Ezekiel 21:9–11

Iron sharpens iron. Holy Spirit will take the Word of God and precept by precept changes us into the image of His Son. He corrects those He loves and only in the full armor of the Spirit can we stand against the principles of darkness.

Jeremiah 46:4 Harness the horses, and mount up, you horsemen! Stand forth with your helmets, polish the spears, put on the armor!

Because He is God and we are not, we can lean on the fact He sees and knows all. Because He is holy, we can trust Him. Because He is working out our salvation, we can be sanctified, be more like Christ and live in abundance with Him. Because we can remember what He has already done. Not just in our lives. He is always making a way for us to be with Him. First5 

Ezekiel 21:9–11 

9 “Son of man, prophesy and say, ‘Thus says the Lord!’ Say: ‘A sword, a sword is sharpened And also polished! 10 Sharpened to make a dreadful slaughter, Polished to flash like lightning! Should we then make mirth? It despises the scepter of My son, As it does all wood. 11 And He has given it to be polished, That it may be handled; this sword is sharpened, and it is polished To be given into the hand of the slayer.’ The New King James Version

The sword is made ready for Yahweh’s use in judgment. The connection between the sword and the flash of lightning may be based on a Babylonian literary motif. The Akkadian sign for “sword” and “lightning” are the same. A Babylonian poem also depicts a divine destroyer identified as both “torch” and “sword”. Faithlife Study Bible

The Babylonian army led by Nebuchadnezzar—the sword—is pictured as ready and moving swiftly. While verses 9–17 are written as Hebrew poetry, the lines actually meant to be sung may have been limited to these in verses  9–11. In this context, My son, refers to Judah. If the people reacted with mirth, it would show that they mistakenly believed that such judgment would never come on God’s people and must therefore be meant for an enemy nation. The NKJV Study Bible

Whatever instruments God uses in executing his judgments, he will strengthen them according to the service they are employed in. The sword glitters to the terror of those against whom it is drawn. It is a sword to others, a rod to the people of the Lord. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Deuteronomy 32:41 if I whet My glittering sword, and My hand takes hold on judgment, I will render vengeance to My enemies, and repay those who hate Me.

Ezekiel 21:15 I have set the point of the sword against all their gates, that the heart may melt and many may stumble. Ah! It is made bright; it is grasped for slaughter:

Acts 2:14-21

Today is Momma’s birthday. She would have been 89.

Jesus did not leave us orphans. He gives us Holy Spirit to dwell within us and guide us safely home. We live because He died in our place. Holy is His name.

Gratefully, grace finds a way to break down our defenses. Anne Lamott’s reminder “I do not understand the mystery of grace, only that it meets us where we are and does not leave us where it found us.” And it spills… we become places for sanity and hope for whispering words of hope and affirmation. Amen. Sabbath Moments 

Acts 2:14-21

14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words. 15 For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. 16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 17 ‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams. 18 And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy. 19 I will show wonders in heaven above And signs in the earth beneath: Blood and fire and vapor of smoke. 20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord. 21 And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the Lord Shall be saved.’ The New King James Version

By the power of the Spirit, the man who had denied Jesus three times now preaches boldly before the crowd. Peter quotes Joel 2:28–32 to explain the events of Pentecost. Pour out My Spirit is the phrase that evokes old testament language associated with the final time before God’s purposes of making all things right on earth are fulfilled—which includes the Messiah’s victory and impending ultimate judgment of all, demanding that everyone repent. It marks the time when God will establish His kingdom over the earth and end oppression. 

