Results 161 - 180 of 495
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Results from: Notes Author: Aixen7z4 Ordered by Date |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
161 | Might it be fear? | Prov 1:29 | Aixen7z4 | 120782 | ||
It seems that those who engage in this business of judging always come to regret it. Someone should post somewhere this note from Matthew Henry, so that we can read it before diving in, and save ourselves the embarrassment. "Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? We reckon it a piece of ill manners to meddle with other people's servants, and to find fault with them and censure them. Weak and strong Christians are indeed our brethren, but they are not our servants. This rash judging is reproved, James 3:1, under the notion of being many masters. We make ourselves our brethren's masters, and do in effect usurp the throne of God, when we take upon us thus to judge them, especially to judge their thoughts and intentions, which are out of our view, to judge their persons and state, concerning which it is hard to conclude by those few indications which fall within our cognizance. God sees not as man sees; and he is their master, and not we. In judging and censuring our brethren, we meddle with that which does not belong to us: we have work enough to do at home; and, if we must needs be judging, let us exercise our faculty upon our own hearts and ways". |
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162 | He was a prophet. Can we add to that? | Luke 24:19 | Aixen7z4 | 120631 | ||
This is good. We search the Scriptures, an in all of these ways, they testify of him. I do not know if this list is exhaustive, but I will meditate on each item. I have an idea that even if they are all the Scriptures that talk about him, they still do not tell us all about him. "There are also many other things which Jesus did, (and is) the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the volumes that should be written. But we can meditate on each of them. He is indeed more than a prophet. | ||||||
163 | He was a prophet. Can we add to that? | Luke 24:19 | Aixen7z4 | 120628 | ||
Jesus is unique. He is more than any other figure in religion or history. In addition to being a prophet, he is a fulfiller of prophecies. He fulfilled all that the Old Testament prophecies had written about the Messiah. Then he made prophecies about his own life and death and resurrection. And he fulfilled them. He was also a prophet in that he came with a message from God. But then, he did what God said would be done. For example, he said that God was giving his Son for the salvation of the world. As that Son, he gave his life to save us. He often spoke about himself in parables; for example, He is the Shepherd who left the sheep in the wilderness to save the one that had gone astray (Luke 15). He is the householder’s Son that the husbandmen would reject and kill (Matthew 21). He is not only a priest, he is the sacrifice. Unlike other priests who offered a lamb, he offered himself, for he was the Lamb of God to take away the sin of the world. He not only laid down his life, he took it up again. Whereas we needed salvation, He, the great Creator, became our Savior. He is a king. But he is not a king among kings. He is King of kings. Anyone who tries to match his prophet against the Lord Jesus Christ would find himself at a serious disadvantage. He is above all. No one dares to call him a false prophet, because he backed up all his claims with action. He was a prophet mighty in word and deed. It would do us good, I think, to review his words and his deeds, for he is all that we have said about him here, and more. |
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164 | what does the scripture mean? | Is 9:6 | Aixen7z4 | 120469 | ||
Jesus lets us know that following him will involve pain, that the Christian life is not a life of ease. Living for him will bring us into conflict with others, and I suppose that the sword is a symbol of conflict. This is only one of the many difficulties that one experiences because of his association with Christ (Luke 9:23;John 15:18). It is apparent that conflict within the family is quite painful for some people; painful to see and painful to experience (Jeremiah 15:10). And Jesus explains what he means by continuing to say that there would be divisions within natural families because of him: “a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law“ (Matthew 10:35). The language does seem strange because Jesus seems to be saying that he came for that purpose, to set us one against the other. Other Scriptures state that his purposes were otherwise (Luke 19:10; John 10:10). I suppose that he is saying, not that he desires these conflicts, but that these conflicts are an unavoidable consequence of his coming (John 16:33; 2 Timothy 3:12). True, as mommapbs has said, he does