The Son of Man-The Son of God Came to Serve, NOT to be Served...

Hope you enjoy this GOD-Glorifying sermon by John Piper, dated December 17, 1995. Dated, yet timeless! It is for everyone who seriously wants to be a faithful disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ. Pastor John's message can also be downloaded and listened to at DesiringGod.org. You can also support DesiringGod Ministries by going here. (Pls right-click on the links for the option to open each one in a new window)

(WARNING: Like most of Pastor John's messages, you'll need to read it very carefully and all the way to the end, to get the most out of it. You will be blessed... be very blessed, indeed!)

"For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."

--Mark 10:45

Introduction: Christmas Is About . . .

Today and next Sunday I want to meditate with you on Mark 10:45. It is a very important Christmas text.

Christmas is about the coming of Christ into the world.

It's about the Son of God, who existed eternally with the Father as "the radiance of his glory and the exact representation of his nature," taking on human nature and becoming a man (Hebrews 1:3).

It's about the birth of a man by a virgin conceived miraculously (not sexually) by the Holy Spirit so that he is the Son of God, not the way you and I are sons of God, but in an utterly unique way (Luke 1:35).

It's about the coming of a man named Jesus in whom "all the fullness of deity was pleased to dwell" (Colossians 2:9).

It's about the coming of the "fullness of time" that had been prophesied by the prophets of old that a Ruler would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2); and a child would be born called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6); and a Messiah, an anointed one, a shoot from the stem of Jesse, a son of David, a King would come (Isaiah 11:1–4; Zechariah 9:9); and, according to our text today, Christmas is about the coming of the Son of Man who "came not to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Mark 10:45).

This brief expression of Christmas in Mark 10:45 is what I hope God will fix in your mind and heart this year so that your faith in future grace will be strengthened and so that you will have a clear, short word of explanation that you can refer to when you are talking to others about what Christmas really means.

So we will take it one step at a time and make sure that the words are clear and that we understand why Jesus said them in this context.

Whoever Wishes to Become Great . . .

Let's get the story clear: James and John, two of Jesus disciples—the sons of thunder—came up to him and said (in verse 35), "Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you." And Jesus said to them, "What do you want me to do for you? And they said to him, "Grant that we may sit in your glory, one on your right, and one on your left." But Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking for. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?" And they said to him, "We are able." And Jesus said to them, "The cup that I drink you shall drink; and you shall be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized. But to sit on my right or on my left, this is not mine to give; but it is for those for whom it has been prepared."

What James and John Got Right

James and John get one thing right here, and most everything else wrong. They are right in verse 37 when they say that Jesus is destined for glory—"When you sit in your glory." And that is a good thing to be right about. There are some people in this room who are not yet right about that. Here's how you can tell. If you know that a company's stock is going to take off and go through the roof, you buy that stock and not the competitor's. If you know this building is going to stand after the storm and no others, you get in this building, and not the others. And if you know that Jesus is going to reign in glory in the end over every rival, then you follow Jesus and not his rivals. And some are not following Jesus and so don't have it right yet about his glory. You're not yet as far along as James and John.

They had that right. Jesus would take his kingly seat in glory someday and rule the world. Nobody really believes this who isn't following Jesus.

What James and John Got Wrong

But they probably didn't understand the cup and the baptism that Jesus was talking about in verse 38: "Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?" They said yes. But did they know? What was he talking about?

What is this cup? In the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus pleaded with his Father, if there was another way besides the horror of crucifixion and abandonment, would he please take that way. But these were the words he used, Abba! Father! All things are possible for you; remove this cup from me; yet not what I will, but what you will. (Mark 14:36)

The cup was the death he was about to endure. So he was saying to James and John: if you want to rule with me in my glory the way you are asking, then you must die with me—you must drink the same cup.

And did they understand the baptism? "Are you able to . . . be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?" In Luke 12:50 Jesus said, "I have a baptism to undergo, and how constrained I am until it is accomplished!" Jesus saw his death not only as a bitter cup to drink but an immersion—a baptism—in suffering. He said, in effect, my pathway to glory and to kingship is through suffering and death. If you want the kind of honor you are asking for, you must follow me in my suffering and death.

But there will be others who will follow like this, and I have only one right hand and one left hand. Who shall sit there? Verse 40: the one for whom it has been prepared by my Father. God the Father has decided this. It is not mine to change now.

So what he has done is take their desire for glory and show them that the path to glory is a pathway through suffering and death. That is what Christmas means: on Jesus' pathway from glory to glory, he came here to pass through suffering and death. Now he says, "Do you want to be great in glory with me? Walk with me on this path of suffering."

The Same Response to the Other Disciples

What happens, then, is that the other disciples get bent out of shape because of James and John's aggressive claim on the places of honor in the kingdom. What will Jesus say to them? He says basically the same thing he said to James and John, only with different words. Watch how he does it. Verse 41 says they are indignant with James and John. So Jesus calls them all around and says (in verse 42), You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them; and their great men exercise authority over them. 43) But it is not so among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant; 44) and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all.

Now that is the same as saying to James and John: if you want to be great with me in my glory, you must drink the cup of my suffering. If you disciples want to get in on the greatness, you must be a servant, and if you want to be first, the way James and John asked about the first places, you must be slave of all. But what does slave of all mean?

What It Means to Become Slaves of All

In the next verse, (10:45) he gives an example of what he means, namely, himself. "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many." Notice the point here is serving that results in dying—a giving up of his life. So in verse 38, when he showed James and John the way to glory, he said that they would need to drink his cup and share his baptism, namely, death. And here in verse 45, when he shows the rest of the disciples the way to greatness, he gives his own death as an example: "the Son of Man came to give his life as a ransom for many." In both cases he is giving his death as an example of the kind of suffering and service that the disciples are called to.

That's the context of verse 45. It is part of a very radical call to discipleship. If you want to follow me and seek the glory of the kingdom, be prepared to suffer. That is the way I go, and those who follow me go the same way. I don't take the hard road while you take the easy road. The road that leads to life is hard and few there be that find it (Matthew 7:14). We take the same road. "He who would come after me must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me" (Mark 8:34).

The Radical Call to Be Served by Jesus

Now in that context Jesus gives a powerful Christmas promise of future grace. As far as I know, no other religious leader in the history of the world has done what Jesus promised here.

He says in effect in verse 45 that this radical call to discipleship—this call to come and drink the cup of suffering and service—this is not a call to serve Jesus, but a call to be served by Jesus as we serve others and to be ransomed by Him from death. Let me say this again, to be sure you hear it correctly: the Good News (the Good News of Christmas) is that the radical call to Christian discipleship is NOT a call to serve Jesus, but to be served by Jesus as we serve others, and to be ransomed by Him from death.

You see this in verse 45: "The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many."

At first this only sounds like an example to follow, right? Don't lord it over your fellows; serve them. Why? Because the Son of Man set you an example: he serves. He gives his life. So at first the verse sounds like an example to follow.

Much, Much More Than an Example

But then you ponder for a few moments and it hits you. Wait a minute! This is not just an example for me to follow. He is not just saying, "Serve the way I serve." This is the Son of Man--the Son of GOD--serving me! Ransoming me from my sin and my death! Refusing to be served by me. Insisting on being the Servant and the Savior in my life.

This is not just another teacher with some rules about how to live, gathering some radical disciples to live the way he lives and stir up a revolution.

This is a man (and more than a man!) telling his disciples that he has come into the world to serve them; he does not want them to serve Him; and He will lay down His life so that their lives can be ransomed from sin and death.

