Sunday, August 29, 2021

Sunday sermon [Text]

 Sunday sermon

New International Version
Then Jesus told them, "This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written: "'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.' Matt. 26:31

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Sunday sermon videos-

https://youtu.be/NU2wGo5ihkQ

https://www.facebook.com/john.chiarello.5/videos/10204800546851708/ 

https://my.pcloud.com/publink/show?code=XZ6Qo17ZOhegCtN7KgHjMW1LwYJhs4lvGf9y

https://1drv.ms/v/s!Aocp2PkNEAGMh0aGdyPNPInaPcAu

https://www.dropbox.com/s/1vvmeh3rc5t0cys/9-16-18%20Sunday%20sermon.mp4?dl=0 

ON VIDEO

.Apologetics [Aquinas- Augustine- cause and effect]

.The ‘Mommy’ verse on baptism?

.’fudge factor’

.Why Prime Mover?

.Cause and effect

.Obedient to what Word?

.The message of the Cross

.Why did some think that Jesus was John the Baptist?

.The Son of Man

.The Great confession- and the great obstacle- all at the same time

.Who were the zealots?

.No honor before crucifixion

.The death of Peter- in church tradition

.Why did Peter deny the Lord?

.Fear of death.

.Jesus gave him another chance- to die [ I quote the verses and explain them on the video]

. Also- Aristotle- Mary’s Magnificat and the Renaissance

 

TEACHING- [Past posts below]

This Sunday I spoke on the Mass verses- most of them that is.

 I got a little off track and spent more time teaching on some of the gospel passages- and left out the reading from James.

Sure enough I made a video with my homeless friends- and got to cover it here- https://youtu.be/NICjeyd2rx4

The reading from Isaiah is a famous reading

Isaiah 50:5 The Lord GOD hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back.

Isaiah 50:6 I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.

Isaiah 50:7 For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.

Isaiah 50:8 He is near that justifieth me; who will contend with me? let us stand together: who is mine adversary? let him come near to me.

Isaiah 50:9 Behold, the Lord GOD will help me; who is he that shall condemn me? lo, they all shall wax old as a garment; the moth shall eat them up. [On the video I also ‘mixed’ in the reading from Psalm 116]

It is a prophecy about Christ- and it speaks about being willing- being obedient- to what God speaks.

Yet- in the passage it speaks about a particular word- the message of the Cross.

It is easy for us to ‘hear’ words about being financially blessed- yes- most of us like those promises.

Yet the message of the Cross is difficult- it means being obedient to denying self- to paying the price for the mission God has called us to.

The passage from the gospel speaks about the same thing-

Mark 8:27 And Jesus went out, and his disciples, into the towns of Caesarea Philippi: and by the way he asked his disciples, saying unto them, Whom do men say that I am?

Mark 8:28 And they answered, John the Baptist; but some say, Elias; and others, One of the prophets.

Mark 8:29 And he saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Peter answereth and saith unto him, Thou art the Christ.

Mark 8:30 And he charged them that they should tell no man of him.

Mark 8:31 And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.

Mark 8:32 And he spake that saying openly. And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him.

Mark 8:33 But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men.

Mark 8:34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Mark 8:35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.

Peter made the great confession- he knew that Jesus was the Christ- yet- when Jesus spoke the message of the Cross- Peter rebelled against that Word.

And Jesus gave him the strong rebuke.

On the video I spoke about the dynamic of the disciples- how they did indeed lay their own lives down up until this point of the ministry of Christ.

Peter was a fisherman- and in the day he lived- that was one of the best businesses you could be in- yet he left that life to follow the Lord.

Yet in the rebuke that Jesus gives- he challenges his men to not seek to save their own lives.

Sort of the same types of rebukes Jesus gives to those who hold on to their wealth.

So what exactly was Peter holding on to?

The disciples still had a goal- a dream if you will.

They were part of the Messianic ministry of Christ.

The Jewish prophets foretold of a great deliverer that would one day come- and in Peter’s confession- he identified Jesus as the One.

Yet- when Jesus spoke about his death and Crucifixion- that just didn’t seem to fit what they had expected.

An actual overthrow of the oppression of Rome- and the coming in of a new kingdom- that would be political and ‘real’.

In essence- Peter and the disciples were hoping to be vindicated- they were on the ministry team- and no one wants to be a part of a sinking ship.

So it was that Word- the word Isaiah spoke about- the word of the Cross that would be the offence.

In the end of course Jesus and his men were vindicated- the kingdom would come- but not in the ‘earthly’ way the disciples had initially hoped for.

Jesus men would indeed be part of this new kingdom- they would go on after the Resurrection and be the fire starters that we read about in the book of Acts.

They would all die for the cause- minus one [John].

And the great work and mission would be a great success.

But none of this would have ever taken place- if Jesus listened to Peter- and denied the Cross.

 

 

 

PAST POSTS [These are links and parts of my past teachings that relate in some way to today’s post- Verses below]

https://ccoutreach87.com/atheism-apologetics-links-added/

https://ccoutreach87.com/overview-of-philosophy/ 

POSTED BY CCOUTREACH87  NOVEMBER 1, 2016  LEAVE A COMMENT

JOHN [conc.]
John 21:22 Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.
John 21:23 Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?
https://youtu.be/KUzR8ng9Fjs John conclusion
https://ccoutreach87.files.wordpress.com/2016/11/10-28-16-johnjonah.zip
ON VIDEO-
.Media bias
.NY Times story ‘Trump scared 7 year old boy!’
.Huh?- it was a dream and they reported it- sad
.Peters promise to get martyred for the cause
.Strange way to end a gospel
.Was it Preterism?
NOTE- [new stuff below]
On the video I talked a bit about politics- I said the FBI situation with the Hillary Clinton emails did indeed show criminality.
Right after I finished the video- I went to the corner store with my daughter- and the top news on the TV was the FBI just reopened their investigation into the Hillary emails.
It actually happened while I was ‘saying it’. [10-28-16]
NEW- [past links- verses below]
As I finish this study on John- I won’t cover the whole last chapter here- I’ve taught it already.
But I’ll hit on the ending of this chapter- which I always thought was a bit strange.
The chapter ends with a sort of debate about what Jesus said [or meant].
Which is indeed a strange way to end such a riveting gospel.
Jesus tells Peter that he will die for the cause –
John 21:18 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdest thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.
John 21:19 This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.
And then Peter asks Jesus about John
John 21:20 Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee?
John 21:21 Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do?

Jesus says ‘If I let him live- till ‘my coming’- what’s that to you’?
John 21:22 Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.

Then- the disciples started a rumor about John ‘wow- Jesus said he will never die’.
John 21:23 Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?
Meaning- if John actually lives until the return of Christ- then yes- he would have never died.
Yet- the passage says- Jesus never said John would not die- but that if he ‘lives’ until the coming- what’s the big deal.
Ok- many believers have looked at the 2nd coming verses- and have rightfully shown that there are various ways these verses can be taken.
Some argue that in the end time accounts [last days] that part of the fulfillment of those took place in A.D. 70- when the Romans destroyed Jerusalem and the temple.
And Jesus did indeed prophecy about this- in his end time teaching.
24 And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple.
2 And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.
This event happened in A.D. 70.
There are other verses in the old testament- that use the same language about the coming of the Lord- and these too were fulfilled when God judged those people in the past.
So- it’s possible that Jesus actually told John something to this effect ‘John- you get to out live all the other guys- until the judgment [coming] happens in A.D. 70’.
Why do I think this is possible?
Because that’s exactly what did happen.
They did attempt to kill John- like the others.
But John survived- history says he was boiled in oil- and survived [the only one out of the original group-mind you]
Now- John lives longer than the others- and does see the destruction of Jerusalem.
An actual ‘coming in judgment’ that the others do not live to see.
And the others never got the same promise either.
Much has been written about the way to interpret the 2nd coming passages.
And I do indeed believe in a future- literal return of Jesus.
But I added this in because the actual history of what happened- shows us that John miraculously survived his martyrdom attempt- and the words themselves come from Jesus
John 21:22 Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?
In the end- all the disciples fulfilled their mission- yes- even Judas- his betrayal of Jesus was foretold.
Peter will get crucified- upside down- and fulfill the words of Christ-
John 21:19 This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God.
Jesus will ascend into heaven- and the Spirit will come to the early church.
They will spread this message of the love of God to the world of their day.
And amazingly launch the most influential movement known to man.
The odds of this happening- as some sort of fabricated account made up by some early followers of Jesus- who later tried to come up with a fake story of the resurrection- as the critics say-
Would be virtually impossible.
While it is true that other worldwide movements have taken place-
Yet- they were not based on the actual belief that their leader rose from the dead.
And it is quite obvious that this event- the resurrection- was believed among the followers of Jesus.
We as Christians believe in it- and many say ‘because the bible tells me so’.
Yes- that’s ok.
But for those who do not believe the bible- it still happened.
It happened as an actual historical event- which others- outside of the bible- also testified of at the time.
To the unbeliever- when you look at the early history- there is no doubt the disciples believed that their Lord rose from the dead.
And the fact that the church is not simply built upon the teachings of Jesus- but on the reality of the resurrection- testifies of it being true.
John puts a lot of emphasis about the testimony of men- and God.
He speaks about it in all of his writings
John 3:32
And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony.
John 3:33
He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true.
John 5:34
But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved.
John 8:17
It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true
John 21:24
This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true.
1st John 4:14 And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.
If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. 1st Jn. 5:9

At the end of the day- the testimony of God stands sure-
Amen.
PAST LINKS [verses below]
JOHNS GOSPEL
LINKS-
https://ccoutreach87.wordpress.com/2016/06/14/amos-5/
https://ccoutreach87.wordpress.com/2016/06/15/jesus-christ/
https://ccoutreach87.wordpress.com/2016/06/17/father-abraham/
https://ccoutreach87.wordpress.com/2016/06/21/the-flood/ John 3
https://ccoutreach87.wordpress.com/2016/06/25/the-well-john-4/
https://ccoutreach87.wordpress.com/2016/06/30/john-5/
https://ccoutreach87.wordpress.com/2016/07/05/john-6/
https://ccoutreach87.wordpress.com/2016/07/09/john-7/
https://ccoutreach87.files.wordpress.com/2015/08/8-10-15-john-14.zip
https://ccoutreach87.wordpress.com/2016/07/16/john-8/
https://youtu.be/f8VpxlYM_kU John 8- ‘who the Son sets free’
https://ccoutreach87.wordpress.com/2016/07/25/john-9/
https://ccoutreach87.wordpress.com/2016/07/31/john-10/
https://ccoutreach87.wordpress.com/2016/08/05/john-11-the-8th-sign/
https://ccoutreach87.wordpress.com/2016/08/10/i-found-a-verse/
https://ccoutreach87.wordpress.com/2016/08/13/john-12/
https://ccoutreach87.wordpress.com/2016/08/19/samuel-john-hebrews-review/
https://ccoutreach87.wordpress.com/2016/08/22/john-13/
https://ccoutreach87.wordpress.com/2016/08/26/john-14/
https://ccoutreach87.wordpress.com/2016/09/04/john-15/
https://ccoutreach87.wordpress.com/2016/09/15/john-16/
https://ccoutreach87.wordpress.com/2016/09/24/john-17/
https://ccoutreach87.wordpress.com/2016/10/04/john-18/
https://ccoutreach87.wordpress.com/2016/10/18/john-19/
https://ccoutreach87.wordpress.com/2016/10/26/john-20/

VERSES-
John 21:1 After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he himself.
John 21:2 There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples.
John 21:3 Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing.
John 21:4 But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus.
John 21:5 Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No.
John 21:6 And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes.
John 21:7 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher’s coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea.
John 21:8 And the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes.
John 21:9 As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread.
John 21:10 Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught.
John 21:11 Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken.
John 21:12 Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord.
John 21:13 Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise.
John 21:14 This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead.
John 21:15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
John 21:16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
John 21:17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
John 21:18 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdest thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.
John 21:19 This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.
John 21:20 Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee?
John 21:21 Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do?
John 21:22 Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.
John 21:23 Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?
John 21:24 This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true.
John 21:25 And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.
________________________________________

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Related

Sunday sermon 8-12-18

Acts 23

Sunday sermon 8-26-18

POSTED BY CCOUTREACH87  APRIL 30, 2017  LEAVE A COMMENT

MARK 8
https://youtu.be/WfnuyGrSsm4 Mark 8
https://ccoutreach87.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/4-23-17-mark-8.zip
https://ccoutreach87.com/4-23-17-mark-8/
Mark 8:36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?
ON VIDEO-
.CCCF- Mass
.Special place in God
.No H.E.B.
.Don’t you get it yet!
.1st century historical writing
.Do you really remember?
.Song of Moses
.Sign of Jonah
.We don’t have a bread problem!
.Jesus frustrated?
.They remembered the leftovers- but that was all
.What was the seed of the church?
.Don’t lose your soul
.You only have one life to give

NEW- [past posts- verses below]

Once again the multitude have been drawn to the ministry of Jesus- and yes- the crowds were so big- they had a food problem- like before [chapter 6]-
Mark 8:1 In those days the multitude being very great, and having nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples unto him, and saith unto them,
Mark 8:2 I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat:
But this time Jesus brings up the question himself-
Mark 8:3 And if I send them away fasting to their own houses, they will faint by the way: for divers of them came from far.
I think this must have been a test- I mean if you saw Jesus feeding the multitudes before- then your answer should be ‘Just do another miracle Jesus’.

But no- they respond-
Mark 8:4 And his disciples answered him, From whence can a man satisfy these men with bread here in the wilderness?
I think Jesus was ready to rebuke them right here- but he doesn’t, he simply resolves the problem-
Mark 8:5 And he asked them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven.
Mark 8:6 And he commanded the people to sit down on the ground: and he took the seven loaves, and gave thanks, and brake, and gave to his disciples to set before them; and they did set them before the people.
Mark 8:7 And they had a few small fishes: and he blessed, and commanded to set them also before them.
Mark 8:8 So they did eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets.
Mark 8:9 And they that had eaten were about four thousand: and he sent them away.
Then the Pharisees ask a sign from him-
Mark 8:11 And the Pharisees came forth, and began to question with him, seeking of him a sign from heaven, tempting him.
He rebukes them-
Mark 8:12 And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and saith, Why doth this generation seek after a sign? verily I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation.
Jesus and his men enter a ship-
Mark 8:13 And he left them, and entering into the ship again departed to the other side.
And he warns them about the ‘bread’ of the Pharisees and Herod-
Mark 8:14 Now the disciples had forgotten to take bread, neither had they in the ship with them more than one loaf.
Mark 8:15 And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod.
Ok- at this point- you would hope the last thing on the minds of the disciples was ‘we have a bread problem’.

