Author: Jim

They Came Seeking

QUESTION? What have you done with Christ since you heard about Him?

Luke 2:8-38
4 groups or types of people in the above text.
All of them had the knowledge that a Christ/Messiah child had been born.
Simeon (vs 25) Anna (vs 38)
Yes, they all knew, but what did they do with their knowledge?
Matthew 2:1-3 Introduces 2 groups or types:
Herod the King and Jerusalem.
Herod was troubled. The puppet Jewish King of Rome.
A tyrant … he was his own god. Nobody would dethrone him!
(many are like him today…they are their own god.)
Jerusalem was troubled. Religion was a way of life. Don’t rock the boat.
Go to temple every Sabbath, Make all the proper sacrifices and offerings.
Be good, God, if he still existed would reward them.
Remember, they hadn’t heard from God for over 400 years.
(Does this sound like anybody you know?).
Matthew 2:4 Introduces a third type. Chief Priests and Scribes … The Religious!
They knew the Scriptures. To be born of a virgin, in Bethlehem.
BUT WHO SAYS IT’S HAPPENED?
(Religious leaders today have the Scripture! Christ Jesus died, was buried and rose again, returned to Heaven and is coming again!). BUT WHEN?
Sure, He’s coming but not in our life time … 2 Peter 3:3-7
Matthew 2:1 The forth group or type … The Wise.
The wise are prepared … remember the parable of the ten virgins
Matthew 25:1-13
The (Magi) Wise men (Probably Jews) came from the east and had knowledge of the Scripture, Seeking the Messiah, the King of the Jews.
Matthew 2:2 They had a sign, ‘seen His star’ they knew something special had occurred. (we Have signs around us today)
They searched, inquired, trying to find Him.
Matthew 2:11 Finally, after a long search they found Him.
They searched, They found, They fell down and worshipped, They gave gifts…
Matthew 2:12 They continued to obey!

Do you remember the Question?
What have you done with Christ since you heard about Him?

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Joseph’s Plan

Christmas is coming and most of us have special plans.
Relatives are coming or we are going to visit them.
Diner plans, shopping plans, what to get for who, plans …
Plans are good, but they must not be short ranged. We must also plan for the future .. what about next year, or 2, 3 or ever 5 five years from now? …..
Consider Joseph:
Joseph had plans … pledged to a young virgin .. marriage … raise a family …train his sons in carpentry … await the coming of the Messiah. Matthew 1:18-20. Yes, he was a just man, righteous, (right with God) walking according to the Laws and Commandments, trusting in the coming of the Messiah, offering in faith the required sacrifices Leviticus 4:27-35. Things were going good for Joseph.
A beautiful young virgin was soon to be his wife and a life of obedience to God….
BUT then a monkey wrench … How did Joseph know about Mary’s Problem? How did he discover her secret? Luke 1:26,39,56, 2:1-5 SHE WAS WITH CHILD! Did she tell him? Perhaps a friend? Or maybe he just noticed! Plans change. ..What should he do? He considered God’s Word! (WE should always consider God’s Word). What to do … PUBLIC EXAMPLE Leviticus 20:10 – PRIVATELY Deuteronomy 24:1
BUT God had extraordinary Plans! Joseph no doubt knew Isaiah 7:14, 9:6.
He just didn’t know about his part in them. Something to remember as we travel life’s road, living for God: God only expects obedience!

God had a special way to communicate His plans to Joseph…
Through a dream an angel reminded Joseph of the prophecy Matthew 1:20-23. Joseph obeys Matthew 1:24.
Notice three things about Joseph… A just man… In the Linage of David… Obedient to God

Today, God speaks to us …
Thru His Word, Matthew 1:21-23
Thru circumstances, Matthew 1:18
Thru our feelings Matthew 1:24

AS we make plans, always remember God has plans for us.

⇛ see Mary’s Problem

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Mary’s Problem

Have you ever had a serious problem? What did you do?
Worry about it or take it to God?
Mary was a young Jewish woman, a virgin who was espoused to a Jewish man named Joseph. Her future looked bright with a wedding on the horizon.
Then she was faced with a problem.
Read Luke 1:26-33
Yes, Mary faced a problem …
vs 28 An Angel’s Greeting …
vs 29 Mary considers what he wants …
vs 31 She is to bare a son …
vs 34 Can’t be, impossible, not married …
vs 37 With God, nothing is impossible …
vs 38 Mary’s response …
Notice what she didn’t do …
She didn’t worry what people would say …
She didn’t worry what her parents would say …
She wasn’t even worried about what Joseph would say …
God called, she responded … in faith!

