Living Word Magazine December 2012

You shall call him Jesus (Mat. 1:21) Issue 16 December 2012

Living Word Magazine

Going Deeper into God’s Word

F r e e B i b l e St u d i e s f r o m D a n i e l K o l e n d a , D e r e k W i l l i a m s , K e n Le g g, R o b R i d l e r , Ma t h e w B a r t l e t t , E d wi n & Li l l i a n H a r ve y & m o r e !

Bible Studies Online International

www.biblestudiesonline.co.uk SHE BROUGHT FORTH HER FIRSTBORN SON: AND HE CALLED HIS NAME JESUS. MATT. 1:25 ©Photos above Marafilm CoverDanilo Ascione photo Back cover Peter Saharov

In this month’s issue: 2.

My Best New Year’s Resolution

3.

Surviving Your Wilderness

5.

The Royal Insignia

6.

The Prophecy of Amos Chapter 8

Mathew Bartlett (UK)

9.

Christmas Sermon Outlines

Mathew Bartlett (UK)

15.

The Message of Mark (2)

Mathew Bartlett (UK)

17.

Your Identity in Christ

Isaac Mwagi (Kenya)

18.

The Book of Esther (2)

Derek Williams (UK)

21.

The Cost of Discipleship

24.

Take and Use Home Bible Study

25.

In Depth Study – Revelation Chapter 22

Ken Legg (Australia) Daniel Kolenda (CfaN) Edwin & Lillian Harvey (USA)

Rob Ridler (UK) Mathew Bartlett (UK) Derek Williams (UK)

©Photos above © Photoquest. Cover: © Martinedegraaf Left © from top: Stoupa, Aprescindere, Sebastian Grecu, Dvest, TomWang112. Back Cover: Peter Zaharov.

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IN THIS ISSUE

My Best New Year’s Resolution

By Ken Legg (Grace Roots #74) Image: © Tom Wang112

If the past is anything to go by many of the New Year’s resolutions that were made at the beginning of the year would already have been broken. The most common resolutions are usually things like losing weight, exercising more, giving up some habit, saving more money, improving a relationship, etc. Then there are spiritual resolutions like reading the Bible more, praying more, sharing the gospel more, being a better Christian, etc. Surveys indicate that only a small percentage of those who make such resolutions ever follow through long term.

My most successful New Year’s resolution Whilst I have made and broken many resolutions over the years there is one I am particularly proud of. That’s because I made it several years ago and have never broken it. It’s this: “I resolve never to make any more New Year’s resolutions!”

My final resolution coincided with my gaining a greater understanding of the Christian life.

My experience, like that of many other Christians, was one of continuous resolutions to be a better Christian, to quit a besetting sin or bad habit, to start doing something I thought I should do – all in the sheer strength of willpower! Without realizing it I was marrying myself to the law and experiencing the defeat Paul spoke of in Romans chapter 7. “To will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find” (Rom.7:18). Paul, under the law,

had the will to change, but not the ability. He went on to confess that the good he willed to do, he could not do; and the evil he didn’t want to do, he did. That’s life married to the law.

in our heart we don’t really want to give up that habit or make that change. But it’s different when God does the work. He works in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure.

God’s solution to resolutions

Law-based change is behaviour modification. It works from the outside. That’s why it’s usually short-lived.

But grace-based change is transformation. God first changes the heart, and the rest of our lives come into sync with what is in our heart.

People who resolve to make changes in their lives are sincere people. But they discover that determination alone is not enough and that union with the law is a sterile relationship. So what is the answer? This 'law-work' in Paul, as with many of u s eventually, brought him to the end of himself – including his ‘willing’. He cried out, “O wretched man that I am!

Who will deliver me from this body of death?” That was his breakthrough moment. He saw the answer and declared it: “I thank God – through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Rom.7:24&25).

At the beginning of Romans 7 we see how God gets us out of this marriage to law. Through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ we died with Him to union with the law and have now been raised to newness of life, and to a new marriage relationship with Christ Himself. He is the source of our fruitfulness.

Let’s be clear about this. Being married to Christ doesn’t just mean that we receive the ability to change, but also the desire to change. The problem with lawbased resolutions is that whilst we are willing to change, we don’t really want to. That’s why our best intentions end in defeat. Because 2

There is a beautiful verse in Psalm 110, a Messianic psalm dealing with the High Priestly ministry of Jesus. It looks forward to the time when Jesus would be exalted to God’s right hand as our Great High Priest. As a part of His ministry He dispenses grace to us, and concerning this verse 3 reads, “Thy people shall be made willing in the day of thy power” (KJV).

In God’s hands total change doesn’t take place all at once. But as He deals with our hearts, wrong habits and desires which seem so ingrained in us, one by one, lose their power a nd appeal. That’s grace. Are you willing to be made willing? Then be prepared for the day of His power.

Christian Counsellor’s Companion from Ken Legg.Only $1.99!

Available now in iTunes App store.

Surviving Your Wilderness A Bible Study by Daniel Kolenda (CfaN) Photo: © Sebastian Grecu

BUILD A FIRE Another priority for physical survival in the desert is building a fire. The fire’s heat can dry wet clothes and keep the body warm in cold conditions. It can also purify water by boiling it. Experts say that fire even has the psychological effect of boosting morale during a survival situation. Its warmth and light give comfort and restore confidence. This helps the stranded person calm down and think more logically.

We need these advantages of fire for our spiritual lives also.

Wilderness seasons make us vulnerable to negative attitudes.

Sorrow can soak us like a cold rain.

Anger can sneak in and contaminate the thoughts we drink. And the desert’s big danger, disillusionment, can blind us to the hope of the Lord’s faithfulness that leads us out to the Promised Land.

But God’s fire consumes these dangers. It dries out sorrow, boils away the impurity of anger, and emits a glow in the desert night that restores faith. Divine fire brings revival in the wilderness.

But what does it look like practically? What is God’s “fire” for a personal desert? The story of

Israel’s time in the wilderness again provides the answer.

As we saw last time, Israel’s desert period was God’s appointed time to establish His presence with His people. “So Moses finished the work. Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle” (Exod. 40:33-34). That’s the moment when God took up residence among His people. But that was just the beginning. God was establishing even more for His people during their formative time in the wilderness.

Once He established His presence among them, God had to institute a way for His people to approach Him. In other words, He had to teach them how to worship Him. And what was at the centre of the worship He gave them? Fire.

“Moses and Aaron went into the tent of meeting. When they came out and blessed the people, the glory of the Lord appeared to all the people. Then fire came out from before the Lord and consumed the burnt offering and the portions of fat on the altar; and when all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces” (Lev 9:23-24).

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What, therefore, is our “fire” during a personal wilderness? It is passionate, sacrificial worship.

Trials or dry spells are not the times to allow the flames of devotion to cool down. Those are the very times to burn the brightest.

Whole-hearted, sacrificial worship is what keeps our gaze fixed on the beauty and truth of Jesus Christ during difficult times. It keeps our hearts ablaze with love and adoration. That is the fire that keeps sorrow, anger, and disillusionment out of our hearts.

What coldness or impurity can withstand the flames of divine love? What demonic predator dares come near a saint torching the night with an inferno of worship? Fiery devotion terrorizes our enemies and acts as a defence against desert dangers. Most of all, though, it pleases God. It’s important to remember, however, that Israel did not start its own fire. The Lord did. Those stranded in a physical wilderness without matches or a lighter must start their own fire with the raw materials nature provides them.

That can be a challenge for those without experience in survival techniques. But this is one challenge that does not carry over

to the spiritual wilderness. We never have to worry about lighting our own fire. Just as fire came out from the Lord’s presence for Israel’s altar, so does He ignite the flames in our hearts. Father God already gave us the Holy Spirit when we were born again. The Lord Jesus then baptizes us in the Holy Spirit by grace. The spirit of worship comes from God as a gift.

We don’t have to look to our surrounding circumstances for inspiration. We can look to the Lord and rediscover the great fire that burns within.

Yet it is our job to keep that fire burning. God starts it, but commands us to maintain it. “The fire must be kept burning on the altar continuously; it must not go out” (Lev 6:13). We must partner with the Lord as stewards of worship in the desert. Paul tells us, “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship” (Rom 12:1). Later he adds, “Boil in the Spirit, serving the Lord” (Rom 12:11). God gave us the Spirit, but we are responsible to stoke His flames by worshipping in Him during hard times. Thus Paul exhorts believers to activate the Spirit’s existing flame: “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of

our Lord Jesus Christ” (Eph. 5:1820).

