Luke 12:49-50

The only way to the Father is through the salvation gift of the Son. 

The sword of the Spirit will divide spiritual truth and the doctrines of mankind.

To Him be all glory, power and control!

Luke 12:49-50

49 “I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! 50 But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am till it is accomplished! 51 Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division.

Fire imagery is often used as a symbol of divine judgment. Jesus suggests that there are elements of judgment associated with His mission. His baptism refers to Jesus’ impending death. Faithlife Bible.

Fire is an image associated with God’s judgment. Jesus’ coming brings judgment on those who refuse to accept Him and divides the believers from the faithless. Though Jesus was ready for the judgment of humankind, other things had to happen first.

As a figure for Jesus’ death, baptism in this verse refers to the coming of overflowing waters of divine judgment. Note Jesus’ human response to what He recognized as His necessary death.

Part of Jesus’ mission was to create a division within humankind. Other texts of Luke speak of Jesus bringing peace. He offers peace to those who respond to Him. NKJ Bible.

Matthew 10:34 “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword.

Matthew 10:35 For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’;

Matthew 20:22 But Jesus answered and said, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” They said to Him, “We are able.”

Mark 10:38 But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?”

John 19:30 So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.

Acts 8:38-40

 Be open to the natural workings of Holy Spirit. His ways are beyond our understanding!

In the depth we believe in Him…we can receive from Him!

Acts 8:38-40

38 So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. 39 Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing. 40 But Philip was found at Azotus. And passing through, he preached in all the cities till he came to Caesarea.

The Greek phrasing used here may be meant to emphasize Philip’s spiritual solidarity with the eunuch: both of the men enter the water together, and both come up out of it together. The eunuch’s journey from confusion to joy  displays the Spirit’s transforming power. Both the Gospel of Luke and Acts often emphasize this characteristic in the lives of believers. Faithlife Bible.

The Greek word translated caught here is also used in 1 Thessalonians 4:17 for the catching away of the church into the air. Though this passage may say only that Philip went from the desert to Azotus, most likely the terminology indicates a miraculous transportation. NKJ Bible.

As soon as he was baptized, the Spirit of God took Philip from him, so that he saw him no more; but this tended to confirm his faith. When the inquirer after salvation becomes acquainted with Jesus and his gospel, he will go on his way rejoicing, and will fill up his station in society, and discharge his duties, from other motives, and in another manner than heretofore. Though baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, with water, it is not enough without the baptism of the Holy Ghost. Lord, grant this to every one of us; then shall we go on our way rejoicing. Matthew Henry Commentary

Ezekiel 3:12 Then the Spirit lifted me up, and I heard behind me a great thunderous voice: “Blessed is the glory of the LORD from His place!”

Ezekiel 3:14 So the Spirit lifted me up and took me away, and I went in bitterness, in the heat of my spirit; but the hand of the LORD was strong upon me.

Matthew 4:5-7

God is knowledge.

He alone provides the knowledge used in medicine, science and environmental issues for all of His creation. We should learn by the wisdom that He gives humanity. 

To throw aside the wisdom that only He can give is foolishness. The pandemic provided the perfect scenario…take the vaccine. Do not tempt the Lord your God by burying your head in the shifting sand of conspiracy. Only He could provide the knowledge to protect us as He has done in past generations with vaccines for polio, mumps, measles, flu etc, etc, etc.

Satan seeks to kill, steal and destroy your life…do not let him!

Matthew 4:5-7

5 Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written:

‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’

and,

‘In their hands they shall bear you up,

Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’ ”

7 Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’ ”

This test of God’s providence is far more extreme than any test Israel underwent in the desert. No biblical precedent exists for God’s choosing to save someone from falling in this way. Faithlife Bible.

Deuteronomy 6:16 emphasizes that one should not test God. The Lord asked the Israelites to put Him to the test in only one area: tithing. By giving to Him they could test whether He would fulfill His promises to bless them (Malachi 3:10). NKJ Bible.

Deuteronomy 6:16 “You shall not tempt the LORD your God as you tempted Him in Massah.

Acts 7:48-50

We worship God, by whom all things were made, not the things that He created!

Acts 7:48-50

48 “However, the Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands, as the prophet says:

49 ‘Heaven is My throne,

And earth is My footstool.

