THE CHIEF CORNER STONE

1 Peter: 1-2

What is the foundation of your life? What is your life built upon? When a building is built, it is necessary to have a good foundation. The chief corner stone must be right. The rest of the stones must line up with the chief corner stone. King Solomon built a temple for the worship of God in Jerusalem. It was rebuilt after the Babylonian destruction. But God gave a prophecy through Isaiah about 700 B.C. that God Himself would lay a chief corner stone, a sure foundation.

Isaiah 28:16: Therefore thus says the Lord GOD:"Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation,A tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation;Whoever believes will not act hastily. (NKJB).

Isaiah 8:14, 15: He will be as a sanctuary,But a stone of stumbling and a rock of offenseTo both the houses of Israel,As a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. And many among them shall stumble; They shall fall and be broken, Be snared and taken." (NKJB)

Notice that God Himself would lay a stone for a foundation, a corner stone, a sure foundation. When was this fulfilled? What is this building? What does belief have to do with this corner stone, this foundation? This stone is called "He" - a person!

This foundation corner stone was also prophesied in: Psalm 118:22: The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief corner stone.

When Jesus was talking with the Jewish chief priests and elders, He quoted this verse. He applied this verse to Himself. Matthew 21:42: Jesus said to them, "Did you never read in the Scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, this became the chief corner stone (Greek: head of the corner). Yes, Jesus is the chief corner stone that the religious leaders rejected. Jesus also said: Matthew 21:44: "And he who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; but on whomever it falls, it will scatter him like dust." (See Isaiah 8:13, 14.)

They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed: It is appointed that those who are disobedient to the word should stumble over Jesus. When Jesus spoke of Himself as the stone of Psalm 118, He spoke of what those who rejected Him are appointed to: And whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder. (Matthew 21:44)

God laid in Zion a stone for a foundation, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation, who is Messiah, Jesus. Then not long after that, the Romans came and destroyed the temple Herod had built.

Are you willing to believe in Jesus the Messiah as the head corner stone? Acts 4:7-12: Peter said that Jesus the Messiah is the corner stone "He is the stone which was rejected by you, the builders, but which became the very corner stone. "And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved.

Do you believe that Jesus is the Head Corner Stone? The chief corner stone? A precious corner stone? A sure foundation?

Peter himself quoted these verses that we have read that prophesied about Messiah being the sure foundation, the chief corner stone, a stone of stumbling and rock (Greek petra) of offense: 1 Peter 2:4-8: And coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected by men, but choice and precious in the sight of God, you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

For this is contained in Scripture: "Behold I lay in Zion a choice stone, a precious corner stone, and he who believes in him shall not be disappointed." This precious value, then, is for you who believe. But for those who disbelieve, "The stone which the builders rejected, This became the very corner stone," and, "a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense" . . .

Peter quoted Isaiah 28:16, Psalm 118:22, and Isaiah 8:14. In 1 Peter 2:8, Jesus the Messiah is the Rock, petra: 1 Corinthians 10:4: and all drank the same spiritual drink, for they were drinking from a spiritual rock which followed them; and the rock (petra) was Christ.

You can believe in Jesus; you shall not be disappointed. He is a sure foundation, the chief corner stone. You can trust in Him. You can become a living stone in the house of God, the church that Jesus built. Do not reject Jesus as religious leaders did. He is the chief corner stone that God has laid in Zion. Do not stumble on this stone. "And he who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; but on whomever it falls, it will scatter him like dust."

You Can Avoid Being Hung By Your Tongue

Passage 3-5

James 3:1-12
Have you ever been hung by your tongue? Sometimes our tongues can get us into a lot of trouble

It was his first day on the job. He was a new clerk in the green goods department of a super market. A lady came up to him and said she wanted to buy half of a head of lettuce. He tried to dissuade her from that goal, but she persisted. Finally he said, "I’ll have to go back and talk to the manager." He went to the rear of the store to talk to the manager, not noticing that the woman was walking right behind him. When he got into the back of the store, he said to the manager, "There’s some stupid old bag out there who wants to buy half a head of lettuce. What should I tell her?" Seeing the horrified look on the face of the manager, he turned about and, seeing the woman, added, "And this nice lady wants to buy the other half of the head of lettuce. Will it be all right?" Relieved, the manager said, "That would be fine." Later in the day, he congratulated the boy on his quick thinking and asked, "Where are you from, son?" The boy said, "I’m from Toronto, Canada, the home of beautiful hockey players and ugly women." The manager replied, "My wife is from Toronto" — to which the boy said, "Oh, what team did she play for?"

Tongues can get us into a lot of trouble. And so can the tongues of others. Three pastors went fishing together in the northern wilderness of Canada. While they were there they began to talk about their innermost thoughts. One confessed that he had been guilty of certain sins. He named them, and then he urged the other two to confess their weaknesses. The second pastor confessed that he too, had certain weaknesses and recounted them in detail. The third pastor remained silent for a long time. Finally when pressed by his fellow elders to reveal his weaknesses, he said, "Brethren, I don’t think you want to know my weaknesses, but since you insist, I am going to tell you. I just love to gossip, and I can hardly wait to get home."

Sometimes what out tongues say is funny — sometimes it is not. Our tongues can, at times, hurt us and others. As we have seen, sometimes the tongue in say things we don’t mean. The problem comes when the tongue says things we do mean, but things we ought not to say. Someone once said, "We should remember that the tongue is in a wet place, and can slip easily." God certainly knew what he was doing when he put our tongues in a cage behind our teeth, walled in by our mouths. The Bible has a lot to say about the negative things our tongues can cause. The Bible refers to a wicked tongue, a deceitful tongue, a lying tongue, a filthy tongue, a corrupt tongue, a bitter tongue, a gossiping tongue, a blaspheming tongue, a boasting tongue, a murmuring tongue, a complaining tongue, a cursing tongue, a contentious tongue. It should be apparent, with this much about the tongue, that the tongue is a very important member of the human body.

So, how can we avoid being hung by our tongues? In this passage from James, we can see three keys that will enable us to keep our tongue from becoming a noose around our neck.

Never Underestimate Its Power
Most people seriously underestimate the power of the tongue. That is a mistake. We must never underestimate its power. James tells us that the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. And there is good reason for that. It is powerful.

It has the power to control our lives. James gives us the examples of horses and ships. Look at verses 3-4:
3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go.
James is telling us that something small can steer something large. In much the same way our tongues direct our lives. They control the direction in which we are traveling. And so, in a very real way, they control our lives. That’s power! Our words have a tremendous impact both on ourselves and on the others. They can encourage or discourage, heal or hurt. Whoever said, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me" must have been deaf.

Another thing about the tongue — it has the power to corrupt our lives. Look at verses 5a-6:

Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

What a terrible picture of the tongue! James tells us that the tongue is like a fire that consumes everything in its path. Just as great forests are destroyed by the careless toss of a match, so our tongues can destroy our lives as well.

James tells us that the tongue is a world of evil. He tells us that it is a corrupting force. He says that it is itself set on fire by hell. These are strong statements. But James is trying to make an important point. Never underestimate the power of the tongue to hurt you. It can destroy what you have. It can destroy who you are. In verse 8, James calls the tongue a restless evil, full of deadly poison. Beware the power of the tongue. Never underestimate it.

Never Turn It Loose
We must not only never underestimate the power of the tongue but we must also never turn it loose. Something with this much destructive power must be carefully watched and consistently controlled. If we let our tongues run wild, we will be hung by our tongue.

