Kingdom Faith Roffey Place, Old Crawley Road Horsham, West Sussex, RH12 4RU Š Colin Urquhart 2011 Colin Urquhart has asserted his rights under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988, to be identiďŹ ed as Author of this work. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher. Cover design: Jon Smethurst, Ezekiel Design Set in Palatino 10pt ISBN 978-1-900409-82-7 9876543210 Printed and bound by CPI Clowes, Beccles
MAJOR THEMES FROM
THE TRUTH VERSION
COLIN URQUHART
CONTENTS How to use the Major Themes of The Truth Version
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MAJOR THEMES Abundance Afiction Angels Anger of God Anointing Antichrist Atonement Authority Backsliders Baptism Blasphemy Blessing Body (Human body) Calling Character of Believers Children of God, sons of God Church Come Commands Compassion Consecration Counsellor Covenant Creator Cross (Blood) Crown Day of the Lord Death Deceiver/Deception 3
13 17 20 23 26 28 30 34 38 42 45 49 54 58 62 67 70 74 77 81 83 86 88 92 95 99 101 104 107
MAJOR THEMES
Deliverance Demons Devil Discipleship Disobedience Eternal Life Faith Faithfulness Fasting Father Fear not Fear of God Fellowship (with God and others) Finances Fire Forgiveness Freedom Fruitfulness Gifts Giving and Receiving Glory God Goodness Gospel Grace Healing Heart Heaven Heirs Hell High Priest Holiness Holy Spirit Honour Hope Humility In Christ Inheritance Israel Jesus (See separate section on ‘Profile of Jesus and His Ministry’) 4
111 116 119 122 125 129 132 142 146 148 155 159 164 169 171 174 178 181 186 190 194 199 206 213 216 221 226 233 238 240 243 246 251 257 261 266 270 274 278 284
CONTENTS
Jews and Gentiles Joy Judgment Justice/JustiďŹ cation Kindness King Kingdom of God/Kingdom of Heaven Law Leadership Life Light Lord Love Marriage Mercy Ministry Miracles Mission Name Obedience Opposition Oppression Parents Patience Peace People of God Perseverance Power Praise Prayer Predestination Presence of God Pride Promises Prophecy Prosperity Protection Provision Punishment Purity 5
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MAJOR THEMES
Purpose of God Reconciliation Redemption Relationships (Unity) Repentance Resurrection Revelation Reward Righteousness Rock Salvation SanctiďŹ cation Saviour Seeking Self-denial Self-righteousness Servants (Slaves) Shepherd and Sheep Sin Speech Strength Temple Temptation Testing Thankfulness Trinity Truth Unbelief Victory Vine Walk Warnings Watchfulness Way Wicked Wisdom Witness Word Works Worldliness Worship
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CONTENTS
PROFILE OF JESUS AND HIS MINISTRY Some Old Testament prophetic words concerning Jesus Names of Jesus in the New Testament Jesus’ Ministry Jesus’ Relationship with His Father The Parables of Jesus Healings in the Ministry of Jesus Other Miracles in the Ministry of Jesus Descriptions of Jesus
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HOW TO USE THE MAJOR THEMES OF THE TRUTH VERSION When the Study Edition of The Truth New Testament was published, it contained over fifty Key Themes as part of the study material. This has proved very popular and was described by one leading international speaker as ‘a preacher’s dream’. However, it has been equally valued by other readers, for at a quick glance they have been able to view the key verses about those particular subjects. This book contains key verses from both Old and New Testaments of 150 major themes. Because this is a separate volume, I have been able to expand considerably the number of verses used for each subject. This will give the reader comprehensive biblical insight into each of these subjects. What God has revealed in His Word is of lasting value and whatever views any believer has, they always need to be checked by the scriptures and, if necessary, corrected by the revelation of truth we find there. God’s words are eternal; His values and ways never change. Such a volume as this is of much greater value than doing a computer word search about particular words, for here we deal with subjects that can include several different words. I have not attempted to include every biblical reference to a particular subject, but to focus on the key verses that give a good insight into how a subject is revealed first in the Old Testament then in the New. This will help you in a number of ways: • You will see the consistency in the revelation of The Truth in both testaments. • You will see how the prophetic promises of the Old Testament are fulfilled in the New. • You will be able to understand the development of the revelation of a particular subject through all that Jesus Christ said and did, as revealed in the gospels and throughout the New Testament. • In some areas you will see the difference between being under religious law, and living in the freedom of the gospel. • So although there is consistency in both testaments, there is also development in the revelation given in the New Testament. • This volume will help you to value the revelation of truth given throughout the Bible. Many wonderful truths of the Old Testament, need to impact the lives of Christians today, as much as they did for the very first believers. • The Old Testament contains many promises for Christians to believe and appropriate. Although many of these promises were addressed originally to Israel, believers have been grafted into Israel and so have every right to claim these promises for themselves. Jesus is the ‘Yes’ and the ‘Amen’ to all God’s promises. 9
MAJOR THEMES
