"Sons of Thunder"/John the Beloved
The son of Zebedee and Salome, John was born in Galilee, probably between A.D. 10 and 15. His father was a fisherman, a trade which John was plying when he met and joined Jesus (Mark 5:37). His mother joined the women who served the followers of Jesus (Mark 15:40-41; 16:1). His brother James also followed Jesus. Jesus nicknamed both brothers Boanerges, meaning in Aramaic "sons of thunder" (Mark 3:17), a reference to their rather fiery attitude to Jesus.
John and James, together with Peter, are presented throughout the Gospels as the most closely associated with Jesus of all his followers.
In the lists of the Apostles John has the second place (Acts 1:13), the third (Mark 3:17), and the fourth (Matthew 10:3; Luke 6:14), yet always after James with the exception of a few passages (Luke 8:51; 9:28 in the Greek text; Acts 1:13).
From James being placed first, the conclusion is drawn that John was the younger of the two brothers. In any case John had a prominent position in the Apostolic body.
Peter, James, and he were the only witnesses of the raising of Jairus's daughter (Mark 5:37), of the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1), and of the Agony in Gethsemani (Matthew 26:37). Only he and Peter were sent into the city to make the preparation for the Last Supper (Luke 22:8). At the Supper itself his place was next to Christ on Whose breast he leaned (John 13:23, 25). According to the general interpretation John was also that "other disciple" who with Peter followed Christ after the arrest into the palace of the high-priest (John 18:15).
John alone remained near his beloved Master at the foot of the Cross on Calvary with the Mother of Jesus and the pious women, and took the desolate Mother into his care as the last legacy of Christ (John 19:25-27). After the Resurrection John with Peter was the first of the disciples to hasten to the grave and he was the first to believe that Christ had truly risen (John 20:2-10).
After the death of Jesus, John is presented as one of the leaders of the Jerusalemite followers of Jesus. In the Acts, John testifies to Jesus with Peter and James.
He goes to Samaria with Peter to confirm new converts (Acts 8:14, 25). When Paul is converted, he submits his orthodoxy to John, Peter, and James (Galatians 2:1-10).
Tradition relates that John was banished to the Greek island of Patmos during the persecution initiated by the Roman emperor Domitian (reigned A.D. 81-96). Here, it is said, John wrote the Book of Revelation. The Fourth Gospel apparently was composed sometime between A.D. 85 and 95.
It is not known how John ended his life. Some traditions claim that he was martyred. Others claim he died at a ripe old age. Tradition from the 2d century claimed that John died and was buried at Ephesus and his tomb became a site of pilgrimage. John's Gospel, unlike the other three, presents a well-developed theological point of view, on a level with the letters of St. Paul.
Because of the depth of his Gospel, John is usually thought of as the eagle of theology, soaring in high regions that other writers did not enter.
http://www.answers.com/topic/john-saint
John's own Gospel refers to him as the disciple whom Jesus loved (see John 13:23; 19:26; 20:2). What a special designation!
http://www.adoremusbooks.com/stjohnapostleandevangelist.aspx?ctt_id=796477&ctt_adnw=Google&ctt_kw=saint%20john%20the%20evangelist&ctt_ch=ps&ctt_entity=tc&gclid=CKf8l4zOpqACFZNL2godflsrZw
.http://www.answers.com/topic/john-the-apostle
May God be a Blessing in Your Life!!!
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Saturday, March 6, 2010
I know God cares.
Sometimes, when Christians are having a hard time, they feel guilty. Guilty because so much around us seems to imply that, if our faith is strong, if we stay in the word, we will prosper.
I’ve even heard ministers hint that a lack of prosperity or a feeling of depression is proof of a poverty stricken spiritual life.
I wonder what effect this has on people who are struggling when many around them do, indeed, seem to be doing just fine. I wonder how many withdraw into themselves because they feel ashamed to be having a hard time emotionally, spiritually, physically or financially.
I wonder, prayerfully, how can we effectively reach out to our brothers and sisters who are suffering the double burden of having a hard time and being buried in a sense of guilt?
Today, I personally found great solace in Chapter 4 of 2 Corinthians.
I realize that Paul was writing to the Corinthians to encourage them in the face of persecution for His name’s sake, but the words were balm to my spirit today.
As I took comfort in the entirety of the chapter, I found special peace in verse 16:“Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.”
I have a special prayer that was sent to me some time ago by a friend. I have shared it with many and would like to share it now.
