“We are all witnesses” is a slogan applied to the fans of Lebron James during his time with the Cleveland Cavaliers. This slogan became so popular that a huge banner was hung in downtown Cleveland declaring Cleveland’s affinity with Lebron. To many basketball fans, this slogan was a unique way of showcasing the talent of Lebron, the city of Cleveland and the Nike shoes that he was endorsing.
Although this slogan was unique in the world of sports and marketing, it has existed for millennium in the word of God. For at least 2000 years, the phrase has been used to describe the followers of Jesus Christ. Let’s take a look at the Biblical phrase “Witness” and what being a witness for Jesus Christ involves.
THE SCRIPTURES:
Acts 5:29-32 (KJV) Then Peter and the [other] apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. Him hath God exalted with his right hand [to be] a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. And we are his witnesses of these things; and [so is] also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.
THE STUDY:
29) Then Peter and the [other] apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
In the context of our study, the subject at hand is the subject of obedience. Peter and the other apostles were in agreement that they owed the Lord their uncompromising obedience. They were to put their Lord’s desires ahead of the desires and pleasure of men.
They begin to explain why they have dedicated their lives to fulfilling their Lord’s desires…
30) The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.
31) Him hath God exalted with his right hand [to be] a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
They clearly explain God’s work that He performed to bring salvation to His people:
The God of our fathers raised up Jesus – God was willing to deliver His Son into a wicked, sinful world.
whom ye slew and hanged on a tree– When Christ entered this world, He was abused, mistreated and eventually, murdered on a cross. The Father knew beforehand that this would be the fate of His Son, but He still chose to send Him into this world.
Him hath God exalted with his right hand [to be] a Prince and a Saviour– Because Jesus was obedient to the will of His Father, coming to the earth, suffering mankind’s abuse and dying on the cross; Christ was then exalted to His rightful position as Lord and Deliverer of all.
for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.– Jesus, as Lord and Deliverer, turned Israel from their sin to the service of Christ; as well as, granting forgiveness, through His death on the cross for the sins of those who come to Him.
These reasons are why both Peter, and the other apostles, had dedicated their lives to the service of their God. After all God has done for them, how could they do anything else for Him?
Also, please notice the basic principle of being a witness simply involves telling others what our Lord has done on our behalf. That is all there is to it. Simply, tell others about what He has done for you.
Tell them about your Lord and how He willingly gave His life on the cross to pay the price for your sins.
Give them examples of His workings in your personal life: how He has comforted you in times of distress; how He has granted you faith in the most trying of times; or perhaps, how you received peace in the midst of the storms of life.
For the Christian this is the essence of living a life of witness for the Lord.
32) And we are his witnesses of these things; and [so is] also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.
Not only did Peter and the other apostles owe their obedience to Him, they also were called to be witnesses of His workings of salvation among men.
It is important to note that this word “witness” comes from the Greek word “martus” which carries with it the idea of being a “martyr”. In other words, being a witness for Christ implies being willing to give our all, even to the point of death, for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
So not only was Peter and the apostles called to obey their God but they knew their responsibility included a willingness to testify of His works, even to the point of death. This is being a true “witness” for Him.
We can be living witnesses for Him through the power of the Holy Spirit that indwells all believers. What we cannot do because of our sinful flesh, the Lord allows us to do through the empowering of the Holy Spirit within us.
PRACTICAL APPLICATION:
As Christians, the willingness to give our all in service to Him is the principle found in Roms 12:1-2…
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, [which is] your reasonable service.And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
To be a living sacrifice revealing His works to others involves being willing to give our all for Him. Just as these verses teach us… after all He has done for us… isn’t giving our all for Him simply a reasonable response on our behalf?
To those who have never received Christ as your Lord and Savior…
If you have any questions about salvation, I have a tab available on my blog that gives in depth information on what salvation is and what you must do to be saved. Please click on his link for more information about salvation.
If you continue to have questions or concerns about your salvation, find a Bible-believing church in your area. The Pastor would be glad to share Christ and the way of salvation with you. If you feel more comfortable communicating through email, you are always welcome to email me at settledinheaven@gmail.com.
Kidron was a valley that lay east of Jerusalem dividing Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives. Through this valley flowed the brook of Kidron, a brook which is mentioned several times in God’s Holy Word. Why is Kidron known as “the death valley of the Bible”? What can I learn from this “death valley”?
We will be opening the Scriptures to find the answer to our questions….
THE SCRIPTURES:
2Sam 15:13-23 (KJV) And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom. And David said unto all his servants that [were] with him at Jerusalem, Arise, and let us flee; for we shall not [else] escape from Absalom: make speed to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly, and bring evil upon us, and smite the city with the edge of the sword… And David said to Ittai, Go and pass over. And Ittai the Gittite passed over, and all his men, and all the little ones that [were] with him. And all the country wept with a loud voice, and all the people passed over: the king also himself passed over the brook Kidron, and all the people passed over, toward the way of the wilderness.
