tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18622466982058741172024-03-19T13:05:49.541-07:00To Jesus Be All GloryTo Jesus be all glory, through winning the lost for Christ, and building up the body.Stan Feldsinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03658444602773411342noreply@blogger.comBlogger240125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1862246698205874117.post-25525693636629926052024-02-19T15:25:00.000-08:002024-02-19T15:25:48.714-08:00Lesson 14 - Ready<h1 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Ready </b></span></span><span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span></h1><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #004586;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Principle
5</b></span></span></span></h2>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Voluntarily
submit to every change God wants to make in my life and humbly ask
Him to remove my character defects.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"> “<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Happy
are those whose greatest desire is to do what God requires.”
(Matthew 5:6)</span></span></p>
<h2 style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: -0.5in; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004586; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Step
6</b></span></span></h2>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">We
were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of
character.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"> “<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Humble
yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” (James 4:10)</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span>
</p>
<h2 style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: -0.5in; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004586; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Introduction</b></span></span></h2>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Congratulations!
If you are ready for Principle 5, you have already taken some major
steps on the road to recovery. </span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">You
admitted you had a problem and were powerless over it.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">You
came to believe that God could and would help you.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">You
sought Him and turned your life and your will over to His care and
direction.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">You
wrote a spiritual inventory and shared that with God and another
person. You’ve been busy! That’s a lot of work—hard work!</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The
next thing to do is for us and God to go after our character defects.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Tonight’s
acrostic will show you how to get READY to allow Him to do that.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>R</b>elease
control</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>E</b>asy
does it</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>A</b>ccept
the change</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>D</b>o
replace your character defects</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Y</b>ield
to the growth</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
</p>
<h2 style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: -0.5in; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004586; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Release
Control</b></span></span></h2>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #c5000b; font-size: small;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Help
me to do your will, for you are my God. Lead me in good paths, for
your Spirit is good” (Psalm 143:10, TLB).</b></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The
first letter tonight stands for RELEASE control. </span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Human
nature implants in us the desire to be in control. We want to
determine how our recovery will come about. We loath surrendering our
thoughtfully laid out plans. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>We
want to say how it will go</b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">,
and what the results will be. </span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Coming
to the point where </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>we give
up our own plans</b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> and
surrendering feels like throwing it all to the wind. It feels like we
may end up in a place we don't want to go at someone elses direction.
Giving up control can be hard, but maybe giving up is what we need to
do. Give up and allow God to take control.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">We </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>may
not know Jesus</b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> very well.
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>We may not trust Him.</b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
We may not have an abiding awareness of His presence around and
within us. This is an awareness that is cultivated. This come through
practice, and the testimony of others. It is hard to give up control
to someone we don't know well, so </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>get
to know Him</b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Jesus
is the wind beneath our wings. He lifts us up when we spread our
wings. To release control means to </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>stand
still, quit running after our own solutions and plans, and spread our
wings</b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">. When we spread our
wings, we say Lord take me where you will. I give up my own ways and
will go your way. You never know where the updrafts will take you,
but they will take you up.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Simply
put, the R—release control—is “Let go; let God!”</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span>
</p>
<h2 style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: -0.5in; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004586; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Easy
Does It</b></span></span></h2>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #c5000b; font-size: small;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Commit
everything you do to the Lord. Trust him to help you do it and he
will” (Psalm 37:5, TLB).</b></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The E
in ready stands for EASY does it. </span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">These
principles and steps are not quick fixes! You need to allow time for
God to work in your life.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">It
takes time to come to a place where you realize that what you are
doing is not working. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>It
would be better to allow God control instantly</b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">,
now, and not tomorrow. If you can do that, it will go good for you.
But we have habits and hangups that exert a great deal of inertia on
us. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>That's not an excuse,
but a reality.</b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> Easy does
it. Commit to the Lord, learn to trust Him. He will bring healing and
recovery.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Keep
your wings out. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Cultivate
an awareness of His presence</b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">.
Read His Word, talk to Him, talk to others about Him. Keep coming to
recovery meetings for we confess our sins to each other for healing. </span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">When
Israel depended on the Lord, they were successful:</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #c5000b; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Isa
40:28-31 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the
everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not
grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. (29) He
gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. (30)
Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;
(31) but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They
will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">This
principle goes further than just helping you stop doing wrong.
Remember, the sin is </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>the
symptom</b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> of the character
defect, and we are going after that, the defect.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Let me
explain. The </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>sin is like a
weed</b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> in a garden: It will
keep reappearing unless it is pulled out by the roots. And </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>the
roots are the actual defects of character</b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
that cause the particular sin. In many cases, the major sin in our
life is abusing alcohol, drugs, or porn, or anger. That was the act,
the sin. The defect of character may be a lack of any positive
self-image. So, when we work Principle 5, we go after the
defect—possibly a lack of a positive self-image—that caused me to
act out, and we seek healing.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">That
takes time, but God will do it. He promised! We should be persistent
and stay the course.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span>
</p>
<h2 style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: -0.5in; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004586; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Accept
the Change</b></span></span></h2>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #c5000b; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>1
Peter 1:13–14 (GNB): “So then, have your minds ready for action.
Keep alert and set your hope completely on the blessing which will be
given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. Be obedient to God, and do
not allow your lives to be shaped by those desires you had when you
were still ignorant.”</b></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #c5000b; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>James
4:10 says, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you
up.”</b></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The
next letter is A: ACCEPT the change.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">When
we turn to the Lord, </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>things
will change</b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">. It may start
out small, or it could be a major sudden change. </span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">When
you see changes in your life begin to occur, </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>it
can be scary</b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">. Your life
is changing and you are not the one in control. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>This
is where faith comes in</b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">.
Most of us would be aware that a major theme of the Bible is to have
faith, but what is faith? </span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #c5000b; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Heb
11:1 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about
what we do not see.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">When
you start to experience a change in your life, and if it seems scary
or threatening to your control, remember to walk in faith. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Walking
in faith means that you trust God</b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
even though you are not in control, to the point where you are
confident that only goodness is in your future. Even though you
cannot see it, you </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>have
assurance about what you can't see</b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
coming your way. </span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Where
does this confidence and assurance come from</b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">?
From testimonies of others, from sharing in open share and 12 step
groups, from having a growing relationship with Christ. </span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">So
when you see changes happening to a positive end, accept the changes
and thank God for them, </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>don't
try to take control back</b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span>
</p>
<h2 style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: -0.5in; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004586; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Do
Replace Your Character Defects</b></span></span></h2>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #c5000b; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Matthew
12:43–45 (GNB): “When an evil spirit goes out of a person, it
travels over dry country looking for a place to rest. If it can’t
find one, it says to itself, ‘I will go back to my house.’ So it
goes back and finds the house empty, … then it goes out and brings
along seven other spirits even worse than itself, and they come to
live there.”</b></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">So
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>when change begins</b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
to happen in your life, maybe you are finding the power to resist sin
and evil, maybe you are recognizing Jesus's presence in your life
more, or maybe you are becoming a “Jesus freak”, </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>what
is next</b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">?</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">It is
very important that as your life begins to go through change, you
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>replace what you used to
do with something new</b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">. If
you used to go hang out with friends at the bar, start hanging out
with healthy friends you have met at CR, at CR and outside CR. Get
together for game nights with Christian friends. Volunteer at church,
CR or in the community. Do more stuff with the kids. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Find
ways to spend the same amount of time doing something different than
you used to</b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">If you
just stop doing what you were doing, and don't fill the time with
something new, there is a good chance of </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>falling
back into old habits</b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> if
you don't find new habits.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I made
the choice to do this. When I was recovering from drug use, I made a
determination to </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>make
different friends</b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>I
sought out Christians</b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> to
be friends with. I forced myself to do this, so that I would be able
to change who I was with and what I was doing. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>I
also got plugged into a church</b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
and surrounded myself with godly people. If I had not done this, I'm
sure I would have made friends with those who would have dragged me
back to the sorry state I was in previously.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span>
</p>
<h2 style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: -0.5in; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004586; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Yield
to the Growth</b></span></span></h2>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #c5000b; font-size: small;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>The
person who has been born into God’s family does not make a practice
of sinning, because now God’s life is in him; so he can’t keep on
sinning, for this new life has been born into him and controls him—he
has been born again” (1 John 3:9, TLB).</b></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The
last letter in ready is the Y: Yield to the growth.</span></p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span>
</p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Inside
of each born again person is both God's nature and our sin nature. We
get to choose to whom we will give control to.</span></span></p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span>
</p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When
John says that we can't keep sinning, he is pointing out that our
divine nature, which is God's life in us, cannot sin, and that sin
arises from our own sin nature. Our challenge is to grant God's
divine nature in us the greater control, and to lessen the control of
our sin nature. Paul completes this thought by personifying sin:</span></span></p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span>
</p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #c5000b; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Rom
7:15-17 I don't understand what I do. I don't do what I want to do.
Instead, I do what I hate to do. (16) I do what I don't want to do.
So I agree that the law is good. (17) As it is, I am no longer the
one who does these things. It is sin living in me that does them.</span></span></p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Saying
that “we” don't sin but the sin in us does, does not present us
with </span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>an
excuse</b></span></span><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">,
but gives us </span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>understanding
and power to overcome</b></span></span><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.
We recognize that sin is a foreign entity, one that can be grabbed a
hold of and thrown out. </span></span></span>
</p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span>
</p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Whether
we are under the control of God's divine nature inside of us, or our
sin nature is completely up to us. We have been given the power and
means to be freed from the power of sin.</span></span></p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span>
</p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #c5000b; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Rom
6:5-6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that
the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no
longer be slaves to sin-- (7) because anyone who has died has been
set free from sin.</span></span></p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span>
</p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To
be crucified with Him and die to sin simply means that we make that
choice to set aside our sin nature, and allow God's Holy Spirit
within us to bring transformation and renewal, or recovery. </span></span>
</p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span>
</p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You
have the power to choose life, and yield to growth.</span></span></p>
<p style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span>
</p>
<h2 style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: -0.5in; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #004586; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Wrap-up</b></span></span></h2>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The
question is, “Are you entirely ready to voluntarily submit to any
and all changes God wants to make in your life?”</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Dear
God, thank You for taking me this far in my recovery journey. Now I
pray for Your help in making me be entirely ready to change all my
shortcomings. Give me the strength to deal with all of my character
defects that I have turned over to You. Allow me to accept all the
changes that You want to make in me. Help me be the person that You
want me to be. In Your Son’s name I pray, Amen.</span></p>
Stan Feldsinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03658444602773411342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1862246698205874117.post-41471976906532826192024-02-12T14:27:00.000-08:002024-02-12T14:27:29.354-08:00An Overview of Israel and Their Land
<p align="CENTER" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="CENTER" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="CENTER" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>by
Stan Feldsine (www.tojesusbeallglory.com)</b></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The promise of God to
give Israel land was not given in the Mosaic Covenant, rather, the
land promises were given in the Abrahamic Covenant.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Gen 12:7</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
The LORD appeared to Abram and said, "To your offspring I will
give this land." So he built an altar there to the LORD, who had
appeared to him.</i></span></span></span></p>
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</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">There were no
conditions on the promise of the land in the Abrahamic Covenant. </span>
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Gen 15:17-18</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
When the sun had set and darkness had fallen, a smoking firepot with
a blazing torch appeared and passed between the pieces. (18) On that
day the LORD made a covenant with Abram and said, "To your
descendants I give this land, ....</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The "conditions"
that were later brought into play in the Mosaic and the Covenant at
Moab governed the Israelites "use" of the land, not their
ownership of the land.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Deu 29:1</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">
These are the terms of the covenant the LORD commanded Moses to make
with the Israelites in Moab, in addition to the covenant he had made
with them at Horeb.</span></span></span></p>
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</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">If they are obedient:</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Lev 26:40-42</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">
"'But if they will confess their sins and the sins of their
ancestors--their unfaithfulness and their hostility toward me, (41)
which made me hostile toward them so that I sent them into the land
of their enemies--then when their uncircumcised hearts are humbled
and they pay for their sin, (42) I will remember my covenant with
Jacob and my covenant with Isaac and my covenant with Abraham, and I
will remember the land.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">If they are rebellious:</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Deu 29:23-25</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">
The whole land will be a burning waste of salt and sulfur--nothing
planted, nothing sprouting, no vegetation growing on it. It will be
like the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, Admah and Zeboyim, which
the LORD overthrew in fierce anger. (24) All the nations will ask:
"Why has the LORD done this to this land? Why this fierce,
burning anger?" (25) And the answer will be: "It is because
this people abandoned the covenant of the LORD, the God of their
ancestors, the covenant he made with them when he brought them out of
Egypt.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The promise of the
ownership of the land is everlasting through the Abrahamic Covenant,
which was unconditional. Conditions came into play regarding their
blessing in and use of this land.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Psa 105:8-11</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">
He remembers his covenant forever, the promise he made, for a
thousand generations, (9) the covenant he made with Abraham, the oath
he swore to Isaac. (10) He confirmed it to Jacob as a decree, to
Israel as an everlasting covenant: (11) "To you I will give the
land of Canaan as the portion you will inherit."</span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">God declared an oath
when He gave the Israelites this land, and He did so to show His
immutable nature.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Heb 6:17-18</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very
clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an
oath. (18) God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which
it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the
hope set before us may be greatly encouraged.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">God MUST return Israel
to their land and bless them because if He does not then it directly
and negatively affects His name. He will bring the Israelites back to
the land, not for anything good in them, but for His names sake.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Eze 36:22-24</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
"Therefore say to the Israelites, 'This is what the Sovereign
LORD says: It is not for your sake, people of Israel, that I am going
to do these things, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have
profaned among the nations where you have gone. (23) I will show the
holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations,
the name you have profaned among them. Then the nations will know
that I am the LORD, declares the Sovereign LORD, when I am proved
holy through you before their eyes. (24) "'For I will take you
out of the nations; I will gather you from all the countries and
bring you back into your own land.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Even as Israel is
disobedient, they are loved. God's gifts and call on Israel are
everlasting. They will yet receive God's mercy. There is no
expiration date on Israel's receipt of the blessings.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Rom 11:28-31</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
As far as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies for your sake;
but as far as election is concerned, they are loved on account of the
patriarchs, (29) for God's gifts and his call are irrevocable. (30)
Just as you who were at one time disobedient to God have now received
mercy as a result of their disobedience, (31) so they too have now
become disobedient in order that they too may now receive mercy as a
result of God's mercy to you.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">They have not
permanently lost their Kingdom and promises, for they will yet be
saved. Salvation will come to the nation when the religious and
secular leadership repents and turns the nation back to God by
accepting the sacrificial atonement of Christ. All those living when
this happens will be saved, the whole nation. Their hard hearts will
only last until the full number of Gentiles come in. Israel's sins
will be taken away.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Rom 11:25-27</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and
sisters, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a
hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in,
(26) and in this way all Israel will be saved. As it is written: "The
deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from
Jacob. (27) And this is my covenant with them when I take away their
sins."</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">After that time, when
all Israel is saved, then the promised Messianic Kingdom will come.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Isa 2:1-5</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
This is what Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem:
(2) In the last days the mountain of the LORD's temple will be
established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above
the hills, and all nations will stream to it. (3) Many peoples will
come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD,
to the temple of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that
we may walk in his paths." The law will go out from Zion, the
word of the LORD from Jerusalem. (4) He will judge between the
nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat
their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks.
Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for
war anymore. (5) Come, descendants of Jacob, let us walk in the light
of the LORD.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">And when Jesus comes,
His Millennial reign will begin:</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Rev 11:15-17</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in
heaven, which said: "The kingdom of the world has become the
kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever
and ever." (16) And the twenty-four elders, who were seated on
their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God, (17)
saying: "We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, the One who
is and who was, because you have taken your great power and have
begun to reign.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">He will reign over a
physical kingdom from David's throne in Jerusalem.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Zec 2:10-11</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
"Shout and be glad, Daughter Zion. For I am coming, and I will
live among you," declares the LORD. (11) "Many nations will
be joined with the LORD in that day and will become my people. I will
live among you and you will know that the LORD Almighty has sent me
to you.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Zec 8:3</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
This is what the LORD says: "I will return to Zion and dwell in
Jerusalem. Then Jerusalem will be called the Faithful City, and the
mountain of the LORD Almighty will be called the Holy Mountain."</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Zec 14:9</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
The LORD will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be
one LORD, and his name the only name.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Ezekiel makes it clear
that Jesus's throne is a place for the "soles of His feet",
a physical reference, which other passages clearly identify as
earthly Jerusalem.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Eze 43:7</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
He said: "Son of man, this is the place of my throne and the
place for the soles of my feet. This is where I will live among the
Israelites forever. The people of Israel will never again defile my
holy name--neither they nor their kings--by their prostitution and
the funeral offerings for their kings at their death.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The saints will rule
and reign with Jesus here on earth.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Rev 5:10</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and
they will reign on the earth." </i></span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">When the Kingdom is
established, from that point on Israel will never again lose the use
of their land:</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Amo 9:13-15</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
"The days are coming," declares the LORD, "when the
reaper will be overtaken by the plowman and the planter by the one
treading grapes. New wine will drip from the mountains and flow from
all the hills, (14) and I will bring my people Israel back from
exile. "They will rebuild the ruined cities and live in them.
They will plant vineyards and drink their wine; they will make
gardens and eat their fruit. (15) I will plant Israel in their own
land, never again to be uprooted from the land I have given them,"
says the LORD your God.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
</p>
Stan Feldsinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03658444602773411342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1862246698205874117.post-78016593609351985662024-01-16T10:49:00.000-08:002024-01-16T10:49:51.556-08:00Lesson 09 - Inventory<p><span style="background-color: white;"> <span> </span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span> </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Principle
4</b></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">:
Openly examine and confess my faults to myself, to God, and to
someone I trust.</span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: 0.33in;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><span style="color: #c5000b;"> “<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Happy
are the pure in heart.” (Matthew 5:8)<br /></span></span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b> </b></span></span></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: 0.33in;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Step
4</b></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">:
We made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.</span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: 0.33in;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: #c5000b;">“<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Let
us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the L</span></span></span><span style="color: #c5000b;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">ord</span></span></span><span style="color: #c5000b;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">.”
(Lamentations 3:40)<br /></span></span></span></span></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.17in; page-break-after: avoid; page-break-inside: avoid;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #004586;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Introduction</b></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">The
</span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">first</span></b></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">
of the 4 lessons is the </span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">Moral</span></b></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">
Lesson. This is the theory, or the principles that are involved in
doing an Inventory, such as </span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">making
time</span></b></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">,
</span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">being
open</span></b></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">,
</span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">relying
on the Lord</span></b></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">,
and </span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">analyzing
or thinking about your past</span></b></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">.
The last of the acrostic letters in this lesson is "</span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">LIST</span></b></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">".
We talk about the reason and benefits of making a list, and actually
start the list in the next lesson.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">The
</span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">second</span></b></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">
of the 4 lessons is the </span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">Inventory</span></b></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">
Lesson. In this lesson we actually step through the Inventory form
and actually </span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">begin
to make a list</span></b></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">.
We cover the columns on the form with headings such as the person,
the cause, the effect, the damage and my part.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">The
</span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">third</span></b></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">
and </span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">forth</span></b></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">
of the 4 lessons brainstorming sessions that provide lots of ideas
for what kinds of things we might want to work on. Things such as
</span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">relationships</span></b></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">,
</span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">priorities</span></b></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">,
our </span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">attitudes</span></b></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">,
</span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">integrity</span></b></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">
the first week, and our </span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">mind</span></b></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">,
our </span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">body</span></b></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">,
our </span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">family</span></b></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">
and our </span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">church</span></b></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">
the second week.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">An
inventory is a list of things we want to be set free from.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #004586;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">Romans
6:18 You have been set free from sin. You have become slaves to right
living.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">How
is freedom fulfilled in our life</span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">?
You have been set free by “intent” and “dedication”. </span></span></span></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #004586;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">(19)
Because you are human, you find this hard to understand. So I have
said it in a way that will help you understand it. </span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #004586;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">You
used to give</span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #004586;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">
the parts of your body to be slaves to unclean living. You were
becoming more and more evil. </span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #004586;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">Now
give your bodies to be slaves to right living.</span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #004586;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">
Then you will become holy.</span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #c5000b;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">
</span></span></span></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">Paul
brings it home so they can understand what he is saying. It is the
“giving” of ourselves to a way of life that leads to evil or
holiness. Paul is explaining that we chose how to live, and
accordingly we lived.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #004586;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">(20)
Once you were slaves of sin. At that time right living did not
control you. (21) What benefit did you gain from doing the things you
are now ashamed of? Those things lead to death! </span></span></span></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">Paul
reminds them that it is </span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">their
choice of “intent”, “dedication” and “giving of ourselves”
that determines our lot</span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">
in this life, death or life.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #004586;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">(22)
</span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #004586;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">You
have been set free from sin</span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #004586;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">.
God has made you his slaves. The benefit you gain leads to holy
living. And the end result is eternal life. (23) When you sin, the
pay you get is death. But God gives you the gift of eternal life
because of what Christ Jesus our Lord has done.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">Paul
explains that </span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">provision
has been made such that we can experience freedom from sin</span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">,
and freedom to God. This is a spiritual reality. Jesus's death
destroyed the power that Satan and our flesh once had on those who
did not have the Holy Spirit indwelling.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #004586;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">John
8:31-32 Jesus spoke to the Jews who had believed him. "If you
obey my teaching," he said, "you are really my disciples.
(32) Then </span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #004586;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">you
will know the truth. And the truth will set you free.</span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #004586;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">"</span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We
have heard the saying, “you will know the truth and the truth will
set you free”. What leads to freedom? </span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">A
pattern of believing and obeying which brings about an experiential
knowledge of the truth by walking in it.</span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
It is more than acceptance of knowledge, but an understanding of the
inner working based on practical observation.</span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Making
an inventory list is an intentional step we take of obedience. In
</span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">Lamentations
3:40, Jeremiah is giving the Israelites instructions and highlighting
the faithfulness of God, and he tells them “examine your ways and
test them and return to the lord”</span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">.
That is what we are doing here, and doing this will lead to
understanding and freedom.</span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Doing
this can be daunting if we think too much about it and try to go it
alone. We are intended to live in community. It is </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">in
community that we find the encouragement and strength</span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
to follow through on our intentions. Meet regularly for that
encouragement, whether it be in CR, Home Groups, Bible Studies, and
so on. The believers of the first century understood this and met
together every day. We still need this fellowship today.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #004586;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Acts
2:42-47 The believers studied what the apostles taught. They shared
life together. They broke bread and ate together. And they prayed.
(43) Everyone felt that God was near. The apostles did many wonders
and miraculous signs. (44) All the believers were together. They
shared everything they had. (45) They sold what they owned. They gave
each other everything they needed. (46) Every day they met together
in the temple courtyard. In their homes they broke bread and ate
together. Their hearts were glad and honest and true. (47) They
praised God. They were respected by all the people. Every day the
Lord added to their group those who were being saved.</span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It
is </span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">thought
and sometimes taught that God demands obedience</span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
to His law and if you don't obey the law you are punished. This sort
of thought pattern comes out of a mindset in which we think we have
to perform in order to be under God's grace. It leads to self
condemnation in the belief that we are just not good enough. That is
simply not the case. </span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">We
don't perform to get God's grace, God has given us His grace so we
can perform.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
Greek word translated “obedience” means "to listen
attentively" and "heed or conform". It is not a
command to perform, i</span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto;">t
is the gift of transformation</span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
that God has given us through His Holy Spirit. It is ours to grab
onto and fully recover. </span></span></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.17in; page-break-after: avoid; page-break-inside: avoid;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #004586;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Inventory</b></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
five-column inventory sheets in Participant’s Guide 2 were
developed to help you with this task. It provides prompts that help
us to think through the events of our past more thoroughly. </span></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I
have created a worksheet which you can find any time on the
information table.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.17in; page-break-after: avoid; page-break-inside: avoid;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #004586;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><b>Column
1: “The Person”</b></i></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In
this column, you list the person or object you resent or fear. Go as
far back as you can. (Names, institutions, places). Remember that
resentment is mostly unexpressed anger and fear.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #c5000b;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ephesians
4:31 tells us, “Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger,
brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.”</span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Remember
to list </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>all</i></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
the people and things that you are holding resentment against.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.17in; page-break-after: avoid; page-break-inside: avoid;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #004586;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><b>Column
2: “The Cause”</b></i></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It
has been said that “hurt people hurt people.” In this column you
are going to list the specific actions that someone did to hurt you.
</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #004586;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">(Events,
incidents) </span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">What
did the person do to cause you resentment and/or fear? </span></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">An
example would be the alcoholic father who was emotionally unavailable
for you as you were </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">growing
up. </span></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Another
example would be the parent who attempted to control</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
and dominate your life. </span></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This
reflective look can be very painful, but that’s why having a
sponsor and an accountability team is essential. These people will be
there to walk with you through the pain. Of course, Jesus will be
with you too. God promises:</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #c5000b;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Isaiah
41:10: “Fear not, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed. I am your
God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will uphold you with
my victorious right hand.”</span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">There
is healing in exposing these hurts. </span></span></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #004586;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">James
5:16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each
other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is
powerful and effective.</span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.17in; page-break-after: avoid; page-break-inside: avoid;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #004586;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><b>Column
3: “The Effect”</b></i></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In
this column write down how that specific hurtful action affected your
life both in the past and in the present. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #004586;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">(Feelings,
emotions, belief system), (Shame, guilt, inadequacies)</span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.17in; page-break-after: avoid; page-break-inside: avoid;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #004586;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><b>Column
4: “The Damage”</b></i></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">What
damage did that action do to my basic social, security, and / or
sexual instincts? </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #004586;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">(Broken
relationships, slander, physical safety, financial loss, abusive
relationships, etc.) (Loss, broken relationships, financial fear,
intimacy, distrust).</span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span>
</p>
<ul><li><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Social—Have
you suffered from broken relationships, slander, or gossip?</span></span></span></p>
</li><li><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Security—Has
your physical safety been threatened? Have you faced financial loss?</span></span></span></p>
</li><li><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sexual—Have
you been a victim in abusive relationships? Has intimacy or trust
been damaged or broken?</span></span></span></p>
</li></ul>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">No
matter how you have been hurt, no matter how lost you may feel, God
wants to comfort you and restore you. Remember </span></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #c5000b;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ezekiel
34:16 (</span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #c5000b;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">GNB</span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #c5000b;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">):
“I will look for those that are lost, I will bring back those that
wander off, bandage those that are hurt, and heal those that are
sick.”</span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.17in; page-break-after: avoid; page-break-inside: avoid;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #004586;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><b>Column
5: “My Part”</b></i></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">What
Part of the resentment am I responsible for? Who are the people I
have hurt? How have I hurt them? </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #004586;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">(Character
defects, choices, addictions, behaviors, compulsions, attitudes.
**Childhood abuses – none or not guilty).</span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #c5000b;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Lamentations
3:40 states: “Let us examine our ways and test them, and </span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #c5000b;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">let
us return to the L</span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #c5000b;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">ord</span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #c5000b;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">.”</span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It
doesn’t say, let us examine</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>
their </i></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">ways.
You did</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
that already in the first four columns. Now you need to honestly
determine the part of the resentment (or any other sin or injury)
that </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>you</i></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
are responsible for. Ask God to show you </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>your</i></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
part in a broken or damaged marriage or relationship, a distant child
or parent, or maybe a job lost. In addition, in this column list all
the people whom you have hurt and how you hurt them.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">(You
will use Column 5 later in Principle 6 when you work on becoming
willing to make your amends.)</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #c5000b;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Psalm
139:23 (</span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #c5000b;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">GNB</span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #c5000b;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">)
tells us: “Examine me, O God and</span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #c5000b;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>
</b></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #c5000b;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">know
my mind; test me, and discover if there is any evil in me and guide
me in the everlasting way.”</span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Please
note: If you have been in an abusive relationship, especially as a
small child, you can find great freedom in this part of the
inventory. You see that you had </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>NO</b></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
part, </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>NO</b></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
responsibility for the cause of the resentment. By simply writing the
words </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>“NONE”</b></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
or </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>“NOT
GUILTY”</b></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
in Column 5, you can begin to be free from the misplaced shame and
guilt you have carried with you.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Celebrate
Recovery has rewritten Step 4 for those that have been sexually or
physically abused:</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0.04in;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Made
a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves, realizing all
wrongs can be forgiven. Renounce the lie that the abuse was our
fault.</span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-top: 0.04in;">
<span style="background-color: white;"></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.17in; page-break-after: avoid; page-break-inside: avoid;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #004586;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Wrap-up</b></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">There
are five tools to help you prepare your inventory:</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.67in;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">1. Memorize
</span></span></span><span style="color: #c5000b;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Isaiah
1:18 (</span></span></span><span style="color: #c5000b;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">TLB</span></span></span><span style="color: #c5000b;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">):
“Come, let’s talk this over!” says the Lord; “no matter how
deep the stain of your sins, I can take it out and make you as clean
as freshly fallen snow. Even if you are stained as red as crimson, I
can make you white as wool!”</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.67in;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">2. Read
the “balancing the scale verses” on page XX of Participant’s
Guide 2!<br /></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.67in;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">3. Keep
your inventory balanced. List both the good and the bad!<br /></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.67in;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> This
is very important! As God reveals the good things that you have done
in the past, or are doing in the present, list them on the reverse
side of your copies of the “Celebrate Recovery Principle 4
Inventory Worksheet”</span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Clearface Regular;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.67in;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">4. Continue
to develop your support team.<br /></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.67in;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">5. Pray
continuously.</span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Don’t
wait to start your inventory. Don’t let any obstacle stand in your
way. If you don’t have a sponsor or accountability partner yet,
talk to someone tonight! If you need a participant’s guide, pick
one up at the information table. Set a time and place and get busy!
You </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>can</i></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
do it!</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
</p>
Stan Feldsinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03658444602773411342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1862246698205874117.post-73136218596562069822023-11-29T10:57:00.000-08:002023-12-29T11:03:03.895-08:00The Five "Kingdoms"<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><b>by
Stan Feldsine (www.tojesusbeallglory.com)</b></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span> <br /></span></span></p><p><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span> The Bible describes 5
different “kingdoms” in which God reigns. When discussing the
various kingdoms in scripture, it is important to determine the
context of the passage. The context will determine the kingdom.</span></span></p><ol><li><p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="color: #004586;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><b>The
Universal or Eternal Kingdom</b></span></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US">
- This kingdom refers to God's rule over all the universe for all
time. It includes the angelic realm, and has always existed. This is
the kingdom the believer enters upon death (</span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><u>1Co 15:50</u></span></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><u>2Ti 4:18</u></span></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US">).
<br /><br /></span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Psa 93:2</u></i></span></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><i>
Your throne was established long ago; you are from all
eternity.<br /><br /></i></span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Psa 103:19</u></i></span></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><i>
The LORD has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules
over all.</i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><br /><br />Scriptural
references: </span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><u>1Ch 29:11-12</u></span></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><u>Psa 10:16</u></span></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><u>Psa 29:10</u></span></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><u>Psa 74:12</u></span></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><u>Psa 90:1-6</u></span></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><u>Psa 93:1-5</u></span></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><u>Psa 103:19-22</u></span></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><u>Psa 145:1-21</u></span></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><u>Psa 148:8</u></span></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><u>Jer 10:10</u></span></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><u>Lam 5:19</u></span></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><u>Dan 4:17</u></span></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><u>Dan 6:27</u></span></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><u>Act 17:24</u></span></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US">).<br /></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
</p>
</li><li><p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="color: #004586;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><b>The
Spiritual Kingdom</b></span></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US">
- This is God's rule in the heart of a believer. This kingdom is
comprised of all who have been born again by the Holy Spirit.
<br /><br /></span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Joh 3:3</u></i></span></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><i>
Jesus replied, "Very truly I tell you, no one can see the
kingdom of God unless they are born again."<br /><br /></i></span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><i><u>1Co 6:9</u></i></span></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><i>
Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of
God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters
nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men (10) nor thieves nor
the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit
the kingdom of God. <br /></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><br />Scriptural
references: </span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><u>Mat 6:33</u></span></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><u>Mat 19:16</u></span></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><u>Joh 3:3-5</u></span></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><u>Act 8:12</u></span></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><u>Act 14:22</u></span></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><u>Act 19:8</u></span></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><u>Act 20:25</u></span></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><u>Act 28:23</u></span></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><u>1Co 4:20</u></span></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><u>1Co 6:9-10</u></span></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><u>Gal 5:21</u></span></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><u>Eph 5:5</u></span></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><u>Col 1:13-14</u></span></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><u>Col 4:11</u></span></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><u>1Th 2:12</u></span></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US">,
and </span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><u>2Th 1:5</u></span></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US">.<br /></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
</p>
</li><li><p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="color: #004586;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><b>The
Theocratic Kingdom</b></span></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US">
- This is the rule of God by means of a theocracy over the nation of
Israel. This kingdom started when the Law of Moses was established
and served as the constitution of the nation of Israel. This kingdom
ended with the destruction of Jerusalem by Babylon in 586BC. This
kingdom is documented from </span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><u>Exo 19:1</u></span></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US">
to </span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><u>2Ch 36:23</u></span></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US">.<br /><br /></span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Exo 20:22-23</u></i></span></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><i>
Then the LORD said to Moses, "Tell the Israelites this: 'You
have seen for yourselves that I have spoken to you from heaven: (23)
Do not make any gods to be alongside me; do not make for yourselves
gods of silver or gods of gold.<br /></i></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
</p>
</li><li><p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="color: #004586;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><b>The
Messianic / Millennial Kingdom</b></span></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><b>
- </b></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US">This
is the future kingdom during which time Jesus will rule over saved
Israel and all the earth from David's throne in Jerusalem for 1000
years. This kingdom is the subject of a great deal of OT prophecy as
well as being the kingdom that was declared to be "at hand"
by John the Baptist and Jesus (</span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><u>Mat 3:2</u></span></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><u>Mat 4:17</u></span></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US">)
and rejected by Jewish authorities. <br /><br /></span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Mat 3:1-2</u></i></span></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><i>
In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of
Judea (2) and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has
come near."<br /><br /></i></span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Psa 2:4-6</u></i></span></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><i>
The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them. (5) He
rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath, saying,
(6) "I have installed my king on Zion, my holy
mountain."</i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><br /><br />Scriptural
references: </span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><u>Psa 2:1-12</u></span></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><u>Psa 72:1-20</u></span></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><u>Isa 9:6-7</u></span></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><u>Isa 11:1-16</u></span></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><u>Jer 23:5-6</u></span></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><u>Jer 32:14-17</u></span></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><u>Eze 34:23</u></span></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><u>Eze 37:24</u></span></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><u>Hos 3:4-5</u></span></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><u>Mic 4:6-8</u></span></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><u>Mic 5:2</u></span></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><u>Mal 3:1-4</u></span></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US">.<br /></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
</p>
</li><li><p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="color: #004586;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><b>The
Mystery Kingdom</b></span></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US">
- Following the rejection of the Messianic Kingdom, Jesus's focus
switches to the "mystery" kingdom. This is a kingdom that
Jesus revealed on the day of Israel's rejection of Himself
(</span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><u>Mat 13:11</u></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><u>Mat 13:35</u></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US">)</span></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US">.
