ACCURSED-Gal. 1:8-9

Accursed

His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged is accursed of God ;) that thy land be not defiled, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance. Deut. 21:23

The reference was to a man who for sin had been put to death, and whose body had been impaled on a tree or a stake, and thus exposed as a warning to other evil-doers. The command was that such exposure was not to outlast the day. By night the body must be buried, and so the whole fact of his sin, now expiated as to human society, put completely away. This parenthetical statement, for such it is, gives the reason for the burial. The man was not accursed of God because he was hanged on a tree. He was hanged on the tree because he was accursed of God.

The hanging was the outward sign of the curse upon him, the curse of death for sin. When that curse was accomplished and witnessed, the sign was to cease; then let the man be buried, and that burial is the sign that the curse was sufficient. The understanding of this helps us when the mind travels on in solemn thought to the One Who hung upon the Tree on Calvary. He was there because He was "made sin," and so accursed of God. Such blunt statement gives the soul a shock; but it is the very shock we need, if we are ever to come to anything like a true apprehension of the way of our saving. In His case this law was fulfilled. He did not remain on the Tree through the night. The curse on sin was carried out, and witnessed, the sin was expiated before God, and because the One Who suffered its penalty was sinless. His burial was the sign that sin was put away. His resurrection was the beginning of a new life for Himself, as Redeemer; and for us, as redeemed. This Life may now be shared.

Paul said in Gal. 1:8-9 that if anyone has a better Gospel than this, let them be accursed. Then see if the Father raises them thereby proving that the law was fulfilled and expiated before God.

MARK OF THE BEAST

Mark of the Beast

This is the biblical way of stating their character has become fixed.

Rev. 7:3 states this truth: "saying, "Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees until we have sealed the bond-servants of our God on their foreheads." 

Rev. 13:17 "and he provides that no one will be able to buy or to sell , except the one who has the mark , either the name of the beast or the number of his name."

Economic tyranny will affect all alive on the earth.

This mark is said to be both on their foreheads and on their hands, inferring both their thinking and energy has become fixed.

KEYS TO THE KINGDOM

Keys of the Kingdom

"I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom."  The church is entrusted with responsibility concerning the ethic of heaven for the government of earth. As He declared that He would build His Church, it is clear that in His own mind the interest of the Kingdom was utmost; and that the temporal value of the Church He would build would be that of its cooperation with Him, in his passion and His mission, for the establishment of the Kingdom of God. The office and nature of the church is revealed in two simple statements of Christ made to His disciples. "The gates of Hades shall not prevail against it."  These references show how closely He connected the Church with the Kingdom, considering her ever as His instrument for the revelation to men, and its establishment in the world. It took Pentecost for us to be baptized into a new union with Himself and the start of His building project. While speaking to them as the Church, He was always thinking of the Kingdom, and was preparing them for the very definite fulfillment of a position in the world in the interests of that Kingdom. The whole Messianic hope of the Hebrew people was connected with the establishment of the Kingdom of God. They did not understand the nature of that ultimate Kingdom. The foundations of that Kingdom were spiritual, not material. Peter saw when looking into the eyes of Jesus the King of that Kingdom, but God the Father helped him to see the King. One man out of the past economy, illuminated from above, confessed Him, was the rock upon which that confession rests, Christ would build His Church. Jesus was the King of the Kingdom to Peter and could therefore run his life through this world.

The raising of a new seed for Abraham (Matthew 3:9), the church in this age composed of Jews and Gentiles, does not terminate God's Covenant fidelity to his ancient people. Nothing changes the original design of the kingdom - it is simply postponed. Gentiles believers are now "grafted into the olive tree" (Romans 11:22-24). The "keys of the kingdom'' or knowledge and insight into these very remarkable transactions was given to the apostles (Matthew 16:19). This promise of restoration to the Jews is now deferred to the end of the age known as "the times of the Gentiles" (Luke 21:24). David's "fallen tent" remains in ruins but it will be reconstructed (Acts 15:16).