I once lived with a family on a small ranch. They had some cattle and horses. And, of course, there was a bull. While I was there I had to do my part in taking care of the animals. Some of the horses were in the barn in stalls and I had to feed them. One day I was down at the barn getting some feed for the horses. As I came out of one of the stalls, I sensed that there was something standing behind me. I slowly turned and found that I was facing the bull. What I experienced next was a great adrenaline rush. I must have looked like the bionic man as I jumped over the door to the stall.

There is an old saying that applies to situations like the one I found myself in. "It is the unwatched bull that gores you." When you live on a farm or a ranch, make sure you know where the bull is at all times.

Our tongue is like that. It must be guarded at all times. If we do not guard our tongues, they will run wild. We must be on constant watch. We must be on guard.

Proverbs 21:23 says, He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity.
James reminds us that we must treat the tongue like a wild animal that is incapable of being domesticated.

David prayed in Psalm 141:3, "Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips." The Lord has to give you the power to control your tongue.

When our hearts are right before God, our tongues will more consistently speak those things that encourage, build up, and heal. And when we do this, we will feel better about ourselves and we will make a real difference in the lives of others.
by J. David Hoke

Test Of Faith

James 1-2

A true story told by one of the first missionaries to enter Russia:

In Russia before the Berlin Wall came down and freedom to worship freely was against the law, many Christians were forced to get together in secret to worship the Lord. One group of Christians were gathered together in a simple house studying the Bible when suddenly the door was thrown open violently and three Russian soldiers burst in with rifles. One of the soldiers bellowed out that anyone who wasn't a Christian could leave immediately but anyone who had come to worship God should stay.

After a moment of silence many of the people filed out of the house leaving a few people behind. One of the soldiers closed the door behind them and locked it, then the soldiers all put down the rifles and explained to the remaining few that they also were Christians but they only wanted to worship with true believers. COULD YOU PASS SUCH A TEST OF YOUR FAITH?

James 1:2-4 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

a. Count it all joy when you fall into various trials: James regards trials as inevitable. He says when, not if you fall into various trials. At the same time, trials are occasions for joy, not discouraged resignation. We can count it all joy in the midst of trials, because they are used to produce patience. Patience is the ancient Greek word hupomone. This word does not describe a passive waiting, but an active endurance. It isn’t so much the quality that helps you sit quietly in the doctor’s waiting room as it is the quality that helps you finish a marathon.

b. Knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience: Faith is tested through trials, not produced by trials. Trials reveal what faith we do have, not because God doesn’t know how much faith we have, but to make our faith evident to ourselves and those around us. If trials do not produce faith, what does? Romans 10:17 tells us: So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Faith is built in us as we hear and understand and trust in God’s word.

c. Produces patience: Trials don’t produce faith, but when trials are received with faith, it produces patience. But patience is not inevitably produced in times of trial. If difficulties are received in unbelief and grumbling, trials can produce bitterness and discouragement. This is why James exhorts us to count it all joy. Counting it all joy is faith’s response to a time of trial.

d. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing: The work of patient endurance comes slowly, and must be allowed to have full bloom. Patient endurance is a mark of the person who is perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
So in the end, trials can be beneficial. This is why we can count it pure joy when we face trials of many kinds--because the testing of our faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that we will be mature and complete, not lacking any good thing--when that happens, the trial has ended!

What's Faith ??

Hebrews 11-13
Message Hebrews 11

In order to directly lay hold of God's promises, you must use faith. You release your faith by acting out on what you believe from God's Word. Faith is a practical expression of your confidence in God and the Word's ability to produce a harvest. When you act on your beliefs, you will begin to see the results you desire.

Faith is an act that is motivated by the Word of God, whether written or spoken. Whenever He tells you to do something and you obey, you demonstrate your faith. It is corresponding action that lines up with what you believe. For example, if you are sick and believing God for healing, take the medicine your doctor has prescribed and confess the Word of God on healing.

You can tell what people believe by how they act. Have you ever met someone who had extremely high confidence? This person carries himself or herself in a way that conveys a sense of authority. There is a certain air about a person who is confident; it is undeniable.

The same is true where your faith is concerned. A person who has faith constantly speaks the Word of God and acts as if what he or she is believing for has already come to pass. The key however, is to not to do something foolish and call it faith; this is presumption. Make sure you find the promise in God's Word and that if you have heard Him speak directly to your heart about something, that what you hear and receive lines up with the scripture.

James 2:17, 18 describes the importance of acting out on your faith: "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works." You see, faith has to have action behind it.

For example, if you are believing God for financial increase, don't just confess prosperity scriptures and expect for your checking account balance to miraculously increase overnight. Do something to demonstrate your expectation of God's promise for wealth; open a savings account and begin to exercise good stewardship over the money you already have. In addition, don't neglect to pay your tithes and give offerings according to what God speaks to your heart. Taking actions such as these give practical expression to what you believe from the Word.

Too many Christians get spiritually "deep" and do silly things that they label as "walking by faith." For example, someone may write a bad check, claiming they have faith in God to provide the money before the check clears. These actions aren't faith; they are foolishness. God will never tell you to do something that is illegal.

The Bible is full of accounts of people who heard God speak to them and had to act out on their faith. Noah was one of them. Hebrews 11:7 describes his faith, "By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house…" In John 2:1–11, the servants at the wedding at Cana released their faith by obeying Jesus' instructions, and a creative miracle took place—water was turned into wine. In both instances,these people demonstrated their belief by doing something specific; their faith could be seen.

To keep your faith strong, continue to seek God and feed your spirit the Word of God on a consistent basis. In addition, don't speak negative words or act contrary to what you believe. Keep your words and actions in line with what you believe and you will be actively demonstrating your faith in God and His Word. God weighs your actions, so make sure He sees your faith today!

— Dr. Creflo A. Dollar

“Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full passion of Faith”

Hebrews 8-10
Hebrews chapter 10

Often in our life it happens that we want to come closer to God, but we can not come closer, because at times we have taken step back from faith and love the world, for some of them it is impossible in their own thoughts of returning back. But as for God he still loves you, and wants and waits for your return. How can you draw near to God? Or how can you reconcile with him?

Give ear to these words:

V10. And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
15. The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says: 16. "This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds."
17. Then he adds: "Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more."
18. And where these have been forgiven, there is no longer any sacrifice for sin.
19. Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus,
14. Because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.
21. And since we have a great priest over the house of God
26. If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left,
27. But only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God
35. So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded
36. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.
37. For in just a very little while, "He who is coming will come and will not delay. 38. But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him."
39. But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved.

The Priesthood Of Melchizedek

Passage Heb:5-7
The name Melchizedek means king of righteousness consisting of two words, Melek-King , Zedek-Righteousness which are a interpretation of his name. This person was also known as the King of Salem meaning king of peace, a title given to a historical person living in Abraham’s time.

Little is known about this person who suddenly appears on the scene in Abraham’s day. Abraham either recognized this priest as one who worshipped the most high God or heard of him from others, because he freely offered a tenth of his spoils from his battle, so it does seem to imply some previous contact and knowledge (Gen.14:18). Abraham receives the meal and blessing from this priest after his victory in battle and this priest vanishes from any recorded history after his brief encounter recorded in Genesis. This is typology of in the priest mediating the Passover giving a future reference to the Son who would also do this by his own body. Mt. 26:26-28)

Previous to Moses time period sacrifices were offered by the head of the family. Abraham’s time most believe took place in the same period as Jobs. The priest was the Father, or grandfather being the oldest in the family line. As the family grew to be a tribe the head came to be the king as well as the priest, so he was the priest/king of their tribe.