Worship touches God’s depths when it burns from our depths.

The Lord did not wait to establish Israel’s worship until they settled in Canaan. He set them on fire in the desert, before the Promised Land. He could not afford for them to learn to worship only after gaining public success and identity.

He had to teach them to worship in order to forge their identity.

Otherwise their worship would be “strange fire,” a self-serving religious façade without presence or substance – without God Himself.

Israel’s character had to be tempered by fire while suffering in Sinai’s bad lands. They couldn’t light themselves on fire once they arrived. They had to emerge from the wilderness already ablaze with God. For this reason the Lord appeared privately to Moses in a burning desert bush. He was symbolizing His people’s essential identity. Israel was a bush in the desert flaming with God. God took that bush as it burned with His glory, and planted it in the Promised Land.

It is the same for us. God brings us into the wilderness to set us on fire. Then He can bring people into their destiny that have learned to worship – truly worship – Him with loyal, fervent hearts. We cannot become pure sacrifices of love if we learn to worship only under the most ideal conditions, during exciting services, to the coolest music, and with the best musicians.

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We must learn to worship in the wilderness. If we won’t burn for God in the desert, then we won’t burn for Him at all. Conversely, if we will worship in the obscurity of the wilderness, then God can use us in public. For then our flames consist of white-hot glory, rather than carnal passion. This is how God creates true worshippers. So don’t waste your wilderness. Make it a temple of glory.

If you’ve lost the sense of His fire amid the harsh conditions of your personal desert, then turn to God again. You possess God’s flame burning inside you. Fellowship with the Spirit within, and find again His zeal to glorify Jesus and adore the Father. Open your heart in spite of your circumstances and natural feelings, and allow adoration to flow out of your mouth.

Remember His amazing grace, His steadfast love, and His gift of Jesus Christ to you. Give thanks with passion. Worship with affection.

Not because you feel like it, but because the Lord is worthy – especially in the desert. When you put yourself on the altar like this, God’s flames will consume you as a living sacrifice. And the resulting fire will protect your heart, nurture your soul, and illumine your night.

Engulf your wilderness in a blaze of worship!

Reproduced with kind Christ for all Nations.

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Consider making a donation to CfaN and receiving a FREE copy of Daniel’s new book ‘Surviving Your Wilderness’ You may do so following this link: donate to CfaN

The Royal Insignia An extract from “Royal Insignia” by Edwin & Lillian Harvey

OUT NOW ON KINDLE! Price $4.22 (FREE to Amazon Prime Members!)

Reproduced by kind permission of Harvey Publishers. www.harveycp.com

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who . . . made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant . . . humbled himself, and became obedient unto death (Phil. 2:5-8).

THE Good Book tells us in its opening pages how man, God’s highest creation, fell by pride which has henceforth become the insignia of the kingdom of this world. Read any advert; listen to the media, and you will immediately recognize the insignia of the serpent. If this be true, then every born-again child of God ought to wear the insignia of Christ in His humility, meekness, and lowliness.

Christ’s life in the Gospels was one of entire renunciation of His royal aspect; if He were to redeem mankind, then He must, as the last Adam, walk as God had intended our first parents to walk.

If the first Adam climbed, the last Adam must descend. If man soars, Christ must come in lowliness.

Because man seeks the highest seat, He took the lowest. Because man wishes to be as the gods, He became man, even a babe.

Because man desires costly dwellings, He had not where to lay His head and began His life in a manger.

Because man chooses elite suburbs, Christ chose Nazareth as His home.

Because man strives for wealth, He became poor. Because man disdains his inferiors, He often chose the poor and outcasts as His friends.

Because man chooses men of renown to rule and govern the nations, He chose humble fishermen from Galilee to be His disciples. —Lillian Harvey.

The life and death of our Lord Jesus Christ are a standing rebuke to every form of pride to which men are liable: Pride of ability: “I can of mine own self do nothing.” Pride of birth and rank: “Is not this the carpenter’s son?” Pride of bigotry: “Father, forgive them; they know not what they do!”

Pride of intellect: “As my Father hath taught me I speak these things.”

Pride of learning: “How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?”

Pride of personal appearance: “He hath no form or comeliness.”

Pride of reputation: “A friend of publicans and sinners!”

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(c) Olga Nadenova

Pride of respectability: “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?”

Pride of self-reliance: He went down to Nazareth and was subject.

Pride of self-will: “I seek not mine own will but the will of Him that sent me.”

Pride of success: “He was despised and rejected of men.” Pride of superiority: “I am among you as he that serveth.” Pride of wealth: “The Son of man hath not where to lay His head.” —Emmanuel (Birkenhead, England).

It had been a small mastery for Him to have drawn out His legions into array, and flank them with His thunder; there- fore He sent foolishness to confute wisdom, weakness to bind strength, despisedness to vanquish pride; and this is the great mystery of the Gospel, made good in Christ Himself, Who, as He testifies, came not to be ministered to but to minister; and must be fulfilled in all His ministers till His second coming. —Milton.

Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me (Jer. 9:23,24).

The Prophecy of Amos – A Warning for Today

them no further opportunity to repent. A farmer knows that he must act as soon as the crop is ripe. (See Revelation 14:14 - 19).

At the end of the age, the Lord Jesus will gather His own (believers) safely to His barn (which is His presence - heaven).

The ungodly, who are ripe for judgment are reaped and cast into the winepress of God, signifying eternal punishment. (Luke 3:17).

Another extract from our best- selling book.

Amos 8: A Basket of Ripe Summer Fruit.

1. This is what the Lord GOD showed me--a basket of summer fruit.

In his vision, Amos saw a basket of ripe fruit, denoting that the time for harvest had come. God explains to Amos that the time for His judgment on Israel had come. They were ripe for judgment, since they had not heeded the warnings of the prophets. As a nation Israel had come to its end. This does not mean that every individual Jew would be wiped out, but that the nation would cease to be. It would not exist again until 1948.

2. He said, "Amos, what do you see?" And I said, "A basket of summer fruit." Then the LORD said to me, "The end has come upon My people Israel; I will never again pass them by.

God could no longer overlook the sin of His people. He would give

3. And the songs of the temple shall be wailing in that day," says the Lord God-- "Many dead bodies everywhere, They shall be thrown out in silence." (NKJV™) God was to put an end to the mirth of His disobedient people. As they caroused in the idol temples, their songs would be changed to cries and wails as the Assyrian army attacked and slaughtered them.

The silence of death would follow.

A Warning of Judgment.

4. Hear this, you that trample on the needy, and bring to ruin the poor of the land, The fact that Amos was still speaking God's message to the people meant that God was giving them a further opportunity to repent. He once more addressed His message to rich oppressors, who forced the poor to sell their land at low cost. Many were forced to sell themselves into slavery; others died from want and poverty. In this way they "trampled on the needy".

5. Saying, "When will the new moon be over so that we may sell 6

grain; and the sabbath, so that we may offer wheat for sale? We will make the ephah small and the shekel great, and practise deceit with false balances, Although the observance of religious days and festivals continued in the northern kingdom, they were endured with some reluctance. The people's hearts were so far from God that instead of honouring and worshipping Him, and finding joy in His holy days, they were impatient for them to be over. God was getting in the way of what they considered to be more important matters.

Are we in danger of the same thing today? What is our attitude to the worship of God and to the meetings in His house that are meant for Divine service? Is the time we give to the service of the Lord given willingly or grudgingly?

Are we impatient to get away from it so that we can spend the day on our own pleasures and interests?

How many today would we rather be out shopping than worshipping in the presence of God? Or gossiping rather than serving Christ? Perhaps our modern attitude is not altogether different to that of the people in Amos' time - an attitude of hypocrisy.

They preferred to be out selling their grain at dishonest prices, cheating the customer by giving him less than he ought to receive whilst charging him extra for the privilege of being swindled. These cheats would give you ¾ kilogram and tell you it was a full kilogram,

using dishonest weights and weighing scales ("making the ephah small" - an ephah was the unit of measurement then, today we would use the kilogram). The silver coins used for payment were also weighed in these scales, with the weight of one shekel on one side and the coin on the other. By increasing the shekel weight, the already cheated customer was then overcharged - a double fraud!

6. Buying the poor for silver and the needy for a pair of sandals, and selling the sweepings of the wheat."

They were intent on increasing their fortune at the expense of others. Not only did they make slaves of their brother Israelites, but they paid them a very low wage for their services. After they had paid them, they recouped most of their money by selling the workers low quality grain, which was barely fit to eat, at an extortionate price.

