This is no fairy tale

Lk 1:26-38

Mary did have a little lamb, but not the fairy tale we all know.  I am referring to the Messiah.  The Jews were waiting for the Messiah to come.  Our Bible says the Messiah was to come through the race of Shem, Gen 9:26 the nation of Abraham, Gen 12:1-4 the tribe if Judah, Gen 49:10 the family of Jesse, Isa 11:1 the house of David, Ps 132:11 and an individual virgin. Isa 7:14  

This virgin birth is an essential Christian doctrine.  There are those who deny it, but they are ignorant of God's wisdom.  The very first Messianic prophecy, Gen 3:15, says the Messiah would be born the Seed of a woman, not  a man.  Satan misunderstood this prophecy as well. 

Today some even try to change Isa 7:14.  Some try to say the word is "young maiden" as opposed to virgin.  I can't understand why, because a young maiden getting pregnant is not a "sign."  The word "sign" is often used of a miracle.  What miracle is there in a "young maiden" becoming pregnant?  NONE!!  Now, a virgin becoming pregnant, that is a "sign" or a miracle.  Let's quickly look at this woman called Mary.

She had an incredible faith.  When Zacharias, the father of John the Immerser, was told of him having a son he was skeptical and asked for a sign.  Now Mary, on the other hand, was not skeptical.  Rather, she was curious.  All she asked was, "How can this be since I am a virgin?"    She didn't doubt as to whether it would happen and ask for a sign.  She simply was inquiring about the method of how it was going to happen.  

She was incredibly submissive.   She offered no complaint of physically bearing this child.  She voiced no concern of her reputation.  She didn't communicate that she was concerned about possibly being stoned.  She didn't allow the fear of the people not believing her, mocking her, or ridiculing her to dictate her decision.  What would her parents say about her pregnancy?  What about her fiance, he may be a little upset don't you think?  All she asked for was an explanation of the process of how it would occur.  She offered no excuses of why she couldn't do this.

She was much more submissive than Moses.  Ex 3:11-4:17  Moses says he didn't have the ability, know what to say, have the authority, or have eloquence.  Then in verse 13 he finally asks God to send someone else!  What a difference huh?  

Finally, Mary was incredibly accepting of God's Will.  After her question to the angel was answered all she says is, "...may it be done to me according to your Word."  WOW!!  That is incredibly impressive.  She already understood the latter part of Mt 20:26 that says to be great we first must be servants!!  

This story is no fairy tale.  It is a story of great value and application.  Today, may we all work to have that incredible faith.  May we all be submissive to God.  May we all be accepting of God's Will.  It is doing the Will of our Father and His grace that gets us into Heaven, allows us to call Jesus our brother, and gets us eternal life through the resurrection. Mt 7:21; 12:50; Jn 6:40  May we all have the same attitude of Mary!  May we all say, "mat it be done to me according to your word."

WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?

Hear The Word-  Rom 10:17; Acts 4:4

We Must Believe or Have Faith-  Heb 11:6; Acts 16:31

We Must Repent-  Lk 13:3; Acts 17:30

We Must Confess Christ Before Others-  Mt 10:32; Acts 8:37

We Must Be Immersed Into Christ (Baptized)-  1Pe 3:21; Mk 16:16; Acts 2:38  

We Must Remain Faithful-  Rev 2:10; Acts 14:22    

Confessing Christ

Mt 16:16

Take a minute or two and think of this question.  What does the good confession mean?  People today will climb to the mountain tops and yell what Peter said, yet they can not tell you what that statement really means, can you?  Many today say it is not required and displays NO FAITH AT ALL!  I say they are ignorant as to the meaning and importance of the good confession and hopefully after this post it will mean more to you!

        Many in scripture gave a good confession! Gabriel started it all when he confessed Jesus to be God’s son to mary Lk 1:34,35.  God himself confessed Jesus was his son twice Mt 3:17; 17:5.  Then others followed like Peter Mt 16:16; Timothy 1Ti 6:12; even the Eunuch Acts 8:37

I. It contains two statements about Jesus.

We will approach them backwards as to how we say the good confession to fit into the lesson.

We confess he is the ­SON OF GOD.

This is to confess his deity.  Deity is defined as to be God; the estate or rank of a god; divine 

The divine Sonship of Jesus cannot be denied in the Scriptures.  It was prophesied in Psa 2:7; Isa 9:6.  John the IMMERSER witnessed to the fact of Jesus Sonship Jn 1:34.

 We confess he is the CHRIST.

