Scripture References: Acts 2:21; 4:12 Matthew 7:21-23 Acts 19:13-16
Sunday, June 23rd, 2013
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Scripture References: 2 Timothy 3:16-17 and Hebrews 5:12-14 Scripture Reference: 2 Thessalonians 1:3-12 Scripture References: 1 Corinthians 15:1-6 Matthew 28:18-20 Scripture Reference: Ephesians 2:1-10 1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Scripture Reference: Ephesians 2:11-22 11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; 10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. Scripture Reference: 2 Timothy 4:1-5 and 1 John 1:1-72 Timothy 4:1-51 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 1 John 1:1-71 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; Scripture Reference: 2 Peter 3:10-18 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Scripture Reference: 2 Timothy 3:1-17 Pastor Roy’s Commentary: The apostle now gives Timothy a description of conditions that will exist in the world prior to the Lord’s coming. It has often been pointed out that the list of sins that follows is very similar to the description of the ungodly heathen in Romans 1. The remarkable thing is that the very conditions that exist among the heathen in their savagery and uncivilized state will characterize professing believers in the last days. How solemn this is! Continue Reading Here THE ADULTERESS Scripture reference: John 8:3–11 Bible Search Tool The situation. One day some scribes and Pharisees brought to Jesus a woman who had been caught in adultery, “in the very act” (John 8:4). They quoted Moses’ Law, which called for stoning, and asked Jesus, “ ‘But what do You say?’ ” Several things make this approach to Jesus unusual: • The woman was caught “in the very act.” Where was the man who was also subject to stoning? • Where would a person go to catch someone “in the very act”? How would the Pharisees, noted for their claim to holiness, have known where to go? • While Mosaic Law prescribed stoning for adultery, this penalty was not imposed in the first century. Rabbinic courts rigorously avoided imposing the death penalty. • A panel of rabbis, not an individual, would deal with such a case. Besides, the scribes and Pharisees did not recognize Jesus’ authority. Continue Reading Here ELIZABETH Scripture references: Luke 1:5–7, 36–45, 57–61 Date: 5 b.c. Name: Elizabeth [ee-LIZ-uh-buth: “God is my oath”]. Main contribution: She gave birth to John the Baptist, whose prophetic ministry prepared for Jesus’ appearance. Elizabeth was the wife of a priest named Zacharias. She was selected by God to give birth to John the Baptist whom Jesus called the greatest of the Old Testament prophets. John met the conditions necessary to be identified as the prophet whose appearance preceded the establishment of God’s earthly kingdom (Mal. 4:5, 6). Continue Reading Here MARY OF NAZARETH, MOTHER OF JESUS Scripture references: Matthew 1; 2; 12:46–50; 13:55; Mark 3:31–35; Luke 1; 2; 8:19, 20; John 2:1–11; 7:5; 19:25–27; Acts 1:14. See also pages 163–64. Bible Search Tool Date: 5 b.c. Name: Mary [in the Hebrew “Miriam”, meaning “rebellion”] Main contribution: Mary gave birth to Jesus, the Savior. When Mary was a teenager betrothed to a man named Joseph, the angel Gabriel announced to her that she had been chosen by God to give birth to the promised Messiah. Mary responded with simple faith, accepting the privileged role despite the fact that her pregnancy would seem to Joseph to mark unfaithfulness and might mark her as a harlot in her community. God guarded Mary’s reputation and sent the angel to speak to Joseph. It is interesting to note that although her name means “rebellion”, she was faithfully obedient to the Lord. Continue Reading Here The “Rabbinic” View of Women in the New Testament Era, and the Contrast with Jesus’ Interactions with them The rabbis of Jesus’ day had little use for women. Their attitude, reflected in the sayings and rulings of the sages recorded during the two centuries after Christ, seem especially strange today. Take for example the dictum of Yose b. Yohanan of Jerusalem, “Talk not much with womankind” (mAbot 1.5). Rabbinic writings contain many comments on this pronouncement. The Mishna (IV, 493) notes, “They said this of a man’s own wife; how much more of his fellow’s wife,” while the Talmud says, “It was taught: Do not speak excessively with a woman lest this ultimately lead you to adultery” (bNed.201). Continue Reading Here By: Pastor Roy Crane Listen to Pastor Roy’s Sermon regarding this commentary here. God’s promise concerning the perpetuation of the Davidic dynasty and the Levitical priesthood would be as unbreakable as God’s covenant of day and night. Some of the people were accusing God of forsaking His two houses – Israel and Judah, and were thus despising the Jews as being cast-offs, a non-people. The Lord replies that His covenant with His people is as fixed as the laws of nature, The descendants of David would be as innumerable as the host of Heaven and the sand of the sea. This promise (covenant) will be fulfilled in the fullness of the Body of Christ, who are made kings and priests as recorded in the Book of the Revelation. John addressed the Revelation to the seven churches located in the Roman province of Asia. First, John wishes for these churches grace…and peace. Grace means the undeserved favor of God and the strength that is needed in the Christian life day by day. Peace is the resulting calm that enables the believer to face persecution, sorrow, and even death itself. It comes from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. This clearly describes God the Son. He is the dependable witness. As firstborn from the dead, He is the first One to rise from the dead to die no more, and the one who holds the place of honor and pre-eminence among all who are raised from the dead to enjoy eternal