Welcome to Bible Study Time. We come to you each Sunday morning on behalf of the Peace Church, and we want to invite you to join us for any of our services. We’re located 8 miles south and a half a mile west of Indiahoma, and we’re just 12 miles east of Manitou right on the Baseline Road. If you’d like more information about the Peace Church, you can find that on our website, which is www.ok-peacechurch.org
In Deuteronomy, Chapter 31, the Lord spoke through Moses as Moses pronounced God's blessing upon Joshua as the next leader of the nation of Israel. God said: Be strong and of good courage; for you shall bring the children of Israel into the land of which I swore to them, and I will be with you. (Deuteronomy 31:23NKJV).
Now, it's very interesting and comforting to see that after Moses died, the Lord Himself came to Joshua and personally confirmed that message. In fact, that's what God really meant when He said, I will be with you. He really meant that He would be available to Joshua to talk to him and encourage him and give him specific instructions. The older I get and the more I grow in the Lord, the more I love the word confirmation, because it is more and more obvious to me that God loves to confirm the things that are true.
When Peter spoke to the children of Israel after the resurrection and ascension of the Lord Jesus, he was able to speak to them about the fact that God had confirmed to them over and over again that Jesus was the promised Messiah. Peter said: Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know — Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it. (Acts 2:22-24 NKJV).
So God was more than willing to confirm the fact that Jesus was the Messiah, and this confirmation came through the miracles, wonders and signs that Jesus did. Have you ever thought about the fact that nobody ever questioned the miracles of the Lord Jesus? Even the religious leaders who hated Jesus, they would investigate the miracles, trying to find some evidence that Jesus was a fraud, but they found instead that the miracles were real. When they said that Jesus did the miracles through the power of Satan, they were confirming that the miracles were real. God loves to confirm the things that are true.
When I ask older people if they know any atheists, most of us don't, but when I ask teenagers, they all know at least one. Our society is growing farther and farther from God every day, and I used to think that we have no room for discussion with atheists. I mean, if they don’t believe that God exists, and if they don't believe the Bible, what basis is there for a conversation?
But today, I know better. Praise the Lord, we still believe in a God who is more than willing to prove to people that He exists and that His love is real, and that He is the only one who has the power to straighten out our lives. That He is the only one who can make our lives meaningful, and significant and blessed with love and peace and joy. God is still in the business of confirming the truth about Himself, every day, to people all over the world.
I hear a lot of talk on the radio and TV about the power of God, but you know, you can hear lots of things in the media. But I personally talk to lots of people every day who have fantastic testimonies about how God became real to them. And do you know what? One of the things that confirms the fact that these testimonies are true is that every testimony is different. God doesn't follow any prescribed formula. One person will say, it happened when I got baptized. Another will say, it happened while I was driving down the road. Another person will say, it happened just as I was about to blow my brains out in a hotel room. Every person has a different story because God is real, and He works in His own way in His own time.
But there is one thing that I know and that is that prayer is the key. Jesus said, if you ask, you will receive. James said, you have not because you ask not. You see, God doesn't force Himself on anyone. He's just standing at the door knocking, and if anyone opens the door even just a little bit, the power of the Holy Spirit will come pouring in, like a mighty rushing wind. And that person will know beyond any shadow of a doubt that God is real. That God's love is real, and that Jesus Christ is the one person who is able to give us access to our heavenly Father.
We'll see more about God confirmation to Joshua in this morning's Journey Through the Scripture. Now here's Pastor James Roberts.
Saturday, July 09, 2011
Friday, July 08, 2011
Bible Study Time Introduction (7-17-11) (Introduction to a radio Bible study.)
