Thursday, August 27, 2015

A New Day Dawning

Act 2:1-13 NASB  "1 When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance. 5 Now there were Jews living in Jerusalem, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6 And when this sound occurred, the crowd came together, and were bewildered because each one of them was hearing them speak in his own language. 7 They were amazed and astonished, saying, "Why, are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 "And how is it that we each hear them in our own language to which we were born? 9 "Parthians and Medes and Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the districts of Libya around Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabs--we hear them in our own tongues speaking of the mighty deeds of God." 12 And they all continued in amazement and great perplexity, saying to one another, "What does this mean?" 13 But others were mocking and saying, "They are full of sweet wine.""

Gen 19:24 NASB - "24 Then the LORD rained on Sodom and Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven,"

2Ki 1:10 NASB - "10 Elijah replied to the captain of fifty, "If I am a man of God, let fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty." Then fire came down from heaven and consumed him and his fifty."

1Ch 21:26 NASB - "26 Then David built an altar to the LORD there and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. And he called to the LORD and He answered him with fire from heaven on the altar of burnt offering."

2Ch 7:1 NASB - "1 Now when Solomon had finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the LORD filled the house."

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When fire comes from heaven it either comes to bring God’s judgment to earth or as at a time of worship in which HIS glory and power are displayed.  The fire from heaven came when the glory of the LORD filled HIS temple.  So when this fire was seen it seemed as if Israel was about to see a significant encounter and spiritual revival was about to come.  But instead of falling upon the physical temple of Israel the fire came upon a spiritual temple found in the disciples of Messiah Jesus.  

Now a sign of the Messiah coming would be the reverse of the curse.  One of the curses placed upon humanity is the cultural divides reflected in the diverse languages of the world (Genesis 11:1-6).  All nations would be taught and impacted by the Messiah (Isaiah 2:1-5).  The prophecy was that God would speak to Israel through the languages of the pagan nations.  

Isaiah 28:11 NASB - "11 Indeed, He will speak to this people Through stammering lips and a foreign tongue,"

So here the gift of speaking in foreign languages which were not naturally learned was a sign that the time of the Messiah had occurred and that the curse was now in the process of being transformed. 

There were two groups who observed this event.  Some were filled with wonder and even fear knowing they were facing a direct encounter with the presence of the Living God.  The other attempted to find a natural explanation of this just a group of people drunk with wine.  Interesting that our presuppositions, either supernatural or naturalistic, determine how I see even the day of Pentecost.  

Application

When in your life have you see God encounter you?  Have you ever had experience that made you think that the Holy Spirit was present?  Have you every had others think that something was from God but your were skeptical?  What is the most powerful demonstration of God’s existence that you have ever had in your life?

Prayer


Lord, help me be open to your presence that is over me, under me, around me, and in me.  Help me see that in Jesus you have sent your promised Messiah and with that you are now invading all nations with your truth, love, power, and the Living Holy Spirit.  Come now and fill me with the Holy Spirit so that I might see, believe, and follow the Lord Jesus.  Amen 

What "gods" is Psalm 82:1 talking about? I thought there was only one God?

Psa 82:1 NKJV - "1 A Psalm of Asaph. God stands in the congregation of the mighty; He judges among the gods."

Psa 82:1 NASB - "1 A Psalm of Asaph. God takes His stand in His own congregation; He judges in the midst of the rulers."

Psa 82:6-8 NASB - "6 I said, "You are gods, And all of you are sons of the Most High. 7 "Nevertheless you will die like men And fall like any one of the princes." 8 Arise, O God, judge the earth! For it is You who possesses all the nations."

If we read this on context and make note of the New American Standard versions translation then we see that the term “elohim” normally translated “God” or “gods” can also be applied to those in authority with no intention of implying that they are deity. 

The focus of the word is on greatness and power of the one in authority.  It normally refers to God or gods, but can refer to human beings and some think even angels.


