Luke 17:17: "Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine?"
I spoke on this passage last night at our home fellowship. The five of us were overwhelmed by the grace of our God in loving us even though we too often fail to express our thankfulness. The point of this verse is that Jesus expects us to be thankful and misses it when it is not expressed.
Let's be thankful people everyday, not just one day a year. Let's have thanksgiving everyday!
I am thankful for my Saviour, Jesus, who was called the Friend of sinners; and I'm so glad He is this sinners friend.
What are you thankful for?
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Monday, November 24, 2008
What the Bible says about God creating man in His own image, pt. 5
GOD IS NOT A MAN
Some cults teach that God was once a man, and obtained Godhood. However, the Bible clearly teaches against such a false idea. Numbers 23:19 declares, “God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?”
The Bible declares that God has existed from everlasting, Genesis 21:33, “Then Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba, and there called on the name of the LORD, the Everlasting God.” Psalms 93:2 declares, “Your throne is established from of old; You are from everlasting.” God has always existed, Psalms 90:2 declares, “Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever You had formed the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.”
The Bible does not teach that God is a man. However the Bible does teach that God became a man and dwelt among us in the Person of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. The following passages teach that God would become a man and dwell among us. Isaiah 9:6-7 declares, “For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.” Matthew 1:20-23 declares, “But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.’ So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: ‘Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,’ which is translated, ‘God with us.’" II Corinthians 5:19 declares, “that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.” And I Timothy 3:16 declares, “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.” All these passages clearly teach that God indeed became a man and lived among us.
Jesus himself referred to Himself as the Son of Man and the Son of God, John 3:14-17, “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” In using the title Son of Man, Jesus was identifying Himself with mankind and also declaring Himself to be the Messiah prophesied of by Daniel, Daniel 7:13-14, “I was watching in the night visions, And behold, one like the Son of Man, Coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, And they brought Him near before Him. Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, Which shall not pass away, And His kingdom the one Which shall not be destroyed.”
MAN IS NOT A GOD
There are those within the so-called “Faith Movement” that teach that since man was created in the image of God, men are in reality, little gods. The often refer to themselves as “little gods.” One even went so far to say that, “When you see me, you see Jesus.”
They often quote John 10:34 and Psalms 82 in an attempt to justify their position. Let’s look at these two passages and see if we can understand there meaning. In John 10:31-37 John declares, “Then the Jews took up stones again to stone Him. Jesus answered them, ‘Many good works I have shown you from My Father. For which of those works do you stone Me?’ The Jews answered Him, saying, ‘For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy, and because You, being a Man, make Yourself God.’ Jesus answered them, ‘Is it not written in your law, 'I said, You are gods"'? If He called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken), do you say of Him whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, 'You are blaspheming,' because I said, 'I am the Son of God'? If Jesus was not the Son of God His words would have been blasphemous. However, since He is the Son of God His words are true and just. Jesus question was simple and straightforward: If God called human judges "gods," then why should they stone Him for applying the same title to Himself?
Lets look as Psalms 82:1, “God stands in the congregation of the mighty; He judges among the gods.” Notice that it is God who calls human judges “gods.” They were called this by God because as judges they held in their hands the power of life and death. Instead of dispensing justice in equity and righteousness, they had perverted justice and taken bribes. They thought of themselves as “gods.” However, as we read on we see what God thought of them, Psalms 82:6-7, “I said, ‘You are gods, And all of you are children of the Most High. But you shall die like men, And fall like one of the princes.’” Clearly they were mere men who thought that they were gods but were not. Men are not “little gods,” nor will they ever be gods. This was the lie that began in the garden and is being perpetuated by many in the so-called “Faith Movement.” Those that teach that they are “little gods” are at the least mistaken and at the worst, liars seeking to deceive others. They never were gods and they never will be gods.
CONCLUSION
God made man in His own image reflecting some of His own characteristics. God was not once a man, for there were no gods before him and there will be no gods after Him. Additionally, to see God in a person is not their attaining a status as a “little god,” but rather is only possible as they allow the Holy Spirit to conform them to the image of Jesus Christ. Romans 8:29 declares, “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.” And I John 3:2 declares, “Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.”
It is only in Jesus Christ whereby we can have forgiveness of sins and be conformed into the image of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Some cults teach that God was once a man, and obtained Godhood. However, the Bible clearly teaches against such a false idea. Numbers 23:19 declares, “God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?”