The events of Pentecost demonstrate to the Jewish audience that the promises made to them are fulfilled in Jesus, who is the true Messiah, and that the time of the last days has begun. In Joel, God’s full and final restoration of His people involves inner transformation by His Spirit. The Spirit’s ministry and the gifts He bestows are not restricted by social position or status. Faithlife Study Bible

Peter, the first disciple to recognize the truth about Jesus, was also the first to bear witness of Him. Peter preached his sermon to men of Judea who had judged the whole episode as being the effect of too much wine. Peter began his sermon by quoting Joel 2:28–32 from the Greek translation of the Old Testament. In that passage, God had promised that there would be a time when all those who followed Him would receive His Spirit, and not just prophets, kings, and priests. Peter pointed out that that time had come to pass. God would speak to and through all those who would come to Him, whether in visions, dreams, or prophecy. This was the beginning of the last days. God’s final act of salvation began with the pouring out of His Spirit. This final act of deliverance will continue to the end of this age. The NKJV Study Bible

Peter’s sermon shows that he was thoroughly recovered from his fall, and thoroughly restored to the Divine favour; for he who had denied Christ, now boldly confessed him. His account of the miraculous pouring forth of the Spirit, was designed to awaken the hearers to embrace the faith of Christ, and to join themselves to his church. It was the fulfilling the Scripture, and the fruit of Christ’s resurrection and ascension, and proof of both. 

Though Peter was filled with the Holy Ghost, and spake with tongues as the Spirit gave him utterance, yet he did not think to set aside the Scriptures. Christ’s scholars never learn above their Bible; and the Spirit is given, not to do away the Scriptures, but to enable us to understand, approve, and obey them. Assuredly none will escape the condemnation of the great day, except those who call upon the name of the Lord, in and through his Son Jesus Christ, as the Saviour of sinners, and the Judge of all mankind. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Joel 2:28 “And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams,Your young men shall see visions.

Joel 2:29 And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days.

Joel 2:30 “And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth: blood and fire and pillars of smoke.

Joel 2:31 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD.

Joel 2:32 And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance, as the LORD has said, among the remnant whom the LORD calls.

Jonah 2:1-10

 Salvation belongs to my Lord, my God.

He will direct my steps in the way that I should go. He answers the prayers for those who trust in Him. He directs my path.

Jonah was lost and without hope until…God stepped in!

Jonah 2:1-10

2 Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the fish’s belly. 2 And he said: “I cried out to the Lord because of my affliction, And He answered me. “Out of the belly of Sheol I cried, And You heard my voice. 3 For You cast me into the deep, Into the heart of the seas, And the floods surrounded me; All Your billows and Your waves passed over me. 4 Then I said, ‘I have been cast out of Your sight; Yet I will look again toward Your holy temple.’ 5 The waters surrounded me, even to my soul; The deep closed around me; Weeds were wrapped around my head. 6 I went down to the moorings of the mountains; The earth with its bars closed behind me forever; Yet You have brought up my life from the pit, O Lord, my God. 7 “When my soul fainted within me, I remembered the Lord; And my prayer went up to You, Into Your holy temple. 8 “Those who regard worthless idols forsake their own Mercy. 9 But I will sacrifice to You With the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay what I have vowed. Salvation is of the Lord.” 10 So the Lord spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.  The New King James Version

The prayer that follows is a prayer of thanksgiving and trust. While Jonah appears thankful that the fish has saved him, he doesn’t actually acknowledge his sin or explicitly repent of his actions. He is only thankful that he did not drown.

Yahweh responded to Jonah’s distress by sending the fish to swallow him. The chaos of the sea was associated with drawing closer to the underworld. The Hebrew term for the heart is used here in the sense of the inmost part of the ocean. Jonah felt that God no longer looked on him with favor since he was descending to the depths of the ocean. Therefore, he cried out (past tense) in the midst of his distress. This is a present-tense statement of faith as Jonah reflects on his situation in the belly of the whale.

Jonah trusts that he will be rescued even though he is still in the belly of the fish. Jonah was losing hope. The Hebrew word translated as “life” or “soul” is used here to describe Jonah’s mental state.

