Matthew 9:9 (ESV)Jesus Calls Matthew

(Jesus) saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him.

But here is where I see a problem with much of modern theology. Many people today view blessing as an entitlement.

Entitlement thinking is when we believe that someone - anyone - owes us something. Now this can be a subtle undertone in modern teaching or an outright platform of modern teaching.

Matthew 5:3–12 (ESV)

3 Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.

12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Blessed: The Greek word used here, makarios (meaning “happy” or “fortunate)

Psalm 37:11 (ESV): But the meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace.

Matthew 16:16–18 (ESV): Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Blessing from God is not an entitlement - it is an opportunity.

Jesus is our Hope

Hebrews 6:16–19 (NLT)

16 Now when people take an oath, they call on someone greater than themselves to hold them to it. And without any question that oath is binding. 17 God also bound himself with an oath, so that those who received the promise could be perfectly sure that he would never change his mind. 18 So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. 19 This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary.

Bible Translation

Jeremy Vines

I discussion about Bible Translations

Bible Translations

Today is going to be a different kind of massage.

It all comes down to this big word:

Hermeneutics

My goal is help you make informed decisions about what version of the Bible you study.

Just because something says it is the Bible - Does not mean it is the Word of God.

I asked people to submit Bible questions and I only got a couple responses.

Anonymous:

Love different bibles. Which is the best bible to do a bible study from? Which bible is the best to use as a BASE when comparing bible translations. Should we even read or study different bibles if they have errors. Are there publishers who favor one translation over another. The dead sea scrolls, explain importance. When and Why apocrypha books taken out? Paraphrasing bibles, Value? Chronological or reader style bibles, Value?

Connie:

I read there are 2500 different versions of the Bible in many different languages. There are 450 English translations. If the Bible continues to be translated will it lose its authenticity. Has it already done so? — Connie

The Bible is #1 selling book in Human history

According to Business Insider.com

Writer James Chapman created a list of the most read books in the world based on the number of copies each book sold over the last 50 years.

Bible far outsold any other book, with a whopping 3.9 billion copies sold over the last 50 years. "Quotations from the Works of Mao Tse-tung" came in second with 820 million copies sold, and "Harry Potter" came in third with 400 million copies sold.

I want to break in down for you in 3 categories.

Christian Bibles

Sectarian Bibles

Fictional Bible - Paraphrases.

So what is so bad about the Passion?

It is translated by one person.

The translation is not only subjective it is additive.

Example:

Psalm 19:1 (ESV)

The heavens declare the glory of God,

and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.

Psalm 19:1 (TPT)

God’s splendor is a tale that is told,

written in the stars.

Space itself speaks his story

through the marvels of the heavens.

His truth is on tour in the starry vault of the sky,

showing his skill in creation’s craftsmanship.

Galatians 2:20 (ESV)

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me

Galatians 2:20 (TPT)

My old identity has been co-crucified with Christ and no longer lives. And now the essence of this new life is no longer mine, for the Anointed One lives his life through me—we live in union as one! My new life is empowered by the faith of the Son of God who loves me so much that he gave himself for me, dispensing his life into mine!

Pay Honor to Whom Honor is Owed

Romans 13:7 ESV

7 Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.

τιμή timē honor; value; price

Romans 12:9–10 (ESV)

...Outdo one another in showing honor.

Pastor Joel Wendland as our new Superintendent

One of my favorite definitions of Honor - is that Honor means to add value to someone.

We literally make someone WORTH more when we appreciate them. And when we withhold honor - we make someone WORTH-LESS, than they really are. We depreciate them.

According Zillow.com

Home prices in Twin Falls have gone up 19.7%

in one year.

“What happens to some of us affects all of us.”

“You cannot depreciate someone else without hurting your own value.”

Proverbs 25:6–7 (ESV)

Do not put yourself forward in the king’s presence

or stand in the place of the great,

7 for it is better to be told, “Come up here,”

than to be put lower in the presence of a noble.

Romans 13:7 (ESV)

Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.

Word: Owed

ὀφειλή opheilē obligation; debt

“Honor multiplies - only when given”

How do we honor God?

We believe in Him

We believe His Word

We obey His Word

Mark 6:1–6 (ESV)

He (Jesus) went away from there and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. 2 And on the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things? What is the wisdom given to him? How are such mighty works done by his hands? 3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.

4 And Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household.”

5 And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them. 6 And he marveled because of their unbelief.

Word Honor:

ἄτιμος atimos without honor

Or the absence of honor.

Hebrews 11:6 ESV

6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

Joshua 1:8NLT

8 Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.

Matthew 28:20NLT

20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”