Paul Expands Jesus’ Ministry and Teaching to 13 Books. John Summarizes Jesus’ Ministry and Teachings in 11 Verses.

John the Baptist Prepares the Way

3 Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, ² while Annas and Caiaphas were high priests, the word of God came to John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness. ³ And he went into all the region around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins, ⁴ as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, saying:

“The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord;
Make His paths straight.
⁵ Every valley shall be filled
And every mountain and hill brought low;
The crooked places shall be made straight
And the rough ways smooth;
⁶ And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’ ”

John Preaches to the People

⁷ Then he said to the multitudes that came out to be baptized by him, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? ⁸ Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. ⁹ And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”

¹⁰ So the people asked him, saying, “What shall we do then?”

¹¹ He answered and said to them, “He who has two tunics, let him give to him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise.”

¹² Then tax collectors also came to be baptized, and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?”

¹³ And he said to them, “Collect no more than what is appointed for you.”

¹⁴ Likewise the soldiers asked him, saying, “And what shall we do?”

So he said to them, “Do not ^[c]intimidate anyone or accuse falsely, and be content with your wages.”

The Knowledge of Christ

The words of Paul in Philippians 3 says

Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him.

I find myself asking what is this knowledge that Paul is talking about? This knowledge that can cause us to be found in His Presence and also in His Righteousness (v9).

What if Knowledge is an important key? Without knowledge, we would be believing in all sorts of made up imaginations. Let’s call this False Knowledge. With True Knowledge we would really know for sure.

Now WHY do we need to know for sure? I think it’s because knowledge brings forth faith. No matter if it’s false knowledge or true knowledge, it will bring forth faith. We practice faith everyday. Even in the simple things. We have faith that the chair we sit in will support our weight. We believe that the amount of salt we add into our soup adds the right amount of saltiness we want. But we also make mistakes of having faith on a pen that is out of ink, so we only brought one pen to class. Or leaving the powerbank at home because we remember (falsely) that we charged our phone at home.

Why do we need true knowledge? Because it affects our faith which affects our actions. The value of knowing Christ Jesus that surpasses every other knowledge. I have yet to achieve this level of value and regard to the knowledge of Christ Jesus. But I believe I will. Let’s press on into God’s will and words. Keep studying His word, keep looking to Him for perspective and leadership, and keep doing everything you can for His glory. And may He Grace you with revelation upon revelation.

Prayer For Youth

I’ve been married for 8 months!

Can you believe it?!

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We’re currently going through an Alpha Youth Course. And it’s great, because of the great discussions and life changing lessons. Most importantly, we see God’s children being blessed. Both newer and older Christians. Here’s a great prayer to pray for them.

Eph 1:15-23

Prayer for Spiritual Wisdom

¹⁵ Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, ¹⁶ do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: ¹⁷ that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, ¹⁸ the eyes of your understanding^[c] being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, ¹⁹ and what isthe exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power ²⁰ which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, ²¹ far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.

²² And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, ²³ which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

Passive Christianity Is Dead Christianity

What do you want? What do you desire? What is your ambition?

Do you really want to know? Look at your behavior. You do what you want.

This is a devastatingly simple psychology of motivation. But it’s what the Bible teaches:

James: Faith without works is dead. Don’t tell me you have faith if the way you live doesn’t back up what you say. (James 2:17–18)

John: Love without deeds is dead. Don’t tell me you love if the way you live doesn’t back up what you say. (1 John 3:17–18)

Paul: Grace without holiness is dead. Don’t tell me you revel in God’s grace if the way you live doesn’t back up what you say. (Romans 6:12–14)

Jesus: Discipleship without obedience is dead. Don’t tell me I’m your Lord if the way you live doesn’t back up what you say. (Matthew 7:21)

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Read the full article here

http://www.desiringgod.org/articles/passive-christianity-is-dead-christianity

Not A List Of Do-Not’s

 

Ephesians 4:25-32

25 Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another. 26 “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, 27 nor give place to the devil. 28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. 29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

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Ephesians 4:17-24

17 This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind,18 having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; 19 who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

20 But you have not so learned Christ, 21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

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Galatians 5:16-25

16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

 

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These are just a few verses that spoken to Joey and I today. So I just thought I might share it here and hope it will speak to you too. Might be a timely word for some of you out there as well.

The reason why these verses spoke out to me is because Joey’s first comment was  “This is serious”.

