Study Bible Advice

Great advice on Study Bibles from Albert Mohler.

How should a study Bible be used?

1. Read the text of the Bible first. Meditate upon the text and read it with care. Apply your own knowledge of the Bible in order to understand the particular text within its context and place in the biblical story-line. Consider and note other texts that come to your mind as directly related to this text. Read the text with full attention and conviction.

2. Look carefully at the cross-references that the study Bible links to the text you are reading. Do not look only to the citations, but read the actual passages. This assistance is still the main contribution of a study Bible -- making related and parallel passages more accessible. A first principle of interpreting the Bible is to interpret the Bible by the Bible. In other words, to allow the Bible to interpret itself text by text.

3. As a third step, take full advantage of the notes, articles, and other helps printed alongside the text. In some cases, short articles will help in understanding contested issues or matters that might otherwise require a Bible dictionary or encyclopedia. Where appropriate, maps can be very useful, along with tables of measurement and similar points of reference. The very best of the study Bibles will also offer some level of commentary within the notes.

Of course, it is the Bible itself that is inspired, inerrant, and infallible -- not the study materials included in study Bibles. Therefore, judge the notes by the biblical text, and never the other way around. Where possible, use more than one study Bible in order to maximize this learning process.

I am often asked for recommended Bible translations and study Bibles, so I offer this list in the hope that some will find it helpful. For the sake of simplicity I will recommend three excellent study Bibles representing the three translations I most eagerly commend.

The ESV Study Bible -- This long-awaited study Bible redefines the category in terms of its sheer heft. Its 2750 pages (plus maps) represents a massive resource for personal Bible study. Based on the English Standard Version [ESV] of the Bible, this is a truly worthy contribution to the world of study Bibles. Under the direction of General Editor Wayne Grudem of Phoenix Seminary, the scholars who wrote and edited this study Bible have blended practical insights with keen theological reflection. The introductions to each book are well done, as is the pleasing and useful layout of the text and materials. This new study Bible will be warmly welcomed by those who pray to see more Christians grow in understanding the Bible. This is a study Bible for the serious Bible student and will serve any Bible reader well.

The MacArthur Study Bible -- This well-known study Bible flows from the preaching and teaching ministry of Dr. John MacArthur, one of the most respected expositors of our era. I find this study Bible consistently helpful. Dr. MacArthur's clarity and the simplicity of his explanations make this study Bible accessible to anyone, while the preacher or Bible teacher will find great usefulness as well. One key feature of this study Bible are his notes on the texts, especially the Old Testament, on which Dr. MacArthur has not yet written commentary in other forms. The MacArthur Study Bible, first released in the New King James Version [NKJV] of the Bible, is now (gladly) available in the New American Standard Bible [NASB] version.

The Apologetics Study Bible -- This unique project is a study Bible that devotes particular attention to the apologetic issues that are confronted within the Biblical text. Under the general editorship of Dr. Ted Cabal of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, a team of scholars contributed, not only cross-references and the usual helps found in study Bibles, but also short articles on issues of current concern. The Apologetics Study Bible is based on the Holman Christian Standard Bible, another very trustworthy translation. I was honored to write one of the articles in this study Bible, and I commend it especially as a wonderful resource for students at the high school, college, and university levels. Those on the front lines of the apologetic confrontation will find great help here.

James McDonald has Cancer

This is from James McDonald. I recently posted a video of him explaining his beliefs on "near death experiences." In this post on his blog he announces that he has cancer and the feelings that accompany the news. I hope we can all learn how not to waste suffering from him.

Yeah, no doubt about it. PSA rising, sent for a biopsy and then the dreaded diagnosis . . .“I am sorry to confirm you have prostate cancer.” It’s a moment I have imagined through the years as occasional aches and pains led to tests, but always in the past the confirmation “all is well it’s just . . .” Not this time though; I have cancer. This of course confirms what I have taught so many times from God’s word . . . the effects of sin visit themselves randomly upon the creation in varying degrees and at various times (John 9:1-3). God promises only that His grace will be sufficient as His power is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9-10), and that He has a purpose in the life of His child that will advance our good if we submit to what He has lovingly allowed (Hebrews 12:5-13).

