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Bible Studies Online Blog
Jesus
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Mathew Bartlett: Posted on Saturday, November 19, 2011 9:32 PM
The study of the Bible is meant to be more than an academic excercise. If the Bible truly is the Word of God for man, then such study demands our attention and obedience. Indeed, our understanding of the Word of Christ depends greatly on our obedience to Christ. Jesus said: If anyone wants to do God's will, he will know about my teaching, whether it is from God or whether I speak from my own authority. John 7:17 (NET) If we would understand God's will more perfectly, then we must be prepared to obey what we have already received, for only then will more be revealed to us. "The doctrine of Christ surpasses all the doctrines of the saints; and he that has the Spirit will find in them the hidden manna. But it so happens that many, from frequent hearing of the gospel are very little affected, because they do not have the Spirit of Christ. But he who would fully understand the words of Christ must study to make his whole life conformable to that of Christ." (Abridged from Thomas A Kempis, The Imitation of Christ). So then, if we would be more like Jesus, let us be doers of the word, and not hearers only. |
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Mathew Bartlett: Posted on Wednesday, November 16, 2011 8:51 AM
 The psalm begins with a picture of a world in rebellion against God - they would get rid of Him altogether. They consider serving God to be bondage, when in fact it is true freedom. No one can ultimately free themselves from their obligations to their creator Hebrews 9:27. What does God think of those who think they can? V4 tells us that He laughs at them - not literally - the picture shows it is futile for man to think that he can be free from God's rule. If men will fight against God, God will have them in confusion.
When men rejected and crucified God's Son, they thought that they were having their own way. By killing Christ man thought that he had succeeded in getting rid of God, but in fact God was fulfilling HIS purpose. Acts 2.23. He says My purpose will win over all others. Isa 46.9,10. He confounded them. They crucified Jesus; but God has raised him from the dead and exalted Him. Eph1.20-22. Men rejected Him, but God has made him both Lord and Christ. Acts 2.36. v6 Firstly, it is set apart "my holy hill." Then it has an elevated position "hill" and lastly it is the dwelling place of God, for Zion is where the temple stood. So Christ is set apart. REF Being exalted, Christ has gone into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. Mark 16.19. Through Christ's death, the church is also made holy Heb 2.11 and shares an exalted position Eph 2.6. The church is a dwelling place of God through the Spirit Eph2.22. By his exaltation Christ has been made head over all things to the church. Eph 1.22 V7 What right has this King to reign? He is the only begotten Son of God, who was with the Father in the beginning. John 1.1,2. Christ has the Divine right to rule, since He is both God Himself and has been appointed by God the Father. V6 Tells us that God anointed him to be King. Christ means anointed one. God anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit without measure. John 3.34. V8 Some kings covet gold or silver, but these mean nothing to our king. He values the souls of men above all else. He came to seek and to save the lost, redeeming us to God by His blood. Jesus is the king who wants to reign in the hearts and lives of men and women. That is why he tells us to go and make disciples. Matt 28.19,20. One day he will come to reign on earth with absolute authority. Ps 72.8. Those who refuse to obey him and submit to his rule will be completely broken and eternally ruined -- just as when you break a clay pot with an iron bar there is no hope of repairing it again. Since Christ is exalted as the supreme authority in all the universe, we should submit to him. At present we may do so voluntarily -of our own free will - and be saved. Rom 10.9.
But if any will not submit to him now, they will one day be forced to do so, for every knee MUST bow to Jesus. Phil 2.9-11. Then they will bow to hear God's judgment "Depart from me.. into everlasting fire"
V12 So the Psalmist warns rebels to submit and to kiss the son.
In ancient times the kissing of the hand showed devotion, the person was saying "I am your servant," or "I am yours." It was an act of worship. We are reminded in Rom 12.1 that this is our reasonable service. Rom 12.1 We give ourselves to him. After all he has done for us, what else could he expect? It is only our reasonable service.
