Greetings brothers and sisters in Christ. If you are new to this blog, greetings to you also in the glorious name of Christ. I hope that you had a good week, and everything has been going well. I began preparing this message on this past Sunday, but a series of events intervened the completion. In any event, it was for the best. Often times we all search for God's voice and we desire his counsel in major challenges in our lives. I am sure many of you often ask the question, how do I know God is speaking to me, or what does His voice sound like.
Over the past several weeks we have been going through some challenges. As I stated last week, my thoughts and prayers remain heavily based on several important people in my life regarding their health, the opening of thier hearts, and an earnest desire for thier increased relationship with Christ. I pray that through building their respective relationships with Christ, that they will learn discernment and beginto hear His voice and know when the Holy Spirit is upon them.
Obviously, I have placed my petition before the Lord, and I too desire to grow stronger through Him. This search for answers has not been easy. Making the choice to believe in Jesus is one thing. For some the hard part is believing that he died on the cross for you and rose on the 3rd day in order to fulfill the scriptures. This sacrifice was the atonement for us all. I know for many it's not logical. However, it is the truth. Please read the scriptures below and see the comments afterwards.
Book: Hebrews 2:5-15
Author: According to Nelsons New Testament Survey, As early as Origen, the Alexandria church father who died about A.D. 255, no one knew for sure who wrote the Epistle to Hebrews. The vocabulary and style of the epistle point to a creative theologian who was also an effective expositor of the Greek Scriptures, probably a Hellenistic Jewish Christian... the writer was probably either an apostle or a close associate of at least one of the apostles.
Time: Most probable, A.D. 68 - 69.
Purpose: According to GotQuestions.Org, the late Dr. Walter Martin, founder of the Christian Research Institute and writer of the best-selling book Kingdom of the Cults, quipped in his usual tongue-in-cheek manner that the Book of Hebrews was written by a Hebrew to other Hebrews telling the Hebrews to stop acting like Hebrews. In truth, many of the early Jewish believers were slipping back into the rites and rituals of Judaism in order to escape the mounting persecution. This letter, then, is an exhortation for those persecuted believers to continue in the grace of Jesus Christ.
The Founder of Salvation
5 For it was not to angels that God subjected the world to come, of which we are speaking. 6 It has been testified somewhere, “What is man, that you are mindful of him, or the son of man, that you care for him? 7 You made him for a little while lower than the angels; you have crowned him with glory and honor, 8 putting everything in subjection under his feet.” Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control. At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him. 9 But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. 10 For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. 11 For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers, 12 saying, “I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise.” 13 And again, “I will put my trust in him.” And again, “Behold, I and the children God has given me.” 14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. 16 For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. 17 Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. (ESV)
Matthew Henry Commentary
Hebrews 2:5- 9 Neither the state in which the church is at present, nor its more completely restored state, when the prince of this world shall be cast out, and the kingdoms of the earth become the kingdom of Christ, is left to the government of the angels:Christ will take to him his great power, and will reign. And what is the moving cause of all the kindness God shows to men in giving Christ for them and to them? it is the grace of God. As a reward of Christ's humiliation in suffering death, he has unlimited dominion over all things; thus this ancient scripture was fulfilled in him. Thus God has done wonderful things for us in creation and providence, but for these we have made the basest returns.
Hebrews 2:10- 13 Whatever the proud, carnal, and unbelieving may imagine or object, the spiritual mind will see peculiar glory in the cross of Christ, and be satisfied that it became Him, who in all things displays his own perfections in bringing many sons to glory, to make the Author of their salvation perfect through sufferings. His way to the crown was by the cross, and so must that of his people be. Christ sanctifies; he has purchased and sent the sanctifying Spirit: the Spirit sanctifies as the Spirit of Christ. True believers are sanctified, endowed with holy principles and powers, set apart to high and holy uses and purposes. Christ and believers are all of one heavenly Father, who is God. They are brought into relation with Christ. But the words, his not being ashamed to call them brethren, express the high superiority of Christ to the human nature. This is shown from three texts of Scripture. See Psalm 22:22; 18:2; Isa 8:18. (MHC)
Book:Romans 15:1-13
Author : Paul
Time : On his 3rd missionary journey Paul left Ephesus and traveled by land to Macedonia and continued south, spending the winter of A.D. 56 - 57 in Corinth. Then he wrote the Epistle to the Romans and sent it by Phone to the Roman church.
Purpose : According to BlueLetterBible.org, Paul was writing to a church that he had never visited and a casual reading of the epistle does not convey the idea that he was dealing with situational issues (cf. the epistles to the Corinthians). Here Paul wrote with regards to the big picture-laying down the doctrine of soteriology. He wrote that they would know the gospel of Christ. He also wanted to inform the church regarding his future plans because those plans would involve them. At the time of writing the epistle, Paul was about to take the offering that he had collected from various churches to the poverty stricken church in Jerusalem. After that, he intended on going to visit the Roman church for a time to preach the Gospel to them. His subsequent plans were then to go westward to preach the gospel in Spain.
