Todays scripture...

[WillyCamaro]

Crumbs from the Table

Matthew 15:21–28 “Jesus answered her, ‘O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.’ And her daughter was healed instantly” (v. 28).

The distinction between clean and unclean animals may be designed to remind Israel of the fall. Clean animals are visibly separated from the ground by cloven hoofs or scales and fins that enable them to swim away from the ocean floor (Lev. 11:3, 9). Unclean animals touch the earth directly. They have paws or crawl upon the sea bottom because they lack fins and scales (vv. 10–12, 26–27). Other taboo creatures eat dead flesh (v. 18). Since Adam’s sin brought a curse on the ground and death (Gen. 3:14–19), not eating animals associated with such things reminded Israel of creation’s brokenness, cultivating hope for the curse’s removal and the world’s return to its original goodness.

On the cross, Jesus took the curse upon Himself (Gal. 3:13), and now all creation waits for its goodness to be made fully manifest (Rom. 8:19–21). With the curse broken, what was unclean is now clean, and thus the old Mosaic food laws need not be followed in the new covenant. This is the logical conclusion of Jesus’ teaching on this point (Matt. 15:1–20; see especially Mark 7:19).

Removing the curse will also end the division between Jew and Gentile, a truth hinted at in Matthew 15:21–28. As Christ nears Tyre and Sidon, a Gentile woman approaches Jesus and begs Him to heal her daughter (Matt. 15:21–22). He ignores her at first, but then tells her His mission is to Israel (vv. 23–24). He is not denying salvation to the Gentiles; He is reminding her that He comes to Israel before going to the nations. Jesus’ later exchange with the woman about giving the children’s bread to the dogs is related. God, the good Father, feeds His children — His people Israel — prior to feeding the family dog (vv. 25–26).

The woman, a daughter of Israel’s ancient enemies in Canaan, knows this truth well, and her daughter is healed when she asks to mercifully share in the abundance of the Messiah’s feast, not to be fed out of order (vv. 27–28). John Calvin says that the woman does not impiously contradict Christ. “As God preferred the Jews to other nations, she does not dispute with them the honor of adoption, and declares, that she has no objection whatever that Christ should satisfy them according to the order which God had prescribed.”

Coram deo: Living before the face of God

John Calvin comments, “At no time, certainly, did God shut up his grace among the Jews in such a manner as not to bestow a small taste of them on the Gentiles.” Throughout redemptive history there have been Gentiles who have come to trust the God of Israel. Yet God is the covenant Lord of Israel, and, therefore, the Gospel goes to the Jew first. Take some time to pray for the physical sons of Abraham, that they would come to know Jesus.

[WillyCamaro]

2 Corinthians 4:4
In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

Praise be unto God are savior, who opened are minds to the truth! All glory belongs to Him, for ever and ever. The god of this world has been defeated on the cross, amen.

[WillyCamaro]

Matthew 16:25
For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

[WillyCamaro]

Mark 16:15
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

[WillyCamaro]

John 3:17
For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

[Meridian_Mike]

Amen Brother!

[WillyCamaro]

Brother, you can say that again!

[WillyCamaro]

Talk about timing again!

James 3:17
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

[Quick Steel]

Willy, Welcome back. You have been greatly missed.

[WillyCamaro]

Thank you Gary, I've missed my AAPK family, it's good to be back.

[WillyCamaro]

Romans 12:14
Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.

Persecution may not seem it, but in the Lords hands, it is a blessing.
It makes us draw nearer to Him, the world.

Like I've said many times, faith breeds persecution, persecution faith, faith righteousness, righteousness saving grace.

[TPK]

[WillyCamaro]

Isaiah 33:22
For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver,
the Lord is our king; he will save us.

That He will, that He does.

[WillyCamaro]

1 Timothy 2:3-4
For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

[WillyCamaro]

The Marks of the Church

1 Corinthians 11:17–34 “In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me’” (v. 25).

Today we conclude our study on the church by noting that there are many different bodies that call themselves churches, whether or not they are true manifestations of the church of Jesus Christ. How then can we tell when a church in name is also a church in reality?

Faced with this same problem, the Reformers and Roman Catholics answered this question very differently. Rome has said that the bishop is the mark of the church, that is, the true church is present when you have a duly consecrated bishop who is part of a line of succession going back to the apostles. Ultimately, a bishop is a true bishop only if he submits to the pope; thus, in Roman Catholicism only Roman Catholic parishes constitute the true church.

