"HISTORICAL NARRATIVES"

      "Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were

       written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come."

                                             1 Corinthians 10 : 11

       The Bible's narrative section are among its most readable passages. It is uplifting for us to read of the mighty deeds of God and of the great saints who walked the earth before us. Unfortunately, interpretation of narrative passages can be quite tricky because the authors use such a wide variety of literary devices and techniques. If we are not careful, we can arrive at terribly erroneous conclusions.

        What is narrative? Simply put, it is those sections of Scripture that relate historical events in story format. It portrays characters doing things in particilar times and places. Unlike a parable, however, it usually has no moral point to make. Genesis and Exodus; Joshua through Esther; and the gospels and Acts are books that are mainly narrative.

        In seeking to find the meaning of narrative passages, we must remember that Scripture interprets Scripture. That is, to understand what a passages is teaching, we should consult other part of Scripture. In interpreting narrative, it is particularly important to consult the didactic portion of the Bible, the sections that have the primar purpose of teaching. The New Testatment epistles are the clearest examples of didactic literature. These sections of Scripture give us inspired interpretations of the narrative sections. By reading narrative in light of didactic passages, we guard against the temptation to draw improper theological and doctrinal conclusions from the Bible's stories.

        Here are some examples of his failure to let Scripture interpret Scripture can lead us to incorrect conclusions. In Genesis 22, God tests Abraham by asking him to Sacrifice his son. When Abraham almost does so, God declares, ""Now I know that you fear God"' (v.12). Thus it appears God did not know Abraham's heart, but other passages declare God's total omniscience. In another example, Genesis 1.27 teaches that God made man in His image. We might read this and deduce that dince this is so, and since man has a body, God must have a body, too. The Motmons make this errors, overlooking passages that teach that God is. Spirit. Finally, we err by blindly attempting to imitate saints from the past. We must evaluate their deeds in light of all of Scripture. Even imitation of Jesus is not always right. He was circumcised but we need not be. He forgave sins but we cannot. Scripture itself helps us understand the stories it contains.

        We are often drawn to the narrative passages of Scripture, finding them compelling and easier to read. But we put oursekves at risk of drawing wrongful conclusions by focusing only on Bobles stories. The only way to guard against this danger is to read all of the Bible. Make a commitment to read through the entire Bible in the next year or two.

"Defended by God's Power"

       Because your rage against Me and your tumult have come up to

       My ears, therefore I will put My hook in your nose and My bridle

       in your lips, and I will turn you back by the way which you came."

                                      ISAIAH 37 :21-35

       The Lord responded to Hezekiah's prayer through the voice of Isaiah and assured the king that He would save His people. Isaiah pronounced a declaration of judgement against Assyria for its boasting against God and its presumptuous belief that it could defy heaven itself by the power of its armies. As David wrote in Psalm 2, God though little of Sennacherib's boasting: "why do the nations rage, and the people plot a vain thing? The king of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, againdt the Lord and against His anointed. . . He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; the Lord shall hold them in derision. Then theybshall speak to them in this wrath, and distress them in deep displeasure. 

       The Lord spoke to the king of Assyria and told him that he would not touch the city of His Children, and that he had done a foolish thing to blaspheme the name of Jehovah. Sennacherib though himself so powerful, but God was the one who made the city of Jerusalem: "Did you not hear long ago how I made it, from ancient times that I formed it?" It is a foolish thing to think that one can tear down what God has created, for He has established His people  and nothing can brake them when He stands with them.

        God's people will be under His contiual protection because He has chosen them. It is as if He says to His enemies, "I have founded the church, and therefore the salvation of the church shall always be My care. I will not leave unfinished the work which I have begun, but will carry it forward yo perfection." He reiterated this point in verse 35 when He said, "for He will defend this city, to save it for My own sake and for My servant David sake." Because of the covenant He had made with His people, He would deliver would them from their enemies.

       The Lord defends and preserve His work because it involves His honor and our salvation. He is the Maker of the church, for we are His workmanship, created anew by His zspirit. This work of sanctifying and glorifying His church is more excellent than the whole Creation. God's love and cate for His church never wanes. It was a foolish thing, therefore, for Sennachrib to think that He could defy God himself and destroyed the city of Jerusalem, judt as is foolish for anyone today to think he can tear down the church of Jesus Chtist.

