Home » Theological Doctrine » NT Theology » Gleanings from the "Gospels"
| Gleanings from the "Gospels" [message #10721] |
Fri, 10 January 2014 13:45  |
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 Gary
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As I reread through the Gospels I wanted to highlight different thoughts and events taking place in this portion of the Bible. Hopefully this will Bless you as it has me. I'm not going to cover every little detail but only things I find interesting and feel its noteworthy to share. This may include going back and forth from the NT to the OT highlighting scriptures.
Matthews Gospel:
Matthew starts out with a list of genealogies; (1 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham:).
While reading along I see he mentions Rahab and then Ruth. A few passages later we come upon the scriptures concerning David. What I find interesting here is that, Bathsheba is not mentioned at all by name.
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6 and Jesse begot David the king.
David the king begot Solomon by her who had been the wife of Uriah.
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It just says by "her", who had been Uriah's wife. The scripture does mention Rahab the harlot by name.
I want to point out I'm not trying to prove anything or make an issue or try to find some new secret unheard of doctrine. I'm just looking at the way the Bible it is presenting certain events.
Concerning David and Bathsheba in the OT we do find a passage that shows babies go to heaven.
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22 And he said, “While the child was alive, I fasted and wept; for I said, ‘Who can tell whether the Lord will be gracious to me, that the child may live?’ 23 But now he is dead; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.”
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I was wondering a while back about this "age of accountability teaching", that most hold to. I'm not saying yea or nay on any of the teaching but at this point I am wondering why they come up with the age of 12 being the age of accountability. In other words if children die before this age we are told they go to heaven. They say Jesus was twelve years old when he was in the temple talking with the scribes and lawyers.
Maybe this is true but I would like to see further evidence in the Bible that brings out this point. Thinking of children in our day and time we do see kids under 12 who commit murder, sell drugs, commit fornication, etc. We see that some are given over to sin and wickedness.
If I was to rightly divide the Word of God I would think that when a child is completely innocent "not" knowing the way of good and evil would seem they would be in a situation to enter glory having no understanding of God or the way of Salvation through Jesus Christ.
Only God knows for sure. I can see millions of innocent babies who have been murdered at the hands of medical science or those born and taken early going on, or even children that are totally innocent of good and evil, dying and going to be with the Lord.
Anyway as I was reading I find this is the first place in this genealogy that gives a brief history of an event that took place, and does not mention this woman by name. You might want to read II Samuel chapter 11 and chapter 12.
There is so much taking place, the Lord is displeased with David over Uriah's wife but Nathan the prophet tells him that the Lord gave you Saul's wives. That whole concept is interesting concerning many things that took place while they were under the law. I don't see where God is displeased over them having many wives for an example. In New Testament times before the Lord started teaching I don't see this practice being mentioned as taking place in Israel.
The whole Bible is fantastic. We have so much today to be Thankful for as the Lord has included us into His Plans. Hope to share later as the Lord leads. May the Lord Bless everyone here as they press forth into a higher calling in Jesus Christ. God has a plan for all of us.
Gary
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| Re: Gleanings from the "Gospels" [message #10723 is a reply to message #10721] |
Sat, 11 January 2014 12:48  |
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Gary
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It was 400 hundred years of silence from the time of Malachi to the time of Christ. Generations of people lived their lives with at least no mention of the Lord moving in their day and time.
Matthew tells us in the genealogies that; So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations, from David until the captivity in Babylon are fourteen generations, and from the captivity in Babylon until the Christ are fourteen generations.
When the appointed time arrived that Jesus would be born and live on the earth we see much activity taking place in the spirit realm, God was again speaking to men.
During this time its recorded in scripture that there was visions, dreams, angelic visits, to quit a large group of people. From shepherds in the field, wise men living in the east, prophets, widows, and the main characters involved.
I find it interesting that Joseph was called a just man and that when he found out Mary was with child, he did not want to make a public example of her but was willing to secretly put her away and not get married.
How many times do we see people when they think someone is in sin want to run and straighten them out or tell everyone what they know about a situation. There are times when men are called upon to rebuke sin and unrighteousness but also times when we consider what the Lord would have us do as every situation is different. We see a man in this case who is just, weighs out his decisions before the Lord.
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19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly.
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We see a number of things taking place, while he was thinking about all of this, 1. God spoke to him in a dream, 2. he obeyed the dream immediately.
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20 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”
22 So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”
24 Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, 25 and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus.
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This also was the beginning of many major prophecies being fulfilled.
Many of the major denominations change portions of scripture to fit their denominational way of thinking, without considering the facts.
The wise men who we see Matthew mentions next, never came to the manger to see a little baby that was born, but they went to a "house" and saw a young child. There is no recorded information that they were at at the manger, so why does everyone assume things that the Bible does not say?
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9 When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. 11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
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One more thing I would like to point out, Herod and all those who were with him in Jerusalem was "troubled" over this information given by the wise men.
A definition of "troubled" is: 1.to disturb the mental calm and contentment of; worry; distress; agitate.
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3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.
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Roman leadership while they were very sophisticated, intellectual, cultured people, there is their other side, men who were greedy tyrants that would shed innocent blood at the drop of a hat.
Not only were many of God's people alerted to events that were to unfold, but we see the world and its political system were made aware that something was about to take place as well.
I would also like to point out these mysterious wise men who saw a "star" in the east. Were not really given much information on this, but did they see a star in the heavens?, and they knew the king of the Jews was to be born and they knew of the ancient prophecies given. However this star appeared to them they were able to travel and followed it and find where the young child lived.
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2 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”
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9 When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. 11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
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I think these men knew it was not just an earthly king that had been born but understood this to be the Christ as they fell down to worship Him.
It may appear to be silence from heaven in the world in which we find ourselves but be assured our God is ruling and reigning in the Heavens and at the appointed times all the pieces of the puzzle will fall in place.
Giving all to God has become a cliche in most modern churches, but to be able to hear, see, and understand is something God has allowed for His "elect". We can also be filled with exceeding joy as the wise men were and fall down and "Worship" the God we cannot see with the physical eyes but we can see with our spiritual eyes.
In Him,
Gary
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| Re: Gleanings from the "Gospels" [message #10726 is a reply to message #10723] |
Sat, 11 January 2014 20:34 |
james
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Gary wrote on Sat, 11 January 2014 06:The wise men who we see Matthew mentions next, never came to the manger to see a little baby that was born, but they went to a "house" and saw a young child. There is no recorded information that they were at at the manger, so why does everyone assume things that the Bible does not say?