This kingdom covers the period of time between the first and second
coming of Jesus. </span></span></span></span></span>
</p>
</li></ol>
<p><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></p>Stan Feldsinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03658444602773411342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1862246698205874117.post-48205923768590767382023-10-21T13:14:00.000-07:002023-10-21T13:14:00.989-07:00 How We Know That the Promised Restoration of Israel Has Not Taken Place<p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span><span style="color: #660000;"><span><b><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-CA">by
James C. Morris – www.tojesusbeallglory.com/p/james-c-morris.html</span></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span><span lang="en-US"><b><br /></b></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-US">Many
imagine that the many scriptures that promised the return of Israel
to its ancient homeland </span><span lang="en-US">were
fulfilled in the days of Ezra and Nehemiah. But that is manifestly
incorrect. Each of the following</span><span lang="en-US"> numbered points proves it, in and by itself. But their cumulative
proof is simply overwhelming</span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-US">Point
1:</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-US">The
return that took place at that time included only the southern
sub-kingdom of Judah. For</span><span lang="en-US">
</span><span lang="en-US">according to Nehemiah
6:6, those who returned at that time were those </span><b><span lang="en-US">“whom
Nebuchadnezzar</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">
</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">the king of
Babylon had carried away.”</span></b><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
And according to 2 Kings 17:6, the northern sub-kingdom</span></span><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
of Israel had been carried away by </span></span><b><span lang="en-US">“the
king of Assyria.”</span></b><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
And according to the chronology of </span></span><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Ussher,
this had taken place 130 years earlier than the deportation made by
Nebuchadnezzar.</span></span><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
The number of those who returned at that time was clearly stated in
Nehemiah 7:66–69 saying, </span></span><b><span lang="en-US">“Altogether
the whole assembly was forty-two thousand three hundred and sixty,
besides their male and female servants, of whom there were seven
thousand three hundred and thirty-seven;</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">
and they had two hundred and forty-five men and women singers.”</span></b><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
That was a total of only </span></span><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">forty-nine
thousand nine hundred and ninety two persons. But 2 Chronicles
17:12-19 informs us that,</span></span><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span></span><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">in
the days of Jehoshaphat, the army of Judah included one million, one
hundred and sixty thousand men,</span></span><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
to say nothing of the men that were not in the army, and women and
children. So the return from Babylon included less than a half of one
percent of Judah, and did not include Israel at all. But the promised
return was a return of absolutely all of Israel. For in Micah 2:12,
the Lord said:</span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;"><span style="font-size: small;">“<b><span lang="en-US">I
will surely assemble all of you,</span></b></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span lang="en-US">O
Jacob, I will surely gather the remnant of Israel;</span></b></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span lang="en-US">I
will put them together like sheep of the fold,</span></b></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span lang="en-US">Like
a flock in the midst of their pasture;</span></b></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span lang="en-US">They
shall make a loud noise because of </span></b><b><span lang="en-US"><i>so
many </i></span></b><b><span lang="en-US">people.”</span></b></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">And
in Ezekiel 36:10, the Lord promised the </span></span><b><span lang="en-US">“mountains
of Israel,”</span></b><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
along with </span></span><b><span lang="en-US">“the
hills, the rivers,</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">
the valleys, the desolate wastes, and the cities that have been
forsaken,”</span></b><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
(verse 4) that </span></span><b><span lang="en-US">“I
will </span></b><b><span lang="en-US">multiply
men upon you, all the house of Israel, all of it.”</span></b><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
Here, the Holy Spirit doubled the Hebrew</span></span><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
word “kol” which translates literally as </span></span><b><span lang="en-US">“all,”</span></b><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
literally saying “all all of the house of Israel.”</span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">So
the return of less than a half of a percent of Judah was most
assuredly NOT a fulfillment of these promises.</span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Point
2:</span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The
Lord very explicitly promised Israel that, after the promised return,
they would never again </span></span><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">be
expelled from the land, saying,</span></span><b><span lang="en-US">“Surely
I will take the children of Israel from among the nations,</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">
wherever they have gone, and will gather them from every side and
bring them into their own land... Then they shall dwell in the land
that I have given to Jacob My servant, where your fathers dwelt; and
they shall dwell there, they, their children, and their children’s
children, forever.”</span></b><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
(Ezekiel 37:21 and 25)</span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The
fact that they were again expelled from the land around the year 135
AD, and never returned in any significant numbers until the twentieth
century is HARD PROOF that this prophecy was NOT fulfilled in the
return that took place in the days of Ezra and Nehemiah.</span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Point
3:</span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The
purging of Israel that was explicitly prophesied has never taken
place. For Ezekiel 20:33-38 clearly describes a purging of the rebels
from among the people </span></span><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">as
they return to the land, saying: </span></span><b><span lang="en-US">“‘As
I live,’ says the Lord GOD, ‘surely with a mighty hand,</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">
with an outstretched arm, and with fury poured out, I will rule over
you. I will bring you out from the peoples and gather you out of the
countries where you are scattered, with a </span></b><b><span lang="en-US">mighty
hand, with an outstretched arm, and with fury poured out. And I will
bring you into</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">
the wilderness of the peoples, and there I will plead My case with
you FACE TO FACE. Just as I pleaded My case with your fathers in the
wilderness of the land of Egypt, so I will plead My case with you,’
says the Lord GOD. ‘I will make you pass under the rod, and I will
bring you into the bond of the </span></b><b><span lang="en-US">covenant;
I will purge the rebels from among you, and those who transgress
against Me;</span></b><b><span lang="en-US"> I
WILL BRING THEM OUT OF THE COUNTRY WHERE THEY DWELL, BUT THEY </span></b><b><span lang="en-US">SHALL
NOT ENTER THE LAND OF ISRAEL. Then you will know that I am the LORD.’
”</span></b></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">There
can be zero question that there has never been a time when those
returning to the land of Israel</span></span><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
were met by the Lord </span></span><span lang="en-US"><b>FACE
TO FACE</b></span><span lang="en-US"> after
having been brought </span><span lang="en-US"><b>OUT
OF THE COUNTRY WHERE THEY DWELL</b></span><span lang="en-US">,
but not allowed to </span><span lang="en-US"><b>ENTER
THE LAND OF ISRAEL.</b></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-US">So
the fact that this explicitly prophesied purging has never taken
place is HARD PROOF that </span><span lang="en-US">the
prophesied return was NOT fulfilled by the return that took place in
the days of Ezra and Nehemiah.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-US"> </span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-US">Point
4:</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-US">The
promised COMPLETE conversion of Israel has never taken place. Some
Israelites have indeed been converted. But there has never been a
time when they were ALL converted.</span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
</p>
<p style="line-height: 0.21in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-US">Zechariah 12:11-14, says, </span><b><span lang="en-US">“In
that day </span></b><b><span lang="en-US">there
shall be a great mourning in Jerusalem, like the mourning at Hadad
Rimmon in the</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">
</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">plain of
Megiddo. And the land shall mourn, every family by itself: the family
of the house of David</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">
by itself, and their wives by themselves; the family of the house of
Nathan by itself, and their wives by themselves; the family of the
house of Levi by itself, and their wives by themselves; the family of
Shimei by itself, and their wives by themselves; all the families
that remain, every family by itself, and their wives by themselves.”</span></b></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 0.21in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
</p>
<p style="line-height: 0.21in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">This
result of this mass repentance is described in Isaiah 4:3-4 saying,
</span></span><b><span lang="en-US">“it shall
come to pass that </span></b><b><span lang="en-US"><i>he
who is </i></span></b><b><span lang="en-US">left
in Zion and remains in Jerusalem will be called holy; everyone who is
recorded among the living in Jerusalem. When the Lord has washed away
the filth of the daughters of Zion, and purged the blood of Jerusalem
from her midst, by the spirit of judgment and by the spirit of
burning.”</span></b></span></p>
<p style="line-height: 0.21in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">And
again Jeremiah 31:33-34 says, </span></span><b><span lang="en-US">“But
this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after
those days, says the </span></b><b><span lang="en-US">Lord</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">:
I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I
will be their God, and they shall be My people. No more shall every
man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, ‘Know
the </span></b><b><span lang="en-US">Lord</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">,’
for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of
them, says the </span></b><b><span lang="en-US">Lord</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">.
For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no
more.”</span></b></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 0.21in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
</p>
<p style="line-height: 0.21in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">There
is no way to even pretend that a mass conversion that even resembled
this took place in the days of Ezra and Nehemiah. Instead, we are
repeatedly told about the widespread sinfulness of both the people
and their leaders in the times of Nehemiah.</span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 0.21in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
</p>
<p style="line-height: 0.21in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Point
5:</span></span></span></p>
<p style="line-height: 0.21in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
</p>
<p style="line-height: 0.21in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The
specific boundaries of the land, and its division, promised in Ezekiel
47-48, have never existed.</span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 0.21in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
</p>
<p style="line-height: 0.21in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">In Ezekiel 47:13-20, the future borders of the land are specified in
such high detail that, even to this day, it is possible to draw a map
of the future Israel. And there is no way to even pretend that Israel
has ever had borders even approximately corresponding to those
specified there.</span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 0.21in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
</p>
<p style="line-height: 0.21in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">And
in Ezekiel 48, we are told in high detail how that PLOT OF REAL
ESTATE will be divided among the twelve tribes of Israel. And there
is no way to even pretend that the land of Israel was EVER divided in
that way.</span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 0.21in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
</p>
<p style="line-height: 0.21in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">So
these EXPLICITLY STATED geographical details of the future Israel
are HARD PROOF that they were NOT fulfilled in the days of Ezra and
Nehemiah.</span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 0.21in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
</p>
<p style="line-height: 0.21in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Point
6:</span></span></span></p>
<p style="line-height: 0.21in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
</p>
<p style="line-height: 0.21in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">A
FUTURE restoration of Israel was clearly promised in the inspired
writings of the apostles.</span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 0.21in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
</p>
<p style="line-height: 0.21in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">In
Romans 9:3-5, Paul said, </span></span><b><span lang="en-US">“For
I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren,
my countrymen according to the flesh, who are Israelites, to whom
pertain the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the
law, the service of God, and the promises; of whom are the fathers
and from whom, according to the flesh, Christ came, who is over all,
the eternally blessed God. Amen.”</span></b><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span></span></span>
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 0.21in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
</p>
<p style="line-height: 0.21in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Here,
long after the days of Ezra and Nehemiah, </span></span><b><span lang="en-US">“the
promises”</span></b><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
still </span></span><b><span lang="en-US">“</span></b><b><span lang="en-US"><i>pertained</i></span></b><b><span lang="en-US">”</span></b><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
to Paul’s </span></span><b><span lang="en-US">“brethren,”</span></b><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
his </span></span><b><span lang="en-US">“countrymen
according to the flesh.”</span></b><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
The words </span></span><b><span lang="en-US">“according
to the flesh”</span></b><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
make it absolutely clear that this was speaking about the fleshly
nation of Israel, not about some imaginary “spiritual Israel.”
This leaves no logical way to avoid the fact that, at the time the
epistle to the Romans was written, </span></span><b><span lang="en-US">“the
promises”</span></b><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span></span><span lang="en-US"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">still</span></i></span><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
pertained to the fleshly nation of Israel. That is, to the physical
descendants of that ancient nation.</span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 0.21in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
</p>
<p style="line-height: 0.2in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">And
in Romans 9:26, Paul quoted Hosea 1:10 as still applying to the
future, saying, </span></span><i><span lang="en-US"><b>“And
it shall </b></span></i><i><span lang="en-US"><b>come
to pass in the place where it was said to them, ‘You are not My
people,’ There they shall be called</b></span></i><i><span lang="en-US"><b>
sons of the living God.”</b></span></i></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 0.2in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
</p>
<p style="line-height: 0.2in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-US">And then, two chapters later, Paul
clearly stated the reason for this, saying about the unbelieving
Jews, </span><b><span lang="en-US">“Concerning
the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but concerning the
election they are beloved for the sake of the fathers. For the gifts
and the calling of God are IRREVOCABLE.”</span></b><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
(Romans 11:28-29)</span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 0.2in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
</p>
<p style="line-height: 0.2in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">So,
even in the apostolic writings of the New Testament, The promised
restoration of Israel is clearly spoken of as something that would
take place in the future. This is again, HARD PROOF that the return
that took place in the days of Ezra and Nehemiah was NOT the return
of all Israel that was promised in so many places in the prophetic
scriptures.</span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 0.2in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
</p>
Stan Feldsinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03658444602773411342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1862246698205874117.post-62270537476111736322023-10-21T12:40:00.000-07:002023-10-21T12:40:13.967-07:00Specific Promises of Repentance for Israel<p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span><b><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-CA">by
James C. Morris – www.tojesusbeallglory.com/p/james-c-morris.html</span></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-US"><b>Explicitly
Stated Promises to Eventually Bring the Ancient Nation of Israel to
Repentance</b></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;"><span lang="en-US">Many
people think that, since Israel rejected its Messiah (Jesus) when He
came, by that act they lost their promised blessings and have
therefore been forever set aside. To prove that claim, they cite such
scriptures as Jeremiah 18:7-10, where the Lord said, </span><b><span lang="en-US">“The
instant I speak concerning </span></b><b><span lang="en-US">a nation
and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, to pull down, and to destroy
</span></b><b><span lang="en-US"><i>it, </i></span></b><b><span lang="en-US">if
that nation</span></b><b><span lang="en-US"> </span></b><b><span lang="en-US">against
whom I have spoken turns from its evil, I will relent of the disaster
that I thought</span></b><b><span lang="en-US"> </span></b><b><span lang="en-US">to
bring upon it. And the instant I speak concerning a nation and
concerning a kingdom,</span></b><b><span lang="en-US"> </span></b><b><span lang="en-US">to
build and to plant </span></b><b><span lang="en-US"><i>it,</i></span></b><b><span lang="en-US">
if it does evil in My sight so that it does not obey My voice, then I
will</span></b><b><span lang="en-US"> relent concerning the good with
which I said I would benefit it.”</span></b></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;"><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">On
the basis of this concept, these people claim that ALL the promises
of God are conditional, even when they are stated in unconditional
terms. But is that correct? In considering this matter, we need to
notice a promise made to David. In Psalm 89:28–35, the Lord said
concerning David,</span></span><b><span lang="en-US"> </span></b><b><span lang="en-US">“My
mercy I will keep for him forever, And My covenant shall stand firm
with him. His seed</span></b><b><span lang="en-US"> also I will make
to endure forever, And his throne as the days of heaven. If his sons
forsake My law And do not walk in My judgments, If they break My
statutes And do not keep My </span></b><b><span lang="en-US">commandments,
Then I will punish their transgression with the rod, And their
iniquity with</span></b><b><span lang="en-US"> stripes. NEVERTHELESS
MY LOVINGKINDNESS I WILL NOT UTTERLY TAKE FROM HIM, NOR ALLOW MY
FAITHFULNESS TO FAIL. MY COVENANT I WILL NOT BREAK, NOR ALTER THE
WORD THAT HAS GONE OUT OF MY LIPS. ONCE I HAVE SWORN BY MY HOLINESS;
I WILL NOT LIE TO DAVID:”</span></b></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;"><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Here
we see that our God explicitly said that His promise to David was so
sure, so certain, that EVEN SIN could not cancel it. Sin, if it came,
would be dealt with. But the punishment would NOT be a cancellation
of the promise. And we need to notice God’s reflexive statement
that He would have been lying when He made this promise if He were
not going to ACTUALLY keep it.</span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;"><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">So
now we must ask, did God actually SAY that He had canceled the
promises He made to Israel?</span></span><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span></span><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">And
the answer to that question is a very decided NO. There is no
scripture that says, or even</span></span><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
that implies, that even one of these promises has been cancelled.
Instead, we find that, long after </span></span><b><span lang="en-US">“they
cried out, ‘Away with Him, away with Him! Crucify Him!’ ”</span></b><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
(John 19:15) And long after, in the stoning of Stephen, they </span></span><b><span lang="en-US">“sent
a delegation after him, saying, ‘We will not have</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">
</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">this man to reign over us,’ ”</span></b><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
(Luke 19:14) the Holy Spirit inspired Paul to write that </span></span><b><span lang="en-US">“the
promises”</span></b><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
still </span></span><b><span lang="en-US">“</span></b><b><span lang="en-US"><i>pertain</i></span></b><b><span lang="en-US">”</span></b><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
to his </span></span><b><span lang="en-US">“countrymen according to
the flesh, who are Israelites.”</span></b><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
(Romans 9:3-4)</span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;"><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">And
two chapters later the same Holy Spirit inspired the sme Paul to
write, concerning the Jews </span></span><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">who
were currently refusing to believe the gospel, that, </span></span><b><span lang="en-US">“Concerning
the gospel they are enemies</span></b><b><span lang="en-US"> for your
sake, but concerning the election they are beloved for the sake of
the fathers. For the gifts and the calling of God are IRREVOCABLE.”</span></b><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
(Romans 11:28–29)</span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;"><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">How,
then can these promises to Israel, remain </span></span><b><span lang="en-US">“IRREVOCABLE,”</span></b><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
when God has so clearly said that Her would cancel promises of
blessing if men turned to sin? It is because our merciful God has
not ONLY promised to bring the ancient nation of Israel back to their
ancient homeland, </span></span><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">He
has ALSO promised to b ring them to repentance, leading to a true and
l,iving faith in Himself.</span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
</p>
<p style="line-height: 0.2in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Like the promise
to bring them back to their ancient homeland, this promise is ALSO
explicitly stated, again and again, in the prophetic scriptures.</span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 0.2in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
</p>
<p style="line-height: 0.2in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Their national
repentance is graphically described in Zechariah 12:10–14, saying,
</span></span><b><span lang="en-US">“And I will </span></b><b><span lang="en-US">pour
on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit
of grace and</span></b><b><span lang="en-US"> supplication; then they
will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him </span></b><b><span lang="en-US">as
one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a
firstborn. In that day</span></b><b><span lang="en-US"> there shall
be a great mourning in Jerusalem, like the mourning at Hadad Rimmon
in the plain of Megiddo. And the land shall mourn, every family by
itself: the family of the house </span></b><b><span lang="en-US">of
David by itself, and their wives by themselves; the family of the
house of Nathan by itself,</span></b><b><span lang="en-US"> and their
wives by themselves; the family of the house of Levi by itself, and
their wives by themselves; the family of Shimei by itself, and their
wives by themselves; all the families that remain, every family by
itself, and their wives by themselves.”</span></b></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 0.2in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
</p>
<p style="line-height: 0.2in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">And the result
of this repentance is stated in Isaiah 4:2–4, saying,</span></span><b><span lang="en-US">
“In that day the Branch of the </span></b><b><span lang="en-US">Lord</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">
shall be beautiful and glorious; And the fruit of the earth shall be
excellent and</span></b><b><span lang="en-US"> appealing For those of
Israel who have escaped. And it shall come to pass that he who is
left in Zion and remains in Jerusalem will be called holy—everyone
who is recorded among the </span></b><b><span lang="en-US">living in
Jerusalem. When the Lord has washed away the filth of the daughters
of Zion, and purged the blood of Jerusalem from her midst, by the
spirit of judgment and by the</span></b><b><span lang="en-US"> spirit
of burning.”</span></b></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 0.2in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
</p>
<p style="line-height: 0.2in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">This is
repeatedly stressed in the prophecies of Jeremiah.</span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 0.2in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
</p>
<p style="line-height: 0.2in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">For Jeremiah
24:7 says, </span></span><b><span lang="en-US">“Then I will give
them a heart to know Me, that I </span></b><b><span lang="en-US"><i>am
</i></span></b><b><span lang="en-US">the LORD;</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">
and they shall be My people, and I will be their God, for they shall
return to Me with their whole heart.”</span></b></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 0.2in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
</p>
<p style="line-height: 0.2in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">And Jeremiah
31:31–34 says, </span></span><b><span lang="en-US">“Behold, the
days are coming, says the </span></b><b><span lang="en-US">Lord</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">,
when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the
house of Judah—not according to the </span></b><b><span lang="en-US">covenant
that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the
hand to lead them</span></b><b><span lang="en-US"> </span></b><b><span lang="en-US">out
of the land of Egypt, MY COVENANT WHICH THEY BROKE, though I was a
husband</span></b><b><span lang="en-US"> to them, says the </span></b><b><span lang="en-US">Lord</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">.
But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel
</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">after those days, says the </span></b><b><span lang="en-US">Lord</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">:
I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts;</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">
</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">and I will be their God, and they
shall be My people. No more shall every man teach his neighbor,</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">
and every man his brother, saying, ‘Know the </span></b><b><span lang="en-US">Lord</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">,’
for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of
them, says the </span></b><b><span lang="en-US">Lord</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">.
For I will forgive their iniquity, and </span></b><b><span lang="en-US">their
sin I will remember no more.”</span></b><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
We need to notice that this promise includes a specific</span></span><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
reference to the fact that they </span></span><b><span lang="en-US">“BROKE”</span></b><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
the first covenant. So this promise of a new covenant was made in
view of their SIN, in BREAKING that first covenant. So it could NOT
have been cancelled because of that sin.</span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 0.2in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
</p>
<p style="line-height: 0.2in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">And in the next
chapter, Jeremiah 32:38-42 says, </span></span><b><span lang="en-US">“They
shall be My people, and I will be their God;</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">
</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">then I will give them one heart and
one way, that they may fear Me forever, for the good of them</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">
</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">and their children after them. And I
will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">
turn away from doing them good; but I will put My fear in their
hearts so that they will not depart from Me. Yes, I will rejoice over
them to do them good, and I will assuredly plant them in this land,
with all My heart and with all My soul.’ </span></b>
</p>
<p style="line-height: 0.2in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
“<b><span lang="en-US">For thus says the LORD: ‘Just as I have
brought all this great calamity on this people, so I will bring on
them all the good that I have promised them.’ ”</span></b></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 0.2in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
</p>
<p style="line-height: 0.2in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">And </span></span><span lang="en-US">inn
the next chapter after that, Jeremiah 33:7-8</span><span lang="en-US">
says, </span><b><span lang="en-US">“ ‘I will cause the captives
of Judah </span></b><b><span lang="en-US">and the captives of Israel
to return, and will rebuild those places as at the first. I will
cleanse</span></b><b><span lang="en-US"> </span></b><b><span lang="en-US">them
from all their iniquity by which they have sinned against Me, and I
will pardon all their</span></b><b><span lang="en-US"> iniquities by
which they have sinned and by which they have transgressed against
Me.”</span></b></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 0.2in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
</p>
<p style="line-height: 0.2in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">And finally, as
far as the prophecies of Jeremiah go, Jeremiah 50:19-20 says, </span></span><b><span lang="en-US">“But
I will bring </span></b><b><span lang="en-US">back Israel to his
home, And he shall feed on Carmel and Bashan; His soul shall be
satisfied</span></b><b><span lang="en-US"> </span></b><b><span lang="en-US">on
Mount Ephraim and Gilead. In those days and in that time," says
the LORD, "The iniquity</span></b><b><span lang="en-US"> of
Israel shall be sought, but </span></b><b><span lang="en-US"><i>there
shall be</i></span></b><b><span lang="en-US"> none; And the sins of
Judah, but they shall not be found; For I will pardon those whom I
preserve.”</span></b></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 0.2in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
</p>
<p style="line-height: 0.2in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">But going on in
the major prophets, we find that Ezekiel 36:24-29 says, </span></span><b><span lang="en-US">“For
I will take you</span></b><b><span lang="en-US"> from among the
nations, gather you out of all countries, and bring you into your own
land. Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, </span></b><b><span lang="en-US">and
you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all </span></b><b><span lang="en-US">your
filthiness and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and
put a new spirit</span></b><b><span lang="en-US"> </span></b><b><span lang="en-US">within
you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a
heart of flesh. I will put</span></b><b><span lang="en-US"> My Spirit
within you and cause you</span></b><b><span lang="en-US"> to walk in
My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do </span></b><b><span lang="en-US"><i>them.</i></span></b><b><span lang="en-US">
Then you shall dwell </span></b><b><span lang="en-US">in the land
that I gave to your fathers; you shall be My people, and I will be
your God.</span></b><b><span lang="en-US"> I will deliver you from
all your uncleannesses. I will call for the grain and multiply it,
and bring no famine upon you.” ’ ”</span></b></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 0.2in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
</p>
<p style="line-height: 0.2in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">From there, we
go on to the so-called minor prophets, where we find that Hosea
3:4-5 says, </span></span><b><span lang="en-US">“For the children
of Israel shall abide many days without king or prince, without
sacrifice or sacred pillar, without ephod or teraphim. Afterward the
children of Israel shall return and seek the LORD their God and David
their king. They shall fear the LORD and</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">
His goodness</span></b><b><span lang="en-US"> IN THE LATTER DAYS.”</span></b><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
We need to particularly notice this clause, </span></span><b><span lang="en-US">“IN
THE LATTER DAYS.”</span></b><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
This is NOT speaking about something that would take place after a
delay of a mere 70 years.</span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 0.2in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
</p>
<p style="line-height: 0.2in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">And Zephaniah
3:11-13 says, </span></span><b><span lang="en-US">“In that day you
shall not be shamed for any of your deeds</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">
</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">In which you transgress against Me;
For then I will take away from your midst Those who rejoice</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">
</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">in your pride, And you shall no
longer be haughty In My holy mountain. I will leave in your midst</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">
A meek and humble people, And they shall trust in the name of the
LORD. The remnant of Israel shall do no unrighteousness And speak no
lies, Nor shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth.”</span></b></p>
<p style="line-height: 0.2in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">And finally, as
far as the Old Testament prophesies go, Zechariah 13:8–9 says, </span></span><b><span lang="en-US">“
‘And it shall come to pass in all the land,’ Says the </span></b><b><span lang="en-US">Lord</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">,
“That two-thirds in it shall be cut off and die, But one-third
shall be left in it: I will bring the one-third through the fire,
Will refine them as silver is refined, And test them as gold is
tested. They will call on My name, And I will </span></b><b><span lang="en-US">answer
them. I will say, ‘This is My people’; And each one will say,
‘The </span></b><b><span lang="en-US">Lord</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">
is my God.’ ”</span></b></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 0.2in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
</p>
<p style="line-height: 0.2in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">So there can be
zero question that, as God has repeatedly and explicitly promised to
eventually bring Israel to both repentance and faith in Himself.
And thus, there can be no excuse for committing the sin of denying
that God will actually KEEP these many and </span></span><b><span lang="en-US">“IRREVOCABLE” </span></b><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">promises
He made to the ancient nation of Israel. </span></span>
</p>
Stan Feldsinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03658444602773411342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1862246698205874117.post-20299860321920181392023-10-21T12:11:00.001-07:002023-10-21T12:11:50.032-07:00Specific Promises of LAND for Israel<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span><b><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-CA">by
James C. Morris – www.tojesusbeallglory.com/p/james-c-morris.html</span></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span>
</p><p style="line-height: 0.2in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-US"><b>Explicitly Stated Prophecies
About the Return of the Ancient Nation of Israel to its Homeland.</b></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="line-height: 0.2in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"></span>
</p>
<p style="line-height: 0.2in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-US">In promises specifically addressed to
the ancient nation of Israel, God repeatedly and explicitly pledged
Himself to bring them back into </span><b><span lang="en-US">“the
land that I gave to your fathers,”</span></b><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span></span><b><span lang="en-US">“the land
that I have given as an inheritance to your fathers,”</span></b><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span></span><b><span lang="en-US">“the
country for which I raised my hand in </span></b><b><span lang="en-US">an
oath to give to your fathers,”</span></b><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span></span><b><span lang="en-US">“the land
that I have given to Jacob my servant, where your</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">
</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">fathers dwelt,”</span></b><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
and </span></span><b><span lang="en-US">“your
own land.”</span></b><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
And in prophecies ABOUT them, as opposed to promises TO</span></span><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span></span><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">them,
He pledged to bring them back into </span></span><b><span lang="en-US">“the
land that I gave to their fathers,”</span></b><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span></span><b><span lang="en-US">“their land
which</span></b><b><span lang="en-US"> I gave to
their fathers,”</span></b><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
an d </span></span><b><span lang="en-US">“their
own land,”</span></b><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
as well as </span></span><b><span lang="en-US">“the
land of Israel.”</span></b></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 0.2in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"></span>
</p>
<p style="line-height: 0.2in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The
fact that these prophecies and promises could not even possibly be
speaking about </span></span><b><span lang="en-US">“the
church”</span></b><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span></span><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">is
shown by the fact that they all speak about a return of a SPECIFIC
ancient nation to a specific</span></span><span lang="en-US"><b>
</b></span><span lang="en-US"><b>PLOT OF REAL
ESTATE</b></span><span lang="en-US">. But then,
not satisfied by using so very many specific designations,</span><span lang="en-US">
</span><span lang="en-US">in Ezekiel 36 the Holy
Spirit went on to designate that </span><span lang="en-US"><b>PLOT
OF REAl ESTATE</b></span><span lang="en-US"> as
the</span><span lang="en-US"> </span><b><span lang="en-US">“mountains
of Israel,”</span></b><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
along with </span></span><b><span lang="en-US">“the
rivers, the valleys, the desolate wastes, and the cities that have
been forsaken, which became plunder and mockery to the rest of the
nations all around.”</span></b><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
And He promised that </span></span><span lang="en-US"><b>PLOT
OF REAL ESTATE</b></span><span lang="en-US"> that
</span><b><span lang="en-US">“I will multiply
men upon you, all the house of Israel, all of it; and the cities
shall be inhabited and the ruins rebuilt.”</span></b><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
Then, eleven chapters later, in Ezekiel 47, He went so far as to
precisely define the future borders of that </span></span><span lang="en-US"><b>PLOT
OF REAL ESTATE</b></span><span lang="en-US">, and
in the next chapter, Ezekiel 48, to designate which part of that </span><span lang="en-US"><b>PLOT
OF REAL ESTATE</b></span><span lang="en-US">
would go to each of the twelve tribes of Israel, naming each tribe as
its portion was specified. So there is no way to rationally even try
to pretend that these prophecies and promises applied to </span><b><span lang="en-US">“the
church.”</span></b></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 0.2in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"></span>
</p>
<p style="line-height: 0.2in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Many
imagine that these prophecies and promises were fulfilled when the
Jews returned from Babylon</span></span><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span></span><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">in
the days of Ezra and Nehemiah. But that return was only a return of a
very small part of the</span></span><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
southern sub-kingdom of Judah. So it did not even approximately
resemble the </span></span><b><span lang="en-US">“all
the house of </span></b><b><span lang="en-US">Israel,
all of it,”</span></b><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
that was promised in Ezekiel 36. And those who returned at that time
never attained</span></span><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span></span><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">borders
even approximately like those specified in Ezekiel 47, nor was their
land ever divided</span></span><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span></span><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">in
a way even approximately resembling what was specified in Ezekiel 48.
And Ezekiel 37:25 explicitly says that, after this return takes
place, </span></span><b><span lang="en-US">“they
shall dwell there, they, their children,</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">
</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">and their
children’s children, forever.”</span></b><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
And it is common knowledge that in approximately 135 A.D.,</span></span><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span></span><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">they
were again expelled from the land, never to return until the
twentieth century. So again, there is no way to rationally even try
to pretend that these promises have ever been fulfilled.</span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 0.2in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"></span>
</p>
<p style="line-height: 0.2in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">And
finally, our God has plainly told us WHEN that return will take place
and THAT time has not yet come. For Isaiah 66:15–21 says: </span></span><b><span lang="en-US">“For
behold, the </span></b><b><span lang="en-US">Lord</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">
will come with fire And with His chariots, like a whirlwind, To
render His anger with fury, And His rebuke with flames of fire. For
by fire and by His sword The </span></b><b><span lang="en-US">Lord</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">
will judge all flesh; And the slain of the </span></b><b><span lang="en-US">Lord</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">
shall be many. “Those who sanctify themselves and purify
themselves, To go to the gardens After an idol in the midst, Eating
swine’s flesh and the abomination and the mouse, Shall be consumed
together,” says the </span></b><b><span lang="en-US">Lord</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">.</span></b></span></p>
<p style="line-height: 0.21in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">
“<b><span lang="en-US">For I know their works and
their thoughts. It shall be that I will gather all nations and
tongues; and they shall come and see My glory. I will set a sign
among them; and those among them who escape I will send to the
nations: to Tarshish and Pul and Lud, who draw the bow, and Tubal and
Javan, to the coastlands afar off who have not heard My fame nor seen
My glory. And they shall declare My glory among the Gentiles. Then
they shall bring all your brethren for an offering to the </span></b><b><span lang="en-US">Lord</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">
out of all nations, on horses and in chariots and in litters, on
mules and on camels, to My holy mountain Jerusalem,” says the </span></b><b><span lang="en-US">Lord</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">,
“as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel into
the house of the </span></b><b><span lang="en-US">Lord</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">.
