MINISTERS MATTER

CHRONOLOGICAL BIBLE READING - 60

Well folks, this is the final day in the Chronological Bible Reading plan.

Congratulations to all of you who have joined us each day as we have gone through the entire bible by highlighting the main stories.

Too often people start the New Year with the desire to read through the bible but then end up with life crowding out their reading assignments. Discouragement sets in and the reading plan falls by the wayside as readers become frustrated.

Too discouraged to start again many will go years and years without ever trying again.

For those who are completing the 60 days today - congratulations and may God continue to bless your ongoing reading and studying of God's Word. Well done!!

For those who want to start and do it over the next 60 days, just go to the Reading Scripture line on this blog and begin at Day 1. In just 60 days you too can do it!

The Book of Revelation

Revelation is the only book of prophecy in the New Testament and it carries a blessing for those who will read and hear what is written within it's pages. 

This is an amazing book focusing us on a glorious, reigning Christ both on earth and in heaven.

It alone shows us the complete and final victory over Satan along with his defeat and punishment. It tells of his final doom, no wonder he doesn't want people to read it.

Revelation means an unveiling.

Even though it contains 300 symbols, each has a definite meaning and most focus us on the future. This book is the revelation of Jesus Christ, His return to earth and the reality that some will be ready and others won't. 

What began in Genesis, is completed in Revelation.

In Genesis, the heaven and earth are created, while in Revelation, we see a new heaven and earth.

In Genesis, the sun and moon appear, in Revelation, there is no longer a need for them as Jesus is the light of the new heaven.

In Genesis, there is a garden, in Revelation, a holy city.

In Genesis, there is a marriage of the first Adam, in Revelation, we join the Second Adam at the marriage supper of the Lamb.

In Genesis, we see the beginning of sin, in Revelation, sin is done away with.

It is the bible alone that introduces us to Satan, sorrow, pain and tears in Genesis yet Revelation unveils their doom and destruction. Every tear shall be wiped away.

What started in Genesis comes to an end in Revelation and those who have believed in Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord, will enjoy a happy ending.

The book ends with Jesus saying, "Yes, I am coming soon."

Our response should be, "Amen, Come, Lord Jesus."

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The disciple who put his head on the chest of Jesus and heard the heartbeat of heaven, has also written extensively about his experiences with Jesus.

Today we will look at 1-3 John.

1 John was written in 90 AD from Ephesus and is addressed to both young and old alike.

He writes that "you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name."

John 20:31.

In 1 John 5:13 he writes that those who believe in Christ might KNOW that they have eternal life.

His four reasons are summed up throughout his epistles.

That they might be happy - 1:4

That they might not sin - 2:1

That they might be on guard against error - 2:26

That they might KNOW - 5:13

He also exalts God throughout His epistles.

God is Light - 1:5

God is Love - 4:8,16

God is Righteous - 2:29

God is Life - 5:11-12

God is Truth - 2 John

God is Good - 3 John

Outline of John 14:6 is repeated again in 1, 2, 3, John

1 John - Jesus is the Life

2 John - Jesus is the Truth

3 John - Jesus is the Way

Tomorrow is our final day as we look at the book of Revelation.

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In the book of Hebrews, Jesus Christ is seen as our intercessor, seated at the right hand of God praying for us.

Ever wonder what He is praying about for your life?

Hebrews points to a fifth gospel, not what He did on earth, but what He is doing at the right hand of God.

Our eyes must stay on Jesus as the 'author and perfecter of our faith'. Written first to Jewish believers, to help them not waver in their faith, the writer seeks to remind them that what they had before was a shadow of things to come.

Now they could enjoy the substance because of what Jesus has accomplished.

He is greater than the prophets - 1:1-3
He is greater than angels 1:4-2:18
He is greater than Moses 3:1-19
He is greater than Joshua 4:1-16
He is greater than Aaron 5:1-10:18

Jesus is greater than anyone who has come in the past or who will ever come in the future.

He is God's Son; the Heir of all things; Creator of the universe; is Himself very God; sustains all things by the Word of His power; has cleansed us from our sin; is seated at the right hand of God.

He is also better...we have a better covenant; better promises; better tabernacle; and a better sacrifice. Time to enjoy our life of faith.