7. The LORD has sworn by the pride of Jacob: Surely I will never forget any of their deeds.

With an oath, God promised never to forget this crime of oppressing the poor, or any of their other evil deeds - an oath taken in His own name, "the pride of Jacob". The NKJV™ has "the excellency of Jacob" or Jacob's king.

8. Shall not the land tremble on this account, and everyone mourn who lives in it, and all of it rise like the Nile, and be tossed about and sink again, like the Nile of Egypt?

God will send terrible judgment.

Using the symbols of earthquake and flood, God shows how the nation will be punished. The river Nile in Egypt would often flood its banks, causing devastation. In a similar way, the invading armies of Assyria would devastate the land and its people, leaving the survivors to mourn bitterly.

9. On that day, says the Lord GOD, I will make the sun go down at noon, and darken the earth in broad daylight.

It is by no means certain that the prophet literally means that the day of the invasion would coincide with the darkening of the sun (though Beeley points out that a solar eclipse did occur on 15th June 763 BC, near the time of Amos' ministry). Amos uses this figure to signify the awful grief caused by this disaster.

The words of Amos may, however, be prophetic concerning our Lord Jesus Christ. "On that day" could signify the most important day in history - the day when Christ took away the sin of the world as He hung on the cross. As the Son of God suffered God's wrath and punishment for sin in our place, the whole earth was darkened from midday until 3 p.m. (Luke 23:44 - 45). This was no solar eclipse, since Passover was always at the time of the full moon. It was a supernatural darkness like that felt in Egypt. (Exodus 10:21 - 23).

God saw fit to draw a curtain over His Son's suffering, which was both too sacred and too dreadful for us to look upon.

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10. I will turn your feasts into mourning, and all your songs into lamentation; I will bring sackcloth on all loins, and baldness on every head; I will make it like the mourning for an only son, and the end of it like a bitter day.

Since Israel indulged in pagan revelry, God would turn their joy to mourning and their singing into misery. Fine clothes would give place to sackcloth and heads would be shaved - signs of grief and mourning. The bitterness of those days would be like mourning for the death of an only son.

11. The time is surely coming, says the Lord GOD, when I will send a famine on the land; not a famine of bread, or a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD. Since the people had hardened their hearts and refused to listen to God's Word, God would prevent them from hearing His voice. He had nothing more to say to them.

Since they did not appreciate His Word, they would learn its value by the loss of it.

Ray Beeley says, "This is the most disastrous thing which can befall a nation," since, without the Word of God, Israel would have, "No Divine law to regulate its life. No calling to repentance and spiritual and moral purity. No promises to encourage and sustain. Though men do not realise it, this is tragedy indeed, for when the Word is withdrawn men both lose hope and cast off restraint."

Throughout the world today the Word of God is being widely

ignored - especially by those with power and influence. In Great Britain and throughout Europe laws are being made contrary to the law of God. There are many who suppose that there can be no moral absolutes, and so reject the authority of the Bible as the inspired and infallible Word of God, replacing its teachings with their own "morality". Such people go so far as to describe the teachings of the Bible as "immoral". For example, when the Bible warns against sex before marriage, this is supposedly "damaging to the normal sexual health and development of young people". "They must learn how to express their sexuality in a way that feels right to them", they say and reject the all-wise voice of the One who made man and woman in the beginning. The Bible says "train up a child in the way he should go", but increasingly the moderate and loving corporal punishment of one's own children is being incorrectly labelled as "child abuse".

What will be the result of this rejection of God's Word? One day, His pleading voice will fall silent.

Men who refuse to hear will one day find that there is no more opportunity to repent. (Proverbs 1:24 - 30; Isaiah 55:6). God's Spirit will not always strive with man.

Today He gives us opportunity to repent. We may not have tomorrow. That is why the Scripture says "behold, now is the accepted time; now is the day of salvation." (2 Corinthians 6:2).

This does not apply merely to individuals, but to whole nations.

God withdraws His blessing and protection from any nation which ignores His Word. Perhaps the only reason that Great Britain has not already been overwhelmed with disaster is that there are faithful people among its citizens who do not cease to mourn the ungodliness in our land and appeal in prayer to Almighty God on behalf of it.

13. In that day the beautiful young women and the young men shall faint for thirst.

As God's people in a wicked and corrupt generation, we must continue to shine as lights in the world and persevere in the allimportant work of making the sinner's Saviour known to men, preaching the Gospel to every creature. What is needed in our land today is not a change of government but a change of heart, and this can only be achieved as men and women repent, believe the Gospel and are born again of God's Holy Spirit.

The root of all the nation's sin and ungodliness was idolatry. They would fall never to rise since they spurned the living and true God, worshipping instead the golden calves in Dan and Beersheba.

12. They shall wander from sea to sea, and from north to east; they shall run to and fro, seeking the word of the LORD, but they shall not find it.

To Israel, Amos says that men will realise too late what they have lost. When they look for God's Word they will not find it. All He has left to say is embodied in His judgment. As Beeley says, "God is sovereign as to when and to whom he offers His Word: we cannot afford to neglect it".

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The beautiful young women and strong young men will faint from thirst. This may well be a literal result of the siege of Samaria.

14. Those who swear by Ashimah of Samaria, and say, "As your god lives, O Dan," and, "As the way of Beer-sheba lives"--they shall fall, and never rise again.

How many men and women today worship other gods without realising it? The existence of a national lottery is just one evidence that the god of gambling and greed is worshipped. The filth and lust, dirty jokes, irreverence and blasphemy toward God that is all over our television screens demonstrates that as a nation we live far from God. Christians should remember the exhortation of Scripture: "Come out of her, My people, so that you do not take part in her sins, and so that you do not share in her plagues; (Revelation 18:4) If we become ensnared in the ungodliness around us, we shall be in danger of the judgment of God ourselves and the Bible makes clear what that punishment shall be. (See Revelation 21:8).

The Child of Christmas Photo Š Aprescindere

Five pages of Christmas Sermon Outlines!

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The Annunciation Read Luke 1:26 - 38.

We can get ready for Christmas by following Mary's example.

Mary believed.

She confessed that she was a sinner and accepted the Saviour. As a result, she rejoiced.

If we are to prepare for Christmas, we must first recognise our need, for it was that need that brought Jesus down to earth. We have all sinned, and he came to be our Saviour. You shall call his name Jesus for he shall save his people from their sins.

Everyone is a sinner, and so everyone needs a Saviour. For all have sinned. But God so loved the world that he gave his only son. Thank God that Jesus is a Saviour for everyone; he is a Saviour for you.

On the cross he died to take away the sin of the world, so that whoever believes in him should be saved (Isa. 53:6). All who come to him believing shall be forgiven. Jesus said that

repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in his name to all nations.

Mary didn't know this at the time she simply believed the word of the angel, confessing her nee d of a Saviour. The quickest prayer you'll ever get an answer to is ‘God be merciful to me a sinner’. The result of believing in Christ is forgiveness, and the result is rejoicing.

We can all experience this rejoicing. I rejoice greatly in the Lord. It is for those who have believed and received Jesus Christ as their Saviour.

Mary Obeyed She confessed that she was a servant and accepted God's will.

As a result, she was blessed.

Mary not only believed in Christ as Saviour, she obeyed him as Lord. The Lordship of Christ is a central theme of the NT. One cannot separate his saving from his Lordship. Jesus saves all who will acknowledge him as Lord.

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The will of God the father is that every knee should bow to him and every tongue confess that he is lord. Christ demands our absolute obedience. For this reason he died and rose again that he might be lord of both the dead and the living.

Is he Lord of your life? When Mary heard the word of God, she declared I am the Lord's servant and she obeyed. This is how to get ready for Christmas, obey the word of God, and yield your life to Christ as Lord. Mary gives us this simple lesson.

Whatever he says to you - do it.

For he is Lord of all.

Sadly, the Scripture reports that although Christ has died and risen again to provide us with a gospel, with the good news of God's salvation, not all have obeyed the gospel. God commands all men everywhere to repent and put their faith in his son. Have you obeyed?

A day is coming when those who disobey the gospel of Christ will be lost. I ask you again, have you obeyed. Will you obey now?

Mary Conceived.

She received the news of a miracle and accepted the living Christ into her body. Later, she accepted the living Christ in a new way following his death and resurrection (see 2 Cor. 5:16-17).

