Luke 3
Time period when message came to John verse 1- 2
Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar
Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea
and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee
and his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea
and of the region of Trachonitis
and Lynsanias the tetrarch of Abilene
Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests
the word of God came unto John
the son of Zechariah
in the wilderness
Message of John the Baptist verse 3
And he came into all the country about Jordan
preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins
Quote from the prophet Isaiah verse 4- 6
As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet – saying
The voice on one crying in the wilderness
Prepare you the way of the Lord – make HIS paths straight
Every valley shall be filled
and every mountain and hill shall be brought low
and the crooked shall be made straight
and the rough ways shall be made smooth
AND all flesh shall SEE the salvation of God
John confronts religious leaders with truth verse 7- 9
Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him
O generation of vipers – who has warned you
to flee from the wrath to come?
Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance
and begin not to say within yourselves
We have Abraham to our father – FOR I say unto you
That God is able of these stones to raise
up children unto Abraham
AND now also the ax is laid unto the root of the trees
every tree therefore which
brings not forth good fruit is hewn down
and cast into the fire
Converts wanted understanding of change necessary verse 10- 14
AND the people asked him – saying
What shall we do then?
He answered – and said unto them
He that has two coats – let him impart to him that has none
and he that has meat – let him do likewise
THEN came also publicans to be baptized – and said unto him
Master – what shall we do?
AND he said unto them
Exact no more than that which is appointed you
AND the soldiers likewise demanded of him – saying
And what shall we do?
AND he said to them – Do violence to no man – neither accuse any falsely
and be content with your wages
John announces coming of Messiah verse 15- 18
And as the people were in expectation
and all men mused in their heart of John
whether he were the Christ or not
John answered – saying unto them all – I indeed baptize you with water
BUT ONE mightier than I comes
the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unoose
HE shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire
whose fan is in HIS hand
and HE will thoroughly purge HIS floor
and will gather the wheat into HIS garner
BUT the chaff HE will burn with fire unquenchable
AND many other things in his exhortation preached
he unto the people
John’s political message verse 19- 20
But Herod the tetrarch – being reproved by him for Herodias
his brother Philip’s wife
and for all the evils which Herod had done
added you this above all
that he shut up John in prison
Baptism of Jesus verse 21- 22
Now when all the people were baptized – it came to pass
that Jesus also being baptized
AND praying
the heaven was opened
AND the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon HIM
AND a voice came from heaven – which said
You are MY beloved Son – in YOU I am well-pleased
Ancestors of Jesus verse 23- 38
And Jesus HIMSELF began to be about thirty years of age
being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph
which was the son of Heli
which was the son of Matthat – son of Levi – son of Melchi – son of Janna
son of Joseph – son of Mattathias – son of Amos – son of Naum
son of Esli – son of Nagge – son of Maath – son of Mattathias
son of Semei – son of Joseph – son of Juda – son of Joanna – son of Rhesa
son of Zorobabel – son of Salathiel – son of Neri – son of Melchi
son of Addi – son of Cosam – son of Elmodam – son of Er – son of Jose
son of Eliezer – son of Jorim –son of Matthat – son of Levi
son of Simeon – son of Juda – son of Joseph – son of Jonanson of Eliakim
son of Melea – son of Menan – son of Mattatha
son of Nathan – SON OF DAVID – son of Jesse – son of Obed
son of Salmon – son of Naasson – son of Aminadab – son of Aram
son of Esrom – son of Phares – son of Juda – son of Jacob –
son of Isaac SON OF ABRAHAM – son of Nachor – son of Saruch
son of Ragau son of Phalec – son of Heber – son of Sala – son of Cainan
son of Arphaxad son of Sem – SON OF NOAH – son of Lamech
son of Mathusala SON OF ENOCH – SON OF ADAM son OF GOD
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
: 3 And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. (859 “remission” [aphesis] means forgiveness, deliverance, liberty, release, pardon, cancellation, or relaxation of disease.)
