The Bible Standard - Re-Discover the Truth.

Description: There is no better place to start talking about forgiveness than in the Psalms. This talk shows us that what we learn from David’s example is how necessary it is to seek forgiveness from God and to be truly repentant

The background to the development of the power described as King of the South is explained. The alliance of countries that will challenge the northern power of Ezekiel 38 is expounded. Bible Prophecy is God’s way of showing to mankind that he does indeed rule in the Kingdom of men

I WILL BE SANCTIFIED    Mar 4

‘Sanctified’ means recognized as holy, set apart from the commonplace; treating spiritual situations with all reverence.  Far above all other considerations, this must be our spirit when we approach God.  Our Leviticus reading today shows us the dramatic and disastrous result of a failure to do this.

Think of the atmosphere at the tabernacle in the manifestation of the actual presence of God when “the glory of the LORD appeared to all the people. And fire came out from before the LORD and consumed the burnt offerings …” [9 v.23,24].  The effect of this should have created reverence and humility. This should have been their feeling in worship from then on,- and initially it was! .  “They shouted and fell on their faces” [v.24].

Aaron had 4 sons, all were involved in assisting their father and today’s chapter tells us how tragedy overwhelmed two of them.  In the way we speak today we might judge that their position of importance went to their heads!  Nadab and Abihu “each took his censer and put fire in it and laid incense on it and offered unauthorized fire before the LORD which he had not commanded them” [10 v.1]

The result was terrifying for they “died before the LORD” as fire from him “consumed them” [v.2]  Moses then says to Aaron, “Among those who are near me I will be sanctified, and before all the people I will be glorified” [v.3]

There is a vital lesson here for everyone who seeks to serve God and have a living relationship with him: this applies to followers of Jesus just as much as to Israelites. Examples of a failure to do this come to mind.  One is the practice of the christening of babies in many churches instead of baptism when they grow to understanding - christening is not even hinted at in Scripture.  Baptism is expressed as “an appeal to God for a good conscience” [1 Peter 3 v.21]  The eunuch was told by Philip he could be baptised “if you believe with all your heart.” (Acts 8 v.37)

Baptism brings a person into a state of sanctification.  When Paul was saying farewell to the Ephesian elders (Acts 20 v,17- 38 he said, “now I commend you to God and the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified”  [v.32]   God’s word builds us up, it constantly reminds believers they are sanctified.

A final point: baptism gives believers the responsibility, as we read today in 2 Corinthians, to try to encourage others through the example of Christ in us, “for we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved … a fragrance from life to life.” [2 v.15,16]  Christ, “through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.” [v.14]  What “fragrance” can we spread today? .

A wonderfully in-depth study series concerning the life and times of Ezra the Priest, Starting in Ezra Cpt 1 – our brother leads us on a journey of understanding – probably the most comprehensive study of Ezra we have come across and so is well worth the time taken to spend a few hours immersed in this wonderful book.

“THE DAYS OF YOUR ORDINATION”  Mar 3

We have been reading in Leviticus about the laws and offerings that were to come into operation now that they had made the Tabernacle with its Holy Place, altars and other furnishings. The clothing and rituals for the priests are very detailed and elaborate.

Today’s reading (Ch. 8) is about how the LORD tells Moses to bring Aaron and his sons and assemble all the congregation to the Tabernacle.  They are then to hold what might be called an ordination ceremony.  There are various ordination offerings (v.22,28, 29,31)   Aaron and his sons are to stay within “the tent of meeting … until the days of your ordination (the A V uses the word consecration) are completed, for it will take 7 days to ordain you.” [v.33]

Now all this is a total contrast to the way the church operated in the First Century.  The New Testament has no mention or indication of anything like an ordination ceremony, there is no mention of them building places of worship – they appeared to meet in the homes of members as we read today in 1 Corinthians 16 v.19 to “the church in their house”– and note Acts 2 v.46.  The word church does not mean a building, it means an ‘assembly’ or congregation, as it is translated in Acts 19 v.32,39.

There were elders and Peter simply describes himself as “a fellow elder” [1 Peter 5 v.1] and goes on to write that elders should “shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly, not domineering … but being examples to the flock.” [v.2,3]  Jesus bluntly said, “call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven.” [Matt 23 v.9]

It was not until the Church was officially recognised by the Roman Empire in the 4th Century that an elaborate ritual of ordination and costuming was developed and this still happens today; most of the world is aware of the present drama of deciding who will be the next Pope!  The First Century believers saw Jesus Christ as their only Priest.   Read Hebrews 4 v14 to 5 v.10.  Even the Jews abandoned their Priesthood system after their Temple was destroyed.

Is there not a sense in which baptism is an ordination?   When each individual ordains to be baptised, that is decides, they are made aware in various ways of the commitment they are making to Christ and to God

How meaningful are those “the days of ordination” – what searchings of the heart!  – but this world then presents them with many challenges and the regularly feeding of their and our minds on God’ word is an essential source of strength to “endure unto the end.”

