Coffee House Chapel #3

[Watchman]

Thank you Dan.
God did indeed choose Israel to be His special people. Out of her (Rev. 12: 1-6) would come The Lord Jesus Christ. HE would be the fulfillment of the promise made to Abraham:
"...And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed"
Blessed be God, Who keeps His promises!

 

[NaasPreacher (C4K)]

Amen Dan, refreshing in the light of some of the stuff floating around these days!

 

[blackbird]

Sunday, March 7, 2004

"A Cry of Pardon"
Luke 23:34

I began in my time of devotion looking and listening to the events surrounding the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ.

We found that the Cross was God's method of reconciling Man to Himself. It was also the place where God was redeeming man to Himself.

Read Matthew 27:31 & 36

We know what the crowd was thinking as they were watching!! "He saved others!!!! Himself He cannot save!!" "Come down Jesus and we'll believe you!!" Their mouths revealed what was in their hearts!! We know what the crowd was saying! But what about Jesus?? Did He say anything on the cross?? Most certainly He did!!

Lets look at what Jesus said while on the cross!! See if we can apply it to our lives---learn a few things maybe about His heart and how you and I can relate to others as we carry our cross---we do have a cross to carry, don't we??

Seven words(phrases)(sentences) that Jesus spoke---lets look at the first word and call it

I. A WORD OF PROPHECY

Luke 23:34, "Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do."

Its interesting that even when Jesus was on the cross--He still cared for people! He still had that concern for people! Early on in His ministry He said that He had come to "seek and to save that which was lost." And now, on the cross, He was still seeking and still saving!

Isaiah 53:12 states that Messiah would "make intercession for the transgressors." Jesus was on the cross---fulfilling prophecy!!! Isaiah was saying that when Messiah comes---He was going to be an intercessor for the transgressors! People were going to transgress upon Him---He in turn was going to interceed for them!!

Here Jesus was on a tree---dying---but at the same time giving---uttering prayers and uplifting His tormentors to the throne!!

I wonder sometimes what would have happened had Jesus said something else here besides--"Father! Forgive them!" Suppose(now, just suppose) Jesus would have said something like---"I can't believe I'm up here doing this! This is a waste of eternal time!"------But He didn't did He!!! It wasn't a waste of "eternal time" was it?? Jesus, on the cross, is the Interceeding Lord!! He interceeded for the transgressors! He prayed for those who dispitefully used Him, didn't He??

You know something else?? He did interceed---for them!!! And He still interceeds for us!! Hebrews 7:25 says, "He ever liveth to make intercession for them." He's at the throne---thinking about YOU right now!! He's at the throne---interceeding for YOU! He's praying for you right now!!

So, Jesus was on the cross--doing exactly what Isaiah said He would! Interceeding for the transgressors! He "ever lives" to make intercession for you----(breath a great big sigh of relief here!!!) Jesus' first word was a word of prophecy!

II. A WORD OF PRAYER

Notice back in verse 34!

Notice that Jesus didn't say, "I forgive you!" He didn't look out over the crowd and give a "blanket pardon!"----He didn't say, "Its alright! Do whatever you want to do---and I'll forgive you!!"

I often wondered why He asked the FATHER to forgive them!!??? I believe for the moment Jesus was handing the "forgiveness" situation over to His Father! "Let forgivness come in Your time!!"

Was this prayer answered immediately?? No, it wasn't! God wasn't going to offer a blanket pardon----Forgiveness wasn't recognized until the Day of Pentecost! Read Acts 2 and focus in on verses 36-38!!

Forgivness for what they did to Jesus---hinged on their repentence!! Did the Father forgive everybody that was there at the cross---everybody who had a hand in the crucifixion?? Certainly not!! Rather---forgivness was given to those who repented of their dastardly deed!

In Luke 17:3-4 there is an order given---certain guidelines as to the order of forgivenss!!

1. There is the offense---the deed done! Someone is offended! Someone is the offenser!

2. There is the rebuke!---The person "offended" goes to the "Offenser" and rebukes him---"You did this to me!!"

3. There is the repenting!---if the person who "offended" will repent----then Jesus said the innocent party must forgive!!

In Acts, Peter's sermon is focused on the offenses spread out at the cross fifty days in the past!! A month and a half!! Hardly time to forget what they had done!!

Peter, in Acts 2:36 reminds the listeners of what they had done! He reminds them of their trespass/offense against the Lord Jesus!

Then his message includes a rebuke and then conviction from the listeners----the Jews who said---"His blood be on our hands and upon our children!"---they were there and they fell under conviction!