So that’s it! I have cancer and I can diagnose the theology as well as any oncologist can diagnose the pathology. But here’s the great part. I truly believe those things. I am not especially anxious, I am not struggling with God’s goodness or asking a lot of penetrating ‘why’s?’ I am more aware of my pending mortality and the brevity of this life by eternal standards.

We are experiencing a great nearness to the Lord and a sense of His wisdom in appointing this season of adversity for us. In fact I have a tenderness to the pain of others and a deeper burden for those closest to me. I am more acutely aware of my sin and much less willing to weigh it or measure it or manage it. I just want to be clean and close and consecrated in my walk with Christ; and I am, more than ever. Truly!!! And for that I am very thankful. I have experienced an outpouring of love from our congregation and beyond that has made me more appreciative than ever to pastor a church and belong to the body of Christ. God is good, I’m gonna get through this in God’s way and in His time and I love Him more than ever. Today is a good day, and because of it, no matter how this ‘day’ ends, tomorrow will be even better. Isn’t it great to know the Lord and love His word and walk in fellowship with His followers? How blessed I am! I will keep you up to date.

All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name

All hail the power of Jesus’ Name! Let angels prostrate fall;
Bring forth the royal diadem, and crown Him Lord of all.
Bring forth the royal diadem, and crown Him Lord of all.

Let highborn seraphs tune the lyre, and as they tune it, fall
Before His face Who tunes their choir, and crown Him Lord of all.
Before His face Who tunes their choir, and crown Him Lord of all.

Crown Him, ye morning stars of light, who fixed this floating ball;
Now hail the strength of Israel’s might, and crown Him Lord of all.
Now hail the strength of Israel’s might, and crown Him Lord of all.

Crown Him, ye martyrs of your God, who from His altar call;
Extol the Stem of Jesse’s Rod, and crown Him Lord of all.
Extol the Stem of Jesse’s Rod, and crown Him Lord of all.

Ye seed of Israel’s chosen race, ye ransomed from the fall,
Hail Him Who saves you by His grace, and crown Him Lord of all.
Hail Him Who saves you by His grace, and crown Him Lord of all.

Hail Him, ye heirs of David’s line, whom David Lord did call,
The God incarnate, Man divine, and crown Him Lord of all,
The God incarnate, Man divine, and crown Him Lord of all.

Sinners, whose love can ne’er forget the wormwood and the gall,
Go spread your trophies at His feet, and crown Him Lord of all.
Go spread your trophies at His feet, and crown Him Lord of all.

Let every tribe and every tongue before Him prostrate fall
And shout in universal song the crownèd Lord of all.
And shout in universal song the crownèd Lord of all.

-Ed­ward Per­ro­net

Bible Study: Romans 2:17-24 “The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”

But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast in God and know his will and approve what is excellent, because you are instructed from the law; and if you are sure that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth— you then who teach others, do you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal? You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? You who boast in the law dishonor God by breaking the law. For, as it is written, “The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”

In the previous section Paul's argument was primarily to Gentiles. Now Paul is turning his attention to the elect nation of God, Israel. Paul is showing us that no person is exempt from the charge that is to come in Romans 3:23.

Previously we saw that a Gentile's ability to obey the law shows that the law is written on his heart. Now we are seeing the inverse; a Jew's lack of ability to keep the law shows that the law being given to them has not made them perfect. Rather, the law is like a teacher, as Paul says, we are "instructed from the law" it shows us that we are guilty before God of breaking His law.

Paul then makes an interesting statement. He talks about people who are sure that they are, amongst other things, "a guide to the blind." He is showing the Jewish people the hypocrisy of thinking that because they posses the law they are themselves an example of godly living. The law only reveals their sin and hypocrisy. Paul quotes Isaiah and Ezekiel in verse 2:24 to show the Jew just how serious this hypocrisy is, it enables the blasphemy of God.

Since the argument began in verse 1:18 Paul has not presented the remedy to this problem. He is giving the diagnoses of the terminal disease that plagues mankind. Simply stated, Paul is arguing that EVERYONE is guilty whether Jew, Gentile, unreached people groups, or Bible Belt Southern Baptists. ALL are guilty of sin before God.

The application of this passage does not avoid us just because it is talking about the Jewish people. Many Christians today tend to think that because a person has grown up in church, been baptized, hasn't done anything really bad (in their eyes) God will forgive them of their sins. But we saw last week that the good things we do are only good enough to bring further judgment on the bad things we do. We need a Savior.

