Jesus as God’s Son 1 Corinthians 15:3-8

This post discusses the Deity of Jesus.

Jesus as God’s Son is a post discussing proof of His Deity. The Bible proclaims Jesus as the Son of God. Ancient manuscripts attest to the life and crucifixion of Jesus. However, the Bible provides much more trustworthy testimony. Thus, once we believe in the inspiration of the Bible, it becomes the primary source of proof for Jesus as God’s Son.

Jesus as God’s Son is shown in more than 300 fulfilled Old Testament prophecies.

This fact alone provides adequate proof of His Deity. Only God could manage all these fulfillments.

Also, the Bible contains four additional proofs:

1. As Deity, He should openly claim to be the Son of God. He did so before the Sanhedrin court, Mark 14: 61-62: “… the high priest asked him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?” And Jesus said, “I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power….”

Thus, at this point, Jesus verified His claim as the Messiah.

2. As the Son of God, He prophesied things that came true. Matthew records three times that Jesus prophesied about His death and resurrection, Matthew 16:21: “From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.”

Only Deity can truly prophesy.

3. Jesus performed many miracles.

A spectacular miracle concerned bringing Lazarus to life. When Jesus came to Lazarus’ tomb, He prayed and said, “Lazarus come out.”  Wearing burial clothes, Lazarus came out, John:11: 43-44.

4. His resurrection and an open tomb provide the final proof of Jesus as the Son of God.

Early on the Sunday morning after the crucifixion, two women came to the tomb, found the stone rolled away, and an empty tomb. This proves the resurrection of Jesus, Luke 24:1-3.

Later, Jesus appeared in the flesh to further verify His resurrection. The Apostle Paul said that Jesus appeared to Peter, then the twelve, then 500 brethren, then James, then to the Apostle himself, 1 Corinthians 15:3-8:

Therefore, the resurrection comprises firm proof about Jesus, the Son of God.

So, what did we learn?

1.Jesus fulfilled 300 Old Testament prophecies.

2.Jesus claimed to be the Son of God and performed many miracles.

3.After His crucifixion, a resurrected Jesus appeared to many.

For more on the Bible click tdroberts.org or https://justchristian.com or https://podcastjustchristian.com

#JesusFulfilledProphecy #JesusProphesied #openTomb

Jesus on John Luke 7:18-35

This post discusses a question by John the Baptist, and Jesus’ comments about John.

Jesus on John as a post contrasts the two.

After his disciples reported Jesus’ activities, John, imprisoned by Herod (see Matthew 11:2), had doubts about Jesus. So, he sent two disciples to ask about Jesus as the Messiah. Jesus did not answer directly. Instead, He told John’s disciples to report to John the miracles they had seen. Jesus seems to be referencing Is. 35:5-6 and Is. 61:1 where such miracles were prophesied for the Messiah. Thus, His miracles fulfilled prophecy and served as proof of His Messiahship.

To the crowd, Jesus calls John a messenger and clarifies that John fulfilled prophecy, namely, Mal. 3:1. But, John was more than a prophet. Namely, He was a forerunner for the Lord and carried a message from God.

The comment about John being great but not as great as the least in the kingdom of God, the church, puzzles some people. However, John lived under the Old Law and did not have the opportunity to belong to the church. The members of the kingdom occupy a position greater than John and have the promise of eternal life. This comparison by Jesus emphasizes the vast importance of being in the church.

Then, Jesus references two groups of people:

1.Those who were baptized by John and believed that John delivered a command of God.

2.The scribes and lawyers who were not baptized and rejected the will of God.

From these contrasting responses, Jesus drew a word picture of two groups of children playing. One group was trying to please the other who would not be satisfied with any of their efforts. This was a comparison. John came as a rough-hewn prophet-preacher. Jesus came as an ordinary preacher doing miracles. The scribes and lawyers would not accept either John or Jesus.

This parable thus characterizes Jesus’ enemies.

Then, Jesus drew a conclusion: The disciples of John and Jesus show the rightness of the wisdom of God.