1 Kgs 2:36-46 (KJV) And the king sent and called for Shimei, and said unto him, Build thee an house in Jerusalem, and dwell there, and go not forth thence any whither. For it shall be, [that] on the day thou goest out, and passest over the brook Kidron, thou shalt know for certain that thou shalt surely die: thy blood shall be upon thine own head…. The king said moreover to Shimei, Thou knowest all the wickedness which thine heart is privy to, that thou didst to David my father: therefore the LORD shall return thy wickedness upon thine own head; And king Solomon [shall be] blessed, and the throne of David shall be established before the LORD for ever. So the king commanded Benaiah the son of Jehoiada; which went out, and fell upon him, that he died. And the kingdom was established in the hand of Solomon.
1Kgs 15:9-13 (KJV) And in the twentieth year of Jeroboam king of Israel reigned Asa over Judah… And he took away the sodomites out of the land, and removed all the idols that his fathers had made. And also Maachah his mother, even her he removed from [being] queen, because she had made an idol in a grove; and Asa destroyed her idol, and burnt [it] by the brook Kidron.
2Kgs 23:4-12 (KJV) And the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest, and the priests of the second order, and the keepers of the door, to bring forth out of the temple of the LORD all the vessels that were made for Baal, and for the grove, and for all the host of heaven: and he burned them without Jerusalem in the fields of Kidron, and carried the ashes of them unto Bethel. And he put down the idolatrous priests, whom the kings of Judah had ordained to burn incense in the high places in the cities of Judah, and in the places round about Jerusalem; them also that burned incense unto Baal, to the sun, and to the moon, and to the planets, and to all the host of heaven. And he brought out the grove from the house of the LORD, without Jerusalem, unto the brook Kidron, and burned it at the brook Kidron, and stamped [it] small to powder, and cast the powder thereof upon the graves of the children of the people. And he brake down the houses of the sodomites, that [were] by the house of the LORD, where the women wove hangings for the grove. And he brought all the priests out of the cities of Judah, and defiled the high places where the priests had burned incense, from Geba to Beersheba, and brake down the high places of the gates that [were] in the entering in of the gate of Joshua the governor of the city, which [were] on a man's left hand at the gate of the city. Nevertheless the priests of the high places came not up to the altar of the LORD in Jerusalem, but they did eat of the unleavened bread among their brethren. And he defiled Topheth, which [is] in the valley of the children of Hinnom, that no man might make his son or his daughter to pass through the fire to Molech. And he took away the horses that the kings of Judah had given to the sun, at the entering in of the house of the LORD, by the chamber of Nathanmelech the chamberlain, which [was] in the suburbs, and burned the chariots of the sun with fire. And the altars that [were] on the top of the upper chamber of Ahaz, which the kings of Judah had made, and the altars which Manasseh had made in the two courts of the house of the LORD, did the king beat down, and brake [them] down from thence, and cast the dust of them into the brook Kidron.
2Chr 29:12-16 (KJV) Then the Levites arose, Mahath the son of Amasai, and Joel the son of Azariah, of the sons of the Kohathites: and of the sons of Merari, Kish the son of Abdi, and Azariah the son of Jehalelel: and of the Gershonites; Joah the son of Zimmah, and Eden the son of Joah:... And the priests went into the inner part of the house of the LORD, to cleanse [it], and brought out all the uncleanness that they found in the temple of the LORD into the court of the house of the LORD. And the Levites took [it], to carry [it] out abroad into the brook Kidron.
2Chr 30:13-15 (KJV) And there assembled at Jerusalem much people to keep the feast of unleavened bread in the second month, a very great congregation. And they arose and took away the altars that [were] in Jerusalem, and all the altars for incense took they away, and cast [them] into the brook Kidron. Then they killed the passover on the fourteenth [day] of the second month: and the priests and the Levites were ashamed, and sanctified themselves, and brought in the burnt offerings into the house of the LORD.
2 Kgs 23:6 (KJV) & Jer 26:20-23 (KJV) And he brought out the grove from the house of the LORD, without Jerusalem, unto the brook Kidron, and burned it at the brook Kidron, and stamped [it] small to powder, and cast the powder thereof upon the graves of the children of the people.
And there was also a man that prophesied in the name of the LORD, Urijah the son of Shemaiah of Kirjathjearim, who prophesied against this city and against this land according to all the words of Jeremiah: And when Jehoiakim the king, with all his mighty men, and all the princes, heard his words, the king sought to put him to death: but when Urijah heard it, he was afraid, and fled, and went into Egypt; And Jehoiakim the king sent men into Egypt, [namely], Elnathan the son of Achbor, and [certain] men with him into Egypt. And they fetched forth Urijah out of Egypt, and brought him unto Jehoiakim the king; who slew him with the sword, and cast his dead body into the graves of the common people.