And I will also take some of them for priests and Levites,” says
the </span></b><b><span lang="en-US">Lord</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">.”</span></b></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 0.21in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"></span>
</p>
<p style="line-height: 0.21in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">It
is absolutely unquestionable that this has NOT already taken place.
For the Lord’s coming</span></span><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
</span></span><b><span lang="en-US">“with fire
And with His chariots, like a whirlwind, To render His anger with
fury, And His rebuke with flames of fire”</span></b><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
is unquestionably an end times event. </span></span></span>
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 0.21in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"></span>
</p>
<p style="line-height: 0.21in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">But
some go so far in their unbelief as to claim that the ancient nation
of Israel no longer exists, as if the promises of God could not even
possibly be true. But what did God Himself say about THAT claim? In
Jeremiah 31:35–36, He said, </span></span><b><span lang="en-US">“Thus
says the </span></b><b><span lang="en-US">Lord</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">,
Who gives the sun for a light by day, The ordinances of the moon and
the stars for a light by night, Who disturbs the sea, And its waves
roar (The </span></b><b><span lang="en-US">Lord</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">
of hosts is His name): ‘If those ordinances depart </span></b><b><span lang="en-US">From
before Me, says the </span></b><b><span lang="en-US">Lord</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">,
Then the seed of Israel shall also cease From being a NATION</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">
before Me forever.’ ”</span></b></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 0.21in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"></span>
</p>
<p style="line-height: 0.21in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">To
make my opening statement shorter, I did not give either the complete
statements or the citations for many of the scriptures that I quoted
here. But I will now quote each of these scriptures in its entirety,
with its citation, in the order in which they occur in the Bible.</span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 0.21in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"></span>
</p>
<p style="line-height: 0.21in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Jeremiah
3:17–18 says,</span></span><b><span lang="en-US">“At
that time Jerusalem shall be called The Throne of the </span></b><b><span lang="en-US">Lord</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">,
and all the nations shall be gathered to it, to the name of the </span></b><b><span lang="en-US">Lord</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">,
to Jerusalem. No more shall they follow the dictates of their evil
hearts.“In those days THE HOUSE OF JUDAH SHALL WALK WITH THE HOUSE
OF ISRAEL, AND THEY SHALL COME TOGETHER out of the land of the north
TO THE LAND THAT I HAVE GIVEN AS AN INHERITANCE TO YOUR FATHERS.”</span></b></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 0.21in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"></span>
</p>
<p style="line-height: 0.21in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Jeremiah
16:14-16, says, </span></span><b><span lang="en-US">“
‘Therefore behold, the days are coming,’ says the LORD, ‘that
it shall no more be said, “The LORD lives who brought up the
children of Israel from the </span></b><b><span lang="en-US">land
of Egypt,” but, “The LORD lives WHO BROUGHT UP THE CHILDREN OF
ISRAEL FROM THE LAND OF THE NORTH AND FROM ALL THE LANDS WHERE HE HAD
DRIVEN THEM.”</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">
For I will bring them BACK INTO THEIR LAND WHICH I GAVE TO </span></b><b><span lang="en-US">THEIR
FATHERS. ‘Behold, I will send for many fishermen,’ says the LORD,
‘and they shall</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">
fish them; and afterward I will send for many hunters, and they shall
hunt them from every mountain and every hill, and out of the holes of
the rocks.’ ”</span></b></span></p>
<p style="line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Jeremiah
23:3-8 says, </span></span><b><span lang="en-US">“
‘Therefore, behold, the days are coming,’ says the LORD, ‘that
they shall no longer say, “As the LORD lives who </span></b><b><span lang="en-US">brought
up the children of Israel from the </span></b><b><span lang="en-US">land
of Egypt,” but, “As the LORD lives WHO BROUGHT UP AND LED THE
DESCENDANTS</span></b><b><span lang="en-US"> OF
THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL from the north country and from all the </span></b><b><span lang="en-US">countries
where I had driven them.” AND THEY SHALL DWELL IN THEIR OWN LAND.’
”</span></b></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"></span>
</p>
<p style="line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Jeremiah
30:2–3 says, </span></span><b><span lang="en-US">“Thus
speaks the </span></b><b><span lang="en-US">Lord</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">
God of Israel, saying: ‘Write in a book for yourself all the words
that I have spoken to you. For behold, the days are coming,’ says
the </span></b><b><span lang="en-US">Lord</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">,
‘that I WILL BRING BACK FROM CAPTIVITY MY PEOPLE ISRAEL AND JUDAH,’
says the </span></b><b><span lang="en-US">Lord</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">.
‘And I WILL CAUSE THEM TO RETURN TO THE LAND THAT I GAVE TO THEIR
FATHERS, and they shall possess it.’ ”</span></b><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"></span>
</p>
<p style="line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Ezekiel
20:40–42 says, </span></span><b><span lang="en-US">“For
on My holy mountain, on the mountain height of Israel,” says </span></b><b><span lang="en-US">the
Lord </span></b><b><span lang="en-US">God</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">,
“THERE ALL THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL, ALL OF THEM IN THE LAND,</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">
shall serve Me; there I will accept them, and there I will require
your offerings and the firstfruits of your sacrifices, together with
all your holy things. I will accept you as a sweet aroma when I bring
you out from the peoples and gather you out of the countries where
you have been scattered; and I will be hallowed in you before the
Gentiles. Then you shall know that I am the </span></b><b><span lang="en-US">Lord</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">,
WHEN I BRING YOU INTO THE LAND OF ISRAEL, INTO THE COUNTRY FOR WHICH
I RAISED MY HAND IN AN OATH TO GIVE TO YOUR FATHERS.”</span></b></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"></span>
</p>
<p style="line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Ezekiel
36:4–10 says, </span></span><b><span lang="en-US">“therefore,
O mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord </span></b><b><span lang="en-US">God</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">!
</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">Thus says the
Lord </span></b><b><span lang="en-US">God</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">
to the mountains, the hills, the rivers, the valleys, the desolate
wastes,</span></b><b><span lang="en-US"> and the
cities that have been forsaken, which became plunder and mockery to
the rest of </span></b><b><span lang="en-US">the
nations all around—therefore thus says the Lord </span></b><b><span lang="en-US">God</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">:
‘Surely I have spoken in My burning</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">
</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">jealousy against
the rest of the nations and against all Edom, who gave My land to
themselves as</span></b><b><span lang="en-US"> a
possession, with wholehearted joy and spiteful minds, in order to
plunder its open country.’ </span></b></span>
</p>
<p style="line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">
“<b><span lang="en-US">Therefore prophesy concerning
the land of Israel, and say to the mountains, the hills,</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">
</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">the rivers, and
the valleys, ‘Thus says the Lord </span></b><b><span lang="en-US">God</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">:
“Behold, I have spoken in My jealousy</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">
and My fury, because you have borne the shame of the nations.”
Therefore thus says the Lord </span></b><b><span lang="en-US">God</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">:
“I have raised My hand in an oath that surely the nations that are
around you shall bear their own shame. But you, O mountains of
Israel, you shall shoot forth your branches and yield your fruit to
My people Israel, for they are about to come. For indeed I am for
you, and I will turn to you, and you shall be tilled and sown. I will
multiply men upon you, ALL THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL, ALL OF IT; and the
cities shall be inhabited and the ruins rebuilt.’ ”</span></b></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 0.23in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"></span>
</p>
<p style="line-height: 0.2in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Ezekiel
36:22–28 says, </span></span><b><span lang="en-US">“Therefore
SAY TO THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL, ‘Thus says the Lord </span></b><b><span lang="en-US">God</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">:
“I do not do this for your sake, O house of Israel, but for My holy
name’s sake, which </span></b><b><span lang="en-US">you
have profaned among the nations wherever you went. And I will
sanctify My great name,</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">
which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in
their midst; and the nations shall know that I am the </span></b><b><span lang="en-US">Lord</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">,”
says the Lord </span></b><b><span lang="en-US">God</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">,
“when I am hallowed in you before their eyes. For I will take you
from among the nations, gather you out of all countries, and BRING
YOU INTO YOUR OWN LAND.Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and
you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and
from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit
within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give
you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you
to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.
THEN YOU SHALL DWELL IN THE LAND THAT I GAVE TO YOUR FATHERS; you
shall be My people, and I will be your God.”</span></b></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 0.2in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"></span>
</p>
<p style="line-height: 0.2in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Ezekiel
37:21–25 says, </span></span><b><span lang="en-US">“Then
say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord </span></b><b><span lang="en-US">God</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">:
“Surely I will take the children of Israel from among the nations,
wherever they have gone, and will gather them </span></b><b><span lang="en-US">from
every side and bring them into their own land; and I will make them
one nation in the land,</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">
on the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king over them all;
they shall no longer be two nations, nor shall they ever be divided
into two kingdoms again. They shall not defile themselves anymore
with their idols, nor with their detestable things, nor with any of
their transgressions; but I will deliver them from all their dwelling
places in which they have sinned, and will cleanse them. Then they
shall be My people, and I will be their God. </span></b></span>
</p>
<p style="line-height: 0.2in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">
“<b><span lang="en-US">David My servant shall be king
over them, and they shall all have one shepherd; they shall also</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">
</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">walk in My
judgments and observe My statutes, and do them. THEN THEY SHALL DWELL</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">
</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">IN THE LAND THAT
I HAVE GIVEN TO JACOB MY SERVANT, WHERE YOUR</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">
FATHERS DWELT; and they shall dwell there, they, their children, and
their children’s children, forever; and My servant David shall be
their prince forever.”</span></b></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 0.2in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"></span>
</p>
<p style="line-height: 0.2in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Ezekiel
47:13–20 says, </span></span><b><span lang="en-US">“Thus
says the Lord </span></b><b><span lang="en-US">God</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">:
‘These are the borders by which you shall divide the land as an
inheritance among the twelve tribes of Israel. Joseph shall have two
</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">portions. You
shall inherit it equally with one another; for I raised My hand in an
oath to give it</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">
to your fathers, and this land shall fall to you as your inheritance.
“This shall be the border of the land on the north: from the Great
Sea, by the road to Hethlon, as one goes to Zedad, Hamath, Berothah,
Sibraim (which is between the border of Damascus and the border of
Hamath), to Hazar Hatticon (which is on the border of Hauran). Thus
the boundary shall be from the Sea to Hazar Enan, the border of
Damascus; and as for the north, northward, it is the border of
Hamath. This is the north side. “On the east side you shall mark
out the border from between Hauran and Damascus, and between Gilead
and the land of Israel, </span></b><b><span lang="en-US">along
the Jordan, and along the eastern side of the sea. This is the east
side. “The south side,</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">
</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">toward the
South, shall be from Tamar to the waters of Meribah by Kadesh, along
the brook</span></b><b><span lang="en-US"> to the
Great Sea. This is the south side, toward the South. “The west side
shall be the Great Sea, from the southern boundary until one comes to
a point opposite Hamath. This is the west side.” ’ ”</span></b></span></p>
<p style="line-height: 0.2in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Ezekiel
48:1–8 says, </span></span><b><span lang="en-US">“Now
these are the names of the tribes: From the northern border along</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">
</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">the road to
Hethlon at the entrance of Hamath, to Hazar Enan, the border of
Damascus</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">
northward, in the direction of Hamath, there shall be one section for
Dan from its east to its west side; by the border of Dan, from the
east side to the west, one section for Asher; by the border of Asher,
from the east side to the west, one section for Naphtali; by the
border </span></b><b><span lang="en-US">of
Naphtali, from the east side to the west, one section for Manasseh;
by the border of Manasseh,</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">
from the east side to the west, one section for Ephraim; by the
border of Ephraim, from the east side to the west, one section for
Reuben; by the border of Reuben, from the east side to the west, one
section for Judah; by the border of Judah, from the east side to the
west, shall be the district which you shall set apart, twenty-five
thousand cubits in width, and in length the same as one of the other
portions, from the east side to the west, with the sanctuary in the
center.”</span></b></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 0.2in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"></span>
</p>
<p style="line-height: 0.2in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">And
finally, Ezekiel 48:23–29 says, </span></span><b><span lang="en-US">“
‘As for the rest of the tribes, from the east side to the west,</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">
Benjamin shall have one section; by the border of Benjamin, from the
east side to the west, </span></b><b><span lang="en-US">Simeon
shall have one section; by the border of Simeon, from the east side
to the west,</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">
Issachar shall have one section; by the border of Issachar, from the
east side to the west, Zebulun shall have one section; by the border
of Zebulun, from the east side to the west, </span></b><b><span lang="en-US">Gad
shall have one section; by the border of Gad, on the south side,
toward the South,</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">
the border shall be from Tamar to the waters of Meribah by Kadesh,
along the brook to the Great Sea. This is the land which you shall
divide by lot as an inheritance among the tribes of Israel, and these
are their portions,’ says the Lord </span></b><b><span lang="en-US">God</span></b><b><span lang="en-US">.”</span></b></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 0.2in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
</p>
Stan Feldsinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03658444602773411342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1862246698205874117.post-56281470857846494642023-09-16T12:01:00.000-07:002023-09-16T12:01:00.097-07:00 Study of Matthew Handout Chapter 15:10-20<p></p>
<p align="CENTER" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>by
Stan Feldsine (www.tojesusbeallglory.com)</b></span></span></p>
<p align="CENTER" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<h1 lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: maroon; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Matthew
15:10-11 - What Defiles a Person Parable</b></span></span></h1>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">Jesus
calls the entire crowd to hear a parable that explains that
defilement is a heart issue, not a physical issue. In the following
passage we see that the Pharisees were only concerned with outward
ritual (</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Mar 7:1-4</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">).</span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">Jesus
contradicts the traditional teachings of the Pharisees by stating
that it is not what is done ritually that determines if one is
"clean" or not, rather, it is the expression proceeding
forth from the heart. One is physical cleanliness, the other is
spiritual cleanliness. The Pharisees were concerned with physical
cleanliness and ignored spiritual cleanliness (</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Mat 15:11</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Mar 7:15</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">).</span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in;">
</p>
<h1 lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: maroon; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Matthew
15:12-14 - The Offense to the Pharisees</b></span></span></h1>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">The
people held the Pharisees in high regard, even the disciples
respected them, and wanted to know why Jesus was speaking in a way
that offended them. The passage that "every plant ... that the
Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots" hearkens
back to the parable of the Wheat and Tares (</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Mat 13:24-30</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><b>,
</b></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Mat 13:36-42</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">).
The righteous are plants the Lord has planted (</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Isa 60:21</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">),
the unrighteous plants that will be destroyed (</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Isa 5:1-6</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">).
The Pharisees are the unrighteous plants.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<h1 lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: maroon; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Matthew
15:15-20 - What Defiles a Person Explained</b></span></span></h1>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">Peter
and the disciples referred to the statement Jesus made in
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Mat 15:10-11</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">
as a parable. Parables were designed so that no one understood what
He was talking about (</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Mat 15:10-11</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Mar 7:14-15</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">).
Peter and the disciples asked Jesus to explain this short parable.
Even the disciples did not understand what Jesus was saying
(</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Mat 15:15</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Mar 7:17</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">).</span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">The
Pharisees taught defilement as external. I.E. they ate pork, touched
a dead man, associated with Gentiles, they were defiled. Jesus was
teaching them that defilement was not something caused externally,
but originated internally, in the heart. The law was concerned not
about external cleanliness, but regeneration (</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Deu 10:15-16</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Deu 30:6</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Jer 4:4</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">).
The washing of hands was a worthless ritual that did not deal with
the heart.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">Mark
adds a detail that should not be overlooked (</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Mar 7:19</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">),
"</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><b>(In
saying this, Jesus declared all foods clean.)". </b></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">A
part of Jesus' mission was to eliminate the distinction between clean
and unclean in the realm of food. Physically Jesus is saying that
nothing outside of us can defile us: (</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Mar 7:15</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Mar 7:20-23</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">).
Jesus is applying this to foods that previously had been considered
unclean to eat. If nothing physically outside a person can defile
them, and pork is something eaten physically, then pork cannot defile
a person who eats it. Thus, Jesus made pork clean.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">Other
writers confirmed this the change in the nature of unclean meat. Luke
writing in Acts states this: (</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Act 10:9-15</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">).
The context of what Luke is recording here is Peter's rejection of
Gentiles. Jesus is teaching him, using the metaphor of unclean meats
becoming clean to illustrate that Peter should not consider Gentiles
to be unclean. In the metaphor, all meats are necessarily clean, or
the metaphor would not be a valid illustration indicating that
Gentile were now to be considered clean (</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Act 10:28</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">).</span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">Paul
also shows that all meats are considered clean now:(</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Rom 14:6</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>1Ti 4:1-5</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">).</span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">The
"truth" that Paul is referring to in this letter to Timothy
is that external things are not the source of defilement, our heart
and mind is. Guard our hearts and minds, and our behavior will be
protected as well.</span></span></span></p>
Stan Feldsinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03658444602773411342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1862246698205874117.post-42028214138207440712023-09-16T11:01:00.004-07:002023-09-16T11:01:28.344-07:00Study of Matthew Handout Chapter 15:1-9<p><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>by
Stan Feldsine (www.tojesusbeallglory.com)</b></span></span></p>
<p align="CENTER" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<h1 lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: maroon; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Matthew
15:1-3 - Traditions and Commands</b></span></span></h1>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Jesus continues His
ministry, having fed the 5000, walked on water to the the disciples
boat, Peter had walked out to Jesus on the water, after which Jesus
entered the boat and they all found themselves in Gennesaret. The
lesson was that the disciples would need to depend on and trust Jesus
for every aspect of all of their needs.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">As He continued, He was
confronted by some Pharisees that had come up from Jerusalem. The
opposition to Jesus as the Messianic King is increasing and the
Pharisees are traveling to where Jesus is now to try and bring doubt
regarding His authority.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">In addition to
recording the parabolic discourse by Jesus on physical versus
spiritual defilement, Matthew reveals the contrast between the faith
of the Pharisees and that of a Canaanite (Gentile) woman in this
chapter. Jesus would again marvel at the unbelief of the Jewish
people, and the belief of the Gentile Canaanite woman.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Significantly, the
Pharisees accused the disciples of breaking the "tradition of
the elders", not of breaking the Law of Moses. The "elders"
were great rabbis of the past, and their oral teachings had come to
be viewed as almost equal in authority to the Law of Moses. These
Pharisees were quite aware that what they were accusing Jesus of was
breaking their traditions, not the actual law.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The oral law
(traditions of the elders) regarding the washing of hands is not a
matter of hygiene, but spiritual defilement. The purpose of the
"washing of hands" was religious purification. The
synagogues provided supplies of water for this ritual. Omitting this
ritual would lead to temporal destruction and poverty, and the
departure of God's divine presence. Pharisees elevated the study of
the oral law above that of the Law of Moses, and it was the
Pharisaical method of maintaining control of the Jewish nation.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Jews who contradicted
the Law were not considered rebels, but those who contradicted a
rabbi were, hence Jesus' charge against them was because their
traditions invalided God's law.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">There
were other traditions based on ritual washings, including that of
cups, pitchers, kettles, etc. (</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Mar 7:3-4</u></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">).
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">Jesus
counters that they are elevating their traditions over the law
(</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Mar 7:9</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">).</span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<h1 lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: maroon; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Matthew
15:4-9 - Honoring Mother and Father</b></span></span></h1>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">What
Jesus is bringing up in His counter argument is that the Pharisees
were more interested in honoring their traditions than they were
about being obedient to the Law of Moses (</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Mar 7:6-9</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">).</span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">The
example that Jesus brings up to illustrate their error involves the
5th commandment (</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Exo 20:12</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Eph 6:2-3</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">).
This is a part of the Law of Moses, not a tradition. It states that
children, adult or otherwise, should "honor" our parents.
"Honor" means to "place value upon", "revere",
"show the value of someone or something". This law was
serious enough that it provided for the death penalty for insolent
children who cursed their parents.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">Although
the Law stated that we should honor our parents, the oral law
provided ways to "opt out" of this care. It stated that
giving money to the temple was more important than caring for ones
parents. The term "corban" meant "a gift set apart to
God". If a person had a parent in need, the child could escape
from the responsibility to care for their parents by declaring the
gift set apart to God (</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Mar 7:10-13</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">).</span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">In
this way the traditions of the elders conflicted with the Law of
Moses and the people had to choose which to follow. The Pharisees
were rightly called hypocrites and rebuked.</span></span></span></p>
Stan Feldsinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03658444602773411342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1862246698205874117.post-7586751571935606722023-09-16T10:48:00.013-07:002023-09-16T10:48:59.532-07:00Study of Matthew Chapter 15<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>by
Stan Feldsine (www.tojesusbeallglory.com)</b></span></span></span></p>
<p align="CENTER" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<h1 lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: maroon; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Matthew
15:1-3 - Traditions and Commands</b></span></span></h1>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u><b>Mat 15:1-3</b></u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><b>
Then some Pharisees and teachers of the law came to Jesus from
Jerusalem and asked, (2) "Why do your disciples break the
tradition of the elders? They don't wash their hands before they
eat!" (3) Jesus replied, "And why do you break the command
of God for the sake of your tradition?</b></i></span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Jesus here is
continuing His ministry to the people around Gennesaret. He had fed
the 5000, walked on water to the the boat where the disciples were encountering weather resistance in reaching the other side. </span>
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Peter had walked out to
Jesus on the water, after which Jesus entered the boat and they all
found themselves in Gennesaret, thus concluding the lessons taught by
the feeding the 5000, storms at sea, and walking on water. The lesson
was that the disciples would need to depend on and trust Jesus for
every aspect of all of their needs.</span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">As He continued, He was
confronted by some Pharisees that had come up from Jerusalem. No
doubt Pharisee headquarters in Jerusalem had sent these out with the
the mission to confront and discredit Jesus. The opposition to Jesus
as the Messianic King is increasing and the Pharisees are traveling
to where Jesus is now to try and bring doubt regarding His authority.</span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">In addition to
recording the parabolic discourse by Jesus on physical versus
spiritual defilement, Matthew reveals the contrast between the faith
of the Pharisees and that of a Canaanite (Gentile) woman in this
chapter. Jesus would again marvel at the unbelief of the Jewish
people, and the belief of the Gentile Canaanite woman.</span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Significantly, the
Pharisees accused the disciples of breaking the "tradition of
the elders", not of breaking the Law of Moses. The "elders"
were great rabbis of the past, and their oral teachings had come to
be viewed as almost equal in authority to the Law of Moses. These
Pharisees were quite aware that what they were accusing Jesus of was
breaking their traditions, not the actual law.</span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The oral law
(traditions of the elders) regarding the washing of hands is not a
matter of hygiene, but spiritual defilement. The purpose of the
"washing of hands" was religious purification. The
synagogues provided supplies of water for this ritual. Omitting this
ritual would lead to temporal destruction and poverty, and the
departure of God's divine presence. Pharisees elevated the study of
the oral law above that of the Law of Moses, and it was the
Pharisaical method of maintaining control of the Jewish nation.</span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">According to the
Pharisees, Jews who contradicted the Law were not considered rebels,
but those who contradicted a rabbi were, hence Jesus charge against
them because their traditions invalidated God's law..</span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">There were a lot of
other ritual traditions based on ritual washings, including that of
cups, pitchers, kettles, etc.</span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Mar 7:3-4</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
(The Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they give their
hands a ceremonial washing, holding to the tradition of the elders.
(4) When they come from the marketplace they do not eat unless they
wash. And they observe many other traditions, such as the washing of
cups, pitchers and kettles.)</i></span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Jesus counters with an
accusation that they are elevating their traditions over the law.</span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Mar 7:8-9</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human
traditions." (9) And he continued, "You have a fine way of
setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own
traditions!</i></span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<h1 lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: maroon; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Matthew
15:4-9 - Honoring Mother and Father</b></span></span></h1>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u><b>Mat 15:4-9</b></u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><b>
For God said, 'Honor your father and mother' and 'Anyone who curses
their father or mother is to be put to death.' (5) But you say that
if anyone declares that what might have been used to help their
father or mother is 'devoted to God,' (6) they are not to 'honor
their father or mother' with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for
the sake of your tradition. (7) You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when
he prophesied about you: (8) "'These people honor me with their
lips, but their hearts are far from me. (9) They worship me in vain;
their teachings are merely human rules.'"</b></i></span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">What Jesus is bringing
up in His counter argument is that the Pharisees were more interested
in honoring their traditions than they were about being obedient to
the Law of Moses.</span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Mar 7:6-9</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
He replied, "Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you
hypocrites; as it is written: "'These people honor me with their
lips, but their hearts are far from me. (7) They worship me in vain;
their teachings are merely human rules.' (8) You have let go of the
commands of God and are holding on to human traditions." (9) And
he continued, "You have a fine way of setting aside the commands
of God in order to observe your own traditions!</i></span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The example that Jesus
brings up to illustrate their error involves the 5th commandment.</span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Exo 20:12</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
"Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in
the land the LORD your God is giving you.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Eph 6:2-3</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
"Honor your father and mother"--which is the first
commandment with a promise-- (3) "so that it may go well with
you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth."</i></span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">This is a part of the
Law of Moses, not a tradition. It states that children, adult or
otherwise, should "honor" our parents. "Honor"
means to "place value upon", "revere", "show
the value of someone or something". In the Jewish understanding,
it meant that the Jewish people were to care for the welfare of their
parents as they aged and were not able to care for themselves. This
law was serious enough that it provided for the death penalty for
insolent children who cursed their parents.</span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Although the Law stated
that we should honor our parents, the oral law provided ways to "opt
out" of this care. It stated that giving money to the temple was
more important than caring for ones parents. The term "corban"
meant "a gift set apart to God". If a person had a parent
in need, that person could escape from the responsibility to care for
their parents by declaring the gift set apart to God.</span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Mar 7:10-13</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
For Moses said, 'Honor your father and mother,' and, 'Anyone who
curses their father or mother is to be put to death.' (11) But you
say that if anyone declares that what might have been used to help
their father or mother is Corban (that is, devoted to God)-- (12)
then you no longer let them do anything for their father or mother.
(13) Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have
handed down. And you do many things like that."</i></span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The intricacies of this
tradition allowed the person who declared what might have been used
to help the parent to either give it to the synagogue, or keep it
themselves as something set apart to God.</span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">In this way the
traditions of the elders conflicted with the Law of Moses and the
people had to choose which to follow. The Pharisees were rightly
called hypocrites and rebuked.</span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>The Ritual</b></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The "tradition of
the elders" in this case involved ceremonial cleansing in the
form of the washing of hands. It was believed that evil spirits were
present all the time and that the frequent ritual of washing of hands
and various implements cleansed the individual and removed the evil
spirits from their presence.</span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The ritual itself
required that in groups of people, there was an order that the ritual
was to be completed, starting with the most important person, and
ending with the least. The ritual ended with a benediction recited by
the person who began the ritual.</span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">If a Jew despised the
washing of hands, then they were excommunicated, and when he died, a
large rock was placed on his grave, and the rock was stoned. A Jew
who despised the washing of hands would be rooted out of the world,
and would fall into poverty.</span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">There were even
traditions for situations when there was no water to wash in. If
water was within 4 miles of where the party was, then they were to
travel to that location to perform the ritual. If the distance was
greater than 4 miles, then they were to wipe their hands with
shavings, sand or a board, then they could proceed with the prayer.</span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Jesus's Dealing and
Response to Rabbinic Ritualism</b></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Jesus did not follow
this tradition, and neither did His disciples. That was the whole
point of the Pharisees questioning Him about this. The Pharisees that
were questioning Jesus had traveled for three days to question Him
about something that was not even a matter of the Mosaic Law.</span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The Pharisees were
never able to accuse Jesus of breaking the Law of Moses, which He was
obedient to down to the last jot and tittle. They could only accuse
Him of breaking their traditions.</span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Jesus responded to
Pharisaic traditionalism by pointing out that they were hypocrites,
that they were setting up a tradition that allowed for passively
ignoring the commandments of God (Law of Moses) and allowing their
traditions to outright reject the commands of God. </span>
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Isa 29:13</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
The Lord says: "These people come near to me with their mouth
and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their
worship of me is based on merely human rules they have been taught.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Mar 7:6-7</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
He replied, "Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you
hypocrites; as it is written: "'These people honor me with their
lips, but their hearts are far from me. (7) They worship me in vain;
their teachings are merely human rules.'</i></span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The Pharisees believed
that they were honoring and worshiping God with their man made rules,
but in truth their worship was empty and vain and elevated their man
made rules above the rules that God gave them in His law.</span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Mar 7:9</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
And he continued, "You have a fine way of setting aside the
commands of God in order to observe your own traditions!</i></span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Corban</b></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">As mentioned above,
Jesus illustrated the truth of what He was saying about their
hypocrisy, and elevating their traditions above the Law of Moses.</span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>"Many Such Like
Things"</b></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Mar 7:13</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have
handed down. And you do many things like that."</i></span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Jesus judged the
Pharisees for elevating their traditions above the Law of Moses in
many other things. Another example has to do with the principle of
"Eruv". </span>
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The Law of Moses
contains a command for the Sabbath day of rest in which the
individual Jew is not permitted to travel more than .57 miles. The
Pharisees devised a way to get around this and travel further. Dr.
Arnold Fruchtenbaum quotes a source (b.Shabbath, p. 27, n. 9.. See
also y. Shebiit 9:1):</span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>On the Sabbath one
may not go more than two thousand cubits out of the town. This,
however, may be extended by placing some food (called an 'erub) at
any spot within the two thousand cubits on Friday; by a legal fiction
that spot becomes the Sabbath abode, since he can now eat his meal
there, and from there he is premitted to walk a further two thousand
cubits in any direction. This food must so be placed that it is
permissable to take it on the Sabbath."</i></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<h1 lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: maroon; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Matthew
15:10-11 - What Defiles a Person Parable</b></span></span></h1>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u><b>Mat 15:10-11</b></u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><b>
Jesus called the crowd to him and said, "Listen and understand.
(11) What goes into someone's mouth does not defile them, but what
comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them."</b></i></span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Jesus calls the entire
crowd to hear what He has to say. He is going to use a parabolic
method to explain what is going on by showing that defilement is a
heart issue, not a physical issue.</span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">In the following
passage we see that the Pharisees were only concerned with outward
ritual.</span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Mar 7:1-4</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
The Pharisees and some of the teachers of the law who had come from
Jerusalem gathered around Jesus (2) and saw some of his disciples
eating food with hands that were defiled, that is, unwashed. (3) (The
Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they give their hands a
ceremonial washing, holding to the tradition of the elders. (4) When
they come from the marketplace they do not eat unless they wash. And
they observe many other traditions, such as the washing of cups,
pitchers and kettles.)</i></span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Jesus contradicts the
traditional teachings of the Pharisees by stating that it is not what
is done outside physically, I.E. ritual, that determines if one is
"clean" or not, rather, it is the expression proceeding
forth from the heart that determines if one is "clean" or
not.</span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">One is physical
cleanliness, the other is spiritual cleanliness. The Pharisees were
concerned with physical cleanliness and ignored spiritual
cleanliness.</span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Mat 15:11</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">
What goes into someone's mouth does not defile them, but what comes
out of their mouth, that is what defiles them."</span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Mar 7:15</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
Nothing outside a person can defile them by going into them. Rather,
it is what comes out of a person that defiles them."</i></span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<h1 lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: maroon; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Matthew
15:12-14 - The Offense to the Pharisees</b></span></span></h1>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u><b>Mat 15:12-14</b></u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><b>
Then the disciples came to him and asked, "Do you know that the
Pharisees were offended when they heard this?" (13) He replied,
"Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be
pulled up by the roots. (14) Leave them; they are blind guides. If
the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit."</b></i></span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The people held the
Pharisees in high regard, even the disciples respected them. It is in
this spirit that the disciples wanted to know why Jesus was speaking
in a way that offended them.</span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The passage that "every
plant ... that the Father has not planted will be pulled up by the
roots" hearkens back to the parable of the Wheat and Tares. The
pulling up of the weeds occurs between the end of the Tribulation and
the beginning of the Messianic Kingdom. They are to be left to spread
their false teachings until that time.</span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>The Parable of the
Wheat and Tares:</b></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Mat 13:24-30</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
Jesus told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like
a man who sowed good seed in his field. (25) But while everyone was
sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went
away. (26) When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds
also appeared. (27) "The owner's servants came to him and said,
'Sir, didn't you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the
weeds come from?' (28) "'An enemy did this,' he replied. "The
servants asked him, 'Do you want us to go and pull them up?' (29)
"'No,' he answered, 'because while you are pulling the weeds,
you may uproot the wheat with them. (30) Let both grow together until
the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect
the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat
and bring it into my barn.'"</i></span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>The Parable of the
Wheat and Tares Explained:</b></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Mat 13:36-42</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
Then he left the crowd and went into the house. His disciples came to
him and said, "Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the
field." (37) He answered, "The one who sowed the good seed
is the Son of Man. (38) The field is the world, and the good seed
stands for the people of the kingdom. The weeds are the people of the
evil one, (39) and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest
is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels. (40) "As
the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the
end of the age. (41) The Son of Man will send out his angels, and
they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all
who do evil. (42) They will throw them into the blazing furnace,
where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The righteous people
are referred to as a plant the Lord has planted, I.E. wheat.</span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Isa 60:21</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
Then all your people will be righteous and they will possess the land
forever. They are the shoot I have planted, the work of my hands, for
the display of my splendor.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The unrighteous are
referred to as a plant that will be destroyed for it's lack of fruit,
I.E. tares.</span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Isa 5:1-6</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
I will sing for the one I love a song about his vineyard: My loved
one had a vineyard on a fertile hillside. (2) He dug it up and
cleared it of stones and planted it with the choicest vines. He built
a watchtower in it and cut out a winepress as well. Then he looked
for a crop of good grapes, but it yielded only bad fruit. (3) "Now
you dwellers in Jerusalem and people of Judah, judge between me and
my vineyard. (4) What more could have been done for my vineyard than
I have done for it? When I looked for good grapes, why did it yield
only bad? (5) Now I will tell you what I am going to do to my
vineyard: I will take away its hedge, and it will be destroyed; I
will break down its wall, and it will be trampled. (6) I will make it
a wasteland, neither pruned nor cultivated, and briers and thorns
will grow there. I will command the clouds not to rain on it."</i></span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The Pharisees
considered themselves to be guides to the spiritually blind, but they
themselves were blind.</span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Rom 2:19-21</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for
those who are in the dark, (20) an instructor of the foolish, a
teacher of little children, because you have in the law the
embodiment of knowledge and truth-- (21) you, then, who teach others,
do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you
steal?</i></span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<h1 lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: maroon; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Matthew
15:15-20 - What Defiles a Person Explained</b></span></span></h1>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u><b>Mat 15:15-20</b></u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><b>
Peter said, "Explain the parable to us." (16) "Are you
still so dull?" Jesus asked them. (17) "Don't you see that
whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the
body? (18) But the things that come out of a person's mouth come from
the heart, and these defile them. (19) For out of the heart come evil
thoughts--murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false
testimony, slander. (20) These are what defile a person; but eating
with unwashed hands does not defile them."</b></i></span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">Peter
and the disciples referred to the statement Jesus made in
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Mat 15:10-11</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">
as a parable. Parables were designed so that no one understood what
He was talking about.</span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Mat 15:10-11</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
Jesus called the crowd to him and said, "Listen and understand.