The Bible declares that God has existed from everlasting, Genesis 21:33, “Then Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba, and there called on the name of the LORD, the Everlasting God.” Psalms 93:2 declares, “Your throne is established from of old; You are from everlasting.” God has always existed, Psalms 90:2 declares, “Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever You had formed the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.”
The Bible does not teach that God is a man. However the Bible does teach that God became a man and dwelt among us in the Person of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. The following passages teach that God would become a man and dwell among us. Isaiah 9:6-7 declares, “For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.” Matthew 1:20-23 declares, “But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.’ So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: ‘Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,’ which is translated, ‘God with us.’" II Corinthians 5:19 declares, “that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.” And I Timothy 3:16 declares, “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.” All these passages clearly teach that God indeed became a man and lived among us.
Jesus himself referred to Himself as the Son of Man and the Son of God, John 3:14-17, “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” In using the title Son of Man, Jesus was identifying Himself with mankind and also declaring Himself to be the Messiah prophesied of by Daniel, Daniel 7:13-14, “I was watching in the night visions, And behold, one like the Son of Man, Coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, And they brought Him near before Him. Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, Which shall not pass away, And His kingdom the one Which shall not be destroyed.”
MAN IS NOT A GOD
There are those within the so-called “Faith Movement” that teach that since man was created in the image of God, men are in reality, little gods. The often refer to themselves as “little gods.” One even went so far to say that, “When you see me, you see Jesus.”
They often quote John 10:34 and Psalms 82 in an attempt to justify their position. Let’s look at these two passages and see if we can understand there meaning. In John 10:31-37 John declares, “Then the Jews took up stones again to stone Him. Jesus answered them, ‘Many good works I have shown you from My Father. For which of those works do you stone Me?’ The Jews answered Him, saying, ‘For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy, and because You, being a Man, make Yourself God.’ Jesus answered them, ‘Is it not written in your law, 'I said, You are gods"'? If He called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken), do you say of Him whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, 'You are blaspheming,' because I said, 'I am the Son of God'? If Jesus was not the Son of God His words would have been blasphemous. However, since He is the Son of God His words are true and just. Jesus question was simple and straightforward: If God called human judges "gods," then why should they stone Him for applying the same title to Himself?
Lets look as Psalms 82:1, “God stands in the congregation of the mighty; He judges among the gods.” Notice that it is God who calls human judges “gods.” They were called this by God because as judges they held in their hands the power of life and death. Instead of dispensing justice in equity and righteousness, they had perverted justice and taken bribes. They thought of themselves as “gods.” However, as we read on we see what God thought of them, Psalms 82:6-7, “I said, ‘You are gods, And all of you are children of the Most High. But you shall die like men, And fall like one of the princes.’” Clearly they were mere men who thought that they were gods but were not. Men are not “little gods,” nor will they ever be gods. This was the lie that began in the garden and is being perpetuated by many in the so-called “Faith Movement.” Those that teach that they are “little gods” are at the least mistaken and at the worst, liars seeking to deceive others. They never were gods and they never will be gods.
CONCLUSION
God made man in His own image reflecting some of His own characteristics. God was not once a man, for there were no gods before him and there will be no gods after Him. Additionally, to see God in a person is not their attaining a status as a “little god,” but rather is only possible as they allow the Holy Spirit to conform them to the image of Jesus Christ. Romans 8:29 declares, “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.” And I John 3:2 declares, “Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.”
It is only in Jesus Christ whereby we can have forgiveness of sins and be conformed into the image of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
What the Bible says about God creating man in His own image, pt. 4
MAN WAS CREATED BY GOD IN THE IMAGE OF GOD
The pattern for man’s creation was determined by God, “…Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness…” The Hebrew word here for image is defined as a representative figure; it is used in the sense of essential nature.
In Genesis 5:3 we are told, “And Adam lived one hundred and thirty years, and begot a son in his own likeness, after his image, and named him Seth.” Here human nature and external characteristics is what is meant rather than an exact duplicate. Likewise, God made man reflecting some of His own characteristics, possessing similar elements of personality to that of Himself – specifically, thinking, feeling, and will.
