God has fulfilled this, Acts 13:32-31

Let’s go back to around AD 48 and listen to the apostle Paul conclude his first recorded sermon.

His message started with a quick HIStory of Israel, then made a beeline straight to the glad tidings of Jesus.

³² And we declare to you glad tidings—that promise which was made to the fathers.

It's all about Jesus.

Old Testament, New Testament, your testimony, no matter where you're at in HIStory, it all points to Jesus.

Never waste time getting tangled in religious debates, make a beeline to Jesus. He is the Good News. You may not know chapter and verse, but you can say, “There’s a lot I don't know, but One thing I know; once I was blind, but now I see. Once I was lost, but now I'm found. Once I was the wretch the song’s about, but now by His amazing grace, I’m free. Hallelujah!

It’s all about Jesus.

Just point them to Jesus.

And we declare to you glad tidings. The angel said it like this: "I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:10-11.

That promise made to the fathers, was the promise made to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, that through their seed, would come the Seed, that would bless all nations of the earth.

³³ God has fulfilled this for us their children, in that He has raised up Jesus. As it is also written in the second Psalm:

‘You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You.’

God has fulfilled this for us.

Promises made, promises kept.

God has fulfilled this for us.

The Promised Messiah came, lived spotless, died sinless, rose victorious.

Now, regarding this verse, one day you may get a knock on your door, and a couple nice folks (Jehovah’s Witnesses) will want to talk to you about Jesus. They'll tell you Jesus was awesome, a prophet, a real nice Godly man... but just a created man.

You'll say, "Wait, I thought Jesus was God. Eternal. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1.

They'll point to this verse which is quoted from Psalm 2:7. “Today, I have begotten You.”

However, they are taking the text out of context. It’s talking about Jesus coming from the tomb, not the womb.

The best commentary on the Bible is the Bible and context is king.

Look before and after this verse and see it's talking about the resurrection. Acts 13:30 states, "God raised Him from the dead." And then, just to be perfectly clear our next verse says it again.

³⁴ And that He raised Him from the dead, no more to return to corruption, He has spoken thus:

‘I will give you the sure mercies of David.’

Paul’s quoting Isaiah 55:3. Incline your ear, and come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall live; And I will make an everlasting covenant with you— The sure (holy, righteous) mercies (steadfast blessing) of David.

³⁵ Therefore He also says in another Psalm:

‘You will not allow Your Holy One to see corruption.’

Quoting from Psalm 16:10.

Jesus is the first One raised from the dead incorruptible with a glorified body.

He led the way, He is the Way, for us to follow.

One glorious day, maybe today, we who are Christ’s will have Glorified Bodies.

1 Corinthians 15:20-23, 51-55.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.

³⁶ “For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell asleep, was buried with his fathers, and saw corruption;

David died and his body rotted.

David had sinned, thus he was corrupt, so his body saw corruption

However...

³⁷ but He whom God raised up saw no corruption.

Jesus died, but was not corrupt, so he saw no corruption. The wages of sin is death, but He knew no sin, so death could not hold Him and God raised Him up.

Even God abides by His Divine Eternal Justice.

³⁸ Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins;

Through this sinless Jesus, is extended to us the forgiveness of sins.

Because He, willingly, sinlessly, lovingly, paid the penalty for our sins.

³⁹ and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.

So, not only are we forgiven; we are justified, by Him. Not by works, or religion or the law of Moses.

That means we don't have to go to meeting after meeting, saying, "Hi my name's Doug, and I'm a sinner."

In Christ, we are a new creature, old things have passed away, all things become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17.

So now we can say, "Hi my name's Doug, I'm a saint. I'm justified, just-if-I'd never sinned.

In Christ I'm more than a conqueror Romans 8:37

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Phil. 4:13.

I’m part of a royal priesthood, a holy nation. 1 Peter 2:9.

I walk by faith not by sight. 2 Cor. 5:7.

I'm the head and not the tail, above only and not beneath. Dt. 28:13

I have the joy of the Lord, (John 15:11) peace that passes understanding (Philippians 4:7) and I'm on my way to heaven, and there's nothing any devil, person, or circumstance can do about it. Romans 8:37-39.

You see, faith in Jesus does what the law never could.

The law is like an Xray, it only shows what’s broke but can’t fix anything. Religion fixes nothing.

Now, for those folks back then this was awesome. You mean we don’t have to follow a bunch of ongoing, never ending, sacrificial, Sabbath keeping laws and ridiculously hard to keep rules?

