tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15404083150180362042024-03-13T10:48:54.048-07:00The Trustworthy WordJerry Schultzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15370640301757556204noreply@blogger.comBlogger115125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1540408315018036204.post-56713305056601889692024-03-02T08:07:00.000-08:002024-03-02T08:07:38.134-08:00Christians Persecuted for Providing Food, Clothing, and Shelter?<p><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">We have a dangerous situation developing for Christians in Texas that should be alarming to believers across the nation. Attorney General Ken Paxton is prosecuting Christian charities in border cities for...wait for it...providing food, clothing, shelter, and transportation to those in need. Not joking. </span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Once, a hobo in a state of mental duress, and possibly drunkenness, wandered into my hometown. Deacons from our church fed him, clothed him and drove him to a nearby motor inn between our town and the next to spend the night. The next day, they got him sorted out. If that happened today in Florida, they could be arrested for "transporting," the man if he was undocumented. Ken Paxton is trying to persecute/prosecute Christians for doing the same thing in Texas.</span></span><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Our hometown had a ministerial alliance that maintained a food pantry and a clothing closet for the needy. Local pastors and businessmen frequently provided food, clothing, and gasoline to travelers in need. They didn't do a background check first. They viewed these a gospel-sharing opportunities. These very same activities are now being viewed as illegal for aiding migrants in our increasingly twisted nation. <br /></span><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>Missionaries don't card people at the door. </b></span></span><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Charities do not (and MUST NOT) check driver's licenses and passports before providing food, clothing and shelter to those in need. This is Christianity 101. If your charitable organization is located in a border town in Texas, you are going to have people from south of the border walk through your doors, some of whom are native Spanish speakers. Human beings from a variety of cultures and backgrounds will come to you for help. Maybe their families have lived here for generations. Perhaps they are new arrivals. It is not appropriate to stereotype individuals based on the color of their skin or to refuse to serve them because of a language barrier. That is called racism and xenophobia. For the Christian minister or missionary, it is an honor when someone comes to you for help. It is an opportunity to show them that Jesus loves them, even if the politburo does not. </span></span><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Ken Paxton is attacking Christians for exercising the fundamental tenets of the Christian faith. This man must be stopped---and by that, I mean by all peaceful, legal, non-violent, and appropriate means available. My chosen method is raising awareness through social media. </span></span><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>If Christians are to be persecuted and prosecuted for providing food, clothing, and shelter, then our nation has truly descended into madness.</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor... -Zechariah 7:10</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, mighty, and awesome God, showing no partiality and accepting no bribe. He executes justice for the fatherless and widow, and He loves the foreigner, giving him food and clothing. So you also must love the foreigner, since you yourselves were foreigners in the land of Egypt.… -Deuteronomy 10:17-19</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink; I was a stranger and you took me in. I was naked and you clothed me; I was sick and you took care of me; I was in prison and you visited me... -Matthew 25:35-36</span><br /><br /><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but does not have works? Can such faith save him? If a brother or sister lacks daily food and one of you says to them, Go and peace, stay warm, and be well fed, but you don't give them what the body needs, what good is it? In the same way faith, if it doesn't have works, is dead by itself. -James 14-17</span></span><br /></div></div></div></div>Jerry Schultzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15370640301757556204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1540408315018036204.post-86639862078754200162024-01-27T13:05:00.000-08:002024-01-27T13:05:09.574-08:00Fourth Wing: A Critical Christian Book Review (Spoiler Free)<p><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;">Fourth Wing, by author Rebeccas
Yarros, is a captivating, brilliantly plotted fantasy, full of action, danger, and intrigue. Presented in a rich, deep point of view format, this fascinating
story grasped me in its claws from the first paragraph and did not let go throughout
the climbs, turns and drops until the ending twist. From fantastic creatures to
an inventive use of powers, Yarros has expertly crafted a world I would want to
visit again and again, were it not for a few serious issues.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">The story is set in a world with
a pantheon of unique gods similar to that of our own ancient world. They are evidence of in-depth worldbuilding, but do not actively participate in the story. So, Theological issues aside, I have identified three areas of moral concern
for Christians seeking appropriate and edifying entertainment. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">1. FOUL LANGUAGE <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;">The author’s frequent employment
of foul language is problematic. After becoming immersed in this epic tale, crass
cuss words pulled me right out of a wonderful dreamscape and back into the ugly
reality from which I sought escape. For a book that is otherwise so inventive,
simply swearing or dropping F-bombs when characters need to express strong
emotion was disappointing. This approach lacked creativity and was simultaneously
boring and off-putting. More creative word usage would have enhanced this book
and my enjoyment of it.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">2. LGBTQ INSERTS</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">The artistry of this novel
suffers from a certain amount of shoehorning of LGBTQ ideals. Throughout the
first two-thirds of the book, any sexual encounters occur off-page and are
simply mentioned in passing as hook-up culture chatter. Yarros alludes to a
significant female character engaging in sexual escapades with both
female and male cadets. She does the same for one of the promiscuous male
characters. These conversations do nothing to advance the plot or contribute to
the character’s development. To me, they felt like nothing more than drop-ins to appease
the secular masses, and, in my opinion, they cheapened the work.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">The author also refers to an individual
character by using they/them/their pronouns. Yarros is clearly an intelligent
woman, so assuming she was present in school on the day pronouns were taught, I
can only deduce that this was an ill-advised attempt on her part to engage in social
engineering. He, him and his are singular, masculine pronouns. She, her and
hers are singular, feminine pronouns. It is grammatically incorrect to use plural
pronouns such as they, them or theirs to refer to an individual unless that person
is possessed by demons, resulting in more than one entity residing in a single
body. In this instance, the character in question plays no significant part in
the story and is only present for the purpose of promoting transgender ideology
which is sinful, dangerous and harmful to children. It is most unfortunate that
she would dirty up an otherwise excellent work with such an obviously poor
writing technique that looks embarrassingly foolish on the page.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">3. PORNOGRAPHY</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">The most serious issue with this
book for Christian readers is two lengthy sex scenes which cover a total of
fifteen pages. The word pornography originally referred to written sexual content.
These two scenes are explicit, graphic and detailed in such a way that the book
should be excluded from school libraries. These scenes were gratuitous, lengthy
and completely unworthy of the work. The author brought the story to a near
stop in order to indulge a sexual fantasy that this reviewer believes to be out of
place in serious literature. Though I must acknowledge the skillful use of tropes
and build up to the events, her astonishing descriptive talents could be put to better use
than mere smut.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">I recommend that any Christian who
wishes to read this book avoid chapter 30 from page 373 to the scene break in
the middle of page 383 and then skip pages 415-420, reading only the last two
lines of page 421. You will not miss any of the plot, though you will be
subjected to some vulgar comments on the pages that follow.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">CONCLUSION</span></b><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Rebecca Yarros is a phenomenal literary
talent, of that there can be no doubt. I am, quite frankly, in awe of her imagination
and writing skill. This incredible story is enhanced with spectacular
worldbuilding, compelling romance, interesting characters, tense action and
intriguing twists. This only makes the issues mentioned above even more
unfortunate.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">I am certain that many readers among
her target audience have relished the pornographic scenes, foul language and LGBTQ inclusion. For some, these may have even been a highlight, but devout Christian
readers will find these elements to be inappropriate and even offensive. They are
a dark stain on what could have been a work for the ages. These aspects of the
novel will forever banish this book to the realm of popular fiction, when it
could have been shelved alongside the great literary classics of all time with
a bit of self-restraint, better editing, and cleaning up. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Note: I felt like the second book, <i>Iron Flame, </i>did an admirable job of addressing the nature of good and evil and putting others before yourself. </span></p>Jerry Schultzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15370640301757556204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1540408315018036204.post-52622252698886534582024-01-26T08:15:00.000-08:002024-01-26T08:43:21.193-08:00RAZOR WIRE? Addressing the Sinfulness of Both Republicans and Democrats Toward Sojourners <p><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Obviously, the deployment of razor wire along the
Rio Grande is a political stunt being performed by Texas’ Governor Greg Abbot
in order to provide political ammunition for Donald Trump, whose presidential campaign
Mr. Abbot champions. If you can’t see that, then consider this your personal
invitation to wake up to the reality that kicking human beings around like political
footballs is sinful and wrong. And the Democrats are far from guiltless, their indifference
and irresponsibility has drastically escalated the humanitarian crisis at our nation’s
southern border. The behavior and attitudes of both Republicans and Democrats
have been sinful and shameful with regard to this matter.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Now, the Rio Grande will run dry before I vote for
Joe Biden or Donald Trump again. Decades of foolishness and neglect from the federal
government have created a massive crisis at the border with Mexico. I fully
support the right of Texas to attempt to solve the crisis, but must it be done
with RAZOR WIRE? I don't even like using Barbed Wire to keep cattle in/out. I
bear the scar on my own lip from an encounter with such a fence and several of
my peers growing up were similarly marked. Using razor wire to keep human
beings OUT and/or trap us IN is madness to me.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">There is a clear and indisputable Biblical
principal to apply to this issue.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Do not mistreat or oppress a foreigner,
for you were foreigners in Egypt. -Exodus 22:21</span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Make fair judgements. Show kindness and
compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the
sojourner, or the poor. -Zechariah 7:9</span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">The Bible is full of admonitions for God’s people not
to abuse or exploit people from other nations or cultures who choose to live
among them. Different translations of the word <i>ger</i>, describe such people
as foreigners, resident aliens, or sojourners. When you see those words in your
Bibles, know that it is referring to immigrants, people who came from somewhere
else, like all of our own ancestors. To not oppress them, <i>yanah, </i>means that
anyone who claims the name of Christian may not maltreat, suppress or throw
them out. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">In fact, the tithe was a tax established among God’s
chosen people in Israel to provide food for widows, orphans, and wait for it…sojourners,
immigrants living among them. The basic moral principal still applies.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">At the end of every three years, bring
a tenth of all your produce for that year and store it within your city gates.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">
<i>Then the Levite, who has no portion or inheritance among you, the resident
alien, the fatherless, and the widow within your city gates may come, eat, and
be satisfied. And the LORD your God will bless you in all the work of your
hands that you do. -Deuteronomy 14:28-29</i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Now, These United States of America do not comprise
a Christian nation. Far from it. America does not have a special covenant with
God as Israel did, but His principles of justice and righteousness apply to all
nations at all times. God revealed his desire for how we should treat people. It
is astonishing to me that the very same people advocating for so-called “Christian
Nationalism,” can be so cold-hearted and xenophobic when it comes to the way
our country treats immigrants desperately seeking a better life. This episode
is just one of many that highlights their outlandish hypocrisy. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Century Schoolbook",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">I would add, that, despite their assertions, such
individuals are actually lacking in the very patriotism to which they so boisterously
lay claim. Inscribed upon the Statue of Liberty are these words:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="background: rgb(249, 249, 249); color: #202122; font-family: "Century Schoolbook",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,</span></i><i><span style="color: #202122; font-family: "Century Schoolbook",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<span style="background: rgb(249, 249, 249);"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">With conquering limbs astride from land to land;</span></span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<span style="background: rgb(249, 249, 249);"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand</span></span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<span style="background: rgb(249, 249, 249);"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame</span></span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<span style="background: rgb(249, 249, 249);"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name</span></span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<span style="background: rgb(249, 249, 249);"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand</span></span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<span style="background: rgb(249, 249, 249);"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command</span></span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<span style="background: rgb(249, 249, 249);"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.</span></span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<span style="background: rgb(249, 249, 249);"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">"Keep, ancient lands, your storied
pomp!" cries she</span></span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<span style="background: rgb(249, 249, 249);"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">With silent lips. <b>"Give me your tired,
your poor,</b></span></span><b><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<span style="background: rgb(249, 249, 249);"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,</span></span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<span style="background: rgb(249, 249, 249);"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.</span></span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<span style="background: rgb(249, 249, 249);"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,</span></span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;" />
<span style="background: rgb(249, 249, 249);"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"</span></span></b></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: rgb(249, 249, 249); color: #202122; font-family: "Century Schoolbook",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Either Lady Liberty is a Liar, or our beloved country has far gone
astray. The message being demonstrated to the huddled masses at our southern
border is the very opposite of that displayed on a plaque at Ellis Island. Perhaps
it is time to resurrect the sentiment of the above poem by Emma Lazarus.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: rgb(249, 249, 249); color: #202122; font-family: "Century Schoolbook",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Over the past two decades, I have had many students who were the first
English language speakers in their families. I frequently interact with people
who possess limited English language skills. They are lovely, hard-working, conscientious
human beings who are a valuable part of our community. My first-generation American
students are bright, talented, respectful and responsible, translating for
their parents and often working to help support their families. The first time a
child enters my classroom with razor wire scars, I’m likely to purchase a pair
of pointy toed cowboy boats and head on down to Austin to kick some butt
(figuratively speaking of course).</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: rgb(249, 249, 249); color: #202122; font-family: "Century Schoolbook",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Texas has spent BILLIONS of dollars on Border Security. I do not know
how every dollar was spent, but in recent years the focus has been on fences,
patrols and keeping people out. Perhaps if that money had been targeted to
improving infrastructure and staffing for interacting with and helping human
beings seeking to enter this country, to welcoming and assisting those who wish
to make this country their home, as opposed to just keeping them out, they
would be able to better handle the humanitarian crisis we are now witnessing on
the Rio Grande. Perhaps if immigrants knew they could be dealt with
compassionately and efficiently at legal points of entry (as opposed to being
herded around like cattle, tossed around like a political football, caged, or trapped
in a web of red tape) they wouldn’t be so desperate to enter illegally. Both Republicans and Democrats have gotten their hands filthy. Both are guilty. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: rgb(249, 249, 249); color: #202122; font-family: "Century Schoolbook",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">If politicians were more concerned about doing their jobs instead of
scoring political points this crisis could have been solved long ago. They must
come up with a better plan to deal with migrant workers in the Rio Grande
valley. If I can have a passport card to easily cross into Canada or Mexico,
then surely such a system could work from the other side of the border. And our
country must become more efficient in processing requests from those who wish
to become citizens.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: rgb(249, 249, 249); color: #202122; font-family: "Century Schoolbook",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The ugly truth is, that the border problem is much too juicy of a
political tool for them to let go of it. It is in the selfish interests of
politicians to rail about the problem and never solve it---because it keeps the
political donations coming in. Rage fuels the money machine. They will milk
this issue for all of its political worth until we the people make them stop. What
we are dealing with is a fundamental lack of responsibility toward the safety
of Americans on the part of the Democrats, a lack of compassion for Immigrants
on the part of the Republicans, and ulterior motives on the part of BOTH
factions. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: rgb(249, 249, 249); color: #202122; font-family: "Century Schoolbook",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Democrats think that immigrants from Central and South America will
vote for them and they want to give, even those here illegally, the right to vote.
I’ve got news for them. The immigrants I know and love, greatly value family
and maintain a dedication to traditional Christian morals and values. They don’t
want to vote for the blatant immorality of the democratic party, but they don’t
want to vote for a party that <i>appears</i> to hate them because of the color
of their skin or their country of origin due to the callous attitudes that have
been so frequently directed toward migrants. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: rgb(249, 249, 249); color: #202122; font-family: "Century Schoolbook",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Nobody in their right mind wants to allow drug dealers and human
traffickers to come streaming across the border, though it seems to be occurring…but
stereotyping every immigrant and establishing policies for dealing with immigrants
under the assumption that they are all harmful criminals is functionally
racist. Some have gone so far as to call this an “Invasion,” at the southern
border. This isn’t Red Dawn, these people aren’t attacking us with guns and
tanks. They are coming here to work. Hateful, de-humanizing political rhetoric
is sinful and harmful. If you cannot distinguish between immigrants and migrant
workers seeking to provide a better life for their families, vs. drug dealers
and human traffickers, then you need to remain silent on the matter. Also—if
our southern border was more welcoming and efficient, fewer people would be willing
to subject themselves to traffickers in order to get here.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: rgb(249, 249, 249); color: #202122; font-family: "Century Schoolbook",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I do not have the answers to solve this governmental crisis. What I do
know is that both Republicans and Democrats have been derelict in their duties. Both of have failed this country miserably. Both have treated human beings, created in the image of God, as lesser than.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: rgb(249, 249, 249); color: #202122; font-family: "Century Schoolbook",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Meanwhile, sojourners continue to be neglected at our southern
border. Human beings are being mistreated. This is sin. It falls to Christians
to be the voice of reason, the moderators of rational thinking and compassion,
calling both parties out for their sinful laziness, callousness, and apathy
into righteous action. <o:p></o:p></span></p>Jerry Schultzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15370640301757556204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1540408315018036204.post-56144018115100762192023-10-03T18:05:00.000-07:002023-10-03T18:05:41.893-07:00NOW AVAILABLE: The Mystery of Margaret Shepherd<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a name="_Hlk146455369"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In the
early years of the trails of tears, a Quapaw chief asked an Ozarks minister to
start a mission so all their children could learn and none would have to be
sent away to boarding school anymore. When the government failed to provide the funding, local churches supplied the need. In a world that perceives sharing one's faith as an act of aggression and increasingly condemns missionaries and blames them for the sins of their respective governments, I felt it was important to provide a more truthful representation of such humble, self-sacrificing people. This is why Samuel Shepherd fills such a role in my latest
novel. But the story, as you will learn, isn't about him... </span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk146455369;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I am so
pleased to share The Mystery of Margaret Shepherd with you in a continuation of
The Shepherd Chronicles which follows a family of believers across generations.
Here is a description:</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk146455369;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A storm is
brewing over Lost Valley. At its heart is a mystery spanning centuries. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk146455369;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1835:
Mina, a young woman of The Downstream People, is uprooted from her home and
forced to journey far upstream with her tribe to an unfamiliar land. She will
face difficulties, dangers and lurking enemies before a trio of unlikely allies
alters the course of her life, transforming it into the stuff of legend.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk146455369;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">2009: After
a shocking accident incapacitates their friend, Benny Shepherd and Lucy Wheeler
take comfort reading the stories of Mina, unaware of just how closely their
lives are intertwined. The intersection of their history holds the key to
unlock a mystery that threatens their friends and family, if the legends are
true, but in Lost Valley, when it rains, it pours. With Benny and Lucy deluged
by a flood of troubles and trials, will they discover the secret in time?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 16px;">Springtime in the Ozarks delivers peculiar adventures, forbidden love, quaint traditions, encounters with quirky friends and showdowns with dastardly villains in this second entry into The Shepherd Chronicles series.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Leap into this intriguing follow
up to the groundbreaking novel, The Diary of Daniel Shepherd, from author Jerry
Schultz. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Here is a link to the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/shorts/yyy5QWulbCA">BOOK TRAILER: The Mystery of Margaret Shepherd</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">You can preview 4 chapters of this work of Christian Fiction and pick up your own copy here: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Mystery-Margaret-Shepherd-SHEPHERD-CHRONICLES-ebook/dp/B0CK4SN81G/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1696380740&sr=8-1">AMAZON: The Mystery of Margaret Shepherd</a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUS_v7wDi_BGmVFmdWjmJUojb9fzLb-XWJ5W3Ipovk48oqav2E6HXJm-Vybtg1w4VPyFUUHff5pwBCWJAPvUsYZ8xs1DQPOtWsBFlaJJwX6-SDlAgyY62c-2q80ggFDPSSFpTr9M4ACepsh_zSz4QdFsQXIFqOD_BFPGgD8AKW0iB1WECeRrcnYy1JVSg/s1755/The%20Mystery%20of%20Margaret%20Shepherd%20(1).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1755" data-original-width="1755" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUS_v7wDi_BGmVFmdWjmJUojb9fzLb-XWJ5W3Ipovk48oqav2E6HXJm-Vybtg1w4VPyFUUHff5pwBCWJAPvUsYZ8xs1DQPOtWsBFlaJJwX6-SDlAgyY62c-2q80ggFDPSSFpTr9M4ACepsh_zSz4QdFsQXIFqOD_BFPGgD8AKW0iB1WECeRrcnYy1JVSg/s320/The%20Mystery%20of%20Margaret%20Shepherd%20(1).png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>Jerry Schultzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15370640301757556204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1540408315018036204.post-15181368219081616272023-09-28T03:07:00.005-07:002023-09-28T16:46:56.322-07:00The Gifts of the Spirit: A Continuationist Point of View<p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Holy Spirit
empowers believers with a variety of gifts to build up the Church.
Unfortunately, there are detractors who do not believe this Biblical teaching
and openly mock and deride such a concept. Such classical </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Cessationists</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> believe
and teach that God no longer gives Spiritual gifts, speaks to people, or
performs miraculous deeds. Their camp recently unveiled a large "Cessationist" conference to be held next year, promoting this view. Not all cessationists are identical. Some believe that only certain gifts, which they term the "sign gifts," ceased to exist. They pick and choose certain spiritual gifts to accept among their church members, but often deny healing, physical miracles, the gift of tongues and prophecy, for example. That view is problematic and, in my view, untenable, requiring impossible feats of interpretive gymnastics to twist and bend Scripture to suit such a belief. If one of these folks ever claims to believe in miracles, know that they are most likely engaging in double-speak, classifying the salvation of a soul as a miracle, which it certainly is, but then denying all other types of miraculous occurrences. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">What concerns me the most is that they have created a straw man to topple over by showing
video clips of bizarre and wildly unbiblical activities occurring on the outermost fringes of the spectrum of Christian belief in an
attempt to characterize ALL </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Continuationists,</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> who believe in the perpetuation
of Spiritual Gifts, as demonic weirdos. This tactic is uncharitable, inappropriate
and untruthful. The Bible warns against people who possess a form of religion,
but deny the power, thereof. Here is an overview of what Scripture teaches
about Spiritual Gifts.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to
us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service in our
serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his
exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with
zeal; the one who does acts of mercy with cheerfulness. -Romans 12:6-8</span></i><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">PROPHECY</span></u></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">If prophecy, in proportion to our faith</span></i><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-outline-level: 2;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">Where are some places in our culture that you are
likely to encounter false prophecy? Perhaps television, bookstores, social media,
online news sources, blogs or magazines come to mind? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-outline-level: 2;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">What types of false prophecy might you come
across? Making prophecies by the moon and stars, interpreting harbingers, etc?
All of these are<b> </b>forbidden in Isaiah 47:13-14 and Deuteronomy 18:10-14. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The gift of prophecy can be
controversial. Because there are so many opportunities for Christians to be
misled, I will give special attention to this gift and how it was used in the
first century. Prophecy is frequently defined as speaking with divine authority
about the past, present or future.<a href="file:///C:/Users/jdsec/OneDrive/Documents/The%20Spirit%20Gives%20a%20Variety%20of%20Gifts.docx#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 125%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Because the canon of Scripture is
closed, there will be no more prophecies given about the end times. Outside of
the book of Revelation, future prophecy was rare in the Post-Resurrection New
Testament and when it was given, it was never given for personal profit or
selfish gain. Acts 11:27-30 records an event where a prophet named <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Agabus stood up and predicted by the Spirit
that there would be a severe famine. </i>The disciples from Antioch responded
by sacrificially giving so they could send relief to the people of Judea. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Another manifestation of the gift of
prophecy is the ability to preach the word of God with <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">boldness.</b> Acts 4:31 records that the disciples prayed and God gave
them tremendous bravery through the Spirit to proclaim the word in the face of
great opposition. The word prophet, or <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">prophetes</i>,
was used by the Greeks to refer to someone who could interpret oracles, or
prophecies. It is proper to apply this in a Christian setting to someone who is
gifted by the Spirit with the ability to understand, interpret and explain
Biblical prophesies well, especially with regard to how Old Testament prophecy
is fulfilled in the New Testament. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">1 Corinthians 14:3 provides the
clearest definition of the gift of prophecy, showing how the helper and
counselor, the Holy Spirit, works through people:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The one who prophesies speaks to people for their <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">upbuilding</b> and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">encouragement </b>and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">consolation.</b> </span></i><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">These words describe building the
church and the individuals in it by helping them to grow in Christian wisdom,
grace and the knowledge of our Lord. They describe coming alongside a person,
family, or church to offer helpful, persuasive and even corrective instruction
when necessary to guide people through difficult situations and keep them on
the right path. This passage also describes offering comfort and counsel to
someone in need with Biblical wisdom and insight for applying Scripture.
Brotherly support, instruction, correction, strengthening, comfort and love are
the purpose of this spiritual gift. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The gift of
prophecy is about being sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit. It’s about
being teachable and being willing to say what God wants us to say and do what
He wants us to do to strengthen, build, correct and encourage the church.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">SERVICE</span></u></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">if service, in our serving</span></i><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The gift of service, or ministry, is
the ability to assist others and meet their needs. It comes from the root word
for serving tables, because those who minister to the Body of Christ, serve and
take care of the body. Those with this gift feed the church, care for its needs
and look out for the interests of others. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">There are a variety of benevolence
ministries in the church where someone with this gift might serve. They could volunteer
to serve meals, operate a food pantry, supervise a loan closet or coordinate a
clothing ministry. They receive deep satisfaction and joy from serving others
and consider it a privilege to be able to do so. James wrote: <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">If a brother or sister is without clothes and lacks daily
food and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, stay warm, and be well fed,”
but you don’t give them what they body needs, what good is it.” (CSB)</span></i><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The Holy Spirit empowers people through
this ministry gift to show the love of Jesus by meeting people’s physical needs
so that their hearts may be softened to have their spiritual needs met. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">TEACHING</span></u></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">the one who teaches in his teaching</span></i><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The gift of teaching is given for the
purpose of equipping others. Someone with this ability can explain difficult
things in a way that is easy to understand. A gifted teacher will be consumed
with the word of God and passionate about helping others to understand it.
Jesus forbids New Testament teachers from bearing the title Rabbi. Rabbis
collected disciples for themselves. But Didasko, Teachers, those with the gift
of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">didaskalia, </i>make disciples for
Christ. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Teachers equip other believers for the
work of ministry. A teacher is probably someone who enjoys speaking in front of
people and leading discussions about the Bible. A Spirit-empowered teacher can
graciously correct brothers and sisters in Christ. A person with the gift of
teaching will love to study God’s word and have a burning desire to share what
the Holy Spirit has taught them with others. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">EXHORTATION</span></u></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">the one who exhorts, in his exhortation</span></i><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The gift of exhortation is the
Spirit-empowered ability to call people into action. Someone with this gift can
recognize the giftings and callings in other people’s lives and call them into
service. Exhortation tells people how to respond to God’s word and apply it to
their lives.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">An exhorter can stir others up,
spurring them on to love and good deeds. Exhorters strengthen and build up the
church, helping people to be courageous and unafraid. They plead with their
peers to become active participants in the ministry of the church, urging
others to serve and share the Gospel. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Those with the gift of exhortation serve
the Body of Christ by mobilizing and maximizing each part as the Holy Spirit
works through them to encourage, counsel and set ministry in motion. An
exhorter can get people out of their seats and into the streets to spread the
Gospel. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">GIVING</span></u></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">the one who contributes, in generosity</span></i><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">A person with the gift of giving is
generous with their resources, viewing them as a gift from God. We have some
people in our Sunday Morning Bible Fellowship with the gift of giving. They
feel like God has blessed them to be a blessing to others. When they hear of
someone in need, they do not hesitate to open their purses and wallets. In
fact, it gives them great joy to be able to help. Giving can also extend beyond
money to include time, resources, etc. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">A giver might take pleasure in giving
money to support vital ministries. They probably give above and beyond their
tithe on a regular basis. They feel happiness from donating food, clothing,
money or other items to provide for those in need. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">LEADERSHIP</span></u></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">the one who leads, with zeal</span></i><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Leadership in this usage refers to
those who watch over the church in a superintending role. This is someone who
presides over church affairs with enthusiasm and who goes before others,
setting a good example. These are people who look out for the well-being of
others and help them find their place of service and ministry in the church.
They protect against false teachers, guard the peace of the assembly and ensure
that believers are being equipped.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Leaders should be patient when others
make mistakes. They enjoy helping people to realize their gifts and use them to
their fullest potential. Their sights are set on fulfilling the Great
Commission and they lead others in that direction. They organize opportunities
for church members to grow, reach out, serve and share the Gospel. Leaders take
pleasure in watching others thrive and become successful. They find joy and
purpose in equipping others to be capable and confident.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">SHOWING MERCY</span></u></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">the one who does acts of mercy with
cheerfulness</span></i><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Mercy and compassion are key aspects of
the character of God that are brought about in the lives of believers by the
Holy Spirit. Psalm 145:8 declares:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and
abounding in steadfast love. <o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">This gift goes beyond feeling sorry for
someone and moves people into the action of demonstrating kindness to those who
need it most. Mercy is the showing of compassion to drug addicts, prostitutes,
those who are imprisoned, drunks and others on the fringe of society. Mercy
extends God’s forgiveness to those who are being devoured by sin. Mercy looks
the most vile of sinners in the face, realizes but for the grace of God this
could be me, and then treats them with dignity, honor, respect and most
importantly love, the kind of love that tells them of the cleansing, healing,
restoring, forgiving power of Jesus and invites them to respond. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Romans 12:9-15 lists other abilities the
Holy Spirit brings forth in our lives:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">FAITH</span></u></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Rejoice in hope; be patient in
tribulation<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Faith is the opposite of despair, doubt
and despondency. The Holy Spirit fills us with hope and helps us to trust in
God. Faith enables us to endure difficult situations and to pray through them
with persistence. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-outline-level: 2;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">Have you ever been going through a difficult or
traumatic situation and someone came alongside you bringing hope and comfort? Have
you ever needed to lean on someone who had faith in times when you were
doubting? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-outline-level: 2;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-outline-level: 2;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">A person with the gift of faith can share their
confidence and trust in God with others in moments of the most crucial need. They
trust that God cares about His children and that He actively responds to
prayer. A person with special faith might fervently believe that God will heal
someone or they might be confident in the hope that He supernaturally protects
us when we pray and ask Him to. Faith is often expressed through prayer. Those
with this gift believe that prayer can change any circumstance to bring glory
to God and they impart their faith to others.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-outline-level: 2;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-outline-level: 2; text-align: center;"><b><u><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text1;">PRAYER<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-outline-level: 2; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">Be constant in Prayer<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-outline-level: 2; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-outline-level: 2;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">Prayer is intimate communication with God through
the Holy Spirit in the name of Jesus. This gift is available to all Christians
the moment we believe and cry out to Him. To be constant means to pray without
ceasing, to be faithful in prayer, to be steadfast and devoted to prayer. Ephesians
6:18 encourages us to pray this way:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-outline-level: 2;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-outline-level: 2;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request and stay
alert with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints. (CSB)<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-outline-level: 2;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-outline-level: 2;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">A life of Prayer is about consistently seeking
and asking God. It is about sincerely seeking His will and persistently asking
Him for what we need and earnestly desire. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-outline-level: 2;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-outline-level: 2;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">Intercession is when we pray for others and on
their behalf. I have witnessed occasions when the Holy Spirit laid a certain
person or family on someone’s heart to pray for them. When the praying person
followed up, they found out that the person was injured or a family member was
in the emergency room. They prayed with the Spirit. Any time a person suddenly
pops up in your thoughts and you feel concerned for their well-being, you
should pray because the Holy Spirit may be leading you to do so. Often times, when
praying for someone who is sick or injured, the Holy Spirit will guide us as to
how to pray and what to pray for. He does the same thing when we pray for
wisdom, for guidance and over various aspects of our lives. We need to open our
hearts and listen when we pray. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-outline-level: 2;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-outline-level: 2;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">Those who are gifted in prayer have an essential
role in the church. They pray as the Holy Spirit guides them to ask for
protection, resources and provision for their church. They pray for leaders to
have wisdom and souls to be saved. They pray for families, children and
communities. They pray for peace and safety. They pray over all aspects of a
church’s ministry and for its members. We might only truly know in eternity how
great their impact was. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-outline-level: 2;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-outline-level: 2;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">Some believers are skillful and gifted prayer
warriors with a rich and vibrant prayer life, others have a lot of growth still
ahead of them, but all have access to this special present. Prayer is the
master key that releases us from the chains of fear and opens the door to
receive God’s blessing. Gifts from the Holy Spirit, such as healing and
miracles are the result of Faith expressed through Prayer. Wisdom from the Holy
Spirit comes to us in times of prayer. The word pray means to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">ask. </i>Prayer is about seeking God’s will,
His purpose, His plan, His power and His presence in our lives. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">HOSPITALITY</span></u></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Seek to show Hospitality</span></i><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The Holy Spirit specially equips some
people with the ability to make others feel welcome. They strengthen the bond
between believers by developing a sense of belonging. They remove anxiety,
helping people to feel comfortable and relaxed, putting their minds at ease. Someone
with the gift of hospitality finds pleasure in providing fellowship and
comradery in a way that is warm, and friendly, like family. They create an
environment where people feel wanted and appreciated.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-outline-level: 2;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">These gifted servants might enjoy hosting
gatherings in their home. They seek to include people outside of their normal
peer group. They might invite someone who just moved to town over for dinner or
hold a weekly Bible study in their living room. Hospitality can be extended to
both unbelievers and believers. It can aid in both outreach and fellowship.
Providing a comforting atmosphere for a funeral meal or planning a welcome
dinner for a new pastor are examples of this. We are all called to be
hospitable, but someone with this gift can take a leading and teaching role. </span><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">EMPATHY</span></u></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Rejoice with those who rejoice; <o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">weep with those who weep</span></i><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Empathy is the ability to put yourself
in someone else’s shoes, view a situation through their eyes and come alongside
them with compassion & understanding. This gift is also meant to help bring
peace and harmony to the church. An empathetic person can see things from
another’s point of view and reason together with them in a brotherly way.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">This gift often works hand in hand with
showing mercy. It is a special gift to not only be able to sympathize with
someone going through a hard time, but to also be able to help.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">1 Corinthians 12: 1-30 introduces
additional spiritual gifts.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit;
and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties
of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To
each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. -1
Corinthians 12:4-7</span></i><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Here are some additional gifts found in
verses 8-11 and 28.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">WORDS of WISDOM and KNOWLEDGE:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">For to one is given through the Spirit
the utterance of wisdom to another the utterance of knowledge according to the
same Spirit</span></i><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Colossians 2:3 tells us that all of the
treasures of wisdom and knowledge are found in Christ Jesus. Through the Holy
Spirit inside of us, we have access to that wisdom and knowledge. In chapter seven
we learned that one type of prophetic ministry involves giving comfort, wise
counsel and advice to help people through difficult situations. One of the ways
that God accomplishes this is by giving us the ability to speak words of wisdom
and knowledge. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Knowledge</span></b><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">, or <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">gnosis, </i>refers
to facts. A word of knowledge could mean that a person recalls the teachings
and principles of Scripture, or remembers a passage of the Bible that applies
to a specific situation. Any knowledge found in the world through natural
revelation or through special revelation in Scripture can be supernaturally
given to a believer or brought to our attention at just the right moment.
Knowledge refers to all good and proper learning of the Bible and all subjects.
God helps us to be perceptive and understanding in all situations. Jesus told
the disciples that when they were persecuted and brought before authorities,
not to worry about what they would say because the Holy Spirit would tell them
what to speak.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">God may reveal special knowledge to a
person about how to reach or minister to another. He might give us something
specific to pray for when it comes to healing a physical injury or medical
condition or mending a familial relationship. I can attest that He has guided me
about how to pray for any variety of situations and needs when I was listening
and sensitive while praying for someone. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Wisdom, </span></b><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">or <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">sophia, </i>refers
to the proper application of knowledge. To be wise is to be prudent, to show
discretion and to be skillful in managing things. A wise person has the ability
to use and apply knowledge. In the same way that Solomon was made wise by God,
we are given great wisdom and decision-making ability through the Holy Spirit.
All Christians have access to that level of wisdom. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Words of Knowledge and Wisdom are
important ministries:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">A word spoken in due season is like apples of gold in
settings of silver. –Proverbs 25:11</span></i><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">A man has joy in an apt answer, and how delightful is a
timely word! –Proverbs 15:23</span></i><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The Lord God has given me the tongue of those who are
instructed to know how to sustain the weary with a word. –Isaiah 50:4</span></i><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Words of Knowledge and Wisdom refresh
us when we are worn out and beat up by the world. They comfort our hearts and
set things in motion<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Messages of Knowledge and Wisdom are
used to give guidance and wise advice to benefit the church and encourage
believers. God equips people to guide churches and individuals through times of
crises, to minister well and to prepare for the future. These words help us to
make good decisions and remain strengthened in our resolve.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I appreciate the rendering of this gift
as <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Utterances </i>of Knowledge and Wisdom
because it <i>is</i> a spoken gift. This is a gift that the Holy Spirit gives us
to share with each other by speaking uplifting words into each other’s lives.
He might lead us to share the Gospel with a stranger and give us just the right
words to say. He might give us the perfect words of comfort to someone who is
hurting or encouragement to someone with doubts. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">This gift can partner with the gift of
exhortation to recognize someone’s gifts and call them into action. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The Holy Spirit can use us to lovingly
give counsel, correction or advice to a brother or sister in Christ. He might
urge us to speak up about an important course of action for the church, to
offer correction or to lead in a new positive direction. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Ministry should be Spirit-empowered and
Spirit-led and to do that, we need to become sensitive to God’s leading. Part
of the role of the Holy Spirit as our <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Parakletos</i>,
is to counsel, lead and guide us as we serve God and minister to others. Reflect
on these Old Testament verses which anticipate the coming of the Spirit: <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">You guide me with your counsel… -Psalm 73:24a<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should
go. I will counsel you with me eye upon you. –Psalm 32:8<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">And your ears shall hear a word behind you saying “This is
the way, walk in it…” –Isaiah 30:21a<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Sometimes, the Spirit might lead you to
help someone you see in need, or guide you into a divine appointment, an
opportunity to minister to someone in need and share the love of God with them.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The Spirit can also work through us to
affirm one another and spur each other into action. I have received words of
encouragement, comfort, up-building and strengthening from other believers on
many occasions. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The ministry of encouragement is truly
valuable to the church and when we are tuned in listening to the Spirit
speaking, we can be a source of strength and courage to other believers. Words
of knowledge and wisdom that come through the Spirit are going to be anchored
in God’s word, giving counsel to help people through difficult times,
delivering loving correction and speaking encouragement into their lives. The
Holy Spirit can speak wise advice and counsel through any believer at any time,
so remain alert, be sensitive and when you feel His prompting, Speak Up!!!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">HEALING:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">to another gifts of healing<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Any time someone is healed of a disease
or injury God should be given the glory. I believe the gift of Faith is
intentionally listed right before healing, because faith and God’s goodness are
key factors. When an individual or group of people pray over someone who is
sick and that person gets well, it was a gift from the Holy Spirit. Any
believer can pray for someone to be healed and God can respond to that prayer.
A person or group of people with great faith might frequently pray for someone
to be healed and then see God respond by making the person well. Healing is a
gift from God and He should receive all of the glory. James wrote:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of
the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of
the Lord and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick. -James
5:14-15</span></i><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">This verse indicates faith on the part
of the person seeking healing to call for the elders and a group prayer that
prevents any single person from taking credit or seeking glory for themselves.