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9 When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. 11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
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This got me thinking where Jesus really was when the wise men visited him, how old He was by that time and why they(Joseph, Mary, and Jesus) was in a house there when they were from Nazareth. We know that He was born in Bethlehem in Judea(Matt.2:1), we also know that He was circumcised on the eight day; and we know that Mary had to go through the purification time; and we know that they (Joseph and Mary) took Jesus up to Jerusalem to the temple to present Him unto The Lord.(Luke 2:21-22) Then we're told they returned to Galilee and their own city, Nazareth.
So did the wise men visit Jesus in Bethlehem, in Jerusalem, or Nazareth? Was He a newborn baby or a young child (1-2 yrs.)? Joseph and Mary was only in Bethlehem a short period of time, if I understand correctly (we do know the shepherds visited Him there)not much longer than forty days (time of purification according to the law of Moses). And I can't find where they rented/bought a 'house' in Jerusalem to stay there long enough for Jesus to get to be "a young child". Maybe they were still in Bethlehem and Matthew just used the term 'young child' and maybe they had found room in an inn and was no longer in the stable/manger but hadn't left yet for Jerusalem(within 40 days of His birth).
Any thoughts?
“But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us,”
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| Re: Gleanings from the "Gospels" [message #10727 is a reply to message #10726] |
Sun, 12 January 2014 10:33 |
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Gary
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Hi William and James,
Thanks for sharing here.
William I was thinking about what James said, and ran across some other passages that make this distinction of peoples character. Simeon in the temple was said to be a "just" man.
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Luke 2:25 And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
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Zacharias and Elizabeth were both said to be righteous:
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Luke 1:6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.
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This morning I was reminded of Jesus when He approached Nathanael He told him he was a man with no deceit, or guile if you read the KJV.
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John 1: Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him, and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!”
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It just seemed interesting that concerning all these people, the Spirit of God makes a point in the Word to show these characteristics about them. They were just, righteous, no guile, etc.
James after reading your post I was wondering about this as well. I went back and looked at all the passages and came across what looked like a contradiction.
Years ago a man set a Bible in front of me and said; "I can show you were that "Book" is full of contradictions." I personally don't believe there are any contradictions and everything is given by the Spirit of God. I don't think people realize that with God there is no "time" factor and that "time" was created for us. And as we all know you have to have ears to hear and eyes to see. It's Spiritual in nature and we are born of the Spirit.
I will try to make an attempt here to explain. The three wise men are only found in Matthews gospel. We know they came from the East and from another country.
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Matthew 2:12 Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.
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Here's what I believe took place James concerning what you shared and it hopefully will be clear at the end of this post.
Mary and Joseph lived in Nazareth.
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Luke 1:26-27 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary.
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Caesar Augustus said; the whole world needed to be registered. Joseph was of the lineage of David so he traveled back to his home town to register him and his new wife in this new governmental census.
There must of been thousands of people on foot traveling at this time who participated in this census. Bethlehem is five miles south of Jerusalem, while Nazareth is several hundred miles north.
This is all pertinent so bear with me.
When they get to Bethlehem Mary who is with child delivers her baby, there is no room at the inn and then we have this passage:
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Luke 2:7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
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Next we see the shepherds being visited by a whole Angelic host, praising God for what has taken place.
I believe the three wise men possibly could be entering Jerusalem at this same time. At this point I am assuming Joseph could of had relatives and they moved temporarily to a house. The wise men came to see Jesus at a "house" we know for sure, which possibly could of been relatives of Joseph. But we don't have all the information here so I would assume this, because you did mention renting or buying a place to stay in. It seems logical that he had relatives there.
The point is, I think it almost had to be close to the time Jesus was circumcised, eight days after He was born, Mary had to stay somewhere so when she went to the temple to be purified by her sacrifices. There is a number of events that take place at the same time. The known facts are intertwined in both books, Matthew and Luke.
The wise men show up and are warned in a dream, they leave by another route, Herod is angry and goes and murders thousands of children in Bethlehem and the surrounding districts, while Joseph who is warned in a dream, flees to Egypt. I believe they were only in Egypt a very short time and that Herod died within a month of killing all these children.
The problem I ran across in this event was that Luke says when the child was circumcised eight days later that Mary fulfilled her purification that they returned to their own city in Nazareth.
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Luke 2:21 And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the Child, His name was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.
22 Now when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord
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In the temple Simeon prophesies and then it says:
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Luke 2:39 So when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth.
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Between verse 21 and verse 22 is when Herod died and they returned. I looked up the passage in Leviticus about the circumcising of a boy and the purification time of a woman.
[quote] Leviticus 12:1 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Speak to the children of Israel, saying: ‘If a woman has conceived, and borne a male child, then she shall be unclean seven days; as in the days of her customary impurity she shall be unclean. 3 And on the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised.
4 She shall then continue in the blood of her purification thirty-three days. She shall not touch any hallowed thing, nor come into the sanctuary until the days of her purification are fulfilled.
Mary could not go into the Temple until this time period had ended, they very well could of learned at this time that Archelaus was ruling over Judea by what this passage in Matthew states:
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Matthew 2:19 Now when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, 20 saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the young Child’s life are dead.” 21 Then he arose, took the young Child and His mother, and came into the land of Israel.
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I believe this is another gap that he learned this information below after they returned to the Temple for Mary's time of purification.
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22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea instead of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And being warned by God in a dream, he turned aside into the region of Galilee. 23 And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, “He shall be called a Nazarene.”
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Please read both accounts together and you'll see why it seems to be an apparent contradiction, and why I came to this conclusion here. Herod had to have died shortly after his killing spree and Joseph and Mary would of returned to the temple for her to be able to offer the sacrifices to fulfill the law for a woman's purification. I agree with what you shared Matthew used the term "young child" but he was speaking of Jesus as a baby.
I sure hoped this answered your question and I was able to make it plain enough to understand.
Gary
[Updated on: Sun, 12 January 2014 15:08]
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| Re: Gleanings from the "Gospels" [message #10729 is a reply to message #10727] |
Mon, 13 January 2014 21:19 |
james
Messages: 2142
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Location: Birmingham, AL |
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I have been meditating on just how blessed we are to have been given 'eyes to see & ears to hear'. Throughout the NT these phrases are mentioned over and over, as you, Gary have mentioned several times. I was reading Matthew chapter 13 where Jesus gives 7 parables concerning The Kingdom of heaven and no one could understand the meanings except His disciples and even then He had to explain the meaning to them. And they wondered and questioned Him why He spoke in parables to the multitudes...
