Category Archives: That They May Know

Hush Money Or True Hope??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No. 03

01 Sunday Sep 2019

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Abundant Life In Jesus, Approved Unto God, Changed Lives, Choices And Consequences, Confidence, Consider Your ways, Encouragement, Faith, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Faithfulness, Follow Jesus, For Such A Time As This, Free Indeed?, God's Faithfulness, Gospel, HOPE, I Can Do All Things?, I Know Whom I Have Beleived, If not now? When?, JESUS, Light In The Dark, Overcoming By His Blood, Salt & Light, SIN, Speaking The Truth In Love, Stand Fast, That They May Know, The Word Or The World?, Trusting Jesus?, Truth is True, Witness

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No. 03  Hush Money Or True Hope???

 

We talked last week about ‘DIY’ and I’d like to take off on that idea and look from another side of the issue.  We are living in a culture that is so full of an “it’s all about me” ideology, and even when we speak truth, we are seen as ‘haters’! I hope that we can let scripture reveal true hope, not placating people with ‘hush’ money, so to speak, by our silence, rather than helping them see Jesus as we speak and share truth!

“Jesus saith unto him,

I am the way,

the truth,

and the life:

no man cometh unto the Father,

but by me.”   John 14:6

Jesus IS truth, and without Him, we have no hope, no truth, no opportunity to reach a lost and dying world.  Yet when we follow HIM, we can see great things accomplished in His kingdom (even though the world may disregard what we call great ‘in Him’!)

“I can do all

things through Christ

which strengtheneth me.”   Philippians 4:13

In the way of the world, unless we have ‘riches’ we don’t have anything to offer; but God does things in ways that are so far beyond the ‘worldly’ way, that we can truly come to have hope and confidence in our Lord and HIS ways—and we aren’t to be ‘quiet’ about it, Jesus said the rocks would ‘cry out’ if men didn’t!

“And when the builders laid the foundation

of the temple of the LORD,

they set the priests in their apparel

with trumpets,

and the Levites the sons of Asaph

with cymbals,

to praise the LORD,

after the ordinance of David

king of Israel.

11 And they sang together by course

in praising

and giving thanks

unto the LORD;

because he is good,

for his mercy endureth for ever

toward Israel.

And all the people shouted with a great shout,

when they praised the LORD,

because the foundation

of the house of the LORD

was laid.”  Ezra 3:10-11

When we see God at work, we can truly learn to trust His hand as well as His heart toward us.  Here we have the children of Israel returning to Jerusalem and they are rejoicing that the temple is rebuilt.  And if you read the entire account, you see that some of the elders of the people wept for the remembrance of the original Temple of Solomon, yet God has restored them by His ‘outstretched arm’, and shown Himself faithful to a people (who much like us) had not been faithful to HIM!  They had suffered the judgment of God, and had truly reaped the ‘whirlwind’, yet God wasn’t finished with them!  His faithfulness is so much more than we can even fathom!  God had spoken truth through His prophets, yet they had listened to the false prophets, and ‘hushed’ up the men of God by ignoring them, persecuting them, and even putting many of them to death.  How sad that we are living in a very similar day.  Will we sell out to the purveyors of “hush money” or will we stand and speak God’s truth?

“And ye shall know the truth,

and the truth

shall make you free.”  John 8:32

Notice that He will “make you free” not ‘set’ you free—when Jesus saves us, He delivers us—especially from ourselves; and we are to give ourselves to Him, His way and His truth—all the way!

“And they overcame him

by the blood of the Lamb,

and by the word of their testimony;

and they loved not their lives

unto the death.”  Revelation 12:11

Jesus doesn’t simply issue a “get out of hell free” card; rather He saves and transforms lives to “be conformed” to HIS image.

“And we know

that all things work together for good

to them that love God,

to them who are the called

according to his purpose.