I mean Jesus already showed them- there is no ‘bread’ problem when your on his ministry team.
But no- they figured it was because they took no bread-
Mark 8:16 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have no bread.
Now he gives the earned rebuke-
Mark 8:17 And when Jesus knew it, he saith unto them, Why reason ye, because ye have no bread? perceive ye not yet, neither understand? have ye your heart yet hardened?
Mark 8:18 Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not? and do ye not remember?
Mark 8:19 When I brake the five loaves among five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? They say unto him, Twelve.
Mark 8:20 And when the seven among four thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? And they said, Seven.
Mark 8:21 And he said unto them, How is it that ye do not understand?
You sense the frustration here- even though he uses the same rebuke [quoting Isaiah] when he confronts the pharisees on other occasions- yet here- it comes from frustration.
Jesus is preparing his men- for his own departure.
These are the core group who he will ‘pass the baton’ too- when he is gone.
And there still not ‘ready’ for the baton.
We also read of the great confession of Peter in this chapter-
Mark 8:27 And Jesus went out, and his disciples, into the towns of Caesarea Philippi: and by the way he asked his disciples, saying unto them, Whom do men say that I am?
Mark 8:28 And they answered, John the Baptist; but some say, Elias; and others, One of the prophets.
Mark 8:29 And he saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Peter answereth and saith unto him, Thou art the Christ.
And the famous rebuke of Jesus-
Mark 8:31 And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.
Mark 8:32 And he spake that saying openly. And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him.
Mark 8:33 But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men.
One note as we end the chapter- After the rebuke- Jesus tells his men that if they want to follow him- they have to bear the Cross-
Mark 8:34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

They must not seek ‘self- preservation’ –
Mark 8:35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it.
The reason Peter got the strong rebuke- was because Jesus spoke of going to get crucified.
He also told him he would rise again- but they never grasped the last part- until he did rise-

16 These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him. Jn.

44 Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men.
45 But they understood not this saying, and it was hid from them, that they perceived it not: and they feared to ask him of that saying.
Lk. 9

So in essence- Peter was seeking self preservation for not only himself but for Jesus as well.

They did see themselves as part of a movement -some thought it would overthrow Rome in the end [it did do that- but not the way the disciples initially thought].

So Peter got into trouble- with the ‘bad confession’ because he tried to dissuade Jesus from his true purpose.

Ok- Then Jesus says those who try and save their lives will lose it [self preservation mentality].
But those who lose their lives- save it.

Then another famous quote-
Mark 8:36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?

Ok- most of us read this as saying ‘what good is it if you become a millionaire- and die and go to hell’.
True enough- not a good thing.

But when we read it like that- we are still reading if from the perspective of
‘self preservation’.

Because that reading says Í must make sure at all costs I don’t ‘lose my soul and go to hell’.

But remember Jesus was going to the Cross- to be forsaken of God on our behalf, in essence he was heading ‘to hell’ –
1Peter 3:18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
1Peter 3:19 By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;
Ephesians 4:9
(Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
Ephesians 4:10
He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations

Now he would be raised again for sure- but I think we miss the deeper meaning here.
Jesus purpose was indeed to come and Redeem man.

He had a choice in the matter.

And if he never went to the Cross- he would have never experienced separation from God as he bore our sins.

So the ‘self preservation’ [I must make sure I make it to heaven at all costs] thing- was not the main point.

If you- or I- don’t fulfill our God given purpose in life- then we blew it- we ‘lost our soul’ in a way- and maybe gained the pleasures of the world- but what good is that?

Yes- Jesus was heading to the Cross- that was his purpose.

And if anyone tried to stop him- he perceived that as a real threat- the real danger.
We will read of his agony in the garden- his struggle with the reality of bearing the sins of the world.

His temptation from satan himself.

But this day- the temptation came from one of his closest men-

One who had to learn the lesson to overcome the fear of death himself-

Matthew 26:35
Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.
In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations

Which fear caused him to deny the Lord- and in a way- he ‘lost his soul’- at least on that cold day-

55 And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among them.
56 But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him, and said, This man was also with him.
57 And he denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not.
58 And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not.
59 And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilaean.
60 And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew.
61 And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.
62 And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.
PAST TEACHING-
Below are my past teachings that relate in some way to today’s post- MARK 8- [Verses below]
MARK-
https://ccoutreach87.com/2017/02/28/jersey-city-ride-mark-1/
https://ccoutreach87.com/2017/03/02/mark-2-north-bergen/
https://ccoutreach87.com/2017/03/04/mark-3-isaiah-61/
https://ccoutreach87.com/2017/03/14/mark-4/
https://ccoutreach87.com/2017/03/27/mark-5/
https://ccoutreach87.com/2017/04/05/mark-6/
https://ccoutreach87.com/2017/04/16/mark-7/

https://ccoutreach87.com/james-2015/
https://ccoutreach87.com/jonah-links/
https://ccoutreach87.com/john-complete-links-added/
(944)1ST CORINTHIANS 1:18-31 Paul declares the actual preaching of the Cross to be the power of God. The Jews sought for a sign [remember the sign of Jonas?] and the Greeks prided themselves in wisdom. Paul declares that Jesus IS the wisdom and power of God. In Christ is contained all the wisdom and power [signs] in the universe! Paul says God destroyed the wisdom of unregenerate man and that Gods foolishness is wiser than men’s greatest achievements apart from God. Wow, what an indictment on enlightenment philosophy. Man goes thru stages of learning and knowledge [renaissance, enlightenment. Industrial, scientific revolution] these are not bad achievements in and of themselves. Many of the greatest scientists and scientific discoveries were made by men of faith [Newton, Pascal, Faraday, etc] the problem arises when men think that sheer humanistic reasoning, apart from God, is the answer. Right now there is a movement [11-08] going on where some atheists bought ad space on the sides of buses that say ‘why believe in a god? Do good for goodness sake’. So they had both sides [Christian /Atheist] debate it. The simple fact is, sheer humanism cannot even define ‘what good is’. ‘Good’ becomes a matter of what serves me best at the time of my decision. Without God and special revelation [scripture-10 commandments] good can be defined by Hitler’s regime as exterminating one class of society for the benefit of the whole. Only Christian [or Deist, Jewish, Muslim] beliefs place special value and dignity on human life. It is a common misconception to think that all the enlightenment philosophers were atheists; this was not the case at all. Locke, Hume and others simply believed that thru human logic and reason people could arrive at a sort of naturalistic belief in God. This would form the basis of Deism, the system of belief in God but a rejection of classic Christian theology. Benjamin Franklin and other founding fathers of our country were influenced by this style of belief. Now, getting back to the Greeks. Paul says ‘God destroyed the wisdom of this world’. What wisdom is Paul talking about? The enlightenment philosophers of the 18th century had nothing on the Greek philosophers going all the way back to a few centuries B.C. Plato, the Greek wrestler turned philosopher, had one of the most famous schools of Greek philosophy. At the entrance of the school the words were written ‘let non but geometers enter here’. Kind of strange. Geometry simply meant ‘form’ in this use. Most of the great theoretical physicists were also great mathematicians [Einstein]. The Greek philosophers were seeking a sort of ‘unified theory’ that would explain all other theories and bring all learning together under one intellectual ‘roof’. Sort of like Einstein’s last great obsession. The Greeks actually referred to this great unknown future ‘unifier’ as ‘the Logos’. Now, some atheists will use this truth to undercut the New Testament. They will take the common use of these words ‘The Logos’ and say that Johns writings [Gospel, letters] were simply stolen ideas from Greek philosophy. This is why believers need to have a better understanding of the inspiration of scripture. John’s writings were no doubt inspired, he of course calls Jesus the ‘Logos’ [word] of God. But he was simply saying to the Greek/Gnostic mind ‘look, you guys have been waiting for centuries for the one special ‘Word/Logos’ that would be the answer to all learning, I declare unto you that Jesus is this Logos’! So eventually you would have ‘the wisdom of the world’ [both Greek and enlightenment and all other types] falling short of the ultimate answer. They could only go so far in their journey for truth, and ultimately they either wind up at the foot of the Cross [the wisdom of God] or the ‘tree of the knowledge of good and evil’. God said this ‘tree’ [sources of wisdom and knowledge apart from God] would ultimately lead to death if not submitted to ‘the tree of life’ [the Cross]. You would have some of the enlightenment philosophers eat from this tree all the way to the ‘death of God’ movement. Man in his wisdom would come to the conclusion that ‘God is dead’. If this is true, then the slaughter of millions of Jews is no moral dilemma. If God is dead then man is not created in his image, he is just this piece of flesh that you can dispose of at will. To all you intellectual types, it’s Okay to have a mind, but you must love God with it. If all your doing is feeding from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, you will surely die.

[parts]
VERSES-

Mark 8:1 In those days the multitude being very great, and having nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples unto him, and saith unto them,
Mark 8:2 I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat:
Mark 8:3 And if I send them away fasting to their own houses, they will faint by the way: for divers of them came from far.
Mark 8:4 And his disciples answered him, From whence can a man satisfy these men with bread here in the wilderness?
Mark 8:5 And he asked them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven.
Mark 8:6 And he commanded the people to sit down on the ground: and he took the seven loaves, and gave thanks, and brake, and gave to his disciples to set before them; and they did set them before the people.
Mark 8:7 And they had a few small fishes: and he blessed, and commanded to set them also before them.
Mark 8:8 So they did eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets.
Mark 8:9 And they that had eaten were about four thousand: and he sent them away.
Mark 8:10 And straightway he entered into a ship with his disciples, and came into the parts of Dalmanutha.
Mark 8:11 And the Pharisees came forth, and began to question with him, seeking of him a sign from heaven, tempting him.
Mark 8:12 And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and saith, Why doth this generation seek after a sign? verily I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation.
Mark 8:13 And he left them, and entering into the ship again departed to the other side.
Mark 8:14 Now the disciples had forgotten to take bread, neither had they in the ship with them more than one loaf.
Mark 8:15 And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod.
Mark 8:16 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have no bread.
Mark 8:17 And when Jesus knew it, he saith unto them, Why reason ye, because ye have no bread? perceive ye not yet, neither understand? have ye your heart yet hardened?
Mark 8:18 Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not? and do ye not remember?
Mark 8:19 When I brake the five loaves among five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? They say unto him, Twelve.
Mark 8:20 And when the seven among four thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? And they said, Seven.
Mark 8:21 And he said unto them, How is it that ye do not understand?
Mark 8:22 And he cometh to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man unto him, and besought him to touch him.
Mark 8:23 And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw ought.
Mark 8:24 And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking.
Mark 8:25 After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly.
Mark 8:26 And he sent him away to his house, saying, Neither go into the town, nor tell it to any in the town.
Mark 8:27 And Jesus went out, and his disciples, into the towns of Caesarea Philippi: and by the way he asked his disciples, saying unto them, Whom do men say that I am?
Mark 8:28 And they answered, John the Baptist; but some say, Elias; and others, One of the prophets.
Mark 8:29 And he saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Peter answereth and saith unto him, Thou art the Christ.
Mark 8:30 And he charged them that they should tell no man of him.
Mark 8:31 And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.
Mark 8:32 And he spake that saying openly. And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him.
Mark 8:33 But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men.
Mark 8:34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
Mark 8:35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it.
Mark 8:36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?
Mark 8:37 Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
Mark 8:38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.

John 1:18
No man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.
In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
1 Peter 1:12
Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.
In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
Exodus 15:1
Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the Lord, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.
In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
Deuteronomy 31:22
Moses therefore wrote this song the same day, and taught it the children of Israel.
In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
Revelation 15:3
And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.
In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
Matthew 12:40
For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
Matthew 10:25
It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?
In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
Matthew 12:24
But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.
In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
Matthew 12:27
And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges.
In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
Luke 12:1
In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of thePharisees, which is hypocrisy.
In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
James 1:27 [Full Chapter]
Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
John 17:4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.
John 17:5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.
John 17:6 I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.
John 17:7 Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee.
John 17:8 For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.
13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?
14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.
15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
20 Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.
Matt. 16
1 John 5:1
Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born ofGod: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.
In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations

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Sunday sermon 8-12-18

Sunday sermon 7-8-18

Sunday sermon

1st CORINTHIANS INTRODUCTION- Out of all of Paul’s letters, this one is ‘the most verified’ as being his. Of course we know this because Paul says so in the letter! But for all those intellectual higher critics, this helps. Corinth was a city of great influence and trade, many land and sea routes converged at Corinth and her port. The city was also known for her philosophers and ‘preachers of wisdom’ [Rhetoric]. They actually had a custom at Corinth in which you could ‘hire’ your own ‘preacher of wisdom’. These were the traveling teachers who made a living at speaking. This also might be why Paul specifically said ‘when I was with you I did not take money from you’. The custom of the traveling preachers was you could pay a one time honorarium for a single speech, or you could actually hire a regular speaker and have him ‘on salary’. Paul did not want the Corinthians to think that he was their hired preacher! How much influence this type of trade would have on the later development of the ‘hired clergy’ is unknown, but the similarities are striking. The famous 5th century bishop of Hippo, North Africa, Saint Augustine, made his living as one of these traveling teachers of philosophy before becoming a Christian. It’s believed that Paul wrote a 3rd letter to the church at Corinth, so what we know as 1st, 2nd Corinthians might actually be letters 2 and 3. I personally think Corinthians holds special value for the church today. The 21st century believer is being challenged on her Ecclesiology, the whole idea of what the church is. In Corinthians we see a specific picture of what the church is and on how she should meet. Paul will not address ‘the Pastor’ [there was none in the modern sense of the office] but he will speak directly to the brothers at Corinth and give them some heavy responsibilities to carry out [like committing a brother to satan for the destruction of his flesh! Ouch]. Paul went to Corinth on his 2nd missionary journey and spent 18 months with them [Acts 18] one of the longest stays at any church. Because of the pagan background of the city Paul will address specific issues related to believers and certain practices of idol worship. Eating meat offered to idols and stuff like that. Corinth also practiced a form of idolatry that included prostitution, so he will deal severely with the loose sexual morals of the people at Corinth. Well we have a lot to cover in the next few weeks, try and read Corinthians on your own as we plunge into this study, it will help a lot.

