More than one word in the original manuscripts of the New Testament have been translated as “Hell” Three of them are Sheol, Hades, and Gehenna. Sheol and Hades both refer to the place of the dead, or where we go when we die before the day of judgment. The other word is Gehenna, and it refers to the final destination after the judgment. The Catholic teaching of Purgatory is not found or described in the Bible at all. Once people have died, they cannot return to this world until God raises them up for their judgment and to be sent to their final destination, whether that be Heaven or Hell. Once a person dies, he is beyond anything that we can do. He is there to wait for the judgment. This is made quite clear in the account of Lazarus and the rich man found in Luke 16:19-31. Scripture does not call this a parable. It reads:
“There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores. And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died and was buried: And in hell (Hades) he lifted up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this place. But Abraham said Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father that thou wouldst send him to my father’s house: For I have five brethren: that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses, and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.”
“There was.” This is not a parable, this is fact. This was before the judgment. The rich man was in a place where he could not reach or be reached by his brothers who were still living. He was in a place where he could see Abraham and Lazarus and that where they were was that was not at all like where he was. He could not go there, nor could they come to him. There was a great gulf between them. The former beggar had no shortage of anything where he was. This was Hades or Sheol, here translated as hell.
In Revelation 20:11-15, on the other hand, we read of a completely different place. This is a prophesy of the judgment and following.
“And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire,” (Gehenna is translated here “lake of fire”)
Chapter 21 tells us about the destination of those who are written in the book of life.
At this point the Rich man would be judged according to his works, and whether his name is in the book of life. This would be the same book that is referred to in Acts 2:47, “And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” Those who lived before the establishment of the church would have already been added; to them would be added those who repented of their sins and were baptized in obedience to His command, the key to the church and heaven used by Peter, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”
Now let us come back to the question, “Why did God make hell?”
2 Peter 1-5. “Put there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that brought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; and spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness in the flood upon the world of the ungodly.”
One could go on, but God created the fires of hell for the false prophets, false teachers, and the angels that sinned by rejecting Him to follow Satan. Gehenna was created as a final place for all that is evil, and of course all who reject truth for lies, and follow Satan the father of liars.
Christ said, “I am the way, the truth and the life, no man cometh unto the Father but by me.” God loved mankind and made a way for all mankind to come to be with him eternally.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Saturday, January 12, 2008
THE END OF ALL THINGS IS AT HAND
“But the end of all things is at hand; be ye therefore sober, and watch with prayer. And above all things have fervent charity* among your-selves: for charity* (love) shall cover the multitude of sins. Use hospitality one to another without grudging. As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion forever and ever. Amen." 1 Peter 4:7-11.
People panic about “global warming,” about” the destruction of the rainforests of the world, about the accumulation of toxic gasses in the air, holes in the ozone layer, the demise of certain wild animals, whales, mercury in the ocean, on and an. These things may be true. Perhaps there is reason for concern, but aside from those who know the Word, there is little, in fact nearly no interest in that which is absolutely fact. “The end of all things is at hand.” God so led the writers of our Bible, that every generation from the time of the writing has been the warning that all things, as we know them, are going to come to an end. If Peter used the words, “at hand,” how much more so is that true today?
That fact is the background of Christ’s parable about the foolish and wise brides-maids, in the parable, the groom came, the wedding began, and some of the wedding party were prepared and ready, but some were not. Those who had to go buy oil for their lamps were denied entrance. That is the caution for this generation, as with all those which have gone before, be ready at any moment, for the groom is coming and the wedding is going to take place. It might be today. It might be tomorrow, or it might be a thousand years yet, but for us he says, always be ready. Many won’t be ready, and they are not concerned about it at all. They can cry “The world is going to the dogs,” but do nothing. Recently, as my wife and I were taking our early morning walk, we observed a woman taking her large breed dog for a walk on its leash. She deliberately took it to a neighbor’s yard, allowed it to relieve itself, and then walked away leaving everything behind. Too many people think of the rules as applyig only to others.