Protestants recognize the biblical failings of this view and, in studying Scripture, traditionally define a true church according to two criteria:

1. The Word — there is no true church without the right proclamation of the Word of God. In other words, a group that denies any of the essential truths of the Christian faith is not a church. The essential truths of Christianity are clearly taught in Scripture, and the Nicene Creed is one document that helpfully summarizes them. A truth like justification by faith alone is included in this list even though it is not specifically mentioned in the creed, because Paul lists it as a defining mark of the Gospel (Gal. 1:6–9; 2:15–16), and it is a necessary deduction from the creed’s emphasis on salvation through Christ alone.

2. The Sacraments — a true church rightly celebrates the Lord’s Supper and baptism. That is, the sacraments must be conducted in line with Scripture’s clear teaching, and we must allow for latitude where such things are not so plain. For example, the biblical instruction on the mode of baptism is not as clear as we might like; thus, we cannot anathematize those who disagree with us in this specific area. Celebrating the sacraments correctly also involves keeping unrepentant sinners from partaking in these means of grace (church discipline). Though inseparably linked to the sacraments, sometimes we make special mention of church discipline as the third mark of the church (1 Cor. 5).

Coram deo: Living before the face of God

First Corinthians 11:17–34 gives us the marks of the church specifically and through good and necessary deduction. The whole passage concerns the Lord’s Supper, a reference to the sacraments. Paul also gives the words of institution, a reference to the Word of God since these words were first spoken by Jesus. How highly do you value these means of grace and marks of the church? They are necessary for your spiritual growth and maturity.

[Meridian_Mike]

Thanks for posting Willy!

[WillyCamaro]

[WillyCamaro]

Ephesians 1:8-10
Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:

[WillyCamaro]

Psalm 46

To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth.

1
God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
2
Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed,
and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
3
though the waters thereof roar and be troubled,
though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.
4
There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God,
the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.
5
God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved:
God shall help her, and that right early.
6
The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved:
he uttered his voice, the earth melted.
7
The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
8
Come, behold the works of the Lord,
what desolations he hath made in the earth.
9
He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth;
he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder;
he burneth the chariot in the fire.

10
Be still, and know that I am God:
I will be exalted among the heathen,
I will be exalted in the earth.
11
The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

[WillyCamaro]

Eunuchs for the Kingdom

Matthew 19:10–12 “There are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Let the one who is able to receive this receive it” (v. 12).

Christ’s appeal to creation and His restrictions on the lawful grounds for divorce (Matt. 19:1–9) rebuke any desire to find loopholes in the marriage laws in order to escape unions that sinners find unfulfilling. Marriage is to be cherished wholeheartedly, not to be dispensed with as we futilely attempt to find “happiness” outside of God’s gracious law. Husbands and wives are called to obey the Lord together and work tirelessly to become one flesh physically, emotionally, and spiritually by guarding and renewing their relationship (Gen. 2:24–25).

As seen in today’s passage, the disciples misunderstand the inherent worthiness of holy matrimony, believing marriage to be appealing only if liberal provision is made for divorce and remarriage. When they say, “If such is the case…it is better not to marry” (Matt. 19:10), they really mean, “If these words are true, Jesus, we are better off unmarried than to find ourselves in a dissatisfying marriage that does not meet your criteria for a just divorce.”

Christ does not deny the truth of this response entirely, confirming that singleness can be desirable (vv. 11–12). However, He disagrees with His followers that the potential for imperfect marriages makes singleness a better alternative. Instead, singleness is preferable only when those who have been given the gift of celibacy exercise this gift for the kingdom. Marriage, Jesus implies, is the norm for most of God’s people and is not in itself inferior to lifelong singleness. Singleness is better than marriage only for those to whom God has given the gift of celibacy (1 Cor. 7). Thus, as John Calvin wrote, “God gives [the gift of singleness and celibacy] to whom he chooses…it is folly in any man to choose to live unmarried, when he has not received this special gift.”

All marriages in this fallen world have bad days, but we should not discourage marriage or seek divorce frivolously. Marriage offers kingdom opportunities, like the discipleship of children, that are generally unavailable to single people. At the same time, single people can more easily do kingdom work in foreign lands or other tasks that keep them away from home. Neither marriage nor singleness are inherently superior; both vocations can serve the Lord.

Coram deo: Living before the face of God

Single believers like Daniel and Paul as well as married believers such as Abraham and Peter have been used mightily of the Lord to advance His purposes. Knowing this to be true, our churches should be places where both singles and married couples are equally valued and given opportunities to serve in the congregation. If you serve as a leader in your church, do what you can to encourage both married couples and singles to take part in ministry.

[WillyCamaro]

Servants of the Lord

Philippians 1:1 “Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons” (v. 1).

There is much similarity between the English term for the assembly of God’s people and the terms for the same concept in other languages. Church in English, kirke in Dutch, and kirche in German all sound alike and are even, in some ways, spelled alike with the hard k or ch sound at the beginning and the r in the middle. The reason for this is that all of these words find their origin in kuriake, which is itself Greek in origin.

