Sola scriptura (Latin: by scripture alone) is a theological doctrine held by Christian denominations that the Christian scriptures are the sole infallible rule of faith and practice.

This is my fifth blog on Jesus’s teaching. I will do one more next month.

Studying the ascension and the response of the apostles has been good for me. I pray you have been moved to recalibrate your life in service to Jesus and using your giftedness for the kingdom and your rewards.

Mat 6:19 Do not layup treasures on earth for yourselves, where moth and rust corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal.

Mat 6:20 But layup treasures in Heaven for yourselves, where neither moth nor rust corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal.

Mat 6:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

We have a new grandchild from the Chris line and he is a keeper. His name is Henry James. This brings our clan to 9 grandchildren. Not a record in the world but a great blessing on Con and I.

Let us be a people who seek exhortation-to-application to improve our pursuit of our resurrected Jesus.

Heb 13:22 And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words.

PS: do you have a teaching of Jesus that you want me to think, study, write on for the next Blog? Let me know.

– Gayle

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The Ascension in Acts and Luke:

Luke 24:44 “And He said to them, These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and in the Prophets and in the Psalms about Me.

Luke 24:45 And He opened their mind to understand the Scriptures.

Luke 24:46 And He said to them, “So it is written, and so it behoved Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day,

Luke 24:47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be proclaimed in His name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.”

Acts 1:6 “Then, indeed, these coming together, they asked Him, saying, Lord, do You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?

Acts 1:7 And He said to them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father has put in His own authority.

Acts 1:8 But you shall receive power, the Holy Spirit coming upon you. And you shall be witnesses to Me both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and to the end of the earth.

Acts 1:9 And saying these things, as they watched, He was taken up. And a cloud received Him out of their sight.

Acts 1:10 And while they were looking intently into the heaven, He having gone, even behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them,

Acts 1:11 who also said, Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into the heaven? This same Jesus who is taken up from you into Heaven, will come in the way you have seen Him going into Heaven.”

• This is a parallel set of verses to our verses from last month. Matt 28:19-20
• A great prayer for our life is Luke 24:45 “And He opened their mind to understand the Scriptures”.

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But the job description of the Matthew verse does not match the Luke, Acts job description.

What are the differences and why the differences?

The Matthew version told them to go make disciples and the Acts version said, go be my witnesses. These appear to me to be different job descriptions. I asked 4 good men in the Word for their explanation for this perceived difference.

1. My first “good man” said he had no idea.
2. The second “good man” said they were written at different times. The first written by a Jew who saw his calling to be in Jerusalem. Teachers would stay in Jerusalem and have believers come to them….and be discipled (taught). The second was written by a Gentile, influenced by Paul who was the worldwide witness.
3. The third “good man” said the first was a command to sanctify and the second to evangelize.
4. The fourth (a theologian) “good man” said they were parallel verses and the merging of the two texts is probably more accurate to what Jesus said, I think all the above are good responses to ponder.

But if the resurrected Jesus says it-we are to listen and to act on it. i.e., be a witness and disciple maker in our sphere of influence.

Observe in Overview of Acts 1:6-11

Note the Matthew version did not have, “you shall receive power, and the Holy Spirit will be coming upon you”. I think this comment in Acts is a precursor to the job of the Holy Spirit but remember the Holy Spirit doesn’t show up until Chapter 2 of Acts. And there was the “power”.
I am not sure that Matthew understood what he was hearing. Luke wrote Acts in or around AD 65-70. Luke’s filter was what Paul and other apostles taught him.
We need to study and think on, “you shall receive power, the Holy Spirit will be coming upon you.”

Question:

1. What was the power?
2. Do you experience either today?

Observe:

Review Acts 1:6: “they asked Him, saying, Lord, do You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?”

The men were still interested in an establishing a worldly kingdom. The Institutional Church (IC) has struggled with this since Constantine’s time. I wonder with some of the Church campuses I see now, in the history of the church and especially in London, if the church is not asking Jesus for the same thing.

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Review Acts Vs 7: “And He said to them, it is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father has put in His own authority.”

Isa 46:9 “Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,

Isa 46:10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure”

We don’t need to decipher the coming of the end times, etc. We should have the attitude this could be my last day, saying I will be doing Jesus work.