What house will you build for Me? says the Lord,

Or what is the place of My rest?

50 Has My hand not made all these things?’

Stephen upbraids the Jews with the idolatry of their fathers, to which God gave them up as a punishment for their early forsaking him. It was no dishonour, but an honour to God, that the tabernacle gave way to the temple; so it is now, that the earthly temple gives way to the spiritual one; and so it will be when, at last, the spiritual shall give way to the eternal one. The whole world is God’s temple, in which he is every where present, and fills it with his glory; what occasion has he then for a temple to manifest himself in? And these things show his eternal power and Godhead. But as heaven is his throne, and the earth his footstool, so none of our services can profit Him who made all things. Next to the human nature of Christ, the broken and spiritual heart is his most valued temple. Matthew Henry Commentary.

It was David’s desire to give God a permanent dwelling. The danger of David’s request was that some might identify the presence of God with one place, as if God were confined to that location. God honored David’s desire by permitting his son Solomon to build such a house and by filling it with the Shekinah glory, a demonstration of His presence. But God did not live in the temple. The Creator cannot be confined by anything He has made. His presence fills all that He has made. Solomon understood this when he dedicated the temple. In his speech, Stephen emphasized that God could not be confined to temples made with hands. NKJ Bible.

Solomon who built it—recognized that no physical building could contain Yahweh, the Lord of heaven and earth. The implication is that the religious leaders are the ones who have misunderstood the true nature of the temple. Faithlife Bible.

1 Kings 8:27 “But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain You. How much less this temple which I have built!

2 Chronicles 2:6 But who is able to build Him a temple, since heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain Him? Who am I then, that I should build Him a temple, except to burn sacrifice before Him?

Isaiah 66:1 Thus says the LORD:“Heaven is My throne, And earth is My footstool. Where is the house that you will build Me? And where is the place of My rest?

Isaiah 66:2 For all those things My hand has made, And all those things exist,”Says the LORD.“But on this one will I look: On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, And who trembles at My word.

Matthew 5:34 But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne;

Romans 1:1-7

We live because Jesus died for us!

Romans 1:1-7

1 Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God 2 which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, 3 concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, 4 and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. 5 Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name, 6 among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ;

7 To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans

Paul explains that Jesus Christ is the Second Adam whose righteousness and substitutionary death have provided justification for all who place their faith in Him. By reading Romans we can see how the apostle breaks down a truckload of theological truth into bite-sized installments by using a question-and-answer format.

In other words, Romans presents a Jesus who offers His righteousness as a gracious gift to sinful people like us because He bore God’s condemnation and wrath for our depraved nature. Paul makes it quite clear that the Savior’s life, death, and resurrection are the basis for our redemption, justification, reconciliation, salvation, and glorification. What is more, Paul contends that the Spirit of Jesus can motivate us to live responsible, Christlike lives. That’s what the second half of Romans is all about.

Paul’s expertise in Jewish law and thorough understanding of Greek and Roman culture made him ideally suited to proclaim the gospel among the Gentiles (non-Jews). Born a Roman citizen, Paul grew up in Tarsus, one of the largest cities in the Roman Empire (located in the southeastern region of modern-day Turkey). In Tarsus, he was exposed to Graeco-Roman customs, religions, and philosophies, and he apparently became fluent in Greek. Paul’s quotations of thinkers like Aratus, Menander, and Epimenides are evidence of his knowledge of Greek philosophy.

Paul uses this language metaphorically to indicate that his life and ministry exhibit humility and submissiveness—characteristics associated with slavery and servitude during the first century. An Apostle was a person designated and sent to speak and act with special authority. Paul regularly introduces himself as an apostle  in his letters. Paul’s use of the title “apostle” highlights that his authority was equal to that of the 12 apostles and that his commission was from Christ.

In the Gospels, the apostles exercise their office by proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, casting out demons, and performing healings—actions that express and extend Christ’s ministry. In the book of Acts, Jesus commissions the apostles to be His witnesses to the end of the earth. The apostles express this witness through their ministry of teaching, miraculous acts and planting of Christian communities. The Church is built on the work of the apostles and prophets. God set Paul apart to proclaim the gospel message about Jesus Christ. Like the prophet Jeremiah, Paul considered himself set apart before he was born.

