Discussion Questions -> 2. He touched me … and O the joy that floods my soul. Share a time that you have no doubts that God has touched you.

As a teen I had a passable voice and sang in the church choir for years. As a very little child I was twice selected to play Mary in the Christmas Pageant and sing to the baby Jesus. Oh how I loved Jesus even then and after years of losing my footing on the path I came full circle to that bottomless love. As a teenager I preferred classical music and opera to rock and roll. I feel the music as well as hearing it. Much as I enjoy the classical music Praise and Worship music plus the old hymns touch something very deep in my soul. I get emotional when singing “It is well with my Soul” partly from the sheer beauty of the hymn and partly from reading the story behind the composition.

“When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll; whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say, It is well, it is well with my soul.”

Horatio Spafford had suffered great loss and was inspired to write these words as his ship passed near where his daughters had died in a ship wreck.

So strange as it may sound my glasses often hide tears of joy when I sing praises to God in church. The years haven’t been kind to my voice which now has a frog like quality, however, I will someday sing perfectly in God’s praise choir. Oh the joy!

A fellow-up

Today I was driving from the far west side of Arizona to the Palm Springs area on I-10. The desert goes on and on for nearly a hundred miles. I was listening to the song “I AM,” part of a collection called Messianic Praise on the Maranatha Music label. Watching the panorama of the desert one could nearly imagine seeing Jesus and His disciples who walked in “The dust of the Messiah.”

Touched by God, absolutely!

BIB501-2 Wk 6 DQ#6 What are the good things about the Law (read Psalm 19)? What is the dark side?

It seems to me that Psalm 19 concerns three major points, for example:

1. God is all in all, 1, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”

2. God’s Law is right, 7, “The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul.”

3. The keeping the law is good, 11, “By them your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward.”

King David ends the Psalm with 14, “May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

The law provides a standard for life, a goal. The big however is that I certainly could not always adhere to the law and I can be a real back-slider. What a relief to know we are saved by grace through faith. The gospel of Jesus is so simple, He did it all and said, “It is finished.” Good works should follows salvation but good works don’t save.

It wasn’t long after Jesus’ crucifixion and Resurrection before the Judaizers surfaced and promoted that circumcision and the observance of the Mosaic Law were necessary for salvation and insisted that this was necessary for the Gentile converts.
To quote Dr. Missler, “The Church thrived on the great truths of God’s grace until grace began to erode into forms of legalism, plunging the world into the Dark Ages from the sixth to the sixteenth centuries.“ Here the legalism is the Roman Catholic Church. Martin Luther gets much of the credit for The Reformation; however, people such as the Protestant Huguenots deserve much of the credit. Thousands died professing the Truth of Scripture rather than converting to Catholicism.

Even today the Catholic Church is wrapped, in my opinion, in legalism. Non-Catholic Christians celebrate the Lord’s Table as symbolic and done in remembrance….Catholic believe that the wine and bread actually become the very blood and body of Christ. This would imply that Jesus lied when He said “it is finished.” Then there is purgatory, the temporary home of those who have passed on. The loved one residing in purgatory can get an early release if enough masses are said, drawing from accounts of saints and more.

Other religions such as Islam and Mormonism adhere to legalism. Not only are these religions works oriented, they deny the divinity of the Jesus I know and love. There has to be a special level in hell for the religious leaders who promote fault faiths to millions to their eternal condemnation.

BIB501-2 wk 6 DQ#4. What is God's judgment on those who deny His creatorship? What should the believer's response be to the homosexual?

In my feeble attempt to be a Christian apologist, I was playing in the eBay Christian bashing Soapbox chat room this morning. One discussion thread just kept on giving. The thread was about the “Proposed Kansas Law Would Force Churches to Host Gay Weddings.” First was an attack on the Roman Catholic Church about their treatment of Protestant Huguenots so that will apply to DQ#6 and legalism. Next the question whether homosexuality is a sexual preference or as one poster wrote, “It's not about an intellectual or emotional choice or preference!!!! It's BIOLOGY. “Well, the door was wide open so I charged in and posted the following. The Christian apologist I quoted below is Dr. Missler.

