TABLETALK - July 2018

I continue in my daily studies to be guided by Tabletalk magazine. 2018 was a study on the Gospel of John and its straightforward presentation of the person and work of Christ, the work of the Holy Spirit, and other doctrines. 

• January 2018 (July 4, 2023 - July 23, 2023) John 1:1-2:22 - The preexistence of Christ, the ministry of John the Baptist and the person of Christ. 
• February 2018 (July 24, 2023 - August 10, 2023) John 2:23 - 3:36 - Regeneration and our need to believe in Christ for Salvation
• March 2018 (August 13, 2023 - September 30, 2023) John 4:1 - 5:29 - Christ is the incarnate Son of God
• April 2018 (October 1, 2023 - November 6, 2023) John 5:30 - John 7:36 - Jesus is as necessary to our souls as food is to our body; Jesus teaches in the temple during the Feast of Booths
• May 2018 (November 7, 2023 - December 22, 2023) John 7:37 - John 9:41 - Jesus experiences opposition and there is a sin-motivated resistance people have toward being enslaved to sin.
• June 2018 (December 23, 2023 - January 21, 2024) John 10:1 - 11:57 - Jesus as our shepherd will lay down His life for His sheep, but some won't hear Him. Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead in order to impact the faith of the disciples. 
• July 2018 (January 22, 2024 - March 14, 2024) John 12:1 - 13:20 - Jesus as Savior and Judge; salvation comes to Jesus' disciples and the judgment comes to all who reject Him. 

Chapter 12

The Anointing of Jesus (John 12:1-8) - Jesus is anointed by Mary after a meal is served and cites this is His time for this rather than giving to the poor from the proceeds of the sale of perfume. 

Plotting Against Lazarus (John 12:9-11) - Many continue to come to see Jesus and believe but also now they see Lazarus, impacted by Jesus and others want to also put Lazarus to death. 

Greeting the King (12:12-15) - Jesus is intentional, being greeted in Jerusalem with palm branches and then riding on a donkey, humble with foes of sin, Satan, and death.

Misunderstanding Jesus (12:16-19) - The disciples continue to follow but still do not understand Jesus completely, but one day they will, we know this. Meanwhile, the Pharisees remain bothered. 

Death and Glory (12:20-26) - Greeks are looking for Jesus and then Jesus speaks about his future death and how He will die and we need to lose our lives to find fruit and abundant life. 

Hearing A Voice from Heaven (12:27-30) - Jesus admits he is troubled about future judgment before God and yet God has a purpose for people, to give them assurance and Jesus submits to this. 

The Moment of Judgment and Salvation (12:31-32) - The Father has a purpose at judgment and that is to cast out the prince of this world, Satan, and Jesus by his resurrection and ascension will draw men to Himself at an alarming rate. 

Walking in the Light while There's Still Time (12:33-36a) - Despite many expecting Jesus to solve a political agenda they have, Jesus makes it clear that salvation is found in believing in him right now, while he is with them.

The Glory Isaiah Saw (John 12:36b-41) - While Jesus previously appeals to the multitude to believe in Him now, John takes us back to Isaiah to show us that some who refuse are hardened toward believing. 

A Call to Commitment (John 12:42-43) - Following belief in Jesus should be a desire only now for the approval of God and yet people can still at times continue to seek the approval of man instead. 

Seeing the Son, Seeing the Father (John 12:44-46) - Believing in Jesus is believing in God who sent Jesus, and seeing Jesus is seeing God and believing in Jesus transforms people away from living in darkness.

Christ the Judge (John 12:47-50) - The consistent them of the Bible is people go to everlasting life or everlasting contempt and believing in God, believing in Jesus, sent by God is the dividing line. 

Chapter 13

Loved to the End (John 13:1) - Jesus knows his departure time from earth is soon, going to the Father, and His love for people remains. 

The Cleansing We Need (John 13:2-11) - Most of the disciples surrendered themselves to the Servant King, Jesus, but one was unwilling to surrender himself and remained firm in his desire. 

The Example of Jesus (John 13:12-17) - Disciples of Christ must be willing to do what Jesus was willing to do, including acts of service. 

Receiving the One Whom Jesus Sends (John 13:18-20) - The betrayal of Judas was foreseen by Jesus. Let that confirm to us Jesus understanding of the future and confirm that His ambassadors who receive Jesus, receive the Father who sent Jesus. 

Various Scriptures - Guilt and Forgiveness - In washing the feet of His disciples, Jesus made it clear that those who follow Him need both the definitive cleansing from guilt they receive when they first exercise faith as well as continual forgiveness for any sins they commit thereafter (John 13:1–20). This story gives us an opportunity to reflect more on what the Bible says about the guilt of sin and the forgiveness we find only in Christ. 

To the Ends of the Earth - David Brainerd only lived to the age of 29, and yet he had a calling to Native Americans, to share the gospel with them. We have other lessons to learn from 18th century, preachers and theologians. We learn from the past to remember, but also to help us wisely serve and glorify God now, and for the future.