life. He is also the ruler over all earthly kings. Following his initial greetings, John writes a tribute of praise to the Lord Jesus. First of all, he speaks of the Savior as the One who loved us (loves us) and washed us from our sins in His own blood. Note the tenses of the verbs: loves, a present, continuous action; washed, a past, completed work. Note too the order: He loves us, and indeed loved us long before He washed us. And note the price He paid: His own blood. Honest self-evaluation forces us to confess that the cost was too high. We did not deserve to be washed at such an exorbitant price. His love did not stop at washing us, though it could have done so. He mad us kings and priests to His God and Father. As holy priests, we offer spiritual sacrifices to God: our persons, our possessions, our praise, and our services. As royal priests, we tell forth the excellencies of Him who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light. If we meditate on such love, we can only conclude that He is worthy of all the glory, honor, worship, and praise that we can heap on Him. And He is worthy of the dominion over our lives, the church, the world, and the entire universe. Amen. By: Pastor Roy L. Crane Listen to Pastor Roy’s Sermon Audio regarding this commentary Here! Read the Scripture: Luke 19:37-44 The disciples made a cushion or saddle for the Lord with their own clothes. Many spread their clothes on the road before Him as He ascended from the western base of the Mt. of Olives to Jerusalem. Then with one accord the followers of Jesus burst out in praise for all the mighty works they had seen Him do. They hailed Him as God’s King, and chanted that the effect of His coming was peace in heaven and glory in the highest. It is significant that they cried “Peace in heaven” rather than “Peace on earth.” There could not be peace on earth because the Prince of Peace had been rejected and was soon to be slain. But there would be peace in heaven as a result of the impending death of Christ on Calvary’s cross and His ascension to heaven. The Pharisees were indignant that Jesus should be publicly honored in this way. They suggested that He should rebuke His disciples. But Jesus answered that such acclamation was inevitable. If the disciples wouldn’t do it, then the very stones of Creation would! He thus rebuked the Pharisees for being more hard and unresponsive than the inanimate stones. As Jesus drew near to Jerusalem, He uttered a lamentation over the city that had missed its golden opportunity. If the people had only received Him as Messiah, it would have meant peace for them. But they didn’t recognize that He was the source of peace. Now it was too late. They had already determined what they would do with the Son of God. Because of their rejection of Him, their eyes were blinded. Because they would not see Him, they could no longer see Him. Pause here to reflect on the wonder of the Savior’s tears. As W. H. Griffith Thomas has said, “Let us sit at Christ’s feet until we learn the secret of His tears, and beholding the sins and sorrows of city and countryside, weep over them too.” Jesus gave a solemn preview of the siege of Titus—how that Roman general would surround the city, trap the inhabitants, massacre both young and old, and level the walls and buildings. Not one stone would be left upon another. And it was all because Jerusalem did not know the time of its visitation. The Lord had visited the city with the offer of salvation. But the people did not want Him. They had no room for Him in their scheme of things. When we remember the “Triumphal Entry”, we must remember that although the people were looking for a king who would set them free from the Romans; they completely missed the SAVIOR who would set them free from sin. The world as a whole wants to “create” religions, political movements, and philosophies that will meet what THEY want, rather than simply accepting the Savior that God sent; His Own Son. Introduction:Malachi (My messenger, a shortened form of Malā’k-îyyāh, messenger of Jehovah) has the distinction of being the last of the prophets and the bridge between the two Testaments, looking forward both to John the Baptist and the Lord Jesus Himself. Malachi has a special question and answer style that has caused some to call him “the Hebrew Socrates.” We know nothing definite about the prophet apart from his book. There is every reason to accept him as a bold, often severe writer, who with Haggai and Zechariah called the post-exilic Jews back to their covenantal relationship with God. By: Pastor Roy L. Crane What Are We Saved From? (Revelation 20:7-15) Listen to Pastor Roy’s Sermon on this subject here! The devil himself is cast into the lake of fire to join the beast and the false prophet. Next we are introduced to the great white throne judgment. It is great because of the issues involved and white because of the perfection and purity of the decisions handed down. The Lord Jesus is sitting as Judge (John 5:22, 27). All of the dead, small and great, stand before God. Two sets of books are opened. The Book of Life contains the names of all who have been redeemed by the precious blood of Christ. The other books contain a detailed record of the works of the individual. The sea will yield up the bodies of those who have been buried in it. The graves, here represented by Death, will deliver up the bodies of all those who have been interred. Hades will give up the souls of all who have died. The bodies and souls will be reunited to stand before the Judge. This then is what we are saved from: the Lake of Fire, the final abode of the Devil, the Antichrist, the False Prophet, and of all who have not accepted Christ. Period. We are not saved from the effects of bad habits; from the social pain of our relationships, or from the loneliness of poor self-esteem. We are saved from an eternity