"He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.
For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.
Therefore speak I to them in parables:because they seeing see not, and hearing they hear not; neither do they understand.
And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:
For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.
For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them." Matthew 13:11-17
Thank You Jesus, thank You!
[Updated on: Mon, 13 January 2014 22:44]
“But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us,”
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| Re: Gleanings from the "Gospels" [message #10730 is a reply to message #10729] |
Tue, 14 January 2014 07:24 |
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Gary
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I have been meditating on just how blessed we are to have been given 'eyes to see & ears to hear'. Throughout the NT these phrases are mentioned over and over, as you, Gary have mentioned several times. I was reading Matthew chapter 13 where Jesus gives 7 parables concerning The Kingdom of heaven and no one could understand the meanings except His disciples and even then He had to explain the meaning to them. And they wondered and questioned Him why He spoke in parables to the multitudes...
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I don't understand it completely by any means. God has chosen some to see and hear. Even His disciples did not have full understanding at the beginning. The Pharisees and Sadducees were totally blinded to what was taking place.
Between Matthew 2:23 and Matthew 3:1 we see another time gap:
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2:23 And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, “He shall be called a Nazarene.”
3:1 3 In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea,
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It sounds like when Mary and Joseph went to Nazareth, in those days John the Baptist came preaching. But as we all know there is a thirty year period in between these two verses.
From the beginning I don't know if they fully knew what was going on. Mary and Zacharias had a visitation from an Angel, Joseph had a number of dreams, the shepherds were visited by an Angelic choir, and many prophecies were being fulfilled. Hosea, Micah, Jeremiah, and Isaiah, their prophecies are quoted in just the first few chapters of Matthew and Luke.
God did nothing in secret. Right from the beginning the chief priests and scribes were called into Herod's presence to explain when the Christ was to be born. The Chief Priests and Scribes were there when the wise men came to see the King of the Jews. Were they excited over this news, no it looks like they were troubled:
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3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.
5 So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet:
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‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
Are not the least among the rulers of Judah;
For out of you shall come a Ruler
Who will shepherd My people Israel.’”
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The shepherds were telling everyone what took place out in the fields:
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17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
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Thirty years later, John the Baptist comes with a message of repentance.
Most people today even government officials have a basic idea of what is about to happen. The return of Jesus, the mark of the beast, one world ruler.
When God starts moving by His Spirit and setting things into motion in these end times, many will be troubled. Maybe its true what they say, "History always repeats itself".
Jesus said; Let not your heart be troubled:
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John 14:1
“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.
John 14:27
Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
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If we believe there is a God, then He says, believe in "me".
We have nothing to fear its Gods good pleasure to give us the Kingdom.
Gary
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| Re: Gleanings from the "Gospels" [message #10732 is a reply to message #10727] |
Tue, 14 January 2014 15:40 |
james
Messages: 2142
Registered: April 2008
Location: Birmingham, AL |
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| Gary wrote on Sun, 12 January 2014 04:33 |
I will try to make an attempt here to explain. The three wise men are only found in Matthews gospel. We know they came from the East and from another country.
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I have always thought there were three wise men, BUT, I can't find where The Bible records the number of wise men, not in Matthew or Luke (he doesn't mention the wise men at all.) It tells us that there were three 'gifts' brought unto Jesus, gold, frankincense, and myrrh...but not how 'many' wise men there were that came from the east.
I have never questioned it (the assumption that there were three) nor noticed it....but a brother who enjoys reading on OO (but not posting) noticed it and sent a gentle correction. So I guess this proves that, no, we sure don't know and understand everything. (just in case anyone thought we did.....think we knew and understood everything.) 
“But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us,”
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| Re: Gleanings from the "Gospels" [message #10733 is a reply to message #10732] |
Tue, 14 January 2014 16:29 |
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Gary
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Location: Indiana |
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| james wrote on Tue, 14 January 2014 10:40 |
| Gary wrote on Sun, 12 January 2014 04:33 |
I will try to make an attempt here to explain. The three wise men are only found in Matthews gospel. We know they came from the East and from another country.
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I have always thought there were three wise men, BUT, I can't find where The Bible records the number of wise men, not in Matthew or Luke (he doesn't mention the wise men at all.) It tells us that there were three 'gifts' brought unto Jesus, gold, frankincense, and myrrh...but not how 'many' wise men there were that came from the east.
I have never questioned it (the assumption that there were three) nor noticed it....but a brother who enjoys reading on OO (but not posting) noticed it and sent a gentle correction. So I guess this proves that, no, we sure don't know and understand everything. (just in case anyone thought we did.....think we knew and understood everything.)
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Well another eye opener to say the least. I'll have to go back and look at that scripture but I'm not questioning what your saying but want to take a good look here. I realized they were not at the manger scene but assumed there was three, like everyone else I guess.
That brings up the thought again; How many things have we been taught that is ingrained in our thinking?
This is very good and was glad you shared it.
Gary
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| Re: Gleanings from the "Gospels" [message #10734 is a reply to message #10729] |
Tue, 14 January 2014 17:06 |
james
Messages: 2142
Registered: April 2008
Location: Birmingham, AL |
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| james wrote on Mon, 13 January 2014 15:19 |
I have been meditating on just how blessed we are to have been given 'eyes to see & ears to hear'. Throughout the NT these phrases are mentioned over and over, as you, Gary have mentioned several times. I was reading Matthew chapter 13 where Jesus gives 7 parables concerning The Kingdom of heaven and no one could understand the meanings except His disciples and even then He had to explain the meaning to them.
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Here's another example of 'getting my eyes opened', I was reading Mark's account of the parable of the sower and in chapter four verse ten it says; "And when He was alone, they that were about Him with the twelve asked of Him the parable." I had assumed from Matthew's account (and Luke's)that it was just the 'twelve disciples' because they were chosen to have the mysteries of the kingdom revealed to them, but obviously from Mark there were other disciples (followers of Jesus) that He shared deeper truths with besides 'the twelve'. Ever noticed that besides reference to 'the shepherd and the sheep' (chapter 10) the book of John doesn't record any parables?