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Review Acts Vs 9-11: “The charge is don’t huddle but go out and be a witness. Witness means a witness (literally {judicially}). Being a member in the Bible Community in a social gathering is a lot less important than being in the world and witnessing. Community should only be emphasized, with the objective of training of the Saints for the work of Jesus. Social gatherings are not discussed in the bible. Social gatherings are not wrong but should not be our primary objective of a gathering.”

Angels last comments: “He has risen and He will come back the same way. Don’t stand around and wait.” Now, we are to get after it.

“Let me note that there is a big emphasis for community and gathering in the Christian body today. Though I think these social gatherings are of value, they will not necessarily draw you closer to God.

The old word used to talk about groups of mutual desire to be God’s people was fellowship. Are you in a social gathering or a fellowship?

A fellowship should….

Heb 10:23 “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering (for He is faithful who promised),

Heb 10:24 and let us consider one another to provoke to love and to good works,

Heb 10:25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”

The question to ask of your “community” or “gathering”, are they provoking and/or exhorting one another? If they are not, I would think that you are in a social group

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From last month’s blog on gatherings:

Application:

1. Learn how to give your life story as a “quicky” witness and a conference-room witness.
2. Have a specific group of people who are your “most wanted”. Pray on each one.
3. We are commanded (not suggested) to be Jesus’ disciples and witnesses to the world. Be intentional with a plan, go forth in your sphere of influence being God’s person.
   To Do: Think on how you can transact in business and still be a witness.
4. Pray for each person on your daily calendar.
5. Take time each day to shut down and pray or read God’s word.
6. Before you disciple others, you must be discipled. You must learn and grow your entire life. Question: Who is discipling you now?
7. Do a good study on who is the Holy Spirit, where is He in the Bible, i.e. Old and New Testament, what is His job, and how should you respond to Him.
8. Surround yourself with people who will exhort you in the Word and not just coddle you into a no reward eternity. I would rather be uncomfortable here than judged a wasted life in Heaven.
9. Continue to review your position on the inerrancy of the Bible and do not throw portions of the Bible out because they make you uncomfortable. Recommit to its inerrancy. Biblical inerrancy, as formulated in the “Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy, 1978“, is the doctrine that the Protestant Bible “is without error or fault in all its teaching”; or, at least, that “Scripture in the original manuscripts does not affirm anything that is contrary to fact”.

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Mission statement of the Blogs

These blogs are to stimulate your biblical thinking to become Issachar’s of our time.

1Ch 12:32 and from the sons of Issachar, men who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do.

These blogs are an attempt to articulate key biblical issues of our day so that we can

1. Learn and understand the propositions of the Bible concerning our life
2. We can apply the truth in our life in the sanctification process
3. Contend/defend against heresy or apostasy.
4. We can draw closer to God

This is our third blog on Jesus teaching. We could probably spend the rest of our time here.

This month we are looking at Jesus teaching between the resurrection and the ascension. Forty days. God likes this number.

Since it is Jesus’s last words while on earth, I think we should pay special attention to it. Much to think on and much to apply.

In some discussion I have had recently with numerous people, I am surprised of how much emphasis is placed on community and how little emphasis is placed on the great commission. This is an error on our part. This blog attempts to address this question.

In parting, be focused on storing up treasures in Heaven. That is what all this life is about.

Your friend and servant,

– Gayle

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To-Do’s from the Post-Resurrection:

Just before His final ascension, Jesus said:

Matt 28:19 Therefore go and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

Matt 28:20 teaching them to observe all things, whatever I commanded you. And, behold, I am with you all the days until the end of the world. Amen.

These are the last words Jesus spoke on earth. We should pay special attention to them and be about obeying them in our life.