What we learned:

1.John fulfilled prophecy as a great forerunner of Jesus.

2.Members of the kingdom of God, the church, occupy a place above John the Baptist.

For more on the Bible click https://tdroberts.org or https://justchristian.com or https://podcastjustchristian.com

#johnTheBaptist #rejectionByPharisees #proofOfMessiahship #miraclesFulfilProphecy

God and the Bible Daniel 2:36-45

God and the Bible as a post focuses on proof that God inspired the Bible.

This post, God and the Bible, provides evidence that God spoke via the Bible. Once we believe that God exists, we ask for proof that the Bible is God’s word.

God and the Bible post shows amazing prophecies that came true and gives proof that the Bible is from God. For example, when Nineveh ruled the world, Nahum 3:7, prophesied, “Wasted is Nineveh; who will grieve for her?” Nineveh’s thorough destruction made it difficult for archeologists to find its site.

Next, after Nineveh, Babylon ruled the world. However, with Babylon at the height of its glory, Isaiah 12:19 said, “… Babylon, the glory… the splendor and pomp of the Chaldeans, will be like Sodom and Gomorrah.”

Only God could know the future and utter such clear prophecies.

Many prophecies in the Bible describe the coming Messiah, Jesus.

Many details about Jesus’ trial and crucifixion are given in Isaiah 52 and 53. For example:

1.Piercing of Jesus by a Roman soldier, John 19:34.

2.His silence at His trials, Matthew 27:12-14.

3.Burial with the rich, Matthew 27:57-60.

It all happened just as prophesied.

Daniel 2 describes an outstanding prophecy to be fulfilled during the next 400 years.

In a dream, the king saw a rock or pebble destroy an image made of metal parts. Then, the pebble became a great mountain. God gave Daniel the interpretation, Daniel 2:36-45. Daniel told Nebuchadnezzar, “You are the head of gold. Another kingdom inferior to you shall arise after you, and yet a third kingdom of bronze, which shall rule over all the earth. And there shall be a fourth kingdom, strong as iron… And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed,”

Thus, this prophecy predicted the next 400 years and four world kingdoms.  As prophesied, God sent Jesus during the Roman kingdom to be crucified for the sins of the world and to establish the church (see Acts 2). Its destruction would not happen. It all happened exactly as prophesied.

In summary, fulfilled prophecies show that Deity authored the Bible.

So, what did we learn:

The prophecies in the Bible all came true and prove that Deity was its author.

For more on the Bible click https://tdroberts.org or https://justchristian.com or https://podcastjustchristian.com

#babylonianMedo-persianGreekRomanKingdoms #God’sKingdom #fulfilledProphecies

 

Two Great Miracles Luke 7:1-17

This post discusses the significance of two great miracles by Jesus.

In these two great miracles, Jesus shows deity characteristics.

In the first miracle, healing the Centurion’s servant, Jesus did not actually see the sick person, but caused the miracle to happen from a distance.

For the audience, this is a powerful miracle and an amazing story. Consider the Centurion, no doubt, a Gentile, favored by the Jews because he built their synagogue in Capernaum. This may even mean that he had converted to Judaism. Possibly, Jesus probably taught in this synagogue.

Somehow, he developed a strong faith in Jesus and His power to heal. He understood authority and especially Jesus’ great authority. He did not feel worthy of Jesus coming into his house. But, his faith caused him to say to Jesus just ‘speak the word to heal the servant.’

Jesus marveled at this depth of faith, deeper than any of the Jews.

After this, the second great miracle involved giving life to a dead person.

The first miracle had caused His fame to grow.  So, a large crowd traveled with him to Nain. At Nain’s gate, He met another crowd bearing a dead body. As the only son of a widow, no doubt older and now derived of income, Jesus felt sorrow for her. He touched the bier on which the dead man lay and stopped the procession. Jesus spoke and the man was instantaneously came back to life. He sat up, and spoke.

After this, some in the crowd called Jesus a great prophet and glorified God.

