From the monthly archives:

August 2006

Jesus, The Fulfillment Of Prophecy

by Norm on August 5, 2006

in Articles

In Luke 24:13-27, we read of two disciples of Christ on their way to Emmaus. Luke tells us this was the first day of the week (24:1, 13) and that it was the same day that the tomb in which Jesus had been laid following His death was found to be empty (24:3, 13). As they walked they discussed these events. Along the way they encountered what they supposed to be a stranger and discussed these matters with Him. It is obvious from the response Jesus gave to there account that they expressed an amount of doubt in the testimony of the women; that Jesus had risen from the grave and was alive. Notice what they said in verse 21, “we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel” [emphasis mine, NF]. They spoke of their hope in the past tense, “were,” indicating that those hopes had died on the cross with Jesus. And even though we cannot hear the manner in which they relayed what the women at the tomb had told them the doubt in their voices must have been evident for Jesus rebukes them for a lack of faith. This rebuke was given because of a lack of faith in “all that the prophets have spoken.” These men should have had no confusion in these matters for the prophets of old had given them great detail concerning these matters. And so “beginning at Moses and all the prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself” (Lk. 24:27).

What a remarkable statement! Jesus was able to show them from writings thousands of years old that the events of His life, death and resurrection were the fulfillment of prophecy. Indeed there is no greater proof, no greater hard evidence, to the inspiration of the scriptures and the identity of Jesus Christ than the precise fulfillment of ancient prophecy; not just a few vague references with broad interpretations but multitudes given in great detail. Jesus began with Moses and the prophets (from Genesis to Malachi) in setting these doubtful disciples back on track.

Matthew knew the power of predictive prophecy in proving Jesus to be the Christ. When Matthew wrote his account of Jesus’ life and work his aim was to show the Jews that Jesus was indeed the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy concerning the Messiah (Christ). At least nine times Matthew makes the statement, “that it might be fulfilled.” Showing that Jesus fulfilled prophecies concerning: the virgin birth of the Christ (Mtt. 1:22; Is. 7:14); His call out of Egypt (Mtt. 2:15; Hos. 11:1); where He would do His work (Mtt. 4:14; Is. 9:1-2); His healing of the sick (Mtt. 8:17; Is. 53:4); and His teaching in parables (Mtt. 13:35; Ps. 78:2), just to name a few. The Jews had no excuse for not seeing Jesus for who and what He was. Just as the two disciples on the road to Emmaus had no excuse for their doubt.

Let us look at just one of the many prophecies concerning the Christ. In Psalm 22 we have an example of a very detailed prophecy fulfilled exactly in Jesus. The 22nd Psalm was written by king David, who ruled Israel from 1011-971 B.C., about one thousand years before Christ was born. Yet in this Psalm David, looking down through the scope of time, records in great detail the events surrounding the crucifixion of Jesus. Notice the following details:

1. David quotes the words of Jesus on the cross a millennium before He said them (Ps. 22:1; Mtt. 27:46).

2. David describes the conduct of the onlookers at the cross hundreds of years before their great-grandparents were even born (Ps. 22:7; Mtt. 27:39).

3. Not only their conduct but the very words they would speak (Ps. 22:8; Mtt. 27:43).

4. David knew the manner in which the Romans would pierce the hands and feet of Jesus (Ps. 22:16; Mtt. 27:35).

5. He even knew how they would handle the garments belonging to Jesus (Ps. 22:18; Mtt. 27:35).

Now some, in order to discount such rock solid proof, may say, “Jesus was only doing what he had to do in order to fulfill what he knew the Old Testament said of the Messiah.” Of course you can immediately see the problem with such thinking. For one, no man hanging on a cross is going to be thinking about what he needs to say and do. All he can know is the tremendous agony of his situation. For another, David does not just tell us what Jesus would do and say but what the people around Him would say and do. The Jews did not want to recognize Jesus as the Christ and yet they did exactly what was prophesied concerning their behavior toward the Christ. The Romans had no idea whatsoever of what the Old Testament prophesied of the Christ. They could have cared less about Jewish prophesies and their fulfillment and yet they did exactly what David said they would do a thousand years before they did it. How could David have possibly known that there would be a Roman army in Jerusalem and that it would be their custom to cast lots for the clothing of those they executed? How could he have possibly known that Jesus would be mocked and ridiculed by his own people? How could he, or any of the prophets, have known any of the details they recorded concerning the Christ. The answer is found in 2 Peter 1:21. Not a single one of them spoke from their own knowledge, or their “own will,” but they were – every one, moved, or guided, in their writings by the Holy Spirit.

Dear reader, how can such evidence by denied? How can one look into the face of fulfilled prophecy and deny what it declares? Jesus used prophecy to prove who He was (Lk. 24:27). The apostles used prophecy to prove who Jesus was (Acts 2:14ff). The New Testament writers used prophecy to prove who Jesus was (Mtt. 1:22; 2:15; 2:23; 4:14; 8:17; 12:17; 13:35; 21:4; 27:35). And we can use the more than one hundred detailed prophecies of Jesus Christ to prove that He is who He claimed to be, the Son of God (Jn. 8:24).