Prophets refers to people who are designated by God to speak on His behalf and critique their society—telling about present problems and, at times, future events. Here Paul mentions the prophets to emphasize continuity between the promises that God delivered through the prophets in the ot and the fulfillment of those promises in the gospel. “Son of God,” is a reference to Jesus Christ—the focus of the gospel message. This designation expresses the unique, intimate relationship between Jesus Christ and God. It also might express that Jesus is the Messiah and the appointed King—like David, who also is given this title. In this letter, Paul describes believers as children of God and co-heirs with Christ. 

 

Descendant of Davis emphasizes Jesus’ humanity and confirms His status as God’s appointed ruler. God promised David that from David’s line would come an eternal kingdom. This promise became the source of Jewish expectations about a coming messiah. For example, Peter’s quotation of the ot Scriptures to Jews at Pentecost demonstrates that Jewish people expected a descendant of David to restore the kingdom to Israel. By referring to Jesus as a descendant of David, Paul identifies Him as the coming Messiah of whom the promise speaks.

 

God appointed Christ  as the judge of the world. Jesus proved His divine authority and established Himself as the expected Davidic Messiah through His resurrection from the dead. The Holy Spirit  demonstrated power through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Paul describes resurrection as the foundation of Christian hope. 

Isaiah prophesies that a future king will come from David’s line to unite God’s people (the Jews) and all nations (the Gentiles) to Himself—ultimately fulfilling Israel’s role as a nation. This is why Paul connects resurrection with David. In Isaiah the Suffering Servant —who is connected to the messianic figure—is resurrected. Ezekiel and Daniel both discuss a future resurrection of the dead. 

This is Paul’s understanding throughout his letters: Followers of Christ are spiritually resurrected upon belief and will be physically resurrected on the Day of the Lord. “Obedience, which is faith.” expression also could simply describe the inseparable nature of obedience and faith.

Jesus chose Paul for the purpose of telling Gentiles  (non-Jewish people) about the gospel. Paul understood that God included the Gentiles in His plan of salvation, and he therefore made the Gentiles the focus of his missionary efforts. The apostles in Jerusalem likewise recognized Paul’s appointment by God as the apostle to the Gentiles.

Paul’s typical greeting throughout his letters summarizes his gospel message: God’s work through Christ (grace) brings people into a harmonious relationship with God and one another (peace). The Greek word eirēnē (“peace”) corresponds to the Hebrew term shalom (“peace”), which carries the idea of wholeness. The gospel begins with God’s work on people’s behalf and results in a transformation of their relationships with God and neighbor—from broken to whole.

The word “our” indicates that Jews and Gentiles (non-Jewish people) are equal and united before God because of Christ. False teachers may have claimed that the Gentiles were not equal because they did not participate in circumcision, or dietary restrictions—distinctly Jewish practices. Such teachings would have brought division to the Church. Faithlife Bible.

Bondservant means “slave.” Paul is talking about a slavery undertaken voluntarily out of love, unlike the forced slavery well known to many in the Roman Empire. Paul emphasizes his personal subjection to Jesus Christ. By calling himself an apostle, Paul places himself on the level of the twelve apostles and claims authority from God for His work.

Humanly speaking, Jesus was a descendant of David. He was truly and completely human; but at the same time, He was God’s Son. The fact that Jesus was a descendant of David also links Him to the Davidic covenant. When Christ returns to reign over all, He will fulfill God’s promise to David to give him a dynasty that will last forever. Jesus did not become Son of God by His resurrection. Instead, His resurrection proved that He was the Son of God. The purpose of the apostles’ work was to persuade people to obey God’s command to trust Christ.

The doctrine of which the apostle Paul wrote, set forth the fulfilment of the promises by the prophets. It spoke of the Son of God, even Jesus the Saviour, the promised Messiah, who came from David as to his human nature, but was also declared to be the Son of God, by the Divine power which raised him from the dead. The Christian profession does not consist in a notional knowledge or a bare assent, much less in perverse disputings, but in obedience. And all those, and those only, are brought to obedience of the faith, who are effectually called of Jesus Christ. Here is, 1. The privilege of Christians; they are beloved of God, and are members of that body which is beloved. 2. The duty of Christians; to be holy, hereunto are they called, called to be saints. These the apostle saluted, by wishing them grace to sanctify their souls, and peace to comfort their hearts, as springing from the free mercy of God, the reconciled Father of all believers, and coming to them through the Lord Jesus Christ. Matthew Henry Commentary.