give personal peace (John 14:27). This peace is beyond human understanding (Philippians 4:7), and it reigns in the heart in spite of the conflicts. The believer has personal peace, and even joy, even when his family may misunderstand him and reject him. He will love them and want to be at peace with them, but his faith often makes that impossible. Unbelievers can be hostile and resentful towards believers. In some cultures it can be severe. That, I suppose, is the sword. Whether there should be conflict among believers is another matter. Within the household of faith, we are commanded to be at peace among ourselves (1 Thessalonians 5:13). We may not know exactly what difficulty tip is having with the statement quoted in the question, but this writer hopes that these thoughts, added to those that our sister has already given, are a useful contribution. |
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165 | What do you like about the church? | Eph 2:22 | Aixen7z4 | 118039 | ||
Please, my brother. You are admitting you do not know me. (Please note that I did not say "your admitting"). You only know yourself. How could you possible know these things if they were not in your own heart? But to this extent I will answer your question: "What do you like about the church?" is not bout "perception, emotions and feelings". It is a matter of appreciating what the Bible says about it. We could try to look into that! Now, since you are into looking into hearts. Why don't you read Jeremiah 17:9, give up on the heart probing, and try to answer the simple question. Or maybe you'd just like to sit out this one. But I forgot. Why do I like to praise God in public? "I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving. This also shall please the LORD better than an ox or bullock that hath horns and hoofs. The humble shall see this, and be glad: and your heart shall live that seek God" (Psalm 69). My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad (Psalm 34). Amen. That's the truth. |
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166 | But can we answer the question? | Eph 2:22 | Aixen7z4 | 118038 | ||
There's that work again. I am losing a taste for it. Maybe it really means "Sick 'em". | ||||||
167 | But can we answer the question? | Eph 2:22 | Aixen7z4 | 118037 | ||
There you go. Tell them to go somewhere else. As if this is your forum. As if the church belongs to you. After you run out of words such as "devious" and "contemptible" you may try some other ploys. But I came on here to ask a simple question, and I am convinced all of this is simply a distraction. You are avoiding a discussion of a substantive subject. Now I must leave for church. That might give someone the opportunity to wonder why I go to church on Saturday or start to beat up on those who do. Would it help if I said I was not an Adventist? It won't matter. You will find something negative to say anyway. But my only regret is you will not rise to the higher level and answer the question. I think that after all of this you will feel right about saying something good. There you go. Tell them to go somewhere else. As if this is your forum. As if the church belongs to you. After you run out of words such as "devious" and "contemptible" you may try some other ploys. But I came on here to ask a simple question, and I am convinced all of this is simply a distraction. You are avoiding a discussion of a substantive subject. Now I must leave for church. That might give someone the opportunity to wonder why I go to church on Saturday or start to beat up on those who do. Would it help if I said I was not an Adventist? It won't matter. You will find something negative to say anyway. But my only regret is you will not rise to the higher level and answer the question. Yes, I am the one who caused it. Because I did not know how to define "the church". I had no idea that the Bible scholars on this forum would not know what the definite article “the” stands for, and I thought there was only one church. But the Bible scholars here thought I might be talking about the church up the street, that everyone on this worldwide forum might know about. Amazing. No. There is another spirit here, that is oppositional ,and focused on deflecting us from any practical application of the truth. Whom resist, steadfast in the faith. Well, God knows that I tried. All I was looking for was some Biblical statements about how wonderful a thing the church is, and we get this. Do we have anything positive to say? Can we get off Aixen’s case, move up higher, and talk positive about the church? It will take some effort. How can we say anything positive after this? There are some positive things from the Bible about the church. Maybe when I get back I will find some. |
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168 | But can we answer the question? | Eph 2:22 | Aixen7z4 | 118029 | ||