Those who continue to rebel and harden their hearts against God will taste his anger. If his wrath being aroused just a little is enough to utterly destroy you, what about the full force of his wrath, which the scripture says will be poured out upon all those who do not believe. In v5 we see it will take place suddenly, as God breaks through to make an end of man's insolent rebellion. When Christ comes again He will bring the wrath of God 2 Thessalonains 1:7-10. The final destruction of unbelievers will come suddenly and unexpectedly. 1 Thesssalonians 5.3. But for those who believe the promise is given of eternal life. They will be blessed eternally Acts16.31. As we look in the Bible we can't get away from the fact that Jesus is King. We should let him rule as king in our lives. To surrender means to obey Him. If we let Jesus be king, he will deal with the attitudes and habits in our lives that do not please him- such as lying, stealing, jealousy, anger. He tells us to put them away, for He is our king. Will you let Jesus be King of your heart today? Will you give yourself to him? |
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William F.P. Burton: Posted on Saturday, October 01, 2011 9:48 PM
 What is the Value of your life? It all depends who does the valuing. Go to that mother with her chubby baby in her arms. Offer her a thousand pounds for it, or a million. She would laugh at the very thought. That sweet wee mortal is part of her very self. It is precious to her beyond all computing. That drunken, sordid jail bird, looked down on by respectable folk, may be dubbed by the crowd "A good for nothing waster, better dead than alive." And yet it is possible that he has a mother who longs for him, prays for him, trusts that he may yet make good. To that mother he is still her precious boy. She would give all she has to save him. In case of accident and compensation a judge might value your life and a thousand pounds or twenty thousand, but there is one who regards you as of infinitely more worth than that. Indeed God commends His love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Rom. 5:8). "You were not redeemed with corruptible things such as silver and gold...but with the precious blood of Christ" (1 Pet. 1:18). That crimson stream that flowed from the gaping wounds of Jesus, as he hung on the Roman gibbet, shows what infinite value God sets upon you and me. How he loves us! The mighty Titanic was setting out on her maiden voyage across the Atlantic Ocean. She was declared unsinkable. Fitted with sliding doors to water-tight bulk heads, and every modern contrivance known to modern ship building skill, she was man's last word in safety, luxury and speed. Mr. X. paced the deck, congratulating himself on the success of his enterprise. He was rich and held a number of shares in the company. So safe indeed, was she considered that they had not provided sufficient life-boats for the number of passengers and crew. Suddenly on a calm evening, with the sea like a mill pond, there was a grinding crash and the mighty vessel came to a standstill. All the safety gear was put into operation but still she continued to fill and settle. She had struck an unseen iceberg and was foundering fast. "Out with the boats. Women and children first." The boats were speedily filled and pulled away from the stricken giant, that they might not be sucked down by her. When Mr. X. realised that he was left behind, he called to the coxswain of the last lifeboat. "Ten thousand pounds for a place in your boat! A hundred thousand! All my fortune if you will but pull back and take me in." But the coxswain shouted back "We dare not, sir. The boat is filled to its limit. Another passenger would endanger the lives of all on board." And so that financier went down when the Titanic took her final plunge, three miles deep, to the bottom of the Atlantic. All his wealth could not save him. It is the same story when it comes to the salvation of the soul. The Bible says: "What is a man profited if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Matt. 16:26).
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Mathew Bartlett: Posted on Tuesday, August 30, 2011 5:37 PM
 The preacher had tried for some time to win poor old Ann to Christ. "You know, Ann, that God's Word says 'Whoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved?'" (Rom. 10:13) Why don't you ask God to save you?'"
"I do sir, many times each day."
"Then why do you not believe that you have received salvation?"
"Oh I would not be so preumptuous as to say that I was saved."
He lifted his heart to God for the right word to give her. He saw a hat shop near, and noticed that Ann's hat was green with age. "Come inside, Ann."
Before she could recover from her surprise, she was fitted out in a new bonnet, paid for by the preacher.
A few days later, he met her again. "Well, Ann, why don't you ask me for your bonnet?" he questioned.
She replied warmly, "Why should I ask for something when you have already given it to me? I've got it: I don't need to ask. Surely you are fooling an old body, Sir!"
"No, Ann! I am not fooling. Christ says 'He that hears my word and believes on Him who sent me HAS everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation, but is passed from death to life' (John 5:24). What does 'HAS' mean, Ann?
"HAS means got it, like you got this bonnet." "Well why do you go on asking for salvation when God says HAS?"
"Why, I see it now. God gives me salvation as sure as my bonnet is on my 'ead. I'll never ask Him for it any more."
"What will you do then, Ann?"
"I'll just go on thanking Him," and old Ann went on her way chuckling to herself "HAS means GOT IT!"