(11) What goes into someone's mouth does not defile them, but what
comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them."</i></span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Mar 7:14-15</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
Again Jesus called the crowd to him and said, "Listen to me,
everyone, and understand this. (15) Nothing outside a person can
defile them by going into them. Rather, it is what comes out of a
person that defiles them."</i></span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Peter and the disciples
asked Jesus to explain this short parable. Even the disciples did not
understand what Jesus was saying.</span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Mat 15:15</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
Peter said, "Explain the parable to us."</i></span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Mar 7:17</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
After he had left the crowd and entered the house, his disciples
asked him about this parable.</i></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">
</span></span></span>
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The Pharisees only say
defilement as something external to themselves. I.E. they ate pork,
they were defiled. They touched a dead man, they were defiled, etc.</span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Jesus was teaching them
that defilement was not something caused externally, but originated
internally, in the heart. That is where defilement originated.
Remember from the beginning the law was concerned not about external
cleanliness, but was concerned about circumcision, or regeneration of
the heart.</span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Deu 10:15-16</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
Yet the LORD set his affection on your ancestors and loved them, and
he chose you, their descendants, above all the nations--as it is
today. (16) Circumcise your hearts, therefore, and do not be
stiff-necked any longer.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Deu 30:6</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
The LORD your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your
descendants, so that you may love him with all your heart and with
all your soul, and live. </i></span></span></span>
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Jer 4:4</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, circumcise your hearts, you people
of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem, or my wrath will flare up and
burn like fire because of the evil you have done-- burn with no one
to quench it.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">In the example of
eating pork, Jesus is wanting the disciples to understand that the
decision to eat pork originates in the heart and that is where
defilement occurs. Their behavior proceeds from their heart.
Cleanliness is a matter of the heart, not ritual. The washing of
hands was a worthless ritual created by the "wise rabbis"
to be a tradition that was not a part of the Law of Moses. It did not
deal with the thoughts in the mind or the heart from whence
defilement originated.</span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The Pharisees were hard
hearted, focused on worthless tradition, and resistant to change.
They were not allowing God's word to change their heart through
regeneration. They did not understand the real Law of Moses that
called on them to be circumcised of heart, which is to be regenerated
in their minds.</span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Mark adds a detail that
should not be overlooked.</span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Mar 7:19</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
For it doesn't go into their heart but into their stomach, and then
out of the body." </i></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><b>(In
saying this, Jesus declared all foods clean.)</b></i></span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The Pharisees were only
concerned with external cleanliness. This is most likely because they
were devoid of the Spirit, and could not perceive thus not understand
the concept of internal cleanliness. The prohibition against eating
pork was in the Law of Moses, not a tradition. </span>
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">A part of Jesus'
mission was to eliminate the distinction between clean and unclean in
the realm of food. In the realm of the physical, Jesus is saying that
nothing can defile us:</span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Mar 7:15</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
Nothing outside a person can defile them by going into them. Rather,
it is what comes out of a person that defiles them."</i></span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Jesus here is teaching
that defilement occurs in the heart, not physically.</span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Mar 7:20-23</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
He went on: "What comes out of a person is what defiles them.
(21) For it is from within, out of a person's heart, that evil
thoughts come--sexual immorality, theft, murder, (22) adultery,
greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly.
(23) All these evils come from inside and defile a person."</i></span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">So Mark is applying
this to foods that previously had been considered unclean to eat. If
nothing physically outside a person can defile them, and pork is
something eaten physically, then pork cannot defile a person who eats
it. Thus, Jesus made pork clean for those who understand what this
parable is teaching.</span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Other writers confirmed
this the change in the nature of unclean meat. Luke writing in Acts
states this:</span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Act 10:9-15</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
About noon the following day as they were on their journey and
approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. (10) He
became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was
being prepared, he fell into a trance. (11) He saw heaven opened and
something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four
corners. (12) It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well
as reptiles and birds. (13) Then a voice told him, "Get up,
Peter. Kill and eat." (14) "Surely not, Lord!" Peter
replied. "I have never eaten anything impure or unclean."
(15) The voice spoke to him a second time, "Do not call anything
impure that God has made clean."</i></span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The context of what
Luke is recording here is Peter's rejection of Gentiles. Jesus is
teaching him, using the metaphor of unclean meats becoming clean to
illustrate that Peter should not consider Gentiles to be unclean. In
the metaphor, all meats are necessarily clean, or the metaphor would
not be a valid illustration indicating that Gentile were now to be
considered clean.</span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Act 10:28</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
He said to them: "You are well aware that it is against our law
for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile. But God has shown me
that I should not call anyone impure or unclean.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Paul also shows that
all meats are considered clean now:</span></p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Rom 14:6</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord. Whoever eats
meat does so to the Lord, for they give thanks to God; and whoever
abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>1Ti 4:1-5</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the
faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. (2)
Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences
have been seared as with a hot iron. (3) They forbid people to marry
and order them </i></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><b>to
abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with
thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth.</b></i></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
(4) For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected
if it is received with thanksgiving, (5) because it is consecrated by
the word of God and prayer.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The "truth"
that Paul is referring to in this letter to Timothy is that external
things are not the source of defilement, our heart and mind is. Guard
our hearts and minds, and our behavior will be protected as well.</span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<h1 lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: maroon; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Matthew
15:21-28 - The Faith of a Canaanite Woman</b></span></span></h1>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u><b>Mat 15:21-28</b></u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><b>
Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon.
(22) A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out,
"Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is
demon-possessed and suffering terribly." (23) Jesus did not
answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, "Send
her away, for she keeps crying out after us." (24) He answered,
"I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel." (25) The
woman came and knelt before him. "Lord, help me!" she said.
(26) He replied, "It is not right to take the children's bread
and toss it to the dogs." (27) "Yes it is, Lord," she
said. "Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their
master's table." (28) Then Jesus said to her, "Woman, you
have great faith! Your request is granted." And her daughter was
healed at that moment.</b></i></span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The region of Tyre and
Sidon were predominantly Gentile. Jesus would retreat to Gentile
lands to escape the threats of the Pharisees and their followers.
Jesus was seeking a private place to speak to His disciples about
their lack of spiritual discernment.</span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Mar 7:24</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
Jesus left that place and went to the vicinity of Tyre. He entered a
house and did not want anyone to know it; yet he could not keep his
presence secret.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Jesus was becoming
quite well known throughout the land and it was quite difficult at
this point to maintain secrecy about where He was. During this trip
to this region, he encountered a Gentile woman who was a Greek from
the area of Syria Phoenicia. This woman was well aware of who Jesus
was and cried out to Him for help.</span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Mar 7:25-26</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
In fact, as soon as she heard about him, a woman whose little
daughter was possessed by an impure spirit came and fell at his feet.
(26) The woman was a Greek, born in Syrian Phoenicia. She begged
Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Of significant note is
that the woman addressed Jesus as "Son of David".</span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Mat 15:22</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, "Lord,
Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and
suffering terribly."</i></span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">By calling Jesus the
"Son of David" the woman revealed that she understood Jesus
to be the Messianic King who had come to establish His Kingdom and
reign over earth from the throne of David. </span>
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">But Jesus did not
answer her, basically ignoring her. This distressed the disciples who
were probably embarrassed and asked Jesus to send her away.</span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Mat 15:23</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged
him, "Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us."</i></span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Jesus responded by
telling her that He had not come but for the lost sheep of Israel,
meaning the Jewish people. Jesus was the Jewish Messiah and had come
for the Jews only. At this point the Gentiles were still without hope
and without God in the world.</span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Eph 2:11-12</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and
called "uncircumcised" by those who call themselves "the
circumcision" (which is done in the body by human hands)-- (12)
remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded
from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the
promise, without hope and without God in the world.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The Gentile would not
be welcomed into the new man until Jesus's resurrection.</span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Eph 2:13-16</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought
near by the blood of Christ. (14) For he himself is our peace, who
has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the
dividing wall of hostility, (15) by setting aside in his flesh the
law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in
himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, (16) and
in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by
which he put to death their hostility.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Gal 3:24-29</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be
justified by faith. (25) Now that this faith has come, we are no
longer under a guardian. (26) So in Christ Jesus you are all children
of God through faith, (27) for all of you who were baptized into
Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. (28) There is neither Jew
nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female,
for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (29) If you belong to Christ,
then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The woman accepted what
Jesus said about His coming only for the Israelites, and changed her
approach to one of worship. She came based on her personal need.
Jesus's response this time was that it was not proper to give her
what was not hers, I.E. the blessings of the Kingdom were for those
in the house of the Jews.</span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Consider that Jesus had
been going to the Jews and many were unreached, others had rejected
Him. If Jesus were to redirect His efforts at this time and turn to
the Gentiles He would never reach all the Jewish people that needed
to hear him. The mission to the Gentiles would come later.</span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The term dogs in this
context referred to puppies, or house pets, not the mangy dogs of the
street. "Dogs" as used in this context was not a derogatory
term, it just showed that even as house pets the dogs did not get to
eat what belonged to the children of the household. Never the less
they did get to eat of the crumbs. As such the dogs were allowed in
the house, they just were not allowed to eat the children's food and
thus leave the children with nothing to eat.</span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Mat 15:26</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
He replied, "It is not right to take the children's bread and
toss it to the dogs." </i></span></span></span>
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Finally the woman
approached Jesus as one with great faith would. In spite of the
rejections so far she persisted. She understood that the dogs could
not eat the children's portion, but nevertheless they could eat of
the table food as it fell.</span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Mat 15:27</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
"Yes it is, Lord," she said. "Even the dogs eat the
crumbs that fall from their master's table."</i></span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Jesus saw in the woman
great faith. She believed and was persistent, and it is based on the
faith that she had that Jesus granted the woman's wish of healing for
her daughter.</span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Mat 15:28</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
Then Jesus said to her, "Woman, you have great faith! Your
request is granted." And her daughter was healed at that moment.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<h1 lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: maroon; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Matthew
15:29-31 - Jesus Heals Many</b></span></span></h1>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u><b>Mat 15:29-31</b></u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><b>
Jesus left there and went along the Sea of Galilee. Then he went up
on a mountainside and sat down. (30) Great crowds came to him,
bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute and many others,
and laid them at his feet; and he healed them. (31) The people were
amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled made well, the
lame walking and the blind seeing. And they praised the God of
Israel.</b></i></span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Jesus left the area of
Tyre and Sidon and traveled to the Decapolis. This is the area in
which Jesus cast the legion into the pigs, and was primarily a
Gentile region. While the residents asked Jesus to leave after the
encounter with the Legion, this time they welcomed Him.</span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Mar 7:31</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
Then Jesus left the vicinity of Tyre and went through Sidon, down to
the Sea of Galilee and into the region of the Decapolis.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Jesus again has
compassion on the crowds of sick, blind, mute and deaf people, and
heals them all. These healings are on the basis of compassion and not
signs of the Kingdom. The people are amazed, and even as Gentiles
they praised the God of Israel, even as the Israelites were rejecting
Him.</span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Mat 15:31</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
The people were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled
made well, the lame walking and the blind seeing. And they praised
the God of Israel.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Mark includes the
account of a deaf and nearly mute man. This man is likely a Jew from
one of the small Jewish communities in the area based on the details
of the healing. Interestingly, Jesus took him aside away from the
crowd. This seems to represent a shift in Jesus's ministry where He
no longer performed healing in the sight of the general population.</span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Mar 7:33-35</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
After he took him aside, away from the crowd, Jesus put his fingers
into the man's ears. Then he spit and touched the man's tongue. (34)
He looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh said to him, "Ephphatha!"
(which means "Be opened!"). (35) At this, the man's ears
were opened, his tongue was loosened and he began to speak plainly.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<h1 lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: maroon; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Matthew
15:32-39 - Jesus Feeds the 4000</b></span></span></h1>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u><b>Mat 15:32-39</b></u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><b>
Jesus called his disciples to him and said, "I have compassion
for these people; they have already been with me three days and have
nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may
collapse on the way." (33) His disciples answered, "Where
could we get enough bread in this remote place to feed such a crowd?"
(34) "How many loaves do you have?" Jesus asked. "Seven,"
they replied, "and a few small fish." (35) He told the
crowd to sit down on the ground. (36) Then he took the seven loaves
and the fish, and when he had given thanks, he broke them and gave
them to the disciples, and they in turn to the people. (37) They all
ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven
basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. (38) The number of
those who ate was four thousand men, besides women and children. (39)
After Jesus had sent the crowd away, he got into the boat and went to
the vicinity of Magadan.</b></i></span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The feeding of the 4000
men is a similar event to the feeding of the 5000, but with some
distinct differences. The feeding of the 5000 was primarily Jews,
while the feeding of the 4000 are primarily Gentiles. </span>
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The motivation driving
Jesus to feed the 4000 is again, compassion. </span>
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The primary lesson
though is for the disciples, again emphasizing their need to depend
on the Lord for meeting the needs of others. It seems apparent that
the disciples were needing to hear the lesson again as they spoke up
asking Jesus once again how they were going to feed so many people.</span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Mat 15:33</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
His disciples answered, "Where could we get enough bread in this
remote place to feed such a crowd?"</i></span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">After feeding the
people, Jesus sent them away, and traveled to Magadan by boat.</span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Mat 15:39</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
After Jesus had sent the crowd away, he got into the boat and went to
the vicinity of Magadan.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="CENTER" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
</p>
Stan Feldsinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03658444602773411342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1862246698205874117.post-17942019934651348342023-09-16T10:14:00.008-07:002023-09-16T10:18:05.653-07:00Study of Matthew Chapter 14<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="color: black;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><b>by
Stan Feldsine (www.tojesusbeallglory.com)</b></span></span></span></span></p>
<p align="CENTER" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<h1 lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: maroon; font-size: medium;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><b>Matthew
14:1-2 - Confusion About Who Jesus Was</b></span></span></span></h1>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><i><u><b>Mat 14:1-2</b></u></i></span></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><i><b>
At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the reports about Jesus, (2)
and he said to his attendants, "This is John the Baptist; he has
risen from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in
him."</b></i></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span>The Herod mentioned
here is Herod Antipas the tetrarch, who was the son of Herod the
Great. Herod the Great died a couple years after the birth of Christ.
A "tetrarch" originally meant someone who ruled a fourth of
a kingdom, but later it became a title for a ruler who was of a lower
rank than a true king.</span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span>Herod Antipas had a
half-brother named Phillip, and Phillip and Herod Antipas each ruled
a part of the kingdom, and each were referred to as "Herod".</span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span>Herod Antipas ruled
over Galilee and received regular reports of the activities of Jesus
and John. Herod was a convert to Judaism who did not follow the
faith. So he was aware of Jewish Law, but did not observe it.</span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span>Herod Antipas actually
thought that Jesus was John the Baptist now risen from the dead. Some
of the people in the area also came to this conclusion.</span></span></p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Mar 6:14</u></i></span></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><i>
King Herod heard about this, for Jesus' name had become well known.
Some were saying, "John the Baptist has been raised from the
dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him."</i></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span>Rumors were swirling,
and some thought Jesus was Elijah or a prophet of the Old Testament
sort. All these rumors were causing Herod some distress, and so he
had set out to determine if this person was indeed a resurrected John
the Baptist.</span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Luk 9:7-9</u></i></span></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><i>
Now Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was going on. And he was
perplexed because some were saying that John had been raised from the
dead, (8) others that Elijah had appeared, and still others that one
of the prophets of long ago had come back to life. (9) But Herod
said, "I beheaded John. Who, then, is this I hear such things
about?" And he tried to see him.</i></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<h1 lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: maroon; font-size: medium;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><b>Matthew
14:3-12 - The Account of the Death of John the Baptist</b></span></span></span></h1>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><i><u><b>Mat 14:3-12</b></u></i></span></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><i><b>
Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison
because of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, (4) for John had been
saying to him: "It is not lawful for you to have her." (5)
Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of the people, because
they considered John a prophet. (6) On Herod's birthday the daughter
of Herodias danced for the guests and pleased Herod so much (7) that
he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. (8) Prompted
by her mother, she said, "Give me here on a platter the head of
John the Baptist." (9) The king was distressed, but because of
his oaths and his dinner guests, he ordered that her request be
granted (10) and had John beheaded in the prison. (11) His head was
brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who carried it to her
mother. (12) John's disciples came and took his body and buried it.
Then they went and told Jesus.</b></i></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span>We
now take a look back at the account of John's death that led to Jesus
being mistaken for a risen John the Baptist. </span></span></span>
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span>As
we learned earlier, Herod Antipas had a half-brother Herod Phillip.
Phillip was formerly married to Herodias, who was now living with
Herod Antipas, which was against the Jewish Law. John was calling
this out to Herod and Herodias repeatedly, and aggravated them to no
end.</span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Mar 6:18</u></i></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><i>
For John had been saying to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to
have your brother's wife."</i></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span>John
was revering to the following laws. Law against Antipas for marrying
his brother's wife:</span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Lev 18:16</u></i></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><i>
"'Do not have sexual relations with your brother's wife; that
would dishonor your </i></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US">brother.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Lev 20:21</u></i></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><i>
"'If a man marries his brother's wife, it is an act of impurity;
he has dishonored his brother. They will be childless.</i></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span>Law
against Herodias for marrying her uncle:</span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Lev 18:12-14</u></i></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><i>
"'Do not have sexual relations with your father's sister; she is
your father's close relative. (13) "'Do not have sexual
relations with your mother's sister, because she is your mother's
close relative. (14) "'Do not dishonor your father's brother by
approaching his wife to have sexual relations; she is your aunt.</i></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Lev 20:19-20</u></i></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><i>
"'Do not have sexual relations with the sister of either your
mother or your father, for that would dishonor a close relative; both
of you would be held responsible. (20) "'If a man has sexual
relations with his aunt, he has dishonored his uncle. They will be
held responsible; they will die childless.</i></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span>All
this enraged Herodias who didn't want her sin called out.</span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Mar 6:19</u></i></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><i>
So Herodias nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But
she was not able to,</i></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span>Herod,
however, didn't want to kill John, for he considered him "a
righteous and holy man", and he rejected John and wanted to
protect him. He liked to listen to him.</span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Mar 6:20</u></i></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><i>
because Herod feared John and protected him, knowing him to be a
righteous and holy man. When Herod heard John, he was greatly
puzzled; yet he liked to listen to him.</i></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span>Herod
had some fear preventing him from killing John as well, as the people
considered him to be a prophet, and killing him could start riots. So
Herod had him locked in prison in an attempt to silence him. John had
been put into prison soon after Jesus started His ministry.</span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Mat 4:12</u></i></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><i>,
</i></span></span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Mat 4:17</u></i></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><i>
When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he withdrew to
Galilee. (17) From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent,
for the kingdom of heaven has come near."</i></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span>So
for some time now, Jesus had been preaching the gospel of the kingdom
while John was in prison. We now come to the present time and the
event where Herod is tricked into having John killed at the request
of Herodias.</span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span>It
turns out the event was a birthday party at which Herodias and her
daughter Salome was in attendance. The daughter, who was around 12 or
13 years old, had pleased Herod Antipas and the guests with a display
of dancing. She please Herod so much that he offered to grant her any
request up to half of his kingdom.</span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Mar 6:21</u></i></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><i>
Finally the opportune time came. On his birthday Herod gave a banquet
for his high officials and military commanders and the leading men of
Galilee.</i></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Mar 6:22-23</u></i></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><i>
When the daughter of Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod
and his dinner guests. The king said to the girl, "Ask me for
anything you want, and I'll give it to you." (23) And he
promised her with an oath, "Whatever you ask I will give you, up
to half my kingdom."</i></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span>The
daughter, not knowing what to ask for, consulted with her mother
Herodias. Herodias saw her chance to get vengeance upon John for
calling out her sin and told her daughter to ask for John's head on a
platter immediately. </span></span></span>
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Mar 6:24-25</u></i></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><i>
She went out and said to her mother, "What shall I ask for?"
"The head of John the Baptist," she answered. (25) At once
the girl hurried in to the king with the request: "I want you to
give me right now the head of John the Baptist on a platter."</i></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span>Herod
had agreed with an oath to grant the girl's wish in front of all his
guests, and could not back down. So he sent an executioner to bring
John's head.</span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Mar 6:26-28</u></i></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><i>
The king was greatly distressed, but because of his oaths and his
dinner guests, he did not want to refuse her. (27) So he immediately
sent an executioner with orders to bring John's head. The man went,
beheaded John in the prison, (28) and brought back his head on a
platter. He presented it to the girl, and she gave it to her mother.</i></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span>Jesus's
disciples, hearing about this, came and took John's body and laid it
in a tomb.</span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Mar 6:29</u></i></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><i>
On hearing of this, John's disciples came and took his body and laid
it in a tomb.</i></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span>It
is interesting to see how bent on revenge Herodias was. It caused her
to pass over the chance of gaining half of Herod's kingdom just to
get John's head, a man who was already in prison.</span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Mar 6:25</u></i></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><i>
At once the girl hurried in to the king with the request: "I
want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptist on a
platter."</i></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span>Herod's
response is interesting too. He would rather kill a man he knew to be
righteous then break an irrational oath, because of the dinner
guests.</span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Mar 6:26</u></i></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><i>
The king was greatly distressed, but because of his oaths and his
dinner guests, he did not want to refuse her.</i></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span>This
was a quite and unseemly end to such a significant life, not unlike
that which many of today's ministers experience. They go out quietly
without much notice from the world.</span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<h1 lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: maroon; font-size: medium;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><b>Matthew
14:13-21 - Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand</b></span></span></span></h1>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><i><u><b>Mat 14:13-21</b></u></i></span></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><i><u><b>
</b></u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><i><b>When
Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a
solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from
the towns. (14) When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had
compassion on them and healed their sick. (15) As evening approached,
the disciples came to him and said, "This is a remote place, and
it's already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to
the villages and buy themselves some food." (16) Jesus replied,
"They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat."
(17) "We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,"
they answered. (18) "Bring them here to me," he said. (19)
And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five
loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and
broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the
disciples gave them to the people. (20) They all ate and were
satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken
pieces that were left over. (21) The number of those who ate was
about five thousand men, besides women and children.</b></i></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span>In our timeline now the
Jewish authorities had committed the unforgivable sin of rejecting
the King and His Kingdom. Jesus has now turned in His public
teachings to parables for those that have ears to hear. Jesus turns
from authenticating His right to rule as King through miracles and
healing and turns His focus to training and preparing the disciples
for their ministry and the persecution that they will endure in the
near future.</span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span>Also to be considered
is that Herod Antipas had beheaded John the Baptist, and it was not
unlikely that Herod Antipas would also want Jesus dead. Jesus began
to avoid situations and environments in which opposition was likely
to get Him killed prematurely. </span></span>
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Mat 14:5</u></i></span></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><i>
Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of the people, because
they considered John a prophet.</i></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span>In this situation,
rather than retreating to a territory under the rule of Herod
Antipas, Jesus withdrew to Bethsaida, which was a predominately
Gentile city under the rule of Herod Phillip. This is the first of
four trips into the less populated Gentile cities for the remainder
of His ministry.</span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Luk 9:10</u></i></span></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><i>
When the apostles returned, they reported to Jesus what they had
done. Then he took them with him and they withdrew by themselves to a
town called Bethsaida,</i></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span>Jesus determined to use
this gathering of 5000 men plus women and children to teach His
disciples about the nature of the ministry they were being given, and
to instruct them on the ability of Jesus to meet all manner of needs
through them. Note that the story of the feeding of 5000 is
predominately a record of Jesus's discussion with His disciples.</span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span>Jesus's words were
designed to convey to the disciples their inadequacy and dependence
on Him to supply the needs of the people. As a result they would
learn to call on Him. These are the last days of the Mosaic Covenant
and the Law, and serve to introduce life with the Holy Spirit who was
soon to be sent to His people.</span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Mat 14:15-16</u></i></span></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><i>
As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, "This
is a remote place, and it's already getting late. Send the crowds
away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food."
(16) Jesus replied, "They do not need to go away. You give them
something to eat."</i></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Mar 6:37</u></i></span></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><i>
But he answered, "You give them something to eat." They
said to him, "That would take more than half a year's wages! Are
we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?"</i></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span>The disciples learned
from this miracle that they would be involved in feeding people
spiritually as the Lord provided to them. When they ran out then they
would pray and ask the Lord for provisions. He would supply them, and
they would do the feeding.</span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Mat 14:17-19</u></i></span></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><i>
"We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish," they
answered. (18) "Bring them here to me," he said. (19) And
he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five
loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and
broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the
disciples gave them to the people.</i></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span>One of the lessons that
Jesus was conveying about the ministry of the disciples is that "It
is not the job of the sheep to look for food, rather it is the job of
the shepherd to feed the sheep." (Fruchtenbaum, Yeshua Vol 2).</span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span>Three lessons learned:</span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<ol style="text-align: left;"><li><p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span>In was the disciples
responsibility to feed the people<br /></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
</p><p>
</p></li><li><p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span>They were incapable of
doing this themselves<br /></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
</p><p>
</p></li><li><p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span>They were to feed the
people that which Jesus provided.</span></span></p><p>
</p></li></ol>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span>The motivation on the
part of Jesus to heal their sick was compassion. They were referred
to as "sheep without a shepherd", due to their confusion
resulting from the conflict between what Jesus was teaching and what
the religious leaders were teaching. While the Pharisees taught the
oral law, Jesus expounded the truth about the Kingdom of God and now
the mystery kingdom. </span></span>
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Mar 6:34</u></i></span></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><i>
When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them,
because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching
them many things.</i></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Luk 9:10-11</u></i></span></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><i>
When the apostles returned, they reported to Jesus what they had
done. Then he took them with him and they withdrew by themselves to a
town called Bethsaida, (11) but the crowds learned about it and
followed him. He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of
God, and healed those who needed healing.</i></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Joh 6:2</u></i></span></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><i>
and a great crowd of people followed him because they saw the signs
he had performed by healing the sick.</i></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span>In spite of the
confusion the crowds continued to follow Jesus everywhere he went,
even as the religious leaders rejected Him. The people though were
following Jesus because He was feeding and healing them more so than
because they accepted the King and Kingdom.</span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Joh 6:26</u></i></span></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><i>
Jesus answered, "Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me,
not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the
loaves and had your fill.</i></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<h1 lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: maroon; font-size: medium;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><b>Matthew
14:22-23 - The Offer to be King</b></span></span></span></h1>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><i><u><b>Mat 14:22-23</b></u></i></span></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><i><b>
Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on
ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. (23)
After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself
to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, </b></i></span></span></span></span></span>
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span>After the feeding of
the 5000 Galileans Jesus sends His disciples ahead of Him to the
other side of the sea. His intention was to dismiss the crowds
Himself and send them home.</span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span>John adds detail to
this event showing that after the feeding of the 5000 the people
desired to forcibly make Jesus King because of the miracle sign they
had seen. </span></span>
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Joh 6:14-15</u></i></span></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><i>
After the people saw the sign Jesus performed, they began to say,
"Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world."
(15) Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by
force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.</i></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span>The "Prophet who
is to come into the world" was the prophet foretold in
Deuteronomy. Jesus saw though that their motivation was being fed
physical food.</span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Deu 18:15-18</u></i></span></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><i>
The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among
you, from your fellow Israelites. You must listen to him. (16) For
this is what you asked of the LORD your God at Horeb on the day of
the assembly when you said, "Let us not hear the voice of the
LORD our God nor see this great fire anymore, or we will die."
(17) The LORD said to me: "What they say is good. (18) I will
raise up for them a prophet like you from among their fellow
Israelites, and I will put my words in his mouth. He will tell them
everything I command him.</i></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span>When Jesus sat that
they intended to try and make Him King, he retreated up the mountain
to pray.</span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span>Three reasons Jesus
rejected their offer to make Him king.</span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<ol style="text-align: left;"><li><p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span>The leadership of
Israel had already rejected Jesus and the Kingdom and would not
allow Him to be made King.<br /></span></span>
</p><p>
</p></li><li><p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US">These
Galileans were intending to make Him king of Galilee, but prophecy
foretold that Jesus would rule from Jerusalem.<br /><br /></span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Psa 2:6</u></i></span></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><i>
"I have installed my king on Zion, my holy mountain."<br /></i></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
</p><p>
</p></li><li><p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span>The Galileans were
motivated by physical needs, and like the idea of being fed without
having to work for it.</span></span></p><p>
</p></li></ol>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<h1 lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: maroon; font-size: medium;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><b>Matthew
14:24-27 - Jesus Walks On Water</b></span></span></span></h1>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><i><u><b>Mat 14:24-27</b></u></i></span></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><i><b>
and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted
by the waves because the wind was against it. (25) Shortly before
dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. (26) When the
disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It's
a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear. (27) But Jesus
immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be
afraid."</b></i></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span>Once again the
disciples find themselves in a boat in some bad whether. And once
again they find themselves completely dependent upon the Lord in this
as well as every situation. The training that the disciples are
undergoing is preparing them for their future ministries. The primary
lesson is that they are to rely on the Lord for their every need.</span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span>The disciples, who had
been sent ahead in a boat without Jesus were at sea for some 9 hours.
The wind from the storm was pushing against them and they were
struggling to get to the other side. As they were rowing they were
distressed by the waves, which seemed to be rising against them.</span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span>Jesus saw them
struggling from the land, and began to walk out in their direction.
Interestingly, Jesus was walking right past them, and did not stop
and talk to them until they saw Him and cried out in fear thinking He
was a ghost, perhaps the angel of death!</span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Mar 6:48-50</u></i></span></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><i>
He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was
against them. Shortly before dawn he went out to them, walking on the
lake. He was about to pass by them, (49) but when they saw him
walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out,
(50) because they all saw him and were terrified. Immediately he
spoke to them and said, "Take courage! It is I. Don't be
afraid."</i></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span>The lesson that the
disciples were to learn from this, as part of their training, was
that they must call upon Him for help in any situation.</span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span>Once they realized that
it was Jesus, the were relieved and invited Him into the boat.</span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<h1 lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: maroon; font-size: medium;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><b>Matthew
14:28-33 - Peter Walks On Water</b></span></span></span></h1>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><i><u><b>Mat 14:28-33</b></u></i></span></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><i><b>
"Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come
to you on the water." (29) "Come," he said. Then Peter
got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.
(30) But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink,
cried out, "Lord, save me!" (31) Immediately Jesus reached
out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he
said, "why did you doubt?" (32) And when they climbed into
the boat, the wind died down. (33) Then those who were in the boat
worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."</b></i></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span>Peter called out to
Jesus and said that if this "ghost" was Jesus, that Jesus
should call him out into the water himself. Jesus called him, and as
long as Peter kept his eyes on Jesus, he was able to walk on the
water. At some point Peter took his eyes off Jesus and looked at his
circumstances, and lost his focus. He "looked at the wind and
was afraid". </span></span>
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span>It was as Peter was
"beginning" to sink that he cried out for help. Peter had
beginning faith, but needed to persist with ending faith in spite of
what was going on around him.</span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span>Jesus of course reached
out to hold him up, but Peter missed an opportunity to grow his faith
even more. The lesson is that while we begin in faith, we must
continue in faith. He started out believing but allowed doubt to come
in.</span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span>Another lesson to learn
from this event is that when Jesus answers prayer and calls someone
out in faith He does not remove the obstacles that are in the way.
