Truth Test 1 is Jesus Lord?

"Among these Jews there suddenly turns up a man who goes about talking as if He was God. He claims to forgive sins. He says He has always existed. He says He is coming to judge the world at the end of time. Now let us get this clear. Among pantheists, like the Indians, anyone might say that he was a part of God, or one with God: there would be nothing very odd about it. But this man, since He was a Jew, could not mean that kind of God. God, in their language, meant the Being outside the world who had made it and was infinitely different from anything else. And when you have grasped that, you will see that what this man said was, quite simply, the most shocking thing that has ever been uttered by human lips." I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: "I'm ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don't accept His claim to be God." That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic on a level with the man who says he is a poached egg or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the son of God: or else a madman or something worse.

You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come up with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.

"A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic--on the level with a man who says he is a poached egg--or he would be the devil of hell. You must take your choice. Either this was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us.(emphasis: web author)"

Was He a Liar?

If, when Jesus made His claims, He knew that He was not God, then He was lying and deliberately deceiving His followers. But if He was a liar, then He was also a hypocrite because He told others to be honest, whatever the cost, while He himself taught and lived a colossal lie. More than that, He was a demon, because He told others to trust Him for their eternal destiny. If He couldn't back up His claims and knew it, then He was unspeakably evil. Last, He would also be a fool because it was His claims to being God that led to His crucifixion.

Many will say that Jesus was a good moral teacher. Let's be realistic. How could He be a great moral teacher and knowingly mislead people at the most important point of His teaching His own identity?

Was He a Lunatic?

If it is inconceivable for Jesus to be a liar, then couldn't He actually have thought Himself to be God, but been mistaken? After all, it's possible to be both sincere and wrong. But we must remember that for someone to think himself God, especially in a fiercely monotheistic culture, and then to tell others that their eternal destiny depended on believing in him, is no light flight of fantasy but the thoughts of a lunatic in the fullest sense. Was Jesus Christ such a person?

Someone who believes he is God sounds like someone today believing himself Napoleon. He would be deluded and self deceived, and probably he would be locked up so he wouldn't hurt himself or anyone else. Yet in Jesus we don't observe the abnormalities and imbalance that usually go along with being deranged. His poise and composure would certainly be amazing if He were insane.

Noyes and Kolb, in a medical text, describe the schizophrenic as a person who is more autistic than realistic. The schizophrenic desires to escape from the world of reality. Let's face it; claiming to be God would certainly be a retreat from reality.
In light of the other things we know about Jesus, it's hard to imagine that He was mentally disturbed. Here is a man who spoke some of the most profound sayings ever recorded. His instructions have liberated many individuals from mental bondage.

Was He Lord?

I cannot personally conclude that Jesus was a liar or a lunatic. The only other alternative is that He was the Christ, the Son of God, as He claimed.

When I discuss this with most Jewish people, it's interesting how they respond. They usually tell me that Jesus was a moral, upright, religious leader, a good man, or some kind of prophet. I then share with them the claims Jesus made about Himself and then the material in this chapter on the trilemma (liar, lunatic, or Lord). When I ask if they believe Jesus was a liar, there is a sharp "No!"

Then I ask, "Do you believe He was a lunatic?"
The reply is, "Of course not."
"Do you believe He is God?"

Before I can get a breath in edgewise, there is a resounding, "Absolutely not."
Yet one has only so many choices.

The issue with these three alternatives is not which is possible, for it is obvious that all three are possible. Rather, the question is, "Which is more probable?" Who you decide Jesus Christ is must not be an idle intellectual exercise. You cannot put Him on the shelf as a great moral teacher. That is not a valid option. He is either a liar, a lunatic, or Lord and God. You must make a choice. "But," as the apostle John wrote, "these have been written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and" more important "that believing you might have life in His name" (John 20:31).

The evidence is clearly in favor of Jesus as Lord. Some people, however, reject this clear evidence because of moral implications involved. They don't want to face up to the responsibility or implications of calling Him Lord.

Philosopher Peter Kreeft considers the trilemma to be the ‘most important argument in Christian apologetics.] Yet there are at least three groups of Christians who tend to scorn this argument. All of them, I believe, do so from the same motivation: a fear of appearing unsophisticated. While the trilemma is indeed simple, it is a remarkably sophisticated argument. As Kreeft notes, the main premise is the character of Jesus. In order to determine whether the man is a liar, a lunatic, or the Lord God Almighty, one must become familiar with the Gospel accounts of Christ, his life and his teachings. The Gospels are a seamless garment that cannot be chopped up without losing the narrative thread of Jesus’ life and work.

http://www.evangelicaloutpost.com/archives/003074.html 1/31/2007 7:23 AM

On October 14, 1985 at 4:20 in the afternoon Christ entered my heart and life after a great period of unrest in my life. Suddenly after I looked up from prayer I was so amazed at the pure grace that saved such a rank sinner like me. I looked up and asked my new pastor what I needed to do to make certain that "feeling" never left me. He replied by quoting Heb 13:5 that this awesome person of Jesus who had just moved into my heart will never leave me or forsake me. At that time and place I responded in unbelief how could such good news be ongoing for a wretch like me? But in the decades following, my testimony is added to billions of others who have dared to trust in Christ alone by faith since the cross in AD 33. Are you confused today as you read my blog? There is so much danger online but in the midst of anything come to Christ! Jesus is an amazing LORD who is both gentle as a Lamb and the Lion of Jacob. When you trust Him you come into an amazing covenant that is eternal not temporary.

Ps 37:28 For the LORD loves justice and will not abandon His faithful ones. They are kept safe forever, but the children of the wicked will be destroyed. (HCSB)

Isa 41:10 Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with My righteous right hand. (HCSB)

We learn from Scripture, history and personal testimonies like mine that God is an awesome safe source if you dare keep on trusting Him.

Advice for Truth-seekers from C.S. Lewis

If you look for truth, you may find comfort in the end: If you look for comfort you will not get either comfort or truth - only soft soap and wishful thinking to begin with and, in the end, despair.

Ten Marks Defining "Cultic" Religion NAMB

Ten Marks of a Cult Religion

http://www.namb.net/site/c.9qKILUOzEpH/b.695725/k.AA1F/Ten_Marks_of_a_Cult_Religion.htm 2/7/2007 6:53:32 AM.

The horror of the Koresh cult tragedy (or the destruction of the World Trade Towers in New York by Islamic cultists, ed.) gives us opportunity to ponder the differences between true and false religion; between healthy and unhealthy spirituality. There is some admixture of good and bad religion in all of us. The differences are matters of degree along a continuum. To analyze the extreme or grotesque forms of cult religion like that of Koresh's Branch Davidian community is a way of being more vigilant to false religion in us all. [Q: whose kool-aid are we drinking?] We should say we are all vulnerable to false religion and unhealthy spirituality, some more than others.
What we use as criteria is important because One person's saint is another person's religious fanatic. Using the word cult is even a slippery term dangerous to define without becoming subjective rather than objective. Jesus is the Truth and we have taken time to define this form of religion in ways that agree with Jesus, John or Paul. Early Christians were thought of as a cult by the majority culture. So we should move carefully. That is why I think it is important to try to describe specific characteristics.

1. The leader assumes God-like authority over its members. [He may quote Scripture but final authority is his own personal opinion].

2. It provides an escape from reality. [There are no external reference points by which to judge the truth of its claims.] A few hundred years ago John Wesley provided his followers a four-fold criteria for the truth of doctrine: scripture, reason, tradition, and experience. Cults have only one reference point: the powerful subjective interpretations of its leader. False religion says, "If I do or say this, I can get God to act in this way or the world to respond in this way."

3. Cult religion traffics in guilt and shame. False leaders manipulate that relationship between pastor and sheep in ways that promote unhealthy allegiance to a leader or group. It preys on weak people with heavy guilt and shame and offers a false solution: total commitment to the false leader or group.

4. Cult religion demands a complete break from life to this point. This message it offers a special allure to people who have suffered a painful or abusive past life. But it is false hope, as they will find out. We see these people spending 24-7 in their church because they no longer have a life outside of their cult.

5. Cult religion thrives in secrecy. There is a closed circle of leadership. Its doctrines are an "esoteric" body of truths which only insiders can know and appreciate. Because credentialed Christians leave this group they must redefine terms to make their followers trust. Anyone agreeing with the pastor is suddenly a "theologian."

6. It breaks moral laws from "above." If you are defending your leader its okay to lie and in general have a low view of Truth. They see themselves as brilliant elitists who think common laws do not pertain to them. Cult religion often thinks its hold on perfect truth excuses them from common ethical, moral, and legal structures of life.

7. It promotes a complete break with the "world." Cult religion does not see the world as the good creation of God. The world is under the spell of the devil. It is unalterably corrupt. Their leaders have a low view of John who calls us to be "in the world but not of it"(1 John 2). Reason, science and the common sense shared realities of most folk are mistrusted.

8. It is abusive in its way of treating people. Authoritarian rule is imposed. The leaders have perfect truth and goodness and they "lord it over" the rest. They use coercive power, fear, intimidation, and manipulation to keep people in line. If one disagrees with leadership, he or she is of the devil. Genuine Christians are children of God because God chose to adopt them into His Family. This is why God is angered when false leaders abuse God's people (2 Corinthians 11:20-21).

