CONSECRATION

PERSEVERANCE IN CONSECRATION

Leviticus11:44-45; 20:7-8; Mat.5:8; Rom.6:13

Consecration is the setting apart of people, things, places and times for God to use. The people of God, from Israel of old to Christian believers of today are set apart as holy. Every set apart, consecrated person, is holy to the Lord. That is why God commands such people to be holy because God is holy. Are you in that number that have been set apart as Holy unto the Lord? How shall we now live when we have been set apart as holy to God? We are going to consider three aspects of consecration.

1. THE PURPOSE OF CONSECRATION

Lev.11:44-45; 20:7-8; 22:32; Mat.5:44-48

The ultimate reason for consecration and holiness is God. Holiness is the nature of God, and everything that is related to him shall be holy (Lev.19:2; 20:26). To be the people of God, as believers we must consecrate ourselves, set ourselves apart from the rest of the people and be special to Him. This is the root and the principle and the purpose of Holiness.

Holiness is the character of God and it reflects what God is:

(i)                       God is Good (Psalm 34:8; Exod.33:19; Lam.3:25; Mat.19:17)

Goodness is the character of God which is displayed in everything God does and is. God is the final standard of good. Anything God approves is good. His creation was very good. His actions are good. His forgiveness and salvation is good. His forbearance is very good. He is perfect in goodness (Mat.5:45, 48).

(ii)                      God is Holy (1Sam.2:2; Isa.6:3; 43:15; Ezek.39:7; Rev.4:8)

(iii)                    God is Faithful (Psalm 36:5; Deut.7:9; 1Kings 8:56)

God is faithful to His word. He is faithful to His promises. You can trust in Him to keep and to do what He said He will do.

(iv)                   God is Merciful

(v)                     God is Love

(vi)                   God is Peace

(vii)                 God is Righteous

All of God’s moral attributes are linked together and may be compressed into God’s goodness. All those God has chosen from the rest of men and called to be His own must consecrate themselves and be like Him in these attributes (Mat.5:1-8)

2. THE PRACTICE OF CONSECRATION

Lev.11:44-45; 20:1-8; 1Cor.6:20; Rom.12:1-2; 1Pet.2:9; Rom.6:13; 1Cor.3:16-17; 6:19; 2 Cor.6:16.

Personal consecration is a process by which a redeemed person, a believer, imitates God’s character. And if the believer fails to imitate God’s character, then he/she falls into backsliding and is in danger of being cut off from the presence of God. Whenever God wants people to serve Him He would order them to consecrate themselves and to be consecrated (Num.6:5; Judges 13:5). When He brought Israel out of Egypt to serve Him, He commanded the whole nation to be consecrated and sanctified (Lev.20:2). The Nazarite vow was a special form of consecration to God (Num.6:5). Samson was a Nazarite (Judges 14:5). John the Baptist was a Nazarite (Luke 1:13-17). As God brought Israel out of Egypt, He brought believers, you and I out of the bondage and slavery of sin, through the blood of Jesus, into the freedom of the sons of God in Christ, and, He also commanded us to be consecrated and be Holy. Consecrate your spirit soul and body (Rom.12:1-2), because we are a chosen people (1Pet.2:9). Our Father would have us different from the rest of the world. If by any chance the message of consecration and holiness means nothing to you, read the following scriptures (1 Cor.3:16-17; 6:19; 2 Cor.6:16). Only those who have been truly saved can receive this message. If you haven’t been saved you can be saved today. If by any chance, and I mean by any chance, you have received the grace of God in vain, you can repent and that situation can be remedied today.

3. THE PERSEVERANCE OF THE CONSECRATED

Lev.11:44-45; Mat.10:21-22; 24:12-13; Luke 13:23-28; Rev.2:1-5, 7, 11, 17, 24-29; 3:1-6, 11-13; 14-22

Without continued consecration, there is no one who can really serve the Lord. Total consecration to the Lord will cause persecution but he that edureth till the end shall be saved. You may suffer family betrayal and persecution but he that endureth till the end shall be saved. Many who started the race with you may turn back, their love for Christ and His Church may wax cold, but he that endureth till the end shall be saved. Consecration to God is a lifetime commitment. Many will run the race but only few will get the high prize of eternal salvation, so strive to be among the overcomers, for many will not be able to make it in the end (Luke 13:24). Jesus, the Master of time and eternity brings an eternal revelation to us in this verse that many will try to get in but will not be able to!

Are you a consecrated believer? Are you imitating the character of God – holiness, purity, goodness, love, peace, righteousness? Are you in possession of the fruit of the Spirit (Gal.5:22-23) – love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance? Have you crucified the flesh with the affections and the lusts? Are you persevering till the end; enduring hardness as a good disciple of the Lord? Take C.O.N.S.E.C.R.A.T.I.O.N. as an acronym. To be consecrated you must be:

C – CHRIST-LIKE CHRISTIAN

O – ONWARD EVER CHRISTIAN

N – NON-COMPROMISING CHRISTIAN

S – SEPARATED UNTO GOD CHRISTIAN

E – EXPECTING CHRIST’S RETURN CHRISTIAN

C – CRUCIFYNG THE FLESH CHRISTIAN

R – RESTING IN THE SAVIOUR CHRISTIAN

A – ABIDING IN CHRIST CHRISTIAN

T – TOTALLY COMMITTED CHRISTIAN

I – INDEFATIGABLE CHRISTIAN

O – OVERCOMING CHRISTIAN

N – NEVER GIVING UP CHRISTIAN.

