Church Universal and Local Matthew 16:18

This post concerns the use of the word church, in a universal and local sense.

‘Church Universal and Local’ discusses the meaning of church. Church in our Bibles comes from a Greek word meaning a called-out body of people. When the scriptures discuss all the Christians called from the world into God’s service, the word church falls into the universal sense. Jesus forecast the use of this word before there were any congregations, Matthew 16:18. “…on this rock I will build my church.” Jesus meant that this future group of called out people, designated as a church, would include those He would save.

Then, the Apostle Paul clarified the term church, Ephesians 5:23. “…as Christ … the head of the church, his body, and …himself its Savior.” Calling the church the body of Christ fits because as the head, He supplies salvation for it.

In addition, this universal group comprises a fellowship with Deity, 1 Corinthians 1:9. “God… faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Thus, as described in the New Testament, this group which includes all of God’s people everywhere, does not have an organization or an earthly head. Therefore, fellowship with Deity embraces the entire purpose of the universal church. Christ, as the Head and Savior, provides payment for sins.

Also, a different use of the word church embraces local congregations. The Apostle John wrote to seven local churches in Asia, Revelation 1:4-5, 11. “… Grace to you and peace … and from the seven spirits… before his throne, and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness…. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood…

…Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches, to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.”

Local churches make up the only earthly organization of Christians in a particular place with elders and deacons as leaders. Its fellowship embraces Deity and the local membership.

So, what did we learn?

1.The church in the universal sense includes all the saved.

2.In the local sense, the church consists of local Christians.

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

#universalChurch #localChurches #fellowshipWithDeityLocalChristians

The Unjust Judge Luke 18:1-8

This post concerns lessons from a parable about an unjust judge.

‘The Unjust Judge’ discusses what we should learn from a widow’s interaction with a worldly judge. After the discussion of the end of time in the previous chapter, Jesus provides a parable, Luke 18:1-8. “And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.”

In this parable, an unjust judge would not hear and rule for a widow. But she continued to ask him for help. Finally, the judge decided to think only of himself and rule for the woman because she would eventually wear him down.

Some have concluded that God personifies the unrighteous judge. That is, even though we pray to and plead with God, He does not want to help us. Jesus corrects this error, Luke 18:6-8. “And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily.”

This parable stresses a single point.

Luke explains the point being taught in the first sentence: the disciples should always pray and not lose heart. Jesus makes it plain that the character of God is the exact opposite to the judge by using a lesser to the greater argument. If the lesser—the unrighteous judge who was reluctant to hear the widow but finally listened— then how much more will the greater—a loving, just God— hear and help. In contrast to the judge, God will speedily give justice when His people plead with Him day and night.

Jesus also asked about the perseverance of His disciples over a long time period, Luke 18:8. “Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” This question shows that a real possibility exists for disciples to fall away. The solution: Not losing heart and praying to a heavenly Father who hears and acts.

So, what did we learn?

1.Unlike the unjust judge, God answers prayer speedily.

2.Disciples should not lose heart or trust in God and pray constantly.

Days Luke 17:20-37

This post concerns what Jesus instructed about days.

‘Days’ discusses the coming of the physical kingdom of God and the day designating the end of the world, Luke 17:20-21. “…asked by Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come… “The kingdom… not coming in ways… observed. …the kingdom …in the midst of you.”

This means that no one could see the physical appearance of the kingdom of God. It would exist in the hearts of people.

Then He spoke to the disciples, Luke 17:22-24. “The days… coming when you will desire to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it. And they will say to you, ‘Look, there!’ or ‘Look, here!’…

…Do not go out or follow them. For as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man… in his day. But first he must suffer many things and… rejected by this generation.”

These verses explain the future. People would say that Jesus returned. Don’t believe them. When Jesus returns, everyone will see it like lightning. But before that occurs, rejection and suffering of Jesus will happen.

Then, Jesus explained life would go on like in the days of Noah and Lot. But on the day of the Lord, destruction would come like lightning, observable by everyone.

The Apostle Paul described the judgment day, 1 Thessalonians 4:17. “Then we… alive, who are left, …caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air,”

This fits what Jesus said, Luke 17:34. “…, in that night… two in one bed. One will…taken and the other left… two women grinding together. One …taken and the other left.” The Lord will lift the saved from the earth and leave the lost for destruction.

The disciples asked, “Where?” So, Jesus described the lost as dead bodies, Luke 17:37. “…Where the corpse… the vultures will gather.”

So, what did we learn?

1.The physical kingdom of God will not come with observable signs.

2.Lightning will signify the end of the world to everyone.