This is unheard of. You need to feel how wild this is. No man ever spoke this way—except maybe in a mental hospital. No respected religious leader ever spoke this way. Either Jesus is above every ordinary teacher, with some supernatural power and dignity, or he is a lunatic.

When he calls for radical, self-sacrificing discipleship, he gives a reason in verse 45: "For [note the word!] even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom of many." Yes, this is a call to act the way he acted. But, O, so much more!

The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve! Not to be served by whom? Whom does he not want to be served by? Answer: the very disciples that he is calling to drink his cup and endure his baptism and to be the slave of all.

"Be My Disciples—Don't Serve Me"

He is saying: Yes, drink my cup. Yes, share my baptism. Yes, serve others. Yes, be the slave of all. This is what it means to be my disciple. But don't serve me! I have not come to be served. I will not be served like this. I will be the servant. I have not come to be served, but to serve. In your relationship with me, I will be the servant. I will serve you. I will work for you.

Do you think you can drink this cup without my help and service? Do you think you can endure the suffering of my baptism without my serving you and helping you? Do you think you can become the kind of person that renounces fame and human status to serve all other people without my serving you—day and night all the days of your life?

No you can't.

Do you recall what Jesus said in John 15:5?

I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from me you can do nothing.

Apart from me you can do nothing. You cannot drink my cup. You cannot endure my baptism. You cannot serve each other. You cannot become the slave of all. To do any of this, you must "abide in me and I in you."

You must trust me to serve you. Abiding in the vine and being served by Jesus are the same thing. And both are the same as living by faith in future grace.

A Christmas Demand and Promise

Jesus is saying, "Christmas means that the Son of Man comes. And when he comes, he demands something and he promises something. He demands your life. All of it. He demands that you take on a life-style that sacrifices everything for the sake of serving others (Luke 14:33). This is hard. In fact, it is impossible. That's what Jesus said to the disciples in Mark 10:27 when they said, "Who then can be saved?" He said, "With men it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God." It is impossible to drink the cup of suffering. It is impossible to become everybody's servant. UNLESS . . .

That is what verse 45 is all about. The great UNLESS . . . Unless the Son of Man is serving you day and night.

Mark 10:45 is what turns Christianity into Gospel (Good News). If Christianity were only a great and radical teacher calling for the sacrificial obedience of radical disciples, it would not be good news. It would be just another ideology. Another philosophy. Another moral improvement program.

If Christmas only meant that a man appeared on the scene of history to call others to be servants, it would not be good news.

We know that already. We know intuitively that we are to love and serve and sacrifice, rather than boast and seek our own status and lord it over others. We don't need a Messiah to tell us that.

What we need is salvation from guilt and death and hell. And we need power to drink the cup of suffering in the path of service. We don't need another religious leader to say, "Follow me." We don't need another prophet, like Mohammed. We don't need another philosophical Buddha or Confucius, or another political organizer like Karl Marx or Mao Zedong. We don't need any more New Age mysticisms or psychological self-help strategies.

What we need is Someone who can forgive our sins and ransom us from guilt and death and the wrath of GOD, and who can give us a new life with the power to die for each other in the service of love.

That is what Christmas is all about. That is what Mark 10:45 is all about. Jesus does not merely come as another teacher or philosopher or politician or mystic.

He comes to do two things.

One: to give his life as a ransom for many. (We will dig into that great work next week.)

And he comes, secondly, to serve his disciples—to serve all those who will stop trying to earn his approval by serving him, and will humble themselves like little children and let Him serve them.

This is the help we need and the power we need. He is our Redeemer from guilt and death and hell. He is our helper day in and day out as he serves us by the power of his Spirit.

I commend him to you for your trust. For your enjoyment this Christmas.

Becoming Like Children on Christmas

Our new daughter, Talitha Ruth, arrived in our home Friday night at 9 1/2 weeks old. She smiled. She cooed. She ate. And she fell asleep in her crib. And slept for seven hours. She did not serve us at all. She is totally dependent on being served by us. If she insists on serving us rather than our serving her, she will die. This is why Jesus said, "Unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 18:3).

It's almost Christmas. Open your heart to receive the best Christmas present imaginable: Jesus giving himself to die for you and serve you, all the rest of eternity. Receive this. Turn away from self-help and sin. Become like little children. Trust him. Trust him. Trust him with your life.


The Son of Man Came to Serve by John Piper
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Louie Giglio's "How Great Is Our GOD!"

So sorry for the delay in posting this...

Several weeks ago, the Care Group was treated to a showing of an outstanding DVD featuring American speaker Louie Giglio, over at Kuya Rob and Ate Joy's home. The title of the DVD was "How Great is Our GOD," documenting highlights of the concert tour of the same name and based on the song popularised by Chris Tomlin. It wass a follow up to their earlier DVD entitled "Indescribable."

It was both extremely humbling and uplifting to watch Mr. Giglio show how the wonders of creation give glory to its one and only Creator. Be prepared to be awestruck.

Please enjoy the video below, thanks to YouTube user "agamboa"

If you're in Australia, please contact your nearest Koorong bookstore to find out if they still have copies of this remarkable DVD in stock.

"You are worthy, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they were created
and have their being."
-Revelations 4:11

"Becoming A True Encourager"

Watch Bro. Manuel M's message on what it means to be a true encourager, whatever the circumstances. (Delivered at Punchbowl Baptist Church in Sydney Australia, one Sunday morning in October 2007.)

Reading from 1 Thessalonians 5:1-14.

Please click on the thumbnail above to enjoy the message, care of Google Video (new window opens). May our LORD JESUS CHRIST's Grace and Peace be with you all!

"Our Main Responsibility To The Church"

Watch Elder Robert V's Sunday morning message, delivered at Punchbowl Baptist Church, Sydney Australia (24th of September 2007) from Hebrews 10: 24-25.

Please click on the thumbnail below, to view the message at Google Video (new window).

Be Stirred up... Be Provoked... Be Blessed!

“Acting Out” Acts

The Lord Jesus Christ was again gracious to the Care Group, blessing us with riches upon riches bursting forth from His Holy Word. God's Word contains more riches than all of the world's economies put together!

We had a grand time at Kuya Ding and Ate Fleur’s home the other night, as Kuya Ding led the group in “re-enacting” Acts, chapters 6 and 7. That’s right. Kuya Ding had the men of the caregroup (including himself, of course) “act out” Acts 6, while the women “acted out” Acts 7 (the stoning of Stephen, no less!).

While no one won any acting awards that evening, everyone went home with a greater appreciation of the importance of being continually and consistently grounded in God’s Holy Word.

Acts 6 taught us how the apostles did not allow themselves to be distracted from prayer and the “Ministry of the Word,” even when “practical” demands were threatening to divide the early church.

The poor apostles had to deal with complaints, murmurings, allegations of neglect and discrimination in the allocation of food among the neediest of the flock. There were mounting pressures for them to concern themselves with more “practical” matters, at the expense of time and energy that should be completely devoted to prayer, the proper study and the correct teaching of Scripture: Sound Doctrine—what some Christians today may find as being “too spiritual” or too “inward looking” or "too divisive."

It would not be unrealistic to think that some well-meaning church leaders may have tried to convince the Apostles that they should spend more time and energy on more "practical" matters. The Apostles were probably told: "No one is saying that we should stop studying Scripture... The Scriptures will always be there for us to study... What was true in the Scriptures before, would still be true tomorrow... But we live in the REAL world right now... a REAL world where people need to eat... a REAL world where people's needs must be met... a REAL world where the church needs to be more practical to make an impact this world and not just study Scripture..."

