...SON OF GOD In the beginning was the word….Those are the first words of the Gospel of John and the first words spoken by the old, beloved disciples in the movie Son of God. He’s recalling the wondrous days when he walked with the Christ, when he spoke with Him and ate with Him, when he watched Him die and saw Him rise again. He tells us that Jesus was surely the Son of God. With all that John saw, how could he think otherwise? And so, in his old age, he decides to tell us about it too so that we might believe this movie tell the story of Jesus birth, His miracles, His teaching, His torture, His death and His resurrection. It is good to tale again for the sake of some people who may not have yet heard it because they don’t go to church, who may never read the Bible, through this visual storytelling become a way of knowing Jesus and how He come to life. As such Jesus is kind, merciful, determined and brilliant. A man who seems indeed to be both fully human and fully divine. He is as John says “The light shining in the darkness.” The one who came to saves us all. He works miracles, and He preaches the Good news. This movie also depicts a compassionate Christ, who finds himself moved by the plight of humans and who refuses to condescend to them. Jesus tenderly touches the face of the disgraced adulterers and forgives her sins, moments after challenging the hypocrisy of her would-be killers. He sends a lame man walking after morally restoring him as well. Before nourishing...
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...Three-Personal God‟, „Time and Beyond Time‟, and „Good Infection‟) Preparation Questions: 1. How does Lewis try to make the Christian notion of the Trinity more understandable to his readers? Briefly discuss his explanation of the ideas of „begotten‟, „personalities‟, and the idea of God „beyond time‟. His explanation of the word begotten comes very easily when he says “a man begets a child, but he only makes a statue.” He makes things of the same nature as himself. Not everything is the same way he was but is in a way a statue of what god really was. 2. Considering question #1 above, choose one (1) passage from the Lewis reading that you think was most important (either to Lewis‟ argument or to your own understanding). Type out this quote and then explain why you think it’s important. Something I found important was when he says “we are not begotten by God; we are only made by Him: in our natural state we are not sons of God, only statues.” I think this is important because it is saying that if we share in this life of god that we will be sharing in this life of Jesus Christ and it will always exist, we came here to exist and share to other people this life and we will be blessed in doing so we are all sons of God. 3. Note that Lewis says that „Theology is practical‟. In what ways does Lewis see the theology of the Trinity as practical for the Christian life? That is, what difference would it really make (for Christians or for anyone else) if Jesus was fully God, or not...
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...FORWARD Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that you may obtain said the scriptures (1 Cor. 9:24). Many people engage in a race to success but only few gets to the ladder top. This book reveals hidden secrets that lead to successful end. As one aspiring to succeed; the “Race to Success” requires unwavering determination, praying expectantly and never giving up. A winner never quits and a quitter never wins. Abraham Lincoln lived the failures, difficulties and frustrations for most of his life yet he became the 16th president of the United States of America (USA) in 1860. Sir Isaac Newton in his bid to develop the fluorescent bulb failed 5,000 times but did not give up until the last attempt that he discovered the secret and was able to produce the fluorescent bulb. What if he had given up along the way? He wouldn’t have emerged a conqueror in the face of brainstorming challenges. What about Sir Edmund Hillary? Who attempted climbing Mount Everest and lost one of his team and returned to London as a failure. But he said “Mount Everest, you have defeated me, but I will return and defeat you because you can’t get any bigger and I CAN”. Many are the secrets you will discover as you read through this book. Whether you are a Christian or not the book will help you understand more about your life, lead you on how to engage in a race that leads to success, even if you are involved in one already it will assist you, tells you the way...