The sailors and the men of Nineveh are shown mercy in the narrative. The Israelites refused to repent of their idolatry and eventually were sent to Assyria as exiles. The Hebrew word here is used to denote falsehood or lack of value. Jonah intends to offer a sacrifice in the temple when he returns to Jerusalem. Jonah may have vowed to offer a sacrifice to Yahweh when he prayed for deliverance, or the reference may be to the first half of the verse and Jonah is at that moment making a vow to Yahweh. The Hebrew word used here, yeshu'a, meaning “salvation,” is used in the sense of deliverance. The fish likely deposited Jonah somewhere along the eastern Mediterranean coast, perhaps near Joppa itself. Faithlife Study Bible

In his psalm, Jonah acknowledges God’s help and thanks him for it. The phrase the Lord his God shows that Jonah, even though he was disobedient, was a true believer in God. I cried…these terms come from two different verbs. The first is a more general term meaning “to call aloud,” with a wide range of usage in the Bible. The second is a term that means a “cry for help,” particularly as a scream to God. Jonah was terrified. 

When the sailors threw Jonah into the sea, he seemed to be “as good as dead.” Thus for Jonah, the sea became like Sheol, the place of death.Jonah’s use of the pronouns You and Your in this verse are not accusations, but acknowledgments of the Lord’s sovereign control of his life 

The man who had run from God’s presence was alone, yet he clung to the hope that God would not abandon him. In the Bible, the sea is described as a part of God’s creation that brings Him joy, but it also appears as a symbol for hostile force which the Lord nevertheless holds in His firm control. Jonah pictures himself so deep in the sea that it is as if he had found the moorings of the mountains. 

Jonah reaffirms his faith in the Lord and renews his commitment to Him. Idols here means “vapor,” that which passes away quickly. These vaporous gods were without value. Mercy (loyal love), the term that so often describes God’s faithfulness to His covenant and to His people is used as a name for the Lord. 

I will sacrifice to You with the voice of thanksgiving: This vow of praise is common in the Psalms. Jonah declares that he will keep his promise, a pledge both to sacrifice and to acknowledge God’s help.

It is the Lord who delivers His people. God acts on behalf of His creation and the redeemed community to insure a relationship with them. 

The focus in the story of Jonah is on the Lord’s sovereign control over creation to bring about His purpose. The NKJV Study Bible

Strong’s #4487: PREPARED.This Hebrew verb basically means “to count” or “to assign.” The psalmist uses this verb to praise God for knowing the number of stars and naming each one. In the Book of Jonah, it signifies “to appoint” or “to ordain,” and describes God’s intervention in natural events to bring about His will. By preparing the fish, the plant, and the worm, God made sure that Jonah’s mission was not left to chance. God exercised sovereignty not only over the plant and animal world, but also over Jonah’s life, using animals as small as a worm to teach Jonah about His great mercy. 

Psalm 16:10 For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.

Psalm 18:5 The sorrows of Sheol surrounded me; The snares of death confronted me.

Psalm 18:6 In my distress I called upon the LORD, And cried out to my God; He heard my voice from His temple, And my cry came before Him, even to His ears.

Psalm 69:1 Save me, O God! For the waters have come up to my neck.

Lamentations 3:54 The waters flowed over my head; I said, “I am cut off!”

Mark 3:13-15

Holy Spirit draws us to Jesus…it is up to each individual to answer His call.

Luke 10 :1 After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go.

Luke 10:99 And heal the sick there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ The New King James Version The New King James Version

Mark 3:13-15

13 And He went up on the mountain and called to Him those He Himself wanted. And they came to Him. 14 Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach, 15 and to have power to heal sicknesses and to cast out demons: The New King James Version

A key sign of the presence of God’s kingdom and Jesus’ deliverance of humanity. Faithlife Study Bible

Jesus had a large group of followers. Even after the Twelve were appointed, He still had a large and continual following. Later Jesus sent out an additional 70 disciples. These twelve were Jesus’ apostles—a chosen group sent out to fulfill a particular mission. Christ gave power or authority to these twelve apostles. The apostle Paul called this authority “the signs of an apostle”. Christ and the apostles authenticated their ministry through signs, miracles, and wonders. The NKJV Study Bible

Christ calls whom he will; for his grace is his own. He had called the apostles to separate themselves from the crowd, and they came unto him. He now gave them power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils. May the Lord send forth more and more of those who have been with him, and have learned of him to preach his gospel, to be instruments in his blessed work.  Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Matthew 10:1 And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease.