In the face of such challenges, the apostles bravely declared, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God.”

To the Apostles, nothing was more important, useful and practical than being immersed in Scripture and in correctly handling the Word of GOD: they loved Jesus and so yearned to feed Christ’s flock with the choicest meat and purest milk of God’s Word—nothing less would do! They did not allow anything to distract them from what was and still is, truly important: the Ministry of God’s Word.

God's Word is what the REAL Church in the REAL world needs most of all. Sadly, it is also what the REAL world considers as foolishness.

So instead, the Apostles chose among the flock seven men, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom (that is, Godly or “Theo-logical” knowledge, as “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge,” Proverbs 1:7a). These men were to be responsible for the practical needs of the church. This allowed the apostles to continue concentrating on the most important matter: the church’s spiritual growth (what Pastors and Elders are supposed to be concerned about). While in the meantime, the other men who were also full of God’s Holy Spirit and theological wisdom, were put in charge of the physical needs of the church (what Deacons are supposed to be concerned about).

What was the result? Acts 6:7 says “So the word of God spread. The number of disciples (committed life-long student/followers) in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.”

All Glory to God for His mighty Word!

The latter portion of Acts 6 to the end of chapter 7, then teaches us about one of these seven men, full of the Holy Spirit and Wisdom, who was tasked with providing for the physical needs of the church: a young man named Stephen. Even as Stephen’s primary concern was looking after the physical concerns of Christ’s flock (such as the serving of food to the church’s neediest members--yes, he was pretty much a delivery boy), this did not mean that he was a theological lightweight!

Back in the days when they still did not have the NIV Study Bible or GodTube.com, Stephen’s mastery of Holy Scripture would have put many of today’s “God-is-love-and-that’s-all-the-world-needs-to-know” Christians to shame.

When Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia began to argue with Stephen, they realised that they could not stand up to his wisdom or to the Holy Spirit by whom Stephen spoke—All Scripture is of God’s Holy Spirit!

So in their frustration, they framed Stephen and falsely accused him of blasphemy against Moses, against Moses’ laws, against the Jewish synagogues, and ironically against God himself.

But instead of shying away from the challenge, Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, seized this magnificent opportunity to correctly explain what was written in Holy Scripture about the Glory of God: the Glory of God appearing to Abraham; the Glory of God in His promises; the Glory of God over historical events (as in Israel’s history); the Glory of God even in the persecution of His chosen people (Joseph and his brothers, the Jews as slaves in Egypt and how God rescued them); the Glory of God over earthly superpowers (Egypt/Pharaoh) and worldwide natural calamities (such as famine); God’s glory in raising up Moses under the most unusual circumstances; God’s glory even in how the Israelites rejected and opposed Moses time and time again…

God’s glory in cleansing out and bringing to Himself a disobedient nation; God’s glory in raising up Joshua then driving out the other nations before them. God’s glory in raising up David and then Solomon who built the Great Temple in Jerusalem, with nearly unlimited funds. Yet even this temple in all its splendour could not do justice to God’s glory: The Most High does not live in houses made by men: “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me? Says the Lord. Or where will my resting place be? Has not my hand made all of these things?”

Then, speaking the truth in love (or better yet, speaking the truth out of love—especially out of love for Christ), Stephen says, “You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your fathers: You always resist the Holy Spirit! Was there ever a prophet whom your fathers did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One:” Jesus Christ—the only One whose Righteousness is pleasing to the Father.

So they dragged Stephen out of the city and they violently stoned him to death. Yet, Stephen was received by Christ with the peace that surpasses all understanding.

May the Holy Spirit give us more and more opportunities to proclaim what God’s Word clearly teaches: that Jesus Christ is, was and always will be LORD. He was LORD even before any of us were born or conceived—LORD even before He created the galaxies and the universes… and LORD even long after heaven and earth shall pass away.

As we “reach out to the lost,” may we not shy away from proclaiming the truth of God’s Glorious Lordship: His Sovereignty over Heaven and Hell; Life and Death; Good and Evil; the Cross and the Tomb; the Past, the Present, the Future and beyond all Eternity. Jesus Christ’s Eternal LORDSHIP—His Everlasting Dominion: His Rule, Authority and Sovereignty—is the very heart and core of the Good News: Behold, the Kingdom of God (His Lordship, Dominion, Authority and Sovereignty) is at hand!

This is what Jesus Himself told His disciples to proclaim, as they neared the city of Jerusalem, before He was betrayed, crucified and rose again!

The Gospel is no gospel (or “good news”) at all, if it is not about Christ’s Eternally Righteous Lordship and Sovereign Grace.

Sometimes, perhaps under some pressure to make Jesus more “likeable” or “approachable,” we tend to portray Jesus as a god who is asking for our decision to make him lord. Let us not forget that it was He who made us: He is the Uncreated One who does not need any of us to make Him into anything. He needs no permission to rule from any of us.

Nowhere in the Bible does it teach us to ask others to “make Jesus lord.” This is because according to God’s Word: HE ALREADY IS LORD! Whether people like it or not, accept it or not, or understand it or not. Mankind’s problem is that, if the Holy Spirit does not graciously open our humanistic hearts and man-centred minds to this truth, none of us will ever humbly acknowledge God’s Lordship over all.

Some Christians might say that this message may not seem relevant or appealing or practical enough to today’s unchurched target audience. They might argue that the church today needs to address more practical issues instead, such as “self-esteem” or “healing broken relationships” or “living victoriously” or “finding the job God wants you to have” or "understanding your teeanagers" to attract more unbelievers into the church.

What the Bible unabashedly instructs us though is to “Seek first the Kingdom of God (to behold above all things His Lordship, His Dominion and His Sovereignty) and His righteousness, and all these things (yes, all these “practical” things) will be added unto you.”


Like Stephen, may we always remain faithful to the truths about God’s Eternal Everlasting Dominion and LORDship, as clearly proclaimed in His Word… even if it costs us our friends, our families, our possessions, our self-esteem, even the very lives that God has graciously given us.


All Glory to Jesus Christ alone. Amen!

The Grace and Peace of Christ to you all!

Dr. James Kennedy Tribute Site

Please click on the image above to view The Life & Legacy of the late Dr. D James Kennedy (Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church, Westminster Academy, Knox Theological Seminary and author of Evangelism Explosion)

Read Dr. Kennedy's article "Sanctification," at SoundofGrace.com

Bad News about Good Works?! A Short Discussion on Galatians 3

SHORT BACKGROUND

During his first missionary journey (46-48 A.D.), Paul together with Barnabas had the opportunity to establish several churches in the Roman province of Galatia (Acts 13:14-14:23). On his second trip (49-52 A.D.), Paul and Silas visited them again (Acts 16:1-5). Paul’s Epistle to the Galatians is now commonly believed to be addressed to these churches, as opposed to the churches in Northern Galatia (which Paul supposedly helped establish during his 2nd missionary journey, though no mention of it exists in Acts.)

In any case, this letter of Paul to the Galatians (whether North or South) were for:

 “Churched” believers of Jesus Christ (Gal. 3:26; 4:6-7) who have already been Justified (declared Righteous) by faith (Gal. 3:26); Paul already considered them as “saved.”

 Galatians were “running a good race” (Gal. 5:7); they desired to please and serve the Lord and did not seem to be complaining about suffering for their faith.