9. Everything is black and white. There is no gray. There is little sense of personal humility or of the Mystery of God. There is no reverent "not-knowing" about God and truth. Everything is perfectly known. When you ask for the Scipture passage for this hiring or firing they say God put me here I am free to do as God leads me. They use psychological mechanism to blame everything on people outside them. It projects its own evil, sin and darkness onto others. When their methods split the church and bring no growth they say people are wicked and should be following in the way I am leading. They are denying any darkness or sin inside them and use their authority to project themselves from anyone telling the Truth. Because their members often shrinks they adopt closed baptism to boost their numbers.

10. It uses scripture to defend its subjective version of the truth and to condemn all others.

Study Application Question: There is mixture of good and bad, true and false, healthy and unhealthy religion in all of us. Powerful unhealthy personalities have the capacity to victimize people when they use religion to prop up their cause and justify their claims.

A: Men never do evil so completely and cheerfully as when they do it from religious conviction.

A: So let us be vigilant to the false, the bad, the unhealthy in us and in those who would lead us.

MOSAIC TRUTH TEST
INVESTIGATE & INQUIRE IF IT IS TRUE

Deut 13:14 Then you shall investigate and search out and inquire thoroughly. If it is true and the matter established that this abomination has been done among you.

Q: is it safe to follow leaders with dangerous tendencies?
A: Gal 1:8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! (NAU)

As we study the cults this year we need to remind ourselves of the way God’s word was intended to be our only standard for judging any new religious leader. Are they preaching something “contrary” to the body of material in the Bible we need to reject them. They are not a safe resource we can trust.

BEWARE OF FALSE PROPHETS

2 Cor 11:13-15 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 14. No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15. Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds. (NAU)

Paul associates Satan v14 with both the content of these false messages as well as being their energy source allowing them to grow so fast. False apostles v13 comes from the single word pseudapostolos which means a spurious apostle, or a pretended preacher. Friberg says this word defines one without a divine commission for the office (2 Cor 11.13).


Should Leaders Have a High View of Absolute Truth?

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" [John 14:6].

"I was born for this, I came into the world for this: to bear witness to the truth and all who are on the side of truth listen to my voice." [John 18:37].

Q: whose voice are we listening too? If you could talk to Peter he was reminded Satan's voice sounded like his own inner voice. Who are we listening too? Remember when Peter offered Jesus an alternative to the cross and Jesus thankfully replied: Satan get behind me."

A: the only Safe Voice to follow is the one who speaks to us when we read and study God's Word. If we are twice born God's Word has been implanted in our hearts. If we are twice born the Holy Spirit indwells us eternally. One of the Spirit's most vital works is in the way He limits our faith and message to God's Word alone. The Spirit guides us into all Truth as He illuminates God's Word. But do we read, study and trust God's Word today? Few do most give it lip service as it collects dust.

John 4:23-25 23"But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. 24"God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." (NAU)

John said our saving relationship with Christ is rooted in truth

And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life. I John 5:20 (NAU)

Q: does this mean folks in the church who get ahead by telling lies are not really saved? A: only God knows the human heart and how desperately wicked we are on both sides of the cross. This is why we need to be accountable to God's Word Alone and not add anything even a beloved pastor or mentor. Whose kool-aid are we drinking?

Paul taught that God’s wrath is poured out into any situation where people are actively suppressing truth.

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness Rom 1:18 (NAU)

Study Application Question: Jesus, as a theme, attacked discrepancies between word and deed [hypocrisy] which evidences his own high view of truth. Matthew presented Jesus teaching about the gnat swallowing a camel [Mt 23:2, 3, 23-24]. Luke included Jesus teaching about the Jewish lawyers who taught well but never took any burden themselves [Lk 11:46]. As evidenced in all four Gospels, Jesus own words and deeds were in perfect harmony.

Jesus Never Masked Truth for Fear of Consequences

Jesus always told the full truth in contrast to falsehood, concealment, or deception. Both Matthew and Mark record this trait of Jesus when facing the Herodians [Mt 22:16, Mk 12:14] and Pharisees who were seeking to trap Jesus using slick language. "Teacher, we know that You are truthful and teach the way of God in truth, and defer to no one; for You are not partial to any" [Matt 22:16].

Jesus & The Whole Truth

"But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come." John 16:13

Even the scribes admitted Jesus taught in a way that stated the facts accurately [Mk 12:32]. Paul again agreed in his own teaching when he reported to Festus "I am speaking the sober truth" based not on fancy but on fact.

THE CHURCH AS THE PILLAR AND SUPPORT OF TRUTH

But in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth. 1 Tim 3:15

The word pillar comes from stulos and Thayer says it means 1) a pillar, 2) a column; pillars of fire, that is, flames rising like pillars, 3) a prop or support. Paul used this word figuratively here to describe the church at Ephesus. This church was surrounded by pagan temples and counterfeit worship practices. People from within and without the church were offering alternative gospels. The church in that place and time needed to both a pillar and a bulwark of the truth.

Q: could anyone call your church a pillar of Truth? If yours fails then Jesus expects His real sheep to be faithful followers of Him. Today the lie that doesn't effect you might suddenly expand.

A: 1 Pet 3:15 But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence.

What is Your Church Founded On?

The Eternal Rock or Temporary Fleshly Sand?

Eph 2:19-22 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God's household, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit. [NAU]

SUMMONS TO LISTENERS (7:7-29)

Mt 7:24-27 (HCSB)
24 "Therefore, everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them will be like a sensible man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain fell, the rivers rose, and the winds blew and pounded that house. Yet it didn't collapse, because its foundation was on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of Mine and doesn't act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 The rain fell, the rivers rose, the winds blew and pounded that house, and it collapsed. And its collapse was great!"

Walvoord’s Notes: 7:24-27. (Lk 6:47-49). In conclusion Jesus presented the two options open to His listeners. They were now responsible for what they had heard and must make a choice. They could build on one of two foundations. One foundation was likened to a big rock and the other to sand. The foundation determines the ability of a structure to withstand the elements (rain and winds). The rock foundation represented the Lord Himself and the truths He had been presenting, especially the truth concerning inner transformation. The sand spoke of Pharisaic righteousness which the people knew and on which many were basing their hopes. In storms the first would give stability; the second would result in destruction. Thus hearing and heeding Jesus' words is wise; one who does not is foolish. Only two courses of action are possible - two kinds of roads and gates (Mt 7:13-14), two kinds of trees and fruit (vv. 15-20), two kinds of foundations and builders (vv. 24-27).

Q: what can we learn about this symbol God uses as sand Biblically?
A: it starts out as foolish sounding flesh but ends as a type for Anti-Christ’s church in Rev 12:17; 20:7-10. Those who follow Satan are linked with un-numbered masses that no one loves and they end up in hell.

Rev 12:17 the dragon was furious with the woman and left to wage war against the rest of her offspringi—those who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony about Jesus. 18 He stood on the sand of the sea. (HCSB)

Rev 20:7-10 (HCSB) 7 When the 1,000 years are completed, Satan will be released from his prison 8 and will go out to deceive the nations at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them for battle. Their number is like the sand of the sea. 9 They came up over the surface of the earth and surrounded the encampment of the saints, the beloved city. Then fire came down from heavend and consumed them. 10 The Devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet are, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

Hab 1:9 (HCSB) 9 All of them come to do violence; their faces are set in determination. They gather prisoners like sand.

Am 9:9-10 (HCSB) 9 for I am about to give the command, and I will shake the house of Israel among all the nations, as one shakes a sieve, but not a pebble will fall to the ground. 10 All the sinners among My people, who say: Disaster will never overtake or confront us, will die by the sword.

Q: are we without hope when these deceivers come?
A: The wicked flee when no one is pursuing them, but the righteous are as bold as a lion. Prov 28:1 (HCSB)

Political Application:
The navy aviator invites Obama to 10 debates but Obama will only submit to 5. McCain is being pictured in the media as a worn out old guy. Why can't Obama match his speed and depth? Proverbs councils rulers, kings, and people in power frequently (28:2-3,12,15-16,28; 29:2,4,12,14,26) because God cares about the way truth and justice are worked out. God loves everyone equally. But God gave us all free will if we are fortunate enough to live in a government having citizens who can still vote. God holds us accountable every time we vote for these reasons. If we study our history we learn sadly how too many nations got wealthy and too busy to care for the way polls were managed. If we vote for folks based on how much they are going to pay us in benefits we too often loose our rights in a couple of generations. Soon “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” is only for the elite who can still afford to live like that. The elite always turns out to be govt employees after they close business after business.

Religious application:
If you tell your church some basic Evangelical Truth and they reply if you ever come back make sure our Security Guard is their to protect us from you. My church said they didn’t need me anymore because they wanted to “update” their look while seeking younger new members. After showing them where James’ forbids hiring or firing people in church because they are liked as favorites or not liked they replied we have been hired to manage these things and this is how “God is leading” me to do my work ~ trust me.