Later on into the days of Moses the 12 tribes had grown to be the nation of Israel which god delivered out of their bondage. A priesthood was created from Aaron, out of the tribe of Levi which became the Levitical priesthood order for the sacrificial system. Later another family was set apart for being the kings, the family of David. The king was then to rule the people and the priest was to mediate between God and man through the sacrificial system.

Abraham lived to 2121 B.C. and Shem lived to 2156 B.C . Abrahams father was Terah who was in the line of Shem so this would make tribal sense that Abraham knew Shem and that he was the priest /king over their tribe . Noah predicted that Canaan would serve under Shem (Gen.9:26) Shem is also attributed to be the father of the children of Eber which is where we get the word "Hebrew" which means crossed over the river or one who came from the other side ( such as from paganism to true worship) (Gen.10:21, 11:10-27). Also the Messiah comes from the line of Shem. However there seems to be a flaw in him being the candidate because we know his line and descendants. It states for Melchizedek we do not know his genealogy, which rules out Shem.

Ungers Bible Dictionary states "Without father, etc.(Heb.7:3) refers to priestly genealogies. Melchizedek is not found on the register of the only line of legitimate priests ; no record of his name is there; his fathers name is not recorded, nor his mother’s; no evidence points to his line of descent from Aaron. It is not affirmed that he had no father, that he was not born at any time, or died on any day; but that these facts were nowhere found on the register of the Levitical priesthood." (p.711 1979 ed.).

The author of Hebrews In 5:9-11 identifies the Son as the author of eternal salvation to all who obey him. This Son is called by God the high priest, of the order of Melchizedek which never ends. "To whom we have much to say and hard to explain since you have become dull of hearing. The book of Hebrews is written to Jews who were struggling with going back into Judaism to avoid being persecuted. The first chapters set the theme using comparisons of the Son to Angels, the priesthood, and the sacrifices showing he is better and greater than all. In vs.15 of Chpt.7 the author states "And it is far more evident, if in the likeness of Melchizedek, there arises another priest who has come, not according to the law of the fleshly commandment, but according to the power of an endless life." Here is the comparison of the first that we know of, to the second, or another who is a permanent replacement functioning forever in this priesthood. The former in relation to the fleshly commandments, the later related to an endless life.

The author of Hebrews contrasts the two priesthood's. Jesus did not serve as a priest on earth because he was not of the tribe of Levi but of Judah (Hebrews 7:14; 8:4). In the Old Testament a priest was required to be a descendant of Levi. High priests who performed the atoning sacrifice on the Day of Atonement were required to be descendants of Aaron, Levi's great grandson (Numbers 18; Hebrews 5:1-4). To be a Aaronic priest one had to trace their ancestry to Aaron, to be a Melchizedek priest was of a divine appointment. Christ is a priest from the line of David which would certainly exclude him from the Levitical order, since they could not be a priest being from the tribe of Judah. The author parallel’s this priest with Jesus, in contrast Aarons priesthood was temporary and continually changed due to death of the priest. Because the Levitical priesthood is connected to the law of Moses which was temporary (Heb.8:6,13) to do away with Moses law also meant to do away with the Levitical priesthood that practiced the sacrifices. While the Levitical priesthood ministered to only one nation, the Melchizedek priesthood ministers to all.

Upon Christ's resurrection, he became an eternal priest "according to the order of Melchizedek" (Hebrews 5:5-10; 6:19-20). Jesus is the eternal Son who died once and resurrected continuing in his priesthood forever (based on an endless life). Therefore his mediatorial role in the Melchizedekian order is superior. This new priesthood is based on the promise 7:.20-21 and the one who can guarantee it as the mediator of the New Covenant vs.22-28. This is a perfect priesthood continuing forever unlike the old which changed, this is administered by the eternal Son of God to all who are in the house of God (Heb.9:15-10:21).
Christ became the high priest after he sacrificed his life and went to heaven , now sitting down in his mediatorial role.Vs. 26 he became higher than the heavens, vs. 28 "For the law appoints as high priests men who have weaknesses, but the word of the oath, which came after the law, appoints the Son who has been perfected forever" Here it clearly states Gods promise came after the law fulfilled by his Son in his earthly ministry. Chpt.8 explains how he is in heaven functioning in the true Tabernacle.

Melchizedek also prefigured Jesus in that his names refer to Christ as King of righteousness and peace.Jesus currently holds to all three offices eternally but he functions in them Chronologically. He came as a prophet Jn.4:44. Today he is currently holding the office and functioning as high priest Heb.5:6,10. He was announced as King in his 1st coming but was rejected Mt.12:22-45. At his 2nd coming he will be realized as king and function as one Isa.9:6 Mt.25:34-45.

Source: Let us Reason Ministries

The Importance of an Unchanging Lord

Passage Hebrews 1-4
Hebrews 1:10-12
The foundation of our faith is the truth that God is unchanging. He has the same character and principles He had when the prophet Malachi wrote the words, “For I, the Lord, do not change”(Malachi 3:6). In fact, since before He spoke the world into being, God has been exactly as He is today. This understanding is essential for believers who desire to live the successful Christian life. If we believed that God, like man, was in a state of change, much of our faith would be pointless.

Why pray to someone who may or may not still be answering? If that were the case, then we would wonder: Serving the Lord might yield fruit, but it might not. We can get into heaven as long we never make God angry, but does He still get upset over the things that bothered Him in the Old Testament, or does He now have new sources of irritation? What an exhausting life believers would lead trying to keep a fickle god happy! Sadly, many people do become tired trying to be perfect Christians. Rather than getting theologically grounded in God’s Word, they are living as they think the Lord desires or following the lead of other people of faith. One difficult experience can knock the unprepared believer off his feet.

In order for the Lord to lay a solid faith foundation in our lives, we must study the One whom we serve. Through the Scriptures and our experiences, we learn how God responds to different circumstances, we recognize His methods and purposes for discipline, and we witness His rewarding of righteousness. More than that, we inevitably realize that He is always the same loving Father.
Source: Intouch Ministries

Philemon

Once there was a man named Philemon, apparently a reasonably wealthy man, as he owned at least one slave, whose name was Onesimus. It is noteworthy that Onesimus means "useful", because the one so named proved otherwise: he ran away. Philemon was a Christian, converted through Paul's ministry, and I don't expect that he treated Onesimus particularly badly, as slave treatment in the Roman Empire went; but there is nothing particularly pleasant about being a slave at all, and this one had had enough. If we are correct in identifying this slave with the Onesimus mentioned in Colossians 4:9, then it is reasonable to assume that all this took place in or near Colossae.

Onesimus, the runaway slave, ran to the largest metropolitan area in the world to disappear. But he could not disappear. Instead, he ran into Paul--who, as you recall, was under house arrest and permitted to have visitors while awaiting his trial before Caesar. Hearing the gospel from Paul, as had his master before him, he repented, and turned to Christ. This was cause for rejoicing. But a cloud hung over our joy. Onesimus was a runaway slave. Death was the normal punishment, so much so that for Philemon to beat his slave to within inches of death would have been regarded a merciful punishment. Onesimus, now converted, sees that he must return to Philemon. Although Philemon might kill him, would certainly hurt him, still he must go back.