The laying on of hands in prayer is frequently associated with healing. The
power to heal comes from the Holy Spirit, not from ourselves. When we lay hands
on someone and pray, the healing power of the Holy Spirit flows through us and
into them. The Holy Spirit can give a gift of healing through the prayers of
any believer or group of believers. God’s word shows us that this happens when
we pray in faith.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I have witnessed countless situations
in my life where people were prayed for and received healing and recovery. I
have known of genetic diseases being cured, internal injuries healing up and
remarkable recoveries from illness, all as a result of prayer. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">When I was a sophomore in high school,
my nose was shattered in an accident at baseball practice. I lost a shocking
amount of blood and the coach who was with me was concerned I was going to
bleed out. I asked that coach, who was involved with our Fellowship of
Christian Athletes group, to pray in agreement with me that the bleeding would
stop. We prayed and the blood flow was immediately quenched like a faucet being
turned off.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">MIRACLES:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">to another the working of miracles<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">A miracle is something that defies the
natural order of things. When God chooses to act in a supernatural way for the
benefit and well-being of people that is a miracle. When a person has been
given a terminal diagnosis and they suddenly get well against all odds and
medical reason that could be considered a miracle. The apostles worked miracles
just as Jesus did. We should not use the word miracle lightly. A victory by a
sports team is not a miracle. A surprise financial benefit might be a great
blessing to a family in need—but that is not a miracle. Turning water into
wine—that was a miracle. Giving a blind man sight—that was a miracle. We should
not deny true miracles when they happen, but we should not use the word loosely
either. We should exercise wisdom and discretion when we hear reports of
miracles. Though, as I mentioned above, I am aware of genuine, verifiable
medical miracles.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">DISCERNMENT:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">to another the ability to distinguish
between spirits<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">A person with the gift of discernment
or distinguishing between spirits can sense selfish or harmful motives. They
will quickly recognize false teaching and false teachers and discover doctrines
of demons. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Paul wrote that he did not want us to
be unaware of the devil’s schemes. Someone with this gift will be skeptical of
someone who is trying to take advantage of other believers. A discerning person
will realize when someone is trying to deceive them by speaking half-truths.
They will be wise to discover plots to trick the church or individuals into
making bad decisions. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Someone with the gift of discernment
will also be aware of times the Holy Spirit is moving in a unique, powerful or
special way. They can tell the difference between a genuine move of God and what
is merely the strong influence of a slick, fast talking leader. They can
discern pure intentions and sense the presence of ulterior motives.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The gift of discernment enables a
person to notice when someone is twisting Scripture or pulling it out of context
in order to mislead or manipulate. A person with this gift might often be
called “divisive,” because they make waves and break illusions, but in reality,
these are the people who keep the church from being torn apart by false
teachings. It has always been false teaching, doctrines of demons, that causes
division in the church and problems between brothers and sisters. The gift of
discernment is given to help the church recognize smooth talking, divisive,
false teachers and to keep the TRUE church unified. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">TONGUES/LANGUAGES and INTERPRETATION:</span></u></b><u><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">to another various kinds of tongues, <o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">to another the interpretation of
tongues</span></i><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">We have learned that on the day of
Pentecost, as believers spoke, each person in the crowd <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">heard </i>them speaking in their own language. Words were spoken in one
language but heard in many languages, or <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">dialektos</i>.
Because of this supernatural miracle, the Gospel was able to be shared. This is
the only occasion in Scripture where such a hearing miracle is recorded, though
God could do it again if He wanted to. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">We have also learned that something
special happened on the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came upon a group
of Jews living in the Promised Land, on a second occasion when the Holy Spirit
first came to the Gentiles and on a third and final occasion when the Holy
Spirit filled a group of Jews living outside of the Promised Land. On each
occasion they were filled with the Spirit and spoke in tongues as a sign of
equality to demonstrate that God loved them all and considered them His
children. There is no other record in the Bible of an individual or group of
people speaking in tongues when they were saved. For this reason, I believe these
were special situations with a purpose and are not the normal Biblical
experience or the normal Christian experience. It is incorrect to say that
speaking in tongues is the sign of a person being saved or the one and only
sign of being filled with the Holy Spirit. Speaking in Tongues is, however, a
valid spiritual gift. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Paul confirms that not all Christians
speak or pray in tongues when he discusses the gift further in 1 Corinthians
14. He also teaches that when a person miraculously speaks or prays in another
language they are speaking to God and not to men. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The Bible seems to indicate that some
people may have the ability to allow the Holy Spirit to pray through them even
if they don’t understand the words. This shows a complete submission to God’s
purposes, trust in Him and a desire for His will to be done. Paul prayed this
way and also in his own language with understanding. Some people call this a
private prayer language. I know people who pray this way when they are praying
for healing for another person and in their private prayer lives. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I also know people who listen to the
Holy Spirit’s prompting or consult Scripture about how they should pray and what
to pray for with understanding. Paul indicates that praying in the Holy Spirit
builds an individual up. I believe this occurs by connecting with God through
prayer in a very intimate way. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Praying in a tongue is one thing. I
have been in situations where group prayer was taking place and people were
praying out loud, sometimes all at once and some in tongues. In principle, I
have no problem with that, though sensitivity to visitors is advised. I was
once visiting churches with a friend and a woman near us blurted something out
in a weird tongue. He wouldn’t visit any more churches with me after that. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Delivering a message in front of the
church in a tongue is a different situation. Paul encourages anyone who speaks
in tongues (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">glossa</i>) to ask God for
the gift of Interpretation so that the whole church can be built up. No one
should speak in a tongue during a gathering of the church unless there is
someone there to interpret. While multiple individuals might have ascended to
the platform to teach in the ancient synagogues and early Christian gatherings,
most churches today do not conduct meetings that way. It would be considered wildly
inappropriate for someone to shout out something in the middle of a service in
a known language. How much more outrageous would it be to interrupt in a
language no one understands? I have sat through a few terrible moments of bad
teaching in my life and if God were to choose to interrupt a service and get
people’s attention with a message in another language, then that is His
prerogative. But it would need to be given with permission, decently and in
order. No one should ever just stand up and shout something out in an unknown
language. The Bible teaches that God is the author of peace, not confusion and
that the spirit of prophets is subject to the prophets. That means that if God
truly wants to speak a message in another language through a person, then that
person will have the discernment to deliver the message in a way that sows
peace, not chaos and the interpretation will bring clarity, not confusion.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The gift of interpretation is usually
under-stood to mean the supernatural ability to understand a spontaneous message
given by the Holy Spirit in another language, though it can also apply to
interpreting for someone who has come into the assembly speaking their own
foreign language that no one understands. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I will admit that, sometimes, when I
hear someone who thinks they are praying in tongues, I think they are probably not.
Babbling nonsense syllables with lots of repetition like babababa or
nuhnuhnuhnah, is not speaking in tongues. Repeating something you think is a
word over and over again is not speaking in tongues. Speaking in a tongue is
supernaturally talking in another complete language with intelligible speech. I
have never spoken or prayed in tongues, but I will be respectful of those who
believe they have this gift. I believe it is a sin to forbid missionaries or
seminary professors from using this gift. Verse 39 orders us not to forbid
speaking in tongues. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Mostly, I believe we have missed out on
the greater point. On the day of Pentecost, the curse from the Tower of Babel
when languages were confused was reversed for the sake of good communication
and spreading the Gospel. Based on what I've learned about cognates and ancient
languages, I am convinced that tongues were loosened and speech impediments
were removed for many who were present that day and that the ability to
properly pronounce other languages was a new gift to the early church. They
weren’t supposed to use it to show off, but rather to build up the church. If
someone comes into the assembly speaking a different language, they should only
be allowed to do so with an interpreter so that all may hear and
understand. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I had a Seminary professor who was
incredibly gifted with languages. He could read, speak, understand and teach
multiple languages fluently and most importantly, could explain what words
meant. He clearly had a gift that could only have come from the Lord. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I will be charitable and loving toward
my fellow believers who pray in tongues and try not to underestimate the
importance of that gift. I personally believe that the primary ways the gifts
of tongues and interpretation are manifested in the church today is in the
ability to learn, pronounce and speak other languages for spreading the Gospel
and in the ability to see patterns in language and to study, understand,
interpret and explain God’s word for the benefit of others. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">HELPS:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">helping (verse 27)<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">A person with the gift of helps is able
to perceive the needs of others and to know how to embrace them, walk alongside
of them and help them. This might mean providing for a need, assisting in a
difficult situation or noticing something that others missed. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The Holy Spirit empowers some believers
to notice people who might be in need, hurting, neglected, lonely or
discouraged. The Spirit also empowers them to know how to help and find the
means necessary to do so. This could be providing for physical needs such as
food or clothing or completing repairs at no charge. It could mean providing
support and assistance to someone’s ministry efforts. It could mean finding
someone a ride to church, providing help with groceries, assisting a single mom
with childcare or mentoring a young believer with questions. This gift is about
perceptiveness that leads to action.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">ADMINISTRATION:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">administrating (verse 27)<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The government or administration of the
church comes from the word for steering a ship, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">kubernesis. </i>My Papa served in the U.S. Navy in the aftermath of
World War II. One of his jobs was as an assistant Helmsman. The Helmsman is the
one who mans the steering wheel. He told the story of a time when he was on
duty and heard an unfamiliar voice behind him giving specific and detailed
instructions with regular changes in course and direction. After an uncertain
period of time, he was relieved of duty and given the rest of his shift off. As
he turned around, a man who was either the Captain or the Executive Officer put
a hand on his shoulder and told him well done son, you just steered us through
a mine field. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">In the same way those men watched their
instruments for danger, the church is given overseers, like the lookout on a
ship, sitting up in the crow’s nest to watch out for trouble on the horizon. An
administrator, or helmsman, is responsible for steering the ship, the church,
in the right direction, maneuvering it around obstacles and guiding it through
perilous waters. He helps to plot the course and keep the church going in the
right direction. He watches out for trouble, protects from danger, guides the
church to make wise decisions, and encourages us to take wise actions and reach
our goals—sharing the gospel and making disciples. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Conclusion</span></b><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">When the Roman Empire abandoned believer's baptism and began baptizing infants and enemies, telling them they were Christian, the practice of true Biblical Christianity fell by the wayside as a form of powerless, unregenerate, cultural Christianity came into prominence. It was during this time that the pages of history became devoid of the miraculous. Spiritual gifts, healing, prophecy and other such displays of the supernatural power of God seemed to cease. Cultural observers decided that God himself had taken the gifts away or stopped bestowing them, when in reality, I believe that many people were not experiencing the power of God because they were not truly saved and filled with His Spirit, or were poorly taught and immature disciples. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Now, here is the turn, the foundation for the belief of cessationism lies outside of the boundaries of Scripture. It is, itself, a form of adding to and subtracting from God's word. It is form of religion that denies the power of God. 1 Corinthians 14:39 commands the following: <i>So, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. </i>Cessationism is a sin and a heresy because it defies the clear teaching of Scripture. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">In the same way that the human body has
many parts, all of great importance, the Holy Spirit continues to give members of the Body
of Christ a variety of Spiritual Gifts, each with an important function. We all
have different gifts, but are equally important as brothers and sisters. All of
the gifts are sent by God for the well-being of the whole church. No gift
should be banned and no one should be mistreated or favored on the basis of
their gift.<span style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">God has given us different
gifts, but all are important. No one should ever be arrogant because of their
gift. All of the gifts are interconnected like the hand is connected to the
arm. They work together in beautiful harmony. For example, Teaching equips
believers to use their gifts. Exhortation calls and directs those gifts into
service. Giving provides the means for Service. Faith is evidenced through
Prayer. Empathy is put into action through Showing Mercy. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Our gifts are meant
to serve, equip and help one another as the Holy Spirit ministers through us
bringing harmony to the church. We should humbly employ our gifts for the
benefit of others. </span><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Memory
Verse:</span></b><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">As
each has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God’s
varied grace. -1 Peter 4:10<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">If you would like an in-depth
look at the complete work of the Holy Spirit, my book <a href="https://www.amazon.com/PNEUMA-Understanding-Person-Purpose-Spirit-ebook/dp/B0BYNGQNQC?ref_=ast_author_dp">PNEUMA: Understanding the Person, Power and Purpose of the Holy Spirit</a> is ON SALE this week on Amazon for
only .99 cents.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTSrOoVi_PIJDyVfPZOvPq6Q_Q5YpvWW6VpnXoc7LqN1lyZXfJG8QqCgywx3htmOKXB0Zxm2qU0TLcEmdF1S6NQDZFZVB_6cUY0Wg7uwFUYBhJpZCIHgz2BCGudhqYYlC5sV3pw2b35CQ3uR5l29YvcuWX69-mK-Vp7Qh0oWWgkeFGpHyuQopDR8Cp4Lc/s1755/Copy%20of%2099%20Cent%20promo%203%20PNEUMA.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1755" data-original-width="1755" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTSrOoVi_PIJDyVfPZOvPq6Q_Q5YpvWW6VpnXoc7LqN1lyZXfJG8QqCgywx3htmOKXB0Zxm2qU0TLcEmdF1S6NQDZFZVB_6cUY0Wg7uwFUYBhJpZCIHgz2BCGudhqYYlC5sV3pw2b35CQ3uR5l29YvcuWX69-mK-Vp7Qh0oWWgkeFGpHyuQopDR8Cp4Lc/s320/Copy%20of%2099%20Cent%20promo%203%20PNEUMA.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><br /></span></p>
<div style="mso-element: footnote-list;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<div id="ftn1" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/jdsec/OneDrive/Documents/The%20Spirit%20Gives%20a%20Variety%20of%20Gifts.docx#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif;"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 125%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif;"> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon</i>. Logos Bible Software, 1995.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>Jerry Schultzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15370640301757556204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1540408315018036204.post-46595825443333466542023-06-01T14:29:00.002-07:002023-06-01T14:47:08.972-07:00Three Steps to More Impactful Writing and Teaching<p><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">This week, I was involved in an interesting discussion among Christian authors and editors about the use of Scripture in non-fiction Christian books. I am concerned over some of the responses I read. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">On the one hand, sometimes theological books are written with pretentious language, technical jargon and copious citations that make them inaccessible and unpleasant to read. On the other hand, we have too many teachers and authors in the church writing books on subjects they feel they have a measure of expertise in, then they add a few Bible verses here and there that seem to support their ideas and call it "Christian." </span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">Many such "Christian Living" books are being produced with minimal use of Scripture. A Christian label is slapped on these products and away they are sent into bookstores, platforms and social media for public consumption. The problem is that this is the opposite of what Scripture teaches. This common practice is not the best practice. It is the worst practice in teaching.</span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">Aspiring authors with good intentions seem to be copying what the celebrities are doing because they don't know any better. We need books that are both accessible AND deep. We need works that are enjoyable to read AND contribute to meaningful growth and significant learning. I have good news. There </span><i style="font-size: 18.6667px;">is</i><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"> a better way. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: 14pt;">In the apostle Paul’s first letter to Timothy, he provided a
special model for the way Christians should teach one another:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">“Until I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to teaching.”
</span></i><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">(1 Timothy 4:13)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Paul told the young preacher Timothy to do three things:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">STEP ONE is to read the Scriptures. The Bible was the
centerpiece of ancient worship and any first century reader who grew up
attending synagogue would have understood that when Paul referred to reading,
he meant the reading <i>of Scripture</i>. God’s word should always be front and
center in our teaching because it is powerful, living and active. His word can
change lives in a way that ours cannot. The Bible is the primary source of content for Christian teaching.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">STEP TWO is to provide an exhortation. That means to give an
application. We must tell people how to apply God’s word to their lives and
give them either an invitation to respond, or a call into action. Our teaching
isn’t meant to be merely speech-giving or pontificating, it is meant to be interactive.
Biblical teaching calls for a response from the hearers.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">STEP THREE is to teach them what the Scriptures mean. Mature
believers should carefully explain what each passage of Scripture means to
disciple the younger generation and new converts and to build up the church. This is how we encourage one
another and help each other grow in our faith</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Some teachers put the teaching and explanation before the
call to respond. Others give application as they go along. It is perfectly acceptable
to carefully divide Scripture into easy to digest passages and explain one at a
time, breaking it down for your audience to understand. What is important is
that all three steps are included so that our teaching is accurate, engaging
and impactful.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Now, here is the twist. The early Christians did not just
show up on Sunday and listen to one man deliver a forty-minute sermon. They
took turns teaching in smaller segments. This instruction to Timothy was meant to
provide a model for others to follow. While it was originally written as a
letter from Paul to Timothy, we can read it as a letter from the Holy Spirit to
us.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">The pattern of teaching given to us in Scripture works for any type of teaching ministry whether it is spoken or written. The word of God needs to be front and center in our teaching. Our writing needs to focus on the explanation and application of Scripture. This directs our study and preparation for what we are going to write. Did you notice the three neatly outlined points which were derived directly from the Scripture itself? </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">By following the model for teaching laid out in Scripture for our writing, we
can adopt the BEST practice which will yield more fruitful results.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Jerry Schultzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15370640301757556204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1540408315018036204.post-81521670526106912932023-04-28T20:08:00.001-07:002023-04-28T20:08:34.127-07:00Holy Spirit Book Announcement<p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I am thrilled to announce that my complete Bible Study <b>PNEUMA: Understanding the Person, Power and Purpose of the Holy Spirit </b>is now available in Paperback, Hardback and Kindle E-book. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Experience the Peace that the Presence of the Holy Spirit brings into your life. Learn about the Spirit's role in salvation, the renewal of the human mind and the positive change He brings about in our lives. Investigate Prophecy to learn the qualities of the Holy Spirit. Reflect upon the awesome display of power that came rushing in on the day of Pentecost. Learn about the good fruits of the Holy Spirit...and the poisoned fruit that comes from elsewhere. Study the spiritual gifts that empower Christians for ministry. Recognize the Spirit of God's ability to inspire creative works. Enjoy the satisfaction of being filled with the Holy Spirit.</span></span></p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/PNEUMA-Understanding-Person-Purpose-Spirit/dp/B0C128SP5P/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1PQ0FQOR7MCQX&keywords=Pneuma%3A+Understanding+the+person+power+and+purpose+of+the+holy+spirit&qid=1682737239&sprefix=pneuma+understanding+the+person+power+and+purpose+of+the+holy+spirit%2Caps%2C113&sr=8-1">Click Here to Purchase PNEUMA on Amazon</a><br /></p><p>You can watch the YouTube trailer for this book here: </p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkA36M21zmU">Book Trailer: Pneuma: Understanding the Person, Power and Purpose of the Holy Spirit</a><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj38DfSgEEorJsJJvZ9EMaX9qP_1xW3jYLwVZruLP4sXcQlERgV8lfnWmJXZHanAqyoTLdm-TgkJ56jcFLXMj2BGph4UdVcf2phil2_3N0u5O4D3OoKdciQC4bVfEmpZ5L8O6Tv0MSYrEVoUMy94REaTPCpTQFD7JUOjA3bwMYB_cJQYCLQ3AysZmMF/s3938/Pneuma%20space%20(1).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3938" data-original-width="2468" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj38DfSgEEorJsJJvZ9EMaX9qP_1xW3jYLwVZruLP4sXcQlERgV8lfnWmJXZHanAqyoTLdm-TgkJ56jcFLXMj2BGph4UdVcf2phil2_3N0u5O4D3OoKdciQC4bVfEmpZ5L8O6Tv0MSYrEVoUMy94REaTPCpTQFD7JUOjA3bwMYB_cJQYCLQ3AysZmMF/s320/Pneuma%20space%20(1).png" width="201" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Jerry Schultzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15370640301757556204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1540408315018036204.post-91107507396802522802023-03-15T11:13:00.000-07:002023-03-15T11:13:19.662-07:00Now Available: THE DIARY OF DANIEL SHEPHERD<p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 125%;">Friends,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 125%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 125%;">I am thrilled to be able to announce that THE DIARY OF
DANIEL SHEPHERD is available NOW and I encourage you to pick up a copy by clicking on the link below:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 125%;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BYH4438H/ref=sr_1_1?crid=J0UGX9H8CE3F&keywords=the+diary+of+daniel+shepherd&qid=1678903799&sprefix=%2Caps%2C136&sr=8-1">THE DIARY OF DANIEL SHEPHERD</a><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 125%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9uYlD_H-2P8t_mVkCfM1rjztHtAbmwphHeuidA472N5IW7vvXrdHgCJhC4ORfOtlm7qXD85hm4YWcZNrtNCcgqMw87-Z_Kd-KyfV7tzf_m8BasngowoTtCdqkwEnJO0As1-sC4VkClleBtpuebi4N7xRNuw4EGuOdQj0obRVA4WtQbMvfPLamv5Q5/s6912/AN%20House%20Banner%20Ad,%20DDS%20.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="6912" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9uYlD_H-2P8t_mVkCfM1rjztHtAbmwphHeuidA472N5IW7vvXrdHgCJhC4ORfOtlm7qXD85hm4YWcZNrtNCcgqMw87-Z_Kd-KyfV7tzf_m8BasngowoTtCdqkwEnJO0As1-sC4VkClleBtpuebi4N7xRNuw4EGuOdQj0obRVA4WtQbMvfPLamv5Q5/s320/AN%20House%20Banner%20Ad,%20DDS%20.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 125%;">Growing up in the Ozarks, there was always an adventure
to be had in exploring the woods, taking nature walks or wading around in
creeks and springs. Blazing our own trail, we happened upon more than a few
creepy, abandoned houses…and we heard our fair share of spooky stories.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 125%;">From the amazing cooking, to its festivities, legends,
entertainments, dreams and disappointments, traditions and small-town idiosyncrasies,
you are about to catch a glimpse of life in the Ozarks. It is an astonishingly
beautiful place where I still love to visit or go hiking whenever I have the
chance to get away. It helps me to feel at peace. I hope you will come to
appreciate this part of our country as you experience it through the eyes of
these characters.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 125%;">Faith and family were the foundations of our way of
life, but, like everywhere in this fallen world, evil crept in, often catching
us unaware. This book, and the series to follow, will address serious life
issues in an unflinching way as our characters are forced to deal with the harsh
realities of living in a sinful world.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 125%;">Sometimes this life can become very dark, but there is
always the Light of Hope, searching us out and wanting to be found…<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 125%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><u><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 125%;">DESCRIPTION<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 125%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 125%;">Ten years after a catastrophic crash,
Benny Shepherd discovers his brother Daniel’s diary, revealing the hidden dark
side of their town and launching Benny into a series of autumnal adventures in
the beautiful and perilous Ozark highlands. Guided by the secrets disclosed
within the diary, Benny teams up with Lucy Wheeler to investigate the past,
hoping to secure a future for their outcast families, but when they unearth a
secret some worked so hard to keep buried, their very lives are endangered. The
resolve of the unlikely sleuths will be tested, forcing them to wrestle with
difficult spiritual questions as they retrace their sibling’s footsteps,
searching for clues. Friendships are forged and shocking discoveries made as
the mystery crescendos toward an ending no one could have foreseen. </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 125%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p></p>Jerry Schultzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15370640301757556204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1540408315018036204.post-15756651230142897402023-03-12T18:10:00.004-07:002023-03-26T17:11:57.012-07:00NEW Christian Fiction Book Series Announcement <p><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Edgy, Christian, Fiction.
That’s how I would describe: </span></p><p><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">THE DIARY OF DANIEL
SHEPHERD.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIgN1Z0eY0qJ0yh4IWPslK6rTXLn7jPTSbsUFgWPh8bDIbvLa0PlE0lL3XhB_4k3ztRCkYXtIrWsgYHB95xvUu3Glr0w-QNHBqCYSDbv7CNOCdgxvdRoXCqM30W4GfNj0bqtn56lHxHv96Ucq2lQGRYOYikl81Fb4DMI_S0GnoepIHsUpYU2yvVEgv/s6912/AN%20House%20Banner%20Ad,%20DDS%20%20(2).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="6912" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIgN1Z0eY0qJ0yh4IWPslK6rTXLn7jPTSbsUFgWPh8bDIbvLa0PlE0lL3XhB_4k3ztRCkYXtIrWsgYHB95xvUu3Glr0w-QNHBqCYSDbv7CNOCdgxvdRoXCqM30W4GfNj0bqtn56lHxHv96Ucq2lQGRYOYikl81Fb4DMI_S0GnoepIHsUpYU2yvVEgv/w446-h203/AN%20House%20Banner%20Ad,%20DDS%20%20(2).png" width="446" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">For years I have become
increasingly alarmed by the relentless barrage of filth being targeted toward
teen and young adult readers through the fiction they read for school and pleasure.
Over the past six months I have discovered that the online fiction writing
community is overwhelmed with authors who have <i>agendas</i>. And those
agendas increasingly involve seducing, manipulating and otherwise brainwashing
teens and twenty-somethings into sinful, harmful, godless, self-destructive lifestyles
by glorifying and promoting characters who are bold and proud of their sin and corruption.
These writers actually brag about what they’re doing in order to garner the
attention of literary agents who are actively seeking out such Sin-inspiring storylines
for the big publishers who, in turn, push those tales out to market as fast as
they can print them.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">This is genuinely
frightening, because there are shockingly few Christian
literary agents who are willing to represent Young Adult/Teen Christian fiction. Most Christian publishers carry shockingly few teen titles. </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 18.6667px;">The large Christian bookstore near me does not carry any and I would not consider the selection online to be very encouraging.</span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 18.6667px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">How ironic, since the secular industry caters to
youth and targets teens.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">This is why I feel it
is urgent to write for this genre and for this age group. Never fear, my work
is YA crossover. It’s for grown-ups too, but it is written out of love for the
next generation.</span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #050505; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Historic";">Fiction provides us with the opportunity to walk a mile in a
character's shoes, to experience what they do and feel what they feel.
Christian fiction, like "My Utmost For His Highest," can inspire
change by showing us what the church could be like. Books like "The
Shack," help us to ponder deep and troubling spiritual questions, but for
that to occur, true evil has to happen first. In my books, you can expect to
explore vivid descriptions of the beauty of God's creation, to empathize with compelling and real-to-life characters, to go on grand adventures and sleuth into perplexing mysteries. The evil we encounter along this journey will be realistic, but when churches and families respond in both correct and incorrect ways, this allows us to ponder themes of forgiveness, redemption, and God's ultimate justice. Buckle in. It's going to be a bumpy ride, but the destination will be worth it. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Parental Advisory: PG-13.</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">This book is going to be…<i>different…edgier…</i>than
what you might expect from the genre because the villains in this story all too
closely resemble real life. This isn’t lit for little kids, it is for those
coming of age in a world full of traps set for them to fall into. The series <i>THE
SHEPHERD CHRONICLES </i>won’t shy away from controversial topics. <b>We’re going
to go there…</b> But we’re going to do so from a Christian worldview at the heart
of compelling and intriguing storylines. There will be NO foul language or
descriptions of sexual activity. There WILL be deep theological discussions between characters as they wrestle with issues. There will be no gratuitous violence or
goriness. At no point will sin ever be glorified. But there will be blow by
blow fights. There will be kissing. There will be crime. There will be acknowledgement of married
love occurring in the bedroom. There will be <i>real </i>villains who commit
real evil and <i>realistic </i>characters who have to deal with the aftermath. There will be mystery, fun, adventure and love. But there will also be serious, ugly, realistic evil, harm and criminal behavior. This
series will not shy away from addressing any and all of the major issues of our
day in organic and believable ways. The difference is that instead of glorifying sin, this series will clearly maintain the line between right and wrong, good and evil and redemption will be a major theme. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">Imagine a mash-up of <i>Wednesday</i> and <i>Footloose</i>. You’d have a spooky, small-town mystery with lots of adventure. Welcome to Lost Valley where there’s a wicked secret hidden behind their righteous façade. Actually, there are LOTS of secrets… <span style="color: black;">I invite you to come undertake a literary journey with Benny Shepherd and Lucy Wheeler as they go on thrilling adventures and solve chilling mysteries in a sometimes spooky, always spectacular Ozarkian setting while pondering deep spiritual truths.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">Ten years after a catastrophic crash, Benny Shepherd discovers his brother Daniel’s diary, revealing the hidden dark side of their town and launching Benny into a series of autumnal adventures in the beautiful and perilous Ozark highlands. Guided by the secrets disclosed within the diary, Benny teams up with Lucy Wheeler to investigate the past, hoping to secure a future for their outcast families, but when they unearth a secret some worked so hard to keep buried, their very lives are endangered. The resolve of the unlikely sleuths will be tested, forcing them to wrestle with difficult spiritual questions as they retrace their sibling’s footsteps, searching for clues. Friendships are forged and shocking discoveries made as the mystery crescendos toward an ending no one could have foreseen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Thanks for taking the
time to read to the end. Here is a link to the official BOOK TRAILER for THE
DIARY OF DANIEL SHEPHERD, Volume I of THE SHEPHERD CHRONICLES:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/shorts/oj-Mp3uN-dk">BOOK TRAILER: The Diary of Daniel Shepherd</a><br /></span></p>Jerry Schultzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15370640301757556204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1540408315018036204.post-72076831872980318252023-02-24T17:06:00.022-08:002023-06-17T10:15:49.497-07:00Can Women Be Pastors? A Close examination of 1 Timothy 3:1-7<p><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">This week, the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention disfellowshipped 3 churches for having a woman as their Senior Pastor and they kicked out Saddleback Church which recently came under fire for ordaining women as pastors and having a woman in the role of Teaching Pastor. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">As I began to study the Biblical requirements for an overseer of the church found in 1 Timothy 3:1-7, I discovered something shocking. The passage contains 9 Male pronouns which, on the surface, would seem to strongly indicate that this position may only be filled by a man. But when I began to dig deeper, I learned that in the original Greek language, there are NO Male pronouns. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Pronouns matter because the truth matters. I realize that our
nation is embroiled in controversy over pronouns. On the one hand, some people use pronouns
to deceive others about their gender. On the other hand, folks pitch hissy fits over individuals sharing their personal pronouns. Language should be used honestly. It is never ok to intentionally
use misleading, deceptive or made-up pronouns. Nor is it wrong to use pronouns
accurately. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">But, when it comes to the translation of Scripture, this can be an even
more complicated issue.
This is because the languages of the Bible, Hebrew and Greek, do not always include
the same parts of speech or sentence structures that we use in English. Consequently,
pronouns are often added to help the text read more smoothly in English, which
is nice for eloquent Sunday sermons, but</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><b><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">What happens if the translators make a mistake
that changes the meaning of the text or leads the reader to a wrong conclusion?</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Bibles translations are the result of hundreds of scholarly contributors meticulously studying, discussing and debating the best way to translate the text. The result is that we have beautiful and accurate English versions of Holy Scripture which are instructive, helpful and inspiring, but they are not perfect. Only the original Greek and Hebrew Scriptures are without error. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">In 1 Timothy 3:1-7, the qualifications and
requirements to be an overseer of the church are provided. In most
English translations, there are about 9 MALE pronouns that appear in
this passage. But in the original Greek language—the exact words that God Himself
inspired---there are NO exclusively male pronouns. There are only three places where an indefinite
pronoun is used and each time the word <i>tis</i> appears which is best
translated as <i>one </i>or <i>anyone </i>because it is not a gender specific
pronoun<i>. </i>In the passage below, I have highlighted such indefinite
pronouns in PINK. There is one instance where the neutral pronoun <i>autos </i>is
used which can be translated as <i>he, her, they</i> or <i>them.</i> I have
highlighted it in YELLOW. I have highlighted the pronouns in GREEN that do not
appear at all in the Greek text but are new words, added to the word of God, by
translators. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="background: fuchsia; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-highlight: fuchsia;">IP</span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">—Indefinite Pronoun which best translates as <i>ONE </i>or <i>ANYONE<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-highlight: yellow;">NP</span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">—Neutral Pronoun which may be translated as <i>he/her/they/them<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="background: lime; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-highlight: lime;">None</span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">—No Pronoun appears in the Greek Text at all<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><i><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">The saying is trustworthy: If <span style="background: fuchsia; mso-highlight: fuchsia;">anyone</span> aspires to the
office of overseer, <span style="background: lime; mso-highlight: lime;">he</span>
desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband
of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to
teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of
money. <span style="background: fuchsia; mso-highlight: fuchsia;">He</span> must
manage <span style="background: fuchsia; mso-highlight: fuchsia;">his</span> own
household well, with all dignity keeping <span style="background: lime; mso-highlight: lime;">his</span> children submissive, for if someone does not
know how to manage <span style="background: lime; mso-highlight: lime;">his</span>
own household, how will he care for God’s church? <span style="background: lime; mso-highlight: lime;">He</span> must not be a recent convert, or <span style="background: lime; mso-highlight: lime;">he</span> may become puffed up with
conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">he</span> must be well thought
of by outsiders, so that <span style="background: lime; mso-highlight: lime;">he</span>
may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil. (ESV)<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><i><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">A cursory reading of the passage strongly implies that this is a position that can only be held by a man.
In Baptist churches, the office of Pastor is believed to include the role of
Overseer, Elder and Shepherd. (Many denominations consider these three positions to be separate offices) Therefore, these requirements for overseers are viewed
as disqualifying women from being pastors of Baptist churches based on the overwhelming male-centeredness of the English rendering. But here’s the problem: As you can
see, there are NO male pronouns in the original Greek text. Below is an example of a
translation that employs only the appropriate pronouns that God Himself
inspired to be used.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><i><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">This saying is trustworthy: <span style="background: fuchsia; mso-highlight: fuchsia;">Anyone</span> who aspires to
be an overseer, desires an excellent and noble task. Therefore an overseer must
be above reproach, the husband of one wife, calm and of sound mind, organized,
hospitable, able to teach, not a drunk, not a bully but fair, not contentious, not
greedy or covetous; <span style="background: fuchsia; mso-highlight: fuchsia;">one</span>
that watches over <span style="background: fuchsia; mso-highlight: fuchsia;">one’s</span>
household well, keeping the children in cooperation with all dignity (If anyone
does not know how to manage their own household, how will they take care of God’s
church?); not a new convert or they may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">they</span> must be well thought of by outsiders,
so as not to fall into disgrace, into the devil’s trap.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><i><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: High Tower Text, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">I believe that every single word of the Bible (in its original languages) is exactly the word that God intended to be used with precisely the detail and
nuance of meaning he desired. I am not implying malicious or deceptive intent on the part of the translators. I had to leave the "IF" out of the first sentence or it would have required the addition of a pronoun to make sense in English. But I wanted to avoid adding pronouns because this is simply NOT a </span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">gender-oriented</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> passage of Scripture. There is one male word and one female word in, what happens to be, one
of the most difficult verses to translate in the entire Bible. Based on the
interpretations of the early church father’s verse 2 is most commonly rendered
as:</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><i><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><b>the husband of one wife</b></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">In Greek, this reads<i>: aner heis gune. Aner
</i>is the Greek word for both Man and Husband. <i>Heis</i> is the word for One. <i>Gune
</i>is the word for both Woman and Wife. Here are some possible translations of that
phrase:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">man one woman<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">husband one wife<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">the husband of one wife<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">a one-woman man<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">a man or a woman<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">a man and a woman<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">a husband AND wife</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">While I was attending Seminary, we would
sometimes have philosophical discussions around the janitor’s room at the
church where I was employed as we waited to clean up after an event. All of us were
Seminary students and one of the discussions was over this passage. One of the
Doctoral students admitted that no one really knows how to translate these 3 words. We
all rely on what the church founders in the 2<sup>nd</sup> and 3<sup>rd</sup> centuries
taught. But we simply cannot know for sure. Stop and think about that for a moment. Those three words are not translated <i>the husband of one wife </i>simply because linguistic experts truly believe that is the correct interpretation. The phrase is translated that way because no one can be 100% certain and the early church fathers translated it that way so modern scholars continue to do so based on that tradition. Maybe they got it exactly right, but what if they didn't? Is it really worth breaking fellowship over a difficult and disputed passage? Imagine if the time spent arguing, searching and feuding online over this issue had been spent sharing the Gospel.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">What if the intended meaning is to appoint a married couple to watch over each local church? A lot of the early churches met in people's homes. Priscilla and Aquilla hosted a church in their home in Ephesus. There is also a married couple, Andronicus and Junia, who are listed among those church leaders highly esteemed by the apostles in Romans 16. Another couple, Philologus and Julia, are greeted as well. If a husband and wife are one, as Scripture says, then how can one be called to a pastorate and the other not? </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Or what if the phrase is meant to indicate that a church should choose a man OR a woman? God used women such as Huldah and Deborah who are featured as important prophets in the Old Testament. Deborah was a judge. There are gates in Jerusalem named after Huldah which serve as a testimonial to remind us that the people would go out to her as she sat under a tree to receive judgements and wise advice. Several other women are on that esteemed list of early Christian leaders in the New Testament found in Romans 16 including Tryphena, Tryphosa and Persis. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">I, for one, would not dare to pass judgement on a
woman who loves God and faithfully serves him by proclaiming the Gospel and
caring for the church. </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 18.6667px;">I would caution others against rushing to condemn a woman who has dedicated her life to the service of God by watching over His people, especially w</span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">hen the basis for such condemnation comes from a 3-word phrase of uncertain meaning combined
with a disputed definition of the word pastor that some claim disqualifies
her for the position. Now, the Bible <i>does</i> forbid a woman from <i>usurping </i>authority over a man in the church. That means that she can't push him down and use him as a stepstool to elevate her own position. Well, men shouldn't do that to women either. Pastors have been entrusted with the responsibility of introducing people to Jesus, discipling them, equipping them for ministry and then empowering them to use their gifts in the fullest way possible to serve God. As long as a pastor is doing that, it would be hard for a man <i>or </i>woman to run afoul of Scripture. I do not believe that a person's gender (and by gender, I mean biological sex) can disqualify her from performing the ministry God has called her to. It seems like preventing half of Christians from preaching the Gospel and watching over the flock is something Satan might want, not something God would want. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">I would encourage you to ask yourself these questions: </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><b>Is the good news about Jesus being shared? </b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><b>Are people being discipled and ministered to by a caring believer who loves them? </b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Jesus gave the Great Commission to all believers.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The prophet Joel declared:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><i>I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophecy...even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days. (Joel 2:28-29)</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: High Tower Text, serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">Speaking of the equality of our standing and calling before God as his servants and his children, the apostle Paul wrote:</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: High Tower Text, serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><i>There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:28)</i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The list in Romans 16 of those first century church leaders who were held in such high esteem by the apostles contained the names of men, women, married couples and family members. It was not their gender that qualified or disqualified them, it was their faith and life that qualified them.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><b>What we <i>can </i>and <i>should </i>focus on is
the qualities that an overseer should have AND those sinful, disqualifying personal traits that one should be without. </b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><b><u><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">An Overseer <i>SHOULD: <o:p></o:p></i></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><i><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">1. Be Above Reproach<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
word <i>Anapileptos </i>means to be blameless. A pastor should be someone that
no one can bring a charge of wrong-doing against. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">2. Be Calm<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i>Nephaleos
</i>describes a person who is serious minded. A leader should be difficult to
rile up. One should remain calm, cool and collected.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">3. Be of Sound Mind<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><i><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Sophron</span></i><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> is a compound word formed from <i>sozo </i>and <i>phren</i> which translates
literally as a “Saved Mind.” Sozo is the word for salvation in the Bible. An
overseer must be someone who is born again and has experienced the renewing of
their mind, and the redemption of their thinking that comes from
the Holy Spirit. Their mind should be full of Scripture which the Spirit can bring to bear in moments when their thoughts needs protection.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">4. Be Organized<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><i><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Kosmos</span></i><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> is sometimes translated as well-behaved. But this type of structure
involves even more. </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 18.6667px;">I envision this as someone who can see the whole picture. </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">A minister should be an orderly thinker with a governmental mind to plan,
prepare and watch over the ministries of the church. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">5. Be Hospitable <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><i><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Philoxenos</span></i><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> is the word for hospitable. A minister should be welcoming and friendly. This comes from two words. The first is
the word for a host. The second word can describe a representative of the bridegroom
who presents the marriage covenant to the bride and helps to make the wedding
preparations. This is the role of a pastor—to present Christ’s marriage
contract to his bride, the church and to get ready for the arrival of the groom. All Christians, in fact, are called to serve
as God’s representatives and to invite people into a saving relationship with
Him. Imagine if you were Isaac's representative, sent to present him in the best possible way to Rebecca to make a good impression for him by telling her what a good man he is, conveying his promises and his excellence. We know Jesus, the world doesn't. We have the privilege and honor of telling them about him. Ministering a church service should look a lot like hosting a loving
family gathering.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">6. Be an Excellent Teacher<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><i><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Didaktikos</span></i><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> describes a person who is a skillful teacher, well-practiced in the art
of instruction so they will be able to explain the nature of God and salvation,
disciple others and train them to carry out the work of ministry. A teacher's conversation and worldview should be saturated with Scripture.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">7. Be Fair<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i>Epieikes</i>
is contrasted with bullying. An overseer with this quality will be equitable, fair,
mild and gentle.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">8. Have a Good Reputation<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>An
overseer must be well thought of and lead a life that is a good witness to those
outside of the church.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><b><u><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">An Overseer MUST NOT:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">1. Be a Drunk<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><i><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Paroinos </span></i><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">describes someone who is overly fond of alcoholic beverages and tends
to indulge in them. Refraining from alcohol is also implied two of the other descriptors. A leader must be fully of the Holy Spirit and never impaired in their thinking, actions or decision making abilities.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">2. Be a Bully<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><i><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Plektes, </span></i><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">derived from a word similar to plank, comes from the idea of
flattening someone out. This word describes someone who runs over and bulldozes
others both physically or spiritually<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">3. Be Greedy or Covetous<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><i><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Aischrokerdes</span></i><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> is someone who desires money so much they will cross boundaries to
get it, someone who is willing to take advantage of others and use them for
their own personal benefit. <i>Aphilarguros </i>is covetousness which pairs together
with this. A pastor must not be jealous of what others have and this includes power.