General Application:
The guilty consciences of the wicked cause them to run from imagined pursuers (28:1). Knowing they have done wrong, they suspect they are being chased by lawmen. By contrast the righteous are as bold (i.e., self-confident; cf. "confidence" in 31:11) as a young lion. God gives them courage; they have no fear of reprisal from wrongdoing.

Q: are you in a place today where various ones in your life are eating your lunch? How do we respond? Is it safe to keep on with bad behavior like the 12 elders of Israel? Do we respond in anger? Do we respond by being constant whiners or complainers like Israel?

Rom 8:12-17 …we are not obligated to the flesh to live according to the flesh, 13 for if you live according to the flesh, you are going to die. But if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 All those led by God's Spirit are God's sons. 15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father!" 16 The Spirit Himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God's children, 17 and if children, also heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ—seeing thatl we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him. (HCSB)

Q: are we in a church today that Jesus would recognize? Are we in God's Household or just another fleshly group doing our own thing with good intentions?

Eph 2:19-22 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God's household, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit. [NAU]

A: if we are twice born we are more than church members we members of a group bigger than anything on this planet. Heaven is a complex place filled with amazing beings.

Eph 1:3-4 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be C holy and blameless before Him In love [NAU]

A: if we are twice born suddenly we have a new life partly here and partly in heaven right now. Jesus is not pie in the sky religion. When we come to Christ we are part of a huge group that no human can fully understand. We have a new ethics from our hearts that cannot be faked. Why are so many today content with leftovers of religion. We have Christ in us our hope of glory right now!!! That's something to pass on.

Is God's Church Temporary or Eternal?

1Peter 1:20-25 (HCSB)
20 He was destinedi before the foundation of the world, but was revealed at the end of the times for you 21 who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
22 By obedience to the truth,j having purified yourselvesk for sincere love of the brothers, love one another earnestly from a purea heart, 23 since you have been born again—not of perishable seed but of imperishable—through the living and enduring word of God. 24 For
All flesh is like grass,
and all its glory like a flower of the grass.
The grass withers, and the flower drops off,
25 but the word of the Lord endures forever.
And this is the word that was preached as the gospel to you.

Q: Is Jesus Church Temporary or Eternal? What about yours? Is yours a purely fleshly body with no eternal component?

Q: what are safe ways to react after you been devalued even by “Christian” neighbors?
Safe Council:

Recall: God is the only way to fill that void. God created us, and God desires to be in relationship with us. God gives us identity, God gives us purpose, and God gives us love.

Recall: follow the two greatest commandments, to love God, and to love others as we love ourselves, we have to have a healthy self-esteem. We can't love if we don't feel loved. This is a difficult time for someone leaving a dangerous church.

Recall: Go go to God and seek his forgiveness, seek cleansing of body, mind, and spirit, and be made whole again. Thank God for his goodness and grace. Then to your friends to seek advice and encouragement.

Recall: God called his creation of humanity, not ok or good; he called his creation of humanity very good. Humanity is the pinnacle of his work, and God in creating us didn't create junk!

Recall: Everyone in this world is important to God our creator, every person is of sacred worth, every person is worth praying for, every person is worth loving and caring for, and every person is worth saving. So give yourself permission to be the unique person God created you to be. Do the things God's grace allows you to do. Don't march around in vicious circles of fear, self-doubt, and hopelessness. Stop marching and start flying with Christ. Allow God to raise you up to new heights of assurance so that you can be more than you can be.

Recall: when our whole support group gives up on us, our friends ignore us, consider a safe turn away from self and sin toward the person of Jesus Christ, where else are you going to turn?

Recall: it is when we are the very weakest that suddenly Satan will find attractive people, gangs, cults, or other people whose purpose is to take advantage of vulnerable people. Attractive angry atheists are all around us.

Warning From People Once Caught in Cults: affiliating with marginal groups or people, actually causes more hurt, abuse, and their feeling of self-worth diminishes even more. Many choose to become life long enemies of the cross after they were badly treated in church. Counter-cult ministries call these types of groups the unpaid revenue of ugly Christianity. It’s never a problem unless someone from your own family gets trapped in a cult who treated them better than their church.

Does God Make Junk in His Church?

GOD DOESN’T MAKE JUNK

Mosaic Law Gen 1:26-27; 2:7
Ge 1:26-27 Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness. They will rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, the livestock, all the earth,f and the creatures that crawlg on the earth." 27 So God created man in His own image; He created him in the image of God; He created them male and female. (HCSB)

Ge 2:7 Then the LORD God formed the man out of the dust from the ground and breathed the breath of life into his nostrils, and the man became a living being.(HCSB)

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart. Jeremiah 1: 5

I know I'm somebody 'Cause God don't make no junk. Ethel Waters

C. S. Lewis If you look for truth, you may find comfort in the end: If you look for comfort you will not get either comfort or truth - only soft soap and wishful thinking to begin with and, in the end, despair.

Today many postmodern churches who are defining their own truth are coming to churches saying: “there are some problem folks in church I was hired to clean out” God is leading me to hire and fire folks based on how the outwardly appear. We want to cultivate a younger church so the church has permission to “update” our leaders to keep up with the times.

That’s a dangerous criteria that rewards flesh and is a hangover from the sixties era. Churches who follow these usually want the increase in youthful members to boost their salaries. Why is this a dangerous trend in Christ’s church?

This is dangerous because Christ created an eternal church not a temporary flashy fleshly body made up of youth. This is dangerous because it says to the expendable: God made throw away junk when He made some of us. This is bad theology. God didn’t make any junk.

Tare Issues: we see at various times in church history when the church is asleep that the enemy sews tares into Christ’s church. But when the disciples wanted to get rid of them Jesus commanded His church to leave the work of weeding tares to God, the Parousia and God’s angels. If Jesus wanted to define this work as a genuine work for the church it would have been easy for Him to say that clearly but He never did anywhere.

Q: why didn’t Jesus give that work to the church?
A: only God is smart enough to weigh human hearts.
A: this is a delegated work from the Father to the Son only.
A: we see several chapters in Revelation where there is an amazing search put on with the goal of finding someone worthy of doing that work.
A: after searching heaven, earth and under the earth only One surfaces as being gifted to be God’s Lamb.

Psalm 71:1-6 (HCSB)
LORD, I seek refuge in You;
never let me be disgraced.
2 In Your justice, rescue and deliver me;
listen closely to me and save me.
3 Be a rock of refuge for me,
where I can always go.
Give the command to save me,
for You are my rock and fortress.
4 Deliver me, my God, from the hand of the wicked,
from the grasp of the unjust and oppressive.
5 For You are my hope, Lord GOD,
my confidence from my youth.
6 I have leaned on You from birth;
You took me from my mother's womb.
My praise is always about You.

God's Calling Irrevocable

Calling: 1 Sam 3:8 So the LORD called Samuel again for the third time. And he arose and went to Eli and said, "Here I am, for you called me." Then Eli discerned that the LORD was calling the boy. God’s call to Samuel was defined by the verb called ar'q' qara arq verb qal infinitive construct ar'q' (q¹r¹') I, call, call out, recite (read). The LXX uses kale,sai verb infinitive aorist active [UBS] kale,w (pf. ke,klhka ; aor. pass. evklh,qhn ; fut. pass. klhqh,somai) call, name, address; invite; summon, call in. Paul brought this idea into the NT Rom 11:29 for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. The noun calling klh/sij klesis is in the nominative case grammar klh/sij. [UBS] klh/sij, ewj f call, calling; station of life (1 Cor 7.20). Friberg calling klh/sij klesis as an action calling, call, invitation; (1) predom. in a relig. sense in the NT; of the divine invitations (PH 3.14); (2) as one's temporal status and position in life a social role, vocation, situation, station (1C 7.20). The adjective irrevocable avmetame,lhtoj ametameletos is in the nominative case grammar avmetame,lhta. In word order this word is first which gives it a special emphasis. Friberg irrevocable avmetame,lhtoj ametameletos (1) of God's gifts and calling not capable of being changed, not to be taken back, inflexible (RO 11.29); (2) of the beneficial results of repentance with nothing to feel sorry about, leaving no feeling of regret (2C 7.10). [UBS] avmetame,lhtoj, on free from regret; irrevocable (Ro 11.29). Louw-Nida irrevocable avmetame,lhtoj ametameletos avmetame,lhtoj, on: (derivative of metame,lomai 'to regret,' 25.270, with a negative prefix) pertaining to not feeling regret as the result of what one has done - 'not regretful, not feeling sorry about.' h` ga.r kata. qeo.n lu,ph meta,noian eivj swthri,an avmetame,lhton evrga,zetai 'for the sadness that is used by God brings repentance leading to salvation; and there is no regret in that' 2 Cor 7.10. Notes: (a) Rom 8:28; 1Co 1:26; Eph 1:18; 4:1, 4; Phi 3:14; 2Th 1:11; 2Ti 1:9; Heb 3:1; 2Pe 1:10 (b) Heb 7:21 Paul also brought this out in Eph 1:18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints. klh/sij klesis
Meaning: a calling Notes: (1) Lit being (2) Or holy ones (a) Act 26:18; 2Co 4:6; Heb 6:4 (b) Eph 4:4 (c) Rom 11:29 (d) Eph 1:7 (e) Eph 1:11 (f) Col 1:12

Safe Directions: God's Purposes

GOD’S FIVE PURPOSES


1. Expressive Worship that is about Him ~ God created us with a deep hunger for experiencing God. Jesus first command was to love God in a way that also loves our neighbors. If we are faithful in keeping that balance we will have an open heaven in both private and public worship. Amazing grace flows out of balanced worship which includes prayer, praise through music, singing hymns, preaching, teaching, financial giving, encouraging one another in the Lord, and joyously loving all of our neighbors. Worship is not passively occupying a pew! True worship leads to fellowship.