Paul more than writing raised many men& women for ministry, by imparting life into them, among them one was Onesimus, who was a run-away slave of Philemon who became his begotten son (a son who carries out fathers will). He was unfaithful and useless for Philemon, but he was very useful for the Kingdom of God. And through his conversion Paul sow a great mission by imparting life into him, and also encourages him to go back to Philemon. Let’s impart godliness in some people , as some are punish for what they do wrong , but some are punished& crushed for whom they belong to, and such suffering experiences attracts people like Onesimus to Christ.

There is no way of knowing what happened to Onesimus after the letter. Ignatius of Antioch mentions an Onesimus as Bishop of Ephesus in the early second century, as Onesimus was not an uncommon slave name, some commentators have suggested a connection between the slave mentioned by Paul and this Bishop of Ephesus.

Significance of this letter was a cause of debate during the British and later American struggles over the abolition of slavery. Both sides cited interpretations of Philemon for support. Modern scholarship has tended to assume that either Paul did undermine slavery in this letter, or that he would have, had circumstances permitted

Paul quotes about Onesimus, “Who once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable to you and to me:” In some way, Onesimus became profitable to Paul. Perhaps he served as an assistant to Paul during his house arrest. So Philemon’s runaway slave Onesimus was now unprofitable to Philemon, since he had escaped. But he had become profitable to Paul – and by extension, also to Philemon (profitable to you and me). Since Philemon loved Paul, if Onesimus helped Paul he was helping Philemon also.

Four Charges To Timothy

Passage II Timothy 1-4
Message from 2:15 & 4:5

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Scripture—The Bible is a written description of God’s attributes and the way He operates. Many Christians read a passage or two each morning, but seeking the Lord requires more than that. As you open the Word of God, say to Him, “I want to know You better. Speak to me, Lord, and show me the truth about Yourself.” You can be certain that “Show me the truth” is one prayer God will always answer. When you are in love with somebody, you long to build a relationship to get to know him or her better. As genuine intimacy takes place, barriers come down and ignorance is replaced by knowledge on a deeper level than the physical or the emotional—it is a connection with that person’s spirit. In a similar way, if you want to seek God, then open Scripture with the purpose
of discovering answers to these questions: Who is this God? Who is this Christ? Who is this Holy Spirit living inside of me and expressing the life of Jesus through my being?

But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

a. Be watchful in all things: Timothy could not fulfill his ministry unless he kept careful attention, being watchful in all things. Every good shepherd has his eyes open. Being watchful in all situations means keeping your Head calm & cool & steady in all situations. God’s plan ensures that every believer reaches his or her maximum potential. He desires that His children live a certain way and make right decisions, so He accepts full responsibility for guiding them. In fact, He promises, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go” (Psalm 32:8). Make sure you do not loose your anointment and your grace by indulging in vain things.

b. Endure afflictions: Ministry is just like life - there are afflictions to be borne with. For some this is a disturbing thought because they thought that the ministry would be one beautiful spiritual experience after another. There are plenty of wonderful blessings in serving God but there are also afflictions to be endured. The Lord is actively guiding every incident of our lives in order to stitch the incongruent “threads” together for our good. (Romans 8:28) For example, when once a young Man wanted to go for seminary but had no money, even though he felt God’s call to preach. One day a friend called him over and then asked if he could help, and ask him to meet the pastor as he asked him to see him. I did, and out of that meeting came a four-year scholarship. Do not be afraid while suffering for the lord, because pruning always pains for a while but bears much fruits

c. Do the work of an evangelist: This implies that Timothy was not particularly gifted as an evangelist but he still had to faithfully do that work as a preacher of God’s Word. We all have to evangelize and witness but we all struggle as this man writes “ Few words strike more fear into the heart of the average Christian. How do you do it, anyway? What if you get rejected or look stupid? What if you get tongue-tied or don’t know the right answer to someone’s question? Think about it. If God commissioned us to struggle for the hearts and lives of those who don’t know Him yet, why would He make evangelism so hard? We might assume we’re the problem— too lazy, not bold enough, etc. After all, those of us “ordinary” types (who aren’t gifted with brilliant speaking skills or an
extroverted personality) find ourselves uncomfortable with the methods we’ve been taught—they feel too much like sales pitches, and we’re not natural salespeople. But maybe the real problem is this: we have analyzed evangelism for so long that we’re
stuck with strategies ordinary people can’t use. The presentation sounds fine, rehearsed in a classroom’s safety, but it disappears completely once we’re at work or talking with a friend over coffee.”

d. Fulfill your ministry: Paul gave a similar command to Archippus (Colossians 4:17), and he knew what it was to fulfill his own ministry in some sense (Acts 12:25). There may be many reasons why someone’s ministry goes unfulfilled and each must be earnestly battled: Fear, Unbelief, The cares of the world, the fear of man, Criticism and discouragement, Besetting sin etc. In Jude verse 24 says that the One who called us is able to bring us into His glorious presence without a single fault. And as Paul says “Therefore I , a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other's faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace."

Commendable Ministers of God

1 Timothy 4-6
It has been more than 1900 years since Paul wrote to Timothy about the latter times, but he did not misunderstand his time or our own. History is not, and has not, been rushing towards a distant brink that would end this current order; even in apostolic times, history had reached that brink - and has run parallel to it since. As it turns out, the latter times describe a broad era, not a couple of years.

Instruction in ministry for Ministers.

1. Keeping your priorities straight.

But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness.

a. Reject profane and old wives’ fables: The priority must be on God’s Word, not on the words of man. Paul cautioned Timothy to keep focused on the Word, not on things that come from man. The greatest effort must be put into God’s Word, not man’s word.

b. Exercise yourself toward godliness: Ancient Greek and Roman culture put a high value on physical exercise. Paul tells Timothy that the same work and commitment that others put towards physical exercise should be put toward the pursuit of godliness. Spiritual development and physical development share some similarities. With each, growth only comes with exertion and proper feeding.

False doctrine in the end times taught by the one departed from faith.

1. A warning from the Holy Spirit.

Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons.

a. Now the Spirit expressly says: Paul especially marked this as a revelation from the Holy Spirit; either as a spontaneous word given as he wrote or quoting from a previous prophecy. Paul knew certain dangers would mark the latter times.

· The danger of apostasy (some will depart).
· The danger of deception (deceiving spirits).
· The danger of false teaching (doctrines of demons).

b. Some will depart from the faith: Because of the danger of the latter times, if Timothy were to remain a faithful minister to God’s people, he must keep a dead reckoning on the truth - the faith. If this were lost, not much else really mattered.

1. “A man may hold all the truths of Christianity, and yet render them of none effect by holding other doctrines which counteract their influence; or he may apostatize by denying some essential doctrine, though he bring in nothing heterodox.” (Clarke)

2. A June 1997 article in U.S. News and World Report described a Virginia pastor who “Would rather preach on ‘Bosnia, justice, or world peace’ than on Bible stories or personal salvation.” This is an example of a man who departed from the faith and followed his own direction.

c. The faith: This describes the essential teachings of the Christian faith. When some . . . depart from the faith, they are abandoning the essential teachings of Christianity.

The Bible uses the phrase “the faith” in this way many places: Acts 6:7 and 14:22, Colossians 1:23, 1 Timothy 1:19, and Jude 1:3.

d. Deceiving spirits: This refers to demonic spirits (angelic beings who have rebelled against God), who seek to deceive men and women and to entice them away from the truth. Deceiving spirits speak of lies and some lies are so powerful that they have an evident spiritual dynamic behind them. These are lies crafted and marketed by deceiving spirits.

