DAILY, WEEKEND, AND HOLIDAY INTERNET EVANGELIZE TO THE WORLD MINISTRY

DAILY, WEEKEND AND HOLIDAY INTERNET EVANGELIZE TO THE WORLD MINISTRY

Paradigmatic Preaching: The Sermon on the Mount Excerpt Now Christ makes clear that he is not contradicting the law, but neither is  he preserving it unchanged. He comes “to fulfill” it, i.e., he will bring the law to  its intended goal. This is what the Pharisees and scribes have missed, who  therefore need a greater conformity to God’s standards (v.  20 ). Both the Law and  the Prophets together (v.  17 ) and the Law by itself (v.  18 ) were standard Jewish  ways of referring to the entire Hebrew Scriptures (our Old Testament). Fulfillment of Scripture, as throughout chaps.  1–4 , refers to the bringing to fruition of its complete meaning. Here Jesus views his role as that of fulfilling all of the Old Testament. This claim has massive hermeneutical implications and challenges both classic Reformed and Dispensationalist perspectives. It is inadequate to say either that none of the Old Testament applies unless it is explicitly reaffi...

The Prologue of Hebrews Hebrews 1:2 Excerpt As might easily be expected in the Prologue, the writer struck notes which will be crucial to the unfolding of his argument in the body of the epistle. He implied that God’s revelation in the Son has a definitive quality which previous revelation lacked. Moreover the sacrifice for sins which such a One makes must necessarily be greater than other kinds of sacrifices. Finally the Son’s greatness makes preoccupation with angelic dignities entirely unnecessary. Though the Prologue contains no warning—the writer reserved those for later—it carries with it an implicit admonition: This is God’s supremely great Son; hear Him! (cf.  12:25-27 )  More Hodges, Zane C. “Hebrews.”  The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures . Ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck. Vol. 2. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985. 781. Print.

Power Ephesians 1:19 Excerpt The word “power” ( dynamis;  cf.  3:20 ) means a spiritually dynamic and living force. This power of God is directed toward believers. Paul then used three additional words to describe God’s power. It is according to  the working  ( energeian, “energetic power,” from which comes the Eng. “energy”)  of  the might ( kratous,  “power that overcomes resistance,” as in Christ’s miracles; this word is used only of God, never of believers) of God’s inherent  strength  ( ischyos )  which He provides (cf.  6:10 ; 1 Peter  4:11 ). This magnificent accumulation of words for power under scores the magnitude of God’s “great power” available to Christians.  More Hoehner, Harold W. “Ephesians.”  The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures . Ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck. Vol. 2. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985. 620. Print.

Prosperity Psalm 1:3 Excerpt For all who take their delight in living by God’s Word, there is prosperity. Under the image of a fruitful  tree,  the psalmist declared that  whatever the righteous do will prosper (cf.  92:12-14 ). Two qualifications need to be noted. First, the  fruit, that is, the prosperity, is produced  in  its  season and not necessarily immediately after planting. Second, what the godly person does will be controlled by the Law of God ( 1:2 ). So if a person meditates on God’s Word, his actions will be godly, and his God-controlled activities will prosper, that is, come to their divinely directed fulfillment.  More Ross, Allen P. “Psalms.”  The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures . Ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck. Vol. 1. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985. 790. Print.

January 31: Discipline Genesis 49–50; Hebrews 12–13 ; Ecclesiastes 12:9–14 I was a stubborn child. When disciplined by my parents, I would sulk for hours afterward. I didn’t see discipline from my parents’ perspective—as something that would mold me into a mature, loving person. Hebrews 12 has a lesson for people like me with a history of wallowing in self-pity when disciplined. Here, the writer of Hebrews tells us that God, a Father to us through the work of Jesus, disciplines us for our good. To emphasize this, the writer of Hebrews draws on the book of Proverbs, where the Father instructs His own Son. “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, or give up when you are corrected by him. For the Lord disciplines the one who he loves, and punishes every son whom he accepts” (Heb 12:6; compare Prov 3:11–12). The author tells us that being disciplined is a sign of God’s love. It means He is working and active in our lives (Heb 12:8). Like a chastised child, we might no...

Morning, January 31                    Go To Evening Reading “The Lord our Righteousness.” — Jeremiah 23:6 It will always give a Christian the greatest calm, quiet, ease, and peace, to think of the perfect righteousness of Christ. How often are the saints of God downcast and sad! I do not think they ought to be. I do not think they would if they could always see their perfection in Christ. There are some who are always talking about corruption, and the depravity of the heart, and the innate evil of the soul. This is quite true, but why not go a little further, and remember that we are “perfect in Christ Jesus.” It is no wonder that those who are dwelling upon their own corruption should wear such downcast looks; but surely if we call to mind that “Christ is made unto us righteousness,” we shall be of good cheer. What though distresses afflict me, though Satan assault me, though there may be many things to be experienced befo...