DEVOTION: John came out of the wilderness preaching that individuals had to change direction with their lives. They were coming to hear his message. It was unique to the time. He was the one preparing for the coming of the Messiah who they were all hoping to see it HE would set up a kingdom to defeat the Romans. They wanted their physical freedom.
He was preaching their spiritual freedom. There was a need to stop going in one direction and heading in another direction toward genuine service to the LORD. The religious leaders of the Jewish religion where making it a religion of external show rather than internal change. John the Baptist was preaching internal change.
Why was internal change so important? Without it there would be no forgiveness of sin. Luke used this word the most. He was a physician and knew about disease that would eat a person up from within his body. This word had a medical application. When someone has a disease that is active it can continue to be active or go into a relaxed state.
Our forgiveness is not temporarily given or in a relaxed state. It is forgiven forever because of the blood of Jesus Christ. Once we repent of our sins HE is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. In HIS eyes we are sinless even though we live the rest of our life sinning. We only receive this because God the Father looks at us through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross and the gift of the Holy Spirit that was given at the point of belief. This should give us joy unspeakable.
CHALLENGE: With the joy unspeakable we should be like John the Baptist and tell others. We should also say “THANK YOU” to the LORD each morning and afternoon and evening.
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
: 14 And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And HE said to them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely, and be content with your wages. (714 “content” [arkeo] means be sufficient, be enough, to be satisfied, to be or become characterized by having a want or need filled, to be happy as the result of having what one desires or needs to be, or to not complain.)
DEVOTION: Here are a group of adults who have responsibilities in different fields. Each has a negative side to their position.
The first is someone who is part of the general public. John tells them that if they have more clothes than they need give some to the poor. Also, if those in this same group have more food than they can eat, they are to give some of that to the poor. This group has little money or possessions but is told to help others.
The second group is tax collectors who are noted for taking more than the tax the government expects. They have the freedom to charge as much as they want because they are government people and no one messed with government workers. Sound familiar, government workers to give themselves raises while everyone else is losing their jobs. Well, this group was to stop taking from those who have to pay taxes more than is required. No extra money from the taxpayers. What would happen is this would happen?
The third group was the soldiers for the Roman Empire. They were able to require almost anything of people around them. They could falsely arrest people, which is, an abuse of their power. They also could take bribes from people. Those who became followers of the LORD had to be content with their wages.
We can fall into anyone of these groups. Those outside of Christ will act in the way described.
CHALLENGE: Those who are believers will act differently with the same position. We are to act differently from the rest of the world.
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: 22 And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove on HIM, and a voice came from heaven, which said, YOU are MY beloved SON, in you I am well pleased. (2106 “well pleased” [eudokeo] means have pleasure, take pleasure, think good, to be favorably inclined towards one, take delight, or to be glad.)
DEVOTION: Jesus was baptized to give us an example of a public decision to be a follower of God. HE didn’t need HIS sins forgiven – HE never sinned. HE didn’t need to repent. HE was there to confirm John’s message that HE was the Messiah.
The Holy Spirit was there in the form of a dove which stood for peace. HE was there to show HIS support of the ministry of Jesus Christ the Messiah. HE lead Jesus into the wilderness after the baptism to face the temptations of Satan to be another sign that HE was the Messiah and give us an example of how to battle with our enemy.
Finally, the Father was there to give a vocal testimony of support for HIS Son Jesus Christ who came to this earth to die on the cross for our sins. HE was well-pleased will all the actions of HIS Son.
Now we need to follow the teachings of the New Testament to give glory to the LORD and for us to be well-pleasing in HIS sight.
Our power comes from the Holy Spirit who indwells us at the point of salvation. HE communicates with us regarding our actions and attitudes for the rest of our life. If we get out of line HE corrects us. If we are serving properly HE encourages us.
CHALLENGE: We need to listen to the Holy Spirit who communicates with us through the Word of God.
