The Gospel of…

 ~ The Mystery and Majesty of The Gospel ~

The Gospel of Grace (the source)  ~  “But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24).  

The Gospel of God (the Author)  ~  “Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures” (Romans 1:1-2).  

The Gospel of Christ (the object)  ~  “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.  For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, ‘The just shall live by faith’” (Romans 1:16-17).  

The Gospel of Peace (the result)  ~  “Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one …” (Ephesians 6:14-16).   

The Mystery of the Gospel  ~  “… And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints — and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak” (Ephesians 6:17-20).

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

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OT Jewish Cycle

 ~ Israel’s Religious Cycle ~

Prolog  ~  The nation of Israel’s history as recorded throughout the Old Testament is a repetitive cycle (especially clear in the book of Judges) — this history is not unlike many Christians today.

Illustrative Scripture  ~  “Nevertheless, the Lord raised up judges who delivered them out of the hand of those who plundered them.  Yet they would not listen to their judges, but they played the harlot with other gods, and bowed down to them.  They turned quickly from the way in which their fathers walked, in obeying the commandments of the Lord; they did not do so.  And when the Lord raised up judges for them, the Lord was with the judge and delivered them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge; for the Lord was moved to pity by their groaning because of those who oppressed them and harassed them.  And it came to pass, when the judge was dead, that they reverted and behaved more corruptly than their fathers, by following other gods, to serve them and bow down to them.  They did not cease from their own doings nor from their stubborn way” (Judges 2:16-19).

The Cycle  ~  Rest > Rebellion > Retribution > Repentance > Restoration> Rest

Rest – During Joshua’s lifetime and for some years afterward, Israel served God and enjoyed the blessings of their rest land.  This is where the book of Judges begins. 

Rebellion – When a new generation arose, they divorced themselves from God and, in rebellion against Him, took on the ways of the idolatrous Canaanites. 

Retribution – Just as He said He would, God withdrew His protection and power from Israel and delivered they into the hands of foreign oppressors.

Repentance – Then the Israelites repented of their sin and cried to God for help (c.f. Judges 3:9, 10:10 especially clear in the KJV). 

Restoration -  God raised up a judge to deliver His people from their oppressor and to lead them back to a life of fellowship with Him—back to the beginning of the cycle. 

Rest  ~  The cycle starts over~   

Key Lessons  ~  The cycle accentuates two prominent lines of truth: first, the desperate sickness of the human heart, revealing its ingratitude, stubbornness, rebellion, and folly.  Additionally, God’s long-suffering, patience, love, and mercy. 

Examples  ~  Key:  Cycle # – Passage – Oppressors – Judges 

1 – Judges 3:8-11 – Mesopotamians – Othniel

2 – Judges 3:12-31 – Moabites – Ehud, Shamgar

3 – Judges 4:1-5:31 – Canaanites – Deborah with Barak

4 – Judges 6:1-10:5 – Midianites – Gideon, Tola, Jair 

5 – Judges 10:6-12:15 – Ammonites – Jephthah, Ibzan, Elon, Abdon

6 – Judges 13:1-16:31 – Philistines – Samson

Credit  ~  This post relies heavily on the excellent work done by Irving L. Jensen that is included in his book entitled Jensen’s Survey of the Old Testament. 

Epilog  ~  If you enjoyed this post you might find two previous Abundant Life Now posts also interesting: Does History Repeat Itself? (January 25, 2011) and EXTRA: USA Today, 1of4 (September 26, 2016).

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

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God Our Rock, 13

 ~ I Converse With God My Rock ~

Introduction  ~  In Matthew 7:24-27 and Luke 6:47-49 Jesus relates the importance of building your house upon rock rather than sand.  This principle is even more critical when it comes to our spiritual life.  Each post in this series looks at a different Biblical passage which refers to our God as a Rock (not a complete list). 

Scripture  ~  “To You I will cry, O Lord my Rock: do not be silent to me, lest, if You are silent to me, I become like those who go down to the pit.  Hear the voice of my supplications when I cry to You, when I lift up my hands toward Your holy sanctuary.

“Do not take me away with the wicked and with the workers of iniquity, who speak peace to their neighbors, but evil is in their hearts.  Give them according to their deeds, and according to the wickedness of their endeavors; give them according to the work of their hands; render to them what they deserve.  Because they do not regard the works of the Lord, nor the operation of His hands, He shall destroy them and not build them up.

“Blessed be the Lord, because He has heard the voice of my supplications!  The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song I will praise Him” (Psalm 28:1-7). 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

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