Mark 16:15-20 - An Unusual Text

Mark 16:15-20

And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved, but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues, they will pick up serpents and if they drink any deadly poison, it shall not hurt them, they will land hands on the sick, and they will recover." So then, when the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them, and confirmed the word by the signs that followed.

Message: An Unusual Text

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying: The end of Mark is disputed as to whether verses 9-20 were part of the gospel or were added on later. In verse 15, the words are recorded that Jesus is sending His disciples into the world to preach the world. The idea is very similar to Matthew 28:19-20 in which are relayed Jesus' final instructions to his people to do the same, "Go and make disciples."  

So what is this text saying? 

For one, something will have to the person that doesn't believe, "he who has disbelieved shall be condemned." This is a clear statement, but whether in the New Testament or Old Testament there has always been the message of those that are chosen and those that are not. The difference here in these verses is the idea that the chosen one's are not as much ordained by God but have a choice - they can believe or not believe. And yet throughout our Old Testament, even the words or actions of others is part of the plan of God. In our free will choices, God's sovereignty holds true. I still to this day wrestle with idea of free will as I don't understand if we really have it, if God works out our free will choices for His purposes. But I suppose that is another matter to ponder in another lesson. The point here is simply there are the "have's" and the "have not's." There are the saved and there are the condemned. To believe is to believe in the gospel or the good news. 

This gospel I think is more broad than it is narrow. It is the kingdom of God on earth and the kingdom of God one day in heaven. The bottom line is we preach these words of this text and try to hold true to those words and its meaning. Mark started his book by starting with "the beginning of the gospel" by announcing it's coming and in verse 14 Jesus preached the gospel saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand, repent and believe in the gospel." Jesus gives actions - repent and believe. But once again the gospel is not clearly described. There is instead some idea that everything that Jesus says is the gospel. He will give us actions that we will need to do. 

Going back to this text here in March 16 at the end. After Jesus in these words differentiates people into those who believe and those who do not, he now speaks more directly about the fruit of those who believe - basically those that believe will carry out some actions that, in this day and age, are rather supernaturally: 

• in My name they will cast out demons
• they will speak with new tongues
• they will pick up serpents and if they drink any deadly poison, it shall not hurt them, 
• they will land hands on the sick, and they will recover

In other words, these believers will carry out some things that will clearly set them aside as believers. 

Thus, there are some supernatural events that will occur. God works and God will work through His people, for His glory. He will do supernatural things and His people will do them. 

We are followers. Yes. We make responses. Yes. But we also are commissioned to do great things in people's lives. As believers, we will do things that will catch people off guard. We will do things that for some will be great things people see and point people back to God and for others it will only give them reasons to disbelieve more. 

And this passage concludes with a more radical statement, "they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them, and confirmed the word by the signs that followed." We are to go out and preach - everywhere. And as we do this, the Lord is with us and working with us in this preaching and supporting. Yes, he is in heaven, but he is still working. He is with us which means a part of Him must be present with us and to this we will say it is His spirit. And through this working, the words of the Gospel will be confirmed by the signs or the supernatural things we do. 

Look out for the supernatural. It will be in the believer's life. 

Prayer: O God, you are rich in mercy and love. And you want me to be your messenger. I believe and You work. You give me belief in You that is supernatural and in response you will do supernatural things through me. Forgive me God for wanting to only focus on the supernatural and give myself praise for when those events happen. Help me to see that they will happen as we have faith and trust in You. But no matter what keep me focused on preaching the gospel. Keep me focused and thanks for working for me and through me and helping me carry out these truths in our world. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

John 7:32-36 - A Perplexed Opposition

John 7:32-36

32 The Pharisees heard the multitude muttering these things about Him; and the chief priests and the Pharisees sent officers to seize Him. 33 Jesus therefore said, "For a little while longer I am with you, then I go to Him who sent Me. 34 You shall seek Me, and shall not find Me; and where I am, you cannot come." 35 The Jews therefore said to one another, "Where does this man intend to go that we shall not find Him? He is not intending to go to the Dispersion among the Greeks, and teach the Greeks, is He? 36 What is this statement that He said, "You will seek Me, and will not find Me; and where I am, you cannot come?"

Message: A Perplexed Opposition

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)."

What the Lord is Saying: Jesus is in Jerusalem, at the temple and teaching once again that He has been sent by the Father and He is from the Father. He has an origin. He is clearing up some of the confusion at the time that the Messiah or Christ coming will simply appear. But Jesus does have earthly parents and was born but ultimately He is from God. People are still confused. In 32 we pick up the Pharisees hearing that the multitudes voicing their confusion about Jesus. And now they are sending officers to seize Him. But Jesus states that He will remain here with them a little longer. One day He will be seized and people will be looking for Him and not find Him. He will ascend and people will not be able to immediately follow Him. 

Throughout Jesus being on earth and speaking he has spoken in perplexing ways. About being born again, being the Living water, the Bread of Life, during the Feast of Booths it was questions about His identity, and also going to prepare a place for others and that He won't be on this earth long, only for a season and now where He is going, people won't be able to follow. People found his teaching difficult. 

People are still discovering Jesus and who He is and they do not posses the entire picture of Him that we have today. Something to remember as this text is read and we think of the followers of Him and what they are experiencing. 

Summary: As Jesus speaks and continues to speak, people are perplexed by His words. The Pharisees want him seized. But it not yet Jesus' time. He will be on this earth a little longer. 

Promise: In this perplexing times, the Spirit of God is still drawing people and convincing people to believe. May God open people's hearts and minds to His truth. 

Prayer: Thank you God for helping me to know You and for this great study of John and the daily joy of reading and understanding You, in my ways for the first time through this book. You are eternal life and thank you for giving me eternal life through belief and living my life for you. Open people's eyes and give them understanding Spirit of God of who Jesus is and who the Father has sent to save us from our sins. Draw people to yourself. Awaken your church. Raise up people to share your message and speak to the harvest. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.  

John 3:31-34 - The Divine Testimony of Jesus

John 3:31-34

31 “He who comes from above is above all, he who is of the earth is from the earth and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. 32 What He has seen and heard, of that He testifies; and no one receives His testimony. 33 He who has received His testimony has set his seal to this, that God is true. 34 For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for He gives the Spirit without measure.

Message: The Divine Testimony of Jesus

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)."

What the Lord is Saying: John has just mentioned that it is not about him getting the glory and it is Jesus that has descended from heaven and he has the authority. "He must increase, I must decrease." And he mentions, "this joy of mine has been made full." I didn't notice this previously. In decreasing, in Jesus increasing, his joy is made full. This is something I don't think people understand or expect to happen - that is, when we give God the glory and make it all about Him, our joy is full. 

Verse 31, "He who comes from above is above all." Big statement here. Jesus coming from heaven is not simply someone descending from heaven. What is being explained is Jesus is above all. He is distinct. He is different. He is God in flesh. He is the presence of God descended to earth. And it mentions that He is different. He is different that what is on earth, born of earth. John (and I think this is John the Evangelist speaking) provides us information about Jesus. Jesus is different. Humans have limitations. Jesus does not have limitations. Every person born on this earth has a limitation. 

It makes perfect sense to me that Muslims reject this book because it so clearly teaches Jesus as God. And others, like Jehovah's Witnesses, write a different Bible to shed that thinking. And Mormons come up with different meanings. We either accept it or we come up with a substitute or a different version of it. 

Verse 32 is an interesting statement for John says, "No one receives His testimony." No one. So Jesus comes from above, testifies of the above, testifies what He has seen and heard, and no one receives this. No one? Is this, "no one" or "no one yet" or "no good examples?" The tense of this verse is present. Maybe what is going on is, at this moment, no one is believing. So of the group that are before him. 