January 31st Do you see your calling? Separated unto the Gospel. Romans 1:1 . Our calling is not primarily to be holy men and women, but to be proclaimers of the Gospel of God. The one thing that is all important is that the Gospel of God should be realized as the abiding Reality. Reality is not human goodness, nor holiness, nor heaven, nor hell, but Redemption; and the need to perceive this is the most vital need of the Christian worker to-day. As workers we have to get used to the revelation that Redemption is the only Reality. Personal holiness is an effect, not a cause, and if we place our faith in human goodness, in the effect of Redemption, we shall go under when the test comes. Paul did not say he separated himself, but—“when it pleased God who separated me.…” Paul had not a hypersensitive interest in his own character. As long as our eyes are upon our own personal whiteness we shall never get near the reality of Redemption. Workers break down because their desire is ...

January 31 Christ is all, and in all Col. 3:11 The service of Christ is the business of my life. The will of Christ is the law of my life. The presence of Christ is the joy of my life. The glory of Christ is the crown of my life. Selected  Hardman, Samuel G., and Dwight Lyman Moody. Thoughts for the Quiet Hour . Willow Grove, PA: Woodlawn Electronic Publishing, 1997. Print.

Recall the Former Days Excerpt In the early days of the gospel there was a very hot persecution raised up against the professors of the Christian religion, and the believing Hebrews had their share of it: he would have them to remember, (1.) When they had suffered:  In former days, after they were  illuminated;  that is, as soon as God had breathed life into their souls, and caused divine light to spring up in their minds, and taken them into his favour and covenant; then earth and hell combined all their force against them. Here observe, A natural state is a dark state, and those who continue in that state meet with no disturbance from Satan and the world; but a state of grace is a state of light, and therefore the powers of darkness will violently oppose it. Those who will live godly in Christ Jesus must suffer persecution.  More Henry, Matthew.  Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible: Complete and Unabridged in One Volume . Peabody: Hendri...

Not Be Pleased with Burnt Offerings Excerpt The prayer ends with a recognition of the kind of sacrifice that God  approves of; God does not want dead animals burned on the altar or other  ritual sacrifices. In a typical way of speaking, the psalmist is not (as it might  appear) saying that God wants all sacrifices to cease; he is saying that God  prefers the  proper attitude which the offering of sacrifices should express and represent (see similar sentiments in  50.8–9 ).  More Bratcher, Robert G., and William David Reyburn.  A Translator’s Handbook on the Book of Psalms . New York: United Bible Societies, 1991. Print. UBS Handbook Series.

Uzziah Excerpt Judah’s king from around 792 to 740  bc  (cf.  2 Kgs 14:21–22 ;  15:1–7 ;  2 Chr 26:1–23 ), the son of King Amaziah and Jecoliah of Jerusalem. Uzziah is the name he is called in Chronicles, but in Kings he is known as Azariah. Azariah means “the Lord has helped”; the meaning of Uzziah is “my strength is the Lord.” Azariah may have been his given name and Uzziah a throne name taken upon his accession. He came to the throne at the age of 16, after the death of his father, who was assassinated in Lachish as a result of a conspiracy arising from his apostasy. Uzziah was a capable, energetic, and well-organized  person, with many diverse interests. The Lord blessed him in all of his undertakings, so that he prospered. He is characterized as one who “did what was right in the eyes of the Lord” ( 2 Kgs 15:3 ;  2 Chr 26:4 ). He determined to seek God and went to Zechariah (not the postexilic prophet) for spiritual instruction. Consequen...

Abide John 15:4–7 ,  9–10 ,  16 Excerpt R. Bultmann ( John  [Eng. tr., 1971] 535n.1) correctly emphasizes two aspects of  μένω ἐν : In reference to humankind “ abide  in” designates “loyalty”; in reference to the revealer or God it designates “the eternal validity of the divine act of salvation for the believer.”  More Balz, Horst Robert, and Gerhard Schneider.  Exegetical dictionary of the New Testament  1990– : 408. Print.

January 30: Difficult Definitions Genesis 47–48; Hebrews 11 ; Ecclesiastes 12:1–8 As an editor, I love definitions. The field of lexicography can be complex, but when a definition is finally solidified, there’s comfort to be found. It becomes something stable. This is also the reason I love the book of Hebrews: the author is keen on definitions, clarifying terminology, and using analogies to prove his points. “Now faith is the realization of what is hoped for, the proof of things not seen” (Heb 11:1). In this succinct definition, I have perspective on the essence of faith. There is no room for doubt or error. The hope referred to is Jesus. And the proof is in an assurance that even though we cannot see Him, we have confidence in His work both presently and in the future. The author goes on to say, “For by this [faith] the people of old were approved [by God]. By faith we understand the worlds were created by the word of God, in order that what is seen did not come into existe...