Acts 6:7 Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.

Acts 9:15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.

Acts 13:2 As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”

Acts 13:33 God has fulfilled this for us their children, in that He has raised up Jesus. As it is also written in the second Psalm:‘You are My Son,Today I have begotten You.’

Romans 16:26 but now made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith—

1 Corinthians 14:18

 The love language between Holy Spirit and man!!! 

So very thankful for this special gift.

1 Corinthians 14:18

18 I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all; 19 yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.

Without an interpretation, the speaker does not benefit intellectually, and neither does anyone else. Faithlife Bible.

If each person brings to the meeting the special ability that God has given him or her, and if everything is done for edification, the church as a whole will benefit. NKJ Bible.

John 1:14–18

 God’s word made flesh…imagine the power of His word and then imagine the power of the tongue. Our words can be used to build up or to tear down. 

The way of Holy Spirit is full of grace and love. He never condemns He convicts. He takes the Word of God, Jesus, and brings it to life in those who believe and trust in Him.

Believers should be living examples of the love of Christ in this world. We should be known by the fruit of the Spirit showing in our lives. Nothing lasts forever but Gods’ love for His creation and those who partake of it.

We love because He first loved us!!

John 1:14–18

14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

15 John bore witness of Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me is preferred before me, for He was before me.’ ”

16 And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.

The Greek verb used here literally means “to dwell in a tent” and likely alludes to the old testament tabernacle  as God’s dwelling among His people. Through His Son, God is taking up a post among His people just as He had done for ancient Israel.

The glory of Jesus, the Word, is the same as the glory of God the Father. The Greek term monogenēs, meaning “one and only” carries the sense of uniqueness and special beloved status. John’s use of monogenēs foreshadows the emphasis on the intimate relationship between Jesus and God the Father. Jesus is the unique and beloved Son of God, sent from God to fully represent the Father on earth and reveal the Father and His plan for salvation in a previously unparalleled way. The Son reflects the Father perfectly and perfectly carries out His will. The close relationship of Father and Son means their works and will are in perfect unity.

Alluding to two central attributes of the divine character, used throughout the old testament, are steadfast love and faithfulness. Jesus embodies the ultimate expression of God’s covenant loyalty and unmerited favor toward the world that rejected Him. 

John contrasts Moses with Jesus, emphasizing the superiority of the gospel of Christ to the law of Moses. Throughout his Gospel, John presents Jesus as the fulfillment of old testament expectations. The world will fully see God only as revealed through Jesus. Faithlife Bible.

The Son of God who was from eternity became human, with limitations in time and space. This is the doctrine of the incarnation: God became human. Nothing of the essential nature of deity was lost in this event; we might rephrase became as “took to Himself.” John uses the word flesh to refer to the physical nature of humans, not to our sinful disposition. Dwelt comes from the Greek word for tent that was used in the Greek OT for the tabernacle, where the presence of God dwelt. In the OT, glory refers to the divine presence. As God manifested His glory in the tabernacle, so Jesus displayed His divine presence before the apostles. Only begotten means unique, one of a kind. All who trust Christ are born of God. In the Gospel of John, these “born ones” are called children of God, but Jesus Christ is the unique Son of God. He is the only Son who is fully God. He is also full of grace and truth. When God revealed Himself to Moses, He proclaimed Himself to be “abounding in goodness and truth”. As applied to Jesus Christ, this phrase marks Him as the author of perfect redemption and perfect revelation.

Jesus was born after John the Baptist and began His ministry later than John the Baptist. Yet John the Baptist said Jesus was before him, meaning that Jesus’ existence is from eternity past. Grace for grace means grace piled upon grace. Moses and the people had received grace, but they were in tremendous need of more grace.

Throughout the NT, grace is God’s favor expressed to sinful humankind apart from any human works or worth. Though there was abundant grace and truth expressed by God through the Law He gave Moses, it is in the person of Jesus Christ that grace and truth are realized to the fullest. NKJ Bible.