For Paul tells Timothy what a true minister of God must do. In 1st Timothy 4: Vs 6 he said that “If you point these things out to the brothers, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, brought up in the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed. Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales; rather, train yourself to be godly.”

Material taken from David Guzik and it is © 2006 David Guzik

The Lord's Grace to Paul

I Timothy 1-3
Tim 1:12-14

Paul of Tarsus (b. c. 10, d. c. 67), the Apostle to the Gentiles (Romans 11:13, Galatians 2:8) was, together with Simon Peter, the most notable of Early Christian missionaries. Unlike the Twelve Apostles, Paul did not know Jesus in life; he came to faith through a vision of the resurrected Jesus (1 Cor 15:8-9). As he wrote, he "received it [the Gospel] by revelation from Jesus Christ" (Gal 1:11-12); according to Acts, his conversion was on the Road to Damascus.

Paul’s personal experience of the gospel.

I. (12-14) Why was Paul entrusted with the gospel? And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.

a. I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me: Paul was entrusted with the gospel because Jesus enabled Paul, and Paul thanked Jesus for that enabling. Paul was enabled for this ministry because he was counted . . . faithful for the ministry. Faithfulness made Paul “usable” by God. We often see our Christian service as a matter of volunteering. Yet as Christians, in regard to Jesus and His church, we are not volunteers. We are slaves. We are duty bound servants of Jesus, and faithfulness is expected of such servants. You don’t have to be smart to be faithful; you don’t have to be talented or gifted. Faithfulness is something very down-to-earth, and every one of us can be faithful in the sphere God has given us. Many people wait to be faithful. We tell ourselves, “I’ll be faithful when I’m in such and such a position.” That’s nonsense. We should be faithful right where we are at - our faithfulness is shown in the small things.

b. Putting me into the ministry: Ministry simply means “service.” In the original language of the New Testament, there is nothing “high” or “spiritual” about the word. It just means to work hard and serve. Yet for this former blasphemer and persecutor of God’s people, this was a great honor. “After Paul was saved, he became a foremost saint. The Lord did not allot him a second-class place in the church. He had been the leading sinner, but his Lord did not, therefore, say, ‘I save you, but I shall always remember your wickedness to your disadvantage.’ Not so: he counted him faithful, putting him into the ministry and into the apostleship, so that he was not a whit behind the very chief of the apostles. Brother, there is no reason why, if you have gone very far in sin, you should not go equally far in usefulness.” (Spurgeon)

c. Although I was formerly: Paul’s past did not disqualify him from serving God. God’s mercy and grace were enough to cover his past and enable him to serve God. We should never feel that our past makes us unable to be used by God. With these words, Paul gave Timothy another reason to remain in Ephesus. It is likely that Timothy wanted to leave Ephesus and his ministry there because he felt unworthy or incapable of the work. These words from Paul assured Timothy, “If there is anyone unworthy of disqualified, it should be me. Yet God found a way to use me, and He will use you also as you remain in Ephesus.”

d. Because I did it ignorantly in unbelief: Ignorance and unbelief never excuse our sin, but they do invite God’s mercy, because sin in ignorance and unbelief makes one less guilty than the believer who sins knowingly. Yet it was not Paul’s ignorance that saved him; it was the exceeding abundant grace of God (God’s unmerited favor).

II. (15) Paul summarizes his personal experience of the gospel. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.

a. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance: This unusual phrase introduces a statement of special importance. Paul used this phrase 5 times – all in the Pastoral Epistles.

b. Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners: Jesus came to save sinners, not those living under the illusion of their own righteousness. It is the sick who need a physician (Mark 2:17). Since Jesus came into the world to save sinners, this is the first necessary qualification for being a child of God - being a sinner. Sinners are not disqualified from coming to God, because Jesus came to save them. We also see the great danger in taking the terms sin and sinner out of our vocabulary. Many preachers deliberately do this today, because they don’t want to offend anyone from the pulpit. But if Jesus came to save sinners, shouldn’t we identify who those sinners are? How else will they come to salvation? “Even those who recognize that Christ’s work is to save admit that it is more difficult to believe that this salvation belongs to sinners. Our mind is always prone to dwell on our own worthiness and, as soon as our unworthiness becomes apparent, our confidence fails. Thus the more a man feels the burden of his sins, he ought with greater courage to betake himself to Christ, relying on what is here taught, that He came to bring salvation not to the righteous but to sinners.” (Calvin)

c. Of whom I am chief: Paul’s claim to be the chief of sinners was not an expression of some super-pious false humility. He genuinely felt his sins made him more accountable before God than others. Aren’t we all equally sinners? No; “All men are truly sinners, but all men are not equally sinners. They are all in the mire; but they have not all sunk to an equal depth in it” (Spurgeon). Paul felt - rightly so - his sins were worse because he was responsible for the death, imprisonment, and suffering of Christians, whom he persecuted before his life was changed by Jesus (Acts 8:3; 9:1-2, 1 Corinthians 15:9, Galatians 1:13, Philippians 3:6). In Acts 26:11, Paul explained to Agrippa what might have been his worst sin: And I punished them often in every synagogue and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly enraged against them, I persecuted them even to foreign cities. He compelled others to blaspheme Jesus.
“This, indeed, was a very horrible part of Saul’s sinfulness. To destroy their bodies was bad enough, but to destroy their souls too-to compel them to blaspheme, to speak evil of that name which they confessed to be their joy and their hope, surely that was the worst form that even persecution could assume. He forced them under torture to abjure the Christ whom their hearts loved. As it were he was not content to kill them, but he must damn them too” (Spurgeon). There are worse kinds of sin; sins that harm God’s people are especially bad in God’s eyes. We must soberly consider if we are guilty, now or in the past, of harming God’s people. “[God] remembers jests and scoffs leveled at his little ones, and he bids those who indulge in them to take heed. You had better offend a king than one of the Lord’s little ones” (Spurgeon). “Despair’s head is cut off and stuck on a pole by the salvation of ‘the chief of sinners.’ No man can now say that he is too great a sinner to be saved, because the chief of sinners was saved eighteen hundred years ago. If the ringleader, the chief of the gang, has been washed in the precious blood, and is now in heaven, why not I? Why not you?” (Spurgeon)

III. (16) Paul saved as a pattern of mercy to others. However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.

What restrains the coming of Lawless man

Passage II Thess 1-3
II Thes 2: (5-8) Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming.