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Mathew Bartlett: Posted on Thursday, August 18, 2011 2:20 PM
Pitiful Hands
Full of compassion. When the Lord Jesus Christ lived on the earth he went around doing good. Jesus had compassion on the people. Sometimes great crowds, other times individuals, but when the Lord saw them he was filled with compassion. But his compassion did not end with mere feeling, for as the Son of God he also had the power in his hands to meet their needs. A blind man was brought to Jesus and He put his hands on his eyes and the blind man received his sight. A deaf and dumb man was brought to Jesus. The Lord spat on his hand and touched the man's tongue. Then he put his fingers in the man's ears and said "Be opened." Immediately the deaf and dumb man could both speak and hear. Lepers came to Jesus. There was no cure for leprosy. People were afraid to touch a leper, thinking that they might catch this terrible skin wasting disease that made its sufferers outcasts from society. But Jesus was different. When a leper came to him and said "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean." Jesus was filled with compassion, reached out his hand and touched the man, saying "I am willing, be clean." Immediately, the man was cleansed. Jesus had been teaching a crowd of over 5000 men beside women and children. When he had finished teaching, he said to his disciples "I have compassion on the people, for they have been with me three days and have not eaten. If they go into the surrounding towns to buy food they might faint on the way." A little boy had offered his lunch of 5 loaves and two small fish to the Lord, and Jesus picked them up in his hands and gave thanks. He broke the bread and gave it to the disciples. He did the same with the fish. Not only did everyone have plenty to eat, there were 12 baskets of fragments left over. Mother's brought their little children to Jesus and he picked them up in his arms, placed his hands on their heads and blessed them. A twelve year old girl had just died. Jesus told her distraught Father "Fear not, but only believe." As he entered the house where the dead child lay he asked the mourners "Why all this wailing and weeping? The child is not dead but asleep." They laughed at him for they knew that she was dead. Jesus put them all out. Then he took Peter, James and John and the child's father and mother to the girl's room. Taking her by the hand he said "Little girl, I say to you get up." Her spirit returned and he gave her back to her father and mother. Jesus hands were the almighty hands which flung the stars into space and which keep the whole world turning around. Those were the hands that formed the intricate wings of the butterfly, and the gigantic stars of heaven. Jesus' hands were pitiful and powerful for they were the hands of the Son of God. They were Pierced Hands
When Jesus was crucified, his hands and feet were pierced, nailed to a wooden cross. The Bible says that Christ died to take the sin of the world on himself.
We have all sinned. God's word says "All have sinned and come short of the glory of God." And "the soul which sins must die" We are all guilty and under the sentence of everlasting death - to be shut out of heaven forever.
Jesus spoke of this second death as a place of outer darkness where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. He referred to it as eternal fire where the worm does not die and the fire is not quenched. This place that Jesus described, also called hell, is to be the final abode of all who not believe in the Son of God and who reject Jesus Christ as their Saviour and Lord.
But the good news of the gospel is that Jesus suffered the penalty of eternal death on the cross for all sinners. He endured the pain of eternal separation from God for us. His hands were pierced for our sakes.
An old hymn says: "He lived a life I could not live, He died a death I could not die, On another's life, another's death, I stake my whole eternity." Three days after his death, Christ arose. When he appeared to his disciples they were terrified and thought that they were seeing a ghost. But as we read earlier from Luke's gospel, Jesus held out his hands and told them to examine him. He was no ghost. "Spirits do not have flesh and bone as you see that I have." Then the disciples were overjoyed. They realised that he had truly risen from the dead and was able to save them from sin, death and hell forever. He can do the same for you and me. They are Pleading Hands.
Today, the gospel message is being faithfully preached by those who are followers of Jesus. God is still giving an opportunity for men and women everywhere to repent of their sin today and believe in His Son as their Saviour. Jesus hands are stretched out to people all day long, urging and pleading with them to repent and to accept the free gift of eternal life which he purchased for them at so great a cost. Today, through this simple message, it is not the preacher but Jesus who is speaking with you personally, pleading you to believe and be saved. The apostle Paul said, " Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God". 2 Cor 5:20 As you read this message today, God is beseeching you to accept Jesus Christ as your Saviour and to be reconciled to God. Listen to his pleading. Why does Christ go down to us on bended knee and plead with us so that we might be saved? It is because he loves us so dearly, that he has already given his life for us. He would not have you suffer punishment in hell for your sin when he has suffered in your place already. Jesus begs you to open the door of your heart to him today. He will never force you, but with the gentleness of almighty love he stands at the door of your heart and knocks. Will you let him in? "Behold me standing at the door, And hear me pleading evermore, With gentle voice: Oh heart of sin, May I come in, may I come in." |
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