Yes, I am paranoid. But they say that a little paranoia is good when there is real danger around. And make no bones about it, my friend, words hurt. They drive people away from this forum and away from the church. So do not think that the behavior here is harmless. You can characterize me, or my words in any way you like. I have an idea what a vague question is but I do not know what a "primary" question is, though I suspect it is not a credit to the person who asks it. Yes, I may be paranoid, but I am sane enough to admit it. And I am secure in Christ, enough so I can stand here and answer your questions. But my heart bleeds for the people who have shed tears on this forum, here, before departing. I see it also in the church. Yet I stand here, and there, to ask them not to leave this place or the church in spite of your behavior. In spite of this the church is a wonderful thing, and I'd really rather talk about that. Should I go now to study the mechanics of opinion surveys? I'd really rather stay here and talk about the good things that the Bible says about the church. I have an idea it will encourage someone. |
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169 | But can we answer the question? | Eph 2:22 | Aixen7z4 | 118024 | ||
And it is strange how Christians feel free to use holy words such as "Amen" to put down one another. So what if some of us are not able to define the key words in our question? Are we therefore unworthy of your company? Would you shame us into withdrawing from the church because we cannot define "church"? You do that all the time with your Greek and Hebrew lexicons. And yet, your talk is plastic, artificial, synthetic, and not applicable to real life. What is the use of being able to define "love" when you do not love? Let us get real on this tangent, if peradventure we can repent of our attitude and return to the topic, simply to say what we appreciate about the church. "StudyBibleForum exists as a place to ASK and ANSWER questions about the BIBLE". Would you then exclude, excommunicate, excoriate people who ask questions about practical subjects that have their answer in the Bible? Now, ask me what is "practical" about showing appreciation for the church. These people refuse to talk about the good things that the Bible says about the church. They prefer this type of conversation. |
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170 | But can we answer the question? | Eph 2:22 | Aixen7z4 | 118023 | ||
I am asking us to tell some of the good things God says about the church in the Bible. Not the good and bad; just the good. A few people have already answered directly to the question, so there are examples. I am hoping we can get off this tangent and answer the question. Again, what is the question? Put it this way: What do you like, marvel at, appreciate, admire, about the wonderful work that the Lord is doing on this earth, building his church? God knows I don’t know how to state it more clearly. He also knows I anticipated all of this distraction and tried to avoid it when I first framed the question. Now what shall we do? Shall we discuss Aixen's question asking skills, or his other "hang up"s, or shall we try to answer the question and try to glorify the Lord by expressing our admiration and appreciation for what he is doing in and within the church? God is doing a wonderful thing in having and building his church. It says so in the Bible. Can we talk about that? If not, say it here. If we can, let us move to the higher level and do it. |
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171 | But can we answer the question? | Eph 2:22 | Aixen7z4 | 118022 | ||
I do have a hang-up on negativity. I think that rude and nasty talking among Christians is not good. Or maybe it is "a hang up focusing of negativity". I'm not sure. Call me shallow if you will. That is what I called your thinking, though I think it is wrong to attack a brother's person. (The behavior, not the person. Get it?) Maybe a statement such as "God is in control" is enough, and too profound for me, and I need elaboration. I really wish we did not have to talk about this, but I guess the more I say that the more we will. Maybe I should say please do not go to the higher thread and answer the question. Maybe then you will. Maybe I should say I enjoy rude talk and put downs and that I hate to see us stick to a topic. I'll think about it. | ||||||
172 | What do you like about the church? | Eph 2:22 | Aixen7z4 | 118019 | ||