The Eighteenth Century: An Overview - As I read this, I couldn’t help but think about the origin of many of our thoughts today that are now normal. There was the evangelical revival in Britain and the great awakening in America. Also known as the enlightenment. There was less of an emphasis to focus on tradition and learning from it, and instead understanding nature through rational investigation. Reason became the map that included religion. Deism conceived of God as the supreme being rather than the Trinity. Miracles were needless. God simply wound the watch and let it run. God will reward the virtuous and punish the wicked. No savior was required. Thomas Paine was a deist as well as Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin. Jefferson even edited the New Testament known as the Jefferson Bible. The only good news was these thinkers, still placed a value on the Christian faith. Immanuel Kant was the ultimate enlightenment philosopher. For him, human reason could find no path to the knowledge of God. For him, there was no intelligent design, or a transcendent cause. But he still believed that God existed in order to postulate a moral law. But God still can’t be known. For him, there is no reason to explain faith. He values Jesus, but only from the idea that he’s the founder of a new moral kingdom. He grew up Lutheran, with their revival and start a benefit of the Moravians. They influenced John Wesley. And sent out over 200 missionaries to Greenland, Lapland, the Virgin Islands, north and south America and South Africa. In America it was the ministry of John Whitfield. He spurned the planting of many of the denominations we know today. In Roman Catholicism, the Jansenists accepted defeat, not able to reconstitute Augustine’s doctrine of grace. The Jesuits we’re also defeated, but have later revitalized. The 18th century also brought about many composers such as Bach Handel Mozart and Beethoven.

The Methodist Movement - This was the only denomination to plant a church in every county of the United States, most often done by horseback. They felt Christian living should be more than the Anglican church offered, moving to an assurance of their faith and a pious life. After Oxford, John Wesley headed to Georgia to be a pastor, but then failed to secure his wife and was runoff in 1737. In 1738 on the voyage home, the Moravians words helped, giving him that assurance of salvation in Christ alone that he had been yearning for.

George Whitfield as well, rose to prominence, speaking to thousands often. Whitfield also dramatized biblical narratives. Growth occurred through revival and preaching of the Gospel, but Whitfield, a Calvinist and Wesley, an Arminian, were in disagreement, specifically over church discipline. Sanctification was also an issue as well as Wesley felt like our good works were an assurance of our salvation with the idea that the Holy Spirit takes up residence in a persons life, moving that person to walk fully in step with God‘s will. The break was made away from the Anglican church, which had ordained all Methodist preachers. Wesley, not Whitfield rose to greater heights and established the Methodist church.

Next step was Francis Asbury, who would travel some 300,000 miles for the sake of evangelism. The Wesleyan message did much to evangelize people in the Methodist movement, created ministries for the widowed, the hungry, and those in slavery. Whitfield did not have a problem with slavery for economic reasons but as Barry and another convert Harry Hosier believed, a black preacher could speak to a white audience. But there were still others that did not like black Christians, moving those blacks to form the African Methodist episcopal denomination. And of note is one of the biggest influencers of Protestantism is Methodist hymn writer Wesley who wrote close to 6000 hymns. Methodism today still is focused on social change.

Jonathan Edwards and the First Great Awakening - The earliest letter written by Edwards when he was 12 mentions the work of the Spirit of God in saving souls at his father's church in East Windsor, Connecticut. At 27, 2 years after being assistant minister in Northampton, MA, he become senior minister and was then called upon to deliver Harvard's commencement address where he spoke of salvation as a work of God. He continued preaching of grace. In his first book, the conversion of many souls awakened a common theme. In 1741 in Enfield, Connecticut he preached "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God." The First Great Awakening continued but there were some zealots, like Charles Chauncy who wanted order and private expression, critical of these Awakening events. Princeton University, where Edwards would be president till 1759, prior to his death in 1761, began at this time under different names and was a training ground for ministers. Awakenings continue in the next century with Charles Finney, the Dwight L. Moody and finally Billy Graham.

The Birth of Modern Protestant Missions - William Carey, a Baptist Missionary died in 1834 with these words from Isaac Watts hymn, "A wretched, poor, and helpless worm,/On Thy kind arms I fall." In his writing he said no work equals the Moravians. A prayer meeting in 1727 sparked this surge of missionary movement by the Moravians in Saxony, Germany. Prayers for revival occurred in churches in America as well. The Baptist Missionary Society was born and sent Carey to India and Southeast Asia. Carey's sermon "expect great things" and "attempt great things." Without prayer nothing can be accomplished for the expansion of God's kingdom. We need to passionate about winning the lost for Christ and advancing the kingdom of Christ.

The Art of Standing Firm - Standing firm is an art, not to be done out of tension or discipline necessarily. We can unwittingly push agendas that undermine the gospel. We must stand firm to preserve the gospel and not submit to a yoke of slavery (Gal. 5:1). Division, lusts of the flesh, and lure of false teaching will challenge God's people. Speak the truth in love because God first loved us. We stand firm in response to Jesus pouring it out for us in Christ (2 Thess 2:14-15).

Responding to Hardships - 2 Corinthians 1:8-9 speaks of suffering the Apostle Paul enduring in his ministry to the gentiles, teaching him to rely on God. 2 Corinthians 11:23-25 Paul experienced hardships as a church planter. Paul responded on what God was doing through the difficult circumstances in 2 Corinthians 1:9 and who we need to put our trust in. So we are not to lose heart as he records in 2 Corinthians 4:16-17, for He gives us an eternal perspective during trials. It is all about Jesus' strength as he wrote in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10. May we truly say, "When I am weak, then I am strong."

Fear and the Reign of God - Monsters are not real, but can still terrify us. Daniel had dream of monsters sent from God to teach him. Daniel saw a dream of 4 grotesque monsters signifying 4 powerful kings and kingdoms in history. First, Nebuchadnezzar (kingdom of Babylon); Second and Third, Idolatrous and destructive kingdoms of the MedoPersians and Greeks. Fourth to be Roman Empire but author thinks it is collective empires of the fallen world. In the dream Daniel also saw the Ancient of Days sitting on His throne and Son of Mans coming in the clouds. History does not always make sense to us, but we can take heart for our God reigns. Christ is coming again. We are secure. Abide in Him. We have nothing to fear.