 

(943)1ST CORINTHIANS 1:1-17 Paul greets them as an apostle called by God, he affirms his authority and ‘fathering ability’ as coming from God. He tells them he thanks God all the time for the fruit that he sees in their lives, the thing that made Paul rejoice was the work God was doing in the communities he was establishing as an apostle. Today ministers have a tendency to ‘rejoice’ over the Christian enterprise that we oversee. Whether its’ how well the budget went this year and stuff like that. Paul’s joy wasn’t in the fact that God called him to some great personal ministry where he would find self fulfillment. His joy was in the actual growth and freedom that ‘his churches’ [communities of people] were experiencing. He also defines them as ‘those that call upon the name of the Lord like all the others’. Remember what we said when studying Romans chapter 10? One of the signs of the believer is ‘they call upon Jesus name’. They are believing communities of ‘Christ callers’. Not so much a one time evangelical altar call, but a lifestyle. Jesus said we are ‘a house of prayer’. A spiritual community/house who intercedes for all nations. It’s in our very DNA! Paul also commends them as being enriched by God in all ‘knowledge and utterance’ [speech]. It seems funny that he would say they were blessed and enriched in speech. Paul will give some of his strongest rebukes over speaking gifts [tongues, prophesy] to this community. Yet he does not approach it from the strong anti charismatic view. He doesn’t say ‘your speech is demonic’ he says it is enriched by God! We will deal with the gifts later on. Now for the first real rebuke. Paul says he has heard reports that there are divisions and strivings among them. They are already dividing up into various sects. Some follow Paul, others follow Cephas, some say ‘we are the true Christ followers’. Paul rebukes them sharply over these divisions, he does not want the early church to identify with individual personalities and gifts at the expense of true unity. Was this the early development of denominationalism? To a degree yes. But I also don’t think we should view the various Christian denominations as deceived or ‘lost’. The modern church has become what we are thru many struggles and difficulties over a 2 thousand year history. My personal view is we should strive for unity, not by trying to dissolve all the various ‘tribes’ that exist in Christ’s church, but by growing into a more mature view of all who name the name of Christ as being fellow believers who partake of a common grace. I applaud all the efforts being made by various Christian churches today to come to a greater outward unity [for example the Catholic and Orthodox dialogue] but I also believe as we see each other as fellow believers and learn to appreciate our different emphasis, that this approach can also lead to greater unity among believers today. Paul saw the beginnings of division in the early Corinthian community, he did his best to quell the coming storm.

 

(944)1ST CORINTHIANS 1:18-31 Paul declares the actual preaching of the Cross to be the power of God. The Jews sought for a sign [remember the sign of Jonas?] and the Greeks prided themselves in wisdom. Paul declares that Jesus IS the wisdom and power of God. In Christ is contained all the wisdom and power [signs] in the universe! Paul says God destroyed the wisdom of unregenerate man and that Gods foolishness is wiser than men’s greatest achievements apart from God. Wow, what an indictment on enlightenment philosophy. Man goes thru stages of learning and knowledge [renaissance, enlightenment. Industrial, scientific revolution] these are not bad achievements in and of themselves. Many of the greatest scientists and scientific discoveries were made by men of faith [Newton, Pascal, Faraday, etc] the problem arises when men think that sheer humanistic reasoning, apart from God, is the answer. Right now there is a movement [11-08] going on where some atheists bought ad space on the sides of buses that say ‘why believe in a god? Do good for goodness sake’. So they had both sides [Christian /Atheist] debate it. The simple fact is, sheer humanism cannot even define ‘what good is’. ‘Good’ becomes a matter of what serves me best at the time of my decision. Without God and special revelation [scripture-10 commandments] good can be defined by Hitler’s regime as exterminating one class of society for the benefit of the whole. Only Christian [or Deist, Jewish, Muslim] beliefs place special value and dignity on human life. It is a common misconception to think that all the enlightenment philosophers were atheists; this was not the case at all. Locke, Hume and others simply believed that thru human logic and reason people could arrive at a sort of naturalistic belief in God. This would form the basis of Deism, the system of belief in God but a rejection of classic Christian theology. Benjamin Franklin and other founding fathers of our country were influenced by this style of belief. Now, getting back to the Greeks. Paul says ‘God destroyed the wisdom of this world’. What wisdom is Paul talking about? The enlightenment  philosophers of the 18th century had nothing on the Greek philosophers going all the way back to a few centuries B.C. Plato, the Greek wrestler turned philosopher, had one of the most famous schools of Greek philosophy. At the entrance of the school the words were written ‘let none but geometers enter here’. Kind of strange. Geometry simply meant ‘form’ in this use. Most of the great theoretical physicists were also great mathematicians [Einstein]. The Greek philosophers were seeking a sort of ‘unified theory’ that would explain all other theories and bring all learning together under one intellectual ‘roof’. Sort of like Einstein’s last great obsession. The Greeks actually referred to this great unknown future ‘unifier’ as ‘the Logos’. Now, some atheists will use this truth to undercut the New Testament. They will take the common use of these words ‘The Logos’ and say that Johns writings [Gospel, letters] were simply stolen ideas from Greek philosophy. This is why believers need to have a better understanding of the inspiration of scripture. John’s writings were no doubt inspired, he of course calls Jesus the ‘Logos’ [word] of God. But he was simply saying to the Greek/Gnostic mind ‘look, you guys have been waiting for centuries for the one special ‘Word/Logos’ that would be the answer to all learning, I declare unto you that Jesus is this Logos’! So eventually you would have ‘the wisdom of the world’ [both Greek and enlightenment and all other types] falling short of the ultimate answer. They could only go so far in their journey for truth, and ultimately they either wind up at the foot of the Cross [the wisdom of God] or the ‘tree of the knowledge of good and evil’. God said this ‘tree’ [sources of wisdom and knowledge apart from God] would ultimately lead to death if not submitted to ‘the tree of life’ [the Cross]. You would have some of the enlightenment philosophers eat from this tree all the way to the ‘death of God’ movement. Man in his wisdom would come to the conclusion that ‘God is dead’. If this is true, then the slaughter of millions of Jews is no moral dilemma. If God is dead then man is not created in his image, he is just this piece of flesh that you can dispose of at will. To all you intellectual types, it’s Okay to have a mind, but you must love God with it. If all your doing is feeding from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, you will surely die.

 JAMES 2-

https://ccoutreach87.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/5-29-15-james-2.zip

END NOTES

Genesis 15, 22.

Romans 4.

Galatians 3.

My view on Justification by Works.

 

James 2:1 My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.

James 2:2 For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;

James 2:3 And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:

James 2:4 Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?

James 2:5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?

James 2:6 But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?

James 2:7 Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?

James 2:8 If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:

James 2:9 But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.

James 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

James 2:11 For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.

James 2:12 So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.

James 2:13 For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.

James 2:14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?

James 2:15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,

James 2:16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?

James 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

James 2:18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

James 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

James 2:20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

James 2:21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?

James 2:22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?

James 2:23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

James 2:24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

James 2:25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?

James 2:26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

 

END NOTES

Genesis 15, 22.

Romans 4.

Galatians 3.

My view on Justification by Works.

Genesis 15:1 After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.

Genesis 15:2 And Abram said, LORD God, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus?

Genesis 15:3 And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir.

Genesis 15:4 And, behold, the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir.

Genesis 15:5 And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.

Genesis 15:6 And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.

Genesis 22:1 And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am.

Genesis 22:2 And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.

Genesis 22:3 And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him.

Genesis 22:4 Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off.

Genesis 22:5 And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you.

Genesis 22:6 And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife; and they went both of them together.

Genesis 22:7 And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?

Genesis 22:8 And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.

Genesis 22:9 And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood.

Genesis 22:10 And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son.

Genesis 22:11 And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I.

Genesis 22:12 And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.

Romans 4:1 What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?

Romans 4:2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.

Romans 4:3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

Galatians 3:1 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?

Galatians 3:2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

Galatians 3:3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?

Galatians 3:4 Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain.

Galatians 3:5 He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

Galatians 3:6 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.

Galatians 3:7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.

Galatians 3:8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.

Galatians 3:9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.

Galatians 3:10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.

Galatians 3:11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.

Galatians 3:12 And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.

Galatians 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

Galatians 3:14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

MY VIEW ON JUSTIFICATION BY WORKS-

 Understand that the letters of Paul were circulating among the early believers- and without a doubt his writings were the most influential in the early church.

Both critics of Paul- as well as other believers [including Peter] were reading his stuff.

Now- seeing the controversy that was taking place- especially that the people Paul was writing against- these were believing Jews- under the ministry of James [he was the leader at the church of Jerusalem- where the Judiazers worshipped].

With this in mind- knowing how Paul was using the story of Abraham [quoted above- Romans and Galatians] to teach Justification by Faith.

When James finally enters the fray with his own letter- to the Jewish believers.

And reading James saying ‘do you not see how Abraham was JUSTIFIED BY WORKS when he offered his son on the altar’!

It’s in a way a strong rebuke- not of the reality of what Paul taught- per se- but of the confusion going on between the Jewish believers and the gentile ones.

In the first 2 chapters of Galatians- which I posted last-

We see Paul rebuking Peter- and saying ‘when some came- FROM JAMES- Peter stopped eating with the gentiles’.

These guys are not teaching different theologies [Paul and James]-

But it’s easy to see that James is making a bold statement- and setting the record straight [for those who were misreading Paul].

Because he uses the same person- Father Abraham- to teach Justification by works.

Now- Many attempts have been made to harmonize James’ statement ‘see how a man is JUSITFIED BY WORKS’ and Paul ‘A man is justified by faith- not works’.

These attempts are noble and have a degree of truth to them.

But when they are done trying to reconcile these verses- they say ‘works does not justify- only faith’.

The problem with that explanation is the actual verse says ‘see how a man is justified by works’.

I think the best way to explain it is like this-

Paul uses- primarily- the example from Genesis 15- when Abraham simply believed God- and God declared him righteous.

James uses the example from Genesis 22- many years after Abraham was ‘initially justified’ by faith.

And James says when Abraham obeyed- did a work of obedience- God then ‘justified him’.

James says ‘see how the scripture was fulfilled- which said he believed God and was justified’ [Genesis 15].

You can say the actual obedient deeds we do- after the initial act of Justification by faith- can be looked upon as works being produced in the believer- as a result of the initial justification by faith.

Now- I’m not saying ‘we get saved by faith- then sanctified by works’.

Paul refuted this in Galatians 3.

But- James is indeed saying this act of obedience- in Genesis 22- is the fulfillment of the act of believing- in Genesis 15.

And he does describe this as being JUSTIFIED BY WORKS.

The terms ‘Justification- Salvation- Born of God’.

All these words are both static [they describe one time events- like the initial salvation of a believer].

And fluent- they also describe the progressive Acts of God thru out the life of the believer.

So- in short- When God looks down from heaven- and sees us doing a just act- he can say ‘good job- I’m pleased with you’.

And James simply applies the term ‘Justification’ to this response of God.

It’s the same term [in the Greek] that Paul uses when speaking about the initial act of justification upon belief.

But it’s the context that shows us the difference.

James is not saying that Abraham was not justified by faith in Genesis 15- but he is saying that he ‘too’ was declared just- by God- when he did the work of obedience in offering up his son.

And this work- in the bible- is called ‘justification by works’.

The language is in there- and James also uses it to describe Rahab receiving the spies with peace.

So- instead of rejecting the letter of James- like the Reformer Martin Luther did in a way when he called it ‘an epistle of straw’.

We simply need to see that the debate revolves around the use of language-

When James says Abraham- and Rahab- were justified by works- he is simply saying that God was pleased with the acts they did [by faith mind you- Hebrews 11].

And when he saw them do these acts of obedience- he ‘justified them’- meaning- he said ‘you are righteous- you are doing a right act- I still continue to make decrees of acceptance over you- many years after I made the initial decree- when you first believed’-

See?

NOTE- Remember a few things-

James actually uses the phrase ‘justified by works’.

Over the years I have read many good scholars try and explain this verse- and some of their ideas have merit- like ‘James is saying the faith that saves is a real faith’.

All of these things are true- and James even says that in this chapter.

Problem?

These explanations are referring to the initial act of justification- like saying ‘when Abraham believed God [Genesis 15] he had real/ working faith’.

Ok- I get it.

But- these explanations – in the end- still leave the ‘justified by works’ verse without a clear understanding.

In these other explanations [by Protestants] they are ‘stuck’ on the initial act of justification- and are unable to see that this term- like salvation- and righteousness- can- and does speak not only to the initial ‘getting saved’ but also speaks about things that we do- and ways God responds to those things- thru out our lives.

And God himself is not ‘limited’ to the ‘original Greek’- meaning if he wants to declare us righteous- or just- all thru out our lives- yes- even when we ‘do right things’ he can!

After all- he is God.

TAKE A SECOND LOOK AT THE ACTUAL WORDS-

James 2:21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?

James 2:22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?

James 2:23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

James 2:24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

James 2:25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?

James 2:26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

Romans 4:1 What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?

Romans 4:2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.

Romans 4:3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

Romans 4:4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.

Romans 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

Galatians 2:21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

Galatians 3:6 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.

Galatians 3:7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.

Galatians 3:8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.

Galatians 3:9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.

Galatians 3:10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.

Galatians 3:11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.

Galatians 3:12 And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.

Note- It’s important to understand when Paul says ‘the works of the law do not save’-

He is not saying we can break the 10 commandments- live a sinful life- and still be saved.

The works of the law entail circumcision- and coming under the Old Covenant.

This was the big debate we read about in these chapters I have been posting.

You’ll notice that James himself- at the Jerusalem council- agreed that the gentiles did not need to ‘become Jews’- that is- to convert into Judaism to become saved.

So part of the problem is we read Paul say ‘you are not saved by works’- and we tend to associate that with ‘all good works’.

Then we read James say ‘see how a man is justified by works- and not faith only’.

And this too [not understanding Paul’s full meaning of ‘works/law’] adds to the confusion.

NOTE- If you carefully read the letters of Paul- even some of the above quotes- you will see that he also taught a ‘justification’ – that was sort of an ongoing process.

The words ‘salvation- righteousness- justification’ are also used by Paul to describe things God is doing in us- in a progressive way.

It’s funny- but when you come across these verses- and read the various study notes in good reference bibles- you see a sort of preoccupation in trying- at times- to make them fit the reductionist idea that focuses too much on the initial conversion experience- to the point where believers [yes- even scholars who wrote the notes!] try to make the verses that show a sort of progressive salvation- they try to ‘explain’ them away.

In scripture- justification is God’s declaration over us- ‘not guilty’- that does indeed take place when we believe in Jesus.

But it is also a progressive work [often called sanctification- but not limited to this word].

So- when we read Paul saying ‘while we seek to be justified’. Galatians 2:17 But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.

 

Or- Philipians 3:7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.

Philipians 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

Philipians 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

We tend to want to make these verses fit the one time act of justification that took place upon belief [initial conversion- yes this word too is fluent!]

So- some of the problems with interpreting these verses are actually a language problem [down the road I will discuss the philosophy of Gilbert Ryle- an Ordinary language philosopher from the 20th century- he thought the whole field of philosophy and the debates were simply a problem of language! I don’t agree with him by the way].

Note verse 13- Paul said this in the letter to the Romans. Here he is talking about a future justification that comes to those who DO THE LAW- see- he and James agree.