John 18:1-5 (KJV) When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples. And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples Judas then, having received a band [of men] and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons. Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye? They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am [he]. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them.
Jer 31:38-40 (KJV) Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that the city shall be built to the LORD from the tower of Hananeel unto the gate of the corner… And the whole valley of the dead bodies, and of the ashes, and all the fields unto the brook of Kidron, unto the corner of the horse gate toward the east, [shall be] holy unto the LORD; it shall not be plucked up, nor thrown down any more for ever.
THE STUDY:
The word “Kidron” or “Cedron” comes from a Hebrew word that described an “ashy dark color”, the color of sackcloth. Sackcloth was a rough cloth made of hair that, in many cases, was worn by those who were sorrowful and in mourning. (1 Kings 21:27; 2 Kings 6:30; Job 16:15; Joel 1:13) Why was this valley, and it’s accompanying brook, given a name related to the color of sackcloth? This valley was, many times, related to sorrow, mourning and death …
1. The poor people of the land were buried at Kidron. It was like a modern day potter’s field. (2 Kng 23:6, Jer 26:20-23)
2. Shimei, an opponent of King David, was not allowed to cross the brook of Kidron under the threat of death at the hands of David’s son, Solomon (1 Kings 2:36-46)
3. After Absalom took his throne by force, David was forced to flee over the brook of Kidron. Symbolically this was a picture of the temporary end, or “death”, of David’s reign. (2 Sam 15:13-23)
4. At various times in history, it was at Kidron, where the false idols ofIsraelwere destroyed thus symbolically representing the temporary termination, or “death”, of idolatry inIsrael. This took place three different times: under the rule of Asa (1 King 15:13), under the rule of Josiah (2 Kings 23:4-12), and under the rule of Hezekiah (2 Chron 29:16 and 2 Chron 30:14).
5. It was through this valley that Jesus walked to go fromJerusalemto theGardenofGethsemaneimmediately prior to His arrest and His death by crucifixion. (John 18:1) It was atGethsemanethat the Lord felt the full force of His upcoming death. It was also atGethsemanethat we see displayed the Lord’s perfect unselfish submission to the will of His Father.
6. Also, most likely, Judas Ischariot traveled the same path toGethsemane, resulting in the betrayal and arrest of Christ. (John 18:2)
After seeing how Kidron is a place related to mourning, sorrow and death… we find in Jeremiah a very contradictory passage. Here, the prophecy of the renovation of Kidron relates the valley to a place made holy unto God and set apart for His use forever. It will no longer be associated with death and sorrow, but now with holiness and God’s glory. This prophecy will be fulfilled at the Lord’s second coming and the establishment of New Jerusalem on a New Earth. (Jer 31:40)
How great is our God who is able to make an area associated with mourning, sorrow and death, become a place eternally alive with His glory and honor. The very area that is closely associated with our Lord’s death will be , in the future, clearly associated with the results of His death…. An eternity set apart from all sadness, mourning and sin….
Jeremiah 31:40 – “And the whole valley of the dead bodies, and of the ashes, and all the fields unto the brook of Kidron, unto the corner of the horse gate toward the east, [shall be] holy unto the LORD; it shall not be plucked up, nor thrown down any more for ever.”
PRACTICAL APPLICATION:
For those who are saved…
The Lord’s end times renovation of Kidron is a beautiful picture of saving us permanently from the darkness of sin to the light of His holiness….
Col 1:12-18 (KJV)
12) Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated [us] into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, [even] the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether [they be] thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all [things] he might have the preeminence.
Acts 26:15-18 (KJV)
And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; Delivering thee from the people, and [from] the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, To open their eyes, [and] to turn [them] from darkness to light, and [from] the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
Eph 5:8-11 (KJV)
8) For ye were sometimes darkness, but now [are ye] light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit [is] in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove [them].
For those who have never received His gracious salvation into our lives…
The area of Kidron which was associated with sorrow, darkness and death is a picture of fallen humanity’s condition without the Lord Jesus and the salvation that He offers to them.
Have you ever realized the presence of sin in your life and God’s displeasure with those sins you have committed?
Have you ever come to a point in your life where you realized you could do nothing to save yourself, but you must rely on Christ alone to supply the work necessary for saving you from your sins?
Have you ever turned from your sins, and in faith, turned to Christ for forgiveness?
Do you know that, for certain, you have received the Lord’s forgiveness for your sins and will someday be in eternity with Him?