Christ was the true Light; that great Light which deserves to be called so. By his Spirit and grace he enlightens all that are enlightened to salvation; and those that are not enlightened by him, perish in darkness. 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. Many say that they are Christ’s own, yet do not receive him, because they will not part with their sins, nor have him to reign over them. All the children of God are born again. This new birth is through the word of God as the means and by the Spirit of God as the Author. By his Divine presence Christ always was in the world. But now that the fulness of time was come, he was, after another manner, God manifested in the flesh. Matthew Henry Commentary.

Matthew 3:11 indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

Matthew 11:27 All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.

John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Colossians 1:19 For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell,

1 John 4:9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.

Isaiah 59:1-4

 So many things are wrong with the Republican Party right now. We are going against the Bible instead of for it. How very sad that we are now trying to add voter suppression to the mix.

Have our iniquities  separated America from God?

It is the way of Christ to seek justice for the oppressed, the poor and the immigrant.

Isaiah 59:1-4

59 Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened,

That it cannot save;

Nor His ear heavy,

That it cannot hear.

2 But your iniquities have separated you from your God;

And your sins have hidden His face from you,

So that He will not hear.

3 For your hands are defiled with blood,

And your fingers with iniquity;

Your lips have spoken lies,

Your tongue has muttered perversity.

4 No one calls for justice,

Nor does any plead for truth.

They trust in empty words and speak lies;

They conceive evil and bring forth iniquity.

Sin strains Israel’s relationship with God to the point of total separation. Israel’s actions required the separation—it was not what God wanted. 

Paul describes separation from God as spiritual death and demonstrates that Christ’s atoning sacrifice provides the bridge over the separation created by sin. 

This symbolizes a break in communication and a denial of physical presence. People hid their faces from the Servant as a sign of rejection. Here, Yahweh is forced to turn His face away from them because He cannot look on sin. The most sought-after blessing was for Yahweh’s face to shine upon them, not be turned away. The justice system is corrupt, with people seeking their own gain instead of doing what’s right. Faithlife Bible.

Calls for justice probably means to help the poor in the law courts. No one would plead the case of the poor fairly. Conceive evil and bring forth iniquity is translated “conceive trouble and bring forth futility”. NKJ Bible.

Numbers 11:23 And the LORD said to Moses, “Has the LORD’s arm been shortened? Now you shall see whether what I say will happen to you or not.”

Job 15:35 They conceive trouble and bring forth futility; their womb prepares deceit.”

Psalm 7:14 Behold, the wicked brings forth iniquity; yes, he conceives trouble and brings forth falsehood.

Isaiah 1:15 When you spread out your hands,I will hide My eyes from you; even though you make many prayers,I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood.

John 5:22-27

 Jesus, King of kings and Lord of lords. Through Him and His sacrifice all people can be with Father. God cares about our treatment of the poor, the oppressed and the immigrant. He will come in judgement to judge the living and the dead and of His Kingdom there will be no end.

All man…all God! Jesus saves!

John 5:22–27

22 For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, 23 that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.

24 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. 25 Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live. 26 For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself, 27 and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man.

The old testament depicts Yahweh as the judge of all peoples but sometimes foreshadows the transferal of that role to the Messiah. Faithlife Bible.

The Jews recognized that God alone had the right to judge humanity. In claiming that the Father committed all judgment to Him, Jesus again claimed equality with God. To claim the same honor as the Father is to claim equality with the Father. Here Jesus claimed equal authority with God.

The phrase believes in Him who sent Me is unusual. Christ, not the Father, is usually the object of this verb in John. The issue in this passage is the unity of the Father and the Son. All who believe in the One who sent Christ will believe in Christ. 

Christ can give life because He Himself possesses life. He not only has a part in giving it, He is the source of it. This is another testimony to Jesus’ deity, because only God has life in Himself. NKJ Bible.

Matthew 11:27 All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.

Luke 10:16 He who hears you hears Me, he who rejects you rejects Me, and he who rejects Me rejects Him who sent Me.”

Acts 17:31 because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.”

1 John 3:14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death.

1 Corinthians 1:10-11

As believers in Christ Jesus we are all the same and dearly loved. 