They generally will remain, and Jesus will guide us around or through
them, not eliminate them. In Peter's case, the wind and waves
persisted even as Jesus called him out to Himself.</span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span>After Peter was rescued
by Jesus, Jesus climbed into the boat, and Mark records what had
happened. After having just experienced the miracle of the feeding of
the 5000, the disciples simply did not understand what was going on
and their hearts were hardened, as we evidenced by their fear in the
boat.</span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span>This is a case of
having a good understanding of the theology, knowing that Jesus was
God, but bad application, not learning to depend upon Him. The
disciples were fearful when they should have trusted.</span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span>Peter is not to be
looked down on for having small faith. He is the only one that got
out of the boat to go to Jesus, and he is the only one who walked on
water.</span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<h1 lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: maroon; font-size: medium;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><b>Matthew
14:34-36 - Jesus Heals the Sick in Gennesaret</b></span></span></span></h1>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><i><u><b>Mat 14:34-36</b></u></i></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><i><b>
When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret. (35) And when
the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the
surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him (36) and
begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all
who touched it were healed.</b></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span>When
Jesus entered the boat with the disciples, they were immediately on
the shore of Gennesaret. The people who were in the area where they
moored recognized Jesus and they promptly when all over the area
telling people that Jesus was here, and the people began to bring all
the sick to Him.</span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span>Many
of those who gathered had great faith, as seen in their asking to
just touch His tassels so that a healing could take place. All who
touched His tassels were healed.</span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<h1 lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: maroon; font-size: medium;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><b>John
6:22-25 - The Bread of Life (1)</b></span></span></span></h1>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><i><u><b>Joh 6:22-25</b></u></i></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><span lang="en-US"><i><b>
The next day the crowd that had stayed on the opposite shore of the
lake realized that only one boat had been there, and that Jesus had
not entered it with his disciples, but that they had gone away alone.
(23) Then some boats from Tiberias landed near the place where the
people had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks. (24) Once
the crowd realized that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there,
they got into the boats and went to Capernaum in search of Jesus.
(25) When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked
him, "Rabbi, when did you get here?"</b></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span>John
adds details that Matthew did not include that show what occurred
after the feeding of the 5000 and the disciples departure to the
other side of the sea. We will study through this to see a more
record of events, and to learn what Jesus meant by His being the
"Bread of Life".</span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span>This
discourse is a good example of Jesus speaking in parabolic terms that
the hearer must have eyes to see and ears to hear in order to
understand what Jesus means by what He says. This discourse shows the
blindness of the people who rejected Jesus as Messianic King.</span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span>After
the feeding of the 5000, Jesus had His disciples get into a boat and
go ahead of Him to the other side of the sea. Jesus remained behind
to dismiss the crowd that had just been fed.</span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span>As
the disciples made way across the sea to Gennesaret, they encountered
resistance due to a storm, and Jesus had walked out on the water out
to them. When Jesus arrived at the boat, Peter called out to Jesus,
and Peter walked on the water to Jesus. Afterwards, they arrived at
Gennesaret.</span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span>The
next day, the crowd of 5000 believed that Jesus was still with them
somewhere, since there was only one boat available, and Jesus had not
left on that boat. After some time, the crowd realized that Jesus was
not there and got in boats of their own and went searching for Him.
They eventually found Him on the other side of the sea and asked Him
when He had arrived there.</span></span></span></p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<h1 lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: maroon; font-size: medium;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><b>John
6:26-34 - The Bread of Life (2)</b></span></span></span></h1>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><i><u><b>Joh 6:26-34</b></u></i></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><i><b>
Jesus answered, "Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me,
not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the
loaves and had your fill. (27) Do not work for food that spoils, but
for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give
you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval."
(28) Then they asked him, "What must we do to do the works God
requires?" (29) Jesus answered, "The work of God is this:
to believe in the one he has sent." (30) So they asked him,
"What sign then will you give that we may see it and believe
you? What will you do? (31) Our ancestors ate the manna in the
wilderness; as it is written: 'He gave them bread from heaven to
eat.'" (32) Jesus said to them, "Very truly I tell you, it
is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my
Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. (33) For the bread
of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the
world." (34) "Sir," they said, "always give us
this bread."</b></i></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span>Jesus
did not answer the question the people asked Him, and instead brought
up their motives for following Him. They were looking for Him because
He had physically fed them, not because they were interested in
spiritual blessings.</span></span></span></p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span>Speaking
in parabolic terms, He instructed them to look for spiritual food,
not physical food. They had rejected Him as Messiah along with the
spiritual blessings that would have come with that, and yet still
followed Him around seeking the physical blessings of His miracles
and healings. </span></span></span>
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="color: black;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span>The
Jewish people were aware of the prophecies dealing with the
Messianic Kingdom and were expecting that Kingdom to be established
imminently. Just a few are here: (</span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><u>Isa 2:1-4</u></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span>,
</span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><u>Isa 11:6-9</u></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span>,
</span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><u>Eze 34:25-29</u></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span>,
</span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><u>Isa 65:17-21</u></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span>,
</span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><u>Isa 35:5-10</u></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span>).
Jesus and John had been telling the people that the Kingdom was at
hand, and had been validating His authority as the King of that
Kingdom, but the religious leaders has outright rejected Jesus as
King. </span></span></span></span></span>
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><i><u>Isa 2:1-4</u></i></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><i>
This is what Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem:
(2) In the last days the mountain of the LORD's temple will be
established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above
the hills, and all nations will stream to it. (3) Many peoples will
come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD,
to the temple of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that
we may walk in his paths." The law will go out from Zion, the
word of the LORD from Jerusalem. (4) He will judge between the
nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat
their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks.
Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for
war anymore.</i></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><i><u>Isa 11:6-9</u></i></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><i>
The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the
goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little
child will lead them. (7) The cow will feed with the bear, their
young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the
ox. (8) The infant will play near the cobra's den, the young child
will put its hand into the viper's nest. (9) They will neither harm
nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be filled
with the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.</i></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><i><u>Eze 34:25-29</u></i></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><i>
"'I will make a covenant of peace with them and rid the land of
savage beasts so that they may live in the wilderness and sleep in
the forests in safety. (26) I will make them and the places
surrounding my hill a blessing. I will send down showers in season;
there will be showers of blessing. (27) The trees will yield their
fruit and the ground will yield its crops; the people will be secure
in their land. They will know that I am the LORD, when I break the
bars of their yoke and rescue them from the hands of those who
enslaved them. (28) They will no longer be plundered by the nations,
nor will wild animals devour them. They will live in safety, and no
one will make them afraid. (29) I will provide for them a land
renowned for its crops, and they will no longer be victims of famine
in the land or bear the scorn of the nations.</i></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><i><u>Isa 65:17-25</u></i></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><i>
"See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former
things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind. (18) But
be glad and rejoice forever in what I will create, for I will create
Jerusalem to be a delight and its people a joy. (19) I will rejoice
over Jerusalem and take delight in my people; the sound of weeping
and of crying will be heard in it no more. (20) "Never again
will there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man
who does not live out his years; the one who dies at a hundred will
be thought a mere child; the one who fails to reach a hundred will be
considered accursed. (21) They will build houses and dwell in them;
they will plant vineyards and eat their fruit. (22) No longer will
they build houses and others live in them, or plant and others eat.
For as the days of a tree, so will be the days of my people; my
chosen ones will long enjoy the work of their hands. (23) They will
not labor in vain, nor will they bear children doomed to misfortune;
for they will be a people blessed by the LORD, they and their
descendants with them. (24) Before they call I will answer; while
they are still speaking I will hear. (25) The wolf and the lamb will
feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox, and dust will
be the serpent's food. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my
holy mountain," says the LORD.</i></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><i><u>Isa 35:5-10</u></i></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><i>
Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf
unstopped. (6) Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute
tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and
streams in the desert. (7) The burning sand will become a pool, the
thirsty ground bubbling springs. In the haunts where jackals once
lay, grass and reeds and papyrus will grow. (8) And a highway will be
there; it will be called the Way of Holiness; it will be for those
who walk on that Way. The unclean will not journey on it; wicked
fools will not go about on it. (9) No lion will be there, nor any
ravenous beast; they will not be found there. But only the redeemed
will walk there, (10) and those the LORD has rescued will return.
They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their
heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing
will flee away.</i></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span>Now
Jesus is speaking in parables to the people, and the offer of the
Kingdom has been postponed, yet the people were still looking for the
physical benefits of of the Kingdom while rejecting the spiritual
benefits.</span></span></span></p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span>The
point of what Jesus is telling the people is that in order to
experience the benefits of the Kingdom, they must accept the King.
There is no life outside of Jesus, Acceptance of Jesus is the only
path to spiritual blessing. He is speaking this in a parabolic
manner, and the people are not understanding it. They are telling
Jesus "always give us this bread", but they are rejecting
the very bread that Jesus is offering them, that of Himself, Jesus is
telling them, "I am the bread of life.".</span></span></span></p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<h1 lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: maroon; font-size: medium;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><b>John
6:35-40 - The Bread of Life (3)</b></span></span></span></h1>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><i><u><b>Joh 6:35-40</b></u></i></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><i><b>
Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to
me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be
thirsty. (36) But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do
not believe. (37) All those the Father gives me will come to me, and
whoever comes to me I will never drive away. (38) For I have come
down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent
me. (39) And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose
none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day.
(40) For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and
believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at
the last day."</b></i></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span>The
Bread of Life is ingested spiritually. In the same way that physical
bread nourishes our physical body, spiritual bread nourishes us
spiritually. Physical bread gives physical life, spiritual bread
gives spiritual life. </span></span></span>
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="color: black;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span>Jesus
said "I am the bread of life". He has come to earth and
although He has not taught it yet, He is presently on a course to the
cross. One aspect of this parable is that Jesus has "come down
from heaven" to go to the cross and thereby provide life to all
who call on Him, which is the will of the Father (</span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><u>Joh 6:51</u></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span>).</span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><i><u>Joh 6:51</u></i></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><i>
I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this
bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give
for the life of the world."</i></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="color: black;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span>This
new life that Jesus is speaking to the people about is "eternal"
(</span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><u>Joh 6:27</u></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span>),
originates from the Father in heaven (</span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><u>Joh 6:32-33</u></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span>),
is a satisfying life (</span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><u>Joh 6:35</u></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span>)
and will lead to an eternal and heavenly resurrection life
(</span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><u>Joh 6:39-40</u></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span>).</span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span>Jesus
indicates in this passage that He will complete the mission He was
sent here to earth for. </span></span></span>
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<h1 lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: maroon; font-size: medium;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><b>John
6:41-42 - The Bread of Life (4)</b></span></span></span></h1>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><i><u><b>Joh 6:41-42</b></u></i></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><i><b>
At this the Jews there began to grumble about him because he said, "I
am the bread that came down from heaven." (42) They said, "Is
this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know?
How can he now say, 'I came down from heaven'?" </b></i></span></span></span></span></span>
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><i><u><b>Joh 6:52</b></u></i></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><i><b>
Then the Jews began to argue sharply among themselves, "How can
this man give us his flesh to eat?"</b></i></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span>Jesus
is telling the people that this new life is available to everyone,
but the appropriation of these spiritual blessings is through Himself
alone. The people did not understand this. They were unable to
distinguish between the physical bread they were following Jesus
around for and the spiritual bread that Jesus was offering them
instead. Their lack of understanding was causing them to start
grumbling and complaining. </span></span></span>
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="color: black;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span>They
were admonished to work for food that does not perish, not the food
that does perish (</span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><u>Joh 6:27</u></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span>).
When asked what sort of work they should do, Jesus answered that by
saying that their work was to believe in Jesus as the Messianic King
they were awaiting.</span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span>Jesus
was speaking with the awareness of the full spiritual impact of His
words, but the people were hearing it with the awareness of nothing
but the physical aspects of bread and eating. They discussion back
and forth emanated from two completely different worldviews. This was
the consequence of Jesus' rejection as Messiah and Jesus'
determination to speak in parables so those without eyes and ears to
see and hear would not understand.</span></span></span></p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<h1 lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: maroon; font-size: medium;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><b>John
6:43-51 - The Bread of Life (5)</b></span></span></span></h1>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><i><u><b>Joh 6:43-51</b></u></i></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><i><b>
"Stop grumbling among yourselves," Jesus answered. (44) "No
one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I
will raise them up at the last day. (45) It is written in the
Prophets: 'They will all be taught by God.' Everyone who has heard
the Father and learned from him comes to me. (46) No one has seen the
Father except the one who is from God; only he has seen the Father.
(47) Very truly I tell you, the one who believes has eternal life.
(48) I am the bread of life. (49) Your ancestors ate the manna in the
wilderness, yet they died. (50) But here is the bread that comes down
from heaven, which anyone may eat and not die. (51) I am the living
bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live
forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of
the world."</b></i></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span>The
Jews that Jesus was speaking were told to stop grumbling. This is the
same people who grumbled when God provided physical bread (manna). </span></span></span>
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><i><u>Exo 16:2-4</u></i></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><i>
In the desert the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron.
(3) The Israelites said to them, "If only we had died by the
LORD's hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all
the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to
starve this entire assembly to death." (4) Then the LORD said to
Moses, "I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people
are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I
will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions.</i></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<h1 lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: maroon; font-size: medium;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><b>John
6:52-59 - The Bread of Life (6)</b></span></span></span></h1>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><i><u><b>Joh 6:52-59</b></u></i></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><i><b>
Then the Jews began to argue sharply among themselves, "How can
this man give us his flesh to eat?" (53) Jesus said to them,
"Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of
Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. (54) Whoever eats
my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them
up at the last day. (55) For my flesh is real food and my blood is
real drink. (56) Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in
me, and I in them. (57) Just as the living Father sent me and I live
because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because
of me. (58) This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your
ancestors ate manna and died, but whoever feeds on this bread will
live forever." (59) He said this while teaching in the synagogue
in Capernaum.</b></i></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span>Jesus
did not waver in His determination to speak in parables. He told them
flat out that they must eat His flesh and drink His blood, and that
His flesh and blood were real food. This was incomprehensible to the
unbelievers who were listening.</span></span></span></p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span>The
spiritual meaning that Jesus was speaking is perfectly understandable
to those who believe. To eat His flesh and drink His blood meant to
believe that He was the Messianic King sent by God. Those who believed
that Jesus was the Messianic King had eternal life.</span></span></span></p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span>Just
as food eaten is taken into the body and becomes part of the body, so
does believing that Jesus is the Messianic King cause Jesus to become
a part of us, and us a part of Him.</span></span></span></p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span>Note
at this point Jesus has not spoken of His death, burial and
resurrection. The content of faith, what a person was to believe at
this point in Jesus' ministry was to believe Jesus was the Messiah.</span></span></span></p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><i><u>Joh 6:28-29</u></i></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><i>
Then they asked him, "What must we do to do the works God
requires?" (29) Jesus answered, "The work of God is this:
to believe in the one he has sent."</i></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span>Soon
the content of faith would change to include belief that Jesus had
died, was buried and resurrected.</span></span></span></p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<h1 lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: maroon; font-size: medium;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><b>John
6:60-63 - The Bread of Life (7)</b></span></span></span></h1>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><i><u><b>Joh 6:60-63</b></u></i></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><i><b>
On hearing it, many of his disciples said, "This is a hard
teaching. Who can accept it?" (61) Aware that his disciples were
grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, "Does this offend you?
(62) Then what if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was
before! (63) The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The
words I have spoken to you--they are full of the Spirit and life.</b></i></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span>Attention
now turns to the larger group of disciples, who are also having
difficulty understanding Jesus' parable, and are joining in the
grumbling.</span></span></span></p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span>Jesus
is asking them how they are going to believe in His Ascension if they
can't believe what He is saying about Himself being the bread of
life. This is a critical issue, for if they are to have eternal life,
they must understand, accept and believe that He was the Messianic
King. </span></span></span>
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<h1 lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: maroon; font-size: medium;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><b>John
6:64-71 - The Bread of Life (8)</b></span></span></span></h1>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><i><u><b>Joh 6:64-71</b></u></i></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><i><b>
Yet there are some of you who do not believe." For Jesus had
known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would
betray him. (65) He went on to say, "This is why I told you that
no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them." (66)
From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer
followed him. (67) "You do not want to leave too, do you?"
Jesus asked the Twelve. (68) Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to
whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. (69) We have
come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God."
(70) Then Jesus replied, "Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet
one of you is a devil!" (71) (He meant Judas, the son of Simon
Iscariot, who, though one of the Twelve, was later to betray him.)</b></i></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span>This
discourse lead to many disciples to leave Jesus, no longer walking
with him.</span></span></span></p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><i><u>Joh 6:66</u></i></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><i>
From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer
followed him.</i></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span>Jesus
here asks the 12 if they will also leave. Peter replies that they
have nowhere else to go. </span></span></span>
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><i><u>Joh 6:67-68</u></i></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><i>
"You do not want to leave too, do you?" Jesus asked the
Twelve. (68) Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we
go? You have the words of eternal life.</i></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span>Judas
began down the road to apostasy when Jesus started this discourse.</span></span></span></p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in; text-align: left;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><i><u>Joh 6:70-71</u></i></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span><i>
Then Jesus replied, "Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one
of you is a devil!" (71) (He meant Judas, the son of Simon
Iscariot, who, though one of the Twelve, was later to betray him.)</i></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
</p>
Stan Feldsinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03658444602773411342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1862246698205874117.post-41715317337442762012023-07-07T16:57:00.004-07:002023-07-07T17:19:32.039-07:00A Study of Matthew - Chapter 13<p><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><b>by
Stan Feldsine (www.tojesusbeallglory.com)</b></span></span></p>
<p align="CENTER" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<h1 lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: navy; font-size: medium;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><b>The
Messianic Kingdom Lost</b></span></span></h1>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;">What did the Jewish
people miss out on when they rejected Jesus and the Kingdom. Here is
a look at the Messianic Kingdom.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.tojesusbeallglory.com/2022/02/a-study-of-prophecy-messianic-kingdom.html">https://www.tojesusbeallglory.com/2022/02/a-study-of-prophecy-messianic-kingdom.html</a></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<h1 lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: navy; font-size: medium;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><b>The
Five "Kingdoms"</b></span></span></h1>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;">Before we discuss the
mystery kingdom, we will review the 4 other "kingdoms" the
Bible refers to So we have the context for the mystery kingdom.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<ol><li><p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><b>The
Universal or Eternal Kingdom</b></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">
- This kingdom refers to God's rule over all the universe for all
time. It includes the angelic realm, and has always existed. This is
the kingdom the believer enters upon death (</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><u>1Co 15:50</u></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><u>2Ti 4:18</u></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">).
<br /><br /></span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><u>Psa 93:2</u></span></span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">
Your throne was established long ago; you are from all
eternity.<br /><br /></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><u>Psa 103:19</u></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">
The LORD has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules
over all.<br /><br />Scriptural references: </span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><u>1Ch 29:11-12</u></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><u>Psa 10:16</u></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><u>Psa 29:10</u></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><u>Psa 74:12</u></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><u>Psa 90:1-6</u></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><u>Psa 93:1-5</u></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><u>Psa 103:19-22</u></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><u>Psa 145:1-21</u></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><u>Psa 148:8</u></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><u>Jer 10:10</u></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">, </span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><u>Lam 5:19</u></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><u>Dan 4:17</u></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">, </span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><u>Dan 6:27</u></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">, </span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><u>Act 17:24</u></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">.<br /></span></span></span>
</p><p>
</p></li><li><p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><b>The
Spiritual Kingdom</b></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">
- This is God's rule in the heart of a believer. This kingdom is
comprised of all who have been born again by the Holy Spirit. <br /><br /></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Joh 3:3</u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>
Jesus replied, "Very truly I tell you, no one can see the
kingdom of God unless they are born again."<br /><br /></i></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>1Co 6:9</u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>
Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of
God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters
nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men (10) nor thieves nor
the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit
the kingdom of God. <br /></i></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><br />Scriptural
references: </span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><u>Mat 6:33</u></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><u>Mat 19:16</u></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><u>Joh 3:3-5</u></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><u>Act 8:12</u></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><u>Act 14:22</u></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><u>Act 19:8</u></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><u>Act 20:25</u></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><u>Act 28:23</u></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><u>1Co 4:20</u></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><u>1Co 6:9-10</u></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><u>Gal 5:21</u></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><u>Eph 5:5</u></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><u>Col 1:13-14</u></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><u>Col 4:11</u></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><u>1Th 2:12</u></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">,
and </span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><u>2Th 1:5</u></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">.<br /></span></span></span>
</p><p>
</p></li><li><p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><b>The
Theocratic Kingdom</b></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">
- This is the rule of God by means of a theocracy over the nation of
Israel. This kingdom started when the Law of Moses was established
and served as the constitution of the nation of Israel. This kingdom
ended with the destruction of Jerusalem by Babylon in 586BC. This
kingdom is documented from </span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><u>Exo 19:1</u></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">
to </span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><u>2Ch 36:23</u></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">.<br /><br /></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Exo 20:22-23</u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>
Then the LORD said to Moses, "Tell the Israelites this: 'You
have seen for yourselves that I have spoken to you from heaven: (23)
Do not make any gods to be alongside me; do not make for yourselves
gods of silver or gods of gold.<br /></i></span></span></span>
</p><p>
</p></li><li><p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><b>The
Messianic / Millennial Kingdom - </b></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">This
is the future kingdom during which time Jesus will rule over saved
Israel and all the earth from David's throne in Jerusalem for 1000
years. This kingdom is the subject of a great deal of OT prophecy as
well as being the kingdom that was declared to be "at hand"
by John the Baptist and Jesus (</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><u>Mat 3:2</u></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><u>Mat 4:17</u></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">)
and rejected by Jewish authorities. <br /><br /></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><u>Mat 3:1-2</u></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">
In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of
Judea (2) and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has
come near."<br /><br /></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><u>Psa 2:4-6</u></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">
The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them. (5) He
rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath, saying,
(6) "I have installed my king on Zion, my holy
mountain."<br /><br />Scriptural references: </span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><u>Psa 2:1-12</u></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><u>Psa 72:1-20</u></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><u>Isa 9:6-7</u></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><u>Isa 11:1-16</u></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><u>Jer 23:5-6</u></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><u>Jer 32:14-17</u></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><u>Eze 34:23</u></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><u>Eze 37:24</u></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><u>Hos 3:4-5</u></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><u>Mic 4:6-8</u></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><u>Mic 5:2</u></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><u>Mal 3:1-4</u></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">.<br /></span></span></span>
</p><p>
</p></li><li><p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><b>The
Mystery Kingdom</b></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">
- Following the rejection of the Messianic Kingdom, Jesus's focus
switches to the "mystery" kingdom. This is a kingdom that
Jesus revealed on the day of Israel's rejection of Himself (</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><u>Mat 13:11</u></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><u>Mat 13:35</u></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">)</span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">.
This kingdom covers the period of time between the first and second
coming of Jesus. This kingdom will be explored thoroughly in the
following exposition.</span></span></span></p><p>
</p></li></ol>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<h1 lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: navy; font-size: medium;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><b>A
Change of Course</b></span></span></h1>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif">Four
things change as a result of this generation's rejection of King and
Kingdom:</span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><u>Signs</u></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>
</i></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">-
Jesus will no longer give signs to the nation of Israel to provoke
them to decide which side they are going to be on. They have made
that decision through their teachers and religious leaders. That
decision is rejection.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif">From
this point forward, signs are for the purpose of training and
preparing the apostles for their ministry. The only sign given to
Israel would be the sign of Jonah.</span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><u>Miracles
</u></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">-
Up to this point, Jesus's miracles did not require faith on the part
of the observer or participant. Henceforth, miracles would not happen
without faith. Again, Jesus's miracles were to validate His authority
as Messiah, and Israel had chosen to reject Him.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><u>Message
</u></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">-
The message to this point was to repent and be baptized in
preparation for the coming Kingdom. Since the Kingdom was rejected,
the message changes to concealing the coming of the Kingdom and King.
This policy lasted until the "Great Commission" in Matt 28.
</span></span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif">The
program would now shift from the coming of the King and the Messianic
Kingdom to the mystery program. </span></span>
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><u>Teaching
Method</u></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">
- Jesus's teachings changed from being clear and understandable by
the people to speaking in Parables. The switch from teaching plainly
to speaking parables happened the same day as His rejection.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Mat 7:28-29</u></i></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>
When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed
at his teaching, (29) because he taught as one who had authority, and
not as their teachers of the law.</i></span></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.26in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Mat 13:1-3</u></i></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>
a That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. (2)
Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat
in it, while all the people stood on the shore. (3) Then he told them
many things in parables, ....</i></span></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<h1 lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: maroon; font-size: medium;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><b>Matthew
13:10-17 - The Purpose of the Parables</b></span></span></h1>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u><b>Mat 13:10-17</b></u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><b>
The disciples came to him and asked, "Why do you speak to the
people in parables?" (11) He replied, "Because the
knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to
you, but not to them. (12) Whoever has will be given more, and they
will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have
will be taken from them. (13) This is why I speak to them in
parables: "Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they
do not hear or understand. (14) In them is fulfilled the prophecy of
Isaiah: "'You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you
will be ever seeing but never perceiving. (15) For this people's
heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and
they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their
eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn,
and I would heal them.' (16) But blessed are your eyes because they
see, and your ears because they hear. (17) For truly I tell you, many
prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not
see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.</b></i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<h1 lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: maroon; font-size: medium;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><b>Matthew
13:34-35 - Prophecy and Parables</b></span></span></h1>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u><b>Mat 13:34-35</b></u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><b>
Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; he did not say
anything to them without using a parable. (35) So was fulfilled what
was spoken through the prophet: "I will open my mouth in
parables, I will utter things hidden since the creation of the
world."</b></i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><b>Two Movements</b></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;">Matthew's gospel is
presented like an orchestra performing a classical piece in two
movements. Each movement is sweeping in it's presentation.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;">The first movement
details the presentation of the Messiah Jesus and His Messianic
Kingdom to Israel and the response of that nation to His arrival.
Presented were His genealogy, judicial and moral evidence, all
authenticated by miracles showing that He is the rightful heir and
King worthy of David's throne in Jerusalem. This movement climaxes
with the opposition and outright rejection of the King by the nation
of Israel, resulting in the postponement of the Kingdom to a future
date. </span>
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;">The second movement
which we will now turn to is the presentation and explanation of the
mystery program for a new age. This mystery program is revealed and
detailed as a result of the rejection of King and Kingdom. This
mystery program will be revealed through parables that the
unbelieving Jews will be unable to comprehend. </span>
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;">This mystery kingdom
will be a spiritual rather than a physical kingdom, and will last
from the first coming of Christ to the second coming, the time during
which the King is not present. While the physical Messianic Kingdom
was known and prophesied throughout the Old Testament, the spiritual
mystery kingdom was a secret not revealed to the OT saints. </span>
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><b>The Mystery Program
Was Hidden</b></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;">The mystery program
introduced at the rejection of Jesus is called a "mystery"
because it is a program known by God and was hidden from people
through the ages but is now being revealed. Jesus is now going to
switch from speaking about the offer of the coming Messianic Kingdom
and it's character and standards to speaking about this "mystery"
program and he will do so using parables.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Mat 13:35</u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>
So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet: "I will
open my mouth in parables, I will utter things hidden since the
creation of the world."</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Psa 78:2</u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>
I will open my mouth and tell stories. I will speak about things that
were hidden. They happened a long time ago.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;">This is a program that
prophets and righteous people in the past had long to be able to see,
but it was hidden from them.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Mat 13:17</u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>
For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to
see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but
did not hear it.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>1Pe 1:10-12</u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>
Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that
was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care,
(11) trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the
Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the
sufferings of the Messiah and the glories that would follow. (12) It
was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you,
when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those
who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from
heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;">This mystery program
would be revealed to those who had ears to hear. This meant that not
everyone would be able to understand what He is talking about. Those
without ears to hear are those Jews who rejected Jesus as King, and
those with ears to hear are those who accepted Jesus as King.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Mat 13:9</u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>
Whoever has ears, let them hear."</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Mat 13:10-11</u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>
The disciples came to him and asked, "Why do you speak to the
people in parables?" (11) He replied, "Because the
knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to
you, but not to them.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Mat 7:6</u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>
"Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to
pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and
tear you to pieces.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;">The inability of those
without ears to hear to understand the mystery program was a
fulfillment of prophecy.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Mat 13:14-16</u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>
In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: "'You will be ever
hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never
perceiving. (15) For this people's heart has become calloused; they
hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes.
Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears,
understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.' (16)
But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because
they hear.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Isa 6:9-10</u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>
He said, "Go and tell this people: "'Be ever hearing, but
never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.' (10) Make
the heart of this people calloused; make their ears dull and close
their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their
ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed."</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;">The Jews who did not
believe had darkened eyes and could not understand Jesus's parables.
This blindness carried forward to Paul's day and still affects the
unbelieving Jews of today.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Mat 13:12-13</u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>
Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance.
Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.
(13) This is why I speak to them in parables: "Though seeing,
they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Rom 11:7-10</u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>
What then? What the people of Israel sought so earnestly they did not
obtain. The elect among them did, but the others were hardened, (8)
as it is written: "God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that
could not see and ears that could not hear, to this very day."
(9) And David says: "May their table become a snare and a trap,
a stumbling block and a retribution for them. (10) May their eyes be
darkened so they cannot see, and their backs be bent forever."</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><u>Rom 11:8-10</u></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">
is quoting from the following passages:</span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Psa 69:22-23</u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>
Let their feast be a trap and a snare. Let my enemies get what's
coming to them. (23) Let their eyes grow weak so they can't see. Let
their backs be bent forever.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Deu 29:4</u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>
But to this very day the LORD hasn't given you a mind that
understands. He hasn't given you eyes that see. He hasn't given you
ears that hear.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Isa 29:10</u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>
The LORD has made you fall into a deep sleep. He has closed the eyes
of your prophets. He has covered the heads of your seers so they
can't see.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;">It is important to
note, however, that this blindness will not last forever.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Rom 11:25-27</u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>
I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and
sisters, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a
hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in,
(26) and in this way all Israel will be saved. As it is written: "The
deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from
Jacob. (27) And this is my covenant with them when I take away their
sins."</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Zec 12:10</u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>
"And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants
of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on
me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one
mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves
for a firstborn son.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><b>Paul's Revelation of
the Mystery Program</b></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;">The mystery program
would be revealed in two stages. First, Jesus would teach about it to
His disciples using parables. Second, Paul would receive revelation
about it and teach it to the apostles and prophets of his time some 1
year after Jesus's crucifixion and 14 years after his conversion.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Gal 1:11-12</u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>
I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel I preached
is not of human origin. (12) I did not receive it from any man, nor
was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus
Christ.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Gal 1:17-18</u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>
I did not go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I
was, but I went into Arabia. Later I returned to Damascus. (18) Then
after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with
Cephas and stayed with him fifteen days.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Gal 2:1-2</u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>
Then after fourteen years, I went up again to Jerusalem, this time
with Barnabas. I took Titus along also. (2) I went in response to a
revelation and, meeting privately with those esteemed as leaders, I
presented to them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. I
wanted to be sure I was not running and had not been running my race
in vain.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Eph 3:2-3</u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>
Surely you have heard about the administration of God's grace that
was given to me for you, (3) that is, the mystery made known to me by
revelation, as I have already written briefly.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Rom 16:25-27</u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>
Now to him who is able to establish you in accordance with my gospel,
the message I proclaim about Jesus Christ, in keeping with the
revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, (26) but now
revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command
of the eternal God, so that all the Gentiles might come to the
obedience that comes from faith-- (27) to the only wise God be glory
forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><b>The Mystery of
Salvation Coming To the Gentiles</b></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;">A part of the mystery
program consisted of doing away with the Law of Moses. The Law of
Moses was a "dividing wall of hostility" between Jews and
Gentiles. In order for spiritual blessings and salvation to come to
Gentiles, they had to become proselytes to Judaism. With the Law of
Moses set aside, salvation was opened to the Gentiles and Jew and
Gentile became "one new humanity", the Church.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Gal 3:19</u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>
Why, then, was the law given at all? It was added because of
transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come.
The law was given through angels and entrusted to a mediator.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Eph 2:14-15</u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>
For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has
destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, (15) by
setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations.
His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two,
thus making peace,</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;">With the Law of Moses
set aside, the path was opened for Gentiles to be saved in the same
manner as the Jew, by grace through faith without the Law, and not by
becoming a proselyte to Judaism. Paul taught this, first to the Jews,
then to the Gentiles.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Eph 3:1-6</u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>
For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of
you Gentiles-- (2) Surely you have heard about the administration of
God's grace that was given to me for you, (3) that is, the mystery
made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly.
(4) In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight
into the mystery of Christ, (5) which was not made known to people in
other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God's
holy apostles and prophets. (6) This mystery is that through the
gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together
of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Rom 10:12-13</u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>
For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile--the same Lord is
Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, (13) for,
"Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Eph 3:8-9</u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>
Although I am less than the least of all the Lord's people, this
grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of
Christ, (09) and to make plain to everyone the administration of this
mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all
things.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Col 1:25-27</u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>
I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to
you the word of God in its fullness-- (26) the mystery that has been
kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the
Lord's people. (27) To them God has chosen to make known among the
Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you,
the hope of glory.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;">In the past, the
Messianic Kingdom was offered to the Jews, and Gentiles were
excluded. Gentiles were excluded by Jewish Law, given by God. The Law
only allowed Gentiles to be saved by becoming proselytes, or in other
words, virtual Jews. But all this was about to change.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Mat 10:5-7</u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>
These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: "Do
not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. (6) Go
rather to the lost sheep of Israel. (7) As you go, proclaim this
message: 'The kingdom of heaven has come near.'</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Eph 2:17-22</u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>
He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to
those who were near. (18) For through him we both have access to the
Father by one Spirit. (19) Consequently, you are no longer foreigners
and strangers, but fellow citizens with God's people and also members
of his household, (20) built on the foundation of the apostles and
prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. (21) In
him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy
temple in the Lord. (22) And in him you too are being built together
to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;">It was Israel's
rejection of the King and Kingdom that brought about salvation to the
Gentiles.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Rom 11:11-15</u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>
Again I ask: Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at
all! Rather, because of their transgression, salvation has come to
the Gentiles to make Israel envious. (12) But if their transgression
means riches for the world, and their loss means riches for the
Gentiles, how much greater riches will their full inclusion bring!
