God working in us

25/05/2010 by John Marsden.

“It is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good
pleasure” (Phil. 2:13).The word “worketh” means to energize. God arouses, stirs, and
energizes the heart of the believer to do God’s will.This is a most wonderful truth.Just think about it: we all experience movements and stirrings within our heart toward God.

These stirrings are of God. God is working within us—energizing us—giving us both the
will and power to do what pleases Him.

This is a most wonderful truth. Our duty is to grab hold of the stirrings—not
to let them pass. We are to grab hold of them and do exactly what the stirrings are
arousing and energizing us to do.

Have a great day.

 John

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God’s Sovereign Choice

11/11/2009 by John Marsden.

God’s Sovereign Choice Romans 11:33-36 

Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
      How unsearchable his judgments,
      and his paths beyond tracing out!
“Who has known the mind of the Lord?
      Or who has been his counselor?”
“Who has ever given to God,
      that God should repay him?”
For from him and through him and to him are all things.
      To him be the glory forever! Amen. 

◦          These verses praise God for His sovereignty, meaning that God has an absolute right to do all things according to His pleasure without any external control.  God can have mercy on whomever He chooses; He can give life and take life whenever He pleases, and He does not need to explain Himself to us or anyone.◦          It should be comforting to us to know that God is supreme and sovereign and answers to no one higher, because He is a God that is good, merciful, and just and cares for His people and creation.◦          While we can know God more and more as we spend time with Him, we can never know all that He knows or understand all that He understands, because He created knowledge and understanding, and everything belongs to Him.  Therefore, we will not always understand the choices God makes, but we trust that He works all things for good.◦          What are some things we can know about God; what are some things that are too difficult for us to grasp?
GOD CHOOSES AS HE WILLSTherefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden.  Romans 9:18 

He Chose the Promised Child

In other words, it is not the natural children who are God’s children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham’s offspring.  Romans 9:8

 ◦          While married to Sarah, Abraham had to sons: Ishmael and Isaac.  Ishmael was born of his concubine Hagar, who was Sarah’s servant.  Sarah was barren and could have no children, so she used her servant to bear her a son for Abraham.  However, God had promised them a son through Sarah, but they attempted to bring about His purpose in their own way.◦          God was still faithful to His word, though, and opened Sarah’s womb so she could bear Abraham a son, Isaac.  Even though Ishmael was Abraham’s first son, it was Isaac that God chose and through Isaac that God would fulfill His promise to Abraham.◦          Isaac was the promised child, and it would be through His descendents, not Ishmael’s, that God would bless all people in the world.  Isaac is considered the promised child, but Ishmael the natural child, because his birth came about by human will and action, not through God’s promise and power.◦          All those who place their faith in the Lord are spiritual descendents of Abraham, who was considered righteous because of his faith.  We, too, are chosen and belong to God because of our faith in His Son Jesus. 

He Chose the Younger Child

…not by works but by him who calls—she was told, “The older will serve the younger.”  Romans 9:12

 ◦          Isaac married Rebekah, who was barren like Sarah.  When Isaac prayed to God for Rebekah, she conceived and carried twins.  The two babies within her wrestled, causing Rebekah great discomfort, so she consulted God about the issue.  God told her that she had two nations living within her and that the older son would serve the younger son, which is opposite of human customs at the time.◦          God chose the younger of the two boys to become the father of the nation of

Israel, the people who would belong to God.  Jacob received Esau’s blessings and birthright, normally reserved for the oldest son, because God wanted to show His people that it is through His power that His will is accomplished, and not through our own flesh or works.◦          Romans 9:11 says, “Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad—in order that God’s purpose in election might stand.”  The children had done nothing to earn or lose God’s favor; God simply wanted to show that He was in control. 

He Chose an Evil King

For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”  Romans 9:17

 ◦          Pharaoh sinned greatly, refusing to acknowledge the Lord God and oppressing God’s people the Israelites.  Even so, God had a purpose for Him in His plans for His chosen people.◦          In verse 18, God says that He will have mercy on whomever He pleases and will harden whomever He desires.  He chose to harden the heart of Pharaoh so that He could show His power and glory to the world and to His people the Israelites.◦          Everyone has a purpose in this life, even those who have completely turned their backs on God and rejected Him.  How much more does God have a purpose in mind for those who love Him? 

