What is Good News!

Mark 1:1
"The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God."

Bad news. It seems that is the majority of what we get when we read the front page of the newspaper or listen to the news on TV.

Economically, we hear that the divide between rich and poor is greater everyday. While plenty abounds in many countries, there is hunger, starvation, and disease in even more.

Culturally, there is mistrust and animosity between people of different nations. There is also discrimination and oppression between different cultures within many countries.

Politically, there are numerous rulers that wield a heavy hand. They imprison and put to death those that disagree. They live in splendor while the majority of those in their countries scrape by on less than two dollars a day.

Spiritually, the world is following their many gods down the paths of immorality or cruelty. Man follows what seems right to them and tries to earn the favor of God, but it leads to an emptiness of the soul. The so-called "religious" leaders are either intolerant or self-righteous. Too many have been influenced by political power and many more have lost all touch with their fellow man. And there is a hunger in the soul that needs to be filled.

Those words not only describe life today, most of it could describe life in 1st Century Palestine under Roman rule and Herod the Great. It had been over 400 years since God had spoken through one of His prophets. The Jews were waiting for a deliverer, one anointed from God. A king with military might that would overthrow Roman rule. A king after God's own heart that would purify the Temple and lead the nation back to God. A king that would restore Israel's economic and social prosperity to it's original height under Solomon.

Many today are waiting for a message. They are waiting for a deliverer, one anointed from God that will bring peace to their troubled soul and overthrow Satan's rule in their lives. They are waiting for somone to lead them back to God, to purify their hearts and minds. They are waiting to be restored to their orginial creation.

We all need some Good News! And it comes through Jesus, the Son of God.

However, we will find out just like the Israelites that our expectations of the Messiah may be mistaken. He brings peace to the soul, but not peace to the world. He heals and rescues the sick, not the (self) righteous. He overthrows the bondage of sin, but following Him may lead to oppresion for some. He may grant you economic prosperity, but it will only be for the benefit of His kingdom. A kingdom that is not of this world, but of the heart and soul.

So what is so "good news" about the gospel?

Romans 1:16 "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is God's power of salvation to everyone who believes."

2 Corinthians 5:18 "Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.

It's because it meets the one need we have the most and didn't even know it. It's reconciliation with the God who created us. That reconciliation is our salvation. The gospel is not what, but who.

The good news is that Jesus reconciles those that believe to God and establishes His kingdom where it matters the most, in our hearts.

The Gospel: From the Beginning

Mark 1:1 & Luke 1:1-4

"The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God!" (NASB)

Beginnings.

The thought of beginning anything new carries with it multiple emotions. Hope, Anticipation, Nervousness, and Apprehension.

It is the hope that our lives can be better. It is the anticipation of getting to know ourselves and the One who created us. It is the nervousness of being real and honest with ourselves and God. It is the apprehension that we cannot come face to face with Jesus and remain the same.

It also brings multiple questions.
What did Jesus actually say and do? How does that apply to my life?
How will my life change if I am actually conformed to His image?
How can I know for certain everything about Jesus that I have been taught?
What will happen if I truly know this man called Jesus?

To really get to know someone you have to spend time with them. Lots of time. For many of us our time with Jesus is limited to a few minutes a day, and a few hours on Sunday and Wednesday. So starting today, we begin a journey. A journey filled with emotions, to answer the questions that we seek. A journey to investigate the gospels and forever be changed by a relationship with Jesus.

"Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught." (NIV)

Much like Luke, we are going to investigate and study from the beginning all the accounts of Jesus. We are going to take a harmony of the gospels and view Jesus' life. Many of us have scrapbooks of different periods of our lives. They don't tell every detail, they highlight the key points. The gospels do much the same. They provide us the key points of His birth, ministry, death, and resurrection. And at the end, we will know the certainty of things we have been taught.

A few years ago, my mother put together a scrapbook that contained many of my ancestors and then it proceeded to highlight my life from birth until my mid-twenties. It is an extremely valuable book to me. At the end of the scrapbook, she wrote: "This is where you came from, only you can determine where you are going!"