We are united in the salvation God gave freely to all who place their faith in Him! His love covered a multitude of sin.

1 Corinthians 1:10–11

10 Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 11 For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are contentions among you.

Paul means that the Corinthian believers should all agree on how the Spirit works among them and the type of values that Christ would have them to hold—both of these things Paul clarifies within this letter. Faithlife Bible.

Paul pleaded for an outward expression that comes from an inward spirit. Not only did Paul encourage the Corinthians to speak the same thing and have external unity, he also urged them to be joined together in a unity of hearts and minds.

Paul avoided dealing in rumors or secrecy; he openly named his sources: Chloe’s household. We know little of this woman and her household except what this verse implies. Chloe lived in Corinth or Ephesus, and the Corinthians respected her word. NKJ Bible.

In the great things of religion be of one mind; and where there is not unity of sentiment, still let there be union of affection. Agreement in the greater things should extinguish divisions about the lesser. There will be perfect union in heaven, and the nearer we approach it on earth, the nearer we come to perfection. Paul and Apollos both were faithful ministers of Jesus Christ, and helpers of their faith and joy; but those disposed to be contentious, broke into parties. So liable are the best things to be corrupted, and the gospel and its institutions made engines of discord and contention. Satan has always endeavoured to stir up strife among Christians, as one of his chief devices against the gospel. Matthew Henry Commentary.

2 Corinthians 13:11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.

Titus 3:9 But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless.

1 Peter 3:8 Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous;

John 8:7-8

In the manner that we judge others we will be judged! Love covers a multitude of sin.

We are capable of loving others because He first loved us!!

John 8:7-8

7 So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” 8 And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. 

The legal problems intended to entrap Jesus always result in embarrassment for the accusers or questioners, as Jesus’ response is always unexpected and cuts directly to the heart of the problem. Jesus makes the case that no one is without sin other than God, and thus no one is permitted to pass judgment by any authority other than what God has given them. Only God has a pure motive. Faithlife Bible.

Jesus forgave her. He did not condemn her, but neither did He condone her sin. NKJ Bible.

Romans 2:1 Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things.

Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

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

Romans 9:1-5

God sent the Messiah to the Israelites. Their  initial rejection was our salvation. He will not forget His own.

We choose who we will serve, God or the traditions of men, choose wisely.

Romans 9:1–5

9 I tell the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit, 2 that I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh, 4 who are Israelites, to whom pertain the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of God, and the promises; 5 of whom are the fathers and from whom, according to the flesh, Christ came, who is over all, the eternally blessed God. Amen.

Paul speaks as one who belongs to Christ and has experienced God’s promises. Despite his role as apostle to the Gentiles, Paul is still grieved that his fellow Jews, God’s chosen people through His promises to Abraham, have not widely accepted Jesus as their Messiah.

Paul echoes Moses’ prayer in Exodus 32:32, showing solidarity with his people by wishing to share in their punishment or take the punishment for them. He longs for the salvation of his fellow Jews.

Paul describes six benefits or privileges that rightfully belonged to Israel as God’s chosen people: joining God’s family (adoption), experiencing His presence (glory), entering into relationship with Him (covenants), receiving His revelation (law), worshiping at His temple (service), and inheriting His blessings (promises). God made His presence known at the tabernacle and later the temple. Isaiah interpreted this “glory”  as the Holy Spirit among them. Faithlife Bible.

At the end of chapter 8 Paul established that: (1) God has a purpose for believers, (2) nothing can prevent that purpose from being fulfilled, and (3) no one can separate God’s people from His love. But what about the Jewish people? God had a purpose for Israel and God had said He loved Israel. Yet Israel appears to be excluded from God’s program. Paul addresses this problem in chapters. 9–11. 

Paul’s pain was so great that he was willing, if possible, to be separated from Christ if it meant Israel could be united to Him. Paul lists some of the great privileges of Israel. For example, they were called Israelites. Israel was the name given to their ancestor Jacob as an expression of God’s favor. Their supreme privilege was that the Messiah came through them. eternally blessed God: Jesus Christ is God in the flesh. NKJ Bible.

Genesis 17:2 And I will make My covenant between Me and you, and will multiply you exceedingly.”