“But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us,”
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| Re: Gleanings from the "Gospels" [message #10735 is a reply to message #10734] |
Wed, 15 January 2014 00:05 |
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Gary
Messages: 1025
Registered: August 2008
Location: Indiana |
Senior Member |
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| james wrote on Tue, 14 January 2014 12:06 |
| james wrote on Mon, 13 January 2014 15:19 |
I have been meditating on just how blessed we are to have been given 'eyes to see & ears to hear'. Throughout the NT these phrases are mentioned over and over, as you, Gary have mentioned several times. I was reading Matthew chapter 13 where Jesus gives 7 parables concerning The Kingdom of heaven and no one could understand the meanings except His disciples and even then He had to explain the meaning to them.
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Here's another example of 'getting my eyes opened', I was reading Mark's account of the parable of the sower and in chapter four verse ten it says; "And when He was alone, they that were about Him with the twelve asked of Him the parable." I had assumed from Matthew's account (and Luke's)that it was just the 'twelve disciples' because they were chosen to have the mysteries of the kingdom revealed to them, but obviously from Mark there were other disciples (followers of Jesus) that He shared deeper truths with besides 'the twelve'. Ever noticed that besides reference to 'the shepherd and the sheep' (chapter 10) the book of John doesn't record any parables?
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It's interesting that most of those disciples ended up forsaking the Lord when they did not understand His teaching.
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60 Therefore many of His disciples, when they heard this, said, “This is a hard saying; who can understand it?”
61 When Jesus knew in Himself that His disciples complained about this, He said to them, “Does this offend you? 62 What then if you should see the Son of Man ascend where He was before? 63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. 64 But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him. 65 And He said, “Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father.”
66 From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. 67 Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?”
68 But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
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"No one can come to Jesus unless it has been granted them by the Father." This is where Grace becomes "amazing". Peter said: Where will we go you have the words of eternal life, and we have come to "know" you are the Son of the Living God.
Gary
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| Re: Gleanings from the "Gospels" [message #10736 is a reply to message #10735] |
Wed, 15 January 2014 06:32 |
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Gary
Messages: 1025
Registered: August 2008
Location: Indiana |
Senior Member |
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Matthew 3:3 In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, 2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” 3 For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying:
“The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord;
Make His paths straight.’”
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What a contrast from what we see today. John comes preaching Repentance, and people respond. This is a true revival taking place. They start coming from miles away to hear what this man has to say and many confessed their sins, and were Baptized.
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5 Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him 6 and were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.
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There was no gimmicks, no advertising campaign. Just by Word of mouth people came from miles away. Its amazing we don't see John performing miracles, healings, or doing wonders but he is crying out for men to repent of their sins.
The Bible tells us who was ruling in the government and who the High Priests were in Jerusalem at that time period. The Word of God came to this man who dwelt in the Wilderness and all men were confronted with their sin:
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Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, 2 while Annas and Caiaphas were high priests, the word of God came to John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.
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This Herod is a different person from the one we read about earlier, he is tetrarch of Galilee where Jesus was raised as a child. This is the same man who John told it was unlawful for him to be married to Phillip his brothers wife. John the Baptist never backed down from speaking out against "sin", whether it was a government official of Rome or to the Pharisees and Sadducees who were over the temple in Jerusalem.
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7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
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I honestly look for the two prophets who return to the earth, to be men who speak out against all of the sin in men's lives. The difference between them and John is they will come with the power of God. John came preparing the way of the Lord for His ministry.
Today were all being told by the world and the media; everyone needs to be politically correct, let's not mention sin as it may offend someone.
John did not back down but spoke boldly in the name of the Lord. The Pharisees and Sadducees disliked John, as well as those in the world who loved their sins. The world will vehemently hate the two prophets as we see in God's Word.
Jesus said; They hated me without a cause.
[quote] John 15:23 He who hates Me hates My Father also. 24 If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would have no sin; but now they have seen and also hated both Me and My Father. 25 But this happened that the word might be fulfilled which is written in their law, ‘They hated Me without a cause. [/quote}
The creature does not want to hear what the Creator has to say to him. This is sad because God only wants what is best for mankind.
Even though John preached against sin there were those who heard the call and turned to the Lord. We find ourselves in the same place today, the world does not want to hear about sin, but there are some who will listen. Jesus warned us that they will hate us as they hated Him:
[quote]9 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. 10 And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. [/quote]
John is a good example showing us we do not have to impress anyone with a miracle ministry as many try to do today, just preach the word and the Father will draw those that He has elected to Jesus. We are preparing the way of the Lord for His soon return.
Praise His Holy Name.
Gary
[Updated on: Wed, 15 January 2014 06:35]
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| Re: Gleanings from the "Gospels" [message #10739 is a reply to message #10736] |
Thu, 16 January 2014 18:15 |
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Gary
Messages: 1025
Registered: August 2008
Location: Indiana |
Senior Member |
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John the Baptist came in the spirit and power of Elijah as the Angel told his father:
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13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. 14 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. 15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. 16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
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What is interesting here again, is we do not see signs, wonders, and miracles but a man who preached repentance.
The Pharisees and Sadducee did not like John and his message. Repentance and being Baptized was the Will of the Father.
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29 And when all the people heard Him, even the tax collectors justified God, having been baptized with the baptism of John. 30 But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the will of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.
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Shortly after the Lord came from the wilderness and His temptation, John was thrown in Prison. Its interesting that he had a special calling in life and then to see his ministry only taking place for a short time period.
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11 Then the devil left Him (in the wilderness), and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.
12 Now when Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, He departed to Galilee.
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I believe when the man child goes forth to minister before the tribulation, it will be for a very short time period, then "they" are caught up to the throne of God. Maybe its not in the scripture stating this, but by the fact that we see in Revelations it says; As soon as the woman brings forth a man child he is caught up to heaven. Implies they will not be here long.
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And the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her Child as soon as it was born. 5 She bore a male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. And her Child was caught up to God and His throne. 6 Then the woman fled into the wilderness,
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18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.
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I don't think any of us should be discouraged if it seems like nothing is happening, we should continue to seek first His Kingdom and press on, for the prize that is set before us. God's Will and Word will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Gary
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| Re: Gleanings from the "Gospels" [message #10740 is a reply to message #10739] |
Fri, 17 January 2014 14:30 |
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Gary
Messages: 1025
Registered: August 2008
Location: Indiana |
Senior Member |
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I'm going to have to stop here for a while. Somehow I got out of sync and this turned into a "fact" finding mission which was never my initial attempt. I wanted to bring out the scriptures that make Jesus real to each of us in our daily walk, as an encouragement.
There is a huge volume of information in every chapter if you consider what all the writers had to say, plus there is a lot of Old Testament passages being quoted from the Prophets of the past.
