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Sunday, November 29, 2009

Bible Lesson: Parables-Our Lord's-The Lost Coin

Bible Lesson: Parables-Our Lord's
Parable: The Lost Coin

Text:
Luke 15:8-10 KJV
8 Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it?
9 And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost.
10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

As with the parable of the lost sheep (Matthew 18:12,13/ Luke 15:4-7), this parable also deals with the value of the lost soul.
In the parable of the lost sheep, the shepherd leaves the ninety and nine and goes out after the one lost lamb.

The Good Shepherd, gives His life for the sheep.

John 10:15 KJV
As the Father knoweth Me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down My life for the sheep.

Our Saviour, so values us as His people, He was willing to give His life for us.

Luke 15:7 KJV (Jesus)
I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

In the parable of the lost coin, again we see the value of the lost coin/ the lost soul.

Here a woman is seen as having lost the coin. Many have speculated as to just what this coin represents.
Was the coin simply a part of her headdress, or part of her dowry, no matter, it was of great wealth to her.

She, represents the Church of Jesus Christ (Aka, as the Bride of Christ).
The lost coin represents, souls, that though in the church are lost.

Is it possible to be in the church, and lost?

Yes, if the church you are in is a false church, preaching a false gospel of works, instead of salvation through the blood of Jesus Christ, God's Son.
Yes, if the church you are in preaches the truth, but you never apply it to your own life.

It is the duty of the church, to be in the “Soul-Saving,” business. Jesus called His people to be “Fishers-of-Men.”

Matthew 4:19 KJV
And He saith unto them, Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.

As Christians, we have a responsibility, to win the lost!

Romans 10:10 KJV
For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Romans 10:10 NLT
For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.

Peter confessed:
Matthew 16:16 KJV
And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

John 6:69 KJV
And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.

Nathanael confessed:
John 1:49 KJV
Nathanael answered and saith unto Him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.

Woman of Samaria confessed:
John 4:29 KJV
Come, see a Man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?

Martha confessed:
John 11:27 KJV
She saith unto Him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.

Thomas confessed:
John 20:28 KJV
And Thomas answered and said unto Him, My LORD and my God.

Ethiopian Eunuch confessed:
Acts 8:36,37 KJV
36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

Mark 16:15,16 KJV
15 And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Matthew 28:19,20 KJV
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

The work of Christian people, in the church, and out of the church is....
Witnessing
Evangelism
Missions.

Dear friend, are you witnessing for your Lord?

Matthew 10:32,33 KJV
32 Whosoever therefore shall confess Me before men, him will I confess also before My Father which is in heaven.
33 But whosoever shall deny Me before men, him will I also deny before My Father which is in heaven.

Luke 12:8,9 KJV
8 Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God:
9 But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God.

Philippians 2:11 KJV
And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

I John 2:23 KJV
Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.

I John 4:15 KJV
Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.

II Timothy 2:11,12 NLT
11 This is a trustworthy saying: If we die with Him, we will also live with Him.
12 If we endure hardship, we will reign with Him. If we deny Him, He will deny us.

Luke 15:10 KJV
Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

The soul-winning church, is a joyful church, and the angels of God, rejoice with them.

Ask the Lord today, to make you a soul winner.

Proverbs 11:30 KJV
"...he that winneth souls is wise."

Daniel 12:3 NLT
Those who are wise will shine as bright as the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever.

Matthew 9:36-38 KJV
36 But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.
37 Then saith He unto His disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;
38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He will send forth labourers into His harvest.

Do you see the fields, ripe unto harvest? There in your own church, on your job, among your friends, the people you meet on the street.
Today, you may, save a soul from hell, and bring Joy to the Lord, by bringing some dear soul to the Saviour!

John 4:35,36 KJV
35 Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.
36 And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Bible Questions Answered: God's Grace And God's Mercy

Bible Questions Answered:
I get God's grace and his mercy, mixed up, how are they anything different?
Randolph, Freeport, Illinois

Bible Answers:

Grace: Hebrew-Chen (Khane): Kindness, favor. (All Greek/ Hebrew definitions: Abingdon/Strong)

Genesis 6:8 KJV
But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.

Grace, given freely.

Psalm 84:11 KJV
For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.

Grace: Greek-Charis (Khar-ece): Acceptable, benefit, favor, gift, grace, liberality.

Ephesians 2:8,9 KJV
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Grace, is the loving kindness, the Gift of God, to men.

Romans 11:6 NLT
5 It is the same today, for a few of the people of Israel have remained faithful because of God’s grace—His undeserved kindness in choosing them.
6 And since it is through God’s kindness, then it is not by their good works.
For in that case, God’s grace would not be what it really is—free and undeserved.