God created man, “…a living being,” Genesis 2:7. The same distinction is used of animals; Genesis 1:21, “…living thing;” Genesis 1:24, “…a living creature…;” Genesis 2:19, “…living creature.” However, since man was created in the image of God, there exists a clear distinction between the animals and man. One example is found in Ecclesiastes 3:19-21 where it is declared that the spirit of the animal returns to the dust, whereas the spirit of the man goes upward returning to the One who gave it (see also Ecclesiastes 12:7).
MAN WAS CREATED BY GOD IN THE IMAGE OF GOD, ACCORDING TO HIS LIKENESS
The Hebrew word for likeness used here for likeness means, resemblance and is translated, likeness, shape, figure, form and pattern. The following passages declare that God has indeed created man according to His likeness. I Corinthians 11:7 declares, “For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man.”
However, while God made man in His image and in His likeness, that nature became corrupted when man sinned by rebelling against God. The Christian, the one who has received Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior, is a new creation and is being made into the image of Christ. Romans 8:29 declares, “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.” I Corinthians 15:49 declares, “And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man.” II Corinthians 3:18 declares, “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.” Colossians 3:10, “and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him.” I John 3:2 declares, “Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.”
God created mankind male and female. Genesis 1:27 is a statement of generality, an overview of God’s creation of mankind. Genesis 2:7 details the creation of the man. Genesis 2:21-23 details the creation of the woman. Just as with the man, the woman was also created in the image of God. She is no less that the man and the man is no greater than the woman. God created her to be a helper, not a doormat or a slave. In Christ she has been elevated to equality with the man, Galatians 3:28, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
To be created in the image of God also means to be a living being. This was Paul’s message on the Areopagus, Acts 17:28-29, “for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, 'For we are also His offspring.' Therefore, since we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, something shaped by art and man's devising.” Paul was declaring that inanimate objects could not represent the living God; and since man is the offspring of God, and since man is a living being, God therefore must be a living being.
Further, man is not only a living being, he also has intelligence and will, that give him the ability to make decisions that enable him to have dominion over creation (Genesis 1:28).
The pattern for man’s creation was determined by God, “…Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness…” The Hebrew word here for image is defined as a representative figure; it is used in the sense of essential nature.
In Genesis 5:3 we are told, “And Adam lived one hundred and thirty years, and begot a son in his own likeness, after his image, and named him Seth.” Here human nature and external characteristics is what is meant rather than an exact duplicate. Likewise, God made man reflecting some of His own characteristics, possessing similar elements of personality to that of Himself – specifically, thinking, feeling, and will.
God created man, “…a living being,” Genesis 2:7. The same distinction is used of animals; Genesis 1:21, “…living thing;” Genesis 1:24, “…a living creature…;” Genesis 2:19, “…living creature.” However, since man was created in the image of God, there exists a clear distinction between the animals and man. One example is found in Ecclesiastes 3:19-21 where it is declared that the spirit of the animal returns to the dust, whereas the spirit of the man goes upward returning to the One who gave it (see also Ecclesiastes 12:7).
MAN WAS CREATED BY GOD IN THE IMAGE OF GOD, ACCORDING TO HIS LIKENESS
The Hebrew word for likeness used here for likeness means, resemblance and is translated, likeness, shape, figure, form and pattern. The following passages declare that God has indeed created man according to His likeness. I Corinthians 11:7 declares, “For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man.”
However, while God made man in His image and in His likeness, that nature became corrupted when man sinned by rebelling against God. The Christian, the one who has received Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior, is a new creation and is being made into the image of Christ. Romans 8:29 declares, “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.” I Corinthians 15:49 declares, “And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man.” II Corinthians 3:18 declares, “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.” Colossians 3:10, “and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him.” I John 3:2 declares, “Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.”
God created mankind male and female. Genesis 1:27 is a statement of generality, an overview of God’s creation of mankind. Genesis 2:7 details the creation of the man. Genesis 2:21-23 details the creation of the woman. Just as with the man, the woman was also created in the image of God. She is no less that the man and the man is no greater than the woman. God created her to be a helper, not a doormat or a slave. In Christ she has been elevated to equality with the man, Galatians 3:28, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
To be created in the image of God also means to be a living being. This was Paul’s message on the Areopagus, Acts 17:28-29, “for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, 'For we are also His offspring.' Therefore, since we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, something shaped by art and man's devising.” Paul was declaring that inanimate objects could not represent the living God; and since man is the offspring of God, and since man is a living being, God therefore must be a living being.
Further, man is not only a living being, he also has intelligence and will, that give him the ability to make decisions that enable him to have dominion over creation (Genesis 1:28).