We pollute the garden and leave it all behind. God created a perfect world. The scriptures tell us repeatedly in Genesis, “God saw that it was good.” His creation was perfect. He placed man in the garden to care for it. Adam was the first caretaker gardener. He was placed in charge of everything. But what has he done? On the same walk, we noted a cool drink bottle that had been tossed into our garden, probably from a passing car, and we picked up a screw that was lying on the road, perhaps looking for a passing tire, and around the corner a small tree lay by the side of the road in a vacant lot. Another stroll revealed a small cupboard, a refrigerator and a box springs. One wonders if perhaps man is not hastening “the end” by his own actions. Must we live in a neighborhood dump?
If man had not turned to a life of sin, God would not have sent the flood. If today’s men go the same way of destruction, and they are, they have been warned. The end is coming and this destruction will not be a flood, it will be by fire. The way to escape it is through Jesus Christ. He said, “I am the way, the truth and the life.” He also said “No man cometh unto the Father but by me.” Heaven won’t have dog messes on a clean lawn, screws in the streets, dead trees and abandoned furniture by the curbs. Why not? Because, it will be occupied by people who care and why have “fervent charity.*” Its citizens will be people who have made ready in this life for that better life to come.
People panic about “global warming,” about” the destruction of the rainforests of the world, about the accumulation of toxic gasses in the air, holes in the ozone layer, the demise of certain wild animals, whales, mercury in the ocean, on and an. These things may be true. Perhaps there is reason for concern, but aside from those who know the Word, there is little, in fact nearly no interest in that which is absolutely fact. “The end of all things is at hand.” God so led the writers of our Bible, that every generation from the time of the writing has been the warning that all things, as we know them, are going to come to an end. If Peter used the words, “at hand,” how much more so is that true today?
That fact is the background of Christ’s parable about the foolish and wise brides-maids, in the parable, the groom came, the wedding began, and some of the wedding party were prepared and ready, but some were not. Those who had to go buy oil for their lamps were denied entrance. That is the caution for this generation, as with all those which have gone before, be ready at any moment, for the groom is coming and the wedding is going to take place. It might be today. It might be tomorrow, or it might be a thousand years yet, but for us he says, always be ready. Many won’t be ready, and they are not concerned about it at all. They can cry “The world is going to the dogs,” but do nothing. Recently, as my wife and I were taking our early morning walk, we observed a woman taking her large breed dog for a walk on its leash. She deliberately took it to a neighbor’s yard, allowed it to relieve itself, and then walked away leaving everything behind. Too many people think of the rules as applyig only to others.
We pollute the garden and leave it all behind. God created a perfect world. The scriptures tell us repeatedly in Genesis, “God saw that it was good.” His creation was perfect. He placed man in the garden to care for it. Adam was the first caretaker gardener. He was placed in charge of everything. But what has he done? On the same walk, we noted a cool drink bottle that had been tossed into our garden, probably from a passing car, and we picked up a screw that was lying on the road, perhaps looking for a passing tire, and around the corner a small tree lay by the side of the road in a vacant lot. Another stroll revealed a small cupboard, a refrigerator and a box springs. One wonders if perhaps man is not hastening “the end” by his own actions. Must we live in a neighborhood dump?
If man had not turned to a life of sin, God would not have sent the flood. If today’s men go the same way of destruction, and they are, they have been warned. The end is coming and this destruction will not be a flood, it will be by fire. The way to escape it is through Jesus Christ. He said, “I am the way, the truth and the life.” He also said “No man cometh unto the Father but by me.” Heaven won’t have dog messes on a clean lawn, screws in the streets, dead trees and abandoned furniture by the curbs. Why not? Because, it will be occupied by people who care and why have “fervent charity.*” Its citizens will be people who have made ready in this life for that better life to come.
Sunday, January 6, 2008
WHY WE READ THE BIBLE
This scripture is a portion of the second letter written by the apostle Paul to his much younger, we might call him an apprentice, Timothy. Timothy often traveled with Paul, but on this occasion was elsewhere, thus the letter. As was the usual case, this letter was meant also for others as well those addressed. In fact it is so timely even today, that it is where we turn for encouragement and instruction.
“Continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; and that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Timothy 3:14-17.
TIMOTHY HAD A BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE OF SCRIPTURE
This reminds me of the flannel graphs which I often used to teach Bible lessons years ago. They were put together in layers, and the first layer was always of a background on which all the rest of the story was built. It might be a plain blue covered board, or it might be and interior, perhaps in the temple, or perhaps a field or sea shore, depending in what one wanted to present.
Timothy’s background was that as a young man who had been reared and taught by devout mother and grandmother before her. Lois and Eunice had taught him well.
THE TIME TO PREPARE THIS BACKGROUND TEACHING IS IN CHILDHOOD,
They began when he was a small boy by telling him the stories found in the books of history of the Old Testament. To this they added the teachings of the Law, God had given through Moses, and onto that they added the prophecies of the prophets. These built into the young man the background for the fulfillment of those prophecies. When Paul came along he was added the final layer, Jesus Christ, and the church. The picture was completed.
THE NEW TESTAMENT COMPLETES THE FULL PICTURE
Paul carried forward the completed message of salvation founded on the foundation of faith in the divinity of Jesus, that he is the Christ the Son of God, the Messiah and our Redeemer, if we will. The scriptures are the source of all Christian doctrine, they convict us of our hopelessness as sinners without Christ, they instruct us as to what can be done about this condition. They give us an example and a goal for our lives. Aside from Christ and the Holy Spirit, we could never come anywhere near attaining that goal, perfection. But because he loved us he gave his life for us taking our sins upon himself, then leaving us a guide to dwell within us, the Holy Spirit. The brilliance of the Holy Spirit‘s influence upon our lives has a blinding effect. Even as the Children of Israel looked in awe upon Moses whose face glowed after he had talked with God, his presence with us can not but make a difference with. He is still with us, he no longer sees us as something made of dust, but as His children coming home.
WE READ THE BIBLE TO LEARN THESE THINGS.
Without the Bible, there is no other source where we can learn what God wants us t know.
“Continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; and that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Timothy 3:14-17.
TIMOTHY HAD A BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE OF SCRIPTURE
This reminds me of the flannel graphs which I often used to teach Bible lessons years ago. They were put together in layers, and the first layer was always of a background on which all the rest of the story was built. It might be a plain blue covered board, or it might be and interior, perhaps in the temple, or perhaps a field or sea shore, depending in what one wanted to present.
Timothy’s background was that as a young man who had been reared and taught by devout mother and grandmother before her. Lois and Eunice had taught him well.
THE TIME TO PREPARE THIS BACKGROUND TEACHING IS IN CHILDHOOD,
They began when he was a small boy by telling him the stories found in the books of history of the Old Testament. To this they added the teachings of the Law, God had given through Moses, and onto that they added the prophecies of the prophets. These built into the young man the background for the fulfillment of those prophecies. When Paul came along he was added the final layer, Jesus Christ, and the church. The picture was completed.
THE NEW TESTAMENT COMPLETES THE FULL PICTURE
Paul carried forward the completed message of salvation founded on the foundation of faith in the divinity of Jesus, that he is the Christ the Son of God, the Messiah and our Redeemer, if we will. The scriptures are the source of all Christian doctrine, they convict us of our hopelessness as sinners without Christ, they instruct us as to what can be done about this condition. They give us an example and a goal for our lives. Aside from Christ and the Holy Spirit, we could never come anywhere near attaining that goal, perfection. But because he loved us he gave his life for us taking our sins upon himself, then leaving us a guide to dwell within us, the Holy Spirit. The brilliance of the Holy Spirit‘s influence upon our lives has a blinding effect. Even as the Children of Israel looked in awe upon Moses whose face glowed after he had talked with God, his presence with us can not but make a difference with. He is still with us, he no longer sees us as something made of dust, but as His children coming home.
WE READ THE BIBLE TO LEARN THESE THINGS.
Without the Bible, there is no other source where we can learn what God wants us t know.