Human rulers are seen as being responsible for ruling in the place and position of God to bring justice and mercy to the earth.  The Bible does not deny that there are other authorities both spiritual and human.  But only one Eternal being who is the creator of all other creatures.  Even the command “You shall not have any other gods before me” implies that we there are other authorities in our lives but none must come before or be held in greater honor than the one true creator of all things. 

This psalm is actually a reminder to human rulers that they will have to answer for their oppression and acts of injustice before the KING of kings.  

Ellicott’s commentary summarizes it well;

He judgeth among the godsi.e., He is among the judges as presiding judge. For “gods,” applied to men delegated with office from God, see Exodus 21:6, and, possibly, Exodus 22:8-9. (See also Note, Psalm 8:5, and comp. Exodus 4:16Exodus 7:1.) The custom of designating God’s vicegerents by the Divine name was a very natural one. The whole point of Psalm 82:6 lies in the double meaning the word can bear.




Wednesday, August 26, 2015

The Church will mature before the second coming. The best days of the Church are ahead of us!

August 30 – The Church will become spiritually mature in history before the return of Messiah.  – Ephesians 4:11-17

Key Memory Verse:  Ephesians 4:13 NASB - "13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Messiah."

Application:  We should strive to be mature and bring the church to maturity with optimism that our efforts will eventually substantially succeed.

Ephesians 4:11-20 NASB - "11 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Messiah; 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Messiah.

I.  There is a specific prophesy that the Church will be matured through the ministry of the gifted men provided by the Messiah.

14 As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; 15 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Messiah, 16 from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.

II.  The Church will be united In true doctrine and true love.

17 So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, 18 being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart; 19 and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness. 20 But you did not learn Messiah in this way,"


III.  Since we believe this let us today reject the false teaching and lifestyle of the unbelieving culture around us.

Pondering on Ephesians 3:8-13 - What is the purpose of the Church?


Pondering for August 23 – The purpose of the Church – Ephesians 3:8-13

Key Memory Verse:  Ephesians  3:10 NASB - "10 so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places."

Application:  We should boldly and confidently pray and live knowing that God’s eternal kingdom purpose is being worked out through us.


Eph 3:8-13 NASB - "8 To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of the Messiah, 9 and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things;

10 so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities[1] in the heavenly places.

11 This was in accordance with the eternal purpose, which He carried out in Messiah Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him.

13 Therefore I ask you not to lose heart at my tribulations on your behalf, for they are your glory."





I.  The task of the church is to teach the unfathomable riches of the Messiah Jesus.

            A.  Unfathomable riches of the Messiah Jesus
B.  Mystery
C.  Manifold wisdom

II.  Why?  What does this accomplish?

            A. Gives God glory before the angels of heaven
            B. Gives God glory before the fallen angels
            C.  This fulfills the eternal purpose of God in creation

III. Application –

            A.  Boldness

            B.  Confidence.

            C.  Don’t lose heart. 

Notes






[1] Col 2:13-15 NASB - "13 When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, 14 having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. 15 When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him."

Eph 6:12 NASB - "12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places."

1Pe 3:21-22 NASB - "21 Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you--not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience--through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, after angels and authorities and powers had been subjected to Him."

Musings on Ephesians 3:8-13 - The purpose of the Church

Wednesday Night Digging Deeper

Eph 3:8-13 NASB - "8 To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, 9 and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things; 10 so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was in accordance with the eternal purpose, which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him. 13 Therefore I ask you not to lose heart at my tribulations on your behalf, for they are your glory."

Eph 3:8-13 NASB - "8 To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Messiah,

ἐμοὶ τῷ ἐλαχιστοτέρῳ[NW1]  πάντων ἁγίων ἐδόθη ἡ χάρις αὕτη, τοῖς ἔθνεσιν εὐαγγελίσασθαι[NW2]  τὸ ἀνεξιχνίαστον[NW3]  πλοῦτος τοῦ Χριστοῦ,

1.  How could Paul see himself as the least of the saints when he was an apostle?

2.  Do you think it would be good to perceive yourself as the least of all the saints?  Why or why not?

3.  What was the grace or undeserved honor and favor of God that Paul received?

4.  Did Paul look upon sharing the gospel as a hard and difficult command or as a honorable privilege?  How could this perception change your attitude towards sharing the gospel?