2. Supportive Fellowship ~ God created us all with a deep hunger for belonging to a family. We strive to be the family of God 24/7 in ways James says will experience an open heaven by bearing one another's burdens. We are all called to be a ministry of encouragement as we seek to grow closer to our Savior as well as to one another. James says our fellowship must be fairly focused on all sheep regardless of our backgrounds. Jesus is the one who sends His sheep into our church and He commanded us to feed all these sheep on purpose. We take His Command seriously to leave the 99 to restore hurting “members.” True fellowship leads to disciple making. Fellowship is not occupying a pew!

3. Progressive Discipleship ~ God created us all with a deep hunger for Spiritual growth and maturity called sanctification. We believe God's Word is the only sufficient manual for faith and practice. As His disciples were out in the boat catching the miracle catch of fish it was Jesus alone they struggled to bring the catch too. Only grace and Truth is sufficient to clean up each fish into a growing body of sheep who lean on one another. It took Jesus three years to produce his first 12 disciples who were equipped sufficiently to understand and follow the Great Commission Mt 28. Every sheep has a unique soil qualities in their background. God is our only Church Potter and Gardner if we want people to grow they must do so in the power of grace. James says if we chop off limbs apart from God we can injure sheep and experience a closed heaven. If we are patient and let God be God and they are real, gifts will begin to surface to bear safe fruit and not endanger our unity. Discipleship is not occupying a pew! True disciple making leads to ministry.

4. Practical Ministry ~ God created us all with a deep hunger to use their gifts for the Lord. For sheep to be used this way they must first be discipled so they can be aware of their gifting. No church can obey God apart from on purpose developing sheep for ministry. When God genuinely saves someone He also calls and equips them to serve on some level. The church must take the time to see this grace gifting emerging before we can then help them sharpen tools God has given them. Too often churches have merged with the world in promoting self gifts energized by the enemy and flesh. How can we tell if manmade gifts are raising up at church? People promoting themselves use blackmail not the gifts of the Spirit and the power of grace. Its all about them they never want to be second. They become grace killers rather a source for grace. True ministry leads to a hunger for evangelism. Ministry is not occupying a pew!

5. Aggressive Evangelism ~ God created us all with a deep hunger to keep Jesus Great Commission outside His church. Only true disciples can reproduce new ones. Today Jesus wants us to follow Peter and get out of the boat to learn fishermen skills. Fish are unique: some are bottom feeders, some love fresh water, some salty. Some fish just love the world so we need some sheep who are outside catching fish. Real fish do not show up at church unless someone has spent a lot of time sewing and watering seeds with different soil types. James says if our church is a healthy place for sheep, we will be operating under an open heaven. This way Jesus can reveal which side of the boat we should drop our nets on. But we also need Him to be there on the beach to clean our fish. Jesus didn’t die and leave this work for us to do on our own. Our motto fits all these purposes well "to know Christ and make Him known."

Source for God's Safe Purposes Acts 2:41-47


Acts 2: 41-47

41 So those who accepted his message were baptized, and that day about 3,000 people were added to them.
42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, to fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayers.
43 Then fear came over everyone, and many wonders and signs were being performed through the apostles. 44 Now all the believers were together and had everything in common.
45 So they sold their possessions and property and distributed the proceeds to all, as anyone had a need.j 46 And every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple complex, and broke bread from house to house. They ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And every day the Lord added to themk those who were being saved. (HCSB)

The description of the first church (2:41-47)
Walvoord’s Notes: 2:41. Three thousand who believed were baptized, thus displaying their identification with Christ. This group of people immediately joined the fellowship of believers.
2:42. The activity of this early church was twofold. The believers first continued steadfastly (‎proskarterountes‎, "persisting in or continuing in"; cf. 1:14; 2:46; 6:4; 8:13; 10:7; Ro 12:12; 13:6; Col 4:2) in the apostles' teaching or doctrine. The second was fellowship, which is defined as the breaking of bread and... prayer. The omission of "and" between "fellowship" and "to the breaking of bread and to prayer" indicates the last two activities are appositional to fellowship. Perhaps the breaking of bread included both the Lord's Table and a common meal (cf. Ac 2:46; 20:7; 1Co 10:16; 11:23-25; Jude 12).
2:43. Wonders (‎terata‎, "miracles evoking awe") and miraculous signs (‎semeia‎, "miracles pointing to a divine truth") authenticated the veracity of the apostles (cf. 2Co 12:12; Heb 2:3-4). The apostles performed many such "signs and wonders" (Ac 4:30; 5:12; 6:8; 8:6,13; 14:3; 15:12). Christ too had performed many "wonders" and "signs" - and also "miracles" (‎dynameis‎, "works of power").
2:44-45. The selling of property and the common possession of the proceeds may imply that the early church expected the Lord to return soon and establish His kingdom. This may explain why the practice was not continued. Holding everything in common was not socialism or communism because it was voluntary (cf. 4:32,34-35; 5:4). Also their goods were not evenly distributed but were given to meet needs as they arose.
2:46-47. The activities described in verses 42-47 would tend to separate the church from traditional Judaism even though every day (cf. v. 47) they continued (‎proskarterountes‎; cf. v. 42) to meet together in the temple courts.
One of the subthemes of Acts is joy, because a victorious church is a joyful one. This is seen in verses 46-47 and numerous other times (5:41; 8:8,39; 11:23; 12:14; 13:48,52; 14:17; 15:3,31; 16:34; 21:17). In their fellowship they broke bread in their homes and ate together (cf. 2:42) with joy. (The word praising [‎ainountes‎] is used only nine times in the NT, seven of them by Luke: Lk 2:13,20; 19:37; 24:53; Ac 2:47; 3:8-9; Ro 15:11; Rv 19:5).
With the first of seven summary progress reports (cf. Ac 6:7; 9:31; 12:24; 16:5; 19:20; 28:30-31) Luke brought this section of Acts to a close: each day others were being saved. The church grew rapidly right from the start!

Contextual Notes: Luke now gives a brief sketch of the life and character of the early Christian community. He starts this section evidencing gospel fruit from the Holy Spirit as the source for these amazing 3,000 first fruit and the way God added to their body daily new converts v47. When we search for the significance of 3,000 we see an important parallel. Moses was commanded to kill about 3,000 on the day the Mosaic Law was instituted Ex 32:28. The primitive church was a vessel of hope with 3,000 new births expanding the scope of heaven as well as God’s purposes. This evidences Jn 3:16 as God’s love was manifest into the world when the church was birthed at Pentecost.

Application Questions:
Acts 2:42-43
Q: what can we learn about the content of preaching that was and always has been the result of this harvest?
A:The apostles' doctrine v42 or teaching they received personally from their Lord.
A: the proclamation of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus and its meaning for man's salvation.
A: as we study this setting we see the first of hundreds of passages that evidence their source for authority. They limited themselves to Jesus teaching as an authoritative tradition in the early church and later found embodiment in our New Testament. Later when John closed the body of the New Testament in the final language of Revelation we see the amazing source is both authoritative but safe as well as a living connection between God and his people.
A: we see evidence that once they were converted they had a new hunger that made them delight in fellowship v42 with one another in ongoing church meetings.
A: we also see evidence they at that time were breaking of bread (which probably consisted of a fellowship meal v42.
A: we also see evidence that their fellowship included the Lord's Supper v42.
A: we also see evidence that their meetings were at regular times and they consisted of unified form of prayer v42 that was very effective in overcoming the efforts of Satan, the world, and their own flesh to defeat the gospel.
A: we also see evidence one characteristic for their amazing early growth was in the way their entire community fellowshipped together in ways that aroused in the people a sense of awe v43 about the person of Jesus through the Holy Spirit that was often reinforced by sings wonders and miracles performed by the early apostles to prove they were really still connected to their foundation of Christ as their Chief Cornerstone Eph 2:20.
A: we also see evidence those early fellowships were centered around Jesus Word in ways that centered devotion to both God and one another v43-44. This agreed with the entire book of James who gives us a safe test for true religion.
A: they were so Christ-centered even wealthy believers sold their possessions v45 to help care for the necessities of the poor members.
Q: does this passage reveal much about key things the modern church calls worship v46?
A: The believers were still very much like Jews continuing daily worship of God in the Temple v46 in accordance with the Jewish practice.
A: There was no thought of withdrawing from Judaism and establishing a separate movement this early that came out of persecution by Jews who felt Christianity was a cult.
Q: what can we learn about fellowship as a work of the early church?
A: Christian fellowship manifested itself particularly in fellowship meals, conducted in various homes v46. True fellowship cannot be experienced by sitting on a pew on Sunday mornings. For new believers to grow requires home fellowship where people are encouraged to be transparent. Sheep need one another as they come out of the bondage Satan, the world and their own flesh had on them.