The one who now restrains it is removed
I think it is reasonable to assume that it is the Holy Spirit who is restraining the operation of lawlessness in the world at the moment. The interesting point about the removal of the Holy Spirit from the earth is that at the moment the Spirit resides in believers. "Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you" (1 Corinthians 6: 19). For the Holy Spirit to be removed requires the believers to be removed also. Therefore it is reasonable to assume that the removal of the true church will occur before the final revelation of the "lawless one". This event is referred to as the "Rapture" by many Christians

b. And now you know what is restraining: For now, Satan and the man of sin are being restrained. The principle of their working is now present (the mystery of lawlessness is already at work). But at the right time, the Holy Spirit (He who restrains) who restrains their full revelation will be taken out of the way.

c. Taken out of the way: We should not think that the Holy Spirit would leave the earth during the Great Tribulation. He will be present on the earth during the Great Tribulation because many are saved, sealed, and serve God during this period (Revelation 7:3-14 and 14:1-5), and this can’t happen without the ministry of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is taken out of the way, not removed.

i. “The phrase is used of any person or thing which is taken out of the way, whether by death or other removal.” (Alford)

ii. Some see this as the end of a dispensation: “The special presence of the Spirit as the indweller of saints will terminate abruptly at the parousia as it began abruptly at Pentecost. Once the body of Christ has been caught away to heaven, the Spirit’s ministry will revert back to what he did for believers during the Old Testament period.” (Thomas)

He who now restrains" . . . The Rapture of the Church
We are told that all who believe Jesus-Yeshua, the promised Messiah, died for their sins, was buried, then raised from the dead, and accept Him as their Lord and Savior (who saves us from Hell) are "born again," and are then indwelt by the Holy Spirit. According to the Bible, you cannot separate the Holy Spirit from the believing Christian. This is God’s promise. So, in order to remove "He who now restrains" (the Holy Spirit), God must also remove the body of believers who are alive at that time. This is why many believe the man some call the 'Antichrist' cannot be revealed until after the Rapture of the Church (admittedly a pretty 'hard to comprehend' prophecy) . . . so we don't spend too much time trying to figure out who this guy is. Also, since there doesn't appear to be any obvious prophecies concerning America specifically during the Tribulation period, some feel the U.S. may be "neutralized" as an international restraining force at or around this same time . . .

Conclusion: And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming. The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.

The Second Coming of Jesus

The Second Coming of Jesus
Dr. Creflo A. Dollar

Foundational Scriptures

Matthew 26:64, Luke 21:27, Acts 1:11, Hebrews 9:28, Matthew 24:27, Matthew 24:36, Luke 12:40, I Thessalonians 5:2, Revelation 16:15, Matthew 24:1-8, Luke 21:11, Luke 21:25,26 (AMP), Romans 8:22, Psalm 91:1

Summary

The return of the Lord is mentioned throughout the Bible, and it is a message that must be preached in these last days. There is a heaven and a hell, and the decisions you make in this life will determine where you will spend eternity. You must think beyond the present, look to the future and prepare for Jesus' glorious return and the rapture of the church.

A. The word "rapture" doesn't appear in the Bible. Instead, the phrase "caught up" is used when referring to this event.
1.According to Scripture, three raptures have already taken place. Enoch, who walked with God and pleased Him, was the first person to go to heaven without dying a physical death.
2.Elijah was the second person to be "caught up." His rapture was a public event. The third rapture was that of Jesus.
3.The coming rapture of the church will be the fourth rapture and will cause much chaos on the earth.
4.People throughout the world will disappear in the twinkling of an eye.

B. The Scriptures support Jesus' return.

1.Jesus will be seen breaking through the clouds of heaven as He returns, coming in great power and glory (Matthew 26:64; Luke 21:27).
2.The way the disciples saw Jesus depart the earth, is the same way He will return (Acts 1:11).
3.In the second coming, Jesus will appear to those who are looking for Him (Hebrews 9:28; Matthew 24:27).
4.No one knows the exact day of Jesus' return; only the Father knows (Matthew 24:36).
5.Jesus will return at an unexpected hour (Luke 12:40; 1Thessalonians 5:2; Revelation 16:15).

C. The disciples asked Jesus three questions concerning His return and the end of the world (Matthew 24:1-8).

1.When will these things happen?
2.What will be the sign of His coming?
3.What will be the sign of the end of the age?
4.Jesus describes the signs of the times as birth pangs (v. 8, AMP).

a.Many of the signs have increased in frequency and intensity like a woman giving birth.
b.Many churches today do not hold to the divine truths of the Bible. For example, biblical teaching against homosexuality is being reconsidered.
c.Nations (or ethnic groups) are rising against one another.
d.Civil rights wars are erupting around the world.
e.Kingdoms (nations or countries) are rising against one another.
f.There are famines, earthquakes and plagues occurring in various places (Luke 21:11).
a.Between 1920 and 1990 (70 years), there were 10 major earthquakes. But between 1990 and 2005 (15 years), there have been 13 major earthquakes.1
b.The bird flu, or H5N1, is predicted to kill 150 million people globally.

5.Storms have increased in frequency and intensity (Luke 21:25-26, AMP).

a.NASA has verified that the sun is getting brighter and hotter, producing radiation that affects our weather, which will cause more frequent and powerful storms.
b.The changes in the planet are a result of the earth crying out (Romans 8:22).

D.The only way people can be prepared for these end time events is to have a personal relationship with Jesus.

a.Only those who are born again will have a hiding place in times of chaos (Psalm 91:1).
b.Christians and sinners must realize the importance of renewing their minds to the things of God.

i.Often, people neglect the Word of God because they have been seduced by the mindset of the world.

World Net Daily, October 9, 2005

Believer Is Hidden In Christ

Colosians 1-4
Col 3:3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

The Believer is hid with Christ: What does this mean? It means that God counts the believer hid in the resurrection and life of Christ. When Christ arose, he arose to a new life not his old life. He had just died to the old life once for all. Therefore, when the believer is said to be hid in Christ, it means that God counts the believer risen with Christ. God counts the believer as risen to a new life. God sees the believer hid in Christ day by day. God sees him walking in Christ and in Christ’s righteousness. And because he is in Christ, the believer sets his mind upon things above, upon the things of Christ and of heaven. He sets his mind and life upon things that please Christ. (The teachers Outline & Study Bible)

Illustrations:
An excellent illustration of what it means to be “hid with Christ” is this: take the index finger of your right hand and wrap your left hand around it. Say that the index finger represents you and the left hand represents Christ. Where are you (the index finger)? In Christ, You are hid in Christ. When God looks at you, he sees you hid in Christ!

Is it not true that many times the Devil approaches you and shows your past life sins and deceives of your past sinful nature? Now as you have learnt from Col 3:3 which say that your life which is dead and hidden in Christ how is that you are a Sinner? You are already a dead person, who will accuse or which creditors will look for a dead person for their payments? When Christ has wrapped you, don’t you know that you are been declared as righteousness of God. Accept your righteousness through Christ, why do you allow the Satan to deceive you and not allowing you to proclaim the righteousness of God. When you are hid in Christ is the only life that God sees as living. Christ is your life in the eyes of God, the life in which you live, move and have your being in the life of Christ. You are hid in his life. Christ is the only life, the only body, that is seen by God and that is to be seen by the world.

But this doesn’t mean that you should keep on sinning, but as his Word of God says from verse 4 onwards, “Put to death all desires of flesh and wear new clothes of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience& love. In order that, “When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”

Do Not Be Anxious About Anything!

Philippians4:6,7

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

In this passage there is a whole philosophy of prayer.
1. Paul stresses that we can take everything to God in prayer. 'There is nothing too great for God's power; and nothing too small for his fatherly care.' A child may take anything, great or small, to a parent being sure of whatever happens to him will be to his gain. We may exactly the same way take anything to God.

2. We can bring our prayers, our supplications and our requests to God; we can pray for ourselves, We can pray for forgiveness for past, for the things we need in the present, and for help and guidance for the future. We can take our own past and present and future into the presence of God. We can pray for others. We can commend to God's care those near and far who are within our memories and our hearts.

3. Thanksgiving must be the universal accompaniment of prayer. Paul insists that we must give thanks in everything-in sorrows and in joys alike. That implies two things-gratitude and perfect submission to the will of God. It is only when we are fully convinced that God is working all things together for good that we can really feel to him the perfect gratitude which believing prayer demands.