Romans 2:12 For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;

Romans 2:13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law SHALL BE JUSTIFIED.

Romans 2:14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:

Romans 2:15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)

By the way- did you notice the view of James about money? How he speaks about the poor and the rich? I did not comment on all the good verses in this chapter- I want you guys to simply read thru the chapter- it’s really self-explanatory.

 

GALATIANS 6 [Conc.]
https://youtu.be/sBr1XDStkOo Galatians 6
https://ccoutreach87.files.wordpress.com/2017/02/1-31-17-galatians-6-conc.zip
Galatians 6:17 From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.
Galatians 6:18 Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
ON VIDEO-
.Abe from North Bergen
.Paul says ‘good bye’
.Steve Miller band
.Stevie Nicks [landslide] https://youtu.be/4xW2taEoH6s
.Legal and experiential justification
.Grace is not a license to sin
.Holocaust
.Not an anti-Jewish letter
.We are ALL one in Christ
.It’s an inclusive message
.Some North Bergen stories
.Comments on media
.Malachi Martin
.St. Augustine
.Pelagius
.The Catholic Church does not teach salvation by the law
.Have grace with one another
NEW- [past posts- verses below]
During this study I have been adding an old commentary I wrote years ago- the videos are new.
I’ll just add a note here at the end.
This letter is a ‘theological’ one- meaning- the purpose is to show how God- in Christ- has fulfilled the law.
And we become justified- not by the law- but by faith in Christ.
Pretty simple.
When Paul speaks ‘harsh’ about the ‘circumcision’- meaning his Jewish brothers who were trying to institute circumcision as a rite for the gentile believers-
He is not in any way making anti-Semitic statements- or ‘bad’ statements against any ethnic/religious group.
He is fighting for the gospel of grace.
Over the history of the church- some Christians did indeed espouse anti- Jewish beliefs- based on these portions of scripture.
Yes- Paul was hard on the ‘circumcision’- the Jews under the law- but it had nothing to do with ethnicity.
It was theological-
In this last chapter he even says to restore those who are wrong- in the spirit [attitude] of meekness.
In the world we live in today- it’s important for Christians- in my mind- to stand for the truth- but to do it in a way that does not demean other people.
Whether that be Jewish- Muslim- or any other group.
Yes- as Christians we fight against false doctrine- and at times- these are tough fights.
Thus the strong language we see at times in the New Testament.
But even Paul himself spoke about God reconciling all people- whether they be Jew- gentile- male- female- in Christ.
He fought hard against the Judiazers- because in reality they were indeed preaching an ‘exclusive’ message.
Saying the only ones who God accepts- are those who get circumcised- and join ‘their group’.
But the message of grace leaves the door open for all who believe.
Jew- non Jew- male- female- all are accepted equally thru the message of the Cross.
So I just wanted to end this brief study with this point.
Yes- read these bible books for yourselves.
Go thru the bible- the Letters I have been covering.
Whatever background you come from- it makes no difference.
You are here now- reading this stuff- or maybe watching some of the videos.
The purpose is for you yourself to engage in the grand debate- that has been going on for 2 thousand years now [since the time of Christ that is].
Yes- the debate about life itself- what’s man’s purpose in it?
What does the bible actually teach about all these subjects?
The bible was written for the common man to read- and understand.
I’ll admit there is some stuff that is hard to understand at times.
But when you engage in the text- read the background of the times- see what the teachers over the years have said as well-
In the end- the main message of grace is clear- it is easy to understand.
The free gift of God by grace is for all of us.
And remember- it is a gift for all.
PAST LINKS [ Teaching I did before that relates to today’s post- ‘Galatians 6’-
https://ccoutreach87.com/romans-updated-2015/
https://ccoutreach87.com/hebrews-updated-2015/
https://ccoutreach87.com/justification-by-faith/
https://ccoutreach87.com/protestant-reformation-luther/
https://ccoutreach87.com/judges-ruth-video-links-included/
https://ccoutreach87.com/ephesians-highlights/
GALATIANS [Links]
https://ccoutreach87.com/2016/12/26/galatians-1/
https://ccoutreach87.com/2016/12/30/2nd-samuel-3-homeless-friends/
https://ccoutreach87.com/2017/01/02/galatians-2/
https://ccoutreach87.com/2017/01/10/galatians-3/
https://ccoutreach87.com/2017/01/12/the-seed/
https://ccoutreach87.com/2017/01/16/galatians-4/
https://ccoutreach87.com/2017/01/24/galatians-5/

(1338) GALATIANS 6- Paul closes this short theological treatise with some practical stuff; help each other out with their burdens, if you see a brother struggling, restore him in the spirit of meekness. Those who are teaching you Gods word, ‘communicate’ to them in all good things [share with them financially and materially]. Good advice that Paul gives to all of the churches he writes to. As we close our study of this letter, I want to emphasize that the majority of what Paul is teaching [over 90%] is great theological truth, it would be silly for preachers/teachers to grasp hold of any single verse and to exalt that above the main body of truths that we have discussed. It isn’t hard for any preacher/teacher to go thru this letter on a few Sundays and teach the main truths of the letter. We desperately need to get back to doing it this way in many Pentecostal/Protestant/Evangelical churches- and yes, the ‘organic church’ guys too! We all have a tendency to pick out pet doctrines out of the New Testament and then to make the side issues the main thing. I think the main thing [justification by faith, the blessing of Abraham in context, etc.] is good enough without us having to try and find some type of ‘Rhema word’ that is not the main word of God. Recently a good man died, Oral Roberts. A few weeks have passed and I think it is okay to mention a few things. The media reported how many preachers showed up to the funeral in Cadillac’s and expensive cars, there have been various articles written about the legacy he will leave behind. Some wrongly said he was the father of the ‘Word of Faith/prosperity movement’ [E.W. Kenyon was the real father, and Kenneth Hagin and others lay claim to the title]. The point I want to make is Brother Roberts was a good man who did good things, but his way of doing doctrine is not my cup of tea. He was famous for popularizing the ‘seed-faith’ teaching. It comes from Paul’s letters when he does tell believers that if they give in faith God will bless them, true enough. But when we read the New Testament there are many warnings against greed and materialism, and when we take a simple practical truth from Paul, even though it’s true, and when this truth becomes our main message, then we err. In this last chapter of Galatians Paul gives practical advice about giving financially to those who are teaching you, good. But this is one verse in a letter filled with other main teachings, the important stuff if you will. For believers in our day to have built ministries/churches and to have as the foundation of these ministries the few practical side verses, is wrong. We need to focus on the main thing, and keep the main thing the main thing! [Redemption thru Christ’s Blood, eternal life to those who believe, etc.] I don’t want to speak bad about brother Roberts, he was a good man who went home to be with the Lord, it’s just the discussion that has happened after his passing shows us how easy it is for good men to get sidetracked with a verse or 2 and then to exalt it out of context. As I conclude this brief study on Galatians, I think I will go back over a few main verses in the next week or so and give you some ‘practical’ things that I have gleaned these last few weeks. In a sense I will show you how God can speak to us in a personal way thru these letters, yet at the same time not losing the original meaning of the letters. One of the distinctions of the early church fathers was this Christ centered approach to the scripture, they looked for Jesus on every page. I’ll end with an example form Saint Augustine; he shared a thought on the story of Jesus walking on the water to the land, and that the disciples needed a wooden boat to ‘cross over’ he then applied the wood of the boat to the wood of the Cross and said how the Cross allows us to cross over to God, just like the boat let them cross over to the land. Now this is a simple example of applying scripture in a sort of symbolic way that is not in context, but nevertheless it’s okay to do. So I will do a few things like this in the next few posts. But while doing this, we want to not forget the main meaning of the letter, a good ‘side example’ should never negate the main body of truth.

(1340) GALATIANS AFTER-THOUGHTS: As I said the other day I will try and go back over a few verses and share a few more things on Galatians. One of the things I wanted to mention was the fact that I purposefully chose to teach the letter in the classic Protestant way [mostly] I avoided getting into the ‘New Perspective’ ideas on Paul and ‘what he really meant’. So let’s talk a little on it; as of the date of this writing there is a theological debate going on [mostly in the ivory towers, but seeping somewhat into mainstream thought] that re-looks at Paul and what the context of his day was. For instance when the Reformers of the 16th century spoke about being Justified by Faith and not by works, many of them were speaking about the works of tradition and the things they felt were wrong in the Catholic faith. Were they wrong in applying Paul this way? No. In context was Paul talking about the works of ‘Catholic tradition’ when saying men are not justified by works? No. So it’s good to point stuff like this out. The problem I see with some of the New Perspective theologians is they can explain stuff and when you’re done listening [reading] it’s possible to miss the heart of the New Testament doctrine on Justification by faith, we don’t want to lose people in the weeds when trying to peel the layers of the onion. So I purposefully chose to teach this letter in the plain way that most Protestants would understand it, but I do think that N.T. Wright [Bishop of Durham, Church of England] has good things to add to the debate [as well as John Piper- the Reformed Baptist preacher who has taken the New Perspective group and rebuked them]. It’s good and profitable to engage in these types of theological discussions, but we need to once again ‘keep the main thing the main thing’. I also avoided getting into the debate on exactly what ‘works of the law’ meant. Some think Paul was only referring to the rite of circumcision. In some verses [both here and in Romans] this is true. But some [N.T. Wright] apply this in a way that says the act itself was simply an ‘identifying badge’ that brought you into the community of God, while this is true, they get a little off track by not fully seeing that in Paul’s writings these things go hand in hand. Paul mixes in the ‘work of circumcision’ with the idea of keeping the moral law/10 commandments. When saying ‘we are not under the law’ Paul includes all of it, not just the ceremonial law. How do we know this? Because whenever Paul makes this argument he always adds ‘does this mean we go out and sin’? And his answer is always no, but instead of saying ‘no, don’t sin because we are still constrained by the 10 commandments’ he says ‘no, how can we who died to sin still live in it’. To be frank about it, many of the Reformed guys have problems with this as well, they teach a kind of theology that says the N.T. believer is under the law, I disagree. So as you can see this debate can go on for a while, that’s why I chose to avoid it in this study. I want all of our readers to be grounded in the basic truths of the letter before launching into a deeper level. Okay enough for now, tune in the next week or so and I’ll try and do some practical stuff from Galatians.

(1342) WHEN THE SEED SHOULD COME TO WHOM THE PROMISE WAS MADE- As I was teaching thru Galatians this verse ‘spoke to me’ in a personal way [will explain it in a second]. I felt like the Lord was saying that there are long term promises/destinies that he has planted within us, both as individuals and communities, and that often times he is waiting for the ‘seed to come to whom the promise was made’. In the parables of Jesus the seed speaks of a few things. Most of us are familiar with ‘the seed as the word’ imagery- ‘the sower sows the word’. But Jesus also speaks of ‘the seed’ as the children of the kingdom that his father has planted in the world. And of course in Galatians Paul is specifically referring to the singular seed, who is Christ. Every few years I go thru our radio messages and will adjust the programs I air. I often find that the messages that I marked as ‘o.k.’ are not o.k. anymore, it’s not that they are bad, it’s just I notice a tone/level of ‘seed’ [spoken word] that is not mature enough, it seems like as the years roll by the later messages just sound better. God has all of us in a maturing process; things that we thought were ‘deep revelation’ at one time, now sound quite silly. As I was marking off the programs that sounded too immature, I felt like the Lord was saying ‘the seed has come to whom the promise was made’ sort of like the lord was saying ‘son, I was waiting for your level of maturity to catch up to the promise’. Also in Romans it says ‘the whole creation groans and travails in pain together until now’ I also felt like the Lord was saying the seed, as it pertains to all the people groups we relate to, were also in a ‘birthing process’ that too had to mature to a point where the promises could be inherited- ‘when the fullness of times was come, God sent forth his son, made of a woman, made under the law’ [Galatians] God has ‘fullness seasons’ times [Kairos] when he says ‘okay, the promises I made to you at the beginning of the journey are now ready to be experienced’ in essence the seed has come to whom the promise was made. Now, this sort of spiritual/symbolic way of hearing God, is it a good way to develop doctrine? No! Never, ever! Pope Benedict critiqued the ‘historical, critical’ method of liberal theology in his book ‘Jesus of Nazareth’ the method developed out of the liberal universities in Germany in the 19th- 20th centuries. Men like Rudolph Bultman would popularize it. It was a way of reading scripture thru an historical/archeological lens. Some of the ideas are good and profitable, but some are not. Many would reject the supernatural aspects of scripture and come to deny the resurrection. Not good. The Pope also warned against this way of ‘dissecting’ Jesus and Christianity to a point where you really don’t see the true Jesus anymore. The real Jesus of Christianity and history, the Jesus that we all have a relationship with by faith. The point being we want to go to scripture with an open heart and expectancy to ‘hear God’. While doing this, we also want to recognize that the scripture had the SAME MEANING to the first century church as to us today, the meaning never changes, the applications do. That’s the main point I want to make, so today the Lord might be speaking to you about certain ‘seeds’ coming to maturity in your own life, things that you have been waiting for and maybe the lord was saying he needed a maturing process to take place, both in you and the people you relate to. The ‘whole creation’ if you will.
[parts]
1782- PROTESTANT REFORMATION CONCLUSION

Today let’s finish up the study on the Protestant Reformation. We left off on Luther disputing with the church over the doctrine of how a person becomes just in the sight of God- is it by works or faith?

Now- to the surprise of many Protestants [and Catholics!] both sides agreed that a person cannot be justified by works.

Yes- the Catholic Church rejected what was known as Pelagianism. In the early centuries of the church there was a Catholic priest- named Pelagius- who taught that people had the ability within themselves to obey Gods law and become saved that way.

He rejected the doctrine of original sin and another famous bishop- Saint Augustine- would refute Pelagius and teach salvation comes by the Grace of God. The official Catholic position was to reject Pelagius and accept Augustine.

Okay- then where’s the difference?

The church council that spells it out is the Council of Trent [named after the Italian city where the council took place in the 1500’s- Trento].

This council is often referred to as the Counter Reformation. The church rejected the Protestant line- but also acknowledged the need for reform and made some changes.

This is the council where the church rejects Pelagianism- and also says the position of Luther [Justification by Faith ALONE] was flawed.

The church appealed to the New Testament letter of Saint James- where James uses an example from the life of Abraham [found in Genesis 22] where Abraham obeys God and is willing to sacrifice his son Isaac on an altar.

Of course this never happens- God was simply testing Abraham- but James says this act of obedience justified him in Gods sight.

James says ‘see how a man is justified by works- and not by faith ALONE’.

The argument from Rome was Faith played THE major role in justification- but was not sufficient by itself- there had to be righteous works eventually associated with it in order for God to say ‘you are just’ [saved].