5.  Name one of the “riches” of Messiah Jesus.  

9 and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things;

καὶ φωτίσαι[NW4]  [πάντας] τίς ἡ οἰκονομία τοῦ μυστηρίου[NW5]  τοῦ ἀποκεκρυμμένου[NW6]  ἀπὸ τῶν αἰώνων ἐν τῷ θεῷ τῷ τὰ πάντα κτίσαντι[NW7] ,

1.  How can something that has been hidden in God be brought to light?  In what person was the mystery (truth revealed) of God hidden in God brought to the light? 

2.  How does sharing the gospel bring God’s light to a person who does not know the gospel?  What new things do they understand?


10 so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places.

ἵνα γνωρισθῇ νῦν ταῖς ἀρχαῖς καὶ ταῖς ἐξουσίαις ἐν τοῖς ἐπουρανίοις[NW8]  διὰ τῆς ἐκκλησίας ἡ πολυποίκιλος[NW9]  σοφία τοῦ θεοῦ,

1.  How does the church (gospel community) make known the wisdom of God? 

2.  What are some of the  various ways that the church (community of the gospel) shows God’s plan of redemption?

11 This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Messiah Jesus our Lord,

κατὰ πρόθεσιν[NW10]  τῶν αἰώνων ἣν ἐποίησεν ἐν τῷ Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ τῷ κυρίῳ ἡμῶν,

12 in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him.

ἐν ᾧ ἔχομεν[NW11]  τὴν παρρησίαν[NW12]  καὶ προσαγωγὴν[NW13]  ἐν πεποιθήσει[NW14]  διὰ τῆς πίστεως αὐτοῦ.

1.  We have been made family to God in Messiah Jesus.  We can “have and hold” God now.    How could we take advantage of that relationship so that we would benefit from it the most?

2.  Do you feel emotionally that you have free and open access to God in Messiah Jesus?  Are you bold and confident in your approach and relationship with God? Why or why not?  What hinders such a relationship in many people do you think?  How could this be overcome?


13 Therefore I ask you not to lose heart at my tribulations on your behalf, for they are your glory."

διὸ αἰτοῦμαι[NW15]  μὴ ἐγκακεῖν[NW16]  ἐν ταῖς θλίψεσίν[NW17]  μου ὑπὲρ ὑμῶν, ἥτις ἐστὶν δόξα ὑμῶν.

1.  When a Christian leader suffers trouble and hardship how can this cause us to be discouraged or weary in our own Christian walk?  How could this be overcome?

2.  How are the Ephesians honored and spoken well of by the fact that Paul is willing to suffer on behalf of the church (including the church at Ephesus)?

Summary:

What is the most important idea that you gained from this passage and how can you use it in your life?






 [NW1]Less than the least.  The smallest of small.  – Word used to show the greatest self abasement.  Paul may have been making an illusion to his name which means small or modest 


 [NW2]Preach the gospel.  Proclaim good news. 


 [NW3]Untraceable not able to find out.  Romans 11:33


 [NW4]Illuminate, to shed light upon,


 [NW5]Religious truth which outsiders to the community of the faithful do not understand or know.


 [NW6]To hide, or that which was hidden


 [NW7]Create, generate, maker


 [NW8]The place of the heavens, the abode of God, the kingdom of heaven. 


 [NW9]Many sided, very varied, cloak  or robe of many colors,


 [NW10]Purpose, plan, strategy, purpose that runs through the ages or purpose about the ages.  The design concerning the ages.


 [NW11]To have and to hold, used of the relationships of family and marriage


 [NW12]Speaking freely, confidence, boldness, - We are “at ease” before God and commanded to speak our minds. 


 [NW13]Entrance, access, an open door policy. 


 [NW14]Having rational and trusting confidence


 [NW15]Ask and request.  Not an order but a passionate desire for them to do something.  


 [NW16]Give into evil, to be cowards, discouraged, to grow weary


 [NW17]Pressure, trouble, tribultation