We all need to receive Jesus in this way, living within our hearts by his spirit. Jesus called it being born again or born from above.

Mary was present at the cross.

Mary was a witness of the resurrection, and Mary having accepted Christ was born from above. She was present on the day of Pentecost, received the gift of the Holy Spirit and took her part in spreading the gospel to the uttermost part of the earth.

No wonder the angel said "Blessed are you among women."

We too must receive Christ born again in our hearts by faith. He is born in us. Christ is formed in the spirit of everyone who believes on him as Saviour and obeys Him as Lord.

As a result of her receiving a miracle she was saved eternally.

The Bile says he is able to save to the uttermost ALL that come to God by him. Will you come?

You too can receive a miracle and be saved eternally as Christ is born gain in you.

(c) Zatletic

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The Child of Christmas Read Isaiah 7:14 Image © Photowitch

By prophetic utterance Isaiah describes the child who was to be born in a stable in Bethlehem, our Lord Jesus Christ.

From the point of conception his humanity and Godhead were perfectly joined - union without confusion.

The virgin shall conceive....and call his name Immanuel - God with us. The Child’s Divinity is revealed by:

There was nothing different about his humanity - Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, (Heb. 2:17) But he was not God living in a human body, he was in every atom of his DNA, in every drop of blood, the word made flesh.

The Conception of Christ

The Claims of Christ

In normal conception, the life derived is entirely human. In Christ’s case the seed of man was absent and its place taken by the Holy Spirit. Through his power this child was conceived, being both human (the seed of woman) and divine (the seed of God, by the power of the Holy Spirit), so that as the moment the embryo begins to divide, that life form is both God and man. So God enters mankind's experience at its earliest point, that he might become one with us. In his visit to Mary, Gabriel stresses that the conception will be caused by the Holy Spirit.

(Mat 1:18) (Luke 1:35)

Consider the claims Christ made about himself during his earthly ministry (John 6:38.) No one could come down from heaven that was not eternally preexistent. (John 3:13)

The Divinity of the Christ Child

Christ gave the people many “I am “sayings, which they knew were claims of equality with God, most concisely I and My Father are one." (John 10:30) The Conquest of Christ Christ’s death and resurrection proves his divinity. (John 10:1718, Rom 1:4). Paul regarded the resurrection as evidence for the sonship of Christ (Act 13:33-34), and having conquered death he 12

has been exalted to the highest place: Jesus Christ, the God made flesh is absolute Lord of all.

The Purity of the Christ Child The virgin with child demonstrates Christ’s purity.

Born without Sin Gabriel’s annunciation was “that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.” (Luke 1:35) Sacred from his very conception. The whole of mankind is in a fallen state.

Through all the centuries, the seed of man and woman have not been sufficient to produce one sinless child. The scripture says that in Adam all die and through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned-- (Rom 5:12) In Bethlehem a child was born with a new life principle he shared the human nature of man but was without that fallen nature of humanity, for only a sinless Saviour could redeem Adam’s helpless race.

Lived Without Sin Throughout his life (1Pe 2:22, 2Co 5:21, 1Jn 3:5, Heb. 4:15)

Read John Chapter1v1-16.

Christ the Word.

The Lord Jesus Christ lived a perfect life that he might make a perfect atonement for our sin on the cross.

a) Christ the Eternal Word. v1, 2. (Gen. 1.1, Col. 1.15-17). He is before all things.

"First-born of every creature" "begotten before all Creation". John 8.58

Died for our sin

b) Christ the Creating Word. (Col. 1.16; 1 Cor. 8.6; Eph. 3.9) God spoke His Word. All things made by His word.

Only the divine, sinless Son of God could act as the atoning sacrifice for our sins. He nailed them to his cross taking them away. He became sin that we might become the righteousness of God in him.

He now lives & will come again apart from sin for our salvation (Heb. 9:28)

The Solidarity of the Christ Child Immanuel - God with us.

Jesus Christ was made like us in all things to be for us in all things and with us in all things.

Only Christ can enter fully into our experience. As our high priest he knows our natures sharing same nature with us, and being born again we share one nature with him. Words could never fully explain it -but it can be understood by experience, the words Isaiah prophesied - God with us.

c) Christ the Revealed Word. Made flesh, born in Bethlehem, image of God. God unseen, spirit, but now was revealed, seen by angels (1 Tim. 3.16)

Christ the Light. a) The Light Reveals: God. 1 John 1.5 Sin John 3.19,20. Darkness 1Pet. 2.9. The way of salvation. Through God's word. Ps 119.105. John 8.12 b) The Light is Revealed. Visible light transmitted by light waves. Divine Light transmitted by those who bear witness to it. i) John the Baptist was sent ahead of Christ to bear witness of Him to the people of Israel v6-8. Isa 40.3 ii) Christ Himself bore witness to the light. In fact, He is the light of the world (John 9.5) iii) Today the Church is a witness to the world of this saving Light. Phil. 2.15,16. We are to bear witness to the word of God which is life changing and life giving. c) The Light Revives (gives Life). Although many rejected this Light (John 3.19-21), there were those who received and accepted this Light into their lives. They found that this light was a life giving Light (2 Cor. 4.6).

Christ the Life. a) He Gave Life to Man in the Beginning. Breathed life into man's nostrils and the man became a living soul (Gen.2.7). Since then it is He who gives life to every man that comes into the world (v9). Man has received knowledge of God because of this very fact. Because we have life, we can be sure that there is a life giving creator. Sadly, men do not wish to maintain God in their knowledge (Rom. 1.28). b) He Gives New Life (Eternal Life) to those Dead in Sin. Because of our sin the Bible tells us that we are dead, separated from God, but when we receive Christ as our Saviour He brings us to life (Eph. 2.1); he does this for all that receive him. v12, 13.

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The Sign of Christmas For the Lowly - The Virgin Mary was humble and lowly.

Behold the Lord himself will give you a sign. The virgin…

The child’s name would be called Immanuel, God with us.

Reveals God's Presence For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant (Luke 1:48 NKJV) (Read also Luke 1:5152 NKJV) The Lord does not choose many great or mighty. (1 Corinthians 1:26-29 NKJV) God chooses to dwell among the humble. The sign of the virgin is the sign of his presence among us.

It was not to a palace or temple that Christ came. He came to the womb of an unknown virgin mother, born in poverty, lived in obscurity and died in ignominy.

God’s purpose was to dwell among men, as Wesley's carol says, he was "pleased as man with men to dwell, Jesus our Immanuel." In eternity he will dwell forever among those who he has redeemed by his blood.

(Revelation 21:3 NKJV)

studying the stars. Having observed a new star in the sky, some supernatural sign of Christ's birth they at once took counsel to travel the long journey and follow the direction mapped out by the star towards Bethlehem. To see a new star is to observe the act ion of the creator. The star of Bethlehem led the wise men to seek for a creator and a child who was both king and architect of the universe.

Reveals God's Power Their quest to find "him that has been born King of the Jews" began with Daniel’s writings, known in eastern regions since the days of Babylon. Of this King of the Jews Daniel wrote that he would be the king of all kings. (Daniel 7:14 NKJV) Of this child in a manger, the New Testament assures us, He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. (John 1:10 NKJV)

For the Lofty - The Star

All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. (John 1:3 NKJV)

Far away in the east that first Christmas, wise men, professors of our modern day, were

And as they reached the place where they found the child Jesus they worshiped him and 14

presented him with gifts. The sign of the star not only created interest in the minds of these intellectuals, but also a longing and desire in their hearts to know the One who was born our King and to worship him.

The lesson for today is obvious, as we too seek the king of kings, and present to him the offering of our lives again this Christmas.

For the Living - The Baby This sign that brings God near to each of us.

Reveals God's proximity Paul observed in Athens "He is not far from every one of us".

He was weary and thirsty; rejected by his own family, synagogue and town. He was homeless and penniless. He was hungry. He knew the pain of separation and the grief of loss.

He endured false accusation, injustice and the tyranny of corrupt government. Yet he overcame and says to us ‘in the world you too will have trouble, but be of good cheer for I have overcome the world.’

The sign of the child in the manger speaks of Christ's proximity; we rejoice at Christmas to have him as a present reality, sharing our joys and grief with us.

The Message of Mark

An Introduction to St. Mark’s Gospel Chapter Three: The Training for Service (Mark 6: 7-8:30) Since Jesus has done so much for us, we have an obligation to Him. His love and His power at work in us produce a willingness to serve Him. By considering how the apostles were trained by Christ to serve Him, we may also learn how to serve.