Morning, January 30                    Go To Evening Reading “When thou hearest the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees, then thou shalt bestir thyself.” — 2 Samuel 5:24 The members of Christ’s Church should be very prayerful, always seeking the unction of the Holy One to rest upon their hearts, that the kingdom of Christ may come, and that his “will be done on earth, even as it is in heaven;” but there are times when God seems especially to favour Zion, such seasons ought to be to them like “the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees.” We ought then to be doubly prayerful, doubly earnest, wrestling more at the throne than we have been wont to do. Action should then be prompt and vigorous. The tide is flowing—now let us pull manfully for the shore. O for Pentecostal outpourings and Pentecostal labours. Christian, in yourself there are times “when thou hearest the sound of a going in the tops of the...

January 30th The dilemma of obedience And Samuel feared to shew Eli the vision. 1 Samuel 3:15 . God seldom speaks to us in startling ways, but in ways that are easy to misunderstand, and we say, ‘I wonder if that is God’s voice?’ Isaiah said that the Lord spake to him “with a strong hand,” that is, by the pressure of circumstances. Nothing touches our lives but it is God Himself speaking. Do we discern His hand or only mere occurrence? Get into the habit of saying, “Speak, Lord,” and life will become a romance. Every time circumstances press, say, “Speak, Lord”; make time to listen. Chastening is more than a means of discipline, it is meant to get me to the place of saying, “Speak, Lord.” Recall the time when God did speak to you. Have you forgotten what He said? Was it Luke 11:13, or was it 1 Thess. 5:23? As we listen, our ear gets acute, and, like Jesus, we shall hear God all the time. Shall I tell my ‘Eli’ what God has shown to me? That is where the dilemma of obedience...

January 30 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death; that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life Rom. 6:4 That is the life we are called upon to live, and that is the life it is our privilege to lead; for God never gives us a call without its being a privilege, and He never gives us the privilege to come up higher without stretching out to us His hand to lift us up. Come up higher and higher into the realities and glories of the resurrection life, knowing that your life is hid with Christ in God. Shake yourself loose of every encumbrance, turn your back on every defilement, give yourself over like clay to the hands of the potter, that He may stamp upon you the fullness of His own resurrection glory, that you, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, may be changed from glory to glory as by the Spirit of the Lord. W. Hay Aitken  Hardman, Samuel G., and Dwight Lyman M...

Lesson for January 29, 2017: Praise God with All Creation (Psalm 148) Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches  preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri . This lesson treatment is published in the January 22, 2017, issue of  The Lookout  magazine, and is also available online at  www.lookoutmag.com . ______ By Mark Scott  “All Creatures of our God and King” was created around the 1900s, but the lyrics go all the way back to St. Francis of Assisi (1225). The hymn contains several stanzas. In the first five stanzas, a portion of creation is beckoned to give God praise (one—sun and moon; two—wind and clouds; three—water and fire; four—fields and flowers; five—people and nations). The last few psalms of the Psalter gave rise to what St. Francis did—beckoned all creation to give praise to God. In fact, Psalms 146–150 all begin and end the same way:  Praise the...

Sunday, January 29, 2017 | Epiphany Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany Old Testament 2 Kings 5:1–15a Psalm Psalm 30 New Testament Romans 12:16b–21 Gospel Matthew 8:1–13   Christian Worship One Year Lectionary . Bellingham, WA: Faithlife, 2009. Print.

Sunday, January 29, 2017 | Epiphany Fourth  Sunday after the Epiphany Year A Old Testament Micah 6:1–8 Psalm Psalm 15 New Testament 1 Corinthians 1:18–31 Gospel Matthew 5:1–12   Revised Common Lectionary . Bellingham, WA: Faithlife, 2009. Print.

Sunday, January 29, 2017 | Epiphany Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany Year A Old Testament Micah 6:1–8 Psalm Psalm 15 (UMH 747) New Testament 1 Corinthians 1:18–31 Gospel Matthew 5:1–12  Vanderbilt Divinity Library. United Methodist Revised Common Lectionary . Bellingham, WA: Faithlife, 2009. Print.

Sunday, January 29, 2017 | Ordinary Time Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A | Roman Missal | Lectionary First Reading Zephaniah 2:3, 3:12–13 Response Matthew 5:3 Psalm Psalm 146:6–10 Second Reading 1 Corinthians 1:26–31 Gospel Acclamation Matthew 5:12a Gospel Matthew 5:1–12a   Catholic Daily Readings . Bellingham, WA: Faithlife, 2009. Print.

Sunday, January 29, 2017 | Epiphany Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany Year A Old Testament Micah 6:1–8 Psalm Psalm 15 Epistle 1 Corinthians 1:18–31 Gospel Matthew 5:1–12   Lutheran Service Book Three Year Lectionary . Bellingham, WA: Concordia Publishing House, 2009. Print.

Sunday, January 29, 2017 | Epiphany Fourth  Sunday after Epiphany Year A First Reading Micah 6:1–8 Psalm Psalm 15 Second Reading 1 Corinthians 1:18–31 Gospel Matthew 5:1–12   Episcopal Church (USA) Revised Common Lectionary . Bellingham, WA: Faithlife, 2016. Print.