Results 201 - 220 of 350
|
||||||
Results from: Answers On or After: Thu 12/31/70 Author: Aixen7z4 Ordered by Date |
||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
201 | What think ye of Christ? | Matt 22:42 | Aixen7z4 | 105037 | ||
Dear Lockman representative: Hello. This may seem to be an answer to myself, but it is an appeal to the Lockman Foundation, and I am not expecting a response from anyone else. If there is a representative of the Foundation here, I would love to hear from them. I am asking that you tell us if it is OK on this forum to go a step beyond Bible Study. We have been studying the Bible for a long time. Now we know so much! We know about God and Christ and Calvary and how to be saved, and we know what we ought to be doing to please God. But it seems we are stuck in the idea of studying. We can talk about things but we find it strange and inappropriate to do them. Please tell us if it’s OK to actually use our knowledge to do something on this forum. Take this present topic. Someone asks us what we think about Christ, but we find it impossible to answer. We continue to quote verses and make points, and we are ready to discuss, even debate, the minutiae. But we cannot put our bible knowledge into practice. Some of us are afraid we will offend you or defeat the purpose of this forum. Please give us your permission. Someone will respond here to say that we are supposed to stick to the Bible and not give our personal opinions. But it is not extra-Biblical opinions that this writer is seeking. Is there not room for opinion of Christ based firmly on what we have learned in the Bible. When the disciples were asked what natural men were saying about Christ, they reported the public opinions. But then he asked them what they thought and they gave the God-inspired “opinion”. Peter just said what God had shown him. Aren’t we allowed to do that here? Can’t we just say that we think he is wonderful, without going into another Bible study? Sure, we will refer to the Scriptures. But we find the need to praise the Lord, to actually do it, instead of studying it again. Ironically, it is the Bible itself that informs us we should actually do things such as praising the Lord and not just do a study on the idea. In 1Chronicles 16:36, for example, David encouraged the people to praise the Lord. As early as verse 8 he is saying, “Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people”. And thus he continues in his psalm until in verse 36, all the people said, Amen, and praised the LORD. But we today can talk about it and we cannot bring ourselves to do it. In 2 Chronicles 7:3 the children worshipped, and praised the LORD. They did not do a Bible study at that time. They praised the Lord. We have the words they said. They said, “For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever”. Now one of my brothers will take me to task for not capitalizing the words here (I cut and pasted it from the KJV, not to offend him but to make a point. There are other things to do besides commenting on words). Someone will say, “What you need to understand …” and lead us into another study or debate. I do not think we need to understand anything more before we do this. We need to do it. With understanding, yes, but with the understanding we already have. Some of us want to praise the Lord but we think all we are allowed to do here is study . For just a thread or two we would like to go beyond study to say what we think of Christ. Please give us permission here to actually praise the Lord with our words. Dear Lord, you are worthy to be praised. Please make us free to do it. Amen. |
||||||
202 | What think ye of Christ? | Matt 22:42 | Aixen7z4 | 105015 | ||
Dear Lockman Foundation: Please give us permission to go a step beyond Bible Study. We have been studying the Bible for a long time. Now we know so much! We know about God and Christ and Calvary and how to be saved, and we know what we ought to be doing to please God. But it seems we are stuck in the idea of studying. We can talk about things but we find it strange and inappropriate to do them. Please tell us if it’s OK to actually use our knowledge to do something on this forum. Take this present topic. Someone asks us what we think about Christ, but we find it impossible to answer. We continue to quote verses and make points, and we are ready to discuss, even debate, the minutiae. But we cannot put our bible knowledge into practice. Some of us are afraid we will offend you or defeat the purpose of this forum. Please give us your permission. Someone will respond here to say that we are supposed to stick to the Bible and not give our personal opinions. But it is not extra-Biblical opinions that this writer is seeking. Is there not room for opinion of Christ based firmly on what we have learned in the Bible. When the disciples were asked what natural men were saying about Christ, they reported the public opinions. But then he asked them what they thought and they gave the God-inspired “opinion”. Peter just said what God had shown him. Aren’t we allowed to do that here? Can’t we just say that we think he is wonderful, without going into another Bible study? Sure, we will refer to the Scriptures. But we find the need to praise the Lord, to actually do it, instead of studying it again. Ironically, it is the Bible itself that informs us we should actually