being Prepared for Persecution (Matt 13:20-21)
Some of the other seeds fell on rocky places, where the soil is thin. They immediately sprang up because of the thin soil. Yet when the scorching sun shined upon them, they withered away for they had no roots. These seeds are those who hear the gospel with joy immediately. They might make emotional yet superficial commitments to Christ but the commitments are not real. They remain interested till persecution comes and there's a price to pay.
Are you this seed? Will you forsake what you received immediately with joy when persecution, inconvenience, costs, come into the picture?
Godliness in handling Prosperity (Matt 13:22)
There were some other seeds which were sowed among thorns. The seeds grew but were choked out by the thorns. These seeds are those who hears the Word, yet the world's worry and the deceitfulness of wealth choke their understanding of the Word and they become unfruitful. The make superficial commitments without true repentance. Yet, can't break from the love of money and love of the world.
Are you this seed? Are you a friend of the world, yet enemy of God? (James 4:4) Are you the rich ruler who cannot give up his possessions to follow Christ? (Matt 19:16-27)
Wouldn't a prosperity gospel introduce more 'weeds' to choke budding seeds? Why would we introduce more weeds when there are already many as there already is?
Guarding against Barrenness (Matt 13:23)
Finally, there were seeds which fell onto good soil. They are those who hears, and understands. Such bear fruits of repentance and fruits of the Spirit. They bear fruits of thirty fold, sixty fold and a hundred fold.
Are we bearing fruits or are we barren? The good tree bear good fruits. Any other tree is thrown into the fire. As such, only the seeds that grow into fruit bearing plants enter the Kingdom of God.
Which seed are we?
Do we guard against procrastination in believing God's Word or do we thirst for it?
Are we prepared against persecution or fall away when we have to bear the cost?
Do we sow seeds of the gospel or sow weeds of wealth's deceitfulness?
Are we barren plants or good trees that bear good fruits?
For the Master,
Jason
A sower who sowed the seeds of the gospel sowed it across a field.
Guarding against Procrastination (Matt 13:19)
Some of the seeds fell beside the road where birds came and ate them up. The seeds are those who hears the gospel yet do not understand it. The devil comes and snatches away what is in the their hearts.
Are you this seed? Are you still procrastinating in believing the Word of God? Without faith first, can you understand? Has the devil snatched away what's is in your heart?
Being Prepared for Persecution (Matt 13:20-21)
Some of the other seeds fell on rocky places, where the soil is thin. They immediately sprang up because of the thin soil. Yet when the scorching sun shined upon them, they withered away for they had no roots. These seeds are those who hear the gospel with joy immediately. They might make emotional yet superficial commitments to Christ but the commitments are not real. They remain interested till persecution comes and there's a price to pay.
Are you this seed? Will you forsake what you received immediately with joy when persecution, inconvenience, costs, come into the picture?
Godliness in handling Prosperity (Matt 13:22)
There were some other seeds which were sowed among thorns. The seeds grew but were choked out by the thorns. These seeds are those who hears the Word, yet the world's worry and the deceitfulness of wealth choke their understanding of the Word and they become unfruitful. The make superficial commitments without true repentance. Yet, can't break from the love of money and love of the world.
Are you this seed? Are you a friend of the world, yet enemy of God? (James 4:4) Are you the rich ruler who cannot give up his possessions to follow Christ? (Matt 19:16-27)
Wouldn't a prosperity gospel introduce more 'weeds' to choke budding seeds? Why would we introduce more weeds when there are already many as there already is?
Guarding against Barrenness (Matt 13:23)
Finally, there were seeds which fell onto good soil. They are those who hears, and understands. Such bear fruits of repentance and fruits of the Spirit. They bear fruits of thirty fold, sixty fold and a hundred fold.
Are we bearing fruits or are we barren? The good tree bear good fruits. Any other tree is thrown into the fire. As such, only the seeds that grow into fruit bearing plants enter the Kingdom of God.
Which seed are we?
Do we guard against procrastination in believing God's Word or do we thirst for it?
Are we prepared against persecution or fall away when we have to bear the cost?
Do we sow seeds of the gospel or sow weeds of wealth's deceitfulness?
Are we barren plants or good trees that bear good fruits?
For the Master,
Jason
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Are you seed thrown onto rocky soil?
From John MacArthur, Matt 13.
"If your confession of Christ, however you define it, if your confession of Christ, I'm talking about you personally, does not come from a deep inner conviction of your sin, does not come from a deep sense of lostness, does not include a tremendous desire for the Lord to cleanse and purify and lead you, if your confession of Christ does not involve a great hunger for self-denial and self-sacrifice and a willingness to suffer for His sake, then you have no root and it's only a matter of time.
And something will come along and you'll burn up and die, because you're not willing, as Jesus said, to take up the cross and follow Him. And if you're not, you're not worthy to be His ... what? ... His disciple.
Only God can break up that stony heart and if you've got that kind of heart, you need to pray and ask the Lord to do for you what He promised to do for Israel in Ezekiel 36:26 when He said, "I'll take away your stony heart and give you a heart of flesh."
And so, He says there are ... there are these who hear but they never clean out the soil. The world is still there. And money is still there. And that's exactly why Jesus said - You cannot serve God and money ... you either hate the one and love the other or despise the one and cling to the other. That's why John said - If any man love the world, the love of the Father is ... what?... not in him.
You can't be that double-minded man. The soil that is going to produce the fruit must be cleansed of that stuff and that is why I'm so convinced in my heart that true salvation only occurs where there is true repentance...where there's a willingness to deal with sin in the life and that is a marvelous and gracious work of God.
"If your confession of Christ, however you define it, if your confession of Christ, I'm talking about you personally, does not come from a deep inner conviction of your sin, does not come from a deep sense of lostness, does not include a tremendous desire for the Lord to cleanse and purify and lead you, if your confession of Christ does not involve a great hunger for self-denial and self-sacrifice and a willingness to suffer for His sake, then you have no root and it's only a matter of time.
And something will come along and you'll burn up and die, because you're not willing, as Jesus said, to take up the cross and follow Him. And if you're not, you're not worthy to be His ... what? ... His disciple.
Only God can break up that stony heart and if you've got that kind of heart, you need to pray and ask the Lord to do for you what He promised to do for Israel in Ezekiel 36:26 when He said, "I'll take away your stony heart and give you a heart of flesh."
And so, He says there are ... there are these who hear but they never clean out the soil. The world is still there. And money is still there. And that's exactly why Jesus said - You cannot serve God and money ... you either hate the one and love the other or despise the one and cling to the other. That's why John said - If any man love the world, the love of the Father is ... what?... not in him.
You can't be that double-minded man. The soil that is going to produce the fruit must be cleansed of that stuff and that is why I'm so convinced in my heart that true salvation only occurs where there is true repentance...where there's a willingness to deal with sin in the life and that is a marvelous and gracious work of God.
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