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Articles 2014-2017
[1] All Scripture quotations are from the NKJV unless otherwise noted.
[2] See The Ryrie Study Bible NASV, comments on Revelation 2:6 - p. 1897, Chicago, IL: Moody Press 1976
2. The Clash of Two Wisdoms: A Study in 1 Corinthians Chapter One
[3] Of course, God’s power is wonderfully revealed in the ministry of healing. But we must discern His amazing power as we presently articulate the epoch shattering reality of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection.
[4] Here is the fear of the Lord. It is not the fear of coming to Him; it is the fear of walking away.
3. The Clash of Two Wisdoms II: A Study in 1 Corinthians Chapter Two
[5] The Lord did not say that all who are born again in fact do see God’s kingdom, but that those who are not born again cannot see it. Too often it is easy for believers to represent their particular sect or theological discipline more than they do God’s singular rule among His people.
[6] To name just a few, think also of the spirit of tolerance influencing America: “We must tolerate everything under the sun except those who take a stand for Christ.” Or the spirit of secular humanism/socialism – “The government is my shepherd, I shall not want.” Or again, the spirit of mammon which feeds greed in the human heart.
5. A Study in Acts Chapter 15:1 - 10
[7] (Acts 14:23; 20:17) (Titus 1:5) Such teams probably had some apostles among the overseers (think of how Paul and Barnabas emerged from among the leaders at Antioch), but they would have functioned simply as members of the eldership team when they were not traveling. Peter saw himself as both an apostle and a co-elder (1 Peter 1:1; 5:1). When at home, his desire was to function as a fellow-elder with the other local leaders. Such a way of functioning did not undermine his apostolic calling. Notice also John’s use of the term “elder” when referring to himself (2 John 1; 3 John 1). Even though their attitude was to simply be a part of the leadership team at Jerusalem, yet it was still obvious to all that the twelve were a unique group. Thus the phrase – the apostles and the elders.
[8] We often use the phrase, “Recognize, don’t organize. Don’t organize what you think God ought to be doing; recognize what He is doing and then cooperate with Him.”
[9] Sorry. Pun intended.
6. A Study in Acts Chapter 15 (Part 2)
[10] Words from a song we sing in our local church.
7. A Glimpse of the Religious Spirit: A Study in Luke Chapter 20
[11] Some will point to 1Timothy 3:1 to support the idea of men holding positions or offices of authority in the Church. It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do. (1Tim. 3:1 NAS) But according to Strong’s Greek Dictionary of NT words, the English words “office of overseer” translate the Greek word EPISKOPE which actually means “superintendence”. If one aspires to function in superintending or giving oversight to God’s people, it is a good work he desires. But there is no thought in Paul’s words of such work expressing an official capacity. That comes from our tendency to think organizationally.
[12] There is not enough space here to address the subject of New Testament apostles. We will look at this most important subject in another of these studies.
[13] The teachers of the law and the chief priests looked for a way to arrest him immediately, because they knew he had spoken this parable against them. But they were afraid of the people. (Luke 20:19 NIV)
8. Another Glimpse of the Religious Spirit: The Beast
[14] This is not however, to imply that this study is an exhaustive handling of Revelation Chapter 13. In fact, it may raise more questions than it answers. That’s ok if it draws us all to press more fully into God’s word to learn His purpose and His ways. What I am sharing is not the most complete word or the final word on the beast. I simply present these thoughts as a perspective to prayerfully consider as you study the Scriptures. In coming years, there may very well be a literal individual who arises on the earth to form a one-world government to oppose the Lord. And his system may last a literal 42 months. I simply do not know, nor do I pretend to be a prophet. But may these thoughts inspire in all of our hearts a growing faith in our glorious Lord Jesus and His triumphant warfare against the evil one as we look to the years ahead.
[15] Think of the fanatical rage expressed in the S.S. as they enforced the will of Hitler on other Germans.
[16] I pass on this story as it was told to me.
[17] We think of the threefold makeup of man expressed as body, soul, and spirit, of the threefold revelation of God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, of the three heavens (2 Corinthians 12:2), of Jesus’ resurrection on the third day, etc.
9. The Lord’s Table and Baptism
[18] This is not to imply that the Church will attain to perfection in this life. But there is a measured stature that belongs to the fullness of Christ i.e., His body (Ephesians 4:13; 1:23).
[19] These truths help us to see why the apostles consistently baptized new believers in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
[20] It is true that we can remember something while being external to the event. We do so through the testimony of others. But repentance and baptism brings us to the Calvary event that we might participate in it.
[21] This is not to suggest that we were eyewitnesses of Calvary like Christ’s apostles, His mother, and the women from Galilee who followed Him (Luke 23:49). Their experience stands out as unique in all of Church history. But the benefits of Calvary come to all without distinction. At the foot of the cross no one is more deserving than any other. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:28)
[22] Unlike other nations, Israel’s identity and purpose are rooted not primarily in her great historical leaders, but specifically in the God who called them. What made Abraham so significant is that he believed and responded with obedience when God came to him, called him by name, and invited him to accompany Him on a journey that would ultimately change the whole earth.