 Problem: Though already Justified by their faith, they were then misled by certain "teachers" (Gal. 1:7) into thinking that they now need to “attain their goal” (of either Holy living/Sanctification or of somehow “completing” their Justification?) by human effort (Gal. 3:3 NIV or “by the flesh” in KJV, ESV, NASB) in this case, through mandatory circumcisions (see Acts 15 for more background info).


OVERALL LOGIC: If human effort or good works cannot even justify you, what makes you think that you can now depend on good works to “attain your goal”—of either Holy living/Sanctification or of somehow “completing” your Justification?

Trying to become Holy (or Sanctified) by works is as useless as trying to be Justified by works. Good works do not result in us becoming Holy. It is GOD who makes us Holy and this results in good works.


CHAPTER ONE: Introduction; Greetings & Salutation; Warning against false gospels; Paul’s Credentials/Qualifications for Apostleship: Received Gospel by Divine Revelation, not “man-made;” Former Persecutor who was graciously set apart by God and accepted by the Apostles in Jerusalem.


CHAPTER TWO: Paul's opposition to “Judaizers” (Christians pushing Jewish traditions on others) while he was in Jerusalem with the apostles, who agreed with Paul. Paul was chosen to minister to the Gentiles. Paul's concern for the Gentiles even resulted in him rebuking Peter when he (Peter) separated himself from Gentile converts in favour of mingling with Jewish converts. Paul’s point: man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ.


CHAPTER THREE: Justification is by Faith, not by Law (remember Abraham?); So why are you now trying to “attain your goal” by observing the law, which could not even Justify you? The Law condemns us of sin and thus leads us to Christ. Now that we are in Christ, why are you trying to go back under the law?


CHAPTER FOUR: God’s children are no longer slaves to the law. Like Paul, do not alienate yourselves from the Good News you have already received. Using Sarah & Hagar (Gen. 21) as illustration, let us appreciate our position in Christ.


CHAPTER FIVE: Christ set us free from sin and the law, not so that we can indulge in sin nor in the law again—but so that we may live by the Spirit of God. Those who think that Christ set us free from the law so that we can be free to sin do not have the Spirit in them and will not inherit the kingdom of God—what they do is obviously the opposite to what the Spirit causes believers to do.


CHAPTER SIX: (Application) Carefully help the Weak and Sinful. Freely share with those who instruct you. Trust God, who knows those who are still secretly living by their sinful natures (God cannot be mocked or tricked by people pretending to be “moral”). Seize every opportunity to do good. These are the genuine words of Paul, who then condemns those who want to boast about what is done in the flesh. Benediction.


PLS. READ GALATIANS CHAPTER THREE (v. 1-29) then discuss:

1) What seems to be Paul’s mood when he wrote the opening passages of chapter 3 and why do you think was Paul feeling that way? Was Paul correct to feel and write the way that he did?



2) Gal. 3:1b (NIV) says, “Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified.” What do you think is the significance of this? What was it like to be crucified (remember Passion of the Christ)? How does Christ being brutally tortured and crucified for our sins, compare with people being circumcised to please God?



3) How do you think the Gentile Galatian Christians felt when they compared themselves to the Jewish Christians? How should Gentile Christians have seen themselves based on 3:8-9; 3:26-29?



4) The Galatian Christians seem to be very willing to suffer and lose even their happiness, for their faith (3:4a; 4:15; 5:7a). Is there a right way and wrong way to suffer for our faith? How can we tell the difference? How can we tell if God’s imperatives (or commands) to us, are being taught in their proper Biblical context or not?



5) When someone reads Biblical passages out of context, how does this affect their testimony and witness to others, especially to non-believers? How do you feel when you hear someone teach God’s Word out of context, especially to non-believers and new Christians? How do you think Paul would deal with this problem today?



6) In 3:6-18, what covenant (agreement) did God make with Abraham? Who else did God make this covenant with (3:16)? Who among the parties to this agreement is the most trustworthy (someone we can truly have faith in)? (Many thanks to Elder Rob V for elaborating on this further, by using Hebrews 6!)



7) If sinners are Justified (proclaimed Righteous) by faith, what then is the purpose of the law (3:19-25)? Are Christians now free to be immoral (breakers of God’s laws)? How should Christians now see and conduct themselves, based on 3:26-29?

Paul, The Galatians and the "C"-word

Circumcision was a very important issue to the Jews. They viewed it as their part in their Covenant with GOD. Circumcision distinguished them from all the other nations around them. It was a sign that they were GOD’s Chosen people. When Goliath started challenging the army of Israel in 1 Samuel 17, young little David declared, “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living GOD?”

The Jews trace circumcision to events described by Moses in Genesis 17: Abram was 90 years old and GOD had already declared him righteous because of his faith (Gen. 15:6).

In Genesis 17 though, GOD appears again to Abram (“exalted father”) and commands him to change his name to Abraham (“father of multitudes” or “father of many nations”).

But there was more. Let’s read Gen. 17:9-14… and then let's get an idea of what some legalistic Jewish Christians were preaching to the Gentiles in Acts 15:1…

Now imagine hearing that as a 1st century Galatian Christian, wishing to please GOD. Imagine hearing it from someone who has been a Christian longer than you have. Imagine hearing it from someone who has been a Christian longer than you have and who was a biological descendant of Abraham. They did not have the internet, the printing press or the NIV. Many did not understand how the Old Covenant (Testament) was a shadow to lead us to the New Covenant. So what would you do?

PAUL was not speaking out or writing against circumcision per se. Paul did not proclaim that getting circumcised, in and by itself, was bad. What ticked him off though, was the false teaching that circumcision was essential to one’s salvation; and how the Galatians’ zeal for God were exploited by this false teaching.

Circumcision was an ordinance that was supposed to be a physical symbol, sign or token of a person’s faith in the invisible GOD and His Promises to come. Today, we have ordinances like Baptism and the partaking of the LORD’s Supper. These are the physical symbols, signs and tokens of our faith in the GOD who has made Himself visible in the flesh, in CHRIST--and His promise to return in Glory.

So yes, we should encourage all believers to never tire of doing good, to be Baptized and to partake of the LORD’s Supper in a worthy manner. But if we should ever suggest that any these ordinances or good works are necessary for one’s salvation, then we insult the Gospel… we insult GOD’s Grace… we insult CHRIST and His sacrifice on the cross.

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Sinners are saved by GRACE Alone, through FAITH Alone, in CHRIST Alone, as taught in SCRIPTURE Alone, all for the Glory of GOD Alone.

More Bad News about Good Works? Galatians Chapter 5

We had a very blessed time meeting together at Kuya Vic and Ate Connie's on Friday night (July 6). The Care Group was able to discuss Paul's writings in Galatians 5 and the proper place of "good works" in the life of believers.

PLEASE READ GALATIANS CHAPTER FIVE (v. 1-26) THEN DISCUSS:

1) Sin alienates us from GOD. But in verse 4, what does Paul claim to alienate us from CHRIST?



2) Now, I’m confused. I know that we cannot be Justified by our good works, but doesn’t the Bible teach us to Sanctify ourselves by good works (or does it)? What exactly is the proper role or place of good works in the life of believers? Please explain…



3) Elsewhere in the Bible, Paul says, “we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works.” (Eph. 2: 10) Does that mean that good works should be our ultimate goal, our chief end? The very reason that mankind was created? (According to Christ, what is the work that God requires in John 6:25-40?)



4) If someone who professes to be a Christian does not seem to be doing enough good works, what do we do?

A Few Thoughts, While Reading Galatians...