SPEAKING IN TONGUES

Tongues Speaking

1 Cor. 11:1-2 with vs. 11; 14:18, 20-21. The attempt by these Corinthian believers to prove their spirituality by seeking and demonstrating signs was viewed by the Apostle Paul as a characteristic of spiritual immaturity. (But it still goes on today) Read it for yourself. Tongues were a judgment against non-believing Jews, not a blessing. They should not have been concerned about charismatic gifts which were later discovered to be temporal 13:8-12, but instead concerned with the abiding and eternal character traits and fruits of the Spirit 13:13; Gal. 5:22-23.

1 Cor. 14:19 Tongues were not for edifying believers.

Isaiah 28:11-12 This is Isaiah's prophecy against Israel and explains the judgment. Because Israel refused to listen to God's message proclaimed by His prophets, Isaiah predicted another message would come, and would be delivered in a tongue foreign and unintelligible to Israelites yet ambiguous 2 Kings 17:23. The foreign tongue symbolized God's rejection (Deut. 28:49; Isa. 33:19). This was His response to Israel's stiff-necked rebellion (2 Kings 17:14; Acts 7:51).

The intended audience for the message was not believers but non-believers (Matt. 13:10-15).

Uninterpreted tongues had their place but not in the church where prophecy benefited believers (1 Cor. 14:3).

HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRUTH?

Higher Education-Truth?

Consider the state of name-brand higher education in America....Stronghold of the best this country has to offer?

Bastion for clear thinking and positive living?

Model of effective classroom instruction and academic mentoring?

If only it were true. Most people outside the world of secular college and university life are unaware of the troubling culture it has become.

        Students operate alone in an artificial environment untouched by significant adult interaction. College faculty creates subcultures that resemble nothing known to exist in the real world. Alcoholic abuse, grade inflation, and a lack of personal accountability are no longer "problems" but "expected benefits" of the university rite of passage. Underscoring it all, the concept of Truth has become so twisted that it no longer worthy of serious intellectual pursuit. Universities and colleges don't even use the word truth because it is so divisive a term. Truth is no longer seen as a Person with which you can have an intimate relationship. But today people are taught that objective truth is oppressive to people who have the "right” (according to the Supreme Court v. Planned Parenthood) to define truth and reality the way they want.

        In the absence of truth, educational vision has been lost. The idea of shaping truly educated graduates who think deeply and broadly, communicate clearly and effectively, and hold to the highest standards of virtue and integrity has been replaced with a contemporary (and I would contend, secondary) goals of socialization and vocational training. The fact that the traditional college years are crucial for the development of moral priorities and values make the failures of "name brand" higher education even more alarming. Fortunately, some colleges fight upstream.

        Remember the Greatest Commandment? "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength, and ......"  Too often we pause here. We must forget that God has called us to love Him with our entire mind. Every time we learn something, it is a holy act.

        It is time to build a new path into this post-modern future-one that begins with a foundation of timeless truth (never changing) etched in the ancient tables of God's word. If we don’t, God will under His direct Leadership as the Master Teacher.

GOLDEN CALF-RELIGION TODAY

Golden Calf

[Bulls] This sin was committed twice by Aaron and the people [Exod. 32:4, 8] and then by Jeroboam who reasoned he would not be able to maintain the political division while religious unity existed [1 Kings 12:26-27]. Therefore he chose to alter the religion of the North just enough to deprive Jerusalem of its role as the only center of worship of the Lord. Jeroboam made two golden calves [bulls] and placed one in the northern part of his kingdom at Dan, and the other in the southern part of his kingdom at Bethel. Jeroboam was not introducing new gods. Rather he was claiming that these were visible representations of the Lord who 'brought them up from the land of Egypt' [12:28]. He was not saying that the Lord was the calf. The bull was revered in ancient times as a symbol of great strength. This sin of the golden calf sets up an idol to worship God to assist supposedly in their understanding of God. [Pathetic-make no images to assist in worship-violates the 2^nd commandment]

        Aaron, who made a calf of gold for worship was Israel's first high priest so Jeroboam had history on his side. Jeroboam also changed the religious calendar and the priesthood. Jeroboam was introducing his own version of the worship of the Lord.