Going back to chapter 2, John recorded these words in verse 23, "Now when He (Jesus) was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name, beholding His signs which He was doing. But Jesus, on His part, was not entrusting Himself to them, for He knew all men." Perhaps the people before right now are these that are believing and maybe believing because of signs that are occurring, but not really believing Jesus as God in flesh from the presence of God. Maybe that is what is meant by "No one receives His testimony."

My Open Bible refers back to Isaiah 53:3, "He was despised and forsaken of men, a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and like one from whom men hide their face, He was despised, and we did not esteem Him."  

The word here for no one means no one. And yet it seems to be a deep feeling of exaggeration. In John 3:26, John speaks and "He (Jesus) is baptizing, and all are coming to Him." Again, an exaggeration here from John. Not all, but it sure feels like it at the time. 

I think this is important to grasp and look at and remember because there are a lot of absolute statements like this in the Bible. And as we study and look at this words, we need to remember this and think about it and remember, the writers are humans with emotions and yet God is inspiring them to speak and teach and so the words are still infallible. 

The very next verse seems to contradict at first glance as it says, "He who has received His testimony has set his seal to this, that God is true." Yet, this phrase is past tense. The previous verse present tense. Right now, no one seems to accept His testimony, but those who "received" or those have already received His testimony. This is the same received as John 1:12 and those that received became children of God. John seems to be making a point about receiving. And that even at times it is different from believing. This must be intentional. Again, back to John 2:23 and those that believed. And yet John 3:16, they believed. Maybe one is believing in what He did and the other is believing in Him. 

And believing they have, "set his seal to this." They have affixed a seal. This is more permanent. They have been stamped. God is true. That is the stamp. God sends Jesus and He speaks His words (v. 34). "And He gives the Spirit without measure." He has all the fullness of the Spirit. At the baptism, "the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him." The Spirit is at Jesus's disposal. John 20:22, "And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit." Jesus has the Spirit to give to all. 

Summary: Jesus comes from God and is God, different from finite man, speaking the words of God and has the fullness of the Spirit. 

Promise: From Tabletalk, "Many people see Jesus as a wise human teacher, but that is insufficient. He comes from God’s very presence and speaks God’s very words. To fail to obey Jesus is to fail to obey God, so let us seek this day and every day to obey our Savior."

Prayer: Father God, your word is alive. It speaks and conveys clarity to me. It is thrilling to read and study and understand. Thank you for John and the special way he speaks and thank you Holy Spirit for illuminating me with understand. Keep me humble and certain that You are the one. Thank you for those that came before me and through study and understanding help me to understand. These are your ambassadors, indwelt by Your Spirit. What a joy it is to now study with them. Thank you for your word and the consistency of it. Help me to understand it more and impart it to many. Praise you God. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's. 

John 3:11-13 - The Witness of Jesus

John 3:11-13

11 Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know and testify of what we have seen, and you do not accept our testimony. 12 If I told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven, but He who descended from heaven: the Son of Man.

Message: The Witness of Jesus

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)."

What the Lord is Saying: Jesus is continuing to speak to Nicodemus. Nicodemus begins by acknowledging that Jesus has come from God clearly because of the signs he is doing. Jesus sort of switches gears and tells him that to enter the kingdom of God he must be born again. This doesn't make sense to Nicodemus. Jesus clarifies and speaks that one must be born of water and the Spirit. It is the Spirit that awakens people to having this desire to be born again. Nicodemus does not understand. Jesus remarks he is a teacher and does not understand. 

Then today we pick up Jesus continuing to speak. He says, "we speak of what we know" and "testify and what we have seen." And yet Nicodemus does "not accept our testimony." Interesting he says, "we" and "our." And Jesus explains further and contrasts between earthly things and heavenly things and Nicodemus not believing either. And then speaks of descending from Heaven: the Son of Man, which I think is the first time Jesus refers to himself as the Son of Man here in John. 

In verse 13, Jesus remarks that "no one has ascended into heaven" and then come back to earth to explain it. But he says that "He who descended from heaven - the Son of Man." He himself had come from heaven to earth to tell all about heaven. Thus, Jesus has been granted special insight into the mind of God. 

In verse 12, Jesus remarks about learning and understand and that before you can understand the heavenly things you must understand the basic or earthly things. 

Summary: Jesus testifies that He has come from heaven to speak of the things of God. We must know the basics to understand the heavenly things. 

Promise: We must trust what Jesus says about matters both basic and advanced, so let us seek to receive Him at His Word always.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, you have given me new life, and I am born again, believing in You. Thank you for informing me and teaching me and testifying of God so that I can understand all that He is. Glory to Your Name on High. 

Hebrews 12:18-28 - Heavenly Worship

Hebrews 12:18-28 - 18 For you have not come to a mountain that can be touched and to a blazing fire, and to darkness and gloom and whirlwind, 19 and to the blast of a trumpet and the sound of words which sound was such that those who heard begged that no further word be spoken to them. 20 For they could not bear the command, “If even a beast touches the mountain, it will be stoned.” 21 And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, “I am full of fear and trembling.” 22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, 23 to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel.

25 See to it that you do not refuse Him who is speaking. For if those did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape who turn away from Him who warns from heaven. 26 And His voice shook the earth then, but now He has promised, saying, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth, but also the heaven.” 27 This expression, “Yet once more,” denotes the removing of those things which can be shaken, as of created things, so that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe;

Message: Heavenly Worship

Time: Hebrews was written to a group of Christians who had suffered in the past and were now threatened with even more suffering. They'd done well years ago, but the author of Hebrews feared that they might now turn away from Christ to avoid further persecution. The opinions on the author of Hebrews has varied.

What the Lord is Saying: Last month I made some progress in studying scripture and completing these studies in Tabletalk. But, I had a little shift occur on July 31st at church, realizing that I had not been praying like I should and need to pray. So my morning time in the Word has been interrupted of late by spending more time praying. I do this by walking about 15-20 minutes in the morning. I suppose I get a little distracted by morning activities and often pulling weeds in the yard, a practice that continues year after year. But that prayer time has been good, though now I look at this passage of scripture to study and wonder how long it will take me to get through it. 

At first glace, I read this passage and scratch my head, wondering what it is saying. It is from that book of Hebrews which to me has often been a book that bridged or brought themes from the Old Testament more than any other book of the New Testament though they all do it. It is probably the book of the New Testament that has been preached the least. I took a moment and found my favorite preacher/teacher, Tommy Nelson having done a study through Hebrews during quarantine time in 2020: https://dentonbible.org/media/media-library/view-series/qbs-hebrews/ - I listened to a lesson from him on the way into work, but that lesson was more focused on the latter part of this text where it seems the first is what is speaking more of heaven. 

The idea from Tabletalk is when we worship on earth, we are also worshipping in heaven. That true worship, by the Spirit moves us into a realm that is not carnal, not earthly. While we are here on earth singing and being in worship, we are practicing something that will be foundational in heaven. Revelation is often viewed as the end times book or the book of heaven and in this book "worship" is mentioned 24 times. Revelation 7:9 leads us up to the throne of God and it is here where worship seems central. 

Hebrews 12 begins with the idea that the Christian will "run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus." Thus, our life is lived in such a way that we are worshipping Him as we live - our eyes fixed on Jesus. Is this not what praise should be about as we gather - giving praise to Jesus. Now the text goes on to mention discipline and its importance. And then it tells us to pursue peace with men which to me speaks of evangelism and bringing us all under the unity of Christ. But then verse 18 begins to speak more fully of coming into the presence of God. In verse 22, we come to Mount Zion, to to the city of the living God. Isaiah 8:18 says The Lord of Hosts who dwells on Mount Zion. Psalm 74:2 which says, Mount Zion, where Thou hast dwelt. 

And thus in verse 18 we read "For you have not come to a mountain that may be touched." The substance of man and God are different. We have this respect when we enter into the presence of God. And here we enter Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem...and to the spirit of righteous men made perfect. And then in verse 18, embracing Jesus, since Jesus is present (v. 24) we show gratitude, offering to God and acceptable service with reverence and awe.  