Sunday, December 30, 2007
WHY CHRISTIANS HAVE TRIALS
We have all heard the pathetic cry of both believers and non-believers, “Why is this happening to me?”
The answer depends entirely upon what our relationship is with the Lord If we are a child of God, then it may be a matter of His training and developing us to be even stronger in the faith. Our father loves us and wants us to develop to our full capabilities. He prepares us for any eventuality that we may be called upon to face. When we were children our parents chastened us and guided us through facing and overcoming our problems, teaching us what is serious and what is only a temporary inconvenience. Because of this background, we should as mature adults be able to examine our problems and make the analysis, as to their seriousness. however most of us may need guidance at times. As an example, Phyllis and I have had a habit of walking for the sake of our health, but recently our advisor, our doctor, has not been happy with our cholesterol levels. We walk too slowly! But Phyllis can not keep up, if I walk faster. There is a solution. We are fortunate in that the community center where we live has a very well fitted out gymnasium, and we have full access to it at no charge. There is even a pool though it is very busy. The gym has two treadmills. Phyllis can adjust her speed to the level she needs, and I can adjust mine to a faster pace, yet we are still walking together. I could even jog. Or I can choose to use the stair climber, or perhaps one of the cycles set for anything, a level stroll, one long hill, or perhaps a series of hills, and greater resistance can be added. I can pedal for ten minutes, twenty minutes, or an hour if I wish. We can actually pedal along side by side, but one be doing hills, and the other level ground. Now applying this to more serious problems in life, isn’t that what we are actually doing in our daily lives. The believer and the non-believer each has their own needs, the believer needs to strengthen his faith, but the non-believer may be being punished. In our example case, we go to the gym to help adjust our cholesterol levels, keeping in mind our age. Walking is not accomplishing enough. Our doctor advisor says, we have to work up a sweat to raise my good cholesterol, and lower Phyllis’ bad.
Turning to spiritual trials, let us look to 1 Peter 4:12-19
12. Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
13. But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
14. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
15. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters.
16. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
17. For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
18. And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?
19. Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.
Some people come to the Lord expecting that all their problems will instantly go away simply because they are a Christian. On the contrary, we should expect Satan to make a renewed effort to discourage us.
He tried this even upon our Lord Jesus. Immediately after his baptism, Jesus endured a period of temptation. Satan was testing his loyalty to his Father God. Satan had tried this with Job. Now he was repeating it with Jesus. In both of these cases, he failed, But, unfortunately, he does not always fail with a new born Christian. This is where other Christian come in. We must lift up and encourage our new brothers and sisters in the faith.
Our refuge is in God. Peter is telling us clearly, Do not be surprised, trials will come, in fact let us rejoice for every time Satan fails. God will bless the faithful believer even more. He is telling us to behave in such a way, that we do not deserve to be punished, and God will bless us. If in fact, it be that even our physical lives are sacrificed for His sake, the rewards laid up in heaven are that we be very near to the very throne of our Lord, where the martyrs are.
It never ceases to shock me that those of the extreme religion faiths can not see the difference between murder followed by their own suicide and martyrdom, probably the result of murder. The one is condemned by God and the other is rewarded! There will be no unrepentant murderers in heaven, but there will be martyrs, perhaps their victims, at the very feet of our Lord’s throne.