Saturday, November 22, 2008
What the Bible says about God creating man in His own image, pt. 3
MAN WAS CREATED BY GOD
The creation of man by God was based upon the deliberate counsel of God, “…Let Us make man…”. Man was no afterthought, but rather deliberate forethought on the part of the Godhead. Creation was incomplete without the man. All that God created up to that point was pronounced as “good.” Upon the creation of the man, God pronounced that everything he had made, including the man, was “very good” (Genesis 1:31).
Genesis 2:7 details how God created man, “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.” The following passages teach that God created man from the dust of the earth. Psalms 103:13-14 declares, “As a father pities his children, So the LORD pities those who fear Him. For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.” Isaiah 29:16 declares, “Surely you have things turned around! Shall the potter be esteemed as the clay; For shall the thing made say of him who made it, ‘He did not make me’? Or shall the thing formed say of him who formed it, ‘He has no understanding?’” Romans 9:20-21 declares, “But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, ‘Why have you made me like this?’ Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor?” Like a potter who makes his clay from the dust of the earth, God fashioned and formed man from the dust of the earth.
And just as man was created by God from the dust, he shall return to the dust from which he was made, "In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread Till you return to the ground, For out of it you were taken; For dust you are, And to dust you shall return," Genesis 3:19.
There is not one passage in the whole of scripture that would indicate that man evolved from sub-human, non-human, or pre-human life forms. Additionally, the appearance of man did not involve any evolutionary process. The creation of man was direct; there was no pre-human life form in-between the animals and man as he is today. The creation of man was a special act of creation as his creation was markedly different from all other organic life forms. The creation of man was immediate as it did not involve a process; God created man and man was. The creation of man was direct, specific, and immediate.
The scriptures dispel the notion of theistic evolution as well since they declare that God created man on a specific day, Deuteronomy 4:32, “…since the day that God created man on the earth…” To teach that the creation of man was the result of God breathing life into some non-human life form that evolved into what we see today as man is to teach evolution and not creation.
The creation of man by God was based upon the deliberate counsel of God, “…Let Us make man…”. Man was no afterthought, but rather deliberate forethought on the part of the Godhead. Creation was incomplete without the man. All that God created up to that point was pronounced as “good.” Upon the creation of the man, God pronounced that everything he had made, including the man, was “very good” (Genesis 1:31).
Genesis 2:7 details how God created man, “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.” The following passages teach that God created man from the dust of the earth. Psalms 103:13-14 declares, “As a father pities his children, So the LORD pities those who fear Him. For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.” Isaiah 29:16 declares, “Surely you have things turned around! Shall the potter be esteemed as the clay; For shall the thing made say of him who made it, ‘He did not make me’? Or shall the thing formed say of him who formed it, ‘He has no understanding?’” Romans 9:20-21 declares, “But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, ‘Why have you made me like this?’ Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor?” Like a potter who makes his clay from the dust of the earth, God fashioned and formed man from the dust of the earth.
And just as man was created by God from the dust, he shall return to the dust from which he was made, "In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread Till you return to the ground, For out of it you were taken; For dust you are, And to dust you shall return," Genesis 3:19.
There is not one passage in the whole of scripture that would indicate that man evolved from sub-human, non-human, or pre-human life forms. Additionally, the appearance of man did not involve any evolutionary process. The creation of man was direct; there was no pre-human life form in-between the animals and man as he is today. The creation of man was a special act of creation as his creation was markedly different from all other organic life forms. The creation of man was immediate as it did not involve a process; God created man and man was. The creation of man was direct, specific, and immediate.
The scriptures dispel the notion of theistic evolution as well since they declare that God created man on a specific day, Deuteronomy 4:32, “…since the day that God created man on the earth…” To teach that the creation of man was the result of God breathing life into some non-human life form that evolved into what we see today as man is to teach evolution and not creation.
Friday, November 21, 2008
What the Bible says about God creating man in His own image, pt. 2
MAN WAS CREATED
The Bible well documents the creation of man. Genesis 1:26-27 declares, “Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’ So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.”
Man is first introduced into the biblical record as being made by God, “…Let us make man…”. The Hebrew word for make is asha, and means, to assemble existing materials into an order. (We shall see that this word is used when God created man from the dust of the earth. The other Hebrew word used for make is bara and means to create out of nothing, as in Genesis 1:1, where God spoke the world into existence from nothing).