Welcome to Bible Study Time. We come to you each Sunday morning on behalf of the Peace Church, and we want to invite you to join us for any of our services. We’re located 8 miles south and a half a mile west of Indiahoma, and we’re just 12 miles east of Manitou right on the Baseline Road. If you’d like more information about the Peace Church, you can find that on our website, which is www.ok-peacechurch.org
Today in our Journey Through the Scripture, we will see Moses coming to the end of his life. Moses was a great servant of God. Hebrews, Chapter 3, says: Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus, who was faithful to Him who appointed Him, (even) as Moses also was faithful in all His house. (Hebrews 3:1-2 NKJV).
When it says that Moses was faithful in all His house, the writer was not talking about the house of Moses. He was talking about the house of God. So Moses was faithful in all the house of God, and his faithfulness was even mentioned in comparison with the faithfulness of Jesus Christ.
The Apostle John said: For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. (John 1:17 NKJV). Here again we see Moses mentioned in comparison to the Lord Jesus. What a tremendous commendation by the Holy Spirit of God!
Of course, what the Holy Spirit said was absolutely true. Everything that is written in the word of God is absolutely true. However, if we meditate upon the words and think about the circumstances of the Jewish people, we can also see why the Holy Spirit might want to emphasize the importance of Moses and his ministry.
All of the Jews valued Moses. They all knew that Moses had been used by God to part the Red Sea, bring water out of a rock in the wilderness, and bring victory in battle by simply raising his arms in the air. They knew that God had spoken to Moses face to face, and that God had given the Law through Moses at Mt. Sinai. The Jewish people loved every thing they had ever been taught about Moses.
So the Holy Spirit was able to use that to make a beautiful point about Jesus Christ. He did not say, you think Moses is so great, but really Moses was nothing compared to Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit is full of grace and truth. He is full of compassion and empathy. He understands our tendency to love and adore human beings even more than we love and adore our Savior, who died on the cross for our sins.
In the past, Christians have argued with one another over the scriptures, and because we know that Christians aren't suppose to fight, we may try to claim that those who disagree with us are not Christians. But you see, when John and the writer to the Hebrews were making their appeals to the Jewish people, they were kind and gracious. They knew that many of the Jewish people had rejected the claims of Christ, but we see them trying to make a connection with the Jewish people on the basis of common ground.
They said, yes, you are right. Moses was a great servant of God. Moses was faithful in all the house of God. But now, let's talk about Jesus. If you like Moses, you're really going to like Jesus because Jesus too was faithful over the house of God. But Jesus was even more so because the house of God was His house. As the Son of God, Jesus was the rightful heir of the house of God.
When the Apostle Paul wrote to the Colossians about their testimony among unbelievers, he said: Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. (Colossians 4:5-6 NKJV).
When Paul spoke with the pagan Gentiles in Athens, he saw that one of the altars was dedicated To the Unknown God. Well, he could have chastised them, saying, don't you people know any better. There is no unknown God. If you knew the first thing about the Bible, you'd know who God is. But no, Paul spoke with love and compassion and said that the God who made the world doesn't dwell in temples made with human hands. Then he said, God is not far from any of us, but He is in fact calling out to us to repent for the day of judgment is coming. What gracious speech, seasoned with the salt of compassion and love.
Well, we can learn a lot by looking at the life of Moses and comparing those things to the things that we learn in the New Testament. So now, let's return once again to our Journey Through the Scripture with Pastor James Roberts.
Today in our Journey Through the Scripture, we will see Moses coming to the end of his life. Moses was a great servant of God. Hebrews, Chapter 3, says: Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus, who was faithful to Him who appointed Him, (even) as Moses also was faithful in all His house. (Hebrews 3:1-2 NKJV).
When it says that Moses was faithful in all His house, the writer was not talking about the house of Moses. He was talking about the house of God. So Moses was faithful in all the house of God, and his faithfulness was even mentioned in comparison with the faithfulness of Jesus Christ.
The Apostle John said: For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. (John 1:17 NKJV). Here again we see Moses mentioned in comparison to the Lord Jesus. What a tremendous commendation by the Holy Spirit of God!