He Chose Those Who were not His

As he says in Hosea:  ”I will call them ‘my people’ who are not my people; and I will call her ‘my loved one’ who is not my loved one…”  Romans 9:25

 ◦          Although God loved the Israelites and made a covenant with them to be their God, they rejected Him.  Therefore, God decided to have mercy on them by rejecting them and choosing a people for Himself from among those who were not His, who were not of the nation of

Israel.◦          How is this merciful?  God chose to reveal Himself to the Gentiles through the gospel, telling them that Jesus died for all people and that His sacrifice provided atonement for their sins as well.  When the Israelites realized that God had opened His kingdom up to the Gentiles, they would become jealous and turn back to God, and He would forgive them and accept them.

◦          Because of

Israel’s sin, God in His mercy opened His promise for eternal life up to the Gentiles, to people who did not belong to Him.  In this way, He fulfilled His promise to Abraham that all nations would be blessed through him.

Have a great day

John

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Have Faith to Chage 2

10/11/2009 by John Marsden.

SALVATION COMES BY FAITH 

One Preaches

And how can they preach unless they are sent?  Romans 10:15

 ◦          The gospel message goes forth by believers preaching the word.  The good news is not a fancy, elaborate message, but a testimony of what you have seen Jesus do.◦          God sent each of us out into the world to be a light.  Jesus told His disciples, “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you” (John 20:21).  We have each been sent into the world to do the works that Jesus did: heal the sick, preach the good news, be a light, serve the poor, and destroy the works of the devil. 

One Hears

And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?  Romans 10:14

 ◦          There are many people in the world who have never heard the name of Jesus and do not know what He did for them.  They have never heard His name because no one has ever preached it to them.◦          When we share Jesus with others, it may be the first time they have really heard the truth spoken to them.  They must first hear the gospel before they can believe its message and then call upon the name of Jesus. 

One Believes

And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard?  Romans 10:14

 ◦          If you had never heard the name of Jesus, you would have no reason to believe in Him or place your total trust in Him.  But since you have heard of all that He has done for you and the world, you have had the choice to accept Him and His invitation to follow Him.◦          This idea does not contradict what you learned in the first lesson on Romans, that God’s existence can be seen from everything that He has created.  Although we can see that God exists because of everything He has made, that is only enough to prompt us to seek Him out.  We had to hear someone share the message of the gospel before we could believe on the name of Jesus. 

One Calls

How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in?  Romans 10:14

 ◦          Once a person believes in the message of the gospel, he begins to call upon the name of Jesus as the One in whom he trusts.◦          Romans 10:13 says, “Everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved.”  Jesus is Lord, so if we call upon Him to protect, provide for, and save us, He will do it.  When we decide to call upon the name of Jesus, we are saying that we will no longer call upon any other idols to give us what we need.  Romans 10:8-13 

     But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.  As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”  For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” 

◦          As followers of Jesus who have surrendered our lives to Him, we no longer need to memorise and struggle to follow long lists of laws and traditions, because the Word of God is written in our softened hearts, and we know for certain that we are saved.

◦          When we have faith in Jesus, we are changed from the inside out.  God gives us a new heart and a new spirit and makes His home in us.  This give us strength to change on the outside—our thoughts, deeds, expressions, attitudes, etc.

Have a great day

John 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Have Faith To Change

09/11/2009 by John Marsden.

Have Faith to Change  

Romans 3:21-30 

But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.  This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.  God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.      Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. On what principle? On that of observing the law? No, but on that of faith.  For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law.  Is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith. 

◦          As we just learned yesterday, no person has ever been completely sinless except Jesus, the Holy One of God.  Here we read again that all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory.  ◦          It sounds like a depressing message—that all people are basically bad and sinful and can never achieve the life God wants from them; however, there is hope in the very next words.  All “are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Jesus.”  ◦          Because everyone has sinned, everyone needs Jesus—no one is exempt from the need for a Savior and Redeemer.  Because God is gracious, He offered His Son for everyone that they may be justified, or made right and whole again, just by putting their faith in Jesus.
RIGHTEOUSNESS COMES THROUGH FAITH 

Available through Jesus

…and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.  Romans 3:24

 ◦          What is redemption and what have we been redeemed from if we have faith in Jesus?◦          What does it mean to be justified?  How did we originally lose a right standing with God?◦          In order to become justified in God’s eyes, we must trust in the atoning sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross for our rebellion against God.  This gift is offered to all; we simply need to accept it by faith and let Jesus come in and change us. 