"THOSE WHO ARE OF HEAVEN"  Mar 2

Our reading of that well known and oft quoted 15th chapter of 1 Corinthians graphically illustrates a principle that is made again and again in God’s word – that there is no ‘middle’ way: our ultimate future is black – or - white.  Paul goes to great pains to emphasize this: some in Corinth were doubting that Christ’s resurrection literally happened, this would be the continuing influence of the convictions they had had as pagans, one it was hard to put out of their minds, still having pagan friends would not help! , “How can you say there is no resurrection of the dead,” he challenges them, “if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.” [v.12,14]

Paul then contrasts “the first man Adam” with “the last Adam (who) became a life-giving spirit” [v.45]  Those who do not become related to “the last Adam” – to Christ - will remain related to the first Adam.   Paul then uses the contrast between heaven and earth (i.e. dust) – we are related to one or the other.  He says, “as was the man of dust, so also are those who are of the dust, and as is the man of heaven, so also are those who are of heaven.”[v.48,49]

Do we ‘feel’ we “are of heaven”?  It is one thing or the other. Of course, it in no way means we go to heaven, verses. 35 to 45 make that very plain; the “natural body” becomes a “spiritual body” when it is raised to life again..  But, just as the world around us is showing even more plainly that it is “of the dust” – so we must respond by making it more and more evident that we are among “those who are of heaven.”

The final verse of this chapter challenges us, as it challenged them, that  we should show this in a particular attitude to life.  “Therefore”, writes Paul, “my beloved brothers, (and that includes sisters) be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labour is not in vain.”

"THE ONE WHO PROPHECIES BUILDS UP THE CHURCH"  Mar 1

Today’s 14thchapter of 1 Corinthians completes Paul’s detailed advice to the believers on the wise use of the spiritual gifts that were then available.   Those who claim some type of spiritual gift today almost always quote very selectively from this chapter, ignoring the context.  They had no Bible to read in Corinth - like we have!  It seems there were ‘sayings’ in circulation, Paul quotes some, see 1 Tim.1 v.15; 4 v.8,9; 2 Tim. 2 v.11; Titus 3 v.8.

There is one particular gift that Paul stresses.  Today’s first verse states, “earnestly desire spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophecy”  What is this gift of prophecy?  It is clearly explained in v.3, “ …the one who prophecies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation.”   Then v.4 and 5 “The one who prophecies builds up the church … The one who prophecies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues … that the church may be built up.”  We commented yesterday on v.23 on  the negative effect of tongue speaking in church.

In contrast to tongues, if believers “all prophecy” in the sense of upbuilding fellow believers, how positive this would be.  Remember how this was God’s primary commission to the Old Testament prophets; frequently their task was to turn the people back to serving God properly,

In the same way, ‘prophecy’ was to be used in the Corinthian church  and those with sprit-empowered messages, were to build up their fellow believers - then when an “unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all, the secrets of his heart are disclosed and, so falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among you.” [v.24,25]

There is surely a parallel to this today when God’s word is logically and clearly explained in the affect it has, usually over time – and the reverent spirit it produces.. When a person who comes amongst us and is seeking God then his or her mind will become convinced that God and Christ are really among us.  In modern language use – we should say, ‘Awesome’!  Do we really sense this? Tomorrow’s powerful 15th chapter is an essential foundation in our efforts to “prophecy” and convince others (and ourselves) of our foundation purpose and hope in living.

Today’s chapter concludes with appropriate words, “my brothers earnestly desire to prophecy … all things should be done decently and in order.”  We ‘hear’ the words of ‘prophecy’ today through reading the divine word every day – let us not neglect to ‘listen.’

"SO NOW FAITH, HOPE AND LOVE ABIDE"    Feb 28

One of the problems in Corinth  Paul had heard about, was “concerning spiritual gifts” [1 Cor. 12 v.1]   This chapter and the next two show that the improper use of the gifts by some was a large problem.  Of course, with the Gospels not yet in circulation, the existence of spiritual gifts had real purpose.  Paul says that “the manifestation of the Spirit (was) for the common good.  To one is given the spirit of the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge, according to the same spirit, to another, faith …” [v.7-9]

We pondered the inclusion of “faith” as a gift – and recalled the times when Jesus chided his disciples “O you of little faith [Matt.8 v.26 etc] so we conclude that among that first generation of believers it was vital, on occasions, to have a man of firm faith, to steady the ecclesial boat when it was rocking and faith was weakening.  Chapter 12 ends by telling us, “But earnestly desire the higher gifts” - those named first would be in this category, they were of the most value for their spiritual health.

