Living Word May 2014

My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?

(Mark 15:34)

What fellowship does light have with darkness?

2 Corinthians 6:14

www.biblestudiesonline.org.uk

In this month’s issue: 4.

Divine Diminishing

Edwin & Lillian Harvey (USA)

5.

No Better Time than the Present!

Cheryl Harrison (USA)

6.

Arise Shine: A Poem

Maria Egilsson (Canada)

6.

Art of Falling

Sheldon Bass (USA)

7.

First Love Discipleship Series – Philippians

Dr. Tony Keys (Australia)

10.

Revelation 14 - The Harvest of the Earth

Mathew Bartlett (UK)

14.

Noah’s Ark

Mathew Bartlett (UK)

19.

Five Secrets To Discovering God's Will

Daniel Kolenda (CfaN)

20.

The Power to Witness

Reinhard Bonnke (CfaN)

21.

Faith-builders Bible Study Mark 8

Derek Williams (UK)

24.

Simple Things

Vicki L. Julian (USA)

26.

In Depth Study – 1 Corinthians 14

Mathew Bartlett (UK)

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Living Word is published in the UK by Sharon Full Gospel Church, 7 Park View, Freeholdland Road, Pontnewynydd, Pontypool, NP4 8LP Editor: Mathew Bartlett

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Divine Diminishing An extract from “Royal Insignia”

by Edwin & Lillian Harvey

BUY ON KINDLE! £3.86 Image © Subbotina Reproduced by kind permission of Harvey Publishers. www.harveycp.com

The Lord said to Gideon, The people that are with thee are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel vaunt themselves against me, saying, Mine own hand hath saved me (Judges 7:2).

words, “I did it.” More important is the provision through the Cross whereby the old Adam can be crucified with Christ so that it is not “I” but Christ Who lives and labors from that hour.

SOMEONE declared, “A man may be too big for God to use but he cannot be too little.” This comes as a shock in an age of extreme bigness. Everything is bigger and more ambitious than ever before.

Advocated on all fronts are mergers and artificial swelling processes to give weight and power, or at least an appearance of them.

The Old Testament is fascinating because of the Divine Diminishing.

Much of its charm is the relation of tremendous accomplishments with very small instruments. A word, a rod, a lamp and pitcher, a sling and five stones, and lo, marvelous feats, out of all proportion to the size of the instrument, result. And as all human instruments are the largest available there must be a drastic reduction before God can employ them.

The Bible shows a principle of divine success that is the exact antithesis of all this. God must, in His servants, find smallness, nothingness, humility, and dependence. Where He does not detect these, He may have to reject the applicant altogether. If, however, He sees even the slightest flickering desire to be humbly used of God, the Divine Master-maker will put the candidate through a whittling process that he will never in the hour of victory say those chestexpanding, but God dishonouring

David had simple faith in God but no doubt there was a danger of too much success and popularity going to his head. Saul offered him his own armor with which to combat the giant but God gave him such a feeling of insecurity with all that big armory that he reduced himself to his sling and five smooth stones, plus his faith in God. Then, to the accompanying tune of the most sarcastic and taunting slurs

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concerning his youth and his littleness and his “light artillery,” a platform was furnished from which God could get all the glory for the victory.

And Gideon had his army numbered at 42,000 men. But what were they against the Midianites who covered the land with their multitude! It took plenty of faith, one would say, for Gideon’s army to think of defeating the enemy with a so much larger army. But God was taking no chances with the natural pride of man, so He reduced it first to ten thousand and then to a laughable little party of three hundred, plus lamps and pitchers and a God-taught, God-honoring slogan. And the victory came!

Often we hear at the end of a prayer the words, “And we shall be careful to give God the glory.” But we can never do this without God’s diminishing process. That process is co-crucifixion by faith with Jesus on the Cross. The old Adam is always big and aspiring to be bigger. When Jesus died, rose again and ascended into glory He left a pathetic little pack of failures—mainly humble fishermen, who had aspired to be “the greatest in the Kingdom.”

They had coveted the places of honor beside the Master when He would come into His kingdom. The future of Christianity appeared hopeless in their hands, but after Pentecost they were so small that one fails to see them as the actors at all—they were little men with a great God. Their tools were insignificant, as their stature in the sight of the world.

Since Pentecost, God’s instruments have become nothing through Calvary. They have learned that willpower or any other human force can never make a man small enough to be able at all times to let God have all the glory. It is a precious moment when a weary soul asks earnestly and in faith, “Lord, let me be nothing; let me die with Thee.” —E. F. Harvey.

No Better Time than the Present!

By Cheryl Harrison Image © Melissa Dockstader

I woke up this morning with deadlines on my mind. Today is February 20th, and my newsletter article is due. The desire of my heart is to turn the article in on time, but what to write? What to write? Okay, it's settled. I will write about deadlines.

Try as we might, we can't escape the time-constraints that are set on our lives. It all begins with our birth.

Yes, to the chagrin of our mothers, some of us arrived late, but in reality God set the deadlines for our birth and our death. He did this before we took our first breath.

Psalm 139:16 (Living Bible) says it best--"You saw me before I was born and scheduled each day of my life before I began to breathe. Every day was recorded in your book!"

From the moment of our birth, our parents and teachers strove to prepare us for the reality of adulthood. Once that goal was achieved, we suddenly found ourselves thrust into a world full of deadlines.

Some of us married and had children before we reached a certain age. Others focused on education and career goals, hoping to attain wealth and retirement while we were still young. All of us took on financial responsibilities which, in and of themselves, added a new dimension to time-limits.

NOW is the day of salvation, and there is no better time than the present!

We are busy people. We hit and miss deadlines all the time. We are governed by goals and target-dates, but there is an important deadline that looms over everyone -- the deadline of our salvation. Some of us have already responded to God's call, but others are teetering on the edge of indecision. Many of us have our eternal security nailed down, but others believe God's deadline can be manipulated.

Who has sinned? Romans 3:23 "...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God..."

Scripture is clear about deadlines..."For he says, 'In the time of my favour I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.' I tell you, now is the time of God’s favour, now is the day of salvation" (2 Corinthians 6:2).

If we have not responded to God's free gift of salvation, the deadline is NOW! If we have received His wonderful gift of grace, it is imperative that we tell others about the urgency of His deadline.

Scripture reminds us that God is patient with us, not wanting anyone to perish. But even God's desire for everyone to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9), will not outlast His deadline... "Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the end" (Revelation 22:12-13).

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The Romans Road to Salvation Who is good?

Romans 3:10 "There is no one righteous, not even one...

God's price for sin Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord."

Who paid the price?

Romans 5:8 "But God demonstrated his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

The only way out: Romans 10:9-10 "That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved."

Take God at His word and claim His promise for your salvation!

Romans 10:13 "For whoever shall call upon the name of the LORD shall be saved!

Article © Cheryl Harrison. Image © Find many more great articles at Cheryl’s blog: http://www.freedtowrite.com/

“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.

See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the LORD rises upon you and his glory appears over you. Isaiah 60:1-2

A Poem by Maria Egilsson When suffering gives way And tears wash the scales From eyes that now can see The colours of life Deepened in the shade Of wars that have raged Within a soul Fragile beauty shimmers Like a sacred jewel When we let go

Art of Falling – © Sheldon Bass (Indiana) See many more articles by Sheldon Bass here Image © Radu Razvan Gheorghe

“If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1st John 1:9 KJV) I’d never realized that falling down could be considered an art form.

Perhaps one could tip over and land gracefully, or they might crash like a klutz. But that’s not what the witty mentor was referring to. It’s what is done after a spill that determines whether one will grow stronger, or simply incur an embarrassing booboo.

Spiritually, I’ve fallen many times.

Sometimes on my backside and at others, my face. However, it wasn’t until understanding the opportunity a blunder, a sin, and even a backside slide could present, that I came to know the benefits of humbly rising to stand on my faith again. And learning from those mistakes.

Consider the danger zones which led to disobedience to God. And

Allowing God to surround Our moments With promises Filled with the amber Of His Holy light As night Gives way to day. ©Maria Egilsson

Read more of Maria’s work here

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how to avoid a recurrence. I repent and ask forgiveness. But have I accepted God’s forgiveness?

Growth is arrested until I do.

Am I allowing Satan to beat me up over something the Lord has already put into the sea of no remembrance? The old analogy of getting back up the horse once we’ve been thrown means never giving up—continuing on regardless of the pain. I need to confess it and move on. And not be bound by the chains of shame and guilt. These, Jesus bore for me on the cross along with my sin.

The art of falling gracefully is allowing the Lord to use my fall to teach me, and to strengthen my defences against sin. We fall down—we get up.

Thank you Lord, for your immense patience, and for forgiving and embracing us when we fall. We sing of your loving discipline.

This Month’s Featured Resource: First Love Discipleship Series Philippians

By Dr. Tony Keys. Available now for £8.80 from Amazon.co.uk Day 1: Read Philippians 1: 1-11 As well as the commentary (see abstract below), this superb resource contains ideas for personal/group study to aid reflection on the passage. We like it so much we’ve put it in our own bookstore! Highly recommended.

A. Paul’s Apostolic Prayer (1: 1-11) This prayer is a window into Paul’s deep pastoral care for his converts.

Not only should this passage be seen as a window into the heart of Paul, but it also should be seen as a mirror in that not only do we see Paul’s example but that example is reflected back into our lives and becomes part of our lives.

V.1-2 Right at the beginning of the letter, Paul describes himself and his colleague Timothy as “bondservants of Jesus Christ”. He begins by giving his own credentials, calling himself a servant or slave of Jesus Christ. The Greek word for servant is ‘doulos’ and it has two basic backgrounds which Paul applies here: the first is based on Paul’s favourite title for Jesus, which is ‘Lord’. The Greek word for ‘Lord’ is ‘kurios’. It describes someone who has undisputed possession of a person or a thing. It means master or owner in the most

definite and absolute sense. The opposite of ‘Lord’ is ’slave’ or ‘servant’, which is how Paul saw himself. Thus Paul saw himself as the undisputed possession of Jesus Christ. The term ‘bondservant’ refers to someone who is devoted to another to the disregard of one’s own interests. On its basic level, a bondservant is simply following one’s master to the complete disregard of one’s own will, emotions and desires.