There was a call for repentance! There's a "turning away"(repentance) that was tied into a "receiving" found in verse 41!!

The Father forgave---those who came to Him in repentance!!

Maybe there's someone to whom you have offended?? Somebody at church?? A spouse? A child? A dad/mom? Why not today--go to them and ask forgiveness!! It'll bless your soul!!

Maybe somebody you know has offended you----and maybe they somehow fall under conviction of that offense and come to you seeking your forgiveness---did you know that if they do that---if they have offended you and then they come to you seeking forgivness---that you are required/commanded to forgive them?? And if they come to you---asking forgivness and you don't or won't forgive---then you become a "transgressor?"

You know---Jesus demanded that we carry a cross ourselves---"Take up THY cross and follow Me!"---The "flesh" and "self" are to be crucified daily!! A crucifixion to self---means that if you have offended someone---you will go to that person and ask forgiveness! A crucifixion to self---means that if someone comes to you who has offended you---and he asks forgiveness---you are to forgive!!!

Jesus' first word was a word of prophecy! The word said that the Word would interceed for His transgressors! It said that He would pray for those who would dispitefully use Him!! Will you too, pray for your transgressors today?? Will you pray for somebody who is dispitefully using you??

It was a word of prayer! Maybe somebody has offended you---and you know they will not come and ask forgiveness----why don't you today place that offense into the Father's hand!! Let the Father handle the business!!! Let the Father drive the transgressor toward conviction and repentance today!! Give it up to the Father in prayer!!

 

[Dan Todd]

Excellent advice on forgives - of course one can never go wrong when using the Scriptures properly!

 

[Dan Todd]

March 8

Romans 11:2, “God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew.”

James Montgomery Boice (the late pastor of Tenth Presbyterian in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) suggests four salient applications for this text (we will just get to one in this devotional).

1. We should not be discouraged in our evangelism, because all whom God is calling to faith in Jesus Christ will come to Him.

Although all the members of the early church, perhaps for the first ten years or so, were Jews, by the time Paul was converted to Christianity and had spent three years in the “Back-side Desert Bible Institute,” the Jews, by in large, no longer had much if any interest in Messiah Jesus. As we ponder this change in Jewish attitude toward Christ, it would not be unfair to say that the pre-conversion Paul’s (humanly speaking) activities against those of “that way” was the driving force behind that attitude shift.

If anyone should have been discouraged in his evangelism it should have been Paul in his attempts to reach the Jewish people. God had marvelously saved one of the most antagonistic opponents of the gospel. As it often seems to be, a converted antagonist becomes a devout (almost fanatical) proponent. Paul’s “heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved” (Romans 10:1). So strong was that desire, Paul also wrote, “I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh” (Romans 9:1-3). The Lord told Ananias that Paul was God’s chosen messenger to the Gentiles, “But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel” (Acts 9:15). Paul always began his missionary efforts with the Jews. He would go to the synagogue and preach Jesus to the listeners. Perhaps a few would believe and be saved, but most rejected, often violently, the message of salvation by grace through faith in Messiah Jesus.
Certain of our missionaries can relate to the rejection Paul suffered at the hands of the Jews. Though they may not face the violence that Paul faced, they none-the-less face possible discouragement when the gospel message is not understood or is rejected. Our BB brother, Roger Parrow and family in Ireland, find the path that God has called them to trod is often a discouraging one. Few adults respond positively to the gospel. Some missionaries that are supported by my church: Glen and Shirley Siegrist (BMM), missionaries to the Jews in Scranton, Pa. area, constantly ask their supporters to pray for Jewish folks with whom they have had Bible studies for years, with seemingly no positive response to the gospel; Ruth Wood (ABWE), RN, (and team) missionary to The Gambia, West Africa, has seen about six Muslims come to Christ after ten plus years of work. We at home need to be lifting up these missionaries in prayer, not only that the message as it is given, will be responded to, but that the adversary is not successful in his attempts to discourage these precious servants of the gospel.


Paul described in 2 Cor. 11:24, 26 how he had been beaten five times by Jewish authorities. He was in constant danger from them as well as from Gentile rulers. In Jerusalem, when Paul brought an offering from the Gentile churches, he was set upon by a fanatical mob that would have torn him to pieces if the Romans had not intervened. Jewish opposition led to his imprisonment. In spite of all this, Paul was not discouraged. I find at least three reasons for this:

A. Because Paul knew that he had been sent to preach the gospel to all people.
B. Because those whom God was calling to faith in Jesus Christ - would come to Him.
C. Paul understood the following passage of Scripture, 1 Cor 15:58, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”

Beloved, do not be discouraged, be faithful, faithful to the job God has called you to perform. Whether you are a prayer warrior here in the states, a missionary across the sea, or anything in between those two callings, God is faithful, who has called you into His service. Be not discouraged “for your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”

Adapted from “Romans” by Boice.