Just as light is the antithesis of darkness/ so to grace is the antithesis of works.
If it is by works, then it is not by grace.
If it is by grace, then it is not by works.

Salvation is by grace, as it is the very “gift of God.”

Acts 15:11 KJV
"But we believe that through the grace of the LORD Jesus Christ we shall be saved..."

Romans 3:24 KJV
Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

Romans 5:15 NLT
But there is a great difference between Adam’s sin and God’s gracious gift. For the sin of this one man, Adam, brought death to many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and His gift of forgiveness to many through this other man, Jesus Christ.

Titus 2:11 KJV
For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

Titus 3:7 KJV
That being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.


Mercy: Hebrew-Checed (Kheh-sed): Pity, kindness.

Psalm 86:15 KJV
But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, long suffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.

Psalm 78:38 KJV
But He, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not: yea, many a time turned He His anger away, and did not stir up all His wrath.

Psalm 78:38 NLT
Yet He was merciful and forgave their sins and did not destroy them all.

God's mercy, is without limit.

Psalm 103:11,17 KJV
11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward them that fear Him.
17 But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear Him, and His righteousness unto children's children;

Mercy: Greek-Eleos (El-eh-os): Compassion.

Luke 1:50 KJV
And His mercy is on them that fear Him from generation to generation.

John 3:16 KJV
For God so loved the world (God's Mercy), that He gave (God's Grace) His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Romans 9:16 KJV
So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.

Titus 3:5 KJV
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Bible Lesson: Thankful-Reasons For Being

Bible Lesson: Thanksgiving.

The Word of God, tells us as Christians, that we of all people, should be a Thankful, people!

* What should we give thanks for?

I Thessalonians 5:18 KJV
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Ephesians 5:20 KJV
And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Everything? What about the tragedies?

Romans 8:28 KJV
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.

Isaiah 55:8,9 KJV
8 For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the LORD.
9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.

Romans 11:33,34 KJV
33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out!
34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been His counselor?

Psalm 145:17 KJV
The LORD is righteous in all His ways, and holy in all His works.

Hebrews 10:35-39 KJV
35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward.
36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
37 For yet a little while, and He that shall come will come, and will not tarry.
38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, My soul shall have no pleasure in him.
39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

* Give thanks for God's mercy.

Where, would we be, if it were not for the mercy of God?

Psalm 107:1 KJV
O give thanks unto the LORD, for He is good: for His mercy endureth for ever.

Ephesians 2:4-7 NLT
4 But God is so rich in mercy, and He loved us so much,
5 that even though we were dead because of our sins, He gave us life when He raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)
6 For He raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus.
7 So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of His grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all He has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.

Titus 3:5-7 NLT
5 He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy.
He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.
6 He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior.
7 Because of His grace He declared us righteous and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.”

I Peter 1:3,4 NLT
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,


* We must give thanks to God, for His “unspeakable Gift.”

II Corinthians 9:15 KJV
Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable Gift.

John 3:16 KJV
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

John 4:10 KJV
Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the Gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of Him, and He would have given thee living water.

Romans 6:23 KJV
For the wages of sin is death; but the Gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Ephesians 2:8 KJV
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the Gift of God:


* Let us give thanks that we have been made, partakers.

Colossians 1:12 KJV
Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

Colossians 1:12 NLT
Always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to His people, who live in the light.

Colossians 3:15 NLT
And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.

Psalm 61:5 NLT
For you have heard my vows, O God. You have given me an inheritance reserved for those who fear your name.

Acts 20:32 NLT
And now I entrust you to God and the message of His grace that is able to build you up and give you an inheritance with all those He has set apart for Himself.


* Give thanks that God hears and answers prayer!

Philippians 4:6 NLT
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done.

Isaiah 58:9 NLT
"Then when you call, the Lord will answer.‘Yes, I am here,’ He will quickly reply..."

Isaiah 65:24 KJV
And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.

Zechariah 13:9 KJV
And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on My name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is My people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God.

Psalm 4:3 KJV
But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for Himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto Him.

Psalm 18:6 KJV
In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: He heard my voice out of His temple, and my cry came before Him, even into His ears.

Psalm 34:17 KJV
The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.

Proverbs 15:29 KJV
The LORD is far from the wicked: but He heareth the prayer of the righteous.

Micah 7:7 KJV
Therefore I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me.


* Thanks to God for victory.

I Corinthians 15:57 KJV
But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Psalm 44:5 KJV
Through thee will we push down our enemies: through thy name will we tread them under that rise up against us.

Luke 10:19 KJV
Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

Romans 8:35,37 KJV
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.

I John 5:4 KJV
For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.