(13) I am talking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to
the Gentiles, I take pride in my ministry (14) in the hope that I may
somehow arouse my own people to envy and save some of them. (15) For
if their rejection brought reconciliation to the world, what will
their acceptance be but life from the dead?</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><b>The Jews Rejection
of the Messianic Kingdom Blesses the Gentiles</b></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;">When Israel rejected
the Messianic Kingdom and their King, it resulted in blessing to the
Gentiles. This was fulfillment of a prophecy given in the Abrahamic
Covenant that Abraham would be a blessing to the nations.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Gen 12:2</u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>
"I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I
will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Gal 3:8</u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>
Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and
announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: "All nations will be
blessed through you."</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;">The practical
fulfillment was seen in Paul and the disciples turning from Israel to
the Gentiles.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Act 13:46-48</u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>
Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: "We had to speak
the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider
yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. </i></span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Eph 2:11-13</u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>
Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and
called "uncircumcised" by those who call themselves "the
circumcision" (which is done in the body by human hands)-- (12)
remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded
from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the
promise, without hope and without God in the world. (13) But now in
Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the
blood of Christ.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Act 13:46-48</u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>
Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: "We had to speak
the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider
yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. (47)
For this is what the Lord has commanded us: "'I have made you a
light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of
the earth.'" (48) When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad
and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for
eternal life believed.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><b>Mystery
Program Includes Believers and Unbelievers</b></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;">The mystery program
contains not only the Church, but also includes unbelievers referred
to as "weeds" or "tares". Both will exist side by
side in this mystery program until the end of the age and the start
of the rescheduled Messianic Kingdom.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Mat 13:24-30</u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>
Jesus told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like
a man who sowed good seed in his field. (25) But while everyone was
sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went
away. (26) When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds
also appeared. (27) "The owner's servants came to him and said,
'Sir, didn't you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the
weeds come from?' (28) "'An enemy did this,' he replied. "The
servants asked him, 'Do you want us to go and pull them up?' (29)
"'No,' he answered, 'because while you are pulling the weeds,
you may uproot the wheat with them. (30) Let both grow together until
the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect
the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat
and bring it into my barn.'"</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><b>Conclusion</b></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;">The speaking of truth
through parables can be understood to be a judgment on unbelieving
Israel. Since they did not accept the truth when it was understood,
they would now be given truth they cannot understand. However, for
the disciples and those who believed, the parables would indeed give
further enlightenment.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Mat 13:16</u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>
But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because
they hear.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Mat 13:34-35</u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>
Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; he did not say
anything to them without using a parable. (35) So was fulfilled what
was spoken through the prophet: "I will open my mouth in
parables, I will utter things hidden since the creation of the
world."</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;">And this is how being
"in Christ" came to the Gentiles. The Jewish rejection of
their King and Kingdom opened the way for the Gentiles to become co-heirs with Israel of spiritual blessings and salvation.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Rom 11:11-15</u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>
Again I ask: Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at
all! Rather, because of their transgression, salvation has come to
the Gentiles to make Israel envious. </i></span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<h1 lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: maroon; font-size: medium;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><b>Matthew
13:1-09 - The Parable of the Sower</b></span></span></h1>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Mat 13:1-9</u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><b>
That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. (2)
Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat
in it, while all the people stood on the shore. (3) Then he told them
many things in parables, saying: "A farmer went out to sow his
seed. (4) As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path,
and the birds came and ate it up. (5) Some fell on rocky places,
where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the
soil was shallow. (6) But when the sun came up, the plants were
scorched, and they withered because they had no root. (7) Other seed
fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. (8) Still
other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop--a hundred,
sixty or thirty times what was sown. (9) Whoever has ears, let them
hear."</b></i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<h1 lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: maroon; font-size: medium;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><b>Matthew
13:18-23 - The Parable of the Sower Explained</b></span></span></h1>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u><b>Mat 13:18-23</b></u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><b>
"Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: (19) When
anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand
it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their
heart. This is the seed sown along the path. (20) The seed falling on
rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once
receives it with joy. (21) But since they have no root, they last
only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the
word, they quickly fall away. (22) The seed falling among the thorns
refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life
and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful.
(23) But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears
the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop,
yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown."</b></i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><b>Gentiles
are Included</b></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">-
Looking to the past we see that Israel was a theocracy, and
accordingly, all of the Jewish people were instructed in the Law and
Prophets and the coming of the King and Kingdom from birth. The
Jewish people had a relationship with God.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;">Taking a sneak peek
ahead in time, we see Paul revealing that the Gentiles "were
separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and
foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without
God in the world". </span>
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Eph 2:11-12</u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>
Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and
called "uncircumcised" by those who call themselves "the
circumcision" (which is done in the body by human hands)-- (12)
remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded
from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the
promise, without hope and without God in the world.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;">The changes we will see
in the mystery program were brought about by the rejection of the
King and Kingdom by the nation of Israel. The Gentiles were blessed
as a result of Israel's rejection of their King.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Rom 11:12</u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>
But if their transgression means riches for the world, and their loss
means riches for the Gentiles, how much greater riches will their
full inclusion bring!</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><b>Instruction
for Jew and Gentile</b></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">
- Both Jews and Gentiles would need to be instructed in the mystery
program. The Gentiles would be coming into a relationship with God
that they never had before, and the Jewish people would be coming
into the knowledge that what was once theirs alone (relationship with
God) would now be shared with the Gentiles. This caused consternation
among the religious Jews because they considered the Gentiles to be
unclean.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Rom 3:22</u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>
This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who
believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile,</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Eph 2:13</u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought
near by the blood of Christ.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Rom 11:17</u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>
If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild
olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in
the nourishing sap from the olive root,</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;">Additionally, both Jew
and Gentile would be instructed in a major change in which the Holy
Spirit would now not just exist outside of the people and come upon
them from time to time for a specific purpose, but the Holy Spirit
would now come to live inside of them.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Col 1:27</u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>
To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious
riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><b>God's
Word to be Sown</b></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">
- Turning back to the present time of Jesus, speaking of the very
near future, Matthew shows that the mystery program would be
characterized by the sowing of the seed (God's Word) to the Gentiles
(</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><u>Eph 2:13</u></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">).
The Jewish people who believed would be taught as well that the
Gentiles were now sharers in the riches, and that they would need to
accept this (</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><u>Rom 11:17</u></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">),
for God was no respecter of persons regarding salvation. This was a
major change in God's program and it came about due to Israel's
rejection of the King and Kingdom (</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><u>Rom 11:12</u></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">).</span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Act 10:34-35</u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>
Then Peter began to speak: "I now realize how true it is that
God does not show favoritism (35) but accepts from every nation the
one who fears him and does what is right.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><b>God's
Word to be Resisted and Have Varied Responses</b></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">
- Jesus begins His teaching of the mystery program with parables on
the same day that the religious leaders of Israel rejected Him with
the unforgivable sin. Later on Paul will explain the mystery far more
clearly.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;">The parable of the
sower introduces several motifs, or reoccurring themes and ideas that
are used throughout the parables. These motifs include ideas like
seed (the Word of God), sowing seed (preaching and teaching), birds,
thorns and rocky places (forces attempting to keep us from accepting
or understanding the Word), etc. If you understand the motifs being
used here in this parable, you will also understand their use in
other parables.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><b>Seed</b></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">
- The "seed" is the Word of God. When we take in the Word
of God, it has the potential to be extremely fruitful, in our life
and the life of those we are around.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Mat 13:3</u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>
Then he told them many things in parables, saying: "A farmer
went out to sow his seed.<br /><br /></i></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Luk 8:11</u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>
"This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of
God. </i></span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><b>Farmer</b></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">
- The Farmer is the one who sows seed, and represents anyone who
shares the gospel.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Mat 13:3</u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>
Then he told them many things in parables, saying: "A farmer
went out to sow his seed.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><b>Soil</b></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">
- Also referred to as the "field", soil represents the
receptivity of the human heart to hear, accept and understand that
which is sown in it. Some soil is good and some bad, and accordingly
some people have receptive hearts and others have closed hearts.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><b>Soil
- Birds By the Wayside </b></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">-
This is the response of unbelief. The Word of God is shared with
those who chose not to believe what is being said about the gospel.
What is sown in the heart is never germinated, or believed, it just
gets carried away.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;">Unbelieving scribes and
Pharisees would fall into this category. They heard the message of
the King and Kingdom but never believed it. </span>
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Mat 13:4</u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>
As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the
birds came and ate it up. </i></span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Mat 13:19</u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>
When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not
understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in
their heart. This is the seed sown along the path.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><b>Soil
- Rocky Places</b></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">
- This represents seed that is sown in a place where there is not
much soil. Seeds sown in rocky places will germinate and put forth a
plant, but because there is little soil the plant quickly dies. </span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Mat 13:5-6</u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>
Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang
up quickly, because the soil was shallow. (6) But when the sun came
up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no
root.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Mat 13:20-21</u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>
The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word
and at once receives it with joy. (21) But since they have no root,
they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes
because of the word, they quickly fall away.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;">This type of soil
represents those who hear the word, and believe, but they are never
rooted in the Word and grow accordingly. Their spiritual life is
never stabilized, and they tend to be driven by emotion and
experience.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>1Co 3:1-3</u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>
Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by
the Spirit but as people who are still worldly--mere infants in
Christ. (2) I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet
ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. (3) You are still
worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are
you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans?</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Heb 5:11-14</u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>
We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to
you because you no longer try to understand. (12) In fact, though by
this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the
elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not
solid food! (13) Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is
not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. (14) But solid
food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves
to distinguish good from evil.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Eph 4:11-14</u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>
So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists,
the pastors and teachers, (12) to equip his people for works of
service, so that the body of Christ may be built up (13) until we all
reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and
become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of
Christ. (14) Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth
by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and
by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><b>Soil
- Thorny Ground</b></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">
- Like the rocky ground, these also believe, but they never seem to
be able to overcome the cares of the world which choke. These may
have a solid understanding of God's Word, but are unable to apply
their knowledge to their lives. As a result they have difficulty
living consistent spiritual lives because of their being overcome
with the cares of the world. These also do not produce much fruit and
they also suffer from spiritual immaturity.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Luk 8:14</u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>
The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as
they go on their way they are choked by life's worries, riches and
pleasures, and they do not mature.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Mat 13:7</u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>
Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Mat 13:22</u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>
The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the
word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth
choke the word, making it unfruitful.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><b>Soil
- Good Soil</b></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">
- The good soil represents people who believe and are rooted in God's
Word and apply it. They also are productive in spiritual life and are
growing. The production of fruit will vary, but good fruit at some
level is present in their lives.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Mat 13:8</u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>
Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop--a
hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Mat 13:23</u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>
But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the
word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop,
yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown."</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><b>The
Disciples Question Jesus</b></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">
- After hearing the Parable of the Sower, the disciples asked Jesus
about the parables. Mark records Jesus stating to His disciples that
in order to understand any of the parables, they must understand the
parable of the sower. </span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Mar 4:13</u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>
Then Jesus said to them, "Don't you understand this parable? How
then will you understand any parable?</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<h1 lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: maroon; font-size: medium;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><b>Mark
4:26-29 - The Parable of the Seed Growing</b></span></span></h1>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u><b>Mar 4:26-29</b></u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><b>
He also said, "This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man
scatters seed on the ground. (27) Night and day, whether he sleeps or
gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how.
(28) All by itself the soil produces grain--first the stalk, then the
head, then the full kernel in the head. (29) As soon as the grain is
ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come."</b></i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;">This is the second
parable Jesus gave to His disciples. Matthew did not record this one
but it is found in Mark's record.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;">There are a couple
points Jesus is making in this parable. The first is that the seed
will spring to life all on it's own, with it's own inner energy.
Regeneration is inherent in the seed itself.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;">Secondly, the fact that
the seed springs to life on it's own means it does not rely on the
sower for anything but the dispersion of the seed itself.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;">These two points bring
to light the fact that the "seed", which we learned in the
previous parable is the Word of God, is sufficient in itself to bring
salvation to those that hear. There is nothing the sower can add to
this work. We sow the Word, the Word gives life.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Rom 1:16</u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God
that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew,
then to the Gentile.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;">This parable answers
the question about the responsibility of the sower. Does the harvest
at the end of the age depend upon the skill, determination and wisdom
of the sower? According to this parable, the answer is no. Only the
work of spreading the "seed" (Word) is entrusted to humans,
but the life within the "seed" causes it to sprout and grow
all by itself. The sower is not responsible for the life and growth
of the person to whom the seed is planted.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Mar 4:27-28</u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>
Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and
grows, though he does not know how. (28) All by itself the soil
produces grain--first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel
in the head.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<h1 lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: maroon; font-size: medium;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><b>Matthew
13:24-30 - The Parable of the Wheat and Tares</b></span></span></h1>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u><b>Mat 13:24-30</b></u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><b>
Jesus told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like
a man who sowed good seed in his field. (25) But while everyone was
sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went
away. (26) When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds
also appeared. (27) "The owner's servants came to him and said,
'Sir, didn't you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the
weeds come from?' (28) "'An enemy did this,' he replied. "The
servants asked him, 'Do you want us to go and pull them up?' (29)
"'No,' he answered, 'because while you are pulling the weeds,
you may uproot the wheat with them. (30) Let both grow together until
the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect
the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat
and bring it into my barn.'"</b></i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<h1 lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: maroon; font-size: medium;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><b>Matthew
13:36-43 - The Parable of the Wheat and Tares Explained</b></span></span></h1>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u><b>Mat 13:36-43</b></u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><b>
Then he left the crowd and went into the house. His disciples came to
him and said, "Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the
field." (37) He answered, "The one who sowed the good seed
is the Son of Man. (38) The field is the world, and the good seed
stands for the people of the kingdom. The weeds are the people of the
evil one, (39) and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest
is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels. (40) "As
the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the
end of the age. (41) The Son of Man will send out his angels, and
they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all
who do evil. (42) They will throw them into the blazing furnace,
where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (43) Then the
righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father.
Whoever has ears, let them hear.</b></i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;">This parable makes
three points that describe what life is like during the mystery
program.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">The
</span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><b>first
</b></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">is
that the sowing of false seeds will be taking place during the
timeframe of the mystery program. If the "seed" is the Word
of God, then the false "seed" is false teachings of all
sorts. Only God's Word is true, and contradictions with God's Word
are false whether their source is theological or secular. </span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">The
</span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><b>second
</b></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">point
is that during this age, God will allow both true and false teaching
to develop alongside each other. We are not to weed out the false
teachings and teachers during this time, we are to allow them to grow
together. <br /><br />The character of the time period of the mystery
program is not just the righteousness of the church, but includes the
the presence of evil and false teaching.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">The
</span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><b>third
</b></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">point
is that the judgment at the end of this age will separate the two.
The Judgment in view here is the Sheep and Goat judgment described in
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><u>Mat 25:31-46</u></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">.
The Sheep and Goat judgment and the Wheat and Tares Judgment are the
same judgment, which takes place at the second coming of Jesus at the
conclusion of the Tribulation and before the Messianic Kingdom is
established.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Mat 25:31-34</u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>,
</i></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Mat 25:41</u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>
"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with
him, he will sit on his glorious throne. (32) All the nations will be
gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another
as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. (33) He will put
the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. (34) "Then the
King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my
Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the
creation of the world. (41) "Then he will say to those on his
left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire
prepared for the devil and his angels.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;">This parable raises the
point that as the "good sower" is the "Son of Man",
then the evil sower is "Satan". Accordingly, since false
teaching is being sown in this age by Satan, we should always be on
the lookout for false teachings in the world today.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;">The Parable of the Net
also shines a light on this topic.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<h1 lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: maroon; font-size: medium;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><b>Matthew
13:47-50 - The Parable of the Net</b></span></span></h1>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u><b>Mat 13:47-50</b></u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><b>
"Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let
down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. (48) When it was
full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and
collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. (49) This
is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and
separate the wicked from the righteous (50) and throw them into the
blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.</b></i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;">The parable of the Net
conveys the same truth as that the parable of the Wheat and Tares and
the prophecy of the Sheep and Goat judgment. The mystery program will
end with a judgment that determines who remains to enter the
Messianic Kingdom and who is removed and sent to Sheol to await the
final Great White Throne judgment.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<h1 lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: maroon; font-size: medium;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><b>Matthew
- Additional Context for Wheat and Tares Parable</b></span></span></h1>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><b>Matthew 7:21-23</b></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">Another
passage that illustrates this time of judgment is </span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><u>Mat 7:21-23</u></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Mat 7:21-23</u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>
"Not everyone who calls me 'Lord, Lord' will enter the Kingdom
of heaven, but only those who do what my Father in heaven wants them
to do. (22) When the Judgment Day comes, many will say to me, 'Lord,
Lord! In your name we spoke God's message, by your name we drove out
many demons and performed many miracles!' (23) Then I will say to
them, 'I never knew you. Get away from me, you wicked people!'</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><b>Matthew 24:36-42</b></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;">Another passage is in
Matt 24 which describes what some think in the Rapture, but the
context is clearly the Sheep and Goat judgment. The reference is to
the judgment in Noah's day where the wicked were removed and the
righteous remained.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Mat 24:36-42</u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>
"But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in
heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. (37) As it was in the days
of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. (38) For in
the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying
and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; (39) and
they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and
took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son
of Man. (40) Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the
other left. (41) Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one
will be taken and the other left. (42) "Therefore keep watch,
because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<h1 lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: maroon; font-size: medium;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><b>Matthew
13:31-32 - The Mustard Seed</b></span></span></h1>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u><b>Mat 13:31-32</b></u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><b>
He told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a
mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. (32) Though
it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest
of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch
in its branches." </b></i></span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">There
are three points made in this parable. The </span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><b>first
</b></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">is
though it will start out small, with only a few believers, it will
grow unceasingly until it assume tremendous outer size.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">The
</span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><b>second
</b></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">point
is that it will eventually become a monstrosity. Remember that the
mystery kingdom consists of both wheat and tares, or believers and
unbelievers growing together until the judgment.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">The
</span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><b>third
</b></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">point
is that the tree will become a resting place for birds. </span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;">If we use the previous
parables to define the birds, then the birds are a negative, for it
is the birds that take the seed away from those that might believe.
This illustrates the nature of the mystery kingdom consisting of both
believers and unbelievers together. This shows that the true church
and the false church are both a part of the growth of the mystery
kingdom.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Mat 13:3-4</u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>
Then he told them many things in parables, saying: "A farmer
went out to sow his seed. (4) As he was scattering the seed, some
fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;">Another point raised by
this parable is that the mystery kingdom will grow over time starting
out very small, while the Millennial Kingdom will be very large at
the start. When Jesus taught this parable, his followers were few in
number, and they have grown greatly in number for the last 2000
years. At the time of the Sheep and Goat judgment there are huge
numbers of believers that will enter into the Messianic Kingdom.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<h1 lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: maroon; font-size: medium;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><b>Matthew
13:33 - The Leaven</b></span></span></h1>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u><b>Mat 13:33</b></u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><b>
He told them still another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is
like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of
flour until it worked all through the dough."</b></i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;">"Leaven" is
translated "yeast" in some translations.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;">This parable teaches
that the God's purpose for the mystery kingdom would be carried out
like leaven in bread dough. His purpose would work irreversibly,
persistently and pervasively throughout this age. When yeast in
introduced to flour it works it's way throughout until the bread is
ready for the oven.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;">The "woman"
represents a religious or spiritual entity. </span>
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;">Leaven is a symbol of
"sin", in particular the sin of false teaching and the
introduction of false teaching into the mystery kingdom (woman). </span>
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;">The "three
measures of meal" represents Christianity being splintered into
three legs, Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy and Protestantism
which all have some measure of false teaching in them. So the parable
of the leaven teaches that the mystery kingdom will be marked by
inward doctrinal corruption in all three divisions.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;">Leaven in scripture is
always considered an evil influence. The metaphor of leaven's affect
on bread was taught with relation to sin from the early days of
Israel, even before the Law of Moses. It was a part of two of
Israel's Feasts.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><b>Passover</b></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;">God's disdain for "sin"
is shown in the Feast of Passover. </span>
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Exo 12:14-15</u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>
"This is a day you are to commemorate; for the generations to
come you shall celebrate it as a festival to the LORD--a lasting
ordinance. (15) For seven days you are to eat bread made without
yeast. On the first day remove the yeast from your houses, for
whoever eats anything with yeast in it from the first day through the
seventh must be cut off from Israel.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><b>Feast of Unleavened
Bread</b></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;">God's disdain for "sin"
is shown in the Feast of Unleavened Bread. </span>
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Exo 13:6-7</u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>
For seven days eat bread made without yeast and on the seventh day
hold a festival to the LORD. (7) Eat unleavened bread during those
seven days; nothing with yeast in it is to be seen among you, nor
shall any yeast be seen anywhere within your borders.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><b>The Teaching of the
Pharisees</b></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;">Jesus and Paul taught
about sin using the metaphor of leavened bread.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Mat 16:6</u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>
"Be careful," Jesus said to them. "Be on your guard
against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees." </i></span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Mat 16:11-12</u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>
How is it you don't understand that I was not talking to you about
bread? But be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and
Sadducees." (12) Then they understood that he was not telling
them to guard against the yeast used in bread, but against the
teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees. </i></span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><b>Sin in Our Life</b></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>1Co 5:7</u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>
Get rid of the old yeast, so that you may be a new unleavened
batch--as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been
sacrificed.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<h1 lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: maroon; font-size: medium;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><b>Matthew
13:44 - The Parable of the Hidden Treasure</b></span></span></h1>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u><b>Mat 13:44</b></u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><b>
"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When
a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold
all he had and bought that field.</b></i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;">Treasure is a symbol of
Israel, this speaks of the believing Remnant of the Jewish people.
Jesus gave everything to gain this treasure.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Exo 19:5</u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>
Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all
nations you will be my treasured possession. </i></span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Deu 14:2</u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>
for you are a people holy to the LORD your God. Out of all the
peoples on the face of the earth, the LORD has chosen you to be his
treasured possession.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Psa 135:4</u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>
For the LORD has chosen Jacob to be his own, Israel to be his
treasured possession.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;">Thus this speaks of
Israel.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Rom 11:5</u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>
So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Gal 6:16</u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>
Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule--to the Israel of God.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;">Jesus is the one who
purchased the treasure:</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>1Pe 1:18-19</u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>
For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or
gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to
you from your ancestors, (19) but with the precious blood of Christ,
a lamb without blemish or defect.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<h1 lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: maroon; font-size: medium;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><b>Matthew
13:45-46 - The Parable of the Pearl of Great Value</b></span></span></h1>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u><b>Mat 13:45-46</b></u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><b>
"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for
fine pearls. (46) When he found one of great value, he went away and
sold everything he had and bought it.</b></i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;">The "pearl"
is likely the flip side of the coin so to speak in contrast with the
"treasure". While God refers to Israel as His treasure, the
Gentiles are likely His "pearl" of great price.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;">In scripture, the "sea"
symbolizes the Gentile world, and pearls come from the sea.
Additionally, the pearl comes from an Oyster, and Oysters are
unclean, and would not be used symbolically of Israel.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Dan 7:2-3</u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>
Daniel said: "In my vision at night I looked, and there before
me were the four winds of heaven churning up the great sea. (3) Four
great beasts, each different from the others, came up out of the sea.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Rev 17:1</u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>
One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me,
"Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute,
who sits by many waters.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Rev 17:15</u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>
Then the angel said to me, "The waters you saw, where the
prostitute sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations and languages.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;">Like the treasure,
Jesus paid the ultimate price to gain His pearl, and the Gentiles
will be a part of the plan of salvation in the mystery kingdom. As
the pearl develops slowly, the Gentiles will come into the kingdom
slowly over the centuries. At some point, the full number of Gentiles
will come in, and the Messianic Kingdom will be established shortly
afterwards.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Act 15:14-18</u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>
Simon has described to us how God first intervened to choose a people
for his name from the Gentiles. (15) The words of the prophets are in
agreement with this, as it is written: (16) "'After this I will
return and rebuild David's fallen tent. Its ruins I will rebuild, and
I will restore it, (17) that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord,
even all the Gentiles who bear my name, says the Lord, who does these
things'-- (18) things known from long ago.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Rom 11:25</u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>
I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and
sisters, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a
hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in,</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<h1 lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: maroon; font-size: medium;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><b>Matthew
13:51-52 - New and Old Treasures</b></span></span></h1>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u><b>Mat 13:51-52</b></u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><b>
"Have you understood all these things?" Jesus asked. "Yes,"
they replied. (52) He said to them, "Therefore every teacher of
the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like
the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as
well as old."</b></i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;">What Jesus is revealing
here is the truth that the mystery kingdom will consist of both old
precepts from the overall plan of God, and some aspects will be new,
emphasizing the mystery character of God's overall plan.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;">The mystery is that the
Gentiles will now be chosen to be a people of God.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Col 1:25-27</u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>
I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to
you the word of God in its fullness-- (26) the mystery that has been
kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the
Lord's people. (27) To them God has chosen to make known among the
Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you,
the hope of glory.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;">Gentiles can now call
on the name of the Lord to be saved, without going through the
rituals to become a proselyte.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Act 2:21</u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>
And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.' </i></span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Rom 10:13</u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>
for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be
saved." </i></span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>2Ti 1:9-10</u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>
He has saved us and called us to a holy life--not because of
anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This
grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, (10)
but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior,
Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and
immortality to light through th</i></span></span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i>e gospel.</i></span></span></span></p><h1 lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: maroon; font-size: medium;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><b>Matthew
- The Progression of the Parables</b></span></span></h1>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;">The parables provide a
view into the progression of the mystery kingdom from beginning to
end:</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><b>Sower
</b></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">-
Throughout the mystery kingdom age, the gospel will be sown to the
whole world. </span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><b>Seed
Growing by Itself</b></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">
- The seed, Word of God, will not require any influence on the part
of the sower. It has power within itself to to spring to life in
believers. </span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><b>Tares
</b></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">-
The sowing of the truth will be imitated by the false prophets and
teachers as they sow a counter narrative to the gospel. They will
exist alongside the good prophets and teachers. The hearer will be
required to confirm the truth of the Word through study and
discernment.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;">The next two parables
illustrate the results of the Tares.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><b>Mustard
Seed</b></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">
- The mystery kingdom will grow to huge outer proportions. The
teachings of false religions and doctrines of demons will grow in the
"visible" church along side the true "invisible"
church. The combination of the true and the false growing intermixed
will make it appear that the church has grown to a vast size.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><b>Leaven</b></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">
- The mystery kingdom will be marked by inward corruption of
doctrine.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;">The next parables
illustrate the results of the Wheat, or the sower and seed growing on
it's own.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><b>Hidden
Treasure</b></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">
- God will gain a Remnant of Jews who hear the Word about Jesus and
the gospel and believe.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><b>Pearl
of Great Price</b></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">
- God will gain a people for His name from among the Gentiles who
hear the Word about Jesus and the gospel and believe.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><b>The
Net</b></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">
- There will be a separation of the righteous from the unrighteous at
the end of the age in a judgment called the Sheep and Goat judgment.
The righteous are the believers who enter the Kingdom, and the
unrighteous will go to Sheol.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><b>Householder</b></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">
- The Mystery Kingdom is similar to the Kingdom programs of the past,
but also has some aspects that are new. The other kingdoms are: The
"Universal or Eternal Kingdom", the "Spiritual
Kingdom", the Theocratic Kingdom", and the Messianic
Kingdom".</span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<h1 lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: maroon; font-size: medium;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><b>Matthew
13:53-58 - Jesus Rejected at Nazareth</b></span></span></h1>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in;">
<span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><u><b>Mat 13:53-58</b></u></i></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><i><b>
When Jesus had finished these parables, he moved on from there. (54)
Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their
synagogue, and they were amazed. "Where did this man get this
wisdom and these miraculous powers?" they asked. (55) "Isn't
this the carpenter's son? Isn't his mother's name Mary, and aren't
his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? (56) Aren't all his
sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?"
(57) And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, "A
prophet is not without honor except in his own town and in his own
home." (58) And he did not do many miracles there because of
their lack of faith.</b></i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">Mark
includes "He could not do any miracles there, except lay his
hands on a few sick people and heal them." (</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><u>Mar 6:5</u></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">).
At this point in Jesus's ministry, healings were performed out of
compassion for the sick. No longer is Jesus attempting to validate
His deity and right to David's throne. The Messianic Kingdom has been
postponed.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">The
people of Nazareth knew Jesus, they questioned His right to teach
them, He was after all just the son of Joseph and Mary and had
brothers and sisters. He had never been to a rabbinic school, and the
Nazareth school system didn't teach what Jesus knew. The marveled at
His wisdom and understanding of the Hebrew scriptures, but also were
offended by Him (</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US"><u>Mat 13:57</u></span></span></span><span face="Verdana, sans-serif"><span lang="en-US">),
and gave Him no honor.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;">Jesus also was
astonished, but at the unbelief of His neighbors. It would appear
that Jesus was only astonished by two things, the first was the
unbelief of His own people, the Jewish race, and secondly he was
astonished at the belief of the Gentiles. </span>
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;">Due to the unbelief of
the Jewish people, Jesus was unable to perform many miracles.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="font-size: small;">This passage also
reveals details about the family of Jesus. Jesus is reported to have
4 half brothers, James (the author of the book of James), Joseph,
Simon and Jude (the author of the Book of Jude). Jesus also had at
least two half sisters who are unnamed. Mary had at least 7 children
including Jesus.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
</p>
Stan Feldsinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03658444602773411342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1862246698205874117.post-51994209834781096552023-07-07T16:14:00.004-07:002023-07-07T16:14:18.012-07:00A Study of Matthew - Progression of Parables<p><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>by
Stan Feldsine (www.tojesusbeallglory.com)</b></span></span></p>
<p align="CENTER" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
</p>
<h1 lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: maroon; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Matthew
- The Progression of the Parables</b></span></span></h1>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The
parables provide a view into the progression of the mystery kingdom
from beginning to end:</span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><b>Sower
</b></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">-
Throughout the mystery kingdom age, the gospel will be sown to the
whole world. </span></span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><b>Seed
Growing by Itself</b></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">
- The seed, Word of God, will not require any influence on the part
of the sower. It has power within itself to to spring to life in
believers. </span></span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><b>Tares
</b></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">-
The sowing of the truth will be imitated by the false prophets and
teachers as they sow a counter narrative to the gospel. They will
exist alongside the good prophets and teachers. The hearer will be
required to confirm the truth of the Word through study and
discernment.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The
next two parables illustrate the results of the Tares.</span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><b>Mustard
Seed</b></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">
- The mystery kingdom will grow to huge outer proportions. The
teachings of false religions and doctrines of demons will grow in the
"visible" church along side the true "invisible"
church. The combination of the true and the false growing intermixed
will make it appear that the church has grown to a vast size.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><b>Leaven</b></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">
- The mystery kingdom will be marked by inward corruption of
doctrine.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The
next parables illustrate the results of the Wheat, or the sower and
seed growing on it's own.</span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><b>Hidden
Treasure</b></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">
- God will gain a Remnant of Jews who hear the Word about Jesus and
the gospel and believe.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><b>Pearl
of Great Price</b></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">
- God will gain a people for His name from among the Gentiles who
hear the Word about Jesus and the gospel and believe.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><b>The
Net</b></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">
- There will be a separation of the righteous from the unrighteous at
the end of the age in a judgment called the Sheep and Goat judgment.
The righteous are the believers who enter the Kingdom, and the
unrighteous will go to Sheol.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.24in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><b>Householder</b></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">
- The Mystery Kingdom is similar to the Kingdom programs of the past,
but also has some aspects that are new. The other kingdoms are: The
"Universal or Eternal Kingdom", the "Spiritual
Kingdom", the Theocratic Kingdom", and the Messianic
Kingdom".</span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
</p>
<h1 lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: maroon; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Matthew
13:53-58 - Jesus Rejected at Nazareth</b></span></span></h1>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">Mark
includes "He could not do any miracles there, except lay his
hands on a few sick people and heal them." (</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Mar 6:5</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">).
At this point in Jesus's ministry, healings were performed out of
compassion for the sick. No longer is Jesus attempting to validate
His deity and right to David's throne. The Messianic Kingdom has been
postponed.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">The
people of Nazareth knew Jesus, they questioned His right to teach
them, He was after all just the son of Joseph and Mary and had
brothers and sisters. He had never been to a rabbinic school, and the
Nazareth school system didn't teach what Jesus knew. The marveled at
His wisdom and understanding of the Hebrew scriptures, but also were
offended by Him (</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Mat 13:57</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">),
and gave Him no honor.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jesus
also was astonished, but at the unbelief of His neighbors. It would
appear that Jesus was only astonished by two things, the first was
the unbelief of His own people, the Jewish race, and secondly he was
astonished at the belief of the Gentiles. Due to the unbelief of the
Jewish people, Jesus was unable to perform many miracles.</span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This
passage also reveals details about the family of Jesus. Jesus is
reported to have 4 half brothers, James (the author of the book of
James), Joseph, Simon and Jude (the author of the Book of Jude).