Luke 6:13 And when it was day, He called His disciples to Himself; and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles:

Luke 9:1 Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases.

The Tree Church

Pastor Matthew Johnson

The Holy Spirit wants to baptize all of us in His Spirit. Jesus does not say that one person is more worthy of forgiveness but He does say that the one who receives His salvation enables the very Spirit of God to work in their lives for His glory. 

Everything that happens to us in our lifetime falls short of His glory! I want nothing to stand between us.

Those who have been forgiven much…love much.

In the measure that we believe in Him we can receive from the Him.We come to God as we are but we will never remain the same.

Like a violent wind, a mighty flame of fire, your Spirit’s falling!

Acts 2 describe the power of God falling in the room filling those present with Holy Spirit.

All the saints and angels will bow before Your throne. You are worthy of it all. For from You are all things. You deserve the glory!!!

The Holy Spirit is GOD! Our God is One who exist in three person. He lives in us when we accept salvation.

Spiritual, physical and emotional healing is in Him. God wants to saturate the whole of our life. 

Life has a way of making us feel lost. When something happens outside of our expectations we become disoriented. When we are lost God wants to guide us. He does this through Holy Spirit. He know the whole of our life and wants to direct us here and get us safely home to the Father in salvation. 

John 14:15-18

15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.

John 16:7-14

7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. 8 And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 of sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10 of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; 11 of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. 12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. 15 All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.

The Holy Spirit guides us into all truth. When we are in need He hears us. 

He speaks to us.

1.Through His word in the Bible.

2 Timothy 3:

16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Psalm 119:

105 Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.

If we fail to hear Him and obey we lose the path that we were created for. If we allow Him to direct our path we will experience the very best.

The word of God is the final word.

John 14:

6 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.

2.Through personal leading in His nudges.

Acts 16:7

7 After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them.

3. Through other Christians, our friends and spiritual leaders.

1 Thessalonians 5:

11 Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.

Ephesians 4:

25 Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another.

Proverbs 27:

17 As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.

1 Peter 5:1-3

5 The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: 2 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly;

Hebrews 13:

17 Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.

 

Proverbs 11:1–6

Without love we are just noise! Having money is neither good nor evil how we use it is.

When challenged by the Pharisees, Jesus spoke of the two greatest commandments: Love the Lord with all our hearts, souls and minds, and love our neighbor as ourselves. (Matthew 22:36-39) Peter further encouraged us to live differently from the world by setting our minds on the example of Christ and living obediently to God's Word. (1 Peter 1:13-16)

Love is the key, then, to holy living. 

In Micah we read, "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God . .. Shall I acquit the man with wicked scales and with a bag of deceitful weights?" (Micah 6:8-11) Micah instructed us to live obedient lives that distinguish us from the rest of the world. We display integrity beyond reproach through our fair and honest business dealings as we faithfully carry out our commitments and walk in humble fellowship with God. First5 

Proverbs 11:1–6

11 Dishonest scales are an abomination to the Lord, But a just weight is His delight. 2 When pride comes, then comes shame; But with the humble is wisdom. 3 The integrity of the upright will guide them, But the perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them. 4 Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death. 5 The righteousness of the blameless will direct his way aright, but the wicked will fall by his own wickedness. 6 The righteousness of the upright will deliver them, but the unfaithful will be caught by their lust. The New King James Version

Dishonest scales were prohibited by the law. Merchants used weights to measure out money or produce. Dishonest merchants used faulty scales or weights to cheat their customers. This practice was prohibited by the law and condemned by the prophets because it was used to oppress the impoverished. 