* Thanks to God, who causes us to triumph

II Corinthians 2:14 KJV
Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of His knowledge by us in every place.

II Corinthians 2:14 NLT
But thank God! He has made us His captives and continues to lead us along in Christ’s triumphal procession. Now He uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume.

------------------------------------------------------
Psalm 50:14 KJV
Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the Most High:

Psalm 92:1 KJV
IT IS A GOOD THING TO GIVE THANKS UNTO THE LORD, AND TO SING PRAISES UNTO THY NAME, O MOST HIGH:

Psalm 100:1-5 KJV
1 Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
2 Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
3 Know ye that the LORD He is God: it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.
4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name.
5 For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endureth to all generations.

Colossians 3:17 KJV
And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him.

Friday, November 20, 2009

Bible Questions Answered: Sins-What God Does With Them

Bible Questions Answered:
If God puts our tears in his bottle, what does he do with our sins?
Shelia/ Great Falls, Montana

Bible Answer:
Psalm 56:8 KJV
Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?

Disposition of sin:

Two thousand years ago, God the Father, laid all our sins upon the Lord Jesus Christ.

II Corinthians 5:21 KJV
For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.

Isaiah 53:6 KJV
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

I Peter 2:24 KJV
Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

Our Lord has taken all our sins away.

John 1:29 KJV
The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

Our Saviour Has forever removed them from us.

Psalm 103:12 KJV
As far as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our transgressions from us.

Forever our sins have been “blotted out.”

Isaiah 44:22 KJV
I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto Me; for I have redeemed thee.

Never to be seen again.

Isaiah 38:17 KJV
Behold, for peace I had great bitterness: but thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption: for thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back.

Forever forgotten.

Hebrews 8:12 KJV
For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.

Ezekiel 33:16 KJV
None of his sins that he hath committed shall be mentioned unto him: he hath done that which is lawful and right; he shall surely live.

Our sins have been buried.

Micah 7:19 KJV
He will turn again, He will have compassion upon us; He will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.

Free from sin, we are forever covered.

Psalm 32:1 KJV
Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.

Psalm 85:2 KJV
Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people, thou hast covered all their sin. Selah.

I John 1:7 KJV
But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Bible Lesson: Parables-Our Lord's- The Lost Sheep

Bible Lesson: Parables-Our Lord's
Parable: The Lost Sheep

Text:
Luke 15:1-7 KJV
1 Then drew near unto Him all the publicans and sinners for to hear Him.
2 And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.
3 And He spake this parable unto them, saying,
4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?
5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.
7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

The claim of the Pharisees was, “...This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them,” and they were correct.

Were would we be if He did not?

Revelation 3:20 KJV

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.

John 6:37 KJV
All that the Father giveth Me shall come to Me; and him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.

People in this parable are referred to as sheep, common in scripture.

Psalm 100:3 KJV
Know ye that the LORD He is God: it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.

Isaiah 53:6 KJV
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD (God the Father) hath laid on Him (Christ Jesus, His Son) the iniquity of us all.

Isaiah 53:6 Septuagint Bible
All we as sheep have gone astray; every one has gone astray in his way; and the Lord gave Him up for our sins.

Men and women are like sheep, because, they easily get lost, need guidance, protection, pasture, and a shepherd.

Luke 15:20 (Parable of the Prodigal Son.)
And he arose, and came to his father. (A sinners call to his heavenly Father.)
But when he was yet a great way off, (Our God, ever listening, ever searching for His children.)
his father saw him,
and had compassion,
and ran,
and fell on his neck,
and kissed him.

John 3:15,16 KJV
15 That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.
16 For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

John 10:28 KJV
And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand.

Hebrews 7:25 KJV
Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them.

One of the gravest sins of all, is self-righteousness.

Psalm 130:3 KJV
Lord, if you kept a record of our sins, who, O Lord, could ever survive?

Proverbs 12:15 KJV
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.

Proverbs 30:12 KJV
There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness.

Ecclesiastes 7:20 KJV
For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.

Isaiah 14:13-15 KJV
13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.
15 Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.

Obadiah 4 KJV
Though thou exalt thyself as the eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down, saith the LORD.

Matthew 9:10-13 KJV
10 And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with Him and His disciples.
11 And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?
12 But when Jesus heard that, He said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.
13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Matthew 23:12 KJV
And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

Romans 3:19 KJV
Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.

II Corinthians 10:12 NLT
Oh, don’t worry; we wouldn’t dare say that we are as wonderful as these other men who tell you how important they are! But they are only comparing themselves with each other, using themselves as the standard of measurement. How ignorant!

Despite the “feelings,” of humanity, despite its intellectualism, ingenuity, and ritualistic piety, mankind is lost, lost in sin.