of fire in the company of the most evil persons ever. When we down-play what it is we are saved from, we cheapen what Christ has done. He gave His LIFE to keep you out of the Lake, even though by any standard of measurement you truly DESERVED and had EARNED your place there. As a sinner, in rebellion against your Creator, in violation of His Word and ways, you were truly destined for the Lake. However, in love and grace, Jesus gave Himself willingly as the atoning sacrifice for your sin so that you could be SAVED from the Lake. The only issue that we carry into eternity with us is this; how did we respond to Jesus’ purchased salvation? Did we accept it with repentance, gladness, and joy; or did we reject it and refuse to grasp the life-line that we have been offered? The Book Of Hosea, Part 1Introduction “We have in the Book of Hosea one of the most arresting revelations of the real nature of sin, and one of the clearest interpretations of the strength of the Divine love. No one can read the story of Hosea without realizing the agony of his heart. Then, lift the human to the level of the Infinite, and know this, that sin wounds the heart of God.” G. Campbell Morgan While the Book of Hosea is not in narrative or story form, it does contain a story, although it is interwoven with the text. Briefly, the story is that Hosea married Gomer and she bore three children—Jezreel, Lo-ruhamah, and Lo-ammi. Gomer was unfaithful, and in spite of this, Hosea sought her in great love, and bought her back from slavery and degradation. Continue Reading Here |
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Commentary: Remember And Be Remembered
By: Pastor Roy Crane
To listen to Pastor Roy’s Sermon on this subject, click here.
Scripture Reference: Malachi 3:16-17 and Hebrews 10:19-25
MEMORIAL – – A monument, statue, holiday, or ritual that serves as a remembrance or reminder of a person or an event. The Feast of the Passover was a memorial of God’s sparing the firstborn of the Israelites in Egypt and of Israel’s deliverance from Egyptian bondage (Ex. 12:14). When Israel crossed the Jordan River and occupied the Promised Land, Joshua commanded that 12 stones, representing the 12 tribes of Israel, be set up in the midst of the Jordan (Josh. 4:9). “These stones,” he said, “shall be for a memorial to the children of Israel forever” (Josh. 4:7). When Jesus was in the house of Simon the leper, a woman anointed His head with oil. “Wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world,” said Jesus, “what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her” (Matt. 26:13; Mark 14:9). On the eve of His crucifixion Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper (Luke 22:19). The observance of the Lord’s Supper is an ongoing Christian memorial that helps believers remember the sacrifice of Christ on their behalf (1 Cor. 5:7; 11:25–26).
The exhortation in Hebrews 10 assumes that all believers are now priests because we are told to have boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus. The common people during the Jewish economy were barred from the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place; only the priests could enter the first room, and only the high priest could enter the second. Now that is all changed. God has no special place where only a special caste of men may approach Him. Instead, all believers may come into His presence by faith at any time and from any place on earth.
Our approach is by a new and living way. Let us draw near. This is the believer’s blood-bought privilege. How wonderful beyond all words that we are invited to have audience, not with this world’s celebrities, but with the Sovereign of the universe! The extent to which we value the invitation is shown by the manner in which we respond to it.
There is a fourfold description of how we should be spiritually groomed in entering the throne room.
1.With a true heart. The people of Israel drew near to God with their mouth, and honored Him with their lips, but their heart was often far from Him (Matt. 15:8). Our approach should be with utter sincerity.
2.In full assurance of faith. We draw near with utter confidence in the promises of God and with the firm conviction that we shall have a gracious reception into His presence.
3. Having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience. This can be brought about only by the new birth. When we trust Christ, we appropriate the value of His blood. Figuratively speaking, we sprinkle our hearts with it, just as the Israelites sprinkled their doors with the blood of the Passover lamb. This delivers us from an evil conscience.
4. And our bodies washed with pure water. Again this is symbolic language. Our bodies represent our lives. The pure water might refer either to the word (Eph 5:25, 26), to the Holy Spirit (John 7:37–39), or to the Holy Spirit using the word in cleansing our lives from daily defilement.
Then we should continue to meet together and not desert the local fellowship, as some do. This may be considered as a general exhortation for all believers to be faithful in their church attendance. Without question we find strength, comfort, nourishment, and joy in collective worship and service. It may also be looked on as a special encouragement for Christians going through times of persecution.
There is always the temptation to isolate oneself in order to avoid arrest, reproach, and suffering, and thus to be a secret disciple. But basically the verse is a warning against apostasy. To forsake the local assembly here means to turn one’s back on Christianity. Some were doing this when this Letter was written. There was need to exhort one another, especially in view of the nearness of Christ’s Return. When He comes, the persecuted, ostracized, despised believers will be seen to be on the winning side. Until then, there is need for steadfastness.