The second background to the word ‘bondservant’ which Paul applies comes from the Old Testament. It was also a word used to describe a great man of God, such as a prophet. It was undoubtedly the greatest title one could give to a prophet because it distinguished him from other men, not only as a servant of God but also as a person who has a God-given authority to speak and to act in God’s name, as God’s accredited representative.

The title shows Paul’s first consciousness of his God-given apostolic authority.

Paul then addresses the recipients of the letter, whom he says are “saints in Christ Jesus”. The word ‘saint’ in the Greek is ‘hagioi’, which means ‘holy’ or ‘to separate’. Used in the context that Paul uses it, it means people who are different from other people because they have been separated, consecrated unto God because of their special relationship with Jesus Christ. The bishops and deacons enjoy a special mention because of the importance and responsibility they held in the church. The bishops were the pastors who taught the word of God and nourished the flock. The deacons were those whose responsibility lay with administration.

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Paul evokes a blessing of grace and peace upon the lives of his readers.

It is the same blessing that he evoked upon the church at Ephesus.

‘Grace’ represents a believer’s standing, and ‘peace’ the believer’s present and continued experience with God. Theologian Charles Hodge explained the relationship between divine grace and the human heart: “The doctrines of grace humble a man without degrading him and exalt him without inflating him”. Such a blessing can only humble us in the presence of God’s great love for us.

V.3-5 Paul in V.3 has no regrets when he thinks of Philippi, only fond memories for which he gives God thanks. Paul’s thanksgiving in V.4 is accompanied by a joyous intercession for all the church and its spiritual needs. The little word “all” shows that all of Paul’s hopes, desires and prayers are extended to all the church at Philippi. The repetition of the small word ‘all’ throughout this letter shows Paul’s singled-mindedness for unity and equality within the church, which is necessary for the growth of the church. Paul doesn’t distinguish between a personal, social, national or educational background in his prayers and neither should we, for ‘all’ are included in the blessings of God. Paul continues to tell us in V.5 that the reason for his joy is because of their “fellowship in the gospel”. The word ‘fellowship’ as used here is ‘koinonia’ in the Greek. The word means more than just sharing a common or mutual interest or casual relationship as we have when we meet in a general assembly such as on Sunday mornings. Rather, the word ‘fellowship’ carries the concept of

partnership in achieving some sort of enterprise. The Philippians’ cooperation was not limited to the first time they met Paul, but continued on. Their co-operation was expressed in their zeal to preach the gospel, prayers for him and their sympathy and sacrifice in raising money to meet Paul’s personal needs while he was in prison. Prisoners in those days received little food from the prison and relied heavily on friends to help them.

V.6 There are few things more painful and sadder than an unfulfilled life. It’s like Schubert’s unfinished Fifth Symphony, waiting in vain for the master’s final touch.

One day, the evangelist Billy Graham and his wife Ruth were driving through a long stretch of road construction. They had numerous slowdowns, detours and stops along the way. Finally they reached the end of all that difficulty, and smooth pavement stretched out before them. This sign caught Ruth's attention: "End of construction. Thanks for your patience." She commented that those words would be a fitting inscription on her tombstone someday.

Though our lives here upon earth are under God’s construction, Paul is confident that what God has begun in their lives He will complete. Why? It is because God is not like man who may become wearied or exhausted in a work they have begun and then give-up.

God’s steadfastness is inexhaustible. He never forsakes the works of His hands. Paul makes it very clear that it was God who took the initiative to begin the good work in each of our lives and it will be Him who carries it through to

perfection. Paul goes as far as to tell us when this day of perfection will come: it will be on “the day of Jesus Christ”. On that day we shall be presented to Christ as His perfect bride.

Michelangelo is well-known for not completing his projects. In Florence, the great city of the Renaissance, there is a museum where some works of Michelangelo are on display. Amongst many of those works of Michelangelo is the halffinished sculpture of St. Matthew.

This unfinished work was a prime example of Michelangelo’s philosophy of art: he believed that in a stone there was a figure or statue waiting to be released, and that the work of the artist was to free the statue from the stone. This particular statue is so lifelike that many tourists imagine that at any moment St. Matthew might just step out of that huge stone. Unlike Michelangelo, God does not stop working in our lives to conform us to the image of Christ. God will finish what He has started; ultimately, God has no unfinished works of grace!

V.7-8 These verses are not only a window but an example of the depth of partnership that Paul formed with those whom he nurtured in the faith. Paul developed a leadership style with those he led which today is known as leadership-as-a-partnership.

Jesus first demonstrated this type of leadership in John’s Gospel 15:15, where He explains the partnership that we have entered into with Him. He tells us that He will no longer call His disciples ‘servants’, but ‘friends’.

The emphasis of the verse is placed on the close fellowship that Jesus and we, His disciples, share. It is a partnership that is no longer

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motivated by duty but rather by friendship. We have become Jesus’ colleagues, the ones with whom He will share the secrets of heaven.

This relationship and partnership with Jesus enhances our performance and fruitfulness in taking the gospel into the entire world. As leaders seek to emulate the example of Jesus and Paul, they will see a greatly improved performance from those they lead.

This partnership Paul had with the church at Philippi did not come about overnight, for it had been forged through thick and thin. They had partnered with Paul in spite of the dangers of aligning themselves with a prisoner of Rome, and whom some saw as an enemy of the state in the furtherance of the gospel by publicly speaking in defence and confirmation of the gospel.

The terms “defense” and “confirmation” are legal terms. The first, ‘defense’, in the Greek is ‘apologia’, and refers to ‘an attorney or barrister presenting a verbal defense of a client’. The second, ‘confirmation’, in the Greek is ‘bebaiosis’, which means ‘to build-up or strengthen from within or to make something stable’, so it proclaims that through public speaking the church at Philippi showed that the claims of the gospel were true. The result was not only that the church was strengthened through teaching and had a great influx of converts, but the church at Philippi also became partners with Paul in the benefits of the “grace” of God. So it’s only natural that Paul expresses his heartfelt desire in the beginning of V.7, that the work that God has begun in them of which he spoke in V.6 be completed at the return of Christ, and for Paul’s

longing to be reunited with them.

He says in V.8, “How greatly I long for you all”; the word ‘long’ in the Greek is ‘epipothein’, which means ‘an intense yearning to be reunited with someone’ – in this case, the church at Philippi.

Their fellowship/partnership meant so much to Paul. The yearning he has described here is the yearning and love that Christ has for the church as a whole. Paul had become so much the under-shepherd of Christ that his heart throbbed with the heartbeat of Christ.

V.9-11 Because of his personal partnership with the church at Philippi, Paul prays for three things that the church might receive: the first is “that their love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment” (V.9). True, their and our love had already been shown to the Lord and others, yet Paul wished it to go on into perfection, not only in quantity but also in quality, into depths and heights it had never reached. It is said that one day Michelangelo entered his studio to examine the work of his students. As he came to the painting of one of his favourite pupils, he stood and looked at it for a long time. Then, to the utter surprise of the class, he suddenly took a brush and wrote one word across the canvas. That one word he splashed on the picture was ‘amplius’, meaning ‘larger’.

Michelangelo was not rejecting the work, for it exhibited great skill and was good as far as it went, but the small size of the canvas had made its design appear cramped. It needed to be expanded. Paul when he writes the ‘abound’ is like Michelangelo writing the word ‘amplius’ across many of our lives: he is not rejecting the work of God in the Philippians or in our lives but

rather he wants to see it expanded, increased, made larger, in ‘knowledge’ and ‘discernment’ (V.9). So that they would not go off in blind and misguided enthusiasm in love, he prays that they have it directed by knowledge. ‘Knowledge’ here means ‘sensitivity’, not only to the word of God but to the needs of others and to their individual situation. The word ‘knowledge’ is coupled with the word ‘judgement’ or ‘discernment’, which not only emphasises the word ‘knowledge’ but stresses the point that love must seek out those things that are spiritually beautiful. Love without these two qualities may be honourable and its motives worthy, but it may do more harm than good. Why? It is because it cannot “approve the things that are excellent” (V.10). The word ‘approve’ in the Greek is ‘dokimazein’, which is a word used for testing metal or coins to see if they are genuine, pure and not false. Real love is not blind; it can test everything to see if it is pure or false.

The second thing Paul desires is that we might be enlarged in holiness or sanctification, for he says, “that you may be sincere and without offense” (V.10). It means that Paul wishes that our lives be pure, free from any inward pollution and that our conduct be not a stumbling block to others. The word ‘sincere’ in the Greek is ‘eilikrineis’, which comes from two Greek words: ‘eile’ meaning ‘sunshine’ and ‘krinein’ which means ‘to judge’. In the ancient markets, people would take cloth out into the open and hold it up to the sunlight to see if it had any flaws. Our lives are like that cloth: they must be able to stand the test, to be taken out into the open and lifted up before the true 9

light that emanates from the Son and found to be without fault.

Finally Paul prays that we might be enlarged “with the fruits of righteousness” (V.11), which means he desires that our lives be like heavily-laden fruit trees, abounding in a holy life for praise and glory to God. Paul points out that these things can only be obtained through Jesus Christ.

• Now that you have completed your readings for today, write down in your Reflective Journal any thoughts you may have that you would like to discuss at the Group Discussion, or any notes of special significance to you.

• Whilst making this entry in your Reflective Journal, keep in mind that: The purpose of reflective journaling is to enhance your learning through the process of writing and thinking about what you have learnt from the Scriptures.

Reflective journaling is recording your new insights, connections with other learning, feelings, and conclusions.

Reflective journaling answers: “What does this text mean to me personally as a believer?”

Dr. Tony Keys (from Victoria in Australia) is a prolific author with degrees in biblical/theology, education and leadership/ management. Tony is passionate about developing leaders and conducts leadership seminars for pastors around the world.

Revelation 14 The Harvest of the Earth

Revelation 14 presents us with four different visions, but each vision has the same theme running through it.

The message of the four visions could be summarized as the statement that there are only two kinds of people on earth - the saved or redeemed and the unsaved or the wicked. The first of the four visions gives describes the blessedness of the redeemed; the second is a warning to the wicked, whilst the last two visions show the reward of the righteous and the punishment of the wicked.