May today be all you need it to be.
May the peace of God and the freshness of the Holy Spirit rest in your thoughts, rule in your dreams and conquer all your fears.
May God manifest Himself today in ways you have never experienced. May your joys be fulfilled, your dreams be closer and your prayers be answered.
I pray that faith enters a new height for you;
I pray that your territory is enlarged.
I pray for peace, healing, health, happiness, prosperity, joy, true and undying love for God.
God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage.
As I share this special prayer with you, I am comforted by the knowledge that God has been faithful to provide in my life. That knowledge strengthens my soul.
"He groaned in the spirit, and was troubled," John 11:33.
John 11:35. "Jesus wept"
I know God cares.
May God be a blessing in your life!!!
I’ve even heard ministers hint that a lack of prosperity or a feeling of depression is proof of a poverty stricken spiritual life.
I wonder what effect this has on people who are struggling when many around them do, indeed, seem to be doing just fine. I wonder how many withdraw into themselves because they feel ashamed to be having a hard time emotionally, spiritually, physically or financially.
I wonder, prayerfully, how can we effectively reach out to our brothers and sisters who are suffering the double burden of having a hard time and being buried in a sense of guilt?
Today, I personally found great solace in Chapter 4 of 2 Corinthians.
I realize that Paul was writing to the Corinthians to encourage them in the face of persecution for His name’s sake, but the words were balm to my spirit today.
As I took comfort in the entirety of the chapter, I found special peace in verse 16:“Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.”
I have a special prayer that was sent to me some time ago by a friend. I have shared it with many and would like to share it now.
May today be all you need it to be.
May the peace of God and the freshness of the Holy Spirit rest in your thoughts, rule in your dreams and conquer all your fears.
May God manifest Himself today in ways you have never experienced. May your joys be fulfilled, your dreams be closer and your prayers be answered.
I pray that faith enters a new height for you;
I pray that your territory is enlarged.
I pray for peace, healing, health, happiness, prosperity, joy, true and undying love for God.
God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage.
As I share this special prayer with you, I am comforted by the knowledge that God has been faithful to provide in my life. That knowledge strengthens my soul.
"He groaned in the spirit, and was troubled," John 11:33.
John 11:35. "Jesus wept"
I know God cares.
May God be a blessing in your life!!!
Friday, March 5, 2010
“Truth in advertising?”
“Truth in advertising?”
I just watched four commercials for auto insurance, each of which promised lower rates than the others. How can this be?
Is there no “truth in advertising? How is this allowed?
The truth is that advertisers have no more obligation to truth than does Satan. Both are dedicated to convincing us to think their way and buy into their program.
As with advertising, it is in our best interest to do our own research to discern the truth concerning our spiritual life. Yet, some of us will study insurance comparisons more diligently than the bible.
For the Christian, discernment comes from a frequent look imto The Word.
2 Timothy 2:15 (New American Standard Bible), "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the Word of truth."
We can’t be lazy and expect our Pastor to be the only one obligated to study the Word. We are mandated by the Word to be responsible for our own emersion in the gospel.
Acts 17:11 (New International Version), "These were more noble minded than those in Thessalonica for they received the Word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so."
Joshua 1:8 (New International Version)
8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
It is my desire to “prosper and be successful” in my walk with God.
May God be a blessing in your life!!!
I just watched four commercials for auto insurance, each of which promised lower rates than the others. How can this be?
Is there no “truth in advertising? How is this allowed?
The truth is that advertisers have no more obligation to truth than does Satan. Both are dedicated to convincing us to think their way and buy into their program.
As with advertising, it is in our best interest to do our own research to discern the truth concerning our spiritual life. Yet, some of us will study insurance comparisons more diligently than the bible.
For the Christian, discernment comes from a frequent look imto The Word.
2 Timothy 2:15 (New American Standard Bible), "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the Word of truth."
We can’t be lazy and expect our Pastor to be the only one obligated to study the Word. We are mandated by the Word to be responsible for our own emersion in the gospel.
Acts 17:11 (New International Version), "These were more noble minded than those in Thessalonica for they received the Word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so."
Joshua 1:8 (New International Version)
8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
It is my desire to “prosper and be successful” in my walk with God.
May God be a blessing in your life!!!
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Amen
Amen
“Let the Church say Amen” is not just a song, it is often an integral part of the service and, in the emotion of an exciting sermon, it is heard often. What does it mean when we say “Amen”?