The Greek word that is translated Christ means “anointed.”  In Hebrew he is the “Messiah” and they mean same thing!  The “Christ” or the “Messiah” is the “anointed one.”  In the Bible 3 people are anointed!

PROPHET- Elisha was anointed 1Ki 19:16

PRIEST- Aaron was anointed Lev 8:12

KING- David was anointed 2Sam 2:4

JESUS FULFILLS ALL THREE!  THEY CAN BE SEEN IN OUR GOOD CONFESSION!

Mankind’s needs make this confession meaningful.

Mankind has so many needs and the true meaning of the good confession will meet them all!  Providing we know what the Good Confession means.

Mankind needs a prophet because of IGNORANCE   Heb 1:1,2

People need the truth to banish falsehood, the light if God to dispel darkness, and the Word of God to remove ignorance.  Mankind really only knows our origin or desrtiny from what God has reealed!

Mankind needs a priest because of SIN.    Heb 1:3

Rom 3:23 tells us that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.  We need a mediator between us and God.  We were utterly unable to approach a Holy God in our lost state.  Jesus, the Christ, the son of the living God fixes all those problems that sin brought into our lives!

Mankind needs a king for an EXAMPLE.   Heb 1:3 …sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.    We must have an example for us to follow.  We need a king over our lives because history has proven we can’t successfully rule ourselves!

IN ALL THESE WAYS WE NEED GOD’S PROPHET, PRIEST, AND KING!

What does this good confession mean to us?

It means to acknowledge we are ignorant (in need of prophet), sinful (in need of a priest), and unable to successfully rule ourselves (in need of a king) and Christ alone can fulfill that in our lives!

It can all be summed up in Gal 2:20

 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me (king); and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God (prophet), who loved me and gave Himself for me(priest).

Ask yourself again... 

What does the good confession mean to me?

I HOPE YOUR ANSWER HAS CHANGED A LITTLE!!

Sword or butter knife?

Heb 4:12

     This verse is beautiful.  It has a lot to say about God's Word and its power and effectiveness.  We read yesterday that Peter referred to it as the "word of God which lives" in 1Pe 1:23.   Sharper than a two edged sword means it is able to cut in all directions.  What is cutting, you may ask.  The idea is that of piercing, or penetrating; and the meaning here is, that the Word of God reaches the "heart"; the very center of action, and lays open the motives and feelings of the man.

     The Word of God pierces or divides the "soul and spirit; joints and marrow."  Instead of defining each word used here just look at how powerful the words are describing the affect and power of God's Word.  God's Word can penetrate to the deepest part of man, convict him of sin, expose hidden agendas, and even be a "discerner" or judge.  Amazing thing we carry with us isn't it?  At least we should carry it with us.  We may forget a Bible going to service and blow it off, but don't let us forget a cell phone!!

     The Word of God is a discerner or judge?  We can read that we all will "appear before the judgment seat of Christ" in 2Co 5:10.  Sobering thought isn't it?  Well, it should be anyway!  What will the criteria we will be judged against?  On earth we have federal, state, and municipality laws that we are judged against.  What does the Bible say about it?  We are told Jesus' word will be the criteria in Jn 12:48

     Therefore, seeing the importance of this Bible we carry, study, and read I ask, "So you have a sword or a butter knife?"  We sharpen our sword with study and application of God's Word!  If you do not study, read, and apply the Word your weapon is most likely very dull!  I say again, "Do you have a sword or a butter knife?"

WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?

Hear The Word-  Rom 10:17; Acts 4:4

We Must Believe or Have Faith-  Heb 11:6; Acts 16:31

We Must Repent-  Lk 13:3; Acts 17:30

We Must Confess Christ Before Others-  Mt 10:32; Acts 8:37

We Must Be Immersed Into Christ (Baptized)-  1Pe 3:21; Mk 16:16; Acts 2:38  

We Must Remain Faithful-  Rev 2:10; Acts 14:22     

 

Shame on the Church!

Pliny the Younger (c. 62 - c.113 AD) was the Roman Governor of Bithynia (present-day northwestern Turkey). Around 111 or 112 AD, he wrote the following letter to Emperor Trajan of Rome asking for advice on how to deal with Christians. 

It is a rule, Sir, which I inviolably observe, to refer myself to you in all my doubts; for who is more capable of guiding my uncertainty or informing my ignorance? Having never been present at any trials of the Christians, I am unacquainted with the method and limits to be observed either in examining or punishing them. Whether any difference is to be allowed between the youngest and the adult; whether repentance admits to a pardon, or if a man has been once a Christian it avails him nothing to recant; whether the mere profession of Christianity, albeit without crimes, or only the crimes associated therewith are punishable -- in all these points I am greatly doubtful. 