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29 Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
30 And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.
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Men have distorted things in the Bible for centuries and it's good to see what really happened and then to understand it. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.
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2 Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
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Gary
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| Re: Gleanings from the "Gospels" [message #10741 is a reply to message #10740] |
Fri, 17 January 2014 14:43 |
james
Messages: 2142
Registered: April 2008
Location: Birmingham, AL |
Senior Member |
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Understood! It's easy to get bogged down or tend to lose focus when we try to say too much at one time. It's easier to keep things short and sweet, so to speak, and to the point. People get swamped with too much info and lose interest, as we've witnessed in the past. Even when one is passionate about a subject and The Lord is teaching and revealing truths to them, that doesn't always mean that everyone else is ready for it. And as I've also learned, sometimes The Lord is opening my eyes to something and I'm excited about it, but The Lord has already shown it to others and so the 'excitement' isn't so mutual. 
“But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us,”
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| Re: Gleanings from the "Gospels" [message #10757 is a reply to message #10741] |
Sat, 01 February 2014 12:19 |
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Gary
Messages: 1025
Registered: August 2008
Location: Indiana |
Senior Member |
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Reading through the gospels its apparent the disciples saw many manifestations or should I say signs and wonders.
In the very beginning they saw and heard a voice speaking from heaven, water that was turned into wine, withered hands restored like new, blind eyes opened, the mute could speak and hearing restored. Jesus walking on the water, demons cast out of people, the storm stopping instantly and the sea becoming calm, the dead coming back to life, a tree withering away, and several disciples saw Jesus transformed before their eyes while talking to Moses and Elijah.
This is just to name a few that was recorded we can rest assured there was more then this from a statement made in Johns Gospel.
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John 21:25
And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen.
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Even with all their struggles and not having full understanding they knew without a doubt this was the "Son of God".
When Jesus is crucified all hope was shattered and we find these same disciples hiding out and dealing with what took place. On the road to Emmaus the disciples made this statement:
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18 Then the one whose name was Cleopas answered and said to Him, “Are You the only stranger in Jerusalem, and have You not known the things which happened there in these days?”
19 And He said to them, “What things?”
So they said to Him, “The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a Prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to be condemned to death, and crucified Him. 21 But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, today is the third day since these things happened.
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They were hoping He was the one who was to come to redeem Israel.
When the women went to the tomb and found it empty and Jesus appears to them, they rushed back to tell the disciples the good news.
The disciples thought this was just idle tales, what's going on here these women with their idle tales.
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Luke 24:11
And their words seemed to them like idle tales, and they did not believe them.
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Here these men are frustrated and wondering what took place as they seen their hopes dashed and to top it off the women come in and start a bunch of idle tales and it says they did not believe them.
The emotions surly were running very high in this whole event. When Jesus was laid to rest in the tomb there was three days that everyone had time to think about what took place, and I sure many discussions were going on, and it appears all that they seen and heard for the last three years was forgotten.
All the many times Jesus told them, taught them, and showed them of things to come fell by the wayside. We see their struggles and having to work things out as the daily events unfolded.
Now two thousand years later we find ourselves having to take everything by "Faith". Faith as we all know; is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen.
We know that God is true and what He has said in His Word is true and will come to pass even if we do not believe it. God's Word will prevail.
I was thinking the disciples of Jesus had it so much better as they were there and could see all that took place and it was easier for them to believe. But when you look at the scriptures they still had to deal with learning what Faith was about while learning to walk with God.
The scriptures say:
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8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
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16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.
17 For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.
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The prophets of Old were looking ahead but could not see what the disciples saw, we today are looking in the past and see the things that they could not see taking place around them. From our viewpoint we get a glimpse of the whole picture.
We have all heard that Faith is a walk. We see and know God by our Faith, we have to choose to walk with God by Faith. Now that we know the Lord I cannot imagine going through life as we get older and not having Him to lean on.
All the worldly attractions and distractions are but dung compared to knowing and following the Lamb of God. While the world is falling apart around us, we can rest under the shadow of His wings. Faith knows; That He will take care of us and provide and He will never leave or forsake us.
Amen and Amen.
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| Re: Gleanings from the "Gospels" [message #10758 is a reply to message #10757] |
Sun, 02 February 2014 11:52 |
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Gary
Messages: 1025
Registered: August 2008
Location: Indiana |
Senior Member |
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With everything that takes place in life there is always the other side of the story, which in this case appears mind boggling.
The Pharisees, Sadducees, Lawyers, Scribes, all saw many of the same miracles or wonders take place.
Take for instance the man with the withered hand. They saw this man on a regular basis, he came to their synagogue weekly, many might of knew him when he was younger. Many probably knew when he had this condition of his hand withering up or could be he was born with this condition.
Jesus comes to the synagogue and heals this man right before their eyes. His withered hand is made new and the man has a hand that is like the other one right before their eyes. What takes place next?
They were filled with "rage"?
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10 And when He had looked around at them all, He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he did so, and his hand was restored as whole as the other. 11 But they were filled with rage, and discussed with one another what they might do to Jesus.
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Jesus healed people daily while ministering, but it was when He healed people on the Sabbath, that it caused the greatest amount of hate and rage being manifested. Their are many events mentioned in the Gospels, which record what took place on the Sabbath day.
This happened on a number of occasions. A woman is bound by satan and is bowed over and cannot raise herself up. Jesus heals her and the rulers are offended.
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10 Now He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. 11 And behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bent over and could in no way raise herself up. 12 But when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him and said to her, “Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity.” 13 And He laid His hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.
14 But the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath; and he said to the crowd, “There are six days on which men ought to work; therefore come and be healed on them, and not on the Sabbath day.”
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Its amazing that these men in leadership seen miracles right before their eyes, and then would be moved with indignation, rage, and would end up plotting to destroy someone who was only doing good.
Seeing they see but cannot see, and hearing they hear but cannot hear.
Their traditions blinded them from the truth. Is it any different today?
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| Re: Gleanings from the "Gospels" [message #10765 is a reply to message #10764] |
Mon, 03 February 2014 14:46 |
james
Messages: 2142
Registered: April 2008
Location: Birmingham, AL |
Senior Member |
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| Gary wrote on Mon, 03 February 2014 04:48 |
One quick note this morning worth mentioning is:
I am very surprised how the Roman government could just have someone murdered at the drop of a hat. They suffered no consequences for their deeds.
When Jesus was born Herod has hundreds of children put to death in Bethlehem and the surrounding districts.