Sabbath Consciousness - As I grew up, so did my understanding of things in our church. And father preaching was actually saying something that I began to hear. Sermons are sessions that equip God's people to understand how His word works and fits together and how to live out of it. Prayers made more sense. Songs were articulate praise. Worship is transforming and sustaining. We become more conscious of God's work and less of our own. Each Sunday makes us more fit for future reality.

Judgment and Rewards at the Last Judgment - Ecclesiastes begins and ends with a meaningless life ("All is Vanity") and then life will be judged ("God will bring every deed into judgment.") And yet maybe being judged gives us meaning for how often is what we have done in life not even noticed. God cares about my life and what I do. But, to live for eternity, our sins must be judged in Christ, not in our own selves. This will determine how and where we live forever. There are permanent and shattering consequences for sin. We grow strong in grace, possibly suffering, anticipate vindication. Those who lover their enemies, endure persecution and obediently serve their masters will be rewarded (Matt 5:11-2; Matthew 25:23, Luke 6:35). It is selfish to only serve Jesus for the reward. But seeking Him, serving Him, then a reward is fitting. We need to bring to Jesus something to express our gratitude. Live today as one who expects to be judged by God.

Faithful Preaching Amid Persecution - Karem, the writer of this article, mentions being interrogated by police because of word that someone was trying to kill him. Those who live faithful lives to God will encounter trouble and suffering and this has been present throughout church history. Scripture says to expect persecution. Disciples suffered while preaching gospel. Stephen while preaching gave his life. Paul suffered. Jesus saw persecution so will we. So how do we act when it comes? To continue to preach faithfully. Trust God's sovereign will. We are commissioned to declare His glory. So in every season, declare God's word. Confront the fears of being mocked or making enemies. Suffering is a privilege (Phil. 1:29). The valleys may be dark, but the shepherd is by our side.

Defending the Faith - Sometimes Christianity would be easier if it were more inclusive and we could adjust to the sails of all that society believes is important or values. Yet, throughout history Christianity has been in opposition to culture. Though we don't know everything, God does. Nothing is a surprise to Him. We are made in His image, set apart from everything else. As we are challenged, remember I Peter 3:15-16, always being ready to make a defense with gentleness and respect. Reason with the Scriptures. Preach Christ and His resurrection. And yet we can have knowledge of their beliefs as it helps us in those conversations. Those challenges are good as we need to work toward always having a good defense.

Resolutions - Beginning in 1722 at age 19, Jonathan Edwards (October 5, 1703 – March 22, 1758) wrote 70 resolutions designed to help him live a holy life. Desiring God pens these complete as of August 17, 1723, just before age 20. I have read through these once and at first glance some are weighty and some with language I do not completely grasp based upon 1722-1723 language (300 years ago). Prior to reading them I think I expected them to be more comprehensive than they are. He repeats things. I saw a blogger who in 2012 tried to restate some of these to more contemporary language. Here are some thoughts I saw:

• Do all for the glory of God no matter the time it takes and this is for my good benefit as well.
• Live with all my might.
• Realize always I am a sinner and when seeing sin in others may it show me how not to sin.
• If I am in pain, let me think of the pain of hell and of those who have suffered for Christ before me.
• Remove pride or vanity from my ways.
• Make charity a focus.
• Don't take revenge.
• Flee anger towards others.
• Don't speak evil of another.
• Live with no regrets, till the day I die.
• Don't live in fear of doing things the Lord has called me to do.
• Be wise and healthy with my food choices.
• Be happy.
• When I sin, resolve to trace it back to its beginning so that I do not sin again, fighting and praying against it.
• Examine carefully any doubt I have of the love of God.
• Study the scriptures steadily, constantly, and frequently.
• Have hope that God will answer my prayers.
• Resolve each week to apply God's word better than the week before.
• Be faithful.
• Before going to sleep each night, be reminded of any area I have been negligent, any sin committed, any way I have not acted appropriately.
• Never speak inappropriately on the Lord's Day.
• Frequently renew my commitment to the Lord.
• Don't have any fret or uneasiness toward my mother or father.
• Trust and confide on the Lord Jesus Christ, consecrating myself wholly to Him.
• When I hear of good practice of others, resolve to imitate it.
• In my conversations, let those be about love, cheerfulness, and benignity (tolerance toward others), unless duty requires otherwise.
• Strive to feel and act in a good natured way.
• Toward duty and glorifying God, do it willingly and cheerfully.
• Be an open book before God: laying open all my sins, temptations, difficulties, sorrows, fears, hopes, desires, and everything -- confessing all to God and imploring him for help.

John 13:18-20 - Receiving the One Whom Jesus Sends

John 13:18-20

18 I do not speak of all of you. I know the ones I have chosen; but it is that the Scripture may be fulfilled, "HE WHO EATS MY BREAD HAS LIFTED UP HIS HEEL AGAINST ME." 19 From now on I am telling you before it comes to pass, so that when it does occur, you may believe that I am He. 20 Truly, truly, I say to you, he who receives whomever I send receives Me; and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.

Message: Receiving the One Whom Jesus Sends

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: Verse 18 is a quote from Psalm 41:9 - "Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted up his heel against me." Jesus here once again takes a text that served one purpose in one time and now applies it to a different time. He takes the principal and applies it now to a different time. 