If you cannot answer “yes” to all the above questions… please open God’s Word, and seek out the truth about the spiritual need in your life. Come to an understanding of your sin and the only source of forgiveness from those sins… the Lord Jesus Christ and His work on the cross. Look to Jesus and live…
Heb 12:2-3 (KJV)
2) Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3) For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
John 3:14-15 (KJV)
14) And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
15) That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
If you have any questions about your condition or the salvation that the Lord so graciously offers, you can look to several sources for further information: A local Bible-teaching church in your area, you are welcome to email me at settledinheaven@gmail.com, or you can refer to my blog page entitled “How to have a relationship with God”
If you have any questions concerning this blog, or if you have a subject you would like discussed, please feel free to email me at settledinheaven@gmail.com. I will answer all emails via my blog, email, or both.
Follow my Squidoo Instructional Lens “Presenting God’s Grace” “The Solemn Obligation To Present the Doctrines of Grace to the Lost and Saved Alike” http://www.squidoo.com/presenting-gods-grace
May the Lord bless your study of His Word. Like God’s Word… may your soul’s salvation and your life’s faithfulness be “Settled in Heaven.”
As Christians, we are all given the responsibility to tell others about our Lord an all He has done for us. (see Mark 5:18-20; Psa 66:16) However, the Lord has given His local assembly of believers added responsibilities as we minister for Him. What are those responsibilities? How important are they?
In this lesson, we all be looking at the mission the Lord has given to His local assemblies on earth.
THE SCRIPTURES:
Matt 28:16-20 (KJV)
16) Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.
17) And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.
18) And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
19) Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20) Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world. Amen.
THE STUDY:
As we begin our study of the responsibilities given to the local assemblies of Christ, it is important to notice to whom the Lord is speaking…
Matt 28:16-20 (KJV)
16) Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.17) And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.
Here, we find the eleven apostles (the twelve minus Judas) meeting with the Lord. They were meeting with Him on the mount, separated from the great multitudes that had been following Him. These apostles, were the very beginning foundation of the Lord’s local church with Jesus, Himself, being the cornerstone of that assembly.
Our Lord clearly taught this principle in the writings of Paul to the local church at Ephesus…
Eph 2:19-22 – “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner [stone]; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
(see also Matt 21:42-45; Roms 9:33; 1 Pet 2:7-8)
18) And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
As the Lord begins to address the very beginnings of His local assembly on earth, He reminds us that He is the one that possesses the power (authority) of God Himself. The word for “power” does not speak of physical strength… it speaks of authority. Jesus possesses all authority over both the physical and spiritual creation of God. (1 Peter 3:21-22)
Our Lord Jesus has the right to tell us what He would have us to do for Him. He is our Creator (John 1:1-4), He is our Redeemer (1 Pet 1:18-21) and, therefore, He is our Master (Rom 9:20-21, 1 Cor 6:19-20).
The Lord now turns our attention to the three great responsibilities He has given to His local assemblies….
19) Go ye therefore,
Here, we are told to “go”. This sums up the local church’s responsibility. We should not expect the lost world to come to us and join us in the cause of Christ. We are to go forth into the lost, and spiritually dead, world fulfilling the great responsibility we have been given. (Mark 16:15, Luke 24:47-48)
As we go into the world we should be going with the authority, power and presence of the Lord Jesus Christ… our warfare is to be by Him, and for Him, not through the carnal means of a sinful world (2 Cor 10:3-5)
As the local church ministers among the lost world their goal should be three-fold:
and teach all nations,
The word for “teach” here is a Greek word that means “to evangelize”, in other words to take the gospel message to those who are unsaved.
The first goal of the local assemblies is to take the gospel to the lost (through our words and actions), (Rom 10:13-17; Rom 16:25-26; Acts 26:16-18) and then pray for them, that Christ might bring them to Himself. (Psa 68:20, 2 Tim 2:24-26).
baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Following their receipt of salvation, we are to immerse in water those who have believed. This is the public declaration of what the Lord has done for them. It pictures the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. It also pictures the believer’s death to sin and new life in Christ. (Rom 6:3-5, Col 2:12-15)
Once baptized, the believer is eligible to become the member of the local assembly.
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:
The word for “teach” in this verse is a word that means “to indoctrinate”, or “to teach”. This local church responsibility involves instructing those who are members of the church.
We are to teach church members the practical and doctrinal truths of God’s Word. This involves teaching the Word in its entirety. (2 Tim 4:1-5, 2 Tim 3:16-17)
Note this instruction involves the practical application of His Word to member’s life (“teaching them to observe…”)
and, lo, I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world. Amen.
The Lord is promising to accompany the local church as its ministers for Him on earth. (Matt 18:20, Rev 1:11-13) It is only through His enabling and intervention that the church can fulfill its mission for Him. (Matt 10:16-20, 1 Pet 1:12, 1 Cor 1:18-24, Rom 1:16)
PRACTICAL APPLICATION:
For those who have trusted in Christ.
As believers, our Lord would desire for us to be scripturally baptized and then to join a Bible believing church. During our time of church membership, we are to be instructed from His Word, and then to live out these truths as faithful servants of Christ.