29 For whom he did foreknow,

he also did predestinate

to be conformed

to the image of his Son,

that he might be the firstborn

among many brethren.”   Romans 8:28-29

Jesus is ever at work conforming us into HIS image; but we have a part in that work as well, we are to yield to His Holy Spirit’s work in our heart and life, remembering that it’s ALL about Jesus. It’s not about ‘pride’ but humbly learning from HIM, following HIM, and touching the world as HE gives us opportunity.

“I beseech you therefore, brethren,

by the mercies of God,

that ye present your bodies

a living sacrifice,

holy,

acceptable unto God,

which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed

to this world:

but be ye transformed

by the renewing of your mind,

that ye may prove

what is that good,

and acceptable,

and perfect,

will of God.

3 For I say, through the grace given unto me,

to every man that is among you,

not to think of himself more highly

than he ought to think;

but to think soberly,

according as God

hath dealt to every man

the measure of faith.”   Romans 12:1-3

We can trust to HIS care, remembering what Jesus said!

“I am the vine,

ye are the branches:

He that abideth in me,

and I in him,

the same bringeth forth much fruit:

for without me ye can do nothing.”   John 15:5

We must keep our eyes on Jesus, as we feast on His Word.

“Shew me thy ways,

O LORD;

teach me thy paths.

5 Lead me in thy truth,

 and teach me:

for thou art the God of my salvation;

on thee do I wait

all the day.”   Psalm 25::4-5

“For the word of the LORD is right;

and all his works are done

in truth.

5 He loveth righteousness

and judgment:

the earth is full

of the goodness of the LORD.”   Psalm 33:4-5

And to bring all of our thoughts together today, I’d like us to consider an encounter that Peter and John had, taking heart from these who had little in the world’s eyes, but who had JESUS, and they knew HE IS TRUTH—and they took no “hush” money!

“Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.

2 And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb

was carried,

whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple

which is called Beautiful,

to ask alms of them that entered

into the temple;

3 Who seeing Peter and John

about to go into the temple

asked an alms.

4 And Peter,

fastening his eyes upon him with John, said,

Look on us.

5 And he gave heed unto them,

expecting to receive something

of them.

6 Then Peter said,

Silver and gold have I none;

but such as I have

give I thee:

In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth

rise up and walk.

7 And he took him by the right hand,

and lifted him up:

and immediately his feet and ankle bones

received strength.

8 And he leaping up stood,

and walked,

and entered with them into the temple,

walking,

and leaping,

and praising God.”  Acts 3:1-8

Peter and John gave of what they had (who they possessed, and who possessed them), and yet they were tempted to cave!  And for time and space we’ll just jump to the response from the rulers.  (You can read chapters 3 and 4 for the whole picture!). They proclaimed Jesus at each turn, and when threatened they stood firm—and weren’t “hushed” up by threats; they were trusting to HIS care!  Remember not everyone is happy with God’s working in the lives of men, women, boys and girls!

“And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them,

2 Being grieved that they taught the people,

and preached through Jesus

the resurrection from the dead.

3 And they laid hands on them,

and put them in hold unto the next day:

for it was now eventide…

….16 Saying, What shall we do to these men?

for that indeed a notable miracle

hath been done

by them

is manifest to all them

that dwell in Jerusalem;

and we cannot deny it.

17 But that it spread no further among the people,

let us straitly threaten them,

that they speak henceforth to no man

in this name.

18 And they called them,

and commanded them

not to speak at all nor teach

in the name of Jesus.

19 But Peter and John answered and said unto them,

Whether it be right in the sight of God

to hearken unto you

more than unto God,

judge ye.

20 For we cannot but speak the things

which we have seen

and heard.

21 So when they had further threatened them,

they let them go,

finding nothing how they might punish them,

because of the people:

for all men glorified God

for that which was done.”   Portions of Acts 4:1-21

So my challenge for us today is a call to be faithful to our Lord; to grow in His Word, to be bold—but not arrogant, to be confident—but not prideful, to be ready to follow HIM in all—no matter where HE leads us, or what the cost may be.  We won’t let the enemy ‘hush’ us up, but we will “stand fast in the evil day”!  We never know how God will use our willingness to obey!