Tabletalk explains this well:

David complains that one of his meal companions lifted up his heel against him. In the ancient Near East, to eat a meal with someone was a sign of friendship and trust, so it was especially terrible for someone who sat at your table to betray you. David was the greatest king of ancient Israel, so the psalm indicates that his betrayal was not incompatible with his position. The same is true of Jesus. He would be betrayed, but that would not make Him any less the King. Moreover, Psalm 41 also predicts the final triumph of David over his enemies. By quoting the psalm, Jesus indicated that despite His betrayal, He would have the ultimate victory over His betrayers.

Verse 18 begins with, "I do not speak of all of you. I know the ones I have chosen." Is Jesus expressing that the previous words that he stated are not meant in application toward all people, but only for those that He has chosen? For instance, serving one another or washing one another's feet. The idea of doing as He has done for us. I mean, is he saying these actions that He is asking us to carry out need to be carried out on all people. If that is the case, then is Jesus saying how we are to treat one another in the Body or in the Kingdom but not necessarily those outside of it? 

Or is he coming back to the words only of verse 11 in which "Not all of you are clean?" Surely I am analyzing this too much and what Jesus is referencing is that there is one among them that does not take application from these words. 

And now to verse 19 - Jesus offers a statement to help them in their faith, to help it be increased, once again showing them that He has been sent by God and the words that He speaks brings comfort to them. "From now on I am telling you before it comes to pass, so that when it does occur, you may believe that I am He." Jesus explains the future. The reality is the event of Judas' betrayal has not yet occurred, so verse 18 while clear to us because of what we know of in the future is not clear to the disciples. Jesus confirms that Judas will betray Him and so He offers to the disciples this knowledge, showing them once again His knowledge of all events of time, both now and in the future. Jesus is proving Himself to the disciples. 

For verse 20 Jesus confirms that the disciples are there to be His ambassadors. There will be those that turn from Jesus but receive God and in turn receive Jesus. "whomever I (the Father) send receives Me (Jesus) and he who (disciple) receives Me (Jesus) receives Him (the Father) who sent Me (Jesus)." Judas through His betrayal injures all, not only betraying Jesus but betraying the Father and betraying the purposes of why Jesus has come and been sent by the Father, betraying the kingdom of God.

Once again, I appreciate the words of John Gill (1697-1771) here:

he that receiveth whomsoever I send, receiveth me, and he that receiveth me, receiveth him that sent me; I have sent you in my name to preach the Gospel; you are my ambassadors, and you will be honourably received by many; and which I shall regard and take notice of, and esteem, as though they had received me; even as my Father has sent me into this world, as a Saviour and Redeemer, a prophet, priest, and King; and as many as have received me, are looked upon by my Father, as having received him: in short, such as cordially receive and embrace the ministers of the Gospel, receive Christ, in whose name they come, and whom they preach; and such who receive Christ, as preached and held forth in the everlasting Gospel, receive the Father of Christ; and partake of his love, grace, and kindness, shown forth in the mission and gift of Christ to them: Christ, as Mediator, represented his Father that sent him; and the ministers of Christ represent him; so that what is done to them, either in a way of reception or rejection, he takes as done to himself: it is a common saying among the Jews (c), "that the messenger of a man is as himself". 

Summary: The betrayal of Judas was foreseen by Jesus. Let that confirm to us Jesus understanding of the future and confirm that His ambassadors who receive Jesus, receive the Father who sent Jesus. 

Promise: From Tabletalk, "Let us endeavor to receive everyone whom Christ sends to exhort us."

Prayer: Lord, all the events of your scripture here confirm You and confirm the truth of You and that You had knowledge of all events of time. For the Jew here it was important to see that connection between receiving Jesus and being sent by you Father God. Thank you for making yourself known and being this confirmation. Help me to be an ambassador for You continually and to speak Your truth to the world around me and make you known in the way I speak and act and live. I want to be your ambassador. And I want to be authentic always in the ways I live, with a desire of you being well pleased of me. I praise you God and thank you for calling me. 

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

John 5:9b-14 - The Lame Man's Greater Need

John 5:9b-14

Now it was the Sabbath on that day. Therefore the Jews were saying to him who was cured, "It is the Sabbath, and it is not permissible for you to carry your pallet." But he answered them, "He who made me well was the one who said to me, "Take up your pallet and walk." They asked him, "Who is the man who said to you, "Take up, your pallet, and walk?" But he who was healed did not know who it was; for Jesus had slipped away while there was a crowd in that place. Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, "Behold, you have become well; do not sin anymore, so that nothing worse may befall you."

Message: The Lame Man's Greater Need

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: The next set of verses transition to the Jews. After the lame man has been healed, the Jews criticize him for carrying his pallet, despite the fact that Jesus had told him to, "Take up your pallet and walk." The Jews ask who the man is but the lame man that was healed doesn't know. Later, Jesus finds the man in the temple and tells him now that he is well, do not sin anymore so that nothing worse befalls him. 

Sin is worse than being unable to walk properly. Sin is worse than any other human ailment. Jesus did heal the man and in the process took away from the man what the man thought was his biggest problem. 

Is not this our same problem still today? That is, what we think is our biggest problem is not our biggest problem. Following the pandemic and through the COVID pandemic, it because even clearer that our biggest problem people think they have is their health. It is true that health is focused on life and death on this earth and yet our response to sin or rather how Jesus has died for sin is the biggest issue of the day for it determines where our eternal life will be. 