Some probably realized that four-hundred years had passed since God inspired Malachi, the last oral or written prophet of the Old Testament. Further, no one with the power to raise the dead had appeared since Elisha.

Finally, note that even the dead obeyed the voice of Jesus.

What we learned:

1.Jesus knows the depth of faith of people.

2.His fame grew.

3.He could raise the dead.

For more on the Bible click https://tdroberts.org or https://justchristian.com or https://podcastjustchristian.com

#raiseDead #speaksMiracles #growingPopularity

God and Design Genesis 1:1

This post focuses on design to show that God must exist.

God and design analyzes the workings of the water cycle on this earth, our bodies, and our planet system.  This design could not happen by chance. This means that God must be the designer.

The earth’s water cycle begins when rain falls from the clouds. Absorption into the ground for use by plants or running off into streams and rivers provides a pooling of the water to dump into the ocean. Evaporation of the sea water for storage in the clouds occurs until the cycle repeats.

One might imagine that as the rivers spill into the oceans, they would fill up and cover the land. But despite the passage of thousands and thousands of years, this does not happen. Instead, the amount of the oceans at 71% of the globe and the land at 29% provide a steady state that remains. Thus, this division of ocean and land causes rainfall, nourishment of the plants, and replenishment of the oceans year after year. This amazing design of the workings of our planet must have come from a master designer—God—and did not happen by chance.

Consider our bodies. After food enters the stomach, absorption by the blood allows the digested food to be transported to the muscles. This replenishes the energy utilized in muscle movement. At the same time, the blood transports carbon dioxide, the product of muscle use, to the lungs to be expelled into the air.

One might imagine that expelled carbon dioxide into the air would accumulate and destroy life. However, the plants use the carbon dioxide to grow. This maintains the balance of carbon dioxide in the air at about 2%. Again, such amazing design and balance demands the existence of a highly intelligent master designer—God.

Finally, consider our planetary system. The location of the earth, so far from the sun that it takes 8 minutes for light from the sun to reach the earth, allows life to exist. A closer position would make the earth too hot for people or animals to live. A location further away would result in a frozen planet without life. Such a wonderful position must come from a master designer—God.

This earth, this universe, and our bodies all point to design.

Only God could provide such design. Therefore, He must exist. The Bible names this designer as God, Genesis 1:1:

“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”

What we learned: The designs all about us strongly support the existence of God as the master designer.

For more on the Bible click https://tdroberts.org or https://justchristian.com or https://podcastjustchristian.com

#GodDesigner #waterCycleDesign #bloodStystemDesign #planetSystemDesigm

False Teachers Luke 6:39-49

This post shows Jesus teaching against false teachers.

In these verses, false teachers receive criticism from Jesus.

Jesus uses a parable to condemn false teachers with three statements: 1) The blind cannot lead the blind. 2) Disciples cannot rise above their teachers. 3) Hypocritical teachers and prophets should remove the big sins of their lives before correcting a brother’s smaller sins.

Thus, false teachers cannot lead their students to know the truth. Their disciples cannot learn the truth because they are taught error. These fake teachers, called hypocrites by Jesus, need to remove the large sins from their lives before correcting the smaller errors of others.

Therefore, these statements by Jesus explain the importance of self-knowledge. Namely, do I know and teach the truth? Then self-correction, that is, correcting my teaching of error, needs implementation before correcting a brother.

Next, Jesus cites a well-known fact that bad trees cannot produce good fruit.

Good fruit comes from teaching the truth.

Then, Jesus cites the source of good fruits. They come from within a good heart. Like a bad tree producing bad fruit, an evil heart produces evil words and actions.

The obvious application appears. Correct our heart first, then a brother’s sin.

Finally, building our lives on a rock requires a firm foundation in our hearts, the commands of Jesus. Building our lives without an adequate foundation of Christ’s teaching means a crash will occur in a crisis. Without a foundation of Jesus’ teaching, our lives and teachings will crash.