Arrogance is a trait of the fool. The Fool in Proverbs contrast the security enjoyed by the righteous with the inevitable destruction of the wicked. The righteous enjoy deliverance from trouble and have security because of their integrity, righteousness, and wisdom. 

In contrast, the wicked’s actions ultimately lead to destruction because of their perverseness, overall wickedness, and lust. Instead of avoiding trouble, the wicked walk into it. Riches cannot preserve the wicked; when they die, their hope and wealth die with them. Faithlife Study Bible

Dealing fairly with one another is an outgrowth of the command to love one’s neighbor as oneself, which in turn is an outgrowth of the central command given to Israel, to love God alone. That is why false balances are an abomination to God, a term that refers to stomach-wrenching hatred. Many proverbs contrast the arrogant with the humble, as this one does. The Hebrew word for pride comes from a root that means “to boil up”; it refers to a raging arrogance or insolence. The image pictures the presumptuous or arrogant behavior of the godless person. Such behavior always leads to shame. These verses form a series of proverbs that contrast the results of righteousness and perversity in people’s lives. As pride and humility are contrasted, so integrity and perversity are contrasted. From time to time the proverbs speak of death as a time of reward and punishment. Riches cannot help with this. Only righteousness has meaning and power beyond the grave. The NKJV Study Bible

However men may make light of giving short weight or measure, and however common such crimes may be, they are an abomination to the Lord. Considering how safe, and quiet, and easy the humble are, we see that with the lowly is wisdom. An honest man’s principles are fixed, therefore his way is plain. Riches will stand men in no stead in the day of death. The ways of wickedness are dangerous. And sin will be its own punishment. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Leviticus 19:36 You shall have honest scales, honest weights, an honest ephah, and an honest hin: I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt.

Deuteronomy 25:13 “You shall not have in your bag differing weights, a heavy and a light.

Deuteronomy 25:14 You shall not have in your house differing measures, a large and a small.

Zephaniah 1:18 Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them In the day of the LORD’s wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of His jealousy, for He will make speedy riddance of all those who dwell in the land.

1 Corinthians 9:19-23

In the past I struggled with my upbringing in the Catholic faith with all its rules and traditions and the non-denominational Churches that I have been part of for the last 20 years. I no longer feel guilty loving both. I try to become all things to all Christians because God so loves us all. John 3:16

The apostle Paul said, "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony" (Colossians 3:12-14). These characteristics are impossible to do on our own; however, they are the holy standard God expects His children to aim for with the help of the Holy Spirit. (Galatians 5:16,  22;  Romans 8:14). First5 

We can create. 

We can create bridges for reconciliation and second chances and peace making.
We can create roads for mercy and generosity and justice.
We can create floors for dancing and music and celebration.
We create bandages for wounds and fractured spirits and broken hearts. 

We create sanctuaries for safety and prayer and hope.

SabbathMoments 

1 Corinthians 9:19-23

19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; 20 and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; 21 to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; 22 to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 23 Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you. The New King James Version

Paul put himself at the service of others in order that God may use him to bring people to Jesus. He does not regard himself as a “savior,” but as an instrument through which someone might hear the gospel and be saved. He adapts to his audience (but not by compromising the gospel or his message) to remove any obstacles to their acceptance of the gospel message. 

Paul lived according to Jewish customs not to be saved, but to appeal to those who also lived according to the law. Paul was not obligated to live under the law; rather, he used his freedom in Christ to relate to those under the law (Jews). Paul did not think it necessary to observe the ceremonial commands of the law in relation to food, but he did maintain the law of Christ. He refers to Christians who felt tempted to regress to idolatrous practices. Paul demonstrated sensitivity to such believers, but he also desired that they mature in their faith. 