Q: were these home fellowships religious meetings?
A: these gatherings were defined by Joyfulness and generosity of heart v46 were two of the outstanding characteristics of the early Christians.
Q: what can we learn from the primitive church about ministry inside the church after they grew into maturity?
A: sheep need other sheep to grow together into ministry. They were actively witnessing to each other v47. As some grew we see evidence of gifting being rewarded for the church to grow.
Q: what can we learn about the amazing way the primitive church grew?
A: they emphasized the amazing story of Jesus as Messiah who was resurrected and not just another rabbi v47.
A: because the early church was so centered on God and loving one another this gave them a look that oursiders wanted to join including Jews and pagans v47.
A: The result was that the Lord was daily adding to the new fellowship those who received the witness, and the Christian community received them as fellow believers.

Be Strong in the Grace that is in Christ Jesus 2 Tim 2:1

Jerry Stokes

Grace Killers Eat Our Lunch

Imperative: Do Not Be Grace Killers!

Tim 2:1 You, therefore, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. (HCSB)

Gal 2:20-21 (HCSB)
20 and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the flesh,j I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. 21 I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died for nothing.

1) Legalism- Grace Denied
2) LICENCE - Grace Mis-Used
3) LIBERTY - Grace Appropraited

The Lovers of Grace include those:

Gal 5:1 -stand firm in the freedom of Christ
- free from oneself...sin's hold
- free from guilt and shame
- free from the tryanny of other people's opinion
- free to obey, to love, to forgive others and ourselves
-free to live beyond human limitations...to live in and for Christ

Grace Lovers are balanced...
-guard against extremes
-treat grace as an undeserved, unmerritted priviledge...because it is
-always remember grace is NOT CHEAP Jesus died for GRACE...

Walvoord’s Notes: In Gal 2:20 Paul enlarged on the meaning of verse 19. He "died to the Law" because he was crucified with Christ; he was able "to live for God" because Christ lived in him. Basic to an understanding of this verse is the meaning of union with Christ. This doctrine is based on such passages as Ro 6:1-6 and 1Co 12:13, which explain that believers have been baptized by the Holy Spirit into Christ and into the church, the body of all true believers. Having been thus united to Christ, believers share in His death, burial, and resurrection. Paul could therefore write, I have been "crucified with Christ" (lit., "I have been and am now crucified with Christ"). This brought death to the Law. It also brought a change in regard to one's self: and I no longer live. The self-righteous, self-centered Saul died. Further, death with Christ ended Paul's enthronement of self; he yielded the throne of his life to Another, to Christ. But it was not in his own strength that Paul was able to live the Christian life; the living Christ Himself took up His abode in Paul's heart: Christ lives in me. Yet Christ does not operate automatically in a believer's life; it is a matter of living the new life by faith in the Son of God. It is then faith and not works or legal obedience that releases divine power to live a Christian life. This faith, stated Paul, builds on the sacrifice of Christ who loved us and gave Himself for us. In essence Paul affirmed, "If He loved me enough to give Himself for me, then He loves me enough to live out His life in me."

2:21. Summing up his case against Peter, Paul declared, I do not set aside the grace of God. The clear implication is that Peter and the others who followed him were setting aside God's grace. The essence of grace is for God to give people what they have not worked for (cf. Ro 4:4). To insist on justification or sanctification by works is to nullify the grace of God. Further, such insistence on legal obedience also means Christ died for nothing. If righteousness comes by keeping the Law, the Cross was a futile gesture, the biggest mistake in the universe.

Contextual Notes:

The legalistic approach to Christian experience is doomed to fail Legalistic Christians can always be spotted: angry, bitter, envious of those who choose to live joyously. For extreme cases Paul warns Christ’s death was needless for them because if you are far enough outside of grace you are outside of salvation.


Application Questions:
For any who have ever felt burdened in his or her Christian life, or felt weighed down by "oughts" and "shoulds," these next chapters contain the charter deed to personal freedom and to joy within safe limits.

Q: what did Paul mean in v21 when he said “I do not set aside the grace of God?”
A: this is Paul’s concluding remark in his proposition. This is a strong argument against those who opposed Paul and his message about the power of grace.

Q: can we learn anything from Paul's Greek grammar in this setting?
A: I do not nullify avqete,w atheteo avqetw/ verb ind pres act 1st per sing this ongoing present grammar defines a religious life outside of grace [UBS] This is meant to define the energy we use as Christians to live above the law in the ongoing present.

Q: why does Paul associate this remarkable life with Jesus crucifixion v.20?
A: Paul used the perfect tense of the verb which evidences firmly how an action done once in the past has an eternal effect for those in faith.
A: this defines our new life with Amazing Grace!!!
A: this energy is unique we cannot fake it.

Q: why did Paul climax this section by saying “Christ died for nothing” v21 if we do not stay purely attached to Grace.
A: living by grace alone is impossible. We must choose to set aside our self, flesh, the world and the devil to live in grace today.
A: A: Paul used a reductio ad absurdum to win his argument. Christ’s death is the central proclamation point of the gospel if this lacks power then we all hope in vain. Paul’s closing argument rested on the understanding that his audience believed in the sufficiency of Christ’s atoning death on the cross. Paul used this arguement to put to death all hopes that anyone could become righteous by obeying the Law. Law and faith are later used in opposition.

WHERE ARE YOU AT THREE CHOICES:

Legalist - denier of Grace
One who takes Licence - mis-used Grace
Lover of The Grace of God - Free in HIS LIBERTY

Grace Killers: Gal 2:1-7 There are some in the church spying on the us looking to enslave us to their best methods of human success. What is living in grace? We choose to live forgiving lives. We choose not to be energized by hate, anger, or spite. We are not trying to get even with someone at church. Christ commands us to never judge others but forgive. There are different ways to show grace to fish or sheep. But we are commanded to even forgive our enemies. Living grace filled lives is impossible. But the moment we get tired and backslide from grace we only have two major ways to go from our freedom in Christ: license or legalism. There are billions of ways they may vary but all fall under these two methods of falling from grace. The power of grace is the only way to live the Christian life. Jesus plus nothing, grace plus nothing is the only safe way to find new life based in God’s truth. When we lean on grace in Christ alone we find the energy to live free from slavery to sin. It doesn’t make us sinfree this side of death as Paul testifies.

Fate of Grace Killers Mt 18:34 All believers and especially leaders who pay a price to live for God will receive a crown. Jesus is called KING of kings: Rv 17:14 These will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will conquer them because He is Lord of lords and King of kings. Those with Him are called and elect and faithful." (HCSB) The Bible reminds us of the way we who pay a price now will be given thrones around God’s throne room Rev 2:10 Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crowne of life. (HCSB) Jesus is using figurative language here to warn all grace killers not to expect a crown but instead to be delivered over to torture Mt 18:34.

Mt 18:21-35 Parable of the Unforgiving “King” in Torture Chamber

21 Then Peter came to Him and said, "Lord, how many times could my brother sin against me and I forgive him? As many as seven times?" 22 "I tell you, not as many as seven," Jesus said to him, "but 70 times seven. 23 For this reason, the kingdom of heaven can be compared to a king who wanted to settle accounts with his slaves. 24 When he began to settle accounts, one who owed 10,000 talents was brought before him. 25 Since he had no way to pay it back, his master commanded that he, his wife, his children, and everything he had be sold to pay the debt. 26 "At this, the slave fell facedown before him and said, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay you everything!' 27 Then the master of that slave had compassion, released him, and forgave him the loan.
28 "But that slave went out and found one of his fellow slaves who owed him 100 denarii. t He grabbed him, started choking him, and said, 'Pay what you owe!'
29 "At this, his fellow slave fell down and began begging him, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.' 30 But he wasn't willing. On the contrary, he went and threw him into prison until he could pay what was owed. 31 When the other slaves saw what had taken place, they were deeply distressed and went and reported to their master everything that had happened. 32 "Then, after he had summoned him, his master said to him, 'You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. 33 Shouldn't you also have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?' 34 And his master got angry and handed him over to the jailers until he could pay everything that was owed. 35 So My heavenly Father will also do to you if each of you does not forgive his brother from his heart."