Forsaking
All
I
Take
Him

Next we will look at John's epistles.

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Paul loved his disciple Timothy and chose in 2 Timothy to encourage him with these simple words, "Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus." 2:3.

Paul saw him as a young man of God and wanted to affirm the need of godliness coming out of a life of prayer, the Word, truth, love, and resting in the righteousness of God.

Paul says, "What you have heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus." 1:13

He reminds Timothy to stir the gift of God within him, not to neglect it, even to fan into flame the gift of God.

He also challenged him to stand the test as one who need not to be ashamed even though he was so young. Paul's final words to him were, "Preach the Word, be prepared in season and out of season...for the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine." 4:2-3

Next we will see what the teachings of Jesus are like for living life.

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Both Jude and Peter write on true vs false religion.

In Peter's first letter he tried to console his readers who were suffering terrible persecution from without but in the second one he wrote about the dangers within the church.

Moral courage is often needed more than physical courage when you are facing challenges because Christians are never 'off duty'.

Biblical characters like Joseph, Nehemiah, Daniel, Esther, Deborah, and Paul, were called upon to stand up for what they believed in the midst of trying circumstances.

Historical characters like Martin Luther, John Wesley, Joan of Arc were never ashamed of the gospel because they, like many, had a living relationship with Jesus Christ.

Peter describes some of the dangers within like heresies, denials, errors, exploitation, corrupt morals, despising authority, arrogance, slander, blaspheme, adultery, seductions, greed, leaving the straight way and wandering off.

Jude, the step-brother of Jesus, who walked with the Master, understood the dangers confronting the doctrines of the church as deniers crept in and began to sow discord. These intruders had begun to teach error and false doctrines.

Jude calls them godless men who changed the grace of God into a license for immorality.  He goes on to describe what they were like: those who reject authority, grumblers, faultfinders, flatterers, men who follow their mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.

He closes his letter by lifting high the cross of Jesus Christ. They continued to build on the foundation of praying in the Spirit, walking in God's love, waiting for His mercy, winning souls for Him, resting in His keeping power so much so that he concludes with these words, "He will keep you from falling and ...present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy."

Next Paul encourages Timothy.

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Paul talks to one of his disciples, Timothy, about knowing how people ought to conduct themselves in God's household - the church of the living God. 3:15.

Behaviour is based on belief.

We act out what we believe.

The following letters are known as the 'pastoral epistles' as they are written to ministers in charge of important churches.

These are explicit directions for shepherding the sheep and guarding the churches.

Paul is warning his young disciples against all those things that would weaken or destroy the local church. He addresses false teaching in chapter 1. Directions for the church in 2-3. Directions for the pastor in 4-6.

Paul knew that he would soon die and go to be with the Lord. In the meantime, he entrusted Timothy with the government and supervision of Ephesus and Titus, as the Bishop of Crete. Titus had been successful dealing with the issues in Corinth and Paul was confident he could help at Crete.

Titus can be summed up as Life.
-leave the old life.
-live the new life.
-look for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of Christ Jesus. 2:11-13

Timothy was a young man who was open to receive advice from an older, experienced elder.

Paul had to contend with the passions of youthful thinking in Gentile culture - things like sport and he advises Timothy that, "Physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come." 4:8

Next Jude and Peter warn about true and false religion.

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Peter had the honour to be chosen to walk with Jesus throughout His ministry. He is a witness to the kind of life Jesus lived and how we need to live.

1 John 2:6 says it this way, "Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did."

Peter talks about those things that are precious about Jesus. "Now to you who believe, this stone is precious." 1 Peter 2:7

Precious trial of faith. 1:7
Precious blood. 1:19
Precious cornerstone. 2:4-6
Precious Christ. 2:7
Precious spirit. 3:4
Precious faith. 2 Peter 1:1
Precious promises. 2 Peter 1:4

We said it in an earlier blog, Paul is the apostle of faith; John the apostle of love; but Peter is the apostle of hope. Both the letters of Peter admonish us to grow in grace and glory while remembering the sufferings that accompany those who follow Jesus.

Peter has grown through all kinds of personal trials and has learned things about himself. His letters show a matured and seasoned man now. He is more than qualified to teach us how to live in and for Jesus.