GLORIFIED-JOHN 13-FOR THE BRETHREN

Glorified

Daniel was allowed to see something that Isaiah also saw (John 12:41) that was hundreds of years future [making him one of the prophets that was the foundation of the church Eph. 2:20] and his record of that night vision is recorded in Dan. 7:13-14 (and fulfilled in chapter 13 of John). Jesus, who was always reading the scriptures, obviously read the account and saw the verses spoke of Him and He makes that point known in John 12:23. [making John one of the Apostles]. This is what set up the transition word "now" in John 13:1.

23 And Jesus answered them, saying, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.   

          One of the three things given to the Son of Man in those verses was glory, as well as dominion [John 13:3] and a kingdom. But first two cleansing acts had to be done by the Master and Teacher which Daniel foresaw.

          First He begins to wash the disciples feet and then He removes [cleanses] Judas from the group. At the completion of both tasks He says that Glory has come to both the Son of Man and His Father [John 13:31].

          This is a vivid symbolic picture of what will finally be true for His bride before the start of the kingdom. Jude states in vs. 24 of his letter [making him one of the prophets] that the bride of the Son of Man shall stand before the Ancient of Days, having been kept from stumbling, and blameless [perfect]. 24 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy. [The glory of Dan. 7:14 and John 13:31]. Paul also states this truth in Eph. 5:27.  "that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless."  

          All of this resulting from the present washings that occurs from the Son of Man's [Heb. 7:28b] continuous interceding ministry [Heb. 7:25] that He carries on with His Father. Our sureness of ultimate perfecting and security from stumbling lies in the fact that He continually performs this work. And eventually all tares will be removed from the roles. Both tasks completed by the Son of Man and then we reign with Him.

          God is love (John 3:16). Genesis opens with a story of love preparing the way for man. Everything between that story and the final apocalypse is a story of patient waiting, bearing all things, enduring all things, hoping all things, a love which never faileth; finally fulfilling its intended purpose.

The word usage in the first three verses of John 13 come right from the Dan. 7:13-14 prophecy.

MINISTRY OF THE WORD

Hopelessness

Truth being found only in The Word ministered by the Holy Spirit is a very valuable entity.

Paul wrote in Romans: For the good that I wish, I do not do; but I practice the very evil that I do not wish.

For that which I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate. 7:18-19

There is hopelessness in mankind that can only be touched by one method.

This hopelessness is caused by 2 things:

1.     awful power of sin

2.     appalling corruption of mankind

Men desire truth but end up yielding to a lie.

·           endeavor goodness, but are unequal to its realization

·           mankind has a persistent paralysis

·           mankind also has an abiding bondage

There has been no answer brought about by man's

·           philosophy

·           scientific findings

·           governmental oversight whether individual, social, national, international

Paul teaches us that the human spirit is the root of the solution and can only be reached by what Luke wrote in Acts 6:4

·           The "ministry of the Word"

This phrase has at its inception the coming of the Holy Spirit to indwell men which gives them:

·                   increased immeasurable power that changes through touching the essential things of the human soul:

1.             aided wisdom

2.             knowledge that brings rest because of an illumined mind

3.             rest in the midst of unsolved problems

The "Ministry of the Word" produces effects upon human conditions.

        It gives us "Christ's philosophy."

        It introduces new elements that human philosophy cannot ignore.

        It introduces freedom for true scientific activity and discovery.

        It touches the human spirit to release it from bondage and protect it from further hopelessness.