In Christ,
Dan Todd

 

[Dr. Bob]

Believing that GOD has a people out there has often motivated me to share the Gospel with all . . and let GOD stort them out! Thanks for the encouragement, Dan.

 

[Watchman]

The Jews opposed Paul (rejecting Jesus actually) and showed great hatred of him. But what was Paul's feelings for them?
For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh. Romans 9:3.
Paul possessed an attribute of The Lord Jesus here.

 

[blackbird]

Tuesday, March 9, 2004

"A Hebrew Request to Worship"
Exodus 5:1 and following

You know the story! Israel had been enslaved in Egypt for over 400 years---and God had heard "their cry" for freedom and chose to work through a man named Moses to lead His people out of bondage into Promise!

Moses has had that "Burning Bush" experience and has gone back to Midian---to tell Jethro of his new "mission" for the God of the Hebrews! In Chapter 4---Aaron meets Moses and becomes his "spokesman unto Pharoah"---and in the last couple of verses of chapter 4---there is a genuine "worship experience" that is taking place---the Hebrews were expressing themselves to Almighty God for the very first time in over 400 years.

The key to the release of the Hebrews is just that---"Worship!"----the Great I Am had a desire to break the bonds of slavery so that in order His people may worship Him!!

Chapter 5 of Exodus---the first few verses gives us what worship entails---look real quick at the last verse of Chapter 4---it explains the "worship" that Moses and Aaron had led the Hebrews into---and then Chapter 5 explains that worship experience they had encountered in that last verse of Chapter 4!

Notice a few things in Chapter 5 that carries over from Chapter 4 concerning this thing called Worship and what is involved----and the big question is----how can we know we have entered into the realm of worship???---that seems to be the big question nowadays----how can we know we are truly "worshipping" God---well---verse 1 and 3 gives us a clue---look at it---its found in a couple of phraises---

In verse one of Chapter 5 we have the request from God to Pharoah----"Let My people go"---and then in verse 3---there is another request from the Hebrews to Pharoah----"Let us go"---now, do you catch that???

God had moved the Israelites to be "like minded" as He is! He had moved the Hebrew people to the point where they were sharing God's thoughts and His mind!! They were in one mind with God!! Friend, that's what worship is---its God sharing His mind with you and me----its us being "like minded" with Jesus---"Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus."---Worship is us---wanting the same things that God wants---"Let MY people go"----"Let US go"

What's involved in worship?? We hear so many different things today!! The "Mega" mentality---big facilities---big youth program---big music program---

But let me just show you real quick---what worship involves---and you can "worship" anywhere---at church, at home, in the car riding to and from work, at work, while you are seated and while you are standing up or laying down.

WORSHIP INVOLVES A JUBILATION (Ex 5:1)

Notice the "feast" here! Worship involves feasting---in our case as well as the Hebrews---its US "feasting" on the riches of God's grace!

Feasting---we see it pictured all throughout the Bible in the physical realm.

Count how many times in the four gospels---during the earthly ministry of Jesus---count how many times Jesus involved Himself in this thing called "feasting!"

In John 11---Jesus went to a funeral---and turned it into a feast!! Thats why Chapter 11 and 12 of John's gospel is "back to back"---the chapters are back to back to show us that Jesus wants to carry us--move us--from a funeral to a feast!!!

You see, for over 400 years---day after day, month after month, year after year, decade after decade, century after century--the Hebrews were involved in one big "glorified funeral"---and God was here in Chapter 5----inviting them from a funeral to a feast!!

You know how I do it?? You know how I feast???---well, as a good Southern Baptist---when we have those "Dinner on the Grounds"---and all of those dishes of food are on the table??? I simply go from dish to dish to dish to dish---all the way down the line----and you know what????? When I get to the end of the line---I've got my plate full---I go eat---and then I go back to the table and go again from dish to dish to dish to dish and eat again!!!

In the spiritual realm---that's what God is inviting us to do!!! We take our Bibles---Holy Scripture---words from the Word---and we can go down the line---from verse(dish) to verse(dish) to verse(dish) to verse(dish) and get our plates full of God's mind---and then we can go back again and again and again--from verse to verse to verse---chapter to chapter to chapter---book to book to book---and feast on Him!!!