Walvoord’s Notes: 18:21-22. Peter then asked Jesus... Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times? Peter was being generous here, for the traditional Rabbinic teaching was that an offended person needed to forgive a brother only three times. Jesus" reply was that forgiveness needs to be exercised to a much greater extent. Not just 7 times, but "70 times 7" (NIV marg.), that is, 490 times. Jesus meant that no limits should be set. Then to complete the idea, He told a parable.
18:23-35. Jesus told about a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. One servant owed a large amount, 10,000 talents. This probably equaled several million dollars, for a talent was probably a measure of gold, between 58 and 80 pounds. When he could not... pay, the master ordered that the servant and his wife... children, and possessions be sold so he could repay as much of the debt as possible. The servant pleaded with his master, begging for time to repay his master. The master took pity on the servant, canceled the debt, and set him free.
But shortly thereafter this servant went out and found another servant who owed him a much smaller amount, 100 denarii. A denarius was a Roman silver coin, worth about 16 cents; it represented a laborer's daily wages. The first servant demanded payment and refused to show mercy toward his debtor. In fact he had the second servant thrown into prison until he paid the debt. The other servants, aware of all that had happened... were greatly distressed (‎elypethesan‎, "grieved or sad to the point of distress"; cf. 14:9; 19:22) by this turn of events and told their master what had transpired. The master called back the first servant and jailed him for failing to show mercy to a fellow servant when he had been forgiven a much greater debt.
The Lord was teaching that forgiveness ought to be in direct proportion to the amount forgiven. The first servant had been forgiven all, and he in turn should have forgiven all. A child of God has had all his sins forgiven by faith in Jesus Christ. Therefore when someone sins against him, he ought to be willing to forgive... from the heart no matter how many times the act occurs (cf. 18:21-22; Eph 4:32).

Application Questions: The great contrasts of the *parable are humorous and effective in relaxing the ancient listener's guard, but the horrifying details of debt slavery, torture and so forth bring home the point forcefully. This story would have grabbed the ancient hearer.

Q: what is Jesus saying using figurative language in this setting?
A: Paul agreed 2 Tim 2:1 You, therefore, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. (HCSB)

Q: what was Peter looking for from Jesus about the way we dispense grace?
A: he was looking for a legalistic response from Christ that would put him in alignment with rabbinal traditions about the limits of forgiveness.
A: Peter might have thought his offer of seven times was generous. How do we view this action in our personal lives, church lives etc.?
A: many in the church today do not forgive even once. Churches today are filled with grace killers. Why they seek churches as a place to devote their lives is a mystery. Why not join a club, lodge or get involved in political action groups. Grace killers are drawn to church by Satan who loves to stop hard working Christians from what God called and equipped them for.

Q: what value v24 have that was forgiven?
A: In one period, the silver talent represented six thousand drachmas, or six thousand days' wages for an average Palestinian worker; ten thousand talents would thus be roughly sixty million days' wages (in another period, 100 million).

Q: what was this torture in v34?
A: Jewish law did not permit torture, but Jewish people knew that *Gentile kings (as well as Herod) practiced it. Because this servant had fallen from political favor, he would have no allies who would dare come to his aid; and even if he had, given the sum he owed, his situation would have remained hopeless. He would never be released.

Is It Safe to Rejct God's Man?

HISTORY & DEVELOPMENT 12 TRIBES OF ISRAEL

Ge 17:19-22 But God said, "No. Your wife Sarah will bear you a son, and you will name him Isaac.h I will confirm My covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his offspring after him. 20 As for Ishmael, I have heard you. I will certainly bless him; I will make him fruitful and will multiply him greatly. He will father 12 tribal leaders, and I will make him into a great nation. 21 But I will confirm My covenant with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you at this time next year." 22 When He finished talking with him, God withdrewi from Abraham. (HCSB)

JACOB’S 12 SONS

Ge 35:22-26 (HCSB)
Jacob had 12 sons:
23 Leah's sons were Reuben (Jacob's firstborn),
Simeon, Levi, Judah,
Issachar, and Zebulun.
24 Rachel's sons were
Joseph and Benjamin.
25 The sons of Rachel's slave Bilhah
were Dan and Naphtali.
26 The sons of Leah's slave Zilpah
were Gad and Asher.

Unger’s Notes Twelve Tribes: Tribes (Heb. ‎matteh‎, or ‎shebet‎, both meaning "branch," the former term being applied to the tribe in its genealogical branches, the latter as being under one scepter). Tribal divisions are found among many ancient peoples, such as the Edomites, Ishmaelites, Arabs, etc. The Hebrew tribes were founded by the twelve sons of Jacob (which see) as the tribal fathers of the people. An exception to this rule was made in the case of Joseph's sons Ephraim and Manasseh, they being raised to the position of heads of tribes, having been adopted by Israel as his sons (Ge 48:5). This would make, strictly speaking, thirteen tribes, but only twelve are uniformly reckoned (see Ex 24:4; Jos 4:2; etc.), because Levi, as entrusted with the service of worship, occupied a mediatorial position between Jehovah and Israel; consequently no special tribal territory was allotted to them (13:14,33), but they dwelt in towns scattered throughout all the other twelve tribes. When the Levites were so reckoned, Ephraim and Manasseh were included together as the tribe of Joseph (Nu 26:28; cf. v. 57; Jos 17:14,17).

This tribal organization was still further established and completed by the giving of the land of Canaan to the Israelites according to their tribes, clans, and fathers' houses. Such a firm root did this organization take that it survived the troublesome times of the judges and was not dissolved by the introduction of the monarchy. We find the heads of tribes exercising great influence on the election of kings (1Sa 8:4-5; 10:20-24; 2Sa 3:17; 5:1-3), consulted by them on all important state affairs (1Ki 8:1; 20:7-8; 2Ki 23:1), and sometimes asserting their influence with great energy (1Ki 12). Though the tribal organization lost its firm basis with the carrying away of the people into exile, the elders maintained the internal administration and guidance of the people both in and after the Exile (Jer 20:1; Eze 14:1; 20:1).

In the prophetic vision that Israel had of the future condition of his sons (Ge 49:3-28), he thus enumerates them: Reuben, the "first-born"; Simeon and levi, "implements of violence"; Judah, whom his "brothers shall praise"; Zebulun, dwelling "at the seashore"; Issachar, "a strong donkey"; Dan, the "judge"; Gad, whom "raiders shall raid"; Asher, whose "food shall be rich"; Naphtali, a "doe let loose," giving "beautiful words"; Joseph, "a fruitful bough"; Benjamin, "a ravenous wolf." In this enumeration it is remarkable that the subsequent division of the tribe of Joseph into the two branches of Ephraim and Manasseh is not yet alluded to. Respecting the question of the territory occupied by the several tribes, see Land; Palestine. Families or Clans (Heb. ‎mishpahot‎, "circle of relatives"), the first subdivision under tribes, founded from the beginning by Jacob's grandchildren (the sons of his own or adopted sons) and also by grandchildren and great-grandchildren of the twelve heads of the tribes. Of the fifty-seven families into which the twelve tribes were divided in the last year of their wilderness travels (Nu 26), two belonging to Judah were formed by his grandchildren (v. 21); to Manasseh one family founded by his grandson Gilead, and six by Gilead's sons or Manasseh's great-grandsons (vv. 29-34); to Ephraim, a family founded by his grandson Eran (v. 36); to Benjamin, two families by his grandchildren, the sons of Bela (v. 40); and to Asher, two families by his grandchildren, the sons of Beriah (v. 45). The principle according to which not only sons but grandsons and great-grandsons were raised to be founders of families is unknown.

Tribal Government. "According to patriarchal custom, the fathers, standing by right of birth (primogeniture) at the head of the several tribes and divisions of tribes, regulated the relations of the tribes and clans, directed their common affairs, settled disputes as they arose, punished offenses and crimes, and administered law and equity. Theocratic Constitution. As we have already seen, the Israelites possessed the elements of a state in their tribal constitution, and it was not until their adoption into covenant with Jehovah, the Lord of the whole earth (Ex 19:5), that they received through Moses the laws and ordinances for the kingdom that they were to establish in Canaan. Under the theocracy we find that Jehovah called Moses to be the instrument of His will in the giving of the law; that the judicial power was entrusted to the leaders of the tribes and elders of the congregation.

PROBLEMS AMONG GOD'S EARLY 12 TRIBES

1) Prostitution: Ge 35:21-29 Israel set out again and pitched his tent beyond the tower at Eder.g 22 While Israel was living in that region, Reuben went in and slept with his father's concubine Bilhah, and Israel heard about it. (HCSB)

Walvoord’s Notes: 35:21-22. The toledot ("account") of Isaac draws to a close in verses 21-29 with several short reports. The first describes Reuben's breach of Jacob's family by incest with Bilhah, Jacob's concubine and Rachel's servant by whom he had two sons, Dan and Naphtali (30:3-8). Reuben's transgression took place near Migdal Eder between Bethlehem and Hebron. It is possible that Reuben, Jacob's eldest, was trying to replace his father as patriarch prematurely by this pagan procedure. But in so doing, he lost his inheritance (his birthright; cf. 49:3-4; 1Ch 5:1-2). This act was noted by Jacob who in Ge 35:21-22 was twice called Israel. (Cf. 32:28; 35:10. And note his silence when he heard of the rape of his daughter Dinah, 34:5.)