The following passages teach the creation of man as absolute fact. Deuteronomy 4:32 declares, “For ask now concerning the days that are past, which were before you, since the day that God created man on the earth, and ask from one end of heaven to the other, whether any great thing like this has happened, or anything like it has been heard." Isaiah 45:12 declares, “I have made the earth, And created man on it. I — My hands — stretched out the heavens, And all their host I have commanded.” Colossians 1:16 declares, “For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.” Revelation 4:11 declares, “You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created." The Bible clearly teaches that man was created by God; he did not evolve over a period of millions and millions of years; he did not come into being by accident, or by a series of fortuitous circumstances.
The Bible well documents the creation of man. Genesis 1:26-27 declares, “Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’ So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.”
Man is first introduced into the biblical record as being made by God, “…Let us make man…”. The Hebrew word for make is asha, and means, to assemble existing materials into an order. (We shall see that this word is used when God created man from the dust of the earth. The other Hebrew word used for make is bara and means to create out of nothing, as in Genesis 1:1, where God spoke the world into existence from nothing).
The following passages teach the creation of man as absolute fact. Deuteronomy 4:32 declares, “For ask now concerning the days that are past, which were before you, since the day that God created man on the earth, and ask from one end of heaven to the other, whether any great thing like this has happened, or anything like it has been heard." Isaiah 45:12 declares, “I have made the earth, And created man on it. I — My hands — stretched out the heavens, And all their host I have commanded.” Colossians 1:16 declares, “For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.” Revelation 4:11 declares, “You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created." The Bible clearly teaches that man was created by God; he did not evolve over a period of millions and millions of years; he did not come into being by accident, or by a series of fortuitous circumstances.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
What the Bible says about God making Man in His own image, pt. 1
INTRODUCTION
The Bible declares that God has made man in His own image. There is much confusion in the church today at to exactly what this means. One cult teaches that God was once a man, who has been exalted to the status of Godhood and now rules over the planet earth. Additionally some of those in the so-called “Faith Movement” teach that God is a man with a hand span of about nine inches and is about six feet tall. They also teach that since God made man in His own image, to see them is to see God.
We believe that when the Bible declares that God man in His own image it means that God made man reflecting some of His own characteristics. Man, in the image of God, possesses the element of personality similar to that of God, i.e., thinking, feeling, and will. Man was created by God as an intelligent, free moral agent. He was created with moral integrity. He was created to have dominion over the creation of God.
We shall see that man was originally created to reflect the character and characteristics of God, but that he fell from that position into the place were he has become corrupted by sin.
The Bible declares that God has made man in His own image. There is much confusion in the church today at to exactly what this means. One cult teaches that God was once a man, who has been exalted to the status of Godhood and now rules over the planet earth. Additionally some of those in the so-called “Faith Movement” teach that God is a man with a hand span of about nine inches and is about six feet tall. They also teach that since God made man in His own image, to see them is to see God.
We believe that when the Bible declares that God man in His own image it means that God made man reflecting some of His own characteristics. Man, in the image of God, possesses the element of personality similar to that of God, i.e., thinking, feeling, and will. Man was created by God as an intelligent, free moral agent. He was created with moral integrity. He was created to have dominion over the creation of God.
We shall see that man was originally created to reflect the character and characteristics of God, but that he fell from that position into the place were he has become corrupted by sin.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Spurgeon on obedience...
"Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice." 1 Samuel 15:22
Saul had been commanded to slay utterly all the Amalekites and their cattle. Instead of doing so, he preserved the king, and suffered his people to take the best of the oxen and of the sheep. When called to account for this, he declared that he did it with a view of offering sacrifice to God; but Samuel met him at once with the assurance that sacrifices were no excuse for an act of direct rebellion. The sentence before us is worthy to be printed in letters of gold, and to be hung up before the eyes of the present idolatrous generation, who are very fond of the fineries of will-worship, but utterly neglect the laws of God. Be it ever in your remembrance, that to keep strictly in the path of your Saviour's command is better than any outward form of religion; and to hearken to His precept with an attentive ear is better than to bring the fat of rams, or any other precious thing to lay upon His altar. If you are failing to keep the least of Christ's commands to His disciples, I pray you be disobedient no longer. All the pretensions you make of attachment to your Master, and all the devout actions which you may perform, are no recompense for disobedience. "To obey," even in the slightest and smallest thing, "is better than sacrifice," however pompous. Talk not of Gregorian chants, sumptuous robes, incense, and banners; the first thing which God requires of His child is obedience; and though you should give your body to be burned, and all your goods to feed the poor, yet if you do not hearken to the Lord's precepts, all your formalities shall profit you nothing. It is a blessed thing to be teachable as a little child, but it is a much more blessed thing when one has been taught the lesson, to carry it out to the letter. How many adorn their temples and decorate their priests, but refuse to obey the word of the Lord! My soul, come not thou into their secret.