“But speaking the truth in love,

may grow up into him

in all things,

which is the head,

even Christ:”  Ephesians 4:15.

Amen and Amen!

That They Might Know??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 12 No. 09

21 Sunday Oct 2018

Posted by in A Father's Love, Gospel, That They May Know

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 12 No. 09   That They Might Know???

 

I’m sometimes asked why I teach inductive Bible Study, or why I write a blog, and my answer is usually the same; I teach and write because it is what God called me to do, and for the most part I love doing it. Which is not to say that I don’t get tired, weary, or sometimes discouraged just like you do, but I know that the gifts and calling that God has extended to me are a joy and delight to my soul. But there is another purpose that goes beyond my comfort or even my assurance that I am walking in personal obedience, it is the clear scriptural teaching that God wants the world to “know” Him! Jesus, His disciples and the prophets, remind us again and again that God is at work “that the world may know”!

“These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said,

Father,

the hour is come;

glorify thy Son,

that thy Son also may

glorify thee:

2 As thou hast given him power

over all flesh,

that he should give eternal life

to as many as thou hast given him.

3 And this is life eternal,

that they might know thee

the only true God,

and Jesus Christ,

whom thou hast sent.” John 17:1-3

This beautiful prayer is Jesus’ petition to The Father for Himself and the cross that lay before Him, as well as for us who are His own; as well as for those would come to “know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent”! While the ‘model prayer’ that Jesus taught His disciples in Matthew 6 is often called “The Lord’s Prayer”, this prayer of Jesus’ in John 17 is truly “The Lord’s Prayer”, and what God wants us to “know” IS Him, and The Son whom He sent to die for our sin (See John 3!). God wants us all to know Him personally, to come into an intimate love relationship with Him both now and for all eternity!

When Solomon dedicated the Temple that he had built for God he prayed:

“Hear thou in heaven

thy dwelling place,

and do according to all

that the stranger calleth to thee for:

that all people of the earth

may know thy name,

to fear thee,

as do thy people Israel;

and that they may know

that this house,

which I have builded,

is called by thy name.” 1 Kings 8:43

While Solomon had his issues later in life, he was committed to build the Temple that God had promised his father, David, that he would be privileged to build. He also understood that “this” house was built unto God not for his own glory, and his prayer was that “all people of the earth may know” who God was and that this was “His” house. We also need to learn that our ‘work’ and ‘service’ for God The Father and Jesus The Son, is His work through the power of The Holy Spirit in us, not for our promotion, advancement or wealth! Some today are often far afield when it comes to serving God for HIS glory and not their own!

The Psalmist reminds us powerfully of our purpose, much as the Apostle Paul told us to “press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus”!

“Help me,

O LORD

my God:

O save me

according to thy mercy:

27 That they may know

that this is thy hand;

that thou, LORD,

hast done it.” Psalm 109:26-27

Our goal ought to be to reflect the glory, work, grace and love of our Lord—not seeking to claim the credit for God’s work in us, but being more focused on our own “glory” than on God’s glory; for as Jesus reminds us:

“I am the vine,

ye are the branches:

He that abideth in me,

and I in him,

the same bringeth forth

much fruit:

for without me

ye can do nothing.”   John 15:5

Isaiah is replete with references to God’s wanting people to “know” HIM—all people! Our goal ought to be that others will come to know Him as Savior (and not have to face Him as Judge when there is no recourse for salvation, for every “knee will bow”—either to the Lord and Savior in this life, or before Judge Jesus when He returns!)! Are you sharing what YOU know? Do you know HIM? Don’t keep it a secret!