Unger’s Concubines: Hebrew. Concubinage came early into general practice, for we read (Ge 22:24) of Bethuel, the father of Rebekah, having not only his wife Milcah, but also a concubine, Reumah, who bore him four children. Indeed, concubinage substantially appeared when Abraham took Hagar as a sort of wife, by whom Sarah hoped he would have children-to be reckoned, in some sense, as her own, and to take rank as proper members of the family (16:1-3). In the next generation of the chosen family we find no mention of a state of concubinage; Isaac seems to have had no partner to his bed but Rebekah and no children but Esau and Jacob. But the evil reappears in the next generation in an aggravated form: Esau multiplying wives at pleasure, and Jacob taking first two wives and then two concubines. Nor was the practice ever wholly discontinued among the Israelites, for we see that the following men had concubines, namely, Eliphaz (Ge 36:12), Gideon (Jdg 8:30-31), Saul (2Sa 3:7), David (5:13), Solomon (1Ki 11:3), Rehoboam (2Ch 11:21), Abijah (13:21). Indeed, in process of time concubinage appears to have degenerated into a regular custom among the Jews, and the institutions of Moses were directed to prevent excess and abuse by wholesome laws and regulations (Ex 21:7-9; Dt 21:10-14). The unfaithfulness of a concubine was considered criminal (2Sa 3:7-8) and was punished with scourging (Lev 19:20). In Jdg 19 the possessor of a concubine was called her "husband," her father is called the "father-in-law," and he the "son-in-law," showing how nearly the concubine approached to the wife. Sometimes, to avoid debauchery, a female slave would be given to the son, was then considered as one of the children of the house, and retained her rights as concubine even after the marriage of the son (Ex 21:9-10).

Problem 2} Polytheism [too many gods]: Ge 31:17-21
17 Then Jacob got up and put his children and wives on the camels. 18 He took all the livestock and possessions he had acquired in Paddan-aram, and he drove his herds to go to the land of his father Isaac in Canaan. 19 When Laban had gone to shear his sheep, Rachel stole her father's household idols. 20 And Jacob deceiveda Laban the Aramean, not telling him that he was fleeing. 21 He fled with all his possessions, crossed the Euphrates, and headed forb the hill country of Gilead. (HCSB)

Walvoord’s Notes: 31:17-21. So the flight ensued, but it was more risky than Jacob had hoped because Rachel stole Laban's household gods (lit., "teraphim," figurines of deifies). This shows the pagan influence in Laban's family. A wordplay shows Rachel to be a true "Jacob," for there were parallel thefts: he stole away and she stole the gods. Perhaps she told herself she deserved them since Laban had turned the tables on her in the name of custom and had deprived her of her right to marry first. Whatever the reason, her hardheaded self-interest almost brought disaster. To have the teraphim may have meant the right to inheritance (it did mean this according to the Nuzi tablets of the 15th century B.C.); it certainly meant Laban was without what he thought was his protection. This is why Laban pursued Jacob. It was one thing for Jacob to take his flocks and family; but his gods too? Perhaps Jacob would try to steal back to Haran someday and claim all of Laban's estate. (Failing to find the gods, Laban later, vv. 43-53, made a treaty to keep this troublesome man out of his territory.)

Unger’s Teraphim: The teraphim were figurines or images in human form also called "household idols." Rachel's theft of Laban's teraphim (Ge 31:34, see marg.) is much better understood in the light of the documents from Nuzi, not far from modern Kirkuk, excavated 1925-34. The possession of these household gods may have implied leadership of the family and, in the case of a married daughter, assured her husband the right to the property of her father (Cyrus H. Gordon, Revue Biblique 44 [1945]: 35ff). Since Laban evidently had sons of his own when Jacob left for Canaan, they alone had the right to their father's gods, and the theft of these household idols by Rachel was a serious offense (Ge 31:19,30,35) aimed at preserving for her husband the first title to her father's estate. Albright construes the teraphim as meaning "vile things," but the images were not necessarily cultic or lewd, as frequently the depictions of Astarte were. Micah's teraphim (Jdg 17:5) were used for purposes of securing an oracle (cf. 1Sa 15:23; Hos 3:4; Zec 10:2). Babylonian kings oracularly consulted the teraphim (Eze 21:21). Josiah abolished the teraphim (2Ki 23:24), but these images had a strange hold on the Hebrew people even until after the exilic period. The NIV usually translates "teraphim" as "gods" or "idols." BIBLIOGRAPHY: M. Greenberg, Journal of Biblical Literature 81 (1962): 239-48; C. Labuschagne, Vetus Testamentum 16 (1966): 115-17; J. B. Pritchard, ed., Ancient Near Eastern Texts (1969), pp. 129-35.

McClintock and Strong Encyclopedia Polytheism: we mention certain house-spirits, who may be included under (3) as the attendants of family gods, such as the Roman Vesta. Such were the penatos, the spirits presiding over the penus or the family stores and inner part of the houses of the Romans; and the lares, protectors of the house, the cross-road, etc. Such, too, may have been the traphim of Scripture, or rather the beings represented by the teraphim, a kind of family gods answering somewhat to the protecting saints of the Roman Catholic Church.

ISBE Rev Teraphim Divination: ‎Many passages, such as Zec 10:2, mention teraphim in connection with divination. According to Eze 21:21 (MT 26), for example, the consultation of teraphim was one of the divinatory techniques resorted to by Nebuchadrezzar. Moreover, teraphim are especially associated with the EPHOD (Jdg 17:5; 18:14,17, 20; Hos 3:4), which also had a divinatory function.

Faussets Teraphim Witchcraft: ‎Michal put them in David's bed to look like him (1Sa 19:13; Jdg 17:5; 18:14,17-18,20). The Syriac teraph means "to inquire" of an oracle, Hebrew ‎toreeph ‎"an inquirer" (Hos 3:4-5). The Israelites used the teraphim for magic purposes and divination, side by side with the worship of Jehovah.

PROBLEM 3 Missing Justice Among Key Leading Elders

HOW DID GOD TURN ISRAEL’S FAMILY
FROM INJUSTICE, PROSTITUTION & POLYTHEISM?

Ge 29:31-32 31 When the LORD saw that Leah was unloved, He opened her womb; but Rachel was barren. 32 Leah conceived, gave birth to a son, and named him Reuben,i for she said, "The LORD has seen my affliction; surely my husband will love me now." (HCSB)

God alone knows hearts. When the powerless around us begin crying out to God because of our bad behavior we know bad consequences will follow.

Ge 30:1-4 When Rachel saw that she was not bearing Jacob any children, she envied her sister. "Give me sons, or I will die!" she said to Jacob. 2 Jacob became angry with Rachel and said, "Am I in God's place, who has withheld childrena from you?" 3 Then she said, "Here is my slave Bilhah. Go sleep with her, and she'll bear children for meb so that through her I too can build a family." (HCSB)

Prostitution Evil in Israel’s Family:

Ge 30:15-16 Rachel said, "you can sleep with him tonight in exchange for your son's mandrakes." 16 When Jacob came in from the field that evening, Leah went out to meet him and said, "You must come with me, for I have hired you with my son's mandrakes." So Jacob slept with her that night. (HCSB)

A PROPHET IS BORN ~ JOSEPH

Ge 30:22-24 Then God remembered Rachel. He listened to her and opened her womb. 23 She conceived and bore a son, and said, "God has taken away my shame." 24 She named him Joseph:k "May the LORD add another son to me." (HCSB)

RISE OF ISRAEL’S FIRST PROPHET

Ge 37:1-2 Jacob lived in the land where his father had stayed, the land of Canaan. 2 These are the family records of Jacob. At 17 years of age, Joseph tended sheep with his brothers. The young man was working with the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father's wives … (HCSB)

Location Note: they were in the promised land v1 God directed Abraham toward. They were being blessed even though they had some ethical and theological problems. To answer this problem God did as He has always done raise up a prophet who will limit his speech to what God tells him. Had they have followed Joseph they would have enjoyed the continued blessing in God’s land. But God is infinitely Holy and He will not allow polytheism, favoritism, and prostitution to go on forever. God wanted more for His children than that.

Ge 37:2-4 … and he brought a bad report about them to their father. 3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than his other sons because Joseph was a son born to him in his old age, and he made a robe of many colorsa for him. 4 When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not bring themselves to speak peaceably to him. (HCSB)

Ethical Notes: the 11 elders response to Joseph was sharpened many say because of the way their father had always favored one family over the other. All of this bad ethics was not eating his lunch yet. The grieve was being beared by the unloved sons. Now as God begins to move in Joseph it will take a lot for them to listen fairly.

JOSEPH’S HONEST FAITHUL REVELATION FROM GOD

Ge 37:5-11 Then Joseph had a dream. When he told it to his brothers, they hated him even more. 6 He said to them, "Listen to this dream I had: 7 There we were, binding sheaves of grain in the field. Suddenly my sheaf stood up, and your sheaves gathered around it and bowed down to my sheaf."

8 "Are you really going to reign over us?" his brothers asked him. "Are you really going to rule us?" So they hated him even more because of his dream and what he had said. 9 Then he had another dream and told it to his brothers. "Look," he said, "I had another dream, and this time the sun, moon, and 11 stars were bowing down to me." 10 He told his father and brothers, but his father rebuked him. "What kind of dream is this that you have had?" he said. "Are your mother and brothers and I going to bow down to the ground before you?" 11 His brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the matter in mind. (HCSB)

Walvoord’s Notes: 37:5-11. God confirmed Jacob's choice of his faithful son by two dreams. God's revelation was given in different forms in the Old Testament. He used dreams when His people were leaving or outside the land, that is, in the lands of pagans. In a dream God had announced to Abraham the Egyptian bondage in the first place (15:13); in a dream God promised protection and prosperity for Jacob in his sojourn with Laban (28:12,15); and by two dreams God predicted that Joseph would rule over his family. The brothers... hated Joseph all the more (37:5,8) and were jealous of him, but Jacob pondered the matter (v. 11). He knew how God works; he was Well aware that God could select the younger to rule over the elder, and that God could declare His choice in advance by an oracle or a dream.