Luther disagreed and said God justified Abraham before he had good works- we find this in Genesis 15. God says to Abraham ‘look- count all the stars- so shall your offspring be’ and Walla- the bible also says Abraham was justified in God’s eyes the moment he believed the promise.

Who’s right?

Actually they both are.

I have taught this a few times over the years- and it would take too much time to re-do right now.

But I believe James and Paul [the 2 who debate this in the bible] are simply looking at different aspects of salvation/justification.

Paul emphasized faith- and James showed us how true faith always has works with it.

When you read the statements that came out from the council of Trent- some of them do seem to indicate that both sides might have been talking past each other at some points.

In the heat of the day they were too quick to condemn the other side- without really trying hard to achieve unity [like politics!].

The 6th session of Trent was the one where the church dealt with justification [how we become saved in Gods sight].

Rome made a distinction between mortal and Venial sin in the council- the church said that Baptism is the INSTRUMENTAL CAUSE of justification. Yet faith is the Root- Foundation and Initial act that justifies.

Rome also taught that Mortal sin kills the grace in the soul that brings justification- and when a person commits a mortal sin- they need the ‘2nd plank of justification’ in order to be brought back into a state of Grace.

This 2nd Plank is the Sacrament of Penance [confession]. Catholic Moral Theologians use an example to show the difference between Mortal and Venial sin.

Drinking- if you take a drink [alcohol] not a sin. If you get tipsy- Venial- and if you get flat drunk- mortal.

This is a true teaching by the way- not making this up.

Catholic scholars are not in total agreement on all the Mortal/Venial sins.

Some teach that missing Mass on Sunday is a Mortal sin.

I just threw this in to show you the debates that take place.

The teachings from Trent are referred to as Tridentine.

The Protestants [early on] rejected the belief that a person can lose Gods grace once he has it- later on the Protestants would divide- severely- over this teaching- Predestination and the Perseverance of the Saints.

But early on all the major Reformers did indeed teach this.

Luther believed in the doctrine of Predestination just as much- if not more- than John Calvin.

But sometimes in these history shows they get this wrong and say Luther and Calvin disagreed on it- that’s a common mistake that you hear every so often.

Luther actually wrote a book dedicated to the subject [The Bondage of the Will] Calvin never wrote a book solely on the subject.

Okay- as we end this brief study of the Protestant Reformation- you could also call it a primer on Catholic doctrine [short one].

Why is it important that we study this?

In John chapter 17 Jesus said that he desired unity for all of Gods people- and many of these divisions- which date back 500 years- are commonly misunderstood on both sides.

It is common in our day to run across an ex Catholic who might say ‘you know- I left the church because I don’t believe I need to confess to a priest’ or ‘the Catholic church teaches you are saved by works’.

The original Reformers did not have a problem with confession- the Lutherans carried the practice over into their communion.

And like I just showed you- the Catholic church rejected the doctrine of being saved ‘by works’ [Pelagianism] and simply emphasized the teaching found in the bible- the book of James- and focused more on James than Paul [who the protestants focus on].

So yes- there are still differences- but if we are not informed- then it makes it harder to strive for unity- and at the end of the day God does desire unity for all his people.

The other day I quoted the great Civil rights leader- MLK. In one of his famous speeches that’s played when we celebrate his life- you hear Martin say that not only was he seeking unity among the races- but also in the church.

He said he wanted to see Catholics and Protestants- as well as Blacks and Whites- sit down together- he referred to us all as Gods kids.

I think we should strive to achieve the desire of Martin- and Jesus.

Amen.
[parts]
. ROMANS 8-10

https://ccoutreach87.files.wordpress.com/2015/02/2-24-15-romans-8-10.zip

VIDEO- [I cover stuff on the videos that are not in the post- here are a few]
.Council of Trent- what did the Church say?
.Do we get the final say- at the Judgment?
.What are the Catholic virtues- did Paul teach them?
.Augustine, Calvin, Whitfield and Wesley.
.Infusion or Imputation? How bout both!
At the bottom I added some quotes from the Catechism of the Catholic church- to show that the official teaching of the church DOES NOT TEACH SALVATION BY THE LAW- BUT BY CHRIST.

. REMINDER- This is a commentary I wrote years ago- the videos are new.
.CHAPTER 8- FEW POINTS;
1- Did God choose us to believe- or did we choose him?
2- When Paul says ‘he makes our bodies alive’ is he only speaking about resurrection?
3- Does God use difficulty- or is it to be rebuked?
4- Was Paul a ‘hyper- Calvinist’?
(839)ROMAN 8:1-4 ‘There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh [sinful nature] but after the Spirit [new nature]’. Now, having proved the reality of sin and guilt [chapter 7] Paul teaches that those who ‘are in Christ’ are free from condemnation. Why? Because they ‘walk according to the Spirit’ the ‘righteousness of the law is being fulfilled in them’. Having no condemnation isn’t simply a ‘legal function’ of declared righteousness, and Paul didn’t teach it that way! Paul is saying ‘all those who have believed in Jesus and have been legally justified [earlier arguments in chapters 3-4] are now walking [actually acting out] this new nature. Therefore [because you no longer walk according to the flesh] there is no condemnation’! This argument helps bridge the gap between Catholic and Protestant theology, part of the reason for the ongoing schism is over this understanding. After the Reformation the Catholic Church had a Counter Reformation council, the council of Trent. They dealt with a lot of the abuses of the Catholic Church, things that many Catholic leaders were complaining about before the Reformation. They did deal with some issues and reformed somewhat. To the dismay of the more ‘reform minded’ Catholics [with Protestant leanings] they still came down strong on most pre reform doctrines. This made it next to impossible for the schism to be healed. But one area of disagreement was over ‘legal’ versus ‘actual/experiential’ justification. The Catholic position was ‘God can’t declare/say a person is justified until they actually are’ [experientially]. The Protestant side [Luther] said ‘God does justify [legal declaration] a person by faith alone’. Like I taught before, both of these are true. The Catholic view of ‘justification’ is looking ahead towards a future reality [The same way James speaks of justification in a future sense- He uses the example from Genesis 22, when Abraham does a righteous act] while the Protestant view is focusing on the initial legal act of justification [Genesis 15]. Here Paul agrees with both views, he says ‘those who walk after the Spirit [actually living the changed life] have no condemnation’.
[parts]
(835)ROMANS 7:1-4 Paul uses the analogy of a married woman ‘don’t you know that the law has dominion over a person as long as he is alive’? If a married woman leaves her husband and marries another man she is guilty of breaking the law of adultery. Now, if her husband dies, she is free to marry another man. The act that freed her from sin and guilt was death! Every thing else in the scenario stayed the same. She still married another, she still consummated the new marriage. But because her first husband died, she has no guilt. I always loved this analogy. For years I wondered why these themes in scripture are for the most part not ‘imbedded’ in the collective psyche of the people of God. We have spent so much time ‘proof texting’ the verses on success and wealth, that we have overlooked the really good stuff! Now Paul teaches that we have been made free from the law by the ‘death of our husband’ [Jesus] so we can ‘re-marry’. Who do we marry? Christ! He has not only died to free us from the law, he also rose from the dead to become our ‘husband’ [we are called the bride of Christ]. Paul connects the death and resurrection of Jesus in this analogy. Both are needed for the true gospel to be preached [1st Corinthians 15]. Notice how in this passage Paul emphasizes ‘the death of Christ’s body’. The New Testament doesn’t always make this distinction, but here it does. In the early centuries of Christianity you had various debates over the nature and ‘substance’ of God and Christ. The church hammered out various decrees and creeds that would become the Orthodoxy of the day. Many of these are what you would call the ‘Ecumenical councils’. These are the early councils [many centuries!] that both the eastern [Orthodox church] and western [Catholic] churches would all accept. Some feel that the early church fathers and Latin theologians [Tertullian, Augustine and others] had too much prior influence from philosophy and the ‘forensic’ thinking of their time. They had a tendency to describe things in highly technical ways. Ways that were prominent in the legal and philosophical thinking of the West. Some of the eastern thinkers [Origen] had more of a Greek ‘flavor’ to their theologizing [Alexandria, named after Alexander the great, was a city of philosophy many years prior to Christ. This city was at one time the center of thinking in the East. That’s why Paul would face the thinkers at Athens, they had a history in the east of Greek philosophy]. Well any way the result was highly technical debates over the nature of God and Christ. The historic church would finally decree that Christ had 2 natures, Human and Divine. And that at the Cross the ‘humanity of Jesus’ died, but his ‘Deity’ did not. I think Paul agreed by saying ‘we are free from the law by the death of Christ’s Body’ here Paul distinguishes between the physical death of Jesus and his Deity. Note- actually, Augustine would be in the same school as Origen. Alexandrian.
[parts]
Past comments on Oral Tradition- something I mentioned on today’s post- Gal. 6
The Iliad and Odyssey [Homer]
I want to cover some of the classics of Western Literature- when I do the philosophy and science stuff- the purpose is to show how God- and ‘religion’ are an inescapable thread that we see all thru out history- and in fact- the rise of what we call ‘intellectualism’ did indeed come from the Judaic/Christian tradition [for instance- the modern day university system did come from the Church].

Ok- lets start with what most believe to be the greatest work from antiquity- outside of the bible.

These are 2 poems by Homer- the Iliad and Odyssey.

These poems were written in the 8th century BCE- and cover the Trojan war- which most believe was a real war- that took place in the 12th-13th century BCE.

In Homers works we read about this epic battle.

The war starts with- once again- a ‘woman’ issue.

Prince Paris of Troy steals Helen of Greece- from her husband King Menelaus [king of Sparta].

The Greeks- led by Achilles- lay siege to Troy.

In Homers telling of the event- the Greeks are actually defending the honor of marriage- and are carrying out a just retribution against an unjust act.
Sort of the same themes we read in scripture- when the sons of Jacob defended the honor of their sister Dinah- when she was treated unjustly by the pagan nation that took her- forcefully- to be the wife of a kings son.

The brothers meted out justice- by tricking these pagans to get circumcised- then- while recovering ‘from surgery’- the sons went in and wiped out the city- to their fathers dismay!

In the story- Achilles is a warrior- who displays extreme violence- and also the human traits of a man who acts out of selfish motives.

At one point in the war- he removes himself from battle- because he feels his honor was betrayed.

The only thing that brings him back is the killing of his close friend Patroclus- by Hector.
Achilles leads the Greeks to victory- and reflects the struggle between living a long life- or dying young- yet dying for a just cause.
One of the more famous quotes form Homer’s Poems- attributed to Achilles- is ‘I carry 2 sorts of destiny to the day of my death. Either, if I stay here and fight beside the city of the Trojans, my return home is gone, but my glory shall be everlasting; but if I return home to the beloved land of my fathers, the excellence of my glory is gone, but there will be a long life- left for me, and my end in death will not come to me quickly.’

There has been some debate over the historicity of the war itself.

Some scholars believe it was Myth [I’ll get to this in a moment].
That is- they believe the war itself was not true- but a sort of Oral Tradition- that encompasses the reality of the human condition- and that Homers Poems are simply mythological ways to reveal the true condition of man.

Yet- much like the debate that took place in the 19th century German universities- over the ‘Myth’ of the bible- later on- the rise of what we now call Archaeology [because of the Industrial revolution- a new field arose- men started digging up the ground- for the primary purpose of extracting materials from the earth- and at this time we also discovered ‘lost worlds’- that is we could actually trace cities and lands that were once deemed fake].

So- as with Homers Troy- and bible lands- these archaeologists did indeed find Cities that matched the stories.

In 1870 the German Archaeologist Schliemann discovered remains that seemed to find the city of Troy- the area is known today as modern day Turkey.

This same thing happened with the bible- we did indeed find historical evidence that seemed to back up the historicity of the stories we find in the bible.

As a matter of fact- a famous doubter of the bible embarked on a search- to prove the bible was ‘myth’ yet- after researching carefully the historical names and places we read about in the book of Acts- he came to believe that the book of Acts- written by both an historian and doctor [Luke] was the most historically accurate writing that came from the first century [Acts has lots of names of political figures- court proceedings- stuff like that- and when doing research like this- it is quite easy to debunk the historical reality of a fake work- but- when these names and places were researched- from actual historical records dating back to the first century- it was amazing how the pieces fit].

The Trojan War is found in many works of Greek literature- and art.

But the most comprehensive account comes from Homer’s 2 poems.

Now- in Homer’s poems there are obvious references to Mythology- Goddesses- Golden apples- the Greek gods intervening in the affairs of men.

So yeah- we see that there are obvious mythological aspects to the work.
Yet- the ancient Geeks did indeed believe the war itself was a real war that took place at around the 12th century BCE.

Some believe that Homer never actually wrote the poems- but that he told the stories- like Oral Tradition- and they were later written down by others.

Sort of like the classic- Paradise Lost- by John Milton. Milton was blind- and told the story to his daughters [oral tradition] and the actual work was penned by those who heard it.

Jesus himself used this method- he never wrote a book- or letter in the New Testament- yet the gospels were compiled by his men after his death.

We read about this when Luke [who I mentioned above] gives the reason for his documenting stuff in the book of Acts [read Acts chapter one].

Luke also wrote his gospel a few years after the death and resurrection of Christ.

So- some believe the same thing happened with Homer- those who heard him tell the story multiple times- simply put it together later on.

Most scholars believe that Homer did indeed write the poems- and that the famous Trojan War was a real historical event.

Last year- when in North Bergen- my atheist friend Daniel said he watched a PBS show- and he said ‘even a priest said the bible was Myth’.

I explained to Daniel that when the more liberal scholars use this term [like in the writings of Bultman] that they do not mean ‘fake’- like Greek Mythology.

But they mean that some of the stories in the gospels might be a compilation of the many Oral teachings of Jesus- and they were put together as one story [some think the Sermon on the Mount was actually multiple teachings Jesus did- and they were compiled into one event].

Now- when I explained this to Daniel- he said ‘see- even you believe it was Myth’.

I told Daniel that no- I do not hold to this theory [not 100%] but that I was simply telling him that even those who use the term Myth- when talking about Theology- they do not mean Myth- as in fake.

So- I find it interesting that both the New testament- and Homers poems- got the same scrutiny.

In these poems we do indeed see the condition of man- which Homer depicts as one of constant war- not peace.

The letter of James in the New Testament says- James 4:1 From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?
James 4:2 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.
James 4:3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

Homers poems are considered by some to be the beginning of the great works of Western literature- of which there are many.

The great writer C.S. Lewis- who rejected Christianity for many years- later became a believer.

He attributed his conversion to the fact that he could not escape the reality of the Church- or Christian themes- found in all the fields of study.

Whether it was the classics- or history- philosophy.

He said every were he read- studied- he could not escape this scarlet thread that ran thru out all the fields of knowledge.