The Lord Jesus is encouraging as well as challenging us in the book of revelation, the closing of the canon of scripture, saying, “(i) He that overcometh will eat of the tree of life. (ii) He that overcometh shall not be hurt by the second death. (iii) He that overcometh will eat of the hidden manna and his name inscribed eternally on a stone. (iv)He that overcometh and keepeth His works till the end shall rule over the nations. (v) He that overcometh shall be cloth in white garment, his name will remain permanently in the book of life and will be confessed before God the Father. (vi) He that overcometh will be made a pillar in the Temple of God, upon him shall be written the Name of God and the New name of Christ’s. (vii) He that overcometh will sit with Christ in His throne! Will you be in that number? Will you overcome? Let us pray.

GOD, HOME AND MONEY

A GOD-ORDAINED HOME LIFE IN A MATERIALISTIC WORLD

Luke 12:15-40 Isaiah 5:8; 1Timothy 6:6-10; Mat.6:24

God allows us to own money and property as stewards of His manifold blessings. But note that the keyword here is stewards who will eventually give account on how we dispensed what was committed into our hands. If we set our love on the blessing of wealth and prosperity then 1 Tim.6:9-10 – the love of money – will set in, spreading its tentacles to all evil. But God wants us to be balanced. We don’t hate wealth, neither do we run after it to the exclusion of biblical principles and the Kingdom of God. It is the will of God to provide for us and our families by providing us with the means of doing so through working. Our main focus is not on the man of our story so to say but to learn from the terrible mistake he made. He was covetous and we should take warning. He thought that he had actualized but we should take warning. Satisfaction with food and raiment is still the base standard (1Tim.6:6-8).

1.    RICH BUT NOT READY

Mat.12:15-21; Isa.5:8; Mat.6:24

This man represents many people on earth today. They are full of covetousness – an inordinate desire for wealth or possessions or for another’s possessions. Heaven is not their goal.

In the case of this man, the Lord did not condemn his industry or hard work, which yielded and produced so much crops for him. What was his problem? Covetousness! The Bible describes them as joining house to house and laying field to field till there is no room for anyone else (Isa.5:8), and pronounces woe unto them. Unfortunately a sizable number of Christians are in this group – from a pastor who needed a strong car to run around and preach to his congregations to owner of several private jets! Yet there are people in the Church who cannot afford to pay their children’s school fees or their house rents.

What about those of you who work and work and work but never pay your tithe or support the Church. They forget the command of Jesus (Mat.6:33)

God still warns such people and wants them to repent (Haggai 1:2-10). In extreme cases of covetousness, the man will even forget his family in order to build up his wealth. The man in our story did not think of God. He was not rich towards God. He probably did not help the poor. The rich man in the story of Lazarus did not care about the poor (Luke 16:19-23). He discovered in hell all the things he could have easily done but it was then too late for him. Covetousness can lead to hell fire. Isn’t it ironic that a man who took such great care to prepare for his earthly wealth and comfort turns out to be a fool?

Does God condemn wealth? No. He condemns serving wealth. Mammon is the god of wealth which many people (including some Christians) serve. You cannot serve it and serve God at the same time. The wages of mammon is death but the gift of God is eternal life.

Take instruction from the Master – make friends with the mammon of unrighteousness. What does this mean (Luke 16:9)? Consider the unrighteous means by which people acquire wealth by taking advantage of others. Look at the unrighteous desires in the use of wealth for personal gratification and not for the benefit of the Kingdom or the needy. Imagine the corrupting influence of wealth which leads people into unrighteousness and ungodliness. How do you make friends with your wealth? Use your wealth and possession for the benefit of the Kingdom of God. Pay your tithe regularly. Take care of your family. Give your offering regularly. Help the needy in the Church and around you.

2.    LESSON FROM SPARROWS AND LILIES

Luke 12:22-28, 33-34; Mat.6:19-33; Prov.6:6-8

God teaches us lessons with meaner or lesser creation. When you feel lazy God directs you to the ants (Prov.6:6-8). When you get worried God directs you to the sparrows and lilies.

The Master instructs, “Lay not up treasure on earth” because there is no safety in doing that. On earth you have (i) Moths (ii) rust and (iii) thieves. Lay your treasure in heaven. How do you lay treasures in heaven?

(i)                       Sell your possession

(ii)                      Give to the needy

(iii)                    Provide moneybags that do not grow old

(iv)                   Store up treasures in heaven that will not fail

The first century Christians evidently listened to the teachings of Jesus (Acts 2:44-47). Many believers today, instead of selling what they have for the advancement of the work of the Kingdom, they want to acquire more. They want to lay house to house and field to field that they may be alone in the world.