And so each of us is at a crossroads. We can look back and see where we came from and what brought us here to this moment. We can continue on the path that we have been on that keeps Jesus at a comfortable distance, OR we can change paths. The new path is narrow, uphill, and rocky. It bends in the distance to a place we can't see. But we know where it ends. It ends at a bloody cross, an empty tomb, and a seat at the right hand of the Father.

And it leads to another beginning! You, as a memeber of the Body and Bride of Christ.

The Hall of Faith

Hebrews 11
(The following picture is used with permission from Greg Madej from http://www.gregsartdomain.com/Cathedral-Hallway.gif)

Hbr 11:1-2
"Now faith is the assurance of {things} hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the men of old gained approval."

In the original Greek, Faith is the "hupostasis" and "elegchos" of our hope; which literally translated means our faith has both a foundation to stand on and proof of existence. It is not a "blind faith" that God calls us to; but one that has thousands of years of assurance through the fulfillment of promises that God fulfilled; in the "men and women of old." The Lord has provided these men and women of faith to give you and I conviction in what we believe, and the hope that what God has promised is true.

In the darkness of our world, these "men and women" provide a light to our path in following the Lord. Just like the windows of "Inside the Cathedral" provide guidance and illumination to the the door; there have been men and women of faith that light your path to the Saviour who is the door to eternal life. They also guide you into the truth.

Abel (11:4)

Many say that Cain's crops were not the firstfruits, while Abel's sacrifice included the shedding of blood from the innocent lamb. But Hebrews says the difference in the sacrifices was not in the external offerings, but internally in the heart. Because of Abel's faith his offerings were accepted.

Enoch (11:5-6)

Enoch pleased God because he trusted the Lord. Enoch believed that God is who He says He is and because of his faith, Enoch was taken up by the Lord.

Noah (11:7)

Noah had never seen rain much less a flood, but Noah began building the Ark 120 years before the Flood. I can imagine what his neighbors thought; that Noah was a few sheep short of a flock. But we can also see why God chose him; because of his faith. Noah (and his family) were rescued because of his faith that God would provide for their salvation.

Abraham (11:8-10, 17-19)

I can see the conversation now. Abraham, I want you to leave everything you know and move to someplace new; but I am not going to tell you where you are going. Later, God would ask Abraham to give up his only son which is a foreshadowing to Jesus's crucifixion. Abraham's faith was based on a foundation that God was truth and proof that God always delivered.

Sarah (11:11-12)

God told Sarah that she would conceive a son, even though she was well beyond her years of childbearing. Sarah had faith that what God had promised would come to pass because of his continued faithfulness to her and Abraham.

Joseph (11:22)

As Joseph was dying in Egypt, he made his descendants promise to take his body back to the land given to Abraham. Because of his faith, he knew that God would lead the Israelites back to the land that was promised.

Moses (11:23-29)

Because of his faith in God's ability to deliver Israel, Moses entered the courts of Pharoah, demanding that he let them go. By faith, he led the Israelites through the Red Sea. By faith Moses followed the Lord in the wilderness for 40 years because he knew that God would fulfill his promises.

Rahab (11:30-31)

By faith in the God of Israel, Rahab sided with them instead of the people of Jericho. By faith, she and her family were delivered.

The Faithful (11:32-34, 35b-39)

"And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets, who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Others experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated men of whom the world was not worthy, wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground. And all these, having gained approval through their faith"

And you and I could add to the list. There are parents, teachers, brothers, sisters, pastors, and friends that have provided a foundation of assurance that God is who He says He is. They have provided proof of our conviction that God delivers on His promises, that He will provide for our salvation.

The path is illuminated by the lives of the faithful, Jesus just asks you to open the door.

The Veil is Torn

Hebrews 10:19-21
"Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have we have a great priest over the house of God."

From the beginning of Hebrews 1:1 to 10:18 the author has laid the foundation and exposed the truth concerning Jesus. "The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven." From Hebrews 1:1-3 we see that Jesus is God in the flesh, that He is Creator, Sustainer, King, Sacrifice, and Savior.