The answer depends entirely upon what our relationship is with the Lord If we are a child of God, then it may be a matter of His training and developing us to be even stronger in the faith. Our father loves us and wants us to develop to our full capabilities. He prepares us for any eventuality that we may be called upon to face. When we were children our parents chastened us and guided us through facing and overcoming our problems, teaching us what is serious and what is only a temporary inconvenience. Because of this background, we should as mature adults be able to examine our problems and make the analysis, as to their seriousness. however most of us may need guidance at times. As an example, Phyllis and I have had a habit of walking for the sake of our health, but recently our advisor, our doctor, has not been happy with our cholesterol levels. We walk too slowly! But Phyllis can not keep up, if I walk faster. There is a solution. We are fortunate in that the community center where we live has a very well fitted out gymnasium, and we have full access to it at no charge. There is even a pool though it is very busy. The gym has two treadmills. Phyllis can adjust her speed to the level she needs, and I can adjust mine to a faster pace, yet we are still walking together. I could even jog. Or I can choose to use the stair climber, or perhaps one of the cycles set for anything, a level stroll, one long hill, or perhaps a series of hills, and greater resistance can be added. I can pedal for ten minutes, twenty minutes, or an hour if I wish. We can actually pedal along side by side, but one be doing hills, and the other level ground. Now applying this to more serious problems in life, isn’t that what we are actually doing in our daily lives. The believer and the non-believer each has their own needs, the believer needs to strengthen his faith, but the non-believer may be being punished. In our example case, we go to the gym to help adjust our cholesterol levels, keeping in mind our age. Walking is not accomplishing enough. Our doctor advisor says, we have to work up a sweat to raise my good cholesterol, and lower Phyllis’ bad.
Turning to spiritual trials, let us look to 1 Peter 4:12-19
12. Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
13. But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
14. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
15. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters.
16. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
17. For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
18. And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?
19. Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.
Some people come to the Lord expecting that all their problems will instantly go away simply because they are a Christian. On the contrary, we should expect Satan to make a renewed effort to discourage us.
He tried this even upon our Lord Jesus. Immediately after his baptism, Jesus endured a period of temptation. Satan was testing his loyalty to his Father God. Satan had tried this with Job. Now he was repeating it with Jesus. In both of these cases, he failed, But, unfortunately, he does not always fail with a new born Christian. This is where other Christian come in. We must lift up and encourage our new brothers and sisters in the faith.
Our refuge is in God. Peter is telling us clearly, Do not be surprised, trials will come, in fact let us rejoice for every time Satan fails. God will bless the faithful believer even more. He is telling us to behave in such a way, that we do not deserve to be punished, and God will bless us. If in fact, it be that even our physical lives are sacrificed for His sake, the rewards laid up in heaven are that we be very near to the very throne of our Lord, where the martyrs are.
It never ceases to shock me that those of the extreme religion faiths can not see the difference between murder followed by their own suicide and martyrdom, probably the result of murder. The one is condemned by God and the other is rewarded! There will be no unrepentant murderers in heaven, but there will be martyrs, perhaps their victims, at the very feet of our Lord’s throne.
WHATSOEVER WE ASK, WE RECEIVE OF HIM
Jesus told us that if we ask believing, he will provide. (1 John 3:22).
Our Bible bookstore and print shop had been suffering repeated burglaries. The ceiling had fallen in. Torrential rains had flooded it when street drainage was upset by road construction. And worst of all, it was being outgrown. In it’s favor, it was ideally situated and getting to be well known. We knew we were on the right track in providing it. Income was just covering expenses.
Just at that stage, a church complex, in not such a good location, but offering every thing else the rented shop had failed to offer, was placed on the market. I asked another missionary friend if he would go look at it with me and offer his advice. Keep in mind that we had not a cent to spare between us, but we looked together and came to just opposite conclusions. This building had a chapel that could seat probably 200, was fully furnished, on a corner site two blocks from a shopping community, and was in good condition. There was even a baptistery with dressing rooms, a cry room and a small office. The attached hall was larger, but not yet completed and had a half basement under the stage and kitchen. Upstairs there were fourteen small classrooms. The big drawback was the price and there would be the need to complete the building as there was not one toilet of any sort in that hall. This was a prayer project and test! Even my wife sided with our missionary friend.
I had been urgently praying in the smaller shop about our need. Now I became much more specific in my requests. The response was that the building was taken off the market. I still prayed, and a year later it was placed on the market again, but greatly reduced in price. I thought of selling our home to get a down payment, but that was not what our Lord had in mind at all. Just as I started praying again, almost immediately an estate became available. I made an offer, and it was accepted. It paid for the building, and the alterations so we ended up with an upstairs bath, and laundry, and a half-bath in the shop. The bookstore and print shop were spacious, and secure, but to just make sure, we added security gates, steel fenced, covered parking for two vehicles, and an upstairs apartment for ourselves. We did sell our home but only so that we could live over the shop and have the added security of a resident caretaker. That was good as repeated attempts were later made to steal our car and other vehicles were vandalized or stolen from our parking area.