Note that in verse 46, Jesus condemns belief and confession without obedience. These people believed in Jesus and even confessed Him. But they would not do what Jesus said. Even though they believed and confessed, without obedience they would reap the result of building on the sand.

What we learned:

1.False or fake teachers produce bad students like bad trees produce bad fruit.

2.Obedience from the heart to the commands of Jesus will provide a life built upon a solid spiritual foundation.

3.Always correct our own teaching before correcting others.

For more on the Bible click https://tdroberts.org or https://justchristian.com or https://podcastjustchristian.com

#rockFoundation #goodBadFruit #goodBadTree #speakFromHeart

God and Logic Genesis 1:1

‘God and Logic’ shows logically that God exists

God and logic, used in an analysis of the origin of the universe, shows that God exists. We know from our practical everyday knowledge that solid matter cannot come from nothing. In short, nothing produces nothing. According to all we know, one must start with something containing atoms and electrons to make something solid like this world.

We see the earth and the universe existing all about us. So, where did it all come from? Some say that in the distant past electrons and atoms somehow managed to form the world we live in. But the question to those people remains: where did those early electrons and atoms come from?

However, they can continue to answer that these early electrons and atoms came from even earlier electrons and atoms. Again, the question remains as to the source of these earlier atoms. Ultimately, all atoms and electrons must come from nothing before there were any atoms and electrons. How could this occur since our experience says that nothing always provides nothing?

A logical answer to the source of the universe is that in the beginning before electrons and atoms existed, a tremendous force, God, with vastly superior knowledge from outside any universe and not itself made up of atoms and electrons must have created all the atoms and electrons that now make up this world.

Thus, to explain the origin of this world logically an outside force of great power and intellect must have been involved creating something from nothing in the beginning. The Bible records this happening in Genesis 1:1: “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” Thus, logic shows that God must exist to create this world.

What we learned:

1.The universe must have come from creation by a powerful force of great intellectual ability outside of this world, namely God.

 2.The Bible attributes creation to God.

For more on the Bible click https://berksblog.net or https://justchristian.com or https://podcastjustchristian.com

#beginning #somethingNothing #GodPowerfulForceIntellect

Daily Living for Jesus’ Disciples Luke 6:32-38

This post amplifies Jesus’ teaching of His disciples about daily living.

Jesus’ disciples will utilize the golden rule “as you you wish that others would do to you, do so to them,” and “love your enemies.”

Now, Jesus explains daily living for his disciples the attitude needed to carry out these two principles. Verse 36 provides the key—“be merciful even as your Father is merciful.” Daily living as a Christian requires disciples to be merciful like God. We treat others with mercy, love, and thoughtfulness. Also, reciprocation where we only extend love and mercy to those that love us does not characterize the life of Jesus’ disciples.

Next, Jesus details how His disciples judge and  analyze the lives of those in sin.

We treat them as God treats them and do not judge without adequate proof and never on hearsay.

Further, examination of other scriptures shows that sometimes we must decide or judge on some things of great importance. For example, the church must decide upon the sinfulness of members. See 1 Corinthians chapter 5 for instructions on withdrawing fellowship from someone. In the sermon on the mount, Jesus said in Matthew 7:6, to “not throw your pearls before pigs.” Such a decision of the mind requires a decision or judgment before designating a person into the classification of pigs.

Thus, this prohibition by Jesus means judging others without evidence. In other words, don’t judge on hearsay.

What we learned:

1.In daily living, disciples of Jesus, like God, need to be compassionate, kind, and helpful to their fellowman even though they may not receive reciprocation and may even be persecuted.

2.Followers of Jesus in their daily living, like God, do not judge or decide character or sinfulness without adequate proof.

For more on the Bible click https://berksblog.net or https://justchristian.com or https://podcastjustchristian.com

#disciplesCompassionateLoveEnemies #mercifulLikeGod #judgeNot

Jesus and Angels Hebrews 1-2

This post discusses Jesus and angels and how we should consider them.