Exactly. Welcome to God's Amazing Grace.

⁴⁰ Beware therefore, lest what has been spoken in the prophets come upon you:

Such Awesomely Great News comes with a warning label.

⁴¹ ‘Behold, you despisers,
Marvel and perish!
For I work a work in your days,
A work which you will by no means believe,
Though one were to declare it to you.’ ”

Paul winds up his sermon with a warning, quoting Habakkuk 1:5, where the Lord warned the Jewish nation of their own destruction, by a nation more wicked than their own; the Chaldeans, (Babylonians).

Would God allow that to happen?

Would He allow ungodly rulers to rise to power over, one nation under God, that’s turned its back on Him?

Yes, He would, He did, with the wicked Babylonians, Assyrians and Romans.

{Would He allow borders to be porous, elections to be stolen, justice to be fallen?}

For I work a work in your days, A work which you will by no means believe,
Though one were to declare it to you.’ ”

Right now, in Israel the secular stations are calling it Biblical times.

A few days ago, (Sept. 27) Benjamin Netanyahu, flew to New York, to address the United Nations. He said he wasn't planning on it, but after hearing the slanderous accusations against Israel, he thought he needed to set the record straight.

Meanwhile in Beirut Lebanon: For over 3 decades, Hassan Nasrallah built Hezbollah into the most powerful terrorist organization in the world. Basically, taking over the nation of Lebanon. He made his antisemitic position clear, “We will murder every Jew.”

Since Oct. 7^th, 2023, when Hamas attacked Israel from Gaza in the south, Hezbollah interjected themselves into the fight and fired over 9,000 rockets into Israel from Lebanon, in the north.

Well, we're told that during the speech, Nasrallah entertained multiple guests to watch and see what Bibi would say about him.

However, Bibi didn't say a word about Nasrallah, he did however, tell Iran that if they attacked Israel, they would pay a heavy price.

Folks wondered why he didn't mention Nasrallah.

Bibi didn't need to mention Nasrallah, because during the speech, Israel paid him a visit with a knock on his roof, blowing up the building, killing him and about 20 terrorist friends with him.

Now, it gets Biblical. Same day, same building as Bibi's speech, three of the main players involved in the upcoming Ezekiel 38-39 war, Russia, Iran and Turkey, were having a meeting.

Within a day or so after that meeting, Iran attacked Israel with the largest ballistic missile attack in history, nearly 200 ballistic missiles.

Miraculously no Israelis were injured.

Coming soon, at the start of the Ezekiel 38-39 war, Israel will be at peace and prospering, with unwalled cities, then, Russia and coalition will attack for plunder.

Well, that's not the situation now. However, this may be the catalyst Israel needed to crush the nonstop terrorist attacks. If the terrorist groups are exterminated, and Iran is neutralized, there will be peace in the middle east... for a time.

Then, the stage will be set for the Ezekiel 38-39 hook in the jaw, war.

Currently, Israel plans to lay a gas line across the Mediterranean to help the nations currently buying from Russia. That would gut Russia's economy and make for a sharp hook in the jaw to reel Russia in for the plunder of Israel.

Dear Christian, that event happens very near the great event we're looking for; the rapture of the Church, the day we receive our glorified bodies, and are ever more with the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 4:17.

The trajectory of the planet is quickly falling in line just as the Bible predicted.

Indeed, we are living in Biblical times.

For I work a work in your days, a work which you will by no means believe, though one were to declare it to you.

Let’s pray.

Lord, we are amazed by You, and how the world is falling into place exactly as You said it would. You have fulfilled this for us, in this day, to see and hear and believe. We pray with our remaining days, You make us soul winners and disciple makers, following hard after You, so of all those You’ve given us, none will be lost.

We love You, forever.

Amen.

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FB Threats Against Church in the Clubhouse Again

 10/3/24

This blog is for documentation purposes. 

FACEBOOK THREATS AGAIN

 

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The Scroll of Esau, Genesis 36

At first glance this chapter may seem to be about as much fun as reading a phonebook.

However, we'll see, God has good reason for including it.

All Scripture  is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 2 Timothy 3:16

Diligently paying attention to and digesting a chapter like this shows more honor, more respect, toward God, more maturity in Christ, than feasting on a dozen cherry picked, tickle my ears, make me feel good, sermons. 

It's telling God, I love you, and so, no matter what You have to say, I'm listening, I want to hear. Even if it’s hard. I'll pay attention and study to show myself approved.

Why do we call it, The Scroll of Esau?