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...theologians have tried to resolve them, but with confusing and contradictory results. Can you know the answers to these questions? Yes, you can! The astonishing answers can be found in the pages of your Bible. Did you know that the main reason the Bible was written was to explain how God is creating His own family, the sons of God? It is amazing how few people grasp this incredible truth, yet it is so plain in the Bible. At the beginning of the Bible is the account of the creation of Adam and Eve. All human beings are their descendants. We are, by natural descent, their great, extended family. Adam was, according to his natural parentage, a son of God (Luke 3:38 ). Therefore, in our natural descent, we are all the children of God. He is our Father by physical creation. Creating immortal children But God's purpose is far greater than the creation of corruptible and perishable human beings. God is in the process of creating His own spiritual children who will be incorruptible-children with eternal life who have His divine nature or character. He refers to this new creation in terms of "the old man," in contrast with "the new man," who is "renewed in the spirit of [his] mind" and is "created according to God in true righteousness and holiness" (Ephesians 4:20-24 ). The apostle Paul defined the new creation as a spiritual transformation, at first a change only in a person's nature and character, followed by a change into a literal spiritual being with eternal life. The Bible...
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...bread and wine; he was the priest of God Most High.” Who was Melchizedek? Is he historical character or “something” other? Matthew Henry’s Commentary points out that the belief of the rabbinical writers was that Shem, Noah’s son, was the king and priest named Melchizedek in Genesis 14:18. Henry questions why would Shem change his name to Melchizedek and how did he come to settle in Canaan. Christian writers have thought that this was an appearance of the Son of God himself, our Lord Jesus. Henry underlines the possibility that no mere man could be without a father and a mother, without descent, or having a beginning or and ending (Hebrews 7:3), or that Christ should be a priest after the order of any mere man, or that a man in the priesthood should so far greater than that of Aaron the first priest assigned by God (Exodus 28:1). The most popular opinion, according to Henry, is that Melchizedek was a Canaanitish prince that believed in the one true God. This Canaanitish prince reigned in Salem (thought to be Jerusalem). Henry debunks this theory also by questioning why Melchizedek’s name only appear in the story of Abram, and “why Abram should have altars of his own and not attend the altars of his neighbor Melchizedek who was greater than he,” as was the custom. John Gill's Exposition of the Bible agrees with Matthew Henry in that the Jewish writers in general and many of the Christian writers believe that Melchizedek is Shem the son of Noah. Gill goes on to explain why this...
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...The Bible teaches Jesus died on the cross for man’s sins and to grant everlasting life to God’s followers with God in heaven. The sins of man are washed away with the blood of Christ and we receive God’s salvation and sanctification. When looking at the Work of the Cross, a Christian needs to look no further than John 3:16 (NRSV), which states, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.” But this would be too simple of an answer for God’s intention for Christ on the cross and how Christ and the cross play a role in the salvation and sanctification of man. The next two verses, John 3:17-18, help explain it further, stating, “Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. / Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God.” Christ dying on the cross was the Work of the Cross, but man must do some work themselves to gain the salvation and sanctification God has offered. Man must accept Christ as the Son of God and recognize Christ as the Messiah mentioned in earlier scripture. Without doing this, the Work of the Cross is in vain and man can be in for much suffering instead of eternal life with God. Part 2 Dr. Billy Graham (2000) lists Five Things Blood Brings as “it first of all redeems” (p. 124), “Second...
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... . Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin . . .”— (I Corinthians 15:55-56, New International Version). Before sin yielded its entrance, there was no account of Death. Sin is how Death marked Everyman. The character Death is symbolic of physical death and Everyman is symbolic of the entire human race. Physical death is predestined and removes the physical life of all humanity. Death is named by God, His mighty messenger (63); it can be perceived that Death is a forceful messenger of God. Not forceful to feel threatened or intimidation, but forceful in a sense of an “eye opener.” Under God’s rule, Death dispatches and conveys God’s message. Death is summoned by God, and is obedient to God’s submissive will and authority to approach Everyman and inform him of his inescapable journey to encounter Death and God’s judgment. God inhabits the domination of Death’s message. Death declares to Everyman God’s dominates, “For it is God’s commandments that all to me should be obedient” (117-118). Everyman fears Death despite the fact that God is in control, “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more” (Luke 12:4)....