Your moneybag is your heavenly treasure house. How much treasure are you storing there? When you give your tithe and offering, you are storing in that treasure bag. When you give to the needy, when you support the work of the kingdom, you are storing in the moneybag that does not grow old.

And if you are worried for the rainy day, that you will not have enough, the Lord invites you to consider the birds of the air and the lilies of the field. They have no bank account, no physical house, and no job except to sing and make music for the Lord to hear. They are here today and die tomorrow. Their souls are not going to heaven. Yet the Lord makes abundant provision for them. How much more you?

Don’t be like the unbelievers. They run after wealth – what to eat, what to drink, what to wear, where to live, what car to buy, how much in the bank?

Jesus assures us that the Father knows that you have need of these things.

Seek the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added.

3.    READY FOR CHRIST’S RETURN

Luke 12:35-48; 1Cor.15:58

The Lord is coming. He wants to find us ready, saved sanctified and fully involved in His service, waiting for His return. The apostle Paul, though a Pharisee, became a tent maker in order to devote his whole time in serving the Lord. A rabbi he set aside all his knowledge and became a disciple of Jesus.

God wants us to be ready. Yes we will study but we must become His disciples. Yes we will work but we should be like tent makers just to provide for daily needs. Yes some of us may become wealthy but that wealth should be ploughed back into the kingdom business. Yes we may marry and have family but all must be subjected to the demands of the Kingdom of God. The best occupation is to abound in the work of the Lord. That labour will never be in vain.

THE VINE AND HIS BRANCHES

THE VINE AND HIS BRANCHES IN THE WORLD

John 15:1-27

We have in this chapter an illustration of the relationship Jesus expects all believers to have with Him and with the rest of the world. First we see the lifestyle Christ expects of all true believers and then we see how believers should relate to the world. Christ makes a distinction between his disciples and the world. Concerning His disciples, Jesus declares to the Father In John 17:14-16, “They are not of the world”. They are members of His Kingdom and His kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36). Phil.3:20 says that our citizenship is in heaven. Notice that because our citizenship is not of this world, there are things we cannot do. There are actions we cannot take. There’s a lifestyle we cannot live.

1.    THE CLOSE UNION OF CHRIST WITH HIS DISCIPLES (John 15:1-10)

Psalm 80:1-19; Isa.5:1-7; John 15:1; 8:31-32; 2Thes.2:15

Israel is called the vine of the Lord. They as a nation possessed the oracles of God, and God wanted His word to go forth from Zion, but it did not. He sent his prophets to them, rising up early and sending, but they refused to hear. Then God was wroth with them, and He removed the hedge, the covering, the protection around them. Disobedience to God or failing to obey His commandments is injurious to us. It removes His protection from us! As vine Israel failed God and they were left exposed to their enemies. From that time it was captivity upon captivity, war upon war. The book of Judges shows what can happen when people become lawless (Judges 6:1;13:1).

Now when Jesus came, He qualified the vine metaphor and applied it to Himself (John 15:1). He is THE TRUE VINE. He is the awaited One who will fulfill the purpose of God for creation. And all His disciples must follow his example as the TRUE VINE. If God did not spare Israel, disobedient and careless Christians must beware lest they are cut off (Rom.11:11, 16-21). So abide in Christ. Continue in His words. Do what He does, and what He says. This will require pruning and purging (John 3:3; 15:2; He.6:7-8). When you are saved your heart will yearn to follow Jesus. He may purge you but He will not cut you off!

Abiding in Christ depends on obedience to Him (John 15:10; 1John 2:24).  It is good to hear or even enjoy the word of God. All that cannot equate to abiding except you hear and do what you have heard (Mat.7:24-25). There is great blessing in obeying the commandments of the Lord (John 14:21-23). It is also the only way we can show that we love Christ.

Abiding in Christ requires us to live like Christ (1John 2:6). How did Christ live? We need the entire New Testament to answer this question but suffice it for us to look at (John 4:31-38). Let Christ’s passion be our passion: seek and win the lost.

2.    THE CLOSER UNION THROUGH OBEDIENCE (John 15:11-17)

When habitually obey Jesus commandments, It results in an even closer union with Him. We become friends. Love among Christ’s disciples is so vital that He had to give it as a command. If anyone says he loves Jesus, he must also love His disciples – fellow believers (Jon 13:35).

Jesus demonstrated His love for us by death on the Cross for our salvation (John 15:12-13). We ought to demonstrate our love for our brethren in a similar way (John 13:12-17; 1John 3:16).

3.    THE CAUSE OF UNFOUNDED HATRED BY THE WORLD (John 15:18-27)

Our separation from the world will bring with it some consequences. The world will hate us for the sake of Christ and because we are not of the world. If we are of the world, then the world would love us.

All the atrocities Christians suffer all over is because of Jesus. They hate Him for no just cause (John 7:7).

