One of the really cool things about my job is that I'm on the road a lot. I'm an insurance adjuster so a couple days a week I'm in the car driving to different towns and farms, mostly rural locations.
As I'm travelling I've taken to listening to Bible teaching CD's. John MacArthur has preached and taught on the ENTIRE New Testament! All those books are available for download from the Grace to You website for free.
Over the last few weeks I have been listening to the series on the letter to Titus. This teaching series has been such a blessing to me. I am so thankful for John's faithfulness to preach and teach the Word of God, regardless of how the Word conflicts with the culture today.
Titus is a word to Pastors/Elders, and to those desiring that office. It has also been a blessed and convicting word to me...and I praise and thank God for that. I am SO looking forward to the remaining lessons - I'm on #24 at the moment.
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Saturday, December 8, 2012
Acts 13 - Some Thoughts
Acts 13: 36-52 “For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep, and was laid among his fathers and underwent decay; but He whom God raised did not undergo decay. “Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through Him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and through Him everyone who believes is freed from all things, from which you could not be freed through the Law of Moses. “Therefore take heed, so that the thing spoken of in the Prophets may not come upon you:
‘BEHOLD, YOU SCOFFERS, AND MARVEL, AND PERISH;
FOR I AM ACCOMPLISHING A WORK IN YOUR DAYS,
A WORK WHICH YOU WILL NEVER BELIEVE, THOUGH SOMEONE SHOULD DESCRIBE IT TO YOU.’”
As Paul and Barnabas were going out, the people kept begging that these things might be spoken to them the next Sabbath. Now when the meeting of the synagogue had broken up, many of the Jews and of the God-fearing proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, were urging them to continue in the grace of God.
The next Sabbath nearly the whole city assembled to hear the word of the Lord. But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began contradicting the things spoken by Paul, and were blaspheming. Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and said, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first; since you repudiate it and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles.
“For so the Lord has commanded us,
‘I HAVE PLACED YOU AS A LIGHT FOR THE GENTILES,
THAT YOU MAY BRING SALVATION TO THE END OF THE EARTH.’”
When the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord; and as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed. And the word of the Lord was being spread through the whole region. But the Jews incited the devout women of prominence and the leading men of the city, and instigated a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their district. But they shook off the dust of their feet in protest against them and went to Iconium. And the disciples were continually filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.”
Currently, I am reading through Acts and I read chapter 13 last night. Firstly, I am amazed how I am “discovering” verses throughout the NT (I'm not much in the OT at this point) that highlight the sovereignty of God in Salvation. Verse 48 “...as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.” - a clear statement if ever there was one! As I continue to think on these things, I am so encouraged, and greatly humbled, that I believe, and that inherent in my believing is the fact that I was appointed by God for eternal life in Christ Jesus. Knowing how great a sinner I am, I can only thank Him, and ask, “Why me?”.
“For so the Lord has commanded us,
‘I HAVE PLACED YOU AS A LIGHT FOR THE GENTILES,
THAT YOU MAY BRING SALVATION TO THE END OF THE EARTH.’” (emphasis mine).
The Jews rejected the word of God. Here, the NAS has it translated “since you repudiate it”. The ESV translates it “since you thrust is aside.” The NIV translates it as “Since you reject it”. The KJV translates it “but seeing ye put it from you”. Paul, in Romans 11, elaborates on the how's and why's of the Jews' rejection of the Gospel. Verse 1 says that God has not utterly rejected His people, as Paul himself is evidence of this. In verse 11, “Again I ask: Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all! Rather, because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious.” And verse 25 and 26, “Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved.” (BTW, there's another “sovereignty of God” passage. “Until the full number of Gentiles has come in.”). There is still hope for Israel. But since they have rejected the word of God, the Lord has commanded Paul and Barnabas that the gospel be given to the Gentiles. Acts 11:18, another one of those “sovereignty of God” passages, states “When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.” And “the Gentiles” includes me.
“Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and
knowledge of God!
How unsearchable his judgments,
and his paths beyond tracing out!
“Who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has been his counselor?”
“Who has ever given to God,
that God should repay him?”
For from him and through him and to him are all
things.
To him be the glory forever! Amen.”
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