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...While numerous scholars say that John is the Gospel to the world (and Matthew to the Jews, Mark to the Romans, and Luke to the Greeks), a Jewish scholar such as Israel Abrahams might very well believe that the Gospel of John is the most Jewish Gospel of the four by the way it reflects Jewish traditions and symbolisms. According to David Wenham[i], there is more attention given to Jesus as the Messiah in the Gospel of John than in any of other Gospels. In John, from chapter one onwards people are directly talking about Jesus as Messiah, and then there is intense public debate about whether Jesus is Messiah or not in John 7:25-31, 41-44[ii], which indicates that John is quite mindful of Jewish issues. Wenham also asserts that there is a greater emphasis on Jesus' participation in the Jewish festivals in Jerusalem. While the synoptic Gospels only describe the fully-grown Jesus going up to Jerusalem for the Passover at the end of his ministry, John reports Jesus going up to at least two Passovers, the Feast of Tabernacles and the Feast of Dedication (Hanukah). That might not prove anything, but it seems likely that John perceives Jesus as in some way fulfilling the symbolism of those Jewish festivals. The feast of Passover, referred to in John 6, celebrated the exodus from Egypt, and so Jesus within that context speaks of himself as the true bread come down from heaven (i.e. as the new manna 6:32-51). The feast of tabernacles, referred to in John 7 and 8, involved a water-pouring...
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...A sinless life possible or impossible Psalm 51 King James Version (KJV) 51 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. 4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. 5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. Romans 5: 19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. 2 Corinthians 10:12 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. Ephesians 4:13 ► Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ Romans 6 King James Version (KJV) 6 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...
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...The Bible teaches Jesus died on the cross for man’s sins and to grant everlasting life to God’s followers with God in heaven. The sins of man are washed away with the blood of Christ and we receive God’s salvation and sanctification. When looking at the Work of the Cross, a Christian needs to look no further than John 3:16 (NRSV), which states, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.” But this would be too simple of an answer for God’s intention for Christ on the cross and how Christ and the cross play a role in the salvation and sanctification of man. The next two verses, John 3:17-18, help explain it further, stating, “Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. / Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God.” Christ dying on the cross was the Work of the Cross, but man must do some work themselves to gain the salvation and sanctification God has offered. Man must accept Christ as the Son of God and recognize Christ as the Messiah mentioned in earlier scripture. Without doing this, the Work of the Cross is in vain and man can be in for much suffering instead of eternal life with God. Part 2 Dr. Billy Graham (2000) lists Five Things Blood Brings as “it first of all redeems” (p. 124), “Second...
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...Why is it important to know what you believe and why believe it. The best way to be successful is to believe in you, and know that God is a keeper to those who believe. For I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him. (2 Timothy 1:12 KJV). Believe is a verb that means to have confidence in the truth. (dictionary.com) Being employed by the Central Ohio Transit Authority, we are given a policy book, along with training on how to operate, and handle a commercial bus, and routing that we are assigned to for that day. If we follow the work sheet, and the policy of the company, we will have years of successful employment with the company. I believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is ruler over my life. I stand firm on his word because it has been proven to me by scripture and being a Christian that when I follow bibles principals (Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth). (Urban Dictionary). I can have life, and have it more abundantly. (John 10:10 KJV). Identify what you believe about God, the Bible, and Jesus Christ. I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God according to the flesh. (Romans 1:3 KJV). In order to have ever lasting life, we must believe that Jesus came and that he died for our sins, in the flesh so that we can live again. The bible is truly the inspired word of God, giving a true history of the creation of heaven and earth. (The Apostles Doctrine). The best way to experience Jesus Christ is to have...