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
: 38 Which was the son of Enos, which was the son of Seth, which was the son of Adam, which was the son of God. (76 “Adam” [adam] means first man, the red earth, or parent of the whole human family)
DEVOTION: Here we have a genealogy of the line of Joseph. It takes it from the time of Joseph and Mary to the time of creation. Many important names are mentioned in this section. There is David. There is Jacob. There is Abraham.
There is Enoch (Enos)- the man who didn’t die but was taken up to heaven without dying. He was only one of two men who the Bible record as never dying. Elijah was the other.
We find the name of Seth in the list as the father of Enoch. Remember Seth was the replacement for Abel who was killed by his brother Cain. Seth was to be the godly line of Adam. Cain was the ungodly line.
Then there is the first man who was created by God in the beginning on the sixth day. We find the words “the son” in italics because they are not in the original text. It should read “was of God.” The male parent of the whole human family was created by God to start the human race. God created ONE woman out of a rib from Adam’s side to be his help-mate.
There were two parents that God created to form the first married couple. They were one male and one female. That was the order that God established at the beginning. Divorce was not an option until the time of Moses. God hates divorce. One male and one female had children. The godly seed had one male and one female. The ungodly seed started having more than one wife.
We need to learn from the Bible what God’s standard is for the human race. Christ came into the world to call those who would follow to accept and abide by the standard that God had set for the human race. Christ is called the “second Adam.” HE came to establish a new race called “Christian.” The other race called “flesh” is not abiding by HIS standards. Are we abiding by HIS standard?
CHALLENGE: Promote God’s standards in your local body of believers.
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DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:
BODY
Chastity (Purity in living)
Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)
Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)
Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)
Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)
SOUL
Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)
Frugality (wise use of resources)
Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)
Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)
Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)
SPIRIT
Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)
Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)
Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)
Jesus communicating with Father verse 21
Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)
Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)
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DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:
Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)
Word of God verse 2
Book of Isaiah verse 4
God the Father (First person of the Godhead)
God verse 2 , 6, 8
Heaven opened up verse 21
Voice from heaven verse 22
God the Son (Second person of the Godhead –God/man, Messiah)
Lord verse 4
Christ verse 15
Mightier than John verse 16
Baptize with Holy Ghost verse 16
Baptize with fire verse 16
Jesus verse 21, 23
Jesus baptized verse 21
Praying verse 21
Beloved Son verse 22
Father well –pleased verse 22
Thirty years of age verse 23
God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)
Holy Ghost – Christ baptize with verse 16
Holy Ghost – form of a dove verse 22
Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)
God – Trinity involved in creation verse 38
Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)
Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)
Tiberius Caesar – 15th year of reign verse 1
Pontius Pilate – governor of Judaea verse 1
Herod – tetrarch of Galilee verse 1, 19
Philip – tetrarch of Ituraea+Trachonitis verse 1
Lysanias – tetrarch of Abilene verse 1
All flesh verse 6
Publicans verse 12
Herodias – Philip’s wife verse 19
Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
Sins verse 3
Generation of vipers verse 7
Not bring forth good fruit verse 9
Exact more than necessary verse 13
Violence verse 14
Falsely accuse verse 14
Discontent verse 14
Evils verse 19
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Preaching verse 3, 18
Repentance verse 3, 8
Remission of sins verse 3
Prophet verse 4
Salvation verse 6
Baptized verse 7, 12, 16, 21
Fruits verse 8, 9
Worthy of repentance verse 8
Give second coat away verse 11
Give some meat away verse 11
Don’t charge more verse 13
Don’t do violence verse 14
Don’t accuse falsely verse 14
Be content with your wages verse 14
Baptized with fire verse 16
Reprove verse 19
Praying verse 21
Israel (Old Testament people of God)
Annas – high priest verse 2
Caiaphas – high priest verse 2
John the son of Zacharias verse 2
John in Jordan verse 3- 20
Preaching the baptism of repentance
Remission of sins
One crying in wilderness
Prepare way of the Lord
Salvation of God
Generation of vipers
Fruits worthy of repentance
Good fruit
Baptized
Master
Exhortation
Preached
Prison
Isaiah – prophet verse 4
Abraham verse 8
Joseph – son of Heli verse 23
Genealogy to Adam verse 24- 35
Church (New Testament people of God)
Last Things (Future Events)
Wrath to come verse 7
Chaff burn with fire unquenchable verse 17
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QUOTES regarding passage
3:14 These soldiers probably were not Romans but Jews whom Herod Antipas employed (cf. Josephus, Antiquities 18.5.1 [18.113]) perhaps to assist tax collectors in their duties. Soldiers were also not required to resign but to avoid the sins of their profession, i.e., violent intimidation (“extort”), robbing by false accusation, and dissatisfaction with “wages” (or perhaps “rations”). (Stein, R. H. (1992). Luke (Vol. 24, p. 134). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.)