Do we understand that when we say “Amen” we are saying that we agree with what is being said. Are we careful about our agreements?
Synonyms: truly, "fair dinkum"
Related ideas: truth, prayer, agreement
Greek References: αμην Amen translated by Luke as αληθος aleethos, truly (Mark 9:1, Luke 9:27).
Definition: Amen is an exclamation expressing agreement with a statement. At the end of a prayer it expresses the genuineness of the petition.
So be it: said or sung at the end of a prayer or hymn to affirm its content
expressing strong agreement: used to express strong agreement
"amen to that"
affirmation in prayer: an indication, at the end of a prayer or hymn, that the person praying or singing affirms its content
Scripture chain:
Doxology and Benediction (praise and blessing)
Psa 41:13 "Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting and to everlasting! Amen and amen"
Mtt 6:13 "Yours is the Kingdom, the power, and the glory forever, Amen."
Rev 22:20-21 "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with all the saints. Amen"
Rom 11:36, 15:33 [typical doxology and benediction]
Solemn pronouncement
Neh 5:13 Neh 8:6 "All the people answered, Amen, Amen, with the lifting up of their hands"
Rom 1:25, 9:1-5 [typical solemn affirmations]
Psa 72:19; 89:52 [Endings to books of Psalms]
Thanksgiving
1Co 14:15-16 "...say the Amen at your giving of thanks..."
Comment: In the Bible, "Amen" is almost always the last word of a solemn statement such as a benediction or doxology. Jesus however would often use it at the beginning of a solemn statement by saying "Verily" or "Truly". This is actually the word "Amen".
http://members.net-tech.com.au/sggram/f659.htm
It was interesting to look up the word “Amen” in the dictionary. It was much more interesting to look up the word in the Bible. I’ve included some scriptures which touched me and invite you to do your own search.
Isaiah 65:16
"That he who blesseth himself in the earth shall bless himself in the God of truth; and he that sweareth in the earth shall swear by the God of truth; because the former troubles are forgotten, and because they are hid from mine eyes."
Both these words that are translated truth are the Hebrew word [amen]. Thus it is declaring by the God of Amen, Jehovah God who cannot lie (Titus 1:2). In this context this word is expressing God's faithfulness. That He alone is the Amen, the God of truth. Indeed, the Lord is the very essence of truth. So by comparing scripture with scripture and allowing it to be it's own dictionary and interpreter, we can come to sound conclusions about what words really mean in scripture. Amen is thereby defined as truth. And not only in the Old Testament, this understanding of the word continues to be made manifest in the New Testament.
Revelation 3:14
"And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;"
Christ "is" the Truth both in person and in Spirit, so that He fulfills God's faithfulness to His people. i.e., whatever the Lord declares surely will come to pass.
John 8:51
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death."
The word translated 'verily' is that very same Hebrew word [amen], and it means that what is now being said is most assuredly, truth. Christ is saying, "Of a truth (truthfully) I say unto you." He is making a statement of "absolute" certainty. And Christ used "amen" to introduce statements as being sure on a number of occasions. What does amen mean
John 13:38
"Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice."
Again, the word translated "verily" is the Hebrew word [amen]. Verily or [amen] thus means truthfully or truly. God is emphasizing here the absolute truth that there is no possibility that Peter would not deny Him three times. Amen, Amen, it was going to occur.
Deuteronomy 27:14-15
"And the Levites shall speak, and say unto all the men of Israel with a loud voice,
Cursed be the man that maketh any graven or molten image, an abomination unto the LORD, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and putteth it in a secret place. And all the people shall answer and say, Amen."
Deuteronomy 27:20-23
"Cursed be he that lieth with his father's wife; because he uncovereth his father's skirt. And all the people shall say, Amen.
Cursed be he that lieth with any manner of beast. And all the people shall say, Amen.
Cursed be he that lieth with his sister, the daughter of his father, or the daughter of his mother. And all the people shall say, Amen.
Cursed be he that lieth with his mother in law. And all the people shall say, Amen."
When you say Amen, it really should be considered a solemn oath of agreement before God, which should never be uttered lightly.
May God always be a blessing in your life!!!
“Let the Church say Amen” is not just a song, it is often an integral part of the service and, in the emotion of an exciting sermon, it is heard often. What does it mean when we say “Amen”?
Do we understand that when we say “Amen” we are saying that we agree with what is being said. Are we careful about our agreements?