SECURITY OF THE BELIEVER

Security of the Believer

John 14:16

Always based on God's continual faithfulness and not my own that fails too frequently, being held in God's unchanging hand.

Prov. 3:26  26 For the LORD will be your confidence And will keep your foot from being caught.  

Phil. 1:6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.  

1 Cor. 1:8 “who will also confirm you to the end, blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.  

Heb. 10:23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful;  

1 John 5:13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.  

John 14:16 "I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever;

Agrees with my posting on LOSING SALVATION-FALLING AWAY?

VICTORY IN JESUS

Victory in Jesus

He must go to Jerusalem, not as a Victim but as a Victor. His was not the heroism of One consenting to be a Victim, for He never spoke of the Cross without speaking of the resurrection which lay beyond; it was rather the heroism of a determined Victor, having a purpose for being sent, Who was moving through a dark and awful process, towards a bright and glorious victory that we shall share in.

Again He never spoke of the Cross without the resurrection, but when He first spoke of the Cross He used this word must. He declared that it was necessary to go to Jerusalem. It was part of the mission He was sent on. The Cross was no accident. It was spoken of in the Old Testament books. He was delivered up by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, “ye by the hand of lawless men did crucify and slay.” And all by God's grace. He cooperated and worked with His Father.

By the giving of His life He declared that He would destroy the wolf, and energize the sheep.

The Master came to fulfill the law and prophecy, to establish a life in men which shall meet the Divine requirement; but men need strength and power, and He gives them life, His life that the forces of His purity may operate in them; but He could only do this through death.

He not merely slay the wolf in His dying, but He also gave His life to His sheep in order that they may be able to overcome all the wolves that may attack them. He took that life up again in order to give it to men.

John 10:11 “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.”

But also:

John 10:18 “No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.”

The resurrection of Jesus is a very important doctrine for the saved.

SEEING IS BELIEVING

Seeing is believing?

Seeing does not believe. Seeing is seeing. Believing is being sure when you cannot see.

John 20:28-29 And Thomas answered and said unto him, "My Lord and my God." Jesus saith unto him, "Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed."

TITHING

10% Tithe

A part of the Jewish ceremonial law which has been done away. Now it is a worship experience done from a cheerful heart, which was an O.T. Teaching.

2 Cor 9:7 “Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”  

Exod. 25:2 "Tell the sons of Israel to raise a contribution for Me; from every man whose heart moves him you shall raise My contribution.”  

Exod. 35:21 “Everyone whose heart stirred him and everyone whose spirit moved him came and brought the LORD'S contribution for the work of the tent of meeting and for all its service and for the holy garments.” 

NEW HEAVENS AND NEW EARTH

Entirely New & Radical or Regenerated

The establishment of the Mediatorial Kingdom on earth will bring about sweeping and radical changes in every department of human activity

1.    Spiritual Joel 2:28

2.    Social Isa. 65:23, 25

3.    Physical Matt. 6:31-33

4.    Ethical Isa. 40:14

5.    Political Isa. 2:3-4; 33:22

6.    Ecclesiastical Isa. 56:7

       

Isa. 65:17; 66:22

New as different from one of the same which existed before; made fresh. Scripture expresses God's concern for persons and the larger creation in the broad categories of a new act and a new relationship. New either by creation (neos) or new by regeneration (kainos). 2 Pet 3:10; Isa 35:10. In substance (neos) or character (kainos).

There are two Greek words which are translated new. One stands for totally original while the other is rejuvenated {restored to its original intent} [kainos] as the "new heavens and the new earth." Psalms 119:90 says "Thou didst establish the earth and it stands." The plan of God therefore stabilizes the material universe and like our bodies in 1 Cor. 15 awaits a rearrangement.

The new heavens and the new earth are (kainos) Rev. 21:1 which is by regeneration not by a creative act.