An Initiation Service (6:7-33)

in

Christian

The Call of Service The call of service is implicit in the call of salvation but becomes explicit as we follow God’s will for our lives. Christ had already called the disciples, now he would send them out to serve (6:7-13). They were called to follow Christ’s example. This had a profound effect. In Acts 4:13 the Sanhedrin took note of Peter and John that they had “been with Jesus”. They were called to follow Christ’s teaching. Jesus was concerned that the twelve should understand his teaching, so that after He had gone, they could pass it on to others. They were called to know Christ’s power (6:13), for Christ was moved with compassion for the people (6:34), and chose to use his apostles to reach out to people in greater numbers.

(c) Jorisvo

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The Cost of Service As John remained faithful as a witness to Jesus Christ even at the cost of his life (6:14-29) so Jesus warns his apostles that they would be persecuted. Jesus Himself was persecuted (e.g.

8:11-13) and those who serve him will be persecuted too (John 15:20).

The Cheer of Service When the Apostles returned (6:3033), it was with great joy that they told Jesus all that had happened, as did the seventy (Luke 10:17).

There is joy in serving Jesus. At the beginning of their ministry, the apostles may have rejoiced to see the sick healed and people saved.

Later, they would learn that their joy did not depend on outward results. When beaten by the Sanhedrin, the apostles “Rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer for his sake.” As we serve Jesus, our joy in the Holy Spirit remains in spite of persecution and difficulties (Acts 16:23-25).

An Illustration of Christian Service (6:34-44) If we would serve the Lord, then first of all: We Must be Chosen by Christ (“when He had taken” 6:41) To be called by Christ is to be chosen by Him. Only by yielding ourselves to Him can we find usefulness in the His service.

We Must be Broken by Christ (“and broke the loaves...” 6:41).

There is a spiritual brokenness that we must all experience if we are to be a blessing to others. “The spiritual poverty of my life and service suddenly came before me”, writes Geoffrey Bull (When Iron Gates Yield p. 40). “With tears I broke down and knelt on the dusty floor... I wept my way afresh to Calvary.”

We Must be given by Christ (“and gave them...” 6:41) The Great Commission still stands.

Christ has given us to the world to make His gospel known and He has given us to each another, as members of His body, to serve one another.

We Must Receive from Christ (“and gave them to His disciples to set before them...” 6:41) Having been chosen by Christ, broken by Christ and given by Christ for the need of the world, we must receive from Christ, for all we have to give is what we receive from Him. We have nothing of ourselves. What people need is the bread of life, Jesus Christ Himself.

Though we cannot communicate this life, by God’s grace we receive the power of the Holy Spirit to make it known that they may come to Christ and receive it for them.

An Inspiration for Christian Service We can often become discouraged in our Christian service. We may not see the results we hope for; we may experience opposition and feel like giving up. The apostles would experience this too and so

they needed to be inspired for service.

Christ’s Wonders Inspired their Faith By witnessing Christ’s walking on the water (6:45-52), healing the sick (6:53-56) and feeding the 5,000 and 4,000 (8:1-10), the apostles faith was strengthened.

They came to know that all things are possible with God. As we serve Christ, he will never let us down.

No problem is too great for Him (e.g. 6:45-52) He is able to provide everything we need (8:1-10). Even when separated by a distance of many miles, Christ was able, at the request of her mother, to deliver a demon possessed girl (7:24-30).

Though His disciples were sometimes unable to help, He never failed to meet the need (9:15-29). No one is so insignificant as to be beneath his notice or out of the reach of his power. He healed the blind, deaf and dumb, (7:31-37, 8:22-26, and 10:46-52) who were no more than beggars by the roadside in Jesus’ day. As we serve Christian service, whoever we are trying to win, in situations that seem impossible, let us “Cast all our care on Him for He cares for us” (1 Peter 5:7).

Christ’s Success Inspired their Zeal Earlier in Mark we met a man who was possessed by a legion of demons. (5:1-21) When Christ delivered this man the local people were so frightened that they begged Christ to leave their area.

He did, but not before sending the formerly possessed man back to 16

them, to testify of God’s grace in his life. What might have appeared a failure to the disciples at first, now proved to be a success.

Although the men of that country had been frightened by Christ’s power initially, they responded to the testimony of this man. So much so that when Christ returned to that area (6:53-56) the people recognised him and brought the sick to be healed.

What a tremendous effect this man’s testimony had. What an inspiration for the apostles, and for us all. When we experience disappointment and opposition, we should not give up our witness, for sometimes results come in unexpected ways.

One day Jesus would send his apostles to foreign lands, so it was inspiring for them to see Christ bringing His message and power to the Gentiles, in anticipation what would happen after Pentecost.

Instruction for Christian Service Since the apostles were to give Christ’s teaching to future generations, they needed to understand it fully. Indeed, when they were alone we read that he “Explained all things to them.”

(4:34) It is not surprising then, that much of chapter 7 is taken up with Christ’s teaching. The real subject under discussion is the nature of sin and of its cleansing. Sin is not outward. Although it reveals itself in outward manifestations, sin is in the heart of man. In the same way, nothing that a man may do outwardly (e.g. religious ritual) can

cleanse him from sin. It is Christ within that brings freedom from the law of sin and death (Rom. 8:2). Obedience to God is the result whenever a heart is renewed by the Holy Spirit (Ezekiel 11:19-20).

So important is this point that Christ brings it home to His apostles in 8:14-21. They were to beware the religious hypocrisy and unbelief (8:11-12) of the Pharisees, whose boast of godliness was an empty one (2 Tim 3:5).

Christ knew that the apostles would need to beware of the hypocrisy of the Pharisees, who added and subtracted from the word of God. In the early church it was a party of these men who sought to pervert Christ’s teaching (Acts 15:1-5). Paul refers to them as “false brethren” (Gal 2:4); and “dogs” (Phil. 3:2). This led to the council of Jerusalem in Acts 15 where Peter announced: Brothers, you all know that God chose me from among you long ago to preach the Good News to the Gentiles so that they also could believe. God, who knows men's hearts, confirmed the fact that he accepts Gentiles by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he gave him to us.

He made no distinction between them and us, for he cleansed their lives through faith, just as he did ours. And now are you going to correct God by burdening the Gentiles with a yoke that neither we nor our fathers were able to bear? (Acts 15:8-10 Living)

Peter was always a bold individual. But Christ’s training brought his boldness “under control” and made it boldness for the truth, and in those early days, recorded by Mark, we see by the confession of Peter (8:2730) that Jesus training was already working!

Conclusion Mark has given us an illustration of Christian service. Having been initiated, inspired and instructed for that service, all that remains is that we surrender our lives to the Lord that he may use us in his service.

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. (Rom. 12:1)

YOUR Identity in Christ The Bible teaches that for us who are In Christ...

There is no condemnation for us (Romans 8:1) We can never be separated from God’s love (Rom. 8:39) We who are many form one body (Romans 12:5) We have wisdom from God (1 Corinthians 1:30) We are a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17) We become God’s children (Galatians 3:26) We have every spiritual blessing (Ephesians 1:3) We have the forgiveness of sins (Ephesians 1:7) We were also chosen (Ephesians 1:11) We are for the praise of his glory (Ephesians 1:12) We have been seated in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 2:6) We’ve been given the incomparable riches of God’s grace (Ephesians 2:7)

The Message of Mark is an easy to follow Bible guide, introducing the gospel of Mark.

The Message of Mark Paperback Now available also on Kindle: The Message of Mark KINDLE

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We who were once far away have been brought near (Ephesians 2:13) We may approach God with freedom and confidence (Ephesians 2:22) We are light (Ephesians 3:12) We are holy and faithful (Ephesians 5:8)

By Isaac Mwagi

The Book of Esther

Chapter Three: A brief Bible study by Derek Williams.

Photo: © Dreamstime Agency 1. Promotion and Pride 1 - 3.

3.1. Sometime later King Ahasuerus promoted Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, exalting him and setting his position above that of all the officials who were with him.

Sometime after the events recorded in chapter two when Mordecai uncovered the plot to kill the king and saved his life. Haman the Agagite was promoted by King Ahasuerus above all his other nobles thus making him the most powerful official in the kingdom.