Yeah- in the end- his thirst for knowledge- his intellectual search- led him to the Cross.

Jesus- in a way- was a 1st century Achilles- he battled the forces of darkness- for the honor of a woman- the Bride- the church.

He- Like Achilles- chose a just death- for a just cause.

There’s a prophecy in the Old Testament- it speaks of Christ ‘the zeal of thine house has eaten me up’.

Jesus was a righteous warrior- a prophet, priest and king- and he had a zeal for the church- that far exceeded anything we find in Homers poems.

VERSES-
Galatians 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
Galatians 6:2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
Galatians 6:3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.
Galatians 6:4 But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.
Galatians 6:5 For every man shall bear his own burden.
Galatians 6:6 Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.
Galatians 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
Galatians 6:8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
Galatians 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
Galatians 6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
Galatians 6:11 Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand.
Galatians 6:12 As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.
Galatians 6:13 For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.
Galatians 6:14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
Galatians 6:15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.
Galatians 6:16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.
Galatians 6:17 From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.
Galatians 6:18 Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
________________________________________
Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Romans 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
Romans 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
Romans 8:4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Hebrews 13:3
Remember them that are in bonds, as bound withthem; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.
13 Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?
14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.
15 But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void.
16 For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!
17 For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.
18 What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.
2 Timothy 4:7
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
2 Timothy 4:6
For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
Isaiah 53:1 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?
Isaiah 53:2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.
Isaiah 53:3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Isaiah 53:4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
Isaiah 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
Isaiah 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Isaiah 53:7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.
Isaiah 53:8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.
Isaiah 53:9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.
Isaiah 53:10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt 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.
Isaiah 53:11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.
Isaiah 53:12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

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Galatians 6With 1 comment

Sunday sermon 7-8-18

Galatians 6

In the last post I mentioned saint Thomas Aquinas- and after Augustine [and Anselm- 11th century] he is the next main character I wanted to cover [in our ongoing philosophy study].

 

Aquinas is referred to as the Doctor Angelicas [angelic doctor] by the catholic church. Aquinas lived during the time of a cultural/philosophical reawakening that was beginning to take place in the Western world- the Renaissance.

 

Renaissance means ‘re-birth’. It was a rebirth of the ancient Poets and philosophers of days gone by. Men like Cicero and Aristotle were once again brought to the fore front of many thinkers and lovers of culture.

 

The catch phrase for the Renaissance was Ad Fontes- which meant ‘back to the sources’ [source- Fountain- Fontes]. In the 14th century a famous and influential Catholic family- the Medici’s- were a catalyst for mixing this cultural movement in with the church.

 

The Renaissance sort of challenged the historic view of education- up until this time most learning was done thru the prism of the church. In the universities of the day Theology [study of God] was called the Queen of the sciences- and philosophy was referred to as her Handmaiden.

 

Well the Renaissance thinkers said they wanted to study things for what they are- they did not want to see everything thru the lens of the church.

 

Eventually the theme of the movement [back to the original sources] would play a major role in the Protestant Reformation of the 16th century. Men like Erasmus [the famous 16th century Catholic Humanist] would re discover the original Greek New testament- and it was thru the study of the Greek text that many of the Reformers made their case to get ‘back to the bible’ and eventually break from Rome.

 

This was also the beginning period of modern capitalism. Recently when Libya had her ‘civil war’ and the new leaders started talking about a new constitution- one of the interesting things that came up was they wanted to do away with interest on loans.

 

Why? Well Muslims teach that interest itself is a bad thing. ‘Gee- wonder where they get that idea from John’ Oh- from a little book- called the bible.

 

Yes- to the surprise of some- this is very much taught in the Old Testament. Now- it was God’s law governing the nation of Israel- but they were forbidden to charge interest.

 

‘So John- is it wrong for us today to make interest’? Not really- Jesus used interest [usury] as an example in some of his parables- and overall- we as believers are not under the Old Testament laws that govern natural Israel.

 

But- for many centuries- the world did not see interest on money as a legitimate way to earn a living. So during the Renaissance you also had the rise of exploration- and explorers like Columbus would go on their voyages with the financial backing of investors.

 

The normal rate for these voyages was a 75/25% cut. When the explorer returned- the investor [Spain- or whoever] got 75% of the goods- and the explorer kept 25.

 

So there were a lot of changes taking place in the world at the time- and the rise of modern capitalism was one of them- money of course existed way before this time- but as a commodity- this was a new way of viewing the world.

 

Okay- just thought I would throw in a little history along with the current events of the day. As we see the current turmoil in the Italian markets [the original renaissance started in Florence- Italy] maybe seeing money/interest as a commodity- and ‘usury’ as a major way to increase ones wealth- well  maybe that’s not such a smart way to do things after all.

 1st KINGS 4- ‘And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness [generous] of heart…and his wisdom was greater than all the children of the east and Egypt…and all the people and the kings of the earth [gentiles shall come to thy light and kings to the brightness of thy rising] came to hear the wisdom of Solomon’- In this chapter we read of the tremendous storehouse of goods and resources that God gave to Solomon. His wisdom was in many areas, not just ‘theology’! He was a true Renaissance man. Before the reformation and the ‘enlightenment’ you had the Renaissance period. For many years the wisdom and knowledge that prevailed in early Greco-Roman society was lost/hidden from the public. Through process of time and events [like the crusades] some of these hidden resources of knowledge were re-discovered and the world went thru a renewal period in wisdom and philosophy. It was thanks to the catholic churches preserving of these early works [Monks and monasteries] that would later lead to them being recovered. Now, even though these works were recovered, they weren’t readily available to the general public on a wide scale. You simply did not have the tools [internet/public libraries in abundance] to disseminate the information at large, but you did have men who became educated in these areas and they were the ‘renaissance men’. Sort of like walking libraries of wisdom, ‘Solomon’s’ if you will. Solomon wrote and studied on all sorts of subjects, he did not limit himself to one field only. Often times in the area of ‘full time preaching’ we send kids off to college [okay] and they get an education that only applies to one field [full time ministry]. I think it would be better if all the ‘preachers’ became well rounded in many practical areas of learning, getting skills in various areas [Paul-tent making] that would enable them to  transition when reformation happens [like the current challenge on church practices and the full time pastoral office. Many sincere men are too dependant on their jobs as full time ministers to seriously reconsider the scriptural grounds for their  office]. So Solomon was the type of brother who could converse with you in all types of fields. Many of the world’s greatest  scientists/mathematicians were Christians, a common mistake is to think the scientific revolution was launched by anti religious men, this is simply not true. A careful study of history would show you that the majority of the great scientific minds were products of the church. It was common to major in theology and use that field of study as the foundation for all the other fields of learning. Jesus said of Solomon that kings and queens went out of their way to hear the wisdom of Solomon [the Warren Buffet of his day] but yet a greater than Solomon was here! [speaking of himself]

 

 

 

 ARISTOTLE

 

Born in Northern Greece- in 384 BC.

The most famous student of Plato- attended Plato’s Academy for around 20 years.

 

His main disagreement with Plato was on his theory of Forms.

Plato believed that the ‘idea’ world contained the forms of all things we see in the physical realm.

 

Aristotle taught that substance itself was the main thing- that the forms of what we see in the natural realm come from matter itself.

 

He spoke about Potentiality and Actuality- that is the material things have in ‘seed’ form the final product.

 

The acorn has the Potential of becoming a tree- the fetus has the Potential of becoming a man- etc.

The form is already embedded in the thing itself- it does not exist in the ‘idea’ world of Plato.

 

Aristotle loved and admired his teacher- yet Plato had somewhat of a disdain for his most famous student.

Plato passed over Aristotle to head up the Academy- twice.

 

As things go- Aristotle went and started his own school- called the Lyceum.

 

Aristotle did not just teach Philosophy- but Biology- Logic- Ethics- Rhetoric.

Some refer to him as the first real scientist.

 

His development of the laws of Logic- Cause and Effect- play a key role in the Scientific Method till this day.

 

Aristotle taught that the main way we gain knowledge is thru sense perception and experiment.

 

As we study the natural order of things themselves- we gain understanding from them.

 

What we refer to as the Empirical method- knowledge gained thru the observation and experimentation of things.

 

He referred to God as the Final Cause- not the First Cause.

Why?

 

He believed in God [some debate this- Aristotle himself called him God in his work on Metaphysics] and called him the Prime Mover.

 

As I said before- a big thing with the early thinkers was the origin of Motion- who started the ball rolling- so to speak.

 

Aristotle credited the source of all motion to an ‘un- moved Mover’.

 

He gave the attributes of God to his Mover- said he had no beginning- was not material- an eternal and imperishable substance.

 

So- why the Final Cause?

He said God attracts all things to himself- so in his mind- motion started by attraction- not by a ‘push’ so to speak.

 

This is interesting indeed- in modern physics we see that the universe is undergoing a continual expansion- heading somewhere- of course we believe this somewhere is God himself- the source of all things.

 

Isaac Newton agreed with Aristotle on this point- he referred to it in his 3rd law of Physics.

 

The medieval Muslim thinkers called him ‘The First Teacher’- and Kant [who we will get to later in this study] credits him with the bulk of what we know today as the Laws of Logic.

 

Aristotle taught that the main activity of God was thought.

The bible says that thru Wisdom and Understanding God made things [‘Wisdom builds the house- Understanding establishes it- and thru Knowledge it’s rooms are filled with all pleasant and precious riches- Wisdom is profitable to direct- the words of the wise are like nails fastened by the masters of assemblies- as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation’- various bible verses found in Proverbs- Ecclesiastes and Paul’s letter to the church at Corinth] - in a way Aristotle was right.

 

One of his key contributions was the Syllogism- you start with a Logical argument- you engage in Deductive reasoning- and come to a Conclusion.

 

A famous example would be ‘All men are mortal- Plato is a man- Plato is mortal’.

 

Aristotle did not believe that something comes from nothing- a phrase that will come up a lot as we progress in this study is ‘ex nihilo nihil fit’- meaning Nothing comes from Nothing.

 

He was also what we refer to as a Teleolologist- he believed that there was design and purpose in the created order of things.

 

He saw design in the universe- world.

 

Many today embrace an idea that there is no purpose or design- that the design we see in the material world is by accident- and furthermore some say all that we see- CAME FROM NOTHING.

 

I can’t stress enough that this is simply not possible- I don’t say this from the Christian view point alone- but from a scientific one.

 

Science deals with the observation and testing of things- we look into the material world and come to certain conclusions based on what we see- observe.

 

One of the most fundamental observations that science SEES- is what I quoted above- NOTHING COMES FROM NOTHING.

 

That is- every effect has a cause.

 

This is important for our day- because many have capitulated to the view that all things CAME FROM CHANCE.

 

Not only is this statement illogical [chance is simply a word- this statement ascribes Ontological status to a word- which is impossible].

 

But it is scientifically not true.

 

Why?

 

Because science shows us that things do not ‘pop into existence’ without a cause- from nothing.

 

True science in no way contradicts belief in God- no- it backs it up.

 

Aristotle- as well as most of the great thinkers we shall cover- came to the conclusion that there had to be some immaterial thing [being] that was the cause of all other things.

 

Now- why did he argue for a PRIME MOVER?

 

Because he believed that the universe was eternal- if there ever came a time when science showed us that the universe had a beginning point- then the argument would be over.

 

The Theists [those that believe in God] would win.

 

Sure enough- in the 20th century that’s exactly what happened.

 

Today Physics teaches us that time- space- matter did indeed have a beginning point- what we refer to as the Big Bang Theory.

 

If the early thinkers had this knowledge- then the argument for a Prime Mover would be moot- because instead we would have a Prime Starter- see?

 

 

Aristotle is credited with writing the second greatest work on Ethics from the ancient period- called Ethics [the first one being Plato’s Republic].

 

He wrote on political theory- believed that Aristocracy [rule by the excellent] was the best form of government [sort of like Socrates Philosopher Kings].

Aristotle’s most famous student was Alexander the Great.

 

During Alexander’s conquests- he took a huge team of scientists with him- they collected all types of specimens from these conquests- and Alexander brought them back to Athens and they were used at the Lyceum for further study.

 

It has been said that this was the most expensive scientific enterprise up to the day of the modern space program.

 

He taught that the intellectual virtues can be taught directly- but the moral ones HAD TO BE LIVED FIRST.

 

The bible says ‘the fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom’.

 

I agree.

 

Proverbs 3:19 The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.

Proverbs 3:20 By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.

 

 

 

VERSES [These are the verses I either quoted or taught from on today’s post- other videos below]

 

« September 15  |  September 17 »

Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 131

Reading 1IS 50:5-9A

The Lord GOD opens my ear that I may hear;
and I have not rebelled,
have not turned back.
I gave my back to those who beat me,
my cheeks to those who plucked my beard;
my face I did not shield
from buffets and spitting.

The Lord GOD is my help,
therefore I am not disgraced;
I have set my face like flint,
knowing that I shall not be put to shame.
He is near who upholds my right;
if anyone wishes to oppose me,
let us appear together.
Who disputes my right?
Let that man confront me.
See, the Lord GOD is my help;
who will prove me wrong?

Responsorial PsalmPS 116:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9

R. (9) I will walk before the Lord, in the land of the living.
or:
R. Alleluia.
I love the LORD because he has heard
my voice in supplication,
because he has inclined his ear to me
the day I called.
R. I will walk before the Lord, in the land of the living.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The cords of death encompassed me;
the snares of the netherworld seized upon me;
I fell into distress and sorrow,
and I called upon the name of the LORD,
"O LORD, save my life!"
R. I will walk before the Lord, in the land of the living.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Gracious is the LORD and just;
yes, our God is merciful.
The LORD keeps the little ones;
I was brought low, and he saved me.
R. I will walk before the Lord, in the land of the living.
or:
R. Alleluia.
For he has freed my soul from death,
my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling.
I shall walk before the Lord
in the land of the living.
R. I will walk before the Lord, in the land of the living.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Reading 2JAS 2:14-18

What good is it, my brothers and sisters,
if someone says he has faith but does not have works? 
Can that faith save him? 
If a brother or sister has nothing to wear
and has no food for the day,
and one of you says to them,
"Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well, "
but you do not give them the necessities of the body,
what good is it? 
So also faith of itself,
if it does not have works, is dead.

Indeed someone might say,
"You have faith and I have works." 
Demonstrate your faith to me without works,
and I will demonstrate my faith to you from my works.

AlleluiaGAL 6:14

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord
through which the world has been crucified to me and I to the world.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GospelMK 8:27-35

Jesus and his disciples set out
for the villages of Caesarea Philippi. 
Along the way he asked his disciples,
"Who do people say that I am?" 
They said in reply,
"John the Baptist, others Elijah,
still others one of the prophets." 
And he asked them,
"But who do you say that I am?" 
Peter said to him in reply,
"You are the Christ." 
Then he warned them not to tell anyone about him.