For those who have never trusted in Christ.
If you have never trusted in Christ as your Savior… the first priority of your life should be to search the Scriptures, recognize your sin and the True Savior, Jesus Christ. Turn from your sin, trust in Christ and His work as the basis of your salvation and accept Him as Lord of your life. It is only after you have trusted Christ that you can follow Him in baptism, church membership and faithful service to Him.
If you have any questions concerning the way of salvation please feel free to visit or call a Bible teaching church in your area. They will be happy to speak to you about the Lord Jesus and the salvation He graciously gives.
Or, if you would rather, feel welcome to email me at settledinheaven@gmail.com. I’ll be more than happy to answer any question you may have.
Also, if you look at my blog page “How To Have A Relationship With God”. On this page, you will find several blog entries explaining the way of salvation.
If you have any questions concerning this blog, or if you have a subject you would like discussed, please feel free to email me at settledinheaven@gmail.com. I will answer all emails via my blog, email, or both.
Follow my Squidoo Instructional Lens “Presenting God’s Grace” “The Solemn Obligation To Present the Doctrines of Grace to the Lost and Saved Alike” http://www.squidoo.com/presenting-gods-grace
May the Lord bless your study of His Word. Like God’s Word… may your soul’s salvation and your life’s faithfulness be “Settled in Heaven.”
As Christians, we are all given the responsibility to tell others about our Lord an all He has done for us. (see Mark 5:18-20; Psa 66:16) However, the Lord has given His local assembly of believers added responsibilities as we minister for Him. What are those responsibilities? How important are they?
In this lesson, we all be looking at the mission the Lord has given to His local assemblies on earth.
THE SCRIPTURES:
Matt 28:16-20 (KJV)
16) Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.
17) And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.
18) And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
19) Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20) Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world. Amen.
THE STUDY:
As we begin our study of the responsibilities given to the local assemblies of Christ, it is important to notice to whom the Lord is speaking…
Matt 28:16-20 (KJV)
16) Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.17) And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.
Here, we find the eleven apostles (the twelve minus Judas) meeting with the Lord. They were meeting with Him on the mount, separated from the great multitudes that had been following Him. These apostles, were the very beginning foundation of the Lord’s local church with Jesus, Himself, being the cornerstone of that assembly.
Our Lord clearly taught this principle in the writings of Paul to the local church at Ephesus…
Eph 2:19-22 – “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner [stone]; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
(see also Matt 21:42-45; Roms 9:33; 1 Pet 2:7-8)
18) And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
As the Lord begins to address the very beginnings of His local assembly on earth, He reminds us that He is the one that possesses the power (authority) of God Himself. The word for “power” does not speak of physical strength… it speaks of authority. Jesus possesses all authority over both the physical and spiritual creation of God. (1 Peter 3:21-22)
Our Lord Jesus has the right to tell us what He would have us to do for Him. He is our Creator (John 1:1-4), He is our Redeemer (1 Pet 1:18-21) and, therefore, He is our Master (Rom 9:20-21, 1 Cor 6:19-20).
The Lord now turns our attention to the three great responsibilities He has given to His local assemblies….
19) Go ye therefore,
Here, we are told to “go”. This sums up the local church’s responsibility. We should not expect the lost world to come to us and join us in the cause of Christ. We are to go forth into the lost, and spiritually dead, world fulfilling the great responsibility we have been given. (Mark 16:15, Luke 24:47-48)
As we go into the world we should be going with the authority, power and presence of the Lord Jesus Christ… our warfare is to be by Him, and for Him, not through the carnal means of a sinful world (2 Cor 10:3-5)
As the local church ministers among the lost world their goal should be three-fold:
and teach all nations,
The word for “teach” here is a Greek word that means “to evangelize”, in other words to take the gospel message to those who are unsaved.
The first goal of the local assemblies is to take the gospel to the lost (through our words and actions), (Rom 10:13-17; Rom 16:25-26; Acts 26:16-18) and then pray for them, that Christ might bring them to Himself. (Psa 68:20, 2 Tim 2:24-26).
baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Following their receipt of salvation, we are to immerse in water those who have believed. This is the public declaration of what the Lord has done for them. It pictures the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. It also pictures the believer’s death to sin and new life in Christ. (Rom 6:3-5, Col 2:12-15)
Once baptized, the believer is eligible to become the member of the local assembly.
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:
The word for “teach” in this verse is a word that means “to indoctrinate”, or “to teach”. This local church responsibility involves instructing those who are members of the church.
We are to teach church members the practical and doctrinal truths of God’s Word. This involves teaching the Word in its entirety. (2 Tim 4:1-5, 2 Tim 3:16-17)
Note this instruction involves the practical application of His Word to member’s life (“teaching them to observe…”)
and, lo, I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world. Amen.