Available to All

This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God… Romans 3:22-23

 

◦          There is no one who is perfect and justified apart from knowing Jesus, therefore everyone needs a Savior in order to be bought back, or redeemed, from sin and death and destruction.  God shows no favouritism;

      no one is exempt from this need, and no one can save themselves by their own works. 

      Everyone who wants to get right with God must go through Jesus.◦          The hope in this message is that no matter how badly one has sinned or how for he has strayed from God, the righteousness that comes through faith in Jesus is still available to him because of God’s mercy and grace.◦          Why do you think some people refuse to accept this simple message of grace through faith alone and insist on trying to save themselves?  Do you think this pleases God at all?
PROMISE COMES BY FAITH 

Promise of Inheritance

It was not through law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith.  Romans 4:13

 ◦          What was the inheritance promised by God to Abraham so long ago?  What assurance did Abraham have that he would receive this inheritance?  Did he ever see the final fruit of this promise?◦          What is our inheritance promised to us because of our faith in Jesus?  What must we do to receive it?◦          When Abraham was alive, there was no law given by God yet, for the time of Moses and the Israelites was still many years in the future.  The only way he could be acceptable to God was through his faith.  He obeyed God when He told him to move his family from its homeland and wander in the wilderness for years; he believed when God promised him a son even though his wife was barren and old; he obeyed when God commanded him to sacrifice his son Isaac, even though it was through Isaac that God promised to fulfill His covenant.  Abraham was counted righteous because of his faith, which he demonstrated through his obedience. 

Promise of Grace

Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all.  Romans 4:16

 ◦          How is Abraham the father of all who believe, even those who did not descend from him naturally?◦          What must we do to receive the promise of grace from God?  What does it mean that we will inherit the promises of God “by grace?”

◦          We, like Abraham, were no one special when God called us to a life of faith in Him.  It was because of God’s grace that we were chosen and called, by his grace that we will are made right with Him, and by his grace that we will live eternally with Him in heaven.

Have a great day

John

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Decline and Fall of People

08/11/2009 by John Marsden.

Decline and Fall of PeopleRomans, Lesson 1 Study Romans 1:18-32 

     The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.  For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.      For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.  Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.      Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another.  They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.      Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones.  In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.      Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done.  They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless.  Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.  ◦          God has made it plain to all humans that He exists—even those in the most remote parts of the world—through everything that He has created and the order of all things in the universe.  We have no excuse not to acknowledge His existence, even if we know nothing else about Him.◦          If we acknowledge that God exists, we will seek Him out, study Him, try to understand Him, but so many people simply reject God and turn their backs on Him, choosing instead to do whatever they feel like doing.  They claim to be intellectual and wise, but are only fools in the eyes of God.◦          Since people continually choose sin over God and righteousness, God, after much patience and discipline, gives them over to their evil desires to suffer the consequences of all their sinful activities.  ◦          How does this description of people—with shameful lusts, man-made idols, perversions, depraved minds, pride, and ruthlessness—compare with the way the world is today?
THE TRUTH IS PLAIN TO SEE God’s Existence

…since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.  Romans 1:19

 ◦          How does creation clearly point to the existence of God, the Creator?  How do people try to explain the existence and order of all the things in the world without recognizing the hand of a Creator in it?◦          What can we know about God through His creation?

◦          Even if a person has never heard the names Yahweh, Lord, or Jesus, they can still gather from all their surroundings that a divine being has created the world, brings rain and sunshine, causes crops to grow, and feeds all the wild animals.  This is enough knowledge to prompt one to seek out this divine Creator who made them as well.  God promises that we will find Him if we seek Him with all our hearts (Jeremiah 29:13). A Verse very speacial to me because this was the verse that I heard preached when I came to faith in the Lord Jesus.