Later a different Herod trying to please his daughter and save face before the other Romans at his little party, had John the Baptist beheaded.
I had always thought the Roman government was a little more civilized but it appears they could do what ever they wanted.
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Remember Gary that Rome was the dominant power in the world at that time, they answered to no one. While they did invent/start/come up with many things still used by nations and peoples today, they were very blood thirsty and enjoyed allowing their senses to guide them. Feeding Christians to lions and having gluttonous feasts was common in their era.
We're much more civilized today, our society enjoys watching people try to hurt one another in 'sports' and killing unborn babies (50 million over the last 40 yrs.), while being the most obese people ever(which mostly comes from overeating<gluttony>).
“But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us,”
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| Re: Gleanings from the "Gospels" [message #10801 is a reply to message #10800] |
Sun, 09 February 2014 05:39 |
Marilyn Crow
Messages: 598
Registered: September 2013
Location: Australia |
Senior Member |
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Hi Gary,
Trevor & I prayed for you & Ralph. Trevor prayed that God would give you wisdom & insight while for Ralph he prayed that he would come to a saving knowledge of our Lord.
We`ll keep this situation in our prayers, Marilyn.
Marilyn C
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| Re: Gleanings from the "Gospels" [message #10830 is a reply to message #10802] |
Wed, 19 February 2014 11:01 |
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Gary
Messages: 1025
Registered: August 2008
Location: Indiana |
Senior Member |
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Is it I? Is it I?
The disciples were perplexed and in one place it says they were sorrowful.
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Matthew 26:20-22
20 When evening had come, He sat down with the twelve. 21 Now as they were eating, He said, “Assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.”
22 And they were exceedingly sorrowful, and each of them began to say to Him, “Lord, is it I?”
John 13:21 When Jesus had said these things, He was troubled in spirit, and testified and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.” 22 Then the disciples looked at one another, perplexed about whom He spoke.
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I find it interesting that the disciples would ask this question. Is it I Lord? That would be sad to think about, am I the one who is going to betray the Lord.
They were sorrowful and perplexed and no one knew who would betray Jesus. But each of them asked the question, "Is it I"?
In John's account above, we see even the Lord was troubled about this as well. Whether it was because He knew His time was drawing close or maybe because a man He was friends with all those years had chosen to become His enemy, and would turn Jesus in. For just 30 pieces of silver.
I'm sure this had every ones curiosity up, who in this group would betray the Lord.
I love this next passage of scripture, where we see John laying his head on the Lord like a pillow and then Peter trying to secretly get some information on who was the betrayer.
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23 Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved. 24 Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask who it was of whom He spoke.
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The rest of the story: Even Judas put on a pretense and tried to act like he was unaware who would do such a thing. He states; Is it I?
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25 Then Judas, who was betraying Him, answered and said, “Rabbi, is it I?”
He said to him, “You have said it.”
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Jesus told him whatever you got to do, do it quickly.
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25 Then, leaning back on Jesus’ breast, John said to Him, “Lord, who is it?”
26 Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I shall give a piece of bread when I have dipped it.” And having dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. 27 Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.”
28 But no one at the table knew for what reason He said this to him. 29 For some thought, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus had said to him, “Buy those things we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor.
30 Having received the piece of bread, he then went out immediately. And it was night.
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Its a blessing that we can look back and see all the events as they transpired, if anything this should give us a greater faith in the Lord, for allowing us to see what happened and to understand why it took place.
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John 20:29 Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed.
Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
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"Faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen."
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| Re: Gleanings from the "Gospels" [message #10831 is a reply to message #10830] |
Wed, 19 February 2014 14:44 |
james
Messages: 2142
Registered: April 2008
Location: Birmingham, AL |
Senior Member |
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When I began to get serious in my Christian walk I remember crying out unto The Lord when I would yield to temptation and sin; I'd ask for help in understanding and DOING that which He'd called me (and everyone who says they're followers of Him) to do which was take up my cross daily and follow Him. I have climbed down from the cross to "save myself" more times than I care to remember, but for the salvation of all who would believe, He didn't. And He could have, just as easily as I've came down. I am SO thankful Jesus didn't come down and save Himself but rather suffered and died and rose again for our salvation.
"And they that passed by railed on Him, wagging their heads, and saying, Ah, thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days,
Save thyself, and come down from the cross." Mark 15:29-30
"Likewise also the chief priests mocking Him, witht the scribes and elders, said,
He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him come down from the cross, and we will believe him." Matthew 27:41-42
“But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us,”
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| Re: Gleanings from the "Gospels" [message #10839 is a reply to message #10831] |
Sat, 22 February 2014 13:15 |
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Gary
Messages: 1025
Registered: August 2008
Location: Indiana |
Senior Member |
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Jesus said:
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27 “But I say to you who hear:
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Again those who come to Him and hears and does the Will of God:
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46 “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say? 47 Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like:
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I'm amazed how many times the Word of God stresses "hearing" what is being said.
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James 1:21-23
21 Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror;
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7 Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.
8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”
3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.
From Matthew to Revelations its to those who hear. Thanks be to God who has given us ears to hear in this hour.
29 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”’
I believe we have to go by the Word of God and what the Spirit says concerning His Word. As it says in the Book of James: "receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls."
25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.
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| Re: Gleanings from the "Gospels" [message #10842 is a reply to message #10839] |
Mon, 24 February 2014 08:33 |
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Gary
Messages: 1025
Registered: August 2008
Location: Indiana |
Senior Member |
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John 13:26 Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I shall give a piece of bread when I have dipped it.” And having dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. 27 Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.” 28 But no one at the table knew for what reason He said this to him.
The Lord probably realized that Satan had entered Judas while everyone else did not have a clue.
I find it interesting that the Chief Priests, Scribes, Lawyers and guards were waiting for information on the betrayal, and they did not realize that Satan himself showed up at their meeting through Judas.
It's hard to understand with all the miracles they saw, that they became filled with rage and were offended when they took place, especially if it was on the Sabbath.
Religious rules can blind men from the truth of God's Word.
I think men have this attitude that if they break a religious rule that they are offending God. But if they keep their rules and do not break them, they can live how they want and feel like they are pleasing God.
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| Re: Gleanings from the "Gospels" [message #10885 is a reply to message #10740] |
Wed, 05 March 2014 15:34 |
james
Messages: 2142
Registered: April 2008
Location: Birmingham, AL |
Senior Member |
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| Gary wrote on Fri, 17 January 2014 08:30 |
I wanted to bring out the scriptures that make Jesus real to each of us in our daily walk, as an encouragement.