Tagged as: Apologetics, Jesus

{ 2 comments }

Are You A Zealot?

by Norm on August 5, 2006

in Articles

In 1 Peter 3:13, Peter makes the statement, “And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good?” (NKJ). It is interesting to note that the word translated “followers” here is laterally “Zealot.” The ASV of 1901 translates the verse, “And who is he that will harm you, if ye be zealous of that which is good?” A strictly literal translation of this verse would read something like this, “And who the harming you if of the good zealots you become?” Isn’t that interesting, “if of the good zealots you become.” It becomes even more powerful when we know that the definition of “Zealot” is “one who is burning with a boiling heat.” In other words, one who is extremely passionate about something. It can be a boiling heat, an overwhelming passion, either for or against something that makes someone a zealot. We most commonly associate that term, “Zealot,” with the Jewish sect begun in opposition to Roman control of Judea. One of the apostles, Simon, had been a member of this sect prior to his receiving the Messiah (Acts 1:13). This was a group that had a great passion for the preservation of the nation of Israel and very often resorted to violence in opposition to any outside influence to Judaism. While Simon most certainly withdrew from this sect when he became a follower of Jesus Peter shows us that he was very much still a zealot. We know this because Peter shows us that in order for us to be faithful to Christ we must all be zealots. Are you a Zealot?

What does Peter mean when he refers to zealots of the good? Paul used a form of the same word when he wrote to Titus in Titus 2:14. He says there that Christians, as God’s special people, ought to be “zealous for good works.” We are being told in both places that we are to be people that are boiling over with enthusiasm, eagerness, passion, etc., for the good. In Peter’s case it is an exhortation by way of blessing. He says essentially, “If you are a zealot of the good you have protection in persecution.” Paul, on the other hand, says that you are a zealot of the good because of a blessing, redemption by the blood of Christ. So because of the redemption and in order to have protection in persecution we are to be zealots of the good. “The good” of course is a reference to “every good work” to which we are thoroughly equipped by the word of God (2 Tim. 3:16,17). Therefore, when the question is asked, “Are you a zealot?,” you can answer yes if:

  • †You have been redeemed by the blood of Christ and made one of His special people “zealous for good works.” “…who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works” (Titus 2:14).
  • †You are thoroughly equipped for every good work by a diligent study and application of God’s word. “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 complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim. 3:16, 17; 2:15).
  • †You have an overwhelming passion to teach others the gospel of Christ. “For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!” (1 Cor. 9:16).

On the other hand, if a person is not doing these things it must be because that burning passion for the cause of Christ, “the good,” is not there. What are the implications of that zeal not being present in a person that claims to be Christian?

  • †They think very little of the sacrifice God made for man’s redemption! “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
  • †They do not think much of Christ’s blood being shed for them (Galatians 1:3, 4)!
  • †They do not appreciate what the Holy Spirit has done in giving the word for our direction in living this life successfully (Galatians 5:22-25; 2 Peter 1:5-8)!

Are you a zealot? We pray that everyone reading this would be able to answer yes to that question, and if not that repentance would be made. We must be zealots for the good, the cause of Christ, if we expect to be blessed by God in this life and rewarded with eternal salvation in the one to come!

Tagged as: Christian Living

{ 0 comments }

Focus, Focus, Focus!

by Norm on August 5, 2006

in Articles

People today are too scattered. They are too busy. Most people are trying to manage several different things at the same time. Our society has become so fast with so many things needing our attention that we often loose sight of the really important things. Even children suffer from our scatter-brained way of living. Children are not taught how to focus but are allowed to do whatever the young mind comes up with. Its normal for a child’s mind to turn from one thing to the next very rapidly, he’s learning everything for the first time. So what do we expect when we don’t train that active young mind to focus its attention on a given point? Chaotic, unfocused thinking!

The society in which we live is very proficient in causing us to shift our focus from what is truly important to things that are purely temporal in nature. However, we know, as Christians, that we are not to focus on the material but on the spiritual (1 Peter 2:11, 12). What are we to do about such divided attention and misplaced priorities? The Bible says, “focus, focus, focus.” It does this by the use the several words and phrases that emphasize the importance of focusing on God and His word. Let us notice some of these biblical terms that would teach us the necessity of focus.

Meditate (Joshua 1:8; Psalm 4:4; 63:6; 77:6, 12; 119:15, 27, 48, 78, 148; 143:5; 145:5; Malachi 3:16; Philippians 4:8; 1 Timothy 4:15). To meditate means to focus the mind on a given point, to. ponder a subject, to let it be your only contemplation. If you’ve ever watched a chess match between champion chess players it was probably not the most exciting thing you’ve ever seen but you witnessed two individuals that were so intently focused on what laid before them that they were totally oblivious of everything else around them. Their entire attention is on the board—that’s a good example of meditation. When we examine these Bible passages that use this word “meditate” we see that our attention, our focus, is to be upon God’s word. We are to be focusing on God’s word from the time we wake up to the time we close our eyes in sleep. In Psalm 119:148, among others, the Psalmist even pictures himself as being deprived of sleep because he places such focus on God’s words. He would prefer to stay awake and meditate on God’s word then to drift off to sleep. We, as Christians, have this exhortation from God (Philippians 4:8). Let us therefore be focused on God’s word rather than being continually distracted from it by every care the world places on us.