Christ’s prayer is that the Father should shield us from the evil that is in the world (John 17:14-16). Notice that the prayer of our Lord Jesus is not that we would be loved by the world but that we should be kept from the evil thereof. Hatred of believers will be there till the end. Believers do not seek to be praised by men, but to please their Master. Those who love the praise of men will fear to obey the Lord (John 12:42-43).

A clear distinction between disciples of Jesus and the rest of the world is this: Disciples are not of the world. Our citizenship is in heaven. We do not mind earthly things. Our affections are on things above (Col.3:1-2; 1John 2:15-18)

JESUS LOVES EVEN ME (P.P. Bliss)

I am so glad that our Father in Heav’n
Tells of His love in the Book He has giv’n;
Wonderful things in the Bible I see,
This is the dearest, that Jesus loves me.

Refrain:
I am so glad that Jesus loves me,
Jesus loves me, Jesus loves me;
I am so glad that Jesus loves me,
Jesus loves even me.

If I forget Him and wander away,
Still He doth love me wherever I stray;
Back to His dear loving arms would I flee,
When I remember that Jesus loves me.

Oh, if there’s only one song I can sing,
When in His beauty I see the great King,
This shall my song through eternity be,
“Oh, what a wonder that Jesus loves me!”

Jesus loves me, and I know I love Him;
Love brought Him down my poor soul to redeem;
Yes, it was love made Him die on the tree;
Oh, I am certain that Jesus loves me!

If one should ask of me, how can I tell?
Glory to Jesus, I know very well!
God’s Holy Spirit with mine doth agree,
Constantly witnessing Jesus loves me.

In this assurance I find sweetest rest,
Trusting in Jesus, I know I am blest;
Satan, dismayed, from my soul now doth flee,
When I just tell him that Jesus loves me.

PRAYER AS A WEAPON

Prayer As A Weapon For Spiritual Warfare

Ephesians 6:10-18; Jer.29:11-14

Prayer is God’s gift to us. It the means by which we can approach God. Saints of God of all ages have used this means to communicate with God. When we study the Bible we are learning God’s word. When we preach, or give in support of the Church or members in need, we obey God’s word. But when we pray we communicate with God. God promises an answer to everyone who prays (Mat.7:7).

1.    WHY WE SHOULD PRAY

(i)                       In prayer we acknowledge that He is God, we praise Him (Gen.17:1; Rom.6:16-18)

(ii)                      In Prayer we confess our sins and accept His forgiveness and salvation (Rom.3:23-26)

(iii)                    In prayer we submit to God’s will for our lives (Mat.6:9-10)

(iv)                   Through Prayer and faith we win victory over Satan and the forces of darkness (2Cor.10:3-5; Eph.6:18)

2.    HOW WE SHOULD PRAY

(i)                       We pray to the Father through Jesus (John 14:13-14; John 16:24; Heb.4:14-16)

(ii)                      We Pray in faith (Mark 11:22-24; James 1:5-8)

(iii)                    We Pray Fervently (James 5:15-18)

(iv)                   We Pray with Importunity (Luke 11:8; Mat.15:24-28)

 

3.    WHEN WE SHOULD PRAY

(i)                       Morning, Noon and Night (Psalm 55:16-17, 22)

(ii)                      Always (Luke 18:1; Eph.6:16-18)

(iii)                    Unsociable Hours (Acts 16:25-26)

Prayer is our only means of communicating with God. This makes it almost impossible to quantify the importance of prayer. It shows the indispensability of prayer. It immediately tells us that prayer is a very serious business.

Effectual fervent prayer of righteous people will win victories. Our weaknesses are waiting on our prayer. Our delayed breakthroughs are waiting on our prayer. Explosive growth of our Church is waiting on prayer. The salvation of unconverted Christians in the Church is waiting on our prayer. When are we going to start praying, really?

HOT OR COLD?

HOT OR COLD THIS END TIME?

John 14:1-3; Matthew 24:1-13; Luke 21:34-36; 1Cor.15:51-58; 1Thess.4:15-18

In Matthew 24, on the Mount of Olives Jesus answered three questions of His disciples: (i) When will the destruction of the Temple take place? (ii) What will be the signs of Christ’s Second Coming? (ii) What will be the signs of the End of the Age?

These are questions on Eschatology or the study of the Last Days before the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. The events of the Rapture were not detailed in this discuss. Even the 2000 year old Church age was not mentioned here. Because of this some Bible Scholars say that the Church age is parenthetical. Paul who was blessed with abundance of visions and revelations (2Cor.12:1-4), described the Rapture as a mystery (1Cor.15:51-52). My goal this afternoon is to exhort you to keep the flame of your love for Christ and for His church burning till the day of the Rapture and also to show the danger of allowing that love to wax cold these last days.