The Jews generally understand by the expression “the Agagite” that he was a descendant of Agag,” the Amalekite monarch (1 Samuel 15: 8, 33). There would have been no love lost between him and the Jews to start with. As we shall discover later nothing was done for Mordecai who had saved the king’s life!

3.2. As a result, all the king's servants who were at the king's gate were bowing and paying homage to Haman, for the king had so commanded. However, Mordecai did not bow, nor did he pay him homage.

Because of his high position all the officials who attended the king had been ordered by him to bow down and pay homage to Haman whenever he was in their presence. However Mordecai who was numbered among these would not do so.

3.3. Then the servants of the king who were at the king's gate asked Mordecai, "Why are you violating the king's commandment?"

The other officials particularly noted Mordecai’s lack of respect for Haman and the king’s command and questioned him about it.

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It will become obvious from what follows that Haman had become puffed up by his promotion and the actions that he took was motivated by pride and prejudice and hatred. The Word of God gives plenty of warnings about pride (Psalm 10:2, Proverbs 6:17, 1 John 2:16) Pride is one of the attributes of the Devil (Isaiah 14: 13 - 14). We are all familiar with the proverb “pride comes before a fall” which is based on Proverbs 16:18). So be careful Haman!

2. Uncompromising 4 - 5.

3.4. And after they had spoken to him day after day without his paying any attention to them, they informed Haman to see whether this attitude on Mordecai's part would be permitted. Furthermore, he had disclosed to them that he was a Jew. They continually brought this to his attention day after day but he still refused to bow before Haman.

Whether they did this in concern for his well-being or they were peeved (irritated) by it because they were obeying the king’s command and were not too happy about it we do not now. However, they had enough of it and went and told Haman about to see if he would tolerate Mordecai’s behaviour.

The only answer Mordecai had given to these officials was that he was a Jew and he considered this to be answer enough. Why was this? In Mordecai’s day and for many centuries after kings were looked upon as a god and as such homage was paid to them. In bowing to Haman and paying him homage in Mordecai’s mind would be to worship him and place him as an equal with God. (Exodus 34:14).

This would be to compromise with the heathen practices that he lived amongst. If Mordecai wanted to get on in the world in which he was an exile then he would have to compromise. That could be said for anyone to desires to be accepted by the world but as believers we are clearly told that there should be no compromising of our faith with the world (James 4:4, 1 John 2: 15 - 16, Galatians 1:10).

3.5. When Haman saw that Mordecai was not bowing or paying homage to him, he was filled with rage.

On hearing about Mordecai Haman went out to see for himself and sure enough Mordecai did not bow down or pay homage to him and he was furious.

3. Haman’s Plot to Exterminate the Jews 6 - 15.

3.6. But the thought of striking out against Mordecai alone was repugnant to him, for he had been informed of the identity of Mordecai's people. So Haman sought to destroy all the Jews (that is, the people of Mordecai) who were in all the kingdom of Ahasuerus.

On learning that this Mordecai was a Jew and because of the kind of person that Haman was, full of pride and arrogance and his hatred of the Jews, he thought it beneath his dignity to dirty his hands by getting rid of Mordecai alone. So he sought to find a way that he could bring about the extermination of every Jew within the king’s dominion.

3.7. In the first month (that is, the month of Nisan), in the twelfth year of King Ahasuerus' reign, pur (that is, the lot) was cast before Haman in order to determine a day and a month. It turned out to be the twelfth month (that is, the month of Adar).

The first thing he did was to fix a day when this could take place. So on the first day of Nisan which was the first month of the civil year of the Jews corresponding to part of our March and April the lot was cast before Haman (the lots were called purim or pur) to determine which was the best day and month to take action. The lot fell to the twelfth month Adar (part February - March). “To arrive at this the lot would have been cast for every day 19

of the month throughout the year, to find out which was the most lucky month, and which the most lucky day in that month, to destroy the Jews in and none could be found till they came to the last month, and the thirteenth day of that month” (Gill) Esther 3:13.

3.8. Then Haman said to King Ahasuerus, "There is a particular people that is dispersed and spread among the inhabitants throughout all the provinces of your kingdom whose laws differ from those of all other peoples. Furthermore, they do not observe the king's laws. It is not appropriate for the king to provide a haven for them.

When the day had been fixed Haman went to King Ahasuerus and told him that there was a certain people who were scattered throughout his domains who kept themselves separate from everyone else and who abided by their own laws. Also that they did not keep the king’s law. They were detrimental (causing harm or injury) to the security of the king’s empire therefore they should be got rid of. This has always been the argument throughout history of those who have wanted to exterminate the Jews.

The accusation was untrue for if the law of the land did not contradict the law of God that they abiding by it. The fact that they were God’s chosen people brought a security to wherever they lived in accordance to God’s plan and purpose. As Christians we are expected to obey those that are in authority as long as it does not contradict God’s law or

compromise our Christian Faith (Romans 13: 1-4, Titus 3:1).

3.9. If the king is so inclined, let an edict be issued to destroy them. I will pay ten thousand talents of silver to be conveyed to the king's treasuries for the officials who carry out this business."

Haman was so incensed against Mordecai and the Jews that he was prepared to pay the equivalent of over 2 million pounds counted by the Babylonian talent or double that amount by the Jewish talent if the king will pass a law to destroy them.

3.10. So the king removed his signet ring from his hand and gave it to Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, who was hostile toward the Jews.

The king took Haman’s word for it and without any investigation into the matter or the possible consequences of it he gave Haman his signet ring of authority to carry out his plan.

3.11. The king replied to Haman, "Keep your money, and do with those people whatever you wish.”

On reading this verse in most translations it would seem that the king told Haman to keep his own money and he himself would finance the slaughter of the Jews.

However some translations and commentaries interpret it as the king saying to Haman “The money and people are given to you to do with as you see fit." (CEV and Holman CSB).

Whatever it may have been the end product would be the same and as we study further into Esther it would appear that king Ahasuerus didn’t really know what he was doing!

3.12. So the royal scribes were summoned in the first month, on the thirteenth day of the month.

Everything Haman commanded was written to the king's satraps and governors who were in every province and to the officials of every people, province by province according to its script and people by people according to its language. In the name of King Ahasuerus it was written and sealed with the king's signet ring.

Haman had achieved what he wanted and so the secretaries were called on the 13th day of that month and commanded to write out what the king had commanded and the edict was sent to all the kings’ governors throughout every province and distributed to all the officials in every language spoken.

It was written in the name of the king and sealed with his signet ring.

3.13. Letters were sent by the runners to all the king's provinces stating that they should destroy, kill, and annihilate all the Jews, from youth to elderly, both women and children, on a particular day, namely the thirteenth day of the twelfth month (that is, the month of Adar), and to loot and plunder their possessions.

The letters were taken by runners to the king’s representatives throughout his realms giving the 20

order that all Jews men and women, young and old and children should be wiped out. This must be done on the thirteenth day of Adar and that all the possessions of the Jews should be given to those who kill them.

3.14. A copy of this edict was to be presented as law throughout every province; it was to be made known to all the inhabitants, so that they would be prepared for this day.

Copies of these letters were to be publicly posted so that all the inhabitants throughout every province would be ready to participate in this onslaught on the appointed day.

3.15. The messengers scurried forth with the king's order. The edict was issued in Susa the citadel. While the king and Haman sat down to drink, the city of Susa was in an uproar!

The messengers went swiftly with the king’s order and the ruling was distributed throughout the city of Susa. In the meantime the king and Haman with complete indifference sat drinking. But the citizens of Susa were confounded by the order. They could not understand why such an atrocious order should be made. Many of them had been neighbours and friends with these people, the Jews, for some time and had no reason to harm them. However the king’s word was law and we see in chapter nine verse six that 500 citizens of Susa who raised their hands against the Jews were slain by them.

The Cost of Discipleship Read Luke 14:25-35 Photo: © Dvest

Every person wants an easy life.

Nobody ever wants to be belittled, bullied or beaten. The sad reality is that persecution is a natural part of life, and even more so for Christians.

As a Christian living in the UK, the worst persecution I ever had to deal with was some mild teasing at school and university which, while unpleasant, never caused me to question whether following Christ was worth it. For many Christians around the world, particularly those living under Islamic governmental rule, their lives are a constant struggle, with little-to-no access to the Scripture, meeting in underground churches, cast out of families, or even facing imprisonment and death.

While it is important to pray for and support Christians who persevere through these immense hardships, we shouldn’t be surprised by them.