Paul is not advocating syncretism or compromise of the gospel message. Rather, he is promoting a considerate evangelistic approach—one that accounts for different social circumstances, ethnicities, and religious convictions. Faithlife Study Bible

I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more: Paul put his ministry of the gospel above his personal desires. He was willing to conform to the customs of other people, whether Jew or Gentile, in order to bring them to Christ. For example, in order to relate to the Jews in Jerusalem he made a Nazirite vow in the temple. Around those who were under the Law—the Jews—Paul obeyed the Law. Around those who were outside the Law—the Gentiles—Paul did not observe Jewish custom. Paul clarified this, however, lest anyone misunderstand his actions. He obeyed God’s law through obedience toward Christ. This was a broader law than the Mosaic legislation; this was the fulfillment of Christ’s will. The NKJV Study Bible

Though he would transgress no laws of Christ, to please any man, yet he would accommodate himself to all men, where he might do it lawfully, to gain some. Doing good was the study and business of his life; and, that he might reach this end, he did not stand on privileges. We must carefully watch against extremes, and against relying on any thing but trust in Christ alone. We must not allow errors or faults, so as to hurt others, or disgrace the gospel. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Acts 16:3 Paul wanted to have him go on with him. And he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in that region, for they all knew that his father was Greek.

Acts 21:23 Therefore do what we tell you: We have four men who have taken a vow.

Acts 21:24 Take them and be purified with them, and pay their expenses so that they may shave their heads, and that all may know that those things of which they were informed concerning you are nothing, but that you yourself also walk orderly and keep the law.

Acts 21:25 But concerning the Gentiles who believe, we have written and decided that they should observe no such thing, except that they should keep themselves from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality.”

Acts 21:26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day, having been purified with them, entered the temple to announce the expiration of the days of purification, at which time an offering should be made for each one of them.

1 Corinthians 15:1–7

In Christ alone we stand. We live because He died in our place.

Hosea 6:2 After two days He will revive us; on the third day He will raise us up, that we may live in His sight.

Mr. Rogers, “You know, the Greek word for ‘thanks’ is eucharist. The way we say ‘thank you’ to God and to each other is the greatest imaginable form of appreciation. In fact, the reason we are created in God's image—in God's tzelem—is to be God's representatives on this earth—to do here what God would do—to take care of the land and each other as God would take care of us.

You don't ever have to do anything sensational in order to love or to be loved. The real drama of life (that which matters most) is rarely center stage or in the spotlight. In fact, it has nothing to do with IQs and honors and the fancy outsides of life. What really nourishes our souls is the knowing that we can be trusted, that we never have to fear the truth, that the foundation of our very being is good stuff.” SabbathMoments 

The Apostle Paul wrote to believers in Colossae that our lives are hidden in Christ and we can get rid of our old ways because our new selves in Christ are "being renewed in knowledge after the image of [their] creator" (Colossians 3:10). Like the Israelites and Colossians, our understanding of God as good and pure - in every way, at all times - is the catalyst for our sanctification or metamorphosis into His image as the Holy Spirit works in our hearts. 

Paul commands it this way: "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience..." (Colossians 3:12). First5

1 Corinthians 15:1–7

15 Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. 6 After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. 7 After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. The New King James Version

Believers experience salvation in part now (in the sense of beginning their relationship with Christ without the burden of sin standing between them and God), but this salvation will be complete when Christ returns and they are unified with God for eternity. Faithlife Study Bible

Paul’s gospel to the Corinthians centered on the physical death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God who became human yet never sinned. Paul had started the Corinthian church; the gospel that the Corinthians had originally received came from him. Paul did not originate the proclamation of Jesus that he delivered to the Corinthians; he simply gave the Corinthians what he himself had received. He viewed himself as a link in a long chain of witnesses to the truth of the death and resurrection of Christ. 

Christ died for our sins: Christ’s death dealt decisively with our sins. He suffered in our place to endure the just wrath of God against us. Christ lived and died in accordance with the prophecies about Him in the OT. 