The Blessedness of the Redeemed 14:1 Then I looked, and here was the Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with him were one hundred and forty-four thousand, who had his name and his Father's name written on their foreheads.

It is this new or spiritual birth that makes us children of God. It takes place when we receive the Lord Jesus into our hearts by faith.

By Mathew Bartlett Photo © Pidiyath100

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: (John 1:12) (See also James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:23; 1 John 5.1)

Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

(Hebrews 7:25)

The Father’s “name” means his character or nature, whilst the forehead (or face) shows the character of a man. These saints have been fully conformed to share their Father’s nature. The saying goes, “Like Father like son” You’ve heard someone say “Isn’t he like his dad!” But to be like God - this is godliness and glory. Just as Christ is the image of God, so we shall share his image, for when we see him we shall be like him. (1 John 3.2) This has been the purpose of God for the redeemed since the days of eternity.

Whether the 144,000 redeemed standing on Mt. Zion symbolically represent the whole church or is an actual group of the redeemed (the as those sealed in chapter 7), the

For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, Romans 8:29 It is certain that as we have borne the image of the earthly, we shall also

For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us; (Hebrews 9:24)

A brief extract from our forthcoming book.

They have their Father’s name written on their foreheads. This means they are sons of God. It is not “their God’s name” but “their Father’s name” God’s redeemed Christ’s people are not adopted, but born of God, by his Spirit. Only those who have a second birth, a spiritual birth, are part of God’s redeemed people.

Jesus said…"Unless a man is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." (John 3:3)

The Lamb (The Lord Jesus Christ) is seen standing on Mt. Zion, a reference to heaven itself. This word standing conveys the idea of His eternal abiding in God’s immediate presence. The reason we stand in God’s presence is that he abides there for us. In this way He is the surety of all God’s covenant promises.

Truth for Today

description given of them applies equally to every believer in Christ.

And what a blessed description it is.

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bear the image of the heavenly. (1 Cor. 15:49) This process is continuing now. We all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, by the Spirit of the Lord. 2 Cor. 3:18 14:2-3 I also heard a sound coming out of heaven like the sound of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder. Now the sound I heard was like that made by harpists playing their harps, and they were singing a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders.

No one was able to learn the song except the one hundred and fortyfour thousand who had been redeemed from the earth.

The voice of the redeemed is heard coming from heaven; it is the whole church singing. The 144,000 Jews saved during the tribulation now join in the song of the redeemed and the body is complete. Only the redeemed can learn this song, for it is born out of experience and cannot be feigned. Like a torrent these millions of redeemed sing praises to God in thanksgiving for what he had done for them. It was like a new song, says John, for it will ever be fresh, even though they will sing it for eternity. The song is an eternal song of praise to the one who loved us and washed us from our sins in his own blood (Rev. 1.5).

It is accompanied by the soothing sound of harps, a picture to my mind of their eternal peace.

Notice how the voice of the church is described in a similar way to the voice of Christ. Their speech has been purified - like Christ it is full of grace and truth and is seasoned by Christ’s own purity.

Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, Colossians 4:6 We are also told in Col 3.8 But now you must put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.

14:4-5 These are the ones who have not defiled themselves with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. These were redeemed from humanity as firstfruits to God and to the Lamb, and no lie was found on their lips; they are blameless.

In their mouth is found no guile; no pretence, deceit or subtlety.

The redeemed are the first fruits to God. The first fruits were to be given as an offering to God, as our whole lives are to be given up as a living sacrifice to the Lord. Like a virgin bride has eyes only for her husband, the church of Jesus Christ has eyes only for Christ. (see 2 Cor. 11.2) They remain undefiled for they are presented perfect through the offering of Jesus Christ (Heb. 10.14). They are without blemish.

Christ died that He might “present the church to Himself as a glorious church, without spot, wrinkle or any such thing, but holy and without blemish”. Eph. 5:27 That is why we are able to stand before God’s throne, with heaven as our dwelling place forever.

The redeemed follow the Lord wherever he goes. To follow means to be in the same way with. Are you walking in the same way with Jesus?

If you are, and you know the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour, then you are going to be among that group of people singing eternal praises before the Lord.

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The tragedy is, however, that there is a group of people who will never sing the praises of the Lord. Whilst Christ died for all, not all are saved.

Though Jesus paid the price for the sin of every man, only those who accept God’s gift of salvation are saved.

A Warning to the Wicked 14:6-7 Then I saw another angel flying directly overhead, and he had an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth — to every nation, tribe, language, and people. He declared in a loud voice: "Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has arrived, and worship the one who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water!"

How gracious God is that the events depicted in the book of Revelation have not come yet! God is giving all people everywhere time and chance to repent. But the end will surely come in the way described.

God’s mercy cannot be rejected forever without consequence. So here follows a vision of three angelic messengers, bringing warning to the inhabitants of earth.

The first angel warns that men should fear God and give Him glory, for the time had come to judge the wicked of the world. This is the everlasting gospel: repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, thus glorifying God. It is essential to act on this warning now; for the time is coming when it will be too late to repent and give God glory.

14:8 A second angel followed the first, declaring: "Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great city! She made all the nations drink of the wine of her immoral passion."

The judgment of the wicked is announced in the fall of Babylon.

This is the first time that this spiritual city, an anti-type of the Heavenly Jerusalem, is mentioned in Revelation. The term “Babylon” represents all that opposes God. This spiritual reality is embodied in all of humankind’s behaviour, even their commercial, international and religious behaviour. After the flood in the days of Nimrod (Gen. 10.8 10), God told people to spread out over the face of the earth and repopulate it. Instead, in a spirit of rebellion, they banded together to build a tower reaching to heaven, making themselves (they thought) secure from God’s interference.

That tower was built in a place called Babel, later Babylon. So Babylon represents rebellion against God in the heart of every unregenerate person. It is the spirit of lawlessness, manifesting itself in lawless deeds, and through the systems humankind creates to facilitate their rebellion. Zechariah 5.8 depicts wickedness (moral filth) as a woman in a basket, who is taken to her own place in the land of Shinar (Babylon). In this verse we see that all nations are intoxicated—taken over spiritually, like someone possessed—by her harlotry, her moral filth and unfaithfulness to God. Many commentators speak of two Babylons in Revelation - a commercial or financial and a religious one. In fact, let us be clear that they are both parts of the same system of lawlessness against God. The second angel’s message is timely yet simple: the Christrejecting world system will be brought to an abrupt end very soon.

14:9-11 A third angel followed the first two, declaring in a loud voice:

"If anyone worships the beast and his image, and takes the mark on his forehead or his hand, that person will also drink of the wine of God's anger that has been mixed undiluted in the cup of his wrath, and he will be tortured with fire and sulphur in front of the holy angels and in front of the Lamb. And the smoke from their torture will go up forever and ever, and those who worship the beast and his image will have no rest day or night, along with anyone who receives the mark of his name."

The third angel brought a warning to those who will see the culmination of this spirit of lawlessness as the antichristian spirit is embodied in a man - the antichrist. Those who participate in this ultimate rebellion by giving their allegiance to Satan (by receiving the mark of the beast) can be sure of suffering God’s eternal vengeance. This reveals that just as there are only two groups of people on earth, so there are only two destinations at the end of life too.

Jesus said: "When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right hand, 'Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: "Then He will also say to those on the left hand, 'Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels:' And these will go away into everlasting 12

punishment, but the righteous into eternal life." (From Matt 25:31-46) 14:12-13 This requires the steadfast endurance of the saints — those who obey God's commandments and hold to their faith in Jesus. Then I heard a voice from heaven say, "Write this: 'Blessed are the dead, those who die in the Lord from this moment on!' " "Yes," says the Spirit, "so they can rest from their hard work, because their deeds will follow them."

Throughout the ages the faith and patience of the saints has revealed that it is better to die than to lose one’s own soul. Many have given up their lives rather than give up their faith. It is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep in order to gain that which he cannot lose.

The interjection "blessed are those who die in the Lord" - is forever true and has been given the sanction of the eternal Holy Spirit. Those who sleep in Jesus are at rest - no longer troubled or vexed by pain, persecution, trouble or toil. Their work on earth is done, wrought in them by God according to his eternal purpose and the due reward of their labors - and much more - is laid up for them in heaven.

"EYE HAS NOT SEEN, NOR EAR HEARD, NOR HAVE ENTERED INTO THE HEART OF MAN THE THINGS WHICH GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM." 1 Cor. 2:9 Ever since our Lord Jesus Christ arose victorious over death, those who die believing in him are blessed.

Their entrance is immediate into the presence of God; to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. 2 Cor. 5:8 and To be with Christ.. is far better. (Phil 1:23)

Two Great Harvests of the Earth The final two visions differ in content but convey a similar message to the first two. The picture is of the final salvation of the righteous and the final judgment of wicked.

14:14-16 Then I looked, and a white cloud appeared, and seated on the cloud was one like a son of man! He had a golden crown on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand. Then another angel came out of the temple, shouting in a loud voice to the one seated on the cloud, "Use your sickle and start to reap, because the time to reap has come, since the earth's harvest is ripe!" So the one seated on the cloud swung his sickle over the earth, and the earth was reaped.

First we see Christ reaping the harvest of the earth - gathering his own to himself. We who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 1 Thess. 4:17 Clearly this first harvest happens before the harvest for judgment and is a reference to the ‘rapture’.

But remember this is a vision. The Lord, I think, will not need an angel to tell him when to call his people home; for that time is appointed by the Father and known only to him (Mark 13:32).

The Lord Jesus Christ is already gathering in his precious harvest now. The precious seed of his travail on the cross has been sown.

Millions are turning to him for salvation as the fields are ripe for this harvest. He alone is worthy to reap this harvest - hence the golden crown signifying his rightful claim

and kingship over those he has redeemed - the gold denoting his own glory and God-head. But a time is coming when he will gather his wheat into the barns of his heavenly harvest home. He will gather the wheat into His barn; but the chaff He will burn with unquenchable fire." Luke 3:17

inspired armies of the world gather in a futile attempt to fight off our returning Lord. They are literally struck dead by the word that proceeds from his mouth, their blood flowing in deep rivers for miles around. A vast number of people is indicated - for this is no symbolism.

14:17-20 And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle. And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe. And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs.