We have seen that Jesus is superior to angels, prophets, Moses, Melchizedek, priests, and the levitical system. We have shown that Jesus is the true tabernacle, the real Sabbath, and the anchor of our soul. We have been warned to pay attention (2:1), to not harden our hearts (3:8), and not to fall away(6:6).

Because of all this we have access to the Most Holy Place. We have access to God through Jesus Christ. The body has been broken and the veil torn, the blood has been used to satisfy the consequences of our sin, and the great High Priest sits at the right hand.

Because of Jesus, the scripture states in Chapter 10, we can

Draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith (22) because you have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus and the Holy Spirit washes you on a daily basis and reminds you of impurities in your life.
Hold unswervingly to the hope we profess (23) because His is always faithful even when we are not. Because our hope is in someone rather than something.
Consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds (24) by meeting together and encouraging one another with testimonies of the work of Jesus in our lives.

And we are to continue to do so, to perservere in the faith until "He who is coming will come."

We can have this confidence because the one who tore the veil, is the one who lives in your heart. He is the author and perfecter of your salvation. He is the anchor of your soul.

Jesus: The Tabernacle Revealed

This week we are in Hebrews 8 & 9. This tabernacle illustrates how Jesus is superior to the Old Covenant. (This is from a post I wrote over a month ago on Exodus on another blog)

Ex 25:8-9 “Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them. Make this tabernacle and all its furnishings exactly like the pattern I will show you.”

John 1:14 “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father) full of grace and truth.”

The tabernacle is a type of Christ. It consists of the Outer Court, the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies.

Salvation

Everything in the Outer Court is connected to salvation and the cleansing of sins. There is a single gate for its entrance, an altar for sacrifices, and a laver for washing.

The Outer Courtyard Entrance (not pictured) –The Way
John 14:6 “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the father except through me”
John 10:9 “I am the door (gate), whoever enters through me will be saved.”

The Bronze Altar of Burnt Offering – The Sacrifice
John 1:29 “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world”

The Laver – The Forgiveness
John 13:8 “Unless, I wash you, you have no part with me.”

Sanctification

As we leave the courtyard and enter the Holy Place (we enter into a relationship with Jesus.) We can see a table, a lampstand, an altar, and a veil.

Table of Showbread –
John 6:35 “I am the Bread of Life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.”

The Lampstand -
John 8:12 “I am the light of the world, whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Altar of Incense – The High Priest
John 17:9 “I pray for them.”
John 17:20 “I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message

The Veil – The Blood and the Body
Hebrews 10:19-20 “ Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain (veil), that is, His body.”

Glorification

As we pass throught the veil and enter the Holy of Holies (we have access with God, the Father) and we behold the ark of the covenant with the mercy seat.

Ark of the Covenant

Golden Jar of Manna
John 6:51 “I am the living bread that came down from heaven.”

Aaron’s budded Rod
John 11:25 “I am the resurrection and the life.”

Tablets of the Covenant
John 1:1 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

This week:
Thank God the Father that He sent His only son, Jesus, to dwell among us and fulfill all the roles in the real tabernacle in heaven.

Jesus: The Anchor of our Soul

Hebrews 6:19-20b
"We have this hope - like a sure and firm anchor of the soul - that enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain. Jesus has entered there on our behalf."

HOPE should be one of those identifying characterics of a believer. It should be evident to everyone around us that we have a hope that does not change with the circumstances and seasons in our life.

HOPE should be like the anchor of a ship. It grounds the ship in place, makes it immovable from its position. Likewise, our hope that rests in Jesus should ground us in our fellowship with God. Our hope makes our belief in the sufficiency of God for all of life immovable.

Our hope is not anchored in anything this world has to offer. It is not connected to our job, our bank account, our hobbies, our homes, our possessions, or any person of this world.

Our HOPE lies in the person and work of Jesus as our "high priest - holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens." Our hope is that Jesus - our Creator, Sustainer, and Savior intercedes constantly on our behalf.

Our HOPE is anchored in the all powerful, unchangeable God; who promises our restoration for believing in His son Jesus.