Even prior to the pandemic I saw this continually emphasized in our prayer circles at church, in that what we brought to the Lord in our prayer requests was most often health related matters. I always thought we were like the lame man, thinking this is what is most important. Maybe because as people, this is the only thing in our lives that we feel we don't have control. And so when COVID hit, and life because so fragile, we proceeded to do at whatever level of person inconvenience - preserve our health. 

And yet Jesus says to the lame man and to me -- "do not sin anymore, so that nothing worse may befall you." Our greatest need is to turn from sin, believe in Jesus and move to living each day for Him. 

I've struggled with this - that is - taking something that has been valued greatly in my life and then seeing that something is more important and then wondering how I am to view that which was previously more important. Like what is our response to COVID or any sickness once we establish that sin is more important? I mean, Jesus healed the man. He wanted to give the man something that was important to him. But we must never lose sight in the fact that sin and dealing with sin is most important. 

We still don't know if this man, that Jesus healed, ever became a saved man. He blamed Jesus for having to carry his mat/pallet.  

Summary: Jesus tells the lame man, after he has healed him, that still his greatest problem remains - sin and how the man responds to it. 

Promise: From Tabletalk, "Our sovereign God may choose to intervene and bring about an unexpected physical healing. It is good and right to pray for Him to do so. Yet we must never forget that people need spiritual restoration far more than they need physical healing. As we minister to others inside and outside the church, let us not fail to call people to faith and repentance."

Prayer: Lord, I love this scripture and its application. It is my heart cry that we would value supremely what you value and that would be our focus always. May sinners be founds saved from the wrath to come and sealed with God for eternity. Lord, help me to make this my greatest focus with people. I'm thankful to hear of Bill who took a moment to do this with an employee at Target. I'm reminded of Dion Lear who had a pen with a simple gospel message that he shared often with others. What's holding me back Lord? 

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

Mark 16:20 - The Gospel Goes Forth

Mark 16:20
And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them, and confirmed the word by the signs that followed.]

Message: The Gospel Goes Forth

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 - The Gospel of Mark records Jesus coming on the scene and preaching a message of "repent and believe." Mark records Jesus' 3 year ministry as he navigates through towns in Judea with His 12 disciples. As Jesus goes many come to follow Him and see Him. Some are there in hopes of being healed while many are also there to listen to Him teach. Along the way also scribes and chief priests question Him at various times and seem to be threatened by Him. Jesus speaks in a way that many are not accustomed to hearing. He talks of His authority and refers to Himself often as the Son of Man, thus living as fully man. But, He also does things like calm the sea, cast out demons, heal paralytics, forgives sin, raises a daughter from the dead. Mark often records brief information about Jesus and often focuses on the people around him and the impact of what Jesus is saying. Jesus talks about his death and resurrection 3 times. He challenges the disciples to do as He does but they struggle with this. The disciples struggle with applying the truths that Jesus asks them to do. Eventually Jesus comes to Jerusalem and prepares to die. The disciples still don't believe it. But Jesus fulfills the prophecies. He says one will betray Him and Jesus does. He is seized by the Jewish leaders at night and then turned over to Pilate with the hope that he will die. Pilate takes it before the people and the pronouncement of crucifixion falls on Jesus. He admits he is the Son of God and the people call Him the king of the Jews, something he does not deny. He is beaten, scourged, spit on, mocked and receives much pain. Mark is specific about the crown of thorns and the pain of those thorns from beatings with a scepter. Eventually Jesus ends up at the cross, already very weak. Even on the cross He is mocked. The area grows dark for 3 hours on Friday with Him on the cross as He seems to deal with God's wrath. He feels God the Fathers rejection and cries out and then dies. He is buried that same day, before the Passover and then appears to Mary Magdalene, and the disciples. It takes the disciples a while to believe He has risen. Jesus confronts their hardened hearts, but then also commissions them to preach the Gospel - the message of believing and being baptized. They will do great things in His name. He ascends to heaven and takes His seat at the right hand of God.

This book has been exciting to study as I come now to the end of it. It's a message from Peter through Mark. I think it's the first time I've really studied one of the Gospels. I've listened to sermons before and read through it several times, but it has been great to study it more completely. I've been trying to discover the message that Mark presents of Jesus. He does speak of Jesus being fully man and fully God, as is evidenced by the many attributes of God. There are some very clear statements about Him being God. I'm not sure if people realized though what was going on and who He was. Some did but Mark doesn't always present many details about these occurrences in the life of Jesus. It seems that it will take Jesus leaving for them to really understand His message. But, it is clear Jesus did what He set out to do - come to earth as man, live it, experience it alongside us but with the authority of God and then died on the cross, experiencing darkness on the cross and rejection and then dying finally. He rose on the 3rd day, but not really 2 full days later. He appeared and then went to heaven.

This final verse now speaks of this going forth of the disciples and their message to the world.

And they went out and preached everywhere - they were obedient to His commission to preach the gospel throughout the world. But the did not go alone as they went while the Lord worked with them. Jesus is gone from walking beside them physically but He is still with them spiritually and with us. They walked and He as Lord worked. Jesus' position now is clear. He is God. He is holy. His is on mission. And He confirmed the word by the signs that followed. Much would occur now in future events. Miracles followed them as they went forth. Whether those same signs still follow us today is unclear. Many would say those signs were only present during the earthly lives of the apostles, thus ending around 100 AD. The thought is the throughout history, miracles have been present at some times, but not present at other times.