Of course, what the Holy Spirit said was absolutely true. Everything that is written in the word of God is absolutely true. However, if we meditate upon the words and think about the circumstances of the Jewish people, we can also see why the Holy Spirit might want to emphasize the importance of Moses and his ministry.
All of the Jews valued Moses. They all knew that Moses had been used by God to part the Red Sea, bring water out of a rock in the wilderness, and bring victory in battle by simply raising his arms in the air. They knew that God had spoken to Moses face to face, and that God had given the Law through Moses at Mt. Sinai. The Jewish people loved every thing they had ever been taught about Moses.
So the Holy Spirit was able to use that to make a beautiful point about Jesus Christ. He did not say, you think Moses is so great, but really Moses was nothing compared to Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit is full of grace and truth. He is full of compassion and empathy. He understands our tendency to love and adore human beings even more than we love and adore our Savior, who died on the cross for our sins.
In the past, Christians have argued with one another over the scriptures, and because we know that Christians aren't suppose to fight, we may try to claim that those who disagree with us are not Christians. But you see, when John and the writer to the Hebrews were making their appeals to the Jewish people, they were kind and gracious. They knew that many of the Jewish people had rejected the claims of Christ, but we see them trying to make a connection with the Jewish people on the basis of common ground.
They said, yes, you are right. Moses was a great servant of God. Moses was faithful in all the house of God. But now, let's talk about Jesus. If you like Moses, you're really going to like Jesus because Jesus too was faithful over the house of God. But Jesus was even more so because the house of God was His house. As the Son of God, Jesus was the rightful heir of the house of God.
When the Apostle Paul wrote to the Colossians about their testimony among unbelievers, he said: Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. (Colossians 4:5-6 NKJV).
When Paul spoke with the pagan Gentiles in Athens, he saw that one of the altars was dedicated To the Unknown God. Well, he could have chastised them, saying, don't you people know any better. There is no unknown God. If you knew the first thing about the Bible, you'd know who God is. But no, Paul spoke with love and compassion and said that the God who made the world doesn't dwell in temples made with human hands. Then he said, God is not far from any of us, but He is in fact calling out to us to repent for the day of judgment is coming. What gracious speech, seasoned with the salt of compassion and love.
Well, we can learn a lot by looking at the life of Moses and comparing those things to the things that we learn in the New Testament. So now, let's return once again to our Journey Through the Scripture with Pastor James Roberts.
Wednesday, July 06, 2011
The Good Shepherd
"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." Thus begins the 23rd Psalm, one of the most beloved passages in all the Bible. These words were written by King David, who was a mighty warrior, a prophet and a man after God's own heart. As a warrior, David killed the mighty Goliath and subdued all of the enemies of Israel. As a prophet, David spoke of the coming Messiah and even gave specific details regarding the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. But David's secret to success was his personal relationship with God. David viewed the Lord as his shepherd because he knew that God would always be there to love him, guide him, correct him and provide for him.
Today, we know that David's relationship with God was based on his relationship with the preincarnate Christ. Jesus Christ was in the beginning with God and was God (John 1:1-2). We know that David came to God through Jesus Christ because no one can come to the Father except through Jesus Christ (John 14:6).
Jesus Christ is the one mediator between God and man (I Timothy 2:5), and today He is speaking to all people everywhere, saying: I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. (John 10:11,27-28 NKJV).
Jim Roberts, Peace Church, Indiahoma, OK
http://www.ok-peacechurch.org
Today, we know that David's relationship with God was based on his relationship with the preincarnate Christ. Jesus Christ was in the beginning with God and was God (John 1:1-2). We know that David came to God through Jesus Christ because no one can come to the Father except through Jesus Christ (John 14:6).
Jesus Christ is the one mediator between God and man (I Timothy 2:5), and today He is speaking to all people everywhere, saying: I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. (John 10:11,27-28 NKJV).