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14 The “soldiers” (strateuomenoi) were probably not Roman but Jewish, assigned to internal affairs (cf. comment on “officers” at 22:4). The very nature of their work gave them opportunity to commit the sins specified. Soldiers could use threats of reprisal to extort money from the people. The soldiers’ question suggests the seriousness of their moral need, by means of the added words kai hemeis (“even we”)—“What about us?” as JB puts it. Here again the need of others is set over against personal greed. The second great commandment (cf. 10:27b) needs to be applied. (Leifeld, W. L. (1984). Luke. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Matthew, Mark, Luke (Vol. 8, p. 856). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.)
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Soldiers also (και στρατευομενοι [kai strateuomenoi]). Men on service, militantes rather than milites (Plummer). So Paul in 2 Tim. 2:4. An old word like στρατιωτης [stratiōtēs], soldier. Some of these soldiers acted as police to help the publicans. But they were often rough and cruel. Do violence to no man (μηδενα διασεισητε [mēdena diaseisēte]). Here only in the N. T., but in the LXX and common in ancient Greek. It means to shake (seismic disturbance, earthquake) thoroughly (δια [dia]) and so thoroughly to terrify, to extort money or property by intimidating (3 Macc. 7:21). The Latin employs concutere, so. It was a process of blackmail to which Socrates refers (Xenophon, Memorabilia, ii. 9, 1). This was a constant temptation to soldiers. Might does not make right with Jesus. Neither exact anything wrongfully (μηδε συκοφαντησητε [mēde sukophantēsēte]). In Athens those whose business it was to inform against any one whom they might find exporting figs out of Attica were called fig-showers or sycophants (συκοφανται [sukophantai]). From συκον [sukon], fig, and φαινω [phainō], show. Some modern scholars reject this explanation since no actual examples of the word meaning merely a fig-shower have been found. But without this view it is all conjectural. From the time of Aristophanes on it was used for any malignant informer or calumniator. These soldiers were tempted to obtain money by informing against the rich, blackmail again. So the word comes to mean to accuse falsely. The sycophants came to be a regular class of informers or slanderers in Athens. Socrates is quoted by Xenophon as actually advising Crito to employ one in self-defence, like the modern way of using one gunman against another. Demosthenes pictures a sycophant as one who “glides about the market like a scorpion, with his venomous sting all ready, spying out whom he may surprise with misfortune and ruin and from whom he can most easily extort money, by threatening him with an action dangerous in its consequences” (quoted by Vincent). The word occurs only in Luke in the N. T., here and in Luke 19:8 in the confession of Zaccheus. It occurs in the LXX and often in the old Greek. Be content with your wages (ἀρκεισθε τοις ὀψωνιοις ὑμων [arkeisthe tois opsōniois humōn]). Discontent with wages was a complaint of mercenary soldiers. This word for wages was originally anything cooked (ὀψον [opson], cooked food), and bought (from ὠνεομαι [ōneomai], to buy). Hence, “rations,” “pay,” wages. Ὀψαριον [Opsarion], diminutive of ὀψον [opson], was anything eaten with bread like broiled fish. So ὀψωνιον [opsōnion] comes to mean whatever is bought to be eaten with bread and then a soldier’s pay or allowance (Polybius, and other late Greek writers) as in 1 Cor. 9:7. Paul uses the singular of a preacher’s pay (2 Cor. 11:8) and the plural of the wages of sin (Rom. 6:23)=death (death is the diet of sin). (Robertson, A. T. (1933). Word Pictures in the New Testament (Lk 3:14). Nashville, TN: Broadman Press.)