Jeremiah 17:9 KJV
The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

Proverbs 14:12 KJV
There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

Matthew 7:13 KJV
Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

Ephesians 2:8,9 KJV
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.


Oh the love of the Shepherd!

Psalm 23:1-6 NLT
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.
2 He lets me rest in green meadows; He leads me beside peaceful streams.
3 He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to His name.
4 Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.
5 You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings.
6 Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.

Isaiah 40:11 KJV
He will feed His flock like a shepherd. He will carry the lambs in His arms, holding them close to His heart. He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young.

John 10:11 KJV
I am the Good Shepherd: the Good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep.

Hebrews 13:20,21 KJV
20 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that
Great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,
21 Make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

I Peter 2:25 KJV
For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

Romans 2:4 KJV
"...the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance"

Our Great Shepherd, rejoices over finding a lost lamb, and He is not alone...

Luke 15:7 KJV
I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

Friend, this Great Shepherd, calls your name, He knows how far away, out on the hills, you are. He knows your pain, and loneliness.
Call out to Him today.

Acts 2:21 KJV
And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Acts 4:12 KJV
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Isaiah 44:22 KJV
I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto Me; for I have redeemed thee.

Salvation Prayer

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Bible Questions Answered: Prayer Cloths

Bible Questions Answered:
Is it OK to use altar, or prayer mantles, for the sick? Do they contain miraculous power of God?
Klaudia/Otwock, Poland

Bible Answer:
Intrinsically, no, spiritually, yes.

Mark 5:25-34 KJV
25 And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years,
26 And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse,
27 When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched His garment.
28 For she said, If I may touch but His clothes, I shall be whole.
29 And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.
30 And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that virtue had gone out of Him, turned Him about in the press, and said, Who touched My clothes?
31 And His disciples said unto Him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?
32 And He looked round about to see her that had done this thing.
33 But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before Him, and told Him all the truth.
34 And He said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.

This Jewish lady, had been twelve years Levitically unclean. Unable to attend her synagog, and or the company of her loved ones.

Leviticus 15:25 KJV
And if a woman have an issue of her blood many days out of the time of her separation, or if it run beyond the time of her separation; all the days of the issue of her uncleanness shall be as the days of her separation: she shall be unclean.

Earlier, Jesus had allowed the throngs of people to touch Him.

Mark 3:10 KJV

For He had healed many; insomuch that they pressed upon Him for to touch Him, as many as had plagues.

I Peter 5:7 KJV
Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.

Now what had healed this lady, was it the cloth of Jesus' garment?
No.

Mark 5:30 KJV
And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that virtue* had gone out of Him, turned Him about in the press, and said, Who touched My clothes?

*Virtue: Greek-Dunamis (Doo-nam-is): Miraculous power, ability, abundance, meaning, might, miracle, power, strength, violence, mighty-wonderful-work.

In answer to the faith of this woman, miraculous power, flowed from the Lord Jesus, to her.

Mark 5:34 KJV
And He said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.

The ancients of Israel, well regarded with virtue, the garments of it's prophets, e.g. second kings chapter two.

In the book of Acts we read of the works of the Apostle Paul.

Acts 19:11,12 KJV
11 And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul:
12 So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.

Acts 19:11,12 NLT
11 God gave Paul the power to perform unusual miracles.
12 When handkerchiefs or aprons that had merely touched his skin were placed on sick people, they were healed of their diseases, and evil spirits were expelled.

And of Peter.

Acts 5:14-16 KJV
14 And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.
15 Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.
16 There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.

The common denominator in these events is faith.

Mark 11:22 KJV
And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.

Dear friend, whatever you do, if God's Word, promises it to you, believe it, have faith in God!

Luke 17:6 KJV
And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.

I John 5:4 KJV
For whatsoever is born of God over cometh the world: and this is the victory that over cometh the world, even our faith.

Friday, November 13, 2009

Bible Questions Answered: Stigmata

Bible Questions Answered:
I have heard much talk about stigmata, and how those bleed the real blood of Jesus, what does the Bible say on this?
Cristina /, Abruzzi, Sulmona, Italy

Bible Answers:
One case was...

Ezekiel 9:1-11
God commanded judgment upon all, who were not His (marked) people.

Another was...

The story of Cain.