And thus our worship enters this heavenly realm, Mount Zion, where God, where Jesus resides. 

Summary: The city of the living God is mount Zion, in heaven and so when we worship God we enter into this heavenly city while we are also here on earth. 

Promise: Our worship should be worthy of heaven itself because we are actually worshipping in heaven every Lord's day. 

Prayer: O Lord, I appreciate this lesson so that I can remember that worship is heavenly, that as I enter into worship, I enter into the presence of God. It makes sense to me that worship is in a beautiful place like a stately church or the creation of God in the outdoors. These places beg us to worship because we enter them with a reverence for you as we enter where you reside, where you live. Help me Lord to realize that I can sing out to you in these places. Thank you that worship can be done anywhere. I marvel at how songs can sort of transport me to a heavenly place. I thank you for voices and instruments that played to you clearly glorify You. Thank you for prayer and the joy of praying and being with others in prayer and how this is worship. 

Ephesians 4:9-10 - Christ Ascended

Ephesians 4:9-10

(Now this expression, "He ascended," what does it mean except that He also had descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.) 

Message: Christ Ascended

Time: Paul wrote this letter sometime in AD 60-61 after having spent time in Ephesus, a city that housed a temple for the Greek Goddess Artemis, at the end of his 2nd missionary journey and then for 2 years during his 3rd missionary journey. Many came to faith in Ephesus and this book is focused on faith and the practice of our faith - and that can be applied to any circumstance. 

What the Lord is Saying:

In the last several lessons, I have looked at Christ's atoning sacrifice on the cross, paying the penalty for my sins, one of his called ones, and also that he rose from the dead. After Jesus paid the penalty for sins, he conquered death. Romans 6:23 says the wages of sin is death and even with Jesus taking on sin resulted in death, but my salvation is found in the fact that He conquered death and rose from the dead as I learned in the verse from I Corinthians that in Christ all will be made alive. True and complete life is found in Christ. So what is next? After God raised Jesus from the dead that yielded our new life in Christ, Christ ascended to heaven. Jesus is Savior and He is King. 

There are examples of people in the Bible that did not die, but went straight to heaven (Enoch, Elijah, Serah, but Jesus died and then he was taken to heaven by God and exalted to the right hand of God (Acts 2:33). The right hand is a symbol of strength and authority. In Philippians it is written - God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth. When God created the world, the Jewish term for the universe is the heavens and the earth which is the phrase used in Genesis 1:1 and so in this verse Jesus is God's right hand Man, that every knee will bow to all in the universe (in heaven and earth). And He will reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet (I Cor 15:25). So this is the reality of His ascension - Christ dies, is resurrected and then goes on to the right hand of the father to have authority over all. As the hymn goes, "All to Jesus I surrender, All to Him I freely give; I will ever love and trust Him, In His presence daily live."

Now, this passage in Ephesians also speaks that he might fill all things (Eph 4:10). When Jesus ascended to heaven He said, But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. Though Christ in in heaven, he has sent us the Holy Spirit so that Christ can still be present with His people here on earth. This allows us to be in community with Christ in His humanity wherever we live. 

I continue to be reminded and instructed in the work of the Holy Spirit today in my life. For by the Spirit Christ bridges the distance between me and His physical presence in heaven. So God is with us, always and still. 

Promise: Christ's ascension makes it possible for people all over the world to commune with Him still. Christ is present with us, by His Spirit so that God will continue to conform us to the image of His Son.

Prayer: Thank you God for being Lord and King over all. Thank you Jesus for going to prepare a place for me and the joy of being with you for eternity. Thank you Holy Spirit for speaking to me each day and living in my life and testifying of the truth of Jesus in my life. Continue to work in me to be your ambassador and help me to be a blessing to those you place in my life. 

 

Note: I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional, though I am a little behind and working through 2017 devotionals. 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines celebrating the 500th year of the Reformation. The month of May is about solus Christus - Christ Alone; April was about salvation by grace alone; March about the sovereign providence of God; February was about the doctrine of revelation and the various aspects of the doctrine of Scripture that sola Scriptura seeks to preserve; January was about the doctrine of God.

- Attributes of Jesus - The Divine Nature of Christ meaning Jesus is God, the God-Man, God became man, The Human Nature of Christ Jesus has the qualities of man (hunger, needing rest, not knowing future events, being tempted), Jesus the Last Adam as Adam was our federal head in ushering all sin to man, Jesus makes all alive for those in Christ, Jesus the True Israel as Israel was called by God to be His true messenger, but Jesus is the one that truly fulfilled this call, Jesus the Messiah is the One that rescues and delivers His people

- The Word of Jesus - Obedience in Childhood reminds us that each day Jesus grew in obedience and favor with God, Obedience in Baptism showed Jesus fulfilled all righteousness, as John had been baptizing all new believers, Obedience in Temptation - like men called by God before, Jesus is tempted, but he resists and defends Himself with scripture, showing perfect obedience, Obedience under the Law as Christ was born under the Law, and kept the Law perfectly to redeem man, Obedience in Suffering as even in suffering Jesus learned obedience, a sinless man suffering for sinners, 

- His Titles - Christ Our Prophet, speaking for God, with divine inspiration, His words absolutely trustworthy and never fail to accomplish His purposes, Christ the Priest, clearing the way for human beings to approach the Father in heaven through prayer, Christ Our King is King of Kings, the last and final monarch of our lives for He did it all, 

- His Atonement - In Penal Substitution the penalty is paid by a substitute and Jesus paid the penalty of sin, once for all, and with Particular Atonement is the reminder that Jesus had me in my mind when He went to the cross, not everyone, but only those who will hear His voice. Christ Resurrected reminds me that only through the resurrection am I truly saved and sealed for eternity with Him by faith and now Christ ascension whereby our King ascends to heaven to rule at the right hand of God and sends the Holy Spirit so that Christ can continue to be present with His people on earth. 

Ephesians 2:1-9 - The Grace of Regeneration

Ephesians 2:1-9
1 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, 2 in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. 3 Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Message: The Grace of Regeneration

Time: Paul wrote the letter to the Ephesians sometime in AD 60–61, around the same time he wrote Colossians and Philemon. Ephesians deals with topics at the core of being a Christian - faith and practice, no matter the situation.

What the Lord is Saying:

John Calvin comments that every part of salvation is authored by God. This includes even our decision to believe. As we grow more independent and seemingly more self-sufficient, this type of thinking that 'God does it all' is actually quite offensive to the world in which we live and naturally they resist it. It also seems to me that the Gospel or Truth is not that clearly spoken in our churches. Even in my own life, I am not sure if sharing the Gospel is a major focus of mine.

The last couple of studies that I have had on these subjects of grace have been significant. What I realized last time is man's fallen condition makes him incapable of making a choice for righteousness. Thus, our salvation is entirely about God. I still have free will and the power to choose but in relation to my salvation I don't have the means to choose salvation, thus God draws me.

I think in many ways we fear the real message of the Gospel which chooses some, but not most for salvation. That's the truth of the doctrine, but we as his followers do not who has been chosen and he still wants us to spread this gospel and speak to people.

As this passage make clear in Ephesians it is all God. Man's life is contrary to God. We are sinners. The Way of the Master presentation is significant because it takes a moment to do something simple and radical for this day and age - it helps people see that they are sinners. And sinners need God to intervene and save them.