Grace and Peace,
Stephen

Jesus and Santa

Remember what Christmas is really about...the gospel. From all of us (which is pretty much just me) at the 24:45 blog. Merry Christmas!

Grace and Peace,
Stephen

A Response to the Response to Proposition 8 Part 2

Perhaps the best example of the more "intelligent" responses to California's voters passing proposition 8 is given in the video "Prop 8 The Musical" (see yesterday's post). There seem to be two levels of response: (1) violence and (2) thoughtful interaction. Both of these responses are filled with enough hate to contradict their own statements that those who do not support homosexual "marriage" are simply revealing old fashioned, ignorant hatred. I can't speak for everyone who supports Prop 8 and other amendments like it but I can speak for myself and hatred is far from my reason for being against homosexual "marriage."

The funny thing is that the makers of "Prop 8 The Musical" really think they have refuted any argument from the Bible against homosexuality and/or homosexual "marriage." So I just want to make some quick points in the form of what I hope is received as a thoughtful loving response to those with whom I disagree.

(1) Four years ago it seemed that the main arguments I heard were based on certain rights that homosexuals wanted (hospital visitation, power of attorney, etc). I'm not sure that most of these things should even be exclusive to marriage. Most of the rights I have heard homosexuals say they want I am more than willing to give to anyone.

(2) Please stop the hate. When you feel like you are hated by a group (or in this case the majority of Californians) it doesn't help your cause to act in kind. I am a Christian. We are historically the most hated people that has ever existed (Though I might be inclined to give that award to Israel. Either way we are at least in the top 2). Yet we are told throughout Scripture that it is better to suffer when doing good than to give people a reason to hate us (see the book of 1 Peter). So please stop the language, blasphemy, and violence. It isn't helping you.

(3) If you are going to try and use the Bible against us, learn how to read it. Part of the problem with this is that so many Christians want to find a quick verse and throw it at you (Leviticus 18:22) and hope that it sticks. Then the opposition goes to the book and sees all of these other things in the same book and makes the claim that we "pick and choose." So let me help you out. The reason certain laws are not carried over after Christ and some are carried over is because Christ fulfilled the law. Therefore any law that is not re-instituted in the New Testament is no longer sinful. For this reason, 9 of the 10 commandments carry over. So the question is, "does the New Testament teach the same thing as Leviticus 18:22. The answer is yes. See Romans 1:18-32, 1 Corinthians 6:9, and my previous post on the subject.

(4) I don't know about everyone else but for me this is about 2 things (the second will be addressed in both #5 and 6). I am a supporter of the recent act, namely, Act 1, in Arkansas to ban cohabiting couples from being able to adopt or foster care. This is because of my firm belief that a child should be raised by a mom and a dad. I realize that there are a lot of professing Christians who are forced to bring up a child alone and that there are a lot of non-ideal situations even among Christians. I think we can all agree that there are always exceptions and I hope that God will use me in part to change some of those statistics. However, the Bible uses the natural order of things (which were created by God for a reason) to illustrate why we should do things one way over another. I think it is fair to say that there is a natural principle that says you can't have a child without a dad and a mom. I know...I know there are exceptions and you can kindly write them to me in the comment section.

(5) Marriage is biblically defined as one man and one woman. Don't worry, I won't rave about Adam and Steve as some do. It's just as annoying to me as it is to you. But here's the definition of marriage affirmed by both the Old and New Testaments, "Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh" (Genesis 2:24). This does not mean man+man or woman+woman. Though disobeyed by several people in the Old Testament it does not mean man+ several women either.

(6) Most important is that this whole thing isn't just about a word, certain rights or even children; it's about the gospel. Ephesians 5:22-33 reveals the true meaning of marriage. In 5:32 Paul explains Genesis 2:24 (see #5 for quote) and explains, "This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church." It is for this reason that I feel it is right to protect marriage. That means protecting it against divorce, abuse, unfaithfulness, and yes homosexual misuse. It is for this reason that I consider what you want to be homosexual "marriage." What you want is a biblical oxymoron. I am not asking you to simply stop practicing homosexuality. I know that you can't do that apart from God saving you. But if you are unwilling to repent (as every person homosexual or heterosexual has to) and believe the gospel the very least I ask of you is that you realize that you are not being attacked by proposition 8; the gospel is under attack by all of those who want to redefine its parable of permanence.