LORD'S SUPPER

Lord's Supper

The Lord's Supper was for the purpose of depicting the future aspect of salvation when the believer is set aside from the very presence of sin. This takes place at the rapture of the church, when believers shall be like Him for they shall see Him as He is [1 John 3:1-2]. At this point the Church is ushered into the full fellowship with Christ and all believers’ belonging to the church. That fellowship they have longed for in its fullness will then be the experience of all the saints in the Church. From this gathering there will be no separation. The sorrows of separation will then be done away forever [1 Thess. 4:17]. Above all, that One whom having not seen, and they love, shall be experienced to the full. They shall be where He is to behold His glory [John 14:1-3; 17:24]. And He shall gird Himself and come forth and serve them [Luke 12:37]. Thus, the Lord's Supper sets forth that aspect of salvation known as glorification.

        In the Lord's Supper the believer is reminded that there is a blessed hope when the great work of redemption will be completed and he will be called to the marriage supper of the Lamb where Christ will gird Himself and come forth to serve him [Rev. 19:9; Luke 12:37].

        The consummation of the Christian sojourn is exhibited by the Lord's Supper. This is the grand and glorious goal toward which every saint in the church is moving. It points to that day when we shall be like Him [1 John 3:1-2], when the saints will behold His face [John 17:24], when all will be gathered in fellowship with Christ and the entire Church [John 14:1-3; 1 Thess. 4:17]. Fellowship will be perfect, complete, and sublime.

INSPIRATION & CHRIST

O.T. Inspiration-Christ

He believed that the Old Testament was inspired for He quoted from it continuously

His familiarity w/ OT.

Matt 19:4; 19:5-6; 23:35; 24:37; 24:38; 11:23

John 8:56

Mark 7:9; 12:26

John 6:49; 3:14

Matt 12:3; 6:29

Luke 4:25

Matt. 12:40; 12:41; 12:42; 23:35

Indirect Allusions to OT:

Matt 4:17 w/ Dan. 2:44

John 3:5 w/ Ezek. 36:25-27

Matt. 8:10-11 w/ Isa 49:5-6, 12

Luke 13:25-27 w/ Psa 6:8

Matt 9:36 w/ Num 27:15-17

Matt 10:34-36 w/ Micah 7:4-6

Matt 23:37 w/ Ruth 2:12

Luke 10:38-42 w/ Psa 27:4

Luke 11:20 w/ Ex. 8:19

Luke 12:48 w/ Lev. 5:17

Luke 14:7-11 w/ Prov 25:6-7

Luke 14:20 w/ Deut. 24:5

John 12:8 w/ Deut. 15:11

Assumed scripture is of God & final

Mark 7:9-13

Luke 10:25-28

Matt 22:29

John 10:35

Christ assumed prophecies would be fulfilled

Matt 26:53-54

Mark 14:49 cf. 46-48

John 13:18

John 17:12

Predicts future based on OT scripture

Matt 26:31; 21:42; 26:64-65

Assumes OT miraculous events true

Matt 19:3-6

Luke 17:28-29

Luke 17:31-32

Luke 20:37

John 6:49

John 3:14

Luke 4:25

Luke 4:27

Matt 12:40

Matt 12:41

INSPIRATION

Inspiration Proof

Internal:

1. Unity through 66 books, 40 writers, controversial subjects, difference documents.
2. Righteous character of the Bible. It is 'the good book.' the 'holy bible.' from cover to cover, even the cover states this.
3. The transforming power of the Bible.
4. The consciousness of authority when it speaks. No compromise, no debate.
5. The fulfillment of its prophecies to the letter.
6. The scientific accuracy of its pronouncements.
7. The theological consistency throughout.

External:

1. Its indestructibility through the centuries. It is living. Heb. 4:12

"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."

GOD'S ELECTION

Election-Questions and Problems

1. Why doesn't God elect all men?

• God certainly has good and wise reasons for what He does.
• Paul 's remarkable statement in 1 Tim. 1:15-16
• Cf. Strong, 'the uses God can put men to may have something to do with His choices."