1.    GLORIOUS RAPTURE DAY FOR FAITHFUL BELIEVERS

1Cor.15:51-58; 1Thes.4:15:18; John 14:1-3

There is a glorious day coming when the saints of God of past ages and faithful believers of the present age will be caught up together in a rapturous welcome event in which we will meet the Lord Jesus Christ in midair! From that moment on, we will forever be with the Lord! This is described elsewhere as the Blessed Hope of Believers (Tit.2:11-14). Jesus encouraged His disciples with these words in (John 14:1-3). He is coming again. The second coming of our Lord is divided into two parts. The first part is the Rapture. The second part is His physical return to judge the world.

This event of the Rapture will happen suddenly – in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye. This could mean that the whole catching away of the saints will take place in a very brief moment of time (1Cor.15:52).

This event will be preceded by (i) a Shout, (ii) the voice of the archangel, and (iii) the trumpet of the Lord. These are meant for the ears, and perhaps the hearts of ready believers. All the faithful saints of God who have served Him and died, whether naturally or as martyrs, will rise with an incorruptible body at the sound of the Trumpet. All those who are alive and standing in faith, whose love has not waxed cold will be instantly changed. We will be transported into the presence of God and of His angels and saints. Christ’s promise of John 14:1-3 will be fulfilled. It will be a time of great joy unspeakable and full of glory. We will be able to meet the one who died for us. We will be able to meet our maker!

 

2.    REMAINING HOT AND READY FOR THIS RAPTUROUS EVENT

Mat.24:12-13, 36-44; Luke 21:34-36; 1Cor.15:58; Heb.12:14

This onetime event of eternal consequence will actually be missed by many because, according to the word of God, their love will wax cold. Their hearts will be overcharged with surfeiting and that day will meet them unawares!

In the last days there will be a deterioration of Christian love caused by proliferation of antagonism and persecution, apostasy.  Some will abandon their faith to save their necks.

Because of the abundance of gross sins, many things that Christians were usually afraid to touch will no longer scare them. Spiritual life will deteriorate and love of many begins to wax cold. There will be a climax of evil which will numb the love of many who profess to be Christians.

This teaching of Christ exposes the error of eternal security which teaches that once a Christian, you can never be lost again (Jude 5-6; 2Pet.2:4-9; 3:9-14). Some professing Christians will apostatize and thus be lost in the end. But true believers will be saved.

Jesus warns us to remember Lot’s wife (Luke 17:32). She was on her way to freedom, led by the hand of angels but she looked back and became a pillar of salt. She failed to reach her promised land.

Endurance till the end is the watch word because the last days are perilous times (2Tim.3:1-5). The love of men will be for themselves, not for God or for others. Will they love their families? Oh yes. The Lord did not say that the filial love of many will wax cold. Will they love their wives? Will they continue with the proliferation of immoral practices? Oh yes they will. The Lord is not saying that the “Eros” of many will wax cold. He said the AGAPEOS of many will wax cold. He said it would be like in the days of Noah. Life went on. They married. They gave in marriage. They ate and drank. Enjoyment was their consuming passion.

AGAPEOS is our first love For Christ and believers (Rev.2:5). We must keep it burning. There is something good waiting for us. Heaven is urging us on to victory. They are expecting, waiting for us to overcome. And when the trumpet sounds and the roll is called up, we will be there. So stand and be steadfast in love and service (1Cor.15:58).

Will the world know when we are gone? Of course they will know. They will know it when Christian doctors are caught away in the middle of an operation. They will know it when a Christian pilot is taken away midflight. They will know it when Christian drivers, bus drivers or train drivers at caught away at high speed. They will know it when bankers, teachers, lawyers, business men, nurses, professors are suddenly caught away, and their positions become vacant. Of course the world will know when we are gone. There will be vacancies in many places waiting to be filled, but who cares. We will be enjoying our first day in heaven! We will want to gaze at our Father God and worship at His feet. We will want to admire Jesus who we are meeting for the first time. Who knows what joys the Holy Spirit will present to us? There will be so much to do and so much to catch up with that it will take eternity to get used of all that God has in store for us. Who needs vacancies? Who needs all the pitiful jobs of this world! You want to see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Job, Noah, Daniel, Elijah, Joseph, Mary, Peter, Paul. How can we even start numbering them? Human thinking aside, eyes have not seen and ear have not heard the things God has in store for us when we get to heaven!

No we will not miss the world. We won’t miss our jobs. We won’t miss our homes. We won’t miss our cars, we won’t miss our friends. We won’t miss our certificates. We won’t even miss our families if they are left behind! Heaven is a perfect place. We don’t need to take anything to go there, and we won’t lack anything when we get there.

 

WHEN THE ROLL IS CALLED UP YONDER

When the trumpet of the Lord shall sound, and time shall be no more,
And the morning breaks, eternal, bright and fair;
When the saved of earth shall gather over on the other shore,
And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.

o   Refrain:
When the roll is called up yonder,
When the roll is called up yonder,
When the roll is called up yonder,
When the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.

On that bright and cloudless morning when the dead in Christ shall rise,
And the glory of His resurrection share;
When His chosen ones shall gather to their home beyond the skies,
And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.

Let us labour for the Master from the dawn till setting sun,
Let us talk of all His wondrous love and care;
Then when all of life is over, and our work on earth is done,
And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.