do things such as praising the Lord and not just do a study on the idea. In 1Chronicles 16:36, for example, David encouraged the people to praise the Lord. As early as verse 8 he is saying, “Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people”. And thus he continues in his psalm until in verse 36, all the people said, Amen, and praised the LORD. But we today can talk about it and we cannot bring ourselves to do it. In 2 Chronicles 7:3 the children worshipped, and praised the LORD. They did not do a Bible study at that time. They praised the Lord. We have the words they said. They said, “For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever”. Now one of my brothers will take me to task for not capitalizing the words here (I cut and pasted it from the KJV, not to offend him but to make a point. There are other things to do besides commenting on words). Someone will say, “What you need to understand …” and lead us into another study or debate. I do not think we need to understand anything more before we do this. We need to do it. With understanding, yes, but with the understanding we already have. Some of us want to praise the Lord but we think all we are allowed to do here is study . For just a thread or two we would like to go beyond study to say what we think of Christ. Please give us permission here to actually praise the Lord with our words. Dear Lord, you are worthy to be praised. Please make us free to do it. Amen. |
||||||
203 | Who do you believe about Jesus? | Matt 22:42 | Aixen7z4 | 104952 | ||
Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more; lest, if we be silent, we become like them that go down into the pit. Is it really true that Moses knew the Lord Jesus Christ as well as John did? Of that Savior the prophets enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the One that should come; searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ that was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into. But they knew this, that after their departing grievous wolves would enter in among us, not sparing the flock. Also of our own selves should men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. They would have us to watch, and remember, that by the space of many years they warned us with tears. Believe not every spirit, but try the spirits. They had the right spirit, the Holy Spirit, by whose inspiration they gave us the apostolic epistles. And can it be that we can know our Lord Jesus Christ the way John did? Let it be. Hereby we do know that they knew him, because they kept his commandments. He that says, I know him, and keeps not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keeps his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that they were in him. He that says he abides in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. And they walked in love, even as he said, “By this shall all men know that you are My disciples”. He washed their feet with water, literal water, and they wash our feet with the water of the word Of God. Seeing we have purified our souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, let us see that we love one another with a pure heart fervently: being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which lives and abides for ever. Brethren, they wrote no new commandment unto us, but an old commandment, which we had from the beginning. But in some sense, it is a new commandment, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shines. He that says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness even until now. He that loves his brother abides in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. But he that hates his brother is in darkness, and walks in darkness, and knows not whither he goes, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes. They had also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto we do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward; how shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him. Thank God for the sure word that we have from them that heard him. That which was from the beginning, they heard, they saw with their eyes, they looked upon him, and their hands handled him, of the Word of life. That which they saw and heard they have declare unto us, that ye also might be able to share in the same thing, in fellowship with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another. |
||||||
204 | Who do you believe about Jesus? | Matt 22:42 | Aixen7z4 | 104932 | ||
Not sure how this question arose or whether it was related to another discussion but I'll answer it anyway. We have to go with the eyewitnesses. They were not following cunningly devised fables, when they made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. That which was from the beginning, which they heard, which they saw with their eyes, which they looked upon, and their hands had handled, of the Word of life; (For the life was manifested, and they saw it, and bear witness, and have shown unto us that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto them;) That which they saw and heard they have declared unto us, that we also may have fellowship with them: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. And these things they have written unto us, that our joy may be full. We believe them. We believe in him whom having not seen, we love; in whom, though now we see him not, yet believing, we rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory. |