Worship is feasting!! Feasting by faith!!

WORHSIP INVOLVES OBLATION(sacrifice) Verse 3

Notice the phrase "to sacrifice unto the Lord"

Two areas involved in sacrificing---by faith

Theoligically----sacrificing(for the Hebrews) involves the offering of the blood of bulls and goats to atone for sin----and in this sacrifice system they poured out their hearts by faith looking forward to the day that Messiah would come and pour out His precious blood for to atone for their sins!! In their sacrifice, they would say by faith, "One day Messiah is coming---and when He comes, this is what He's gonna do!! He's gonna pour out His life giving blood---He's gonna come and cover our sins and wash us clean in His blood!"

By faith, we know that Messiah did come and we love Him and believe Him---sight unseen!! By faith we look back in time and say, "Jesus came as Messiah and He poured out His life giving blood! He atoned for our sins! He paid the ransom required by God!" We believe, by faith, that Messiah's sacrifice came and is sufficient for all our sins---where sin abounds---grace ever more abounds!!

But sacrifice also entails a practical aspect--we are to become, ourselves, a "Living Sacrifice"---as Romans 12:1-2 states---we are to be holy and acceptable to God.

WORHSIP ALSO INVOLVES A SEPERATION

Notice again the phrase in verse 3---"Let us go . . . three days journey into the desert"

There was a desire to "put distance" between them and Egypt!!

Worship's goal is to put distance between you and sin! To put distance between you and the world!! We are to withdraw ourselves from the presence of evil!

Notice where they were willing to go to get away from Egypt!!! "Into the desert" You wonder what they meant???!!! The desert is a place where--you hunt for water---but there ain't none! Its a place where you hunt for food--but there ain't none! The desert is a place were nothing that is planted grows!!!----

What was God doing---having the Hebrews to go worship and meet with Him in the desert???

God was going to teach the Hebrews a total reliance of themselves upon Him!! Every step they took in that hot sand---they had to take it in total relience upon Jehovah-Jirah!! Until they realized that they were the only thing growing in that desert!!! Friend---the only thing growing in that desert they were in---was themselves!!! God planted them there---God watered them there---God fed them there!!!!------That's what worship is----its being in the desert---with total relience upon Almighty God!!!

 

[Dan Todd]

"That's what worship is----its being in the desert---with total relience upon Almighty God!!!"

That's what we should be praying for - but we have become so used to our luxuries - few of us dare to really pray that prayer!

Me included!

 

[Dan Todd]

March 10

Romans 11:2, “God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew.”

We continue with James Montgomery Boice (the late pastor of Tenth Presbyterian in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) applications for this text:

2. We should be warned against presumption. As we looked at last time, all whom God is calling – will be saved, however you must not presume that you are OK – because you are a member of a “protected class.” What do I mean by being a member of a “protected class?” Being a member of a church will not save you, even being a member of a Baptist church will not save you. Being an American will not save you. Being rich will not save you. Being born into a “Christian family” will not save you. Being a Jew will not save you. There is only one rite of birth that can save – and that is the new birth! John 3:3, “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” We must not presume upon our affiliations, because they will not save you.

As we must not presume upon affiliations for salvation – there is another presumption we must not make. Remember Elijah, he presumed that he alone was faithful. God led Elijah on an interesting journey to show him that his presumption was wrong – he was not alone, there were 7000 who had not bowed the knee to Baal.

A third presumption (a very important presumption) we must be warned about – do not presume that one will not come to Christ, because they are of a group that “hates” Christ! Remember the Apostle Paul was a Christ hater, yet he became the greatest apologist for the gospel that ever lived.

3. We should put all our confidence in God - Who alone is the source, effector, and sustainer of His people’s salvation. “How foolish to put our confidence in anything else, or even in a combination of lesser things.” (Boice) Remember the advantages that the Jews had? They had the law, the covenants, the prophets, the sacrifices, and the Messiah, yet the vast majority of them have been/are lost. They trusted/trust their ancestry, their nationality, their religious education, their good work, and their good intentions. Jonah had is right when he said, “Salvation is of the Lord” (Jonah 2:9). There is but one place to put your trust, and that is in God, and what he has done for you in Jesus Christ. The words to that great hymn by Augustus M. Toplady eloquently state this truth:

Nothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to thy cross I cling;
Naked, come to thee for dress,
Helpless, look to thee for grace;
Foul, I to the fountain fly;
Wash me, Savior, or I die.

Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in thee.

4. We must never take part in or yield to anti-Semitic attitudes or actions. “If God Himself has not rejected the Jews in spite of their long history of willful sin, dogged disobedience, and fierce rejection of Him – if He loves them still and has a plan for their eventual salvation as a nation - it is clear that you and I, if we are Gentiles, must not reject them either. We must never yield to or take part in anti-Semitism.” (Boice)

There have been many blemishes that have accumulated on the church of Jesus Christ down through the centuries, but the greatest of those blemishes, the one that is the most terrible and tragic is that so-called Christians have been part and parcel in the persecution of the Jews.

Instead of hatred - there must be love, and instead of prejudice - there must be understanding. We must determine that regardless of what the past has been, we must think and act like Christians, like our Savior Himself, who on the cross said, “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

“We must love all men and women - and seek to reach all without favoritism - until Jesus comes again.” (Boice)

Adapted from “Romans” by Boice.

In Christ,
Dan Todd

 

[Dr. Bob]

As a recovering pharisee I have to keep reminding myself that God's grace is what is needed for OTHERS even if they're not worthy of it like I was.

 

[blackbird]

Doctor?? How long will it take for you to recover??

Thursday, March 11, 2004

"That Repentant Thief"
Luke 23:39-43

I believe we looked at Jesus' first words from the cross already---"Father forgive them, for they know not what they do." And we have seen that forgiveness---hinges on repentance!

Notice now in our text---Jesus is crucified with two thieves---one on each side and Jesus in the middle---scripture does not tell WHY the soldiers chose that order---but scripture does say that Messiah would be "numbered with the transgressors."

At first---both thieves joined the crowd in mocking Jesus! (Side note here:As if they were in any position to mock anybody!) Both sinners were fixing to be flung out into Eternity---yet they had time for one last ridicule!! One last jeer!

I don't know what brought about a change--but--one of the thieves begins to see Jesus in a different light!

(1) He began to see his own sinfulness in the light of Jesus' sinlessness

In vs. 39-41a--the thief was saying "Look at us! We're reaping what we've sown all these years! Justice has caught up with us! Its Payday Someday for us and that someday is today!!!"

(2) He began to see Jesus' sinlessness against the black backdrop of his sinfulness

Notice back in v. 41---"This man hath done NOTHING amiss!"

This thief---in the final moments of his life--began to see beyond the physical demension into the spiritual demension. The Holy Spirit was at Calvary---guiding/drawing a man on a cross to God on the cross!

Through the Holy Spirit's guidance---he began to see that he wasn't going to be saved FROM the cross like he had earlier hoped---"Save thyself and us!!"---rather, through the Spirit's guidance the thief began to see that the only way to be saved from HIS cross was through the cross of Jesus! That thief got saved that day!! Not physcially---but spiritually---eternally gloriously saved!!

Two things that point to this thief's salvation and proof thereof

(1) He acknowledged the Supremecy of Jesus

V.42, "And he said unto Jesus, LORD . . ."

The word "Lord" comes from the Greek word, "Kurios" and means "having absolute authority."

Jesus had absolute authority over:
Ceasar
Rome
the cross
Death & the grave
my life
your life
mankind
creation

Even nailed to a cross--Jesus had absolute authority over the cross! The cross wasn't Jesus' master! Jesus was the cross' master!

The cross was Rome's method of casting a declaration--that THEY were Lord's over the people!! And now, this thief comes along and throws ice water all over Rome's fiery declaration!

DYN--when you pronounce Jesus as Lord---that you, in that pronouncement are also DENOUNCING something??

Jesus said in Matthew 16:24, "If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me."

That thief became a disciple of the Lord Jesus that day!!! Much was learned on a cross next to Jesus' in just a few hours time!!

Did you know---that thief was hung up on three different crosses that day??

(1) He was hung up on Rome's cross! Rome had told its subjects "if you cross this line we'll nail you to a cross!!" Rome was deadly serious about this matter of crime and the punishment thereof!! Even the thief declared that justice was being served against him for the untold crime he had committed!

(2) He was hung up on "his cross" that day---this is where Jesus' words come in---Matthew 16:24---"Let him take up his cross and follow Me"---this man died to self that day! Jesus was now Lord of his life---he was now counting his life as dead--in exchange for the life that Jesus was now giving! You follow Jesus on YOUR cross!!

(3) He was hung up on Jesus' cross that day!! The Apostle Paul said, "I am crucified with Christ nevertheless I live. Yet not I but Christ liveth in me. And the life that I now live I live by the faith of the one who loved me and gave Himself for me."