The Hebrews writer contrasted Jesus and angels in Hebrews 1 and 2. The word ‘angel’ means messenger. The Hebrews writer calls them “ministers” and “ministering spirits”, Hebrews 1:7, 14, sent to God’s people. Much of the work of angels in the Bible involved bringing messages from God. For example, in Luke chapter 1, the Archangel Gabriel revealed God’s word to Zechariah and Mary about the coming births of John the Baptist and Jesus.

God sometimes endowed Angels with special powers or characteristics. For example, in 2 Kings 19:35 an angel killed 185,000 enemies in one night. Also, sometimes angels can cause anxiety. Soldiers were guarding Jesus’ tomb. But when an angel came and rolled away the large stone, they feared, Matthew 28:2-3:

“an angel of the Lord…came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men.”

Clearly, angels were very impressive.

So, how much attention should we give angels?

In chapter one, Hebrews begins by asserting that God previously spoke by the prophets. But now He speaks through His Son. Then, the writer points to the superiority of Jesus over another of God’s former speakers, namely, angels, because Jesus sits at God’s right hand. Then, God says that the Son will have a throne forever and ever. To make the point even more forcefully, God asks a rhetorical question in Hebrews 1:13 as to which angel did God ever say, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”?

The answer is ‘no one.’ Clearly, this statement honors only His Son and not angels. Thus, speaking through His Son now supersedes God speaking to people through angels. This means that we should revere and listen to Jesus as recorded in the New Testament. Today we should not expect to hear from an angel. God wants us to listen to His Son.

What did we learn?

1.Jesus, superior to angels, sits at God’s right hand eternally.

2.God now speaks via His Son.

3.Angels no longer reveal God’s will on this earth.

https://berksblog.net or https://justchristian.com or https://podcastjustchristian.com

#angelsfearful #GodspeaksSon #JesusSuperiorAngels

The Sermon on the Plain Luke 6:17-31

This Sermon on the plain discusses what Jesus taught about how to live.

Jesus’ Sermon on the plain covers beatitudes about people with low income, woes concerning the rich, and the attitude of mind in daily living. At the end of the sermon when Jesus summarized, He gave ‘the golden rule,’ Luke 6:31: “…as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.”

Luke chapter six opens with a description of the large multitude who came for healing and to hear Jesus’ teachings. His amazing power to heal could go from Him when they touched Him.

In this sermon, He spoke beatitudes about people with low income, Luke 6:20-23:

““Blessed are … poor, for yours is the kingdom of God …who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied… who weep now, for you shall laugh. Blessed … when people hate you … exclude you …revile you …spurn your name, on account of the Son of Man! Rejoice in that day…your reward is great in heaven.”

Thus, the message of the beatitudes applies to those poor in this world’s goods. Following Jesus would allow them future entrance into the kingdom of God. Then, they will receive an eternal reward that makes for rejoicing now, even though living in poverty.

Next in the sermon, the four woes Jesus pronounces on the rich —they will receive consolation, experience hunger, mourn and weep—express regrets for their condition, Luke 6:24-26.

They refuse to follow Jesus and therefore suffer eternal loss. If people all speak well of a person, they fall into the class of the false prophets who received material rewards for their falsehoods.

Then, as Jesus continues His preaching, He commands a general attitude of life of kindness and forbearance toward those who mistreat us. We should never seek revenge. We should pray for and love our enemies. Disciples of Jesus will  show this attitude.

Finally in the sermon on the plain, Jesus expresses the golden rule,‘ Treat others as we wish to be treated.’

What we learned:

1.The correct attitude of a heart of kindness and forbearance characterizes Jesus’ disciples.

2.Discipleship should outrank a desire for riches.

3.We should follow the golden rule as an attitude in life toward others.

https://berksblog.net https://justchristian.com https://podcastjustchristian.com

#goldenRule #woeToRich #AttitudeOfHeart

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The Holy City Revelation 21-22

This post discusses the Holy City and what it means.