Deuteronomy 29:14 “I make this covenant and this oath, not with you alone,

Luke 1:72 To perform the mercy promised to our fathers and to remember His holy covenant,

Acts 3:25 You are sons of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’

Ephesians 2:12 that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.

Luke 9:23-27

Spread the Word…Jesus Christ is Lord over all!

Luke 9:23–26

23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. 24 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. 25 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost? 26 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels.

27 But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the kingdom of God.”

Denying oneself refers to setting aside one’s interests for the sake of God’s kingdom. Jesus’ disciples must be willing to follow Him every day, no matter what the cost. By seeking to avoid the potential hardships associated with following Jesus, a person ends up losing his or her life. Jesus also seems to be referring to people losing out on relationship with God in general—the true meaning of life. Those who embrace Jesus’ call to discipleship—including the difficulties it brings—will be saved. Faithlife Bible.

Although Jesus offered salvation as a free gift, He also warned that following Him would entail suffering and hardship.

It makes no sense to attempt to save our lives on earth only to lose everything when our lives quickly and inevitably pass away. The wise course is to invest our earthly resources—our time, talents, and wealth—in what is eternal. Even if we lose our lives for Jesus’ sake, that investment will produce returns for all eternity.

Recognition of Jesus will be rewarded in the coming judgment. Failure to recognize Him will lead to significant loss.

Since these disciples died before Jesus’ return, the reference here is no doubt to the Transfiguration. With this there is probably also a prediction of the descent of the Spirit at Pentecost. NKJ Bible.

Matthew 10:33 But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.

Luke 12:9 But he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God.

Luke 14:27 And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.

1 Corinthians 7:1-7

It is up to the individuals in a marriage to consider the other above themselves. That is love! 

As it was in the Old Testament it continues in the culture of america. divorce is as high in Christians marriages as it is in the general population. divorce was never allowed, unless there was sexual immorality, knowing all the pain and violence that it invites. 

Thank you Jesus that in you we have grace and forgiveness for our past.

1 Corinthians 7:1-7

7 Now concerning the things of which you wrote to me:

It is good for a man not to touch a woman. 2 Nevertheless, because of sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband. 3 Let the husband render to his wife the affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband. 4 The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. And likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. 5 Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. 6 But I say this as a concession, not as a commandment. 7 For I wish that all men were even as I myself. But each one has his own gift from God, one in this manner and another in that.

The precise nature of the Corinthians’ first question is unknown. Paul’s response suggests that the inquiry was broadly related to matters of marriage and sexual relations. The Greek text here uses an idiom to refer to having sexual intercourse with a woman; it may not imply marriage. 

Some married believers in Corinth deprived their spouses of sexual relations  on the basis of this slogan. While Paul acknowledges the benefits of celibacy, he asserts it is not an option for those who are already married. Thus, married couples should enjoy sexual relations and only abstain from them when both parties agree to do so.

Paul’s perspective assumes a framework in which a godly, loving husband does not take advantage of his wife.

Paul is advising, not commanding, the Corinthians.

Paul evidently was unmarried. He considered his ability to remain celibate a gift from God. For Paul, singleness allowed him the freedom to do God’s will without consideration for his own well-being—he didn’t have a spouse or family to care for. Even when one of the spouses is a nonbeliever, Paul never encourages seeking this type of freedom once people are married. Faithlife Bible.

There were two extreme positions in the Corinthian church. Both groups falsely separated the physical and the spiritual, believing that neither affected the other. One group was hedonistic. This group claimed that sin only had to do with the physical body, and that believers could sin in their body without any consequence to their spiritual lives. Paul corrects this misunderstanding. The other group believed that all things spiritual are good, and all things physical are bad, and that in order to be truly spiritual a person has to suppress every physical desire. Proponents of this view claimed that celibacy is the only proper lifestyle. Paul corrects their misunderstanding here and explains that while sexual relationships in marriage are good, he chose celibacy in his own personal situation. NKJ Bible.

Exodus 21:10 If he takes another wife, he shall not diminish her food, her clothing, and her marriage rights.

Matthew 1:6  and Jesse begot David the king.David the king begot Solomon by her who had been the wife of Uriah.

Mark 10:19 You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’ ”