A pastor who is consumed with power will not allow church members to use their
own gifts, let alone encourage and empower them as they should. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">4. Be Contentious<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 0.5in;"><i><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Amachos</span></i><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">. Take a moment to look at that word…macho…A pastor must not be quarrelsome,
a brawler or a contentious person. One must abstain from strife, arguing and
fighting. Machisimo, or false bravado, is at odds with the ministerial life. Blustery, angry words and actions are out of line for a pastor. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">5. Be a Recent Convert<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It
would be a mistake to place someone who is new to the faith and unconfirmed in
a position of leadership over others. A novice might become arrogant and full of
themselves, incurring judgement.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: High Tower Text, serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><b><u>Final Thoughts</u></b></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><b><u><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">A further comparison is made between the way an
overseer watches over their own household and the way one watches over the
church. The passage
describes someone who is a protector. A Shepherd must be someone who cares for,
guards and defends their flock in the same way a parent watches over their own family. A pastor must gently usher the congregation into partnership in the same
way that a loving parent brings their children into willing cooperation. An
overseer must be the caretaker of the church. Take care of people.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">The inappropriate addition of NINE male pronouns
to the text of 1 Timothy 3:1-7 has caused people to obsess over the issue of sex to the point
that a person’s gender is often the only qualification even being discussed for
qualifying or disqualifying a person for the pastorate. This unfortunate circumstance
has almost completely stifled <i>any </i>further discussion about the amazingly
detailed description of the qualities and characteristics that a pastor <i>should
</i>have. I hope you will help to shift the debate. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">If you would like more study on this issue, including a close look at 1 Timothy 2:12, click on the link to the previous article from this series below:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><a href="https://thetrustworthyword.blogspot.com/2018/05/can-women-teach-theology-to-men.html">Can Women Teach Theology to Men?</a><br /></p>Jerry Schultzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15370640301757556204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1540408315018036204.post-3274908074342138062022-04-10T16:38:00.002-07:002022-04-10T16:48:45.741-07:00The Last Supper: Passion Week Part 2<p><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">As Jesus returned to Jerusalem, he began making preparations to celebrate the Passover with his friends that Thursday evening. This last supper was to be the culmination of his disciple's training and a time when he would deliver essential teaching about the New Covenant, the Holy Spirit and what the future would hold for them, and for us. The Lord's Supper is meant to be a moment of reflection and
remembrance, an opportunity for fellowship and a time of worship and
thanksgiving. On the evening before Jesus was crucified, He established this memorial meal
with His apostles. Luke 22:14-20 records the dinner: </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
<i><br />
When the hour came, he reclined at the table, and the apostles with him. I have
fervently desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I
tell you, I will not eat it again until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God. </i><br />
<i><br />
</i>When we call the supper Communion, it reminds us of the special
relationship Jesus desires with us. We love a relational God who is personally
invested in our lives and who earnestly desires connection with us.<br />
<br />
The Passover was a feast God ordained for remembering how He delivered the
people of Israel from bondage and slavery in Egypt. They sacrificed a lamb,
placed it's blood as a covering over their door to protect them as a destroying
angel passed them by, or <i>passed over</i> them and then ate a meal
of roasted lamb, bitter herbs and unleavened bread. The next day, they left
Egypt. Jesus is OUR Passover lamb. He was sacrificed for us so that we can be
delivered from bondage and slavery to sin. His blood is our covering and
protection from death. Let's take a moment and reflect on the powerful
symbolism Jesus introduced as He ate the Passover with His friends. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Here are the 2 Elements of the Lord's Supper:<br />
<br />
<b><u>THE BREAD</u></b><br />
<u><br />
</u>At the dinner, Jesus presented His new Supper:<br />
<i><br />
And he took bread, gave thanks, broke it, gave it to them and said This is my
body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me. </i><br />
<i><br />
</i>The bread of the Passover was unleavened, meaning that it did not have any
yeast in it. There is a popular saying in the Bible:<br />
<br />
<i>Don't you know that a little leaven, leavens the whole lump of dough? -1
Corinthians 5:6</i><br />
<i><br />
</i>Paul uses yeast to describe the invasive way that sin spreads. When Jesus
used unleavened bread as a symbol of his body, it teaches us 4 things.<br />
<br />
<u>1. Jesus Lived A Sinless Life</u><br />
The unleavened bread reminds us that Jesus lived a perfect and sinless life and
we will one day be conformed to His image. <br />
<br />
<i>Clean out the old leaven so that you may be a new unleavened batch, as
indeed you are. For Christ, our Passover Lamb has been sacrificed. Therefore,
let us observe the feast, not with old leaven or with the leaven of malice and
evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. (1 Corinthians
5:7-8)</i><br />
<i><br />
</i><u>2. Jesus' Suffering and Death Was Substitutionary</u><br />
His body was given for us. He was the substitute for us, taking the punishment
we deserved for our sins. While it is true that, in accordance with prophecy,
none of Jesus' bones were fractured, just like the bread, His body was broken
for us. He was beat up, beaten with rods, scourged, forced to carry his cross
until his body could take it no more, brutally crucified, then pierced through
with a sword to puncture vital organs and make sure He was dead. <br />
<br />
<i>He was pierced because of our rebellion, crushed because of our iniquities.
The punishment for our peace was on him and by his stripes, we are healed.
(Isaiah 53:5)</i><br />
<i><br />
</i><u>3. Jesus Rose from the Grave</u><br />
Unlike a nice yeasty roll, unleavened bread does not mold. Unleavened Bread is
the bread of haste. It is also much better to take with you on a journey
because it won't go bad. <br />
<i><br />
</i>Psalm 16:10, quoted again in Acts 13:35 declares:<i> </i><br />
<i><br />
For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol. You will not allow your Holy One to
see decay. </i><br />
<i><br />
</i>Because Jesus was sinless and perfect, he did not rot in the grave, but was
raised to life. <br />
<br />
<u>4. Jesus' Spirit Sustains Us</u><br />
Jesus nourishes and refreshes our souls through His Spirit in our lives. In
John 6:35:<br />
<i><br />
Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life, whoever comes to me shall not
hunger and whoever believes in me shall never thirst." </i><br />
<i><br />
</i><b><u>THE CUP</u></b><br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">After breaking the bread, Jesus
presented the second element of his memorial meal, the cup. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In the same way, He also took the cup after supper and said:
"This cup is the New Covenant in my blood, which is poured out for
you." </span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<br />
If you were a young Jewish man in the 1st century and you wanted to gain a
bride, you would go to her home and meet with the young lady and her father.
After carefully making your intentions known and presenting a Covenant, or
marriage agreement, you would pour a glass of wine. If the father approved of
the Proposal, he would drink from the cup. If the prospective bride agreed, she
would drink from the cup. If everyone drank from the cup, then you had an
accord and the couple was betrothed. The bridegroom would then depart to go
prepare a place for them to build their life together saying similar words to
what Jesus said at the last supper as recorded in John 14:3:<br />
<br />
<i>I am going away to prepare a place for you. If I go away and prepare a place
for you, I will come again and take you to myself so that where I am, you may
be also. </i><br />
<i><br />
</i>Sometimes in church we sing: "like a bride waiting for her groom,
we'll be a church waiting for you." This is precisely the metaphor the Bible
uses to describe Jesus’ relationship to his bride, the church. The cup of
communion reminds us of our Covenant with Christ. <br />
<br />
A young man would also leave a gift, a sign or promise of his true intentions
toward the woman. In modern culture, an engagement ring is given. Jesus has
also given us such a gift. In 2 Corinthians 1:22, we are told that God has:<br />
<br />
<i>...placed His seal on us, and put His Spirit in our hearts as a pledge of
what is to come. </i><br />
<i><br />
</i>Other versions call the Spirit our<i> Guarantee</i>. Just like a
bridegroom gave a gift to his future bride as a sign of his true intentions,
Jesus has promised us a future home together in heaven and given us His Spirit
as a token of his promise. <br />
<br />
He compares the fruit of the vine that we drink from the cup to his own blood.
The Bible says:<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<i>For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on
the altar to make atonement for your souls, for it is the blood that makes
atonement by the life. (Leviticus 17:11)</i><br />
<i><br />
</i>When we take the cup, we remember that Jesus spilled his blood for us,
making atonement for our sins and reconciling us to God. With our
drinking, we show that we have accepted his sacrifice and entered into a
covenant with him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Jesus ate a complete Passover meal with his disciples that
evening. There is important symbolism in the other elements as well.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><u><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">BITTER HERBS</span></u></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">At the original Passover meal, they were instructed to eat bitter
herbs. For centuries these herbs have been used as a symbol for the bitterness
of the captivity of the Hebrew people in Egypt under the harsh oppression of
Pharoah. The herbs served as a reminder through the ages that God worked
through Moses to set his people free. By that same line of thinking, we might
stop and remember that we were all once in the bitterness and bondage of
slavery to sin and oppressed by the devil, but Jesus came to destroy the works
of the devil and set us from bondage to sin. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">But I believe there is more to these bitter herbs. The bitter
herbs that were native to the region were known as good medicine, able to
cleanse, purify and detoxify the body. In the same way that the Hebrews were
cleansed from the inside out <i>physically</i>, we need to be purified
from the inside out--<i>spiritually</i>. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Unlike the Passover meal, we do not eat bitter herbs at the Lord's
Supper because Jesus has already endured the bitterness of the cross and
provided all that is necessary for our cleansing and atonement. We need HIM to
clean us up. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">THE LAMB<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We don't sacrifice a lamb, because Jesus is our Passover Lamb and
the last sacrifice ever needed. As John the Baptist said:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Behold the Lamb of God who
takes away the sin of the world.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When we eat the bread and drink the cup, we should remember the
finished work of Christ on the cross and we should also remember that the work
of the Holy Spirit in <i>our</i> lives is ongoing.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When we accept Jesus, repent and are Baptized, we are JUSTIFIED in
God's eyes. We are immediately put into a right standing and a repaired
relationship with God---Forever. When we take the Lord's Supper, we are
reminded that we are still being SANCTIFIED, or made Holy. We are being
transformed to be more like Jesus. We experience Baptism once. We take
communion over and over again. We receive the Holy Spirit once. He changes us
and transforms us throughout our lives so that we look more and more like Jesus<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ.</span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it.</span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The repeated taking of communion reminds us that God isn't
finished with us yet. He's still working by His Spirit in us, throughout our
lives. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Taking the Lord's Supper is a serious and wonderful occasion. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1. It is a MEMORIAL that helps us remember Jesus' sacrifice and
teach others. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2. It is a time of THANKSGIVING as we consider with gratitude what
God has done for us. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">3. It is an opportunity for FELLOWSHIP with other believers. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">4. It is an act of WORSHIP where we connect with God and
experience His Presence. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Jesus and His disciples highlighted the worship aspect by singing
a hymn together at the conclusion of the meal, but truly, the entire supper is
an act of worship.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">At the supper, after Judas left, Jesus delivered a lengthy teaching
emphasizing the importance of the Holy Spirit in our lives as our comforter,
teacher and counselor and His very real Presence with us and within us. (John
14:15-27, 15:1-9, 26, 16:13) We should remember this in our own observance of
communion. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He shared these words to comfort his disciples and for those who
accept his invitation: <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to
you as the world gives. Don't let your heart be troubled or afraid. </span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As He inaugurated the meal, Jesus said that he would not eat it
again until his kingdom had come. There will come a day when the church will be
united with Christ and we will eat a celebratory wedding feast together in
heaven. Until then, we eat this meal to remind us of the joy that awaits us. Revelation
3:20 records Jesus invitation for all to come to his supper:<i> <o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens
the door I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.</span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The invitation has been extended, will you eat supper with Jesus?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Here are links to the other articles in this series:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://thetrustworthyword.blogspot.com/2022/04/palm-sunday-remarkable-beginning-of.html">Palm Sunday: Passion Week Part 1</a><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://thetrustworthyword.blogspot.com/2018/04/psalm-22-song-of-cross.html">Psalm 22: The Song of the Cross (Passion Week Part 3)</a><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://thetrustworthyword.blogspot.com/2020/04/resurrection-sunday-whole-story.html">Resurrection Sunday: The Whole Story (Passion Week Part 4)</a><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>Jerry Schultzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15370640301757556204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1540408315018036204.post-20492118294860505802022-04-07T17:05:00.007-07:002022-04-10T16:51:11.955-07:00Palm Sunday: Passion Week Part 1<p> <span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The
final week of Jesus’ earthly ministry began with a unique entrance and a warm
welcome to Jerusalem on Sunday. In just a few short days, he would be treated
very differently. After our Lord raised Lazarus from the grave, many Jewish
leaders wanted to see both of them dead. They could feel their grip over the
people slipping as they turned their eyes toward Jesus. For this reason, Jesus
and the disciples went East for a while until the time of Passover approached.
On the way back to Jerusalem, he ministered in Jericho. After restoring sight
to two blind men and enjoying a meal in the home of a short tax collector named
Zacchaeus, Jesus and his disciples continued traveling toward Jerusalem but first
they returned to Bethany, where they stayed with their friends Mary, Martha and
Lazarus.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">The
following events are recorded in Matthew 21:1-17, Luke 19:29-44, John 12:12-19
and Mark 11:1-11, which I have quoted below:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">1. Jesus Stayed Among Friends<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">When they approached Jerusalem, at
Bethphage and Bethany near the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples
and told them, “Go into the village ahead of you. As soon as you enter it, you
will find a young donkey tied there on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and
bring it here. If anyone says to you, “Why are you doing this?” say “the Lord
needs it and will send it back here right away.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Bethany,
which means house of dates, is a village located along the road between Jericho
and Jerusalem, about two miles outside of the city. Bethphage, meaning house of
unripe figs, is a little over a mile south of Bethany. This is where Jesus and
the disciples slept each night during the last week of his life. He would
minister and teach in Jerusalem during the day and then seek refuge and rest among
friends in the evening. Jesus is also called <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Emmanuel</i> which means God with Us. Our Lord chose to spend time with
people who loved him and to value those relationships during the last week of
his earthly life. Our Creator is a relational God. We were created for a
purpose which was deep fellowship and a loving relationship with Him. Jesus
would soon redeem that purpose, restoring our relationship, and the manner in
which he chose to spend the week of the Passion reminds us of the essence of
that mission. I have to think that spending time with those he loved so much
and those who had been his close companions helped him remember what all this
was for and gave him strength to endure the trial that awaited him. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">2. Jesus Used An Anticipated Means of
Travel<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Upon
their arrival at Bethany, Jesus sent two disciples over to Bethphage to
retrieve a donkey and bring it to him. Jesus had the men promise to return the
colt when he was finished with it. Matthew’s Gospel adds that the colt was with
its mother and they delivered both back to Jesus. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">So they went and found a colt outside
in the street, tied by a door. They untied it and some of those standing there
said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt? They answered them just as
Jesus had said: so they let them go. They brought the donkey to Jesus and threw
their robes on it and He sat on it. <o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Having
displayed his power over death by raising Lazarus from the grave, and his power
over creation by giving sight to the blind, Jesus now displayed his
omniscience, giving specific instructions about the future. Matthew adds an
important explanation as to why this is so important:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">This took place so that what was
spoken through the prophet might be fulfilled: Tell Daughter Zion, See your
King is coming to you, gentle and mounted on a donkey, even on a colt, the foal
of a beast of burden. <o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Some
of these words are recorded in Isaiah 62:11 and then again in more detail in
Zechariah 9:9<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout
in triumph, Daughter Jerusalem! Look, your King is coming to you, he is righteous
and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Many
Jews expected a worldly deliverance from subjugation to Roman rule, but Jesus
had a much more important mission. He came to liberate us from the grip of
Satan. He came to redeem us from the dominion of darkness. He came to free us
from bondage and slavery to sin. Jesus prepared to enter Jerusalem that day,
not on a large, fully grown, well-trained and intimidating battle horse, but on
a young donkey. He did not come that day to conquer the physical city of Jerusalem
through force. He entered humbly, to bring us forgiveness. If an ancient King
was on a mission of peace, he would not ride a war horse, but rather a donkey.
King Jesus was on a mission of peace that day. He came to inaugurate a Kingdom
that is not of this world. Luke informs us that as Jesus approached the city he
wept, if only they knew what would bring them peace.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">3. Jesus Hears the People Cry For
Salvation<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Many people spread their clothes on
the road, and others spread leafy branches cut from the trees. Those who went
ahead and those who followed shouted: <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Hosanna!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! </b>Blessed is the coming
kingdom of our father David! <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Hosanna </b>in
the highest heaven! <o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">John
clarifies that the leafy branches were Palm fronds. This is why we celebrate Jesus’
triumphal entry on Palm Sunday one week before Resurrection Sunday. Some
speculate as to who was in the crowd and why they were there. John also answers
these questions. The people who gathered to greet Jesus were those who had come
to Jerusalem for the Passover Festival. When they heard that Jesus was coming,
the came out specifically for the purpose of greeting Him. They recognized that
he was their Messiah and that he was bringing David’s Kingdom, though they didn’t
realize it was a spiritual Kingdom. Luke notes that they shouted loudly and
joyfully. The word Hosanna is a cry, asking God for salvation. Some translate
it as save us, or save now. It’s like crying out to God Please save us. They
were basically quoting from Psalm 118: 25-26 in which Hosanna is translated
this way:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Save us, we pray, O LORD! <o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">O LORD, we pray, give us success!<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Blessed is he who comes in the name
of the LORD!<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">The
word Hosanna cries out for atonement. It wouldn’t be long before Jesus would
provide such propitiation. Jesus had indeed come to save. It was his mission.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Matthew
continues the story with more detail. On that day, or perhaps the next: <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> <b>4. Jesus Responds to the Cries of the People</b></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><i>When he entered Jerusalem, the whole
city was shaken, saying “Who is this?” And the crowds kept saying, “This is the
prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee!” Jesus went into the temple and threw out all those buying and selling. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves. he said to them, "It is written, my house will be called a house of prayer, but your are making it a den of thieves." </i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><i>The blind and the lame came to Him in
the temple complex, and He healed them. </i><i>When the chief priests and the scribes
saw the wonders that He did and the children in the temple complex cheering “Hosanna
to the Son of David!” they were indignant and said to Him, “Do You hear what
these children are saying?” “Yes,” Jesus told them. “Have you never read: </i><b style="font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">You have prepared praise from the mouths of
children and nursing infants?” </b><i>Then he left them, went out of the city to
Bethany, and spent the night there.<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Herod, along with corrupt religious leaders, had basically monetized religion. They were living high on the 'something other than' hog at the expense of the poor. They had placed themselves in between the people and God, creating barriers to worship by adding to God's word and by profiting from selling the things people needed to make sacrifices to atone for their sin. Jesus came to tear the system down and replace it. He would be the last sacrifice ever needed to atone for sin. They were all obsolete. He would provide what the people needed for their spiritual lives at great cost to himself and at no cost to us. He started by literally removing them from his house. Then he went about the business of his kingdom.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Faith
was great on this day and Jesus healed many people. The religious leaders were
displeased that the children were praising the Lord. Jesus quoted to them from
Psalm 8:2<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #001320; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">From the mouths of infants and nursing babies, you have
established a stronghold on account of your adversaries in order to silence the
enemy and the avenger.</span><o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #001320; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: #001320; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">There is power in
praise and while people cried out for salvation and the children praised Jesus,
the religious leaders were powerless to act. There is a special purity in the
prayers and worship of young children. Jesus had previously said to let the
little children come to him, that we must receive him the way a child would,
that their angels always see the Father’s face and that the kingdom of heaven
belongs to such as them. God ordained that their praise would create a
stronghold. A stronghold is a place of safety, protection and strength. Ancient
Kings would build mighty fortress castles to protect themselves. That day,
through the praise of precious children, a spiritual stronghold was constructed
to give us a foretaste of what the Kingdom of God is like. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: #001320; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: #001320; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">That day people received miraculous physical healing. Soon, they would be able to receive miraculous spiritual healing as well. When we praise God,
we enter into His stronghold. When we cry out to Him, asking for salvation, He
encloses us and keeps us safely within his love. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: #001320; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Conclusion<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">What
is so remarkable is that the religious leaders saw Jesus performing these
miracles, and yet they still wanted to kill him. They saw the proof that he was the Messiah
but they either did not believe, or they did not want to relinquish power. Perhaps it was a little bit of both. Within a few days, they would seize
their opportunity to end his life...or so they thought.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Many
prophecies were fulfilled those days in Jerusalem. The secret was out. Jesus
was the Messiah. Some rejoiced over this. Some doubted. Others resisted, as they still do
today. The crowds cried out to him for salvation. Within a few days they would see
that salvation, but it would come in a much different manner than what they
expected. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: #001320; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Just as the people
cried out to Jesus for salvation, the Bible assures us that all who call upon the
name of the Lord will be saved. When we cry out to God for salvation, we are rescued,
forgiven of our sins, redeemed, made new and restored into a right relationship
with Him. Have you cried out to Him?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: #001320; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: #001320; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibvIbsbOujcyUmKK-8MCN6OWFTYGx1Qg_2hSOE4fQbwLkgccP269kLN1-3Cc6euRYzLkjQdg7p6m-kgAtJQKhtsPgvKND0gB3ZDhDoN9_lrNTtAk0iBlWQCIyLnkhRpw0bx4IK4IGHkTLWFrO7q4pqzPbSquzcfz2Wu3v_sBHcFOHpQ69lZOT15kl3/s1920/Zechariah%2099%20%5Bwidescreen%5D.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibvIbsbOujcyUmKK-8MCN6OWFTYGx1Qg_2hSOE4fQbwLkgccP269kLN1-3Cc6euRYzLkjQdg7p6m-kgAtJQKhtsPgvKND0gB3ZDhDoN9_lrNTtAk0iBlWQCIyLnkhRpw0bx4IK4IGHkTLWFrO7q4pqzPbSquzcfz2Wu3v_sBHcFOHpQ69lZOT15kl3/s320/Zechariah%2099%20%5Bwidescreen%5D.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Here is a links to the other articles in this Passion Week Series:</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://thetrustworthyword.blogspot.com/2022/04/the-last-supper-passion-week-part-2.html">The Last Supper: Passion Week Part 2</a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://thetrustworthyword.blogspot.com/2018/04/psalm-22-song-of-cross.html">Psalm 22: The Song of the Cross (Passion Week Part 3)</a><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://thetrustworthyword.blogspot.com/2020/04/resurrection-sunday-whole-story.html">Resurrection Sunday: The Whole Story (Passion Week Part 4)</a><br /></p>Jerry Schultzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15370640301757556204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1540408315018036204.post-52884891304971975352022-03-24T19:16:00.256-07:002023-11-26T19:21:30.100-08:00Pro-Life Pastors Splattered By Manure Spreading Abolitionists<div style="text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The flingers of cow patties are at it once again on
Baptist social media as state Baptist conventions hold their annual meetings. I, for one, am tired of their bull...hockey.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">My grandparents used to own an antique manure
spreader. They would fill it up when they shoveled out the barn and then Papa
would drive around the pasture churning the dried cow
patties and flinging little chunks in every direction to fertilize the ground. If
you got too close, you'd get splattered...and if someone plopped a green one
in there, you better run for the hills. It appears that the usual poop spreaders
among Southern Baptists have once again begun slinging steaming piles of manure—and
by manure, I mean misrepresentations, deception, disgusting power plays, politically
motivated attacks and outright lies.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: High Tower Text, serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">[This post has been updated to reflect recent online smear tactics]</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">In the summer of 2021, I witnessed the
most devious political trick I have seen in all my life. A resolution was put
forward at the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting that was originally
worded in such a way as to Oppose <b><u>ALL</u></b> INCREMENTAL METHODS of
preventing abortion, such as heartbeat bills, bans on partial birth abortion
and placing ultrasound machines in pregnancy centers to persuade expectant
mothers to choose life for their child. To any tried and true Baptist, this seemed
like absolute madness. We are staunchly Pro-Life. But there is a wicked twist
to this story. You see, they garnered support for this nefarious measure by calling
it an Abortion Abolition resolution. You read that correctly. Yet, as presented, it
opposed all of the above listed methods of preventing abortion. Strange. To those
of us sitting in the Baptist pews, this seemed like lunacy, completely
irrational. But there was an ulterior motive at play. A game was afoot because,
apparently, some people think that preventing abortion is a game to be played
for political capital and power, as opposed to a moral crisis to be solved, a
literal matter of life and death.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">This foolish resolution was even
worded in such a way that it was understood to oppose the removal of dangerous,
un-survivable ectopic pregnancies where the baby cannot grow and live and the mother is likely to die (which neither the Pro-Life movement, nor
Texas law consider to even <i>be </i>an abortion—and we will examine
what the Bible says presently). </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Political factions such as Founders
Ministries and the so-called Conservative Baptist
Network have been consistently attacking the people who spoke up against
this problematic and unwise resolution since that time. Many of the wisest,
most thoughtful, theologically conservative, adamantly pro-life, actively
opposed to abortion leaders in the SBC courageously voiced their concerns the
evening before the resolution was voted on, but these deceptive political
factions immediately began dishonestly attempting to frame such individuals as
pro-abortion and they have not relented these past two and a half years. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The following year after the resolution proposal, in the spring of 2022,
in a pre-convention, campaign style announcement, Tom Ascol, who became a
leading candidate for President of the Southern Baptist Convention, made the
following statement, deliberately misrepresenting and defaming my brothers and
sisters in Christ: </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">By God's grace, in that Nashville
meeting, the convention overruled the Resolutions Committee and insisted on
hearing and ultimately adopted the strongest prolife, anti-abortion resolution
in the history of the SBC. But its adoption came only after various Southern
Baptist ethicists spoke against it. Later, a group of Southern Baptist
theologians and ethicists wrote a lengthy statement arguing against the
resolution's call for the abolition of abortion.</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Mr. Ascol's statement omits a key piece of information (that some of the language was changed in response to these courageous theologians and ethicists) making it sound
as if a large group of Baptists are somehow in favor of abortion. His statement
was presented in a context that makes himself out to be a pro-life hero and to
imply that others are pro-abortion villains, when in fact, it was the
resolution he supported that would have served as the greater hinderance to preventing
babies from being murdered in the womb. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">This tactic was a pre-meditated
political intrigue initiated by Mr. Ascol's brother Bill, who introduced the above-mentioned
resolution with the backing of Founder's Ministries, of which Tom Ascol is the
President. As it was presented to the messengers, his resolution
condemned <i>ALL</i> "<b>INCREMENTAL</b>" methods of
regulating or preventing abortion, demanding either total abolition or nothing
at all. Below is an explanation of how this would have played out if passed
with its original wording.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Ascol resolution originally
OPPOSED legislation such as the Texas Heartbeat Bill which bans all abortions
after an infant's heartbeat can be detected in the womb. That bill had
virtually ended the practice of abortion in Texas even before the overturning
of Roe v. Wade. Yet, Tom Ascol and the churches who belong to Founder's
Ministries would have convinced the messengers of the Southern Baptist
Convention to put out a statement opposing such measures before either
happened.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Even the overturning of Roe vs. Wade,
the landmark Supreme Court case that overruled states, forcing them to allow
abortions, is considered to be an <i>incremental </i>step in ending the
insidious evil of abortion, but the proposed Ascol resolution would have opposed
ALL such incremental measures. (The resolution literally opposed the
overturning of Roe v. Wade because it only turned the matter back over to the states
and did not fully ban the practice). He painted those who spoke against the
resolution as pro-abortion liberals, but in fact, their position has saved
countless lives in just the past few years while his has saved none. They are the pro-life heroes.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">After hearing the concerns of the
brave Baptists who spoke up (the ones who were maligned in the statement by Mr. Ascol) a more reasonable pro-lifer proposed a last-minute
word change to the amendment altering the language from opposing "<i>ALL</i> Incremental,"
measures to opposing "<i>ONLY I</i>ncremental," measures which
somewhat lessened the disastrous consequences this resolution could have
had. But the folks in the Founder’s Ministries camp opposed even that
language adjustment. As you read above, Tom Ascol railed against
those whose courageous voices prompted the alteration. It seems clear to me
that the original wording of the resolution revealed his and his associates at Founder's Ministries true beliefs. Since they chose to vilify those whose words of wisdom led to the change, we can safely infer that they STILL oppose these important incremental measures and if they are placed in positions of influence, we can expect them to continue pushing the anti-incrementalist agenda which would be disastrous.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">For example, the Southern Baptist
Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, whom they vehemently oppose, purchases
ultrasound machines and supplies them to pregnancy centers. Pregnant
mothers-to-be in crisis are shown ultrasound images of their living baby. This <i>incremental </i>method
has proven to persuade many mothers to choose life for their pre-born child and
is a powerful tool in the pro-life crusade as they find Baptist pregnancy centers stocked with diapers, formula, baby food, clothes, and car seats, eager to meet their needs. Had the bold Baptist ethicists that
they have maligned not quickly spoken up, the Ascol resolution could have
been perceived as the Southern Baptist messenger body opposing and condemning
such measures and forced the ERLC to stop buying ultrasound machines, hindering the work of these pro-life, anti-abortion pregnancy centers.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">There is another linguistic issue as
well. Pro-life advocates use the terminology that life begins at <i>conception. </i>The
Ascol resolution stated that life begins at <i>fertilization. </i>Here
is why that matters: Life begins when a fertilized egg attaches to the uterine
wall and a woman conceives. That is the moment of conception and the moment
that a viable pregnancy begins. Another word for the uterus is the womb. Psalm
139:13 teaches:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">For you formed my inmost parts. You
knit me together in my mother's womb.</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The prophet Jeremiah recognized that
it was in the womb that God formed him. (Jeremiah 1:5) Paul knew that God had
set him apart since he was in his mother's womb. (Galatians 1:15) The writer of
Ecclesiastes 1:15 recognized that bones develop in a mother's womb. And John
the Baptist was filled with the Holy Spirit while in the womb and even leapt
for joy inside his mother’s womb when in the presence of Jesus, who was in Mary’s
womb. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Bible consistently recognizes the
uterus/womb as the place where a woman conceives a child. It is only in a
Mother's womb that a baby can grow. In rare instances, an egg will attach
itself to the inside of the fallopian tube or somewhere else. These are called
ectopic, or tubal pregnancies. The medical, scientific, legal and pro-life
communities recognize that such pregnancies are not viable. The embryo cannot grow and continue to live outside of the womb. Scripturally speaking, the woman in such a situation
has not conceived a child because the fertilized egg is not in her womb. If the
unviable embryo is not removed, the mother's fallopian tube could rupture,
causing her to bleed to death. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Even the most committed Christian,
pro-life activists in the world, such as Lila Rose of Live Action, do not
consider the removal of a tubal pregnancy to be an abortion. She spoke out on
Twitter against an ignorant measure proposed in Missouri that would have
prevented such pro-life, life-saving procedures. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The problematic wording of the
resolution which lacked nuance and did not address the issue of ectopic
pregnancies, but called for total abolition and strongly opposes all
exceptions, was perceived as being designed to prevent such a removal. At no
point have I ever witnessed a member of Founder’s Ministries or the Conservative Baptist Network correcting that
perception, so I must assume they meant it that way. When you see them call for "total" abolition, it is safe to assume that they oppose the removal of non-viable ectopic pregnancies and would sooner see the mother die than receive life-saving medical care. I sincerely hope that SOMEONE from their camp will finally find the courage to address this issue. For goodness sake. And if you have and I have missed it, Please be sure to post a link or screenshot of proof. I will rejoice to see it.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">In Texas, we have witnessed
unscrupulous and criminally culpable doctors who have refused to perform the
life-saving care of removing an ectopic pregnancy based on this same type of
misunderstanding, so it is vital that the messenger body of the Southern
Baptist Convention communicate clearly on such matters. Ambiguous communication
about life and death matters is not a pro-life position at all. It is unwise
and MISrepresents Southern Baptists as uneducated, ignorant and foolish people
who would endanger the life of a mother over an unviable, unconceived, ectopic
pregnancy.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">All Christians oppose the killing of
pre-born children in the womb. If you favor abortion, you are not a
follower of Jesus. We are all supposed to be on the same side here. Removing an
unconceived, non-viable embryo outside of the womb to save the mother's life is
not murder--though certain medical personnel might refer to it as an
"abortive measure"--this terminology is unhelpful and confusing
on <i>their </i>part. We should not consider such a procedure to be
an abortion. Legally it is NOT considered an abortion in any state. Ethically it is immoral
and reprehensible to call it an abortion as we have seen many liberal, secular, pro-abortion
activists doing. It would be sinful, dishonest and outrageous to tell a woman
who had an ectopic pregnancy removed that she committed an abortion.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Their graceless resolution <i>also</i> called
for harsh criminal punishment for women who have abortions, while
opposing <i>other </i>incremental measures to prevent them from
having abortions in the first place and hindering the pregnancy centers that are trying to help them. That is nonsensical. It is either:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">A) Completely and Totally Irrational
or <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">B) A calculated and deliberately
deceitful political power play.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">It is ridiculous that folks in that
camp and those who agree with their position, are now publicly shaming, baiting
and attacking SBC President Bart Barber and others for not supporting such punitive
measures because they claim they are legal <i>deterrents </i>to
abortion, when their own resolution <i>opposed </i>multiple other
forms of deterrence and education that would prevent abortions. What a steaming green pile of rancid manure.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">While many individuals have piled on to these attacks begun by Tom Ascol and Founder's Ministries, there are two who have been the most aggressive of late and seem to receive the most attention. In 2022, I first witnessed Megan
Basham, a reporter for the Daily Wire and SBC church member, unleash multiple
posts against Bart Barber over this issue. Now, in 2023, not only has her fixation
grown more concerning, but another influencer, whose online behavior is deeply
troubling to me, William Wolfe, who refers to himself as a former Senior Trump administration official, has himself lauched a series of attacks against this humble pastor. I can only assume, given their hawk-eyed observance of Baptist figures, their aggressive entry into this debate, their proclivity for weighing in on
Baptist issues and their eagerness to lend their considerable platforms to this
conversation, that they are fully aware and supportive of the above-mentioned
resolution and the debate over its original wording and if not, I invite them
to publicly denounce it if they feel the need to do so. This time around, they
are relentlessly attacking Mr. Barber for supporting a conservative political
candidate that is pro-life, but does not ascribe to their so-called
"abolitionist" agenda to imprison post-abortive mothers.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">I wonder if they realize that even Abby
Johnson, one of the most outspoken and effective pro-life Christian women in
the world, would be in jail if the laws they are proposing had been in place
when she had abortions? She is a living picture of what happens when a mind is
renewed and no longer conforms to the world because of the Holy Spirit's
changing work in the lives of believers. We cannot rely on the government to accomplish what only the Holy Spirit is capable of, changing hearts.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Christians ought to be about our
Father's business. The appropriate action for Christians is to make every
effort to prevent abortion and to love, serve, provide for and minister to
expectant mothers. It is our calling to offer hope, help, support and love to
mothers in crisis and to bring them to Jesus. It is also our responsibility to
be ministers of grace as we share the Gospel and the good news of repentance,
forgiveness and redemption through Jesus to post-abortive mothers. You are not their judge, so stop trying to be. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">We live in a world that has fed women
full of lies since their sex education classes in school. I once had a student
come into my classroom declaring that she would NEVER have a baby after being made
to wear a pregnancy simulation belly in child development class. From a very
young age, school children are indoctrinated to believe that getting pregnant
is the worst “consequence,” that could possibly come from having sex---as
opposed to being taught about God’s good design for marriage and family. They
have been manipulated, pressured, lied to, and otherwise deceived about the
nature of what an abortion is since they were minors. </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 18.6667px;">And they have grown up in a culture where abortion is celebrated and a country where it is legal.</span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 18.6667px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">They have been
brainwashed. We
should make it our business to educate, not incarcerate. Planned Parenthood (Moloch Incorporated) is lying to women, taking advantage of them, deceiving them, pressuring them, enticing them into having abortions and championing its cause and all for money and power. Let's not be like them.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">I believe that the onslaught of
deceptive statements over the difference between the pro-life movement and the
so-called abolitionists issued over the past few years have been deliberately
designed to malign good people who spoke out in wisdom. Those mentioned above, along with many others associated with Founder's Ministries and the Conservative Baptist Network, are slandering
godly, theologically conservative Baptists, painting them to look like apostatizing
liberals, vilifying them in order to manufacture a crisis, then presenting themselves and
their preferred candidates for SBC leadership as the solution. They are
deliberately misleading Baptist church members and potential convention messengers. These sinful and dishonest
tactics have been used to create and perpetuate the misperception that many
theologians and ethicists in the SBC support abortion. Nothing could be
further from the truth. I believe that Mr. Ascol, Mr. Wolfe, Mrs. Basham, Founder's Ministries, The Conservative Baptist Network and many others have violated the 9th Commandment
which admonishes us: </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">You shall not bear false witness
against your neighbor. </span></i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Sadly,
over the past few years, I have observed that this type of falsehood is par for
the course from these groups on this issue, and others, as they attempt to gaslight their congregants and social media followers in order to discredit, defame and
undermine Christian brothers and sisters through a steady disinformation
campaign of half-truths, deliberate deceptions and politically charged social
media posts--all for clicks, attention and power. And I call for it to stop,
Now.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">BUT, as Paul Harvey used to say, HERE
IS THE REST OF THE STORY:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">At that 2021 meeting, Southern
Baptists had ALREADY passed a strong Resolution on the subject of Abortion
BEFORE the so-called abolitionist resolution was put forward. Tom Ascol and members of Founder’s
Ministries baited people into responding and then attacked them for
doing so—not the first time they have employed this particular tactic. They
have outrageously misrepresented ministers, deliberately causing damage to
their ministries and the mission to which they have been called in order to draw attention to themselves.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The first Resolution, which the
committee DID present to the messengers, and which was passed prior to the Founder's
shenanigan, is wise, pro-life and Biblical. It is a strong statement, yet full
of grace and redemption toward post abortive mothers. It shows the true heart
of the people they have tried to defame and more appropriately and accurately
reflects the perspective of Southern Baptists as a whole. Here is a summary of
that Resolution:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3;"><b><span style="color: #302f32; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">On Taxpayer Complicity in Abortion and the Hyde Amendment<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b><span style="color: #302f32; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">This resolution states
that the messengers:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #302f32; line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><b><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Condemn any effort to repeal the Hyde Amendment as
morally abhorrent, a violation of Biblical ethics, contrary to the natural
law, and a moral stain on our nation;<o:p></o:p></span></b></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #302f32; line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><b><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Call on Congress and the President to uphold the
Hyde Amendment and all pro-life Amendments, to protect life, and to
prevent taxpayers from being complicit in the moral evil of
abortion; <o:p></o:p></span></b></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #302f32; line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><b><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Call on Southern Baptists to work through ALL available
cultural and legislative means to end the moral scourge of abortion as we
also seek to love, care for, and minister to women who are victimized by
the unjust abortion industry.<o:p></o:p></span></b></li>
</ul><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Notice the pro-life call to use ALL
means to end abortion (including incremental and legislative means). Notice the
compassionate tone toward vulnerable women. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> While I would like to think that these deceptively named abortion "abolitionists," are acting out of a good conscience and a fire burning within their bellies to protect pre-born children in the womb, their opposition to so many successful methods of saving lives and their continued demonization of those who defend such methods, indicates to me that they have other motives.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">One of the most common ways that people grow their follower count, increase their online interactions and garner influence is to use clickbait statements to bully others into responding