||||||
205 | The gift of discernment | 1 Cor 12:10 | Aixen7z4 | 104840 | ||
There are tests you can take to help you determine your spiritual gift. You can find one by going to hishows.org and clicking on "Discover your gift". The authors note: Church Growth Institute holds the registered copyright to this analysis, entitled Team Ministry Spiritual Gifts Inventory, by Larry Gilbert. This Internet edition is for your personal use and may not be reproduced for sale. However, please feel free to share this website with a friend who might like to do a FREE personal spiritual gifts analysis! You may enquire about other instruments by sending an e-mail at that site. Christian psychologists can help you to interpret and use the results. The fact that you discern you may have this gift may be a good indication that you do. You would do well to verify it. As you proceed, remember that a gift is not for you but is to be used for the benefit of others. May the Lord guide you in your search and service. |
||||||
206 | purfume, smell, aroma, ect in church | Ps 77:6 | Aixen7z4 | 104839 | ||
This writer is not aware of any record in the Bible of an aroma occurring during corporate prayer, or praise or worship. The closest to that is the record in Genesis 8 when Noah offered a sacrifice and God smelled a pleasing aroma. Of course the sacrifices offered under the Old Covenant we often described as yielding a sweet savor unto the LORD. But now it was you and your mother who were sensing that aroma. There is a natural explanation for this, a memory associated with a previous experience. You have beautiful memories of times when you were close to God. From time to time you may experience new ones that are similar. You recall the old ones. That's all. When an experience is stored in memory it is a total experience, including sights and sounds and, yes, smells. When you recall, either voluntarily or not, you are retrieving some or all of them. It would not be unusual for you and your mother to have stored memories of different odors when you had a particular experience together, probably in church. That is the most likely reason for this new experience. It reactivated an old memory. If you recalled carefully, as with professional help, you might arrive at the exact place and sights and sounds that accompanied those smells. It is a memory, I say. Nothing more mysterious. Focus on the spiritual content, not the smell, and praise the Lord again. |
||||||
207 | oral sex? | 1 Cor 6:18 | Aixen7z4 | 104744 | ||
This does not look good. Our faith calls for modesty and decency and order. I realize that on this forum anyone can say anything. I guess that is why I am using the privilege to state my opinion that this does not look good. There are pastors and counselors who can provide answers to questions like this in private and in a professional way. The common man says, "There is a time and place for everything". The wise man said, "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven". You have freedom, my friends, but let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. |
||||||
208 | Does God hear the prayers of a sinner? | Gen 1:1 | Aixen7z4 | 104632 | ||
It was not Jesus, but a man that Jesus had healed who said those words. You will not understand what he meant until you read the story. In order to understand those particular words you will have to read the story in John chapter nine. The man believed that Jesus was a prophet. The Jews did not accept Jesus as a prophet. The question then was, how was he able to heal. The Jews were saying that Jesus was a man, and more than that, they said that Jesus was a sinner. The man was saying that it did not make sense. If a person was a sinner, and not a prophet of God, then God would not allow him to do miracles such as causing a man who had been born blind to see. The man said that, and the Jews did not disagree. They also knew that Jesus had done other miracles. They were faced with the fact that, far from being a sinner, Jesus was a special prophet. The words are not related to the matter of a sinner calling on God for salvation. God will hear any sinner who repents of his sin and prays for salvation (Romans 10:13; John 6:37). They are also not related to sinners asking God for other things. Jesus gave people things besides salvation. He gave them answers to their questions, and healing, and food. God causes the rain to fall on the just as well as the unjust. He attracts us to himself by giving us blessings prior to our salvation. But he wants sinners to ask for salvation. It is interesting to note that the man latter became saved. Jesus met him again and showed him that he was more than a prophet. He was the Son of Man who had come to seek and to save lost sinners. The man believed on him and was saved. We are all sinners. But when we call upon him, he saves us. The man said, “Lord, I believe”. It is that faith which saves us. God hears the prayers of a sinner. But it all depends on what he is asking for. If he wants to do a miracle, the answer is No. If he wants to be saved, the answer is Yes. |
||||||
209 | repent or not repent...that is the quest | Matt 18:15 | Aixen7z4 | 104450 | ||
