Life Truth Network Master Feed

Adventures of Luke 5: Dedication of Christ at the temple.

Science and Religion

Another Truth Exposed from Jn 2.23-3.15

Professor Danson, AKA Dronemaster finds himself in a jam, and has to rely on our heroes to get him out!

Introducing the voice of John Warren as Street Boss!

Or, The Faithful Church of Missions, Evangelism, and Revival.

The letter to the Philadelphia Church can be found in Revelation 3:7-13. After a brief overview of what the town was like then, and now, by J Vernon McGee, we dig in, and unpack the statements in this letter.

Verse 7

And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;

As with all these letters, they were addressed to the "angel" or the minister at each church. The city still exists in modern day Turkey. Its position along foothills gave it some military importance, but was prone to earthquakes. Philadelphia's wealth came from textiles, and local vineyards. With common earthquakes, the surrounding country became more popular to live in.

The phrase, "These things saith he that is holy," points to holiness as an attribute of god, meaning that Jesus also claims that godly attriubute.

Also refer to: Revelation 4:8; Isaiah 6:3; Isaiah 47:4; Isaiah 55:5; Mark 1:24 (ESV)

Also pointing to a shared attribute of God, the phrase, "he that is true," means that Jesus is trustworthy in his actions.

Refer to: Revelation 16:7; Revelation 19:2; John 14:6

The identifier, "he that hath the key of David," has two meanings. One carrying power and authority. The other linking Jesus to David.

Refer to: Revelation 1:18; Isaiah 22:22

Adding to his final say over a matter, "he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth," demonstrates that its Jesus alone who determines who is in his kingdom. Not even anybody else qualifies to challenge this authority.

Refer to: Revelation 5:3-5; Revelation 5:9; Job 12:14

Verse 8

I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.

As their works were identified, there was nothing bad said. They were told they had an open door, implying opportunity. It was an open door that not even anybody could shut.

Refer to: 1 Corinthians 16:9; Colossians 4:3

The church here had only a little strength. A word where we get the word "micro". It may have been a tiny strength, but one that was fully functional, just tiny. When we are connected to God's strength, or power, all it takes is our own tiny power. A word related to the word, "dynamo."

Refer to: 2 Corinthians 12:8-10; Philippians 4:13

Another important trait of this church Is that they kept his word. They were faithful. They kept, or held fast.

Refer to: Revelation 22:7; John 14:21-24; 2 Timothy 4:7

Another way of saying they were faithful is that they didn't deny, or reject Jesus name.

Refer to: Luke 12:9; 1 John 2:22-23

Verse 9

Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.

This isn't the first time to see this phrase, "the synagogue of Satan." The author explains it by adding that they "say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie." These were Jewish oppressors, trying to convert the Christians back to Judaism. They lied, or were false. Jesus was the fulfillment of the law, and to go back, would be a false religion to follow.

Refer to: Revelation 2:9

Instead of being oppressed, Jesus would "make them to come and worship before thy feet,

Or, Confused? In despair? Accept Love's Gift Now!

In the previous section in this chapter of John, the visit with Nicodemus doesn't clearly end. The verses from 16 to 21 might either be concluding statements to Nicodemus , or comments by the author to expand on the discussion with Nicodemus.

Comments are provided by Keith, Nathan, and our favored old time radio bible teacher, J Vernon McGee (See credits below)..

Notes

The most important statement of the gospel, maybe in the whole bible.

Verse 16 "

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

There are two actions. God loves, and the reciprocal to it, we believe. In the middle is a gift we don't deserve.

Love. By itself it doesn't save us. What it does do is provide grace. Its grace that saves. Grace is a gift. It only requires belief. It's a gift that's sufficient for the world.

Belief. It's a passive act. To accept something. it's not doing something. Belief results in salvation from the consequences of sin. The result means there is no condemnation, no judgement. No death.

Eternal. Not only the amount of time, but quality of life. Through belief, we are found to be approved by god.

Parish. Another verb. Its the result of not believing. The opposite of life. It doesn't mean to stop existing, but utter failure. To lose all that makes existence worthwhile. A continuing state of Destruction. Its the result of doing nothing.