THIS THIEF ALSO BELIEVED THAT JESUS WOULD BE RAISED FROM THE DEAD

Look back in verse 42--"Lord, remember me when thou comest into Thy kingdom." He wasn't reflecting upon his past anymore. He was "pressing on toward the high mark of the calling of the Lord Jesus"---

He believed that Jesus had victory over the cross!
He believed that Jesus had victory over the tomb!

Jesus was on the cross---but He was headed for a Kingdom!

Did you know that every person who is ever saved is saved along the lines of this thief?? Look!--he professes/confesses Jesus as Lord! He believes with all his heart that Jesus will be raised from the dead!

Romans 10:9 says, "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."

Notice the word of inspiration from Jesus!! What did Jesus promise this fella??

V. 43, "Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with Me in Paradise."

Interesting---that at that moment---Rome was busy taking this man's life FROM him---but---Jesus was busy giving HIS life to him. Rome was saying---"On the cross we TAKE your life from you!" Jesus was saying---"On the cross I GIVE MY life to you!"

Rome was telling that thief through that cross---"We won't have you on Earth!"---but Jesus was saying on His cross---"Man! I'll take you to Heaven with Me!!"

Jesus was saying to this man--"You're going where I'm fixing to go! You're gonna meet me there! Me and you are going to Paradise!"

Where did Jesus go when He died??

Jesus went to His Father!

Where's His Father?

In Heaven!

That inspires me! I can know that when I professed/confessed Jesus as Lord of my life---and when I believed with all my heart that God raised Him from the dead--that I got saved! Jesus brought me salvation! Heaven's salvation lives in my heart! And when I die---I'm moving in with Jesus! When I die---I'm going to Paradise! I'm gonna be with Jesus! Jesus is with the Father! The Father is in Heaven! I'm going to Heaven when I die!!

How about you?? Which thief are you?? OOOOOhhhh, you can find salvation today---reach out to Jesus today----by faith, turn from your sins and receive Him!!

 

[NaasPreacher (C4K)]

AMEN!!

 

[Dan Todd]

Thank you Blackbird!

 

[Dr. Bob]

We should all have such simple, complete faith!

 

[Dan Todd]

March 12

Romans 11:2-4, “Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying, Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life. But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.”

Paul refers to Elijah as proof that God has not abandoned Israel and that the Word of God has not failed. 1 Kings 18:16-19:18 gives us the account. When Ahab and Elijah met up, Ahab asked, “Art thou he that troubleth Israel?” (18:17) I just love Elijah’s reply, “I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father's house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the Lord, and thou hast followed Baalim.” (18:18) There are at least two reasons for God’s people to have “trouble.” The first is when God tests and tries us so that when the process is over, we will come forth as pure gold. The cause of the second reason is one of self imposition. When God’s people follow Baalim (idols) - God whoops us with an awfully big stick. Remember, if you are worshiping idols and God doesn’t whoop you, it’s because you are not one of His. Hebrews 12:6-8, “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.”

Elijah challenged the priests of Baal to a contest. The idolaters were to build an altar, prepare a sacrifice, and call upon Baal to send fire from heaven and consume the sacrifice. After the idolaters were through with their futile effort, Elijah would build an altar, prepare a sacrifice, and call upon Jehovah God to send fire from heaven and devour the sacrifice.

Well, Baal failed. Now Baal’s failure was not for lack of faith on the part of his prophets. They tried real hard to get results. 1 Kings 18:26, “And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was made.”

At noon, Elijah “encouraged” the prophets of Baal. 1 Kings 18:27, “And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked.” Today, Elijah would have been accused of being politically incorrect. He was mocking a personally held faith, a faith (according to the critics) that wasn’t hurting anyone. Never mind that it hadn’t rained in three and one half years, the critics would blame that on Jehovah, because He was being petty and jealous, just because someone had another god instead of Him. Though some of the Hebrew in Elijah’s statement is archaic, the gist of the verse is quite clear, Baal wasn’t paying any attention to his prophets.

After Elijah’s encouragement, Baal’s prophets became even more fanatical in their actions. 1 Kings 18:28, “And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them.” Nothing worked, Baal was a failure, as are all idols. (“And it came to pass, when midday was past, and they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that there was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded.” verse 29)

When it was time to offer the evening sacrifice, Elijah called the people together, repaired the broken down altar of the Lord, dug a trench around the altar, put the wood and sacrifice in place, and then made things (humanly speaking) - “Too hard for the Lord!” Water all over the sacrifice, not once but three times. (I can just hear the politically correct complain that such a scarce and valuable resource was being wasted!)