You are not only justified in doing that, you are asked, by God, to do that. It is for the good of the other person. be careful, however, that you understand exactly how that is to be done. You should familiarize yourself with the Scriptures concerning these things. 2 Thessalonians 3:14, 15 etc. “ And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother”. I believe the Scripture is clear that we should approach the person individually at the outset. Eventually, however, if our individual effort does not have the intended effect, the matter must be taken to the church. It is doubtful that the action of withdrawing from the person will have the intended effect unless it is an action of the church as a whole. The leaders will have to make the decision. Again, there is no such thing as forgiveness without repentance. It is required for a restoration of fellowship among individuals, with the church, and with God. |
||||||
210 | Not far from the kingdom of God? | Mark 12:34 | Aixen7z4 | 104449 | ||
He hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us. From one man he has all of humanity to live all over the earth. He has given them the seasons of the year and the boundaries within which to live. He has done this so that they would look for God, somehow reach for him, and find him. In fact, he is never far from any one of us. Starting from scratch, he made the entire human race and made the earth hospitable, with plenty of time and space for living so we could seek after God, and not just grope around in the dark but actually find him. He doesn't play hide-and-seek with us. He's not remote; he's near. He is not far from any one of us. |
||||||
211 | Evidence of holy spirit in a Christian? | 2 Tim 1:14 | Aixen7z4 | 104435 | ||
One evidence of the presence of the Holy Spirit is a sensitivity to sin. Sin grieves the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30) and his reaction is felt in our spirit. The Holy Spirit is the one who convicts us of sin and leads us to Christ. When we repent and believe and are saved, he comes to live permanently in us. One of his functions is to clarify want sin is and to alert us to guard against its intrusion in our lives. Another evidence of his presence is our assurance of salvation. The Spirit witnesses with our spirit that we are a child of God (Rom 8:16). Another evidence of his presence is the fact we are able to understand the word of God (1 Corinthians 2:10-12). Do you understand? |
||||||
212 | Confronting sin - Scripture suggestions? | Prov 28:13 | Aixen7z4 | 104434 | ||
Too late to give other suggestions, but you must have found some more yourself. After all this time, we wonder what the final letter looked like and how the young people responded. | ||||||
213 | pagan or tax collector vs. love enemy | Matt 18:15 | Aixen7z4 | 104419 | ||
It may be that there is a bridge to the two position in this passage from Luke 17. :3ff Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him. And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith. Your husband is correct, that we need to forgive. But there is no such thing as forgiveness without repentance. One of the reasons we withdraw from a brother or sister is that they might feel sorrow and repent (2 Corinthians 7:10). When they do repent, fellowship should be restored. |
||||||
214 | in what ways does god punish people | Prov 28:13 | Aixen7z4 | 104416 | ||
A very good question. We need to be reminded that sin does not go unpunished. The punishments seem to cover a wide range, from a guilty troubled conscience, to rebuke and chastening, to restitution, to weakness and sickness, and death. See Romans 2:15; Hebrews 12:5; Exodus 22:1; 1 Corinthians 11:30; 1 John 5:16. We are thankful that Jesus paid for our sins, so that we do not need to pay the price ourselves. Nevertheless, there are natural consequences for our behaviors and the Lord does not suspend the law of cause and effect. We bear the consequences of wrong choices. There is always the possibility of repentance and restoration, however. Sin results in a disruption of fellowship with God (Isaiah 59:2; Ephesians 4:30), but this should probably be seen as a consequence of sin rather than a punishment. |
||||||
215 | What is God's name? | Bible general Archive 2 | Aixen7z4 | 104384 | ||
God the Father has so many names. He used the name Yahweh when he appeared to Moses (Exodus 6:3). But he appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, as God Almighty. Some other names he uses in Scripture were garnered from http://www.shema.com. The principal name for God is Elohim (Genesis 1:1). Elohim is unusual since it is plural. That is worth pondering. But God reveals himself by other names as well. When Elohim is combined with other words, different attributes of God are emphasized. So we have: God Of The Beginning (Deuteronomy 33:27).God Of Hosts, or God Of Armies (2 Samuel 5:10).God Of Justice (Isaiah 30:18).God Of Heights (Micah 6:6).God Who Is Near (Jeremiah 23:23).God Of My Kindness (Psalm 59:11). God Of My Strength (Psalm 43:2).God Of My Praise (Psalm 109:1.God Of My Salvation (Psalm 18:47, 25:5.God Of Gods (Deuteronomy 10:17.God Of The Rock Of My Salvation (2 Samuel 22:47). God Of All Flesh (Jeremiah 32:27). God Of The Spirits Of All Flesh (Numbers 16:22.Holy God (Leviticus 19:2).Living God (Jeremiah 10:10).God Of Forgiveness (Nehemiah 9:17).The Faithful God (Deuteronomy 7:9).The Great God (Deuteronomy 10:17).The Holy