At this point there is exuberance by the disciples in taking the message. Again, they are beginning to follow Him now that He is gone in the way Jesus expected while He was with them. The faith has been received now. And much will be different going forward.

Summary - The message of the Gospel now goes forth, everywhere.

Promise: From Tabletalk December 20, 2016 - When God saves His people, He equips them to preach the gospel according to their abilities where they find themselves. The gospel message is not something we can keep to ourselves, but we must proclaim the lordship of Christ to our children, our spouses, our friends, our family, and our communities. Let us pray for boldness to preach the gospel, and let us make disciples where God has called us.

Prayer: O Lord, thank you for being with us as the message of You and Your Gospel goes forth throughout this world. There are signs of You all the time. Give me wisdom to see these. Even as the world continues to be contrary to your message, shine bright through Me and all the Christians of this world who are your true followers. I pray we would love you with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength and then love one another with the same degree of love that each of us loves ourselves. Continue to help me Jesus understand You and Your message and Your gospel. I do want to carry the light. But you must work with me, through me and in me as you have said you would. I pray your light stays visible for me at all times.

Mark 12:1-9 - The Parable of the Tenants

Mark 12:1-9
1 Then Jesus began teaching them with stories: “A man planted a vineyard. He built a wall around it, dug a pit for pressing out the grape juice, and built a lookout tower. Then he leased the vineyard to tenant farmers and moved to another country. 2 At the time of the grape harvest, he sent one of his servants to collect his share of the crop. 3 But the farmers grabbed the servant, beat him up, and sent him back empty-handed. 4 The owner then sent another servant, but they insulted him and beat him over the head. 5 The next servant he sent was killed. Others he sent were either beaten or killed, 6 until there was only one left—his son whom he loved dearly. The owner finally sent him, thinking, ‘Surely they will respect my son.’ 7 “But the tenant farmers said to one another, ‘Here comes the heir to this estate. Let’s kill him and get the estate for ourselves!’ 8 So they grabbed him and murdered him and threw his body out of the vineyard. 9 “What do you suppose the owner of the vineyard will do?” Jesus asked. “I’ll tell you—he will come and kill those farmers and lease the vineyard to others.

Message: The Parable of the Tenants

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 arrived in Jerusalem, as he has predicted 3 times his death and resurrection. He comes in on a colt and pronounces a judgment on the chief priests and scribes and elders at the temple about them not following their mission to make welcome the Gentiles at the temple. These leaders question Jesus' authority. Jesus communicates to his disciples that they are to have faith in God - to come to God by prayer in faith and then to forgive those that transgress against them. We are to be a people of faith and then forgiveness.

Now Jesus takes a moment to share a parable. This parable is in line with some of the subjects that he has been addressing, namely the importance of those individuals over are in charge of other individuals. In the 1st Century, it was common for landowners to hire tenant farmers to take care of their vines on their behalf. Isaiah 5:1-7 tells about a song about the Lord's vineyard. In that story the vineyard is judged for failing to to yield the proper fruit - a message that is sort of similar to the curse that Jesus pronounced on the fig tree as well as the chief priests and scribes.

This story speaks of the owner of the vineyard hiring tenant farmers to take care of his vineyard while he is away. But, the tenant farmers did more than just take care of the vineyard, they began to take ownership of it. Thus, they expanded their responsibility to include a sort of claim on it. In so doing, as the landowners servants came, he was beat up and sent away. And the landowner sent others, but they were also beat up or killed. Finally, the landowner sent his son but the same thing happened to the son, this time murdering the son. Jesus then says in response to this - What do you suppose the owner of the vineyard will do?” Jesus asked. “I’ll tell you—he will come and kill those farmers and lease the vineyard to others. 

• The servants represent the old covenant prophets - these prophets were rejected often by the leaders of the ancient covenant community
• The landowner is God himself 
• The tenant farmers are the kings, priests, other leaders, including what could be called today the church. 
• The landowner sent His Son (Jesus), but he is received with even more hatred than the prophets. 

This is an interesting lesson because Jesus is talking more about service (Mark 10:43-45) and forgiving others (Mark 11:25). The focus is on others. The tenant farmers were given one tasked, but they expanded it to include other responsibility and in so doing they lost their chief task. They became like the chief priests and scribes and began using the temple in a way they had wanted.

I think for me I look at the application of this passage to be the importance of remembering my first love and remembering how God has called me to live and act in this world. I need to be careful about getting too big for my own britches and taking ownership of what he has simply put me in charge of. And I need to always bring it back to Jesus, His Son, and even those that he has sent. Again, the focus is not on me, but others.

Summary - Jesus brings a parable to his people to remind them of the message that God has sent His Son to redeem people, and yet the Son will be rejected. People don't want the solution that Jesus provides. They want their own selfish solutions. He continues to get his disciples ready for what is coming - his death which will involve his complete rejection and scorn.

Promise: People will do whatever is necessary often to please themselves and get their own way. As God puts us in charge though of his vineyard, this world, we have a responsibility to respect his leadership and do what He asks.

Prayer: Lord, I love you and you are the Lord and King. I am your vessel. You have created all and so no matter my situation I need to serve you. Give me the strength and power to continue to share Your love with others. God you are in charge of all and I praise You for your love for us, but I must submit and surrender to You continually. I must trust Your ways. Keep me ever mindful of what you are teaching me to have faith in you, forgive others, and serve people.