Saul had been commanded to slay utterly all the Amalekites and their cattle. Instead of doing so, he preserved the king, and suffered his people to take the best of the oxen and of the sheep. When called to account for this, he declared that he did it with a view of offering sacrifice to God; but Samuel met him at once with the assurance that sacrifices were no excuse for an act of direct rebellion. The sentence before us is worthy to be printed in letters of gold, and to be hung up before the eyes of the present idolatrous generation, who are very fond of the fineries of will-worship, but utterly neglect the laws of God. Be it ever in your remembrance, that to keep strictly in the path of your Saviour's command is better than any outward form of religion; and to hearken to His precept with an attentive ear is better than to bring the fat of rams, or any other precious thing to lay upon His altar. If you are failing to keep the least of Christ's commands to His disciples, I pray you be disobedient no longer. All the pretensions you make of attachment to your Master, and all the devout actions which you may perform, are no recompense for disobedience. "To obey," even in the slightest and smallest thing, "is better than sacrifice," however pompous. Talk not of Gregorian chants, sumptuous robes, incense, and banners; the first thing which God requires of His child is obedience; and though you should give your body to be burned, and all your goods to feed the poor, yet if you do not hearken to the Lord's precepts, all your formalities shall profit you nothing. It is a blessed thing to be teachable as a little child, but it is a much more blessed thing when one has been taught the lesson, to carry it out to the letter. How many adorn their temples and decorate their priests, but refuse to obey the word of the Lord! My soul, come not thou into their secret.
Swindoll on Restriant...
"The best restraint is self-restraint that comes from the inner prompting of the Holy Spirit through the person and presence of Jesus Christ in each individual life." Chuck Swindoll
Sunday, November 16, 2008
You have the right, David Guizk
"God did something special when He called Abram out of Ur of the Chaldees and promised Abram all of the land of Canaan. But when Abram brought his nephew Lot with him into the land, it wasn’t long until there was conflict. (Genesis 13:8-9) Abram and Lot each had considerable herds of livestock, and their herdsmen fought over the choice grazing lands. Abram and Lot each claimed to serve the Lord God instead of the local Canaanite idols, and their conflict made them look like hypocrites. The logical solution was to separate the flocks and give them different grazing lands. But who would go where? That is when Abram exercised his right to lay down his rights.
“If you take the left, then I will go to the right; or, if you go to the right, then I will go to the left.” God gave all the land to Abram (not to Lot), so it was pure generosity on the part of Abram that caused him to make this offer to Lot. We are almost tempted to think that it was weakness. But Abram was quite able to fight when he had to; he did not yield to Lot out of weakness but out of love and trust in God. A few acres of grazing land didn’t seem worth fighting for to this man of eternal perspective.
This giving up of our rights is theme throughout the Bible. God was glorified when Paul, out of love, waived his right to be supported by the gospel. (1 Corinthians 9:14-18) God was glorified when Jesus, out of love, waived his right to an existence that knew no human suffering or trial by experience. (Philippians 2:5-11) In fact, here Abram fulfilled the New Testament principle of love: “Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:4)
But if we give up our rights, who will look out for us? Abram knew that whatever Lot chose, God would make sure Abram came out all right. In previous experience in the land of Egypt, Abram thought he had to take his fate into his own hands. Abram thought he had to look out for his own rights. Now being wiser, he was willing to let God look out for his interests. Right or left, it didn’t matter to Abram, because God would be there.
Because he trusted in God, Abram did not have to be obsessed with his own “rights” and neither do we. Of course there may be a time and place to stand on principle and claim a right; and sometimes doing so is good for others and not only ourselves. Yet we never forget the bigger principle: Everything else is the free gift of God, and has nothing to do with our “rights.” We can do what is right by committing our “rights” to God."
