For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 1Cointhians 1:18 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. 1Cointhians 1:23-24 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 1Cointhians 2:2 Paul was not a people pleaser. Jews hoped for a “sign” and Greek folks sought wisdom. But Paul instead chose to proclaim the power of God and the wisdom which was God’s alone. It was Paul’s topic of choice. His preaching posture came with “feebleness (of body or mind); and, by implication, ‘malady’ or moral frailty.” “ (Paul), not only eschewed all affectation of cleverness or grandiloquence, but went to the opposite…
Healing at the Cross Posts
Because life is a narrow way, few find it. Mostly a broader way finds a person, and many are defiled thereby. It leads to destruction. Proverbs 22:5 teaches that thorns and thistles await such, and verse 8 tells us that abject nothingness rewards the sower of emotional rebellion. For wide is the gate — easily entered, and broad is the way — easily trodden. “Enter ye in at the strait gate — as if hardly wide enough to admit one at all. This expresses the difficulty of the first right step …involving, as it does, a triumph over all our natural inclinations.” JFB on Matthew 7:13 The one road caters to ease and self-indulgence, the other bends to eternal safety. The narrow way involves an intense “keeping” of one’s soul — a hedging about with protection. Proverbs 22:5 In Luke 13:24 Jesus teaches, “Strive to enter in at the strait gate.”…
“Hope maketh not ashamed , for the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit.” Romans 5:5 The verb for “shed abroad” consists of a Greek “Perfect passive indicative” of ekcheō –meaning to pour out.” On this verse we read comments, “And how can this hope of glory, which as believers we cherish, put us to shame, when we feel God Himself, by His Spirit given to us, drenching our hearts in sweet, all-subduing sensations of His wondrous love to us in Christ Jesus?” JFB We now approach the glorious theme of the Life of the Justified. “…. It is to appear as a state warmed with eternal Love; irradiated with the prospect of glory. In it the man, knit up with Christ his Head, his Bridegroom, his all, yields himself with joy to the God who has received him. In the living power of…
A skeptic doubts, but something deeper had happened. A true skeptic questions because he or she just cannot believe. For them, the inability to believe something without a total analysis hinders the simplicity of seeing the invisible. But what is the criterion for a skeptic’s analysis ? Romans 4 gives us several examples: First, a program of merit through good works. In this mindset anything of value comes as a reward for performance. Romans 4:2 teaches us, ” …if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.”” …the reward is not reckoned of grace, but of debt. “Of course, good works create value, but not as a means of gaining favor from God. That favor is given as a free gift. The next mindset used as a criterion for analysis centers around the ritual of circumcision. This rite practiced strictly by Jewish folks, eliminates all…
But (Jesus), made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Philippians 2:7-8 Jesus “emptied Himself, taking upon him the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men.” JFB In His incarnation: ” …when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou would not, but a body hast thou prepared me. Hebrews 10:5 “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same” Hebrews 2:14 John 1:14 “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. “ Jesus took…
“And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.” Daniel 12:3 During a time of trouble, wise men will shine as the brightness of the firmament, and as the stars for ever and ever, they turning many to righteousness also shall shine bright. John the Baptist “was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light. “says John 5:35 He was the forerunner and prepared the way for the Messiah — meaning (sending on before kings on their journeys, persons to level the roads and make them passable.) “John Baptist was a priest of the order of Aaron, yet we find him preaching in a wilderness, and never officiating in the temple. The doctrine he preached was that of repentance (Matthew3:2); Consider your ways, change…
Jesus, throughout His earthly stay spoke often of the coming dispensation which would ultimately put an end to the then current one. The parables of Matthew 13 hint the Apostles and all of mankind to what was coming. Not a time where mere moral precept would need constant explanation and exercise, but instead, coming was a battle between light and darkness. Jesus, the Light Himself, and Way, Truth and Life represents the Kingdom of heaven, Satan and His armies, the opposition. Jesus starts with a parable in Matthew 13 –“Behold, a sower went forth to sow; “””some seeds fell by the way side, Some fell upon stony places, some fell among thorns, other fell into good ground.” In explanation Jesus speaks to the Apostles only, “When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in…
“Be strengthened with might, by my spirit in the inner man.” Strengthen? to empower, that is, (passively) increase in vigor:(Strongs) Might? force (literally or figuratively); specifically miraculous power (usually by implication a miracle itself): – ability, abundance, meaning, might. (Strongs.) “Inherent power, power residing in a thing by virtue of its nature, or which a person or thing exerts and puts forth” (Thayers) Brothers and sisters we must be empowered in our inherent power, which power resides in us through the filling of the Spirit. Ephesians 5:18. Cement is strong and can bear a load, however, cement that is endued with iron is stronger and can bear a heavier load. This is just one way of looking at it. Frankly, every believer has been gifted the Holy Spirit. All of us believers have been baptized into the body of Christ, and made to drink of that one Spirit. 1Corinthians 12:13.…
“And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.” Psalm 106:15 “This effect often occurs. In the gratification of their desires, in great temporal success and prosperity, individuals, churches, nations, often forget their dependence on God; lose their sense of the value of spiritual privileges and blessings: are satisfied with their condition; become self-confident and proud, and forfeit the favor of God.” Barnes Psalm 106:13-14 teaches, “They soon forgat his works; they waited not for his counsel. But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert. “ “Of how many of us that has to be said! We remember pain and sorrow longer than joy and pleasure. It is always difficult to bridle desires and be still until God discloses His purposes. We are all apt to try to force His hand open, and to impose our wishes on Him, rather than to let His will…
Joy eclipses just feelings. Joy emanates out of something deep, a grace which covers all of anti-joy. Yes, all joy inhibiters are broken in the conscience, all doubts in the mind. Even death has no stinging dominance over the care free soul. Joy comes as a by-product of grace, which carries out the wonderful effects of unconditional love, removing all conditional “ifs, ands, or buts.” It comes from God, the ultimate source of all things. “And it came to pass as they came, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of music. “1Samuel 18:6 Joy came as the warriors defeated the enemy of the people. Indeed there was singing and dancing. So it is with our joy, released when all of our enemies…