He began to teach them
that the Son of Man must suffer greatly
and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes,
and be killed, and rise after three days. 
He spoke this openly. 
Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 
At this he turned around and, looking at his disciples,
rebuked Peter and said, "Get behind me, Satan. 
You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do."

He summoned the crowd with his disciples and said to them,
"Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself,
take up his cross, and follow me. 
For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it,
but whoever loses his life for my sake
and that of the gospel will save it."

Zechariah 13:7 Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones.

 

John 4:34

Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.

In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations

 

Matthew 16:19

And I will give unto thethe keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations

 

Revelation 1:18

I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations

Luke 2:40

And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.

OTHER VIDEOS [These are the videos I post nightly to my various sites- Links to all sites below]

2-5-17 Sunday sermon  https://youtu.be/Cu6BnzfU7MQ

Kings 7   https://www.dropbox.com/s/gqw5vqaa8wsicd8/6-6-17%20Kings%207.mp4?dl=0 

John 14  https://www.instagram.com/tv/COxSgx6FLLI/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link 

5-20-18 Sunday sermon  https://ok.ru/video/2278000888375 

10-15-17 Sunday sermon   https://www.dropbox.com/s/waqoz1i3z5octsw/10-15-%2017%20Sunday%20Sermon.mp4?dl=0 

Homeless friends  https://youtu.be/tk2P6GcsMjQ 

Carpe Diem https://www.dropbox.com/s/0iq4vu9qq100865/6-24-15%20Carpe%20Diem.mp4?dl=0 

New Jersey  https://youtu.be/N3RpU48Atkw 

7-29-18 Sunday sermon  https://youtu.be/Y_vNzB8k6OM 

Kings 5   https://fb.watch/7CwQRhZhI8/ 

Anti- christ   https://dai.ly/x7opil4 

10-14-18 Sunday sermon  https://www.dropbox.com/s/zielzlbhk92e7pt/10-14-18%20Sunday%20sermon.mp4?dl=0 

Homeless friends  https://youtu.be/apZh_blZeYo 

Acts 15  https://www.dropbox.com/s/ix9istn5trudhms/6-22-17%20Acts%2015.mp4?dl=0 

Landing Houston  https://youtu.be/SjDwrPCtQU4 

https://www.codias.com/@ZW5jcnlwdF8tXzM3NDIw 

Kings 6  https://www.dropbox.com/s/syprcvcwi99kzya/5-16-17%20Kings%206%20%5BZech.9-10%5D.mp4?dl=0 

Remnant    https://www.instagram.com/tv/COr34a6FdRR/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link 

Hebrews 10-13   https://ok.ru/video/2274777106999 

John 19   https://www.dropbox.com/s/rg6sjd96dhigzqv/10-13-16%20John%2019.mp4?dl=0 

Friends   https://youtu.be/Sob_wJtxzg0 

Potters House  https://www.dropbox.com/s/9wk2zgsyczdsr5v/6-22-15%20Potters%20House.mp4?dl=0 

Samuel 16  https://youtu.be/ffi8bKDkiSY 

Kings 5   https://www.dropbox.com/s/ezkuxy0ey2ukjxa/4-26-17%20Kings%205%20%5BZech%205-6%5D.mp4?dl=0 

San Antonio  https://fb.watch/7zU2YijbA6/ 

10-22-17 Sunday sermon  https://dai.ly/x7opil5 

Acts 3  https://www.dropbox.com/s/wribbwlk2hjs3ee/10-13-15%20Acts%203.mp4?dl=0 

Homeless friends   https://youtu.be/nbgSB2uxDCo 

Ruth 3   https://www.dropbox.com/s/efcbiwdajo4s8tt/6-2-15%20Ogopogo%20%5BRuth%203%5D.mp4?dl=0 

Galatians 6   https://youtu.be/sBr1XDStkOo

Kings 4  https://www.dropbox.com/s/rk6n2skefuy3ea3/4-18-17%20Kings%204%20%5BZech3-4%5D.mp4?dl=0 

7-8-18 Sunday sermon  https://www.instagram.com/tv/COkTbUIFcN5/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link 

Isaiah 42   https://ok.ru/video/2270480435767 

This generation  https://www.dropbox.com/s/dfnwerfmhzge1vt/10-1-18%20This%20Generation.mp4?dl=0 

Colossians 2  https://youtu.be/AQ9V0UqnF4g 

Homeless friend  https://www.dropbox.com/s/ixvl6l5y87h0phh/6-20-18%20Real%20time%20teaching%20with%20Henry.mp4?dl=0 

Acts 4  https://youtu.be/JoqX5RLJmpI 

https://orbys.net/ccoutreach87 

Kings 3   https://www.dropbox.com/s/57mr64k2d77ug0r/4-4-17%20Kings%203%20%5BWisdom%5D.mp4?dl=0 

The Door of heaven  https://fb.watch/7vWUf4Wrqc/ 

Tree of life   https://dai.ly/x71t9zg 

Bondage Breaker   https://www.dropbox.com/s/xw2o3l8o93s2mbl/6-20-16%20Bondage%20Breaker.mp4?dl=0

Homeless friends   https://youtu.be/wjQevu_7UJg 

10-1-17 Sunday sermon   https://www.dropbox.com/s/hhmkemext29p5qf/10-1-17%20Sunday%20sermon.mp4?dl=0 

Mark 1- Jersey city  https://youtu.be/ZqN2KEmxBRk

Isaiah 53  https://1drv.ms/v/s!Aocp2PkNEAGMhymNP7AHS3qtaUHh 

Church history  https://youtu.be/McY5-hmkc1Q 

Matt. - Rev. https://www.dropbox.com/s/h69fgy0dizpqdia/12-13-16%20Matt.%2011-%20Rev.%2015.mp4?dl=0 

2nd Samuel 3-4  https://flic.kr/p/2icXH18 

11-24-19  Sunday sermon  https://1drv.ms/v/s!Aocp2PkNEAGMjFRR9F1ncTZrDe7- 

Ephesians 1  https://www.dropbox.com/s/uve5l1dh546zxcp/11-21-17%20Ephesians-%20Intro-%20chapter%201.mp4?dl=0 

Remnant  https://dai.ly/x7kffcx 

Jesus n Tolstoy  https://youtu.be/fgPa8nCXo7s

Samuel 17  https://1drv.ms/v/s!Aocp2PkNEAGMhya1T68gJ33-EFdS 

John Locke n Jesus  https://youtu.be/_orf2WpE0mI 

On whom the tower fell  https://www.dropbox.com/s/w8u4f96vvdy8z9n/12-13-15%20On%20whom%20the%20tower%20fell.mp4?dl=0 

42nd St. NYC  https://youtu.be/WS6NQo2MTuY

12-10-17 Sunday sermon  https://1drv.ms/v/s!Aocp2PkNEAGMhEbbdz0lyi5LyGZY 

Galatians 6  https://www.dropbox.com/s/8p7q3cc47gtv6gb/1-31-17%20Galatians%206%20%5BConc.%5D.mp4?dl=0 

4-8-18 Sunday sermon  https://www.bitchute.com/video/kyFKhGdUmW9B/ 

Mark 12  https://dai.ly/x7ka36d 

Samuel 17- preview  https://1drv.ms/v/s!Aocp2PkNEAGMigPRZqbmBWES-jzg 

Hebrews 10-13  https://youtu.be/nyauaS1elec 

Candle stick https://www.dropbox.com/s/bpy6qu1fj1tjmfq/12-11-17%20Candle%20Stick.mp4?dl=0  GW bridge  https://flic.kr/p/2ic1mzo 

12-17-17 Sunday sermon  https://1drv.ms/v/s!Aocp2PkNEAGMhEnvSSqZtPzXYFDU 

Galatians 5  https://www.dropbox.com/s/43vihaof8iq287c/1-17-17%20Galatians%205.mp4?dl=0 

John 7  https://dai.ly/x7k2x0e 

Romans 8-10  https://youtu.be/TDqIktzp8Xc

Revelation 6  https://1drv.ms/v/s!Aocp2PkNEAGMhyUEaWraNtqWyCCl 

Hebrews 7-9 https://youtu.be/YAxA-rITCaY 

12-10-17 Sunday sermon  https://www.dropbox.com/s/tf1saous3236lox/12-10-17%20Sunday%20sermon.mp4?dl=0 

12-24-17 Sunday sermon  https://flic.kr/p/2iaYovh 

11-17-19 Sunday sermon  https://1drv.ms/v/s!Aocp2PkNEAGMjFOer4IMdGhn-zxc 

Galatians 4  https://www.dropbox.com/s/mg7o8084eja3f6n/1-10-17%20Galatians%204.mp4?dl=0 

Samuel 5-6  https://dai.ly/x7k2x0f 

Alien life [NYC]  https://youtu.be/6qKXybyL__4

Hebrews 10  https://1drv.ms/v/s!Aocp2PkNEAGMhyQMKZeuKz5Ev3vX 

Easter- part 3  https://youtu.be/aj6acJgW5ok 

Acts 2  https://www.dropbox.com/s/zm5q6jqo3msp6ff/1-19-17%20Acts%202.mp4?dl=0 

1-21-20 Teaching  https://1drv.ms/v/s!Aocp2PkNEAGMjHO6R5VzDOF0R6Ys 

Galatians 3  https://www.dropbox.com/s/evk7t0ex9oc3rpw/1-3-17%20Galatians%203.mp4?dl=0 

Acts 8  https://www.bitchute.com/video/s4sxYFaGLgoJ/ 

John 6  https://dai.ly/x7jqei5 

Kings 20  https://youtu.be/Q9kMTGZGbAg 

Acts 21  https://1drv.ms/v/s!Aocp2PkNEAGMhyKYx0zKb8AfrCY7 

Easter- 2  https://youtu.be/WwXPl8Z_G2c 

Nightingale  https://www.dropbox.com/s/khmzpyoxbwmj21a/1-19-16%20Nightingale.mp4?dl=0 

2nd Samuel 1-2  https://flic.kr/p/2i8mFNr 

12-24-17 Sunday sermon  https://1drv.ms/v/s!Aocp2PkNEAGMhFZkWWvik6tihKw3 

Galatians 2  https://www.dropbox.com/s/51oq3yxf26meyi3/12-27-16%20Galatians%202.mp4?dl=0 

Samuel 12-13  https://dai.ly/x7jqei6 

 

 

https://steemit.com/religion/@ccoutreach/sunday-sermon 

https://steemit.com/@ccoutreach 

https://ccoutreach87.com/2020/02/11/posts-1661-1667-text/ 

 

9-22-18 Redeeming the time https://youtu.be/lv0fEBrsXZ8  

https://www.facebook.com/john.chiarello.5/videos/10204822379437509/ 

 

9-20-18 Friends- teaching with Crow https://youtu.be/FcRoveDV2Qw

https://www.facebook.com/john.chiarello.5/videos/10204815349701770/ 

News update https://youtu.be/3_ZEkLqEKk0

https://1drv.ms/v/s!Aocp2PkNEAGMggIyO_GPZ358uWpC

 

 

9-19-18 Another homeless murder in Corpus Christi- Phil Casanova was a friend of mine-

https://youtu.be/R8n23fpYHdY

https://www.facebook.com/john.chiarello.5/videos/10204811268639746/ 

Another body found https://youtu.be/Ez4Fbo_mT08

https://www.facebook.com/john.chiarello.5/videos/10204812016138433/ 

9-17-18 Friends n Teaching https://youtu.be/NICjeyd2rx4

https://www.facebook.com/john.chiarello.5/videos/10204804415388419/ 

9-15-18 Real news that the Fake news [MSM] does not want you to hear-

https://youtu.be/2lU6hDLToNw

https://www.facebook.com/john.chiarello.5/videos/10204795666889712/

Good Bye Rick https://youtu.be/ilSR39RXvzs

The streets of Corpus Christi-

https://www.facebook.com/john.chiarello.5/videos/10204796161182069/ 

https://youtu.be/f6T1yTIXvuI 

Serial killer law officer busted in South Texas-

https://www.facebook.com/john.chiarello.5/videos/10204796443949138/ 

https://youtu.be/p6KvgqheiUQ 

The bridge

https://www.facebook.com/john.chiarello.5/videos/10204796663394624/ 

https://youtu.be/7RtbNRyiKZs [all of the above videos were made on the same day]

 

Evolution n race [part 2] https://youtu.be/U5wV0slYUbg

Isaiah 60- North Bergen https://youtu.be/OFrvUbneoPs

Carpe Diem https://youtu.be/F6G6FnoF0UA 

Mark 3 [North Bergen- n.J.] https://youtu.be/Dpb-ywssCfQ

Kingdom come https://trello.com/c/B5CCGWez/181-1-22-16-kingdom-comemp4

Courts- moral law https://youtu.be/WZ8_-BccRpc 

Isaiah 61 https://youtu.be/nhqULzDMoPE

Friends- Henry teaches https://1drv.ms/v/s!Aocp2PkNEAGMggBboCooM8KdmsRx 

Your wrong https://trello.com/c/iiWHoSGZ/182-1-24-16-your-wrongmp4

 

Guns n Roses n Jesus https://youtu.be/UiD4pLxWHkI 

Sunday sermon 3-4-18 https://youtu.be/MmtBnC7hOd4

Easter 2018 https://1drv.ms/v/s!Aocp2PkNEAGMggEC8RjgZsM_Q0FK 

The prayer of the obedient https://youtu.be/Ygw8S1ndLYE

The Protestant problem https://1drv.ms/v/s!Aocp2PkNEAGMbBV2Q0r9Q5z0d-o 

Danny- Life https://youtu.be/87aA4pjAa1I 

Plato n church history https://trello.com/c/RGsRnWBa/185-plato-n-church-historymp4

Save yourself https://youtu.be/YoXd53_gcEc

2nd Samuel 6-7 https://1drv.ms/v/s!Aocp2PkNEAGMbfkAZxOQ0qWaRPI 

Friends https://youtu.be/TEQEnPJ7Nkk

He’s gonna be dead soon https://youtu.be/Kosa_0XPUoY

Homeless friend talks about God https://youtu.be/24zh-5tK1Fc

Battle is the Lords https://1drv.ms/v/s!Aocp2PkNEAGMggOQK53L2lhrcyNE

9-21-18 News update https://youtu.be/zNDhRv0f1ac 

 MY SITES-

 

Blog- [Post nightly] https://corpuschristioutreachministries.blogspot.com/ 

Site- [Post nightly] https://ccoutreach87.com/   

Site-  https://www.minds.com/ccoutreach87

Site-  https://ccoutreachministries.wordpress.com/

Site-  http://ccoutreach87.webstarts.com/__blog.html?r=20171009095200

Site-  https://corpusoutreach.weebly.com/

Site-  http://ccoutreach87.wixsite.com/mysite

Site-  https://www.quora.com/profile/John-Chiarello-1 

 