God’s Nature

For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.  Romans 1:20

 ◦          How does creation demonstrate God’s power and divinity?◦          When looking at the created things to reflect on the nature of God, we must be cautious not to worship the created things rather than the Creator.  David was a psalmist who praised God for the wonderful things He made and how well He cared for His creation, but David never exalted creation above God.
BECOMING FOOLS No Fear

There is no fear of God before their eyes.  Romans 3:18

 ◦          How do people who do not fear God tend to act?  Do they seek to please themselves and their sinful natures or do they try to do what is just and pure?◦          The world often teaches that those who fear God, believe in God, and trust God are weak and using a “crutch” to support themselves.  Those who teach this way have no fear of God and place all their trust in their own strength and intellect, calling it wisdom.  But God sees the true condition of their hearts and calls it foolishness to reject Him.◦          Paul quoted this verse in Romans from Psalm 36:1, which starts out describing they ways of the “wicked” person: he is too proud to recognise his sin, speaks lies, does no good, plots evil, and refuses to turn from doing bad things.  These words describe not only those who appear thoroughly evil to everyone, but all those who reject God and serve themselves. No Seeking

…there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God.  Romans 3:11

 ◦          Even though God has made it plain that He exists and is a powerful, divine being, every person has rejected Him.  Before we came to know Jesus and experienced new life through Him, each of us served our own hearts and tended toward sinfulness.  It was through Jesus’ death and resurrection that God provided a way for us to be reconciled to Him and to walk on the path that leads to eternal life.◦          Without Jesus, we have no real understanding of God, but through Jesus, we gain knowledge and understanding of God and acceptance from Him.  Jesus inside of us draws us to God, compelling us to seek Him more and more.◦          Even in this state of utter sinfulness and rebellion against God, Jesus came and died for us so that we might once again know God and live with Him eternally.  Once we trust in Him, we devote our lives and hearts to seeking Him out so that we might know Him and follow Him even better. No Wisdom

For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.  Romans 1:21

 ◦          How does godly wisdom differ from worldly wisdom?  How is it possible that we can become extremely knowledgeable, learned, and honored here on earth, but still be considered a fool in the eyes of God?◦          Can we be considered wise by God but foolish here on earth?◦          The book of Proverbs contrasts the ways of the wise to the ways of the foolish and pushes us to gain wisdom and understanding and walk in the fear of God, which is the beginning of wisdom.◦          Those who refuse to acknowledge God or thank Him for all He has done and given for us are fools.  This sort of thinking will only cause them to sin more which will darken their hearts and harden their consciences more and more until they become utterly foolish, unable to see God’s hand in anything.

DOWNWARD SPIRAL  Given Over to Sinful Desires

Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another.  Romans 1:24

 ◦          What are some desires of our flesh that could be potentially sinful?  Our bodies have strong drives for food, sex, sleep, and pleasurable sensations.  While God built these desires into our bodies, we are commanded to use them in a way that is holy and glorifying to God, not in sinful, perverted ways.◦          How do people abuse these natural desires with their bodies?  We can indulge ourselves with food, fornication, homosexuality, adultery (and other sexual sins), laziness, and drugs, among other things.  However, there are natural negative consequences that result from indulging sinful desires.◦          What are some issues in our society today that have become prevalent, and how might they be the result of too much sinful activity?  How can participating in the sinful desires mentioned above result in very serious consequences? Given Over to Depraved Minds

Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done.  Romans 1:28

 ◦          Once we start giving in to sin and calling that which is wrong good and acceptable, our consciences quickly become hardened towards God and anything He tells us.  Our minds become depraved, or corrupted, and start believing lies.◦          What are some wrong ways of thinking that permeate our society and are promoted as good and right?◦          Think about the prevalence of mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety, etc. in our country.  Why might there be such an increase in the breakdown of people’s minds and emotions here?
 Romans 3:10-18  As it is written:
   ”There is no one righteous, not even one;
   there is no one who understands,
      no one who seeks God.
All have turned away,
      they have together become worthless;
   there is no one who does good,
      not even one.”
“Their throats are open graves;
      their tongues practice deceit.”
   ”The poison of vipers is on their lips.”
   ”Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.”
“Their feet are swift to shed blood;
   ruin and misery mark their ways,
and the way of peace they do not know.”
   ”There is no fear of God before their eyes.” ◦          Rejecting God leads to all sorts of sinful activity, wickedness, and depravity.