The Gospel is not just concerned with Justification by Faith (which is a very important part of the Gospel). The Good News is much greater than that. The Gospel is about the Holy Sovereign GOD of all creation, having Chosen and Elected us “in Him before the foundation of the world” (Eph 1:4), GOD purchasing His people from sin with the blood of Christ: GOD imputing His righteousness to His Children; GOD Justifying us (Rom. 4:5), GOD Sanctifying us (1 Thess. 5:23; 2 Thess. 2:13; 1 Peter 1:2), GOD Glorifying us (Rom. 8:30; Col. 3:4; 2Thess. 2:14; Heb. 2:10; 1 Pet. 5:1, 4) and GOD allowing His children to spend eternity with HIM.

This is why the Gospel is not just for non-believers, but also for those who already believe. This Good News is eternal because it's all about our eternal Sovereign Almighty GOD!

1 Peter 1:25 (KJV): “But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.”

This is “the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures” (Rom. 1:2). John also writes about an angel in Rev 14:6, “he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth—to every nation, tribe, language and people.”

Salvation is by Grace alone, through Faith alone, in Christ alone, as taught in Scripture alone, all for the glory of God alone. If we forget this, we might end up resorting to our own means all over again.

The Galatian churches needed to be told that “They are sanctified not by legalistic works but by the obedience that comes from faith in God’s work for them, in them and through them by the grace and power of Christ and the Holy Spirit.” (Book Introduction to Galatians, Zondervan NIV Study Bible ©2002, http://www.ibs.org/niv/studybible/galatians.php)

This eternal Gospel proclaims the Lord’s gracious provision for us to be like Him, as opposed to man’s self-centered way to be “like God” (as was encouraged by the serpent in Genesis 3).

Man thinks that he can be godly by trusting in “knowledge” and so ate of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Man thinks that he now has the knowledge or an “own understanding” to rightly judge what is good and what is evil—“like God, knowing good and evil.” (This was the serpent’s lie in Gen. 3:5.) This is confidence in the flesh (ala Phil. 3).

Sadly, the mere concept of true Holiness is too much for our finite human minds to understand. Man, being naturally “man-centered” can only recognize things as being moral or immoral. He thinks that if something is not moral then it must be immoral. This was probably why the moralistic Pharisees confused Jesus with Beelzebub (Matt. 12:24).

The best that mankind can do is try to be moral (conform to laws/rules). While many today equate morality with godliness or Christ-likeness, morality only deals with how good we can be to our fellow human beings—-it is “man-centered.” Morality is nice, but God has something much greater in mind for His children: HOLINESS.

(To the Most Holy Righteous God, mankind's morality/mankind's righteous acts are no better than filthy rags.)

When God opened our eyes to His righteousness, we ought to have become ashamed of our immorality (obviously, Gal. 5:19). May God reveal to us now even more of His righteousness, so that we may now also become discontent with our own morality—not so that we can slip back down to immorality—but so that we may yearn for what God wants us to be: Holy, just as the Father is Holy!

We have been freed from the Law which condemns us of sin, so that former slaves to sin can now be free—not just to be good, or moral or pious—but to be Holy… Godly… CHRIST-like!

True Holiness surpasses mere morality and thus, cannot be attained by mere mortals being more moral. True Holiness is of God. We are sanctified (separated from the rest) by God, for God.

Comments? Clarifications? Corrections?

To GOD alone be the Glory, in CHRIST’s name. Amen!

The Four "R's" in Galatians 6

The Care Group had a wonderful session at Chairman Justin and Ate Marilyn’s new address, where Elder Robert V. continued our review of Paul’s Letter to the Galatians. Our discussion for the evening concentrated on Chapter 6 and used parts of the book “Free for All: Galatians,” by Phillip Jensen and Kel Richards (Matthias Media).

Elder Robert divided Galatians Chapter 6 into 4 sections: verses 1-5; verse 6; verses 7-10 and verses 11-18:

Galatians 6:1-5 and the theme of

“RESTORATION”
(Pls. click and drag on the blank space within the “quotation marks” above.)

What does verse 1 prove about us? Do you think we lose our salvation if we sin?



How is being “spiritual” described in verses 1-5?



How do we fulfill the law of Christ by carrying each other’s
burdens (verse 2)?



Discuss verse 3. Have you experienced a spiritual low in your life? How did you handle it?



Is verse 5 a contradiction of verse 2? How do we look at these in context?



How would a legalist deal with a brother (or sister) in Christ who falls into sin?

Galatians 6:6 and the theme of
“REPAYMENT OR RESTITUTION”
(Pls. click and drag on the blank space within the “quotation marks” above.)

What does Paul mean when he instructs believers to “share all good things with your his instructor (teacher or pastor)?”



What would a legalist consider as appropriate in “sharing good things?” (All? Some? 10% before or after taxes?)

Galatians 6:7-10 and the theme of
“REAPING”
(Pls. click and drag on the blank space within the “quotation marks” above.)

Discuss verse 7: Is there anything (desire, thought, plan or action) that we can
keep secret from God?



What is our encouragement in verse 9 to
continue “doing good?”

Galatians 6:11-18 and the theme of
“REGENERATION OF SINNERS IS OF GOD,

BY GOD AND FOR GOD’S GLORY ALONE!”
(Pls. click and drag on the blank space within the “quotation marks” above.)

As opposed to Paul, where do Legalists (or Moralists) find their fulfillment?



What is the most important sign that someone is a true disciple
of Christ?

Dr. Harold O.J. Brown, 1933-2007

Harold O.J. Brown, John R. Richardson Professor of Theology and Philosophy at Reformed Theological Seminary, Charlotte, North Carolina was born July 6, 1933 in Tampa, Florida to Dr. Harold Ogden and Mary Bakas Brown.

Brown earned four degrees from Harvard University and Harvard Divinity School. He received the Bachelor of Arts in Germanic languages and biochemical sciences, the Bachelor of Divinity in theology, the Master of Theology in church history and the Doctor of Philosophy in Reformed studies. He also studied at the University of Marburg, Germany, and the University of Vienna, Austria, and taught courses in Basel, Switzerland, and Yeotmal, India.

In 1975, Brown founded the Christian Action Council with former United States Surgeon General C. Everett Koop, M.D. The Christian Action Council was the leading evangelical pro-life action group and an educational and service ministry, which he served as charmain until 1998. The Christian Action Council is currently known as Care Net, Inc. He was the director of the Center on Religion and Society at the Rockford Institute and taught in the International Seminar on Jurisprudence and Human Rights in Strasbourg, France.

Brown's areas of expertise included systematic theology; right-to-life issues; ethics, especially ethical and family values; journalism, public affairs; and political philosophy. He is a member of the American Theological Society, and the Turnerschaft Saxonia Marburg.

Brown received several awards, including many for his pro-life work. He received Fulbright and Danforth awards and was voted Faculty Member of the Year at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School where he held the Franklin Forman Chair of Christian Ethics and Theology and was professor of biblical and systematic theology. He taught at Trinity as a visiting professor in 1971 and 1975 and served as associate professor of systematic theology from 1976 to 1983. After four years as a pastor in Switzerland, Brown returned to the Trinity faculty in 1987. He joined the faculty of Reformed Theological Seminary on its Charlotte, North Carolina campus in the summer of 1998 and remained a vital part of the community until his passing.