According to one Christian apologist you may be able to blame God as “the result of denying their Creator was abandonment to a depraved lifestyle." He quotes Romans 1:26-27, “For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.”

As Christians we are to love the sinner but hate the sin. However much we may feel compassion for gays, “The sin of Sodom and Gomorrah was not homosexuality; it was the open, public condoning of homosexuality. And God dealt with it.” (Again, thanks to Dr. Missler) I concluded with the statement I want to be in the presence of Jesus someday, compassion yes but no condoning.

This eBay Soapbox thread has now evolved into the question of churches paying property taxes. Like I said, the thread just keeps on giving, that is, giving me a chance to witness a little in a chat room that has a wide readership. I can again compare the simplicity of Jesus’ message of salvation by grace with legalism and that He didn’t need a mega church to spread His message.

Before I jump back into the Soapbox and to digress a bit, how could anyone deny God the Creator? Last year I was returning from church on a particularly beautiful day and was reminded of Psalms 19:1, “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.” In my opinion, the Bible is written in the heavens and is there for all to read and be in awe of God’s creation.

DQ#1. List three things you know Jesus LOVES and three things He HATES

Since this question is so similar to one from SD501 I thought I’d check back to see if I would answer the same and for the most part, yes with a few additions.

1. Jesus hates hypocrites: "“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness." Matthew 23:27 Jesus hated what these hypocrites were doing to the temple: “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves.” Mark 11:15-17

2. Jesus hates a selfish nature", Matthew 25:45, Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’
3. Jesus hates the word “Tomorrow” as Satan hates the word “Today.” Tomorrow means just that, I’ll do it tomorrow. We put things like witnessing off until tomorrow and when tomorrow comes, well, tomorrow……

1. Jesus loves a loving heart both for God and others. Mark 12:30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. 12:31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. 12:32”
2. Jesus loves a giving heart. In the story of the widow who donates two mites, Jesus explains to his disciples that the small sacrifices of the poor mean more to God than the extravagant donations of the rich.[2] Mark 12:41-44, Luke 21:1-4. And in Matthew 25:40, “And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.” *

3. Jesus loves for us to be “in Christ” today; to be available to Him, to walk in His way, to love Him, to respect Him and hold Him in awe and to serve Him. Jesus told His disciples in “The Great Commission, “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.”

* As an aside, the verses in Matthew 25:40 and 45 are usually thought to apply to all people. However, Jesus was born a Jew. He was surrounded by Jews. To me, these verses can be compared to Genesis 12:3, “ And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.”

Who was Barnabas? Search the scriptures and write a paragraph highlighting his strengths. BIB501-2-5

Barnabas’ original name was Joseph, a Jewish name. The Apostles gave him a new name, Barnabas, which means "Son of Encouragement," a fact that speaks to his character.

After Paul’s experience “On the road to Damascus” he became a believer in Jesus and an out-spoken witness peaching the “Good News. He fled Damascus after being lowered in a basket from a window at night. Paul wanted to meet with the disciples in Jerusalem and understandably they didn’t trust one who had so recently persecuted believers. Fortunately Paul had the support of Barnabas, the encourager. Barnabas brought Paul before the Apostles and explains how Paul met Christ on the road to Damascus and preached the name of Jesus. Because of Barnabas, Paul was accepted by the church in Jerusalem. Paul was sent to Tarsus where he spent ten years. Jerusalem may have forgotten Paul for years but Paul proclaimed his witness wherever and whenever possible. Finally Barnabas ever the encourager brought Saul to Antioch where they taught and raised funds for the Jerusalem church.

Then there was the trouble with the Judaizers who while confirming the teachings of Jesus, taught that some Jewish religious practices much be adhered to; most notably circumcision. A faction in the church held that it was necessary to first become Jewish to achieve salvation causing confusion and concern among Paul’s recent converts. When the Judaizers claimed they spoke with James’ approval it was Barnabas who returned with Paul to Jerusalem.

Time and again it was Barnabas who with walked Paul until they went their separate ways over a dispute. John Mark had decided to return to Jerusalem years earlier and then wanted to re-join them in the mission field. Paul was rather rigid while Barnabas (always the encourager) wanted to give John Mark another chance. So Barnabas went his way taking Mark with him, and Silas joined Paul.