When all the preparations were made, Elijah prayed, and I love this simple but profound and believing prayer. “Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word. Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the Lord God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again.” (Verses 36-37)

Please note God’s answer, it was loud, visible, and effective. (We will compare this answer to a quiet answer Elijah gets later in this passage - on another day!) “Then the fire of the Lord fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.” (Verse 38)

Please also note the people’s answer “And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The Lord, he is the God; the Lord, he is the God.” (verse 39).

Elijah thought he was alone in serving God (of course he was not). But even if we are out there by ourselves, we are never alone. The same God Elijah served is here with us each step of the way. Even though Elijah would soon learn that God had His remnant (7,000 strong), when God is on our side, we can defeat the enemy, even when we are an army of just one.

Remember weary one, “the fire of the Lord fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.”

Adapted from “Romans” by Boice.

In Christ,
Dan Todd

 

[Watchman]

Thank you Dan.
God is not the head, or principal God, He alone IS God, there is none other. Baal failed his followers because he does not exist.

 

[blackbird]

Easter season is fast approaching---and I have touched just a few of the Bible subjects already centered at the cross---

But I want to share this one despairate thought---that moved me "to the quick" concerning the agony of Gethsemine---those waining hours before the cross---and

"The Cup"
Matthew 26:39

In the Garden of Gethsemine Jesus was moved to prayer--"O, My Father, if it be possible let this cup pass from Me: Nevertheless, not as I will, but as Thou wilt."

What is "This Cup" in reference to??

Very first thing we need to understand is this: In Matthew 26:39--Omniscience was talking to Omniscience! Jesus, as Omniscient Almighty God manifest in flesh---has full knowledge of the activities fixing to prevail upon Him!

He knew that Judas was coming with lanterns, swords, and spears!

He had full knowledge of Caiaphis' little Kangaroo Court!

He knew that man was fixing to vent his fury upon Him!

He had full knowledge ahead of time of the Cat of Nine Tails!

He knew the scourging and the beatings from man would come!

He knew the blindfold would come and He knew which man was going to strike Him before the thought entered into the man to strike Him!

He had full knowledge--from eternity past---that the crown of thorns was coming!

He knew that man was going to lay Him down on the ground and nail Him to a cross!

All of that---all of man's fury---though, was not "the cup" Jesus prayed would pass!

Let me ask: Was Jesus afraid of what man was fixing to do?? I submit to you my belief that He wasn't afraid of man---

In Luke 12:4 Jesus said, "Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do."

Jesus KNEW that the worst punishment that man can inflict upon Him---listen----was FINITE punishment!!!! He knew that the scourging and the cruel beatings from man could only go so far---then it would have to cease!!

The cruel scourgings were bad enough coming---but all along Jesus knew that He would be "giving his back to the smiters."(Isaiah 50:6)

Well, then! What was "this cup"---was it impending death?? Did Jesus NOT want to die?? Is that it?? Was that "the cup??"

Both Matthew 16:21 and Mark 8:31 say that Jesus taught His disciples the fact that He was going to be killed and be raised again on the third day!! So why should Jesus fear death---when He had power----from eternity past----over it?? Luke 9:22 and John 12:27 teach that for this very purpose(the purpose of death) is the reason Jesus came into the world.

Then what was "the cup" that Jesus prayed would pass??

John MacAuthor writes in his book, "The Murder of Jesus"

"It is not merely death. It is not the physical pain of the cross. It was not the scourging or the humiliation. It was not the horrible thirst, the torture of having nails driven through His body, or the disgrace of being spat upon or beaten. It was not even all these things combined."

Friend, listen! We need to move from the surface to the very heart of the cross!

What Jesus prayed would pass--the cup He wanted to be delivered from there in that Garden--was:

--the outpouring of DIVINE WRATH He would have to endure from His Holy Father!!!

Why was Jesus agonizing in the Garden of Gethsemine?? Read the account---to the extent of extreme agony---our finite minds have absolutely no idea what the Father had in store---only Jesus knew what the Father's wrath was like---its beyond human comprehension to know exactly the scope of agony Jesus was feeling and will feel ahead!! Here's why!

The Eternal, Infinite manifested Love of God--who is Jesus--was fixing to colide with God's infinite judgement and impending fury! Jesus' spotless, sinless soul was going to be made an offering(payment) for sin!!