Brown served on the editorial staff of Human Life Review and Christianity Today and served as contributing editor for Christianity Today and Chronicles: A Magazine of American Culture. He was editor of The Religion and Society Report and wrote numerous articles over the last 40 years in such magazines as National Review, Eternity, Hemelios, Human Life Review, and publications in Germany, Austria, and London. His books include The Protest of a Troubled Protestant (Zondervan, 1969), Christianity and the Class Struggle (Arlington House, 1970), Death before Birth (Thomas Nelson, 1977), The Reconstruction of the Republic (Arlington House, 1977), and Heresies: The Image of Christ in the Mirror of Heresy and Orthodoxy from the Apostles to the Present. His most recent books are Sensate Culture (Word, 1996) and Heresies: Heresy and Orthodoxy in the History of the Church (Henderson, 1998).

Brown and his wife, Grace, had two children, Cynthia Brown Erb and Peter E.H. Brown. In his spare time, Brown enjoyed crew, skiing and mountaineering.

Harold or 'Joe' as many of us called him was a rich blessing to RTS, not only in his solid scholarship and classroom excellence but also in his personal relationships and care for students, staff, and other faculty. He had a European "dry wit" and a great sense of understated humor. Even though slowed by poor health in his later years, he was always challenging in his teaching and tender in his thoughtfulness to others. We will miss him but we rejoice in the heritage he left to us and in his presence with our Savior.

--Dr. Robert (Ric) C. Cannada, Jr., Chancellor of Reformed Theological Seminary

Heaven Help Us In The WAR on ERROR...

"Heaven help us, whenever we think that good Christian Theology can be separated from good Christian Practice.

"Heaven help us, whenever we think that good Christian Practice can be separated from good Christian Theology.

"May we all realise that good Christian Theology is the mother of all good Christian Practices, from which all other good Christian Practices are born."


***


"We need to study every Bible passage in their proper context. Otherwise we will fail to appreciate our lives, together with everything else that God created, in their proper context. All things must be seen in the light of God, with the proper understanding of His inerrant Word."





Ignacio Lacsina, jnr. (08 July 2007)

Ligonier Ministries on the Australian Christian Channel

Conference Highlights - Giving you front row seats to some of the best Christian conferences from around the world.

Ligonier Ministries – Orlando 2001 Conference Collection - "The Holiness of God"

In this series of lectures from Ligonier Ministries 2001 National Conference Alistair Begg, John MacArthur, R Albert Mohler Jr, RC Sproul, provide a comprehensive overview of the holiness of God. The speakers discuss holiness as an attribute of God’s character, holiness as an attribute of revelation, and explain how holiness is to inform our worship, our piety, and our family life.

July 3rd - John MacArthur

July 10th - Questions and Answers (with Alisair Begg, Sinclair Ferguson, John MacArthur and RC Sproul)

July 17th – Alistair Begg: Holy Devotion

July 24th - R Albert Mohler Jr: Living in an unholy world

July 31st - RC Sproul

Screening Times Tuesday 22:00 Wednesday 5:00 Wednesday 15:00 Saturday 14:00

Avoiding Superficial Bible Interpretation

"For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12)

So please use it wisely.

See more engaging videos by OldTruth.com, at GodTube.com.

The Importance of Context...

A thoroughly thought-provoking message from Cross.TV.
A "MUST-WATCH" video for all who take God's Word seriously.

See more of their videos at GodTube.com, by clicking here.

The Solution to a Troubled Heart - Gospel of John 14:1-6

Elder Robert V led the Bible study last Friday night at Chairman Justin and Ate Marylin's home. He recounted one of Steve F's messages at PBC, based on Mark chapter 6, on how to deal with experiences of rejection, struggles of finding acceptance and most importantly, on WHO'S acceptance it is that really matters.

We then read John 14:1-6. The accounts in John chapter 14 occured during the Last Supper, after Christ's triumphant entry to Jerusalem and before his betrayal by Judas (and later by Peter) and before the "scattering of the sheep."


Q1: What should be the basis of our comfort, according to John 14:1?

The Assurance of His (pls click and drag cursor to see answer...)

"PROMISE"

Q2: What does our Lord mean when He says, "Believe in God, believe also in me"? What is the Old Testament basis that the Jews are familiar with about God? See Deuteronomy 31:1-6; Joshua 1:1-5; John 20: 29; 1 Peter 1:7-8; John 16:13-14 for reference (then, please click and drag on blank space below to see answers).

"Jesus and the Father are... One. He is the same God who promised to never leave or forsake Israel. Even when it seems like God is dead, He's not. Everything is going according to His plan."

Q3: What is the future hope of comfort in John 14: 2-3?

The Assurance of His (pls click and drag cursor to see answer...)

"PRESENCE"

Q4: What are the common New Testament pictures/descriptions of heaven and their emphases? See Hebrews 11:16; Heb. 12:22; Revelations 3:12 for hints (then, please click and drag on blank space below to see answers).

"Heaven is sometimes referred to as the City of God, or the Country of God or the Kingdom of God or the New Jerusalem."

Q5: What is the significance of Christ’s description of heaven in John 14:2-3? (Please click and drag on blank space below to see answers).

"Jesus likens heaven to an intimate family dwelling place or home. Jewish homes at the time of Jesus were like compounds, where extended families lived closely together. Each family in the clan lived in their own room (or "house"), within this home. Family ties were very closely knit."

Q6: Did Thomas ask Jesus a valid question in John 14:5? Why or why not? What assurance do we get from Christ’s answer in John 14:6?

The Assurance of His (pls click and drag cursor to see answer...)

"PERSON"

The solution to a troubled heart is to focus on Jesus Christ—The Way, The Truth and the Life—who will never leave or forsake His people.

A Date with Martha and Mary...

"It was the Friday night before Mothers' Day Sunday. The Care Group also wanted to celebrate Dr. Jerome's and Ate Mayet's birthdays, so off we all went on a group dinner date..."

Appetisers: What comes to mind when you hear the names of sisters Martha and Mary? What do you remember about these sisters in the Bible?

They were sisters of Lazarus, the man whom Jesus raised from the grave in John 11. Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus (John 11:5).

Mary poured expensive perfume on the Lord. John 12:1-3. (There is much speculation that this is the same event recorded in Matt 26:6-13, Mark 14:3 and perhaps Luke 7:37-38.)

Main course for tonight: Please read Luke 10:38-42 and discuss your observations regarding the passage...

What qualities of Martha stand out in this passage?

(Martha means “the Lady” in Judæo-Aramaic מַרְתָּא Martâ)

What qualities of Mary stand out in this passage?

(Is the woman in John 12:1-3, the same woman in Matt 26:6-13, Mark 14:3 and in Luke 7:37-38? Maybe? Maybe not?)

What qualities of Jesus stand out in this passage?

Did Jesus have anything against Martha as a person? Or for working so hard? Why do you think Jesus had to “correct” her?

Regardless of their differences, Martha and Mary were sisters—sisters in Christ, no less. Each of them had a place and purpose in God’s Kingdom.

Jesus did not “correct” Martha because of all the hard work that she was doing. But the problem seems to be that Martha became distracted: Her thoughts (worried), feelings (upset) and focus (self at work) were not where they should have been, even if it was only for a moment.

“Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” —Luke 10:40 NIV (Emphasis mine)

Distraction can lead to destruction. (Remember this the next time you drive!)

Martha started out doing things unto the Lord, which was fine… until what she was doing unto the Lord, became her lord: Martha became subject to what she was doing. Even worse, she thought that Jesus should also be subject to what she thought were the priorities: Application, before Sound Doctrine.

This is perhaps one of the saddest cases of putting the cart in front of the donkey, because Application must be based on Sound Doctrine.