From Wikipedia, “Although the date, place, and circumstances of his death are, as yet, historically unverifiable, Christian tradition holds that Barnabas was martyred at Salamis, Cyprus, in 61 AD.”

With thanks to the First Baptist Peddie Memorial Church, “Interestingly, the word "encouragement" is closely linked to the Holy Spirit, who is known as the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, or Advocate in various translations). The words "encouragement" (paraclesis) and "Comforter" (paracletos) are essentially the same in the Greek, the original language of the New Testament. The Holy Spirit is the Encourager. Have you ever thought that one of the ministries of the Holy Spirit is to encourage you? Have you ever prayed for the Holy Spirit to encourage you in times of trials and tribulations?” Good information, excellent suggestion.

Discussion Questions -> 6. Read Act 15. What is the major issue behind this chapter?

The Book of Acts Chapter 2 marks the beginning of the Church Age; Chapter 15 opens the door to the Gentiles and salvation by grace, not works. Jesus assures Israel they are not forgotten and He will return to rebuild Israel after the Rapture of the Church.

“But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.” Galatians 1:8-9 These are harsh words however Paul was very justified. In his letter to the Galatians Paul is criticizing them as they were listening to the “Judaizers” who opposed Paul’s teachings of salvation by grace, not through works. Although the Judaizers confirmed the teachings of Jesus, they taught that some Jewish religious practices much be adhered to; most notably circumcision. A faction in the church held that it was necessary to first become Jewish to achieve salvation causing confusion and concern among Paul’s recent converts.

The Judaizers claimed they spoke with James’ approval so Paul and Barnabas returned to Jerusalem. With the backing of Peter, the elders concluded: Acts 15:28-29, “For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.” To quote Dr. Missler “the Gospel was now open to the Gentiles, too. And although God used Peter to open the door to the Gentiles, Paul was to be the missionary to the Gentiles; Peter would continue to be the apostle to the Jews.”

A few side-bars:

Habakkuk 2:4, “Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.” As I understand it, this plus The Book of Galatians had a major impact on Martin Luther and the Reformation; it is by grace that we are saved, not by keeping the law. Thank you Jesus!

Paul stated that “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:” Galatians 1:6. If people could wander from Jesus’ teachings so soon after His time on earth, what of today? Although Jesus offered salvation through His completed work on the cross, it seems to be human nature and/or pride to add to it.

Paul further warned: ” Acts 20:27, 29-30. “For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God…For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.”

Shamgar used what he had and delivered Israel. What do you have and how are you using it? 502s - 2 - 6

After I retired I set-up and sold at flea markets/ swap meets. I would have several cases of crosses displayed, a great way to start a discussion about Jesus. These conservations were usually with other Christians; however, people looking at other inventory couldn’t help but hear our passive approach to witnessing. I wear a turquoise and sterling cross pendant plus a Star of David w/Wheat pendant. The Star of David w/Wheat pendant shows my support of the Jewish Voice Ministries and the Jewish people. This combination has given me the opportunity to point out the often ignored fact that Jesus was born and died and was resurrected as a Jew and of course I get the chance to bring up Genesis 12:3.

Now that my “On the road again” market days are on hold, I mostly use the Internet as a means of witnessing and prayer and more prayer. I maintain a Christian blog that gets a few visitors and I post on eBay chat rooms with a potential readership in the thousands. Two of the chat rooms are general topics with Christian threads so we mostly reinforce each other; however, non-Christians hopefully read the conversations. The other chat room is mostly hostile to the Word and has caused more than one Christian poster to quit that chat room. Remember the DQ from SD501, “3. Why is it important to "make deposits”? What biblical passages have served you well over the past few months?” I withdraw Biblical passages and use these in posts to support the Christian point of view. Then when a poster asks how I know the Bible is true I take full advantage to reply with relevant scriptures and links.

All of the above seems rather lame when compared to those who are on the actual battlefield. So I give money to organizations like Voice of the Martyrs (VOM) rather than my time. I called the VOM a few years ago and said much as I’d like to be in the mission field I’m much too old. The reply was that if I came to their headquarters they would put me to work so someday…For now I support them vocally and monetarily, again, very lame!