Jesus also had at least two half sisters who are unnamed. Mary had at
least 7 children including Jesus.</span></span></p>
Stan Feldsinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03658444602773411342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1862246698205874117.post-88582382232527865392023-07-07T16:04:00.005-07:002023-07-07T16:04:23.375-07:00A Study of Matthew - Additional Parables<p><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>by
Stan Feldsine (www.tojesusbeallglory.com)</b></span></span></p>
<p align="CENTER" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<h1 lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: maroon; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Matthew
13:31-32 - The Mustard Seed</b></span></span></h1>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><b>The
first </b></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">of
three points is that though the mystery kingdom will start out small,
with only a few believers, it will grow unceasingly until it assumes
tremendous outer size.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><b>The
second </b></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">point
is that it will eventually become a monstrosity. Remember that the
mystery kingdom consists of both Wheat and Tares, believers and
unbelievers growing together.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><b>The
third </b></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">point
is that the tree will become a resting place for birds. If we use the
previous parables to define the birds, then the birds are a negative,
for it is the birds that take the seed away from those that might
believe. This illustrates the nature of the mystery kingdom which
consists of both the true church and the false church (</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Mat 13:3-4</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">).
Another point is that the mystery kingdom will grow over time
starting out very small, while the Millennial Kingdom will be very
large at the start. When Jesus taught this parable, his followers
were few in number, and they have grown greatly in number for the
last 2000 years. At the time of the Sheep and Goat judgment there are
huge numbers of believers that will enter into the Messianic Kingdom.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<h1 lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: maroon; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Matthew
13:33 - The Leaven</b></span></span></h1>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><b>"Leaven"
</b></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">is
translated "yeast" in some translations. This parable
teaches that the God's purpose for the mystery kingdom would be
carried out like leaven in bread dough, irreversibly, persistently
and pervasively throughout this age. When yeast in introduced to
flour it works it's way throughout until the bread is ready for the
oven. It is always considered an evil influence. The metaphor of
leaven's affect on bread was taught with relation to sin from the
early days of Israel, even before the Law of Moses. It was a part of
two of Israel's Feasts. </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><b>Passover
- </b></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">God's
disdain for "sin" is shown in the Feast of Passover
(</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Exo 12:14-15</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">).
</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><b>Feast
of Unleaven Bread - </b></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">God's
disdain for "sin" is shown in the Feast of Unleavened Bread
(</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Exo 13:6-7</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">).
</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><b>The
Teaching of the Pharisees - </b></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">Jesus
and Paul taught about sin using the metaphor of leavened bread
(</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Mat 16:6</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Mat 16:11-12</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">).
</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><b>Sin
in Our Life - </b></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">(</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>1Co 5:7</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">).
The </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><b>"woman"
</b></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">represents
a religious or spiritual entity. Leaven is a symbol of "sin",
in particular the sin of false teaching and the introduction of false
teaching into the mystery kingdom. The </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><b>"three
measures of meal"</b></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">
represents Christianity being splintered. The parable of the leaven
teaches that the mystery kingdom will be marked by inward doctrinal
corruption in the false church.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<h1 lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: maroon; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Matthew
13:44 - The Parable of the Hidden Treasure</b></span></span></h1>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">Treasure
is a symbol of Israel, this speaks of the believing Remnant of the
Jewish people. Jesus gave everything to gain this treasure (</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Exo 19:5</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Deu 14:2</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Psa 135:4</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">).
Thus this speaks of Israel (</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Rom 11:5</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Gal 6:16</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">).
Jesus is the one who purchased the treasure (</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>1Pe 1:18-19</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">).</span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<h1 lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: maroon; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Matthew
13:45-46 - The Parable of the Pearl of Great Value</b></span></span></h1>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">While
God refers to Israel as His treasure, the Gentiles are likely His
"pearl" of great price. In scripture, the "sea"
symbolizes the Gentile world, and pearls come from the sea.
Additionally, the pearl comes from an Oyster, and Oysters are
unclean, and would not be used symbolically of Israel (</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Dan 7:2-3</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Rev 17:1</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Rev 17:15</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">).
Like the treasure, Jesus paid the ultimate price to gain His pearl.
As the pearl develops slowly, the Gentiles will come into the kingdom
slowly over the centuries. At some point, the full number of Gentiles
will come in, and the Messianic Kingdom will be established shortly
afterwards (</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Act 15:14-18</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Rom 11:25</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">).</span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<h1 lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: maroon; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Matthew
13:51-52 - New and Old Treasures</b></span></span></h1>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-right: -0.07in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">What
Jesus is revealing here is the truth that the mystery kingdom will
consist of both old precepts from the overall plan of God, and some
aspects will be new, emphasizing the mystery character of God's
overall plan. The mystery is that the Gentiles will now be chosen to
be a people of God (</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Col 1:25-27</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">).
Gentiles can now call on the name of the Lord to be saved, without
going through the rituals to become a proselyte (</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Act 2:21</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Rom 10:13</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>2Ti 1:9-10</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">).</span></span></span></p>
Stan Feldsinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03658444602773411342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1862246698205874117.post-63733707224690224932023-07-07T16:01:00.000-07:002023-07-07T16:01:06.928-07:00A Study of Matthew - Wheat and Tares<p><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>by
Stan Feldsine (www.tojesusbeallglory.com)</b></span></span></p>
<p align="CENTER" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<h1 lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: maroon; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Matthew
13:24-30 - The Parable of the Wheat and Tares</b></span></span></h1>
<h1 lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: maroon; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Matthew
13:36-43 - The Parable of the Wheat and Tares Explained</b></span></span></h1>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">This parable makes
three points that describe what life is like during the mystery
program.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">The
</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><b>first
</b></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">is
that the sowing of false seeds will be taking place during the
timeframe of the mystery program. If the "seed" is the Word
of God, then the false "seed" is false teachings of all
sorts. Only God's Word is true, and contradictions with God's Word
are false whether their source is theological or secular. </span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">The
</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><b>second
</b></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">point
is that during this age, God will allow both true and false teaching
to develop alongside each other. We are not to weed out the false
teachings and teachers during this time, we are to allow them to grow
together. <br /></span></span></span></p><p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">The character of the time period of the mystery
program is not just the righteousness of the church, but includes the
the presence of evil and false teaching.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">The
</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><b>third
</b></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">point
is that the judgment at the end of this age will separate the two.
The Judgment in view here is the Sheep and Goat judgment described in
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Mat 25:31-46</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">.
The Sheep and Goat judgment and the Wheat and Tares Judgment are the
same judgment, which takes place at the second coming of Jesus at the
conclusion of the Tribulation and before the Messianic Kingdom is
established (</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Mat 25:31-34</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Mat 25:41</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">).</span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">This parable raises the
point that as the "good sower" is the "Son of Man",
then the evil sower is "Satan". Accordingly, since false
teaching is being sown in this age by Satan, we should always be on
the lookout for false teachings in the world today.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The Parable of the Net
also shines a light on this topic.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<h1 lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: maroon; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Matthew
13:47-50 - The Parable of the Net</b></span></span></h1>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The parable of the Net
conveys the same truth as that the parable of the Wheat and Tares and
the prophecy of the Sheep and Goat judgment. The mystery program will
end with a judgment that determines who remains to enter the
Messianic Kingdom and who is removed and sent to Sheol to await the
final Great White Throne judgment.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<h1 lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: maroon; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Matthew
- Additional Context for Wheat and Tares Parable</b></span></span></h1>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><b>Matthew
7:21-23 - </b></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">Another
passage that illustrates this time of judgment is </span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Mat 7:21-23</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><b>Matthew
24:36-42 - </b></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">Another
passage is in Matt 24 which describes what some think is the Rapture,
but the context is clearly the Sheep and Goat judgment. The reference
is to the judgment in Noah's day where the wicked were removed and
the righteous remained (</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Mat 24:36-42</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">).</span></span></span></p>
Stan Feldsinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03658444602773411342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1862246698205874117.post-82604278137698948852023-07-02T17:30:00.006-07:002023-07-02T17:30:34.680-07:00 The Exodus Generation of Israel Believers or Unbelievers<h1 lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> <span style="color: navy;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Introduction</b></span></span></span></h1>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This
article will address the question of the redeemed status of the
Exodus generation of Israel at Kadesh Barnea. This is an important
topic, as it bears directly on the interpretation of a number of New
Testament passages that metaphorically draw from the events at Kadesh
Barnea.</span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If
the failure of the Exodus generation to enter the promised land was
due to unbelief in God Himself, then the events at Kadesh Barnea are
seen as a soteriological (salvation) illustration showing that the
Exodus generation was unsaved.</span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">However,
if the failure of the Exodus generation to enter the promised land
was due to unbelief in God's promise to give them the promised land
and not disbelief in God Himself, then the events at Kadesh Barnea
are seen as an illustration of the loss of rewards and blessings on
the part of a saved people.</span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">This
is germane to New Testament metaphorical use of Kadesh Barnea, as
failure to enter heaven (</span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Heb 6:3-4</u></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">
), and failure to enter God's rest (</span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Heb 3:7-11</u></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">)
can, and should be interpreted not as a loss of salvation, but rather
a loss of rewards and blessings. This affects Lordship Salvation,
Once Saved Always Saved, and other doctrines relating to salvation.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<h1 lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: navy; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Background
of Kadesh Barnea</b></span></span></h1>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Moses
had led the Exodus generation out of Egypt and through the Red Sea to
Horeb (Mt. Sinai), where they received the Law of Moses. After
receiving the Law, the Lord told the Israelites to continue to Kadesh
Barnea to prepare to take the land of Canaan.</span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Deu 1:19</u></i></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
Then, as the LORD our God commanded us, we set out from Horeb and
went toward the hill country of the Amorites through all that vast
and dreadful wilderness that you have seen, and so we reached Kadesh
Barnea. </i></span></span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">While
at Kadesh Barnea, Moses selected 12 spies to go into the land of
Canaan and bring back a report regarding the route that should take
and the towns they would come to </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">the
people, the fertility and the defensive fortifications of in the
land. </span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Deu 1:22-24</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
Then all of you came to me and said, "Let us send men ahead to
spy out the land for us and bring back a report about the route we
are to take and the towns we will come to." (23) The idea seemed
good to me; so I selected twelve of you, one man from each tribe.
(24) They left and went up into the hill country, and came to the
Valley of Eshkol and explored it.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Num 13:17-20</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
When Moses sent them to explore Canaan, he said, "Go up through
the Negev and on into the hill country. (18) See what the land is
like and whether the people who live there are strong or weak, few or
many. (19) What kind of land do they live in? Is it good or bad? What
kind of towns do they live in? Are they unwalled or fortified? (20)
How is the soil? Is it fertile or poor? Are there trees in it or not?
Do your best to bring back some of the fruit of the land." (It
was the season for the first ripe grapes.)</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">When the spies returned
from Canaan, a report was given to Moses and the nation. 10 of the 12
spies expressed fear and caused the people to turn against Moses and
the Lord.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Num 13:27-28</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
They gave Moses this account: "We went into the land to which
you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey! Here is its fruit.
(28) But the people who live there are powerful, and the cities are
fortified and very large. We even saw descendants of Anak there.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Num 13:31-33</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
But the men who had gone up with him said, "We can't attack
those people; they are stronger than we are." (32) And they
spread among the Israelites a bad report about the land they had
explored. They said, "The land we explored devours those living
in it. All the people we saw there are of great size. (33) We saw the
Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim). We
seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to
them."</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Joshua and Caleb, 2 of
the spies, countered with a good and faithful report encouraging the
people that they could indeed take the land because God was with them
and Canaan's protection was gone.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Num 13:30</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, "We should
go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it."</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Num 14:6-9</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those
who had explored the land, tore their clothes (7) and said to the
entire Israelite assembly, "The land we passed through and
explored is exceedingly good. (8) If the LORD is pleased with us, he
will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and
will give it to us. (9) Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do
not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will devour them.
Their protection is gone, but the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid
of them."</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The Israelites had made
their mind up, they concluded that God had brought them to the land
of Canaan to kill them, so they rebelled.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Num 14:1-4</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
That night all the members of the community raised their voices and
wept aloud. (2) All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron,
and the whole assembly said to them, "If only we had died in
Egypt! Or in this wilderness! (3) Why is the LORD bringing us to this
land only to let us fall by the sword? Our wives and children will be
taken as plunder. Wouldn't it be better for us to go back to Egypt?"
(4) And they said to each other, "We should choose a leader and
go back to Egypt."</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">This rebellion resulted
in the Israelites failure to enter the promised land of Canaan and
instead they wandered in the wilderness for 40 years, during which
time all of the members of the Exodus generation would die.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Num 14:21-23</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
Nevertheless, as surely as I live and as surely as the glory of the
LORD fills the whole earth, (22) not one of those who saw my glory
and the signs I performed in Egypt and in the wilderness but who
disobeyed me and tested me ten times-- (23) not one of them will ever
see the land I promised on oath to their ancestors. No one who has
treated me with contempt will ever see it.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Num 14:29</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
In this wilderness your bodies will fall--every one of you twenty
years old or more who was counted in the census and who has grumbled
against me.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The question being
addressed is whether or not these Israelites who rebelled against the
Lord at Kadesh Barnea were believers who were saved or unbelievers
who were lost. I shall proceed to show that they were believers who
were saved, but made some bad choices.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<h1 lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: navy; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Israel
- Regenerated Believers or Unregenerate Unbelievers</b></span></span></h1>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">With
this background in mind, we will investigate whether this generation
of the nation of Israel was a regenerate believing nation losing
rewards and blessings, or were they unregenerate unbelievers who
where either never saved or ended up loosing their salvation. The
answer to this question will in many cases determine how one
interprets various other texts, such as </span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Heb 6:4-6</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">
and </span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Heb 3:7-11</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">
copied below, and will bear upon various doctrines including Lordship
Salvation and Once Saved Always Saved.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Heb 6:4-6</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have
tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, (5) who
have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the
coming age (6) and who have fallen away, to be brought back to
repentance. To their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over
again and subjecting him to public disgrace.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Heb 3:7-11</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
So, as the Holy Spirit says: "Today, if you hear his voice, (8)
do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the
time of testing in the wilderness, (9) where your ancestors tested
and tried me, though for forty years they saw what I did. (10) That
is why I was angry with that generation; I said, 'Their hearts are
always going astray, and they have not known my ways.' (11) So I
declared on oath in my anger, 'They shall never enter my rest.'"</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">If
the Israelites at Kadesh Barnea were unbelievers, that could lead one
to an understanding in which those that "shall never enter my
rest" (</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Heb 3:11</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">)
were unsaved or lost it and that "rest" is a synonym for
"heaven". </span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">We shall see as we read
on however, that he Exodus generation was indeed a regenerate
believing nation who did not lose their salvation, but did lose
rewards and blessings. When this is used as an analogy for Hebrews 3
and 6, we shall see that the context of "God's rest" is
rewards and blessing, not salvation.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<h1 lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: navy; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Evidence
of the Exodus Generation as Believers</b></span></span></h1>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">There is considerable
evidence that indicates that the Israelites who arrived at Kadesh
Barnea were a regenerated believing nation, and not unbelievers in
spite of their poor choices. It would follow through then that the
metaphorical use of the Kadesh Barnea passages in Deuteronomy 1 and
Numbers 13-14 would indicate a loss of rewards and blessings in
contemporary as well as heavenly life, and not loss of salvation. </span>
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>"The people
bowed down and worshiped"</b></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">When the Exodus
generation was still in Egypt, and God was sending the plagues, He
instructed Moses and Aaron regarding the Passover. Moses and Aaron in
turn instructed the people and concluded with the following passage:</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Exo 12:27-28</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
then tell them, 'It is the Passover sacrifice to the LORD, who passed
over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt and spared our homes when
he struck down the Egyptians.'" Then the people bowed down and
worshiped. (28) The Israelites did just what the LORD commanded Moses
and Aaron.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">This generation
believed God when He told them to observe the Passover, and they
followed this up with action. The response of the people to the
Passover event was that they "bowed down and worshiped".
Bowing down and worshiping would be quite uncharacteristic of
unbelievers. This is good evidence that the Exodus generation were
believers who worshiped God.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>"The people
feared the Lord and put their trust in Him"</b></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">After the people had
escaped Egypt, and had crossed the Red Sea, and saw the destruction
of the Egyptian army, their response was to "[fear] the Lord and
put their trust in Him".</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Exo 14:28-31</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
The water flowed back and covered the chariots and horsemen--the
entire army of Pharaoh that had followed the Israelites into the sea.
Not one of them survived. (29) But the Israelites went through the
sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their
left. (30) That day the LORD saved Israel from the hands of the
Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians lying dead on the shore. (31)
And when the Israelites saw the mighty hand of the LORD displayed
against the Egyptians, the people feared the LORD and put their trust
in him and in Moses his servant.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">The
act of putting trust in the Lord is faith. The Israelites
demonstrated faith when they believed God and put their trust in Him.
This is the same faith found in </span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Gen 15:6</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
which says "Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him
as righteousness." This sort of faith on the part of the Exodus
generation, like that of Abram, would have counted towards their
righteousness. They had saving faith, and were a regenerated
believing people.</span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>The Israelites Sang
the "Song of Moses"</b></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Moses and the
Israelites sang the Song of Moses following their crossing of the Red
Sea and their rescue from the Egyptian army, thanking God for their
salvation, praising and exalting Him. This would certainly describe a
nation of regenerate believers.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Exo 15:1-2</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the LORD: "I
will sing to the LORD, for he is highly exalted. Both horse and
driver he has hurled into the sea. (2) "The LORD is my strength
and my defense; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will
praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">This generation of
Israel believed and confessed that they were saved.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Worship at the
Pillar of Cloud</b></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Again we see the Exodus
generation as a nation of believers as they stood before the pillar
of cloud and worshiped God. There are a number of examples showing
Israel worshiping.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Exo 33:10</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
Whenever the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance
to the tent, they all stood and worshiped, each at the entrance to
their tent.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>The Intent of Israel
to do All the Lord Asks</b></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The Exodus generation's
intent to do all that the Lord asked as they were preparing to
receive the Law of Moses is another indicator that they were a
regenerated believing nation. The sinful mind is hostile to God, so
this intent to do what God says shows their spiritual mindset.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Exo 19:7-8</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
So Moses went back and summoned the elders of the people and set
before them all the words the LORD had commanded him to speak. (8)
The people all responded together, "We will do everything the
LORD has said." So Moses brought their answer back to the LORD.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Exo 24:3</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
When Moses went and told the people all the LORD's words and laws,
they responded with one voice, "Everything the LORD has said we
will do."</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Exo 24:7</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it to the people. They
responded, "We will do everything the LORD has said; we will
obey."</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Another point related
to the Exodus generation is that if they were a nation of hostile
unbelievers then God would not have given them the Law with it's
copious instructions for worship, the Ark of the Covenant, the
Tabernacle, all the ordinances and so on. If they were unbelievers
they would not have been able to obey these instructions and would
not have said they would do them.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<h1 lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: navy; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>What
About Israel's Carnal Behavior</b></span></span></h1>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Throughout Israel's
history, then have engaged in heinous behavior. This sort of behavior
does not mean that they are unbelievers any more than the heinous
behavior of some of us removes us from God's salvation. The
Corinthians provide a clarifying example of this.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The Corinthians were
considered Saints, or Holy People.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>1Co 1:2-3</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus
and called to be his holy people, together with all those everywhere
who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ--their Lord and ours:
(3) Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus
Christ.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">But like the Exodus
generation, they engaged in some pretty bad behavior. And yet, in
spite of their poor behavior, God never rejected them. They were
considered saints and holy people. The issue was not that they were
unbelievers, but that as believers, they were unbelieving towards
God's commands. They did not loose their salvation, but the did
suffer consequences for their actions.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>1Co 1:11</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe's household have informed me
that there are quarrels among you.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>1Co 5:1</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you,
and of a kind that even pagans do not tolerate: A man is sleeping
with his father's wife.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>1Co 6:9-11</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of
God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters
nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men (10) nor thieves nor the
greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the
kingdom of God. (11) And that is what some of you were. But you were
washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the
Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>1Co 6:12-13</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
"I have the right to do anything," you say--but not
everything is beneficial. "I have the right to do anything"--but
I will not be mastered by anything. (13) You say, "Food for the
stomach and the stomach for food, and God will destroy them both."
The body, however, is not meant for sexual immorality but for the
Lord, and the Lord for the body.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>1Co 15:12</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how
can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Certainly the
Corinthians could identify with the Exodus generation, for like the
Exodus generation the Corinthians were a worldly bunch. Indeed both
of these groups were mostly new believers, young in their faith. </span>
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>1Co 3:1-3</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by
the Spirit but as people who are still worldly--mere infants in
Christ. (2) I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet
ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. (3) You are still
worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are
you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans?</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Paul States that he is
judging the Church (Believers). The same occurred at Kadesh Barnea,
the Exodus generation was judged and not allowed to experience the
rewards and blessings of the promised land, nevertheless, they were
believers in God.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>1Co 5:12-13</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are
you not to judge those inside? (13) God will judge those outside.
"Expel the wicked person from among you."</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><b>R.
T. Kendall</b></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">
uses the Passover to summarize the Exodus generation's salvation
status well.</span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
</p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>"It would be a
serious mistake to dismiss the children of Israel in the wilderness
by writing</i></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>them off as
unregenerate from the start. To say that such people were never saved
is to fly in</i></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>the face of the
memorable fact that they kept the Passover. They obeyed Moses, who
gave</i></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>an unprecedented, if
not strange command to sprinkle blood on either side and over the</i></span></p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>doors
(</i></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Exo 12:7</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>).
But they did it…If obeying Moses’ command to sprinkle blood on
the</i></span></span></span></p>
<p lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>night of the
Passover was not a type of saving faith, I do not know what is. These
people</i></span></p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>were
saved. We shall see them in heaven, even if it turns out they were
“saved so as by fire”</i></span></span></span></p>
<p style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>(</i></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>1Co 3:15</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>).</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">If
R. T. Kendall is correct, and I believe he is, then </span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>1Co 3:12-15</u></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">
supports the loss of rewards and blessings viewpoint. Paul indicates
that those who's works are burned up will be saved, but "as one
escaping through the flames". Thus the failure of the Exodus
generation to enter the land of Canaan is a work categorized as
"wood, hay or straw" that results in a loss of rewards and
blessings, or "saved - even though only as one escaping through
the flames.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>1Co 3:12-15</u></i></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly
stones, wood, hay or straw, (13) their work will be shown for what it
is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with
fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person's work. (14)
If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward.
(15) If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be
saved--even though only as one escaping through the flames.</i></span></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<h1 lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: navy; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>New
Testament Evidence of Israel's Salvation</b></span></span></h1>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Paul indicates that the
Exodus generation of Israel "the were baptized into Moses",
"ate the same spiritual food" (as the Corinthians), "drank
the same spiritual drink", and drank from the "spiritual
rock" who was Christ. Clearly Paul is explicitly referring to
the Exodus generation in this passage, as they "passed through
the sea". They were believers who were all "baptized into
Moses in the cloud and in the sea", "ate the same spiritual
food and drank the same spiritual drink", etc.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>1Co 10:1-4</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers and
sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud and that they
all passed through the sea. (2) They were all baptized into Moses in
the cloud and in the sea. (3) They all ate the same spiritual food
(4) and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the
spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Hebrews states that "by
faith the people passed through the Red Sea, again a reference to the
faith of the Exodus generation. They had the same faith as the later
generation who did enter the land of Canaan and brought down the
walls of Jericho.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Heb 11:29-30</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but
when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned. (30) By faith
the walls of Jericho fell, after the army had marched around them for
seven days.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<h1 lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: navy; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Where
is Moses?</b></span></span></h1>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The claim that the
people of the Exodus generation were not saved usually will equate
the "promised land" to "God's rest" or "heaven"
as opposed to rewards and blessings. The failure of Israel to go into
the promised land is equated with a failure to enter heaven. </span>
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">One of the issues with
this is that Moses did not make it into the promised land. If
"promised land" is equated with "heaven", and
Moses did not make it, then we have a contradiction in scripture.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Moses did not see the
promised land. </span>
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Num 14:38</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
Of the men who went to explore the land, only Joshua son of Nun and
Caleb son of Jephunneh survived.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Num 14:29-30</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
In this wilderness your bodies will fall--every one of you twenty
years old or more who was counted in the census and who has grumbled
against me. (30) Not one of you will enter the land I swore with
uplifted hand to make your home, except Caleb son of Jephunneh and
Joshua son of Nun.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Deu 4:21-22</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
The LORD was angry with me because of you, and he solemnly swore that
I would not cross the Jordan and enter the good land the LORD your
God is giving you as your inheritance. (22) I will die in this land;
I will not cross the Jordan; but you are about to cross over and take
possession of that good land.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Of course Moses is in
heaven.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Mat 17:2-3</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun,
and his clothes became as white as the light. (3) Just then there
appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Moses was a believer
that suffered a loss of rewards and blessings as a consequence of his
sin. He did not loose his salvation and fail to make it into heaven.
The Exodus generation also suffered loss of rewards and blessings,
and they also made it into heaven.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<h1 lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: navy; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Conclusion</b></span></span></h1>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The sin of the Exodus
generation was not that they were unbelievers, but that as believers,
they were unbelieving towards God's command to take the promised
land.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The penalty of this
disbelief is not the loss of salvation, but the loss of the blessings
of the land for a generation. This passage in Numbers 14 shows that
they were forgiven, but that they would still bear the consequences
of their unbelief.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i><u>Num 14:20-23</u></i></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
The LORD replied, "I have forgiven them, as you asked. (21)
Nevertheless, as surely as I live and as surely as the glory of the
LORD fills the whole earth, (22) not one of those who saw my glory
and the signs I performed in Egypt and in the wilderness but who
disobeyed me and tested me ten times-- (23) not one of them will ever
see the land I promised on oath to their ancestors. No one who has
treated me with contempt will ever see it.</i></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">It has been shown that
the Exodus generation of Israel was already a believing generation,
redeemed and regenerated before they ever arrived at Kadesh Barnea.
What they forfeited due to their unbelief and failure to take Canaan
was not their salvation, but the blessings of enjoying the promised
land.</span></p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Accordingly, New
Testament references to this situation also involves not loss of
salvation for those already saved, but loss of rewards and blessings.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
</p>
Stan Feldsinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03658444602773411342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1862246698205874117.post-8740332692035698242023-06-29T09:23:00.000-07:002023-06-29T09:23:03.416-07:00Lesson 21 - Relapse<p align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0.17in; margin-top: 0.17in; page-break-after: avoid; page-break-inside: avoid;"></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: 0.33in;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Principle
7</b></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">:
Reserve a daily time with God for self-examination, Bible reading,
and prayer in order to know God and His will for my life and to gain
the power to follow His will.</span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: 0.33in;">
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: 0.33in;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Step
11</b></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">:
Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact
with God, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and power to
carry that out.</span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: 0.33in;">
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: 0.33in;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"> “<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Let
the word of Christ dwell in you richly.” (Colossians 3:16)</span></span></span></p>
<h1 style="break-after: avoid; break-inside: avoid; margin-top: 0.17in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #004586; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Introduction</b></span></span></h1>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">We
are going to look specifically at how to maintain the momentum of
your recovery. Therefore, tonight we are going to talk about how you
can prevent RELAPSE. </span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Relapse
is defined in the Cambridge Dictionary as “to become ill or start
behaving badly again, after making an improvement:”.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">This
definition is quite similar to the definition for “backslide”,
“to go back to doing something bad when you have been doing
something good, especially to stop working hard or to fail to do
something that you had agreed to do:”</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">James
helps us to break the process of relapse or backsliding down into
distinct steps. </span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">It
all starts with a “temptation”. Which Cambridge defines as “the
wish to do or have something that you know you should not do or
have:”.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #004586; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Jas
1:13-15 When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me."
For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; (14) but
each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil
desire and enticed. (15) Then, after desire has conceived, it gives
birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.</b></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<ol><li><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">So
the whole process starts (and could end) with a temptation. <br /></span>
</p>
</li><li><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The
next step is when we are </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>“dragged
away by our own evil desire and enticed”</b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">.
(No sin yet). “Enticed” is defined as “to persuade someone to
do something by offering them something pleasant:”. <br /><br />We are
<b>“enticed”</b> when our evil desires come into our mind and offer up
lies of pleasure, peace, and so on if we would just give up and fall
back into old easy patterns of behavior.<br /></span>
</p>
</li><li><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>After
desire is conceived, it gives birth to sin.”</b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
“Conceived is defined as “to bring a thought or idea into
being; imagine:”<br /><br />As we allow evil thoughts masquerading as
something good to linger in our heads, and we start to believe the
lies, the next thing that happens is we begin to turn the thoughts
into behavior that brings corruption and death.<br /></span></span>
</p>
</li><li><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Sin,
full grown, gives birth to death.”</b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
<br />Strongs defines “corruption” as “... (to pine or waste):
properly to shrivel or wither, that is, to … spoil or ... ruin
…”. It is the process of death, and it can lead to actual death
of the body.<br /></span></span>
</p>
</li><li><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The
<b>“Death”</b> that James is talking about is the result of
“corruption”, the pining or wasting away, to shrivel or wither.
It is our “deceitful desire” (being dishonest or hiding the
truth) that deceives us into following through on a deadly pleasure
for disobedience scheme. <br /></span>
</p>
</li></ol>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">James
and Paul both instruct the saints in how to put off the old self, or
resist the temptations and resulting corruption.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #004586; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Ephesians
4:22-23 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to
put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful
desires; (23) to be made new in the attitude of your minds;</b></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">James
and Paul both instruct the saints in how to put off the old self, or
resist the temptations and resulting corruption.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #004586; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Romans
8:5-6 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on
what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the
Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. (6) The mind
governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit
is life and peace.</b></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">To
put off the old self, determine who is going to govern (“have a
controlling influence on”) your mind, either your flesh, or the
Holy Spirit.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #004586; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Romans
12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed
by the renewing of your mind. ...</b></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Dr.
Constable's Notes: “The Christian should be continually renewing
his or her mind by returning mentally to the decision to dedicate
self to God and by reaffirming that decision. This continual
rededication to God will result in the transformation of the
Christian into Christ's image (Rom 8:29; cf. Mar 9:2-3). A daily
rededication is none too often.”</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This
lesson will list various ways that the Christian can “return
mentally to the decision to dedicate self to God”.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0.17in; page-break-after: avoid; page-break-inside: avoid;">
<span style="color: #004586; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Preventing
Relapse</b></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Tonight’s
acrostic is RELAPSE:</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>R</b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">eserve
a daily quiet time</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>E</b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">valuate</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>L</b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">isten
to Jesus</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>A</b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">lone
and quiet time</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>P</b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">lug
in to God’s power</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>S</b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">low
down</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>E</b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">njoy
your growth</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<h1 style="break-after: avoid; break-inside: avoid; margin-top: 0.17in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #004586;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">R
– (Principle 7) </span></span><span style="color: #c5000b;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Reserve</span></span><span style="color: #004586;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
a Daily Quiet Time With God for Self-Examination, Bible Reading, and
Prayer in Order to Know God and His Will for my Life and Gain the
Power to Follow His Will.</span></span></b></span></span></h1>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #c5000b; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Mark
14:38 tells us: “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into
temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”</b></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Perseverance
(gaining the power to follow His will) when experiencing temptation
comes through spending time with God </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>ahead
of time</b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">.
</span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Remember,
being tempted isn’t a sin. It’s bringing the thought or idea into
being that is sin that results in corruption.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<h1 style="break-after: avoid; break-inside: avoid; margin-top: 0.17in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #004586;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">E
– Step 10: </span></span><span style="color: #c5000b;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Evaluate</span></span><span style="color: #c5000b;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></span><span style="color: #004586;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yourself</span></span></b></span></span></h1>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #c5000b; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Romans
12:3–17: “Be honest in your estimate of yourselves.… Hate what
is wrong. Stand on the side of the good. Love each other.… Be
patient in trouble.… Do things in such a way that everyone can see
you are honest clear through.”</b></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Evaluate
your stance. Are you will prepared to withstand the temptations that
we all know are coming our way. What are your chances. This list will
give you a good indication.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<h1 style="break-after: avoid; break-inside: avoid; margin-top: 0.17in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #004586;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">L
– </span></span><span style="color: #c5000b;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Listen</span></span><span style="color: #004586;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
to Your Higher Power, Jesus Christ.</span></span></b></span></span></h1>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #c5000b; font-size: small;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Test
everything that is said to be sure it is true, and if it is, then
accept it” (1 Thessalonians 5:21, </b></span></span><span style="color: #c5000b; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>TLB</b></span></span><span style="color: #c5000b; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>).