If you haven't read any of David's commentary, it is great. His writings are simple and straightforward. They are available on the Internet through the Blue Letter Bible and on www.enduringword.com
“If you take the left, then I will go to the right; or, if you go to the right, then I will go to the left.” God gave all the land to Abram (not to Lot), so it was pure generosity on the part of Abram that caused him to make this offer to Lot. We are almost tempted to think that it was weakness. But Abram was quite able to fight when he had to; he did not yield to Lot out of weakness but out of love and trust in God. A few acres of grazing land didn’t seem worth fighting for to this man of eternal perspective.
This giving up of our rights is theme throughout the Bible. God was glorified when Paul, out of love, waived his right to be supported by the gospel. (1 Corinthians 9:14-18) God was glorified when Jesus, out of love, waived his right to an existence that knew no human suffering or trial by experience. (Philippians 2:5-11) In fact, here Abram fulfilled the New Testament principle of love: “Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:4)
But if we give up our rights, who will look out for us? Abram knew that whatever Lot chose, God would make sure Abram came out all right. In previous experience in the land of Egypt, Abram thought he had to take his fate into his own hands. Abram thought he had to look out for his own rights. Now being wiser, he was willing to let God look out for his interests. Right or left, it didn’t matter to Abram, because God would be there.
Because he trusted in God, Abram did not have to be obsessed with his own “rights” and neither do we. Of course there may be a time and place to stand on principle and claim a right; and sometimes doing so is good for others and not only ourselves. Yet we never forget the bigger principle: Everything else is the free gift of God, and has nothing to do with our “rights.” We can do what is right by committing our “rights” to God."
If you haven't read any of David's commentary, it is great. His writings are simple and straightforward. They are available on the Internet through the Blue Letter Bible and on www.enduringword.com
Humor from Galye Erwin...
If you don't read the newspaper you are uninformed, if you do read the newspaper you are misinformed. -- Mark Twain
Suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of Congress. But then I repeat myself. -- Mark Twain
I don't make jokes. I just watch the government and report the facts. -- Will Rogers
No man's life, liberty, or property is safe while the legislature is in session. -- Mark Twain
A government which robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul. -- George Bernard Shaw
Democracy must be something more than two wolves and a sheep voting on what to have for dinner. -- James Bovard
Talk is cheap...except when Congress does it. -- Unknown
The only difference between a tax man and a taxidermist is that the taxidermist leaves the skin. -- Mark Twain
There is no distinctly Native American criminal class...save Congress. -- Mark Twain
What this country needs is more unemployed politicians. -- Edward Langley
A government big enough to give you everything you want is strong enough to take everything you have. --Thomas Jefferson
Suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of Congress. But then I repeat myself. -- Mark Twain
I don't make jokes. I just watch the government and report the facts. -- Will Rogers
No man's life, liberty, or property is safe while the legislature is in session. -- Mark Twain
A government which robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul. -- George Bernard Shaw
Democracy must be something more than two wolves and a sheep voting on what to have for dinner. -- James Bovard
Talk is cheap...except when Congress does it. -- Unknown
The only difference between a tax man and a taxidermist is that the taxidermist leaves the skin. -- Mark Twain
There is no distinctly Native American criminal class...save Congress. -- Mark Twain
What this country needs is more unemployed politicians. -- Edward Langley
A government big enough to give you everything you want is strong enough to take everything you have. --Thomas Jefferson
Saturday, November 15, 2008
The best definition of legalism I ever heard...
"Legalism is an attitude, a mentality based on pride. It is an obsessive conformity to an artificial standard for the purpose of exalting oneself." Chuck Swindoll
Friday, November 14, 2008
Just flew back from Houston and boy are my arms tired...
Actually, I drove back (a small attempt at humor - I'm tired, so forgive me). One thing I noticed was how rude the drivers were. And sadly, many had the Christian "fish" on their car. Made me think about how I drive; so I made a concerted effort to be polite (even though I don't have a "fish" on the back of my truck; so who would know? God would!).
As Christians, lets agree together to bring back politeness. What a wonderful thing that would be; and those "fish" on the back of our car? Perhaps people would say good things about us?
As Christians, lets agree together to bring back politeness. What a wonderful thing that would be; and those "fish" on the back of our car? Perhaps people would say good things about us?
Monday, November 10, 2008
Musings from the road...