2. When the books are finally balanced and closed, we shall find;

• That God has saved more souls than we had ever dreamed.
• That He has saved all who could be saved consistent with His own wise and holy purposes for a redeemed humanity. Now we know in part. Some day we shall know more fully. Until then, let us walk by faith, believing his word, fully assured that the Lord of all will do justly.

          It is a dangerous thing for men to weigh God's movements in their own minds for the purpose of arriving at an elevation of rightness or wrongness. Due to the finiteness of our minds, and the tendency to sin, we are bound to come out on the wrong side. This leads always to peril.

          There is a conclusion that there should be freedom of thought. This is true only in one sense; namely, to think that which is true and holy. Any other thought is forbidden and sinful. God is Lord and He has the right to determine what men, especially His own, think. He has revealed what He wants men to think, and what they are able to think. The rest He has left unrevealed.

An illustration of the situation is the relation between parents and children.

2. Is it not just for God to elect some and not others?

• Salvation is not a matter of justice. If it were, no one would be saved.
• If God had saved no one, He would have been perfectly just.
• Election shuts no one out of heaven. Cf. Matt 15:22-28 "Whosoever" The mother.

3. The doctrine of election will discourage efforts to win the lost.

• Ought to stimulate such work-because without election all would be lost-our only hope is in the Sovereign grace of God.
• It is our duty to bear the testimony: whether men accept or reject it. Ezek. 2:7; 2 Tim 2:10

4. Election encourages sinners to sit down and do nothing.

• If men neglect-it is certain they will be lost. Heb. 2:3
• Any man can prove he is one of the elect by believing and obeying the gospel-there is no other way.

5. Election makes Christians proud and pharisaical

• Actually it humbles the true Christian. All he is and has is only by the grace of a sovereign God. Cf. 1 Tim. 1:12-15
• A proud and haughty spirit is a sure mark of the non-elect. Cf. Matt. 3:79

6. How can we reconcile Divine election with human freedom?

• This problem is not peculiar to Christianity.
• Same problem in another form exists in science and philosophy under other names (Determinism and Indeterminism.)
• In a world of natural law, how can there be any freedom?

(2) Kant, great philosopher, argued the problem was insolvable

• As a scientist accepted determinism
• As a moralist had to have freedom, and hence assumed it withpout scientific proof.

(3) Modern Physicists: Some think they may have found an area in material universe where freedom exists.

• Cf. The unpredictable electron-only uncertainty
• Cf. Movement of molecules as though they had freedom

7. Since men bound by sin are not free, how can the sinner accept the gospel?

1. One view is that since man is enslaved by sin, he cannot accept Christ until God regenerates him. Man does not believe in order to be born again. He is regenerated in order that he may believe.
2. Another possible view is that although man is brand by sin, unable to act on the basis of good motives, he is perfectly capable of acting on the basis of selfish motives. Hence, although he hates God and loves sin, he may also fear punishment. Such a motive, though selfish, may lead him to come to Christ for escape, and later, when born again learn to love Christ for Himself.

8. What is freedom?

          (1) The answer

• Negative-We mean absolute freedom to do aanything at all.
• We do mean that freedom operates within limits

          (2) The limitations

• External-the laws of the land
• External-the laws of nature
• External-the law of custom
• Internal-Lack of ability (physical, mental, spiritual)
• Internal-Controlled by wrong motives
• A man has a motive for everything he does, conscious or unconscious. Generally the motives of saved men are good while those of sinners are bad.
• Can a man choose contrary to his motives? The general answer is no, but in every human life there are introductory motives.
• Sinners are against God, yet men have a motive for self-preservation.
• Some men keep themselves pure, not because they respect purity, but because they fear impurity.

Eph 1:11  "who works all things after the counsel of His will," 

• In this verse we see God as a self-determining Agent, a free personal Being acting purely in accordance with His own perfection.