Literally, kuriake means “belonging to the Lord” and is a derivation of the Greek word for “Lord,” kurios. It makes perfect sense that English would look to kuriake as the root for the word church because, after all, what is the church if it is not that group of people who belong to the Lord Jesus Christ?

Kurios in the Greek language can also refer to the master of slaves or servants. This explains Paul’s emphasis in today’s passage and elsewhere that he is a “servant” of the Lord. If Christians, the kuriake, belong to a master, then we are the servants or slaves of that master. To be known as servants or slaves of Christ is not to imply that our master is cruel; by no means could Jesus ever mistreat us. Instead, we are the Lord’s possession because He has purchased us from slavery to sin and death and thus also from the righteous wrath of God (1 Cor. 7:23). As such, He is worthy of our total allegiance.

Understanding that all followers of Christ are possessions of the Lord has important implications for how we treat other Christians. To do wrong to another believer is to do wrong to one of Jesus’ own beloved. Lest we miss the point, to mistreat another Christian is to mistreat Christ Himself. All believers are so closely united to Jesus that to treat people in the church poorly is to dishonor the Lord of the church (Acts 9:4).

Therefore, we should be known as those who are kind to others in the body of Christ. We must exercise that love that overlooks a multitude of “minor” sins (1 Peter 4:8). As servants together in the kingdom of God we must be ever conscious that He takes our treatment of His people seriously; thus, we must do good to them just as we would do good to Him.

Coram deo: Living before the face of God

That we are all servants of the same Lord and master forbids us from ever thinking that certain people or deeds are beneath us. It also means that whatever we do, we must do it unto the Lord with our very best. Consider today what it means to serve the Lord in your life. Have you ceased to see your job as a vocation given to you by God? Do you esteem yourself above others? Strive always to serve the Lord in humility and with a true love for other believers.

[WillyCamaro]

Revelation 4:11
Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

[Meridian_Mike]

Thanks for posting Willy!

[WillyCamaro]

God’s Omnipotent Grace

Matthew 19:25–26 “Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible’” (v. 26).

Because in the Old Testament many of the old covenant saints are depicted as wealthy (Gen. 13:2; Job 42:10–17), and since it often links prosperity with God-pleasing behavior (Ps. 1; Prov. 22:4), first-century Jews commonly believed that riches were a sign of righteousness. To have wealth, they thought, is to be favored by God, signifying that a person has a share in the kingdom of heaven.

To be sure, personal righteousness and wealth are sometimes directly linked. In a capitalistic society, honest businessmen often prosper because their trustworthiness encourages many others to do business with them. Knowing this to be generally true, the biblical wisdom literature links wealth and holiness. But Scripture does not say rich people are always righteous (James 5:1–6), and we can by no means link goodness with wealth in every case.

Yet our Savior’s disciples have bought into the assumption that the wealthy deserve the kingdom. This is seen in their response to Jesus’ teaching on the stumbling block of riches in salvation (Matt. 19:23–24). In today’s passage, the disciples are astonished at Christ’s words, wondering aloud how anyone can be saved (v. 25). In essence they are saying this: “But Jesus, if rich people cannot find the salvation they obviously deserve, what possible hope is there for the rest of us, who show that we are undeserving by our lack of money?”

Though He could do so, Christ does not question His followers’ unsubstantiated link between riches and salvation. Instead, He uses the opportunity to teach them about His Father’s grace. Some wealthy people never find salvation because, no matter how hard they try, they cannot stop worshiping their bank accounts. But though this is impossible with men, it is possible with God (v. 26). Some rich people like Abraham and David enter the kingdom, but only because the Lord, who can do all things, has intervened on their behalf, as He does for all the elect.

Matthew 19:26 deals mainly with the ability of God’s grace to rescue those in bondage to their wealth. In the light of the entire canon of Scripture, however, we realize that were it not for this sovereign grace, no person would be saved from the sin that has enslaved his soul (Eph. 2:8–10).

Coram deo: Living before the face of God

James Boice writes: “The only way anyone will ever be saved is if God operates entirely apart from us and for his own good pleasure” (The Gospel According to Matthew, vol. 2, p. 410). We are tempted to look at our own efforts for our salvation and to believe that all “good people” will be saved, no matter their religious affiliation. It is therefore vital to constantly remind ourselves that none of us would love and serve God apart from His grace.

[Quick Steel]

Well that is a timely reference Willy. In recent years the "prosperity gospel" has been misleading many. It has been very popular in East Asia, but has also been heavily promoted in the USA by a number of false teachers who have succeeded in making themselves quite wealthy.