Ephesians 2 presents tough words about the condition of man:

• Dead in your sins
• Lived in the lust of our flesh
• Indulging the desires of the flesh and mind
• By nature children of wrath
• even as the rest

This is the condition of man. And this condition makes us incapable of coming out of it. Our nature is a child of wrath - our nature. We stand in opposition to God. The work of salvation is entirely God:

• Rich in mercy
• His great love
• Made us alive together with Christ
• Raised up with Him
• Seated us with Him in the heavenly places
• Saved by faith not ourselves
• It is the gift of God

The shift from man's condition to seated in the heavenly places is entirely God. I think this is why the diagram of the expanse between man and God and that Jesus provides the bridge is a good one because it shows that this big jump from lawlessness to righteousness is significant. It is a huge leap that man cannot make on his own. Yet, man is still a person made in the image of God. Man is not necessarily incapable of acts of righteousness. But, practicing acts of righteousness and being declared righteous are two very different things. I think we have this naturally tendency (and it is growing) to think that our practicing acts of righteousness will at some point merit salvation. I have heard people say and I have even thought that the sins I have committed in the past are not sins today. I am getting better, but getting better still doesn't mean salvation is in our grasps.

So people will do good things. They will show compassion to the poor and needy. They will restore homes and give to those in need. We have a country that is very aware of those that are hurting and helps them. But we cannot think that all of these good deeds makes us deserving at some point of salvation. This is contrary to our world-based thinking that hard work results in a reward. Most certainly giving to others yields the result of making us feel good about ourselves and that we have in a small part helped out a person in need.

The part we have in all of this is seen as having faith - For by grace you have been saved through faith. Yet, it would seem that regeneration and being made new has already happened at that point and the declaration by us of faith is a formality.

Promise: God is God and man is man. The two are separate entities. Man in his condition is fallen and that fallen condition is incapable of making the jump to being declared righteous. Man sinned and became like God, but this does not mean that gaining the tree of life was not of his own doing. God needs to make this happen.

Prayer: O God my Father, thank you for saving me. It is all you. None of it is me. My works are filthy rags in your eyes. You are rich in mercy and have great love and have made me alive together with Christ. You have raised me up with Jesus and I am seated with Him in the heavenly places. That is a done deal. You see me as completely accepted as completely loved and completely in Christ. Thus, in your eyes my position in the heavenly places is a done deal. Thank you God for saving me. I will never understand it and never should I.


Note: I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional, though I am a little behind and working through 2017 devotionals. 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines celebrating the 500th year of the Reformation. The month of April is about salvation by grace alone. March was about the sovereign providence of God; February was about the doctrine of revelation and the various aspects of the doctrine of Scripture that sola Scriptura seeks to preserve; January is about the doctrine of God.

Psalm 19:1-6 - Natural Revelation

Psalm 19:1-6
1 The heavens are telling of the glory of God;
And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.
2 Day to day pours forth speech,
And night to night reveals knowledge.
3 There is no speech, nor are there words;
Their voice is not heard.
4 Their line has gone out through all the earth,
And their utterances to the end of the world.
In them He has placed a tent for the sun,
5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber;
It rejoices as a strong man to run his course.
6 Its rising is from one end of the heavens,
And its circuit to the other end of them;
And there is nothing hidden from its heat.
Message: Natural Revelation

Time: The psalms were written by many different people across a period of a thousand years in Israel's history. They are thought to have been compiled and put together in their present form by some unknown editor shortly after the captivity ended about 537 B.C.

What the Lord is Saying:

The Protestant Reformation wanted to return the church to its commitment to Scripture as the only infallible authority. The problem that had occurred is human traditions had supplanted the revealed Word of God. The Protestant Reformation occurred about 500 years ago. This is the same time period in which the whole Bible began to be translated into Germany and English after the printing press was invented in 1436. Portions of the Bible had been translated previously from the Latin Vulgate.

Prior to this time, it was the charge of monks to copy Scripture and this process generally took 1000's of hours. As such, it was common for only certain people to have the scripture and therefore Scripture was often told to you rather than read yourself. This often resulted in interpretations and sometimes human traditions of what people thought the scripture meant to be applied.

Revelation from God is generally broken down as either natural revelation or special revelation. Natural revelation refers to revelation towards humanity in general. It is also called general revelation. Special revelation is wherein God speaks directly to his people through a prophet or an Apostle.

Natural revelation is referenced in Psalm 19:1 - The heavens are telling of the glory of God;
And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands. As one looks up to the sky, to see above, the heavens, the view of them declare God's glorious being or existence. It speaks to the work of God's hands. Each person upon seeing the expanse of the sky, the heavens, sees a vast and spacious expanse, richly adorned with stars and planets -- all of it declares the work of His hands. All people are left without excuse when they can see before their eyes the created work of God. 

I've always loved the words of Paul in Romans 1:19-20 - that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.

The changing of day to night, one after the other, continually means that there is a constant, daily, throughout the day communication by God of Himself. Day to day pours forth speech,
And night to night reveals knowledge. There is no voice to be heard, but the communication is still there. There is no speech, nor are there words; Their voice is not heard.

Promise: As we speak truth, we can always appeal to creation as proof of His existence. We can use God's natural revelation to point to Him.

Prayer: Lord, I have always been partial to the fact that Your creation testifies to who you are. I've always loved the words of Paul that express this. It is the creation that we have before our eyes each day - before we even utter a word or hear a word - that expresses You. Perhaps it is the simpleton to me, the person that was adverse to learning growing up and reading, and the knowledge that springs forth without a word being uttered. I'm thankful for how you communicate to us through your creation. Thank you that the sky above, the heavens are telling of the Glory of God. It is sort of painful that people don't see this. It is painful that they don't realize what you are speaking right before their eyes. We see the creativity of each person and each person's appearance. And we see the creativity in our land and all the different places of beauty that there are throughout our world. There is uniqueness in each part of the World. Lord, thank you for the display of Your Glory in creation. 

Note: I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional, though I am a little behind and working through 2017 devotionals. 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines with February being about the doctrine of revelation and the various aspects of the doctrine of Scripture that sola Scriptura seeks to preserve. 

I Chronicles 16:25-26 - Yahweh and the gods of the peoples

I Chronicles 16:25-26
25 25 For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;
He also is to be feared above all gods.
26 For all the gods of the peoples are idols,
But the Lord made the heavens.

Message: Yahweh and the gods of the peoples

Time: 1 Chronicles has a mystery writer and focuses on David's reign though doesn't repeat David's sin with Bathsheba. It was written in the time of Ezra and Nehemiah or 538-333 BC while the Jews were dispersed throughout Persia, some having returned from Israel. The book lists genealogies, priests, Levites, armies, temple officials, and other leaders of various ministries and devotes significant attention to proper worship of Yahweh and adherence to the regulations of the Law. It focuses on obedience that results in God’s blessing, the priority of the temple and priesthood, and the unconditional promises to the house of David.

What the Lord is Saying:

Contrary to other belief systems, Christianity (as well as Judaism and Islam) hold to a belief of one God. But, other religions one God is different from the biblical God. So it begs the question are there other gods? This verse in 1 Chronicles states that the Lord is to be feared above all gods for all the gods of the peoples are idols. It seems that there are other gods that people to try to worship. Idols are images such as wood or a statue that people worship. But these are not to be worshiped as God. It is true that people do recognize other gods but these gods are not real.

I Corinthians 8:4-6 states - Therefore concerning the eating of things sacrificed to idols, we know that there is no such thing as an idol in the world, and that there is no God but one. For even if there are so-called gods whether in heaven or on earth, as indeed there are many gods and many lords, yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him.

It seems clear that on one hand there is only one true God and the other gods mentioned in history are another sort of supernatural being, a pretender to the throne of the Almighty. There may be other gods mentioned but they are not the same as the one God. So if there is only one God and yet these other gods are mentioned then what are these other gods? They are demons. I Corinthians 10:20 - the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to God; and I do not want you to become sharers in demons. So demons are worshiped under such names as Krishna, Baal, and even Allah. Thus Allah is not God. It may be touted as the same god just with a different name but it is in fact a different god. There is no god equal to the God of the Bible.