This is one of the longest posts I have ever written but I felt it necessary to respond to what I have been seeing unfold over the last few months and even years.

Grace and Peace,
Stephen

A Response to the Response to Proposition 8

Marc Shaiman, the Tony Award-winning composer of the film and stage musical "Hairspray," has done the country a major, if inadvertent, service. He has composed a brief musical piece against California Proposition 8 that takes only three minutes to reveal the ignorance and hate that pervades so much anti-Proposition 8 activism.-Daily Breeze

Does this cheeky video really reveal ignorance in the arguments again homosexual "marriage"? I don't think so. See why I disagree with this claim tomorrow.

Joy to the World!

Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.

Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns!
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.

No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as, the curse is found.

He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love.

-Isaac Watts

Bible Study: Romans 2:6-16 "the work of the law is written on their hearts"

He will render to each one according to his works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury. There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek, but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek. For God shows no partiality. For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified. For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them on that day when, a according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.

This is a big section so lets just break it down into what Paul is basically saying:

(1) God is going to judge every single person according to what they have done in their life.

(2) The Jewish understanding of this judgment would be that every person will be judged by the Old Testament Law.

(3) Those who are judged to be righteous (completely 100% perfect) will be granted eternal life.

(4) Those who are judged to be self seeking and evil will be punished in the wrath of God.

(5) The majority of this section deals with the fact that there are Gentiles who have no knowledge of the Old Testament Law that is assumed to be the basis of their judgment. Paul's argument is that all men have some understanding of the Law of God even if they don't know it in its written form. For example:

Imagine a young child who has never had to clean his room in his life. His mom tells him, "Tommy, I need you to clean up your room." So Tommy, though he has never been taught how to clean his room, runs and does the best job he knows how. His mom walks in and sees that, though the room looks far from perfect, little Tommy obeyed her. She is pleased with little Tommy.

Now fast forward two months. The mom tells the child again, "Tommy, I need you to clean up your room." But the child doesn't want to clean up his room this time so he ignores his mom. Later, the mom walks in and sees that Tommy didn't do anything this time. She asks him why he disobeyed her and Tommy replies, "you never showed me how to clean my room so I don't think you should punish me for not doing it." Should the mother punish Tommy for his disobedience? Or has she proven to be unjust for asking her child to do something without showing him how to do it?

Little Tommy is a law to himself.

Grace and Peace,
Stephen

The ABC's of the Bible- Elder

Elders: Servant Leaders

The New Testament form of church government seems to be led by a plurality of elders. We see this happening in Acts 14:23 and implied in James 5:14. The words "elder" and "pastor" seem to be used interchangeably in the New Testament.

The qualifications of an elder are found in Titus 1:7-9. Notice that these qualifications are basically the same as that of a deacon with the addition of the elder's ability to teach.

For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.

A Morning Prayer

We again draw near unto You, O Lord our God, beseeching You to grant us audience with Your Divine majesty. We appear before You in the name and Person, righteousness and sacrifice, intercession and advocacy of the holy and immaculate Lamb. At Your throne of grace, as the monuments of Your sacred mercy, we desire to extol and praise Your most holy name.

O Lord, we have nothing in ourselves--but sin. We are all impurity--to us belong shame and confusion of face. We are in the uttermost sense--lost, undone, sinful, guilty, and vile. We entreat You to behold us in Christ Jesus. View us in Him, O Lord.

O let our souls be under the mighty, all-constraining, all-conquering influence of Your everlasting love today. We beg You to keep us this day from sinning against You. Lord, we are in ourselves, and when left to ourselves--as unstable as water. O support us. O defend us. O be near unto us this day, and uphold us with the right hand of Your righteousness.

Lord, we are full of sin; O lead us to the fountain opened for sin and impurity! We are all emptiness in ourselves. Lord, lead us to the fullness of Jesus for the supply of all our needs.

Blessed God and Father, do most graciously sympathize with us. Guide us with Your eye. O keep us near Yourself. Allow no iniquity to have dominion over us; save us from ourselves! Save us, O Lord, from our constitutional sins, tempers, and corruptions. O let them be kept under control, and subdued by the omnipotent power of Your grace.