Genesis 4:1-16 NLT
1 Now Adam had sexual relations with his wife, Eve, and she became pregnant. When she gave birth to Cain, she said, “With the Lord’s help, I have produced a man!”
2 Later she gave birth to his brother and named him Abel. When they grew up, Abel became a shepherd, while Cain cultivated the ground.
3 When it was time for the harvest, Cain presented some of his crops as a gift to the Lord. 4 Abel also brought a gift—the best of the firstborn lambs from his flock. The Lord accepted Abel and his gift,
5 but he did not accept Cain and his gift. This made Cain very angry, and he looked dejected.
6 “Why are you so angry?” the Lord asked Cain. “Why do you look so dejected?
7 You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master.”
8 One day Cain suggested to his brother, “Let’s go out into the fields.” And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother, Abel, and killed him.
9 Afterward the Lord asked Cain, “Where is your brother? Where is Abel?” “I don’t know,” Cain responded. “Am I my brother’s guardian?”
10 But the Lord said, “What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground!
11 Now you are cursed and banished from the ground, which has swallowed your brother’s blood.
12 No longer will the ground yield good crops for you, no matter how hard you work! From now on you will be a homeless wanderer on the earth.”
13 Cain replied to the Lord, “My punishment is too great for me to bear!
14 You have banished me from the land and from your presence; you have made me a homeless wanderer. Anyone who finds me will kill me!”
15 The Lord replied, “No, for I will give a sevenfold punishment to anyone who kills you.” Then the Lord put a mark on Cain to warn anyone who might try to kill him.
16 So Cain left the Lord’s presence and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden.

What was wrong with Cain's sacrifice?
It was an abomination to the Lord, because it was human endeavor in place of obedience.
From his parents, Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, had learned all to well, that only a special sacrifice would ever be able to atone for sin.

First promise of redemption:

Genesis 3:14,15 NLT
14 Then the Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, you are cursed
more than all animals, domestic and wild. You will crawl on your belly, groveling in the dust as long as you live.
15 And I will cause hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring.
He (The “seed, of the woman,”) will strike your head, and you will strike His heel (Calvary).”

Man's attempt at sin covering was...

Genesis 3:6,7 NLT
6 The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too.
7 At that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves.

But, this kind of sacrifice, was an earthy salvation of works, by sinful man, which could never satisfy a Holy and Almighty God.

Genesis 3:21 NLT
And the Lord God made clothing from animal skins for Adam and his wife.

Blood was shed, by the hand of God, so that Adam and Eve would have a covering for their sin.

That story had been handed down father to son, so that Cain and Abel both knew the type of sacrifice God expected.
And He expected a bloody sacrifice, because it pointed to and was a type of Calvary.

Cain, was the first Anti-Christ.
Obviously, Cain did not know of Christ, but he did know of a bloody sacrifice, for the atonement of sin, which he disrespected.

I John 4:2,3 KJV
2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

The result:

Genesis 4:15 NLT
“ the Lord put a mark on Cain...”

Stigma: (New World Dictionary of American English.)
1.)A distinguishing mark burned or cut into the flesh, as of a slave or criminal.
2.)A Something that detracts from the character or reputation of a person, group, etc; mark of disgrace or reproach.
3.)A mark, sign etc. indicating that something is not considered normal or standard.
4.)A small mark, scar, …

This mark, was not a sign of obedience or of being Godly, it was a mark of rejection!
Genesis 4:16 KJV
“So Cain left the Lord’s presence...”


And now there is the question of stigmata.

Stigmata: (New World Dictionary of American English.)
A spot on the skin, esp. one that bleeds as the result of certain nervous tensions, marks resembling the crucifixion wounds of Jesus, ...persons in a state of ...religious fervor.

Well, isn't stigmata, the “marks of the Lord Jesus, mentioned by Paul?”
No.

The Marks of the Lord Jesus:

Galatians 6:17 KJV
From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.

See: View a list of subjects

Marks Of The Lord Jesus

Marks Of The Lord Jesus 2

Without any doubt, the stigma, the Apostle Paul referred to were the scars of beatings and scourging he had suffered.

Can the evil one, produce such marks?

False, evil, supernatural works:

Matthew 12:39,40 NLT
39 But Jesus replied, “Only an evil, adulterous generation would demand a miraculous sign; but the only sign I will give them is the sign of the prophet Jonah.
40 For as Jonah was in the belly of the great fish for three days and three nights, so will the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights.

Matthew 16:4 KJV
Only an evil, adulterous generation would demand a miraculous sign, but the only sign I will give them is the sign of the prophet Jonah.”...

Mark 8:11,12 NLT
11 When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had arrived, they came and started to argue with Him. Testing Him, they demanded that He show them a miraculous sign from heaven to prove His authority.
12 When He heard this, He sighed deeply in His spirit and said, “Why do these people keep demanding a miraculous sign? I tell you the truth, I will not give this generation any such sign.”

Exodus 7:11 KJV (Evil Supernatural Forces At Work.)
Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments.

Matthew 7:20-23 KJV (The religion of works and bestowment.)
20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
21 Not every one that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven.
22 Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity.