The Lord is promising to accompany the local church as its ministers for Him on earth. (Matt 18:20, Rev 1:11-13) It is only through His enabling and intervention that the church can fulfill its mission for Him. (Matt 10:16-20, 1 Pet 1:12, 1 Cor 1:18-24, Rom 1:16)
PRACTICAL APPLICATION:
For those who have trusted in Christ.
As believers, our Lord would desire for us to be scripturally baptized and then to join a Bible believing church. During our time of church membership, we are to be instructed from His Word, and then to live out these truths as faithful servants of Christ.
For those who have never trusted in Christ.
If you have never trusted in Christ as your Savior… the first priority of your life should be to search the Scriptures, recognize your sin and the True Savior, Jesus Christ. Turn from your sin, trust in Christ and His work as the basis of your salvation and accept Him as Lord of your life. It is only after you have trusted Christ that you can follow Him in baptism, church membership and faithful service to Him.
If you have any questions concerning the way of salvation please feel free to visit or call a Bible teaching church in your area. They will be happy to speak to you about the Lord Jesus and the salvation He graciously gives.
Or, if you would rather, feel welcome to email me at settledinheaven@gmail.com. I’ll be more than happy to answer any question you may have.
Also, if you look at my blog page “How To Have A Relationship With God”. On this page, you will find several blog entries explaining the way of salvation.
If you have any questions concerning this blog, or if you have a subject you would like discussed, please feel free to email me at settledinheaven@gmail.com. I will answer all emails via my blog, email, or both.
Follow my Squidoo Instructional Lens “Presenting God’s Grace” “The Solemn Obligation To Present the Doctrines of Grace to the Lost and Saved Alike” http://www.squidoo.com/presenting-gods-grace
May the Lord bless your study of His Word. Like God’s Word… may your soul’s salvation and your life’s faithfulness be “Settled in Heaven.”
Bedtime stories, Aesop’s fables, Fairy Tales of Hans Christian Andersen and other types of “moral stories” have been a part our childhood for many generations. How many of us have not heard the story of “The Boy Who Cried Wolf”, “The Hare and the Tortoise”, “Little Red Riding Hood” or “Jack and the Beanstalk”? http://crunkish.com/top-ten-childrens-stories/
In spite of the good moral lessons presented in many of these stories, they lack spiritual truth and Godly authorship. In the Word of God we find a series of lessons presented by Christ in the form of illustrative stories. These lessons are called “parables”.
What is a parable? The Greek word for “parable” means “to set alongside for comparison”. This definition helps us to understand the unique Biblical aspect of the parables of Christ. A Biblical parable is the comparison of the physical to the spiritual in an effort to reveal the spiritual. A parable simply uses illustrations from this physical world to help reveal and explain a spiritual truth to whom it was intended.
For today’s blog entry, let’s look at one of the most well-known parables of Christ and the spiritual truth represented in it….
THE SCRIPTURE:
Matt 13:1-9
1) The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side.
2) And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.
3) And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;
4) And when he sowed, some [seeds] fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:
5) Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth:
6) And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.
7) And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:
8) But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.
9) Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
Matt 13:18-23 (KJV)
18) Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.
19) When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth [it] not, then cometh the wicked [one], and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.
20) But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;
21) Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.
22) He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.
23) But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth [it]; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
THE STUDY:
In Matthew chapter 13, we find the parable of the Sower. In verses 1-9 we find Christ’s presentation of the parable, in verses 18-23 we find the explanation of this parable.
The parable:
1) The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side.
2) And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.
Jesus’ audience for this parable was the multitudes that were following Him. This multitude were probably following Him for many differing reasons. Some followed Him trying to personally see the miracles being performed; others hoped to have their physical needs supplied; and some were following out of curiosity.
3) And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;
In this parable, we are told of a man who was sowing seed meant to produce mature seed bearing plants.
The rest of the parable centers on the four areas where the seed falls. The Lord goes further and explains the effects each area has on the seed’s production.
4) And when he sowed, some [seeds] fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:
Area #1 – The Way Side. As the man sows, some of the feed fell “by the wayside” (the path upon which the sower walked). The result, the seed is eaten by the birds. There is no fruit produced.
5) Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth:
6) And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.
Area #2 – The Stony Places. Some of the sown seed falls in shallow earth. The result is that the ground allows the seed to sprout but as the sun beats down upon the plant it withers due to lack of moisture due to an insufficient root system. No fruit was produced.
7) And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:
Area #3 – The Thorny Places. Other seed feel in among the thorns. As the seeds began to grow, the thorns crowded them out and they died. Again, no fruit was produced.
8) But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.
Area #4 – The Good Ground. Here, the seed falls on “good ground”. This allows the seeds to sprout, grow and mature as they were intended. This is the only case in which fruit was produced from the seed that was sown.
9) Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
Parables were not only meant to reveal truth to those who are blessed of God but also to hide the truth from those who would misuse it. (Matt 13:10-16, Matt 7:6) The Lord was inviting those of the multitude who was given understanding by God to learn and apply this parable to their lives.
The explanation:
18) Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.
The Lord now beings to explain the spiritual truths contained within the parable.
19) When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth [it] not, then cometh the wicked [one], and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.
The sower represents a person who is taking God’s Word and proclaiming it to others.
The seed represents the Word of God that gives access to God’s Kingdom (salvation).
The fruit produced through the sowing of the seed is spiritual fruit that is produced by all who trust in Christ.
Area #1 – “The Way Side” – In this portion of the parable. The wayside is a picture of the heart of a lost individual who does not meditate on but ignore or do not take seriously the message of salvation. The birds represent Satan who keeps his attention off the message. Satan placing in his thoughts things “more important” than the Word for the lost person. Because of this, salvation is not received and the fruits of the spirit are not borne by the lost one. (Luke 9:57-62)
20) But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;
21) Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.
Area #2 – The Stony Places. Here, the word that is received by the lost person is a novelty and for awhile he applies it to his life producing an outward reformation of his actions, not a new life within. After a while, the novelty wears off and the lost person returns to the same lifestyle that he had departed from. (2 Pet 2:22)
22) He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.
Area #3 – The Thorny Places. Here we see that when a lost person hears God’s Word, if he allows the desires of his flesh to rule his life, he will nto take heed to the Word but live according to his desires for wealth and the other things this world has to offer. (Lk 18:18-23)
23) But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth [it]; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
Area #4 – Here we find God’s Word being presented to the heart that has been prepared by God. The Word is received, understood and acted upon. This results in spiritual fruits being borne as the Word grows and prospers in the heart. (John 15:1-8)
PRACTICAL APPLICATION:
For those who are saved …
We need to thank the Lord for preparing our hearts to receive His Word. And then, out of appreciation for what He has done, we should take His Word to others, through our voice and life of displaying the fruits of the Spirit.
For those who have yet to be saved...
Why do some men hear the gospel message and yet do not trust in Christ as their Savior? In our study today, we have seen that:
For some, the Word of God is ignored and not taken seriously.
For others, it is a simply a novelty to be followed for awhile but no real commitment to the message of the Word is ever made.
And for yet others, the true value of the Word is not perceived, therefore they choose to live their life in pursuit of worldly things they believe is of greater value.
The only person that benefited from the preaching of the Word was the person whose heart has been prepared by God to receive the Word, understand the Word, and commit to the Word and its author, Christ. Following this commitment, the newly saved person begins to bear spiritual fruits.
You, too have this decision before you. The message of God’s Word centers on His son, Jesus Christ, and the salvation we can receive through Him…
John 3:14-21 (KJV)
14) And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
15) That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
16) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17) For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18) He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
19) And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
20) For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
21) But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
Won’t you take this message seriously, turn form your sin and place your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and His work on the cross?
If you have any questions concerning this blog, or if you have a subject you would like discussed, please feel free to email me at settledinheaven@gmail.com. I will answer all emails via my blog, email, or both.
Follow my Squidoo Instructional Lens “Presenting God’s Grace” “The Solemn Obligation To Present the Doctrines of Grace to the Lost and Saved Alike” http://www.squidoo.com/presenting-gods-grace
May the Lord bless your study of His Word. Like God’s Word… may your soul’s salvation and your life’s faithfulness be “Settled in Heaven.”
The resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ is one of many miraculous aspects to our Lord’s life on earth during His first coming. From His virgin birth to His ascension following His crucifixion, death and resurrection; the life of Christ was filled with miraculous events indeed.
The life of Christ on earth is undoubtedly the most important series of events to ever take place in world history. Among the many events that took place during His first coming, the resurrection of Christ is of utmost importance.
Why is the resurrection so important? The Word of God gives us a clear answer to this question…
THE SCRIPTURE:
1 Cor 15:12-23 (KJV)
12) Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?
13) But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen:
14) And if Christ be not risen, then [is] our preaching vain, and your faith [is] also vain.
15) Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not.
16) For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised:
17) And if Christ be not raised, your faith [is] vain; ye are yet in your sins.
18) Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.
19) If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.
20) But now is Christ risen from the dead, [and] become the firstfruits of them that slept.
21) For since by man [came] death, by man [came] also the resurrection of the dead.
22) For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
23) But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.
THE STUDY:
In 1Cor 15:12-20, we read of the importance of the resurrection. The Apostle Paul, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit gave us several reasons why the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ took place and what it should mean to those of us who have trusted in Christ as our Savior…
1 Corinthians 15:12-20
12) Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?
13) But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen:
There were some professing believers in the Church at Corinth who believed the resurrection of the dead was impossible. Paul here, is arguing that is there was no such thing as resurrection then Christ’s resurrection must be a fallacy as well.