to them by purposefully misconstruing their positions, selectively withholding information, telling half-truths
that are intentionally misleading, or just outright slandering them. I have witnessed these techniques being used with such frequency by the so-called "abolitionist" camp that it cannot be construed as anything other than deliberate. This is shameful. This is sinful. All of these methods are a form of lying. Satan is the father of ALL lies. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">If you are truly
Christians, then start acting more like God's children than Satan’s and stop demonstrating such hatred toward your brothers
and sisters, but rather show love. I oppose your worldly tactics, ulterior motives, and deception. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks. Is your heart filled with the Holy Spirit, or are you full of something else...? Is your goal on social media to share the good news of Jesus Christ, or something else? To those of you who have publicly dishonored my brothers and sisters, I now publicly call upon you to repent of your sin of bearing false witness. The world is watching. Shut down the
manure spreader. <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ6BtbajQGbn_Zsg1xmTyTv2nnI1F6Nr5pbpU5gB3V4TE1WK8n4sy6XE7gTs6OqDGKK2WUhk7u4PA9KluaoxAPB0x3r-bDNkO4OSsOVDF8L8yz7XTs-mQGi-vi6mrFIxM0UBryPNHkxupbGsKX5c0b9gwfxWDssAsgrizMaJ20D4GPzzL-cjN7Da40/s1664/manure%20spreader.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="936" data-original-width="1664" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ6BtbajQGbn_Zsg1xmTyTv2nnI1F6Nr5pbpU5gB3V4TE1WK8n4sy6XE7gTs6OqDGKK2WUhk7u4PA9KluaoxAPB0x3r-bDNkO4OSsOVDF8L8yz7XTs-mQGi-vi6mrFIxM0UBryPNHkxupbGsKX5c0b9gwfxWDssAsgrizMaJ20D4GPzzL-cjN7Da40/s320/manure%20spreader.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div>Jerry Schultzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15370640301757556204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1540408315018036204.post-38640886988861187762022-02-28T18:54:00.005-08:002022-03-01T18:21:42.785-08:00Peter's Journey Toward Racial Reconciliation<p><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Sunday was Racial Reconciliation Sunday in the churches of the Southern Baptist
Convention. I have seen both individuals and a faction of churches within the
SBC that have stood up bold-faced on social media to claim that there is NO racism
in the SBC, which has over 16 million members. This level of denial and gaslighting is untrue,
unhealthy and unwise. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> Race Relations Sunday, as it was originally called, was begun to counter the blatant racism present in America and it's churches in the 1960's. Here is a statement from the Baptist Press printed in 1965 that sheds light on the issue. </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhsIjyq9BGaXItHksfSZzey1aBWguNbNjH0z_FzICta2yg9I9L4F4DoawOLHPo6k5TfboBZ8B2orJGwT3zKMMrzpP5bapfUs0oW5VcYoaE2tVHlEbeo-DEQBMeLO1N0tdUB9zRhXdVXt-fKEtKF3F68oupIo-ONeZhd8F3ziWu0iaNbDho2glA4W56Y=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="813" data-original-width="2048" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhsIjyq9BGaXItHksfSZzey1aBWguNbNjH0z_FzICta2yg9I9L4F4DoawOLHPo6k5TfboBZ8B2orJGwT3zKMMrzpP5bapfUs0oW5VcYoaE2tVHlEbeo-DEQBMeLO1N0tdUB9zRhXdVXt-fKEtKF3F68oupIo-ONeZhd8F3ziWu0iaNbDho2glA4W56Y=w491-h230" width="491" /></a></div><br /><o:p><br /></o:p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p>When this special and necessary day was instituted there was sinful partiality and exclusion occurring that should not exist between brothers and sisters in Christ. Such sinful attitudes and behaviors have gone on for a long time. The SBC has made some strong statements and taken some positive steps forward, and while some overtly racist churches have been rightly expelled from the organization, there are still a few churches and plenty of individuals in the darkened corners of our family of churches that attempt to hold on to such sinful, racist and disgusting ideals. This is an age-old problem and the Bible is not at all silent on the issue.</o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p>To indicate that no racism exists within 16 MILLION people is ludicrous and denies the reality of human sinfulness and the necessity of sanctification. When we are saved, we are justified and put into a right standing with God. But we also embark on a journey of sanctification where we are meant to become more and more like Jesus. Part of that pilgrimmage is learning how to love our new brothers and sisters in Christ, and sometimes that seems like the part people struggle with the most, especially on social media. </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 18.6667px;">Even Peter, one of THE Twelve who Jesus chose, one of the Big Three disciples that Jesus spent the most time with, the apostle himself had to be taken on a voyage of discovery and acceptance to reconcile him with people who were not of Jewish descent. Come with me on a brief exploration through Scripture to look at how Peter grew, and how he had to be corrected.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 18.6667px;"><b>1. Peter Misses the Point</b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">As children, we frequently studied the feeding of the 5,000. It was almost a yearly favorite. But we almost never discussed the feeding of the 4,000, which happened on the <i>other </i>side of the Sea of Galilee. Mark 8 records the miracle that occurred when Jesus fed 4,000 men plus their families from just 7 loaves of bread and a few small fish. This miracle occurred in the region of the Decapolis, on the
Gentile side of the Sea of Galilee, where a crowd had gathered which included both Jews and
Gentiles. </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 18.6667px;">Jews did not eat with Gentiles because they considered them to be unclean, but on this occasion </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 18.6667px;">Jesus sat the crowd </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">down to eat a meal together which was a sign of acceptance, fellowship, equality and a foretaste of things to come. The symbolism was powerful, but not
everyone got the point. Peter, for example, was present, but he would need further schooling before he understood the lesson. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> <b>2. God Gets Peter's Attention</b></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Peter had been raised an environment of prejudice toward outsiders such as Gentiles, a word which refers to anyone not of Jewish descent. God's law required His people to accept foreigners who chose to live among them as if they were native born Hebrews, which of course included following God's laws. Leviticus 19:34 declared:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span style="background: white; color: #001320; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">You must regard the foreigner who lives with you as the
native-born among you. You are to love him as yourself, for you were foreigners
in the land of Egypt; I am Yahweh your God.</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> It seems this provision had long been forgotten or neglected by the time the first century arrived as prejudice was common. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Acts chapter 10 records the famous vision Peter received from God of a large sheet full of
every type of animal being lowered from heaven. God said to him <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Arise Peter, kill and eat. </i>Peter
protested because there were animals on the sheet which were forbidden and
considered unclean under the Old Covenant. He did not fully understand that Jesus' work on the cross had changed things. He was under a New Covenant now. The Lord told
him: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">What God has made clean, do not call
impure. </i>Most people stop right there, celebrate the privilege of eating
Bacon and don’t read any further. But that was not the primary lesson Peter was
meant to learn. </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">He was sent to eat together and share the Gospel with a group of
Gentiles gathered in the home of a Roman centurion named Cornelius. The lesson God had prepared for Peter to learn was this:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Now I truly understand that God
doesn’t show favoritism, but in every nation the person who fears him and does
what is right is acceptable to him.</span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Peter
proceeded to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ to them and they were
saved, receiving the Holy Spirit the same way the Jewish believers had. He was criticized by Jews for meeting and
eating with Gentiles and so he shared with them his account of events, explaining what had
occurred until they too understood:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">And they glorified God, saying, “So
then, God has given repentance resulting in life even to the Gentiles.”</span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">This
reconciliation is a major theme running through the New Testament. Jesus has
not only reconciled those of us who believe with God, but he also wants us to
be reconciled with our brothers and sisters in Christ. This requires effort
on our part, it doesn’t just happen as Peter demonstrates... </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>3. Peter Backslides in His Behavior</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Galatians 2 recounts a time when even after the events of Acts 10, Peter gave into pressure from Jewish leaders and stopped eating together with Gentiles. Paul had to confront him publicly to his face over his sin of partiality. Peter preferred to eat with men who shared his <i>physical </i>lineage over his <i>spiritual</i> brothers in Christ. He showed partiality to one ethnic group based on bloodlines instead of on the blood of Christ. Others followed Peter's example and began shunning the Gentiles as well, creating a serious racial rift in the church. Their actions bore false witness by denying the spiritual reality that all believers have been made family through Jesus. While I love my earthly family, the spiritual reality is that I have more in common with a born again baptized believer and they are more my brother or sister than any unbeliever, even if their last name is Schultz. Matthew 12 and Mark 3:21,33 record that when Jesus' own mother and brothers heard a crowd was gathered around him, pressing into a house so that they couldn't even eat, they thought he was overwhelmed and came to remove him from the house, but when Jesu was told that they were standing outside waiting for him, he looked at those listening and said: </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><i>Whoever does the will of my Father is my brother, sister and mother. </i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Any time we identify more with a racial group, ethnic group, or family group than with our brothers and sisters in Christ, we are in sin. Jesus' half brothers were not yet his followers. I am grateful that my family are believers--my parents are also my brothers and sisters in Christ, but we all must remain on guard that we don't just view people who look like us or are related to us as our brothers and sisters, but that we view
all people who place their faith, hope and trust in Jesus Christ as our brothers
and sisters in the truest sense. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Galatians
3:27 addresses our equality before God:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">For those of you who were baptized
into Christ have been clothed with Christ. There is no Jew or Greek, slave or
free, male and female; since you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong
to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, heirs according to the promise.</span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">In
God’s eyes, all believers are his children. All of us are Abraham’s true
descendants and equal heirs who will inherit God’s promise. The writer of the book of Hebrews calls us <i>Holy brothers and sisters who share in a heavenly calling. (3:1) </i>And we are all brothers and
sisters. The challenge is living like it. When we have wronged our siblings, we must own up to it. When others have wronged our fellow believers,
we must stand up for them. God loves justice and righteousness. When we witness
partiality, unfairness and wrongdoing among the Body of Christ, it is our
responsibility to try to make it right.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">If
even the Apostle Peter had to go on a journey of sanctification that included learning to accept his brothers and sisters in Christ and receiving correction, then surely you and I should examine ourselves to see if we need to do
the same. This issue comes up over and again throughout the New Testament. Nowhere is it made more clear than in the Great Commission where Jesus said:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Go, therefore, and make disciples of
all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the
Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And
remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age. -Matthew 28:19-20</span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Jesus
sent us on a mission to all the people of the world, to share the Gospel, to teach them to be disciples, and to bring them into our family, the family of God, and to keep doing this until the end of the age.
Revelation 7:9 describes that scene:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #001320; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">After this I looked, and there was a vast multitude from
every nation, tribe, people, and language, which no one could number, standing
before the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes with
palm branches in their hands.</span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">At that time there will be a great feast with hugs and celebration, singing and dancing, familial love and acceptance among the family of God and our troubles and struggles will be no more. We will be fully conformed to the image of Christ and sinless, harming each other no more and able to fully embrace and perfectly love our brothers and sisters. Until
that day, for the sake of the Gospel, let us keep doing the work of reconciliation. <o:p></o:p></span></p>Jerry Schultzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15370640301757556204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1540408315018036204.post-73620219867461014782021-12-30T11:41:00.015-08:002022-06-11T19:28:11.069-07:00To Vest or Not to Vest: The Significance of the Priestly Garments in the Old Testament (and the New!!!)<p><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">I
recently saw some unkind and uncharitable comments directed toward a well-known Bible
teacher who was photographed wearing vestments while participating in a Communion
service in an Anglican Church. No one should be mocked or treated with contempt
for praying, reading scripture, serving, or taking communion. If you grew up in
a church, like I did, that used Choir robes or Baptismal gowns, then it is hypocritical
to mock the use of Vestments in a communion service. These 3 types of priestly
robes all stem from the same tradition. In this article, I will examine the
origin of priestly garments under the Old Covenant, their significance, and the
application to us living under the New Covenant today.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Firstly,
I would like to share a brief word about the way we relate to and engage in
discussion with believers of different traditions. My introduction to
Anglicanism came with a visit to Westminster Abbey during a college Jazz Band
trip to London. As we visited with a priest of the Church of England, we
learned that he viewed his ministry as an opportunity to fulfill the Great
Commission in a unique way. Serving at such a popular and historic tourist
destination placed him in a position to meet people from across the globe. He stayed
in one location and tourists from all over the world came to him. He was able
to talk with people about Jesus who could then take the good news home with
them and share with others. He was a friendly man who loved the Lord, enjoyed
sparking up conversations and was evangelical. I have serious differences of opinion about Baptism and different beliefs about the Lord’s Supper and other
issues, but this man was my brother in Christ and I am confident that I will
see him in heaven one day. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">After
witnessing the ugliness directed toward our beloved sister in Christ over
participating in communion, I sat down to do some devotional reading over this
Holiday vacation and found that my bookmark was placed in the portion of the
1549 Book of Common Prayer dedicated to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">THE
SUPPER of the Lorde, and the Holy Communion.</i> How fitting that I should
happen upon the rich liturgy of the Anglican church’s communion service. While
I wouldn’t do things in precisely the same manner, having read this material, I can
assure you that if I had participated in the Lord's supper ministered quarterly in this format (with a bit of doctrinal editing), I would have grown up with a more robust Christology. Their
form of the Lord’s Supper is saturated with Scripture, bathed in Prayer,
steeped in Worship and full of intentional Teaching. The following instructions
were provided to the priests with regard to the wearing of vestments. I have
updated the antiquated spelling: <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Upon the day and time appointed for
the ministration of the holy Communion, the Priest that shall execute the holy
ministry, shall put upon him the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">vesture
</b>appointed for that ministration, that is to say: <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">a white Albe plain, with a vestment or Cope</b>. And where there be
many Priests, or Deacons, there so many shall be ready to help the Priest, in
the ministration, as shall be requisite: And shall have upon the likewise the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">vestures</b> appointed for their ministry,
that is to say, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Albes, with tunacles</b>.
<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">This
leads us to an important question: Where do priestly garments come from?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">PRIESTLY GARMENTS UNDER
THE OLD COVENANT<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><u><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">In
the Old Testament, Exodus 28 records the instructions God gave to Moses for
making priestly garments, beginning with the clothing for the high priest:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Make holy garments for your brother
Aaron, for glory and beauty. You are to instruct all the skilled artisans whom
I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, to make Aaron’s garments for
consecrating him to serve me as priest. These are the garments that they must
make: a breastpiece, an ephod, a robe, a specially woven tunic, a turban and a
sash. They are to make holy garments for your brother Aaron and his sons so
that they may serve me as priests. They should use gold; blue, purple, and
scarlet yarn; and fine linen. <o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Tremendous
detail and symbolism went into making these garments and is detailed in Exodus
39. For a moment, I want to focus on one key aspect--These were <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Holy </i>garments. They set the priest apart
from the rest of the people. The priests were consecrated to the service of God
and these robes were a reminder of their duty and position. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">In
Exodus 28 beginning in verse 39, God instructs that garments be made for the
other priests from fine Linen. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Make tunics, sashes and headbands for
Aaron’s sons to give them glory and beauty…Make them linen undergarments… (Exodus
28:40-41)<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">They made the tunics of fine woven
linen for Aaron and his sons. They made the turban and the ornate headbands of
fine linen, the linen undergarments of finely spun linen, and the sash of
finely spun linen, expertly embroidered with blue, purple and scarlet yarn. (Exodus
39:27-29)<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Leviticus
16:3-5 also provides instructions about this type of priestly garments. Rather
than the ornate high priests garments, on one occasion, Aaron and his
successors were to wear the more humble apparel. In order to come into God’s
Presence, on <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Yom Kippur, </i>the Day of
Atonement, the high priest was to bathe himself and then put on clean, white, linen
undergarments. Over these he was to wear a linen tunic held on by a linen sash
with a linen turban wrapped around his head. He was to be physically and
ritually clean before entering into the most Holy place behind the veil in the
tabernacle to meet with God. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">In
Chronicles 15:27, in the account of the Ark of the Covenant being brought to
Jerusalem, we learn that the Levitical priests, including the singers wore
white linen robes embroidered with blue, purple and scarlet yarn:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Now David was dressed in a robe of
fine linen, as were all the Levites who were carrying the ark, as well as the
singers and Chenaniah, the music leader of the singers. David also wore a linen
ephod. <o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">This
is the first historical mention of choir robes in recorded history. The
Levitical singers dressed in white, embroidered priestly garments. This practice was picked
up by Christian churches and has occurred throughout church history and even
spread into secular choirs. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Dressing the High Priest: The
symbolic significance of the high priest's attire under the OLD COVENANT<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">The
articles of clothing prepared for the high priest were stitched with significant
meaning. God's instructions for the clothing appears in Exodus 28 and chapter 39 describes how they were made. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">After completely covering his nakedness with linen underwear very much
like shorts, the priest would don his ceremonial apparel.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">1.
THE SPECIALLY WOVEN TUNIC<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">The
first item of clothing the priest put on was a tunic of checkered work. This
tunic had long sleeves and covered his legs as well. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> It was held on with a sash.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">2.
THE ROBE<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">You are to make the robe of the ephod
entirely of blue yarn. There should be an opening at its top in the center of
it. Around the opening, there should be a woven collar with an opening like
that of body armor so that it does not tear. Make pomegranates of blue, purple
and scarlet yarn on its lower hem and all around it. Put gold bells between
them all the way around…The robe will be worn by Aaron whenever he ministers
and its sound will be heard when he enters the sanctuary before the LORD and
when he exits, so that he does not die. <o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Next,
the priest would place his blue robe over the tunic. The robe was to have a
collar with an opening like that of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">body
armor </b>so that it could not be torn. What an interesting comparison. It was
blue, sleeveless and worn underneath the ephod. The hem of the garment was
decorated with pomegranates interspersed with bells that served as a sort of
alarm to announce the priest’s presence so that when he entered the sanctuary
before the LORD he would not die.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">3.
THE EPHOD with THE BAND<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">They are to make the ephod of finely
spun linen embroidered with gold, and with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn…The
artistically woven band that is on the ephod must be of one piece…<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">An
ephod was a type of vest to be worn over the robe. This one had a special sash
to wrap around the waist as a belt which was a separate matching piece made of
the same material as the vest and embroidered with needle work. Two onyx stones
were attached to the shoulder straps of the ephod which may have functioned as
clasps or buttons to hold them together. Each stone was inscribed like a seal with
6 of the names of the sons of Israel engraved upon it. These were memorial
stones, serving as a constant <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">reminder
of God’s covenant</b> with the man Jacob, whose name was changed to Israel and
with his descendants. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">4.
THE BREASTPIECE<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">You shall make a breastpiece of
judgment, in skilled work<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">The
breastplate was for making decisions and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">judgements</b>.
It was worn on top of the ephod and attached to the ephod by cords of blue yarn
tied through gold rings. It contained 12 stones arranged into 4 rows of 3,
corresponding to the 12 tribes of Israel, named for Jacob’s sons. Each stone
was engraved with a seal bearing the name or symbol of one of the 12 tribes. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">The
items Urim and Thummim were placed inside the breastpiece. These items, small
stones, were somehow used to reveal God’s will. No one knows how they were
used, but they were a means of consulting God, to discern his judgements, to
make decisions for Israel. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">5.
THE TURBAN with the DIADEM<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Finally,
a Linen turban was wrapped around the head of the priest. On the turban there
was a to be a gold medallion engraved like a <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">seal</b> with the words “Holy to the Lord.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Exodus
39:30 describes how they made it:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">They made a medallion, the holy
diadem, out of pure gold and wrote on it an inscription like the engraving on a
seal: HOLY TO THE LORD. They attached a cord of blue yarn to it in order to
mount it on the turban…<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">This
medallion was placed into a diadem which was golden crown worn across the
forehead. When we see the word LORD in all capital letters, this indicates that
the original Hebrew word there is YHWH, the personal name of God. The priest
was consecrated and set apart as <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Holy to
Yahweh</i>. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj2ZVkuRe8DfvnoXha-uzptpFO-8rAqJmOPGVs6fQqbsAaXIoojoA5WoeNUnxjP1hEOApv12EAi9AjkxSe4ERQjMqj3xvwHPWuGCvpiBUJL8-C4NROHurJSJg2x6Z49VMKkQeGNsCBFnsmGEUTakvrIvLLpAOFRBAPoOveo0mplWfuWvqq0WEBpiRw6=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="910" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj2ZVkuRe8DfvnoXha-uzptpFO-8rAqJmOPGVs6fQqbsAaXIoojoA5WoeNUnxjP1hEOApv12EAi9AjkxSe4ERQjMqj3xvwHPWuGCvpiBUJL8-C4NROHurJSJg2x6Z49VMKkQeGNsCBFnsmGEUTakvrIvLLpAOFRBAPoOveo0mplWfuWvqq0WEBpiRw6=s320" width="228" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">PRIESTLY CLOTHING UNDER
THE NEW COVENANT<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Now
here’s the twist, under the New Covenant, ALL believers are priests. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #001320; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">You also, like living stones, are being built into a
spiritual house to be a <b>holy priesthood</b>, offering spiritual sacrifices
acceptable to God through Jesus Christ…But you are a chosen people, a <b>royal
priesthood</b>, a holy nation, a people for his possession, so that you may
proclaim the praises of the one who called you out of darkness into his
marvelous light. -1 Peter 2:5,9<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #001320; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #001320; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">And He has made us to be a kingdom, <b>priests</b> to His God and
Father— to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
–Revelation 1:6</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">All
who place their faith, hope and trust in Jesus Christ for salvation are priests
and are given special spiritual clothing. Isaiah spoke of this promise. The
first verses of Isaiah 61 deliver the words that Jesus read in the synagogue
about himself. Verse 3 begins to make promises about this new type of clothing
that God would provide:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">The Spirit of the LORD GOD is upon
me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor, he has
sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and
the opening of the prison to those who are bound, to proclaim the year of the
LORD’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to
grant to those who mourn in Zion—<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">to give
them a beautiful crown/headdress instead of ashes, </b>the oil of gladness
instead of mourning, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">the garment of
praise instead of a faint spirit, </b>that they may be called oaks of
righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified. –Isaiah 61:1-3<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Continuing
further down chapter in verse 9, God promises a new covenant, an everlasting
covenant, and then verse 10 proclaims:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">I will greatly rejoice in the LORD;
my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">garments of salvation</b>; he has covered
me with the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">robe of righteousness</b>,
as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">headdress</b> and as a bride adorns herself
with <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">jewels</b>. <o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Jesus
told his disciples: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I am sending the
promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">clothed</b> with power from on high. (Luke
24:49)<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Paul
teaches: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">For those of you who were
baptized into Christ have put on Christ <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">like
a</b> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">garment.</b> <o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">These
verses relate clothing directly to our salvation and receiving the Holy Spirit,
just as the Lord promised through Isaiah. They show us the fulfillment that
when we receive Jesus as our Savior, we are clothed with salvation and robed in
righteousness. we exchange ashes for beauty. Our mourning is replaced with gladness. Instead of fear and trepidation we are given confidence and can boldly praise God</span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Revelation chapter 7 bears witness to a great multitude of people from every nation, tribe, people and language being saved and standing before Jesus and the throne of God. Their clothing is white robes which represents the salvation they have received and their right standing with God to stand before his very Presence as they exclaim exuberant praise to Him for their salvation. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Describing the Bride of Christ which is the Church Revelation 19: 18 describes what John saw as he glimpsed into the future:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><i>She was given fine linen to wear, bright and pure. For the fine linen represents the righteous acts of the saints. </i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: High Tower Text, serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">God will purify and prepare his people for that special day. This verse reminds us that when we get to heaven we will all be washed clean, whiter than snow. It also reminds us that we have been saved for a purpose. God has prepared good works in advance for us to do. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: High Tower Text, serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 18.6667px;">The New Testament also contains direct relationships between what the priestly garments represented and what has become our spiritual reality.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">THE
TUNIC and THE ROBE<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">I
find it interesting that the Tunic with its sleeves and special design so
resembles what a warrior would wear as a cushion underneath his armor and the
instructions for the Robe directly state that it was to be <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">like </i>body armor in its construction. While it provided no physical
protection, it does point us to an important spiritual reality. In Ephesians
6:13-18, we are given a bold description of this symbolism:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Therefore take up the whole armor of
God, that you may be able to withstand the evil day, and having done all, to
stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">belt of truth</b>, and having put on the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">breastplate of righteousness</b>, and as shoes for your feet, having
put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up
the shield of faith with which you can extinguish the flaming darts of the evil
one and take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit which is the
word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and
supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making
supplication for all the saints. <o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Did
you notice the priestly function of all believers? Paul admonishes us to offer
prayers and requests for all of the saints, for all believers. In the same way
that the priests represented the people before God, we now do the same for one
another. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">THE
EPHOD and THE BAND<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">The
Ephod bore the names of the 12 sons of Israel. The priest carried them with him
on his shoulders as he represented them as he ministered before God. Now we as
believers represent others as we bring our prayers and intercessions before
Him. We pray for each other and minister to each other. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">The 2nd Sash, or band was a belt around the waist. The elaborate design and embroidered
workmanship that was put into it indicates that it performs more than simply a
practical function. As we just read from Ephesians, the priestly belt
represents TRUTH. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. As Christians we must
be girded with truth, telling people the truth and leading them to the truth of
the good news about Jesus. Satan is the father of all lies. These lies keep
people from coming to God. The Holy Spirit with which we are clothed is the
spirit of truth. We represent God to unbelievers as his priests, breaking
through a world full of deception as we wield the truth of his word like a
sword. But we mustn’t use the word to attack people, but to defend them like a
sword that shatters lies and sets people free. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">THE
BREASTPIECE<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">In
Ephesians 5, we are instructed to put on the full armor of God so that we can
resist evil and stand up against the devil and his schemes. Verse 14 admonishes
us to put on the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">breastplate of
righteousness. </i>The priestly breastplate was for judgment. Under the New
Covenant in Christ, we have already been judged and declared righteous. When we
accepted Jesus, we were immediately put into a right standing with God,
Christ’s righteousness has been imputed to us, credited to our account. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">The
12 precious stones of the breastpiece are identical or nearly identical to the gems
mentioned in Revelation 21: 19-20 that describe the foundations of the Holy
City. This causes me to remember the promise of heaven. A few of the stones are described in archaic Hebrew which is a little difficult to translate into English, but the 12 stones included such gems as carnelian, topaz, emerald, turquoise, sapphire, diamond, jacinth, agate and jasper. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Such jewels also adorn
the covering angels that surround God and reflect His glory. In the same way,
the reflective splendor of the jewels reminds me that we are now priests, meant
to reflect God’s glory. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">It
is interesting that the breastplate covered the heart. The Urim and Thummim it
contained were used to discern God’s will. Now, we have the Holy Spirit to lead
and guide us by speaking directly to our hearts. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">THE
TURBAN WITH THE DIADEM<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Isaiah
equated the priestly headdress with both righteousness and salvation.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">By
Jesus’ day, the medallion was placed into a golden crown which had engravings
of the saccharum grass, causing it to bear some resemblance to the garland that
would be awarded to the winners of ancient races. There are several references
to such a crown, or laurel wreath in the New Testament.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #001320; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Now everyone who competes exercises self-control in
everything. They do it to receive a perishable crown, but we an imperishable
crown. -1 Corinthians 9:25<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #001320; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: #001320; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">James 1:2 calls it <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">the crown of life that God has promised to
those who love Him.</i> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: #001320; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: #001320; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">1 Peter 5:4 calls it
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">the crown of glory that will never fade
away.</i> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #001320; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: #001320; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">2 Timothy 4:8 calls
it the crown of righteousness. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">There is
reserved for me in the future the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the
righteous Judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me, but to all those
who have loved His appearing.</i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">These
descriptions are not contradictory, they are complementary. The crown
represents our salvation which brings righteousness, eternal life and God’s
glory reflected in us that will never rot or fade away. Our trust in Jesus is rightly
placed and our hope can never be taken away, our salvation cannot be lost or
removed from us. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">The
words <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Holy to Yahweh </i>were placed as a
seal into the medallion which was placed into the Diadem and worn over the
forehead. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the same way that God
placed his seal on the forehead of the high priest, He has promised to seal us
through the Holy Spirit.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>2
Corinthians 1:22 assures us that </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #001320; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">He has also put his
seal on us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee. </span></i><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">This
truth is represented in the book of Revelation when the seal is given to set
God’s people apart: <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Do not harm the land or the seas or
the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God.
–Revelation 7:3<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">In
the same way that God placed his name on the forehead of the high priest, now
his name will be placed on believers, all of whom are priests:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">They will see His face, and His name
will be on their foreheads. –Revelation 22:4<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">The
priestly turban and crown with the medallion in it were a “type” of object
lesson, pointing forward to the spiritual reality that, as believers, we are
sealed with the Holy Spirit, marked as children of God, reconciled with God and
restored through Jesus. His name is on us and we are his.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">CONCLUSION<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">The
New Testament neither prescribes nor prohibits the wearing of literal vestments
in worship. The white color of the linen priestly garments represented purity,
being washed clean, whiter than snow. They remind us of our salvation and our right
standing with God. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">I believe Scripture shows that our clothing is spiritual under the New Covenant
and no priestly garments are required. Though I do not favor them, I have no particular problem with
churches using choir robes, baptismal gowns or even white vestments for the
serving of communion or other types of participation in worship. When
non-ordained church members are wearing these items, it reminds us that we are
all priests and equals. But when vestments are used to separate the professional
clergy from the people in the pews, then we have a problem. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">My
first experience with vestments was not a positive one. I will never forget
being invited to play with a brass quintet for the dedication of a Catholic
church. The steeple had finally been placed and the Bishop himself came down in
flowing green robes for the ceremony. There may have even been a Cardinal
present. The local Catholic priest from our town assisted daily with our middle
school band and prepared 5 or 6 of us (mostly non-Catholics) to travel and
perform for the service. There were several memorable things about that event,
such as choking on the incense burning behind my chair, getting paid like a
professional and the organist playing in the wrong key, but what really stands
out was the Bishop standing there in all of his priestly array, pompously
holding out his ring for people to kiss…seriously. The beloved priest from our
town walked past with us and didn’t kiss the ring. I saw the fear in his eyes
as he realized what he had done. He want back, apologized profusely, humiliated
himself, knelt down and kissed the ring. It was not long before he was
transferred…<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Such
priestly hierarchy is unbiblical. Such actions to require someone to prostrate
themselves before a man is wickedness. There is a new High Priest:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Therefore, since we have a great High
Priest who has passed through the heavens—let us hold fast to our confession.
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our
weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way as we are, yet without
sin. –Hebrews 4:14-15<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #001320; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God
and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is
the testimony given at the proper time. -1 Timothy 2:5-6</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">There
is no New Testament office of priest because all believers are now priests and
equal before God. There in only one High Priest and one mediator between God
and man, and that is Jesus. The rest of us are HIS priests who serve Him and each
other. Any use of vestments that causes a separation or hierarchy between
believers is inappropriate and should be resisted. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Just
as the priest’s garments and the engraving on the crown set him apart, we have
been called “Holy to Yahweh,” and are set apart for His service. The high
priest had to wear bells and special clothing to enter into God’s Presence. Now
we can approach him confident and unafraid. In the same way that God designed
clothing to give the priests glory and beauty, He has given us a beautiful
crown instead of the ashes of our former life. As sparkling gems reflect the
sunlight, He allows us to reflect His own glory and beauty. He has replaced our
filthy rags with the clean white garments of salvation. He has taken away the
sin and shame that separated us from him and given us robes of righteousness. In
the same way that God meticulously planned the apparel of the priests, if you
are a believer, then you and I have been carefully and impeccably well-dressed
by our Loving Creator. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi5iP3fUG5RF4crHRHNPIuYzvVdT_7IinAK2E_EFZqoMdudA438wUTTs4bhRNFLPFcx7ZDgVGKfKp35fxSmEwq9-H-8kD8P2sC24GnrR2UORuUaLL7eUom0yF1xJ_yssXb6pXmrMdan7XMbsmh-A2FStI6QXJGdosL6wSN7DDrV62zJxEJzXWgoP-uY=s1280" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="908" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi5iP3fUG5RF4crHRHNPIuYzvVdT_7IinAK2E_EFZqoMdudA438wUTTs4bhRNFLPFcx7ZDgVGKfKp35fxSmEwq9-H-8kD8P2sC24GnrR2UORuUaLL7eUom0yF1xJ_yssXb6pXmrMdan7XMbsmh-A2FStI6QXJGdosL6wSN7DDrV62zJxEJzXWgoP-uY=s320" width="227" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span><o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><u><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif;">Resources Consulted<o:p></o:p></span></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif;">Holy Bible: CSB, ESV, KJV<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif;">The Complete Works of Josephus,
trans. William Whiston<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif;">Encyclopedia of Bible Life,
Madeleine S. Miller & J. Lane Miller<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif;">Illustrated Dictionary of Bible
Life and Times<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif;">Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif;">Eerdmans Handbook to the Bible<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif;">The Baker Illustrated Bible
Background Commentary<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif;">Zondervan Handbook to the Bible<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif;">Holman Illustrated Bible Handbook<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif;">Commentary Critical and Explanatory
on the Whole Bible, JFB<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif;">Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
on the Whole Bible<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif;">HCSB Study Bible notes<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif;">NKJV Spirit Filled Life Bible notes<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif;">Funk & Wagnalls Encyclopedia
(vestments, high priest)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif;">The Book of Common Prayer (1549),
Oxford World’s Classics<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Jerry Schultzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15370640301757556204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1540408315018036204.post-4551469230622522952021-07-08T04:52:00.006-07:002021-10-23T20:40:12.956-07:00Be Careful What You "Affirm"<p><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Affirming
sin is cruel, not kind. Affirming sin is an act of hate, not love. I was once asked by a student if I was "affirming." I replied that I tried to be a positive, encouraging teacher to my students. Back then I had no clue that "affirming" was some sort of code word for approving of sinful lifestyle choices.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Affirming Sin<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Affirming
sin shows a complete disregard for the well-being of another human. Affirming
sin reveals a lack of either true belief in or correct understanding of God. The first chapter of the book of
Romans gives a lengthy dissertation about the dangers and consequences of
abandoning God’ design for sex. Verse 32 warns against affirming sinful
homosexual behavior and the other issues that grow out of it:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #001320; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Though they know God’s righteous decree that those who
practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to
those who practice them.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">A
decree is a judgement or sentence. Those who continue in rebellion against God
will not receive eternal life. They will die a physical death and suffer the
second death, the death of the soul, in the Lake of Fire. The word translated
as give approval is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">suneudokeo. </i>It means
to give consent, to agree with, to applaud and even take pleasure in seeing
someone else sin. It means to support and affirm. When you affirm sin, you are
applauding people on their way to destruction and that is evil.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Diversity<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Diversity
is good when it means accepting people whose skin is a different color than our
own as brothers, sisters and equals. Diversity is evil when it means accepting
sinful LGBTQ behaviors and false religions as our society is pressuring us to
do. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Revelation
7:1 describes what it will look like in heaven:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">After this I looked, and there was a
vast multitude from every nation, tribe, people and language, which no one
could number, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed
in white robes with palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud
voice: Salvation belongs to our God, who is seated on the throne and to the
Lamb!<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">People
with every beautiful variety of skin color from all over the world who trust in
Jesus for salvation will be saved and will be in heaven. There is a popular quote that says Sunday morning is the most segregated hour in America. What a horrifying reality if that is true. Much work needs to be done in the Kingdom of God to foster brotherhood and unity. Embracing diversity in the church means that my brothers and sisters in Christ are more important to me and take priority over my allegiance to any nation, organization, group, creed or cause. For this reason, I cannot stand idly by and allow sinful factions such as the advancing LGBTQ army to foist their agenda upon the struggle for racial equality and justice. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Inclusion<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Inclusion
is good when it involves loving, supporting and celebrating people with differences
in appearance, physical differences or disabilities. This honors our fellow
human beings, respects them as equals and acknowledges that they were created
to be image bearers of God. Inclusion becomes evil when it involves celebrating
and abiding with sin because this disrespects and defiles humanity. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">I
was deeply offended to see a commercial at the movie theater yesterday that
compared a talented artist without arms painting with her feet to people with
sinful sexual orientations and gender identity choices. It was disrespectful, exploitive
and inappropriate. In the same way, when the LGBTQ movement compares their
sinful lifestyle choices to the struggles of People of Color, this is ugly,
exploitive, nasty racism. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">All
people are descended from our original parents, Adam and Eve, the first human
beings, who God created in his own image. Mankind has continually degraded
ourselves through sin, divided ourselves into ethnic groups by skin color, and
excluded those with disabilities. But there is only one Creator, God. And there
is only one race, the human race. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">With the tongue we bless our Lord and
Father, and with it we curse people who are made in Gods likeness. Blessing and
cursing coming out of the same mouth. My brothers and sisters, these things
should not be this way. Does a spring pour out sweet and bitter water from the
same opening? <o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">All
people should be treated with dignity, honor and respect. This means that all
people deserve to be told the truth that Jesus loves them and gave his life so
that they could be saved, if they will turn away from their sins and toward him.