When we pray, we must always remember three things.
1. We must remember the love of God, which desires only what, is best for us.
2. We must remember the wisdom of God, which alone knows what is best for us
3. We must remember the power of God, which alone can bring to pass that which is best for us.

He who prays with a perfect trust in the love, wisdom and power of God will find God's peace.

The result of believing prayer is that the peace of God will stand like a sentinel on guard upon our hearts. The word that Paul uses-phrourein is the military word for standing on guard. That peace of God passes all understanding. It means that the peace of God is so precious that man's mind, with all its skill and all its knowledge, can never produce it. It is only of God's giving. The way to peace is in prayer to entrust ourselves and all whom we hold dear to the loving hands of God.

By: Grace GeeVarghese

Prisoner for Christ

Ephesians 4-6
Eph 4:1-3 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

If we look in the above verses carefully, Paul introduces himself as Prisoner for Christ. This term is a common phrase similar like Bride of the Lamb, Servant of God, Body of Christ, and Church of God.

What does it mean to be a prisoner? Or A Prisoner for Christ!

Greek words:
Prisoner: desmios {des'-mee-os}
Meaning: in bonds, a captive, a prisoner

Lord: kurios {koo'-ree-os}
Meaning: 1) he to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master, lord 1a) the possessor and disposer of a thing 1a1) the owner; one who has control of the person, the master 1a2) in the state: the sovereign, prince, chief, the Roman emperor 1b) is a title of honour expressive of respect and reverence, with which servants salute their master 1c) this title is given to: God, the Messiah

If we try to understand these words, one thing is sure that a prisoner is a person who is under the bond of a Master or Law. A prisoner is kept under bondage, which is a prison. And no one ends up there unless they have done something wrong. They have to be lawbreakers or ungovernable person. For which they are now been cut off from the general public and being kept in a cell until the time of there punishments ends. These people are disciplined to work and oppressed more so that they may reap full punishment for the crimes they have sowed.

But let me ask you guys a question, Has Christ called us to be like the people or person described above? No absolutely not. Even though some apostle and disciples were put in prison, but they went through this trails for the sake of the Gospel and for the love of Jesus Christ. In the same way we also are imprisoned in the love of Christ to be transformed into a New Creation and to be like him. He purchased us from the darkness by paying his precious blood on the cross, so that we may become light to others. And also to establish us on the Rock which is Christ himself by pulling us all from the miry clay. As per Paul in Eph 4:1-2, we are prisoners of Christ, yet captured and bound by his love to do good. Even in the midst of hardship and trials let us allow the Holy Spirit to disciple and prune us in the following sectors of our lives, such as gentleness, longsuffering, patience, self-control and bear one another in love.

In conclusion, as the Word of God tells us, in Eph 4:17-24 “So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.

You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”

By: SG

Training Wheels

My little brother, Rick, pouted as I rode my 24” Huffy bicycle around the front yard. It wasn't new but it was new to me. Dad bought it at a bicycle junkyard on his way home from work one summer day.

I tried to let Rick ride the bike, too. Unfortunately, his legs were too short to reach the pedals. After several attempts of letting me push him around the yard while he sat awkwardly on the seat holding the handlebars, he ran inside the house crying.

Dad stopped off at the bicycle junkyard the next day. This time he bought a tiny bicycle that had solid rubber “bone shaker” tires and “training wheels.” Rick fell in love with his new bike immediately as he rode it up and down the driveway.

There was a problem, though. The bike's training wheels would not allow him to drive anywhere but on a smooth concrete driveway. Every attempt to follow me through the grass, gravel roads or even the street resulted in a painful crash. His driving world remained restricted to our driveway.

In time, Rick learned the principles of riding a bike without crashing. Dad traded in Rick's bike with training wheels for a regular bike without them. That is when our great bicycle adventures began! We began traveling everywhere we could imagine. Freedom was so sweet!

Living under the Law was like riding a bike with training wheels. It served several purposes until God's children learned the principles of righteousness and holiness.
First, the Law revealed how “utterly sinful” sin really is. “But in order that sin might be recognized as sin, it [the Law] produced death in me through what was good, so that through the commandment sin might become utterly sinful” (Romans 7:13).

Second, the Law was intended for the rebels not the righteous. “We know that the Law is good if one uses it properly. We also know that Law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious; for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for adulterers and perverts, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine that conforms to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me” (1 Timothy 1:8-11).

Finally, the Law revealed spiritual realities through its commandments and physical rituals. “The Law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves” (Hebrews 10:1).

Jesus now calls us to live by His grace through our faith. He has removed the training wheels of the Law for us. Today, Jesus “Himself is our peace . . . by abolishing in his flesh the Law with its commandments and regulations” (Ephesians 2:14). Now we must move beyond mere law keeping and pursue Jesus in the grand adventure of His grace! Freedom is sweet!

By Jim Morris

In Christ Alone!

Galatians 4-6
Passage 5:2-4
Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.

If a person is ritualized, Christ shall profit him nothing. Ritualized means a person is depending upon some religious thing to make him acceptable to God. In the case of the Galatians, it was circumcision; but it can apply to anything: ritual, ceremony, works, law, goodness, church membership, last rites, religious services etc. If a person approaches God and tries to secure God’s acceptance by any means other than Christ, then Christ shall profit him nothing. This means that what Christ has done for man is of no benefit to the person. What Christ has done for man will have no effect upon the man whatsoever. The righteousness and death of Jesus Christ will be of no avail to the man, for the man trusts his own works and goodness, not the righteousness and death of Jesus Christ.

Accepting the grace of God at face-value is difficult for many Christians: “How can God be that good to us? What is the catch? Surely, we have to add something to what God has done to be saved.”

Many of us have been through this experience, but yet couldn’t understand that grace of God is free of cost. The Jewish converts demanded others to be first circumcised in order to be saved, same way now days many Christians have made walls by their rituals. Every man that is circumcised as a token of obedience to the Old Covenant is a debtor to do the whole law. And as Paul confirms that in verse six, “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.”

Illustration:
“A duck hunter was with a friend in the wide-open land of southeastern Georgia. Far away on the horizon he noticed a cloud of smoke. Soon he could hear cracking as the wind shifted. He realized the terrible truth: a brushfire was advancing, so fast they couldn’t outrun it.
“Rifling through his pockets, he soon found what he was looking for-a book of matches. He lit a small fire around the two of them. Soon they were standing in a circle of blackened earth, waiting for the fire to come.
“They didn’t have to wait long. They covered their mouths with handkerchiefs and braced themselves. The fire came near – and swept over them. But they were completely unhurt, untouched. Fire would not pass where fire had already passed.
“The law is like a brushfire. I cannot escape it. But if I stand in the burned- over place, not a hair will be singed. Christ’s death is the burned- over place. There I huddle, hardly believing yet relieved. The law is powerful, yet powerless: Christ’s death has disarmed it.”

The point is this: not only the Galatians, but we also, must heed the warning lest we begin to deny Christ. As Gal 5:13-14 says, “You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself.”

The hope for righteousness comes through Jesus Christ alone, not by a ritual (circumcision, law) nor by the lack of a ritual. Note exactly what this is saying:
-> Neither undergoing a ritual (circumcision) nor being without a ritual brings hope.
-> Neither having and keeping the law nor being without law brings hope.
-> Neither working for righteousness nor not working for righteousness brings hope.