But what about all the details?
God called … she responded, trusting God.
With God nothing is impossible.

⇛ see Joseph’s Plan

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Our Nation

Our Nation, in fact the whole world, is falling apart…
Spiritually …
Morally …
Socially …
Politically … WHY????
One good answer is WE HAVE FORGOTTEN THE 10 COMANDMENTS!!!
These are not specific, detailed laws BUT principles …. Designed by God!
EXODUS 20:1 And God spoke all these words:
Given by God for the purpose of Life, Liberty and Happiness.
The first 4 give us the way to establish a relationship with the One True God.
The last 6 give us the way to establish a relationship with each other.
The first 4 — spiritual principles.
The last 6 — moral principles.
They cannot, will no save anyone BUT adherence to them will give peace in this life. Look at them:
1) One God 2) No Idols 3) Bad language 4) Sabbath
5) Honor parents 6) Do Not Kill 7) Do Not Commit Adultery 8) Do Not Steal
9) Do Not Lie (false witness) 10) Do Not Covet

As we as Christians ignore them … Our Nation falls apart …
and the world also ignores them … The World falls apart …
Man’s Laws can be changed (and possibly should be)

BUT GOD’s LAWS ARE FOREVER!!!

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Theophany

An appearance of God to a human; a divine manifestation. Theophanies don’t always mean God appears in the form of a man. He can sometimes manifest Himself in fire or a tempest or a still small voice.
A few examples:
Genesis 3:8 And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.
Genesis 12:1 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee:
Genesis 17:1 And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.
Genesis 18:1-15 The three visitors visit Abraham and Sarah by the great tree of Mamre.
Genesis 26:2 (Isaac) And the LORD appeared unto him, and said, Go not down into Egypt; dwell in the land which I shall tell thee of:
Genesis 32:24-30 Another example of God appearing on earth is when Jacob wrestles the angel
Exodus 3 Moses and The Burning Bush
Exodus 6:2-3 And God spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I am the LORD: And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them.
Exodus 13:20-22 Pillar of Cloud and Fire
Exodus 24:9-10 Then went up Moses, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel: And they saw the God of Israel: and there was under his feet as it were a paved work of a sapphire stone, and as it were the body of heaven in his clearness.
Numbers 12:6-8 And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream. My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house. With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?
Numbers 22:22-35 Balaam and His Ass
Joshua 5:13-15 Commander of the Lord’s Army Appears to Joshua
Judges 10 Gideon and The angel of the Lord
Judges 13 The Angel of the Lord Visits Manoah and His Wife
1 Kings 19:12 “still small voice” that spoke to Elijah in the cave
Ezekiel 40:3 And he brought me thither, and, behold, there was a man, whose appearance was like the appearance of brass, with a line of flax in his hand, and a measuring reed; and he stood in the gate.
Daniel 3:16-28 The Fourth Man in the Fire
Daniel 10–12 Daniel’s Visions
Job 38:1 Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said,
Zechariah 1:7-17 Zechariah’s visions
These are but a few examples found in Scripture.
Some could teach that the LAST Theophany would be Jesus of Nazareth, as He was/is God.
Some teach that Theophanies still occur today. But according to Scripture, the way God speaks to Believers today is THROUGH HIS WRITTEN WORD!

Hebrews 1:2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

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Offense of the Cross

The Gospels only mention it as the form of Death the Lord Jesus suffered.
It’s mentioned in Matthew 27, Mark 15, Luke 23, John 19

Not mentioned in Acts as the apostle continued preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom. Not mentioned in James Peter, John or Jude nor Revelation.

Paul speaks about the Cross 11 times in 6 of his letters.

1 Corinthians 1:17-18 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

Galatians 5:11 And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased.
Galatians 6:12,14 As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. … But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.

Ephesians 2:16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

Philippians 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Philippians 3:18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:

Colossians 1:20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.
Colossians 2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

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Lights

Read Ephesians 5:1-10 (vs 8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:)
John 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
Matthew 5:14-16 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
What is known about light?
It’s cheerful
It radiates warmth
It drives away the darkness
It reveals the things around it
It draws attention to itself
Matthew 5:14 … a city … ever notice how cheerful a city all light up appears and how warm that city appears?
John 8:12 The Lord Jesus drives away the darkness
Matthew 5:15 Reveals things … Gives light to all in the house
Matthew 5:16 Draws attention to self … that others may see
Matthew 5:14 What kind of a light are you?
Flash bulb, Flare, Flashlight, Light Bulb

Flash bulb Type … What is known about them?
They give off a very bright light … very briefly
Everyone knows when one goes off
They usually only shine when something is happening
How does this fit into what we know about light?
Cheerful? … Not always Warm? … Hot or a brief moment
Drive away darkness? … very briefly Reveal things? … very briefly
Draws attention? … O yes However NOT the type of light to stay around!
Some Christians are like Flash Flash bulbs … Only time they show up is when something is happening, they never stay around very long.