Our HOPE is anchored in His grace and mercy; which He has promised based on who we are in Christ.

This week make sure people know and see the hope that is in you, that Jesus anchors your soul.

For Sale: Q-Tips and Hearing Aids!

This week's study is in Hebrews 5:11 - 6:12 and I would like to focus on verse 11.
NASB "Concerning him we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing."
HCSB "We have a great deal to say about this, and it's difficult to explain, since you have become slow to understand."

I want to share two personal stories that might illustrate this "dull of hearing" and "slow to understand"

The first is a common problem that we all have tendency to fall into, but which frequently strikes the male half of the population. On more the one occasion, it has been revealed that I might be going a little deaf. While hearing tests have proved that I have a "small" loss of hearing in my left ear, it does not explain my inability to hear. The reason I am "dull of hearing" sometimes is because I have a lack of attention, or I get distracted.

It's is the same in our Christian walk, our "dullness of hearing" comes from the distractions in our lives and our inability to focus on what God has revealed. If we neglect to "Be still and know that I am God," we will miss many things God wants to share. If we don't start removing the distractions when we approach God in prayer, Bible Study, worship, and fellowship; then we can't hear what God wants to say.

The second story is about what happened to me after my back surgery. I have constant nerve pain, but after my surgery it was particulary intense for over a year. In order to function daily, the doctor prescribed a medication for nerve pain. However, the medication had several side effects. Besides reducing the nerve pain, it affected my ability to think. My thought processes became very slow, and it was difficult to mentally function. I literally became "slow to understand."

This is also true in our Christian walk, our "slow to understand" comes from sin in our lives. Sin acts as a barrier to the Holy Spirit's work in our hearts and reduces the full effects of the Word of God.

The word "dull" is translated from the Greek word "nothros", which literally means "no push", "sluggish", or "lazy." Our laziness is the reason why we get distracted, why we don't focus, and why we allow sin to remain unconfessed in our lives.

It is extremely important that we fully understand "the elementary teaching about the Christ" (6:1); so that we can teach them to others, show them the way of salvation, and allow God to bring us into maturity.

It's important that we see the Great Physician for regular hearing tests. Because "the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires; and will turn away their ears from the truth, and will turn aside to myths." (2 Tim 4:3-4).

I have some Q-tips I can share (not ones that I have already used) and I admit that I might need a hearing aid (at least for my left ear.)

Can I Get Some Rest?

How many times at the end of a day, have you used the following word: "I just need to sit down and rest."
How many people are looking at that hammock and instead of thinking rest, remembering all their To Do Lists for tomorrow?

In our Fast Food, High Speed Internet, Interstate Highway, Soccer Game Saturday, and I want mine yesterday world; it's difficult to get any rest.

In our lesson this week, I want us to realize that "rest" is used eleven times in Heb 3:18 -4:11. The beauty of the word is that in English and in Greek it has different meanings. The primary meaning is of God's rest - Eternal Salvation. The requirements are explained in the passage.

The Gospel united with Faith(Belief) = Rest
A Lack of Faith(Disobedience) = Shall Not Enter My Rest

The Eternal Rest for those that believe is a tremendous encouragement for us today; one which should be reflected in our lifestyle. John MacArthur's commentary on Hebrews highlights the definitions of rest (in parenthesis)

Rest means we "cease from action" any self-effort on our part regarding our salvation. This alone should relieve the pressure to perform our works for anything but the glory of God alone.

Rest means to "be free from worry." One of the biggest joy stealers in our lives today is worry, but for a believer God has freed you and I from that.

Rest means to "be settled" and "secure." We are secure in Jesus's hand and our debt has been settled. We are secure in whom we have believed and settled that He is able.

Rest means "to lean on." I can't think of anything more secure than leaning on the One that created and sustains the world. That knows everything about me; yet still desires my relationship.

4:1 "Therefore, let us fear, while a promise remains of entering His rest, lest any one of you should seem to have come short of it."

4:3a "For we who have believed enter that rest"

Here's hoping you find some rest this week in the promises of God.