We have to tell the truth. But we must constantly strive to do it in a way that
is respectful and winsome, extending grace and kindness.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Sin
causes division and exclusion. Sinful attitudes toward people with disabilities
must be repented of and replaced with appreciation, love and respect. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Sinful
behaviors, including degrading sexual behaviors must be repented of so people
can be forgiven and brought into fellowship. This includes turning away from LGBTQ
sin, but it equally includes repenting of heterosexual activity outside of
marriage, pornography and all manner of sexual manipulation, harm and abuse. In
his letter to the Corinthians, Paul warned about the ultimate source of
exclusion, Sin:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #001320; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the
kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor
idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality,</span> nor
thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will
inherit the kingdom of God. </i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Affirming
homosexuality is like affirming theft or alcohol abuse or adultery or wild
partying or usury. The most inclusive action a person can take is to include someone in the family of God. This requires inviting them to turn
away from sin and toward Jesus, to ask him to come into their heart, save them
and change them through the power of his Spirit. There is only one way to find
true unity and inclusion and that is through the redemptive work of Jesus
Christ who is restoring things to the way they were meant to be through His
church.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #001320; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one
body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given to drink of
one Spirit.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">True Compassion<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Compassion
and Empathy should lead us to speak difficult truths in the most respectful way
possible, NOT to affirm and encourage sin. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Here’s
the twist: Compassion and empathy are frequently preyed upon by those with agendas.
People seeking approval for their sinful choices and actions often manipulate
those who exhibit these admirable qualities. For example: it is commonly reported
that suicide rates are higher among individuals who identify as LGBTQ and this
fact is used to elicit support and affirmation. But encouraging someone to live
a lifestyle that is likely to lead to their suicide is evil…<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Affirming
someone in their choice to rebel against God causes pain and hurt in this life
and ultimate judgement against their souls in the next. Don’t be fooled, applauding
someone in their sin and in their harmful, self-destructive decisions is not
kind at all. In reality, it is cruel and lacking in true compassion. Jude, the
brother of Jesus wrote:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Have mercy on those who doubt, save
others by snatching them from the fire, have mercy on others but with fear,
hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">The
most loving thing you can do is to tell the truth and rescue people from sin. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Conclusion<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">It
is not appropriate to compare sexual sins to the color of someone’s skin. It is
not appropriate to compare sinful lifestyle choices to someone’s disability or
physical difference. To do so is exploitive, prejudiced and sinful. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Affirming
sin is actually the most heinous type of hate speech. It shows a complete
disregard for the well-being of our fellow man.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Calling
people to turn away from sin is an act of love. Inviting people to come to
Jesus so that they can be included in the family of God is an act of kindness,
compassion and respect. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">__________________________________________________________</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Here is a link to detailed explanations of Biblical teaching about human sexuality:</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://thetrustworthyword.blogspot.com/2016/04/identity-crisis-created-in-image-of-god.html">The Trustworthy Word: IDENTITY CRISIS: Created In The Image of God as Male and Female</a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>Jerry Schultzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15370640301757556204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1540408315018036204.post-735721396853252562021-06-30T07:26:00.004-07:002021-06-30T13:32:25.534-07:00Ancient Aquaman: The Fish-god Bows<p> <span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Evil
cannot stand in the Presence of our Holy God. He is so utterly good and perfect
that His very Presence is the undoing of evil. Throughout Scripture God’s
Presence is described as an all-consuming fire that destroys his enemies. But
for his own people, </span><i style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">In His Presence there
is fullness of joy.</i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">While
God is not confined to a box and he does not dwell in any object made by human
hands, the Ark of the LORD represented God’s Presence among his people. It was
a reminder of the special covenant he had made with the nation of Israel and
that is why we call it the Ark of the Covenant. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">1
Samuel 5 records a remarkable event that occurred when both the Philistines and
even God’s own people the Israelites failed to show enough respect for the
Presence of God. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">The
Israelites had been defeated in battle because of the sins of Eli’s wicked sons
Hophni and Phinehas. These miscreants were charged with ministering before God
and atoning for the sins of the people but these perverse priests had disrespected
the sacrifices, preventing them from being offered properly and gorging themselves
upon the best meats. They had committed sexual abuse against the women who
served at the entrance to the tabernacle. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both of these wicked priests were killed on
the very same day as the army of Israel was routed by the Philistine army,
which then carried off the Ark of the Covenant into their territory to the city
of Ashdod. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">After the Philistines had captured
the ark of God, they took it from Ebenezer to Ashdod, brought it into the
temple of Dagon and placed it next to his statue. When the people of Ashdod got
up early the next morning there was Dagon, fallen with his face to the ground
before the ark of the LORD. So they took Dagon and returned him to his place.
But when they got up early the next morning there was Dagon, fallen with his
face to the ground before the ark of the LORD. This time, Dagon’s head and both
of his hands were broken off and lying on the threshold. Only Dagon’s torso
remained.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>-1 Samuel 5:1-4<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">1. Yahweh is the God above all other gods<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">The
Philistines treated the Ark of the Covenant as a trophy of war. For thousands
of years it was common for large ceremonial chests to be carried in front of
armies, but this container was different as it carried a different type of
treasure. On top of the ark was a seat—representing a place for God himself to
sit—not inside of the box, but upon the seat of honor, watching over his
people. The Philistines had been afraid when they heard the ark was in Israel’s
camp, but after capturing it, they placed it in a subjugated position to Dagon,
perhaps expecting blessings from adding this new god. These Philistines likely
believed that their god had granted them victory over the God of Israel. Pagans such as these believed that gods actually inhabited idols, which are statues carved or
sculpted by human hands, but Yahweh, the one true God, is the God above all
others and in the morning, the statue was discovered lying in a position of worship,
prostrated before the LORD. They returned the statue to its full and upright position.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">On
the second morning, the statue was decapitated and missing its hands with only
the torso remaining. Dagan's knocked off noggin reflected the fate that often
awaited conquered kings. Yahweh had defeated Dagon, who like all other idols, was a false god. In the ancient world, hands represented power and control. The severing of the statues hands would indicate that it was completely powerless. The reason no mention is made of the feet is that the
statue probably did not have any. You see, the land of the Philistines is near
to the great sea, the Mediterranean. Dagon was a fish-god and his idol was
usually crafted in a form we might recognize as a merman.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihd4orQPvZsYLjDNRDF4TiugoNduq8FHCcrNplJXvZQCG8n0LT_qpEBfezm3vtDdP0wVPfwHh6PdMHrAvszNRSwsLRTrotYakv72K3TWmMC87An015qoAVDn_WOcA-pzkt8E6reIEy9lo/s512/Dagon.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="357" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihd4orQPvZsYLjDNRDF4TiugoNduq8FHCcrNplJXvZQCG8n0LT_qpEBfezm3vtDdP0wVPfwHh6PdMHrAvszNRSwsLRTrotYakv72K3TWmMC87An015qoAVDn_WOcA-pzkt8E6reIEy9lo/s320/Dagon.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">God
graciously granted the Philistines a sign to show them He was not to be trifled
with, but they did not immediately get the message. They failed to understand
and respect his very real presence among them.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">2. Evil Cannot Abide in the Presence
of God<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">The Lord’s hand was heavy on the
people of Ashdod and its territory and afflicted them with tumors. When the
people of Ashdod saw what was happening, they said, “The ark of Israel’s God
must not stay here with us, because his hand is strongly against us and our god
Dagon... (1 Samuel 5:6-7)<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">So
the ark was relocated to Gath.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">After they had moved it, the LORD’s
hand was against the city of Gath, causing a great panic. He afflicted the people
of the city from the youngest to the oldest, with an outbreak of tumors. The
people of Gath then sent the ark of God to Ekron. (1 Samuel 5:9-10)<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">So
the hot potato was moved again.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">But when it got there, the Ekronites
cried out, “They’ve moved the ark of Israel’s God to us to kill us and our
people!” The Ekronites called all the Philistine rulers together. They said, “Send
the ark of Israel’s God away. Let it return to its place so it won’t kill us
and our people!” For the fear of death pervaded the city; God’s hand was oppressing
them. Those who did not die were afflicted with tumors, and the outcry of the
city went up to heaven. (1 Samuel 5:10a-12)<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Instead
of blessing, the ark brought God’s judgement upon each city it was taken to because
of their sinful, idol worshipping ways. They understood that God was
judging both them and their (false) fishy god Dagon. The land was also overrun
with mice and it is commonly believed that the tumors were a result of bubonic
plague spread by the rapacious rodents. People were dying and suffering. But
even in this judgement, there was mercy. The fear of the Lord came upon the
people and that is a good thing, looking forward to the day when salvation
would be provided for all nations. God did hear their cries ascending up to
heaven. Sadly, because they didn’t know how to be in a right relationship with
the Father, they sought an escape from his Presence. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">3. Sin Must Be Atoned For. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">The
relationship between man and God was torn apart when Adam and Eve sinned and needed to be mended. The
ark was a sign of God’s covenant with the nation of Israel, but Philistia was
not part of that covenant. Even in the midst of this display of God’s
judgement, it is pointing us toward the need for Jesus and the atoning
sacrifice he provided on the cross. The special seat I mentioned on top of the
Ark is known as a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">kapporeth, </i>or mercy
seat. The word means a place of atonement. It was a place to seek
reconciliation for sin. The Ark represented God’s desire to be in relationship
with his people, but to approach the seat without making atonement, brought punishment. The mercy seat would become a seat of judgement.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">The
Philistines came to understand that they needed a way to atone for sin and escape
God’s wrath. They called together their priests and asked them what to do.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">What should we do with the ark of the
LORD? Tell us how we can send it back to its place. They replied, “If you send
the ark of Israel’s God away, do not send it without an offering. Send back a
guilt offering to him, and you will be healed. Then the reason his hand hasn’t
been removed from you will be revealed.” They asked, “What guilt offering
should we send back to him?” And they answered, “Five gold tumors and five gold
mice corresponding to the number of Philistine rulers, since there was one
plague for both you and your rulers. Make images of your tumors and of your
mice that are destroying the land. Give glory to Israel’s God, and perhaps he
will stop oppressing you, your gods and your land. Why harden your hearts as
the Egyptians and Pharoah hardened theirs? When he afflicted them, didn’t they
send Israel away, and Israel left? (1 Samuel 6:2a-6)<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">They
offered a sacrifice as an offering to atone for their guilt. They paid the price in gold for their sins (or at least, they attempted to). They recognized
that while their army had defeated Israel, they had not defeated Israel’s God.
They remembered the historical Exodus of the people of Israel from Egypt and
how God had punished the Egyptians when they hardened their hearts against the
Lord and against Israel by sending plagues. They were suffering from plagues of mice and tumors themselves. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Philistia
consisted of 5 fortified cities, each with a ruler over the town and its
surrounding hamlets. They fashioned an offering that acknowledged it was God
who had brought the plague of mice and tumors and then offered a sacrifice for each
of the 5 cities including those that had not yet been affected. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Next,
the Bible describes how they went about getting rid of the ark.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Now then, prepare one new cart and
two milk cows that have never been yoked. Hitch the cows to the cart, but take
their calves away and pen them up. Take the ark of the LORD, place it on the
cart and put the gold objects that you’re sending him as a guilt offering in a
box beside the ark. Send it off and let it go its way. Then watch: If it goes
up the road to its homeland toward Beth-shemesh, it is the LORD who has made
this terrible trouble for us. However, if it doesn’t, we will know that it was
not his hand that punished us—it was just something that happened to us by
chance. (1 Samuel 6:7-9)<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">They
placed the ark and the offering on an ox cart but instead of trained oxen, they
hitched up two untrained milk cows, weaning their calves at the same time.
Normally, a cow will wait by the fence lowing for her calf with it bellowing
right back, but the cows abandoned their calves, pulled the cart right along
the road without any human guidance or direction and went straight on the
correct road to the Israelite city of Beth-shemesh. Because only God could have
caused the cows to act against their nature to fulfill such a task, this was
taken by the Philistines as a sign that it was indeed Yahweh who had punished
them and that he had accepted their sacrifice and would no longer trouble them.
Even though golden objects was not an appropriate sacrifice, God was gracious
to them. There is no evidence that they came to be worshippers of the one true
God at that time. They simply acknowledged him as Israel’s God, but never as their
own. Because they were pagans who worshipped a fish god associated with the
nearby sea, they likely came to recognize Yahweh as God over the land and
animals or a localized deity. In time however, the world would come to know that he is Lord of sky and sea,
the whole earth and all that is in it. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">John wrote the following about Jesus:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #001320; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">He himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not
only for ours, but also for those of the whole world.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Jesus
died to atone for the sins of the whole world. People from all nations can be
saved.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Conclusion<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Sadly,
Israel had still not learned to respect the Ark of God’s Presence. The people
of Beth-shemesh rejoiced at the ark’s arrival and even offered the cows as a sacrifice, burning the wood from the cart, but they failed to show the reverence due to the Presence of
God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">God struck down the people of
Beth-shemesh because they looked inside the ark of the LORD. He struck down
seventy persons. The people mourned because the LORD struck them with a great
slaughter. The people of Beth-shemesh asked, “Who is able to stand in the
presence of the LORD this holy God? (1 Samuel 6:19-20)<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">God
had given specific instructions for handling his ark which involved never touching or opening it. Because they were
unworthy to enter his presence, many people died. The ark was sent off to the
city of Kiriath-jearim to the home of Abinadab where it remained for 20 years.
But before they sent it away, the people did finally ask the right question.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">“Who is able to stand in the presence
of the LORD this holy God? <o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">God
is holy. He is entirely separate and different from us, altogether good and
perfect in every way. He cannot abide with evil and evil cannot enter his
presence without being destroyed. The Ark of the Covenant was kept behind a curtain in the tabernacle and later in the temple and the priests would have to
start a smoky offering of incense and sprinkle an offering of blood over the mercy seat as a covering for their sin before entering. When Jesus died on the cross,
the curtain was torn in two from top to bottom. In the same way that sacrifices
were necessary to appease God’s wrath against sin and to atone for guilt under
the Old Covenant, under the New Covenant, Jesus has already provided the
sacrifice that atones for our sin and allows us access to God’s Presence. We have direct access to the
Father through the Son and we no longer have to fear to enter into his
Presence. For those who are in Christ, there is no longer a fear of judgement.
But for unbelievers, judgement awaits. We need to be forgiven of our sins and
put into a right relationship with God. The only way that a person can be
worthy to enter into God’s Presence is by salvation through Jesus Christ. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">I
gave this lesson an attention grabbing title, but a more proper name for the
piece is:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Who Can Stand in the Presence of the
LORD?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">The
answer is one who has been forgiven, remade, justified and declared righteous
in Jesus Christ. <o:p></o:p></span></p>Jerry Schultzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15370640301757556204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1540408315018036204.post-85789332835242870602021-06-27T14:28:00.004-07:002021-06-28T06:07:51.839-07:00Use Your Gifts To Serve<p><i style="text-indent: 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">As each
has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God’s
varied grace. -1 Peter 4:10</span></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Spiritual
gifts empower Christians to serve, unify and build up the church. We should be
intentional about putting them to good use. </span><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">T</span><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">he Holy Spirit transforms the minds of believers, unites
us into the Body of Christ and gives us a variety of gifts to serve the church.
We need to identify these spiritual gifts and learn how to use them to build up
the church and bring unity. To guide us in this endeavor, we will examine 4 main passages of Scripture.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 18pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Passage 1: Romans 12:6-8<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to
us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service in our
serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his
exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with
zeal; the one who does acts of mercy with cheerfulness. </span></i><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">PROPHECY</span></u></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">If prophecy, in proportion to our faith</span></i><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-outline-level: 2;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">Think of some places in our culture that you are
likely to encounter false prophecy. Perhaps television, bookstores, social media,
online news sources, blogs or magazines? What types of false prophecy might you
come across? Recent books have forecast prophecies by the moon and stars or by
the interpretation harbingers. All of these are<b> </b>forbidden in Isaiah
47:13-14 and Deuteronomy 18:10-14.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The gift of prophecy can be
controversial. Because there are so many opportunities for Christians to be
misled, I will give special attention to this gift and how it was used in the
first century. Prophecy is frequently defined as speaking with divine authority
about the past, present or future.<a href="file:///C:/Users/jdsec/Desktop/Blog%20Ideas/Spiritual%20Gifts%20combined.docx#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 125%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Because the canon of Scripture is
closed, there will be no more prophecies given about the end times. Outside of
the book of Revelation, future prophecy was rare in the Post-Resurrection New
Testament and when it was given, it was never given for personal profit or
selfish gain. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Acts 11:27-30 records an event where a
prophet named <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Agabus stood up and
predicted by the Spirit that there would be a severe famine. </i>The disciples
from Antioch responded by sacrificially giving so they could send relief to the
people of Judea. This type of prophecy seems rare in our time, though God is
sovereign and may communicate as He wills. With the availability of modern
transportation and communication, we can rapidly respond to disaster through
organizations like Samaritan’s purse. The application for us is to wisely
budget, plan, prepare and donate time, money and resources to help in times of
crisis. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Another manifestation of the gift of
prophecy is the ability to preach the word of God with <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">boldness.</b> Acts 4:31 records that the disciples prayed and God gave
them tremendous bravery through the Spirit to proclaim the word in the face of
great opposition. The word prophet, or <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">prophetes</i>,
was used by the Greeks to refer to someone who could interpret oracles, or
prophecies. It is proper to apply this in a Christian setting to someone who is
gifted by the Spirit with the ability to understand, interpret and explain
Biblical prophesies well, especially with regard to how Old Testament prophecy
is fulfilled in the New Testament. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">1 Corinthians 14:3 provides the
clearest definition of the gift of prophecy, showing how the helper and
counselor, the Holy Spirit, works through people:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The one who prophesies speaks to people for their <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">upbuilding</b> and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">encouragement </b>and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">consolation.</b> </span></i><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">These words describe building the
church and the individuals in it by helping them to grow in Christian wisdom,
grace and the knowledge of our Lord. They describe coming alongside a person,
family, or church to offer helpful, persuasive and even corrective instruction
when necessary to guide people through difficult situations and keep them on
the right path. This passage also describes offering comfort and counsel to
someone in need with Biblical wisdom and insight for applying Scripture.
Brotherly support, instruction, correction, strengthening, comfort and love are
the purpose of this spiritual gift. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The gift of prophecy is about being
sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit. It’s about being teachable and
being willing to say what God wants us to say and do what He wants us to do to
strengthen, build, correct and encourage the church.<br />
<br />
In the next chapter, we will look at 2 special types of prophetic ministry,
Words of Knowledge and Words of Wisdom.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">SERVICE</span></u></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">if service, in our serving</span></i><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The gift of service, or ministry, is
the ability to assist others and meet their needs. It comes from the root word
for serving tables, because those who minister to the Body of Christ, serve and
take care of the body. Those with this gift feed the church, care for its needs
and look out for the interests of others. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">There are a variety of benevolence
ministries in the church where someone with this gift might serve. They could volunteer
to serve meals, operate a food pantry, supervise a loan closet or coordinate a
clothing ministry. They receive deep satisfaction and joy from serving others
and consider it a privilege to be able to do so. James wrote: <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">If a brother or sister is without clothes and lacks daily
food and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, stay warm, and be well fed,”
but you don’t give them what they body needs, what good is it.” (CSB)</span></i><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The Holy Spirit empowers people through
this ministry gift to show the love of Jesus by meeting people’s physical needs
so that their hearts may be softened to have their spiritual needs met. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">TEACHING</span></u></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">the one who teaches in his teaching</span></i><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The gift of teaching is given for the
purpose of equipping others. Someone with this ability can explain difficult
things in a way that is easy to understand. A gifted teacher will be consumed
with the word of God and passionate about helping others to understand it.
Jesus forbids New Testament teachers from bearing the title Rabbi. Rabbis
collected disciples for themselves. But Didasko, Teachers, those with the gift
of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">didaskalia, </i>make disciples for
Christ. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Teachers equip other believers for the
work of ministry. A teacher is probably someone who enjoys speaking in front of
people and leading discussions about the Bible. A Spirit-empowered teacher can
graciously correct brothers and sisters in Christ. A person with the gift of
teaching will love to study God’s word and have a burning desire to share what
the Holy Spirit has taught them with others. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">EXHORTATION</span></u></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">the one who exhorts, in his exhortation</span></i><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The gift of exhortation is the
Spirit-empowered ability to call people into action. Someone with this gift can
recognize the giftings and callings in other people’s lives and call them into
service. Exhortation tells people how to respond to God’s word and apply it to
their lives.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">An exhorter can stir others up,
spurring them on to love and good deeds. Exhorters strengthen and build up the
church, helping people to be courageous and unafraid. They plead with their
peers to become active participants in the ministry of the church, urging
others to serve and share the Gospel. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Those with the gift of exhortation serve
the Body of Christ by mobilizing and maximizing each part as the Holy Spirit
works through them to encourage, counsel and set ministry in motion. An
exhorter can get people out of their seats and into the streets to spread the
Gospel. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">GIVING</span></u></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">the one who contributes, in generosity</span></i><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">A person with the gift of giving is
generous with their resources, viewing them as a gift from God. We have some
people in our Sunday Morning Bible Fellowship with the gift of giving. They
feel like God has blessed them to be a blessing to others. When they hear of
someone in need, they do not hesitate to open their purses and wallets. In
fact, it gives them great joy to be able to help. Giving can also extend beyond
money to include time, resources, etc. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">A giver might take pleasure in giving
money to support vital ministries. They probably give above and beyond their
tithe on a regular basis. They feel happiness from donating food, clothing,
money or other items to provide for those in need. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">LEADERSHIP</span></u></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">the one who leads, with zeal</span></i><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Leadership in this usage refers to
those who watch over the church in a superintending role. This is someone who presides
over church affairs with enthusiasm and who goes before others, setting a good
example. These are people who look out for the well-being of others and help
them find their place of service and ministry in the church. They protect
against false teachers, guard the peace of the assembly and ensure that
believers are being equipped.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Leaders should be patient when others
make mistakes. They enjoy helping people to realize their gifts and use them to
their fullest potential. Their sights are set on fulfilling the Great
Commission and they lead others in that direction. They organize opportunities
for church members to grow, reach out, serve and share the Gospel. Leaders take
pleasure in watching others thrive and become successful. They find joy and purpose
in equipping others to be capable and confident.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">SHOWING MERCY</span></u></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">the one who does acts of mercy with
cheerfulness</span></i><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Mercy and compassion are key aspects of
the character of God that are brought about in the lives of believers by the
Holy Spirit. Psalm 145:8 declares:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and
abounding in steadfast love. <o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">This gift goes beyond feeling sorry for
someone and moves people into the action of demonstrating kindness to those who
need it most. Mercy is the showing of compassion to drug addicts, prostitutes,
those who are imprisoned, drunks and others on the fringe of society. Mercy
extends God’s forgiveness to those who are being devoured by sin. Mercy looks the
most vile of sinners in the face, realizes but for the grace of God this could
be me, and then treats them with dignity, honor, respect and most importantly
love, the kind of love that tells them of the cleansing, healing, restoring,
forgiving power of Jesus and invites them to respond. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Romans 12:9-15 lists other abilities
the Holy Spirit brings forth in our lives:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">FAITH</span></u></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Rejoice in hope; be patient in
tribulation<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Faith is the opposite of despair, doubt
and despondency. The Holy Spirit fills us with hope and helps us to trust in
God. Faith enables us to endure difficult situations and to pray through them
with persistence. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-outline-level: 2;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">Have you ever been going through a difficult or
traumatic situation and someone came alongside you bringing hope and comfort? Have
you ever needed to lean on someone who had faith in times when you were
doubting? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-outline-level: 2;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-outline-level: 2;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">A person with the gift of faith can share their
confidence and trust in God with others in moments of the most crucial need. They
trust that God cares about His children and that He actively responds to
prayer. A person with special faith might fervently believe that God will heal
someone or they might be confident in the hope that He supernaturally protects
us when we pray and ask Him to. Faith is often expressed through prayer. Those
with this gift believe that prayer can change any circumstance to bring glory
to God and they impart their faith to others.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-outline-level: 2;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-outline-level: 2; text-align: center;"><b><u><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text1;">PRAYER<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-outline-level: 2; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">Be constant in Prayer<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-outline-level: 2; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-outline-level: 2;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">Prayer is intimate communication with God through
the Holy Spirit in the name of Jesus. This gift is available to all Christians
the moment we believe and cry out to Him. To be constant means to pray without
ceasing, to be faithful in prayer, to be steadfast and devoted to prayer. Ephesians
6:18 encourages us to pray this way:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-outline-level: 2;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-outline-level: 2;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request and stay
alert with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints. (CSB)<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-outline-level: 2;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-outline-level: 2;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">A life of Prayer is about consistently seeking
and asking God. It is about sincerely seeking His will and persistently asking
Him for what we need and earnestly desire. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-outline-level: 2;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-outline-level: 2;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">Intercession is when we pray for others and on
their behalf. I have witnessed occasions when the Holy Spirit laid a certain
person or family on someone’s heart to pray for them. When the praying person
followed up, they found out that the person was injured or a family member was
in the emergency room. They prayed with the Spirit. Any time a person suddenly
pops up in your thoughts and you feel concerned for their well-being, you
should pray because the Holy Spirit may be leading you to do so. Often times,
when praying for someone who is sick or injured, the Holy Spirit will guide us
as to how to pray and what to pray for. He does the same thing when we pray for
wisdom, for guidance and over various aspects of our lives. We need to open our
hearts and listen when we pray. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-outline-level: 2;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-outline-level: 2;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">Those who are gifted in prayer have an essential
role in the church. They pray as the Holy Spirit guides them to ask for
protection, resources and provision for their church. They pray for leaders to
have wisdom and souls to be saved. They pray for families, children and
communities. They pray for peace and safety. They pray over all aspects of a
churches ministry and for its members. We might only truly know in eternity how
great their impact was.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-outline-level: 2;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-outline-level: 2;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">Some believers are skillful and gifted prayer
warriors with a rich and vibrant prayer life, others have a lot of growth still
ahead of them, but all have access to this special present. Prayer is the
master key that releases us from the chains of fear and opens the door to
receive God’s blessing. Gifts from the Holy Spirit, such as healing and
miracles are the result of Faith expressed through Prayer. Wisdom from the Holy
Spirit comes to us in times of prayer. The word pray means to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">ask. </i>Prayer is about seeking God’s will,
His purpose, His plan, His power and His presence in our lives. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">HOSPITALITY</span></u></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Seek to show Hospitality</span></i><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The Holy Spirit specially equips some
people with the ability to make others feel welcome. They strengthen the bond
between believers by developing a sense of belonging. They remove anxiety,
helping people to feel comfortable and relaxed, putting their minds at ease. Someone
with the gift of hospitality finds pleasure in providing fellowship and
comradery in a way that is warm, and friendly, like family. They create an
environment where people feel wanted and appreciated.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-outline-level: 2;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">These gifted servants might enjoy hosting
gatherings in their home. They seek to include people outside of their normal
peer group. They might invite someone who just moved to town over for dinner or
hold a weekly Bible study in their living room. Hospitality can be extended to
both unbelievers and believers. It can aid in both outreach and fellowship.
Providing a comforting atmosphere for a funeral meal or planning a welcome
dinner for a new pastor are examples of this. We are all called to be
hospitable, but someone with this gift can take a leading and teaching role. </span><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">EMPATHY</span></u></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Rejoice with those who rejoice; <o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">weep with those who weep</span></i><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Empathy is the ability to put yourself
in someone else’s shoes, view a situation through their eyes and come alongside
them with compassion & understanding. This gift is also meant to help bring
peace and harmony to the church. An empathetic person can see things from
another’s point of view and reason together with them in a brotherly way.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">This gift often works hand in hand with
showing mercy. It is a special gift to not only be able to sympathize with
someone going through a hard time, but to also be able to help.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Conclusions from Romans 12:6-8</span></b><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The Holy Spirit unites the Body of
Christ together in peace, with all of our unique personalities and gifts, and
makes us into one. <span style="background: white;">God has given us different
gifts, but all are important. No one should ever be arrogant because of their
gift. All of the gifts are interconnected like the hand is connected to the
arm. They work together in beautiful harmony. Teaching equips believers to use
their gifts. Exhortation calls and directs those gifts into service. Giving provides
the means for Service. Faith is evidenced through Prayer. Empathy is put into
action through Showing Mercy. Our gifts are meant to serve, equip and help one
another as the Holy Spirit ministers through us bringing harmony to the church.
We should humbly employ our gifts for the benefit of others. </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 18pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Passage 2: 1 Corinthians 12: 1-30:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">In the same way that the human body has
many parts, all of great importance, the Holy Spirit gives members of the Body
of Christ a variety of Spiritual Gifts, each with an important function. The
major theme of this chapter is equality among the people of God. This passage
introduces several new spiritual gifts that were not covered in Romans 12. We
all have different gifts, but are equally important as brothers and sisters.
All of the gifts are sent by God for the well-being of the whole church. No
gift should be banned and no one should be mistreated or favored on the basis
of their gift. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit;
and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties
of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To
each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. -1
Corinthians 12:4-7</span></i><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">1 Corinthians 12:8-11 and 28 mention
additional spiritual gifts.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">WORDS of WISDOM and KNOWLEDGE:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">For to one is given through the Spirit
the utterance of wisdom to another the utterance of knowledge according to the
same Spirit</span></i><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Colossians 2:3 tells us that all of the
treasures of wisdom and knowledge are found in Christ Jesus. Through the Holy
Spirit inside of us, we have access to that wisdom and knowledge. In chapter seven
we learned that one type of prophetic ministry involves giving comfort, wise
counsel and advice to help people through difficult situations. One of the ways
that God accomplishes this is by giving us the ability to speak words of wisdom
and knowledge. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Knowledge</span></b><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">, or <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">gnosis, </i>refers
to facts. A word of knowledge could mean that a person recalls the teachings
and principles of Scripture, or remembers a passage of the Bible that applies
to a specific situation. Any knowledge found in the world through natural
revelation or through special revelation in Scripture can be supernaturally
given to a believer or brought to our attention at just the right moment.
Knowledge refers to all good and proper learning of the Bible and all subjects.
God helps us to be perceptive and understanding in all situations. Jesus told
the disciples that when they were persecuted and brought before authorities,
not to worry about what they would say because the Holy Spirit would tell them
what to speak.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">God may reveal special knowledge to a
person about how to reach or minister to another. He might give us something
specific to pray for when it comes to healing a physical injury or medical
condition or mending a familial relationship. I can attest that He has guided
me about how to pray for any variety of situations and needs when I was
listening and sensitive while praying for someone. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Wisdom, </span></b><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">or <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">sophia, </i>refers
to the application of knowledge. To be wise is to be prudent, to show
discretion and to be skillful in managing things. A wise person has the ability
to use and apply knowledge. In the same way that Solomon was made wise by God,
we are given great wisdom and decision making ability through the Holy Spirit.
All Christians have access that level of wisdom. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Words of Knowledge and Wisdom are
important ministries:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">A word spoken in due season is like apples of gold in
settings of silver. –Proverbs 25:11</span></i><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">A man has joy in an apt answer, and how delightful is a
timely word! –Proverbs 15:23</span></i><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The Lord God has given me the tongue of those who are
instructed to know how to sustain the weary with a word. –Isaiah 50:4</span></i><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Words of Knowledge and Wisdom refresh
us when we are worn out and beat up by the world. They comfort our hearts and
set things in motion<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Words of Knowledge and Wisdom are used
to give guidance and wise advice to benefit the church and encourage believers.
God equips people to guide churches and individuals through times of crises, to
minister well and to prepare for the future. These words help us to make good
decisions and remain strengthened in our resolve.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I appreciate the rendering of this gift
as <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Utterances </i>of Knowledge and Wisdom
because it is a spoken gift. This is a gift that the Holy Spirit gives to
another person by speaking through us. He might lead us to share the Gospel
with a stranger and give us just the right words to say. He might give us the
perfect words of comfort to someone who is hurting or encouragement to someone
with doubts. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">This gift can partner with the gift of
exhortation to recognize someone’s gifts and call them into action. The Holy
Spirit can use us to lovingly give corrective or directive advice to a brother
or sister in Christ. He might urge us to speak up about an important course of
action for the church, to offer correction or to lead in a new positive
direction. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Words of Knowledge, Words of Wisdom and
Prophecy, all fall into the category of Spirit-Led, Spirit-Empowered ministry.
Part of the role of the Holy Spirit as our <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Parakletos</i>,
is to counsel, lead and guide us. Reflect on these Old Testament verses which
anticipate the coming of the Spirit: <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">You guide me with your counsel… -Psalm 73:24a<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should
go. I will counsel you with me eye upon you. –Psalm 32:8<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">And your ears shall hear a word behind you saying “This
is the way, walk in it…” –Isaiah 30:21a<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The Spirit might prompt you to go to a
place you normally wouldn’t go or to drive a different route than you would
normally take in order to orchestrate a divine appointment, an opportunity to
share the Gospel. The Spirit can also work through us to affirm one another and
spur each other into action. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I have received words of comfort, up-building
and strengthening from other believers on many occasions. A simple word of
encouragement spoken under the urging of the Holy Spirit can be incredibly
uplifting and reassuring. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The ministry of encouragement is truly
valuable to the church and when we are tuned in listening to the Spirit
speaking, we can be a source of strength and courage to other believers. Sometimes
extraordinary knowledge can lead to ministry opportunities, and those are neat,
but I also believe that most of the words of knowledge and wisdom that come
through the Spirit are going to be anchored in God’s word, giving counsel to
help people through difficult times, delivering loving correction and speaking
encouragement into their lives. The Holy Spirit can speak wise advice and
counsel through any believer at any time. So we should be sensitive and when
you feel His prompting, Speak Up!!!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">HEALING:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">to another gifts of healing<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Any time someone is healed of a disease
or injury God should be given the glory. I believe the gift of Faith is
intentionally listed right before healing, because faith and God’s goodness are
key factors. When an individual or group of people pray over someone who is
sick and that person gets well, it was a gift from the Holy Spirit. Any
believer can pray for someone to be healed and God can respond to that prayer.
A person or group of people with great faith might frequently pray for someone
to be healed and then see God respond by making the person well. Healing is a
gift from God and He should receive all of the glory. James wrote:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of
the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of
the Lord and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick. -James
5:14-15</span></i><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">This verse indicates faith on the part
of the person seeking healing to call for the elders and a group prayer that
prevents any single person from taking credit or seeking glory for themselves.
The laying on of hands in prayer is frequently associated with healing. The
power to heal comes from the Holy Spirit, not from ourselves. When we lay hands
on someone and pray, the healing power of the Holy Spirit flows through us and
into them. The Holy Spirit can give a gift of healing through the prayers of
any believer or group of believers. God’s word shows us that this happens when
we pray in faith.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I have experienced situations where a
doctor, nurse or medical professional seems to have a special gift of healing
in their hands, where each place they touch stops hurting and starts healing. I
don't know if these people were silently praying as they ministered medical
care to me, or if they were even aware of their gift. But I do believe such a
gift, along with the knowledge to recognize the problem and the wisdom to know
how to fix it, often comes from the Holy Spirit. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I have witnessed countless situations
in my life where people were prayed for and received healing and recovery. I
have known of genetic diseases being cured, patients recovering from cancer, internal
injuries healing up and remarkable recoveries from illness, all as a result of
prayer. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">MIRACLES:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">to another the working of miracles<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">A miracle is something that defies the
natural order of things. When God chooses to act in a supernatural way for the
benefit and well-being of people that is a miracle. When a person has been
given a terminal diagnosis and they suddenly get well against all odds and
medical reason that could be considered a miracle. The apostles worked miracles
just as Jesus did. We should not use the word miracle lightly. A victory by a
sports team is not a miracle. A surprise financial benefit might be a great
blessing to a family in need—but that is not a miracle. Turning water into
wine—that was a miracle. Giving a blind man sight—that was a miracle. We should
not deny true miracles when they happen, but we should not use the word loosely
either. We should exercise wisdom and discretion when we hear reports of
miracles. Though, as I mentioned above, I am aware of genuine, verifiable medical
miracles.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">DISCERNMENT:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">to another the ability to distinguish
between spirits<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">A person with the gift of discernment
or distinguishing between spirits can sense selfish or harmful motives. They
will quickly recognize false teaching and false teachers and discover doctrines
of demons. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Paul wrote that he did not want us to
be unaware of the devil’s schemes. Someone with this gift will be skeptical of
someone who is trying to take advantage of other believers. A discerning person
will realize when someone is trying to deceive them by speaking half-truths.