The last named gifts are tongues and the ability to interpret them (v.30) and Paul warns in Ch, 14 that if these are used in church “and outsiders and unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of your minds” [v.24] – clearly they were to enable those who possessed them to give the message, when they had opportunity, to those of other languages. Acts 2 v.11 describes the impact of this on the day of Pentecost -  “”we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God”

The final words in Ch. 12 are “And now I show you a still more excellent way” – this brings us to Ch. 13 and its oft quoted words praising the vital role of love.  “If I give away all I have …. But have not love, I gain nothing” [v.3] is one of the points Paul makes.  He says, “Love never ends … prophecies … will pass away … tongues, they will cease …” [v.8]  The final verse tells us, “So now faith, hope and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”

These words provoked a final thought – when Christ’s kingdom is established, faith will be turned to sight and hope fulfilled – but love will last forever.   Those who commit themselves to embrace the things that abide today and live with this wonderful future before them will, by God’s grace, live forever with love as the dominating factor in their lives..

".... ON THOSE WHO FEAR HIM" Feb 27

Psalm 103 is a very ‘popular’ Psalm because of its emphasis on the love and mercy of the LORD.  It is very encouraging for those who struggle to feel ‘right’ before God – and isn’t that all of us at some stage(s) of our lives! We feel in our hearts the urgent need, despite our failures, to feel God is ‘on our side’ – even ‘by our side.’

There is one factor that is repeated in the Psalm that must not be overlooked, otherwise the Divine message of encouragement this Psalm conveys will be distorted. “Bless the LORD, O my soul” is how the Psalm (which is ascribed to David) begins; “…. Forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy.” [v.2-4]

The Psalm then takes our thoughts to Moses – “He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel.” [v.7] that “The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.” [v.8]  The book of Exodus, which we have just completed reading gave us many examples of this. David certainly experienced this and he states, “He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities.  For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him.”[v.10-11]

Those final words must not be overlooked!  The next verse says, as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us”.- and so, you can go east as far as you like – but you never come to the west!  The next verse repeats the qualifications given in v.11  “…. So the LORD shows compassion on those who fear him.”

Verse 17 repeats this for the third time, “the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him.  Solomon comments on the strength of a “three-fold cord” [Eccl. 4 v.12], how much more a divinely inspired statement!

The word “fear” in the sense of being in awe of the LORD occurs no less than 26 times in the Psalms – it does not mean to be scared of God – but to be in awe in sensing his greatness and that he is present everywhere through his spirit. (Acts 17 v,27,28)  Let us sense how immeasurable great God must be!

Look back at Psalm 36, note David’s words, “For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light. Oh continue your steadfast love to those who know you, and your righteousness to the upright in heart” [v.9,10]

We have more reason than ever, with the human discoveries of recent years, to contemplate the immeasurable greatness of the power that brought them all into being – that power is our Heavenly Father – and we address God in that way because we have taken on the name of his son, Jesus Christ. What  a wonder this is!

"A PARTICIPATION IN THE BODY OF CHRIST"  Feb. 26

In Paul’s 1st letter to the Corinthians we have come to where he refers to the memorial emblems, he stresses that their participation in these should be in a way that illustrates their unity.  Paul has made several points very strongly in earlier chapters addressing issues that were seriously undermining their unity in Christ: their lack of harmony worried him very much.

Their coming together to remember that Christ died for them needed to take place in an atmosphere of genuine unity – but it wasn’t.  To start with some were influenced by the surrounding spirit of idol-worshipping, but “…. beloved flee from idolatry” [10 v.14] wrote Paul..

He appeals to them, “I speak to sensible people, judge for yourselves what I say.” [v.5]  Do we ourselves make sensible judgements? The situation for us is not completely different.  Paul says, “The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not the participation in the blood of Christ?  The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body …” [v.15-7]

The verses which follow indicate some had a problem leaving behind the pagan practices they had previously enjoyed, Paul says to them, “You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons.  Shall we provoke the Lord to jealousy?” [v.21,22]   In ch. 5 he made the point, “Christ is our Passover … let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven … of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” [7,8]

In Ch. 11 we will read that “anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself” [v.29]  He does not mean - discerning his own body - but the body of Christ and their responsibility to his or her fellow believers.  Paul told the Philippians he wanted to “hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit and one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel” [1 v.27]

This precious oneness is demonstrated each time we meet for fellowship.  There have been the rare occasions when a member of another church has been present who has taken offence at not being offered the emblems! But this is an opportunity to lovingly point out that when the church was first established on the Day of Pentecost, those baptised  “devoted themselves to the Apostles teaching and fellowship and the breaking of bread …” [Acts 2 v.42] What is the Apostles teaching? Do they (do we) properly “discern the Lord’s body” when we participate? If we are of one mind as to that teaching and are baptised – our participation in the body of Christ will a great spiritual joy..  Let us make sure we ourselves are fully devoted to this teaching and the way of life it leads to..