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3:10–14. The crowd, tax collectors, and soldiers all asked, What should we do (vv. 10, 12, 14) to give evidence of genuine repentance? (Cf. similar questions in 10:25; 18:18.) In response John told the people to be (a) generous (3:11), (b) honest (v. 13), and (c) content (v. 14).
A person showed his repentance by being generous with the necessities of life—clothing and food. A tunic (chitōn) was a shirtlike garment. Often people wore two if they had them.
Tax collectors, notorious for their dishonesty in collecting more than required and pocketing it for themselves (cf. 5:27–32), exemplified the need for honesty. And soldiers, known and hated for always trying to get more money (by extorting it and blaming others for it), were examples of the need to be content and gentle. (Martin, J. A. (1985). Luke. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 211). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
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3:14 soldiers. These were most likely members of the forces of Herod Antipas, stationed at Perea, perhaps, along with Judean police. Do not take money … by force. Here and in v. 13, John demanded integrity and high character in the practical matters of everyday life, not a monastic lifestyle or a mystical asceticism. Cf. Jas 1:27. (MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2006). The MacArthur study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (Lk 3:14). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers.)
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3:10–14. The crowd, tax collectors, and soldiers all asked, What should we do (vv. 10, 12, 14) to give evidence of genuine repentance? (Cf. similar questions in 10:25; 18:18.) In response John told the people to be (a) generous (3:11), (b) honest (v. 13), and (c) content (v. 14).
A person showed his repentance by being generous with the necessities of life—clothing and food. A tunic (chitōn) was a shirtlike garment. Often people wore two if they had them.
Tax collectors, notorious for their dishonesty in collecting more than required and pocketing it for themselves (cf. 5:27–32), exemplified the need for honesty. And soldiers, known and hated for always trying to get more money (by extorting it and blaming others for it), were examples of the need to be content and gentle. (Martin, J. A. (1985). Luke. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 211). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
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Ver. 14. And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, &c.] Or asked him: why our translators have rendered it, demanded of him, I know not, unless they thought that such language best suited persons of a military character. Some think these were Gentile soldiers, since it does not look so likely that the Romans would employ Jews as soldiers in their own country; though it is more probable that they were Jews, in the pay of the Romans, who belonged to Herod, tetrarch of Galilee, or to Philip of Iturea, whose dominions lay near the place where John was: since it is certain, that there were many of the Jews that betook themselves to a military life; and seeing John instructed them in no part of natural or revealed religion, but what was suitable to their character and employment: for upon these men saying, what shall we dot to avoid the threatened ruin, and to prove the truth of our repentance, that so we may be admitted to the holy ordinance of baptism; John replied, do violence to no man; or shake him, or put him into bodily fear, by threatening, hectoring, and bullying him, and drawing the sword upon him, which is usual, upon the least offence, for such persons to do; neither accuse any falsely, or play the sycophant; who, in order to flatter some, bring malicious accusations against others; and which was a vice that too much prevailed among the Jewish soldiery; who either to curry favour with the Roman officers and governors, would wrongfully accuse their fellow-soldiers, or countrymen, to them; or in order to extort sums of money from them, that they might live in a more luxurious manner than their common pay would admit of: wherefore, it follows, and be content with your wages; allowed by the government, and don’t seek to increase them by any unlawful methods, as by mutiny and sedition, by rebelling against your officers, or by ill-usage of the people. The Jewish Rabbins have adopted this word, אפסניא, into their language in the Misnic and Talmudic writings: and their gloss explains it by the money, for the soldiers, and the hire of soldiers, as here; and it includes every thing which by the Romans were given to their soldiers for pay, and which was food as well as money. (Gill, J. (1809). An Exposition of the New Testament (Vol. 1, p. 539). London: Mathews and Leigh)