[23] I am sure there are many other insights to be added to this very short “peek” at Isaiah Chapter 60. Especially to be considered would be specifically how this chapter speaks of national Israel’s future place in the ongoing fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy.
[24] This is not to imply that the Church of the fourth century gave forth a pure light. There was great mixture in her thinking and practice.
[25] See our two articles on the religious spirit – September and October 2015. Click here: Chapter 7, Chapter 8.
12. Inaugurating Heaven’s Greatest Visitation
[26] In God’s perspective, unborn children are so much more than mere fetal tissue.
[27] Of course, there is more to making God known than just speaking His word. He will also be revealed in our lives as we humble ourselves before Him and serve others at His command.
13. The Coming Revelation of God In Jerusalem: A Short Commentary on Zechariah Chapter 8
[28] Notice that the bones were very dry.
[29] Throughout this chapter, the Lord consistently reveals himself as the Lord of hosts, the Lord of armies. Israel’s coming salvation is an essential ingredient in His plan to bring Heaven’s spiritual warfare for the souls of men to its successful conclusion.
15. The Prophet Habakkuk Chapter 2
[30] It is unfortunate that the NIV translates Romans 11:25 in the way that it does. I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number (Greek, PLEROMA) of the Gentiles has come in. The Greek word PLEROMA means “fullness”. To make Paul’s statement simply about a full number of Gentiles coming in to God’s work is to read a limited interpretation into the text. The Lord is bringing in among His people a certain degree of completeness, a measured stature, even a verifiable manifestation of His work that will gain the attention of many in the world but especially the nation of Israel. This issue of the fullness of the Gentiles could very well be the most important issue facing the Church in our day.
16. The Prophet Habakkuk Chapter 3
[31] Notice in the apostle John’s vision the combining of the harp, which speaks of worship with the incense, which speaks of the saints’ prayers (Revelation 5:8).
[32] Edom or Mt. Seir was the region where the descendants of Esau settled.
[33] To see where Scripture refers to Edom as a type of the Gentile world, compare Amos 9:12 with Acts 15:17.
[34] Which of course was why Paul could from his study of the Law, preach Christ, and labor to establish New Testament fellowships of believers even beyond the borders of Israel.
[35] Even the physical planet was shaken with an earthquake at His death (Matthew 27:51).
[36] (God) has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds [Greek - AIONES, the ages]. (Hebrews 1:2)
[37] God is the only One I know who can say to me, “Son, you and I had a great time next year.”
20. Heaven’s Strategy Against This Present Darkness
[38] Unless otherwise noted, scripture references are from the English Standard Version.
[39] Actually, the Babylonian captivity had not occurred yet. God was speaking of a future event as already accomplished. Its coming was certain; nothing could stop it. Even if Moses and Samuel themselves were to stand before Him and plead Judah’s case, what was coming could not be altered (Jeremiah 15:1).
21. Dawning Justice: A Study in Isaiah Chapter 51:1 - 4
[40] Even as Abraham’s Heaven-authored faith was revealed in his changed lifestyle, so it is the same today. Mental assent to sound doctrine without an altered way of living is insufficient; righteousness cannot be defined simply by an intellectual agreement with Christian theology.
[41] Applying this verse to the Church of Christ does not negate God’s promise to come to literal Mount Zion in the Middle East. He intends to invade national Israel and her many spiritually waste places and cause righteousness and worship to spring up in her midst.
22. God’s Emerging Kingdom: A Brief Overview of Isaiah Chapters 53 – 54
[42] Jesus was not a sorrowful man. He was known for His abiding joy (John 15:11) and for the fact that His joy was greater than that of His companions (Hebrews 1:9). But when the sins of the world were laid upon Him, He indeed became a man of sorrows.
[43] The Charismatic Renewal was not God’s sole shot at invading the denominations. He has done it many times since the days of Luther. And more are in store.
[44] Just like the days of Lot culminated in the day of Sodom’s fiery destruction from Heaven and the days of Noah culminated in the day of the devastating flood upon the wicked, so also the days of the Son of Man will be the season preceding His glorious appearance like lightning that flashes from one part of heaven to another.
23. A Prophet’s Perspective On the Gospel: A Short Commentary in Isaiah Chapter 55
[45] Greek, LEITOURGOS – where we get the word “liturgy”. LEITOURGOS refers to public servants or those who served in God’s temple.
[46] Greek, HIEROURGEO – “to officiate as a priest”.
[47] Not hiddenness from men, but hiddenness while with them. Our prayer is not that God would physically hide us away in some remote location, but that He would use us for His glory in such a way that others would be aware not so much of us but of Him and thus be drawn to Him even while utilizing us in the process.
28. God’s Everlasting House – Designed in Eternity
[48] but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world [Greek, AION – the ages]. (Hebrews 1:2)
[49] God had stepped into His creation and through the cross became the firstborn of all creation (Colossians 1:15).
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