Paul then begins to explain to them the horrible results of a denial of Christ’s resurrection.
14) And if Christ be not risen, then [is] our preaching vain, and your faith [is] also vain.
Result #1 – The preaching of the gospel of Christ is empty and worthless.
Result #2 – Placing our trust in Christ as our Savior is empty and worthless as well
15) Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not.
Result #3 – It makes those who proclaimed the gospel of Christ liars
16) For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised:
17) And if Christ be not raised, your faith [is] vain; ye are yet in your sins.
Result #4 – Everyone is still in their sin. In other words, they owe the penalty of their sin, they are still dominated by their sin, and have no promise of future deliverance from the presence of sin.
18) Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.
Result #5 – Believers who had passed away, were not enjoying eternity with the Lord, but instead were brought to ruin, just as those who were non believers.
19) If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.
Result #6 – If Christ is not risen (and therefore all the above 5 results are true) then believers are the most miserable of all mankind. We had hope that Christ would deliver us from sin’s punishment eternally. However, when eternity comes we will be enter into eternal damnation and ruin.
20) But now is Christ risen from the dead, [and] become the firstfruits of them that slept.
Paul then assures the Corinth Church, and all of us, that the resurrection of Christ did take place. His resurrection is the first fruits. (The first fruits of a harvest were the first portion of the crop that was harvested and given back to God; then the remaining harvest of the field was taken).
In other words, the resurrection of Christ was the first resurrection of the dead resulting in a glorified body. Christ’s resurrection will be followed by the resurrection of the saved at His coming. In this sense, Christ was the first fruits of all believers who have passed away.
21) For since by man [came] death, by man [came] also the resurrection of the dead.
Paul now explains the 2 great impacts of the resurrection for Christ, His work, and His followers.
Impact #1 – The resurrection proves that Christ has gotten the victory over sin and death.
Sin entered the world at the hands of Adam… as sin was passed to all mankind through Adam, so too, the passage of death. Sin’s result, both spiritual and physical death, is now a part of all mankind.
Christ, based upon the payment that He made on the cross, has defeated both sin and death. What proof do we have that this is so? It is His resurrection. When Christ walked out of the tomb it was absolute proof He had obtained victory over death. The only possible way death could be rendered powerless was by rendering sin powerless as well.
22) For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
23) But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.
Impact #2 – Because Christ arose from the dead, believers can rest assured they, too, have spiritual life and an assurance of a physical resurrection and glorified body (at His second coming).
PRACTICAL APPLICATION:
For those who are saved …
For those of us who are saved… His resurrection is our assurance of our salvation and eternal future with Him… let us praise and honor our Lord for the display of His defeat over sin and death.
For those who have yet to be saved...
This account as written in God’s Word is the only trustworthy and reliable account of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This resurrection is absolute proof that Jesus was who He claimed to be, The Savior of the World who has brought salvation to His people….
Matt 1:21 (KJV) - And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
Such a miraculous event is bound to work up doubts in any of our minds. As we have seen, even His followers, in the early hours of that Sunday morning had many doubts about what had actually taken place. But thanks be to our Lord for He had allowed MANY witnesses to see Him following His resurrection. Many witnesses saw Him to prove beyond doubt that He had arisen and His work of redemption on the cross has been brought to completion…
1Cor 15:4-8 (KJV)
4) And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
5) And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:
6) After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.
7) After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.
8) And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.
Christ’s resurrection is the assurance He gives us that He is victor over sin and death. Do you recognize you have sinned against Almighty God? Do you see that you owe Him a debt of sin that you can never pay? Are you willing to forsake your sin and turn to Christ as your Lord and Savior? If so, you can share in His victory over sin and death.
Turn from your sin to the Lord Jesus Christ. Come before Him realizing that He alone can save you from your sins. Believe that He died upon the cross bearing your sin. And then rest in the knowledge that He arose from the dead, to prove all of this is true.
If you have any further questions about the salvation that our Lord so graciously gives, please feel free to read my blog page… “How to have a relationship with God”. Otherwise, you can contact a Biblke based church, they will be glad to answer any of your questions about salvation that you may have. Or, you are welcome to contact me via a blog comment or email, it will be my privilege to answer any questions you may have about salvation and the work of Christ.
If you have any questions concerning this blog, or if you have a subject you would like discussed, please feel free to email me at settledinheaven@gmail.com. I will answer all emails via my blog, email, or both.
Follow my Squidoo Instructional Lens “Presenting God’s Grace” “The Solemn Obligation To Present the Doctrines of Grace to the Lost and Saved Alike” http://www.squidoo.com/presenting-gods-grace
May the Lord bless your study of His Word. Like God’s Word… may your soul’s salvation and your life’s faithfulness be “Settled in Heaven.”