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FROM MY READING:
Old Testament WORDS for Today by Warren W. Wiersbe
Jeremiah knew his work would not be easy. He would have to root things out and tear things down before he could plaint and build (1: 9-10). The godless leaders would oppose him, but the Lord would make him a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls 91: 17-19). The only way to go forward is to take your stand. (p. 157)
“Love never fails” (I Cor 13: 8) even if it seems we have failed miserably, because love make us moe like Jesus, and Jesus also dwelt among the people and sought to help them. (p. 157)
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The RADICAL PURSUIT of REST by John Koessler
Rest is harder to find in a digital culture because technology has dissolved the two fundamental boundaries that are essential to rest: solitude and silence. (p. 117)
Solitude is a critical component to our overall spiritual health. (p. 117)
Rest requires that we cease our ordinary activities and break away from our daily relationships. When we are at rest we are often unavailable. (p. 118)
This is the goal when we practice solitude. We deprive ourselves of the companionship of others in order to enjoy better company. We remove ourselves from the presence of a spouse, our children or our friends to seek the companionship of God. Even though God is our constant companion, it is often hard to give him our undivided attention. When we practice solitude, we place ourselves in an environment that enables us to focus our attention on him exclusively. (p. 119)
In Scripture solitude is often a place of testing and temptation. It is a contest in which we are forced to face our weaknesses and shortcomings. It is the place where Satan confronts us with our sin. (p. 120)
When we pursue rest through silence, we discover how much we use sound to shield ourselves both from our own thoughts and even from God himself. (p. 121)
The intentional practice of silence is also the pursuit of rest because it teaches us to depend on God to look out for our interests. When we practice silence, we surrender. We give up the fight for control. (p. 122)
Solitude and silence are not merely disciplines; they are exercises in trust. Those who practice solitude and silence rest in God’s control. He is fully capable of running the world without our help. (p. 124)
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Christ is our Savior and example; the center of life for Christians.
INSIGHT
People can no more save themselves than they can fly to the moon. Both are utterly impossible. And because of our spiritual condition and the spiritual laws of God, we stand a greater assurance of making our spiritual condition worse instead of better by trying to save ourselves. Paul says that we were dead. We had decrees written against us that we were powerless to remove. God made us alive together with Christ and removed the decrees against us by nailing them Òto the crossÓ (vv. 13-14). We must gain salvation by grace through faith in Christ or not have it at all. (Quiet Walk)
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CONFIDENCE IN PRAYER
Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.1 John 3:21
This matter of “confidence” is absolutely vital to true prevailing prayer. Let me remind you how the Scripture puts it. Have you noticed that the word boldness is used in connection with prayer in the Scriptures? You often find it in the epistle to the Hebrews: “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (4:16); or again, “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus” (Hebrews 10:19); or, “let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith” (Hebrews 10:22). Or consider what Paul says in Ephesians 3: “…in whom we have boldness and access with confidence by…faith” (verse 12). That is the way to pray; if our petitions are to be of any value, we must have boldness and assurance and confidence in our access.
How is this to be obtained? Well, it seems to me that we are here dealing with the answer, and it is a question of sonship. The consciousness of our sonship and the assurance of our sonship is to be determined by our love of the brethren. It works like this: If I am truly loving the brethren, then I remember that I am a child of God. Therefore, when I am before God in prayer I argue like this: “I must think of God now not as my Judge but as my Father.” John goes on to remind us of that in 1 John chapter 4. I do not come to God, therefore, in a spirit of fear, because “fear hath torment” (1 John 4:18). So, assured of my sonship, I know that God delights in me, that God indeed is much more ready to bless me than I am to ask to be blessed.