Let us look at some of the words Jesus uses in His last talk before ascending – a commandment to the men and us:

1. Therefore-go: The verses say that now that you know and have observed the truth go share it with others. There were many venues and opportunities then and now. Which one are you gifted to use? Now, “Therefore-go “
2. Make disciples: Most people in the believing community, have the title disciple but don’t think or behave as one. Review and grade yourself:

Matt 5:16 Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in Heaven.
Luke 14:26 If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.
Luke_14:33 So then, every one of you who does not forsake all his possessions, he cannot be My disciple.
John 14:21 He who has My commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves Me. And he who loves Me shall be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will reveal Myself to him.
Note: Love is an emotion but that emotion should lead to an act of the will.
John 8:31 Then Jesus said to the Jews who believed on Him (loved), if you continue in My Word, you are My disciples indeed.
John 8:32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Teaching: Teaching means “intransitively to become a pupil; transitively to disciple, that is, enroll as scholar: be discipled, instruct, teach”. The word says to teach the people to obey the Word. It says teach them the Word and how to obey it, not just know it, memorize it, read it, listen to it but obey it.

I review too many Bible studies and retreats where good things are taught but no application is suggested or considered. After the talk I only know what the speaker learned from the scriptures.

The question we must ask after the talk must be, so-what? We don’t listen to good teaching to be smarter sinner but to become a new person in Christ.

3. Jesus is with us: Practice this truth daily. He is all around us.

Rom 1:19 Because the thing which may be known of God is clearly revealed within them, for God revealed it in them.

Rom 1:20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood in his workmanship, so that men are without excuse.

Rejoice and “see Him”.

Being a disciple or being discipled is not found in a class or a classification.

Let me suggest things you might do in your obedience to this commandment to make disciples.

1. Be a person of the Word. Have people in your life that support your growth.
2. Help a person solve a crisis or question in their life by looking for guidance in the Word.
3. Help a person develop a consistent prayer life.
4. Help the person to have a list of ten non-believers that they are praying for their salvation.
5. Coach and help a person to start giving.

Anyone of these would help you get started with self and others in this call for discipleship.

Let me note that there is a big emphasis for community and gathering in the Christian body. Though I think these social gatherings are of value, they will not necessarily draw you closer to God.

The old word used to talk about groups of mutual desire to be God’s people was fellowship. Are you in a social gathering or a fellowship?

A fellowship should…

Heb 10:23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering (for He is faithful who promised),

Heb 10:24 and let us consider one another to provoke to love and to good works,

Heb 10:25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching

The question to ask of your “community” or “gathering” is, are they provoking and/or exhorting? If they are not, I would think that you are in a social group.

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Application

1. Understand my giftedness and purposefully contribute to some evangelism or discipleship or service this day, week, or year.
2. By study, prayer and obedience, move the people in my sphere of influence closer to God.
3. Be aware of the living God in creation. Romans 1:18–20. Practice His presence. This is not New Age, it is a time of being sensitive to His Being, i.e. Psalm 19:1-4
4. Am I storing up treasure in Heaven?
5. Ask yourself the question: Who has a discipling influence on me?

I have attached the latest blog. It is on the Resurrection which is fitting with the season. This is a very important time to God and Jesus and we should search our heart to see if we are appreciating the work of God.

Like the story of Lazarus and the Rich Man, these verses are important to me. At 80 my time is drawing near and I am comforted in the promises from God on the Resurrection story. I remember 60 years ago a bible teacher said that He knows more people on the other side of the river, than over here, In my youth, I didn’t appreciate his thinking. This is very true of myself today.

As my IBM-SS teacher use to say at the beginning of each class, “He is Risen”. Thank you God.

Read and celebrate.

Gayle and Connie

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When asking any confessing Christian, “What do we celebrate on Easter?” The answer usually is forgiveness or salvation. While that response is true, I want to remind you that a major celebration during this time is the resurrection of Jesus and what it means and promises to us.

Let me stitch together some of God’s activities that are reviewed in the Bible. This is my theological imagination but cut me some slack and we will focus on the conclusion.

The Bible starts with the creation of the universe and then earth.

Gen 1:1 “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.”

Yet the earth was not habitable.

Gen 1:2 “And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.”

Sometime between these events, I think there also occurred the fall of the angels.

Isa 14:12 “How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!”

Isa 14:13 “For thou hast said in thine heart, ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north’”

Isa 14:14 “‘I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.’”

Isa 14:15 “Yet thou shalt be brought down to Hell, to the sides of the pit.”

