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The Great Reveal: Our Epic Journey Through Time, Space and Eternity – Part 2

How do we ask questions about eternity? We looked at eternity and infinity in the first part of our series and saw that it has no boundaries, no limitations. Time and space are not part of eternity and infinity. So, how do we form good questions about eternity and infinity?

We’ve all heard the phrase “eternity past,” but how can eternity have a past if it has no boundaries? Can we talk about eternity as past or future? Is it better to describe eternity as “always present” as in now? But how do we understand eternity as now when now doesn’t remain now because now becomes past as soon as we think of now?

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Romans – The Gospel of God (Part 32)

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”

In our last study we looked at God’s Eternal Plan that Father, Son and Holy Spirit purposed together “before time began.” Genesis 1 is a recounting of how God revealed the Plan and how it culminated in God’s crowning achievement – man (male and female). God (elohim) made (na’a’seh – let us make) man (adam) “in Our image” (besalmenu), “according to Our likeness” (kidmutenu).

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I’m Praying for You 2

Man Praying Near WaterHow often has someone said, “I’m praying for you”? How did that make you feel? Probably pretty good “if” you believed they were praying for you.

It’s harder to know whether someone really is praying for you in the social world since it’s so easy for all of us to “like” someone’s request for prayer, “retweet” or “share” their prayer request or write in the comment box – “praying for you.”

As we saw in the first part of our study, Jesus Christ prays for us. He proved it during His time of ministry on earth 2,000 years ago. We know He meant what He prayed because He sacrificed Himself for us on the Cross.  Jesus is now at the right hand of God making “making intercession for us” (Romans 8:34). The Holy Spirit also intercedes for us “in accordance with the will of God” (Romans 8:26-27).

Jesus taught His apostles the importance of praying for each other. Notice in the verses below how often the apostles’ prayers led them to reach out and meet the needs of the people for whom they prayed. As we read each example, let’s think about people who are part of our social community who need our prayers and help.

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Teaching Wisdom to Our Children – Part 2

Last week we began a special series about teaching wisdom to our children. Given the fact that knowledge currently “doubles” about every 12 months, our children will know more than any previous generation. However, another fact is that wisdom to use the growing volume of  knowledge is diminishing rapidly.

King Solomon of Israel was the world’s wisest man. When he spoke, people listened. They were amazed at his combination of knowledge, understanding and wisdom.

“And God gave Solomon wisdom and exceedingly great understanding, and largeness of heart like the sand on the seashore. Thus Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the men of the East and all the wisdom of Egypt. For he was wiser than all men—than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol; and his fame was in all the surrounding nations. He spoke three thousand proverbs, and his songs were one thousand and five. Also he spoke of trees, from the cedar tree of Lebanon even to the hyssop that springs out of the wall; he spoke also of animals, of birds, of creeping things, and of fish. And men of all nations, from all the kings of the earth who had heard of his wisdom, came to hear the wisdom of Solomon.” 1 Kings 4:29-34 (NKJV)

A good place to begin teaching wisdom to our children is through the words of Solomon and his father, King David.

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Romans – The Gospel of God (Part 19)

SAMSUNG“… and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.” Romans 1:4

Romans 1:1-4 is one sentence. Verse 4 is the last part of that sentence and a vital component in the opening statement of Paul’s amazing letter to Christians in Rome. The context is Paul’s greeting to the saints (Romans 1:7) that includes the following Christian doctrines (teaching):

  • Paul is a bondservant of Jesus Christ
  • Paul is called to be an apostle
  • Paul is separated to the Gospel of God
  • God promised His Gospel before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures (Old Testament)
  • The Gospel concerns God’s Son, Jesus Christ our Lord
  • Jesus was born of the seed of David according to the flesh
  • Jesus was declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead

Romans 1:1-4 is Paul’s opening salvo concerning the Person of Jesus Christ. The Apostle is writing a letter to the Romans in preparation for his trip to see them. Some of the Romans knew what Paul taught about Christ, but many had not heard Paul preach. People often lied about Paul’s teaching and the Apostle wrote letters to address those lies. As Paul prepared to go to Rome, he made sure that no one would misunderstand what he believed and taught about the Humanity and Deity of Jesus Christ. Paul made clear that the Gospel he preached concerned the Birth, Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ – the Son of God.

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Romans – The Gospel of God (Part 16)

SAMSUNG” … concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh …” Romans 1:3

In our last study we looked at the importance that Jesus Christ “was born of the seed of David.” That connected Jesus to both His position as the promised Messiah who would rule from the throne of His father David, and to God’s promise to Eve that her Seed would bruise (crush) the head of the seed of the serpent and God’s promise to Abraham concerning his Seed. Today, we will look at what being born “according to the flesh” means to Jews and Gentiles.

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Romans – The Gospel of God (Part 13)

SAMSUNG“Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.” Romans 1:1-4

The good news (Gospel) the Old Testament prophets spoke about concerned “His Son Jesus Christ our Lord.” So much is said in just those six words.

First, we see that Jesus is “His Son.” The Greek reads tou huiou autou – “the Son of him.” I am very proud of my sons and love them deeply. The father-son relationship is a very special human connection, but what must it be like for God? God the Father and God the Son have an eternal connection; they’ve loved each other forever!

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