They will be wise to discover plots to trick the church or individuals into
making bad decisions. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Someone with the gift of discernment
will also be aware of times the Holy Spirit is moving in a unique, powerful or
special way. They can tell the difference between a genuine move of God and
what is merely the strong influence of a slick, fast talking leader. They can
discern pure intentions and sense the presence of ulterior motives.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The gift of discernment enables a
person to notice when someone is twisting Scripture or pulling it out of
context in order to mislead or manipulate. A person with this gift might often
be called “divisive,” because they make waves and break illusions, but in
reality, these are the people who keep the church from being torn apart by
false teachings. It has always been false teaching, doctrines of demons, that
causes division in the church and problems between brothers and sisters. The
gift of discernment is given to help the church recognize smooth talking,
divisive, false teachers and to keep the TRUE church unified. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">TONGUES/LANGUAGES and INTERPRETATION:</span></u></b><u><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">to another various kinds of tongues, <o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">to another the interpretation of
tongues</span></i><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">We have learned that on the day of
Pentecost, as believers spoke, the people in the crowd <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">heard </i>them speaking in their own different languages, or <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">dialektos</i>. Because of this supernatural
miracle, the Gospel was able to be shared. This is the only occasion in
Scripture where such a miracle occurred, though God could do it again if He
wanted to. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">We have also learned that something
special happened on the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came upon a group
of Jews living in the Promised Land, on a second occasion when the Holy Spirit
first came to the Gentiles and on a third and final occasion when the Holy
Spirit filled a group of Jews living outside of the Promised Land. On each
occasion they were filled with the Spirit and spoke in tongues as a sign of
equality to demonstrate that God loved them all and considered them His
children. There is no other record in the Bible of an individual or group of
people speaking in tongues when they were saved. For this reason, I believe these
were special situations with a purpose and are not the normal Biblical
experience or the normal Christian experience. It is incorrect to say that
speaking in tongues is the sign of a person being saved or the one and only
sign of being filled with the Holy Spirit. Speaking in Tongues is, however, a
valid spiritual gift. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Paul confirms that not all Christians
speak or pray in tongues when he discusses the gift further in 1 Corinthians
14. He also teaches that when a person miraculously speaks or prays in another
language they are speaking to God and not to men. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The Bible indicates that some people
have the ability to allow the Holy Spirit to pray through them even if they
don’t understand the words. This shows a complete submission to God’s purposes,
trust in Him and a desire for His will to be done. Paul prayed this way and
also in his own language with understanding. Some people call this a private
prayer language. I know people who pray this way when they are praying for
healing for another person and in their private prayer lives. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I also know people who listen to the
Holy Spirit’s prompting or consult Scripture about how they should pray and
what to pray for with understanding. Paul indicates that praying in the Holy
Spirit builds an individual up. I believe this occurs by connecting with God
through prayer in a very intimate way. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Praying in a tongue is one thing. I
have been in situations where group prayer was taking place and people were
praying out loud, sometimes all at once and some in tongues. In principle, I
have no problem with that, though sensitivity to visitors is advised. I was
once visiting churches with a friend and a woman near us blurted something out
in a weird tongue. He wouldn’t visit any more churches with me after that. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Delivering a message in front of the
church in a tongue is a different situation. Paul encourages anyone who speaks
in tongues (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">glossa</i>) to ask God for
the gift of Interpretation so that the whole church can be built up. No one
should speak in a tongue during a gathering of the church unless there is
someone there to interpret. It would be considered wildly inappropriate for
someone to shout out something in the middle of a service in a known language.
How much more outrageous would it be to interrupt in a language no one
understands? If God were to choose to get people’s attention with a message in
another language, then that is His prerogative. But it would need to be given
with permission, decently and in order. No one should ever just stand up and
shout something out in an unknown language. The Bible teaches that God is the
author of peace, not confusion and that the spirit of prophets is subject to
the prophets. That means that if God truly wants to speak a message in another
language through a person, then that person will have the discernment to
deliver the message in a way that sows peace, not chaos and the interpretation
will bring clarity, not confusion.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The gift of interpretation is usually
under-stood to mean the supernatural ability to understand a spontaneous message
given by the Holy Spirit in another language, though it can also apply to
interpreting for someone who has come into the assembly speaking their own
foreign language that no one understands. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Babbling nonsense syllables with lots
of repetition like babababa or nuhnuhnuhnah, is not speaking in tongues, though
I concede that it could possibly be the result of a tongue being loosened or a
speech impediment being removed. Repeating something you think is a word over
and over again is not speaking in tongues. Speaking in a tongue is
supernaturally talking in another complete language with intelligible speech. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I have never spoken or prayed in
tongues, but I will be respectful of those who believe they have this gift. I
believe it is a sin to forbid missionaries or seminary professors from using
this gift. Verse 39 orders us not to forbid speaking in tongues. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Mostly, I believe we have missed out on
the greater point. On the day of Pentecost, the curse from the Tower of Babel
when languages were confused was reversed for the sake of good communication
and spreading the Gospel. Based on what I've learned about cognates and ancient
languages, I am convinced that tongues were loosened and speech impediments
were removed for many who were present that day and that the ability to
properly pronounce other languages was a new gift to the early church. They
weren’t supposed to use it to show off, but rather to build up the church. If someone
comes into the assembly speaking a different language, they should only be
allowed to do so with an interpreter so that all may hear and understand.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I had a Seminary professor who was
incredibly gifted with languages. He could read, speak, understand and teach
multiple languages fluently and most importantly, could explain what words
meant. He clearly had a gift that could only have come from the Lord. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I will be charitable and loving toward
my fellow believers who pray in tongues and try not to underestimate the
importance of that gift. I personally believe that the primary ways the gifts
of tongues and interpretation are manifested in the church today is in the
ability to learn, pronounce and speak other languages for spreading the Gospel
and in the ability to see patterns in language and to study, understand,
interpret and explain God’s word for the benefit of others. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">HELPS:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">helping (verse 27)<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">A person with the gift of helps is able
to perceive the needs of others and to know how to embrace them, walk alongside
of them and help them. This might mean providing for a need, assisting in a
difficult situation or noticing something that others missed. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The Holy Spirit empowers some believers
to notice people who might be in need, hurting, neglected, lonely or
discouraged. The Spirit also empowers them to know how to help and find the
means necessary to do so. This could be providing for physical needs such as
food or clothing or completing repairs at no charge. It could mean providing
support and assistance to someone’s ministry efforts. It could mean finding
someone a ride to church, providing help with groceries, assisting a single mom
with childcare or mentoring a young believer with questions. This gift is about
perceptiveness that leads to action.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">ADMINISTRATION:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">administrating (verse 27)<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The government or administration of the
church comes from the word for steering a ship, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">kubernesis. </i>My Papa served in the U.S. Navy in the aftermath of
World War II. One of his jobs was as an assistant Helmsman. The Helmsman is the
one who mans the steering wheel. He told the story of a time when he was on
duty and heard an unfamiliar voice behind him giving specific and detailed
instructions with regular changes in course and direction. After an uncertain
period of time, he was relieved of duty and given the rest of his shift off. As
he turned around, a man who was either the Captain or the Executive Officer put
a hand on his shoulder and told him well done son, you just steered us through
a mine field. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">In the same way those men watched their
instruments for danger, the church is given overseers, like the lookout on a
ship, sitting up in the crow’s nest to watch out for trouble on the horizon. An
administrator, or helmsman, is responsible for steering the ship, the church,
in the right direction, maneuvering it around obstacles and guiding it through
perilous waters. He helps to plot the course and keep the church going in the
right direction. He watches out for trouble, protects from danger, guides the
church to make wise decisions, and encourages us to take wise actions and reach
our goals—sharing the gospel and making disciples. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">1 Corinthians 12:12-16 focus on unity
and equality in the church and I will revisit them in the final thoughts of
this article. Verses 27-31 list additional gifts.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Now you are the body of Christ and individually members
of it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets,
third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating
and various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all
teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess the gift of healing? Do all
speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the higher gifts.
And I will show you a still more excellent way. </span></i><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">(Love)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">This passage is about spiritual gifts
that God has given to the church, not about offices, authority or positions. In
fact, the whole point of the text is that Christians are absolutely equal parts
of the body of Christ and while some have different gifts to serve the church
in different ways, more gifts are available to those who desire them. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The word translated as “appoint,” is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">tithemi. </i>It means to lay down or set
before someone the way a meal is set on the table. These are gifts that God has
set before the church. He offers them to us for the taking. When the text tells
us to earnestly desire these gifts, it means that they are available for all of
us and God wants you to have them. He wants you to accept these gifts and He is
offering them to you with an open hand.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Since we have covered every gift in
this passage except for two, let us turn our attention to apostles and
prophets. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">APOSTLES<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The text asks <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">are all apostles?</i> The word apostle means to be a delegate or
messenger. Jesus had twelve Disciples. Eleven of them went on to become
representatives of Jesus after His death. They were the first apostles and the
only ones who we refer to as capital “A” Apostles along with Matthias whom they
chose to replace Judas and then Paul, to whom Jesus appeared. But in the sense
of a spiritual gift, an apostle is someone sent out to spread the good news of
Jesus Christ and disciple those who believe. We are all God’s messengers. 2
Corinthians 5:20 tells us that we are all his designated ambassadors. At the
Great Commission, all believers were sent out to proclaim the Gospel and make
disciples, so in a sense all believers <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">are</span>
apostles. Some have a special gift for this task and God would like all of us
to wield that gift which is why I believe it was given the position of prime
importance on the list. This gift is about winning souls for Christ. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">PROPHETS<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The text also asks <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">are all prophets?</i> We have already learned about Joel’s prophecy
fulfilled in Acts 2:17: <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">In the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will
pour out My Spirit on all flesh and your sons and daughters shall prophecy. </span></i><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">In 1 Corinthians 14:1 Paul writes: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Pursue love and earnestly desire the
spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. </i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">To prophesy in this context means to
speak, teach and explain the words of God, particularly from Scripture. It
naturally follows apostle on the list because once a person comes to a saving
knowledge of Jesus, they need to be discipled. The canon of Scripture is closed
but all Christians can hear God’s voice, understand Him, speak His words and
use this gift. We are encouraged to desire and seek to prophesy.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">All Christians are meant to be apostles
and prophets in the sense that we have been sent out to proclaim a message of
hope and salvation from God, then instruct and disciple those who respond. Gifts
that help us to go out and share the good news of Jesus with boldness are
placed front and center on this list. Each gift plays an important role in spreading
the Gospel. It is appropriate to desire more spiritual gifts and we are
encouraged to seek them for the sake of serving the Kingdom of God, not out of
envy or a desire for control, position, power or influence, but out of the
earnest desire to serve. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Conclusions from 1 Corinthians 12<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The overarching themes of this chapter
are unity and equality in the Body of Christ. Each person has received the same
Holy Spirit. Each person has a special part in the church and a gift to use to
serve the body. It is wrong to disrespect or disregard another person’s gift.
It is also wrong to give special honor, position or influence to someone based <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">solely</i> on their gift. Leaders are chosen
based on character traits, not gifting, but all gifts are important to the
church.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Passage 3: Ephesians 4:11-13<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The
Holy Spirit empowers leaders to train others. The purpose of leaders in the
church is not to be the boss and make all of the decisions. The purpose of
leaders is to train and equip others, sharing their gifts, talents, skills and
abilities, so that the cause of Christ can be advanced. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">And
he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and
teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the
body of Christ until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of
God’s Son, growing into maturity…<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">EVANGELIST<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">We
have already learned about apostles, prophets and teachers. An <i>Evangelist</i>,
is a bringer of good news, a proclaimer of glad tidings, a preacher and herald of
the Gospel. This is someone who is gifted with the ability to share the happy
news about Jesus. Evangelism, from the word <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">euaggelizo,
</i>means to bring good news. The Hebrew word for delivering glad tidings is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">basar.<a href="file:///C:/Users/jdsec/Desktop/Blog%20Ideas/Spiritual%20Gifts%20combined.docx#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 125%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[2]</span></b></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> </i>It means to show
forth. It is also the word for the human body, which should show us what our
true purpose is in this life, to show forth God’s glory. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">There
was a special way of announcing the good news of a victory in the Ancient Near
East. Psalm 68:11 describes such an event:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The Lord gave the word; a great host of
women proclaimed the good news. </span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">(author’s
translation)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">When
men came home from victory in battle, the women came out to celebrate and
announce the good news with singing, tambourines and dancing. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">When
a mighty conquering king rode into town, a parade would be held in honor and
celebration of his accomplishments and welcoming his reign. There would be
singing and dancing as heralds went before him proclaiming the good news of his
arrival. I like to picture them parading through town, telling the people how
great the King is, all about his mighty deeds and noble character. They might
extol his virtue and highlight his accomplishments. They could boast of all the
King owned and everything he had to offer. They might regale them with tales of
his prowess on the battlefield as he <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">faced
conquering hordes and bad guys with swords.<i> </i></span>When we tell people
about Jesus, we are telling people wonderful news and we should do so with the
same level of enthusiasm.</span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">An
evangelist is specially gifted to go out into the world telling everyone about
Jesus and training others to do the same. He tells of Jesus’ miracles, of His
character, His goodness, kindness and mercy. He proclaims His mighty acts and
His excellent greatness. He tells of how Jesus conquered death, hell and the
grave. Like the herald that marches before a mighty King coming into town after
conquering an evil despot, the evangelist walks ahead of King Jesus telling
everyone of the wonderful blessings of His Kingdom and encouraging them to
welcome His rule. And King Jesus has a proposal to make. He is offering
forgiveness and mercy to all who will accept His covenant. Even to those who
were His sworn enemy, He offers peace and reconciliation. He offers the chance
to be part of His Kingdom and be adopted as His own children. He is a great
King, a good King, a King who fought for us, a King who died for us, a King who
rose again victorious. Evangelists proclaim the truth about who Jesus is and
about His Kingdom, issuing the invitation to join Him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">While
some church members may have a special gift to be an evangelist, all of us are
called to do the work of evangelism and to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">SHEPHERD</span></u></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">There
are those who are called to a special role in caring for God’s people. A <i>Shepherd,
</i>often translated as <i>Pastor</i>, is one who watches over the church. In
the Ancient Near East, a shepherd had 5 responsibilities:<a href="file:///C:/Users/jdsec/Desktop/Blog%20Ideas/Spiritual%20Gifts%20combined.docx#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn3;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 125%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>1. Watch out for enemies<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">2.
Defend the sheep from attackers<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">3.
Heal the wounded and sick sheep<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">4.
Find and save lost or trapped sheep<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">5.
Love them and earn their trust<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">In
the same way, a Pastor or Shepherd must watch out for those who would harm the
flock, the church. He must protect them from false teachers and deceivers who
come like starving wolves looking for someone vulnerable to devour. He brings
them to Jesus, the good Shepherd who heals them. He seeks out the lost and
those caught in the snares of sin and brings them to Jesus. He loves his people
and earns their trust through his faithful actions. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Conclusions
from Ephesians 4:11-12<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">All
leadership gifts exist to train others, to share the gift and pass it along. Do
you remember when Paul told Timothy not to neglect the gift he received when
the elders laid hands on him and prophesied over him? That instruction
immediately follows Paul’s reminder for Timothy to read Scripture, teach it and
exhort the people to respond. These gifts from the Spirit are transferrable
through teaching and training. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif;">Passage 4: Exodus 35:30-36:2</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif;"> </span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">We
often overlook the fact that not all spiritual gifts are listed in the New
Testament. In fact, the first spiritual gifts that God bestowed upon man came
under the Old Covenant and these were gifts of Artistry and Craftsmanship, Music and Writing which were given to build up God’s house and His people. Let’s
explore Exodus 35:30 through 36:2 to learn more about these gifts.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><i><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Then
Moses said to the people of Israel, “See, the LORD has called by name Bezalel
the son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah; and he has filled him with
the Spirit of God with skill, with intelligence, with knowledge and with all
craftsmanship, to devise artistic designs, to work in gold and silver and
bronze, in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, for work in every
skilled craft. And he has inspired him to teach, both him and Oholiab, the son
of Ahisamach of the tribe of Dan. He has filled them with skill to do every
sort of work done by an engraver or by a designer or by an embroiderer in blue
and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen, or by a weaver—by any sort
of workman or skilled designer. Bezalel and Oholiab and every craftsman in whom
the LORD has put skill and intelligence to know how to do any work in the
construction of the sanctuary shall work in accordance with all that the LORD
has commanded. And Moses called Bezalel and Oholiab and every craftsman in
whose mind the LORD had put skill, everyone whose heart stirred him up to come
to do the work.</span></i><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt;"> <b><u>Craftsmanship</u></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Every
type of craftsmanship and artistry that is used for God’s glory is not only
inspired, but enabled by the Holy Spirit. He empowered the ancient artists to
do woodwork, metalwork and stonework in carefully rendered artistic designs.
They crafted the bowls, cups, plates and utensils for use in the worship of
God. They sculpted spectacular works of beauty out of metal and wood. The
Spirit equipped people to prepare and sew beautiful tapestries, curtains and
clothing. He gave them the phenomenal skill to build the tabernacle, which was
a moveable temple to God. It must have been astonishingly beautiful when it was
finished. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt;"> <b><u>Writing</u></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The Holy Spirit also inspired writers. David’s messages of Holy Spirit inspired Scripture were expressed in songs. Other writers of Scripture used poetry or prose and a variety of unique writing techniques to communicate the word of God. 2 Peter 1:19-21 tells us where these words came from:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><i><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">We also have the prophetic word strongly confirmed, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. Above all, you know this: No prophecy of Scripture comes from the prophet’s own interpretation, because no prophecy ever came by the will of man; instead, men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.</span></i><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The book of Hebrews begins with these words:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><i><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Long ago God spoke to the fathers by the prophets at different times and in different ways. In these last days, he has spoken to us by His Son.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><i><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Through answers to questions, expressions of joy, prophetic visions, symbolic imagery, lamentations of sorrow and faithful recording of history, the Holy Spirit spoke to men and through men to deliver the very Word of God, the Bible. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">No new Scripture is going to be written, but skilled Christian writers who use their gifts for the Lord should recognize who the gift comes from.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><b><u>Musicianship</u></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The
Holy Spirit also inspires musical skill and its application. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><i><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Be
filled with the Spirit; speaking to one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual
songs, singing and making music with your heart to the Lord. (Ephesians 5:18)<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><i><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">He
put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and
fear, and they will trust in the LORD. –Psalm 40:3</span></i><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">David
was one of the most important musicians who ever lived. It was under his
leadership and guidance that worship was established in Israel. God told David
how He wanted to be worshipped (2 Kings 29:25) and David established a choir to
sing and play instruments such as trumpets, shofars, lyres, harps, bowl
guitars, crash cymbals, gongs, drums, tambourines, various woodwinds and more.
In fact, he was even an inventor of new musical instruments (Amos 6:5). <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">David
appointed Chenaniah to teach and lead the other musicians because he was
skillful. Both artistic and musical gifts can be passed along from teacher to
student. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">David
was the most prolific of the psalmists. Almost all of the theology that we can
learn from David is expressed in the songs that he wrote. 2 Samuel 23 records
the last words of David, delivered in verse, revealing who inspired him to
write these psalms: <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><i><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The
Spirit of the Lord spoke through me, his word was on my tongue. The God of
Israel spoke; the Rock of Israel said to me….</span></i><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">It
was clearly the Holy Spirit who inspired David to deliver God’s word to us and
it has been handed down in the form of songs. It was the Spirit of God that
told David to establish worship the way he did. It was the Spirit that spoke
through David’s songs. It was through the Spirit that David had visions of the
future and wrote the very song, Psalm 22, that Jesus quoted from on the cross.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The
Holy Spirit still inspires music making. Not only does He inspire us to sing
the Psalms and continue using them as our instruction manual for worship, but
He inspires spiritual songs, or <i>songs from the Spirit</i>. In Colossians 3:16,
Paul elaborates on these instructions:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><i><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Let
the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in
all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in
your hearts to God.</span></i><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The
Spirit inspires the creation of new songs. These songs will never introduce new
theology or new revelation, but will teach Biblical doctrines in fresh new ways
that help people to connect with our Savior.</span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt; text-align: center;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Conclusion on Artistic Gifts</span></b><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br />
Under the Old Covenant, God used
gifts of artistry and craftsmanship, music and writing to communicate with His
people, build His tabernacle and temple and establish the worship that would
occur there. Under the New Covenant, God uses spiritual gifts to build his
spiritual house—the church. The Holy Spirit still inspires musical worship and
artistic forms of expression for the purposes of building up God’s
Kingdom. </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">When
we prepare lessons, write commentaries or blog posts and interact on social
media, we must be mindful that this writing gift comes from the Lord and should
use it accordingly. That means that snark and satire should be replaced with
grace and winsomeness. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">When
we compose music, write plays and dramas, design and sew costumes, create sets,
select music for worship and plan and prepare Christmas and Resurrection Sunday
programs, we should seek the Lord's guidance and do these things for His glory.
Artistic gifts are inspired by God and should be used for His purposes. If you
try to use these gifts to gain glory, honor and praise for yourself, they might
destroy you. But if you use them for God’s glory, they will be a blessing to
you. These gifts are meant to increase His Kingdom and to encourage, edify and
build up His Church.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Perhaps
you can make clothing like Tabitha, design and build excellent church
facilities and homes or paint beautiful works of art showcasing the majesty of
God's creation or bringing Biblical scenes to life. I still enjoy visiting the
church I grew up in and seeing the lovely stained glass windows. The time
spent rehearsing and preparing our crafts, using art to build others up, improve
their lives, bring joy to people and draw them to Jesus, is an important act of
worship. All of these gifts have a purpose. Artistic gifts are meant to draw
people into a relationship with God. When we recognize that our gifts come from
the Holy Spirit and should point back to God, when we use artistry and
craftsmanship to help people reflect on and respect the awesomeness of our
creative Creator, when we lay our very best as an offering at the feet of
Jesus, He does wonderful things with it. </span> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Final Thoughts<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Spiritual
gifts are given to us to serve, unify and build up the church. We should
be intentional about putting them to good use. Let’s quickly revisit 1
Corinthians 12:12-14)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">For just as the body is one and has many members, and all
the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For
in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Gentiles, slaves or
free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit. For the body does not consist of
one member but of many. <o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">We are the Body of Christ and Jesus is
the head that directs us to do His work. This teaching about the body and its
various parts is sandwiched in between teachings about spiritual gifts because
the gifts are meant to empower and mobilize the church for action. Equality as
brothers and sisters in Christ is a major theme of this passage. Each believer
has a unique and important role in the church. The Baptism being referred to in
the verses above is our initial moment of regeneration when we accept Jesus as
our Savior and His Holy Spirit comes to live inside of us. We have all been
given the same Baptism, the same Spirit. He joins us together as the Body of
Christ. Each member of the church is an important and indispensable part of the
Body of Christ. How will you use your gifts to serve?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div style="mso-element: footnote-list;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<div id="ftn1" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/jdsec/Desktop/Blog%20Ideas/Spiritual%20Gifts%20combined.docx#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif;"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 125%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif;"> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon</i>. Logos Bible Software, 1995.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn2" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/jdsec/Desktop/Blog%20Ideas/Spiritual%20Gifts%20combined.docx#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 125%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif;">Strong’s
Enhanced Lexicon</span></i><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif;">.
Logos Bible Software, 1995.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn3" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/jdsec/Desktop/Blog%20Ideas/Spiritual%20Gifts%20combined.docx#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn3;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif;"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 125%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif;"> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon</i>. Logos Bible Software, 1995.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>Jerry Schultzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15370640301757556204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1540408315018036204.post-90012312929696096562021-03-21T13:23:00.005-07:002022-02-04T22:41:25.658-08:00John Calvin vs. The Bible: Does God Cause Evil?<p><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">There
is a false, slanderous, and quite frankly, blasphemous teaching that has been circulating and
growing throughout the church like invasive thistles ruining a beautiful field.
At first glance the purple flower of a thistle is appealing, but its thick
stalk is covered with painful spikes and its root chokes the life out of every
good plant. That tricky treacherous flower quickly spreads the seed of this petulant
plant until it takes over the entire field. In the same way, a certain vile
doctrine has been rapidly spreading throughout the church, poisoning people’s
perceptions of the nature, person and character of God. Planted long ago, these
seeds of deception have been slowly overtaking the church to the point that these ideas have now become the dominant view in our pulpits and in our seminaries.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><u><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>I. John
Calvin: Extraordinary Philosopher, Questionable Theologian </b><o:p></o:p></span></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">In
chapter 18 of his (in)famous book “The Institutes of the Christian Religion,”
revered Reformation theologian John Calvin states the following: <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Angels and men, good and bad, do
nought but what has been decreed by God. <o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Calvin
claims that neither human beings nor angels (not even fallen ones) do anything
except what God has planned and designed for them to do. Martin Luther is regularly
quoted as appearing to agree with this belief when he coined this oft-repeated
refrain: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Even the devil is God’s devil.</i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Calvin
believed that even our thoughts are controlled by God.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">That men do nothing save at the
secret instigation of God, and do not discuss and deliberate on any thing but
what he has previously decreed with himself and brings to pass by his secret
direction, is proved by numberless clear passages of Scripture.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Calvin
asserts that God does whatever he pleases at all times and that this control <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">extends to all the actions of men. </i>He
continues to build upon these blasphemies, adding:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">The sum of the whole is this—since the
will of God is said to be the cause of all things, all the counsels and actions
of men must be held governed by his providence; so that he not only exerts his
power in the elect, who are guided by the Holy Spirit, but also forces the
reprobate to do him service.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">This
sounds like Calvin is claiming that every sinful, harmful, evil thing that
mankind can do is the will of God and that The Lord Himself makes them happen. The "reformer" goes
even further, stating:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">God is the author of all those things
which, according to those objectors, happen only by his inactive permission. </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Calvin
then sets up a false analogy to elaborate upon his arrogant claims, saying that…</span><i style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">he creates light and darkness,</i><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><i style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">forms good and evil </i><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">and </span><i style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">that no evil happens which he has not done.</i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">John
Calvin explicitly taught that God is the author, creator and root cause of all evil things that happen including all actions of demons and men. His said that nothing evil has ever happened that
God himself did not do. Think about that for a moment. This Protestant pastor
proposed that every rape, murder, vile crime and despicable, morally
reprehensible, evil act ever perpetrated on this earth was planned and
perpetrated by none other than God himself. The arrogance necessary to assert
such a claim is truly astonishing. The fact that so many agree with him is
saddening, perplexing and quite frankly, sickening.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><u><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>II. The
Proliferation of Calvin’s Beliefs</b><o:p></o:p></span></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">This
errant belief was adopted and codified in the 1647 Westminster Confession of
Faith when in chapter 3 titled “God’s Eternal Decree,” they wrote:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">God from all eternity did, by the
most wise and holy counsel of His own will, freely, and unchangeably ordain
whatsoever comes to pass<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">It
has recently become popular for people who ascribe to Calvinistic or Reformed
Theology to display the date 1689 in their bio, wear it on t-shirts or showcase
it in other ways to denote their commitment to the 1689 London Baptist Confession
of Faith, which was based upon the Westminster Confession. The 1689 Confession phrases
it this way:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">God hath decreed in himself, from all
eternity, by the most wise and holy counsel of His own will, freely and
unchangeably, all things, whatsoever comes to pass.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">The
writers of the confession then submit the shallow and contradictory claim that this statement
does not make God the author of sin or indicate that he overrides a person’s
will, but that is precisely what such a statement accuses God of doing. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">The
Westminster Confession goes on to postulate that God did not see into the
future and ordain what would happen. By their reasoning, God did not design a
plan based on human actions and reactions, but rather He devised, planned and
causes all things.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">They
also attribute all contingencies and secondary causes to God’s will. That means, for example, that if a person is bullied and then kills themselves as a result,
that God knew this would happen. Their assertion indicates that God knew they
would react that way and that he planned and caused <i>both</i> the act of bullying
<i>and</i> the resulting suicide.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Pastors
frequently repeat sayings that reflect these beliefs. Perhaps you’ve heard
someone say:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Nothing comes into your life that
doesn’t pass through God’s fingers.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Satan doesn’t do anything without God’s
permission.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Satan is like a dog on a leash, only
going as far as God allows him to.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Nothing is outside of God’s control. <o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">I
once visited a church where the pastor proclaimed in front of the gathered
congregation that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Satan is God’s errand
boy, carrying out the will of the Father. </i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">A
different Baptist Confession of faith from the Mennonite tradition takes the
opposing point of view:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">God foresaw and foreknew all things which have come to pass,
are coming to pass, and shall come to pass, both good and evil, but since he is
only perfect good and the fountain of life, we believe and confess that he
is the sole Author, Origin and Operator of those things which are good,
holy, sincere, pure and which agree with his nature; but not at all of sins and
damnable evils. For God enjoins that which is good; he desires that we obey
him in that which is good; he consults for and admonishes to it, and
makes great promises to those who obey. On the contrary he forbids evil, exhorts against evil, threatens evil doers, and punishes them not
rarely in this life, and denounces against them eternal punishment. And
by this means shows himself to be an enemy of sinners and that all iniquity is
contrary to his holy nature. And therefore, not God who is good, but man who is
evil, by voluntarily choosing sin to which the spirit of wickedness leads him,
which is dominant in him, is the author, origin and operator of sins and
all wickedness, and for this reason is worthy of punishment.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><u><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>III. What
Does the Bible Say?</b></span></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Calvin claimed that all actions of men and angels are decreed and caused
by God. Included in that statement would of course be fallen angels, or demons.
Satan is also a fallen angel. The Westminster and 1689 London Confessions
codified this false teaching, but the Bible contradicts:<br />
<br />
</span><i><span style="background: white; color: #001320; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the
devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of
God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. -1 John 3:8</span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<br />
Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil. It is ludicrous to think that
Jesus came to thwart the will of the Father by fighting against the His “errand
boy” the devil, but that is what Calvin’s assertion implies. Jesus came to put
a stop to the pain, suffering, grief and despair caused by the Satan.</span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Calvin
claimed that Satan was on a bridle and his actions were being controlled by
God. But the Bible describes the devil in this way:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Be sober minded. Be watchful. Your
adversary the devil roams around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour.
Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kind of sufferings are
being experienced by your fellow believers throughout the world. -1 Peter
5:8-9.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">God
warns us to beware of this enemy which roams around freely like a savage wild
predator without chains or fences for protection. Like a family on safari
through the African grasslands warily watches for lions, we need to be on the
lookout for the devil and his harmful schemes. The Bible also tells us to
resist him and stand firm in our faith. Why on earth would God tell us to stand
against the devil if Satan was doing his will? That makes no logical sense. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Calvin
declared God to be the author of all things and committed one of the greatest
blasphemies ever uttered when he said of God that </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">no evil happens which he has not done.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><i> </i>Chew on that for a moment. It is as if Satan himself was speaking through this man to blame God for the actions of the devil, demons and evil men. My friends, this statement is outright HERESY. </o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">In
the Bible, the prophet Habakkuk annihilates this heresy by proclaiming:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Your eyes are too pure to approve
evil and you cannot look upon wickedness with favor. –Habakkuk 1:13<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">James,
the brother of our Lord, further insists:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">God is not tempted by evil and he
himself doesn’t tempt anyone. But each person is tempted when he is drawn away
and enticed by his own evil desire. Then after desire is conceived it gives
birth to sin, and when sin is fully grown, it gives birth to death. –James 1:13b-15<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Calvin claimed that God invented light and darkness and therefore,
God invented good and evil. Before creation, everything was in literal darkness
and God created light. He created the day and the night. When light and
darkness are used metaphorically to contrast good and evil, it is used this
way: <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This is the message we have
heard from him and declare to you, God is light and there is absolutely no
darkness in Him. –1 John 1:5<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">God's word directly contradicted Calvin’s claim nearly 1500 years before
the man made it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Calvin claimed that every thought that men think or deliberate on
comes from God, but speaking directly from God, the prophet Jeremiah contradicted
this point of view:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #001320; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">They have built the high places of Baal in Ben Hinnom Valley
to sacrifice their sons and daughters in the fire to Molech —something I had
not commanded them. I had never entertained the thought that they do this
detestable act causing Judah to sin!</span> –Jeremiah 32:35<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #001320; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: #001320; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Not only did God
never entertain such a thought, but other translations render the text this way:
</span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background: white; color: #001320; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="background: white; color: #001320; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #001320; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I did not command them, nor did it enter into my mind, that
they should do this abomination</span>. </i><span style="background: white; color: #001320; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: #001320; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: #001320; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Such an evil idea
did not come from the Holy mind of God. Romans 1:30 describes sinful people as <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">inventors of evil. </i>Evil ideas are
generated by fallen human minds and by fallen angels, not by God. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: #001320; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">If a parent orders their rebellious teenager to stay in for the night and do their homework or face the consequences and the child defies them and climbs out of their bedroom window to steal a car with their friends, drink alcohol and get into trouble, is it appropriate to say the parent "allowed" or "permitted" them to do so? Of course not. That would be ridiculous. In the same way, when God specifically forbids sin in his word and promises that judgement and punishment will come upon those who disobey, it is outrageous, and quite arrogant, to say that he "permitted," or "allowed" them to sin. God in his mercy might choose to postpone judgement, offering forgiveness for those who repent, but He is in no way culpable for their evil actions.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">SIN is rebellion against God. Sin is doing things that God
forbids. He forbid Adam and Eve from eating fruit from the Tree of Knowledge of
Good and Evil and Satan enticed them to do the very thing that God had
forbidden. That was the moment that mankind became aware of and began doing and
evil and thinking of corrupt and vile things to do. From the very beginning,
the devil has been tempting people to sin by doing evil things that God does
not permit.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">These reformed confessions of faith and quotes from various
pastors claim that everything is under God’s direct control and all events are
caused by Him. But, God’s own word contradicts their philosophy.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">God is absolutely the Sovereign ruler of the universe. A Sovereign
is a king and to be sovereign means to reign or rule over. When God made Adam, Genesis
1:26 records that He gave man <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">mashal, </i>the
ability to <i>rule over</i> the earth. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Then God said, “Let us make
man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">rule over</b> the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and
over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that
creeps on the earth.” <o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">God created man to reign over the earth as HIS representatives in goodness, righteousness and justice, but when Adam sinned, mankind lost some of that sovereignty as Satan claimed some of that power and
authority God had given to man. He stole it away from them. This is why Jesus
referred to the devil as the prince or ruler of this world in John 14:30, but
also noted that Satan had no claim or power over him. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #001320; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this
world is coming. He has no claim on me</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">All evil is the result of the wickedness of the devil and the
sinful, evil actions of fallen man and man’s misuse of the power and authority
God gifted to him. Mankind has corrupted ourselves, continually doing evil and causing harm to one another. Genesis 6:5-6 tells us how truly corrupt and evil mankind had become by Noah's day:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><i>Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually and the LORD regretted that he had made man on the earth and it grieved him in his heart. </i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It is inappropriate, slanderous and blasphemous to blame the
sinful evil actions of men on God. Our evil is in direct defiance of God's will. He does not decree such things. He forbids them. They are sin. It is outrageous to blame God for the evil actions of men and fallen angels. Only an evil heart could make such an accusation. Such Chutzpah! What bold faced, unmitigated gall! The arrogance to blame God for the evil of mankind is a lie that comes directly from Satan himself. But there is good news:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #001320; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">He disarmed the rulers and authorities and disgraced them
publicly. He triumphed over them by Him.</span> –Colossians 2:15</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Because Satan had no claim on Christ, in rising from the grave and
defeating death, Jesus utterly and completely humiliated him and put him to
open shame. In destroying the works of the devil, Jesus has retaken the
sovereignty of the earth (which was always rightfully his) that mankind lost and
this is what the Bible says about that situation:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">You have put all things in
subjection under his feet. For in subjecting everything to him, he left nothing
that is not subject to him. As it is, we do not yet see everything subjected to
him. –Hebrews 2:8<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Jesus is the King of the world. The sovereignty that mankind lost to Satan has been taken back and given to the 2nd Adam, King Jesus. All things have been placed under
his authority, but not all have submitted to his rule. Out of grace, he has not
yet forcibly taken control, but is holding back, offering forgiveness,
patiently waiting to allow more people to be saved. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">God is all powerful, but He is also slow to anger and full of mercy and lovingkindness. Perhaps the most notorious
theological question of all time is “How can a good God allow such evil in this
world?” And the answer is Love. Make no mistake, there is a time appointed for God’s
judgement and the destruction of all evil, but before we became Christians, you
and I were evil. In order to put an end to evil God would have had to destroy us. To destroy Satan completely, God must destroy all of those the devil is at work in. I'm glad that He that is at work in us is greater than the one at work in the world. God's plan is
redemption, to fill us with His Holy Spirit, to change us, to conform us to his image and to save us. Peter
wrote:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #001320; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count
slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but
that all should come to repentance.</span> 2 Peter 3:9<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #001320; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: #001320; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Perhaps you have
been hurt. Maybe you’ve been angry at God because you thought he causes the
horrible trauma in this world that results from the actions of sinful, violent,
evil people. But that isn’t true. God is love. God is a healer. There is a time coming when there will be no more pain, no more tears and the devil and all of his fallen angels, unbelievers and all evil will be destroyed. God does not want to destroy you with them. He wants you
to turn away from your sins and turn toward Jesus for salvation and to put your faith, hope and trust in His
promises. </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">We are not merely players in some divine comedy, we
are moral agents with the ability to make real choices and decisions with
meaningful results. Our prayers matter and they affect real outcomes. Will you
make the decision to follow Jesus today? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: #001320; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: #001320; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">God is entirely
good. There is no evil in him at all. It is not only a serious theological
error, but an outrageous blasphemy to blame God for the sinful, evil actions of
fallen angels and fallen mankind. Did you know that the word devil, from the
Greek <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">diabolos, </i>actually means <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">slanderer </i>and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">false accuser</i>? This libelous lie about God is from the father of
lies himself, Satan. It is time to stand up to such diabolical and arrogant
philosophy and demand that those who call themselves God’s people speak of him
rightly. God is good. <o:p></o:p></span></p>Jerry Schultzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15370640301757556204noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1540408315018036204.post-27764473766478842272021-03-16T14:46:00.015-07:002022-01-23T12:52:34.002-08:00What Does the Bible Really Teach About "Hell?" (Version 2.0)<p><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">When Adam and Eve sinned in the garden of Eden, there was a consequence: Death. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><i>The LORD God said, "Since the man has become like one of us, knowing good and evil, he must not reach out, take from the tree of life, eat and live forever." So the LORD God sent him away from the garden of Eden to work the ground from which he was taken. He drove the man out and stationed the cherubim and the flaming, whirling sword east of the garden of Eden to guard the way to the tree of life. </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">You and I
are not immortal. Only God is immortal. God made certain that man could not live forever in a sinful fallen state. The only way that anyone will
receive eternal life is by salvation through Jesus Christ. </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 18.6667px;">Satan is not immortal either. He will not live forever. There is a time appointed for his demise and the destruction of all who are with him. God used fire to guard the entrance to paradise so that no evil could ever enter it. Evil can not attain immortality. A reckoning is inevitable. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">There is much confusion on the subject of Hell. This situation is not helped by the fact that the King James Version of the Bible translates two very different words with unique meanings, <i>Hades </i>and <i>Gehenna</i>,
both as <i>Hell</i>. Hades is a place of spiritual imprisonment. Gehenna
is a valley outside of Jerusalem with prophetic significance. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Limne Pur</i>, the Lake of Fire, often
confused with "Hell," is something entirely different. In this post,
I will answer the following questions: What is Hades? What is Gehenna? What is
the Lake of Fire? Is purgatory real? Are human beings given a second chance after death? What
happens to the soul after death? Is there an afterlife? Will some people
suffer eternal conscious torment in hell? I have included an extensive
list of Scriptures organized by topic as an appendix to this article so that you
can study them and investigate for yourself. <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--></span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><u><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
What is Hades?</span></u></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Hades is a <i>spiritual place</i>, a spiritual prison. The Bible describes
it as a place of darkness where there is weeping and knashing of teeth. It
is a place of conscious torment where there is suffering and despair as
described in the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus. Here are two passages of Scripture that describe Hades:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">But he will say, “I tell you, I do not know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of evil!” In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves cast out. –Luke 13:27-29</span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he called out, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue for I am in anguish in this flame. (Luke 16:19-31, here 22-24)</span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">There is a fiery gulf
fixed between Hades and Paradise and no unbeliever can pass through. </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Hades is like spiritual death row where the condemned await the day of judgement. It is not a permanent place. It is a waiting place. The inhabitants of this prison can see over into Paradise, also known as the bosom of Abraham, which is where the Old Testament saints went to wait in peace until Jesus finished his work on the cross. Now, believers who die go directly to the Father’s Presence in heaven. The fiery divide between Hades and Paradise, </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 18.6667px;">separating good from evil,</span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 18.6667px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">is uncrossable for unbelievers.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Some
fallen angels are imprisoned in Hades in chains until judgement day: </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgement of the great day—just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire. –Jude 1:6-7</span></i><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">A group of angels is being kept imprisoned in Hades like death row inmates awaiting the day of judgement. The coming day of judgement by fire is compared to the judgement day on the ancient cities of the plain including Sodom and Gomorrah which were totally destroyed and never rebuilt. Nothing was left of them but salt. The fire used to punish them was sent from God and the cities were wiped out forever. The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah was total, complete and permanent. The word <i>punishment </i>is from the Greek word <i>dike </i>which describes the execution of a sentence of condemnation from a judgement that has been rendered. </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 18.6667px;">Hades is a temporary place of imprisonment where the wicked are kept until they suffer the penalty of destruction by the fire of God's eternal glory. We will examine the day of judgement with much more detail in due course.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The souls of human beings who
die without placing their faith in the one true God are consigned to Hades as
well. Hades is not the same as Catholic Purgatory. No one can pay, pray, work or
earn their way out of Hades. There is nothing that anyone on earth can do such
as Baptism for the dead or paying indulgences that will get a friend, relative
or loved one out of Hades. During the Millennial reign of Christ on earth,
Satan will be imprisoned for 1,000 years in the deepest pit of Hades, known as
Tartarus. Hades will not last forever. At the end of this world, all of Death
and Hades will be cast into the lake of fire, and destroyed.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
<br />
<b><u>What is Gehenna?</u></b><br />
Gehenna is a literal, physical place located on planet earth. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Gehenna</i> is the Greek way of pronouncing
a Hebrew phrase <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Geh Hinnom</i> which
translates into English as the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Valley of
Hinnom</i>, an actual geographic depression located off the southeastern slope
of Jerusalem. Pictured below is the mountain on which Jerusalem is built, the valley is located at the bottom right portion of the photograph.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNiS1YGRZ1o5hKWmYyZYs8m1vH01bJ8iBtWYaRnjOtmp21gY7bELSB9r02IYD4JWwgVnLNPUoari-LeNkUjhF3w0bCkB6WuzVMXvZ_daHhudkUdQvvXsnELtM8Aqhp7MdO-ZvrhzJJqi0/s1894/Valley+of+Hinnom.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="657" data-original-width="1894" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNiS1YGRZ1o5hKWmYyZYs8m1vH01bJ8iBtWYaRnjOtmp21gY7bELSB9r02IYD4JWwgVnLNPUoari-LeNkUjhF3w0bCkB6WuzVMXvZ_daHhudkUdQvvXsnELtM8Aqhp7MdO-ZvrhzJJqi0/w420-h173/Valley+of+Hinnom.png" width="420" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The valley was constantly smoldering where the bodies of
sacrificed and dead animals were burned and discarded and some believe it became the
trash dump for the city. In ancient times it would have looked like an ash heap, a boneyard
of destruction, a picture of ruin and desolation, containing the bones of humans
sacrificed through the centuries as well. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In between the Old and New Testaments there were a lot of
fictional, fanciful stories written about the end of the world. In the same way
that people are fascinated by apocalyptic movies and books in our time, the
ancients also loved a good apocalypse. We have disaster movies and stories
about superheroes saving the planet, the galaxy or the universe. The ancients also spun imaginative yarns and told wild tales to entertain each other. Unfortunately, these writers conflated
Hades with Gehenna, using the word Gehenna to describe a sort of mythical hell
dimension where people were sent to be punished. Other writers have done the same, such as
Dante who wrote “The Divine Comedy.” His offering is entirely a work of fiction, yet it had a dramatic impact on the beliefs of his contemporaries and on readers in the centuries that followed. Writings such as these have had undue
influence on the modern belief of hell in ways that have nothing to do with the
Bible. Those beliefs have informed preaching, commentaries and even the
translation of the Bible from its original, perfect, infallible, inerrant Greek and Hebrew language
into the excellent, wonderful, magnificent, but imperfect English translations we enjoy today. </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 18.6667px;">In studying Scripture, we should always consult multiple translations and look up the definitions of key words in the original languages in order to discern the complete and most accurate meaning of the text. </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">For these reasons and the sake of accuracy, for the rest of this article I will employ the appropriate Biblical terms </span><i style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Hades, Gehenna </i><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">and the </span><i style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Lake of Fire</i><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">, rather than the confusing and inaccurate word </span><i style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">"Hell." </i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Many theologians have chosen to believe that Jesus used the term Gehenna in a metaphorical way, like the fiction writers who lived between the Old and New Testaments. But there is a serious flaw in that line of reasoning. I</span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 18.6667px;">n the Old Testament, when the Valley of Hinnom was mentioned, it was in reference to this specific geographic feature. The term was used to describe this literal valley about thirteen times.</span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 18.6667px;"> I</span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">f we believe that Jesus is fully God and that the Bible is the very word of God, then that means the Old Testament is the very word of Christ himself. God used this term to refer to a real location on earth and if we believe Jesus is the word incarnate, as the Bible says he is, it makes no sense to think he would side with men writing fiction under false names against his own word and change from describing the Valley of Hinnom as a real place to using it only as a metaphor for a punishment dimension. When Jesus spoke of Gehenna, we must understand that He was speaking
of the actual Valley of Hinnom, not merely speaking symbolically, but speaking quite literally
of a real place and of God’s very real judgement, of a great reckoning and of the future end of days.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When we think of the Valley of the Shadow of Death, we could think
of this terrifying place called Gehenna. The desolation found in the
Valley of Hinnom reminds us of the judgement that awaits the enemies
of God. The Valley itself separates Mt. Zion from what is called the
Mountain of Evil Counsel, one of the "high places" where pagan acts of
worship were offered to false gods. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Located just off the hill of Jerusalem, this deadly dale is where the
ancient Canaanites sacrificed children in the fire to the false god Moloch.