Neither should be expect anything less than an increase in persecution in the UK. Jesus spoke to his disciples on several occasions about the true cost of following him, and Luke 14 gives some of the clearest examples. In these verses, Jesus lists seven challenges which his disciples should expect to pay if they truly wish to follow him. I believe that these challenges are just as prevalent in our

society and our lives today as they were in Jesus’ own time.

1. Challenge to priorities Jesus’ hyperbolic opening statement is clearly not meant to be read at face value. After all, he takes honouring his own mother very seriously; during his crucifixion, he ensures that John son of Zebedee will look after Mary after he is gone. It is easy, therefore, to dismiss this sentence as merely an introduction to his message.

To do so is extremely dangerous; while this sentence is an introduction, it highlights the overall theme of Jesus’ message to the crowd. ‘If you want to follow me, I must be your priority. Not your friends, not your family, not even yourself. Only me.’

‘Hate’ is such a strong word, conveying the idea of a deep-rooted loathing, meaning that you can’t stand to talk to, look at or even be in the same room as the object of hatred. Jesus is not telling us to hate those closest to us at all; but our entire focus needs to be on him; his commandments, his teaching, his example and his direction for our lives. Wherever he leads us, we must be willing to follow, putting his calling on our lives above anything else we may wish to follow.

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2. Challenge to suffer Suffering is an inherent part of life.

Some suffering is caused by natural forces far beyond our control; the recent devastation of hurricanes, typhoons and tidal waves are a testimony to this. Some is caused by governments and regimes. The rest is caused by those in our immediate vicinity.

No sane person wishes to suffer.

Natural instincts tend towards selfpreservation. If you are being bullied at work, find a new job. If you are in danger, run away at all costs. Yet Jesus' challenge is simple; ‘If you aren’t prepared to die for my name, then you can’t be my disciple.’

That statement is an easy one to say for a UK Christian, living in freedom to express my worship, attend church and read the Bible in relative ease. But how will we respond when persecution increases? How will you respond when your boss orders you to do something against your beliefs?

Will you bend to their order, or stand up for your faith, even if it means losing your job? How will we react if Christianity becomes outlawed in the UK? Will you abandon your faith and fit in with the rules, or keep worshipping and praising God?

3. Challenge to impulse In many churches, when a gospel appeal or ‘altar call’ is made, we ask people to close their eyes, bow their heads and put their hands up if they want to follow Jesus. While that isn’t inherently wrong, there is too much of an allowance for impulse.

Having done youth work for a number of years, I have seen many respond to a gospel message, raising their hand and praying a prayer, only to never been seen near a church again. That method of ‘converting’ people allows them to make an impulsive decision without thinking it through fully.

This is why resources like the Alpha course and Christianity Explored are valuable; they teach people the message of the Bible, while allowing them a space to ask questions and a few weeks to process and mull over the validity of the message they have received. A faith based purely on impulse is a dangerous, and potentially very shallow, one, and we need to encourage people to think carefully about their response.

The same can be true of mature Christians as well. Many people have great dreams and desires; perhaps to be a pastor, to run a youth group or open a church cafe. While those dreams are admirable, we must put in preparation time before embarking on any of these ventures. How much will it cost financially? Do I have the staff and volunteers to do this? Am I prepared for the difficulties that might come? These are questions that we must ask of ourselves before we follow the vision and calling Christ has for us.

4. Challenge to material sacrifice Consumerism seems to be the staple diet of our society today. The free, unrestrictive lending of credit to

people who had no way of repaying it ultimately sparked the economic crisis engulfing the globe for the past four years.

Advertisements are unavoidable, whether on radio, television, buses, billboards or in magazines and newspapers.

Companies offer ‘buy now pay later’ deals, all aimed at ensuring people feel they have to own the latest television, or a brand new settee.

Because this message is so prevalent in our culture, it is easy for Christians to fall into the pitfalls. There are many Christians who are unable to tithe because of having to pay off loans and credit card debt, taken out simply to get the newest, greatest thing. The problem with falling into that trap is that you stay there; in two years’ time, there will be a new breakthrough in computing or television technology that makes that thing you have mortgaged your future for completely obsolete.

Instead, Jesus challenges his followers to leave all of that behind. You don’t need the latest technology, the latest craze or fad. If you buy into the current trend, you will end up buying into the next one, and the next one, consuming your energy, your focus and your money. On the contrary, Christians are called to step aside from those things. There is nothing wrong with having a television, or a car, or even a new settee. But when our focus is on getting the latest version of those things, and we take loans and credit in order to get them, then our money is no longer a servant of the gospel, but a slave of the world.

saying that every person should give up their career and work full-time for a church or join a monastery, because if there were no Christians in the workplace, who would evangelise there?

Instead, Jesus’ challenge to ‘renounce all you have’, in terms of ambition, is not have your own agenda for everything you do. It’s great to desire a promotion at work. But if you end up undermining, abusing or hurting others in order to get that, then you’ve got the wrong idea. If you hear of an opportunity and work a bit harder to get it, then why aren’t you working that hard in service to your boss all the time?

When I began working for a church, I had an agenda in mind; a progression from volunteer to paid worker to assistant pastor, and then ultimately to be a pastor somewhere. While that wasn’t inherently wrong, that was my focus, and not simply on serving God, and the church, wholeheartedly. As a result, I drifted along for a year, not giving my all to anything and expecting to be paid a wage. When I realised my focus was all wrong, and put aside my ambition aside, not only did I work more effectively, but found myself enjoying it a lot more.

In order to follow Christ, we must be content with our lot, and not push all our abilities and energy into getting ahead. If God blesses us with promotions, or the job we dream of, then let’s give Him the praise He deserves; but let our focus be on Him, and not on our own desires.

5. Challenge to selfish ambition

6. Challenge to commitment

Every person has ambitions of some sort. Whether they are big or small, all people have something they wish they could do. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. Jesus is not 22

The clichéd phrase ‘The Christian walk is a marathon, not a sprint’ finds its perfect application alongside these verses.

Salt was a precious commodity in the Roman world. It had three main purposes; preservation of food, flavouring and, in some parts of the empire, as pay for the soldiers (which spawned the phrase ‘Worth his salt’). Salt was precious and valued incredibly highly. But if the saltiness is lost, then it has no value; it cannot preserve food, it will destroy the flavour of the meal and is worthless as a salary.

Following on from Jesus’ challenge to impulse, he calls on his followers to stay the course. It is one thing to say that you’ll be a believer, but another thing to finish the race. He lets all would-be disciples know the cost before he asks for a response from them (see below). But before they need to decide, he finishes with a very forceful phrase. ‘It is of no use ... It is thrown away.’ Harsh words, but this is the reality of the Christian life. If we aren’t prepared to pay the price all the way to the end, and give up part of the way through, then our faith, our actions, our belief up until that point is of no use. We must finish the race, run with perseverance, and never give up, no matter what difficulties and troubles come our way.

7. Challenge to hear Jesus final challenge is very obvious, but no less important.

‘You have heard my message; now, what are you going to do with it?’

He ends by delivering a personal challenge to all who hear (and read) his message. These are the costs of following me; are you

prepared to pay them? Will you hear my message and come and follow me, or are you not prepared for the sacrifice that will come out of being my disciple?

These questions are ones we must ask ourselves as Christians. Are we really, truly prepared to put Christ as our priority, to suffer, to consider the cost, to put aside material gains and selfish ambition, and to commit to following him with all our hearts and lives?

So why bother?

I guess that’s the natural question we ask ourselves when confronted with these challenges. If our lives would be so much easier without the persecution that comes with following Christ, then what incentive is there to persevere?

Why not just fit into the world’s view of things and make our lives easier?

Our Bible study guide ‘The Message of Mark’ is accompanied (on website) by a series of Home Group Bible study notes These notes have been tried and tested in church, home and youth groups for the last decade. They are a great way to introduce yourself or your group to the message of Mark’s gospel – that Jesus Christ is the only Lord and Savior of humankind!

If you like these notes, look for more at our website:

MARK HOME STUDIES

In short, every reason!! How about love and honour for a God who created the universe, who formed us into his likeness and image and gave us life? Or how about gratitude to Jesus, who endured immense pain and agony, not for his own sake, but to restore our relationship with God? When we reach the end, when our lives have run their course, and we stand in God’s presence, our response will be ‘You are worth it all.’ What better incentive is there to face the challenges and costs of following Jesus than that?

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Read Mark 6.7 - 8.30 Since Jesus has done so much for us, we have an obligation to serve Him. By reading how the apostles were trained by Christ to serve Him, we may also learn how to serve.