This is from Mike Macintosh's daily devotional:
"Don't add to the Gospel and make Christianity a bunch of religious jargon and nonsense. Read the Word of God and live by what it says. If you don't have a red-letter Bible, go buy one and start reading all of the words in red; these are the words that Jesus Himself said. Start there in your daily reading and start taking to heart what Jesus is saying to you. When you start falling in love with the Bible, you fall in love with Jesus. It’s all about Him. The Scriptures bring the heart of God to us and bring our heart to God. They open us up and they speak to us. And today more than ever we need the Word of God in our hearts, stirring us up to live our lives with purpose and meaning. Don’t be like the Pharisees who acted religiously but didn't even see Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world, right in front of them. We have God’s revelation right here in front of us. Take full advantage of that wonderful and precious gift. Get into His Word and meditate on it every day." Mike Macintosh
"Don't add to the Gospel and make Christianity a bunch of religious jargon and nonsense. Read the Word of God and live by what it says. If you don't have a red-letter Bible, go buy one and start reading all of the words in red; these are the words that Jesus Himself said. Start there in your daily reading and start taking to heart what Jesus is saying to you. When you start falling in love with the Bible, you fall in love with Jesus. It’s all about Him. The Scriptures bring the heart of God to us and bring our heart to God. They open us up and they speak to us. And today more than ever we need the Word of God in our hearts, stirring us up to live our lives with purpose and meaning. Don’t be like the Pharisees who acted religiously but didn't even see Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world, right in front of them. We have God’s revelation right here in front of us. Take full advantage of that wonderful and precious gift. Get into His Word and meditate on it every day." Mike Macintosh
Sunday, November 9, 2008
On the road again....
I'll be in Houston all this week. Appreciate your prayers God keep you all and bless you bunches!
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Change is coming...
I believe that many changes are coming to America.
1. Religious liberties are going to be restricted. The line between the true believer and the "poser" is only going to grow sharper as the church will be forced by the State to accept homosexuality.
2. It will be harder and harder to be a faithful witness for Jesus Christ. Our ability to openly profess our faith will be restricted to within the four walls of the church.
3. Pressure will be put on Christians in the workplace to be "tolerant." Companies will (under force of government) force employees to agree with lifestyles long held to be sinful under threat of firing.
4. Abortion on demand will be expanded to include any time up to and including birth and beyond.
5. Euthanasia will become the law of the land. Those deemed "unfit" or "no longer viable" or "unproductive" or those suffering from a "diminished" life will be candidates.
So what shall we do about this?
First and foremost we need to pray, 1 Timothy 2:1-4: "Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men,for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth."
Second, we need to keep working, John 4:35: "Do you not say, 'There are still four months and then comes the harvest'? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!"
Third, we need to keep watching, Luke 21:28: "Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near."
1. Religious liberties are going to be restricted. The line between the true believer and the "poser" is only going to grow sharper as the church will be forced by the State to accept homosexuality.
2. It will be harder and harder to be a faithful witness for Jesus Christ. Our ability to openly profess our faith will be restricted to within the four walls of the church.
3. Pressure will be put on Christians in the workplace to be "tolerant." Companies will (under force of government) force employees to agree with lifestyles long held to be sinful under threat of firing.
4. Abortion on demand will be expanded to include any time up to and including birth and beyond.
5. Euthanasia will become the law of the land. Those deemed "unfit" or "no longer viable" or "unproductive" or those suffering from a "diminished" life will be candidates.
So what shall we do about this?
First and foremost we need to pray, 1 Timothy 2:1-4: "Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men,for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth."
Second, we need to keep working, John 4:35: "Do you not say, 'There are still four months and then comes the harvest'? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!"
Third, we need to keep watching, Luke 21:28: "Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near."
Dog on a Hunt
When a dog sits in the kennel he tends to bark alot thinking about his fleas; But when that same dog is on the hunt, he doesn't seem to notice them"
-Charles Spurgeon
(shamelessly stolen from Reflections on the Mission)
-Charles Spurgeon
(shamelessly stolen from Reflections on the Mission)
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Gone again...
Well, this week I am leaving for New Mexico (Tuesday through Thursday). Next week, Houston (Monday through Friday). I'm finding out that being bi-vocational has it's challenges. Study time is diminished with work demands, home demands, spending time with my bride, etc.
Please pray for me as I am away. I'm praying for those of you you post here.
Please pray for me as I am away. I'm praying for those of you you post here.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)