Synonyms: truly, "fair dinkum"
Related ideas: truth, prayer, agreement
Greek References: αμην Amen translated by Luke as αληθος aleethos, truly (Mark 9:1, Luke 9:27).
Definition: Amen is an exclamation expressing agreement with a statement. At the end of a prayer it expresses the genuineness of the petition.
So be it: said or sung at the end of a prayer or hymn to affirm its content
expressing strong agreement: used to express strong agreement
"amen to that"
affirmation in prayer: an indication, at the end of a prayer or hymn, that the person praying or singing affirms its content
Scripture chain:
Doxology and Benediction (praise and blessing)
Psa 41:13 "Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting and to everlasting! Amen and amen"
Mtt 6:13 "Yours is the Kingdom, the power, and the glory forever, Amen."
Rev 22:20-21 "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with all the saints. Amen"
Rom 11:36, 15:33 [typical doxology and benediction]
Solemn pronouncement
Neh 5:13 Neh 8:6 "All the people answered, Amen, Amen, with the lifting up of their hands"
Rom 1:25, 9:1-5 [typical solemn affirmations]
Psa 72:19; 89:52 [Endings to books of Psalms]
Thanksgiving
1Co 14:15-16 "...say the Amen at your giving of thanks..."
Comment: In the Bible, "Amen" is almost always the last word of a solemn statement such as a benediction or doxology. Jesus however would often use it at the beginning of a solemn statement by saying "Verily" or "Truly". This is actually the word "Amen".
http://members.net-tech.com.au/sggram/f659.htm
It was interesting to look up the word “Amen” in the dictionary. It was much more interesting to look up the word in the Bible. I’ve included some scriptures which touched me and invite you to do your own search.
Isaiah 65:16
"That he who blesseth himself in the earth shall bless himself in the God of truth; and he that sweareth in the earth shall swear by the God of truth; because the former troubles are forgotten, and because they are hid from mine eyes."
Both these words that are translated truth are the Hebrew word [amen]. Thus it is declaring by the God of Amen, Jehovah God who cannot lie (Titus 1:2). In this context this word is expressing God's faithfulness. That He alone is the Amen, the God of truth. Indeed, the Lord is the very essence of truth. So by comparing scripture with scripture and allowing it to be it's own dictionary and interpreter, we can come to sound conclusions about what words really mean in scripture. Amen is thereby defined as truth. And not only in the Old Testament, this understanding of the word continues to be made manifest in the New Testament.
Revelation 3:14
"And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;"
Christ "is" the Truth both in person and in Spirit, so that He fulfills God's faithfulness to His people. i.e., whatever the Lord declares surely will come to pass.
John 8:51
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death."
The word translated 'verily' is that very same Hebrew word [amen], and it means that what is now being said is most assuredly, truth. Christ is saying, "Of a truth (truthfully) I say unto you." He is making a statement of "absolute" certainty. And Christ used "amen" to introduce statements as being sure on a number of occasions. What does amen mean
John 13:38
"Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice."
Again, the word translated "verily" is the Hebrew word [amen]. Verily or [amen] thus means truthfully or truly. God is emphasizing here the absolute truth that there is no possibility that Peter would not deny Him three times. Amen, Amen, it was going to occur.
Deuteronomy 27:14-15
"And the Levites shall speak, and say unto all the men of Israel with a loud voice,
Cursed be the man that maketh any graven or molten image, an abomination unto the LORD, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and putteth it in a secret place. And all the people shall answer and say, Amen."
Deuteronomy 27:20-23
"Cursed be he that lieth with his father's wife; because he uncovereth his father's skirt. And all the people shall say, Amen.
Cursed be he that lieth with any manner of beast. And all the people shall say, Amen.
Cursed be he that lieth with his sister, the daughter of his father, or the daughter of his mother. And all the people shall say, Amen.
Cursed be he that lieth with his mother in law. And all the people shall say, Amen."
When you say Amen, it really should be considered a solemn oath of agreement before God, which should never be uttered lightly.
May God always be a blessing in your life!!!
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
The Apostle Peter
Peter
Rock.
"And Simon Peter answered and said, 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.' Jesus answered and said to him, 'Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it." - Matt. 16:16-18.