 In the meanwhile, the method I have observed towards those who have denounced to me as Christians is this: I interrogated them whether they were Christians; if they confessed it I repeated the question twice again, adding the threat of capital punishment; if they still persevered, I ordered them to be executed. For whatever the nature of their creed might be, I could at least feel not doubt that contumacy and inflexible obstinacy deserved chastisement. There were others also possessed with the same infatuation, but being citizens of Rome, I directed them to be carried thither. 

 These accusations spread (as is usually the case) from the mere fact of the matter being investigated and several forms of the mischief came to light. A placard was put up, without any signature, accusing a large number of persons by name. Those who denied they were, or had ever been, Christians, who repeated after me an invocation to the gods, and offered adoration, with wine and frankincense, to your image, which I had ordered to be brought for that purpose, together with those of the gods, and who finally cursed Christ -- none of which acts, it is into performing -- these I thought it proper to discharge. Others who were named by that informer at first confessed themselves Christians, and then denied it; true, they had been of that persuasion but they had quitted it, some three years, others many years, and a few as much as twenty-five years ago. They all worshipped your statue and the images of the gods, and cursed Christ. 

 They affirmed, however, the whole of their guilt, or their error, was, that they were in the habit of meeting on a certain fixed day before it was light, when they sang in alternate verses a hymn to Christ, as to a god, and bound themselves by a solemn oath, not to any wicked deeds, but never to commit any fraud, theft, or adultery, never to falsify their word, nor deny a trust when they should be called upon to deliver it up; after which it was their custom to separate, and then reassemble to partake of food -- but food of an ordinary and innocent kind. Even this practice, however, they had abandoned after the publication of my edict, by which, according to your orders, I had forbidden political associations. I judged it so much the more necessary to extract the real truth, with the assistance of torture, from two female slaves, who were styled deaconesses: but I could discover nothing more than depraved and excessive superstition. 

 I therefore adjourned the proceedings, and betook myself at once to your counsel. For the matter seemed to me well worth referring to you, especially considering the numbers endangered. Persons of all ranks and ages, and of both sexes are, and will be, involved in the prosecution. For this contagious superstition is not confined to the cities only, but has spread through the villages and rural districts; it seems possible, however, to check and cure it.

Consider what Peter wrote in (1Pe 4:12-19).


Notice some things Piny said in his letter:

First Paragraph

He wasn't sure if there should be any difference in punishment between the young and adults. 


He wasn't sure if the punishment fit the crime.  WHAT CRIME?!?!  Christianity?

Second Paragraph

Those who refused to renounce Christ were executed.  No specific crime, but the Christians expressed inflexibility the Roman cause and faithfulness to Christ.  Keep in mind that Tacitus writes that Christians were wrapped in skins of wild beasts and allowed to be killed by wild dogs.  They were also clothed in flammable material and used as lights in his garden or lights at his circus.

Third Paragraph

Anyone who denounced Christ and worshiped an idol God was set free!

Fourth Paragraph

Does this not sound like what we do on the Lord's Day?  We sing hymns to worship and take the Lord's Supper.

What Pliny calls, "depraved and excessive superstition" I call FAITH!

Fifth Paragraph

Again, what we know as faith is superstition to Pliny.

Notice what the goal was to do with Christianity.  To "cure" it.  

     In conclusion, I read what the early church endured for their faith and I compare that to the 21st century church and I am appalled.  We won't even miss a football game to worship God today.  We put off worship for work.  We put anything an everything before the Lord's Day!  In doing so, we still feel like God owes us something because we are there once a month or every other week.  That's OK though.  The "By-Laws" of our congregation says we are still a member as long as we come once a month!  SHAME ON THE CHURCH TODAY!  (Mt 16:24,25)  These verses are not suggestions.  Satan must only make God second in your life not last!  (Mt 22:37,38)

Have a red letter day!

What are miracles for?

There are some amazing things in the Bible we can read about.  When we read about many of the Old Testament miracles we often forget we serve the same God that performed those miracles.  We forget that we serve the same  God that parted the Red Sea.  We serve the same God that sent Manna to his people. 


Many people today have the meaning of miracles twisted.  People do not understand the meaning of miracles.  Today we are taught that miracles are a reward of righteousness.  Let me tell you, MIRACLES ARE NOT A REWARD OF RIGHTEOUSNESS!    