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...the expression is just a funny wording in the original Greek. It really does say “the faith OF Jesus Christ,” but it's to be looked upon as just a funny way of referring to our faith IN Him. And with this, many English translations make the expression refer to our faith IN Christ, though some do at least acknowledge in a foot note that literally the expression is “the faith OF Jesus Christ.” However, unfortunately, by doing this a wonderful truth is largely obscured, if not completely obliterated. A wonderful God be thanked truth which is marvelously conveyed in the expression “the faith OF Jesus Christ.” There are two things that ought to make it apparent that Paul's reference to “the faith of Jesus Christ” is referring to something special with respect to Christ, and that it is not just a funny wording for the issue of our faith in Him. First of all, when our faith is the issue, the wording that conveys that is plain. Consider, for example, the following.... “Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through FAITH IN HIS BLOOD,...” (Romans 3:25) “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified BY FAITH without the deeds of the law.”...
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...unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. 3. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 7. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. John 3:1-3,7. In this passage, Jesus had a discussion with a man called Nicodemus. Jesus was at home one night when Nicodemus came to him. Nicodemus was a very important person in town. He could have been a Member of Parliament or the Chairman of the Metropolitan Assembly. Perhaps, he was a patron of the Methodist Church, the Catholic Church or the Lighthouse Church. He was a very important person. The Bible says he was a ruler of the Jews, a master of Israel, a leader in the synagogues. Nicodemus would not come to see Jesus during the day. He came at night, so that all the people who respected him would not see him. This prominent Jewish leader said something to Jesus, which prompted Him to give an interesting reply. When you look at the passage, you wonder why Jesus said all that he said to the man. After all, Nicodemus did not ask him, “How can I go to heaven?” He said to Jesus, “Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.” In other words, this man told Jesus that he recognized Him as a great man of God. But Jesus saw right through him and replied, “You must be...
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...People may often come across situations where a question regarding the suffering of good people becomes unavoidable. The Bible provides examples of the question through the suffering of Jesus Christ in his crucifixion, written in the book of John, as well as the trials placed on Job, where God tests his righteousness in the Old Testament. Although most of their losses are relatively the same, the purpose behind their stories are distinctly different from each other. Job, who unexpectedly witnesses his possessions being stripped from him, approaches his situation much differently than Jesus who acts more accepting of his situation. The idea of suffering may easily become intolerable, though these two major stories of Job and Jesus teaches individuals to have a deeper insight on how to deal with unbearable conditions. The suffering that both Job and Jesus face easily allows them to question their faith towards God for watching their pain to progress. The character of Job is introduced as a wealthy man with many possessions and described as “blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.” (Job 1:8). Job is tested as he is stripped of his herd of animals, and his numerous children, causing him to grieve and still says, “The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised.” (Job 1:20) In the second chapter, he is inflicted with physical pain from “the soles of his feet to the crown of his head” (Job 2:7). In comparison, Jesus’ suffering begins...
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...captures the attention of his vast audience. And yet his opening words must seem contradictory to many. Directing his comments to his disciples, Jesus begins: “Happy are you poor, because yours is the kingdom of God. Happy are you who hunger now, because you will be filled. Happy are you who weep now, because you will laugh. Happy are you whenever men hate you . . . Rejoice in that day and leap, for, look! your reward is great in heaven.” This is Luke’s account of the introduction of Jesus’ sermon. But according to Matthew’s record, Jesus also says that the mild-tempered, the merciful, the pure in heart, and the peaceable are happy. These are happy, Jesus notes, because they will inherit the earth, they will be shown mercy, they will see God, and they will be called sons of God. What Jesus means by being happy, however, is not simply being jovial or mirthful, as when one is having fun. True happiness is deeper, carrying the thought of contentment, a sense of satisfaction and fulfillment in life. So those who are truly happy, Jesus shows, are people who recognize their spiritual need, are saddened by their sinful condition, and come to know and serve God. Then, even if they are hated or persecuted for doing God’s will, they are happy because they know they are pleasing God and will receive his reward of everlasting life. However, many of Jesus’ listeners, just like some people today, believe that being prosperous and enjoying pleasures is what makes a person happy. Jesus knows...
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