Romans 10:14-15 - The Gospel Sent Forth

Romans 10:14-15 - 14 How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? 15 How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!”

Message: The Gospel is Brought to People

Time: Written in AD 57 from Greece, to the Christians, both Gentile and Jewish in Rome.

What the Lord is Saying:

Background
The progression of the message from Paul continues. Man is not to create his own righteousness or think that by keeping the Law a person can be saved (10:3). We are all sinners and righteousness must be based on faith (10:6). This is a message for everyone. Each person is to confess and believe and they will be saved (10:9). Each person is to call upon the name of the Lord (10:13; Joel 2:32). These are the facts. 

A Dilemma
In verse 14, Paul introduces a dilemma. How will people know this? The reality is Paul admits that people come up with their own means of getting to God. People come up with their own set of rules. People devise their own methods. I think people want the answer but people don't seek God for that answer. They instead come up with something that they are comfortable with. 

But Paul makes it clear the message doesn't just happen. The message needs a conduit. 

1. If we know a person must call upon the name of the Lord, then how will a person call that has not believed? Verse 10 of Romans 10 stated, "believe results in being made righteous and calling results in salvation." So, calling on the name of the Lord saves a person, but this calling is preceded by a belief. A person is not going to call on the name of the Lord when they don't even believe their is a God or a Savior that can save them. 
2. How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? So, if we need to get a person to first believe, that person must have heard. "Have you heard of God?" 
3. How will they hear without a preacher? In order for people to hear, there must be someone to give the message. 
4. How will they preach unless they are sent? Interesting, a person must be sent. It is not just a preacher that is necessary, but a person must be sent.

That last one is interesting. Is that last one mostly forgotten? Do we send people? Or is this talking about God being the one that does the sending? 

Matthew 9:38 states, "Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.” This verse in Matthew speaks of the idea that we are to pray to God for harvest workers as He will send out workers to the harvest, that is, the Lord.

Then in Matthew 28:18-20 is the sending message from Jesus: And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” 

Is Jesus simply making a statement in the same way a pastor might tell people to "Go spread the good news" echoing the words of God? And yet, Jesus speaks of an authority that has bestowed upon Him. This authority is something He has received that we do not see. And we know that the Lord sends out workers to the Harvest. So, it seems that the Lord sending out workers and Jesus sending out workers of the harvest is one sort of substantiate evidence for Jesus being God or at the least that they both have the same mission and authority. Either way, the command is clearly given by Jesus. Jesus had the authority from God. 

Matthew 28 is a message Jesus gave to the disciples, so is this a command only to the disciples and no one else? Well, I know already from reading Romans 1 that Paul was encouraged by the way the Roman Christians were preaching the gospel. 

I say this because as I talk to people of other faiths, they often try to make out the Bible is not a message to all people but only to a select few. Thus, when Jesus gave commands in the New Testament, those commands were often to the disciples. So, the argument is often made that the disciples are the only ones that are to be obedient to those commands. This is an argument I've heard from a Muslim. And then from an LDS missionary I've heard the command that it is only through the laying on of hands that a person can proclaim the gospel. Yet, I know in the Bible, the call to repent is a call Jesus made to everyone, like in Acts 17:30. Joel 2:32 refers to everyone that calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Romans 10:9-10 talks about each person confessing and believing. 

But, isn't preaching or spreading the Gospel an act of service? Ephesians 4 talks about gifts given to people for the purpose of equipping the saints. 

Conclusion
I think the significance of these verses is that for someone to believe, they must hear. And for them to hear, one must preach. And for one to preach, they must have been sent. But, being sent is a part of being a Christian. The message of repentance is to all people, not just to a select few. He is our shepherd and we are the sheep. He leads the sheep of the pasture. 

Paul quotes from Isaiah 52:7, "

How lovely on the mountains
Are the feet of him who brings good news,
Who announces peace
And brings good news of happiness,
Who announces salvation,
And says to Zion, “Your God reigns!”

Promise: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!”

 

Romans 3:8 - That Good May Come

Romans 3:8 - And why not say (as we are slanderously reported and as some claim that we say), “Let us do evil that good may come”? Their condemnation is just.

Message: The continued saga of man's contention that God's ways are dependent upon man's ways.

Time: Paul probably wrote Romans between A.D. 57-58 while he was at Corinth in the home of his friend and convert Gaius. He planned to go first to Jerusalem to deliver a gift of money from the Gentile churches to the poor in Jerusalem. Then he hoped to visit Rome on his way to Spain. His hopes were later realized, but not as he had expected. When he finally arrived in Rome in early A.D. 60, he was a prisoner under house arrest (Acts 28:11-31).

What the Lord is Saying:

Fifth Objection
This builds off of verse 7, "But if through my lie the truth of God abounded to His glory, why am I also still being judged as a sinner." Man is looking for an out to being judged. And even more here, man is looking for an out to be able to keep sinning. 

It is funny because this is what a Mormon said to me once. He stated I hold to the once saved, always saved belief where a person only has to accept Jesus into their heart and then they can do anything that they wanted. But, there he combined bad doctrine with bad doctrine to make a conclusion. It is slander that salvation by grace means then a person can just keep on sinning.

It is true that the idea of salvation by grace lends itself to this idea.

Paul's response to the objection
In this fifth and final objection, Paul answers it, not with a refute, but states that the condemnation of the evil one who sins repeatedly and repeatedly plays word games with God is just. This is the response of all of the antagonists complaints to Paul and ultimately to God, that we don't play word games with God. It is not man that makes God more righteous. Man's guilt and God's position as righteous judge stand in separate corners. God can excuse man not because of anything that man has done, but through what Jesus has done. Paul will expand upon this further in Chapter 6. 