While the Bible does acknowledge other gods that man attempts to worship, these gods are not real because they are not the one true God. They are instead impostors and instead demons. The worship of idols is actually the worship of devils. The devil has set up these alternate forms of worship in order to distract people from the one true God. Again, our culture often doesn't view this. In the name of tolerance in our day and age, we therefore think that all of the gods of this world are equally valid and all end up in the same place. But, the God of the Bible is unique and set apart and therefore separate from all other claimed gods and in face those gods are not gods in the same sense because again there is only one God. It's really a sobering truth because I think I have a hard time seeing all of these people and there are millions, if not billions in history that worship these other gods. Even in the world of Catholicism that seems to add physical people and rise them to the level of an idol.

But there is only one creator. And that creator is to be worshiped. People everywhere are caught up in the supernatural. It is a hard line to stand at times because we struggle more and more stating that so many people have false beliefs.

Couched in these verses are the words For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised and the Lord made the heavens. These verses represent a Psalm of David found here in I Chronicles 16:8-36.

Promise: As Christians we serve the only true God and need never fear the enemy.

Prayer: God, you are it. You are the only God. I give thanks to You and I call upon Your name. Lord, I want to make known your deeds, your work to all. I sing to You and sing Praises to you. What you have done I sing. I glory in Your holy name. I see You and therefore am glad. I see you Lord. You are strong. I look to You continually. Lord, remove the blinders that are on so many people. So many have been trained to think a way that is not true. As I sat in church yesterday I thought of how many came come to church, go through confession and worship and yet never really look inward and see that the Christian is not simply worship but it is admitting a need for life change. We come to You Lord to get a right understanding of who we are. We need You. I need to change. I need daily to be different. Lord, there is such a danger today of people thinking they don't need change. But when we see Love as it is, we see that we are not true people of love. O God, you are the only God and I worship You. Help me be true to Your name as I live in this world.

Note: I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional. 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines with January being about the doctrine of God.

Mark 16:19 - Ascension and Session

Mark 16:19
So then, when the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.

Message: Ascension and Session

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying:

Preface - Jesus is crucified and then rises again. He appears to a woman first and it is women that first hear of him. He appears later to 2 of the disciples and then the rest and starts out by speaking a work of reproof towards them because they did not believe others. His complaint was over the hardness of their hearts in not even giving others an opportunity to present their evidence. But, he commissions them to preach the gospel, telling them that belief is followed with baptism as unbelief is followed with condemnation. He remarks that a believers life will simply look different and that person will be able to do things, radical things, and have a radical effect on other people's lives.

Jesus had declared that eventually He would sit at the right hand of God. Back in chapter 14 when He was taken before His accusers, Jesus answered the question of whether he was the Christ, the Son of God with I am; and you shall see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.” Jesus had an eternal position with God. And following His speaking with the disciples the writer here remarks So then, when the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. 

Some may have thought that Jesus was appearing to them and now would be with them again and walk with them. But, Jesus clearly has a purpose that goes beyond His time on earth. His crucifixion and resurrection fulfilled His mission on earth - to be offered as the Lamb of God and conquer sin. Jesus bore the wrath of God on the cross. In the end, it killed Him. But, days later He rose. Sin had not defeated Him. It did kill him but it didn't defeat Him for He rose again. The resurrection is central to the gospel message.

I've noticed in our world today that much of life is about living a good life. The message of tolerance has invaded our church to the point that we no longer contrast the sinner and the saved. Our church songs and worship songs are focused more on enjoying God's presence and glorifying God. It is less and less about confronting our culture with the message of the Gospel - that God hates sin, but God loves sinners. Jesus spent much of His time on earth correcting thinking. He challenged the thinking that goodness is found in keeping a set of rules. Instead He preached that we need to embrace the rule-keeper. Our sins must be forgiven and can be forgiven once and for all. Once this happens we are to live for Him which means following Him in however He commissions us.

Jesus would eventually leave earth and go to sit at the right hand of God. Even as He walked on the earth His authority was different. He spoke of it often and he showed His authority in casting out demons, raising people from the dead, walking on the water, calming storms. Today, Jesus still has authority over our lives and wants us to continue to change our world. I'm concerned instead that we are being changed by our world.

In reality, Jesus is presently seating at the right hand of God. He has previously descended to earth but now He takes up His home with God. In the future there will be judgment but for now He resides, as a person of the trinity, with God. Jesus lived on earth to speak to us. It says So then, when the Lord Jesus had spoken to them. The author could have been really only speaking of His most recent conversation with the disciples but in reality Jesus had spent His time on earth speaking to us. God in flesh was speaking to His creation in flesh, walking with them, experiencing what they experience, showing them a different way of living.

He was received up into heaven - He had completed the work on earth. He had lived, been accused, defended Himself, but still declared guilty, received punishment, mocked, crushed, and then received the complete wrath of God and felt the rejection by God in the process, and died. It was over, finished. But then as He predicted He rose again. He commissioned His disciples to now carry on the message. And He was received into heaven. His work was done. As in the creation story, after 7 days there was rest or rather there was the realization that everything had been done. We rest often declaring that there is nothing more that needs to be done. Christ did it all. And we can rest.

He sat down at the right hand of God. What a comfort it is to know that Jesus sits at the right hand of God. He is not shaken or stirred by the events of this world. He is steadfast and firmly planted at the right hand of God. He cried aloud, "It is finished." He remains at the right hand of God now as our intercessor.

Summary - Jesus work on this earth is complete. And witness to this is his ascension into heaven and then a seat at the right hand of the Father.

Promise: Only One deserves unquestioned allegiance - Jesus Christ. Let us resolve in our hearts now that we will serve Him as Lord of all so that we will be prepared to stand if we must ever suffer for our faith.

Prayer: Lord, you came to this earth, not because you had to but you did to walk with us and show us yourself and more clearly what it means to live with God. Emmanuel is God with us and you did that, you came to us. I am forever grateful. I am forever changed. Lord, help me to not acquiesce into this world and become a part of it. It wants to bend me in its direction. And Lord, out of own concern now for safety and comfort, relaxing and entertainment, I find myself often not living a manner that I believe you have called me to live: a radical life. Lord, I want to obey You.

Mark 14:61-62 - The Son of Man at The Right Hand of Power

Mark 14:61-62
61 But He kept silent and did not answer. Again the high priest was questioning Him, and saying to Him, “Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?” 62 And Jesus said, “I am; and you shall see THE SON OF MAN SITTING AT THE RIGHT HAND OF POWER, and COMING WITH THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN.”

Message: The Son of Man at The Right Hand of Power

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying:

Preface - Jesus has appeared before the Sanhedrin court after being seized under the cover of darkness by the elders, priests, and scribes. Witnesses have been brought to the court as they seek evidence against Jesus. The only item mentioned is Jesus stating that the temple will come down in 3 days, though this was referring to His body, the temple and not a literal temple. Throughout all of this He (Jesus) kept silent and did not answer. Silence was actually a fulfillment of prophecy (Isaiah 53:7). Peter and John have followed him to the courts to watch, after initially fleeing from the scene when Jesus was arrested.

The court scene is continuing to occur. Again the high priest was questioning Him. Up to now Jesus had been silent. There was no reason to speak for he was completely innocent of everything. But the high priest continues to question Jesus, which is what the high priest(s) have been doing often over the last 3 years. The high priest was saying to Him, "Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?" The question presented is whether Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God. Mark doesn't use the name God but instead refers to God as the Blessed One, which was common at this time because the name of God should not be mentioned or the Jewish people often wouldn't use the name of God.

Jesus responds now for the first time with "I am" affirming that what has been said is correct. He didn't respond when things were said to Him that were not true. But now he responds with a quote from the Old Testament as was often the way Jesus responded to questions. Jesus says and you shall see THE SON OF MAN SITTING AT THE RIGHT HAND OF POWER, and COMING WITH THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN.” He uses the name Son of Man which was the most common way that he addressed himself. But the Son of Man that he is quoting from Daniel is also referring to God incarnate so He is claiming Himself to be God. Daniel 7:13 says, "I kept looking in the night visions, And behold, with the clouds of heaven One like a Son of Man was coming, And He came up to the Ancient of Days And was presented before Him." Psalm 110:1 also says, "A Psalm of David. The LORD says to my Lord: "Sit at My right hand Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet." So there is a combination of these verses and the sentiment from Jesus of the prophecy of himself.