◦          Once we give in to sin, it becomes easier to do it again and again—our sinful nature of our flesh tends toward sin. I know, I have very often on my sacred journey experiened that rejecting God leads to all kind of sinful activity.

◦          The pleasure of sin is but for a moment, but the pain could last for eternity, unless we repent and put our hope in salvation through Jesus.

I never like speaking on God’s wrath but we must recognise that as individuals and as a nation we need to again

see the hand of the Creator and seek for Him with all our hearts.

Have a great day.

John

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Your Heavenly Vision

31/10/2009 by John Marsden.

Your Heavenly Vision

 

“I did not prove disobedient to the heavenly vision, but kept declaring both to those of Damascus first, and also at Jerusalem and then throughout all the region of Judea, and even to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds appropriate to repentance.”Acts 26:19-20 NASB

Paul’s life was changed by a vision. When Jesus appeared to him as he approached Damascus on a mission to persecute Christians, he was transformed from a persecutor to an apostle.
      To help Paul understand this vision, Jesus sent Ananias to explain that he was “a chosen instrument” who would “bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel” (Acts 9:15). Paul also needed to be prepared for difficulties and for “how much he must suffer for My name’s sake” (Acts 9:16).

     

Paul never forgot this vision. Wherever he went, its message was a constant reminder of God’s call to ministry.
     

By focusing on his “heavenly vision,” Paul maintained the consistency of his message. He demonstrated that he wasn’t motivated by changing circumstances or the reactions of people, but by his personal obedience to God. He spent his life going wherever the Lord called him to go-to anyone, anywhere. By staying faithful to the vision, he could have boldness, confidence, and clarity.

This message applies to each of us who has received Jesus as our Lord and Saviour. We all, in our own personal way, have received a vision from God. We’ve been given a personal call and specific assignment. We’ve been assigned special places to go and special things to do. And God equips us in specific ways to accomplish these assignments. 

Today, remember God’s call on your life. Don’t be disobedient to your “heavenly vision.” Dedicate yourself to finishing your task, running your race, and winning the prize set before you.

Have a great day

John

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Be of Good Cheer

28/10/2009 by John Marsden.

Be of Good Cheer

 

“The commander…commanded the soldiers to go down and take him by force from among them, and bring him into the barracks. But the following night the Lord stood by him and said, ‘Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome.’”Acts 23:10-11 NKJV

On the surface, Paul must have seemed bold and confident. But, in reality, he had the same weaknesses we all share. We see this human side after he was threatened by a mob and taken into the barracks. He must have been concerned, because Jesus Himself appeared to comfort him that night.

Jesus’ first words were that Paul should “be of good cheer.” The Greek word here was spoken by Jesus on many occasions throughout His ministry. It has its root in a Greek word meaning boldness and courage.

Jesus wanted Paul to be confident and bold. Even though he was outnumbered and his life was in peril, Paul could fearlessly face his circumstances and even be cheerful! 

We see the impact of this message the next morning, when Paul was calm and clearheaded, focused and decisive. There was no fear or doubt. He was not uncertain or discouraged. Instead, he was “of good cheer.”

If Paul could experience fear and discouragement at times, we shouldn’t be surprised if we do, too. Yet, like Paul, God can help us be of good courage in every situation. 

Today, no matter what difficult circumstances you face, God can supply your every need. No matter how big the obstacles you face, He is with you to face them. If you feel alone, remember that He is with you. No matter who threatens you, know that “greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4).
Right now, and throughout your life, “be of good cheer”!

Have a cheery day

John

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The Poor in Spirit

27/10/2009 by John Marsden.

Poor in Spirit

The Beatitudes, Part 1

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:3 

 

• What does it mean to be poor, in general? When we hear of a person being described as poor, we generally think of him as lacking in money, food, or possessions.
• When Jesus lists off those who are considered blessed in the kingdom of heaven, the first group of people He mentions is the “poor in spirit” (as opposed to poor in material goods).
• The following parable illustrates what it means to be poor in spirit through the character of the tax collector.