Originally Genesis wasn’t written with fifty chapters in book format. It was eleven scrolls. Each scroll began with the words, elleh toledoth; meaning, this is the genealogy of...

So, whenever we read, "This is the genealogy of..." (or something like that), then, we know we're entering a new scroll.

This is the tenth of the eleven scrolls that made up the original writings of Genesis.

Notice, it's only a chapter long.

However, check out the scroll for Esau's twin brother, Jacob, starting in Genesis 37:2 and covering 14 chapters, to the end of the book, in Genesis 50:26.

Notice, scrolls 7, 9, and 11 covering Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, are by far the largest of the Genesis scrolls, even dwarfing the creation of the universe.

God's obvious focus and theme throughout Genesis, and the whole Bible is the redemption of mankind through the Promise of His Son. 

The Old Testament points to the New Testament saying, He’s coming!

The New Testament points to the Old Testament saying, "He came! just as it was written; and He’s coming again, just as He said!

GENESIS 36 OUTLINE

1-5: Esau's Wives and Sons

6-8: Esau's Move

9-14: Esau's Grandsons

15-19: Chiefs from Esau's Sons

20-30: Chiefs of Seir

31-43: Kings and Chiefs of Esau

Genesis 36:1

Now this is the genealogy of Esau, who is Edom.

Called, Edom, today we’d call him, “Red.”

Verse 1, 8, 19 we see the phrase, Esau who is Edom. Verses 9, 43 we see the phrase, Esau, the father of the Edomites.

God always fulfills His promises, and He said to Rebekah to nations are in your womb. Gen. 25:23.

Esau is the nation of Edom.

Edom wasn’t a wonderful nickname for Esau, because it triggered the memory of the day, he gave his birthright (inheritance) for a bowl of red stew. 

Actions have consequences and Esau is forever remembered as a godless, profane person who despised his birthright: 

Hebrews 12:16-17; lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold (despised, rejected, counted as nothing) his birthright. ¹⁷ For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears.

Esau put satisfying his flesh, first. Thereby, despised, rejected, counted as nothing, the things of God.

Dear Church, dear nation, Jesus is nonstop knocking. Every moment you won’t yield to His prompting, you are despising, rejecting, counting as nothing, Jesus as Lord.  

Beware, one day the knocking will stop.

When it happened to Esau, he was rejected, and found no place of repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears. Hebrews 12:16-17.

² Esau took his wives from the daughters of Canaan: Adah the daughter of Elon the Hittite; Aholibamah the daughter of Anah, the daughter of Zibeon the Hivite;

Speaking of red... there’s some red flags. These wives grieved his parents, Isaac and Rebekah, (Genesis 26:35; 27:46).

Canaanites, Hittites Hivites, will be enemy-ites of the Israelites.

(FYI: Esau also married a woman named Judith (Genesis 26:34) not named in this chapter. Perhaps she died, or maybe she didn't have any children, or perhaps her name didn't sound Biblical enough. 😊.

³ and Basemath, Ishmael’s daughter, sister of Nebajoth.

Ishmael was Grandpa Abraham and Hagar’s son.

Father Isaac’s, half-brother.

So, does that make Ishmael, Esau’s half-uncle, and therefore, Esau married Basemath, his half-cousin?

⁴ Now Adah bore Eliphaz to Esau, and Basemath bore Reuel. ⁵ And Aholibamah bore Jeush, Jaalam, and Korah. These were the sons of Esau who were born to him in the land of Canaan.

Esau's three wives bore him five sons.

In the next verse, we’ll see Esau also had daughters, but they’re not listed.

Genesis 36:6-8 Esau's Move

⁶ Then Esau took his wives, his sons, his daughters, and all the persons of his household, his cattle and all his animals, and all his goods which he had gained in the land of Canaan, and went to a country away from the presence of his brother Jacob.

Apparently, Esau had possessions in Seir, and in Canaan.

Remember, Jacob sent word to Seir, to tell Esau he was coming home, Genesis 32:3.

And then after they met, Esau left Jacob and returned to Seir, Genesis 33:16.

Now that Jacob has returned to the land promised to him by God, Esau willingly yields to the one he once wanted to murder, but now he makes room for his brother.

When a man's ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him, Proverbs 16:7.

Many obstacles and impossibilities lay in the way like snares before the path and plan of God. But, as we patiently, in His timing, obediently walk it out, He works it out.

⁷ For their possessions were too great for them to dwell together, and the land where they were strangers could not support them because of their livestock.

Sound familiar?