Matthew 24:24 KJV
24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
25 Behold, I have told you before.

II Thessalonians 2:1-12 KJV
1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto Him,
2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
6 And now ye know what (who) withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.
7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only He (God-The Holy Spirit) who now letteth will let, until He be taken out of the way.
8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of His mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming:
9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Revelation 13:13;16-18 KJV
13 And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,
16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:
17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.

Revelation 16:13,14 KJV
13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.
14 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.

Revelation 19:20 KJV
And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

I Peter 5:8 KJV
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

Ephesians 6:11 KJV
Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Isaiah 41:10 KJV
Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness.

Salvation Prayer

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Bible Lesson: Parables-Our Lord's-The Laborers In The Vineyard

Bible Lesson: Parables-Our Lord's
Parable: The laborers in the vineyard.

Matthew 20:1-16 KJV
1 For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard.
2 And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard.
3 And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace,
4 And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way.
5 Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise.
6 And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?
7 They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive.
8 So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first.
9 And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny.
10 But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny.
11 And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house,
12 Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day.
13 But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny?
14 Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee.
15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?
16 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.

Matthew 20:1-16 NLT
1 For the Kingdom of Heaven is like the landowner who went out early one morning to hire workers for his vineyard.
2 He agreed to pay the normal daily wage and sent them out to work.
3 “At nine o’clock in the morning he was passing through the marketplace and saw some people standing around doing nothing.
4 So he hired them, telling them he would pay them whatever was right at the end of the day.
5 So they went to work in the vineyard. At noon and again at three o’clock he did the same thing.
6 “At five o’clock that afternoon he was in town again and saw some more people standing around. He asked them, ‘Why haven’t you been working today?’
7 “They replied, ‘Because no one hired us.’“The landowner told them, ‘Then go out and join the others in my vineyard.’
8 “That evening he told the foreman to call the workers in and pay them, beginning with the last workers first.
9 When those hired at five o’clock were paid, each received a full day’s wage.
10 When those hired first came to get their pay, they assumed they would receive more. But they, too, were paid a day’s wage.
11 When they received their pay, they protested to the owner,
12 ‘Those people worked only one hour, and yet you’ve paid them just as much as you paid us who worked all day in the scorching heat.’
13 “He answered one of them, ‘Friend, I haven’t been unfair! Didn’t you agree to work all day for the usual wage?
14 Take your money and go. I wanted to pay this last worker the same as you.
15 Is it against the law for me to do what I want with my money? Should you be jealous because I am kind to others?’
16 “So those who are last now will be first then, and those who are first will be last.”

Five different groups of people were called to work in the vineyard.
First workers were those called at “early morning, to work for a penny, a normal days wage, followed by those called at nine o'clock, working for whatever was right.
Then came the group and noon, followed by those at three in the afternoon, working for whatever was right, and finally those at five o'clock in the afternoon.

The work day ended at six o'clock.

Some have likened this parable to the worker for Christ, and His rewards, in His vineyard the world.
Certainly, it is not for salvation, as we “can not,” earn or buy our salvation!

Ephesians 2:8,9 KJV
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Again the five different groups mentioned could be the history of the church, and or the years of the life of an individual-early years to late.

Whoever the group is, they all agreed to work, when called.

All were paid, for what they had agreed to.

Acts 10:34 NLT
Then Peter replied, “I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism.

At six o'clock, when all the laborers were paid, the early hour workers noticed that those who had worked only one hour, received the same pay, as they did, who had worked all day.

This angered them.

11 When they received their pay, they protested to the owner,
12 ‘Those people worked only one hour, and yet you’ve paid them just as much as you paid us who worked all day in the scorching heat.’
13 “He answered one of them, ‘Friend, I haven’t been unfair! Didn’t you agree to work all day for the usual wage?
14 Take your money and go. I wanted to pay this last worker the same as you.
15 Is it against the law for me to do what I want with my money? Should you be jealous because I am kind to others?’
16 “So those who are last now will be first then, and those who are first will be last.”

A key verse in this parable is verse fifteen.

Is it against the law for me to do what I want with my money?
Should you be jealous because I am kind to others?

See:
View a list of subjects

Bible Questions Answered:

Liberal-Was Jesus?

Rewards For The Christian

Bible Lesson:

Rewards For Faithful Believers

Friends, the Master of the harvest, may be as generous as He wishes, and thank God, He is so!

Now to some in our world today, this would be of a socialist bend.
“The early church, in today's world, NEVER, they would say!”
“I worked for mine, they can work for theirs!”

Acts 4:34,35
32 All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had.
33 The apostles testified powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God’s great blessing was upon them all.
34 There were no needy people among them, because those who owned land or houses would sell them
35 and bring the money to the apostles to give to those in need.