"Unveiling the Son"

           "I know that Messiah is coming" (who is called Christ ). 

                   " when He comes, He will tell us all things."

                                            John 4 : 25

           Do you know who Jesus Christ is? According to the first five words of the Book of Revelation, you've come to the right book--- a book whose sole purpose is to unveil Jesus Christ's full identity. Once scorned as a blasphemer who simply claimed to be God, Jesus Christ is revealed in the book of  Revelation as the King and Ruler of all. Once humiliated by being stripped and nail to a cross, Jesus Christ is revealed as the Lamb is worthy to receive all honor and blessing.

           The Book of Revelation is the unveiling of Jesus Christ in all His glory. Woven throughout its pages, you hear Heaven proclaiming, "Yes, He is the Messiah, the Chosen one of God. Yes, He is the Savior of the world. Yes is the Almighty who has defeated Satan."

           As you learn more about the earthly battles and heavenly victories that Jesus Christ has fought and won, may your desire to see Him clearly be accompanied with deep joy and eternal gratitude as you discover who he  is and all He's done for you.

"The Gospel for Pagans"

                                          "THEOLOGY IN ACTS"

                                                     17:16-34

       

       In the marketplace of Athens, a little group was having the usual at a table behind the bazaar of Proclus. "You know what's new?" Hermes asked. "I heard this little Jewish teacher near the Royal Colonnade where the Areopagus meets. Some heckler tried to give him a hard time, but he had the best of it."

      Proclus cut in. "I know the one you mean. He comes every day. He's just a guttersparrow scavenging bits and scraps of phrases he's picked up in his wanderings, he kept talking about two new gods: Iesos and anastasia. It sound like a new cult from Judea."

      We might enjoy this conversation about Paul's first visit to Athens but Luke's inspired account gives us facts ( Acts 17:-6-34). Paul at Athen! 

 The converted rabbi in the heart of Pagans culture!

       Paul walked around fabled athens, home of philosphers and playwrights, sculptors and architects. Above him stood the parthenon, crowing the acropolis. Here was the work of Phidas dedicated to Athena, the patron goddess of the city. Yet Paul was not exhilarated. He was depressed. He saw a city full of idols. Everywhere along the streets were "herms," square columns displaying the scupted head of Hermes. Scores of other gods had altars where the devoted left their gifts.

       Paul knew it would be days before Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia. Yet he could not take a vacation from apostleship. The Athenians were idolators. Even the meat at the butcher's in the marketplace had been offered to idols. But the market was also a meeting place. Men made business deals there. They argued about everything and listened to philosphers debating. The Stoics spoke of union with the divine, and about gaining the dignity of reason and detachment. 

        The Epicureans described pleasure as the highest good--- not pleasure in the hear of passion. But the cool pleasure of indifference, free from pain and disturbing desires and fears. Paul's message attracted curiousity among these savants.

        In his address before the Areopagus, the noted Athenian council, Paul adapted his evangelism to a sophisticated Gentile audience. See how different are his words from his sermon in a Jewish synagogue. His introductory words model what every contemporary preacher needs. Paul did not insult his hearers, but disarned them. He had observed that they were very religious. His term, however, is not necessarily complimentary; it could mean "superstitious."

Knowing the Spirit

          "God demonstrated His Own love toward us, in

           that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

                                        Roman 5:8

          It's difficult to go through life with only half the story. Half the instructions will not make a half -way decent swing set. Half a novel will leave you dissatisfied. Were there to be some horrible printing calamity and this article be left with only every other word, you. . .  Probably. . . Confused. . . Death. With only half a story, you always will find yourself wanting more, wondering what you are missing. And this is too often the cause of marital infidelity. When it comes to our relations with our better halves, we too often have the wrong half of the story.

         Why did you got  married? Try to answer honesty. What was the goal? Many get married because that's supposed to be the next chapter in the book. It is expected. Some get married because they are afraid of being lonely. And the there are those who get married because they think it will make them happy. They think that the person must be the other that they are missing. Get that half and they'll complete.

        While my own marriage come at a reasonable approximation of the approximate time ( yes i was 27, and no doubt my mother was rather impatient for me to get to that chapter ), while I would surely be lonely if I did not have my dear wife and while she is indeed a joy in my life and in many ways completes me. 