Evil kings of Judah such as Ahaz and Manassah directly disobeyed God by killing their
own children, burning them alive as a sacrifice to this demonic deity. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The valley
illustrates the divide between the Kingdom of God and those who follow Satan. It images the divide between good and evil with an un-crossable void in the
middle where evil will be destroyed, never allowed to enjoy the Presence of God
and enter into His rest. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This ghastly gorge should remind us of the smoldering remains of
Sodom and Gomorrah. Revelation 20:7-9 describes the end of time, when Satan,
those he has deceived and all of his evil hordes will come rushing in
to surround Jerusalem. In the same way that a fiery un-crossable gulf separated the Old Testament Saints in Paradise from the Sinners in Hades, Gehenna will be filled with flames to prevent Satan's armies from entering God's Holy City. At that time, God will send fire from heaven to rain
down into the low lying areas around Jerusalem, surrounding the city like a
great moat, or lake of fire. This fire will fall upon the enemies of God in
Gehenna and destroy them. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Since, Jerusalem represents God's Holy City and the Kingdom of
Heaven, Gehenna represents being permanently cast out from God's Presence and
destroyed by fire. Nothing evil will ever enter God's Holy City when Heaven and Earth are created anew.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><u><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What is The Lake of Fire?</span></u></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The ultimate judgement of the world will be in fire. From early in
Scripture, God is described as being surrounded by fire. Exodus 24:17 teaches us that: <i>The
appearance of the glory of the Lord was like a consuming fire on the mountaintop.
</i>Hebrews 12:29 reminds: <i>For our God IS a consuming fire. </i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">When God revealed himself to Moses, he spoke to him through a
burning bush. </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><i><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Then the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire
within a bush. As Moses looked he saw that the bush was on fire but was not
consumed. -Exodus 3:2</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The word bush, Hebrew <i>canah</i>, likely refers to a small or young fruit bearing bush or tree. When I read this I envision the Tree of Life, surrounded by Holy fire preventing anyone from approaching it to take of the fruit. The bush itself was not burned by the blaze because the fire was not an outside force acting upon the tree, the flames were emanating from the bush itself. Holy, cleansing fire radiates from the Presence of God. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Over
and over again, throughout the Old Testament and the New, God's Presence is
described as being an all-consuming fire and God is described as having a fire
go before Him and sending fire in judgement. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Look, the LORD will come with fire-- His chariots are like the
whirlwind-- to execute His anger with fury and His rebuke with flames of fire.
For the LORD will execute judgment on all flesh with His fiery sword, and many
will be slain by the LORD. -Isaiah 66:15-16</span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<br />
At the end of days, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Limne Pur</i>, the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lake of Fire</i> will fall from heaven and
form a gigantic moat surrounding Jerusalem. Zechariah 2:4-5 provides this description:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><i>Jerusalem will be inhabited without walls because of the number of people and livestock in it. The declaration of the LORD: "I myself will be a wall of fire around it, and I will be the glory within it." </i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Holy City will appear as a vast
Mountain Island in the middle of the lake of fire, preventing evil from entering
into the Presence of God. Hades will be emptied out and all evil will be destroyed in the blaze. Only the
righteous will be able to pass through the flames and see His face. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Upon the wicked He will rain snares; Fire and brimstone and
burning wind will be the portion of their cup. For the Lord is righteous; The
upright will behold His face. -Psalm 11:6</span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <br />
<br />
No one can enter the actual Presence of Father, Son and Holy Spirit in all of
His glory without passing through the flame. Evil cannot stand before the
Presence of our Holy, Almighty God. His Holiness will utterly and completely
defeat, destroy and bring a definite end to all evil.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We will examine the Scriptures for more detail about the Lake of Fire and the Fire of God’s Presence
in a few paragraphs.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><u><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What Happens to the Human Soul After Death?</span></u></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Bible says to be <i>absent from the body is to be present with
the Lord.</i> Upon death, believers immediately go to heaven and are in God's
Presence. Scripture teaches that <i>at His right hand are pleasures
forevermore.</i> But what about unbelievers? What happens to them? The most
common position which has been preached among Protestants and Evangelicals is
that Hell is a place of eternal conscious torment where you burn forever and
ever for all of eternity with no hope of reprieve in the most horrific
suffering imaginable. When I began to realize the Bible teaches differently on
this subject, I tried hard to prove myself wrong by carefully researching and
studying each text that could prove that ECT (Eternal Conscious Torment) was
correct. I was unable to prove it. We have to allow the Holy Text to say what
it intends. The Bible is infallible, perfect and without error. Human
preachers, theologians and teachers are flawed and have been unduly influenced
by non-biblical beliefs and non-canonical sources. Our beliefs must be formed
by Scripture, not by tradition. <br />
<br />
<b><u>Here is a careful examination of 3 key passages that have been
frequently misunderstood and mistaught.</u></b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1. The worm that never dies?</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And they shall go out and look on the dead bodies of the men who
have rebelled against me. For their worm shall not die, their fire shall not be
quenched, and they shall be an abhorrence to all flesh.” (Isaiah 66:24, quoted
in Mark 9:43-48)</span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The "worm" is not referring to a human soul as some have
taught. In its original context, this passage referred to the destruction of
Israel's enemies, like a sea of corpses strewn across a battlefield. It is also
quoted in the New Testament to refer to all of the enemies of God. The NIV
translates this as "<i>The worm that eats you will not die." </i>This
phrase is like a colloquialism for death, similar to saying "You're worm
food," or "You're dead meat." It refers to the destruction and
decay of the flesh. It is referring to actual worms feasting on dead and
rotting flesh. The part of this passage about worms refers to the death of the
body. The part about fire refers to the death of the soul. The reference to fire affirms the fact that this judgement has already been rendered and
will not be relented from. It foreshadows ultimate judgement by the unquenchable fire which will fall down into Gehenna on those who reject Christ. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2. Tormented Forever?</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He will be <u>*tormented</u> with fire and brimstone in the
presence of the holy angels and in the Presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of
their *<u>torment</u> goes up forever and ever, and they have no rest
day or night. -Revelation 14:11</span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<i><br />
</i>The Bible says in Hebrews 4:3 that the righteous will enter into God's rest
and repeats this frequent quote about evildoers: <i>You will never
enter into my rest</i>. This is a reference to never entering heaven, not a
reference to never ending torture in hell. <br />
<br />
*The words translated as "torment" and "tormented" are not <i>odunao, </i>the Greek word for pain, sorrow, anguish and torment. These are very different and specific words, <i>basanizo and basanismos, </i>both of
which refer to a type of Purity Test. These words describe the process
of using a touchstone such as a piece of black slate to test the purity of gold or silver. When soft metals are scraped across the stone, they leave a mark. Then
acid is poured out across the stone. If there are impurities present in the
metal, the mark will wash away, but the mark of the purest of gold cannot be
erased. The mark of pure gold remains indelible even when tested with strong acid. The impure can
be dissolved and erased. The pure remains. Believers will pass this purity test,
unbelievers will not. <i>Basanizo </i>absolutely<b> </b>DOES NOT mean to
torment or torture. That is a poor and incorrect translation influenced by the
preconceptions of the translators. This word means to TEST. This should bring
to mind Isaiah's vision of an angel using tongs to remove a coal from the altar
and placing it on his lips to purify them. The Bible frequently refers to God's people as
being like gold or silver refined in the fire. I have included multiple references in the appendix, here are a few:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">For you God tested us. You refined us as silver is refined. –Psalm 66:10</span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A crucible for silver and a smelter for gold, and the LORD is the tester of hearts. –Proverbs 17:3</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He will be like a refiner and purifier of silver, he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver... -Malachi 3:3</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Scripture also tells us that the
righteous will pass the test and pass through the flames and that the
unrighteous will not pass the test and will be destroyed in the flames. This is
a permanent, once and forever purity test. <br />
<br />
The phrases <i>"day and night"</i> and <i>"forever and
ever"</i> mean that this is a permanent judgement from which no one will
come back. Day and night are temporary, earthly things which will no
longer exist at the end of time and are passing away. There will no longer be
day or night. Time is ending. They will not receive relief by day or by night
or ever. They will never enter into God's rest. This eliminates all
possibility of purgatory, second chances after death or universal salvation. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">At the end of time, Satan will be loosed from Hades after a one thousand year imprisonment and he will lead his hordes to surround God's
people at Jerusalem, then...<br />
<i><br />
Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the
bottomless pit and a great chain. And he seized the dragon, that ancient
serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, and
threw him into the pit, and shut it and sealed it over him so that he might not
deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were ended. After that
he must be released for a little while….And when the thousand years are ended,
Satan will be released from his prison and will come out to deceive the nations
that are at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them for
battle, their number is like the sand of the sea. And they marched up over the
broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved
city, And <b>fire came down from heaven and devoured them</b>. The devil who
deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and
the false prophet are. And they will be <u>*tormented</u> (basanismos) day and night
forever...And the sea gave up the dead which were in it and death and Hades
gave up the dead which were in them...then death and Hades were thrown into the
lake of fire. <b>This is the second death, the lake of fire</b>. And if
anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the
lake of fire. -Revelation 20:1-3, 7-15</i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This sentence is carried out in the Presence of God and His Holy
angels. The fire comes down from heaven. This is the final test, a final
judgement and the elimination of all evil forever and ever, not a
continuing state of torture and suffering, but an eternal decision and
permanent destruction of Satan and all demons. At that point in history, all
souls suffering in Hades will be judged and then those sinful human beings who
refused to repent, believe and be forgiven during their lives on earth will
also perish in the flames of testing.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">3. Eternal Punishment/Eternally Cut-Off From God </span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
Jesus said: <i>And these will go away into eternal *punishment, but the
righteous to eternal life. -Matthew 25:46</i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">*<i>Kolasis, </i>the word translated here as <i>punishment</i>
comes from the root word for pruning a tree, a word that means to <i>"cut
off."</i> This means that unbelievers will be punished by being
permanently cut off from God for all eternity. The Bible describes the unrighteous as tares
(weeds) that are separated from wheat and cast into the fire, as the chaff that
is separated from the wheat and thrown into the flames, as branches being cut
off from Abraham's family tree, and as evil trees that will be chopped down and
tossed into the fire. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The ax is already at the root of the
trees. Therefore every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit will be cut down
and thrown into the fire. Luke 3:9<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So we must ask what
happens when someone is cut off from God forever? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Scripture says that God alone is immortal. (1 Timothy 6:15-16)
ONLY God is immortal. You and I are a finite beings. Only God is INfinite. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
The Bible says: <i>In Him we live and move and have our being. (Acts 17:28) </i><br />
<br />
Jesus said: <i>I am the vine (young tree), you are the branches. The one who
abides in me, and I in him, bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do
nothing. </i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #001320; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">If anyone does not abide in me he is
thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown
into the fire, and burned.</span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">–John
15:5-6<br />
</i><br />
The ONLY opportunity for eternal life comes through Jesus Christ. Because of Adam and Eve's sin in the paradise of Eden, mankind was cut off from the tree of life, like a limb needing to be grafted back on. Jesus IS the
tree of life. </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 18.6667px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 18.6667px;">In the same way that the bush through which God spoke to Moses was not destroyed in the fire, all those who are attached to the tree of life will be kept safe and not be devoured by the flames of God's everlasting glory, might and power. On the other hand, n</span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">o one and nothing can live cut off and separated from God, the
giver of life. Apart from him, no one can survive. When a tree branch is cut off and burned in the fire, it is reduced to nothing but ash. When someone is eternally cut off from God and thrown into the fire, they are burned to ash and can never be grafted back onto the tree of life. Their destruction is permanent and irrevocable. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
<br />
Jesus taught that both the body AND soul of unbelievers are destroyed.<br />
<i><br />
And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear
him who can destroy <b>both </b>soul and body in hell (Gehenna). -Matthew 10:28</i><br />
<br />
JESUS said the soul is killed, slayed, and otherwise destroyed in the fire of
God's judgement. His word choice of <i>apollumi</i>, means to sever fellowship,
to be permanently separated (from God) and then completely destroyed. The first
death is the death of the body, the Bible calls the death of the
soul, the second death. For an unsaved person, that encompasses the
totality of their existence. A saved person is filled with the Holy Spirit of
God and is a tri-partite being fully restored to the Image of
God, consisting of Body, Soul and Holy Spirit. An unbeliever is
spiritually dead and will cease to exist in the Lake of Fire with both parts of
their di-partite being, body and soul, destroyed. Suffering in Hades is
conscious and terrible, but it will not last forever. Hades is like spiritual
death row. When all of Hades is cast into the Lake of Fire, those who have been
suffering there will be completely destroyed, utterly annihilated and will
cease to exist. This sentence is permanent and irreversible.<br />
<br />
Satan is NOT immortal. He is not a god. He is a finite, created being who
rebelled against God, led other angels to rebel with him, tempted man to sin
and fall and is called the enemy of our souls. He will not live forever. God
will END Him and all those who are with him will suffer the same punitive
consequence. <br />
<br />
Jesus said that we must be born again, of the Spirit,<i> </i>to
see the Kingdom of Heaven<i>. </i>Eternal life is only for born-again followers
of Jesus Christ. It is also important to understand that children who have not
yet reached the age of accountability are under grace, not the law and no sins
are held against them. They are considered innocent. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">In the same way that the Angel of the
Lord protected Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the fiery furnace and they
emerged unharmed and untouched by the flames, Christians who are filled with
the Holy Spirit will pass through the flames and we will enter into Heaven and
God's Presence. <br />
<br />
<b><u>How Do We Respond?</u></b><br />
Scripture frequently says that <i>The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow
to anger and abounding in steadfast lovingkindness. </i>But a good God must put
an end to evil and suffering. This is GREAT news, because it means that a time
is coming when evil will no longer exist in the universe. God loves
justice. <br />
<br /><i>It is clear evidence of God's righteous </i><i style="font-size: 18.6667px;"> judgement that you will be counted worthy of God's kingdom for which you also are suffering, since it is </i><i>just for God to repay with affliction those who
afflict you, and to give relief to you who are afflicted along with us. </i></span><i style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 18.6667px;">This will take place at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with his powerful angels, when he takes vengeance with flaming fire on those who don't know God and on those who don't obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will pay the penalty of eternal destruction from the Lord's Presence and from his glorious strength on that day when he comes to be glorified by his saints and to be marveled at by all those who have believed... -2 Thessalonians 1:7b-10a</i><i style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">-2 Thessalonians 6-10</i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">
<i><br /></i>I believe that Immortality is conditioned upon our response to the Gospel which is the good news of salvation and forgiveness of sins available through Jesus Christ to all who will repent and turn to Him. I believe that the second death means the utter and complete obliteration of the soul as it ceases to exist. Annihilation in the Lake of Fire awaits those who reject Jesus. So here is the question: Do you believe? You can be 100% certain that you
will spend eternity in heaven with God and live life without fear, without
regret and full of hope by placing your faith in Jesus. John 3:16-17 says this: <br />
<br />
<i>For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever
believes in Him should not perish but have ever lasting life. For God did not
send His Son to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be
saved. </i><br />
<i><br />
</i>Maybe you have had trouble accepting and believing in a God who would vindictively torture and torment human souls he created in unimaginable burning horror for millions of years and all
eternity. I sincerely hope that by correcting that misinterpretation, this post
helps you to realize God is fair, just and loving, and because of that, He must
put a definitive end to all evil. God is so Holy that He is surrounded by
a fire that destroys all evil. Only those who have been put into a right
standing with Him through Jesus enter His
Presence and see His Face without being burned up. I urge you now, don't be destroyed. Your life is
precious to God. The death of the soul is a very serious thing. Believe
that Jesus died for you. Ask Him to forgive you of your sins and to come into
your heart and life. Ask Him to fill you with His love. Eternity in heaven
with the loving family of God awaits.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">-------------------------------------------<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">MORE SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<u>God and His Fiery Judgement</u>: <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The voice of the LORD flashes forth
flames of fire. –Psalm 29:7<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And then the lawless one will be
revealed. The Lord Jesus will destroy him with the breath of his mouth and will
bring him to nothing at the appearance of his coming. -2 Thessalonians 2:8<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Look there! The LORD is coming from far
away, his anger burning and heavy with smoke. His lips are full of fury and his
tongue is like a consuming fire…And the LORD will make the splendor of his voice
heard and reveal his arm striking in angry wrath and a flame of consuming fire
in driving rain, a torrent and hailstones. –Isaiah 30:27 and 30<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">For look, the day is coming, burning
like a furnace, when all the arrogant and everyone who commits wickedness will
become stubble. The coming day will consume them…for they will be like ashes
under the soles of your feet on the day I am preparing. –Malachi 4:1,3a<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">You will conceive chaff, you will give
birth to stubble. Your breath is fire that will consume you. The peoples will
be burned to ashes, like thorns cut down and burned in a fire. –Isaiah 33:11-12
(ESV—“as if burned to lime” as would happen in a kiln like the fiery furnace
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were thrown in)<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Your many foes will be like fine dust
and many of the ruthless like blowing chaff. Then suddenly in an instant you
will be punished by the LORD of Armies with thunder, earthquake and loud noise,
storm, tempest and a flame of consuming fire. –Isaiah 29:5-6<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Your hand will capture all your
enemies. Your right hand will seize those who hate you. You will make them burn
like a fiery furnace when you appear. The LORD will engulf them in his wrath,
and fire will devour them. You will wipe their progeny from the earth and their
offspring from the human race. –Psalm 21:8-10<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Then the earth shook and quacked. The
foundations of the heavens trembled. They shook because he burned with anger.
Smoke rose from his nostrils, and consuming fire came from his mouth. Coals
were set ablaze by it…From the radiance of his Presence, blazing coals were
ignited.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>2 Samuel 22:8-9, 13 (Note:
Psalm 18:7-15 is similar and both mention darkness, thunder and lightning)<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I looked and there was a whirlwind
coming from the north, a huge cloud with fire flashing back and forth and
brilliant light all around it. In the center of the fire, there was a gleam
like amber. The likeness of four living creatures came from it…the likeness of
the living creatures was like the appearance of blazing coals of fire or like
torches. Fire was moving back and forth between the living creatures. It was
bright with lightning coming out of it…On the throne high above was someone who
looked like a human. From what seemed to be his waist up, I saw a gleam like
amber with what looked like fire enclosing it all around. Form what seemed to
be his waist down I also saw what looked like fire. There was a brilliant light
all around him… -Ezekiel 1:4-5, 13, 26a-27<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Through that same word the present
heavens and earth are stored up for fire, being kept for the day are stored up
for fire, being kept for the day of judgement and destruction of the ungodly…The
Lord is does not delay his promise, as some understand delay, but is patient
with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance. But the day
of the Lord will come like a thief. On that day the heavens will pass away with
a loud noise, the elements will burn and be dissolved and the earth and the
works on it will be disclosed. Since all these things are to be dissolved in
this way, it is clear what sort of people you should be in holy conduct and
godliness as you waith for the day of God and hasten its coming. Because of
that day the heavens will be dissolved with fire and the elements will melt
with heat. But based on his promise we wait for new heavens and a new earth
where righteousness dwells. -2 Peter 3:7b-13<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<u>The Righteous Passing Through the Flames</u>: <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">To Israel: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Do not fear, for
I have redeemed you. I have called you by your name, you are mine. I will be
with you when you pass through the waters and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not overwhelm you. You will not be scorched when you walk through the
fire and the flame will not burn you. –Isaiah 43:1a-2<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><u><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">If anyone builds on the foundation with
gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, each one’s work will become
obvious. For the day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire. The
fire will test the quality of each one’s work. If anyone’s work that he has
built survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned up, he
will experience loss, but he himself will be saved—but only as through fire. -1
Corinthians 3:12- 15<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<u>The Wicked Cut Off and Cast Into the Fire</u>:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Even now the axe is laid to the root of
the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and
thrown into the fire. I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is
coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He
will baptize you with the Holy Spirit AND fire. His winnowing fork is in his
hand and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn,
but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire. –Matthew 3:10-12<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">But the all the wicked are like thorns raked
aside, they can never be picked up by hand. The man who touches them must be
armed with iron and the shaft of a spear. They will be completely burned up on
the spot (CSB) or—ESV: The man who touches them arms himself with iron and the
shaft of a spear and they are utterly consumed with fire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>-2 Samuel 23:6-7<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Jesus used the parable of the wheat and the tares, found in Matthew
13:24-30, 36-43, to demonstrate the separation of believers from unbelievers at
the judgement. Here is a portion of that passage: <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Let both grow together until the
harvest. At harvest time I’ll tell the reapers: Gather the weeds first and bind
them in bundles to be burned, but collect the wheat in my barn<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The one who sows the good seed is the
Son of Man. The field is the world and the good seed—these are the children of
the kingdom. The weeds are the children of the evil one and the enemy who sowed
them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age and the harvesters are
angels. Therefore, just as the weeds are gathered and burned in the fire, so it
will be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send out his angels and they
will gather from his kingdom all who cause sin and those guilty of lawlessness.
They will throw them into the blazing furnace where there will be weeping and
knashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in their Father’s
kingdom. Let anyone who hears listen.</span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><u><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Bible Compares God’s People to Gold and Silver Tested and
Refined by Fire</span></u><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">: <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In the whole land—this is the LORD’s
declaration—two-thirds will be cut off and die but a third will be left in it. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will put this third through the fire. I will
refine them as silver is refined and test them as gold is tested. They will
call on my name, and I will answer them. I will say: They are my people and
they will say: The LORD is our God. –Zechariah 13:9</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #001320; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if
necessary, you have been grieved by various trials,</span> so that the tested
genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is
tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the
revelation of Jesus Christ. -1 Peter 1:6-7</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Many will be purified, cleansed and
refined but the wicked will act wickedly… -Daniel 12:10<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I will turn my hand against you and
will burn away your dross completely. I will remove all you impurities. –Isaiah
1:25<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">But who can endure the day of his
coming? And who will be able to stand when he appears? For he will be like a
refiner’s fire and like launderer’s bleach. He will be like a refiner and
purifier of silver, he will purify the sons of Levi and refine the like gold
and silver. Then they will present offerings to the LORD in righteousness. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>–Malachi 3:2-3<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The word of the LORD came to me. Son of
man, the house of Israel has become merely dross to me. All of them are copper,
tin, iron and lead inside the furnace, they are just dross from silver.
Therefore this is what the LORD GOD says: because all of you have become dross,
I am about to gather you into Jerusalem. Just as one gathers silver, copper,
iron, lead and tin into the furnace to blow fire on them and melt them, so I
will gather you in my anger and wrath, put you inside and melt you. Yes, I will
gather you together and blow on you with the fire of my fury and you will be
melted within the city. As silver is melted inside a furnace so you will be
melted inside the city. Then you will know that I, the LORD, have pouted out my
wrath on you. -Ezekiel 22:17-22<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">But the LORD selected you and brought
you out of Egypt’s iron furnace to be a people for his inheritance as you are
today. –Deuteronomy 4:20<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Yet he knows the way I have taken, when
he has tested me, I will emerge as pure gold. –Job 23:10<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Remove impurities from silver and
material will be produced for a silversmith. Remove the wicked from the king’s
presence and his throne will be established in righteousness. –Proverbs 25:4-5<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>Jerry Schultzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15370640301757556204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1540408315018036204.post-80708276575689240742021-03-09T02:57:00.002-08:002021-03-09T02:57:31.939-08:00Jesus Heals the Syro-Phoenician/Canaanite Woman's Daughter (Teaching Notes)<p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: High Tower Text, serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">Yesterday social media blew up with a viral video of someone calling Jesus a racist for referring to a Canaanite woman as a "dog," before casting a demon out of her daughter and healing the child. Jesus was not a racist. He created mankind with our beautiful and wondrous variety. He was descended from at least 2 Canaanite women himself (Tamar and Rahab). This encounter is an important pivot in Jesus' life as he begins a season of ministry to the Gentiles. Time seems to be of the essence in this matter, so rather than wait until I had time to type up a complete article, I thought I would share my teaching notes from when we studied this in our Bible fellowship group:</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Scripture Passage: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Mark
7:24-29<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">He got up and departed from there to
the region of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know it, but
could not escape notice. Instead, immediately after hearing about him, a woman
whose little daughter had an unclean spirit came and fell at his feet. The
woman was a Gentile, a Syrophoenician by birth and she was asking him to cast
the demon out of her daughter. He said to her, Let the children be fed first,
because it isn’t right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.
But she replied to him Lord even the dogs under the table eat the master’s
crumbs. The he told here, Because of this reply you may go. The demon has left
your daughter. When she went back to her home, she found her child lying on the
bed and the demon was gone. <o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Cross
References: <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Matthew
15:21-28<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">When Jesus left there, he withdrew to
the area of Tyre and Sidon. Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came
and kept crying out, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is
severely tormented by a demon.” Jesus did not say a word to her His disciples
approached him and urged him, “Send her away because she’s crying out after us.”
He replied, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But she
came, knelt before him and said “Lord help me.” He answered, “It isn’t right to
take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” Yes, Lord, she said, yet
even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table. Then Jesus
replied to her, “Woman, your faith is great. Let it be done for you as you
want. And from that moment her daughter was healed. <o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Central Idea of Text<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Jesus
was amazed by the persistence and faith of a Gentile woman and cast a demon out
of her daughter<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Learning Objectives:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The
students will be able to explain the important shift as Jesus begins a season
of ministry to the Gentiles<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Lesson Outline<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Background:
Jesus’ disciples had just finished a time of ministry to the Jews and John the
Baptist had been killed. The disciples had also endured persecution, though
they rejoiced in their ministry.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1. A Canaanite woman humbly
approached Jesus<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Jesus
frequently sought quiet, a place to rest and pray. Rest is not a sin. It is
biblical and good. As he and the disciples were seeking a respite from their
hard work, a woman approached Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Mark
calls her the Syro-Phoenician woman—she was from the region of Tyre and Sidon,
or Phoenicia which was governed by the Roman empire as part of the province of
Syria. These people were descended from Ham’s son Canaan, which is why Matthew
calls her the Canaanite woman. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">David
and Solomon had been friends with Hiram the King of Tyre. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">After
King Ahab of Israel married Jezebel, daughter of the King of Sidon and
introduced Ba’al worship, Elijah prayed that it would not rain and it didn’t
for 3 ½ years. He stayed with a widow woman in Sidon. She used the last of her
flour and oil to bake Elijah a loaf of bread in FAITH and God performed a
miracle by keeping her oil and flour from running out and healing her son when
he stopped breathing. Jesus referenced the fact that she was helped because of
her faith when no Jewish widows were and they tried to kill Him. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Simon,
the Canaanite was one of Jesus’ disciples.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Jesus
himself was the lion of the tribe of Judah. Jesus is from the tribe of Judah, a
physical descendant of Mary. Judah married a Canaanite woman and their
descendants became the fine linen makers of Israel about 800 years later in
David’s day. He also had twin boys with Tamar, another Canaanite woman. This
was the beginning of the tribe. When the people of Israel entered the promised
land, Rahab and her entire Canaanite family became part of the tribe. Jesus is
directly descended from both Tamar and Rahab<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">2. Jesus Begins His Ministry
to the Gentiles<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Jesus
had not yet been sent to the Gentiles, only to the lost sheep of Israel<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A
Gentile is anyone who is not of Jewish descent.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Apostello---Up
to this point, Jesus had only been sent to the Jews. He only does what he sees the
Father doing, and he had not yet been sent, given permission or liberty to go
to the Gentiles<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Lost--apollumi---lost,
separated and perishing<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">3. Healing Is For God’s
Children<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Jesus
referred to the Jews as sheep and the Gentile woman as a dog.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Throwing
the children’s bread to the dogs<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Worshipped—proskuneo—prostrated
herself before him. She wasn’t sitting at the table, she was laying down on the
floor, like a dog<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Tell
about Shiloh and dogs under the table<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Beloved family pets<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Children
= Sheep, Unbelievers = Dogs or wolves. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The
term dog: Kunarion—a little dog, also means one with an impure mind. The
essence of become a Christian is to be transformed by the renewing of our minds—a
change that only the Holy Spirit can bring about. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Dog
referred to Ba’al worshippers as the Phoenicians/Canaanites were. One of the
practices of the cult was to drink wine laced with drugs to get high which they
believed would allow their goddess to possess their bodies---they were inviting
demons, which are fallen angels--evil spirits, into their lives. It is easy to
understand how the child could have become afflicted I that culture.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Essentially,
she had already abased herself. The term “dog” meant UNCLEAN. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%;">She
did not receive a blessing because of her works or her past. She received a
blessing because of her FAITH. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #001320; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your
pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and
tear you to pieces. –Matthew 7:6<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">4. She Sincerely Calls
Jesus Lord (3 times)<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Kurios
means master. It was a term that one would use to show you belong to someone.