Psalm 24:1 KJV
The earth is the LORD's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.

Perhaps one of the greatest sins of the last day church, without doubt is, hypocrisy.
Pretense of poverty, of piety, and pansophy.

Revelation 3:15-17 KJV
15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of My mouth.
17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

No wonder, we can not like peter of old say...

Acts 3:6 KJV
Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.

Oh how the evil one has robbed the church of God, but not without it's consent, and that is the real tragedy!

If dear child of God, this story finds you in later years, yearning to do the work of the Lord, take heart, God is with you!
Abraham was seventy five years old, when called of God, and Moses eighty, so pray, and prepare, and go on in the name of the Lord, He has promised to go with you, no matter how late the hour!

And of course that means lateness of the church hour just as well, and if you are young, and it looks like you will not be in the field long, even if our Saviour was to come in the morning, He still would be sending forth His workers, yet today!
And His rewards are generous!

Matthew 10:40-42 NLT
40 “Anyone who receives you receives Me,
and anyone who receives Me receives the Father who sent Me.

41
If you receive a prophet as one who speaks for God,
you will be given the same reward as a prophet.
And if you receive righteous people because of their righteousness,
you will be given a reward like theirs.

42 And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of My followers,
you will surely be rewarded.”

Knowing the generosity of our Master, we must be doing “all” we can, “as long,” as we can!
Soon enough...

John 9:4 KJV
I must work the works of Him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.

Monday, November 9, 2009

Bible Questions Answered: Minister's Names

Bible Questions Answered:
What else can you call a minister? …
Cheon Seu W. /Inch'on, South Korea

Bible Answers:
First of all, here is what you should, “not,” call your minister!

Rabbi: Greek-Rhabbi (Hrab-bee): An official title of honor. (Abingdon/Strong)

Father: Greek-Pater (Pat-ayr): Father, parent.

Master: Greek-Kathegetes (Kath-ayg-ay-tace): Master, teacher.

Matthew 23:8-11 KJV (Jesus Christ)
8 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.
9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.
10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.
11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.

Names for ministers:

* Ambassador of Christ: Ambassador-Greek: Presbeuo (Pres-byoo-o): A senior, act as a representative (preacher), ambassador.

II Corinthians 5:20 KJV
"Now then we are ambassadors for Christ..."

Ephesians 6:19,20 KJV
19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.


* Bishop: Greek-Episkopos (Ep-is-kop-os): A superintendent, officer in charge, overseer.

Titus 1:7 KJV
For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not self willed, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;


* Elder: Greek-Presbuteros (Pres-boo-ter-os): Older, a senior, a member of the celestial council.

I Timothy 5:17 KJV
Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.


* Evangelist:-Greek-Euaggelistes (yoo-ang-ghel-is-tace): A preacher of the gospel.

Ephesians 4:11 KJV
And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

II Timothy 4:5 KJV
But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.


* Helpers: Greek- Sunergos (Soon-er-gos): Companion in labor, fellow-helper-laborer-worker, laborer, worker, laborer together with, work fellow.

II Corinthians 1:24 KJV
Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.


* Laborers with God: Greek-Sunergos (Soon-er-gos): Companion in labor, fellow-helper-laborer-worker, laborer, worker, laborer together with, work fellow.

I Corinthians 3:9 KJV
For we are laborers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.


* Minister of the Word: Greek-Huperetes (Hoop-ay-ret-ace): Officer, servant.

Luke 1:2 KJV
1 Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us,
2 Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word;


* Ministers of righteousness: Greek-Diakonos (Dee-ak-on-os): To run errands, attendant, a waiter-at a table or other menial duties, teacher and pastor deacon, minister, servant.

II Corinthians 11:14,15 KJV
14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as
the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.


* Messengers of the Lord: Hebrew-Prophetikos (Prof-ay-tik-os): Pertaining to a foreteller (Prophetic) Of prophecy, of the prophets.

Malachi 2:7 KJV
For the priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the LORD of Hosts.

Revelation 1:20 KJV
The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.

Angels: Greek-Aggelos (Ang-el-os): A messenger, especially an angel, also implied, a pastor.


* Overseers: Greek-Episkopos (Ep-is-kop-os): A superintendent, church officer, or church bishop.

Acts 20:28 KJV
Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which He hath purchased with His own blood.


* Pastor: Greek-Poimen (Poy-mane): A shepherd.
Teacher: Greek-Didaskalos (Did-as-kal-0s): An instructor, doctor, master, teacher.

Ephesians 4:11 KJV
And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;


* Presbyter: Greek-See definition for “Elder,” above.

I Timothy 5:17 KJV
Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.