Look at a few examples in scripture. 
SAMSON
Jdg 13:24,25 Then the woman gave birth to a son and named him Samson; and the child grew up and the LORD blessed him.25 And the Spirit of the LORD began to stir him in Mahaneh-dan, between Zorah and Eshtaol.
We can see that he grew up in the Lord.  Fitting for a man who was going to deliver God's people.  He was well known for his strength.    He performed many miracles with his mighty hands.  

JDG 16:3 Now Samson lay until midnight, and at midnight he arose and took hold of the doors of the city gate and the two posts and pulled them up along with the bars; then he put them on his shoulders and carried them up to the top of the mountain which is opposite Hebron. 
This was another miracle performed by Samson.  Are familiar where he was and what he did just prior to doing this?  

JDG 16:1,2 Now Samson went to Gaza and saw a harlot there, and went in to her.2 When it was told to the Gazites, saying, “Samson has come here,” they surrounded the place and lay in wait for him all night at the gate of the city. And they kept silent all night, saying, “Let us wait until the morning light, then we will kill him.”
You see, the people of Gaza was planning to kill him but did you notice he was with a harlot.  Prior to this miracle HE WAS WITH A PROSTITUTE!  Do you still think miracles are a reward for righteousness?


BALAAM
Balaam was a sorcerer.  He knew of the one true God but made his services available on a freelance basis, so to speak.  Balak, the King of Moab, tried to make use of his services to curse the Israelites in Numbers 22:1-21.  God tells Balaam not to do it.  King Balak sent his men to Balaam again.  This time the Lord tells him to go with them this time but to only say and do what God says!  Soon enough Balaam speaks to the words of God!

NU 22:38 So Balaam said to Balak, “Behold, I have come now to you! Am I able to speak anything at all? The word that God puts in my mouth, that I shall speak.” 

You see, Balaam prophesied!  He was a sorcerer.  He was not righteous!  MIRACLES ARE NOT A REWARD FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS!


BALAAM'S DONKEY
Consider this, when we read in chapters 22 and 23 in the book of Numbers another miracle happens!  BALAAM'S DONKEY SPEAKS IN TONGUES!  We read where Balaam's donkey was given the ability to speak in man's language!

NU 22:28-30 And the LORD opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, “What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?”29 Then Balaam said to the donkey, “Because you have made a mockery of me! If there had been a sword in my hand, I would have killed you by now.”30 The donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not your donkey on which you have ridden all your life to this day? Have I ever been accustomed to do so to you?” And he said, “No.”
MIRACLES ARE NOT A REWARD FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS! 
What righteousness does a donkey have.  Did the Lord make a donkey in his own image?(GE 1:27 God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them)  
Did the Lord breathe life into a donkey?(GE 2:7 Then the LORD God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.)   NO!!


DAVID
1SA 13:14 “But now your kingdom shall not endure. The LORD has sought out for Himself a man after His own heart, and the LORD has appointed him as ruler over His people, because you have not kept what the LORD commanded you.” 
This is what Samuel says to Saul in reference to David.  David was known as "a man after God's own heart."  I want you to know that the man after God's own heart NEVER PERFORMED A MIRACLE!


JOHN THE BAPTIST
MT 11:11 “Truly I say to you, among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist!
This is what Jesus says concerning John the Baptist!  I want you to know that the greatest  among those born of a woman NEVER PERFORMED A MIRACLE!

MIRACLES ARE NOT A REWARD FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS!

So, what are miracles for?  Miracles happened for two reasons.
TO REVEAL A NEW TRUTH AND TO SHOW THE AUTHORITY OF THE ONE WHO DID THEM!
 JOS 3:7 Now the LORD said to Joshua, “This day I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you. 
Look at what God told Joshua.  "I will begin to exalt you; that they may know; I will be with you"  


Look at the miracles mentioned earlier!


Samson was in a position of authority to deliver Israel.

JDG 13:5 “ For behold, you shall conceive and give birth to a son, and no razor shall come upon his head, for the boy shall be a Nazirite to God from the womb; and he shall begin to deliver Israel from the hands of the Philistines.” 


Balaam was revealing a truth or the word of God!

NU 23:5 Then the LORD put a word in Balaam’s mouth and said, “Return to Balak, and you shall speak thus.”

NU 23:16 Then the LORD met Balaam and put a word in his mouth and said, “Return to Balak, and thus you shall speak.”

Balaam's Donkey showed to Balaam God's authority not only to speak to man but his authority over animals.  This was also to announce to Balaam that he will say and what the Lord tells him when he speaks with Balak.  See Num 22:22-35

Have a red letter day,
Chad