Simon Bar-Jonah was the brother of Andrew and son of Jonah. He was also known as Simeon. Simon was originally a fisherman of Bethsaida, on the western coast of the Sea of Galilee. He and his brother, Andrew, were the first disciples called by Jesus. (Matt. 4: 18-22; Mark 1: 16-20; Luke 5: 1-11; John 1: 40-42).
Simon was one of the twelve disciples and one of the inner circle. He was one of the three disciples present on several important occasions such as the transfiguration(Matt. 17: 1). Peter was one of those with Jesus on the night he was arrested Matt. 26: 37; and at the raising of the daughter of the synagogue official (Mark 5: 37).
Most are familiar with his confession of the Lord’s Messiahship and Godhead in Matt. 16: 13-19 and words then addressed to him, “Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will b uild my church,”
Peter was an outspoken follower of Our Lord but was also the first to deny Him after His arrest Matt. 26: 33-35, 58, 69-75.
It was Peter who stepped forth with the eleven on the day when they were all filled with the Holy Spirit in the upper room and addressed the crown that thought they were drunk.
After Jesus' ascension Peter preached on Pentecost and healed in the Temple.
Peter was called by God to reach out to the Gentiles. This started in a vision that is described in the Book of Acts (Acts 10).
Peter saw a vision in which a sheet full of animals descended from heaven, which made him realize that people of every nation who fear God and do what is right are acceptable to God, He received the gentile Cornelius as a Christian and was instrumental in persuading the Jerusalem council to receive gentiles into the church without circumcision.
It is interesting to note that the disciples were first called Christians at Antioch, one of the places where the Word was given to Jews and Gentiles alike.
The gospels of Peter are fuller within the context of scriptures which amplify understanding. Some of these scriptures are included here.
I am very grateful for the ministry of Peter, the apostle who opened the Way for me, a Gentile.
May God always be a blessing in your life!!
Rock.
"And Simon Peter answered and said, 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.' Jesus answered and said to him, 'Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it." - Matt. 16:16-18.
Simon Bar-Jonah was the brother of Andrew and son of Jonah. He was also known as Simeon. Simon was originally a fisherman of Bethsaida, on the western coast of the Sea of Galilee. He and his brother, Andrew, were the first disciples called by Jesus. (Matt. 4: 18-22; Mark 1: 16-20; Luke 5: 1-11; John 1: 40-42).
Simon was one of the twelve disciples and one of the inner circle. He was one of the three disciples present on several important occasions such as the transfiguration(Matt. 17: 1). Peter was one of those with Jesus on the night he was arrested Matt. 26: 37; and at the raising of the daughter of the synagogue official (Mark 5: 37).
Most are familiar with his confession of the Lord’s Messiahship and Godhead in Matt. 16: 13-19 and words then addressed to him, “Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will b uild my church,”
Peter was an outspoken follower of Our Lord but was also the first to deny Him after His arrest Matt. 26: 33-35, 58, 69-75.
It was Peter who stepped forth with the eleven on the day when they were all filled with the Holy Spirit in the upper room and addressed the crown that thought they were drunk.
After Jesus' ascension Peter preached on Pentecost and healed in the Temple.
Peter was called by God to reach out to the Gentiles. This started in a vision that is described in the Book of Acts (Acts 10).
Peter saw a vision in which a sheet full of animals descended from heaven, which made him realize that people of every nation who fear God and do what is right are acceptable to God, He received the gentile Cornelius as a Christian and was instrumental in persuading the Jerusalem council to receive gentiles into the church without circumcision.
It is interesting to note that the disciples were first called Christians at Antioch, one of the places where the Word was given to Jews and Gentiles alike.
The gospels of Peter are fuller within the context of scriptures which amplify understanding. Some of these scriptures are included here.
I am very grateful for the ministry of Peter, the apostle who opened the Way for me, a Gentile.
May God always be a blessing in your life!!
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
The Miracles of Jonah
Our pastor often talks about the excitement of the study of a particular scripture. Last night I was caught up in that excitement as we studied two of the chapters in the Book of Jonah.
As it happened, I was in the midst of trying to avoid trying to “save” someone from their own decisions so the verses about the dilemma and actions of the sailors hit home for me. I was also excited by her description of Jonah as the “first recorded foreign missionary” since work with missions is a large part of my assigned work in our church. But, there are many other important points in the book of Jonah.
We are a church dedicated to the Great Commission. What happens when God gives us an assignment we don’t like?
Do we judge who is worthy of the love of God?
How do we save people when they bring disaster upon themselves?