A WOMAN OF GREAT FAITH

A WOMAN OF GREAT FAITH

Matthew 15:21-28; Mark 7:24-30

1.  WHY SON OF DAVID?

Mat.1:1; Mark 12:35; Isa. 9:6-7; Jer.23:5; Luke 1:31-33

This woman knew more than can be seen on the surface. She understood the ministry of Jesus as the Messiah, the Saviour, the Healer and the Deliverer. She would not be discouraged.

Disadvantage would not discourage her. Hostility of the Disciples of Christ would not discourage her. He daughter’s deliverance was for more important than any feeling of disadvantage or hostility.  Jesus called her faith great.

Our faith in Jesus is the only thing that can withstand the storms of life. He is our Saviour, our Healer and Deliverer. He died to set us free from sin and its power.

Note that every problem you will ever face in life is a sin problem. Sickness and disease is a sin problem, disability is a sin problem. Family disagreement is a sin problem, poverty, lack and wants a sin problems. They are all the works of the devil. And you know that Jesus was manifested to destroy the works of the devil.

2.  UNIQUE POSITION OF WOMEN OF FAITH

Mat.15:21-28; 22:41-46; 2Kings 4:8-26; 2Tim.1:1-5

(i)              Defenders of the Home

(ii)            Preservers of Purity

(iii)           Protectors of Children

(iv)           Trainers of the Next Generation

Women of faith have a great job to do in the home and in the Church. The Church badly needs such women of faith in our time. Women who have put their faith in Jesus Christ, trusting Him for their salvation, whose sins have been forgiven. These are precious to the Lord and to His Church.

Our homes need to be defended more than ever before. Women of faith are needed to preserve the purity of both their husbands and their children. The must protect them from the corrupting influences of this world.

Women of faith must shield their children from the arrows of the enemy threatening to draw them away from the faith.

Women are the nurturers of the faith of their children. Because of the godly attention of Susanna Wesley, John and Charles Wesley became world changers.

Mothers, you bring up another John or Charles Wesley. You could bring up another Mary Slessor of Florence Nightingale.

And, more importantly, women of faith are needed to nurture their children and prepare them for a life of faith leading to life eternal!

WHAT IS THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE?

WHAT IS THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE?

2Timothy 3:15-17; 2Peter 1:19-21

What is in a book?

Over two billion people in the world put their faith in a collection of ancient writings called the Bible. What is this volume called The Bible? It is a library of 66 books, 39 of which are called the Old Testament and the remaining 27 called the New Testament. It is difficult to find any book which has been as read, as studied, as analyzed, as dissected, as summarized and as criticized as the Bible. Millions of books and articles have been written about it. Thousands base their education on it. Others base their livelihood on it. Kings and nations have tried to destroy it, atheist philosophers have tried to discredit it over the centuries. But the Bible has proved practically indestructible.

It possesses power to transform lives. Wicked men reading it see their wickedness rebuked and their lives changed. The foolish read it and learn wisdom. The grieved read it and are comforted. The hopeless read it and find hope. It offers hope for now and for the future. Many nations, though they may not admit it, base their laws on it.

The book teaches about God and creation, evil, the coming of Christ, future judgement on wickedness and coming reward for righteousness. This book is our Bible. We read it, study it, live by its precepts, get married according to its standards, bring our children up by its principles, and conduct our business based on its guidelines. We place our hope of eternal life in the saving work of our Saviour Jesus Christ as recorded in it. It is an extremely authoritative book. What is it that makes the Bible as indispensable as it is? It is an inspired book. It is God’s book though written by men who were inspired by the Holy Spirit.

NAMES OF THE BIBLE

The Bible we read today is known by many names, all of which are to be found in the Bible itself. These names describe to us the Writer of the Bible, the functions of the bible, the character of the Bible, its importance in the relationship between God and mankind. They reveal to us the purpose of God for writing the Bible and endowing it with such power. Here are some of the names by which the bible is called.

(i)                       The Word of God (Heb.4:12;  Eph.6:17; Col.1:25; Luke 8:11)

(ii)                      The Word of the Lord (Jer.1:2, 11; Ezek.1:3; Isa.1:10; Acts 8:25; 1 Pet.2:23-25)

(iii)                    The Word of Christ (Col.3:16)

(iv)                   The Word of Life (Phil.2:16)

(v)                     The Word of Truth (Eph.1:13)

(vi)                   The Word of Faith (Rom.10:8)

It is also called The Scriptures (28 times in the NT and once in the OT), invested with divine authority, in contrast to the uninspired works of men (2Tim.3:15-16)

The Bible is called the Oracles of God literally the speech of God (Heb.5:10)

SYMBOLS OF SCRIPTURE

(a)-  Fire (Jer.23:29); (b) Hammer (Jer.23:29); (c) (Lamp (Psalm 119:105; (d) Mirror (James 1:23); (e) Milk (1Pet.2:2); (f) Rod (Rev.11:1-2); (g) Seed (1Pet.1:23; Luke 8:11); (h) Sword (Heb.4:12; Eph.6:18); (i) Water (Eph.5:26; John 15:3; 17:17); (j) Gold (Psalm 19:7-10); (k) Honey (Psalm 19:10; Rev.10:10), etc.