Conclusion: How we converse with people
I think what is interesting is that Paul in these verses recognizes the ease at which people can misconstrue the Gospel and he also readily recognizes how defensive people will get when they are told that they have not done nor can they ever do anything to merit God's acceptance. Man is a proud person and is proud of the works he has performed. Often the cars we drive, the houses we live in, the things we purchase, the lifestyles we have, are our way of showcasing the hard work that we have performed in our life. If these things display this, then why can't also my eternal life in Christ. living for eternity in heaven, be the showcase of my good deeds? Thus, the Christian needs to never belittle the thinking of the person struggling to make this understanding and connection. Man is very susceptible to this thinking because everywhere he is trained in this thinking. It is pervasive in man's life.

As ambassadors of the gospel of Christ we need to be extra sensitive to the life of the unbeliever and be clear what the Gospel says but never belittle the thinking of the person our conversation is hopefully benefiting.

Promise: The Gospel can be be misunderstood. But the Gospel cannot be changed. It is offensive and must consistently be communicated.

Romans 1:5-7 - The Church in Rome

Romans 1:5-7: ⁵ through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for His name’s sake, ⁶ among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ; ⁷ to all who are beloved of God in Rome, called as saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Message: The Church in Rome

Time: Written sometime in AD 57-58, probably from Corinth, at the end of Paul's third missionary journey. 

What the Lord is Saying: I have taken over a week now just to study these key verses. I believe these are incredible verses because in them the Gospel, the Good News of Jesus Christ are clearly spoken. 

Our calling is significant in these opening verses. Jesus has been declared throughout the Scriptures and his position as our Savior and Redeemer was accomplished on the cross and now we are the called ones. 

Verse 5
Our position as His apostles is clearly presented in verse 5, "we have received grace." Grace precedes our apostleship. Before the message can be carried forth, we must have received it. Grace is something we receive. We take it, collect it, accept it. Our acquisition of grace is active on our part. Jesus did it all. It cost God everything. It is a gift. We receive it. 

The "whom" in verse 5 comes from verse 4: Jesus. He was promised by the prophets. He was a descendant of David. The resurrection declared His Power and the culmination of His divinity. The Holy Spirit was there bringing Christ through the resurrection, which ultimately saved us all. 

By receiving grace, we then have a mission in life. Each of us is commissioned. We are not each apostles in the technical NT sense, but we are each charged as ambassadors of His Message.

We are ambassadors of the message of grace. The product of faith is obedience. Obedience does not precede faith. Grace is a change of heart. It is an acknowledgement that Jesus saves. I can't save myself. My works are filthy rags. Obedience is faith and obedience is what follows faith. Keeping Is commandments is the necessary fruit of our salvation. 

Grace occurs. Faith is expressed. Obedience follows. I am the Lord's ambassador. 

It is not that we are obedient to the faith, but obedience is caused by faith. 

And Paul's audience is the Gentiles. This is his mission. And He does it all for God's glory. He does it to praise His name. Everything in life points to Christ: 
(1) Grace is what Christ has done, 
(2) The message we deliver in life is about Him, 
(3) Our faith is in Him, 
(4) Our obedience is to Him (and flows from our faith),
(5) We are sent to the people He calls us to and 
(6) We do all of this For His Name, for His Glory.
(7) Jesus calls us. 

Verse 6
In Paul speaking to the church in Rome, those in the church are specified as the called. John 10:27 states, "My sheep hear my voice and I know them and they follow me." When I think of the disciples. Jesus called them. They listened, responded and followed. But, their response didn't have an effect on Jesus calling them and yet, calling is significant because the language presents the idea that if Jesus calls a person they will follow. But does this mean they will then have faith. As I think about Him calling the disciples can we say that Judas didn't know Him? Is his turning away confirmation that He wasn't a child of God? Or was it that since He was called he was already saved? It is a tough conundrum.

Verse 5 speaks of the mission Paul had to the Gentiles. And now in verse 6 he states that those in the church at Rome, just like the Gentiles, are also the called of Jesus Christ. In essence the message of verse 5 is also about Jesus' calling.

The Greek word for calling is kletos which literally means the invited, like those that are invited to a banquet.

Verse 7
Beloved means we are loved by God. And this is in the present tense.The called are those who have heard the good news and responded to it by exercising saving faith. The called are virtually synonymous in this way with the elect. The ones who hear and respond and follow Him are the called.

So, perhaps in answer to my above question, it is those that are listening, that are making a response and follow Him--these are the ones that then hear the call and answer.

Saints are those that are set aside from the profane ways of the world to convey Christ. They are the holy ones of God. Every person in Christ by grace is a saint.

We are not called because we are saints or because we were so lovely, but we are saints because we are called. But, before any of this, we are beloved.  Beloved>Called>Saints. Is it not simply incredible the number of times the Gospel is presented in these opening verses. Even, just the simplicity of verse 7 and the remark that we are beloved of God.  And then we are called. And then Christ makes us saints (upon our faith in Him), so that we are then set apart for the purpose of glorifying God and proclaiming Him throughout our world.

"Grace to you and peace." Here Paul offers a simple prayer to those in Rome. This should be a daily prayer in our lives. In my life, it is so simple to pray these 5 words for my family and all those in my life.

Promise: God calls me His beloved. No higher designation for me in life.