Application is the "living out" of Sound Doctrine (not the "leaving out" of Sound Doctrine because it seems too theoretical or impractical)--and Doctrine can only be sound if it is continually leading us to Christ--the Alpha and the Omega; the author and finisher of our faith; in whom we live, move and have our being. Knowing Jesus Christ more and more is our first priority. All else will follow after that.

What is our most reliable source of sound doctrine on Jesus?

Is it possible to know the true Jesus of the Bible “too much”?

A Toast:

May the more we study Scripture, the more we realize how little we know Him. May the more we feed on God’s Word, the more we realize how famished we all really are.

May our “date” with Martha and Mary cause us to hunger for and feed on God’s Word, more and more. And may the sheer goodness of God’s Truth make us gladly share it among ourselves… and others!

Related resources on the web (Dessert):

Doctrine and Devotion (Part 1 and Part 2) by Ernest Reisinger; excerpt:

"Doctrine is to Christian experience what bones are to the body. A body without bones would be a lump of "glob"utterly useless. Likewise, Christian experience without roots is like cut flowers stuck in the ground--they may look pleasant for awhile, but ultimately they will wither and die..."

Does Doctrine Really Matter? (click here) by John MacArthur; excerpt:

"Sound, biblical doctrine is a necessary aspect of true wisdom and authentic faith. The attitude that scorns doctrine while elevating feelings or blind trust cannot legitimately be called faith at all, even if it masquerades as Christianity. It is actually an irrational form of unbelief."

Doctrine Is Practical (click here) also by John MacArthur; excerpt:

"No ministry activity is more important than rightly understanding and clearly proclaiming sound doctrine."

Practical Holiness

(click here) by John Piper; excerpt:

"If a pastor wants to see his people become more holy, more pure, more pleasing to God in their kitchens and bedrooms and offices and backyards, what should he say to them? How should he preach?"

Why Doctrine Matters (Part 1 and Part 2) by Albert Mohler; excerpt:

"Those who sow disdain and disinterest in biblical doctrine will reap a harvest of rootless and fruitless Christians. Doctrine is not a challenge to experiential religion; it testifies to the content of that experience. The church is charged to call persons to Christ and to root them in a mature knowledge of Christian faith."

Loving God with our Minds (click here) by John Samson; excerpt:

"When the beginning point in our thinking is a correct understanding of God, the ripple effect is a right understanding of all other doctrines, which is a central component in loving God with all our minds."

Watch John Piper teach about the place of application in his preaching.
Please click on the thumbnail below to view the video in a new window.
(Take-Away...)

(This video excerpt is from "Lionhearted and Lamblike: The Christian Husband as Head, Part 1.")

Ignacio Lacsina jnr.

Donate Bibles For India, this May at Koorong!

Speaking the Truth In Love - Ephesians Chapter 4, Verses 14-16, 25

The Group enjoyed our fellowship at Kuya Ding and Ate Fleur's home last Friday night. Kuya Ding led our discussion on "Speaking the Truth in Love." Our text came from Ephesians 4:14-16, 25.

The Zondervan NIV Study Bible's Introduction to the Book of Ephesians (at the International Bible Society's website) gives us the following very helpful insights to this "Queen of the Epistles:"

Author, Date and Place of Writing

The author identifies himself as Paul (1:1; 3:1; cf. 3:7,13; 4:1; 6:19–20). Some have taken the absence of the usual personal greetings and the verbal similarity of many parts to Colossians, among other reasons, as grounds for doubting authorship by the apostle Paul. However, this was probably a circular letter, intended for other churches in addition to the one in Ephesus... Paul may have written it about the same time as Colossians, c. a.d. 60, while he was in prison at Rome...

The City of Ephesus

Ephesus was the most important city in western Asia Minor (now Turkey). It had a harbor that at that time opened into the Cayster River (see map, p. 2429), which in turn emptied into the Aegean Sea (see map, p. 2599). Because it was also at an intersection of major trade routes, Ephesus became a commercial center. It boasted a pagan temple dedicated to the Roman goddess Diana (Greek Artemis); cf. Ac 19:23–31. Paul made Ephesus a center for evangelism for about three years (see note on Ac 19:10), and the church there apparently flourished for some time, but later needed the warning of Rev 2:1–7.

Theological Message

Unlike several of the other letters Paul wrote, Ephesians does not address any particular error or heresy. Paul wrote to expand the horizons of his readers, so that they might understand better the dimensions of God’s eternal purpose and grace and come to appreciate the high goals God has for the church.

The letter opens with a sequence of statements about God’s blessings, which are interspersed with a remarkable variety of expressions drawing attention to God’s wisdom, forethought and purpose. Paul emphasizes that we have been saved, not only for our personal benefit, but... to bring praise and glory to God. The climax of God’s purpose, “when the times will have reached their fulfillment,” is to bring all things in the universe together under Christ (1:10). It is crucially important that Christians realize this, so in 1:15–23 Paul prays for their understanding (a second prayer occurs in 3:14–21).

Having explained God’s great goals for the church, Paul proceeds to show the steps toward their fulfillment. First, God has reconciled individuals to himself as an act of grace (2:1–10). Second, God has reconciled these saved individuals to each other, Christ having broken down the barriers through his own death (2:11–22). But God has done something even beyond this: He has united these reconciled individuals in one body, the church. This is a “mystery” not fully known until it was revealed to Paul (3:1–6). Now Paul is able to state even more clearly what God has intended for the church, namely, that it be the means by which he displays his “manifold wisdom” to the “rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms” (3:7–13). It is clear through the repetition of “heavenly realms” (1:3,20; 2:6; 3:10; 6:12) that Christian existence is not merely on an earthly plane. It receives its meaning and significance from heaven, where Christ is exalted at the right hand of God (1:20).

Nevertheless, that life is lived out on earth, where the practical daily life of the believer continues to work out the purposes of God. The ascended Lord gave “gifts” to the members of his church to enable them to minister to one another and so promote unity and maturity (4:1–16). The unity of the church under the headship of Christ foreshadows the uniting of “all things in heaven and on earth” under Christ (1:10). The new life of purity and mutual deference stands in contrast to the old way of life without Christ (4:17—6:9). Those who are “strong in the Lord” have victory over the evil one in the great spiritual conflict, especially through the power of prayer (6:10–20; see note on 1:3).

The 4th Chapter of Ephesians opens with Paul urging his readers to individually and corporately (as a church) “live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”

God has graciously drawn many very different people into His church, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. As children of God, we are called to work together in the church’s various ministries and build each other up—“until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.”

Ephesians 4:14-16 speaks of the wonderful blessings of Christian maturity, wherein disciples who are able to discern the truth from error, will proclaim what is right and true--and expose what is wrong or false; so as to lovingly guide, equip, encourage and unite the church in its spiritual growth.

God’s children should no longer live as if they were still the world’s brats. Our calling is “to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” This is the reason we should now speak truthfully; not to let our anger get the best of us; not give the devil more opportunities to condemn us. Christians who used to lead lives of crime now need to work honestly and share with those who are in need.

We must watch our language and use it to bless those around us. Let us not offend God’s Holy Spirit by going against all the good work that He is completing in us. We need to “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

The care group was blessed by all the sharing and personal insights from everyone, as we tried to extend the application of Ephesians 4:14-16, 25 to see how it can guide us in speaking truthfully, in a consistently loving way, to those around us—just as Eph. 4:25-32 would have us do.