What we find out is that the word of God lives up to all these symbols by which it is described. You can begin to appreciate its awesome power.

 

THE BIBLE IS AN INSPIRED LIBRARY

2Tim.3:15-16; 2Pet.1:20-21; Jer.1:9

The Bible’s firm declaration is, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for correction and for instruction in righteousness…” (2Tim.3:16). By “All Scripture”, we mean the Christian Bible containing 39 OT and 27 NT books. This includes the Jewish Bible containing the 39 OT books. This is the Bible that is inspired of God – God breathed on the writers what He desired to communicate to us. Inspiration does not mean dictation. A standard pattern of speech in OT is, “Thus saith the LORD”, or, “And the Lord said unto…” or “And the word of the Lord came to me…”  For instance, God laid His hand on the mouth of Jeremiah the prophet as a means of transferring the prophetic words to Him (Jer.1:9). With Ezekiel, God caused him to eat the “scroll”, or “roll”, representing the word of God, and he went forth to prophesy in the “heat” of his spirit (Ezek.3:1-4 , 14). This is what is known as inspiration.

Inspiration can also be in the form of revelation, where God communicated truth to man that which could not be discovered by natural reasoning. God reveals Himself and His purposes to man through a human agent. Although there are things that are recorded in the Bible by experience and observation, they are no less revelation from God to man (Deut.29:29; John 16:12-15)

PROOFS OF INSPIRATION OF THE BIBLE

 

MIRACULOUS EVENTS IN THE BIBLE

The Bible is a book of miracles – a miracle is a supernatural act of power done by God. The Bible contains numerous accounts of miracles – the Red Sea dividing, manna falling from heaven every morning for 40 years, Water coming out of the rock, the dead being raised, the lame walking, the blind seeing, etc., etc., etc., etc… No work of man is comparable.

PROPHECY AND FULFILMENT

Prophecy is the foretelling of events before they occur. The Bible itself is called the book of prophecy. Event were accurately predicted generations before they occurred. This can only happen because God caused men to pen down such predictions. This is also a sign of inspiration of the Bible.

UNITY OF THE BIBLE

The 66 books of the Bible were written over a period of 1600 years, by approximately 40 different authors (Kings, statesmen, prophets, peasants, fishermen, herdsmen, priests, tradesmen and prisoners) who lived in different cultures and different countries (Egypt, Rome and Babylon) they wrote the Bible in three different languages (Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek). What they wrote contains almost every kind of literature (History, Law, Prophecy and Poetry). Yet the book is amazingly unified. It is as if each author produced a certain strand which fits in and harmonizes with the rest of Scripture. We affirm that the Bible the written word of God has one primary message – the revelation of the Living Word of God, our Lord Jesus Christ.

MIRACULOUS PRESERVATION

The bible boast many superlatives. It is not only the most loved book, it is also the most hated book! Multiplied millions of it have been either burnt or destroyed one way or the other. Some countries ban it and forbid their people reading it. It’s authority has been the subject of constant vicious attack. But through the centuries, the Bible has survived all attacks and continues its work of changing lives. It is still loved by millions

INFLUENCE OF THE BIBLE

The influence of the Bible as a book is unmatched by any other book. It has influenced some of the most beautiful music, art, law, science and education. Millions of lives have been changed by its truth. Only eternity will reveal the full influence of this holy book.

THE OLD TESTAMENT CANON

The simplest explanation of canon is that it is the standard by which we know what is inspired Scripture and what is not. The Jewish Scripture is called the Tanach standing for Torah (5 Books of Moses), Nevi’im (The Prophets) and Ketuvim (The Writings headed by the Psalms). Those are the three major divisions in the Hebrew Bible today. The OT is the book of God’s Covenant first made with Noah (Gen.9:8-17) with the rainbow as the seal. The second was made with Abraham (Gen.15:8; 17:1-4) with the seal of circumcision.

There is a lot that can be said of the OT but suffice it to say that Jesus gave His approval of it during His ministry on earth. He recognized the OT Canon, quoted it often in His teaching (Isa.61:1; Luke 24:27, 44-46; 11:50-52 (Gen.4:8; 2Chro.24:20-22)). Notice His approval of the three divisions of the Jewish OT (Luke 24:44). The Hebrew Bible today contains the exact number of Books (39) found in the Old Testament but with a different arrangement. The OT is therefore part of the Christian Bible. Some Church traditions add some other books called apocrypha. But these are considered not inspired. At every stage, God’s people understood what God’s word was and bound themselves to do them (Exod.24:3-7); (2 Kings 23:1-3); (Neh.8:1-9:38).