Do we accept the power of God to bring forth miracles?
How many miracles do we find in the Book of Jonah?
Jonah (New International Version)
Jonah 1
Jonah Flees From the LORD
1 The word of the LORD came to Jonah son of Amittai:
2 "Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me."
3 But Jonah ran away from the LORD and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the LORD.
4 Then the LORD sent a great wind on the sea, and such a violent storm arose that the ship threatened to break up.
5 All the sailors were afraid and each cried out to his own god. And they threw the cargo into the sea to lighten the ship.
But Jonah had gone below deck, where he lay down and fell into a deep sleep.
6 The captain went to him and said, "How can you sleep? Get up and call on your god! Maybe he will take notice of us, and we will not perish."
7 Then the sailors said to each other, "Come, let us cast lots to find out who is responsible for this calamity." They cast lots and the lot fell on Jonah.
8 So they asked him, "Tell us, who is responsible for making all this trouble for us? What do you do? Where do you come from? What is your country? From what people are you?"
9 He answered, "I am a Hebrew and I worship the LORD, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the land."
10 This terrified them and they asked, "What have you done?" (They knew he was running away from the LORD, because he had already told them so.)
11 The sea was getting rougher and rougher. So they asked him, "What should we do to you to make the sea calm down for us?"
12 "Pick me up and throw me into the sea," he replied, "and it will become calm. I know that it is my fault that this great storm has come upon you."
13 Instead, the men did their best to row back to land. But they could not, for the sea grew even wilder than before.
14 Then they cried to the LORD, "O LORD, please do not let us die for taking this man's life. Do not hold us accountable for killing an innocent man, for you, O LORD, have done as you pleased."
15 Then they took Jonah and threw him overboard, and the raging sea grew calm.
16 At this the men greatly feared the LORD, and they offered a sacrifice to the LORD and made vows to him.
17 But the LORD provided a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was inside the fish three days and three nights.
Jonah 3
Jonah Goes to Nineveh
1 Then the word of the LORD came to Jonah a second time:
2 "Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you."
3 Jonah obeyed the word of the LORD and went to Nineveh. Now Nineveh was a very important city—a visit required three days.
4 On the first day, Jonah started into the city. He proclaimed: "Forty more days and Nineveh will be overturned."
5 The Ninevites believed God. They declared a fast, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth.
6 When the news reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, took off his royal robes, covered himself with sackcloth and sat down in the dust.
7 Then he issued a proclamation in Nineveh:
"By the decree of the king and his nobles:
Do not let any man or beast, herd or flock, taste anything; do not let them eat or drink.
8 But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth. Let everyone call urgently on God. Let them give up their evil ways and their violence.
9 Who knows? God may yet relent and with compassion turn from his fierce anger so that we will not perish."
10 When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he had compassion and did not bring upon them the destruction he had threatened.
As an aside, this is one of the scriptures done very well by Veggi-Tales so you can get the kids involved in the discussion.
May God always be a blessing in your life.
As it happened, I was in the midst of trying to avoid trying to “save” someone from their own decisions so the verses about the dilemma and actions of the sailors hit home for me. I was also excited by her description of Jonah as the “first recorded foreign missionary” since work with missions is a large part of my assigned work in our church. But, there are many other important points in the book of Jonah.
We are a church dedicated to the Great Commission. What happens when God gives us an assignment we don’t like?
Do we judge who is worthy of the love of God?
How do we save people when they bring disaster upon themselves?
Do we accept the power of God to bring forth miracles?
How many miracles do we find in the Book of Jonah?
Jonah (New International Version)
Jonah 1
Jonah Flees From the LORD
1 The word of the LORD came to Jonah son of Amittai:
2 "Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me."
3 But Jonah ran away from the LORD and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the LORD.
4 Then the LORD sent a great wind on the sea, and such a violent storm arose that the ship threatened to break up.
5 All the sailors were afraid and each cried out to his own god. And they threw the cargo into the sea to lighten the ship.
But Jonah had gone below deck, where he lay down and fell into a deep sleep.
6 The captain went to him and said, "How can you sleep? Get up and call on your god! Maybe he will take notice of us, and we will not perish."
7 Then the sailors said to each other, "Come, let us cast lots to find out who is responsible for this calamity." They cast lots and the lot fell on Jonah.
8 So they asked him, "Tell us, who is responsible for making all this trouble for us? What do you do? Where do you come from? What is your country? From what people are you?"