Finding "Meaning" in what's "Meaningless" – Ecclesiastes 1

Chairman Justin T led the Care Group last Sunday afternoon (22/04/2007), at Kuya Vic & Ate Connie's. It was especially interesting, as the Care Group's children (young and not-so-young) were invited (ordered?) to join and participate in our short study and discussion, based on the first chapter of Ecclessiastes. (One of the most difficult books in the Old Testament, to interpret and understand!)

According to BasicTheology.com's Introduction to Ecclessiastes:

“Ecclesiastes seems at first glance to be a collection of apparently random themes.”

Ecclesiastes was written to the cynic and skeptic, to those who have become disillusioned with the world and its empty promises for fulfillment.

The same themes that at first glance may appear incongruent, such as vanity and enjoyment of simple pleasures, meaninglessness and wisdom, the hopelessness of death and purpose in life, upon careful, contextualized investigation work together to serve the author’s purpose of directing the reader to God for ultimate meaning in life.

Ecclesiastes takes the reader through the highs and lows of life on this earth, from hedonism to nihilism, finally arriving at a conclusion that is perfectly at home within Old Testament theology: fear God and keep His commandments.

Here are some of the discussion points that we tried to tackle:

"Everything is Meaningless – Ecclesiastes 1:1-18"

What would you say is the purpose of life?

What sweeping statement did Solomon make about life? (v. 2)

What conclusion did Solomon reach about everything he had seen and done? (v. 13-14)

What conclusion did Solomon reach concerning wisdom and folly? (v. 17-18)

To what sort of meaningless activities do people commit their lives to?

Is there anything in your life that you feel is meaningless?

Do you need to rethink the purpose and direction of your life?

Thoughts on the Book of Ecclesiastes:

As long as we see things and events from mortal man’s point of view, everything will appear meaningless. What’s the use of anything if we’re all going to die anyway? Even if the world makes us heroes and honors us with statues and streets named after us, what use would they be to us, in our graves? And when the world passes away, all the statues, memorials and streets named after us will just disappear into ashes! So what’s the point of our day-to-day existence in the cosmic scheme of things?

Unless we see God’s sovereign hand, working in everything according to His very own will, purpose and plan, then everything will seem meaningless, pointless and wearisome (or "boring," as someone commented) to our finite minds.

When we realize that the supremely awesome God is working in all things according to His good purpose and will, life becomes meaningful—perhaps not in ways that we can understand, but rather in ways that will help us rest and delight in the Sovereign LORD, even during inexplicable trouble and tribulation.

Life becomes purposeful, not because of our purpose--but because it is God's purpose that shall stand. Whether you like it or not, everyone and everything is part of God's plan.

Can anything, any event or circumstance, any thought, any emotion exist and come about if it were not a part of God’s plan, purpose and will?

Mind you, the world goes against God’s commandments all the time, and this breaks our hearts! But do not be deceived. God is not mocked. Whatsoever a man sows, so shall he reap. God is not shocked or surprised by how mankind breaks His laws and commandments. In fact, God mercifully revealed to us His laws and commandments to shock and surprise mankind as to how sinful and unrighteous we all really are.

Everything is all going according to God’s plan and purpose, and nothing—absolutely not a single solitary thing is exempt.

There are no surprises that can catch our God off-guard: not the Fall of man; not the murder of Abel; not Sodom and Gomorrah; not Israel’s enslavement by the Egyptians; not David and Bathsheba; not the splitting of Israel and Judah; not the conquest of the Assyrians and Babylonians; not Hitler and the Holocaust; not even 9-11 nor even the Virginia Tech shootings.

Not even Satan, our enemy, our accuser and our tormentor—to whom we should never give a foothold—the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient, not even he is exempt from God's plan. Satan could not sift Peter as wheat without Christ’s permission. Satan himself could not touch Job without God’s consent. So let us not be surprised if Satan himself cannot even scratch his own nose, if it is not according to God’s plan!

"We turn to God when our foundations are shaking, only to learn that it is God who is shaking them." --CHARLES WEST.

“Happy the man who sees a God employed in all the good and ill that chequers life.” --WILLIAM COWPER

“A firm faith in the universal providence of God is the solution of all earthly problems. It is almost equally true that a clear and full apprehension of the universal providence of God is the solution of most theological problems.” --B. B. WARFIELD, God's Providence Over All

"Jesus Christ is the center of everything, and the object of everything, and he that does not know Him knows nothing of nature and nothing of himself." --BLAISE PASCAL

There is not an inch of any sphere of life over which Jesus Christ does not say, "Mine." --ABRAHAM KUYPER

So, is your God in full and total control over all things, or is he only partially in control?

More excerpts from BasicTheology.com, regarding the Message of the Book of Ecclesiastes:

The book of Ecclesiastes is masterfully composed to reveal the vanity of trusting in wisdom, pleasure, wealth, or any other human endeavor for satisfaction in this life. It is within the genre of wisdom literature to stretch the readers mind to grasp broader understanding through the employment of paradox, irony and hyperbole.

Qohelet (The Teacher/Editor) walks the reader through the numerous vain endeavors of man in order to illustrate that trust in one’s own ability to discover existential meaning in life apart from God will inevitably lead to bitterness, cynicism, and hopelessness. This book proclaims that God makes possible the pleasures that may be enjoyed in this life, for He is good and generous. Ultimate meaning and fulfillment in life is only possible by fearing God, keeping His commandments, enjoying His gifts for today and believing that He will reconcile all things in the future.

The importance of understanding the theological message of the book of Ecclesiastes must not be understated. One must interpret each verse in light of its literary style and the message of the book as a whole. As Greg Parsons has noted, “In no other book of the Old Testament is this guideline more crucial.” The editor’s conclusion provides the answer for the overall purpose of the work. The editor offers the essential summation to life’s purpose and message of Ecclesiastes, “The conclusion, when all has been heard: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14).

For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

--Colossians 1: 16-17

Ignacio Lacsina jnr. (27/04/2007)

Prayer Request from Pastor Marbz...

Hi to All our Church Family,

My sister and brother-in-law, Grace and Louie, asked me to pass this message to our church family for prayers and as they want you to know, because as a church we stand together.

Their son Daniel has been in hospital since Monday (23/04/2007), due to a lump that was found on his leg a while ago. A biopsy was done on the lump and it was found to be malignant. Daniel has a cancer which looks like have stemmed from the bone. It is a cancer which the doctors have said to be aggressive and therefore will be treated aggressively. Further tests on the tumor will confirm the exact type of cancer he has and the treatment will be adjusted accordinglyto defeat it. These tests take a few days.

He is also undergoing some test to confirm if the cancer has spread to any other parts of his body. He will undergo an operation to remove the cancer on his thigh in the next few days, and will be on drugs to start the treatment. He will then start with the chemotherapy cycles/course.

Grace and Louie have kindly asked to please give them space in the next couple of weeks as they are still letting it sink in plus trying to find a way to tell the kids. This means visitation is only for family, for now. They know you care a lot and would like to be updated so they have asked if you could direct all calls, text messages, questions and best wishes to me and I will gladly pass it on. They just need some space and intimate time with their family right now.

To all the parents and people who have loved ones, you can imagine what a difficult time this is for them so please keep them in your prayers. We all know God can heal and He is a God of miracles so please pray for that... BUT, most importantly, please pray that we will be brave, strong and open to accept HIS WILL whatever that may be. We have a great sovereign God! And HE is VERY GOOD... there will be no doubt there!

May our tongues and hearts always sing 'Blessed be the name of the Lord!'

"God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it."

1 Corinthians 10:13

In His Love and Grace,

Marbz (0413491260, if you need to call or text)