We beseech You, O Holy Spirit, to bring our minds and hearts under the mighty power of all-conquering grace. O Lord, let not sin, nor Satan, prevail against us. We leave ourselves with You, Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit, to whom be glory forever. Amen. -S.E. Pierce

For this and other resources go to Grace Gems.

A Book You Can Read: The Knowledge of the Holy

Title: The Knowledge of the Holy Category: Theology Proper (the study of God) Author: A.W. Tozer. Tozer was a popular evangelist in the early part of the 20th century.

Pages: 120.

Readability Rating: 2.5 out of 5. If you read a King James Bible on a regular basis and understand it you can bump this up to a 4 out of 5. The book is readable for almost everybody but it takes a little work to do translation. It isn’t too bad though.

Why you should read it: You won’t find very many books that give such a concise understanding of the nature and character of God as this book. Tozer loved God. That love was poured into every page of this little book. I have found the prayers at the beginning of each short chapter helpful for my personal devotions as well.

Price: 12.99 or less.

Hark! the Herald Angels Sing

Hark! The herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King;
Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!”
Joyful, all ye nations rise,
Join the triumph of the skies;
With th’angelic host proclaim,
“Christ is born in Bethlehem!”

Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King!”

Christ, by highest Heav’n adored;
Christ the everlasting Lord;
Late in time, behold Him come,
Offspring of a virgin’s womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;
Hail th’incarnate Deity,
Pleased with us in flesh to dwell,
Jesus our Emmanuel.

Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King!”

Hail the heav’nly Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings,
Ris’n with healing in His wings.
Mild He lays His glory by,
Born that man no more may die.
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth.

Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King!”

Come, Desire of nations, come,
Fix in us Thy humble home;
Rise, the woman’s conqu’ring Seed,
Bruise in us the serpent’s head.
Now display Thy saving power,
Ruined nature now restore;
Now in mystic union join
Thine to ours, and ours to Thine.

Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King!”

Adam’s likeness, Lord, efface,
Stamp Thine image in its place:
Second Adam from above,
Reinstate us in Thy love.
Let us Thee, though lost, regain,
Thee, the Life, the inner man:
O, to all Thyself impart,
Formed in each believing heart.

-Charles Wesley

Bible Study: Romans 2:1-5 "Storing up Wrath"

Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be revealed.

"A soft and repentant heart is needed to avert God's wrath on the day of wrath, the final judgment. Such repentance would express itself in trust in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins. Paul disagrees with much of the Jewish teaching of his day, according to which the Jews were not storing up wrath but were in good standing with God through their covenant relationship, not needing to meet God's standard of perfect obedience but needing only an intention to obey God." -ESV Study Bible

The ABC's of the Bible- Deacon

Deacons: Leading Servants

Acts 6:1-6 describes a dilemma in the early church. The size of the church was making it difficult to care for everyone. So the apostles had the church pick seven godly men to be the leading servants so that the elders could be free to devote themselves to prayer and the ministry of the word. These "servants" are what we now call deacons.

The qualifications for a deacon are described in 1 Timothy 3:8-13.

One issue of debate among godly Bible scholars is whether or not the Bible permits women to be deacons. This is a gray area in Scripture. There does seem to be evidence of a female deacon in Romans 16:1. My opinion is that a church that defines the office of deacon in a biblical way, without giving it the authority of a pastor/elder, women should be able to serve in that office. Perhaps that should be further explored in a future post.

Grace and Peace,
Stephen

What is Gospel Centered Marriage?

Find this and other resources from the Gospel Coalition.

A Book You Can Read: Pierced by the Word

Title: Pierced by the Word Category: Devotion Author: John Piper. Piper is one of the most influential people in my life. When I was young and had undeveloped thoughts on what I was reading in my Bible Piper was there to fill in the blanks and give me a passion for putting those thoughts into action. His mission is to spread a passion for the supremacy of God in all things for the joy of all peoples through Jesus Christ.

Pages: 119.

Readability Rating: 4.5 out of 5. I was originally inclined to give the book a perfect score in readability but I know that I have never read one of Piper’s books and not had to go back over a few things to understand the point. However, this book is for all kinds of people and you should be able to read through each chapter quickly and meditate on the Biblical truth contained therein.