Jesus uses words from the Old Testament that are clearly prophecies of the Messiah and His position before God and how He will come in the future. He is stating that He is the Messiah and aligning Himself with God.

Summary - Jesus responds to the answer from the chief priest, most likely Caiaphas about whether Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, Son of God. Jesus responds for the first time with the affirmative because what is asked of him is a valid question with an affirmative response.

Promise: Jesus affirms his deity, his purpose and that he is the Messiah.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for confirming who you are, the Son of Man, the son of God, the Messiah as predicted. Help me Lord to always proclaim You as such. It saddens me to see how you are put forth and projected in our world today. Forgive me for sitting there and laughing along with it. Be praised God. I do want to praise Your name.

Mark 13:27-31 - Within A Generation

Mark 13:27-31
27 And then He will send forth the angels, and will gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest end of the earth to the farthest end of heaven.
28 “Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. 29 Even so, you too, when you see these things happening, recognize that He is near, right at the door. 30 Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.

Message: Within A Generation

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying:

Preface - Jesus is speaking of the future as he delivers what is now been called the Olivet Discourse. The language here can be difficult at times to comprehend, as far as exactly the events that Jesus is predicting and their timing. Up to this point much has been thought to occur by AD 70 which is the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem and then the wiping out of the Jewish Nation and how it will be replaced with the Gospel Church following Christ's substitution death on the Cross at Calvary. 

Perhaps the best way to interpret the previous passage - 13:24-26 is to say that it is simply the change from one era to another. Figurative, apocalyptic language is being used and often this language refers to falls of empires in the Bible and beginnings of new empires. So rather than thinking that in verse 26 it states that Jesus is coming in the clouds and this means His Second Coming it refers to him coming as the Messiah and the Jewish nation understanding this, for the first time. Jesus has come. Jesus is here. God to the earth. God to the whole world. Thus the destruction of the Jewish temple in AD 70 meant that the times of the Jews ended. Jesus told them to flee from Jerusalem immediately and thus flee from what they have known all along. And now salvation will come to all, but namely the Gentiles realizing that Salvation has come to the Jews. But Jesus has been stating and sort of judging the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem for not allowing the Gentiles to be welcomed into the temple. His death on the cross forces this to occur and the destruction of the temple is another way that it ushers in a new era.

And then He will send forth the angels, and will gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest end of the earth to the farthest end of heaven. This is perhaps that now that Jerusalem is broken up, churches will be formed and planted among the Gentiles, to the uttermost parts of the earth, the globe.

He then brings up the fig tree again. He came upon the fig tree as He entered Jerusalem, and seeing its leaves he expected fruit, but in fact saw none, so he cursed the fig tree for not bearing fruit. But now He brings a different message from the fig tree. The messages here is as soon as the disciples perceived the signs of Christ's coming, they were to learn that he was close at hand, as certainly as the ripening fruit of the fig tree showed that summer was at hand. And then this statement this generation will not pass away until all these things take place speaks to the fact that this Olivet Discourse is fulfilled in this generation, thus by AD 70 and the passage seems to signify events that are taking place now. The temple will be destroyed and then the church will be sent out from Jerusalem, to the earth. All would be fulfilled in the 1st century.

Then Jesus provides the strongest language stating that his words, his mission, his plan is not temporary, but eternal. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away. He utters his divine authority here. Cambridge Bible Commentary states - But as we look across the centuries we see how it has been realized. His words have passed into laws, they have passed into doctrines, they have passed into proverbs, they have passed into consolations, but they have never “passed away.” What human teacher ever dared to claim an eternity for his words?

Summary - This has been a difficult text at times, but the Olivet Discourse predicts a time that is coming and Jesus is wanting to ease the minds of his disciples and followers. They are not to be frightened, but confident in the future. His message is not temporal. It will go forth to the ends of the earth. His gospel message will be proclaimed and churches will be planted. Man-made institutions will pass away but His Truth, His Words will never pass away.

Promise: We are to take the gospel to all peoples.

Prayer: Lord, I try to learn and study these truths somewhat quickly, in a morning right now and yet Your Words speak of eternity and Your plan forever. You Lord are on the throne and I can always trust in You and depend on You. Continue to help me encourage others and be a light in people's lives. Thank you for the promise of Your kingdom. Continue to give me understanding of your words as I read them and illuminate me. 

Mark 13:24-26 - Signs in the Heavens

Mark 13:24-26
24 “But in those days, after that tribulation, THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED AND THE MOON WILL NOT GIVE ITS LIGHT, 25 AND THE STARS WILL BE FALLING from heaven, and the powers that are in the heavens will be shaken. 26 Then they will see THE SON OF MAN COMING IN CLOUDS with great power and glory.

Message: Signs in the Heavens

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying:

Preface - Jesus continues to speak. He has been speaking about the coming destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem and then how the believers there would need to flee the City to the mountains to preserve their lives. False teachers will try to get them to stay, but they are not to be fooled by them for they must remember the message and teaching of the true Messiah - Jesus Christ.

Jesus now comments about what will occur, in those days, after that tribulation. The tribulation here is referring to the events around the destruction of the Temple. At this point Jesus has already died on the cross, risen from the dead and the temple has been destroyed. Jesus now predicts His Second Coming. Or is it about this? The Olivet Discourse has been controversial for it is a prophecy and there has been a struggle in understanding its meaning and application.

Jesus now discusses the dissolution of the Jewish State or the governing system that the Jews were apart of up to this point. They had their own government but now it was going away. The glory, excellence, and prosperity of the Jewish nation will go away and instead their will be universal sadness.

Jesus quotes from the ideas of Isaiah 13:10 and Ezekiel 32:7 - THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED AND THE MOON WILL NOT GIVE ITS LIGHT - which speak of the destruction of Babylon. Out with the Jewish Nation and in with the Gospel Church.

But this language could also point to God's judgment on Jerusalem for rejecting the Messiah.

Up to this point, it has been interpreted that much of what Jesus had been saying would be fulfilled in the 1st century, by AD 70. But others have thought that, in Matthew 24:29, which is a parallel discourse of this passage, it states Immediately after the distress of those days whereas Mark says But in those days, after that tribulation. The world immediately could take on the meaning of now or even of a thousand years being a day which is common to think about since God sits outside of time. And though we are living in the constraints of time and feel like it is a long day to Christ's second coming, for God it can be immediately.

So I think now of someone coming to me and asking me for the interpretation of this passage and I believe my response would be that there is not one definitive interpretation that numerous people consistently agree with. I therefore defer to others more astute in the study of this passage.

Jesus concludes this by quoting from Daniel 7:13-14 - THE SON OF MAN COMING IN CLOUDS Jesus is coming like a son of man but with all of the majesty of God. If anything what we know from these words is Jesus acknowledging himself as the true Messiah. This was a known passage of Jewish leaders to speak of the Messiah coming. I think one thing we can know from this is Jesus is expressing with clarity that He is the messiah.

Summary - as Tabletalk states for October 11, 2016 - Jesus will come again to judge the living and the dead, but that does not mean that every passage that might seem to predict that event is actually talking about the second coming of Christ. Thus, this passage is predicting an event or a time period but it is Jesus proclaiming the future and with that I will trust him.

Promise: Jesus is coming. Jesus is here.

Prayer: Lord, at times I do not understand your words, but that is okay. You have confirmed much already about who you are and why you have come and I can trust you for other ideas that I do not understand. Help me to continue to be a student of the Word and continue to follow you all of my days. You are Savior and Lord and I need you every moment. I want to worship you and praise your name for saving me and making me whole and new and acceptable before God the Father for all eternity.