I have provided a brief introduction to each topic, but for the most part the verses of scripture speak for themselves. In this version of verses from the Old Testament, I have depended on the wealth of scholarship that lies behind other translations that I have consulted. However, I have attempted to maintain the focus of the Truth New Testament in providing a clear, compelling and contemporary version produced by a preacher of the Word of God, rather than by an academic theologian. I have sought to bring out the meaning of the text. The following notes will prove useful to you: • Inverted commas have only been used where either God or Jesus are speaking directly; or when the context makes them necessary. • The revelation of Truth in the Bible means that one subject will be clearly related to another. For example, somebody wanting to study the revelation of scripture on ‘Mercy’ would be further helped by looking at the verses on ‘Compassion’, ‘Cross’, ‘Forgive’, ‘Love’ and ‘Repentance’ – depending on how extensive the reader wants to make his or her study. You will find that one subject readily leads to another. • In the introductions to each section I have used the term ‘believer’ as referring to someone who believes the scriptures to be the revelation of the truth given us by God. It refers to one who seeks to live by the truth, not simply read or study God’s Word. • The subjects covered here include the positive popular themes that encourage the faith of every true believer. But we also cover negative themes such as ‘blasphemy’, ‘death’, ‘deception’, ‘demons’, ‘the devil’, ‘disobedience’, ‘sin’ and ‘worldliness’. It is important that we understand what the scriptures say about the bad news, so that we can more clearly communicate the good news! Jesus and the early biblical believers preached and taught both! You will find that your understanding of what the scriptures say about such topics will be expanded. • In a few places I have placed in brackets the name of the speaker for clarification purposes. Those names do not form part of the text, so I have only done this when I have felt it to be absolutely necessary. Finally, this book is obviously appropriate for study purposes, but you will also find it a treasure trove for devotional use. Many have used the Key Themes in the Study Edition of The Truth New Testament in this way, and to great personal benefit. Not all subjects here would be appropriate to use in such a way. (You would not want to spend several days meditating on the devil, for example!) But the great majority of subjects will be a great blessing to you when used in prayer and during your devotional times. My prayer is that the Lord will speak to you personally through these verses of Scripture, giving you further heart revelation of the Truth, and so enabling you to express that truth in your daily life. Colin Urquhart May 2011
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MAJOR THEMES
FEAR NOT • Throughout scripture God encourages His people not to be afraid. He is with them and they are to trust Him and not be afraid of their circumstances. • Believers are not to be intimidated even by the enemy, for the Lord in whom they trust is infinitely greater and more powerful than anything that could come against them. • Believers live by faith, not fear. Fear is often the reaction of the flesh; faith the work of the Spirit within the believer. • Faith comes from listening to the Lord; fear is the result of listening to the enemy, the reason or other doubting voices. • When encountering God or His angels supernaturally, fear seemed a natural reaction at first. The Lord speaks to counter such fears. Genesis 15:1 Then the Word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision. “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield and your exceedingly great reward.” Exodus 20:20 Do not be afraid because the Lord decides to test you. This is only that you might live in awe of who He is and so be kept from falling into sin. Numbers 14:9 “Only do not rebel against the Lord, or be afraid of the people who dwell there for they will be at our mercy, for they no longer have any protection as the Lord is with us. So do not be afraid of them.” Deuteronomy 1:29-30 Then I said to you, ‘Do not be intimidated or afraid of them. 30The Lord your God goes before you and will fight for you.’ Deuteronomy 7:21 “Do not be terrified of them; for the Lord your God is among you, and He is great and awesome.” Deuteronomy 20:3-4 “Listen, Israel; today you are about to go into battle against your enemies. Do not be intimidated or fearful; do not be terrified nor show any panic before them. 4For the Lord your God goes before you Himself to fight on your behalf against your enemies and so give you victory.” Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be intimidated by them. For the Lord your God goes with you personally. He will never leave you nor will He forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:8 “The Lord Himself goes before you. He will be with you; He will neither leave you nor forsake you. So do not be afraid or discouraged.” Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you to be strong and very courageous? So do not be afraid, nor intimidated, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” 155
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Psalm 23:4 Even though I may have to walk through times of the deepest darkness, I will not need to be afraid of any evil befalling me. For the Lord is with me, my strength and my guide. Psalm 56:3-4 I will trust in You whenever I am afraid. 