Why you should read it: As with any devotion book I do not recommend it in place of regular Bible reading. When I use these kinds of books it is usually at night or some other time that is not my regular Bible time. It is short and punchy; a wonderful supplement for the regular Bible reader.

Price: 12.99 or less.

O Holy Night

O holy night, the stars are brightly shining;
It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth!
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope, the weary soul rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees, O hear the angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born!
O night, O holy night, O night divine!

Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,
Here came the wise men from Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger,
In all our trials born to be our Friend!
He knows our need—to our weakness is no stranger.
Behold your King; before Him lowly bend!
Behold your King; before Him lowly bend!

Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His Gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother
And in His Name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy Name!
Christ is the Lord! O praise His name forever!
His pow’r and glory evermore proclaim!
His pow’r and glory evermore proclaim!

-Placide Cappeau

Bible Study: Romans 1:18-23 "Seen but suppressed."

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.

"God is in himself invisible; but as his majesty shines forth in his works and in his creatures everywhere, men ought in these to acknowledge him, for they clearly set forth their Maker: and for this reason the Apostle in his Epistle to the Hebrews says, that this world is a mirror, or the representation of invisible things." -John Calvin (Calvin Commentary on Romans, 70)

The ABC's of the Bible- Christ

The Greek word translated in English as "Christ" is the equivalent of the Hebrew term Messiah and means "anointed one." Although not intrinsic to its meaning, the New Testament use of the term Christ tends to point to the deity of Jesus. (Pocket Dictionary of Theological Terms, 25)

Christ is not Jesus' last name. To say that Jesus is the Christ means that Jesus is the Jewish Messiah. Though the word "Messiah" is not used in the Old Testament, it is a word that sums up the promise of a coming Jewish leader/ruler/redeemer.

The New Testament writer most focused on convincing his readers that Jesus is the Christ was Matthew. Matthew wrote to a Jewish audience and began his Gospel with a genealogy which connected Christ to King David. That is why his opening title was probably quite eye grabbing back in the 1st century, "The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ."

Grace and Peace,
Stephen

Penelope Judd

This is a great parable. I know it looks long but that's only because each line is pretty short.

Once upon a time in a distant land

Far beyond the sea where there lived no man

Or woman- in fact, lo and behold

The oldest person there was only 12 years old

Because all the grown-ups had washed away in a flood

One town in particular there was called Mud

Because every sister, cousin and brother

From head to toe in mud they were covered

But anyway, in this town called Mud

There lived a little girl named Penelope Judd

Now Penelope was a very sad, sad girl

Because she was living in a bad, bad world

Where kids teased each other and acted really mean

They lied, cheated and stole and their speech was obscene

With no grown-ups around, nobody was really wise

So every kid did what was right in their own eyes

Penelope would cry- like every single day

No matter what she did, the tears wouldn’t go away

But deep down in her heart, she hoped it would get better

Because of what her grandpa had written in a letter

He said, “Penelope, it’s great news that I bring

On the mountain top there lives a great King

The King has a Son, and being a proud Father

He’s going to throw the Prince a huge party in His honor

But the good part: and I hope it gets you excited

Penelope Judd, you’re officially invited!

He’s sending a Dove- He’ll tell you all you need to know

Just have your bags packed and be ready to go”

It had been such a long time Penelope was waiting

She wondered if the letter was true or just faking

But one day she was playing outside

And to her great surprise, the Dove had arrived!

He said:


Off we go with no delay

Don’t let nobody try to make you stay

We’re gonna see the King, we're on our way

And all the old things gon’ pass away

The Dove told her that He was sent by the King

If she wanted to go, she had to run and grab her things

Penelope said, “OK. I’ll be right back!”

Ran into the house and came back out with her knapsack

The Dove said, “Penelope, the party is in a day

Stay alert, follow me and I’ll lead the way”

So as He flew and Penelope walked the path

She waived good-bye to her friends and they started to laugh

They said that she was silly for following the Dove

Just to go to some stupid party up above

Penelope and the Dove continued on their way

But then she got sad, because part of her wanted to stay

But then she thought to herself, “Why would I want to stay?

Because all they do is play in the mud all day

And while they’re doing that, I’m gonna see the King!”