Praise is to God who provided what everyone thought was out of the question, and beyond what we could ever have expected. God is truly great!
Our Bible bookstore and print shop had been suffering repeated burglaries. The ceiling had fallen in. Torrential rains had flooded it when street drainage was upset by road construction. And worst of all, it was being outgrown. In it’s favor, it was ideally situated and getting to be well known. We knew we were on the right track in providing it. Income was just covering expenses.
Just at that stage, a church complex, in not such a good location, but offering every thing else the rented shop had failed to offer, was placed on the market. I asked another missionary friend if he would go look at it with me and offer his advice. Keep in mind that we had not a cent to spare between us, but we looked together and came to just opposite conclusions. This building had a chapel that could seat probably 200, was fully furnished, on a corner site two blocks from a shopping community, and was in good condition. There was even a baptistery with dressing rooms, a cry room and a small office. The attached hall was larger, but not yet completed and had a half basement under the stage and kitchen. Upstairs there were fourteen small classrooms. The big drawback was the price and there would be the need to complete the building as there was not one toilet of any sort in that hall. This was a prayer project and test! Even my wife sided with our missionary friend.
I had been urgently praying in the smaller shop about our need. Now I became much more specific in my requests. The response was that the building was taken off the market. I still prayed, and a year later it was placed on the market again, but greatly reduced in price. I thought of selling our home to get a down payment, but that was not what our Lord had in mind at all. Just as I started praying again, almost immediately an estate became available. I made an offer, and it was accepted. It paid for the building, and the alterations so we ended up with an upstairs bath, and laundry, and a half-bath in the shop. The bookstore and print shop were spacious, and secure, but to just make sure, we added security gates, steel fenced, covered parking for two vehicles, and an upstairs apartment for ourselves. We did sell our home but only so that we could live over the shop and have the added security of a resident caretaker. That was good as repeated attempts were later made to steal our car and other vehicles were vandalized or stolen from our parking area.
Praise is to God who provided what everyone thought was out of the question, and beyond what we could ever have expected. God is truly great!
Saturday, December 29, 2007
WITHOUT ARE UNDER A SENTENCE OF DEATH
THE DEATH SENTENCE - CRUCIFIED WITH HIM
Last week we thought about the real message of Easter, Resurrection Sunday. Without the resurrection, Easter would have no significance. The “good news” of the Gospel is that Christ, our creator, the Son of God, willingly gave Himself to be a blood sacrifice that our sins could be removed forever through Him. The whole reason for His coming is clearly stated in John 3:17. “For God sent not his son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” Notice the words “might be saved.” Whether we are or not is up to us. Three facts stand out in the book of Romans. Let us look at them together.
1. THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH
Romans 6:23
23. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
This we also read as early as the book of Genesis 3:3, where God told Adam and Eve, not even to touch the fruit of the tree at the center of the garden, lest they die. They touched, they ate, and they were separated from God. They died spiritually on the spot, and began to die physically from that time on. From that beginning, all mankind has followed this same pattern of disobedience to God and spiritual death.
2. ALL HAVE SINNED
Romans 3:23,24
23. For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
24. Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
3. THE CHRISTIAN’S SINS HAVE BEEN PARDONED
Romans 6:1-6
1. What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
2. God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
3. Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death?
4. Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
5. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of His death, we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection.
6. Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
Quotations are from the King James Version.
Last week we thought about the real message of Easter, Resurrection Sunday. Without the resurrection, Easter would have no significance. The “good news” of the Gospel is that Christ, our creator, the Son of God, willingly gave Himself to be a blood sacrifice that our sins could be removed forever through Him. The whole reason for His coming is clearly stated in John 3:17. “For God sent not his son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” Notice the words “might be saved.” Whether we are or not is up to us. Three facts stand out in the book of Romans. Let us look at them together.
1. THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH
Romans 6:23
23. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
This we also read as early as the book of Genesis 3:3, where God told Adam and Eve, not even to touch the fruit of the tree at the center of the garden, lest they die. They touched, they ate, and they were separated from God. They died spiritually on the spot, and began to die physically from that time on. From that beginning, all mankind has followed this same pattern of disobedience to God and spiritual death.
2. ALL HAVE SINNED
Romans 3:23,24
23. For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
24. Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
3. THE CHRISTIAN’S SINS HAVE BEEN PARDONED
Romans 6:1-6
1. What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
2. God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
3. Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death?
4. Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
5. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of His death, we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection.
6. Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
Quotations are from the King James Version.
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Yio ha se yé mi, bikosepe enikan tó mi si ona ?
Yoruba
Ise Awon Aposteli 8:30-38
30. Filippi si sure lo, o gbó, o nká iwe woli Isaiah, o si bi i pe, Ohun ti io nká ni, o yé o ?
31. O si dahùn wipe, Yio ha se yè mi, biko��epe �nikan tó mi si ona? O sa bè Filippi kio goke wá, ki o si ba on joko.
32. Ibi iwe-mimó ti o si nkà na li ryi, A fà a bi agutan lo fun pipa; ati bi odo-agutan iti tyadi niwaju olur�run ré, béni kó yá �nu rè:
33. Ni ir�sil� ré a mu idajo kuro: tani yio sòro iran re ? Nitori a gbà emi rè kuro li aiye.
34. Iwefa si da Filippi lohùn, o ni, Mo bè o, ti tani woli na so òro yi ? Ti ara rè, tabi ti elomiran ?
35. Filippi si yà �nu rè, o si bère lati ibi iwe-mimó yi, o sa wasu Jesu fun u.
36. Bi nwon si ti nio li òna, nwon de thi omi kan; iwefa na si wipe, Wò o, omi niyi; kili o dá mi duro lati baptisi ?
37. Filippi si wipe, Bi iwo ba gbagbó tokàntokan, a le baptisi r�. O si dahùn o ni, Mo gbagbó pe Jesu Kristi, Omo Olorun ni.
38. O si pa�� ki k�ké duro j�: awon mejeji si sokal� lo sinu omi, ati Filipi ati iwefa; o si baptisi rè
(We are aware of obvious errors in the computer's handling of this copy, and will either correct them or cancel the whole languages from our records if we find we can't handle it.)
Ise Awon Aposteli 8:30-38
30. Filippi si sure lo, o gbó, o nká iwe woli Isaiah, o si bi i pe, Ohun ti io nká ni, o yé o ?
31. O si dahùn wipe, Yio ha se yè mi, biko��epe �nikan tó mi si ona? O sa bè Filippi kio goke wá, ki o si ba on joko.
32. Ibi iwe-mimó ti o si nkà na li ryi, A fà a bi agutan lo fun pipa; ati bi odo-agutan iti tyadi niwaju olur�run ré, béni kó yá �nu rè:
33. Ni ir�sil� ré a mu idajo kuro: tani yio sòro iran re ? Nitori a gbà emi rè kuro li aiye.
34. Iwefa si da Filippi lohùn, o ni, Mo bè o, ti tani woli na so òro yi ? Ti ara rè, tabi ti elomiran ?
35. Filippi si yà �nu rè, o si bère lati ibi iwe-mimó yi, o sa wasu Jesu fun u.
36. Bi nwon si ti nio li òna, nwon de thi omi kan; iwefa na si wipe, Wò o, omi niyi; kili o dá mi duro lati baptisi ?
37. Filippi si wipe, Bi iwo ba gbagbó tokàntokan, a le baptisi r�. O si dahùn o ni, Mo gbagbó pe Jesu Kristi, Omo Olorun ni.
38. O si pa�� ki k�ké duro j�: awon mejeji si sokal� lo sinu omi, ati Filipi ati iwefa; o si baptisi rè
(We are aware of obvious errors in the computer's handling of this copy, and will either correct them or cancel the whole languages from our records if we find we can't handle it.)
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