That will not be the end of the matter, for even with such a death their punishment has only just begun, for when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. They shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, 2 Thess. 1:7-9

Such a burning of the chaff is depicted in the final vision. The angels are sent to reap the harvest of judgment. The wicked are described as the cluster of the vine, for they are to be trodden in the press. Notice they are the vine of the earth, not of Christ the True Vine. Their grapes are fully ripe for their wickedness has reached its full potential. The winepress is outside the city of Jerusalem and will be trodden by Christ himself, inflicting everlasting punishment on his enemies (2 Thess. 1.9) The initial fulfillment of this outpouring of wrath evidently takes place on earth immediately at the coming of Christ; at a place called Armageddon, as the demon 13

Conclusion Since there are only two groups of people in the world, and only two final destinations for people after life is done, the question has to be, which group are you in? Whose side are you on?

Are you on the Lord’s side? The coming of the Lord will mean, for the believer, unspeakable satisfaction; but for the unsaved person and backslider it will mean unutterable shame and unending separation.

Such truth for today should lead us into holiness of life and busyness in service for our Lord. Remember that Jesus may come today.

When the harvest of the redeemed is taken home to heaven and you are left behind, all that will be left for you to face will be the harvest of judgment. Don’t leave it too late!

Take Jesus as your Saviour today.

Noah’s Ark

by Mathew Bartlett Images: Photo of Russell Crowe © Dwong19 Above © Philcold Overleaf: Mikekwok

With all the excitement about the new ‘Noah’ movie starring Russell Crowe (above), released by Paramount UK, we decided to reprint an article which first appeared in our August 2012 edition. The article asks, what does the factual, historical account of Noah's ark teach us today?

And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man: (Luke 17:26 NKJV) God's Work of Dealing with Mankind If we consider God's dealing with men we must first consider what kind of men they are. They are sinful men. The Noah account (Moses) gives a terrible description of the moral vice and sin of Noah's time.

Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. So the LORD said, "I will destroy man whom I have created

from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them." (Genesis 6:5-7 NKJV) We see that sin began in the heart: "every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually."

Jesus said “For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies." (Matthew 15:19 NKJV) As it was in Noah’s time, so it will be in the days of the son of Man. In Noah's time was characterised by widespread violence, and corruption, particularly the corruption of sexual license and perversion.

The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. (Genesis 6:11 NKJV) There was no one on the face of the earth who did what was right and was without sin – just like today. for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, (Romans 3:23 NKJV) 14

As it is written: "THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NO, NOT ONE; THERE IS NONE WHO UNDERSTANDS; THERE IS NONE WHO SEEKS AFTER GOD. THEY HAVE ALL TURNED ASIDE; THEY HAVE TOGETHER BECOME UNPROFITABLE; THERE IS NONE WHO DOES GOOD, NO, NOT ONE." (Romans 3:10-12 NKJV) With such a situation, the hearts of men turned far from God, no one without sin, God was sorry that is grieved, that he had made man. His purpose was to wipe man from the face of the earth in Judgment.

So the LORD said, "I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them." (Genesis 6:7 NKJV) Here God judgement.

pronounced

his

And behold, I Myself am bringing floodwaters on the earth, to destroy from under heaven all flesh in which is the breath of life; everything that is on the earth shall die. (Genesis 6:17 NKJV)

That judgement came as certainly as it was pronounced.

Just as God pronounced judgement in Noah's day so he has pronounced it on the wickedness of mankind today.

For this they wilfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water.

But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. (2 Peter 3:5-7 NKJV) Jesus said They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. (Luke 17:27 NKJV) The judgment was all inclusive. No one was left out, for everyone outside the ark perished, and in the coming day of judgement everyone outside of the Lord Jesus Christ will perish. Many ask why, if Jesus is coming again to bring God's judgement, why has He not come yet? Since it has been 2,000 years since Jesus said it would happen, they suppose that it was all false and that it will never happen at all.

But with the account of Noah still fresh in his mind, Peter warns, the Lord is not slack concerning his promise, but is long suffering with us, not willing that any should perish.

Peter goes on to tell us that: "the Divine long-suffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared,"(1 Peter 3:20 NKJV)

For 120 years God waited patiently.

Noah was a preacher of righteousness. (2 Peter 2:5). At that time God gave all men opportunity to repent and be saved. He is still doing so today. The judgment he has pronounced on this sinful world and every one in it will surely come, but he is waiting, holding back his wrath, and giving all men the opportunity to respond to his call of salvation. God is not willing for any to perish.

The motive of his long-suffering is quite simply love.

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 NKJV) God loves all men everywhere -the world. He would have all men to come to repentance and be saved.

As the gospel is preached faithfully to crowds all over the world, even when men refuse to listen, even when they kill the messengers of God, the fact that God is still sending messengers to all men is a sign, a proof positive that he loves them and that he is long-suffering.

God offers His mercy to all who will respond to God's call of grace as Noah did.

In a world of sin and unbelief, we read of one man, Noah, who found grace in the eyes of the Lord. By His grace God gave Noah warning of the coming judgement, and Noah responded with faith, a faith which led to obedience and action. With godly fear he built an ark. (Heb. 11) which resulted in himself and his family being saved.

Today God gives us all warning and by his grace opportunity to repent of our sin and put our faith in the

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Lord Jesus Christ to save us. Just as an ark was the means of salvation for Noah, so Jesus Christ is the means of salvation God has provided for men who realise their need to "flee from the wrath to come."

God's Way of Salvation for Mankind In scripture the ark is a type of the Lord Jesus Christ. So by examining the ark, we will learn more about Jesus and his power to save.

We notice on the ark there was only one door, only one away in. There is only one way which God has provided for men to be saved from their sin and the wrath to come.

The Lord Jesus Christ said "I am the Way".

Following our Lord's death on the cross for our sins, and his victorious rising from the dead, Peter proclaimed "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."

(Acts 4:12 NKJV) There was only one window on the ark, facing upward, speaking to us of our heavenly calling in Christ Jesus. The believer has his or her eyes fixed on the author and finisher of their salvation, Jesus Christ. His call, being responded to by us, is a heavenward calling. He has gone to prepare a place for us and promises to come again and receive us to himself that where he is there we shall be also. So as we see that day approaching, Jesus said, "Look up ,and lift up you heads, for your redemption draws near." (Luke 21:28)

Then think of the dimensions of the ark. It was vast. It was the size of a football field and over three storeys high. There was plenty of room for all the animals and for a lot more men than Noah and his family. We could well suppose that if all men repented and came in faith, the ark would be able to accommodate them, although if that had happened surely God would have relented of sending the flood at all.

In terms of the Lord Jesus Christ, his salvation is all inclusive. He died for all, so that all may enter in and be saved.

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! (John 1:29 NKJV)

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 NKJV) Then there is the stability of the ark.

Modern ship building experts have commented that the ark was a very stable design for a ship that would be tossed one way and another unsteered on the ocean. In fact I have seen sea worthiness tests carried out on scale replicas of the ark. That ship was not going to capsize. It stood the test. So Jesus is a Capable Saviour who has stood the test and will stand the test. He has saved and kept souls over many years, and we too are kept by the power of God in our immovable rock Jesus Christ.

And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world. (1 John 2:2 NKJV)

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In addition to that, the ark was coated with pitch inside and out made it waterproof. It was suitable for task. This made it, instead of a large wooden building, a sea worthy vessel. Jesus Christ is equipped, qualified. He was already prefect, but his experiences made him fully qualified to be our perfect Saviour.

For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

(Hebrews 2:10 NKJV) And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, (Hebrews 5:9 NKJV) Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

(Hebrews 7:25 NKJV)

Then there was the food on the ark.

The ark was laden with every provision for all aboard it in terms of food and water for just over a year. Christ knows all we need and all has been provided by God for us in this journey from earth to heaven, this Christian life. Since the ark is a type of Christ, the sufficiency of food shows that all we need is in him.

His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, (2 Peter 1:3 NKJV) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, (Ephesians 1:3 NKJV)

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God offers this salvation, forgiveness of sins to all who put their faith in His son Jesus who died for them and rose again. But lastly, notice that the door to the ark was eventually shut by God Himself. The day of grace in which we live will end.

Although God is merciful and longsuffering, the world cannot be allowed to continue in its wickedness much longer. We must be ready for the coming of the Lord.

If you are saved, trusting in the lord Jesus Christ, then you are ready for that day.

Sadly, the door that shut Noah safely in the ark was also the door which shut the unbelievers out to face their fate. Make sure you are not left outside of Jesus Christ to face the wrath of God without a Saviour.

Then the king said to the servants, 'Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' (Matthew 22:13 NKJV) God's Will of Eternal Rest for Mankind

the Bible predicts an even greater event is imminent, when this present world will be done away, and a new heaven and earth replace it.

But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. (2 Peter 3:1013 NKJV)

Finally, the Noah account teaches us about the way to find eternal rest through Jesus Christ. Peter tells us that the Water of Baptism, prefigured by the ark, represents new birth.

Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. (Revelation 21:1 NKJV)

In the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water. There is also an antitype which now saves us-baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, (1 Peter 3:20-21 NKJV)

So just as the Ark finally came to rest, so there is an eternal resting place for believers. Christ is already there and since we are in him, we too will enter his eternal rest. But we are not to imagine that rest means inactivity or non-existence; instead it consists of a blessed peace with the absence of trouble or pain.

When we put our faith in Jesus we are born again by the action of God's Holy Spirit, and become God’s children. We are citizens of heaven with the right to a title deed in the new heavens and a new earth. The waters of Noah renewed the face of the earth, changing it forever. But

And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying.

There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."

Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." And He said to me, "Write, for these 18

words are true and (Revelation 21:4-5 NKJV)

faithful."

Have you ever stooped to think of the incident involving the raven and the dove? When the ark came to its rest, he raven was sent out and never came back. What is that symbolic of?

When the believer finds rest through faith in Jesus Christ, the fleshly appetites, represented by the raven, who feeds on carrion, has to be cast out. We are to walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. If the work of sanctification has begun in us now it will continue till the day of Jesus Christ and then be completed.

If it hasn't begun in you, don't expect God to complete it. He completes only what he begins.