I will say “Amen” to that and turn this reserved statement into a full positive. God is in control, and God is doing a wonderful thing. Forgive me if I am repeating myself in quoting Psalm 118:23, but this is the LORD'S doing; it is marvellous in our eyes. In the church, God who did the miracle of creation, is doing a million miracles today. “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ”. It took a miracle, to put the stars in place It took a miracle, to hang the worlds in space But when he saved a soul, cleansed and made it whole It took a miracle of love and grace And God is still saving people, all the time, and in that way he is building his church. And he is building it on his Son, Jesus Christ (Matthew 16:18). Jesus is the first Stone, the Corner Stone, and we also as lively stones are being added to it (1Pe 2:5). He gives us also the privilege of bringing others into it. We cannot save them, but we, and the Holy Spirit, working together, can bring them to him. Meanwhile, it is God who works in us both to will and to do this for his pleasure. This is the LORD'S doing; it is marvellous in our eyes. |
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173 | But can we answer the question? | Eph 2:22 | Aixen7z4 | 118015 | ||
And thus, with a simple dismissive statement, we trivialize the question. I did not ask what we like “or dislike” about the church. I tried as hard as I could to frame the question so as to solicit only positive comments. Those comments, meanwhile, may come from statements in the word of God. We do not have to “dabble in the hypothetical, the philosophical, and perceived”. But you folks are so predictable now, it is almost like a self-fulfilling prophecy, or the power of suggestion. Or maybe there is such a ting as reverse psychology. Predict, state, suggest, express a fear that you will go off on a tangent, and that is exactly what you do. But I like this forum. I have talked about its potential. One aspect of it I like is the tree-like format of the thing. We can make this part a tangent end and stretch it out. Or we can get to the higher level and actually answer the question. I challenge us to make a choice here. Stay on this tangent and discuss these things. Say some more about how much you dislike what you perceive as “the hypothetical, philosophical, and the perceived … invading the church”, or rise to the higher level and answer the question. And please do not say what you dislike. Search the scriptures for the beauty of the church, and tell the world how you like it. |
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174 | What do you like about the church? | Eph 2:22 | Aixen7z4 | 117935 | ||
I would like to add my "Amen to that". I like the fact that we come to church and bow down together. In such demonstrations of humility we are indeed showing vulnerability, but we are willing to do it. I am glad also that people look to church at the most important times in life. It is as if they know deep in their hearts that it is in the sanctuary that we understand (Psalm 73:17). The church is the pillar and ground of the truth (1 Timothy 3:15). As such, it is like a city on a hill, a beacon of light in the darkness, needed salt for the earth, the arena for the voice of God. It is good also to be a part of it. |
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175 | What do you like about the church? | Eph 2:22 | Aixen7z4 | 117934 | ||
It was not easy to get past the first sentence, but by the grace of God I did. I will trust the Lord for more grace should such a point as that be revisited. With that, I was able to read the rest of the post and to be blessed by the positive points in it. I will think of the amazing simplicity God built into the church, the humility and wisdom of the first leaders, and the love and compassion God was showing by having it so. Now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places, and to all who come here, let there be positive points like these that we might know, through the way the he works with the church, the manifold wisdom of God. |
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176 | What do you like about the church? | Eph 2:22 | Aixen7z4 | 117900 | ||
Let's talk about the true church. | ||||||
177 | What do you like about the church? | Eph 2:22 | Aixen7z4 | 117899 | ||
Let's talk about the true church. | ||||||
178 | What do you like about the church? | Eph 2:22 | Aixen7z4 | 117894 | ||
The word "church" is not there, but the church is there. Please look carefully. It might help if you also looked at Matthew 16:18, Ephesians 3:10, Ephesians 5:25-27, Eph5:32; Col 1:18; 1Peter 2:5. I do not want to make this a great mystery; I am speaking of "the" church, as mentioned in those passages. |
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179 | What do you like about the church? | Eph 2:22 | Aixen7z4 | 117889 | ||
Let us focus on the church of Ephesians 2:22. | ||||||
180 | Who is Jesus? | Matt 16:15 | Aixen7z4 | 117402 | ||
Sometimes "if" means "since". As in Luke 11:20; Philippians 2:1, etc., the choice of words is for effect, and not to cast doubt. Please do not misunderstand. "The fact is that Jesus is all that he ever was or will be, for he is God". | ||||||
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