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Here's something (gleaned from the Gospels)that spoke to my heart this morning in my daily reading, it's found in Luke chapter 19, starting with verse 37...
"And when He was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen;
Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of The LORD: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.
And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto Him, Master, rebuke Thy disciples.
And He answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out." Luke 19:37-40
I choose to rejoice and praise Him today, I didn't see what 'they' saw, but I have been given the most precious gift ever given, salvation through Him. They didn't know what was about to happen shortly, but because of His sacrifice of Himself I have eternal life. He not only suffered on my behalf, He died on my behalf, and He arose from the grave conquering death forever on my behalf.(read I Corinthians 15 prayerfully and allow God's Word to strengthen and encourage you)
Once again I'm so moved by God's great Love revealed to us throughout scripture...Bless His Holy Name, thank You Father, thank You Jesus, thank You Holy Spirit
“But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us,”
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| Re: Gleanings from the "Gospels" [message #10979 is a reply to message #10893] |
Sat, 29 March 2014 13:47 |
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Gary
Messages: 1025
Registered: August 2008
Location: Indiana |
Senior Member |
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What an amazing situation the disciples and other followers of Jesus must of found themselves in. They personally were there and was able hear the Lord teach and to see all the works that He performed. Blind eyes opened, the deaf could hear, demons screaming out at His presence.
Then we see the story about Lazarus.
Mary and Martha sent word that their brother was sick, Jesus decided to stay where He was at for a couple more days.
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11 Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 It was that Mary who anointed the Lord with fragrant oil and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick. 3 Therefore the sisters sent to Him, saying, “Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.”
4 When Jesus heard that, He said, “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”
5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 So, when He heard that he was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was.
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When it was time to leave He tells his disciples that Lazarus is asleep, which they thought he was healed, but Jesus told them he was dead.
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7 Then after this He said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again.”
8 The disciples said to Him, “Rabbi, lately the Jews sought to stone You, and are You going there again?”
9 Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. 10 But if one walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.” 11 These things He said, and after that He said to them, “Our friend Lazarus sleeps, but I go that I may wake him up.”
12 Then His disciples said, “Lord, if he sleeps he will get well.” 13 However, Jesus spoke of his death, but they thought that He was speaking about taking rest in sleep.
14 Then Jesus said to them plainly, “Lazarus is dead. 15 And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, that you may believe. Nevertheless let us go to him.”
16 Then Thomas, who is called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with Him.”
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Jesus tells them I am glad He is dead and that He was not there to heal him so, They would "believe".[/quote]
To really know and believe that He was the "Son of God".
When they arrived, Martha runs out to meet the Lord and confesses, Lord I believe you are the Son of God, and one day Lazarus will arise in the resurrection, Mary being warned by Martha the Jesus had arrived and basically says the same thing. Many friends and family follow Mary out to Jesus was and hear the conversation taking place. They told Him to come to the grave and see for yourself.
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17 So when Jesus came, He found that he had already been in the tomb four days. 18 Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles away. 19 And many of the Jews had joined the women around Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.
20 Now Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met Him, but Mary was sitting in the house. 21 Now Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You.”
23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”
24 Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”
25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. 26 And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
27 She said to Him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”
Jesus and Death, the Last Enemy
28 And when she had said these things, she went her way and secretly called Mary her sister, saying, “The Teacher has come and is calling for you.” 29 As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly and came to Him. 30 Now Jesus had not yet come into the town, but was in the place where Martha met Him. 31 Then the Jews who were with her in the house, and comforting her, when they saw that Mary rose up quickly and went out, followed her, saying, “She is going to the tomb to weep there.”
32 Then, when Mary came where Jesus was, and saw Him, she fell down at His feet, saying to Him, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.”
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Even though everyone was saying Jesus is the Son of God, I don't know fully if they understood all that was taking place.
Jesus then raises a man from the dead who had been in the grave for four days.
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33 Therefore, when Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, He groaned in the spirit and was troubled. 34 And He said, “Where have you laid him?”
They said to Him, “Lord, come and see.”
35 Jesus wept. 36 Then the Jews said, “See how He loved him!”
37 And some of them said, “Could not this Man, who opened the eyes of the blind, also have kept this man from dying?”
38 Then Jesus, again groaning in Himself, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. 39 Jesus said, “Take away the stone.”
Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days.”
40 Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” 41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying.[d] And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. 42 And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.” 43 Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!” 44 And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let him go.
45 Then many of the Jews who had come to Mary, and had seen the things Jesus did, believed in Him.
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Many of the Jews who witnessed this event believed Jesus was the Son of God from that point on.
What a wonderful time to have lived on the Earth, to actually know and see the Son of God and to see all the works that He did among them.
Shortly there after a horrible tragedy takes place. They come and take Jesus and crucified Him.
That must of been overwhelming for the disciples as well. All the teachings they heard, all the miracles they seen, and then have it all take away. Fear caused them to go into hiding. Peter who was part of the inner circle denies the Lord before everybody and then runs out weeping because he had remembered what the Lord told him. They probably at that time thought that the High priest or the Roman guards would be knocking at their door, or why else would they hide?
Many doubted that He was the Son of God and some even said; We thought this is the one who would redeem Israel.
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21 But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel.
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Then to top it off the woman come running in to where they were hiding and said, we just saw angels at the tomb and Mary spoke with Jesus.
Every one was so amazed they thought these women sounded like they were telling idle tales. What kind of gossip is this.
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Luke 24:11
And their words seemed to them like idle tales, and they did not believe them.
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When Jesus appeared to them they still did not believe.
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40 When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet. 41 But while they still did not believe for joy, and marveled, He said to them, “Have you any food here?” 42 So they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish and some honeycomb. 43 And He took it and ate in their presence.
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It wasn't until the Lord opened their "understanding" that they believed the scriptures.
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45 And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.
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Its amazing that we were not there personally but by being born again, we know that all these scriptures are true, and that all of this did take place. Faith is being convinced in your heart, Now faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen.
Everything written in the Bible is true, every word has been inspired by the Spirit of God. His sheep can hear His voice and they follow Him wherever He goes.
No matter what the world is saying, and it does not matter if the whole world chooses the broad way, we know that what God has said is true and is for all of us today.
We can take comfort in God's Word and those who choose to follow His way, and will and word, He will in no way cast out. We know and believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that's all glory to God's name that we can know this.
Praise God the word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path.
