CONTEXT: Chapter 6 is broken down by Matthew Henry as follows: In this chapter we have, I. The miracle of the loaves (v. 1-14). II. Christ’s walking upon the water (v. 15-21). III. The people’s flocking after him to Capernaum (v. 22-25). IV. His conference with them, occasioned by the miracle of the loaves, in which he reproves them for seeking carnal food, and directs them to spiritual food (v. 26, 27), showing them how they must labour for spiritual food (v. 28, 29), and what that spiritual food is (v. 30-59). V. Their discontent at what he said, and the reproof he gave them for it (v. 60-65). VI. The apostasy of many from him, and his discourse with his disciples that adhered to him upon that occasion (v. 66-71).
Our text for today is part of the teaching on Spiritual food. Jesus has fed the 5 thousand, and many are hanging around hoping for another free meal. The lesson Jesus gives in vs. 22-40 about the Bread of Life is not what they hoped for.
Even today many are disappointed with these Words.Yes, I purposely put them in red, like you would find in many Bibles, signifying that Jesus spoke them. How then can folks be disappointed with the Words of our (their claimed) Lord and Savior.
It starts in v.37 and repeats in v.39, out text All that the Father giveth me, you see God the Father GIVES those whom He has chosen before time to the Son to be saved, and secured for eternity. That is the rip, folks feel the need to interject oneself into salvation.
that of all which he hath given me, I should lose nothing;
that is, that of all the elect which were given to Christ by his Father, in eternal election, he should not lose anyone of them, not the meanest among them, nor anything of theirs, their grace, or glory, or anything belonging to them, either to their souls or bodies, and particularly the latter;
John Gill
In Gill’s comments above it is clear, can man, any man do that which Christ can do? If not why are you arguing against election?
CONTEXT: This chapter is an example of Christology teachings in the Bible. Paul uses Christ as the example (be, live, etc. like Christ) to the church at Ephesus. Matthew Henry breaks down the chapter as follows: Exhortations to a kind, humble spirit and behaviour. (1-4) The example of Christ. (5-11) Diligence in the affairs of salvation, and to be examples to the world. (12-18) The apostle’s purpose of visiting Philippi. (19-30)
Our text for today is at the forefront of this chapter in that it proceeds one of the best known text in scripture:
7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
While Paul was not (and neither should we) de-emphasize Christ, he was rightly emphasizing the need (Christology) for us to live humbly like Christ. I want to make clear this does not mean being a punching bag, a pushover, etc. for Jesus certainly was not that. Yet He was humbly obedient to the Father and never showed arrogance or self-righteous.
Spurgeon Comments on these verses as follows: 3 This would be a good motto for those who are intending to build new places of worship. Let them not be built through strife, because of a squabble among the people of God, but make sure that all concerned are actuated by right motives, and seeking only the glory of God. Then, sometimes, if one gives a guinea, another feels that he must give two so as to excel him; this is giving out of vainglory. Let nothing be done in this way, but as unto the Lord, and as in his sight, let us do all our works, and give all our gifts. 3-4 Consider how you can help others, and in what way you can prosper them both in temporal things and in spiritual. You are members of a body, so one member is not to think for itself alone, the unity of the whole body requires that every separate and distinct part of it should be in harmony with the whole.
CONTEXT: We need to look back at Chapter 7 for a moment and note that Paul had ended that chapter v.14-25 speaking about the conflict he had between knowing what was right and doing what was right. In otherwards his sinfulness kept getting in the way of his striving to be Holy (more like Christ).
Paul then begins Chapter 8 with a profound statement v.1, Therefore there is now no condemnation [no guilty verdict, no punishment] for those who are in Christ Jesus [who believe in Him as personal Lord and Savior]. he spends the first 25 verse speaking about how we, true believers have escaped the bondage of sin.
Then beginning in v.26 until the end of the chapter, Paul explains why, because our Victory [over sin] is found not in ourselves but in Christ.
I want to point out a few things about the Victory in Jesus, from the bondage of sin to the fellowship with Christ:
It is only for those who are called according to his purpose.
God knew from time eternal, those folks, those whom He would call For whom he did foreknow
God had a predetermined plan for His chosen, he also did predestinate
God plan was for His chosen to be like Christ, made holy through Christ’s sacrifice at Calvary, to be conformed to the image of his Son
The important thing we all need to recognize immediately is our role in all of this, it is missing as it were. It is never about us and always about God. Yes, we must surrender all in the Order of Salvation, our conversion, when we willingly respond to the Holy Spirit pricking our hearts with the Gospel call. Yet that response is only because God calls, not because we desire Him on our own.
The last thing in the Chain above is Glorification the hope that drives true believers. The thing we get to look forward to in eternity that can never be achieved here in this, the ultimate and final removal of all sin from our lives.
CONTEXT: The book of Joel was the telling of God’s judgment upon His chosen people (Israel), the pagan nations that surrounded them, and the eventual outpouring of the Holy Spirit (restoration of God’s people) Acts 2. Matthew Henry breaks chapter 2 down as follows: God’s judgments. (1-14) Exhortations to fasting and prayer; blessings promised. (15-27) A promise of the Holy Spirit, and of future mercies. (28-32)
I want to look at just v.1 this morning because I think they are applicable to all of us today.
