Question – Jesus, 89

 ~ Regarding Origin ~

Introduction  ~  This series is about questions involving Jesus.  Some were asked by individuals involved with Jesus Christ while He walked on earth.  Others are questions that Jesus Christ asked others.  We will look at questions on about 130 topics (some may split into two or more posts).  Even so, it is far from an exhaustive list. 

Scripture  ~  “The following day Jesus wanted to go to Galilee, and He found Philip and said to him, ‘Follow Me.’  Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.  Philip found Nathanael and said to him, ‘We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote — Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.’

“And Nathanael said to him, ‘Can anything good come out of Nazareth?’  Philip said to him, ‘Come and see.’  

“Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him, and said of him, ‘Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!’  Nathanael said to Him, ‘How do You know me?’ 

“Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.’  Nathanael answered and said to Him, ‘Rabbi, You are the Son of God!  You are the King of Israel!’

“Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Because I said to you, “I saw you under the fig tree,” do you believe?  You will see greater things than these.’  And He said to him, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man’” (John 1:43-51). 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

* * * * *

God Is My… (Psalms), 57

 ~ God Is My Savior, 6 ~

Introduction  ~  Previously from July 16, 2017 through January 6, 2019 ALN posted a series of 60 posts of “Jesus is…,” and now we look exclusively at who “God is…” from the Book of Psalms.  While not a complete list these posts occur are in the same order they are in the Psalms. 

Passage  ~  “Be my strong refuge, to which I may resort continually; You have given the commandment to save me, for You are my rock and my fortress” (Psalm 71:3).     

Prior Passages  ~   “My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him.  He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved.  In God is my salvation and my glory; the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God” (Psalm 62:5-7).    

“You are my King, O God; command victories for Jacob.  Through You we will push down our enemies; through Your name we will trample those who rise up against us.  For I will not trust in my bow, nor shall my sword save me.  But You have saved us from our enemies, and have put to shame those who hated us.  In God we boast all day long, and praise Your name forever” (Psalm 44:4-8).

“I will love You, O Lord, my strength.  The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.  I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies” (Psalm 18:1-3).

“But the salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; He is their strength in the time of trouble.  And the Lord shall help them and deliver them; He shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in Him” (Psalm 37:39-40).

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

* * * * *

Myth, 94

 ~ Christians Don’t Need To Study The Bible With Others ~

Myth  ~  It is not necessary for Christians to study the Bible with other Christians. 

Deceptive  ~  This is deceptive in several ways:

1.  This is a partial truth in that the most important Bible teacher for the believer is the indwelling Spirit of God.  “Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?  For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

2.  This is also deceptive in that it is important to study the Scripture independently.  There is great value in studying the Scriptures privately.  But if this is our only means of studying we are losing out on the wisdom of others. 

3.  But the reality is there is great profit in studying the Word of God with other Spirit-indwelt believers.  My pastor likes to say that “There are no Lone Ranger Christians.”

4.  However, we must recognize that there are times when it is impossible to benefit directly from the input of fellow believers.  On occasion this has been the case for single missionaries (but it is rare they don’t have a spouse or other believer available).  It is possible also for a prisoner to be isolated from other believers.  In these specialized cases God will provide. 

5.  Finally, in today’s world there are so many resources available for studying the Bible alone it can be tempting to do so. 

Benefits  ~  Studying the Scriptures with fellow believers can have many benefits. 

Scripture  ~  The Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, “Prescribe and teach these things.  Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.  Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching.  Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed on you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the presbytery.  Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all.  Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you” (1 Timothy 4:11-16 nasu).

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

* * * * *