The Resurrection verifies the fact that Christ’s death paid the full price for sin. The Greek term translated rose here is in the perfect tense, emphasizing the ongoing effects of this historical event. Christ is a risen Savior today. At the time of Paul’s writing, a person could have verified the truthfulness of the apostle’s statements. The majority of the five hundred people who saw the risen Christ, as well as all the apostles and James (the half brother of Jesus), were still living. The NKJV Study Bible

The word resurrection, usually points out our existence beyond the grave. Of the apostle’s doctrine not a trace can be found in all the teaching of philosophers. The doctrine of Christ’s death and resurrection, is the foundation of Christianity. Remove this, and all our hopes for eternity sink at once. And it is by holding this truth firm, that Christians stand in the day of trial, and are kept faithful to God. We believe in vain, unless we keep in the faith of the gospel. This truth is confirmed by Old Testament prophecies; and many saw Christ after he was risen. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Isaiah 53:10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief. When You make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in His hand.

Matthew 12:40 For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

Luke 24:34 saying, “The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!”

John 1:9-13

Jesus, the Word of God made flesh. All who choose to accept Him will not perish but have everlasting life with God.

1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

John 1:9-13

9 That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. 11 He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. 

12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. The New King James Version

The Greek word used here for world, kosmos, occurs 78 times throughout John’s Gospel. Sometimes it refers broadly to the whole created order, but most of the time it refers specifically to humanity in rebellion against God and hostile to Christ. 

Not only did the entire world not recognize its Creator, but God’s chosen people rejected their Messiah. Messianic expectations in the old testament outlined how even the nations would one day come to Yahweh for salvation. John’s Gospel addresses the issue of how the messianic age could have arrived through Jesus when the old testament conditions of the Messiah’s ideal kingdom have not been met. 

Unlike the people who rejected Him, those who accepted Jesus as Messiah are the true “children of God”. John never uses the phrase huioi theou, “sons of God,” to describe believers (unlike the Apostle Paul, preferring tekna theou, “children of God.” As in Revelation, John uses the category of “Son of God” exclusively for Jesus. For John, it’s a title denoting authority and precise relationship; He is from the Father just as an earthly son is from his father. As such, He has been given an inheritance to care for—creation and humanity—as a son on earth is given an estate. Faithlife Study Bible

In order to give due notice to the incarnation of Jesus, this verse may be rephrased: “That was the true Light coming into the world, which enlightens every man.” Jesus became man in order to reveal the truth to all people. Depending on the context, world can refer to (1) the universe; (2) the earth; (3) humanity; or (4) the human system opposed to God. 

Receive here means “to receive with favor” and implies “welcome.” Instead of a welcome mat, Jesus had a door slammed in His face. The themes of rejection and reception introduced in the prologue appear again and again throughout the Gospel of John. 

The phrase believe in His name occurs three times in the Gospel of John. Name does not refer to the term by which He is called, but to what His name stands for—the Lord is salvation. In this context, the phrase means to believe that Jesus is the Word, the life, and the Light—that is, He is the Christ, the Son of God. To them He gave the right refers to the legitimate entitlement to the position of children of God. 

By believing, undeserving sinners can become full members of God’s family. This new spiritual birth is not of blood, that is, by physical generation or by parents. Nor is the new birth of the will of the flesh, that is, by personal effort. Neither is the birth of the will of man, that is, something done by another individual. Each person must individually trust Jesus Christ for eternal life. It is a gift to be received, not a reward achieved through any human effort. The NKJV Study Bible

Christ was in the world when he took our nature upon him, and dwelt among us. The Son of the Highest was here in this lower world. He was in the world, but not of it. He came to save a lost world, because it was a world of his own making. Yet the world knew him not. When he comes as a Judge, the world shall know him. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Isaiah 49:6 Indeed He says,‘It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also give You as a light to the Gentiles, that You should be My salvation to the ends of the earth.’ ”

Isaiah 53:3 He is despised and rejected by men, a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. and we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.

John 11:52 and not for that nation only, but also that He would gather together in one the children of God who were scattered abroad.

1 John 2:29 If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him.