Gary
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| Re: Gleanings from the "Gospels" [message #10980 is a reply to message #10979] |
Sun, 30 March 2014 08:45 |
Marilyn Crow
Messages: 598
Registered: September 2013
Location: Australia |
Senior Member |
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Gary you said,
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`What a wonderful time to have lived on the Earth, to actually know and see the Son of God and to see all the works that He did among them.`
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That is so true, it would have been wonderful to have seen Jesus in the flesh & see the wonderful things He did.
And oh how wonderfully more are we blessed, to have Christ`s Holy Spirit given after He ascended to make in us His `divine nature.` (2 Peter 1: 4)
And as the Apostle Paul says,
`what is the exceeding greatness of His power towards us who believe... the Body of Christ.`(Eph. 1: 15 - 23)
And again we are the generation who will see Jesus face to face.
`we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself...` (1 John 3: 2 & 3)
Finally,
`Blessed be the God & Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.` (Eph. 1: 3)
Amen & amen, Lord.
[Updated on: Sun, 30 March 2014 08:50]
Marilyn C
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| Re: Gleanings from the "Gospels" [message #10990 is a reply to message #10980] |
Tue, 08 April 2014 07:42 |
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Gary
Messages: 1025
Registered: August 2008
Location: Indiana |
Senior Member |
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20 Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. 2 Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him.”
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What a horrible tragedy this must of seemed like. The people who followed Jesus for three years have just found out the body of Jesus was missing. Having lived with Him and seen all He had done: healing, delivering people, kind and gentle, one who called them friends and then to see Him be taken by evil men as they crucified Him, must of been very traumatic.
Mary Magdalene goes down to the tomb early in the morning and finds the stone rolled away and the body has been taken. Who would of done such a thing?, was probably running through their minds.
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3 Peter therefore went out, and the other disciple, and were going to the tomb. 4 So they both ran together, and the other disciple outran Peter and came to the tomb first. 5 And he, stooping down and looking in, saw the linen cloths lying there; yet he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; and he saw the linen cloths lying there, 7 and the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who came to the tomb first, went in also; and he saw and believed. 9 For as yet they did not know the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead. 10 Then the disciples went away again to their own homes.
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John and Peter are seen running to the tomb, but it is empty. Can you imagine all the thoughts that crossed their minds? Its bad enough they crucified Him but to now take His body.
Mary stays behind and is found weeping outside the tomb and as she glances in she sees two angels who ask, Why are you weeping?
Why? She says; Because they have taken my Lord and I do not know where they have laid Him.
Turning quickly she sees a man who she thinks is the gardener and He also asks the question, Woman, Why are you weeping?, Whom are you seeking?
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14 Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?”
She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him,
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Here next is a very beautiful portion of scripture. Words could not describe the feelings and emotions behind this statement:
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“Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away.”
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Sir, tell me where you have laid Him and I will take Him away. Yes, I will take Him away where no one will hurt Him any more.
I hope this one small passage of scripture blesses you as it as always blessed me. It speaks volumes.
They truly loved the Lord and all He had stood for.
[Updated on: Tue, 08 April 2014 07:45]
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| Re: Gleanings from the "Gospels" [message #10992 is a reply to message #10990] |
Wed, 09 April 2014 09:14 |
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Gary
Messages: 1025
Registered: August 2008
Location: Indiana |
Senior Member |
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Here's an interesting statement:
Are you the Prophet? Probably know one can answer this but who was this Prophet that they are asking about?
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John 1:20-22
20 He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.”
21 And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?”
He said, “I am not.”
“Are you the Prophet?”
And he answered, “No.”
22 Then they said to him, “Who are you, that we may give an answer to those who sent us? What do you say about yourself?”
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We know its not the Christ, and we know its not Elijah, but John did not answer back; what prophet are you talking about. So he knew what they were asking and denied he was "the prophet".
Was Israel expecting a Prophet to arise on the scene, that was different from the Messiah?
John denies that he was the "Prophet".
I just kind of wondered who are they referring to.
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Mark 6:14-16
14 Now King Herod heard of Him, for His name had become well known. And he said, “John the Baptist is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him.”
15 Others said, “It is Elijah.”
And others said, “It is the Prophet, or like one of the prophets.”
16 But when Herod heard, he said, “This is John, whom I beheaded; he has been raised from the dead!”
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Here again we see this distinction which says; "It is the Prophet".
What Prophet?
Gary
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| Re: Gleanings from the "Gospels" [message #10995 is a reply to message #10992] |
Wed, 09 April 2014 23:06 |
Marilyn Crow
Messages: 598
Registered: September 2013
Location: Australia |
Senior Member |
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Hi Gary,
I was interested in your question, `What prophet?` It is as William said, the Jews were looking for a prophet who wasn`t the Messiah. They never realised the fullness of Christ, who He would be (Son of God) & His ministries (5 fold).
And Deut. 18: 18 & 19
`I will raise up for them a Prophet like you from among their brethren, & will put my words in his mouth, & he shall speak to them all that I command him.
And it shall be that whoever will not hear my words, which he speaks in my name, I will require it of him.`
Jesus, that Prophet, is the one that God `will require` `whoever,` to be accountable regarding His words.
Matt. 21: 11 tells us -
`So the multitudes said, "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee."`
The Lord has the 5 ministries of - Apostle, Prophet, Teacher, Shepherd, & Evangel. He is the One they were looking for as, Messiah, & He was also that specific Prophet that God would raise up from among them. They, however were looking for another person.
[Updated on: Wed, 09 April 2014 23:47]
Marilyn C
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| Re: Gleanings from the "Gospels" [message #10996 is a reply to message #10995] |
Fri, 11 April 2014 07:32 |
Marilyn Crow
Messages: 598
Registered: September 2013
Location: Australia |
Senior Member |
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I said that -
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`The Lord has the 5 ministries of - Apostle, Prophet, Teacher, Shepherd, & Evangel.`
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& so I thought it would be good to follow that up.
APOSTLE - `Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly, consider the apostle & high priest of our confession. Christ Jesus.`(Heb. 3: 1)
PROPHET - `So the multitudes said, "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of galilee.`(Matt. 21: 11)
TEACHER - `This man came to Jesus by night & said to Him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God;....`(John 3: 2)
SHEPHERD - Jesus said, `I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives his life for the sheep.` (John 10: 11)
EVANGELIST - Jesus said, `The Spirit of the LORD is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor....`(Luke 4: 18)
How wonderfully anointed is our precious Lord & Saviour.
[Updated on: Fri, 11 April 2014 07:35]
Marilyn C
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