Mark 1:9-11 - Jesus' Baptism in the Jordan

Mark 1:9-11
9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 Immediately coming up out of the water, He saw the heavens opening, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon Him;11 and a voice came out of the heavens: “You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased.”

Message: Jesus' Baptism in the Jordan

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word immediately used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying:

Thus far, the first 8 verses has been about John, his message and ministry, leading up to Jesus. Now, here is the first visibility of Jesus in Mark's Gospel. John prepared the way, even baptizing some, but now Jesus comes to be baptized by John. If Mark preached a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, then why did Jesus need to be baptized when the idea of him being sinless is central to His purpose and history? John called people to be baptized and Jesus was simply being obedient to that which every other person was called to do. Jesus was different, but he also wanted to identify with His people and be the same. Thus, he is not being baptized for repentance for the remission of sins, but with the baptism of consecration to the work that lay before him.

This baptism occurred in AD 28, as Jesus was 30 years of age, coming from Nazareth, a town of about 3,000 population. This is where Jesus had lived for the past 30 years and now he was embarking on his ministry. I believe the phrase coming out of the water means that his baptism was by immersion, but other gospels are less clear. I think the act of baptism is what is important, not the form, so sprinkle and immersion don't really matter to me, but to me the immersion provides a better picture of the transformation that happens in the believer' life. I always heard these words when someone was being baptized, "Buried with Christ, raised to walk in newness of life." I even heard a pastor say that we don't immerse a person and then hold them under and send them to glory - as we could, but we are meant to be raised to walk a life in yielded service to our Savior and Lord. Mark's account does not clearly denote prayer having occurred at the baptism. Following baptism, as he came up out of the water He saw and I believe John seeing from above the heavens opening. With Jesus there was a special view into heaven, beyond what the natural vision could see. So Jesus' baptism was different for sure. 

The Spirit like a dove descending upon Him. To me, the Spirit is coming from heaven, flying down as a dove to fall upon him, thus commissioning and ordaining him for his ministry.

A voice came out of the heavens, thus heard by all. God speaks forth the title gave to Jesus, You are my beloved Son. It expresses the nearness of God to Jesus. His obedience is recognized by in You I am well-pleased which implies not just a momentary pleasing, but constantly being well pleased of Him.

The baptism of Jesus shows three persons in divine nature:

1. The person of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, baptized in Jordan
2. The Holy Spirit descending in a form upon the Savior.
3. The Father, addressing the Son, and declaring that he was well pleased with him. 

Promise: As Jesus begins his life of ministry, so my life in Christ began with being baptized in the 1983, after trusting in Christ in the summer of 1982. My only regret of this was not alerting my mom of the baptism (one of many regrets I have that often include my mom, unfortunately).

Prayer: Lord, I thank you for commissioning Jesus and reminding me of the important of obedience and following you. Thank you for the unity of Spirit, Jesus, and the Father. Continue to bring meaning to the message of Jesus and his life.

Psalm 150 - A Call to Praise the Lord

Psalm 150

1 Praise the Lord!
Praise God in His sanctuary;
Praise Him in His mighty expanse.
2 Praise Him for His mighty deeds;
Praise Him according to His excellent greatness.
3 Praise Him with trumpet sound;
Praise Him with harp and lyre.
4 Praise Him with timbrel and dancing;
Praise Him with stringed instruments and pipe.
5 Praise Him with loud cymbals;
Praise Him with resounding cymbals.
6 Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.
Praise the Lord!
Message: A Call to Praise the Lord

Time: Based upon authorship and subject matter, Psalms cover a range of centuries. David is mentioned 73 times, Solomon 2, Moses 1, and 50 designate no specific person. It is believed they were compiled around 537 BC. The psalms deal with such subjects as God and His creation, war, worship, wisdom, sin and evil, judgment, justice, and the coming of the Messiah.

What the Lord is Saying:

One of the great things that has happened over the last 20 years in Christian circles and people of faith in Jesus is the emphasis and love for praise and worship music. In the 80s Hosanna Music were really the primary offerings of praise and worship music, but a few contemporary groups began to have praise and worship albums in the early 90's and these morphed into churches singing more contemporary songs from songwriters expressing themselves via praise. 20 years later it seems that most of the top selling Christian music on the various charts are primarily praise and worship offerings. 10 years ago most churches had a contemporary and traditional service but of late churches are more and more combining the two. My church had separate services, but in the last 7 years went to the both structure.

For me, it is a good reminder that my life needs to be about praise because often I have a tendency to be more selfish in my relationship with God and focused on how this is benefiting me. In the previous church we attended I noticed that the idea of worship was included in all the aspects of the church service, reminding us that worship is not only singing songs, but it is also how we live; so, the offering was an expression of worship as was the sermon, as was all the components of the service and our lives. The idea of grace living is that Jesus did it all and so in response to what he has done for us, we live a life of obedience to him because we desire to praise him and thank him for what he has done. We cannot help living this life of faith. And this life should manifest it throughout our lives. Thus, worship should be a component of our lives.

Everywhere
Praise God in His sanctuary; From these verses is the idea that we are to Praise God in His sanctuary, in the church, in the temple. I was reminded recently that the stable in which Jesus was born was a place of worship. It was a temple of sort where Jesus is embodied and was a place set aside for him. This is a reminder that sanctuaries are everywhere. They are in coffee shops where men and women gather to pray and keep one another accountable. They are in rooms of houses where families come together to pray. They are in rooms of churches. Thus, we can praise God throughout our worlds as we gather together.

Praise Him in His mighty expanse. Beyond this earth, in the heavens, in the mighty expanse we will praise the Lord. Praise is one of those acts that we will be doing for all eternity. In some ways I think of heaven as being mostly about praise. We are living but we are face to face with our God and just as I can't get too much time with Him and His Word, when given the opportunity to not have the encumbrance of work here, I imagine that life will be completely fulfilling and busy in worship and praise of God for eternity.

Thanksgiving for what He has done
Praise Him for His mighty deeds. This is where I struggle because I am so much about tomorrow and the future and going forward and often not about looking back at what has occurred. Our pastor is leaving. He announced he is moving on to another church back in his homeland - California. He has been at the church 7 years and the tendency for all of us is to say - what next. But one of the pastor's reminded us of the need to take a moment and think about all that God has accomplished in the last 7 years. And he has accomplished a lot through the service of this man and his family. We need to look back at times and be reminded of the sweet victories we have been able to experience.

Praise Him according to His excellent greatness. Not only has he done great deeds in our lives, but He is great. I try to think of the attribute of God: His faithfulness, His mighty hand, His order of this world, His providence, His kindness, His healing touch, His presence, His leading, His hearing our prayers, His acting -- these are all examples of How great He is. Once again, there is so much to praise Him about.

Praise beyond our own words
Praise Him with trumpet sound; Praise Him with harp and lyre. Praise Him with timbrel and dancing; Praise Him with stringed instruments and pipe. Praise Him with loud cymbals; Praise Him with resounding cymbals.  I remember the words of Russ Taff from an interview in the late 80s in which he said, "Music has a way of speaking to us like nothing else." As we are praising God, we are moved beyond just our voices, but there is also the desire to pick up instruments, whatever they are and play them before Him. I am truly amazed at the different types of music that are in the world. Often we gravitate towards a specific style, but it amazes me in the Christian music world that Rap, Hard Rock, Soft Rock, Alternative, Swing, Praise, Celtic, Pop, Anthems -- there are so many different styles and they all come together in praise and worship. The focus here is not simply the words. Instrumental music obviously can praise God. Again, we go beyond the singing and words and express praise with different kinds of instruments.

Everything
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord! The crescendo of this Psalm is rather obvious, but still needs to be said. Let Everything that has breath praise the Lord. Thus, musical instruments have breath and humans have breath. Let it all praise the Lord. As we live and work and shop and worship and talk and fellowship; in all of our activities, we are to worship and praise the Lord.