Next: Teaching on church leadership.

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The letters affirm our need to understand who we are in Christ and the call to keep growing in Him.

Colossians shows us our position in Christ.

We are united with Him 2:2; complete in Him 2:10; dead in Christ 2:20; buried in Christ, Romans 6:4; and even risen with Christ 3:1.

"And your life is now hidden with Christ in God." Col. 3:3

Being a Christian is more than creeds and systems of doctrine or styles of worship. The truth is that we are hidden in Christ.

If you make a list of who Jesus is you discover He is the image of the invisible God, 1:15; He is the preeminent One, 1:18; in redemption, He is reconciling all things through His blood, 1:20-22; He is head over all principalities and powers, 1:18, 2:14; He is the Head of His Body - the church, 1:18, 2:19.

Jesus is building His church in four ways - upward in Him; downward as we are rooted in Jesus; inward as we are hidden in Christ; outward are we share our faith with others.

In Philippians, we are reminded that the joy of the Lord is our strength. The whole book is filled with admonitions to rejoice and be glad.

Paul ends up reminding the Philippians that when he travels, he is on Christ's errands. When he suffers, it is for Christ's service. When he speaks, the theme is Christ. When he writes, he fills his letters with the Person of Christ and what he has accomplished on our behalf.

Next we are introduced to the life and ministry of Peter.

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Practical Christian living means putting the gospel into action.

In Philemon, we see a call for applied Christianity.  Paul is pleading with Philemon for the life of Onesimus - the runaway slave, who has stolen from his Master and ran away to Rome.

Paul reminds Philemon that Onesimus, like his Master, has become a fellow believer.

This amazing letter by Paul is a ministry in itself. As you read it over and over, you hear the heart cry of Paul to put the gospel into action in the issues of daily life.

This letter is tactful, courteous, and can best be described as intercession. He is pleading for mercy and forgiveness.

Paul makes it clear that he is even willing to pay the debts Onesimus owes in the same way Jesus paid all our debts. "I, Paul, write it with my own hand, I promise to repay it (in full) and that is to say nothing (of the fact) that you owe me your very self." Philemon 19

In Ephesians he reminds us to walk in love 5:1-2; to walk in the light 5:8; and to walk carefully 5:15-16. The book ends with the need to walk covered in the full armour of God.

The belt of truth. The breastplate of righteousness. The shoes of the readiness to preach the gospel. The shield of faith. The helmet of salvation. The sword of the Word and prayer.

Next growing in Christ.

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Christian doctrine and practice help us see that we have been saved by the gospel, set apart by the gospel and live to serve the gospel.

Paul uses terms like, "I am a debtor" 1:14; "I am eager to fulfill my obligation" 1:15; and "I am not ashamed of the gospel" 1:16.

Paul is talking about what the sinner needs and what he may have on the ground of simple faith in Christ - "a righteousness of God."

Why is that important?

Paul was impacted on the road to Damascus with one revelation of Jesus Christ as He demolished every other argument. His one message now was Jesus Christ crucified and risen as Lord of all.

He would not entertain any other message and called the church at Rome to "live by faith in the finished work of the cross of Jesus Christ."

In Christ, God declares us righteous because we have none of our own whether we are Jews or Gentiles. He gives to us the righteousness of Christ because it alone is the righteousness He accepts.

Here in pagan Rome, Paul is not ashamed of the gospel that has the power to change human lives for life and eternity. The powerful Roman Empire has faded into history while the gospel Paul was preaching, is still alive and well all over the world.

How does God make a guilty person innocent?

Romans 1:16-17 makes the following clear. The Person of the gospel is Jesus Christ. The power of the gospel is the power of God. The purpose of the gospel is the salvation of the lost. The people to whom it has been sent to the Jew first then to the whole world. The plan of acceptance is to all who believe. The result is that those made righteous will now live by faith.

Paul was proud of the gospel because he had proved its power to change his life and beliefs. He goes on to remind Jews and Gentiles that no one will get into heaven without the righteousness of Jesus Christ in their lives.

The gospel has the following ingredients: the grace of God; the Person of Jesus; the life, ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus; faith in the finished work of the cross as Jesus gave His life for ours.

Next we will look at practical living.