Blow the trumpet in Zion [warning of impending judgment], Sound an alarm on My holy mountain [Zion]! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble and shudder in fear, For the [judgment] day of the Lord is coming; It is close at hand,(AMP)
Judgment by way of the “Day of the Lord” is the predominant theme of the book of Joel. Israel (1:15; 2:1–2) and all the nations (3:2–3) are subject to this judgment. While most associate the “Day of the Lord” with wrath and judgments it can also be a day of salvation and restoration.
Here in chapter 2 v.1, the context is definitely judgment and wrath that Joel is warning against. Israel had become complacent AGAIN, it had fallen back into the sins of its surrounding neighbors and Joel sires out a warning Blow the trumpet in Zion, (any temple, pulpit, or corner will do) Sound an alarm on My holy mountain, we too must be able, ready and willing at every moment to speak out against the anti-Christ. For the [judgment] day of the Lord is coming, God cannot abide sin, nor sinners. The old saying God Loves the Sinner But Hates the Sin? is far from true and He must and will pass judgment on everyone.
Of course, no one knows when the final judgment “day of the Lord” will come but we must (All True Believers) act like it is today. Spiritual Complacency has plagued the “church” for far too long in America. Oh, we are good at giving, missions, and feeding the poor. We respond well to national disasters and the like but do not ask us to get involved in the BIG PICTURE, the moral issues of today.
It is time we, All True Believers, Shout is from the Blogs, Corners, and Pulpits; that we demand that the core values America was founded upon, the Judeo-Christian principles be returned before the Wrath of God, the final judgment, the “day of the Lord” is poured out upon this nation and people.
Today I thought I would do something a little different. I came across this quote from Puritan Stephen Charnock, and it caused me to pause and think, how true. If God is not eternal, why would we bother shedding our praise, worship, and love upon Him?
So today I am just listing (a Bible drill of sorts), no comments, Bible verses to contemplate, meditate and reflect upon the Eternal God and His worthiness to be Loved.
ETERNAL GOD
Genesis 2:17 – But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
Psalms 72:17 – His name shall endure for ever: his name shall be continued as long as the sun: and men shall be blessed in him: all nations shall call him blessed.
Psalms 90:2 – Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.
Psalms 102:25-27 – Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands. (Read More…)
Psalms 119:127 – Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold.
Ecclesiastes 3:11 – He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.
Isaiah 57:15 – For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
Jeremiah 10:10 – But the LORD is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation.
Jeremiah 32:27 – Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?
Matthew 25:46 – And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
Mark 9:43-48 – And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: (Read More…)
John 1:12 – But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
John 3:16 – For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 5:24 – Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
John 6:50-71 – This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. (Read More…)
John 14:2-3 – In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. (Read More…)
John 17:3 – And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
Romans 6:23 – For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Galatians 6:8 – For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
Philippians 1:23 – For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:
2 Thessalonians 1:9 – Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
Hebrews 9:27 – And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
Jude 1:6 – And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.
WORTHY OF LOVE
Deuteronomy 6:5 – And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
Deuteronomy 7:9 – Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;
Psalms 16:11 – Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
Isaiah 1:1-31 – The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. (Read More…)
Matthew 6:24 – No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
Matthew 22:34-40 – But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together. (Read More…)
Mark 12:29-31 – And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: (Read More…)
Luke 10:27 – And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.
John 14:21 – He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
John 14:23-24 – Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. (Read More…)
John 14:23 – Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
John 17:24-26 – Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. (Read More…)
1 John 2:4-6 – He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. (Read More…)
1 John 4:19 – We love him, because he first loved us.
1 John 5:3 – For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
As hurricane Ida made landfall (and heads towards us in mid Mississippi) I had the thought of how powerful God is. I for one am convinced that God is Sovereign over all things including hurricanes, even if I don’t understand the why.What I do know is we can count on His omnipotent Grace to see us through these events.
Chapter CONTEXT: Matthew Henry says of this Chapter: A salutation, and an account of saving blessings, as prepared in God’s eternal election, as purchased by Christ’s blood. (1-8) And as conveyed in effectual calling: this is applied to the believing Jews, and to the believing Gentiles. (9-14) The apostle thanks God for their faith and love, and prays for the continuance of their knowledge and hope, with respect to the heavenly inheritance, and to God’s powerful working in them. (15-23)
Our text for today is one extolling God’s omnipotence. A google search or that of some Biblical software will lead one to find a list with many variations of verses. The consistent theme however is that God is all-powerful and man is not.
Here are some of the things God has power over:
Creation
Salvation
Understanding
Resurection
Justice
Nations
________?
The above quote sums it up pretty well if God is not the omnipotent ruler of the universe what peace can a believer have. What assurance can we have, what joy? I do not know about you but I take great comfort in the fact that He hath made the earth by his power and ruleth by his power forever.
Praying for everyone in Ida’s path and recovery for those displaced by her wrath.
Once again I was having a discussion (online) with someone, who claimed to be a “Christian” but in my opinion, has a very narrow view of Christianity and the Bible in general.
Their whole Doctrinal belief is based upon, Matthew 22:36-40, God is and we should LOVE and that is it. Anything beyond that is simply minutia.
Well as you know and I repeatedly say we MUST have the Whole Counsel of God, in order to even begin to have any sense of a proper theology or doctrinal belief. In this case, let us look at one aspect that seems to be overlooked here, God hates and so should we!
I will leave you with a few Biblical examples to look over, to understand the importance of ALWAYS seeking the Whole Counsel of God before we determine a doctrine or even a course of action for our lives.
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