God (Isaiah 5:16).The God Of Israel (Psalm 68:36). The God Of The Heavens (Psalm 136:26).God Of My Rock (Psalm 42:10).God The Joy Of My Exaltation (Psalm 43:4).The God Who Sees (Genesis 16:13). The God Of Glory (Psalm 29:3). The God Of Knowledge (1 Samuel 2:3).The God Of Eternity or The God Of The Universe (Genesis 21:33.The God Of Truth (Psalm 31:6).The Faithful God (Deuteronomy 32:4).The God Of My Salvation (Isaiah 12:2).The One God (Malachi 2:10).The God Of Compassion (Deuteronomy 4:31). The Gracious God (Jonah 4:2).The Jealous God (Deuteronomy 4:24).The Righteous God (Isaiah 45:21). God The All-Sufficient (Genesis 17:1).The Most High God (Genesis 14:18). God Of Heaven And Earth (Ezra 5:11): recalled for all generations" (Exodus 3:14-15). Although some pronounce YHVH as Jehovah or Yaweh, those are only guesses, since we no longer know for sure the proper pronunciation. The Jewish people stopped saying this name by the third century AD out of fear of violating the commandment, "You shall not take the name of YHVH your God in vain" (Exodus 20:7), and we lost the knowledge of its proper pronunciation. According to the rabbis, the Tetragrammaton may not be pronounced under any circumstances. Another name, "Adonai," is usually substituted in place of YHVH. When YHVH is combined with other words God’s different attributes are emphasized. Thus we have Adonai Elohim - Lord God (Genesis 2:4). Adonai Tz'vaot - The Lord Of Armies (1 Samuel 1:11). Adonai M'kadesh - The Lord Who Makes Holy (Ezekiel 37:28). Adonai Yireh - The Lord Who Sees: (Genesis 22:14). Adonai Neesee - The Lord My Miracle, or The Lord My Banner (Exodus 17:15). Adonai Shalom - The Lord Of Peace (Judges 6:24). Adonai Rofehcha - The Lord Who Heals You (Exodus 15:26). Adonai O'saynu - The Lord Our Maker (Psalm 95:6). Thanks to the Bible scholars who made all this available. But there is more. God the Son is called Jesus, but he has many other names. The Holy Spirit is God, and he has many names. All in all, the names of God are as many as God’s attributes. They are too many to list in one post on this forum. My impression is that God would have us to use any of these names depending on the situation. That is what the writers of Scripture did. One would hope that the mere number of these names would remind us how great God is, and that we would worship him. |
||||||
216 | why should i bring people | Bible general Archive 2 | Aixen7z4 | 104373 | ||
Listen, Buddy, I understand. This world can be a rough place. People are selfish and sometimes they don't care. God thing you happened to run into that men's group. How did you happen to go to that meeting anyway? Am I understanding that someone invited you? Did you enjoy the meeting? Now, that might be a reason to invite someone else. Men’s meeting are a good thing in the church, and the men are trying to help. They care about people, and I am sure they will help you. When they say invite others it just shows they would like to help as many as possible. Maybe you know some other people who need help. Some people will come to a men’s meeting even if they don’t like going to church. In a men’s meeting you get to know people and they get to know you, and maybe they can help you. If you are not saved as yet, they will spend time with you and show you how to be saved. And they want to do the same for others. These seem to be good men that you met with. I would encourage you to work with them. If you are not able to invite others at this time, don’t worry about it. But God will help you. Maybe you will just meet somebody who would like the men’s meeting too. Tell them, and it they want to go that is good. If they are not ready, that is OK too. The main thing is that these men care about you. If you are not able to bring someone else with you, they will understand. They will just be glad to see you. So work with them, and I pray the Lord will really bless you. |
||||||
217 | why should i bring people | Bible general Archive 2 | Aixen7z4 | 104369 | ||
How did you happen to go to that meeting? Am I understanding that someone invited you? Did you enjoy the meeting? Now, that might be a reason to invite someone else. Men’s meeting are a good thing in the church, and the men are trying to help. They care about people, and I am sure they will help you. When they say invite others it just shows they would like to help as many as possible. Maybe you know some other people who need help. Some people will come to a men’s meeting even if they don’t like going to church. In a men’s meeting you get to know people and they get to know you, and maybe they can help you. If you are not saved as yet, they will spend time with you and show you how to be saved. And they want to do the same for others. These seem to be good men that you met with. I would encourage you to work with them. If you are not able to invite others at this time, don’t worry about it. But God will help you. Maybe you will just meet somebody who would like the men’s meeting too. Tell them, and it they want to go that is good. If they are not ready, that is OK too. The main thing is that these men care about you. If you are not able to bring someone else with you, they will understand. They will just be glad to see you. So work with them, and I pray the Lord will really bless you. |
||||||
218 | We are one | John 12:32 | Aixen7z4 | 104175 | ||