4For I praise God for His Word and put my trust in Him. I have no need to fear what others can do to me. Psalm 56:10-11 I put my trust in God, whose Word I praise; 11so I have nothing to fear. What could others do to me? Proverbs 1:33 Whoever listens to Me will live in safety; he can be at ease without fear of evil. Isaiah 35:4 “And do not be afraid, for your hearts do not need to be fearful as your God is coming. He will come in judgment, but through His divine power He will save you from your enemies.” Isaiah 41:10 “There is nothing to fear, for I am with you. So do not look around you with dismay, for I am your God. I will both strengthen and help you. Yes, My right hand of righteousness will enable you to remain strong.” Isaiah 41:13 “For I am the Lord your God who holds you by your right hand and tells you, ‘Do not be afraid, I will help you personally.’” Isaiah 43:1 “Do not be afraid, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by name and you are Mine.” Isaiah 54:4 “There is nothing for you to fear. You shall never be put to shame. You do not need to be afraid of being disgraced or humiliated. You will forget the shameful things you did in your youth and the reproach of being a widow.” Jeremiah 1:17-18 “So prepare yourself and arise. Everything I command you to say you are to speak. Do not be afraid of any of them, or I will give you good cause to be afraid. 18For, see, today I have made you to be like a fortified city, an iron pillar and copper walls to stand against everyone in the whole land.” Jeremiah 42:11 “Do not fear the king of Babylon, of whom you were afraid,” says the Lord. “Do not fear him, for I am with you to save you and deliver you out of his hand.” Lamentations 3:57 You came close to me on that day and I looked to You and You said, “Don’t be afraid!” Ezekiel 3:8-9 “I have surely made you as strong as those who oppose you, as determined as they are. 9I have made you hard hearted, as hard as flint. So you do not need to be afraid of them, nor the way they appear to you, for they are a rebellious people.” Daniel 10:12 Then he said to me, “Daniel, do not be afraid. From the first day that you set your heart to understand and to humble yourself before God, your words were heard.” 156
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Daniel 10:18-19 Then the one who appeared as a man came again and touched me to strengthen me. 19And he said, ‘You are greatly beloved; so do not fear! Peace be with you. Be strong! Yes, be strong!’ And I was strengthened when he spoke. Haggai 2:5 “You do not need to fear for My Spirit remains among you.” Matthew 8:26 “What little faith you have,” Jesus replied. “Why be so afraid?” Then He stood up and spoke with authority to the winds and waves, and it became completely calm. Matthew 10:28 “Do not fear those who can kill the body but have no power over your soul. It is better to live in fear and awe of God who has the power to destroy both soul and body in hell!” Matthew 17:7-8 Jesus came and touched each of them saying: “Stand up; there is no need to be afraid.” 8When they looked again, only Jesus was there with them. Matthew 28:5-6 The angel spoke to the women: “There is no need to fear, for I know that you have come looking for Jesus who was crucified. 6He is no longer here; He has risen from the dead, as He promised He would. Come and you can see the place where His body lay.” Mark 5:36 Ignoring this, Jesus said to Jairus: “There is no cause to be afraid; continue to believe.” Mark 6:50 Jesus called to them immediately: “Have courage all of you. It is I; don’t be afraid!” Luke 1:30 But the angel assured her: “There is no need to fear, Mary, for God is pleased with you.” Luke 1:74-75 This was His plan to rescue us from our enemies and so enable us to serve Him throughout our lives in holiness and righteousness, and without any need to be afraid. Luke 8:50 When Jesus heard this He said to Jairus: “Don’t be afraid; simply go on believing and she will be healed.” Luke 12:32 “Don’t be afraid, little flock, for it has already pleased the Father to give you His Kingdom.” John 6:20 So Jesus called out to them: “Don’t be afraid. It is I.” John 14:27 “I leave you with the gift of peace. It is My peace that I give to you, the kind of peace the world can never give you. Because you have My peace, there is no need to allow your hearts to become fearful or troubled.” Romans 8:15 When He came to live in you, He did not lead you back to your past life, making you a slave of fear again. No, you received the Spirit that enables you to live as a son of God. You can call Him, ‘Father, my Father.’ 157
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1 Peter 3:14 Even if you have to suffer for doing what is right, you will be blessed. You know the saying: “Do not fear what others fear, neither be frightened.” 1 John 4:18 There is no fear in this kind of love that comes from God. His love is perfect and it drives fear out of our lives. The one who is afraid fears that he will be punished by God. Such a one does not have this perfect love operating fully in his life. Revelation 1:17 When I saw Him I fell at His feet as though dead. But He placed His right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last, the Living One.”
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THE PARABLES OF JESUS These parables teach us about how God’s Kingdom operates in and among us now, and how that Kingdom will be fully realised when Jesus returns.
The sower (Matthew 13:3-23, Mark 4:3-20, Luke 8:4-15) The growing seed (Mark 4:26-29) The weeds (Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43) The mustard seed (Matthew 13:31-32, Mark 4:30-32) The yeast (Matthew 13:33-35) The hidden treasure (Matthew 13:44) The ďŹ nest pearl (Matthew 13:44-25) The net (Matthew 13:47-50) The good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) The unmerciful servant (Matthew 18:21-35) The lost sheep (Matthew 18:10-14, Luke 15:3-7) The lost coin (Luke 15:8-10) The father with two sons (The prodigal) (Luke 15:11-32) The unjust manager (Luke 16:1-12) The rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31) The persistent widow (Luke 18:1-8) The Pharisee and the tax collector (Luke 18:9-14) The vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16) The tenants (Matthew 21:33-46) The vineyard and wicked tenants (Mark 12:1-12) The wicked tenants (Luke 20:9-18) The wedding feast (Matthew 22:1-14) The ten bridesmaids (Matthew 25:1-13) The faithful servants (Matthew 25:14-30) The diligent servants (Luke 19:11-27)
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