That kinda jolted me awake. Because it made me realize I was just reading it as a list of negatives. Don’t this and don’t that. I was trying to think why is this bad, why is that bad. Making my own conclusions. WITHOUT taking to heart that it was about me. I was being a student learning about the sin without being a child learning about sin in my life.

I wasn’t putting my life under the spotlight and evaluating my actions, words, thoughts, and motives. I wasn’t repenting. I didn’t realize how seriously this scripture was speaking to me. It was serious.

Okay God. I repent. I was not meant to walk in the flesh. Guide me and lead me towards your path, your works and your character. I was meant to walk in the Spirit.

From Such People Turn Away!

2 Timothy 3:1-5 (NKJV)
1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come:
2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good,
4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!

2 Timotius 3:1-5 (AVB)
1 Ketahuilah, bahawa pada akhir zaman, akan datang suatu masa yang sukar.
2 Manusia akan menjadi pencinta diri, pencinta wang, bercakap besar, berlagak bongkak, mencaci-maki, ingkar terhadap ibu bapa, tidak bersyukur, tidak suci,
3 tidak mengasihi, tidak mengampuni, suka memfitnah, tidak menguasai diri, buas dan pembenci kebaikan,
4 khianat, gopoh, angkuh, serta lebih mencintai keseronokan daripada mengasihi Allah.
5 Mereka menjalankan kewajipan agama tetapi menyangkal kuasanya. Jauhilah orang demikian.

A Strong Grace

2 Timothy 2:1 (NKJV) You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

2 Timotius 2:1 (AVB) Anakku, kuatkan dirimu dengan kasih kurnia yang ada dalam Kristus Yesus.

Purpose of Old Testament Laws

1 Timothy 1:5 (NKJV) Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith,

1 Timotius 1:5 (AVB) Tujuan perintah ini ialah kasih yang datang daripada hati yang suci, hati nurani yang bersih dan iman yang ikhlas.

How Not To Live. How To Live.

Ephesians 5:1-20

Living in the Light

Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. ² Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.

³ Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. ⁴ Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. ⁵ You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.

⁶ Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. ⁷ Don’t participate in the things these people do. ⁸ For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! ⁹ For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.

¹⁰ Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. ¹¹ Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them. ¹² It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret. ¹³ But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them, ¹⁴ for the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said,

“Awake, O sleeper,
    rise up from the dead,
    and Christ will give you light.”

Living by the Spirit’s Power

¹⁵ So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise.¹⁶ Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. ¹⁷ Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. ¹⁸ Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit,¹⁹ singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. ²⁰ And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Christianity Is Not The Answer

1 Corinthians 2:1-5

And I, brothers, when I came to you, did not come with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

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At that time, Paul was one of the more well-learned men. In today’s terms, he might’ve been a doctorate holder with a double major in theology and cross-cultural philosophy. I dunno. But he was really well learned. And he was also a higher class citizen, a Roman. But he was also a Greek and a Jew. If I’m not mistaken. Which means he’s got connections.

So, imagine Paul, traveling and helping the church grow in different places. Speaking to higher class people, speaking to normal people like us. Paul, a superstar supergenius of his time.

He essentially said in this letter; Hey man, I’m not coming to you speaking with all my knowledge. I don’t want to be the wise guy, though I am learned. I only want to speak of Christ. I want to speak of His Spirit and the resurrection power! I’m not here with fancy quips. I’m not here with funny introductions and convicting closing challenges. I come in fear! I come in fear that God’s message is seen as my message. I fear that you do not see Jesus in every word I speak. I fear that, in my wisdom, you go home with problems answered instead of going home with Christ in your heart. Man, the only way is through the power of God.

A guy like Paul not using his genius to convince people? That’s odd. You know, Christianity has become so… Smart. We have to know the right answers to everything. You can find nice Christian quotes for everything on Tumblr and Instagram. Personally, I know of leaders that never talk about Jesus’ sacrifice or the Holy Spirit’s power or the Father’s love. What’s going on? We like to debate about theology, and how other pastors go astray, and how Christians should respond to certain situations. These are necessary, definitely. But what happened to Christ being the reason we’re discussing anyways?

I admit, I forget God. Even while I’m talking, sharing or debating about God, I can forget Him. For reals. God can become… a topic, and just a method for me to show off certain knowledge I have of His ways or teachings. I can forget the Power, the Love, the River of Life, and the Person. ‘Christianity’ becomes a smart answer. I become the smart answerer.

This needs to change. So much I need to learn from Paul.

Sorry God, for teaching about You, yet not introducing people to You.

Sorry dear friends, for the times when you needed God, but all I gave you was a good answer.