I think God dispatched them to the Earth. A living Hell. After this fall, how long did the fallen angels wander around on earth until God refocused on their issue? We do not know. But we do know he laid out the plan of man to be carried out on Earth and defeat Satan.

Let me note some truths on this separation:

1. Satan wanted to be God.
2. There was a Hell from the start.
3. We see in Job that Satan taunts God with the accusation that no one follows you from love but what only what they can get out of you.
   Job 1:6 “Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them.”
   Job 1:7 “And the LORD said unto Satan, ‘Whence comest thou?’ Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, ‘from going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.’”
   Job 1:8 “And the LORD said unto Satan, ‘Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and turns away from evil?’”
   Job 1:9 “Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, ‘Doth Job fear God for naught?’”
   Job 1:10 “Hast not thou made a hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.’”
4. Satan had the run on earth but didn’t seem to show up anywhere else in the universe.
   Job 1:7 “And Jehovah said to Satan, ‘From where do you come?’ Then Satan answered Jehovah and said, “From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it”.
5. Some demons or Satan could somehow have created women for Seth’s progeny. Gen 5:6 “And Seth lived a hundred and five years, and begat Enos.”
   Question? Who did Seth and the others “begat” with?
6. Also, The Nephilim people rarely talked about, but revealed in Genesis 6 were a physically active part of activities on earth. This led to God calling Noah to build the ark, sending the Flood and resetting of the human race. (RD)

Now back to the creation story. God decided to place man on the very planet that he had exiled Satan to. It was one big, dark swamp; but God decided to turn the lights on and through this conflict he placed man in Satan’s backyard.

Gen 1:3 “And God said, ‘Let there be light’: and there was light.”

Gen 1:4 “And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.”

Joh 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Joh 1:2 The same was in the beginning with God.

Joh 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that hath been made.

Joh 1:4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

Joh 1:5 And the light shines in the darkness; and the darkness apprehended it not.

Life started for humans on earth when God created the Garden of Eden. Satan intruded and brought death to the human race. Note: in our case the only thing that dies is the body, i.e., the soul and the spirit lives on. This was true from the start with Adam and Eve. So, we could say Satan stole the body. But God has had, and always had, a plan to get back His bodies, and that plan was His son. He wants His bodies back. The plan was His Son’s death on the cross and then the resurrection.

Lance Gowen says that God brought us into the world as a unit, i.e., body, soul, spirit, and He will take us out as a unit.

1 Cor 15:54 “So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, ‘Death is swallowed up in victory.’”
1 Cor 15:55 “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?”

Again, I may be theologically questionable on the story, but on the issue of the body, I am not. God wants us restored to Him in our bodies He has planned for us. Jesus is and always has been the plan. The whole Bible points in that direction. As we approach Easter, we must take time to grasp this truth. Just think on:

Why would God set up programs that he knew would not work?

1. The Garden
2. After the flood
3. The Jewish Law
4. The Priesthood
5. Etc.

Answer: To set up the requirement for the ministry and work of Jesus; to fulfill His plan to defeat Satan once and for all.

Luke_10:18 And He said to them, I saw Satan fall from Heaven like lightning.

Luke 24:25 “And He said to them, ‘O fools and slow of heart to believe all things that the prophets spoke!’”

Luke 24:26 “Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?”

Luke 24:27 “And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.”

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Application:

1. Focus on the resurrection a little bit every day.
2. Take a walk through a cemetery monthly.
   Ecc 7:2 “It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting; for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart.”
   Ecc 7:3 “Sorrow is better than laughter; for by the sadness of the face the heart is made better.”
   Ecc 7:4 “The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of laughter.”
3. Thank God daily for Jesus and God’s plan for your resurrection.

PS: Traits of Jesus in the resurrected body:

1. Most everyone recognized who He was. Therefore, we may know each other in Heaven.
2. He ate some fish. I don’t think he needed it but enjoyed the eating experience.
3. He could walk through walls.
4. He could cloud men’s mind so they would not recognize him.
5. It was a solid body that Thomas could touch and feel the wounds.
6. He knew where the fish were (John 21:1-11).
7. He was forgiving and used a failed human in His works: Peter.
8. He gave the ultimate ministry command: Matt 28:19-20.