 

Luke 18:9-14

     To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’

      “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’

     “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

 

·         In this parable, the Pharisee thought more highly of himself than he should have in the presence of the holy and Almighty God. He was not poor, or humble, of spirit in the presence of God, but, instead, he was prideful and arrogant.·         On the other hand, the tax collector, often despised by all the religious people like the Pharisees, came before God in humility, understanding that he needed, but did not deserve, God’s mercy. He made himself poor in spirit.
THEY HAVE GREAT SPIRITUAL NEEDS 

They Perceive Their Lack

But the tax collector stood at a distance.

·         The tax collector in this story, the one poor in spirit, acknowledged that he was poor in spirit and needed God to be made whole and righteous.·         He recognized that there was nothing within himself that could make him righteous before the Holy God, so he stood at a distance, in fear of God, in order to pray.·         In the kingdom of God, we must continually be aware of the lack within our bodies and minds to make ourselves good and right before God. There is nothing good within us unless we have Jesus inside of us. He makes all things new and sets everything right.·         On the other hand, those who think they do not need anything from God may be considered wise and “rich” by the standards of the world, but not in the eyes of God. 

They Acknowledge Their Weakness

He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’

·         Those who are poor in spirit acknowledge their own personal weakness. However, they also acknowledge the strength that is in God alone, so they approach God and wait on Him in order to be strengthened and made whole again.·         This is a lesson not only for new Christians who must admit their sinfulness and their need for a Savior, but also for those who have been Christians for a while. We must continually look to God to supply the strength to overcome sin, to resist temptation, to walk in holiness and in the power of God, and to be used by Him to further His kingdom.
THEY LOOK TO GOD 

To Be Made Right

I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God.

·         “This man” in this verse refers to the tax collector, the one who was humble and penitent before God. He is the one who went home justified in the eyes of God.·         What does it mean to be justified? Basically, it means to be made right before God.·         Just like the tax collector, we must acknowledge when we sin and admit the wrongfulness of our actions when we go against God’s will. But we do not just stop at confessing our sin; we do not want to wallow in self-pity and hopelessness, but we put our trust in God to make us right again.·         We believe that our faith in Jesus justifies us, makes us right before God. Once we confess our sins and get washed clean, we trust in Jesus to help us continue on the right track, doing the will of God.·         If instead, we think we are righteous in and of ourselves, like the Pharisee, or if we believe that we can be made righteous by living according to a set of rules, or if we think we are better than others, then we are fooling ourselves and are not justified before God. 

To Be Lifted Up

… he who humbles himself will be exalted.

 

      ·         Being poor in spirit means we must have an attitude of humility before God and before others. If we humble ourselves before God, He will lift us up, and, as Jesus promises, we will receive the kingdom of heaven.·         If, however, we continue in an attitude of pride or arrogance, then God will come and humble us and reveal to us that we are not as cool or special as we think.
THEIR REWARD IS GREAT 

A Rich Kingdom

…for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

·         What is the reward for those who are poor in spirit? Jesus says those who are poor in spirit are blessed and will receive the kingdom of heaven.·         God’s kingdom is infinitely rich and wealth, not only able to provide its citizens with all they need to survive physically, but also able to give them all they need to thrive spiritually.·         What does it mean that the kingdom of heaven is “theirs?” Just that they’ll go to heaven some day, or does it have meaning for their life on earth now? 

Psalm 51:3-9 

For I know my transgressions,

and my sin is always before me.

Against you, you only, have I sinned

and done what is evil in your sight,

so that you are proved right when you speak

and justified when you judge.

Surely I was sinful at birth,

sinful from the time my mother conceived me.

Surely you desire truth in the inner parts;

you teach me wisdom in the inmost place.

 

Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;

wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

Let me hear joy and gladness;

let the bones you have crushed rejoice.

Hide your face from my sins

and blot out all my iniquity.

 

·         This is the Psalm David wrote after he committed the sins of adultery and murder in the incident with Bathsheba and her husband Uriah. He was genuinely penitent over his wrongful actions and humbled before God.·         When we acknowledge our wrongdoing before God, we admit that we were wrong, that we cannot make everything right ourselves, that we cannot fully atone for the sin ourselves, and that we cannot behave righteously on our own. We admit that God is just and also that He is the one who can cleanse us and cover over our sins.