Remember, it happened just like that with Abraham and Lot. Genesis 13:5

When material blessings crowd out room for family, we should ask if the blessing has become a curse

It did for Lot. He wound up living in a cave, drunk, and getting his two daughters pregnant.

Esau's descendants were largely enemies of Israel, one of which, Herod the great, tried to kill Jesus by slaughtering all male children two years old and under. (Matthew 2). His son, Herod Antipas, beheaded John the Baptist (Mark 6); and his grandson Herod Agrippa, killed the apostle James, persecuted the early Church, and was struck dead instantly by God and eaten by worms. (Acts 12).

⁸ So Esau dwelt in Mount Seir. Esau is Edom.

Seir is south of the Dead Sea; only about 50-60 miles SE from Hebron, where Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob dwelt, and are buried.

The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof. He can give any land, to anyone. The Promise land was promised to Abraham, through Isaac and Jacob, and thereby, Israel.

However, God reserved Mount Seir for Esau. Many years later when Joshua and crew were conquering the Promise Land, God told them to leave Esau's family, in Seir, alone, for He had given it to them. Deut. 2:5; Josh. 24:4.

Genesis 36:9-14 Esau's Grandsons

⁹ And this is the genealogy of Esau the father of the Edomites in Mount Seir.

Now the Lord lists the names of Esau's sons and grandsons, to the third and fourth generation, but not their history.

The spotlight of the Bible is not on the world, but on the line that leads to the Light of the world.

Esau's abbreviated genealogy is included because of his proximity to that line. He's the grandson of Abraham, son of Isaac, twin brother to Jacob.

His descendants, the Edomites, were neighbors to Jacob. They're mentioned over 100 times, and repeatedly involved in the lives of Jacob's descendants.

Genesis 36:15-19, Chiefs from Esau's Sons

¹⁵ These were the chiefs of the sons of Esau...

Chiefs, dukes, captains, leaders, princes, officers that had soldiers under them for Esau lived by the sword, Genesis 27:40.

Jacob was the one with the God given blessing and promise.

Yet, Esau and sons were the ones with prominence and power. They were moving and shaking and making names for themselves, titles, and positions of authority. They firmly, squarely possessed their land.

Many times, in the world, that's how it goes. The world gives all they’ve got to climb to the top, because this world is all they've got.

However, dear Child of God, through faith and patience we inherit the promise, Hebrews 6:12.

Jacob and crew were simply tending the sheep. Hanging out with family. Simply happy to be called shepherds. Living quiet peaceable lives.

Jacob was probably teaching the boys about his unique sheep breeding program, that produced the esteemed Jacob's Sheep, still around and in high demand to this day. 

The winnings of the wicked may be quick, but they are short lived, soon ripe, and soon rotten; but the products of the promises of God, perhaps slow, are sure and steadfast, enduring forever. 

Genesis 36:20-30, Chiefs of Seir

²⁰ These were the sons of Seir the Horite...

The Edomites unite with the inhabitants of Seir. The pagan, corrupt, accursed, Horites.

Away from God, folks unite with the world, and things of the world, in an effort, to fill that lonely void, only God can fill.

That's why they come together and often echo with one voice, even the most pagan, corrupt, accursed, horrific, ideas.

Genesis 36:31-43, Kings and Chiefs of Esau

³¹ Now these were the kings who reigned in the land of Edom before any king reigned over the children of Israel:

Esau's family possessed their land and rose to royalty and reigned as kings.

While Israel, the people of promise, fled to Egypt in famine, and for a while all was well, but before long they were in bondage, and 400 years later, they were still there.

But God always fulfills His promises. He never forgot Israel. In His time, He delivered them and fulfilled His promises to them.

Israel reigned with kings and priests and delivered to the world, the greatest King ever to walk the face of the earth, the King of kings, and Lord of lords, Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord.

Israel is alive and well to this day. 

Not so with Esau.

Esau was so close to the promise. He was a twin to Jacob, Israel, yet he chose to sell his eternal birthright, for a bowl of temporary stew.

The book of Obadiah deals specifically with Edom’s judgment. The Edomites were proud (Obadiah 1:3), violent (verse 10), and apathetic to the destruction of Israel (verse 11), and God promised a reckoning.

God always fulfills His promises. Esau, and the lineage of Edom, have vanished from the face of the earth.

There is this dwelling place with God, infinitely more valuable than anything this world has to offer.

No matter how hard, no matter the cost, it is worth seeking.

No matter how long, it is worth waiting.