Then the dove is of course a type of the Holy Spirit in scripture. When the ark came to rest, the dove sent out from Noah came to rest only in the ark. The dove is taken as a pure and gentle bird. The flooded world was not its resting place. At present the Holy Spirit resides in the church of Jesus Christ. He is in us and will always be with us. But when God's work was completed, God's rest filled all the earth, and so he flew away, symbolising to us the day when the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the water covers the sea.

True, at the present time, the Holy Spirit dwells in us, but in God's eternal rest, we shall also dwell in him who fills all things. At that time, everywhere will be a place filled with the Spirit. There will be nothing either to taint us or to grieve him in that heavenly holy atmosphere. We’ll wait for it expectantly!

Five Secrets To Discovering God's Will A Bible Study by Daniel Kolenda (CfaN) Photo: © Sebastian Grecu By kind permission of CfaN, an extract from Daniel’s new book- Live before you die. £9.99 BUY NOW. “Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done” (Luke 22:42). I think we often overlook the significance of what happened in Gethsemane, but as it relates to our redemption nothingancould be Repentance is such oftenmore important.

If Calvary is the misunderstood concept. Contrary to salvation, was to door what many Gethsemane people think, the hinge. Here the eternal future repentance is not a dirty word. It’s of humanity hung in the balance. It not just for the sinner who wants was here that our fate was decided. to get saved, nor is it just for those All history depended on this who are committing gross sins and moment.

living in blatant immorality. For the Where Adam failed in the Garden of child of God repentance should be Eden, Jesus prevailed in the Garden a lifestyle. To repent means to of Gethsemane. And the key to “turn,” to change one’s mind and Christ’s victory here was the secret direction. of His whole life, embodied in those seven immortal words, “Not my

But here is where many people will, but thine be done.” The Roman misunderstand. think soldiers seized We Jesustend and to crucified of Him, repentance as primarily turning but they could not take His away from in turning life, for Hesomething, had alreadyaslaid it down away from sin and a onein Gethsemane.

“Nomaking one takes My life from Me,” was Jesus’s hundred-eighty-degree change to confession, “but I lay it down the opposite direction. But this of is Myself.”

You cannot kill a man who missing the real point. For is already dead! Itcould is here that we example, a sinner turn away find the next great secret for from a sin and still be lost. In fact, discovering God’s will for our lives— there are many religions that teach the secret of the surrendered will. morals We mustand begin abstinence by recognizing from that: various sins, but that in and of there may be a difference between itself saveGod anyone. what does we wantnot and what wants.

Therefore, the we Christian With this from awareness must constantly make sure our will is perspective, what you turn away surrendered to His. from is not really the Many issue. times It is people embark on the journey to what you turn to that makes the discover God’s will having already difference.

made up their minds about what they think God wants them to do.

And often what they are actually seeking is divine validation of what they desire. If you truly want God’s will for your life, you cannot simply pray, “Your will be done.” You must include, “Not my will.”

In the last chapter we discussed the first secret to discovering God’s will, which is to seek the kingdom first.

And we studied the Lord’s Prayer, in which Jesus taught us to pray for God’s kingdom to come. In this chapter I would like to emphasize the second part of the same sentence in the Lord’s Prayer we focused on previously. Jesus prayed, “Thy kingdom come,” and with the same breath continued His petition by saying, “Thy will be done” (Matt. 6:10). Those phrases may seem to address two completely separate topics, but they actually go hand in hand. You can’t have one without the other.

To understand the correlation between God’s kingdom coming and His will being done, let us first consider what a kingdom is. In ancient times kings ruled with absolute sovereignty, and their word was law. A kingdom was the realm in which a certain king’s authority was recognized and obeyed. Let’s take a more contemporary kingdom.

The American colonies were at one time under the rule of the king of England, and for this reason he was 19

able to collect taxes from the colonists. Even though the king was separated from these American subjects by great distance, they were a part of his kingdom because they were under his rule. But when the American colonists rebelled and won independence from the empire, they no longer obeyed the wishes of the British king. His will was no longer their concern; they weren’t a part of his kingdom and therefore not under his authority.

There are many people who for some reason think that whenever the Bible talks about the kingdom of God, it is referring to “heaven.” But when Jesus taught about the kingdom of God, He had something more in mind. If a king’s kingdom is the realm in which his will is observed and obeyed, then the kingdom of God is present wherever God’s authority is acknowledged and submitted to.

Therefore, when Jesus prays, “Your kingdom come,” He is inferring what He states explicitly in His next breath, “Your will be done.”

But the prayer of Jesus is not like Burger King’s motto. Jesus isn’t saying, “Father, have it Your way as everyone else has it their way.”

Jesus was praying for God’s will to be done exclusively—the way it is done in heaven. All other wills bow to the divine will, God’s authority is recognized and submitted to, and everything comes into alignment with what the Father desire.

"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” Matthew 28:18-20 The Great Commission; the purpose of the believer: to be a witness and make disciples of ALL nations. A daunting task by any standard, but a task set before the Church.

Thankfully Jesus did not give this task and leave us to our own devices. Just before he returned to the Father Jesus told his disciples "you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

It is important to note that Jesus spoke of Holy Spirit anointing and evangelism being hand-in-hand. It was not an either/or situation. The disciples were to receive power to be witnesses, he promised power and commissioned them for the task ahead. Before the coming of the Holy Spirit the disciples were in an upper room somewhere in Jerusalem.

They had been commanded to stay and wait. They were not to go into Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, or the ends of the

earth…not yet…they needed power first. They were not going to lecture on the phenomenon of resurrection, trying to convince people it had happened, presenting cold hard facts. A claim of the dead rising was very controversial and people would dispute what they claimed. Listeners would argue, defend their disbelief, or even accept what the disciples said and would push it aside as just another of the strange things that happen in our world, a bit of curious lore. They were not to be controversialists but witnesses.

What the Holy Spirit would do would be their making, turning them into torches. Witnesses obviously electrified by what they announced, examples of what they preached – very much alive. The Holy Spirit would be – and still is – the key to effective witnessing.

Jesus said "Apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:15); we have to remain in the vine, deriving life from him. We can do a great deal without the Holy Spirit, but nothing of any lasting or fruitful effect.

apostles this was their greatest day.

What they became was what the Spirit made them.

That event is the model for us today. Believers who already trust Christ can know the Spirit in this further and more dynamic way. This baptism was for individuals, not for the "whole church.” No word in the New Testament suggests that we do not need what the apostles had, or that it would only be for them. On the contrary, Peter's message was clear: "You will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off – for all whom the Lord our God will call” (Acts 2:3839) If the disciples needed to be so endued and to preach the Gospel with the Holy Spirit and with manifestation of the Almighty, are we better than them, able to carry on God's work without the empowerment that they had? We surely need everything that God can give us, and the world needs people equipped like that.

On that Pentecost day, they began "to preach the gospel with the Holy Spirit sent from heaven” (1 Peter 1:12). The Spirit did not come quietly. He announced his arrival with wind and fire. He gave utterance to it through the assembled believers in tongues and prophecy. For the disciples and This article reproduced with the kind permission of Christ for all Nations.

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The Faith-builders Bible study series The ‘Faith-builders Bible study series’ has been developed a useful resource for today’s students of God’s Word and their busy lifestyles.

Pastors, home or study group leaders and indeed for anyone wishing to study the Bible for themselves will benefit from using Faith-builders studies.

Each volume is the result of many years of group Bible study, and has been revised again and again to be relevant, challenging and faith building whilst remaining clear and easy to understand.

Each chapter had thought provoking questions to aid study and sample answers are provided.

Below are the study notes for Mark chapter 6.

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The ‘Faith-builders Bible study series’ has been developed a useful resource for today’s students of God’s Word and their busy lifestyles.

Mark Chapter 8 (an abstract)

By Derek Williams & Mathew Bartlett (UK) Image © Rorem Sign Seekers 8:11 Then the Pharisees came and began to argue with Jesus, asking for a sign from heaven to test him.

The Pharisees approached Jesus with no other thought in their minds but to dispute with him concerning his teaching and his claims to be God’s son. They demand a sign as proof that he was what he claimed to be. This was a malicious test; they did not really want to see a sign and even if they did they still would not have believed. People are the same today; many say that they would believe if they saw a miracle, but this is just an excuse.

8:12 Sighing deeply in his spirit he said, ‘Why does this generation look for a sign? I tell you the truth; no

sign will be generation.’

given

to

this

that believe” and verse 20 “they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with Image © Rorem signs following”.

Mark Chapter 2 (abstract)

In response, Jesus groaned in his spirit, being greatly disturbed by their unbelief, and challenged their lack of faith. No sign would be given to those who stubbornly refused to obey, but (as Matthew 16:4) only the sign of Jonah. For as Jonah was in the whale’s belly for three days and nights so Jesus would be in the tomb three days and nights and then rise from the dead. In the story of Lazarus and the rich man Abraham said “If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rose from the dead (Luke 16:27-31).

The Pharisees and many other people had it the wrong way round; faith must be present before God works miracles In Mark 16:17 Jesus said “these signs shall follow them

By Derek Williams & Mathew Bartlett (UK)

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Warning against Corrupt Teaching 8:13-14 Then he left them, got back into the boat, and went to the other side. Now they had forgotten to take bread, except for one loaf they had with them in the boat.

Once again Jesus and the disciples are in the boat and this time the disciples were in a dilemma because they had forgotten to get bread and were conscious of the fact that they only had one loaf between them.

8:15 And Jesus ordered them, ‘Watch out! Beware of the yeast of

the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod!’

This was the uppermost thought in their minds when Jesus turned and warned them to be on their guard against the leaven of the Pharisees, of Herod and in Matthew's gospel the Sadducees as well. Leaven is sour dough that is highly fermented and used for making bread rise. In the New Testament the word is used to mean corruption because the sour dough placed in the bread contaminated, as it were, the whole loaf.

8:16 So they began to discuss with one another about having no bread.

But the disciples were so earthly minded that they thought he was rebuking them for not bringing enough bread.

8:17-20 When he learned of this, Jesus said to them, ‘Why are you arguing about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand?

Have your hearts been hardened?

Though you have eyes, don't you see? And though you have ears, can't you hear? Don't you remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of pieces did you pick up?’ They replied, ‘Twelve.’

‘When I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many baskets full of pieces did you pick up?’ They replied, ‘Seven.’