A Thought to Ponder: I must think of God now not as my Judge but as my Father.
(From Children of God, pp. 128-129, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
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True Christian Fellowship
“That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.” (Philemon 1:6)
This one-chapter epistle of Paul to his friend Philemon is essentially a personal request by Paul that Philemon forgive his runaway slave, Onesimus, and receive him back into “the church in thy house” as a new Christian, recently won to Christ (vv. 2, 10, 15-16). Our text is Paul’s prayer for Philemon and is similar to prayers by him for other believers (e.g., Colossians 1:9-10). It is an appropriate prayer on behalf of any fellow Christian. Its emphasis is on the blessings and responsibilities of true fellowship.
The “communication” of which Paul speaks is the Greek word koinonia, meaning “fellowship.” That is, genuine Christian faith involves a sharing of one’s life with others of “like precious faith” (2 Peter 1:1). That fellowship becomes “effectual” (literally, “full of power,” from the Greek energes, “energizing”) only through recognizing and appreciating all the blessings we have received through Christ.
Paul pointed out that he himself should be counted as a “partner” with Philemon (v. 17). Here the Greek is koinonos, practically the same as koinonia. Both Philemon, the wealthy Colossian master, and Onesimus, his runaway bondservant, were Paul’s spiritual children (v. 19), so they all theoretically shared “every good thing” in fellowship through Christ. Thus, Paul offered to repay anything Onesimus had stolen or any other losses, should Philemon so insist (vv. 18-19).
The demands of Christian fellowship thus might cost Onesimus his freedom, Paul his helper, and Philemon his property. True fellowship is not mere Christian socializing. It is the sharing of love and concern, time and talents, possessions and even life itself, as need and circumstance demand, with others in the household of faith. (HMM, The Institute for Creation Research)
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These stages are the economies, stewardships, or dispensations in the unfolding of His purpose. Dispensationalism, therefore, recognizes both the unity of His purpose and the diversity in the unfolding of it. Covenant theology emphasizes the unity to the point of forcing unwarranted, inconsistent, and contradictory interpretations of the Scriptures. Only dispensationalism can maintain unity and diversity at the same time and offer a consistent system of interpretation.
(p. 39. Dispensationalism by Charles C. Ryrie)
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PRAYER AND PRAISE:
Prayer request policy: If you want the prayer request to be private or just between me and you please say so in the email. I will pray for those requests. If you don’t mind others praying for the request, then just send the request with no restrictions and I will put it in the devotional for other to pray. We don’t include last names in any of our prayer requests. Thank you.
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Please pray for the Lawmakers on your prayer list, which includes your address book, church directory and email list.
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Please remember to pray for the Biblical churches and pastors in the COUNTRIES OF AFRICA. (REMEMBER THAT IF YOU KNOW BIBLICAL PASTORS IN THESE COUNTRIES TO LET US KNOW THEIR NAMES AND CHURCHES AND WE WILL PRAY FOR THEM)
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Update on Christy (WA): She is going to have a cat scan on Friday to see how her tumor is doing. To see if the chemo is doing. Thank you for your prayers for her and the family.
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Pat asks (NY): Lyle M. is still at Unity Hospital. He was being treated for an infection and possible heart attack. He may be released to return to the Premier Genesee Center for Nursing later today. Pray for Gordon & Ellen C. as they drive south to Florida on Wednesday for the winter months. Also, keep Mary Bauer in your prayers as she recovers from her recent broken leg. She is still not able to put any weight on her leg.
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Mary writes (IL): Jim has been moved into hospice care in the last 24-48 hours. My sisters and I had a great visit. Jim, I Love You ❤️ God Loves You More He will turn your darkness into Light. Walk Like A Warrior ShiningStar _____________________________________________________________________________
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