9 He answered, "I am a Hebrew and I worship the LORD, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the land."
10 This terrified them and they asked, "What have you done?" (They knew he was running away from the LORD, because he had already told them so.)
11 The sea was getting rougher and rougher. So they asked him, "What should we do to you to make the sea calm down for us?"
12 "Pick me up and throw me into the sea," he replied, "and it will become calm. I know that it is my fault that this great storm has come upon you."
13 Instead, the men did their best to row back to land. But they could not, for the sea grew even wilder than before.
14 Then they cried to the LORD, "O LORD, please do not let us die for taking this man's life. Do not hold us accountable for killing an innocent man, for you, O LORD, have done as you pleased."
15 Then they took Jonah and threw him overboard, and the raging sea grew calm.
16 At this the men greatly feared the LORD, and they offered a sacrifice to the LORD and made vows to him.
17 But the LORD provided a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was inside the fish three days and three nights.
Jonah 3
Jonah Goes to Nineveh
1 Then the word of the LORD came to Jonah a second time:
2 "Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you."
3 Jonah obeyed the word of the LORD and went to Nineveh. Now Nineveh was a very important city—a visit required three days.
4 On the first day, Jonah started into the city. He proclaimed: "Forty more days and Nineveh will be overturned."
5 The Ninevites believed God. They declared a fast, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth.
6 When the news reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, took off his royal robes, covered himself with sackcloth and sat down in the dust.
7 Then he issued a proclamation in Nineveh:
"By the decree of the king and his nobles:
Do not let any man or beast, herd or flock, taste anything; do not let them eat or drink.
8 But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth. Let everyone call urgently on God. Let them give up their evil ways and their violence.
9 Who knows? God may yet relent and with compassion turn from his fierce anger so that we will not perish."
10 When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he had compassion and did not bring upon them the destruction he had threatened.
As an aside, this is one of the scriptures done very well by Veggi-Tales so you can get the kids involved in the discussion.
May God always be a blessing in your life.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Many facets of the Apostle Paul
Epistles are the apostolic letters of The Bible. The New Testament has twenty-one epistles which have been divided into two classes: Paul's epistles, totaling fourteen, and the general epistles, three by John, two by Peter, and one each by James and Jude. The epistles provide approximately 38% of the New Testament.
A study of the New Testament exposes us in great part to the influence of the Apostle Paul. As we study the writings of a disciple who is credited with writing fourteen of the twenty-one epistles of the New Testament we do well to have some understanding of the man.
The following is an excerpt from a writing on the apostle Paul which can be found in it's entirety at: http://www.christiananswers.net/dictionary/paul.html
Paul
Meaning: Small.
Paul, the apostle, was born about the same time as our Lord. His circumcision-name was Saul, and probably the name Paul was also given to him in infancy "for use in the Gentile world," as “Saul” would be his Hebrew home-name
HIS RELATIVES - His father was of the strictest sect of the Jews, a Pharisee, of the tribe of Benjamin, of pure and unmixed Jewish blood (Acts 23:6; Phil. 3:5).
We read of his sister and his sister's son (Acts 23:16), and of other relatives (Rom. 16:7, 11,12). There is no indication that Paul was ever married.
HIS EDUCATION AND CAREER - It was decided that… he should go to college and become a rabbi, that is, a minister, a teacher, and a lawyer all in one."
According to Jewish custom, however, he learned a trade before entering on the more direct preparation for the sacred profession. The trade he acquired was the making of tents from goats' hair cloth, a trade which was one of the commonest in Tarsus.
Saul was sent, when about thirteen years of age probably, to the great Jewish school of sacred learning at Jerusalem as a student of the law. Here he became a pupil of the celebrated rabbi Gamaliel, and here he spent many years in an elaborate study of the Scriptures and of the many questions concerning them with which the rabbis exercised themselves.
For some two years after Pentecost, Christianity was quietly spreading its influence in Jerusalem, and this led to much excitement among the Jews and much disputation in their synagogues. Persecution arose against Stephen and the followers of Christ generally, in which Saul of Tarsus took a prominent part. He was at this time probably a member of the great Sanhedrin, and became the active leader in the furious persecution by which the rulers then sought to exterminate Christianity.
He obtained from the chief priest letters authorizing him to proceed to Damascus on his persecuting career. This was a long journey and he steadily went onward, “breathing out threatenings and slaughter.”