So he does rebuke them for having no understanding, when they should have done because they had been with him long enough; for hardening their hearts in unbelief; for their spiritual blindness when he had opened their eyes to the truth; for their spiritual deafness in that he had taught them but it had not sunk in; for not remembering what

he had done in providing for the five thousand and four thousand. So why were they bothering about not having enough food when they had seen him provide in this way? And why did they not understand the spiritual lessons taught to them by it? In Matthew 16:11-12 it says he then told them plainly that he wasn't talking about bread to eat but that he was warning them to be on guard against corrupt teaching (see Col. 2:8; Heb. 13:9). The warning still holds for today; the devil still comes as an angel of light seeking to deceive. Corrupt teaching is based on the truth but has been altered to suit the doctrines of men and wicked angels.

8:21 Then he said to them, ‘Do you still not understand?’

Opening Blind Eyes 8:22 Then they came to Bethsaida.

They brought a blind man to Jesus and asked him to touch him.

Following the rebuke to his disciples for their spiritual blindness Jesus arrives at Bethsaida where a blind man is brought by his friends to be healed.

8:23 He took the blind man by the hand and brought him outside of the village. Then he spit on his eyes, placed his hands on his eyes and asked, ‘Do you see anything?’

He takes the man from the hustle and bustle of the town to a quiet place where he spits on his eyes.

Was this another sign language to show the man that he was going to open his eyes? There doesn't seem to be any other reason why he should do this for it was his touch upon the man that would bring the healing.

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8:24-25 Regaining his sight he said, ‘I see people, but they look like trees walking.’ Then Jesus placed his hands on the man's eyes again. And he opened his eyes, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly.

This is the only healing recorded that was not complete first time, for the man saw figures walking about but not clearly. Jesus lays his hands on the man again until he receives perfect sight. It could not have been any lack on the Lord's part as to why this man did not receive his sight straight away. It has been suggested that perhaps the Lord saw a lack of faith in the man that caused this. In Matthew 9:29 Jesus said “according to your faith let it be to you”.

8:26 Jesus sent him home, saying, ‘Do not even go into the village.’

Revelation Given by God - Peter gets it Right 8:27-28 Then Jesus and his disciples went to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say that I am?’ They said, ‘John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and still others, one of the prophets.’

So far the disciples have not been doing so good but they are still in the preparation stage and the day of Pentecost has not yet arrived when the Holy Spirit would be given (John 16:13-14). Here Jesus tests them to see if they have yet fully realised and accepted who he really is. First of all he asks “who do the people say I am”. They reply that they say he is either John the Baptist, risen from the dead, because of the way he preached, or Elijah, who had not died but was taken to heaven in a fiery chariot (2

Kings 2:11), this was because of the miracles that he did [many believed that Elijah would come back to prepare the way for the Messiah. It was in fact John the Baptist who fulfilled this role (Matt. 11:14)].

8:29-30 He asked them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Peter answered him, ‘You are the Christ.’ Then he warned them not to tell anyone about him.

He then asks the disciples “who do you say I am” and it is Peter who confesses that he is “the Christ”.

Peter did not receive this revelation by his own knowledge or ability to understand the teaching of Jesus.

Neither did he receive it from other men or by the Holy Spirit in this instance. But Jesus said that the Father had revealed it to him (Matt.

16:17). Peter, then, confessed Jesus as the Christ by the revelation that God gave him but he did not fully understand what he had said as the next verses show.

True Discipleship 8:34 Then Jesus called the crowd, along with his disciples, and said to them, ‘If anyone wants to become my follower, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.

The qualifications that the Lord requires for anyone who desires to be his disciples are the same for all that desire to follow him as it was for the twelve he had especially chosen. For here he calls all the people to him that they may clearly understand what it would mean to be his disciples. “Whoever will come after”, that is, whoever decides to join or identify themselves to me, to be one with me, he must “Deny himself” forget, disown, lose sight of himself

and his own interests, should not seek to please himself. The Lord desires that we should be in that relationship with him as Paul the apostle was where we can say “I count everything as loss compared with the possession of the priceless privilege of knowing Jesus Christ my Lord, and of progressively becoming more deeply and intimately acquainted with him......for his sake I have lost everything and consider it to be mere rubbish, in order that I may be the possession of Christ.

(Phil. 3:8 Amp. N. T.) If we would be wholly Christ's then we have to give up all claims on ourselves. This means that I must willingly say that I am no longer my own for I have been bought with a great price and renounce all claims on myself and give all into the hands of Christ Jesus. “Take up his cross” (the original word meant “stake”) - the people of Christ's day would have been familiar with the sight of criminals carrying the cross they would be crucified on. To the disciples the full meaning of Christ's words here would not be fully understood until after he had borne his cross and be crucified.

8:35 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and for the gospel will save it.

The life that he refers to here in the first part is the spiritual life. If anyone wants to save this life (spiritual) then he will lose the lower nature, the temporal life which is lived on the earth for the things of the world (1 John 2:15-16).

Whoever gives his physical life for the Lord's sake and the Gospel's will have eternal life (Gal. 2:20).

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8:36 For what benefit is it for a person to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his life?

In asking the question in this verse the Lord challenges the people to examine their values in life. What do they consider to be the most important thing? Of what benefit is it if a man should have all that this world has to offer and at the end of it lose his own soul. Like the farmer who built bigger barns to store his crops and thought that he would live to enjoy it and gave no thought to eternal things and thus neglected his soul. God called this man a fool for his life would be taken off him that night and all the wealth he had accumulated left to someone else (Luke 12:16-21).

8:37 What can a person give in exchange for his life?

What price can a man pay for his own soul in return for a blessed life in the kingdom of God? Of course the answer is that man is so spiritually bankrupt that he cannot pay the price. It was Jesus Christ God's own Son that paid the ransom price for our souls (1 Pet. 1:18-19).

8:38 For if anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.’

Jesus warns those who accept the words he has just spoken (therefore) and follow after him who are then ashamed to own him and have a fear that prevents them from keeping his words before an unfaithful and sinful people (the unsaved). He says that in the day when he returns (2 Cor. 5:10) he will disown them (Luke 12:9).

Everyday, each one of us has an opportunity to make this world an even better place; not just for the present, but maybe for future generations, too. And the good news is that it doesn't take vast amounts of money, physical stamina or countless hours of volunteering (Luke 21:2-3). It just takes seeing and acting upon those opportunities to do the right things.

So you wonder what difference can one person make? Just remember, you may be only one, but you are not alone.

© Monkey Business Images

Extract from Vicki Julian’s new book ‘Simple Things to Make This World a Better Place’.

Available now at Amazon.co.uk MAKING THIS WORLD A BETTER PLACE What did you do today? Help to find a cure for cancer? Bring peace to a war-ravaged country? Help solve global warming? Or maybe, you wrote a check for a million dollars to your favorite charity. While these are impossible actions for most of us, we often think that changing the world has to occur with such lifealtering contributions.

But fortunately, to really make a difference for ourselves and our fellowman, it doesn’t require major actions or sacrifice.

First, realize that perspective is important, but it can also be deceptive. So don’t be discouraged that what you do won’t matter.

There will always be reports of heinous crimes and people who purposely cause harm to others, but they are only a small fraction of humanity. Just imagine, if the majority of us were not doing the right things most of the time, this earth would be a very intolerable place to live. But we can still make a significant difference when we act together.

WHY WE MAKE THE DIFFERENCE In Poor Richard's Almanac, Benjamin Franklin wrote, "The noblest question in the world is, What Good may I do in it?" To answer this question and begin to make a difference, we have to look within and perhaps change our own behaviors – our reactions, what motivates us, and even the way we think (Philippians 2:2-4).

Doing good things has to be a conscious choice because there are so many daily temptations to do otherwise. Add in our complex feelings, beliefs, values, and morals, and it can all occasionally and 24

unwittingly triumph over the good we want to do.

And so to make a positive difference in this world, and this book will give you many ideas for doing so, we first need to be aware of what drives our decisions (Proverbs 27:19). How we choose to think in various circumstances can truly help us make the right choices to do the right things (Ezekiel 24:14).

ACTIONS, NOT WORDS, DEMONSTRATE HOW WE THINK AND BELIEVE Remember the old adage, “Actions speak louder than words?” Most of us would not argue the validity of that statement, especially if we profess a certain faith (James 2:26).

But even though we want to do good things, our actions can be challenged daily, and that’s why we must think about how we act and be aware of what influences our actions.

For instance, we know that stealing is wrong (Exodus 20:15), but we are also confronted with the old adage like “finders keepers.” Such conflict adds to our temptation and can interfere with how we think. It may sometimes even make us forget to do the "right” thing.

But the Bible is very clear about how we should handle found items.

While we might not have taken it, it is still wrong to keep something that doesn’t belong to us without trying to find the owner (Deuteronomy 22:1-3).

A perfect example of that type of conflict might be finding an item left on the bottom shelf of a grocery cart in a store’s parking lot. If it’s something we want or could use, it

might be tempting to keep it. The right thing, of course, is to return it to the store so that the person who bought the item can later retrieve it. Now what if it’s something more valuable?

Combat the Norm and Change the Expectation Doing the right thing may be easier for some, and harder for others, especially if the item is very expensive. Instead of thinking about what is right, our decision may become a battle between guilt and personal desire. It’s such a dilemma that people are often highly praised and receive a great deal of recognition for turning in large sums of money as if it’s unexpected and an anomaly.

But I think most of us would agree guilt and desire for personal gain aren’t the best influences for making this world a better place.

That’s why it’s even more important for us to think about our actions and what drives them. It’s also what defines our true character. We have to want to choose to do the right thing no matter what something costs (Luke 16:10).

Honesty is a positive motivator when confronted with many temptations in our daily life, especially monetary transactions.

It’s easy for a bank teller, wait staff, or a store clerk to make a mistake when exchanging money. If honesty isn’t a factor, we may want to keep the extra given to us, but someone always has to pay, and it most likely is the person who just made the mistake.

Do you tell someone when they failed to give you the right change?

There is no double standard for

doing the right thing so let honesty be the influence in such matters.

Now if, as in the above examples, we focus on the right choices that make this world a better place, we can set an example, regardless of what others may do (Exodus 23:2).