She did not claim to be worthy but was completely humble. She showed faith and
received the blessing because of faith alone.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The
Bible tells us that </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #001320; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Everyone who calls
on the name of the LORD shall be saved.</span> –Joel 2:32 quoted in Acts 2:21
and Romans 10:13<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #001320; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: #001320; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">But Jesus also knows
what is in the heart. </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #001320; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the
kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.</span>
–Matthew 7:21<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #001320; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: #001320; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">He knew that she was
being sincere.</span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">5. Jesus healed her
daughter without even being present.<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The
Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God healed her daughter the moment Jesus decided to
cast the demon out. The evil spirit departed from the child, her mind was
healed and she was set free. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Follow up:</span></b><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This
was the launching point for Jesus’ ministry to the Gentiles. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Mark
records that after casting the demon out of the woman’s daughter, Jesus
continued traveling through Tyre, then Sidon, then to the Decapolis, the 10
cities, Gentile territory and heals a deaf man without hesitation.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Matthew
records that great Gentile crowds came and Jesus healed many, the lame, blind,
crippled, mute and others. When they saw the mute speaking, the maimed
(injured, wallowing, crippled, hurt) healthy, the lame walking and the blind
seeing, they glorified the God of Israel (Gentiles)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This
narrative provides an object lesson about Gentiles being invited to eat from
the Lord’s table. It is a picture of communion. Jews and Gentiles did not eat
together, yet after that day, Jesus fed the 4000.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Feeding
of the 4000<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">-across the sea of
Galilee in Gentile territory—the Decapolis—the region of the 10 cities<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>-sitting down to eat a meal together
AFTER teaching for 3 days<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>-sign of a covenant, fellowship meal--COMMUNION<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>-Jews and Gentiles ate together<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">Salvation is offered to all people. The Canaanite mother sincerely and humbly sought the Lord’s help, crying out for it. Will you call out to God to save your from the consequences of your sins? Will you look to Jesus as Lord and Master of your life?</span></span></p><br /><p></p>Jerry Schultzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15370640301757556204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1540408315018036204.post-48846282305168170732021-02-23T17:41:00.008-08:002021-02-23T20:23:01.721-08:00The "Equality" Act Endangers Women and Attacks People of Faith<p> <span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Today
I read the maliciously misnamed “Equality” Act and it is far worse than I could
have ever imagined. This legislation is anti-women, anti-Semitic,
anti-Muslim, anti-Christian, anti-science, anti-doctor and because it prevents
efforts to provide Christian counseling, care and help to those who identify as
LGBTQ, I believe the act is harmful to the very community it purports to
protect. The bill is so clever in its conception and crafty in its construction
that only a true sociopath could have written it.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">If
you have a teenage daughter going off to college, the school would legally be
required to allow a biological male who identifies as transgender to be placed
in a dorm room with her or another girl and to use the women’s bathroom and
showers. The act specifically lists restrooms, locker rooms and dressing
facilities as areas where the law of the United States of America would require
men who call themselves women to have simultaneous and unrestricted access. Men
can dress as women and participate in girl’s sports which is not only unfair,
but dangerous. Men who call themselves women can apply for and receive women’s
scholarships. As one lawyer/reporter pointed out: A transgender (bio-male) police
officer or TSA agent could pat a woman down or perform a body cavity search even
if they specifically requested a same sex agent. A gender dysphoric male could
enter into a special room for breastfeeding mothers. The act specifically
mentions shelters—which means that a mentally unstable, gender dysphoric male
could sleep in a female only shelter for abused women. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Schools
will be forced to hire teachers regardless of their sexual ideologies and
behaviors—which is incredibly dangerous. Christian schools, colleges and universities
would not be able to accept any sort of government funding or aid, vouchers or
loans from students unless they complied with all of these mandates.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Christian
and other faith-based adoption agencies would be completely shut out of the
process unless they compromised their deeply held religious beliefs in the
placement of children with those of shared faith and practice. Christian charities would likewise be descriminated against. All forms of Christian
counseling, therapy and assistance designed to help LGBTQ people would be dubbed
“conversion therapy” and banned. With the high rate of suicide being reported among
LGBTQ persons, there is redemption, hope, healing, forgiveness and restoration
to be found through Jesus, and the government is trying to outlaw any attempt
to help them repent, turn to God, turn away from their self-destructive sin and
live a more meaningful, restored life with dignity as the person God created them
to be. They are trying to prevent Christians from offering a lifeline and they
are attempting to take away the right of a person to choose to seek help to
escape that lifestyle by removing the option. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">It
has been pointed out that the language about pregnancy discrimination is specifically and intentionally designed to accomplish the goals of the abortion
industry to force doctors and nurses to perform or participate in abortions
that may go against their deeply held religious beliefs. It would also force
Christian employers and charities to pay for abortions and gender re-assignment
surgeries. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">I
now see why the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist
Convention has deemed this the most dangerous threat to religious liberty ever to be considered by the U.S. Congress. This act is shockingly unequal in its treatment of women and total disregard for their safety, well-being and civil rights. They are intentionally opening a Pandora’s
box of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>legal issues designed to harm
people of faith. We have already witnessed the bullying and vicious attacks by the LGBTQ community on Christian Bakers, Florists, Photographers and even Nuns. With this act, they specifically name the
Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 to nullify and remove the protections
it restored. <o:p></o:p></span></p>Jerry Schultzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15370640301757556204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1540408315018036204.post-55896225293972776922021-02-12T23:15:00.009-08:002021-02-14T08:13:30.489-08:00A Healthy, Healed Heart from Faith, Food & Fitness<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Fourteen months ago I was diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure. Those are scary words. Between work and school I had been putting in over 70 hours a week and it was too much. I had eaten nothing but fast food and school lunches, donut shop and concession stands for 3 months and I had been sick for most of that time. A sore throat that anti-biotics wouldn't heal developed into a nasty cough followed by weakness and difficulty breathing, which I "medicated" with three 20 ounce Cokes per day. It got to the point where I couldn't lay down without feeling like I was drowning for lack of oxygen. I was treated for double pneumonia and asthma but when the medicine ran out I was right back in the Emergency Room where they discovered that my heart was only pumping 25% of it's blood with each heartbeat when it should have an Ejection Fraction of 50-70%. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I remembered a worship service I had attended about 8 years ago where a pilot who had been in heart failure with an EF in the 30's had recovered and improved to the point where his heart was pumping at 57% and he was able to fly again. The nurse had called it a miracle. An elder of the church who is a well-known surgeon confirmed the testimony. This was very encouraging to me and that is the reason I am sharing this story, so that others may be strengthened, encouraged and have faith. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Today my heart is fine. My EF is 60. The last technician who looked at my heart described it as <i>Perfectly Normal. </i>And my cardiologist has officially pronounced my heart to be <i>Fully Normal </i>with no restrictions. Three areas of life have been important in my recovery: 1. FAITH 2. FOOD and 3. FITNESS. I hope by sharing what I have learned that others will benefit. I will address these in reverse order to save the most important aspect, Faith, for last.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><u>1. FITNESS</u></b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">About 2.5 weeks after I got out of the hospital, I was able to start exercising. I began walking laps around a little section of pasture while I was visiting my parents over Christmas. I would walk for 15 to 20 minutes.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">When I returned home, I began walking about 2.5 miles per day. Obviously, to be able to do this, I believe prayer had made a dramatic effect and I consider it a great work of God. My heart had improved from an ejection fraction of 25 to 33 within the first month. Walking on my beautiful walking trail had 3 effects. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">1. It was wonderfully relaxing, stress relief. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">2. It began to strengthen my heart. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">3. It helped me to lose weight. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">On March 16, over Spring Break, I increased to walking 5+ miles per day and added a cardio dumbell routine. Using 10 lb dumbells, I would do 10 single arm curls, 10 rows, 10 military presses in front, 10 back presses, 10 across the body curls and then lie down on the floor and do 20 bench presses. I would do these in one continuous superset and then add 25 crunches. I started with 1 superset per day, then increased to 2 after a week and then increased to 3 after a few more weeks. This type of weight lifting is not about putting on muscle. It is about losing weight, safely gaining strength and most importantly, improving circulation. I would then do some windmill like arm circles and twisting exercises f</span><span style="font-size: large;">ollowed by a stretching routine--all about increasing circulation. A few weeks later I had an echo cardiogram which showed that my Ejection Fraction had improved to approx. 45%.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The fruit of the Holy Spirit listed as patience or forebearance also means perseverance. I believe the Spirit helped me to persevere in this course. We should also remember that part of physical fitness also includes rest and sabbath. By October, my EF was 60. </span></p><p><b><u><span style="font-size: medium;">2. FOOD</span></u></b></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Everything we eat out of a box or can or any type of frozen dinner is overloaded with ludicrous amounts of sodium which is like poison to someone in heart failure because it causes fluid retention in the lungs and body that causes extra work for the heart. I also assume that every restaurant or pre-prepared meal contains excess sodium. While I was healing I ate almost nothing out of a can except for low sodium vegetables, drained and rinsed. I ate nothing frozen with any type of sauce added to eat. I ate nothing breaded or battered and deep fried and mostly avoided fried potatoes of any kind. No white bread, flour tortillas. It took a few weeks to hit my new eating stride but while I was healing I ate No fast food ever and absolutely no Pizza. Absolutely no Caffeine ever and no drinks with sugar ever. I wanted off of cholesterol medicine and the unnecessary diabetes medication (which I now am). I needed my body to function at the highest possible level. I have heard people say that physical fitness is 20% exercise and 80% what you eat and I believe it. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">In the book of Daniel, we learn that Daniel and his three friends declined the rich, lavish foods from the Kings table and refused to eat meat sacrificed to idols. They only ate things that were grown and were incredibly healthy as a result. We learn that in Noah's day everything was safe to eat, but by Moses' time the earth was polluted again and only fish with scales and animals that both part the hoof and chew the cud were clean and good to eat. It turns out that those animals have specially designed digestive systems that rid their bodies of toxins and make the meat healthier. Avoiding bottom feeding fish is also a good idea. I set out to eat as much fresh vegetables and fruits, whole grains, good fats and lean, clean proteins as possible. Any time I was in a situation where I needed to accept someone's hospitality and was served pork or a food I was avoiding, I exercised my New Testament right to pray a special blessing over it. But in preparing my own meals, I took advantage of Biblical wisdom. I have never eaten better or enjoyed my food more than I did over the last year, but it took some new thinking. Self-Control is also a fruit of the Spirit and I believe the Spirit helped me tremendously in this endeavor.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Here is a typical eating day:</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Breakfast:</b> <i>Honey Nut Cheerios with skim milk, Banana</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Lunch:</b> <i>Turkey & lowfat cheese on whole grain wheat, blue corn chips, spinach salad, apple</i></span><span style="font-size: large;"><i> </i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Dinner:</b> <i>Spinach salad with tomatoes, cucumber, carrots & feta, Baked boneless skinless chicken breast strips, 3 kinds of roasted vegetables such as summer squash with lemon pepper and then halved golden/red potatoes, carrots or cauliflower with extra virgin olive oil & McCormick's garden veggie seasoning or asparagus with evoo and lemon pepper, light yoplait yogurt</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Snacks:</b> <i>Nature Valley Oat & Honey Granola Bar, low sodium triscut crackers, </i></span><span style="font-size: large;"><i>peanut butter crackers, apple with peanut butter, fruit cup: (strawberry, grapes, mandarin oranges, cantalope, pineapple)</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Not so Guilty pleasure:</b> <i>pop secret homestyle popcorn, 2 squares dark chocolate, Caffeine Free Coke Zero</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">For 10 months, that is pretty much what I ate about 90% of the time. I was like Forrest Gump with his shrimp when it came to me and boneless skinless chicken breast and veggies. I would occasionally make a meatloaf with low sodium seasoning. Whole Wheat pasta doesn't spike blood sugar and increase blood pressure like regular can. The rotini and penne are the best. I switched to Ragu Simply sauce which is made with good olive oil instead of bad oil and it has much less sugar and salt. I have added low sodium black beans to increase HDL. I would sometimes add some Panko to the chicken for crunch. Lemon is a great cooking ingredient that adds savoryness without salt. I would eat out once per week---grilled chicken with veggies in a variety of ways and occasionally a small steak. I also had TACOS once per week. Lean, homegrown quality Santa Gertrudis Beef browned with cracked black pepper and seasoned with McCormick's low sodium taco mix, crispy white corn shells instead of flour tortillas, low fat sour cream, reduced fat cheese, fresh tomatoes and shredded lettuce/spinach. They are delicious and much healthier than the alternative way of making them. My Doctor also recommended fish for the HDL which I eat sometimes. Now that I am better, Sweets and Cheat foods are a special treat. I will have an individual cheat food like a dessert of a sausage biscuit once a week or so. I tend to eat a cheat meal about once a month. When a food like pancakes, fried chicken, pizza or a restaurant burger and tots is on the menu about once every 3 months or so, it tastes really delicious and is a special treat. It just can't be part of my regular food intake.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I lost 30 pounds and kept it off for 6 months. When I relaxed a little too much on food and didn't exercise enough this winter, I gained 10 lbs back, so here I go to try to lose it again. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><u>3. FAITH</u></b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Prayer and Worship are essential. I believe that anytime anyone recovers from an illness or injury God should receive all of the glory, praise and most importantly thanks for it. From the moment I entered the hospital, I had my Facebook friends, students from school, church family--hundreds of people that prayed for me and I can guarantee that they made a tremendous difference. When I was staying up all night, unable to sleep, waiting to go to the Urgent Care, I listened to worship music and I can tell you I was less concerned with differences I had with certain churches than in the theological worth of individual songs. Worship got me through the night.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">As important, meaningful, powerful and effective as remote prayer is, I am also grateful for friends, family, church family and pastors who came to my bedside to pray for me. James 5:14 asks: <i>Is anyone among you sick? He should call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick. The Lord will raise him up. </i>I wasn't anointed with oil, but I was prayed for and it was God who healed me in His mercy. This is a practice that shouldn't be neglected. There is something to humbling oneself to ask for prayer and the witness it brings to those who pray for you and to those such as nurses who witness it.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Mark 16:18 tells us to lay hands on the sick and they will recover. This represents God's power flowing through us into another person. He does the healing, not us. A friend shared with me that she had struggled with similar heart problems and I prayed for her whenever I thought of it from far away...still do. There is something about forgetting ourselves and selflessly praying for others that unleashes God's healing in our own lives and we only realize it afterwards. When possible we should lay hands on people and pray for their healing and humbly seek such prayer ourselves. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">After I returned home from Christmas, in addition to regular Sunday worship, I began attending an extra worship service on Saturday evening in order to spend more time in corporate worship. Jesus said: <i>For wherever two or three have gathered together in my name, I am there in the midst of them. </i>God's manifest presence shows up in a special way when believer's gather together that is different than when we are alone. Psalm 22:3 exclaims: <i>Yet You are Holy, You who are enthroned on the praises of Israel. </i>God inhabits our praises and we welcome His kingdom in our lives when we worship. Offering praise and worship is the appropriate way to enter His Presence.<i> </i>I went to those services because I wanted to worship with other believers and I wanted to be in God's Presence. I also knew that healing comes from spending time in the Presence of God. I considered the time spent in worship to be part of my recovery and more important than even the medicine. 14 months ago my heart's ejection fraction was 25 and in congestive heart failure. Today it is 60 and fully normal. The medicine I was given can ease the burden on the heart, but it cannot heal it. That comes from God and I give Him every bit of the credit--all of the glory, honor, praise and thanks. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>Jerry Schultzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15370640301757556204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1540408315018036204.post-3975140164979282092020-12-23T04:42:00.343-08:002021-12-20T06:10:39.938-08:00The Journey of the Magi: An Eventful Day in Jerusalem, Part 2<p> <span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">The arrival of the Magi caused quite a stir in the city of Jerusalem.
A caravan of camels carrying traders and their goods would have made for an
exciting day, but when that caravan accompanied a group of magi searching for a
newborn King, it completely disturbed the peace of Jerusalem. For generations
the magi had served as advisors to rulers. The Magi are rightly called Wise
Men, because they sought out Jesus. They were highly educated, being well
versed in the subjects of their day which would have included mathematics,
astronomy, political science and more. Their training also included a fair dose
of the supernatural by mixing in numerology with mathematics and astrology with
astronomy. A new star suddenly popping up in the sky would have gotten their
prompt attention.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">These men were not new to the Biblical histories. We are
introduced to them in the book of Daniel. The magi advised King Nebuchadnezzar
in Babylon. Daniel and his three friends received the same education, but were
found to be 10 times wiser through the wisdom that comes from above. Because Daniel
was made the chief of the wise men and eventually a declaration was sent
throughout the entire empire that the God of the Hebrews was to be revered,
their successors would have almost certainly been aware of his prophecy about the
coming Messiah and would have known that the appropriate amount of time had
passed. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Let’s look at the Biblical account of the visit of the Wise Men:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">After Jesus was born in
Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, wise men from the east arrived in
Jerusalem saying “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw
his star at its rising and have come to worship him. When King Herod heard
this, he was deeply troubled and all Jerusalem with him.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Being skilled in astronomy, the men had noticed a new star in the
sky and followed it, pulling right into Jerusalem and going directly to the
palace to pay homage to the new King. These men had come to curry favor and
secure future good relations. Instead, they were the bearers of news that was
most unwelcome to the ruling elite. While Jesus’ birth was good news to the
common folk, to Herod and the Sadducees, this was the worst news ever. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">King Herod ("the Great") was the darling of Rome. He ruled over
Judea as a vassal king of Caesar. He built the port city of Caesarea as a
tribute to Caesar so that Roman nobles arriving by boat would see Roman columns
and enjoy a hippodrome, theater and luxury accommodations. Inland, he built a
lavish palace in Jericho and a luxurious country stronghold near Bethlehem which
he named Herodium after himself. In Jerusalem he dramatically increased the
size of the temple mount and monetized religion by charging a temple tax. Imagine
being charged admission to get into church. A lucrative business also developed
for selling the necessary animals for sacrifices. Herod and the religious
leaders were living high on the hog with extravagant clothing, rich food and
lives of privilege as Roman pawns. News of the King of the Jews being
brought by a caravan of foreign emissaries directly to the current occupant of
the throne was not welcome news to them at all.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">There has been much speculation about where the wise men came from.
The Bible says that they came from the East which means that they were not
Egyptian wise men from the south, nor were they Assyrian wise men from the
north. They were from the East. Biblically, the term "land of the East," refers to anything East of the Jordan River. The certainly included the Babylonian and Persian Empires, based in modern day Iraq and Iran. The one time capital cities of Babylon and Suza are
located almost due East of Jerusalem. In Daniel’s day, there were many of the magi living in Babylon, advising the King. In fact, there was a famous school for them with 3 levels of learning in ancient Babylon. In Esther’s day, many of these wise men were likely
headquartered a bit further East in Susa, where the King was ruling from. They
came from Babylon and/or Susa, due East of Jerusalem. Here is a map:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiQS2_H0VpWQKc8F_qTTkdr77cUebhwQF7DeBkPAKL66GNCkhfLBnyKPgLPZTohehFVdD4_wE1PhmuI5RmX41r2HT1BOPcdnLDJJPjvBY5euK1FHbWb6n7aa9bhjUxMOCE7oB6uzBa8mQ/s1280/wise+men+Jer%252C+bab%252C+susa+map.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="692" data-original-width="1280" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiQS2_H0VpWQKc8F_qTTkdr77cUebhwQF7DeBkPAKL66GNCkhfLBnyKPgLPZTohehFVdD4_wE1PhmuI5RmX41r2HT1BOPcdnLDJJPjvBY5euK1FHbWb6n7aa9bhjUxMOCE7oB6uzBa8mQ/w436-h277/wise+men+Jer%252C+bab%252C+susa+map.jpg" width="436" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The city of Hillah, built over the site of ancient Babylon is 542
miles due East of Jerusalem near modern day Bagdad. It would take a fit person
about 3 weeks to walk in a straight line. We also encounter such wise men in
the historical book of Esther which took place in Susa, about 228 miles further
East beyond Babylon. The map shows various routes that a caravan might take
around the desert. If the magi began making preparations for their prophesied
journey by camel caravan after seeing the star appear on the night of Jesus
birth, we could reasonably expect them to arrive in Bethlehem about 5 or 6
weeks later. I have wondered why the entire city would have been thrown into an
uproar over the news of the Messiah, if Anna had already delivered it. I am
quite convinced that they arrived on the very same day. Anna shared the good
news with the faithful Jews who were <i>waiting, </i>hoping and
eagerly anticipating the arrival of their Messiah. The wise men brought the
news to those who were less eager, the secular government and corrupt religious
leaders. Since all of Jerusalem was stirred up over the news, I believe it only
makes sense that 40 days after Jesus’ birth, on the very same afternoon or
evening after the temple visit, the wise men showed up bringing the news to
Herod. With Anna proclaiming the birth of the Messiah to the temple visitors
and the hearers (or gossippers) excitedly spreading the news throughout the
city, the caravan of Magi arrived, also announcing the birth of the new Jewish
King. The city was in pandemonium. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">After hearing the news, Herod responded this way:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So he assembled all the
chief priests and scribes of the people and asked them where the Christ would
be born. In Bethlehem of Judea, they told him, because this is what was written
by the prophet: <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">And you, Bethlehem, </b>in
the land of Judah, are by no means <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">least
among the rulers of Judah: Because out of you will come a ruler who will
shepherd my people Israel. </b>Then Herod secretly summoned the wise men and
asked them the exact time the star appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said
“Go and search carefully for the child. When you find him, report back to me so
that I too can go and worship him.” </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">After hearing the king, they went on their
way and there it was—the star they had seen at its rising. It led them until it
came and stopped above the place where the child was. When they saw the star,
they were overwhelmed with joy. Entering the house, they saw the child with Mary
his mother and falling to their knees, they worshiped him. Then they opened
their treasures and presented him with gifts: gold, frankincense and myrrh. </span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Jerusalem is about 7 miles north of Bethlehem. If the wise men approached
from the North, having gone up and around the desert along the caravan route, the Star would have
appeared directly behind Jerusalem in Bethlehem. If they crossed the desert, it would have brought them in the direction of these two cities. Either way, as they got closer, the star
was situated directly above Jerusalem. I believe this is because Jesus was in
the city for his presentation at the temple. As the magi departed from the
palace, they were elated to see the star back up in the sky, but it was in
motion. The only explanation I can think of for the star moving and leading
them from Jerusalem to Bethlehem is that as Mary and Joseph took Jesus back to
Bethlehem, the star followed overhead. As the city became chaotic with
excitement, Joseph probably got his family up and out of there, leaving at
twilight. The wise men were able to follow the star as Scripture says it <i>led </i>them
directly to Jesus, settling over the house where He was. <br />
<br />
The wealthy visitors worshipped Jesus and presented Him with gifts of Gold,
Frankincense and Myrrh. These gifts are of great significance.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I. GOLD: Jesus is King </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Gold was a fitting present to set before royalty. This gift honored and recognized Jesus as King. God had given Adam <i>mashal</i>, granting him the authority to <i>reign over</i> the earth as His representative, like a vassal King. Adam had foolishly lost some of that power when he listened to Satan's voice over God's and sinned. As the second sinless Adam, Jesus took that lost authority back. He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords (1 Timothy 6:15, Revelation 19:16). When the Gabriel the angel spoke to Mary he reiterated the words of the prophet Isaiah: </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: #001320; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><i>Of the increase of
his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and
over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with
righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of
hosts will do this.</i></span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">II. FRANKINCENSE: Jesus is God</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Frankincense is an aromatic, burned by priests
as an offering to God. It comes from the sap, or resin from a tree and can be used to make perfume or burning incense for use in worship. It was an appropriate presentation that recognized and
honored Jesus as Divine. Jesus is fully God, of one essence with the Father and has always existed.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">III. MYRRH: Jesus is a Man</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Myrrh was a perfume that was used in burial preparations.
This gift foreshadowed Jesus’ death on the cross and his subsequens burial and resurrection. Jesus would die for our sins, to reconcile us back to God. Jesus if fully man, and can relate to us.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">These gifts symbolically demonstrate that Jesus is both God and
man. He would die to save us. They remind us that Christ is both human and divine, a man of suffering and the victorious risen King. Jesus
is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords and while he chose to come humbly as a
savior, offering peace, he will one day return bringing justice and judgement upon
his enemies. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">These gifts were products of the land of the East. Genesis 25:6 tells us that Abraham gave gifts to the grandchildren of Ishmael, the son he had with his wife Sarah's handmaid named Hagar. He also gave gifts to his grandchildren from his second wife Keturah, whom he married after Sarah died. He sent the descendants across the Jordan river to the Land of the East. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><i>Abraham gave gifts to the sons of his concubines, but while he was still alive he sent them eastward, away from his son Isaac, to the land of the East. </i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: High Tower Text, serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">God had promised that ALL of the nations of the world would be blessed through Abraham's lineage.</span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"> </span>Isaiah prophesied reconciliation with these children from across the river as they too would be blessed by Jesus, a descendant of Abraham. Here are some highlights from Isaiah Chapters 59-60 that relate directly to the visit of the Magi.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: High Tower Text, serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><i>They will fear (revere) the name of Yahweh in the West and his glory in the East...The Redeemer will come to Zion, and to those in Jacob who turn from transgression. </i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: High Tower Text, serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">The word Jacob here refers to the nation of the descendants of the man whose name was changed to Israel. The Redeemer is promised to those who repent and turn away from their sins. This reminds us that in order to be redeemed, or saved, we must turn away from our sins and toward Jesus. In the verses that follow God promises to send His Holy Spirit to those who believe. After that, the prophet declares:</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: High Tower Text, serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><i>Arise, shine, for your light has come and the glory of the LORD shines over you. For look, darkness will cover the earth and total darkness all the peoples, but the LORD will shine over you and his glory will appear over you. Nations will come to your light and kings to your shining brightness...</i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: High Tower Text, serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><i>Caravans of camels will cover your land--young camels of Midian and Ephah--all of them will come from Sheba. They will carry gold and frankincense and proclaim the praises of the LORD. All the flocks of Kedar will be gathered to you; the rams of Nebaioth will serve you and go up on my altar as an acceptable sacrifice. I will glorify my beautiful house. </i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: High Tower Text, serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">Out of the darkness, came a great light, Jesus. The star shining over the place where Jesus' was, drawing the Magi to Him, reminds us of this important truth. The cities mentioned are named after descendants of Abraham, all East of the Jordan River. The gold and frankincense the Wise Men brought as presents to the Christ child were products of Arabia and an offering laid at the feet of the newborn King. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: High Tower Text, serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">The original audience of Isaiah's prophetic discourse would likely have assumed these verses were about God blessing Israel by returning the people back into the promised land from exile and bringing prosperity to Jerusalem, the shining city on a hill. The predictions of these chapters were partially fulfilled, but not completely. They were intended to leave the people of Israel and even ourselves asking, is more yet to come? These prophecies actually have a dual fulfillment, an initial partial down payment on the promise, but with a glance toward the future, looking forward not only to the coming incarnation of Christ, but to his redemptive work and the completion of the promise at the end of days. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: High Tower Text, serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">Caravans did indeed visit Jerusalem with camels and dromedaries raised in Midian, bringing riches and goods. On the occasion of the Magi's visit we specifically see that the prophet's words were true, God's promise was kept and the great light drawing the children of Abraham together is Jesus. The Wise Men were the beginning, many more of the children of Abraham living in the land East of the Jordan would come to know Jesus as Messiah and Lord. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: High Tower Text, serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">Much of the area we know as the Middle East today once sheltered a flourishing Christian community and thriving church. I have an English copy of <i>The Diatessaron</i> by Tatian, a 4 part harmony of the Gospels dating back to 150 A.D. written in Syriac, a Christian form of Aramaic that was used by these believers in the East. It was only after the religion of Islam was invented by Muhammed in 610 A.D. that these nations, some of them predominantly Christian, were attacked and forcibly "coverted," to Islam in the following centuries. Islam is a religion whose primary belief is inscribed inside their temple built on top of the site of the fallen temple in Jerusalem: "Far be it from God that he should have a son." The entire religion exists as an anti-Christian movement, leading the physical descendants of Abraham astray. As Christians, who are the true, spiritual children of Abraham, rather than view Muslims as enemies, we should view them as prodigals, people who were conquered and led astray, people Jesus died for, people God wants to save. Muslim countries are not the enemy of Christians, they are our mission field, the most difficult mission field because their leaders actively persecute Christians and try to prevent the good news about Jesus from being shared. They are stealing the birthright of Abraham's other children. Our goal is evangelization and reconciliation. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: High Tower Text, serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">After presenting their gifts and worshipping Jesus, the magi went home.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And being warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their own country by another route. </span></i>Then Herod, when he
realized he had been outwitted by the wise men, flew into a rage. He gave
orders to massacre all the boys in and around Bethlehem who were two years old
and under; in keeping with the time he had learned from the wise men. Then what
was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning. Rachel weeping
for her children; and she refused to be consoled, because they are no more.</b></span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<br />
Herod himself was not a Jew. He was an Idumean. Idumea is the Greek way of
pronouncing Edom, where the Edomites lived. Edom means “Red,” which was the nickname
of Esau, Jacob’s brother. Herod was a descendant of Esau. The Jews were
descended from Jacob. It is significant that God sent wealthy royal advisors to
Herod because he sent messengers he would listen to. From the beginning of
Jesus’ life on earth, God reached out to Gentiles or non-Jews, just like Simeon
prophesied. God immediately reached out to one of Esau’s descendants. Many of
them would become Christians eventually, but not Herod. The Magi brought the message
of good news right to his doorstep, but he rejected it. He refused to accept
the Gospel. Not only that, but he tried to have Jesus murdered so that he
could stay in power. Sadly, many of the religious leaders would react in
similar fashion. Like Herod, they hardened their hearts and rejected the
Messiah. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The magi were warned in a dream about Herod's scheme and altered
their route home to avoid him. Even though they told him precisely when the
star appeared, Herod flew into a mad rage and ordered the execution of every
child within a 2 year age range, from birth all the way to two years old in and
around Bethlehem. History tells us that eleven innocent children died by the order
of this power hungry lunatic, a fact that Jeremiah had sadly prophesied. After
the visit of the wise men, the star is not mentioned again and since Herod was
not able to use it to find Jesus, we can reasonably deduce that the phenomena disappeared. <br />
<br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">After
they were gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream saying “Get
up! Take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt and stay there until I tell
you. For Herod is about to search for the child to kill him. So he got up, took
the child and his mother during the night and escaped to Egypt. He stayed there
until Herod’s death so that what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet
might be fulfilled: <b>Out of Egypt I called my son. </b></span></i><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As soon as the magi left, once again Joseph was visited in a dream by an angel who warned
him of impending danger. He took Mary and the child and fled in the middle of the night, narrowly escaping Herod's
wrath as he whisked his family safely away to Egypt, gifts in hand. As I alluded to earlier, it is common for Old Testament texts to have 2 meanings—a
literal and immediate meaning and a future, prophetic meaning. Originally, the
Bible spoke of God calling his “son,” the nation of Israel out of Egypt. Now,
we see this statement having a secondary meaning, prophetically pointing to Jesus
who would deliver us out of bondage and slavery to sin in the same way that God
delivered Israel out of bondage and slavery to Egypt, which symbolically
represents sin. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">After Herod died, an angel
of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying Get up, take the
child and his mother and go to the land of Israel. But when he heard that
Archelaus was ruling of Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go
there. And being warned in a dream, he withdrew to the region of Galilee. The
he went and settled in a town called Nazareth to fulfill what was spoken
through the prophets, that he would be called a Nazarene. </span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Once Herod was dead, an angel from the Lord told Joseph it was
safe to come back to Judea, so He, Jesus and Mary returned home to Nazareth.
With their return to their own town of Nazareth, every prophecy about the birth
of Jesus had been completely fulfilled, including the prophecy that He would be
called a Nazarene. The Messiah had come. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Matthew's account of the events surrounding Jesus' birth ends
there. Luke ends his account of these early events with these words:<br />
<br />
<i>The boy grew up and became strong, filled with wisdom and God's grace was on
Him. <o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p><b> SERIES CONCLUSION</b></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In this Advent series we have studied a variety of responses to
the news of Jesus’ birth. The Shepherds heard the news proclaimed by God’s holy
angels who are ministering spirits. They believed it, came to Jesus, worshipped
Him and then shared the good news with others. This sets the precedent for the
preaching of the Gospel. We tell others the good news and the Holy Spirit works
in their hearts. If they believe it they come to Jesus, worship Him and then
tell others the good news about the forgiveness of sins and salvation that is
found in Him.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Holy Spirit drew Simeon to the temple. He believed, came to
meet Jesus and then praised Him out loud. Anna heard Simeon’s exclamation, believed
and declared the good news to all who were awaiting redemption. But not
everyone responded that way. Herod rejected the good news, refused to accept
Jesus as his Messiah and tried to kill him.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The question is, how will you respond? Will you harden your heart
against God like Herod? Or will you be like Simeon, Anna and the Shepherds?
Will you accept Jesus as your Messiah, your Deliverer, your Savior? <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>Jerry Schultzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15370640301757556204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1540408315018036204.post-36242609453040023462020-12-19T16:59:00.007-08:002022-12-12T18:39:21.572-08:00Simeon & Anna Meet Jesus: An Eventful Day in Jerusalem, Part 1<p> <span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Jesus’ first trip into the storied city of Jerusalem was an
eventful one. Forty days after he was born, Mary and Joseph took him into
Jerusalem to continue fulfilling what the Law required. Their obedience provides us with special insight into the longing and attitude of faithful Jews who had been awaiting the arrival of their promised Savior. Mary and Joseph followed Leviticus 12:2-5 to the letter which delivered instructions for allowing a woman time to heal after giving birth to a child and provides directions for how an Israelite child was to be cared for as well:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span style="background: white; color: #001320; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Tell the Israelites:
When a woman becomes pregnant and gives birth to a male child, she will be
unclean seven days, as she is during the days of her menstrual
impurity. The flesh of his foreskin must be circumcised on the eighth
day. She will continue in purification from her bleeding for thirty-three
days. She must not touch any holy thing or go into the sanctuary until
completing her days of purification. </span></i><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: #001320; font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">After allowing Mary 7 days to heal, the young couple took Jesus to receive the sign of God's Covenant with Israel, a promise Jesus came to keep, follow, fulfill and otherwise complete from both sides. Luke 2:21-38 narrates these historical events that took place after the Christ child was born:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">At the end of eight days</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">when he was circumcised, he was called
Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.</i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Jesus was named before he was even conceived. Eight days after he
was born, the Christ child was circumcised by a local priest in Bethlehem and the name that is above all other names, Jesus, was formally bestowed upon him. This name means “Yahweh is
Salvation.” Yahweh is the personal name of God. Such a name tells us that we have a
God who loves and cares for us and desires a personal relationship with us so
much that He sent His Son to provide a way for us to be saved and reconciled to
Him.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Circumcision was the sign of the Old Covenant, but like much of
the Old Testament instructions for cleanliness, it also has practical medical
benefits and is still common today for that reason. Baptism has replaced circumcision
as the sign of the New Covenant, but it is for believers who are old enough to
make a decision to follow Christ. This is why we Baptists do not baptize
infants. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It is, however, common to have baby dedications, a practice which also
has Biblical roots. While it is not a requirement, it is still meaningful and a
good form of worship. About a month after his circumcision, Jesus, Himself, was dedicated in the temple:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And when the days of their purification according the Law of Moses were finished, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (just as it is written in the law of the Lord, <b>Every firstborn male will be dedicated to the Lord) </b>and to offer a sacrifice (according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, <b>a pair of turtle doves or two young pigeons)</b></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Thirty-three days after Jesus was circumcised, forty days after he was born, Mary's days of purification were
completed. This means that she would no longer be considered
"unclean" because her body had received sufficient time to heal after
giving birth and she could go to the temple. It was God himself who instituted the concept of a rest for mothers after delivering a child. </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The couple took Jesus to the temple to present and dedicate him to
the Lord and to present offerings in accordance with God’s Law. According to
Leviticus 12, they were to bring a yearling lamb to sacrifice as a burnt
offering and either a pigeon or a turtle dove as a sin offering. A couple that
could not afford a lamb could offer two fowl instead. Mary and Joseph were of
humble means so they availed themselves of this option presenting one bird as a
burnt offering and one as a sin offering. I view the burnt offering as an
offering of thanks to God. Joseph and Mary were righteous people, they were in
a right standing with God because they followed His laws, but they were not
sinless. The sin offering was not because anything about having a child was
sinful, but rather a recognition that all people have sinned and need to be
forgiven. Mary would leave the temple completely clean, both physically and
spiritually.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">These offerings were a special act of worship, thanks and
reverence for God who had blessed them with a child. The word <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">holy </i>means to be set apart. This
dedication of the firstborn child was a way of setting him apart for a special
purpose and asking God’s blessing that the whole family would be blessed
through him. In fact, all of Abraham’s family tree would be blessed through
Jesus. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">While visiting the temple complex, Joseph, Mary and Jesus met two true believers:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">There was a man in Jerusalem whose name
was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the
consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed
to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the
Lord’s Christ. And he came in the Spirit into the temple.</i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The word translated as <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">consolation,
</i>is the Greek word <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">paraklesis</i>,
which means comfort or “Comforter.” This was a title given by rabbis to the
Messiah. How fitting that Simeon was refer to Jesus as “The Comforter of
Israel.” Jesus himself would one day promise to send the His Spirit to believers
to live inside of us as our Comforter. Beginning with the proclamation of the
angel Gabriel to Mary, then to Joseph and now with the Spirit’s interaction
with Simeon, we see that the Holy Spirit will be front and center throughout
the New Testament. That very day as Joseph and Mary brought Jesus to present him
to the Lord, the Holy Spirit guided Simeon to come to the temple. God had
promised him that he would live to see the Messiah, the Savior of his people.
He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, meaning that he was eagerly
waiting hoping and anticipating the coming of the Messiah and trusting in God
to deliver His people. Simeon was surely comforted that day as he lay eyes upon
the Lord and held him in his arms.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When the parents brought
the child Jesus to do for him according to the custom of the Law, Simeon took
him up in his arms, praised God and said: “Lord, now you are letting your
servant depart in peace according to you word; for my eyes have seen your
salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for
revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”</span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Simeon praised God in a song declaring that Jesus would be a
light, not only to the Jews, but also to the Gentiles. He could now die in
Shalom, in peace, knowing that his people would be redeemed. The Holy Spirit
also revealed to Simeon that God’s salvation would be for both Jews and
Gentiles, for all tongues, tribes, nations and people groups on earth, for all who believe. God had promised that all of the nations of the world would
be blessed through Abraham, and now, they would indeed be blessed and reconciled through his
descendants, the people of Israel and more specifically through Jesus.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And his father and mother
marveled at what was said about him. And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary
his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in
Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your
own soul also) so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”</span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Mary and Joseph were amazed at what Simeon said about Jesus. He
had been blessed and would now pronounce a blessing upon the new parents. He
prophesied that Jesus would be the reason for both the rise and fall of many in
Israel. Those who elevated themselves would be brought low and those who
humbled themselves would be exalted. The arrogant religious leaders would be
brought low and the poor believers would be lifted up. Those who place their
faith in Jesus as the only source of salvation will be raised from the dead to
live with Him in heaven. Those who do not believe will destroyed in <i>Limne Pur</i>,
the Lake of Fire.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In prophesying that a sword would pierce Mary’s soul, he predicts
the sword of the Roman soldier who pierced Jesus’ side to confirm his death on
the cross, which must have been a heartbreaking, devastating moment for her.
God knows the thoughts and intentions of the human heart. In the act of
crucifying Jesus, the religious leaders would finally reveal their true nature
to the world. The wolves showed their teeth. Their pride led to a fall. Their
power and grip on the people would be lessened as Christianity grew. Their authority would be taken
away and given to the humble followers of Christ.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">During their trip to the temple, Mary and Joseph also encountered a
prophetess named Anna.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">There was also a
prophetess, Anna, a daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was well
along in years, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage,
and was a widow for eighty-four years. She did not leave the temple, serving
God night and day with fasting and prayers. At that very moment, she came up
and began to thank God and to speak about him to all who were looking forward
to the redemption of Jerusalem. <o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Just as Simeon was speaking
to Mary and Joseph, Anna arrived. If married at age 20, she would have been about 111 years old and had been
faithfully serving God through prayer for most of her long life. She was so
excited that she spoke to everyone who was waiting for the redemption of
Jerusalem. This means that she told the good news to the faithful Jews of the
city and those visiting the temple from around the world who, like Simeon, were
hoping, trusting and eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Messiah. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">After her
husband’s untimely death left her as a widow, Anna lived her entire life alone
without a kinsman redeemer to marry her.</span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: "High Tower Text", serif; font-size: 14pt;">She must have been intimately acquainted with the feeling of longing for
redemption and the need for a redeemer. Some of the hearers might have
understood that they were being redeemed, rescued and saved from their sins, while
others might have mistakenly thought this news meant they were being freed from
Roman rule. Time would reveal the truth. Either way, the news of the
Messiah must have been very exciting. The city of Jerusalem must have been
buzzing with excitement. Could this be true? Could this be real? </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Simeon and Anna learned the truth about the Messiah and they
responded appropriately. The Holy Spirit revealed the truth directly to Simeon
and he believed, came to Jesus, praised Him and then blessed and encouraged
Mary and Joseph, proclaiming a message of good news to the young couple. Anna
heard Simeon’s proclamation, believed, thanked/worshipped God and then began
proclaiming the good news of Jesus’ birth to men and women who had been eagerly
awaiting the coming of the Messiah. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Simeon and Anna responded with enthusiasm to Jesus. When the good news or <i>Gospel</i> of Jesus
Christ is preached, the Holy Spirit speaks to the
hearts of men and women calling on us to respond. How will you respond? Will
you believe Jesus is the Son of God? Will you believe that He died for your
sins and rose again victorious over death? Will you place your faith in Him and
worship Him too? Will you be like Anna and share the good news by telling others?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "High Tower Text",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Here is the link to the Final Installment of this series: <a href="https://thetrustworthyword.blogspot.com/2020/12/the-journey-of-magi-eventful-day-in.html">The Journey of the Magi</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p>Jerry Schultzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15370640301757556204noreply@blogger.com0