"The cup" here is referenced to Isaiah 51:17 and to Jeremiah 25:15-16, 27-28 and is Old Testament symbolism of Divine wrath against sin!! Its called "The cup of God's fury!"

And now, for the first time in God's eternity--2Corinthians 5:21 says that the Father was going to make His son to "be sin for us!!" And then in a finite period of time, God was going to thrust His infinite judgement upon Jesus! He would "bare our sins in His body upon the tree!"

There was an "unseen scourging" that went on that dark day at Calvary! Scourging and chastizement that can only be seen with the spiritual eye---something was going on behind "The Veil" that human minds could not comprehend---There's the place behind the veil of the Tabernacle/Temple called the Holy Holy Holy---the Holy Place---the Holiest place of all--and it was there that sin was being payed for and atoned for in the Holy Holy Holy!---it was there---behind the veil---unseen to human eyes---that Jesus drank "the cup" to the dredge--to the bitter end!

God in a finite period of time upon the cross---took all of the hell that you and I would have had to endure for an infinite period of time----and flung it upon Jesus!! Jesus' will was to do the will of the Father----Nevertheless, not my will but Thine be done---IOW, Jesus was saying---Father! I'll drink it! I'll take the cup of Your divine fury---and I'll drink it for them!!

And because He did drink God's divine cup of fury for us we can--

(sing that chorus with me)

Ye Chosen Seed of Israel's race/Ye ransomed from the fall/ Bring forth the royal diadem and crown Him Lord of All/Bring forth the royal diadem and crown Him/ Lord of All

 

[Dan Todd]

Amen!

 

[Dan Todd]

March 14

Romans 11:2-4, “Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying, Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life. But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.”

I marvel at the prayer of Elijah at Mount Carmel. “And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word. Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the Lord God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again.”(1 Kings 18:36-37) I call this a message in a prayer. I’ve been in situations where the only message I could preach, was a message in a prayer.

At the conclusion of Elijah’s prayer/message, “the fire of the Lord fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.” (Verse 38) What a moment of victory in the life of Elijah, “the fire of the Lord fell.” Would to God that we would see that same fire fall in our ministries. Emboldened by God’s victory through him, Elijah, in the presence of the wicked Ahab, ordered that the prophets of Baal be put to death. “And Elijah said unto them, Take the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape. And they took them: and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and slew them there. And Elijah said unto Ahab, Get thee up, eat and drink; for there is a sound of abundance of rain.” (Verses 40-41).

Have you ever wondered why Elijah dared do such a thing in the presence of the king? It’s really quite simple, Ahab didn’t wear the “pants” in his family. Though he was king, his wife, Jezebel, was the true wearer of the “pants!” Ahab ran home to Jezebel, and told her all that was done, “And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time. And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life.” (1 Kings 19:1-3)

Often, after our greatest victories, we experience our greatest defeats. Elijah forgot that “the fire of the Lord fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.” And off he ran, in fear for his life. Friends, the same God that burnt sacrifice, wood, stone, dust, and water, can protect His own from the feeble threats of a hell-bound idolater!

Elijah ran for his life. After a days journey into the wilderness, he prayed again, not a prayer of victory, but a pity party prayer, “and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, it is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.” (Verse 4) It’s good that God does not always give us a verbatim answer to our prayers. God is indeed good to us in that way. We, like Elijah, do not know what is best for us, but our Comforter does. “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” (Romans 8:26-27)

God was not through with Elijah yet. He would give Elijah three specific tasks to accomplish, “And the Lord said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria: And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room.” (1 Kings 19:15-16) In addition to those specific tasks, God also had an important lesson to teach Elijah, that there were seven thousand that had not bowed the knee to Baal. But before Elijah could learn that lesson, and do God’s bidding, God had to remind Elijah that “the fire of the Lord fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.” (Next time we’ll consider how God dealt with and encouraged Elijah.)

Friends, in this age we are blessed with the permanent indwelling of the Holy Spirit, a blessing that neither Elijah nor any Old Testament saint had. That blessed Comforter assists us in ways we do not understand. But we can still learn an important lesson from Elijah! Don’t let the tempter snatch God’s victory away from us. When the “fire” falls for us, don’t let babble of feeble idolatrous fools take our focus off the Lord. The same Lord Who sends fire, can and will protect His own from Satan’s fools. We need only to remember the end result of Elijah and his foe. Elijah journeyed to heaven in a fiery chariot, and Jezebel became dog food. Don’t be afraid of “dog food!”

In Christ,
Dan Todd