Promise: Worshiping God in spirit and truth must be the goal of our lives.

Prayer: O Lord, I praise You and thank You for the reminder and proclamation of your Word, showing me that my entire life is a way to worship You. That is goes beyond church or Sunday's and permeates all of life. Help that to be so in my life. Thank you for all that you have done for me and for creation. I love music and praise you for it. Sometimes the artist I am listening to does not have an intent to be praising you, but in listening to it, I can praise You still. Thank you for living and breathing in all people. You are everyone's God, but not everyone calls you God. I praise You. Help me to know how to better praise you and take time specifically to remember all that you have done and thank you for what you are going to do.

Psalm 115:9-18 - Blessing The Lord Now and Forever

Psalm 115:9-18

9 O Israel, trust in the Lord;
He is their help and their shield.
10 O house of Aaron, trust in the Lord;
He is their help and their shield.
11 You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord;
He is their help and their shield.
12 The Lord has been mindful of us; He will bless us;
He will bless the house of Israel;
He will bless the house of Aaron.
13 He will bless those who fear the Lord,
The small together with the great.
14 May the Lord give you increase,
You and your children.
15 May you be blessed of the Lord,
Maker of heaven and earth.
16 The heavens are the heavens of the Lord,
But the earth He has given to the sons of men.
17 The dead do not praise the Lord,
Nor do any who go down into silence;
18 But as for us, we will bless the Lord
From this time forth and forever.
Praise the Lord!

Message: Blessing The Lord Now and Forever

Time: Based upon authorship and subject matter, Psalms cover a range of centuries. David is mentioned 73 times, Solomon 2, Moses 1, and 50 designate no specific person. It is believed they were compiled around 537 BC. The psalms deal with such subjects as God and His creation, war, worship, wisdom, sin and evil, judgment, justice, and the coming of the Messiah.

What the Lord is Saying: 

As I continue to look at this Psalm, I saw in the first 8 verses a contrast between all praise to God and the folly of replacing God or instead worshiping idols. To God be the glory. He is the patient one despite many questioning that He is even there. But, God does as he wishes and He is to be glorified; He doesn't need me and He is sovereign over all. How narrow it is those that people can choose instead to worship a man-made idol and in so doing they get completely off track. It amazes me in life how easily we got off track and begin living for things that just don't matter. The Lord is to be praised above all. Daily I need reminders to remember God, seek Him, thank Him, praise Him.

People appraise God as being helpless and the Psalmist responds to show the stupidity of idolatry and finding rest in man-made things.

Appeal - The Covenant People
O Israel, trust in the Lord; He is their help and their shield. The first 8 verses sound like a prayer of praise to God, but verse 8 makes a shift to words maybe from a leader to the people, such as a choir leader to the congregation appealing to them to trust in the Lord. He is Israel's help and Israel's shield. He helps us and he protects us. Those are words I must not forget. Sunday, a man walked into a church service in Sutherland Heights, Texas and opened fire on a small church gathering killing 26 and wounding more. This tiny church now has lost half of its membership. It's hard to fathom, but it should remind us that people need the help of God daily in their lives. Without that help, we do not think properly. In all of life's situations he is our help and our shield. This doesn't mean that nothing bad will happen to us; his protection lasts for eternity.

Appeal - The Consecrated Priest
O house of Aaron, trust in the Lord; He is their help and their shield. Verse 9 appealed to Israel and this verse appeals to the priest. The people are to trust in the Lord, but also the priests. The priests should set the example for the masses that it is God who is our help and shield.

Appeal - The Converted Pagan
You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord; He is their help and their shield. From Israel, to the Priest, to the person, or the pagan, all are to trust in the Lord. He is our help and shield no matter where we are at in life.

Application - Assurance of Blessing
The Lord has been mindful of us; He will bless us; He will bless the house of Israel; He will bless the house of Aaron. He will bless those who fear the Lord, the small together with the great. Our Lord is the business of blessing. And I need to be in the business of recognized those blessings. This doesn't mean everything will work out the way I want it. Help me, Lord, to see where you are working and thank you for it. You are mindful of me. You have given me Life, eternal life. You have given me breath. All the good that I have in my life is a gift from You. Each day that I can live is a gift from You. And my faithfulness, my measure of my fear is not contingent on the degree of blessing that I will receive. God simply blesses His people.

Application - Assessment of the Blessing
May the Lord give you increase, You and your children. May you be blessed of the Lord, Maker of heaven and earth. The Lord is able to bless anyone at anytime. Nothing is too difficult for Him. I need to trust in this each day. Forgive me Lord for thinking you are done with me.

Applause - The Globe
The heavens are the heavens of the Lord, but the earth He has given to the sons of men. Heaven is the home of the Lord. It is his home right now. Any time Scripture attempts a description of Heaven it resorts to symbolic language. The earth has been given to human beings. God came to this earth to redeem it. It needs redeeming, continually.

Applause - The Grave
The dead do not praise the Lord, nor do any who go down into silence; At this time, Jesus had not yet brought life to those in the grave. The Old Testament shares a gloomy picture of the grave. In contrast, the living are to praise the Lord.

Applause - The Godly

But as for us, we will bless the Lord from this time forth and forever. Praise the Lord! We are to bless the Lord forever. He is to be praised at any time, at all times. 

Promise: The Lord is about blessing His people and we are about blessing the Lord, praising His name forever.

Prayer: Lord, thank you that we are able to put our trust in You. Thank you for being our help and our shield. Help me to believe this each day and trust in You no matter what comes. As we experience difficulties and trials that we think are too big for us to deal with, remind us that we can trust in You, remain in You and you will help us and shield us from the world and its messages. Thank you for the way you have blessed me. I don't understand it, but I continually thank you for it. Help me to continue to recognize this in my life.

Revelation 21:3-4 - Our Joy to Come

Revelation 21:3-4
³ And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, ⁴ and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.”

Message: Our Joy to Come

Time: The date of the book in its present form is probably near the end of the reign of Domitian (A.D. 81–96), a fierce persecutor of the Christians. There was a unanimous agreement as to the Apostle John as its writer by the early church. Throughout the book there is a conflict of earthly personalities and people directed and energized by demons and especially Satan in order to overthrow Christ’s rule on earth. But the book climaxes with God’s ultimate triumph through Jesus Christ to overthrow evil and establish the kingdom.

What the Lord is Saying: If we die in faith, we go to be with the Lord in heaven. This heaven is an intermediate place, meaning this is not my final state. Thus, at some point, the spiritual disembodied existence I will enjoy in heaven before Christ returns will come to an end and another state will take its place (as is spoken of in Revelation 21). Our physical bodies will be resurrected and heaven will come down to earth and there will be a perfected creation living in this heaven on earth.

The first heaven and first earth pass away, as does the sea (v.1). The holy city comes down out of heaven from God....and God Himself shall be among them. This new city is a holy city out of heaven, down to earth and God resides there with them in the city. He shall wipe every tear from their eyes and there is no more death, mourning, crying or pain. Those that are there are he who overcomes. But the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone. Verse 8 expresses that not all will be there and those that are not know by Jesus, but instead by their sin, as their sin is not covered, they will not be present but will be in the lake of fire. But, the bride, the wife of the Lamb or the church will reside in the new Jerusalem. The city wasn't flat, but seemed to be a prism or cube of some sort, with streets of gold. This final home will be beautiful and grand and we will be content to live in the incredible glory of God (v. 22-27).

Promise: Our suffering will be worth it because it will have led to the vision of God's full beauty and glory.

Prayer: Lord, thank you that you have planned a place for your children, me, to live for all eternity. Thank you for your perfect design and your perfect ways and your perfect order. Help me to be a channel and to help others see this glory, this ideal state. Draw people to yourself and bring them into close unity with You as their God and Savior.