The Holy City, described in Revelation 21 and 22 was seen by John as it came down from heaven. John also calls the city “a new Heaven and a new earth,” and “new Jerusalem,” in Revelations 21:1-2. In this new earth that John saw, old Jerusalem and the seas did not exist. John also saw God, resplendent as a new bride, dwelling in the city among His people. Also John saw that this new earth had no pain and suffering and death.

The Holy City emerges in the book of Revelation after the finishing of all the prophecies and actions.

God explained “… the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end” said “It is done!” in Revelation 21:6. The statement ‘It is done’ means that God had completed His work. Satan, his angels, and all the wicked were in the lake of fire. Those remaining, the redeemed, reside with God in the Holy City.

What did this name mean to John?

‘Holy’ shows that holiness characterizes the city where God and the saved dwell.  Because of God’s holiness, no light such as the sun or moon appears because God provides the light. In this Holy City, God also provides eternal life for His people “from the spring of the water of life,” Revelation 21:6. Drinking this water insures eternal life for the redeemed people of God.

In order to impress John, a special angel showed him the appearance of the city, Revelation 1:10-11:

“… and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, having the glory of God.”

As John saw the city coming down, he could see it gave glory to God.

Then, John saw many details: great, high walls, twelve beautiful gates, and everything covered with gold. Next, underneath the city, he saw twelve foundations that provided eternal security for the residents. In addition, someone estimated the size of this city as being over a million miles on each side of a cube.

The angel also showed John eternal food and drink, Revelation 22:1-2, “…angel showed me the river of the water of life… flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb… also, on either side of the river, the tree of life,”

To summarize, the city, prepared for the redeemed, shows beauty and description almost beyond belief. God dwells there for His people to worship forever. Looking forward, God’s people see the city as an extreme and wonderful blessing.

What we learned:

1.Worshipped eternally in the Holy City, God will dwell among his people.

2.This eternal abode possesses great beauty.

3.The Holy City, new Jerusalem in a new heaven and a new earth, provides a great blessing for the redeemed in eternity.

Links: https://berksblog.net https://justchristian.com https://podcastjustchristian.com

#GodIsLight #savedInCity #newHeavenNewEarth

Sabbath Criticism Luke 6:1-16

Sabbath criticism discusses criticism of Jesus and His actions.

Sabbath Criticism of Jesus involved His disciples plucking grain to eat.

Sabbath criticism by the Pharisees involved Jesus for not teaching them to obey their ‘teachings of the elders.’ (The Pharisees made up the ‘teachings of the elders,’ a set of rules apart from Moses’ Law.) They considered plucking grain and rubbing it so they could eat it a violation of God’s Law prohibiting working on the Sabbath.

Jesus gave a two-fold answer. First, he pointed to their lack of consistency. King David sinned by eating the showbread from the tabernacle. They did not condemn King David but criticized Him for not teaching their made-up doctrine.

Second, he pointed to His position as ‘Lord of the Sabbath.’ That meant that He knew the Old Law and correct Sabbath conduct. So, His disciples committed no sin.

Criticism also occurred when Jesus saw a man with a withered hand in the synagogue audience as He taught.

The Scribes and Pharisees watched to find something of which they could accuse Him. Jesus knew their thoughts and motioned for the man to come closer. Then He asked a rhetorical question about whether it was proper to do good or do harm, to save life or destroy life on the Sabbath. Everyone knew the answer. Then He healed the man. This made the scribes and Pharisees angry and accelerated their desire to harm Him. At this point, Luke shows the increasing anger of the scribes and Pharisees.

Thereafter, a set of vital decisions loomed ahead foSr Jesus. So, after praying all night, He chose twelve of His disciples to become apostles. Judas, not now a traitor, became a traitor later.

What we learned:

1.Jesus possesses the power to heal, and how to deal with His enemies’ criticism.