·         We must remain humble whether we have sinned or whether we have acted in holiness before God. He is the One who can cleanse us from our faults and He is the One who enables us to be holy.

Have a great day

John

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A Spirit Straight From God

09/10/2009 by John Marsden.

A Spirit Straight From God

 

1. The Spirit of the Gods

“I have heard that the spirit of the gods is in you and that you have insight, intelligence and outstanding wisdom.” – Daniel 5:14

 

• Not only did Daniel allow God to use his mind and body as He saw fit, but he gave himself so completely to God that people even recognized the spirit of God in him.
• What do you think it was about Daniel that made the King say “the spirit of the gods is in you?”
• The disciples were all “filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues” at Pentecost (Acts 2:4).
• Bezalel, a craftsman, was “filled… with the Spirit of God” (Exodus 35:30-31).
• Joshua was “filled with the spirit of wisdom” (Deuteronomy 34:9).
• Micah was “filled with power, with the Spirit of the LORD” (Micah 3:8).
• Zechariah, John the Baptist’s dad, was also “filled with the Holy Spirit” (Luke 1:67).
• Paul expected all Christians to “be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18).
• Jesus said that all we have to do to be filled is to ask God (Luke 11:13).  Sounds like that’d be worth doing, doesn’t it?

 

“On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” He answered: ” ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”“You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”” – Luke 10:25-28 

• Daniel wasn’t so much above average as he was a normal Christian
• Normal Christians should give God glory with their minds
• They should honour God with their strength, their bodies
• And they should love Him with their heart and soul, their spirit

 

Have a great day

JOHN

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A Body Submitted to the Holy Spirit

08/10/2009 by John Marsden.

A Body Submitted to the Holy Spirit

 

1. Bodily Discipline

“Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink.” – Daniel 1:12b

 

• Daniel chose to give himself completely to God, mind, body, and spirit.  In terms of giving his body to God, his first test came when the Babylonian officials wanted him to eat food that was considered unclean for the people of God.  Rather than betraying his conscience, Daniel resolved to discipline his body and eat only the foods he felt were OK for him to eat, even if they weren’t as good tasting.

 

• In Daniel 1:4, Daniel is described as being “without any physical defect” and “handsome.”  People are born with all sorts of bodies, but there are things you can do to honour God with the one He’s given you.  If you’re not exercising, eating healthy, sleeping enough, or taking care of basic hygiene, you need to start disciplining your body.

 

• We’re meant to live “in accordance to the Spirit,” not according to the flesh, now that we’re Christians (Romans 8:5).  Our flesh should have no authority over us.  Also see Romans 6:6 and Romans 8:6-10.
• Paul even said “I beat my body and make it my slave” so that he would remain holy before God (1 Corinthians 9:27).  He didn’t mean he would literally beat his body but that he disciplined himself physically.

 

2. Holiness Before God

“I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.” – Romans 12:1

 

• It’s possible that Daniel was thinking of health reasons for eating only vegetables and drinking only water, but foremost on his mind was a desire to be holy and not defile himself before God with food he considered unclean.
• Does God expect us to live holy lives before Him?
• As Christians, God expects that we live in holiness (Leviticus 11:44).  Paul said that we’re “called to be holy” (1 Corinthians 1:2).  Also check out Colossians 3:12, 1 Thessalonians 3:13, and 1 Peter 1:15.
• This holiness comes only through God (Hebrews 2:11 and Hebrews 3:12).

 

3. Sexual Purity

“It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality.” – 1 Thessalonians 4:3

 

• An important aspect of submitting our bodies to the Holy Spirit is living sexually pure lives.
• God expects us to “control [our] own [bodies] in a way that is holy and honourable, not in passionate lust” (1 Thessalonians 4:4-5).
• Sexual purity is not an option but a command.  “For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life” (1 Thessalonians 4:7).
• Our bodies were made to honour God, not to defile ourselves.  Paul said that “he who sins sexually sins against his own body,” which he calls the “temple of the Holy Spirit” (1 Corinthians 6:18-20).
• People in the world may offer their bodies as slaves “to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness,” but we as Christians need to “offer them in slavery to righteousness leading to holiness” (Romans 6:19).

Have agreat day

 

JOHN

 

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