Our actions can positively change people’s expectations and encourage what should be the norm. Doing the right thing is simply what we are called to do in all matters (Jeremiah 22:3).

As in the aforementioned everyday situations, we may know the difference between right and wrong, but temptation is always there for us to do the wrong thing.

And we often have many obstacles to overcome in order to consciously make the right choices.

Rationalization Others

and

When our judgment clouded, simply asking two easy questions may we rationalizing?’ and actions harm others?’

Harming

becomes ourselves help; ‘are ‘will our

When our brain says one thing and a little inner voice says another that is a red flag. It’s time to ask the first question of whether we are rationalizing in making a decision (Romans 7:21-23).

If we aren’t aware, rationalization results in taking advantage of individual, government, or business mistakes because we think “they owe it us” or “they deserve it” (Leviticus 25:17). But, in reality, our own trustworthiness and credibility depend upon how we handle such matters.

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Think about situations such as cheating on taxes, even a little.

Before you act, look at the situation in reverse. If it’s wrong for them, it’s wrong for you. Personal integrity and character always mean treating others as you wish to be treated (Matthew 7:12).

As to the second question, we may need to ask ourselves if our actions will harm others. This is a very important question when we hear or know of something that we think could be of benefit. Beyond whether our decision to pass it on is legal, we need to consider what repercussions there will be for someone else or some other entity.

This especially applies to gossiping and spreading rumors. If an action will do no good, it’s important to let it end with you regardless of what personal benefit you think it will bring (Matthew 12:36).

Our In Depth Study 1 Corinthians 14

By Mathew Bartlett Photo © Xxknightwolf

Scripture taken from the NET Bible®.

This article is an extract from The Pentecostal Bible Commentary available for £7.60 at Amazon.co.uk

The Correct Use of Spiritual Gifts 14:1 Pursue love and be eager for the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.

Although love is the supreme expression of Christian virtue, spiritual gifts have an important role to play in building up the church. So Paul exhorts the believers both to love one another and to covet spiritual gifts; that being motivated by love they might use these gifts to build each other up in the faith. Hence, in the use of spiritual gifts, the motive is of supreme importance. If we love Christ and His people then we must show this love by giving ourselves to serve the church, using whatever spiritual gifts we have to do so.

Of all the gifts of the Holy Spirit, Paul regards prophecy as the most useful. He has already touched upon the reasons why he thinks this, and here briefly recaps and expands on them. Prophecy ministers to everyone present at the same time, as God speaks directly to human spirits through human channels by this gift.

Tongues on the other hand (without interpretation), minister only to the

person using the tongue. Moreover, whilst a gift of healing, for example, is a great blessing, it mainly benefits the body rather than the soul, and so its usefulness ends when the recipient dies. But through the gift of prophecy, God’s people receive a deeper kind of spiritual ministry which will comfort and carry them through this life and into victoriously into the next.

The Diverse Use of the Gifts of Inspiration 14:2-4 For the one speaking in a tongue does not speak to people but to God, for no one understands; he is speaking mysteries by the Spirit.

But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouragement, and consolation.

The one who speaks in a tongue builds himself up, but the one who prophesies builds up the church.

Prophecy is more useful to the church than the gift of tongues, for although someone speaking in tongues is in direct communion with God, and is speaking of the things of God by the Spirit, only they are edified and no one else; for no one understands what they are saying. Hence the benefit is to the individual alone, not the whole church.

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Prophecy, however, is not people speaking to God but God speaking to people in words they can understand. Through this gift God conveys His Word to build up His people spiritually by admonishing, urging and encouraging them to do His will (see also the section on prophesy in Chapter 12). Through the gift of prophecy, God not only reveals His will, but also imparts the strength to do it. Through this gift, God draws near to speak with His people and bring much needed words of tender consolation and comfort.

14:5 I wish you all spoke in tongues, but even more that you would prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets so that the church may be strengthened.

Paul acknowledged the genuine value of speaking in tongues, which is why he wished every believer to fully use and enjoy this gift. In addition, he would have every believer to utilize the gift of prophecy. This verse implies not only that God is willing to give both of these spiritual gifts to everyone who asks for them, but that His desire is to do so (if we assume,

quite reasonably, that Paul’s sanctified desires reflect God’s desires). The gift of prophecy is the better gift of the two as it is the more useful.

If a message in tongues is interpreted, then the two gifts together are equivalent to the gift of prophecy, since the whole church is built up as God speaks. So if we want to effectively build up the church through a ministry of the supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit, then we must seek primarily both the gift of prophecy and the gift of interpretation.

It appears evident from even a cursory study of this passage that the gift of tongues can be employed in two rather different ways. – for on the one hand a person may speak to God in tongues, their prayer only edifying themselves; whilst on the other hand if a message given in tongues is interpreted, then this combination of these gifts is equivalent to prophecy; which is God speaking to people. Note that it is only is this latter case that the gift of interpretation is to be exercised.

14:6 Now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I help you unless I speak to you with a revelation or with knowledge or prophecy or teaching?

What help would it be to anyone if, when Paul came to Corinth, he did nothing else but speak in tongues?

The answer is of course that he would be of no help at all! He would be like a foreign person coming to the church who could only speak his own language - for no one else would understand him. But Paul ensured when he came to Corinth that he would bring God's Word to light by preaching and prophesying

plainly in a language which they could mutually understand.

14:7-8 It is similar for lifeless things that make a sound, like a flute or harp. Unless they make a distinction in the notes, how can what is played on the flute or harp be understood?

If, for example, the trumpet makes an unclear sound, who will get ready for battle?

In the same way, unless what we say is understood by those to whom we speak, we are failing to communicate with them at all. Our words will just be spoken into the air. The world has many languages, and all of them mean something to those who understand them. But if I do not understand a certain language then I will not be able to converse with anyone through that medium.

14:12 It is the same with you. Since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, seek to abound in order to strengthen the church.

Paul assures the Corinthians that it was a good that they were zealous for spiritual gifts, but they needed to make it their priority to seek for those gifts which would build up the church.

If, when a musical instrument is played, the musician fails to play the notes distinctly, no one will be able to recognize the piece being played. In those days this would have been a very serious matter if, during a time of war, when troops depended on various trumpet calls to give them instructions, they could not recognize which signal was being played. Unless the mustering call of the bugle was clearly understood, no one would get ready for battle.

14:9-11 It is the same for you. If you do not speak clearly with your tongue, how will anyone know what is being said? For you will be speaking into the air. There are probably many kinds of languages in the world, and none is without meaning. If then I do not know the meaning of a language, I will be a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker a foreigner to me.

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14:13 So then, one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret.

To those who use the gift of tongues (the public message in tongues is meant, where God is speaking to men, and this is therefore a message which requires interpretation), Paul gives this advice - ask God to also give you the gift of interpretation. The reason is clear; since only when the gift of interpretation is used in conjunction with the message in tongues does the church receive the benefit of these combined gifts.

It is not because Paul thinks that there are no others present in the church with the gift of interpretation that he gives this advice. He wants each believer to seek the greater and more useful gifts so that they might excel in the building up of the church. As Morris explains, a person with the gift of

tongues should not ‘rest content with [this] gift’.

14:14 If I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unproductive.

When we speak to God in tongues, our spirit is enabled to pray by the supernatural action of the Holy Spirit, so that even we do not understand with our minds what we are saying.

14:15-16 What should I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind. I will sing praises with my spirit, but I will also sing praises with my mind.

Otherwise, if you are praising God with your spirit, how can someone without the gift say "Amen" to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying?

Throughout this section, Paul has been dealing with the subject of public worship in the Corinthian church. It is of tremendous significance that he does not state that he will refrain from speaking in tongues in public services. Indeed, verse 16 makes this context abundantly clear, for how would someone without the gift hear Paul praying or singing in tongues at all if he were praying and singing in private? It is obvious that Paul means in the public assembly he will not only pray or sing in tongues, but will also pray and sing in his own language. (It should be stressed that Paul is not referring in this verse to the gift of interpretation, but to his employing of his own language in praise and prayer).

The fact that Paul is prepared in equal measure to praise and pray both in tongues and in his own language is a stinging rebuke to those who teach that tongues

should be subdued in the church (which is also in contradiction of 14:39), or that (even more extremely) that the use of the gift should be entirely confined to private devotions.

However, as we proceed in the chapter we see that Paul recognised that if his speaking in tongues were not properly balanced by prayer and praise in a familiar language then the whole meeting would be deficient, since those present would have no knowledge of what was being said. Hence they would be unable to join with him in worship or prayer, even to the extent of voicing their agreement with an Amen.

14:17 For you are certainly giving thanks well, but the other person is not strengthened.

Our giving thanks in the Spirit (by which is undoubtedly meant tongues, since in this exercise the understanding is unfruitful) is perfectly acceptable to God; it is true thanksgiving, and full of rich meaning, but since no one else present understands what is being said, they do not receive any benefit from it; except on the rare occasions when those are present speak the language which is used in tongues and so understand what was said (see notes on speaking in tongues for 12:8-10). .

14:18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.

Paul was thankful for the gift of tongues, and made every use of it on every possible occasion - so much so that he could say I [use it] more than any of you.

14:19 But in the church I want to speak five words with my mind to

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instruct others, rather than ten thousand words in a tongue.

So when the church met together, although Paul did not altogether refrain from speaking in tongues, he thought it far better to concentrate his efforts on edifying others by speaking to them in a familiar language (Paul was fluent in several languages) and made a conscious choice to do so. Just five words of teaching which they could understand would do far more good for his hearers than ten thousand words which they could not comprehend (in an unknown tongue).

In my view it is completely wrong to suggest (as Carson does) that this verse constitutes a virtual prohibition on speaking in tongues in public worship. The words I want (thel - would rather in the Authorised Version) denote what Paul considers to be very preferable rather than what he considers at all permissible. By use of the hyperbole five… ten thousand Paul describes how vastly superior to tongues are the intelligible gifts for building others up spiritually.

Paul’s exhortation was not given to counter the use of tongues in public, but the exaggerated status which the Corinthians had given to this gift at the expense of others.

14:20 Brothers and sisters, do not be children in your thinking. Instead, be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature.

Paul wanted the Corinthians to be mature in their use of the gifts.