* Salt of the earth: Greek-Halas (Hal-as): prudence.

Matthew 5:13 KJV
“Ye are the salt of the earth...”


* Servant of God: Greek-Doulos (Doo-los): A slave, subjection or subserviency, bond servant.

James 1:1 KJV
“James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ...”


* Servant for Jesus sake: Greek-Doulos (Doo-los): A slave, subjection or subserviency, bond servant.


II Corinthians 4:5 KJV
For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.


* Shepherd: Hebrew-Ratah (Raw-aw): To tend a flock, pasture it, herd man, keep-sheep, pastor.

Jeremiah 23:4 KJV
And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them: and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, saith the LORD.


* Steward of God: Greek-Oikonomia (Oy-kon-om-ee-ah)): Administration (of a household or estate); religious, economy.

Titus 1:7 KJV
For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;


* Watchman: Hebrew-Shamar (Shaw-mar): To hedge about, to protect, attend to, beware, be circumspect, take heed (to self), keep, mark, observe, preserve, regard, reserve save.

Isaiah 62:6 KJV
I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence,


* Witnesses: Greek-Martus (Mar-toos): A witness, martyr, record.

Acts 26:16 KJV
But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;

Revelation 11:3 KJV
And I will give power unto My two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.

- - - -
Dear Shepherd of souls, did you notice by conspicuous absence, a familiar title, that is not on this list?
The title “Reverend,” used only once, refers too the Lord Jesus Christ.

Psalm 111:9 KJV
He sent redemption unto His people: He hath commanded His covenant for ever:
Holy and Reverend is His name.

May the Spirit of the Lord, be your guide.
Selah

Friday, November 6, 2009

Bible Questions Answered: Fire-Saved By

Bible Questions Answered:
I read last Sunday, that fire can save people, how is this?
Shelia/Penrith, Australia

Bible Answers:
Fire does not save people from their sin!

The scripture to which you refer is ….

I Corinthians 3:11-15 KJV
11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; 
yet so as by fire.

Salvation:

John 10:9 KJV
I am the door: by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

Acts 4:10-12 KJV
10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead...
11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Romans 5:8,9 KJV
8 But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
9 Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.

Hebrews 9:28 KJV
So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

Saved by the precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, plus nothing!
If baptism “saved,” individuals, what a shame that the Lord Jesus, God's dear Son, came to die for nothing, when only a little water could do the very same thing! How shameful, even to think such a thing, and disgraceful to the Spirit of God!

What about the fire?

See the following:

View a list of Bible subjects:
Bible Lesson: Rewards For Faithful Believers
Bible Questions Answered: Rewards For The Christian

This fire, is the fiery presence of Almighty God.

Habakkuk 1:13 KJV
"Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity..."

Habakkuk 1:13 NLT
"But you are pure and cannot stand the sight of evil..."

Psalm 97:2-4 KJV
2 Clouds and darkness are round about Him: righteousness and judgment are the habitation of His throne.
3 A fire goeth before Him, and burneth up His enemies round about.
4 His lightnings enlightened the world: the earth saw, and trembled.

Malachi 3:2,3 KJV
2 But who may abide the day of His coming? and who shall stand when He appeareth? for He is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap:
3 And He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and He shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.

Matthew 3:11 KJV
I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. but He that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

Hebrews 12:29 KJV
For our God is a consuming fire.

This is the so called “Bema-Seat,” so called after the Greek games.
Here Christians, will have their,”works,” tried.

The trying of Christian works: Wood, hay, stubble, or gold, silver and precious stones?

1)What were your motives, to be seen of men (Pride), gifts given, for tax purposes?
2)Fire insurance, thinking you would gain salvation, besides the blood of Christ?
3)Works done for reward, a big name in heaven? Dogs do things for rewards, what is your motivation?
4)Works done out of coercion, obligation, peer influence, duty, and or a heart of devotion and total adoration?

The “works,” of all Christian people will be tried.
Many works will burn up in the Holy presence of Almighty God.
We may fool others and, we may fool our selves, but we will never be able to fool God!

A blood bought child of God, has access to heaven, but the excess baggage of “worthless-works,” cannot stand in the smelting, dross removing presence of Almighty God.

What a shame, a life full of works, and none that brings glory to God.
Saved, yes, but as by fire.

Revelation 7:17 KJV
"...and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes."

Dear friend if we today, know this time is yet to come, today, let us begin to align our lives aright.

I Samuel 2:2,3 KJV
2 There is none Holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any Rock like our God.
3 Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by Him actions are weighed.

Daniel 2:22 KJV
He revealeth the deep and secret things: He knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with Him.

Psalms 19:14 KJV
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my Strength, and my Redeemer.