The scene of the first dream was agricultural (v. 7). There may be some hint here of the manner in which Joseph's authority over his brothers would be achieved (cf. 42:1-3). His sheaf of grain was upright while their sheaves... bowed down to his. The scene of the second dream was celestial (v. 9). The sun, the moon, and 11 stars bowed down to him. In ancient cultures these astronomical symbols represented rulers. The dream, then, symbolically anticipated the elevation of Joseph over the whole house of Jacob (Joseph's father, the sun; his mother, the moon; his 11 brothers, the stars, v. 10). Sensing that Joseph was to be elevated to prominence over them, the envy and hatred of his brothers is understandable. However, their reaction in contrast with Joseph's honesty and faithfulness demonstrated why Jacob's choosing him was proper. God's sovereign choice of a leader often brings out the jealousy of those who must submit. Rather than recognize God's choice, his brothers set on a course to destroy him. Their actions, though prompted by the belief that they should lead, shows why they should not have led.

Israel's Leading Elders Sold Joseph into Slavery

Ge 37:12-36 Joseph Sold into Slavery
12 His brothers had gone to pasture their father's flocks at Shechem. 13 Israel said to Joseph, "Your brothers, you know, are pasturing the flocks at Shechem. Get ready. I'm sending you to them." "I'm ready," Joseph replied.

Israel’s Lack of Trust Over Joseph’s Brothers

14 Then Israel said to him, "Go and see how your brothers and the flocks are doing, and bring word back to me." So he sent him from the valley of Hebron, and he went to Shechem. 15 A man found him there, wandering in the field, and asked him, "What are you looking for?" 16 "I'm looking for my brothers," Joseph said. "Can you tell me where they are pasturing their flocks?" 17 "They've moved on from here," the man said. "I heard them say, 'Let's go to Dothan.'" So Joseph set out after his brothers and found them at Dothan. 18 They saw him in the distance, and before he had reached them, they plotted to kill him. 19 They said to one another, "Here comes that dreamer!b 20 Come on, let's kill him and throw him into one of the pits. We can say that a vicious animal ate him. Then we'll see what becomes of his dreams!" 21 When Reuben heard this, he tried to save him from them.c He said, "Let's not take his life." 22 Reuben also said to them, "Don't shed blood. Throw him into this pit in the wilderness, but don't lay a hand on him"—intending to rescue him from their hands and return him to his father.

23 When Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped off his robe, the robe of many colors that he had on. 24 Then they took him and threw him into the pit. The pit was empty; there was no water in it. 25 Then they sat down to eat a meal. They looked up, and there was a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead. Their camels were carrying aromatic gum, balsam, and resin, going down to Egypt. 26 Then Judah said to his brothers, "What do we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood? 27 Come, let's sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay a hand on him, for he is our brother, our own flesh." His brothers agreed. 28 When Midianite traders passed by, they pulled Joseph out of the pit and sold him for 20 pieces of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took Joseph to Egypt.

29 When Reuben returned to the pit and saw that Joseph was not there, he tore his clothes. 30 He went back to his brothers and said, "The boy is gone! What am I going to do?"d 31 So they took Joseph's robe, slaughtered a young goat, and dipped the robe in its blood. 32 They sent the robe of many colors to their father and said, "We found this. Examine it. Is it your son's robe or not?"

33 His father recognized it. "It is my son's robe," he said. "A vicious animal has devoured him. Joseph has been torn to pieces!" 34 Then Jacob tore his clothes, put sackcloth around his waist, and mourned for his son many days. 35 All his sons and daughters tried to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted. "No," he said. "I will go down to Sheol to my son, mourning." And his father wept for him.

36 Meanwhile, the Midianites sold Joseph in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and the captain of the guard. (HCSB)

Unger’s Hebron: in the mountains of Judah, about three thousand feet above the Mediterranean Sea, and between Beersheba and Jerusalem, being about twenty miles from each. It was named Kiriath-Arba (Ge 23:2; Jos 14:15; 15:13). About two miles to the N is Mamre (which see), after Mamre the Amorite (Ge 13:18; 35:27), which is now called el-Khalil ("the friend"). Among those who lived there were the Canaanites and the Anakim (23:2; 14:15; 15:13), Abraham (Ge 13:18), Isaac and Jacob (35:27). David made it his royal residence (2Sa 2:1-4; 5:5; 1Ki 2:11); as did Absalom (2Sa 15:10). Sarah was buried here (Ge 23:17-20); Joshua took Hebron (Jos 10:36-37; 12:10), and Caleb retook it (14:14).

Again we see God’s Providence in the way Joseph was sent out to manage his brothers in this valley of great history. Later of course because of God’s infinite holiness and justice we see God using famine to draw Israel’s post Joseph family out of the Promised Land into Egypt. Finally we see how God’s people were forced into slavery for more than 400 years as a consequence. When they came out is was under the Mosaic Law demanding strict Monotheism. Hundreds of years later in Daniel’s time we see God’s people again falling into idolatry and injustice until they were carried into Babylon for 70 years. God’s infinite holiness demands both proper theology as well as ethics. In AD 33 when God sent Messiah their version of Monotheism didn’t allow Jesus Christ! So forty years later we see Titus from Rome arrive casting Israel out of Palestine until 1948.

Application Question: is it safe to reject God's man if God has really sent him?
If are in a position to judge a prophet what criteria is safe? Joseph told these senior leaders the pure Truth of what God gave him. Later in Joseph's life we see him proved out to be a rare man of remarkable ethics and gifting.

MOSAIC TRUTH TEST INVESTIGATE & INQUIRE IF IT IS TRUE

Deut 13:14 Then you shall investigate and search out and inquire thoroughly. If it is true and the matter established that this abomination has been done among you.

The context of this passage includes instruction on evaluating whether a prophet is true or false [Deu 13:1-18]. If we study this section Moses informs our faith by saying we can spot these men two ways. The first is because they will not be able to keep their promises. False prophets never have any real fruit. Second is in the way they are liberal about defending truth in Inter-Faith doctrines. They will stumble by being soft on clear teachings about Monotheism. If you go to their church you might find a secret evangelist for the Freemasons at their front door and a youth leader who defends astrology.


BEWARE OF FALSE PROPHETS

2 Cor 11:13-15 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 14. No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15. Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds. (NAU)

Paul associates Satan v14 with both the content of these false messages as well as being their energy source allowing them to grow so fast. False apostles v13 comes from the single word pseudapostolos which means a spurious apostle, or a pretended preacher. Friberg says this word defines one without a divine commission for the office (2 Cor 11.13).

PAUL’S COMMAND FACING FALSE TEACHERS FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT

1 Tim 1:18-19 … fight the good fight, 19. keeping faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith. (NAU)

Criteria for a Safe Leader

"And the Lord's bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will" (2 Tim 2:24-26 NAU).

Paul called us all doulos which in his day probably meant a slave rather than someone of distinction in the Roman world. That is doubly important in the way it defines our lives as being in submission to God.

Thought for Today

The wicked flee when no one is pursuing them, but the righteous are as bold as a lion. Prov 28:1 (HCSB)

Political Application:
The navy aviator invites Obama to 10 debates but Obama will only submit to 5. McCain is being pictured in the media as a worn out old guy. Why can't Obama match his speed and depth? Proverbs councils rulers, kings, and people in power frequently (28:2-3,12,15-16,28; 29:2,4,12,14,26) because God cares about the way truth and justice are worked out. God loves everyone equally. But God gave us all free will if we are fortunate enough to live in a government having citizens who can still vote. God holds us accountable every time we vote for these reasons. If we study our history we learn sadly how too many nations got wealthy and too busy to care for the way polls were managed. If we vote for folks based on how much they are going to pay us in benefits we too often loose our rights in a couple of generations. Soon “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” is only for the elite who can still afford to live like that. The elite always turns out to be govt employees after they close business after business.

Religious application:
If you tell your church some basic Evangelical Truth and they reply if you ever come back make sure our Security Guard is their to protect us from you. My church said they didn’t need me anymore because they wanted to “update” their look while seeking younger new members. After showing them where James’ forbids hiring or firing people in church because they are liked as favorites or not liked they replied we have been hired to manage these things and this is how “God is leading” me to do my work ~ trust me.

General Application:

The guilty consciences of the wicked cause them to run from imagined pursuers (28:1). Knowing they have done wrong, they suspect they are being chased by lawmen. By contrast the righteous are as bold (i.e., self-confident; cf. "confidence" in 31:11) as a young lion. God gives them courage; they have no fear of reprisal from wrongdoing.[1]

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[1] Bible Knowledge Commentary/Old Testament Copyright © 1983, 2000 Cook Communications Ministries.