Have you ever sat down and really thought about all that GOD would have to do in order to prepare for His Son, the Word made flesh to come to Earth and deliver the Gospel? And what about all of the ramifications of the Gospel, how it would work in the lives of those who received it?
MANDATE IN ETERNITY, IN TIME
Before GOD even began His work of creation, He existed from all of eternity, self-existent and self-defining, Three Persons in One Godhead. What does the Trinity (or triune GOD) have to do with the Gospel? Much! As we will (eventually) learn!
Then was the decision made in the halls of eternity, in the domain of the Third Heaven where GOD the Father would send GOD the Son to Earth as the propitiation for the sins of the world. That happened even before GOD said, “Let there be light.”
Then He began His creation – the entire angelic host that dwelled with Him in the Third Heaven, and possibly in the world before the creation of Man (?). Over the course of six days, He set in order all of the Earth with its firmaments, the separation of land and water, the establishment of the sun, moon and stars. He created life in the skies, on the Earth and in the seas.
Then came the pinnacle of His creation! His masterpiece: forming man from the dust of the Earth and breathing into him, creating a living soul. He placed Adam in the Garden of Eden and explained His one and single prohibition: Do not partake of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil.
Adam named all of the animals – a monumental task, naming everything from the immense whales, down to aphids. No doubt he noticed that they all had a mate – unlike himself, who was alone…
Then GOD put Adam into a deep sleep, took a rib and with that formed a helper for Adam – the woman Eve.
All was well in paradise, that is, until the serpent (“seraphim” in the Hebrew) entered the picture. The idea of Adam, and that which came from Adam’s rib – the woman, is also very pertinent to the Gospel. More on this later on in subsequent articles!
Read more!
23 These things also belong to the wise: It is not good to show partiality in judgment. 24 He who says to the wicked, "You are righteous," Him the people will curse; Nations will abhor him. 25 But those who rebuke the wicked will have delight, And a good blessing will come upon them. 26 He who gives a right answer kisses the lips. 27 Prepare your outside work, Make it fit for yourself in the field; And afterward build your house. 28 Do not be a witness against your neighbor without cause, For would you deceive with your lips?
PROVERBS 24:23
These things also belong to the wise: It is not good to show partiality in judgment.
We can say that all of the verses in PROVERBS, and the entire Revelation of GOD’s Word, expressions of divine wisdom “belongs to the wise”. The Holy Scriptures are our heritage, our foundation, in a sense – they are our custodianship (we keep the Word of GOD in our hearts). As Disciples of Christ Who is the Word made flesh, the source of all knowledge, all wisdom, all grace, mercy and peace, the Holy Word is the source for our spiritual food and life, our faith and belief, our conduct, the source of the culture of the Kingdom of GOD that we belong to!
Justice – or “judgment” is part of this Kingdom. The LORD is just, righteous, fair and equitable. He doesn’t allow His justice to be marred by bias or partiality. Justice is rendered to all those who are guilty of violating His Holy Law, with one exception, and only one!
Read more!
INTRODUCTION: As was mentioned previously, the mission of Nehemiah was to restore the walls of Jerusalem and the management of the city. He was likewise involved in the restoration of the people of Jerusalem, which was the primary focus of Ezra the priest’s mission.
In this last chapter of this amazing book of Nehemiah, this godly man was indeed involved in restoring, “resetting”, and even rebuking the people of Jerusalem for their wayward behaviors after a twelve year departure by Nehemiah who returned to the King Artaxerxes as his cupbearer for a time.
There will never be a time in our lives when we won’t need exhortation, admonition and correction. As one who has walked with the LORD for over 44 years, I know for a fact that I’m in need of the LORD and all of the ways He brings correction, guidance, and discipline to me.
This happens when I read the Scripture and trials that enter into my life with the LORD’s stamp of approval. But like with Israel, the LORD’s intent is for my good, and for His glory!
So, let’s get into this last chapter and see what the LORD will tell us!
If this is your first time checking out this study on Nehemiah, you can start with this link to CHAPTER One.
Read more!
Almost any superhero movie starts out with an origin story. How did Batman Begin? How did the Caped Crusader come to be? What happened to Dr. Bruce Banner that he became a raging, green Hulk? There’s backstory that the moviegoer witnesses that explains who the lead character is, how they became a superhero and why.
As we look at Moses’ origin story (he was no superhero, but he was certainly heroic!), we discover that Jacob and his twelve sons settled in Egypt as a result of a devastating regional famine. That terrible event is what brought Jacob to be reunited with Joseph, whom he thought was slain by a beast, and started the process rolling for Israel’s destiny.
They entered Egypt as a family, but they left in the exodus as a nation; GOD Himself taking them by the hand (like a parent, gently, slowly, carefully leading their precious little one who toddles along; JER 31:32) and leading them to the Promised Land, with Moses at the head of the line…
EXODUS begins with the word “Now…” in Chapter 1, verse 1 because it picks up where GENESIS leaves off in this narrative, even though it was 300 years since the death of Joseph, second youngest son of Jacob. And this story has to do with another of Jacob’s twelve sons, Levi – or more accurately a son of Levi: Moses…
Read more!
The five great lights are as follows (for each one of these LIGHTS, we will include a hyperlink to the corresponding teaching that pastor Sonny gave at SHINE BRIGHT Church):
1.THE LIGHT OF CREATION.
2. THE LIGHT OF CONSCIENCE.
3.THE LIGHT OF CONDEMNATION.
We will conclude with the Fourth and Fifth GREAT LIGHT OF GOD
4. THE LIGHT OF COMMANDMENTS.
5. THE LIGHT OF CHRIST.
God in His kindness has chosen to reveal Himself to mankind. The Creator has made Himself known to His beloved creatures - leaving everyone “without excuse” at the final Judgment. In ancient times, it was said that “all roads lead to Rome.” In time past and today all roads lead to the final judgment.
Jesus and divine truth rejecters will meet with God at the Great White Throne Judgement (REV 20) while genuine Jesus and divine truth lovers will meet with God at the Judgment (Bema) Seat of Christ also known as the judgment of rewards (1 COR 3).
Read more!
The book of Ephesians explains how the Church comes to full spiritual maturity in Christ. Perhaps more than any other book of the bible, the Book of Ephesians emphasizes the connection between SOUND DOCTRINE and RIGHT PRACTICE in the Christian life.
The first part describes the Good News of what God has done (EPH 1-3).
The second section gives instructions on how to live in light of those blessings (EPH 4-5).
Ephesians ends with an encouragement to stand firm in the face of any hardships (EPH 6).
Read more!
ReferenceTagging.tag();