⇛ continue reading Lights Part 2

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Confess your Sins

1 John 1:8-10 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. This text is used in many churches while calling for its members to come for an altar call. And in other churches to compel people to go to confession booths. But, let’s apply the rule for Bible Study. Who said (wrote) it and to whom was it said (written). First, who wrote it? It was written by the Apostle John, one of the original 12 who were sent to the nation of Israel to tell of the Messiah and coming Kingdom. Second, to whom was it written? It was written to the Nation of Israel. Why did he use this statement? Look at: Leviticus 26:40-41 If they shall confess their iniquity, and the iniquity of their fathers, with their trespass which they trespassed against me, and that also they have walked contrary unto me; And that I also have walked contrary unto them, and have brought them into the land of their enemies; if then their uncircumcised hearts be humbled, and they then accept the punishment of their iniquity:

God had given the Nation of Israel THE LAW and they agreed to obey it. BUT THEY DIDN’T! Reread the text 1 John 1:8-10 (The pronouns apply to John and Israel). Since the Messiah had come and died for them, rising from the dead and ascending back to Heaven, John was telling them (as a Nation) they needed to confess that SIN (not obeying the Law) and when they did, God would forgive all. Look at Daniel’s prayer: Daniel 9:4-6,11 And I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments; We have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even by departing from thy precepts and from thy judgments: Neither have we hearkened unto thy servants the prophets, which spake in thy name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land.

No, this text in 1 John does not apply to Gentiles. It applies to Israel! But what about Gentile believers (us). What about OUR SIN? According to the apostle to the Gentiles (Paul Romans 11:13), Christ took ALL our sins with His blood on the Cross. Past sins, present sins and future sins. This does not give us a license to Sin, but should encourage us to live for Him. Look what Paul wrote:

Romans 10:9-10 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Romans 14:11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
Philippians 2:11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

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War

A contest between nations or states, (or Kingdoms), carried on by force, either for defense, or for revenging insults and redressing wrongs, for the extension of commerce or acquisition of territory, or for obtaining and establishing the superiority and dominion of one over the other.
Key Verse: The Lord Jesus warned: Matthew 24:6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. Mark 13:7, Luke 21:9
From Creation to the Flood (some 1600 years) the Scripture tells little of man.
Besides the Generations, there are some facts recorded in Genesis:
4:2 They were Farmers and Shepherds: Cain and Able
4:8,23 They were murderers
4:19 They practiced polygamy
4:20 They lived in tents
4:21 They enjoyed music
4:22 They worked with brass and iron
Then it concludes: Genesis 6:5 And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
Since this verse tells how evil man had become, one can conclude that they also fought wars with each other. War is mentioned in Scripture over 200 times.
The first occurrence of War is in Genesis (and Abraham resolved it):
Genesis 14:2 That these made war with Bera king of Sodom, and with Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, and Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela, which is Zoar.
As the children of Israel travel toward the promise land:
Exodus 1:10 Come on, let us deal wisely with them; lest they multiply, and it come to pass, that, when there falleth out any war, they join also unto our enemies, and fight against us, and so get them up out of the land.
Exodus 13:17 And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt:
Moses reminds the people that God is leading them:
Exodus 15:3 The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name.
Exodus 17:16 For he said, Because the LORD hath sworn that the LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.
Not war but riotous sin:
Exodus 32:17 And when Joshua heard the noise of the people as they shouted, he said unto Moses, There is a noise of war in the camp.

⇛ continue reading War Part 2
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⇛ also see Battle, Spiritual, Weapons (Offense/Defense)

In Adam In Christ

During the 60’s and 70’s American was bombarded with INS!
Love-ins, Sit-Ins, Hate-Ins, Stand-Ins, Drive-Ins… Just so many protests!

IT’S A MUD-IN

Everyone wants to be IN … in the group.
Well, God is the originator of the IN group, and He says today, there are only two groups …
1 Corinthians 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
WE were all born in Adam.
Thru Adam, Sin entered into the world and has passed unto all born of a man and a woman. Romans 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
When we Believe (Death, Burial, Resurrection) and (Confess Jesus as Lord) and are saved, then:
Thru Christ, a new life became available, an eternal life.
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
A new position in Christ
Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Romans 8:10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

Anyone Anywhere Anytime can live a successful Christ life.
The Secret: Allow Christ to live it for you!

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