Nothing, absolutely nothing, can provide the sure hope of righteousness within a person except Jesus Christ: His righteousness and his death alone can offer hope to man.

Please God, Not Men !

Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ. Gal 1:10

The Bible records the statement of Apostle Paul saying that “If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ. How many times have you come across in life when you have to please God instead of Men, we should please our masters in our work, that’s allowed, Husband and wife pleasing each other as the Bible says in I Corinthians 7 and children obeying parents is pleasing to God and men. But how many times have you come across when you find yourself in a dilemma where you have to please the society, who are demanding something of you and on the other side is God whom you have to please. For example a pastor expecting a believer to come to church at 10:30 and the believer reaches at 11:00. The star question of the day would be why the believer came so late, yet no one tries to neither understand nor encourage that believer who was sick and was not at all able to come to church gathers up his or her strength to make it. Or lets say if the pastor wants to bring some changes into the church and the church wont allow because of their stubbornness, whom should the pastor lean on, to men or to God?

The bible clearly records that he who has please God has been given success in their missions and life, but those who didn’t like Paul says they are not worthy to be called servant of God. Let us run through the Bible and find some portions which will help us to Please God and not men.

Saul: The King Of Israel Pleased Men and Not God
I Sam 15:7-30 Now go, attack the Amalekites and totally destroy everything that belongs to them. Do not spare them; put to death men and women, children and infants, cattle and sheep, camels and donkeys. Then Saul attacked the Amalekites all the way from Havilah to Shur, to the east of Egypt. He took Agag king of the Amalekites alive, and all his people he totally destroyed with the sword. But Saul and the army spared Agag and the best of the sheep and cattle, the fat calves and lambs—everything that was good. These they were unwilling to destroy completely, but everything that was despised and weak they totally destroyed.

As we all know the incident and what happened to Saul. How he disobeyed God and did not destroy everything as he was told. He did evil in the Lords sight due to which the Lord was displeased in him. He tried to convince Samuel that it was his soldiers who kept the best of the sheep to sacrifice to the Lord. But Samuel replied: "Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has rejected you as king."

Then Saul said to Samuel, "I have sinned. I violated the LORD's command and your instructions. I was afraid of the people and so I gave in to them. Now I beg you, forgive my sin and come back with me, so that I may worship the LORD." But Samuel said to him, "I will not go back with you. You have rejected the word of the LORD, and the LORD has rejected you as king over Israel!" As Samuel turned to leave, Saul caught hold of the hem of his robe, and it tore. Samuel said to him, "The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to one of your neighbors—to one better than you. He who is the Glory of Israel does not lie or change his mind; for he is not a man, that he should change his mind."

Saul replied, "I have sinned. But please honor me before the elders of my people and before Israel; come back with me, so that I may worship the LORD your God." So Samuel went back with Saul, and Saul worshiped the LORD.

The Validity of Jesus’ Testimony
John 8:12-30; When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

The Pharisees challenged him, "Here you are, appearing as your own witness; your testimony is not valid." Jesus answered, "Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid, for I know where I came from and where I am going. But you have no idea where I come from or where I am going. You judge by human standards; I pass judgment on no one. But if I do judge, my decisions are right, because I am not alone. I stand with the Father, who sent me. In your own Law it is written that the testimony of two men is valid. I am one who testifies for myself; my other witness is the Father, who sent me." Then they asked him, "Where is your father?" "You do not know me or my Father," Jesus replied. "If you knew me, you would know my Father also."

"Who are you?" they asked. "Just what I have been claiming all along," Jesus replied. "I have much to say in judgment of you. But he who sent me is reliable, and what I have heard from him I tell the world." They did not understand that he was telling them about his Father. So Jesus said, "When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am the one I claim to be and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him." Even as he spoke, many put their faith in him.

Slaves and Masters
Eph 6: 5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men.

Give to please God not men
Phil 4:18 I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

Children obey your parents
Col 3:20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.

Summarizing it all let us allow God to work in us in the manner that pleases him. As it says in Heb 13:20 May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Demolishing The False Doctrines

II Cor 10:3-6 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete.

We as Christians are always in a war zone, but our war is not like of the worlds, nor our weapons like theirs. When worldly wars demolish the strong holds of the enemy, in our wars we demolish any arguments that arise against the truth about of God. When false teachings and writings rose against the truth about God, the apostles defended the truth by writing epistles. These epistles helped the Christian believers to defend their faith. And in the process many of these apologists became martyrs for the faith they defended. Yet, in order to truly understand their sacrifice one has to learn and comprehend through church history. So let’s take a look at few things taken from the church history:

The greatest heresies (false teachings) which affected first century churches was Gnosticism. The Gnosticism was the most popular and wide spread of heresies in the early church. There are many different groups of Gnostics with various minor teachings among them. Though Gnosticism is the maze of different teachings there is a general agreement on following the main points. In Gnosticism the following agreement are as follows:

a. Denial that the good God created the World, and that all material things are evil. Since matter is evil, it cannot by good God.

b. Denial of the incarnation of Jesus Christ: there were two main groups. One group believed that divine spirit came upon the man Jesus at the time of his baptism and then left him at the time of crucifixion. Another group believed that Jesus’ humanity was not real. It was docetic or ghostly of phantom or shadow like. The apostle John responded to this group in his first letter.
Salvation is by knowledge.

c.They divided human kind into three classes: the spiritual can who alone atone salvation, the physical who are capable of faith and of certain degree of salvation; and the material who are without hope.

d. They deny the resurrection of the body.

These Gnostic teachings confused the minds of many Christians, so the apostles and church fathers wrote to defend the truth. And they were known as The Apologists. The apologists were a group of early church fathers who defended Christianity from the false charges of the state and the pagan populace. They were learned scholars and philosophers, and usually were converts from non Christian backgrounds. Their importance for us is that through their writings the church attitudes to state, philosophy in pagan religions as well as the Christian life practices worship and belief can be learned.

Following are the few well known apologist and their main teaching and works:

Justin the martyr (c 100-165)
He was born in Shechem near Samaria of pagan parents. Justin was converted to Christianity through the witness of an old man and through the reading of the scriptures, and finally found the peace he was diligently searching. He wrote to defend Christianity against Judaism and to convince the Jews of the Messiahship of Jesus Christ. He developed three ideas: The decline of the Jewish law with the coming of the gospel, The linking of Logos the Christ, with God, and the calling of Gentiles. He was martyred in about AD 165.

Irenaeus (AD 118-140)
He was born in Smyrna between Ad 118 and 140 and was highly educated. His most valuable literary work is his book against Heresies, particularly written to refute Gnosticism. He was more of Polemicist (defender of faith against false teaching) than an apologist. He strongly insisted on the full and perfect humanity of Jesus Christ over against the teaching of the Gnostics.

Tertullian of Carthage (c. 150-222)
He was the son of a Roman officer and was a lawyer. He was the first Christian writer who stated the doctrine of trinity clearly.

The greatest truth and a fact is that Gnosticism still remains among us and false teachings stray many of our lives. For these reason the apostles through their lives and teachings rendered a perfect example for their generations to come. So that they may understand defend the word and the truth.

So let us study the word of God and root our self in it. So that no one will stray us from God and our faith in him, For….

a.We do not wage war as the world does.

b.The weapons that we fight with are not the weapons of the world.

c.They have divine power to demolish “strong holds”. But we demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God.

d.We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.