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

#DisciplesSign #comingOfKingdom #daysOfTheLord

The Character of Love 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

This post concerns the character of love as explained by the Apostle Paul.

The Character of Love discusses the attributes exhibited by Christians who properly love. In the previous chapter, the Apostle enumerated the gifts of the Spirit and the unity that should prevail in the Corinthian church. In the last verse, he says he will describe “a still more excellent way.” In verses 1-3 of this chapter, Paul makes it clear that unless love prevails, spiritual gifts provide zero value.

Then, the Apostle describes the attributes that characterize proper love by a Christian, 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. “Love… patient and kind; love does not envy or boast… not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way… not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.”

Patience and kindness exemplify love for our children and mates. To church members with different skills, boasting or showing envy will not occur. In everyday life, arrogance or rudeness toward people must not show. For my mate, I will not insist on having everything my way or everything to please me. In other words, I must not insist on ‘my rights.’

So, when I do not get what I want, I will not show resentment or irritation. Toward the people I work with in the community, I will rejoice in truth and not in the wrongdoing in the headlines of the newspaper.

The Apostle summarizes the actions of love by saying that love bears all things, even the wrongs that life brings. Despite persecutions and problems, love believes that all things about the Christian life make it the proper life. When things go badly, even when a friend sins, love hopes all things—a home in heaven—and repentance of the friend. Thus, love endures whatever occurs.

As a result, love helps me live through whatever happens in life. In this way, I keep the faith and endure as a Christian.

So, what did we learn?

1.The love of a Christian covers all his activities.

2.The heart of a loving Christian includes everyone in his life.

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

#loveCharacter #superiorityCondemned #matesPatientKind

The Failure of Spiritual Gifts 1 Corinthians 13:1-3

This post concerns the failure of spiritual gifts in the Corinthian church.

The Failure of Spiritual Gifts discusses how some Christians with special spiritual gifts fail. In the previous chapter, the Apostle Paul made a list and explained about spiritual gifts in the church. He clearly taught that the church should have unity and the importance of all members, even those without spiritual gifts.

At the end of the chapter, he points out the leadership hierarchy: the apostles first, then those with these unique gifts. Lastly, those speaking in tongues comprise the lowest on the list of spiritual gifts. Then, he says he will describe a more excellent way.

Chapter 13 describes that way, 1 Corinthians 13:1-3.

“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I… a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I… nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.”

Firstly, he points out that without love, speaking in tongues resembles the output of stifling air or wind blowing. Secondly, he says that without love, the gifts of prophecy, special understanding, and special faith have no value. Thirdly, giving away everything and submitting to persecution by burning my body avails nothing without love.

In summary, the use of the unique gifts of the Holy Spirit provides zero benefit to the recipient without displaying proper love toward others.

In the next chapter, the Apostle gives directions on the use of these extraordinary gifts in the worship assembly. Love for all should be apparent as well as order in the assembly.

So, what did we learn?

1.Love provides something more important than spiritual gifts can.

2.Zero describes the benefit of these gifts without love.

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

10 Lepers Luke 17:11-19

This post concerns Jesus curing Ten Lepers at once.

10 Lepers discusses the differences of this miracle from earlier miracles.

By the time Jesus did this miracle on these Lepers, the gospel of Luke had recorded thirteen miracles across a broad spectrum that stretched from raising the dead to curing all types of disease and deformities, plus demonstrating mastery over nature. Earlier miracles occurred by touch or from afar but only on single individuals.

Could the reader think of this miracle as just another miracle? Instead, this big miracle was performed on ten at one time from afar while curing a horrible disease!

On Jesus’ final trip to Jerusalem, He met these

lepers pleading for mercy and standing afar. Then, as a test of their faith, Jesus sent the lepers to go show themselves to the priests as required by the Old Law in Leviticus 13. As they went, they were cleansed. However, only one, a Samaritan, turned back to give thanks and praise God. Jesus seemed surprised and reminded this Gentile that his obedient faith had made him well.

The return to thank Jesus probably interrupted his trip to Mount Gerizim in Samaria to have a priest there declare him clean. Because he was a Gentile, a Jewish priest likely would not have touched him or examined him.

Jesus knew he was not a Jew. But He still healed him. Although Jesus came primarily to preach to the Jews, He still showed compassion to this Samaritan. Other passages like Mark 7:24-30 illustrated His care for Gentiles. See also John 4 and the woman at the well.

Another special nature of this miracle ensued when only one of ten was thankful, a foreigner, not an Israelite. Thus, by citing this miracle as Jesus progressed toward Jerusalem and the cross, Luke cites another example of the ungrateful nature of many Jews.

So, what did we learn?

1.Be thankful for every blessing.

2.Jesus cares for all people.