Gunter Klein argued that the letter was written in order to address the need of an apostolic foundation. Paul declares that he would not build on another man's foundation, yet at the same time he informs the Romans that he is going to preach the gospel to them. In trying to reconcile these two verses, Klein states that the lack of an apostolic foundation opens the door for Paul to preach the gospel to the Romans while still being true to his own convictions. [8]
It was thought that Romans was a "carefully planned, doctrinal presentation of the Christian faith," yet Kümmel notes that such a view is untenable because the epistle is lacking in such key elements of Pauline doctrine like eschatology, Christology, the Lord's Supper and, church order. [9]Walt Russell contented that Romans was a letter of exhortation that treated the issue of Jewish/Gentile relationships and that Paul was urging them to "participate fully in God's present harvest of all peoples." [10] Still others have theorized that Romans was an encyclical or general epistle.
The Example of Christ
1 We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. 3 For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.” 4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. 5 May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, 6 that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.
Christ the Hope of Jews and Gentiles 8 For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God's truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, 9 and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, “Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles, and sing to your name.” 10 And again it is said, (ESV)“Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.” 11 And again, “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples extol him.” 12 And again Isaiah says, “The root of Jesse will come, even he who arises to rule the Gentiles; in him will the Gentiles hope.” 13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. (ESV)
Matthew Henry Commentary
Romans 15:1 Christian liberty was allowed, not for our pleasure, but for the glory of God, and the good of others. We must please our neighbor, for the good of his soul; not by serving his wicked will, and humoring him in a sinful way; if we thus seek to please men, we are not the servants of Christ. Christ's whole life was a self- denying, self- displeasing life. And he is the most advanced Christian, who is the most conformed to Christ. Considering his spotless purity and holiness, nothing could be more contrary to him, than to be made sin and a curse for us, and to have the reproaches of God fall upon him; the just for the unjust. He bore the guilt of sin, and the curse for it; we are only called to bear a little of the trouble of it. He bore the presumptuous sins of the wicked; we are called only to bear the failings of the weak. And should not we be humble, self- denying, and ready to consider one another, who are members one of another? The Scriptures are written for our use and benefit, as much as for those to whom they were first given. Those are most learned who are most mighty in the Scriptures. That comfort which springs from the word of God, is the surest and sweetest, and the greatest stay to hope. The Spirit as a Comforter, is the earnest of our inheritance. This like- mindedness must be according to the precept of Christ, according to his pattern and example. It is the gift of God; and a precious gift it is, for which we must earnestly seek unto him. Our Divine Master invites his disciples, and encourages them by showing himself as meek and lowly in spirit. The same disposition ought to mark the conduct of his servants, especially of the strong towards the weak. The great end in all our actions must be, that God may be glorified; (MHC)nothing more forwards this, than the mutual love and kindness of those who profess religion. Those that agree in Christ may well agree among themselves.
Romans 15:8- 13 Christ fulfilled the prophecies and promises relating to the Jews, and the Gentile converts could have no excuse for despising them. The Gentiles, being brought into the church, are companions in patience and tribulation. They should praise God. Calling upon all the nations to praise the Lord, shows that they shall have knowledge of him. We shall never seek to Christ till we trust in him. And the whole plan of redemption is suited to reconcile us to one another, as well as to our gracious God, so that an abiding hope of eternal life, through the sanctifying and comforting power of the Holy Spirit, may be attained. Our own power will never reach this; therefore where this hope is, and is abounding, the blessed Spirit must have all the glory. "All joy and peace;" all sorts of true joy and peace, so as to suppress doubts and fears, (MHC)through the powerful working of the Holy Spirit. (MHC)
The above scriptures are part of a 5 - day study on "Comfort in the Lord". If we consider my opening statement, it is easy to understand why it is difficult to wholly trust Jesus. If you have never heard of him, and/or this was your first introduction, while you were experiencing a tragic or life altering event; you like most humans would find it hard to believe that a God would allow such an event to occur. Think about all of the recent deaths, terrorism, floods, earthquakes, and the list goes on. What kind of God would watch his creation self destruct? Well, I believe this is the point. At some point in our lives we will all have to d ace God and explain what we did with our lives. In the interim, He gives you the freedom to do whatever you choose. Fortunately for you, he adds the consequences in effort to keep you grounded. Unfortunately, many chose not to recognize the signs.
As a Christian, you acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord and He is the only way to get to heaven and the Father. You are not required to do all of these other things that people and man add to religion. You will always find someone who searches for a particular scripture to explain how messed up Christianity is. You must remember that person is often hurting and needs God help. By deflecting with atheism, and other religion based isms, finding faith in God is to difficult for them. They would rather believe in evolution, man changing from a monkey to a man, or that there is no such thing as evil. Remember, free will is God's gift to you. At some point, all of us will die and have to face what happens afterwards. If you choose not to receive Christ now, there is no later. Have a great rest of the week and be blessed
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