The Hardened Heart

In our study of Hebrews Chapter 3 this week, the hardened heart is mentioned three times.

In verses 12-13 is a warning. "Watch out, brothers, so that there won't be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart that departs from the living God. But encourage each other daily, while it is still call today, so that none of you is hardened by sin's deception."

There is an illustration concerning how the same sun that melts wax also hardens clay. It just depends on what properties the subject has. When God's word acts as a light and shines in the human soul, the heart either melts into submission or hardens into unbelief and defiance. There is no middle ground. An encounter with God always changes us, it never leaves us the same.

There are two words in this passage that I want to mention that will help us avoid sin's deception and an unbelieving heart: Encourage and Today

The scripture tells us to encourage each other daily, which is hard to do if we don't actually spend any time with other Christians (outside our family). It is important that we share God's story and our stories with one another so that we can show examples at how faithful and trustworthy our God is.

The scripture also warns us about responding to God immediately. "Today, if you hear His voice." The other way we can avoid a hardened heart is to respond to what we know God has said today. Someday, there won't be a tomorrow.

So, how can we avoid hardened hearts? You tell me.

What is Man?

Since the beginning of recorded history, mankind has asked this question. From Plato to Aristotle and Hobbes to Darwin, there is a desperate search for who and what man is. Unfortunately, when we look for that answer we too often begin with either ourselves or something that is visible. Science might have us think that you and I evolved from an earlier species. I don't know of anything more depressing and devoid of hope.

Fortunately, we have God's Word and the full revelation of God in Jesus to guide us into a different answer to that question. You and I were created in the image of God! Our destiny was to have dominion over this earth and all its inhabitants, but in our disobedience we surrendered that authority to the prince of this world, Satan.

Then God's Son, Jesus, took on the form of humanity and restored the Kingdom of God here on earth. He delivered all those who believe from the curse of spiritual death, He authored the way of salvation, He overcame Satan, He sanctifies His brothers and sisters, He sits at the right hand of the father as our High Priest, and He promises aid to all those who are tempted.

What is man? He is the creation and handiwork of a mighty, holy, and loving God!

What is man? Worthy enough that God took human form in the person of Jesus to provide an atonement for our disobedience and reconcile us to God, the Father.

What is man? The only way to find out is to spend time with God who created him. Only his opinion matters.

Grace to all,
Troy

Hebrews 2:6
"What is man, that you remember him? or the son of man, that you are concerned about him?"

Hebrews 2:9-10
"But we do see Him who was made for a little while lower that the angels, namely, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone. For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings."

What is God Like?

During our study of Hebrews, we find that Jesus is the exact representation of God's nature (character), unlike man who is made in His image. As Jesus himself stated, If you have seen Me, you have seen the Father.

So if we want a picture of the nature and character of God; we look to Jesus - the author and perfecter of our faith. No greater word picture can be found than Paul's description of Christ and the attitude we should have than Phillipians Chapter 2.

Humility; service; empty; death. In our culture, not words that we would use to label greatness. But notice the words that come later: exalt and glory.

So what is God like? Well, just look at Jesus. The radiance of His glory shines greatest through the service of His Son.

Likewise; the image of God that you and I were created in; shines brightest in our humility and service to others through the Son.

Grace to all
Troy

Hebrews 1:1-3
God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world. And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

Philippians 2:5-11
Have this attitude in yourselves, which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Remember the Alamo

With all the interesting events over the past year, I think it is somewhat ironic that next year's SBC be held so close to the Alamo. Being a Texan, I was brought up with the legend and truth of the battle there. Sometimes it is hard to determine which is which. Not all the defenders held to the same convictions for being there and to this day people debate all kinds of mystery associated with it.

Similarly, the universal church of today appears to have internal conflicts going on in every denomination. There is legend, myths, fallacies, and truth from proponents and opponents of each issue.

Whenever the apostles encountered legalism, license, and heresy it always came back to the gospel of Jesus Christ and his sufficiency for salvation. There are a lot of issues and hills Christians are willing to die on; maybe there should be only one.

1 Cor 2:2
For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

Gal 6:14
But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.

Grace to all
Troy