2. Jesus communicated with His heavenly Father and carefully chose His apostles after a night of prayer.

Here are more links to the Bible: https://berksblog.net  https://justchristian.com  https://podcastjustchristian.com

#hungryDisciplesSabbath #healedWitheredHand #KingDavidSinned #LordOfTheSabbath #twelveChosen

Sins in Jude

This post, Sins in Jude, discusses three examples of rebellious sin and the lessons to us.

Sins in Jude involves how God dealt with previous sinful behavior.

Initially, Jude set out to write about the faith. Instead, the ungodly conduct of some caused him to write, v.3 “to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.”  Some ungodly people were perverting the faith. Their teaching involved sexual sins and denying the rulership of Jesus. Jude cites three examples that show the folly of those sins.

In v.5, Jude describes the first example involving unbelieving Israelites, “Jesus, who saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe.”

This happened in Numbers 16 when more than 250 men assembled against Moses and Aaron, God’s-appointed leaders. God punished them with death.

As a second example, Jude follows in v. 6 with what happened to fallen angels.

“And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day…”

These angels would not remain in their proper God-appointed sphere. They rebelled against the right and power of God to be in control. They now wait in darkness and chains for the final judgment day.

In Jude v.7, Jude cites Sodom and Gomorrah as the third example. In Genesis 19, God sent angels to examine the sexual behavior of several cities in the valley below Abraham. These citizens exhibited God-forbidden homosexual practices and were then destroyed by fire from heaven.

Continuing in v.8, Jude uses three phrases to describe the ungodly people threatening the church.

“Yet in like manner these people also, relying on their dreams, defile the flesh, reject authority, and blaspheme the glorious ones.”

These phrases identify heretics in the church, both then and now.

Jude’s lesson: If God did not let any of the three sinful past activities escape, then God will not overlook similar activities now.

Instead, we must respect His written word in the New Testament.

What do we learn?

1.God expects obedience to His word and respect.

2.The punishment for offenders involves eternal chains and darkness.

3.Christians must avoid sexual sins and rebellion against the authority of God.

For more links on the Bible click https://berksblog.net or https://justchristian.com or https://podcastjustchristian.com

#rebelliousIsraelites #fallenAngels #SodomGomarrah

Criticism of Jesus Luke 5:33-39

This post discusses new criticism of Jesus by the scribes and Pharisees.

Criticism of Jesus at this point concerned His disciples not fasting.

Earlier grumbling about Jesus eating with tax collectors and sinners now brought on this new criticism. So, here they criticize His training of His disciples, Matthew 5:33: “And they said to him, “The disciples of John fast often and offer prayers, and so do the disciples of the Pharisees, but yours eat and drink.”

Their comment infers that Jesus failed to teach his disciples correctly, unlike John the Baptist and the Pharisees who followed the Old Law. Thus, they say that Jesus sins by this omission. Jesus answered, Luke 5:34: “And Jesus said to them, “Can you make wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them?”

As they mulled this question in their minds, they should have realized that fasting as wedding guests does not occur. It is inappropriate as long as the groom is present.

Jesus then told them that in the future, fasting of the disciples would happen because at that point, Jesus would not be present. This, the first indication of the cross and Jesus’ later ascension into heaven, appears early in His ministry.

To further teach the inappropriateness of what they were suggesting, Jesus then told them a two-fold parable.

One cannot use new cloth to repair an old garment. When washed, the shrinkage of the new cloth will pull a hole in the old garment. They knew this was true, no doubt, from earlier experiences.

Likewise, they surely remembered the inappropriateness of putting new wine into old wineskins. On storage the new wine expands and bursts the old wineskins. Again, they knew this as a truism.

Jesus told these two examples of inappropriate behavior to illustrate that the old law does not mix with the new (Christianity.)

Jesus then characterizes the scribes and Pharisees as liking the ‘old’ more than the new. Their contentment with the Old Law made them not want to even hear Jesus tell of something new from God.

For the first time, Luke records opposition to Jesus by the scribes and Pharisees—an opposition that would increase.

What we learned:

1.Jesus always answers criticism correctly.

2.The Old Law does not mix with Christianity.

3.At a future time, a separation from His disciples will occur.