3.Jesus did an awesome miracle.

#tenLepersCleansed #SamaritanThankful #faithPlusObedienceCleansed

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

The Quest 2 Timothy 3:16-17

This post concerns the use of scripture to find the church pleasing to God.

The Quest discusses what the Bible says about a method to locate the church in which God delights. Many contradictory guides and churches, all claiming to please God, appear everywhere we look. But they contradict one another and cause confusion.

Let God provide a key through His word, 2 Timothy 3:16-17.

“All Scripture… breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God… complete, equipped for every good work.”

Consider what this scripture teaches.

Firstly, God has provided all scripture. Another passage helps understand this point, 2 Peter 1:20-21. “… that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”

So, these two passages say that scriptures come from the Holy Spirit of God. Thereby, they can serve as a correct guide to finding His church.

Secondly, what can scriptures do? They can teach, reprove, correct, and train the servant to please God.

Thirdly, adhering to and obeying scripture provides a servant of God with every good endeavor in life. The writings of men cannot add anything. All we need, God has provided.

Finally, in the quest for the right church, one needs to belong to and associate with a group that teaches what the Bible says, no more and no less. That practice will please God.

So, what did we learn?

1.God inspired the writing of the Bible, the scriptures.

2.The Bible provides what the seeker needs to find a church that pleases God.

3.One needs to find a church based only on the inspired writings of the Bible.

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

#BibleInspiredHolySpirit #BibleProvidesKeyGoodWorks

Newly Baptized Philippians 4:8; James 3:5-8

This post addresses concerns of those newly baptized.

Newly Baptized discusses what comes after baptism for those just converted.

An important command from the Apostle Paul for newly baptized Christians admonishes them how to develop proper thinking in their daily life, Philippians 4:8. “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

So, thinking pure thoughts—true, honorable, just, lovely, and commendable governs everybody’s the life.

Likewise, your speech should become an important part of life, James 3:5-8. “So also the tongue…a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest… set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue… fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue… set among our members staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature… tamed but no human being can tame the tongue. It… a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not ….”

In summary, these verses teach diligence and watchfulness of your thoughts and speech.

In addition, praying described by Paul includes all men, 1 Timothy 2:8-10. “I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting l holy hands without anger or quarreling.” Therefore, prayer becomes an important part of every day.

This same verse continues by emphasizing wearing modest clothes and good works, “likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly but with …proper for women who profess godliness— with good works.”

Clothing that does not cause sin in others should be the goal of a Christian.

So, what did we learn?

1.A Christian should think pure thoughts.

2.A Christian should use clean speech.

3.Every day should contain prayers to God.

4.A Christian should wear modest clothes.

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

#thinkPureThoughts #speakCleanLanguage #dailyPrayer

Deeper Teaching Luke 17:1-11

This post involves Jesus teaching the disciples several intense subjects while traveling toward Jerusalem.

Deeper Teaching by Jesus stresses intense subjects such as not tempting others, forgiveness, and the use of little faith.

The tragedy of tempting a little one, no doubt someone younger in the faith, may describe the sin of the rich man just mentioned in chapter 16. His bad example of selfishness probably encouraged his brothers to follow his way of life and end up in torment too.

Possibly, the disciples thought that they would never tempt someone weaker or younger in the faith. This was untrue because Jesus says ‘examine yourself!’

Then, Jesus reverses the picture. Rebuking happens after a brother sins. But, if you are one of the ones sinned against and the brother repents, forgiveness must follow, even seven times in a day.

The disciples’ response seems to indicate that such obedience would require an increase in their faith. But Jesus disagreed and said that just a little bit of faith can do big things in the service of the Lord. By using the example of casting a tree into the ocean—a large task if literally performed—Jesus taught figuratively that a small amount of faith can produce big results.

Why then, would Jesus tell about the duty of a hard-working servant in the kingdom of the Lord? Perhaps the disciples would feel self-important as they realized how much their faith could do. But Jesus issued a warning by telling about a servant who worked all day. At evening, no doubt exhausted, he must serve the evening meal to the master without being thanked. In any case, the servant is just doing his duty.

So, Jesus then introduces a theoretical servant—one that does all of his duty—theoretical because no one ever does all. Yet, Jesus labels the theoretical servant as still unworthy—unworthy of a home in heaven as a reward. Thus, service does not earn the disciple a place in the kingdom. This teaches that earned salvation cannot occur, even if he were to do all, which no one can.

So, what did we learn?

1.We must not tempt others.

2.We must forgive repentant brethren.

3.Service characterizes our duty as disciples.

#don’tTemp #forgiveRepentant #grainOfMustardSeedFaith

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