NEEDED INSTRUCTIONS

“For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels” (Mark 8:38 NKJV).

Here in this verse, we have a warning about being ashamed of the Lord Jesus Christ. Thus, we want to note three important instructions: reciprocation, condemnation, and glorification.

Reciprocation - “Whosoever whoever is ashamed of Me and My words…of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed.” The main idea of this verse is a warning about Divine reciprocation. Yet, not many folks heed this warning. It is popular to reject the Lord Jesus. But if we fail to honor the Lord, He will not honor us. One cannot live a life of disrespect for the Lord and then expect Him to welcome you in heaven when you die. In Samuel’s day, the high priest Eli was told “those who honor Me I will honor, and those who despise Me shall be lightly esteemed” (1 Sam. 2:30). Eli had failed to honor God, so God dishonored Eli by taking his family out of the priesthood.

Condemnation - “Adulterous and sinful generation.” Unlike the standards of this world, God calls this present generation “adulterous and sinful.” God’s standards are based on holiness not on the perverted desires of mankind. Man’s problem is that he approves what God disapproves; he condones what God condemns. If a person wants to know the truth about our day, check with God’s Word. It evaluates things correctly.

Glorification - “When he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” Here we have a promise of the return of the Lord Jesus Christ to this earth in glory. When He came the first time, it was in humiliation. The second time will be in great honor. The Lord Jesus Christ may be despised in our society today, but the day is coming when He will come back to earth in great glory. That will not be a good day for those who despise the Lord Jesus Christ.

(Adapted from Butler’s Sermon Starters Vol. 2)

Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone Be The Glory)

Quotation of the Week

“In Christ alone, and His payment of the penalty for our sins upon the Cross, we find reconciliation to God and ultimate meaning and purpose!”

David Charles Haddon Hunt (1926 – 2013)

American Christian Apologist, Commentator and Author

Word Study

Exchanging

In Luke 24:17 we read, “And He said to them, What are these words that you are exchanging with one another as you are walking?” And they stood still, looking sad!" (NASB).

Exchanging is the Greek word antibállō (ἀντιβάλλω = an-tee-mis-thee'-ah). The word means to exchange, to throw back and forth, to discuss, to put one thing against another, to compare. Figuratively, it speaks of words or ideas argue about, discuss together. Further, the word is present tense, meaning that the disciples was in continual conversation. Antibállō is used only in Luke 24:17 in reference to the disciples’ conversation and indicates a fervent or excited exchange of words and ideas as they recalled and even sought to understand the events of the past few days.

“Fear Nots” Found in the Bible

“Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words” (Dan. 10:12 KJV).

Did You Know…

According to the Book of Proverbs, if you greet your neighbor loudly early in the morning, he will think of it as a curse (Prov. 27:14).

Bible Quiz

What did the Israelites do while Moses was on the Mountain receiving the Ten Commandments?”

**Answer to last week’s Bible Quiz: According to the Book of Proverbs, “The glory of young men is their strength.” What did it say was “the splendor (beauty) of old mem?” “Their gray head.” (Prov. 20:29).

Names For the Lord Jesus in the Bible

“MASTER”

"But Simon answered and said to Him, Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless, at Your word I will let down the net!” (Luke 5:5 NKJV).

1. Meaning – MASTER speaks of the Lord Jesus as the One that is placed over others and speaks of His authority and might.

2. Insights – This is the first place where this word occurs and is only used by Dr. Luke (7 times). The other Gospel writers called the Lord Jesus “Rabbi.” It signifies one who is set over certain affairs or persons. It was also used for an instructor, or teacher. The obedience of Peter showed great respect for the Lord Jesus Christ. To hear attentively, and obey cheerfully, are duties we owe to the sovereign Master of the world. No man ever took the Lord Jesus profitably for his teacher, who did not at the same time receive him as his Lord.

Did You Know – Christian History

John Geddie was born April 10, 1815 in Banff, Scotland. He was a Scottish Canadian Presbyterian pastor and missionary who was known as “the father of Presbyterian missions in the South Seas.”

In 1816, the Geddie family emigrated from Scotland and settled in Pictou, Nova Scotia, Canada. After completing education at grammar school and later the Pictou Academy, he entered upon the study of theology. On March 13, 1838, he was ordained as pastor of a congregation at Cavendish, Prince Edward Island, and in 1846 Geddie, and his family was sent as a missionaries to New Hebrides (now Vanuatu). He was the first Presbyterian sent from Canada to do missionary work.

Eleven months later, they landed in Samoa, but eventually settled on Aneiteum, a small island near Australia. Conditions on the island were appalling as traders exploited and abused the inhabitants and brought them deadly diseases. The natives lived in squalor and ignorance. Nevertheless, Geddie buckled down to the task of learning the new language so that he could explain Christianity in words the people understood. For three years he labored and taught. And although his school grew to 120 pupils, it did not seem that the natives were interested as wicked practices continued.

But without warning things changed in 1851. Several of the chiefs converted to Christianity. Suddenly the churches were overflowing. Little Aneiteum sent missionaries to other islands! Geddie had always insisted that every convert was responsible to tell others. The people of one island, hearing of the transformation the gospel made, even sent over a pig with which to buy a Christian teacher!

Sixteen years after coming to Aneiteum, Geddie and his family returned to Canada for a “rest.” They toured the nation telling of their work. While home, Geddie translated the Psalms into the Aneiteum language. Demand for the Scripture was so great that the islanders chipped in the equivalent of several hundred dollars to help print the book. This was a great sacrifice for them, because their incomes were so small. Geddie died in 1872. A tablet placed in his memory said, “When he landed in 1848, there were no Christians here, and when he left in 1872 there were no heathen.”

A Little Humor

When was asked by her friend if she was planning to attend church, Mary just shook her head. “I haven’t gone in a long time,” she said. “Besides, it’s too late for me. I’ve probably already broken all seven commandments.”

Thought Provoking Church Sign

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