Jim Roberts, Peace Church, Indiahoma, OK
http://www.ok-peacechurch.org
Jesus, The Life Giving Spirit
The Apostle Paul draws a sharp contrast between those who are the natural descendants of Adam and those who are the spiritual descendants of Jesus Christ. I Corinthians 15 says that in Adam all die, but those who are in Christ are made alive. (1 Corinthians 15:22).
Jesus Christ created Adam without sin, but when Adam sinned by His own volition, death passed upon him and all of his descendants. To rescue mankind from death, Jesus Christ entered the human race to die for the sins of the world. Since Jesus Christ is eternal by nature, He would not have been able to die if He had manifested Himself in His divine state. The virgin birth of Christ is therefore extremely important because it is the basis upon which God manifested Himself in human form.
After Adam and Eve sinned, God announced that the seed of the woman would someday destroy the power of Satan (Genesis 3:15). And sure enough, four thousand years later Jesus Christ was born of the virgin Mary to die for sin and conquer death. This actually disarmed Satan and his demon forces and made a spectacle of them. (Colossians 2:15).
This marvelous victory is available to all who put their faith in the saving power of the shed blood of Christ. The first man Adam became a living being when he was created, but he fell under the condemnation of death. Jesus Christ, on the other hand, conquered death and became a life giving spirit for all who believe in Him. (1 Corinthians 15:45 NKJV).
Jim Roberts, Peace Church, Indiahoma, OK
http://www.ok-peacechurch.org
Jesus Christ created Adam without sin, but when Adam sinned by His own volition, death passed upon him and all of his descendants. To rescue mankind from death, Jesus Christ entered the human race to die for the sins of the world. Since Jesus Christ is eternal by nature, He would not have been able to die if He had manifested Himself in His divine state. The virgin birth of Christ is therefore extremely important because it is the basis upon which God manifested Himself in human form.
After Adam and Eve sinned, God announced that the seed of the woman would someday destroy the power of Satan (Genesis 3:15). And sure enough, four thousand years later Jesus Christ was born of the virgin Mary to die for sin and conquer death. This actually disarmed Satan and his demon forces and made a spectacle of them. (Colossians 2:15).
This marvelous victory is available to all who put their faith in the saving power of the shed blood of Christ. The first man Adam became a living being when he was created, but he fell under the condemnation of death. Jesus Christ, on the other hand, conquered death and became a life giving spirit for all who believe in Him. (1 Corinthians 15:45 NKJV).
Jim Roberts, Peace Church, Indiahoma, OK
http://www.ok-peacechurch.org
Transformed and Productive
In Romans, Chapter 12, the Apostle Paul says that believers should not be conformed to this world but that we should be transformed by the renewing of our minds. Paul concludes that if we set aside our personal pride and honestly evaluate our gifts, this transformation will lead to great productivity in our service for Christ. In the New Living Translation Paul says: Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don't think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. (Romans 12:3 NLT)
The Message by Eugene Peterson paraphrases the same verse this way: I'm speaking to you out of deep gratitude for all that God has given me, and especially as I have responsibilities in relation to you. Living then, as every one of you does, in pure grace, it's important that you not misinterpret yourselves as people who are bringing this goodness to God. No, God brings it all to you. The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us, not by what we are and what we do for him. (Romans 12:3 The Message)
If we set aside our pride and get honest before the Lord, we can truly dedicate our lives to God and bring glory to His name.
Jim Roberts, Peace Church, Indiahoma, OK
http://www.ok-peacechurch.org
The Message by Eugene Peterson paraphrases the same verse this way: I'm speaking to you out of deep gratitude for all that God has given me, and especially as I have responsibilities in relation to you. Living then, as every one of you does, in pure grace, it's important that you not misinterpret yourselves as people who are bringing this goodness to God. No, God brings it all to you. The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us, not by what we are and what we do for him. (Romans 12:3 The Message)
If we set aside our pride and get honest before the Lord, we can truly dedicate our lives to God and bring glory to His name.
Jim Roberts, Peace Church, Indiahoma, OK
http://www.ok-peacechurch.org
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