        My friend was having a conversation with a man  who didn't have much good to say about the Christian faith. My friend knew that if he were to sound too religious." He would jeopardize any chance to witness. So in the middle of their discussion. He said, "Hey, Bob do you know where sinners go?"

       "That's easy," he replied. "Youre going to tell me  they go to hell."

       "No." My friend responded They go  church!!

        

"The promise"

        "When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the 

         Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy

         Spirit came on them.                                    ----Acts 19:5/6a

         Paul's return to Ephesus fulfills his promise to the Jews there that, "'God willing'" (18:21). He would come back. But on his arrival he first encounters not the Jews, not aquila and Priscilla (who have vanished from the narrative), and not the believers mentioned 18:27

Instead, he finds a group of 12 men. Like call the "disciples," but it appears that Paul quickly develops doubts about them, for he asks a question designed to help him perceive where they stand with Christ: "'Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?"' If they have truly trusted Christ, they should answer with a resounding "'Yes." However, they reply that they have even heard of a Holy Spirit.

         This is unthinkable; as Dr. Simon Kistemaker notes, "a Christian with out the Spirit is a contradiction in terms. Faith ( or, belief ) without the Spirit is nothing more than nodding consent." Futhermore, if these" disciples had been brought to Christ under the ministry of mature believer such as Aquila and Priscilla, they would have learned the Gospel accurately and would have heard the Old Testament references to the spirit. At the very least, they would have  been baptized in the name of the Father, the son, and the Holy Spirit. Hearing their answer, Paul immediately realizes that these are not true believers.

          Under his continued questioning, the truth comes out; these are disciple not of Christ but of John the Baptist. Incredible, even though John ministered for a very short time nearly 30 years before in a land far from Ephesus, he still has followers. But Paul is able to lead these men to saving faith by reminding them of John's chief emphasis; Christ Himself. He shows them that their teacher, John, urged his hearers to believe on Christ who, Unlike John, could forgive sins. Hearing this, the Ephesian believe and Undergo Christian baptism.

         Paul then lays his hand on the men and they receive the Holy Spirit, along with the supernatural manifestation of tongues and prophecy. This is the fourth incidence in Acts of a group of people being so baptized by the Spirit, along with the Jewish disciples (2:4), the Samaritans ( 8:17 ), and the God -fearers ( 10:4; ). Commentators are divide on the significance of this event, though most agree it represents. The extension of the Gospel to a new group of people, perhaps to Gentiles lacking any understanding of the Christian faith.

        

 

         

The morning service."

       "Their duty was...to stand every morning to thank and praise the Lord."

                                      1 Chronicles 23:28,30 NKJV

       The Levites werenever given the option to skip morning devotions. They were commanded to keep the morning sacrifice every day, without exception. As part of the morning rizual in the Temple the high priest had these three duties:

        1.  To trim the lamps, making sure each oil of the

              Menorah had sufficient oil and that the wicks were

              Properly positioned,

        2.   To burn sweet incense on the incense altar,

        3.   and to burn the fat of the peace offerings.

       Once a week, as part of the mornig ritual, the priest wearing a highly symbolic vestment. As he worked, the only sound was the light tinkling of the bells on the hem of his garment.

        This ancient ritual may seem strange and of little meaning to us today, but one great lesson we can draw from it is this: the morning sacrifice involved all of the senses and mind. The priest stood begote the Lord with his identity clearly displayed; he stood before the Lord for Examination.

        His sacrifice touched upon all aspect of his humanity: the lamps symbolized his need for light the ability see with spiritual eyes. The incense wasa picture of his need to dwell in an atmosphere infusesd with God's holy presence. The peace offering were a sign of his need for with God and his fellow man. And the "shewbread" demonstration is need for daily provision, which only the Lord could provide.

        This a ceremony that, in its silence. Spoke clearly: we need You. We have no life,

        No wholeness, no meaning."

        We may not have a ritual to follow in our morning devotional times, but we must come before the Lord with the same spirit of depe dence and obedience day ahead of us is not ours. Our lives belong to God. (1 Corinthians 6:20).

        Every thing we need, he will  supply. The day is His even as we ate His.