Indubitably. Indissolubly joined. For through him we all have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore we are 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. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation. To him be glory forever. |
||||||
219 | Is lifting His name related to this vs? | John 12:32 | Aixen7z4 | 104043 | ||
Yes. But will they listen? The only purpose of this post is to encourage us to listen to one another. This is obviously hard to do. Those who want to lift up the name of Jesus will not listen because something tells them that they should. Can't we listen to them? Psalm 34:3 allows them to lift him up that. Exalting him and praising him are the same thing. “Exalt ”equals “Lift up”. It is the same thing. "Exalt" is the same as "lift up". The idea is to talk or sing about how great God is. And please don’t say we do not need to do that. Many scriptures encourage us to do that. Our brothers and sisters want to do that and here they tell their reasons. Their main reason is they want unbelievers to hear how great God is and to be attracted to him. That idea is soundly scriptural. Can’t we listen to them? I suggest that we need to read the passages cited and just think a little bit. Swift to hear. Slow to speak. That is what we are encouraged to do. The idea of lifting up Jesus is a scriptural idea. But it is not the kind of lifting up that Jesus was speaking of in John 12:32. Can't we just admit that? Lift him up. But use other scriptures. To insist that the idea is in contained John 12:32 forces us to focus on the cross and to rejoice and feel shame at the same time. It impels others to talk about crucifying him again and bringing him to an open shame. It causes one to wonder whether conversations like this do not bring him to an open shame. What if an unbeliever comes on to read his thread? What are they to think? And yet, some tell me that our 7-11 songs are not lifting up Jesus at all. (I only learned recently that that is what they call some of our songs, where we sing seven words eleven times and there’s no substance to it). "Lord, I lift your name on high". Does that mean that we are lifting his name on high? If I say, "I am preaching the gospel" does that statement constitute a preaching of the gospel? Contrast that with the psalms. Psalm 34:3 "O magnify the LORD with me". That is the call, only the call, the alarum, the alert. "Let us exalt his name together". That is only another alert. It is a "Get ready". Psalm 34:4 "I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears". Now, that is substance. That is praise. Now, we are lifting him up. Psalm 34:5ff "They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed. This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them". That is praise. That is saying good things about him. And do you wonder why we need to do it? It is first of all to give him his due. He says (Psalm 50:23) "Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me". He is pleased with it. Not with empty words that say, "I am lifting you up". Lift him up with words that tell of the character he has and the actual things he has done. If you read Psalm 103, Psalm 104, Psalm 136, you cannot help but see that there is substance there. We need to have more than "I am singing, I am singing". Psalm 34:8 "O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him". This is where we invite the unbeliever to listen. It is his invitation to trust. It is the second reason we lift him up. We lift him up in song. That means we sing about his great deeds, and how wonderful he is. We want our unsaved neighbors to know that. That is one reason we lift him up. Please listen to them and do not accuse them of bad things. But they need to listen also. If it has not been said before, I say this here: Put some substance into the songs. Don’t just say you are lifting him up. Lift him up. Talk of the things he has done. Describe how wonderful he is. But I wonder if you will listen. You used to sing, "O Lord my God, when I with awesome wonder, consider all the worlds thy hands have made. I see the stars. I hear the rolling thunder. Thy power throughout the universe displayed. Then sings my soul, my Savior God to thee, How Great Thou art! ..." But you have abandoned songs like that for songs that say you are praising God when that is all they say. This is not a put down. It is the truth. And I am suggesting here that you listen. I am not suggesting that you listen to me. I am suggesting that you listen to yourselves. And listen to each other. |
||||||
220 | How did Moses write about his death? | 2 Tim 3:16 | Aixen7z4 | 104004 | ||
Someone is sure to say he didn’t. The reasoning for that will likely be complicated. So let me offer first a simpler answer. Inspiration. How did Moses know what had happened before his birth? How could he write with confidence: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth”? How did he know that the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters? Inspiration. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. He moved upon the waters. He moved upon holy men like Moses. And he is moving on you now. Does it make sense? The God who told Isaiah and David how Jesus would die told Moses how he would die. |
||||||
Result pages: << First < Prev [ 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 ] Next > Last [18] >> |