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c6 v7-13 The Lord Jesus called his apostles to himself. What did he send them to do? _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ c6 v14 - 29 What did it cost John to remain a faithful witness to Jesus Christ? _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Jesus warns that all those who serve Him will be persecuted too. 6.30-33 How do you think the apostles felt when they finished the work Jesus gave them? _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ (6:34-44) What can the feeding of the 5,000 teach us about serving Christ? _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ We can often become discouraged in our Christian service. We may not see the results we hope for or we may experience opposition and feel like giving up. The apostles would experience this too and needed to be inspired by Jesus’ miracles.

Read about the following miracles and comment briefly on each one.

(6:45-52) _______________________________________________________________________________________________ (6:53-56) _______________________________________________________________________________________________ (8: 1-10) ______________________________________________________________________________________________ 7.24-30) _______________________________________________________________________________________________ Read c9. 15-29. Here was an occasion when the apostles were asked to deliver a boy who was possessed with an evil spirit, but they could not. What lessons might they have learned from this experience? _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Since the apostles would pass on Jesus teaching to others it was important that they understood it clearly. See how much you understand after reading c7 v 1-23 Why do you think that outward ritual such as washing your hands can never take your sins away? _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Read Revelation c1 v5. What can wash away our sins? _______________________________________________________ Since we have learned about serving Christ, all that remains is that we surrender our lives to the Lord that he may use us in his service. Write out Romans chapter 12 verse 1. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ 24

Our In Depth Study.

Revelation 22.

By Derek R. Williams. Photo © Godfer Scripture taken from the New King James Version®.

Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by The Time is Near. twelve different permission. All rights reserved. kinds of fruit - but The River of Life. v1 - 5. this is generally agreed to be an 1. "And he showed me a pure river of addition by translators, the text original water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding suggests the above rendering]. The from the throne of God and of the leaves are for the eternal health of the Lamb." redeemed.

In his vision of the New Jerusalem, John 3, 4. "And there shall be no more curse, sees both of the bride of Christ and the but the throne of God and of the Lamb bride's dwelling place - heaven. John is shall be in it, and His servants shall serve taken into heaven and is shown the Him. They shall see His face, and His River of Life flowing from the joint name shall be on their foreheads." throne of God and the Lamb. This unmistakably shows that the source of In contrast to the curse that came on the water of life is God the Father and the earth through Adam's sin there will the Lord Jesus Christ. The "water of life" be no effects of the curse in heaven is the Holy Spirit. During His earthly nothing evil or unclean. The Throne of ministry Jesus likened the Holy Spirit to God and of the Lamb will be there and water (John 7:37 - 39). In His all the redeemed of the Lord will conversation with the woman of minister to Him. They will look on Him Samaria He speaks of a well of water and see Him in all His glory (1 John 3:2; 1 springing up into everlasting life (John Cor. 13:12). They shall be sealed with 4:13 - 14). In John 15:26 He says that He His name as those whom He has will send the Holy Spirit from the Father, redeemed.

He came from the Father through the Lord Jesus Christ. This is the first time in 5. "There shall be no night there: They his vision of the bride of Christ and need no lamp nor light of the sun, for heaven that reference is made to the the Lord God gives them light. And they Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit shall flow shall reign forever and ever." through every part of the New There will be no night - they will not Jerusalem. need lamp or sun, for God, who is Light, 2. "In the middle of its street, and on will give them light (1 John 1:5). They either side of the river, was the tree of shall reign as kings forever. life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree The Time is Near. v6 - 11. yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the 6. "Then he said to me, "These words nations." are faithful and true. And the Lord God of the holy prophets sent His angel to The vastness of the tree of life is show His servants the things which must depicted as it stands in the centre of the shortly take place." square and yet reaches both sides of the river, draping itself over them. Unlike the fruit trees of earth that only bear fruit in its season, the Tree of Life continually bears twelve crops of fruit.

[Note: The words, "all manner of fruits" in KJV give the impression of their being

The angel confirms that all John has been told is trustworthy and true. The Lord God who inspired His prophets had sent His angel to make known to all His people the things that would happen soon.

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7. "Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book."

The voice of Christ breaks through to proclaim that He is coming without delay. Supremely blessed are those who observe and take to heart the truths of the prophecies contained in Revelation.

8, 9. "Now I, John, saw and heard these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things.

Then he said to me, "See that you do not do that. For I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God." After John had seen and heard all these awesome things he fell down to worship the angel who had shown them to him.

The angel prevents him from doing this for God alone is to be worshipped (Luke 4:8). The angels are ministering spirits of God (Heb. 1:14) and in that sense are fellow servants with the prophets and all those who keep God's word.

10. "And he said to me, "Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand."

Unlike Daniel, who was told to shut up and seal the book since its contents concerned the distant future (Dan. 12:4 & 9), John was not to keep secret what he had written for the time of their fulfillment was near.

11. "He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be

righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still."

When the time has come for all things that are made known in the Revelation to be fulfilled then those who are found unrighteous, outside of Christ, whose names are not written in the Lamb's Book of Life, will remain so forever. He that is righteous, made righteous and holy in Christ, (1 Cor. 6:11) will be so throughout eternity (Matt. 25:46).

"Every assurance is held out in the Bible that the righteous will be secure in holiness and happiness, and that there will be no danger -- no possibility - that they will fall into sin, and sink to woe; and by the same kind of arguments by which it is proved that their condition will be unchanging, is it demonstrated that the condition of the wicked will be unchanging also." (Barnes) He's Coming Soon. v12 - 17.

12. "And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work."

The Lord uses the word "behold" to emphasize the certainty of His near coming and of the rewards He brings with Him. Every man will be rewarded according to the works that he has done (2 Cor. 5:10). Amp. Bible [considering what his purpose and motive have been, and what he has achieved, been busy with, and given himself and his attention to accomplishing].

13. "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last."

As in Rev. 1:8 & 11 and 21:6 the Lord affirms that He is the "I Am", the Creator of all things (Rev. 4:11) and the author and finisher of our faith (Heb. 12:2). He formed the world, He will destroy it; He originated the whole plan of salvation and He will determine its close.

14. "Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city."

Exceedingly blessed are those who have been washed in the blood of the Lamb, who are clothed with His righteousness

and whose names are written in The Book of Life. They alone have the privilege to enter heaven and possess eternal life.

15. "But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practises a lie."

The wicked, depraved and unclean are excluded from heaven, whoever's name is not found written in the Lamb's Book of Life.

16. "I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star."

The Lord confirms that He sent His angel to be a witness for Him, making all these things known to John for the Church.

"The root and offspring of David" means that Christ was the creator of David as God but in His humanity He was of the lineage of David. The day or morning star is the star that is seen just before the dawn breaks. Jesus Christ "was the true Light that gives light to every man coming into the world (John 1:9). He is the "Light of the World" (John 8:12).

17. "And the Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" And let him who thirsts come.

Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely."

The cry of the Holy Spirit as the One who convinces the world of sin (John 16:8) and of the Church as the witness of Christ (Acts 1:8) and of all those that hear and respond to the Gospel is for whoever wills to come to Christ and receive Him (and with Him all the benefits spoken of in this book) freely by His grace.

and from the things which are written in this book."

It is not clear who the "I" in this verse is.

It is most probably John who emphatically bears solemn witness to everyone who reads the book of the Revelation: If anyone adds anything to the words of the book, God will place on them the plagues that are written in it.

If anyone takes away any of the words, God will take away his name from the Book of Life and they will not enter into heaven or receive the blessings contained in the book. The warning is intending for professing Christians.

Whilst the warning refers to the book of Revelation it applies to the whole word of God for a similar warning is given in Deut. 4:2 and 12:32.

20. "He who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming quickly."

Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!"

It is the Lord Jesus Christ who had received the Revelation from God and made it known by the angel to John and so to the churches that bears witness to the truth of all things written in the book. It is He who says that certainly He is coming soon. Amen, so it will be. The response of the redeemed of the Lord to Christ's affirmation of His coming can only be, as John's was "Even so, come, Lord Jesus!" Amen.

21. "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen."

John's final wish for the churches he was written to is that "the grace (unmerited blessing and favor) of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all."

Amen.

A Final Warning. v18 - 21.

18, 19. "For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, 26

An excerpt taken from The Revelation of Jesus Christ by Derek Williams (paperback ÂŁ6.99) Buy now for Kindle!

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