Diligent (2 Timothy 2:15; Hebrews 4:11; 2 Peter 3:14). Diligence means to give focused attention to the task at hand, to work hard at something. A diligent student is one who gives focused attention and hard work toward his studies. He is not distracted from his studies. The New Testament word means “to exert oneself, to endeavor, to give diligence” (Thayer’s). It’s the same word used in Ephesians 4:3, “…endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit…” (also 2 Peter 1:10). For a good example of diligence think about the athlete. He gets up early in the morning and begins his exercise, he eats only those things that will help him to excel in his sport, he cares for his body and works hard to prepare it for the event before him. He is diligent! Its not surprising then to see the Christian likened to an athlete in this regard (1 Corinthians 9:24-27). Just like an athlete, who gives himself to diligent training focusing on the goal, we must give ourselves to diligent training in God’s word so that we can reach the goal of our race (Hebrews 12:1-2). Also when we think about diligence in the work place we think of those who give their best effort, those who always strive to give 100% in whatever they do. Such a person will never have opportunity to be ashamed at having their work exposed for being substandard. This is the idea of 2 Timothy 2:15, giving all diligence to serving God and using His word correctly the man of God will never have opportunity to be ashamed, not only in the site of God but ashamed in the site of man. What could bring greater shame on a person then being asked to give the reason for the beliefs they hold to and not having one. Or the shame of being exposed for mishandling the word of God! One thing is certain, a person will mishandle the word of God if diligent effort, focused attention, is not given to handle it rightly.

Abide (John 15:1-10; 1 John 2:24, 27, 28; 2 John 1:9). This word “abide” means “…not to depart…to continue to be present…to be held, kept continually…” (Thayer’s). When we are told to abide in Christ, in the doctrine of Christ, the meaning is to not let the doctrine of Christ depart from us, to keep it continually present within us. It takes focus to abide continually in the doctrine of Christ. If we are distracted form our purpose then we no longer abide in that purpose or it in us. The same thing is true of Christ and His word. This idea of abiding is well illustrated by Paul when he says, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…” The word of Christ is to dwell, or abide, in us richly, that is with great abundance, continually. How can that possibly be the case if we are continually distracted from the word of God? It cannot! The only way we are able to abide in the doctrine of Christ is if we place a great degree of focus upon it. The very sobering thought here should be that if we are distracted from the doctrine of Christ, do not abide in it, then Christ will not abide in us. Therefore who could argue that it does not deserve our most enraptured focus.

One Thing (Luke 10:42; John 9:25; Philippians 3:13; Mark 10:21). These “one thing” statements show us that we are to be focused and what we are to be focused on. They show focus in three areas in particular: 1) Focus in Acquisition (Luke 10:42; Mark 10:21); 2) Focus in Action (Philippians 3:13, 14); and, 3) Focus in Acknowledgment (John 9:25). Jesus said that Mary was focusing on that “one thing” that was needed, to hear and obey His word. He shows again the awful consequences for not focusing on the acquisition of His word when He tells the rich young ruler, “one thing you lack.” It is indeed a sobering thought to realize that just one thing lacked can cause us to go away sorrowful on the Day of Judgment. We need to focus on the one needful thing, make it our focus in acquisition, lest we be found lacking one thing. Paul refers to focus in action when he says, “one thing I do.” He was not willing to let things that he had left behind hold him back in his onward march toward the goal that is in Christ. His focus was strait ahead. Jesus said those who have put their hand to the plow and then look back are not fit for the Kingdom (Luke 9:62). We need to make sure that we are pressing on, focusing on Christ and being found faithful in Him. We also must have focus in our acknowledgment. When the blind man was questioned about the one who had healed his sight he was able to say, “one thing I know.” He knew that the one who healed him was from God (cf. John 9:33). Every indication is that he knew exactly what would happen if he proclaimed that Jesus was from God (cf. John 9:22) and yet he was focused in his acknowledgment. Paul said that he was not ashamed to suffer for the gospel because he knew Him in whom he believed (2 Tim. 1:12). The only way we will be able to have such focus in our acknowledgment is by having an unwavering faith that Jesus is who He said He was, the Son of God – the Christ.

There are many more biblical principles that we could discuss on this point of being focused. This very well may be the greatest need of the church in our age, greater focus on the part of Christians to being Christians. We often say that we have a great need for more faithful elders, for more faithful preachers, for more faithful teachers, etc., etc. But if we were more focused on the task at hand, being Christians, then all of these things would just fall into place. We have lost our focus and we must get it back!

Tagged as: Bible Study, Christian Living

{ 0 comments }

WBS Errors & Answers

August 4, 2006 Articles

Tagged as: Error, False Teachers

1 comment
©2007 PreacherNorm.net All Rights Reserved