When he had reached the last stage of his journey, and was within sight of Damascus, suddenly at mid-day a brilliant light shone round them, and Saul was laid prostrate in terror on the ground, a voice sounding in his ears, "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?" The risen Savior was there, clothed in the vesture of his glorified humanity. In answer to the anxious inquiry of the stricken persecutor, “Who art thou, Lord?” he said, “I am Jesus whom thou persecutest” (Acts 9:5; 22:8; 26:15). This was the moment of his conversion.
Paul of Tarsus, also called Paul the Apostle, the Apostle Paul, or Saint Paul, was a Jew who called himself the "Apostle to the Gentiles". Together with Simon Peter and James the Just, he is among the most notable of early Christian missionaries.
Thirteen epistles in the New Testament are attributed to Paul. According to the Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church, Paul's influence on Christian thinking arguably has been more significant than any other New Testament author.
http://www.keyway.ca/htm2003/20030627.htm
http://www.christiananswers.net/dictionary/paul.html
Enjoy your study of the works of the apostle Paul, a man personally converted by Our Lord, a Jew, a scholar, a Roman citizen, a tent maker.
May God forever be a blessing in your life!!!
A study of the New Testament exposes us in great part to the influence of the Apostle Paul. As we study the writings of a disciple who is credited with writing fourteen of the twenty-one epistles of the New Testament we do well to have some understanding of the man.
The following is an excerpt from a writing on the apostle Paul which can be found in it's entirety at: http://www.christiananswers.net/dictionary/paul.html
Paul
Meaning: Small.
Paul, the apostle, was born about the same time as our Lord. His circumcision-name was Saul, and probably the name Paul was also given to him in infancy "for use in the Gentile world," as “Saul” would be his Hebrew home-name
HIS RELATIVES - His father was of the strictest sect of the Jews, a Pharisee, of the tribe of Benjamin, of pure and unmixed Jewish blood (Acts 23:6; Phil. 3:5).
We read of his sister and his sister's son (Acts 23:16), and of other relatives (Rom. 16:7, 11,12). There is no indication that Paul was ever married.
HIS EDUCATION AND CAREER - It was decided that… he should go to college and become a rabbi, that is, a minister, a teacher, and a lawyer all in one."
According to Jewish custom, however, he learned a trade before entering on the more direct preparation for the sacred profession. The trade he acquired was the making of tents from goats' hair cloth, a trade which was one of the commonest in Tarsus.
Saul was sent, when about thirteen years of age probably, to the great Jewish school of sacred learning at Jerusalem as a student of the law. Here he became a pupil of the celebrated rabbi Gamaliel, and here he spent many years in an elaborate study of the Scriptures and of the many questions concerning them with which the rabbis exercised themselves.
For some two years after Pentecost, Christianity was quietly spreading its influence in Jerusalem, and this led to much excitement among the Jews and much disputation in their synagogues. Persecution arose against Stephen and the followers of Christ generally, in which Saul of Tarsus took a prominent part. He was at this time probably a member of the great Sanhedrin, and became the active leader in the furious persecution by which the rulers then sought to exterminate Christianity.
He obtained from the chief priest letters authorizing him to proceed to Damascus on his persecuting career. This was a long journey and he steadily went onward, “breathing out threatenings and slaughter.”
When he had reached the last stage of his journey, and was within sight of Damascus, suddenly at mid-day a brilliant light shone round them, and Saul was laid prostrate in terror on the ground, a voice sounding in his ears, "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?" The risen Savior was there, clothed in the vesture of his glorified humanity. In answer to the anxious inquiry of the stricken persecutor, “Who art thou, Lord?” he said, “I am Jesus whom thou persecutest” (Acts 9:5; 22:8; 26:15). This was the moment of his conversion.
Paul of Tarsus, also called Paul the Apostle, the Apostle Paul, or Saint Paul, was a Jew who called himself the "Apostle to the Gentiles". Together with Simon Peter and James the Just, he is among the most notable of early Christian missionaries.
Thirteen epistles in the New Testament are attributed to Paul. According to the Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church, Paul's influence on Christian thinking arguably has been more significant than any other New Testament author.
http://www.keyway.ca/htm2003/20030627.htm
http://www.christiananswers.net/dictionary/paul.html
Enjoy your study of the works of the apostle Paul, a man personally converted by Our Lord, a Jew, a scholar, a Roman citizen, a tent maker.
May God forever be a blessing in your life!!!
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