For more on the Bible click https://berksblog.net or https://justchristian.com or https://podcastjustchristian.com

#johnTheBaptist’Pharisee’sDisciples #NewWineBurstOldWineskins #JesusTakenAway

The Father and the Son; Matthew 3; 2 Peter 1; John 12

This post discusses the close relationship of God the Father and Jesus the Son.

The Father and the Son interacted via prayer and public announcements. The scriptures show that Jesus as the Son often sought out a quiet place to pray to the Father, Luke 5:15-16, “…he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.” In this way, the Son frequently communicated with the Father and, no doubt, constantly received strength to continue His long and difficult mission.

Three times the Father spoke publicly from Heaven about the Son and His work. Each emphasized the relationship between God the Father and Jesus the Son.

The first occasion occurred in the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry just after His baptism by John the Baptist, Matthew 3:16-17:

“…when Jesus was baptized… behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

In this way, the Father announced His approval publicly.

1. The second time God spoke about Jesus and His work happened at the transfiguration in front of three disciples.  Accordingly, Peter wrote that God the Father spoke from heaven, 2 Peter 1:18:

“For when he received honor and glory from God the Father…we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain.”

Then, Jesus, nearing the end of His ministry, heard God speak for a third time, John 12:28-29:

“Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” The crowd that stood there and heard it said that it had thundered.”

This occasion happened after Jesus heard that Greeks sought Him. At that point, Jesus knew that the time for His death approached and that the cross glorified the Father. The voice from heaven assured Him of that fact.

In summary, what do these three utterances from heaven teach?

1.Firstly, these verses show that the Father and the Son communicated both publicly and in prayer during Jesus’ ministry.

2.Secondly, God encouraged Jesus at critical points in His ministry.

3.Finally, the public announcements show Jesus as God’ Son.

For more on the Bible click https://berksblog.net or https://justchristian.com or https://podcastjustchristian.com

#God’sVoiceEncouragesJesus #proofJesus’Deity #JesusPraysFather

Jesus and Sinners Luke 5:17-32

Jesus and sinners, discussed in this post, shows His interaction with two sinners.

Jesus and sinners interacted in His teaching. He attracted great crowds from everywhere to listen and to see Him cure the afflicted. As He spoke, Pharisees and teachers of the Law assembled with the crowds.

During a teaching session, some men brought a paralytic on his bed for possible healing by Jesus. But they could not enter the house to get close to Jesus because of the crowd. So, they ascended to the rooftop. There they removed enough of the rooftiles to lower the man to Jesus. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the man, “your sins are forgiven you.”

The assembled Pharisees and teachers labeled this language as blasphemy. They probably expected Jesus to heal the man by just speaking. Instead, Jesus forgave the man’s sins, something they knew only God could do. In this way, they rejected Jesus’ previous miracles as proof of His Deity.

Jesus knew their thoughts and asked about the difficulty of curing paralysis or forgiving sins. Then He healed the paralytic.

This miracle, a powerful argument that proved Jesus’ Deity, caused amazement and glorification of God.

After this, Jesus saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at his tax booth. The public considered tax collectors to be noted sinners. Yet, Jesus called him by saying “follow me.”

Note that Levi—like Peter—left everything to follow Jesus. The next day Levi arranged for his friends to meet Jesus in a big reception. When Jesus attended, the scribes and Pharisees grumbled and disapproved of eating with sinners.

Jesus’ answer to them revealed much about His mission, Luke 5:31-32:

“And Jesus answered them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”

That reply explained why Jesus ate with and talked to sinners. The scribes and Pharisees imagined themselves as righteous, not needing repentance or teaching by Jesus.

What we learn in these verses:

1.Jesus as Deity could forgive sin.

2.Jesus came to call the sinful to repentance.

For more on the Bible click https://berksblog.net or https://justchristian.com or https://podcastjustchristian.com

#JesusHealedForgaveSinsParalyzedMan #JesusCalledTaxCollector #JesusDeity