</b></span></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">How
do you know that what you are hearing is true? How can you tell the
difference between the voice of the Spirit and the voice of your
flesh? There is only one way to be sure, that that is to measure our
thoughts against the Word of God. </span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #004586; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Psalm
1:1–3 (</b></span></span><span style="color: #004586; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>GNB</b></span></span><span style="color: #004586; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>)
tells us: “Happy are those who … find joy in obeying the Law of
the Lord, … they study it day and night. They are like trees that
grow beside a stream, that bear fruit at the right time.”</b></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<h1 style="break-after: avoid; break-inside: avoid; margin-top: 0.17in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #004586;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A
– </span></span><span style="color: #c5000b;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Alone</span></span><span style="color: #004586;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
and Quiet Time</span></span></b></span></span></h1>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">This
acrostic goes along with L – Listen. We can hear Him best when we
set aside time to be with Him, and opportunity to hear.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #c5000b; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Psalm
46:10 God tells us to “be still, and know that I am God.”</b></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<h1 style="break-after: avoid; break-inside: avoid; margin-top: 0.17in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #004586;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">P
– </span></span><span style="color: #c5000b;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Plug
in</span></span><span style="color: #004586;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
to God's Power Through Prayer</span></span></b></span></span></h1>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #c5000b; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Philippians
4:6, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything;
tell God your needs and don’t forget to thank him for his answers.”</b></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #004586; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Heb
4:14-16 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended
into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we
profess. (15) For we do not have a high priest who is unable to
empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted
in every way, just as we are--yet he did not sin. (16) Let us then
approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may
receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.</b></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">How
do you approach God's throne of grace? Through prayer. His help
towards us though the Holy Spirit is supernatural to the changing of
thought patterns.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<h1 style="break-after: avoid; break-inside: avoid; margin-top: 0.17in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #004586;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">S
– </span></span><span style="color: #c5000b;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Slow
Down</span></span><span style="color: #004586;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
Long Enough to Hear God's Answer</span></span></b></span></span></h1>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #c5000b; font-size: small;">“<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Listen
to me. Keep silence and I will teach you wisdom!” (33:33</b></span></span><span style="color: #c5000b; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>,
TLB</b></span></span><span style="color: #c5000b; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>).</b></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The
S goes right along with the L – Listen and A – Quiet Time. </span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<h1 style="break-after: avoid; break-inside: avoid; margin-top: 0.17in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #004586;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">E
– </span></span><span style="color: #c5000b;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Enjoy</span></span><span style="color: #004586;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
Your Growth</span></span></b></span></span></h1>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">You
need to enjoy your victories. Rejoice in and celebrate the small
successes along your road to recovery! </span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: #c5000b; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>First
Thessalonians 5:16 (</b></span></span><span style="color: #c5000b; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>GNB</b></span></span><span style="color: #c5000b; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>)
tells us to “be joyful always, pray at all times, be thankful in
all circumstances. This is what God wants from you in your life in
union with Christ Jesus.” </b></span></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">One
of the ways we do that at CR is through Chips, that measure
milestones. Everyone gets a chance to celebrate with you. </span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Share
your victories, no matter how small, with others in your group. Your
growth will give others hope!</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<h1 style="break-after: avoid; break-inside: avoid; margin-top: 0.17in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #004586; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Wrap-up</b></span></span></h1>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Here
are some things to do to prevent relapse:</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>S</b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">low
down</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>R</b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">eserve
a daily quiet time</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>A</b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">lone
and quiet time</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>L</b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">isten
to Jesus</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>E</b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">valuate</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>P</b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">lug
in to God’s power</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>E</b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">njoy
your growth</span></p>
Stan Feldsinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03658444602773411342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1862246698205874117.post-69559167651264057482023-06-25T14:26:00.000-07:002023-06-25T14:26:03.327-07:00A Study of Matthew Chapter 12:1-8<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>by
Stan Feldsine (www.tojesusbeallglory.com)</b></span></span>
<p align="CENTER" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
</p>
<h1 lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: maroon; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Matthew
12:1-08 - Lord of the Sabbath</b></span></span></h1>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">So
far in our storyline, we have learned that John the Baptist and Jesus
had come to proclaim the </span></span><span style="color: navy;"><span lang="zxx"><u><a href="https://www.tojesusbeallglory.com/2022/02/a-study-of-prophecy-messianic-kingdom.html"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">Messianic
Kingdom</span></span></span></a></u></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">, exhorting the Jewish people to repent and get ready for the
establishment of the character and standards of the Kingdom. Healings
and miracles validated His authority and divinity but He was reviled
because of His rejection of the Oral Law and His claims of divinity.
The conflict between the Pharisees and Jesus comes to a climax in
Chapter 12 of Matthew over the issue of the Sabbath. (</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Exo 20:9-11</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">).
In typical Pharisaical fashion the idea of a day of rest and
reflection turned into a restrictive system of rules and regulations
in the Oral Law to the point of absurdity. </span></span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It
is reported by Josephus the Historian that 1,000 Jews died in the
Macabeean revolt because the the attack happened on a Sabbath day and
the Jews would not close gates to the outside or fight back because
of the belief that these things were considered work and against the
Sabbath law. In this case, the Pharisees were accusing the disciples
of breaking the Oral Law regarding "work" on the Sabbath
(picking heads of grain). Jesus pushed back on the Pharisaical
tradition by pointing out that David had been involved in a similar
situation to that of the disciples. Like David's men, the disciples
were also hungry, and while Oral Law restricted them from picking
grain on the Sabbath, the spirit of the law allowed for it. </span></span>
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In
David's case, the consecrated bread was intended for the priests, not
the army. However the army itself was consecrated, being on a mission
from the King. The priest saw no issue with the consecrated army
eating the consecrated bread. In a similar fashion, Jesus' disciples
were serving the Kingdom, and thus "consecrated". If David,
who was not yet king had the right to feed his army the consecrated
bread then Jesus had the right to allow His disciples to gather and
eat the grain. The lesson here is that the law regarding the Sabbath
was not to be followed legalistically in a rigid fashion, but it was
for the benefit of man. </span></span>
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">Jesus
again uses </span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Hos 6:6</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">
to rebuke the Pharisees about their lack of understanding of the
Mosaic law. When Jesus told the Pharisees to "go and learn",
he referred them to (</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Hos 6:6</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">).
In Hosea's day, as in Jesus's day, the apostate religious leaders had
gone far away from the heart of scripture which taught them about
having a merciful attitude towards others, I.E. the Mosaic Law.
Instead, they dug themselves into ritual and external practice of the
law, rather than experiencing a "circumcision of heart",
I.E. the Oral Law. </span></span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">Jesus
again refers to Himself as "Son of Man", which describes
Jesus in Messianic terms. The "Son of Man" is Jesus, the
coming King (</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Dan 7:13-14</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Mat 24:27-31</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">).</span></span></span></span></p>
Stan Feldsinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03658444602773411342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1862246698205874117.post-1229709599122935862023-06-25T13:42:00.004-07:002023-06-25T13:42:28.303-07:00A Study of Matthew Chapter 13:1-9 & 18-23<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>by
Stan Feldsine (www.tojesusbeallglory.com)</b></span></span>
<p align="CENTER" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
</p>
<h1 lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: maroon; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Matthew
13:1-09 - The Parable of the Sower & </b></span></span>
</h1>
<h1 lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: maroon; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Matthew
13:18-23 - The Parable of the Sower Explained</b></span></span></h1>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><b>Instruction
for Jew and Gentile</b></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">
- Both Jews and Gentiles would need to be instructed in the mystery
program. The Gentiles would be coming into a relationship with God
that they never had before, and the Jewish people would be coming
into the knowledge that what was once theirs alone (relationship with
God) would now be shared with the Gentiles. This caused consternation
among the religious Jews because they considered the Gentiles to be
unclean (</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Rom 3:22</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Eph 2:13</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Rom 11:17</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">).
Additionally, both Jew and Gentile would be instructed in a major
change in which the Holy Spirit would now not just exist outside of
the people and come upon them from time to time for a specific
purpose, but the Holy Spirit would now come to live inside of them
(</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Col 1:27</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">).</span></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><b>God's
Word to be Sown</b></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">
- Matthew shows that the mystery program would be characterized by
the sowing of the seed (God's Word) to the Gentiles (</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Eph 2:13</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">).
The Jewish people who believed would be taught that the Gentiles were
now sharers in the riches, and that they would need to accept this
(</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Rom 11:17</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">),
for God was no respecter of persons regarding salvation. This was a
major change in God's program and it came about due to Israel's
rejection of the King and Kingdom (</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Rom 11:12</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Act 10:34-35</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">).</span></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><b>God's
Word to be Resisted and Have Varied Responses</b></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">
- Jesus begins His teaching of the mystery program with parables on
the same day that the religious leaders of Israel rejected Him with
the unforgivable sin. Later on Paul will explain the mystery far more
clearly. The parable of the sower introduces several motifs that are
used throughout the parables. These motifs include ideas like seed
(the Word of God), sowing seed (preaching and teaching), birds,
thorns and rocky places (forces attempting to keep us from accepting
or understanding the Word), etc. If you understand the motifs being
used here in this parable, you will also understand their use in
other parables.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><b>Seed</b></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">
- The "seed" is the Word of God. When we take in the Word
of God, it has the potential to be extremely fruitful (</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Mat 13:3</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Luk 8:11</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">).</span></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><b>Farmer</b></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">
- The Farmer sows seed and represents anyone who shares the gospel
(</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Mat 13:3</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">).</span></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><b>Soil</b></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">
- Also referred to as the "field", soil represents the
receptivity of the human heart to hear, accept and understand that
which is sown in it. Some soil is good and some bad, and accordingly
some people have receptive hearts and others have closed hearts.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><b>Soil
- Birds By the Wayside </b></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">-
This is the response of unbelief. The Word of God is shared with
those who chose not to believe what is being said about the gospel.
What is sown in the heart is never germinated, or believed, it just
gets carried away. Unbelieving scribes and Pharisees would fall into
this category. They heard the message of the King and Kingdom but
never believed it (</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Mat 13:4</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Mat 13:19</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">).</span></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><b>Soil
- Rocky Places</b></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">
- This represents seed that is sown in a place where there is not
much soil. Seeds sown in rocky places will germinate and put forth a
plant, but because there is little soil the plant quickly dies
(</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Mat 13:5-6</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Mat 13:20-21</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">).
This type of soil represents those who hear the word, and believe,
but they are never rooted in the Word and grow accordingly. Their
spiritual life is never stabilized, and they tend to be driven by
emotion and experience (</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>1Co 3:1-3</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Heb 5:11-14</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Eph 4:11-14</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">).</span></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><b>Soil
- Thorny Ground</b></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">
- Like the rocky ground, these also believe, but they never seem to
be able to overcome the cares of the world. These may have a solid
understanding of God's Word, but are unable to apply their knowledge
to their lives, resulting in difficulty living consistent spiritual
lives because of their being overcome with the cares of the world.
These also do not produce much fruit and they also suffer from
spiritual immaturity (</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Luk 8:14</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Mat 13:7</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Mat 13:22</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">).</span></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><b>Soil
- Good Soil</b></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">
- The good soil represents people who believe and are rooted in God's
Word and apply it. They also are productive in spiritual life and are
growing. The production of fruit will vary, but good fruit at some
level is present in their lives (</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Mat 13:8</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Mat 13:23</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">).</span></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><b>The
Disciples Question Jesus</b></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">
- After hearing the Parable of the Sower, the disciples asked Jesus
about the parables. Mark records Jesus stating to His disciples that
in order to understand any of the parables, they must understand the
parable of the sower (</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Mar 4:13</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">).</span></span></span></span></p>
Stan Feldsinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03658444602773411342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1862246698205874117.post-11423980526427734672023-06-25T13:39:00.003-07:002023-06-25T13:39:17.141-07:00 A Study of Matthew Chapter 13:10-17 & Matthew 13:34-35<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>by
Stan Feldsine (www.tojesusbeallglory.com)</b></span></span>
<p align="CENTER" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
</p>
<h1 lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: maroon; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Matthew
13:10-17 & Matthew 13:34-35 - The Purpose of the Parables</b></span></span></h1>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Two
Movements</b></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Matthew's
gospel is presented in two movements, the presentation of the Jesus
and His Messianic Kingdom to Israel and the response to His arrival,
and secondly the presentation and explanation of the mystery program
for a new age through parables. This mystery kingdom will be a
spiritual rather than a physical kingdom, and will last from the
first coming of Christ to the second coming.</span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>The
Mystery Program Was Hidden</b></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">The
mystery program is a "mystery" because it was hidden from
people through the ages but is now being revealed. Jesus is now going
to switch from plainly speaking about the offer of the Messianic
Kingdom to speaking about the "mystery" program using
parables (</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Mat 13:35</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Psa 78:2</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">).
This is a program that prophets and righteous people in the past had
longed to see (</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Mat 13:17</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>1Pe 1:10-12</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">).
Those without ears to hear are those Jews who rejected Jesus as King,
and those with ears to hear are those who accepted Jesus (</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Mat 13:9</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Mat 13:10-11</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Mat 7:6</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">).
The inability of those without ears to hear to understand the mystery
program was a fulfillment of prophecy (</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Mat 13:14-16</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Isa 6:9-10</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">).
This blindness carried forward to Paul's day and still affects the
unbelieving Jews of today (</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Mat_13:12-13</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Rom_11:7-10</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">).
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Rom_11:8-10</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">
is quoting from the following passages: (</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Psa 69:22-23</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Deu 29:4</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Isa 29:10</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">).
It is important to note, however, that this blindness will not last
forever (</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Rom 11:25-27</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Zec 12:10</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">).</span></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Paul's
Revelation of the Mystery Program</b></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">The
mystery program would be revealed in two stages, Jesus would teach
about it to His disciples using parables and second, Paul would
receive revelation and teach it to the apostles (</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Gal 1:11-12</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Gal 1:17-18</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Gal 2:1-2</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Eph 3:2-3</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Rom 16:25-27</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">).</span></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>The
Mystery of Salvation Coming To the Gentiles</b></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">Part
of the mystery program consisted of doing away of the "dividing
wall of hostility" between Jews and Gentiles. Jew and Gentile
would become"one new humanity", the Church (</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Gal 3:19</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Eph 2:14-15</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">).
Paul taught this, first to the Jews, then to the Gentiles (</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Eph 3:1-6</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Rom 10:12-13</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Eph 3:8-9</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Col 1:25-27</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">).
In the past, the Messianic Kingdom was offered to the Jews, and
Gentiles were excluded by Jewish Law which only allowed Gentiles to
be saved by becoming proselytes (</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Mat 10:5-7</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Eph 2:17-22</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">).
It was Israel's rejection of the King and Kingdom that brought about
salvation to the Gentiles (</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Rom 11:11-15</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">).</span></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>The
Jews Rejection of the Messianic Kingdom Blesses the Gentiles</b></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">When
Israel rejected the Messianic Kingdom and their King, it resulted in
blessing to the Gentiles. This was fulfillment of a prophecy given in
the Abrahamic Covenant that Abraham would be a blessing to the
nations (</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Gen 12:2</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Gal 3:8</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">).
The practical fulfillment was seen in Paul and the disciples turning
from Israel to the Gentiles (</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Act 13:46-48</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Eph 2:11-13</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">).</span></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Mystery
Program Includes Believers and Unbelievers</b></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">The
mystery program contains not only the Church, but also includes
unbelievers referred to as "weeds" or "tares".
Both will exist side by side in this mystery program until the end of
the age and the start of the rescheduled Messianic Kingdom
(</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Mat 13:24-30</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">).</span></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Conclusion</b></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">Teaching
with parables was a judgment on unbelieving Israel, they did not
accept the truth when it was understood, they would now be given
truth they cannot understand. For the disciples and believers the
parables would give further enlightenment (</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Mat 13:16</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Mat 13:34-35</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">).
This is how being "in Christ" came to the Gentiles. The
Jewish rejection of their King opened the way for the Gentiles to
become co-heirs with Israel of spiritual blessings and salvation
(</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Rom 11:11-15</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">).</span></span></span></span></p>
Stan Feldsinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03658444602773411342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1862246698205874117.post-67138912943653504902023-06-25T13:35:00.000-07:002023-06-25T13:35:04.028-07:00A Study of Matthew Chapter 13 - Notes<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>by
Stan Feldsine (www.tojesusbeallglory.com)</b></span></span>
<p align="CENTER" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
</p>
<h1 style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: navy; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>The
Messianic Kingdom Lost</b></span></span></h1>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What
did the Jewish people miss out on when they rejected Jesus and the
Kingdom.
(<a href="https://www.tojesusbeallglory.com/2022/02/a-study-of-prophecy-messianic-kingdom.html">https://www.tojesusbeallglory.com/2022/02/a-study-of-prophecy-messianic-kingdom.html</a>)</span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
</p>
<h1 style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: navy; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>The
Five "Kingdoms"</b></span></span></h1>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Before
we discuss the mystery kingdom, we will review the 4 other "kingdoms"
the Bible refers to So we have the context for the mystery kingdom.</span></span></p>
<ol><li><p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><b>The
Universal or Eternal Kingdom</b></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">
- This kingdom refers to God's rule over all the universe for all
time. It includes the angelic realm, and has always existed. This is
the kingdom the believer enters upon death (</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>1Co 15:50</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>2Ti 4:18</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">).
Scriptural references: </span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>1Ch 29:11-12</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Psa 10:16</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Psa 29:10</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Psa 74:12</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Psa 90:1-6</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Psa 93:1-5</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Psa 103:19-22</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Psa 145:1-21</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Psa 148:8</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Jer 10:10</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Lam 5:19</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Dan 4:17</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Dan 6:27</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Act 17:24</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">).</span></span></span></span></p>
</li><li><p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><b>The
Spiritual Kingdom</b></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">
- This is God's rule in the heart of a believer. This kingdom is
comprised of all who have been born again by the Holy Spirit
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Joh 3:3</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>1Co 6:9</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">)</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
</i></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">Scriptural
references: </span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Mat 6:33</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Mat 19:16</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Joh 3:3-5</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Act 8:12</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Act 14:22</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Act 19:8</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Act 20:25</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Act 28:23</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>1Co 4:20</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>1Co 6:9-10</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Gal 5:21</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Eph 5:5</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Col 1:13-14</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Col 4:11</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>1Th 2:12</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
and </span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>2Th 1:5</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">.</span></span></span></span></p>
</li><li><p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><b>The
Theocratic Kingdom</b></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">
- This is the rule of God over the nation of Israel. This kingdom
started when the Law of Moses was established and served as the
constitution of the nation of Israel. This kingdom ended with the
destruction of Jerusalem by Babylon in 586BC. This kingdom is
documented from </span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Exo 19:1</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">
to </span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>2Ch 36:23</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">.
(</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Exo 20:22-23</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">).</span></span></span></span></p>
</li><li><p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><b>The
Messianic / Millennial Kingdom - </b></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">This
is the future kingdom during which time Jesus will rule over saved
Israel and all the earth from David's throne in Jerusalem for 1000
years. This kingdom is the subject of a great deal of OT prophecy as
well as being the kingdom that was declared to be "at hand"
by John the Baptist and Jesus (</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Mat 3:2</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Mat 4:17</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">)
and rejected by Jewish authorities </span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Mat 3:1-2</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Psa 2:4-6</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">).
Scriptural references: </span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Psa 2:1-12</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Psa 72:1-20</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Isa 9:6-7</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Isa 11:1-16</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Jer 23:5-6</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Jer 32:14-17</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Eze 34:23</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Eze 37:24</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Hos 3:4-5</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Mic 4:6-8</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Mic 5:2</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Mal 3:1-4</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">.</span></span></span></span></p>
</li><li><p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><b>The
Mystery Kingdom</b></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">
- Following the rejection of the Messianic Kingdom, Jesus's focus
switches to the "mystery" program. This includes a kingdom
that Jesus revealed on the day of Israel's rejection (</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Mat 13:11</u></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Mat 13:35</u></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">)</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">.
This kingdom covers the period of time between the first and second
coming of Jesus.</span></span></span></span></p>
</li></ol>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
</p>
<h1 style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: navy; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>A
Change of Course</b></span></span></h1>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Four
things change as a result of this generation's rejection of King and
Kingdom:</span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u><b>Signs</b></u></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>
</i></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">-
Jesus will no longer give signs to the nation of Israel to provoke
them to decide which side they are going to be on. They have made
that decision through their teachers and religious leaders. That
decision is rejection. From this point forward, signs are for the
purpose of training and preparing the apostles for their ministry.
The only sign given to Israel would be the sign of Jonah.</span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u><b>Miracles</b></u></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>
</u></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">-
Up to this point, Jesus's miracles did not require faith on the part
of the observer or participant. Henceforth, miracles would not happen
without faith. Again, Jesus's miracles were to validate His authority
as Messiah, and Israel had chosen to reject Him.</span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u><b>Message</b></u></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>
</u></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">-
The message to this point was to repent and be baptized in
preparation for the coming Kingdom. Since the Kingdom was rejected,
the message changes to concealing the coming of the Kingdom and King.
This policy lasted until the "Great Commission" in Matt 28.
The program would now shift from the coming of the King and the
Messianic Kingdom to the mystery program. </span></span></span></span></span>
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u><b>Teaching
Method</b></u></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">
- Jesus's teachings changed from being clear and understandable by
the people to speaking in Parables. The switch from teaching plainly
to speaking parables happened the same day as His rejection
(</span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Mat 7:28-29</u></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Mat 13:1-3</u></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">).</span></span></span></span></span></p>
Stan Feldsinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03658444602773411342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1862246698205874117.post-74149420044999415772023-06-25T13:28:00.009-07:002023-06-25T13:28:46.880-07:00A Study of Matthew Chapter 12:46-50<p>
</p><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>by
Stan Feldsine (www.tojesusbeallglory.com)</b></span></span>
<p align="CENTER" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
</p>
<h1 lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: maroon; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Matthew
12:46-50 - The True Family of Messiah</b></span></span></h1>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">Jesus's
mother and brothers included James, Joseph, Simon, and Jude. Jesus
also had sisters but they apparently were not a part of this meeting
(</span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Mat 13:55-56</u></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">).</span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">The
content of what they wanted to talk to Jesus about is not given in
Matthew, however, Mark sheds some light on this: </span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Mar 3:21</u></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">
When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him,
for they said, "He is out of his mind."</span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jesus's
mother and brothers were experiencing a great deal of stress
resulting from Jesus's activities. They went out to reign Him in.
When they reached him, and someone told Him His family was there, He
asked "Who are my mother and brothers?". This could not
have made them feel any more at comfort. </span></span>
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">But
Jesus had a point He was making. His point was that spiritual kinship
is greater than physical kinship. He said that "whoever does the
will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother."
To do the will of the Father meant to accept Jesus as Messiah King
(</span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Joh 6:40</u></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">).</span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">This
did not mean that Jesus didn't love His family. He did, to the point
that as he was dying on the cross he asked that John care for His
mother (</span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Joh 19:26-27</u></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">).</span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">The
Pharisees believed that they were to be granted access to the Kingdom
on the basis of their biological physical ties to Abraham. In this
teaching of Jesus it is clear that only the spiritual seed of Abraham
are going to enter the kingdom. Physical connection is insufficient
(</span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Gal 3:29</u></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">).</span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p> </p>Stan Feldsinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03658444602773411342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1862246698205874117.post-53550258185053561462023-06-25T13:27:00.002-07:002023-06-25T13:27:16.953-07:00A Study of Matthew Chapter 12:38-40<p>
</p><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>by
Stan Feldsine (www.tojesusbeallglory.com)</b></span></span>
<p align="CENTER" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
</p>
<h1 lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: maroon; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Matthew
12:38-40 - The Sign of Jonah</b></span></span></h1>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The
men of Nineveh and the Queen of the South will stand in judgment and
condemn "this generation". These had heard the message and
repented, thus postponing judgment. But this generation of Israel is
failing to repent, and asked for a sign, but they had been given
signs. No more signs would be given to this generation except for the
death, burial and resurrection of Christ pictured in the story of
Jonah. But it was too late, for judgment is already on the way.</span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">Later
on, a delegation was sent to Jesus consisting of both Pharisees and
Sadducees. Pharisees represented the religious life and the Sadducees
the political life of Israel. They convened a trial and officially
requested that Jesus show a sign from heaven such as those done by OT
prophets. But again, the answer is no, the only sign left for them
was the sign of Jonah (</span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Mat 16:1-4).</u></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jesus
instituted a new policy regarding the purpose of His signs. No longer
would the signs be for the purpose of validating His Messiahship, but
now would be for the purpose of training His disciples for a new kind
of work they would be doing because of Jesus's rejection. This work
is described in the book of Acts. </span></span>
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
</p>
<h1 lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: maroon; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Matthew
12:41-45 - The Judgment of the Nation</b></span></span></h1>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The
first thing to note is to whom this judgment is applied. The men of
Nineveh and the Queen of the South are said to stand in judgment
against "this generation. This is especially noteworthy because
a large segment of Christianity believes that the judgment is against
Israel as a nation present and future. This idea removes the promises
God gave to the nation of Israel and reassigns them to the "church",
in a doctrine called "replacement theology", or
"supercessionism". This view causes people to say "God
is done with Israel", "the church is now Israel", and
"we Christians are now 'true Jews' or 'spiritual Israel', among
other statements conveying the idea that the church is now Israel and
Israel is no longer a special people of God.</span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">Israel
did not forfeit the promises God gave to Israel, only "that
generation" did. God's promises to Israel are irrevocable.
Nevertheless, the judgment against Israel was severe as we will learn
in Matthew chapter 23 and 24 where we will see that Jerusalem was
destroyed and the Jews were scattered to the nations (</span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Rom 11:11</u></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Rom 11:25-26</u></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Rom 11:28-29</u></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Gen 12:2</u></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">
/ </span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Gen 12:7</u></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Psa 105:8-11</u></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Heb 6:17</u></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">).
This generation of Israel had a great light with them. Yet, they
rejected Him, and the Kingdom. They were worse off than some of the
Gentiles. Nineveh, while having little in the way of light, never the
less repented when Jonah came to them. In a similar vein, The Queen
of the South also sought the light. This generation of Israel chose
darkness, and would be judged accordingly.</span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">Jesus
gave a metaphor of a demon possessed man to illustrate the final
condition of this generation and the effect it would have for future
generations of Israel. In this metaphor, Israel is like the person in
whom there is an evil spirit. This evil spirit chose on his own to
leave the person (Israel), and seek a better place. Finding no where
better, he returns to the person (Israel) he left earlier, and finds
that he is vacant. This vacancy means that no evil spirit nor the
Holy Spirit entered him in the meantime. Because He remained empty,
the evil spirit was able to reenter him, and he decided to invite 7
of his demon friends to enter the person (Israel) as well. Such is
the last state of the man (Israel) worse than the first. The context
of this story is "this generation" of Israel. They are
swept and clean by the ministry of John, preparing them for the
coming King. This generation chose to reject the King, remaining
empty. Accordingly, their last state will be worse than their first.
Under Roman rulership, they were allowed to retain their national
identity. Jerusalem was standing, as was their temple. They had their
own government in the Sanhedrin. The judgment that will be poured out
on them would leave them 7 times worse off than they had been
(</span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Luk 21:5-6</u></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Luk 21:20-24</u></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">).
Verse 45 gives the context for this story, this generation.</span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p> </p>Stan Feldsinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03658444602773411342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1862246698205874117.post-17582282236308485272023-06-25T13:25:00.001-07:002023-06-25T13:25:08.116-07:00A Study of Matthew Chapter 12:25-37<p>
</p><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>by
Stan Feldsine (www.tojesusbeallglory.com)</b></span></span>
<p align="CENTER" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
</p>
<h1 lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: maroon; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Matthew
12:25-32 - Jesus Response to Blasphemy</b></span></span></h1>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Responding
to the accusations of the Pharisees, Jesus "new their thoughts".
Jesus did not use His divinity to read their minds, rather, He was
dependent upon the Holy Spirit for discernment. Jesus responded to
their accusations by explaining that destruction follows division. It
was nonsense to claim that Jesus was engaged in dividing His Kingdom
by implying that Satan was driving out Satan. </span></span>
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">Jesus
was empowered by the Holy Spirit, and to accuse Jesus of doing the
work of Satan was to accuse the Holy Spirit of functioning by Satanic
authority, which was blasphemous. Walvoord sheds light on this: </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>"Such
a sin is not unpardonable in itself, but rather because it rejects
the person and work of the Holy Spirit, without whom repentance and
restoration are impossible ... it is not the thought that one seeking
pardon will not find it, but rather that one who rejects the Holy
Spirit will not seek pardon."</i></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jesus
was indeed functioning in the power of the Holy Spirit, the perfect
example of the spirit filled believer. And if He was indeed
functioning in the Holy Spirit's power, then indeed the Kingdom was
here, not some divided kingdom of Satan. Jesus was more powerful than
the demons, and was tying up the strong man and stealing his stuff.</span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In
vs. 31-32, Jesus is addressing the Pharisees who had rejected Him,
the point being that the one who is truly doing the works Jesus is
manifesting is the Holy Spirit. Thus blasphemy against the Holy
Spirit is a worse sin than blasphemy against Jesus. As Walvoord
pointed out earlier, blasphemy against the Holy Spirit comes from a
place of heart that prevents the Holy Spirit's work in a person's
heart, and that in itself prevents salvation, and is unforgivable
because there is no forgiveness unless one believes.</span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
</p>
<h1 lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: maroon; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Matthew
12:33-37 - Tree Known by it's Fruit</b></span></span></h1>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jesus
continues addressing the Pharisees with an explanation that one
cannot separate the what comes out of the heart from the heart. If
Jesus's miracles are good, then He is good. If Jesus was in cahoots
with Satan, then what would come out of His heart would have been
evil, and that was certainly not the case.</span></span></p>
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</p>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jesus
referring to the Pharisees as a "brood of Vipers" is
calling them "offspring of snakes", a scathing reference to
the fact that they were offspring of the serpent, Satan. He then
gives the general principle that good things come out of a good heart
(who we are as a person), and bad things from the evil heart. The
Pharisees were evil.</span></span></p>
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</p>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jesus
then makes a reference to the "Day of Judgment", or the
Bema Judgment. At that judgment, one of the criteria we will be
judged for is what comes out of our mouths. "Empty words"
means idle words or words without substance. If we are guilty of
this, we will have forfeited rewards we otherwise would have had, and
we experience loss. (But not loss of salvation.) In the case of
unbelievers including such as the Pharisees, their lot will be banishment to Sheol where they will await the final judgment at the
Great White Throne judgment at the end of the Messianic Kingdom. In
this case, the Pharisees were unbelievers, so they were not saved.
They had used words without substance in accusing Jesus of working
under the power of Satan. Since this judgment concerns the wicked
unbeliever, they are dealt varying degrees of punishment in Hell.</span></span></p>
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</p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">Hendrickson
states - </span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><i>"The
judgment passed upon the individual in the final day is going to be
"by," in the sense of "inconformity with," "in
accordance with," "in harmony with, " his words,
considered as mirrors of the heart".</i></span></span></span></span></span></p>
Stan Feldsinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03658444602773411342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1862246698205874117.post-10716785449725478102023-06-25T13:23:00.000-07:002023-06-25T13:23:15.997-07:00A Study of Matthew Chapter 12:22-24<p>
</p><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>by
Stan Feldsine (www.tojesusbeallglory.com)</b></span></span>
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</p>
<h1 lang="en-US" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: maroon; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Matthew
12:22-24 - The Unforgivable Sin</b></span></span></h1>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">Jesus
once again heals a person who is mute, which the Jewish leaders could
not cast out due to their procedures requiring his name. Jesus,
having no such restrictions healed him right away. This again amazed
the people, who questioned specifically if Jesus could be the "Son
of David" who would rule over the earth (</span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Mat 1:1</u></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>2Sa 7:8-16</u></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">).
The people were expecting a powerful Messiah, and Jesus's gentleness
was unexpected and they were confused. The Pharisees saw the people's
doubts and swayed them claiming that Jesus wasn't the coming
Messianic King, but just a man possessed by a demon, Beelzebul.</span></span></span></span></span></p>
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</p>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This
blasphemic rejection of Jesus by the religious leadership of the
nation of Israel is a dividing point in the gospel of Matthew.
Before, the Gospel of the Kingdom is being proclaimed, after, Jesus
speaks in parables about the "mystery program, which will be
discussed in Chapter 13.</span></span></p>
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</p>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>The
Unforgivable Sin</b></span></span></p>
<p align="LEFT" style="background: transparent; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 0; widows: 0;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">The
"unforgivable sin" of blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is found
only in this specific context of this generation's rejection of the
King and Kingdom and the claim that Jesus was possessed with the
demon Beelzebul. This sin, in this context, is a national and
generational sin, not an individual sin or multi-generational
national sin. Jesus is speaking to the Pharisees when He tells them
that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. He was
referring to this specific event (</span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Mat 12:24-25</u></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
,..., </span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Mat 12:31</u></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">
... ).</span></span></span></span></span></p>
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</p>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">The
KJV addresses "whosoever", which is interpreted as either
an individual or a group depending on the context. In this context,
it is the group of Pharisees and unbelievers of this generation that
rejected the Jesus's Kingship. It could be paraphrased as "And
whatever group speaketh a word against the Son of man, it will be
forgiven them ...." (</span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Mat 12:32</u></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">).</span></span></span></span></span></p>
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</p>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">The
responsible party committing this sin and becoming liable to the
judgment is, "this generation". it is this generation that
Jesus came and offered the Kingdom to. No other generation had
rejected the king with such blasphemy. The generation of Israel would
experience severe judgment which would come in the destruction of
Jerusalem and the banishment of the Jewish people to the diaspora.
This judgment cannot be applied to later generations of the Jews, it
is unique to "this generation" </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">(</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Luk 11:49-51</u></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">,
</span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Luk 17:24-25).</u></span></span></span></span></span></p>
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</p>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Not
a Salvation Passage for Individuals</b></span></span></p>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It
should be clear that the context of the "unforgivable sin"
is "this generation" and the rejection of Jesus as King.
"This generation" means the generation (group) of living
Israelites alive at the first coming of Jesus. The rejection of the
King occurred when the Pharisees rejected the King by claiming that
Jesus was demon possessed with Beelzebul.</span></span></p>
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</p>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It
is important to to consider the teachings we have regarding
individual salvation. Individuals are saved by grace through faith,
not by works. That would include this sin of blasphemy, speaking
against the Holy Spirit. Jesus did not die on the cross for only
certain kinds of sin, he died for all sin. Even though "this
generation" would be condemned and judged, individuals within
that generation could still be saved, as was the case with all of the
followers of Jesus. </span></span>
</p>
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</p>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">We
are saved by grace through faith, not by works. We are not "this
generation", and we did not reject a Kingdom that was personally
offered by Jesus during His ministry (</span></span></span><span style="color: green;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US"><u>Eph 2:8-9</u></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">).</span></span></span></span></span></p>
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</p>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Of
course, this does not mean that you can call Jesus demon possessed
with Beelzebul without consequences. No doubt, the consequences would
be severe in this life and the next, but according to the whole
counsel of scripture, you cannot loose your salvation by this sin.</span></span></p>
<p> </p>Stan Feldsinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03658444602773411342noreply@blogger.com0