It made Penelope so happy, she started to sing

She said:

Off I go with no delay

And ain’t nobody gonna make me stay

I’m gonna see the King- I’m on my way

And all the old things gon’ pass away

Now when they had been walking for a long time

They reached the foot of the mountain and they started to climb

Penelope got scared, not sure if she could keep

going because the mountain was very, very steep

On top of that, it was now dark outside

The Dove said, “Keep your eyes on me- I’ll be your guide”

Getting to the top was a difficult trip

But the Dove was there to pick her up whenever she slipped

And she was so excited when they got near the top

that she didn’t even stop when her knapsack dropped

The Dove led her to the Palace and said, “Farewell!

See you inside!” He flew away; Penelope rang the bell

A huge angel answered, looked her up and down

She knew something was wrong because he had a big frown

“Can I help you, ma’am?” “Yes, I’m here for the party

I have an invitation” He said, “I’m so sorry!

There’s no way that I can let you through these doors

The King won’t let anyone dirty up His floors”

She didn’t understand, so without coming near her

He reached into his pocket and He pulled out a mirror

And for the very first time, she saw that she was dirty

The Palace was spotless- she knew she was unworthy

As the angel continued, “I’m sorry, little friend

but…”A voice inside the party said, “You can let her in”

The next thing she knew, the Prince Himself was at the door

He looked at her, smiled and said, “There’s room for one more”

He reached out and touched her- instantly she was clean

Wearing the brightest robe that she had ever seen

If the Mud kids had seen it, they would have gone blind

“Where’d you get it?”, she asked, He said, “Actually, it’s mine”

And as He lead her in through the Palace doors

He sang the sweetest song she ever heard before

He said:

Long ago, laid aside my crown

Became a Mud kid, traveled to your town

They kicked me out, didn’t want me around

But those who love me get to share my crown

- By Shai Linne. This is one track on his wonderful new album Storiez.

A Book You Can Read: What is a Healthy Church Member

I don't want to say that this is another "series." Every once in a while I will be posting a short readable book for those of you who wish you could read more but it doesn't work for a number of reasons. These books will help in your Christian walk as they help you understand the Bible. More important, you should be able to finish one before you get bored of it. Here's the first one:

Title: What is a Healthy Church Member?

Category: Christian Living/Church Ministry

Author: Thabiti Anyabwile. I had never heard of Thabiti until I went to the Together for the Gospel conference in April of 2008. I have now had multiple opportunities to listen to him, read him, and hear other influential Christians talk about him. Honestly, one thing I love about him is that he is an African-American with sound biblical theology. He doesn’t fit any category of person you normally find advertised in Christianity but he is part of a growing movement.

Pages: 127 (including table of contents, preface, forward, and indexes). This is a short book. The page number doesn’t even do it justice because the size of the pages is so small.

Readability Rating: 4 out of 5. Thabiti seeks to build categories in our minds rather than work with preexisting categories. Rarely does he assume the reader having any knowledge on a topic he is writing about in the book. Nevertheless, you might find yourself reading one or two things over again just to make sure you get the thought. This is still a very readable book for anyone.

Why you should read it: This book will help fill in your understanding on several basics of the Christian life. Chances are, whether you are ignorant of most theology or a seminary student, you will learn a lot from this book.

Price: 12.99 or less.

The Power of the Cross

Oh, to see the dawn
Of the darkest day:
Christ on the road to Calvary.
Tried by sinful men,
Torn and beaten, then
Nailed to a cross of wood.

CHORUS:
This, the pow'r of the cross:
Christ became sin for us;
Took the blame, bore the wrath—
We stand forgiven at the cross.

Oh, to see the pain
Written on Your face,
Bearing the awesome weight of sin.
Ev'ry bitter thought,
Ev'ry evil deed
Crowning Your bloodstained brow.

Now the daylight flees;
Now the ground beneath
Quakes as its Maker bows His head.
Curtain torn in two,
Dead are raised to life;
"Finished!" the vict'ry cry.

Oh, to see my name
Written in the wounds,
For through Your suffering I am free.
Death is crushed to death;
Life is mine to live,
Won through Your selfless love.

FINAL CHORUS:
This, the pow'r of the cross:
Son of God—slain for us.
What a love! What a cost!
We stand forgiven at the cross.
-Keith and Kristyn Getty