“I will plant in the wilderness

the cedar,

the shittah tree,

and the myrtle,

and the oil tree;

I will set in the desert

the fir tree,

and the pine,

and the box tree together:

20 That they may see,

and know,

and consider,

and understand

together,

that the hand of the LORD

hath done this,

and the Holy One of Israel

hath created it.” Isaiah 41:19-20

Oh that we would share the burden of God—that “they may know” the wonder and beauty of the cross. The God who not only loved us so much that “He gave His only begotten son”, but who wants people to know that very love and salvation!

Isaiah had told the people that idols were futile, for they “see not, neither do they hear” yet God wanted them to see that HE IS the only true, sovereign, Almighty God of the universe.

“I am the LORD,

and there is none else,

there is no God beside me:

I girded thee,

though thou hast not known me:

6 That they may know

from the rising of the sun,

and from the west,

that there is none beside me.

I am the LORD,

and there is none else.”   Isaiah 45:5-6

No matter “who” or “what” we set up as our ‘god/idol’—God Almighty is telling Isaiah, his audience and us that “I am the LORD, and there is none else”—no matter whether that is the popular message of the day or not—it is the truth and we will never bring people to genuine, life-changing salvation apart from the Gospel of Jesus, which clearly proclaims that there is no other way.

“Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? 6 Jesus saith unto him,

I am the way,

the truth,

and the life:

no man cometh unto the Father,

but by me.” John 14:5-6

Jesus IS the only way, and when we go back to His ‘High Priestly’ prayer in John 17, we find the same message repeated again by our Lord Jesus as He faced the cross!

“Neither pray I for these alone,

but for them also which shall believe

on me

through their word;

21 That they all may be one;

as thou, Father,

art in me,

and I in thee,

that they also may be one

in us:

that the world may believe

that thou hast sent me.

22 And the glory which thou gavest me

I have given them;

that they may be one,

even as we are one:

23 I in them,

and thou in me,

that they may be made perfect

in one;

and that the world may know

that thou hast sent me,

and hast loved them,

as thou hast loved me.”    John 17:20-23

When we are born again by the Spirit of God, we become a testimony to the world (good or bad!):

“that the world may know

that thou hast sent me,

and hast loved them,

as thou hast loved me”!

We are HIS witnesses—witnesses with ONE message—for we have only ONE Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ The Lord! And prayerfully the world we see that we have “been with Jesus”

“Be it known unto you all,

and to all the people of Israel,

that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,

whom ye crucified,

whom God raised from the dead,

even by him doth this man stand here

before you whole.

11 This is the stone

which was set at nought

of you builders,

which is become the head

of the corner.

12 Neither is there salvation in any other:

for there is none other name

under heaven

given among men,

whereby we must be saved.

13 Now when they saw the boldness

of Peter and John,

and perceived that they were

unlearned

and ignorant men,

they marvelled;

and they took knowledge of them,

that they had been with Jesus.”   Acts 4:10-13

Jesus IS the only way! We have only One message and Jesus is HIS name—Jesus and His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for our sin is the only way to God!!!

“For I delivered unto you first of all

that which I also received,

how that Christ

died for our sins

according to the scriptures;

4 And that he was buried,

and that he rose again the third day

according to the scriptures:

5 And that he was seen of Cephas,

then of the twelve:” 1 Corinthians 15:3-5

We are changed by His saving power—“the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin”!!! Amen and Amen. And when we are truly born again, cleansed “from all sin”, it ought to be seen in our living.

“I beseech you therefore, brethren,

by the mercies of God,

that ye present your bodies

a living sacrifice,

holy,

acceptable unto God,

which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed

to this world:

but be ye transformed

by the renewing of your mind,

that ye may prove

what is that good,

and acceptable,

and perfect,

will of God.”   Romans 12:1-2

Our call is to seek HIS face, being transformed by renewing our hearts and minds in HIS Word, being a reflection of our Lord to a lost and dying world in need of the Gospel of The Savior who loves them.

So may we take it to heart and be HIS testimony?

“That they may know

from the rising of the sun,

and from the west,

that there is none beside me.

I am the LORD,

and there is none else”!!!

Amen and Amen!!!