Verse 17

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

God's purpose, and desire is for salvation. He didn't send his gift to judge, or condemn. He did it to save and redeem.

Note: This verse is the only one with a challenge. Did Jesus come in love, or in judgement? In the show, Keith shares what the response is from "The Big Book of Bible Difficulties," by Norman Geisler and Thomas Howe. Copyright 1992, Baker Books. The short answer is, context. References to his judgement involve his second coming. References to his love relate to his first coming.

Here's the gift, now what?

Verse 18

Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

Once again, belief is the only action on our part. To passively accept the gift. To do nothing is to perish. To go into eternal destruction, judgement, and despair.

Believe, and avoid the condemnation already in your future.

Verse 19

And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.

The difference between the elect and the doomed is not guilt. Its not even innocence, or doing good works. Everybody sins, all are doomed. All prefer the dark. All we are inclined to do is evil.

Verse 20

For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.

21 But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God."

Attitude is the difference. Some are drawn to the light. Evil hates the light for exposing evil deeds. Lovers of truth are drawn to light. There are some who love to have their works of truth seen.

How does this happen? The Holy Spirit gives you the faith you need. Does the light of the gospel message make you f...

Before getting into the feature, there's time for a segment of "Dumb News,", the part where Chris joins Keith to read real news headlines, but the commentary is all made up.

Main Topic

The church in ancient Sardis had problems. They had once received good gospel training. But somehow they coasted to a place of general corruption. They weren't being persecuted by the pagan culture/ they hadn't fallen to false teachers. They just weren't doing anything exactly.

Sardis was a city of commerce, and had an important strategic military location. There were tall,. Nearly vertical stone walls on all sides except the south. Though it was frequently attacked,. The city was only captured twice. Both times it was due to a sleeping sentry. A demonstration of how luxurious living led to decadence, coasting through life on past glory days, and sleeping on the job.

Verse 1 "

And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. "'

Similar to the Ephesus church, Jesus reveals his identity, and authority over the spirits, and messengers to the church. But there's a difference. The Ephesians were calling out false prophets and bad teaching.

I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead.

Jesus sees and knows. He sees the people in this church, and their reputation of being vibrant, and doing all the churchy activities. Their name was of being filled with life. The horrible reality is that they are dead. Their faith was coasting on past glory days. They had been duped, lured into complacency to the po8int of losing their identity in Christ.

Verse 2

Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die,

The call to action is to wake up. Strengthen, or stabilize in faith. The phrase, "What remains," means that not all were in dire straights.

But, if nothing is stabilized, they

would Were expected to die off.

for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God.

Based on the only thing that matters,, God's standard, these people fell short. The phrase, "Not complete" has a meaning of filling a hollow space and found lacking. To be not satisfactory. Being not up to the mark.

Verse 3

Remember, then, what you received and heard.

Again, similar to the Ephesian church, they were told to remember. The Ephesians had been sticklers on theology, but had forgot their first love. The church in Sardis had received good word, but they had just about entirely fallen away into their old lifestyle of sin. They needed to wake up, and remember the gospel.

Keep it, and repent.

Keep, or safeguard the good message. If memories need refreshing, its time to repent.

If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you.

If no repentance, not waking to the gospel, Jesus will come, and it won't go well for these people with dead faith. .

Come. Or to be present, to arrive . the sense of the word is that Jesus is only a footstep away from appearing in their presence.

Like a thief. Surprised by the unexpected hour. A phrase that is a common one through the gospel writings.

Verse 4

Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments,

There were only a few, not many left awake who still had a good name. A small amount who still had garments of faith that were unndefiled, unsoiled.

Think of it.

After the amazing events surrounding the birth of Jesus, notable things keep happening.

In keeping with the expected behavior of a young Jewish family, Mary and Joseph take the newborn Jesus to the temple. The parents are amazed at not only one, but two prophets who give thanks for the arrival of the Messiah, and reveal both blessings and tragedies that await him.

In our commentary through drama, Marry is feeling the affects of her age. Fortunately for Luke, a couple of Mary's young friends have stopped by to check on her, and relate their own experiences as girls on a long ago caravan to Jerusalem . Jesus never fails to amaze his parents as he grows in favor with God and men.

Stay tuned as Luke's investigation continues