THE NEW TESTAMENT CANON

The New Testament is the most reliable collection of writings of any work of antiquity. Within 125 years of its completion, 43% of all the verses can be found in papyri. Within 125 years of completion, 0% classical literature is found any manuscript form. There are three times more of NT manuscripts with its first 200 years than the average Greco-Roman author has in 2000 year (D.B. Wallace). Some writers have said that the New Testament is the answer to the Old Testament. It is also important to note that the New Testament cannot stand without the Old Testament. God has planned that both testaments of His Word will be indispensable of each other. The Supreme subject of the NT is Jesus Christ, the Messiah of mankind. Its supreme purpose is the redemption of mankind. The Gospels declare the arrival of the Messiah (Luke 2:10-11). In the Epistles we see the Lordship of the Exalted Messiah (Heb.8:1). And in Revelation we see the soon returning of the Lord (Rev.22:7)  

The NT has 27 books. Athanasius was the first father of the Church, who recorded all 27 books of the NT in 367 AD. The books of the NT were written within 50 years of Christ’s ascension.

A fragment called The Muratorian fragment (dated 170 A.D.) contains 21 of the 27 NT books, showing us that the 27 book canon was established very early in the life and worship of the Church.

The early Church considered the canon of the NT closed by 100 AD. This was about the time when the last apostle, John died. Anything written after the apostles were not at all considered to be part of Scripture, because the eye witnesses inspired by the Holy Spirit did not stamp their authority on such.

Councils of Hyppo (393AD) and Carthage (397 AD) recognized and affirmed the 27 books we have today as the books of the NT.

CRITERIA FOR CANONICITY

The 27 books of the NT had to pass a strict test for canonicity before they were accepted by the universal Church. The books had to show:

(1)           APOSTOLIC AUTHORITY – the author must be an apostle of Jesus Christ or someone who has a close connection to an apostle.

(2)           DATE OF WRITING – the book must be written within the lifetime of the apostles (the last apostle died at about 100 AD.

(3)           ORTHODOXY – the teachings in the book must be in agreement with the teachings in other books of the NT and in deed other books of the OT.

(4)           CATHOLICITY – the book must be accepted by the Church as a whole, not just in one region.

(5)           TRADITIONAL USE – the book must have some tradition of having been used as scripture by the Church.

(6)           INSPIRATION – the book must show signs of inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and in most cases claim this inspiration.

All 27 books of the NT met all of the above conditions. All the other books written after these did not meet these criteria. So we are very confident that all the books we have in our NT are the only books that were recognized by the Church from the very beginning. So all the other books you hear about like the book of Enoch, or the Gospel of Thomas, even if some quotation from them found their way into the NT, did not meet these conditions and thus were excluded from the canon (Jude 1:14).

THE FOCUS OF THE BIBLE

The Bible reveals God’s plan of redemption through the ages. From Genesis 3:15, we see God’s promise of redemption after the fall of Adam and Eve. This fall would affect every human being in the world and cut them off from the glory of God.

The Bible traces for us how God from the very beginning planned the redemption of man. He called Abraham and made a covenant with him to build a nation. Through that Nation Israel, God’s Anointed One – the Messiah would be born.

From Genesis 3:15, prophecy after prophecy was given concerning the identity of the Messiah. All those prophecies are fulfilled in Jesus Christ (Micah 5:2 in 1Pet.1:20; Isa. 7:14 in Mat.1:22-23; Zech.9:9 in Mat.21:1-7; Isa.53:4-7 in Mat.27:12-14; 1Pet.2:21-25; psalm 22:1ff; Psalm16:8-11).

Now we know that all these prophecies concerning Jesus have been fulfilled. This means that the rest of the prophecies concerning His return in the Rapture and to judge the living and the dead will surely come to pass. Are you ready for that?

HOW TO APPROACH THE BIBLE (2Tim.3:15-17; 1Pet.2:2-3)

The bible has set objectives that it seeks to achieve in the life of believers – to TEACH, REBUKE, CORRECT and TRAIN in righteousness. The Bible can do this for us because it is perfect (Psalm 19:7-11). In Halley’s Bible Handbook we find some useful suggestions on how we should approach the Bible.

(i)                       Accept the Bible. It is the word of God. Do not worry about the theory of critics. Pin your faith in it. It will never let you down. Trust and practice its teachings and your joy will be full and you will be happy forever.

(ii)                      Read the Bible with an open mind. Do not put it into a strait jacket of a few pet doctrines. Remember it was given by inspiration of the Omniscient mind of God. Read it fairly. Read it honestly. Apply its teachings to your daily life.

(iii)                    Read the Bible Thoughtfully. Set your mind to understand what it is communicating to you.

(iv)                   Write its instructions down. You are free to mark its content as the Holy Spirit illuminates it for you.

(v)                     Memorize Verses of the Bible. Repeat them to yourself. Use them in your prayers and in your worship. Claim its promises. Obey its commands.

(vi)                   Memorize the names of the books. Know what the books are, the other in which they are arranged, and what they teach.

(vii)                 Love and cherish the Bible. It is God’s book to you. The teachings of Christ and His apostles recorded in the Bible will lead you to salvation.

  

(adapted from Haley's Bible handbook)