 [Please Like, Share, Connect, Follow and Subscribe to the sites below- as well as all my sites linked at the bottom of each post-Thanks]

 

Follow us on Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/john.chiarello.5?ref=bookmarks 

https://www.facebook.com/john.chiarello.5 

Page-  https://www.facebook.com/ccoutreach1 

Subscribe to our Youtube channel- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZ4GsqTEVWRm0HxQTLsifvg?view_as=subscriber

Youtube note- http://ccoutreach87.webstarts.com/blog/post/youtube-problems

Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/john.chiarello/channel/ 

Friend us on VK [Russia- Our largest group outside the U.S.] https://vk.com/id533663718  

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Follow us on Tumblr http://johnchiarello.tumblr.com/ 

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Connect on Linkedin [Our largest group] https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-chiarello-b27340ab/ 

Follow us on Medium https://medium.com/@johnchiarello   

Contact/Friend us on MeWe https://mewe.com/i/johnchiarello 

Follow us on Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/ccoutreach87/

Follow us on Reddit https://www.reddit.com/user/ccoutreach 

Follow us on Mix  https://mix.com/jchiarello/christian-bible-god 

Follow us on Flipboard https://flipboard.com/@johnchiarel4hvs/ccoutreach87-q213nqldy 

Follow us on Mastodon  https://mastodon.social/@ccoutreach87

View on Trello https://trello.com/b/swhF9Vr8/ccoutreach87com

Connect on Minds https://www.minds.com/ccoutreach87 

Connect on Gab  https://gab.com/Ccoutreach87 

Connect on Parler  https://parler.com/#/user/Ccoutreach87  

Connect on Publish-ox  https://www.publish0x.com/@ccoutreach87 

Telegram https://t.me/ccoutreach87 

Wattpad  https://www.wattpad.com/user/JohnChiarello/conversations 

Thinkspot  https://www.thinkspot.com/authors/profile  

Vero  https://vero.co/ccoutreach87 

WhatsApp  https://wa.link/gwuicp 

WhatsApp Group  https://chat.whatsapp.com/G6K5dWjUK5vEiXuZ3B3IqX 

Follow using Wix app http://ccoutreach87.wixsite.com/mysite

Connect on Ruqqus https://ruqqus.com/@ccoutreach87

Connect on Quora  https://www.quora.com/profile/John-Chiarello-1 

Connect on Pocketnet https://pocketnet.app/ccoutreach87 

Connect on SpaceHey https://spacehey.com/profile?id=110939 

Connect on Freedom book https://www.ourfreedombook.com/Ccoutreach87?fbclid=IwAR2byyAtqFRbykFUlzmcvjd_EaT8aHFaLcaO1XIJR4qVWNCkgSLCK2Blnxg 

Ccoutreachministries  https://ccoutreachministries.wordpress.com/ 

FBU  https://fightingbackuncensored.com/miembros/johnchiarello/ 

Wegatta  https://wegatta.com/index.php/Ccoutreach87

Mumblit  https://www.mumblit.com/ccoutreach87 

Stats  https://ccoutreach87.com/stats-4-21/ 

Likabout  https://likabout.com/ccoutreach87 [Portugal]

Chaino  https://www.chaino.com/ccoutreach87 

Xephula  https://xephula.com/ccoutreach87 

Clouthub  https://clthb.co/zwuzu55hug7APoPD8 

Spreely  https://spreely.com/ccoutreach87 

Silority  https://silority.com/profile-13020 

Wimkin  https://wimkin.com/profile-268566?fbclid=IwAR2VQxAKcRxxScTxS-zMSIrblcQYp4wj_WvDVrNTAVS77kQy-vThjj2gmqU 

Solikick  https://solikick.com/-ccoutreach87 

Gettr  https://gettr.com/user/ccoutreach87 

Yorespot  https://yorespot.com/profile/ccoutreach87 

Ugetube  https://ugetube.com/@ccoutreach87 

Talksos  https://talksos.com/@Ccoutreach87 

Onespace  https://www.phoenixsocial.org/profile/2136 

Orby’s  https://orbys.net/ccoutreach87 

Codias  https://www.codias.com/@ZW5jcnlwdF8tXzM3NDIw 

 

 

 

Watch our videos here-

[Most viewed] https://www.flickr.com/photos/ccoutreach87/

[Most viewed] https://www.bitchute.com/channel/jsS961GkXUSn/ 

https://www.dailymotion.com/ccoutreach87/videos

https://vk.com/videos533663718 [Russia]

https://www.instagram.com/john.chiarello/channel/ 

[Most viewed- OK] https://ok.ru/video/c2081847?st.cmd=video&st.m=ALBUM&st.aid=c2081847&st.ft=album [Ukraine]

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZ4GsqTEVWRm0HxQTLsifvg?view_as=subscriber

Youtube note- http://ccoutreach87.webstarts.com/blog/post/youtube-problems

My Facebook videos-

Profile videos-

https://www.facebook.com/john.chiarello.5/videos?lst=1779330793%3A1779330793%3A1546906912 

Page videos- https://www.facebook.com/ccoutreach1/videos/?view_public_for=288613861341347 

https://bittube.video/accounts/ccoutreach87

https://open.tube/video-channels/corpus_outreach/videos 

Note-  https://ccoutreach87.webstarts.com/blog/post/bit-open-tube-review-8-2020 

Ugetube  https://ugetube.com/@ccoutreach87 

 

Cloud links- https://ccoutreach87.com/cloud-links-12-2018/

Archive- Text posts only- https://corpuschristioutreachministries.blogspot.com/p/archiv.html 

 

Some of my studies-

https://corpuschristioutreachministries.blogspot.com/p/reformation_12.html

https://corpuschristioutreachministries.blogspot.com/p/overview-ofphilosophy-thales-andthe-pre.html

https://corpuschristioutreachministries.blogspot.com/p/romans-links-1-2019.html

https://corpuschristioutreachministries.blogspot.com/p/colossians-links-2019.html

https://corpuschristioutreachministries.blogspot.com/p/corinthians-links-4-2019.html 

https://corpuschristioutreachministries.blogspot.com/p/ephesians-links.html 

https://corpuschristioutreachministries.blogspot.com/p/acts-links.html

https://corpuschristioutreachministries.blogspot.com/p/galatians-links.html

 

 

 NOTE- Every so often some of my sites think I am Spam- or a Bot- I am not. My name is John Chiarello, I am a retired firefighter living in Texas, Born in Hoboken New Jersey- raised in North Bergen. I post original content [all videos and text are by me].  I post 7 videos a night to many of my sites, and text posts 3 times a week. I NEVER take money- or ask for money- ever. Everything is free- I sell nothing- to some sites this makes a difference- so I wanted to say that here. There are no buildings- staff- salary- anything. Just me teaching- doing outreach- and reaching out thru my sites. All my teachings- videos- studies are free to download from all my sites. Make as many copies as you want- they are there for you to use. Thank You- John.

 

 

ALL MY SITES [Please Like, Share, Connect, Follow and Subscribe to the sites below- Thanks]

 

Web sites-

www.corpuschristioutreachministries.blogspot.com  [Main site]

https://ccoutreach87.com/ 

https://medium.com/@johnchiarello 

https://johnchiarello.webs.com/  

https://ccoutreach87.jimdo.com/ 

http://ccoutreach87.webstarts.com/__blog.html?r=20171009095200 

http://ccoutreach87-1.mozello.com/ 

https://ccoutreach87.site123.me/ 

http://ccoutreach87.wixsite.com/mysite 

https://corpusoutreach.weebly.com/ 

http://ccoutreach87.strikingly.com/ 

https://ccoutreach87.webs.com/ 

 

Social Media sites-

https://www.facebook.com/john.chiarello.5?ref=bookmarks  

https://www.facebook.com/ccoutreach1

https://vk.com/id533663718  [Russia- Our largest group outside the U.S.]

https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-chiarello-b27340ab/ 

 [Our largest group]

https://twitter.com/ccoutreach87  

https://www.instagram.com/john.chiarello/channel/ 

https://ok.ru/profile/589985645111 [Ukraine- Our 2nd largest in Europe]

http://johnchiarello.tumblr.com/ 

https://mewe.com/i/johnchiarello 

https://mastodon.social/@ccoutreach87

https://www.minds.com/ccoutreach87 

https://gab.com/Ccoutreach87

https://parler.com/#/user/Ccoutreach87 

https://www.publish0x.com/@ccoutreach87  

https://t.me/ccoutreach87 

https://www.wattpad.com/user/JohnChiarello/conversations 

https://www.thinkspot.com/authors/profile  

https://vero.co/ccoutreach87 

https://wa.link/gwuicp 

https://chat.whatsapp.com/G6K5dWjUK5vEiXuZ3B3IqX 

https://ruqqus.com/@ccoutreach87 

https://www.quora.com/profile/John-Chiarello-1 

https://pocketnet.app/ccoutreach87 

https://spacehey.com/profile?id=110939 

https://www.ourfreedombook.com/Ccoutreach87?fbclid=IwAR2byyAtqFRbykFUlzmcvjd_EaT8aHFaLcaO1XIJR4qVWNCkgSLCK2Blnxg 

https://ccoutreachministries.wordpress.com/ 

https://fightingbackuncensored.com/miembros/johnchiarello/ 

 https://wegatta.com/index.php/Ccoutreach87

https://www.mumblit.com/ccoutreach87 

https://ccoutreach87.com/stats-4-21/ 

https://likabout.com/ccoutreach87  [Portugal]

https://www.chaino.com/ccoutreach87 

https://xephula.com/ccoutreach87 

https://clthb.co/zwuzu55hug7APoPD8 

https://spreely.com/ccoutreach87 

https://silority.com/profile-13020 

https://wimkin.com/profile-268566?fbclid=IwAR2VQxAKcRxxScTxS-zMSIrblcQYp4wj_WvDVrNTAVS77kQy-vThjj2gmqU 

https://solikick.com/-ccoutreach87 

https://gettr.com/user/ccoutreach87 

https://yorespot.com/profile/ccoutreach87 

https://ugetube.com/@ccoutreach87 

https://talksos.com/@Ccoutreach87 

https://www.phoenixsocial.org/profile/2136 

https://orbys.net/ccoutreach87 

https://www.codias.com/@ZW5jcnlwdF8tXzM3NDIw 

 

 

 

Link sharing sites-

https://www.pinterest.com/ccoutreach87/

https://mix.com/jchiarello/christian-bible-god 

https://trello.com/b/swhF9Vr8/ccoutreach87com

https://www.reddit.com/user/ccoutreach 

https://flipboard.com/@johnchiarel4hvs/ccoutreach87-q213nqldy  

 

http://corpuschristioutreachministries.blogspot.com/p/one-link_18.html [Link to past teaching]

 

Video sites- [Can view and download my videos free of charge]

Streaming sites-

Youtube  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZ4GsqTEVWRm0HxQTLsifvg?view_as=subscriber

Youtube Playlist- https://ccoutreach87.com/youtube-playlist/ 

Youtube note- http://ccoutreach87.webstarts.com/blog/post/youtube-problems

https://www.flickr.com/photos/ccoutreach87/ [Most viewed]

https://www.dailymotion.com/ccoutreach87/videos [India]

https://www.bitchute.com/channel/jsS961GkXUSn/ [Most viewed]

https://vk.com/videos533663718 [Russia]

[My Facebook videos]

https://www.facebook.com/ccoutreach1/videos/?view_public_for=288613861341347 

https://www.facebook.com/john.chiarello.5/videos?lst=1779330793%3A1779330793%3A1546906912 

https://www.instagram.com/john.chiarello/channel/ [IGTV]

[Ukraine-Most viewed]

https://ok.ru/video/c2081847?st.cmd=video&st.m=ALBUM&st.aid=c2081847&st.ft=album

https://www.brighteon.com/channel/ccoutreach87 

https://vimeo.com/user85764413 

https://bittube.video/accounts/ccoutreach87

https://open.tube/video-channels/corpus_outreach/videos 

Note- https://ccoutreach87.webstarts.com/blog/post/bit-open-tube-review-8-2020 

 https://ccoutreach87.com/youtube-catalog-2020/ [Youtube catalog- 2020]

Youtube note- http://ccoutreach87.webstarts.com/blog/post/youtube-problems

Ugetube  https://ugetube.com/@ccoutreach87 

 

Cloud sites- 

https://1drv.ms/f/s!Aocp2PkNEAGMg0G_aInmCi8XUC-C

https://my.pcloud.com/publink/show?code=kZ1sXP7ZardKGRUxFByiFYi667jeup7MD1Sy 

https://mega.nz/#F!7WQCSIJR!-4v9-zUQRq4MIQbBfI2n4A  

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/d43nhtrgysqg493/AAAlCszxZXJoRtk8UudtuR9ma?dl=0 

https://ln.sync.com/dl/3e1f4c5e0/tcnm9p32-xiwe4nbu-zjbkitqj-4fvemf6m 

https://1drv.ms/f/s!Aocp2PkNEAGMg0MwmUCJ1XM3q9ui  

https://icedrive.net/dashboard/#/cloud 

Cloud sites- https://ccoutreach87.com/cloud-links-12-2018/ 

 

Inactive- work in progress-

http://johnchiarello.doodlekit.com/ 

http://corpus-christijohnchiarello.simplesite.com/ 

https://spark.adobe.com/page/6INKwX1tFT7WA/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxWXKfaFDZrfNUzloSqg8Kg?view_as=subscriber 

Youtube note- http://ccoutreach87.webstarts.com/blog/post/youtube-problems

Beta

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYlLmUkKiB6VoWE9CB1UQew?view_as=subscriber ccoutreach87

https://www.facebook.com/ccoutreach1/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel&eid=ARCo7sBBI_1fHMUwrHJbFUGf73C6FmpZxtgTcWET2gVwpdHCKmXSGxs6wyeA-qGCnbsr2ILaXqpd4ACt

 

Note- Please do me a favor, those who read/like the posts- re-post them on other sites as well as the site you read them on-  Copy text- download video links- make complete copies of my books/studies and posts- everything is copyrighted by me- I give permission for all to copy and share as much as you like- I just ask that nothing be sold. We live in an online world- yet- there is only one internet- meaning if it ever goes down- the only access to the teachings are what others have copied or downloaded- so feel free to copy and download as much as you want- it’s all free-

 

Note- I have many web sites- at times some question whether I’m a ‘bot’ because I do post a lot.

I am not a ‘bot’- I’m John- so please- if you are on the verge of deleting something- my contact email is ccoutreach87@gmail.com - contact me first- thank you- John

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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