True, they were to be like children in their relationships with each other, especially in their willingness to forgive; but they were not to be childish in their understanding of spiritual issues.

14:21-22 It is written in the law: "By people with strange tongues and by the lips of strangers I will speak to this people, yet not even in this way will they listen to me," says the Lord. So then, tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers.

Prophecy, however, is not for unbelievers but for believers.

Although God performed many miraculous signs in the Old Testament, speaking in tongues is the unique phenomenon of the church age, and is meant to accompany the ministries of believers in every generation (Mark 16:17-18). The Word of God declares the gift of tongues to be a miraculous sign to unbelievers.

Clearly, tongues cannot be a sign to unbelievers if they never hear them! So a ban on speaking distinctly in tongues when unbelievers are present cannot possibly be in view here.

Believers do not need this miraculous sign, for they have already been convinced of the living Christ's reality; and so they would benefit far more from the use of the gift of prophecy.

14:23 So if the whole church comes together and all speak in tongues, and unbelievers or uninformed people enter, will they not say that you have lost your minds?

If everyone in the church spoke in tongues throughout the service, how could those who did not understand take part or learn anything? Those ignorant of the nature of the gift would think the whole church had gone raving mad.

Johnson believes that this was actually happening at Corinth: Prolific, simultaneous uninterpreted tongues speech and prophetic speech produced a disordered,

unintelligible worship service that virtually prevented the growth of the congregation into Christian maturity and the evangelistic witness of the gathered group.

This may be a somewhat exaggerated view of the position in Corinth, but Johnson correctly highlights that even in such an extreme situation, Paul urged a restoration of balance rather than a complete cessation or prohibition of gift use. He says, '[Paul] censures any prohibition of these gifts in the public worship services of the church’.

It has been observed that the gift of tongues sometimes brings a measure of conviction to the hearts of the hearers (and this was certainly true, among the crowds who were amazed at this phenomenon in Acts 2:7). Yet God does not communicate His gospel and bring people to repentance and faith through means of this gift, for He says they shall not hear me in this way.

The gift of tongues on its own elicited the comment from the Jerusalem crowd that the disciples were drunk on new wine (Acts 2:13); yet by the time Peter had explained the significance of the gift, and its relevance to the gospel, the people were convinced. Only when the gift of tongues is balanced by the clear exposition of the gospel in a familiar language (Peter’s sermon in Acts 2:14-36 was in a dialect familiar to all present) are tongues seen for what they are – the miraculous gift of Christ to His saved people; and (as Peter declared them to be in Acts 2:1617) the sign which confirms that God, through Christ, is fulfilling His promise to pour out His Spirit on all peoples.

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14:24 But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or uninformed person enters, he will be convicted by all, he will be called to account by all.

By using the prophetic gift rather than tongues, the barrier of incomprehension is removed, and God is able to speak directly to the heart of any unbelievers present in the church service, leaving them utterly convinced of the reality of the worship taking place. Moreover, such a visitor to the church will be deeply searched and challenged with regard to his or her relationship with God. 14:25 The secrets of his heart are disclosed, and in this way he will fall down with his face to the ground and worship God, declaring, "God is really among you."

Through the prophetic gift a visitor to the church may find God speaking to his or her heart about things which no one else knows, and so realise that they are truly in the presence of the God who knows everything about them. In awesome fear they will report that God is truly present in the church. This does not necessarily indicate that they will be converted, for such conversion is only made possible by the proclamation of the gospel. Yet we can be sure that it will provide ample evidence of the validity of that gospel when it is, through preaching, fully declared to them.

The Correct Use of the Gifts of Inspiration 14:26 What should you do then, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each one has a song, has a lesson, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation.

Let all these things be done for the strengthening of the church.

How then should a Christian meeting be conducted? When the church meets, everyone should have something from God to contribute for the benefit of all.

Someone will have a song (that is, a hymn, which is a set piece of sacred music) laid on their hearts; another may have prepared a teaching from the Scriptures to share (a lesson, or doctrine); one more may have a tongue and someone else the interpretation; and a further person may have a revelation (something which God has made known to them). Everyone should contribute to the overall purpose of the meeting - the spiritual edification of the church.

14:27 If someone speaks in a tongue, it should be two, or at the most three, one after the other, and someone must interpret.

It is not entirely clear whether Paul wishes the church to confine the use of this gift to three messages in tongues in total for any one meeting, or three consecutively without interpretation. The former would seem contrary to Paul's injunction you may all prophecy one by one (14:31) as tongues and interpretation together are equivalent to prophecy. The latter makes more sense. However, it should be remembered that there are other important ways through which the church is built up, and room should be made for these. If a whole meeting were taken up with tongues and interpretation then other gifts are being neglected and so the church will become impoverished. Paul did not want a one sided church, and so calls for balance in church services.

Certainly, as Morris notes, the text asserts that no two people should

give a message in tongues at the same time.

14:28 But if there is no interpreter, he should be silent in the church. Let him speak to himself and to God. No public message in tongues should be given unless a person with the gift of interpretation is present. However, praising God in tongues is expressly still permitted.

It is not always the case that someone giving a message in tongues is at fault when it is not interpreted; very often it is the interpreter who has failed to use his or her gift.

14:29-31 Two or three prophets should speak and the others should evaluate what is said. And if someone sitting down receives a revelation, the person who is speaking should conclude. For you can all prophesy one after another, so all can learn and be encouraged.

No more than two or three prophets should be allowed to speak before time is given for the congregation to consider, weigh up and take in what has been said.

Some have inferred from these verses that a maximum of three persons should prophesy in any single meeting, and so others should wait their turn until the next meeting. This is evidently not the meaning of the text. However, since it is true that we have time constraints in church meetings, it is reasonable to limit ourselves in our use of inspirational gifts (without bringing ourselves into bondage) so as to make way for the other gifts (e.g. teaching) which can be used for building up the church. No one person or ministry is to ‘hog the limelight’.

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When a prophet is speaking and another has inspiration and begins to take over the prophecy, let the first person give way to the second.

The other prophets should weigh very carefully what is said in the light of scripture and apply the prophetic message to their own lives. They should always be prepared to call into question anything unbiblical in consultation with the pastor who is responsible for the spiritual condition of all those present. We note that this scrutiny was to take place after the message had been publicly given (contrary to the modern but misguided practise of insisting that a prophetic word is uttered privately to a leader before it is made known to the church).

Someone might ask that if the gift of prophecy is the Holy Spirit speaking to His people through a human mouthpiece, why should any genuine prophecy be scrutinised?

The answer lies in the fact that although the Giver of the gift is perfect, and that although the gift itself is perfect, the person who receives and uses the gift is not.

God means to use a variety of imperfect human vessels to speak to His church through His Spirit. The wonder of spiritual gifts is that God

by His grace should see fit to bestow them on us, imperfect vessels; and the wonder of His grace is that He should ever use us in the work of building up His church at all.

14:32-33 Indeed, the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets, for God is not characterized by disorder but by peace. As in all the churches of the saints.

The Spirit of God does not so take a person over that he or she is no

longer responsible for their actions.

Even when someone receives divine inspiration, they remain in full control of themselves and are responsible to use their gift in the proper way and at an appropriate time. There is no excuse for everybody prophesying at once and causing confusion, for God is the God of order and peace, and such reverent order should be a prevailing feature in all our meetings.

Women in Church 14:34-35 The women should be silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak. Rather, let them be in submission, as in fact the law says. If they want to find out about something, they should ask their husbands at home, because it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in church.

Paul's instruction forbidding the women from speaking during public meetings should be seen in both its cultural and scriptural context.

Clearly, God expects women to pray and prophesy in the presence of men otherwise the instruction in 11:5 becomes meaningless (no one, even in first century Corinth, would expect a woman to cover herself only in the presence of other women)! The forbidding of talk other than that which is employed in praise, prayer, or prophecy is a more probable meaning.

To put the matter simply, a church service is not the place to discuss the dinner or the children. The middle of a church service is not the time or place to bring up questions, even about the Word of God. Anyone who has much experience of leading church services knows that it is disgraceful for men or women to be chatting – no matter

what the subject – during someone else’s prayer, a prophetic word, the reading of the scripture or a sermon. It reveals a deep irreverence for what is being said. It seems possible that at Corinth, this fault was particularly prevalent among the women, and that is why Paul deals with it here. That is not to say men cannot be guilty of it too!

different to those of all the other churches of Christ? Does not this fact alone show that you are wrong?’

Although our culture may be very different to that which the Corinthians knew, some standards of decency remain the same. Paul had no problem about equality in the church (Gal. 3:28); but wives were, according to the command of God (Gen. 3:16), to be in submission to their own husbands, and this submission should be apparent in the church meeting.

Those who were truly prophets or spiritual would understand that Paul was bringing the authority of Christ to bear on the practical situation in Corinth (not only regarding the women, but the entire situation in the church).

These would be the elders, and having understood Paul’s appeal they would be responsible to do something about it, to ensure Paul’s instructions in this letter were acted upon. No one who contradicts Christ's teaching or the authority of His genuine messengers (whose words are recorded in the canon of scripture) should be recognised as being genuinely called of Christ into church leadership.

If a woman wished to question what had been said in a prophecy or sermon, she was to bring it up with her husband at home and not start a debate in the service. With this point as with the rest of this chapter, it is neither bondage nor inequality, but a sense of propriety in public worship that Paul endorses.

14:36 Did the word of God begin with you, or did it come to you alone?

It may have been that there were some women at Corinth who, rather than showing an attitude of submission, were trying to take over. This excessive application of women's freedom flew in the face of the custom of all the other churches of that time. Since this was a problem peculiar to Corinth, Paul reasons on the following basis: ‘are you of Corinth the first or only Christians? If not, why are you adopting standards which are 31

14:37-38 If anyone considers himself a prophet or spiritual person, he should acknowledge that what I write to you is the Lord's command.

If someone does not recognize this, he is not recognized.

14:39-40 So then, brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid anyone from speaking in tongues. And do everything in a decent and orderly manner.

In conclusion, all believers should earnestly desire the gift of prophecy with the intention of building up the church of Christ. The use of tongues should never be forbidden or frowned upon in public worship and church meetings should be conducted in a fitting and orderly way.

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