It puts everything in perspective.

The brevity of the sufferings of this life.

The futility of power and riches.

The weakness of worry.

The Power of Prayer.                                                  

The satisfaction of simply walking with Him.

The Peace that comes from casting every care on Him.

The joy of knowing how it all ends.

It's telling God, I love you, and so, no matter what You have to say, I'm listening, I want to hear. Even if it’s hard. I'll pay attention and study to show myself approved.

When all’s said and done, two nations remain. Edom and Israel. Which one are you?

Let’s pray.

Lord Jesus,

You are oh so Holy.

We are oh so not.

 You’ve made a Way, for us to come to You, follow You, be with You, forever. For this we should be filled with eternal joy and gratitude.

Yet, we are oh so not.

We all too often, like Esau, dwell in Edom, seeking first our own kingdom, rather than yours. Please forgive us and help us to get our priorities straight, and seek first Your Kingdom, not our own.

From now on, we choose You. And Edom, oh so not.

Thank You.  

We Love You, forever.

Amen.

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The Antioch Address, Acts 13:13-31

 

What's the Gettysburg Address, and the Antioch Address have in common?

Well, for one, they were short. Both can be read in about five minutes.

President Lincoln only said about 272 words. The Apostle Paul said about the same, in the original text. However, in the NKJV, about 608; still easily read in about 5 minutes.

So then, why on earth do preachers talk so long? Good question, let's talk about that on another day.

For now, let's go back to around AD 48; about 15 years after Jesus' death, burial and resurrection. That's about 1,976 years ago, or, perhaps we should say, 98 score and 16 years ago.

Paul and Barnabas had just finished preaching from coast to coast across the island of Cyprus. Now, they launch out to sail from Paphos to Perga. That’s about 175 miles. Depending on the winds and weather, they were on the water for a full day, or even two.

¹³ Now when Paul and his party set sail from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia; and John, departing from them, returned to Jerusalem. 

Notice, Paul is mentioned first. Up to this point he was mentioned last, but now and throughout the rest of the book of Acts, the last becomes first, and the spotlight will follow Paul.

Not because Paul was better, but because of God’s Divine design and calling, and wisdom.

If everything were penned, that Jesus did through the founding fathers of the Church, the whole world itself could not contain the books that would be written.

However, just because it's not recorded or written, doesn't mean God doesn't see it, or that it’s less important.

God sees, and hears, everything. Not just them, but you.

Someday, you might be surprised to find that He had a book written about all the times you talked about Him. Malachi 3:16, Then they that feared the LORD spoke often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon His name.

Jesus said, “By your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” Matthew. 12:37.

That’s awesome, or, awful, depending on the words of your mouth.

We’re not told why John returned to Jerusalem. We’ll see in a couple chapters that Paul’s not too happy about it. But don’t throw John under the bus, remember he’s also known as John Mark; the man the Lord chose to write, the Gospel of Mark.

¹⁴ But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day and sat down.

After they hit shore, they headed another 100 miles inland to Antioch.

Chapter 13 starts and ends in two different Antiochs. One of Syria, the other of Pisidia.

Then, as was their custom they went to Church. They found a synagogue, went in and respectfully sat down.

 ¹⁵ And after the reading of the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent to them, saying, “Men and brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.”

After a customary reading from the law and the prophets, they extended a customary courtesy to Paul and party and asked if they had anything to share.

¹⁶ Then Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said, “Men of Israel, and you who fear God, listen: 

Can you see Paul politely nodding his head to his countrymen, those of Israel, gathered up front in the best seats in the house, arms folded, looking down their noses.

Then, imagine him lifting his eyes to those standing way in the back, pressing in as close as they dare, straining to see, and hear, those not of Israel, but those who believe in the God of Israel...  to those Paul looks in the eye and smiles.

Then, he begins his first recorded address:

¹⁷ The God of this people Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with an uplifted arm He brought them out of it. 

He starts with a HIStory of their nation.

How God knew them and grew them in the womb of bondage, and then, by His strong arm He brought them out of bondage, to liberty.

Like another address, 161 years ago, or should I say, eight score and one year ago; November 19, 1863, beside a Pennsylvania field called Gettysburg, a humble man spoke these words:

“Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal...

Both men spoke of their founding fathers, both acknowledged God’s Providence in the foundation of their nation, delivering them to freedom, and that all are created equal.

¹⁸ Now for a time of about forty years He put up with their ways in the wilderness. 

Speaking of their wandering in the wilderness with Moses.

¹⁹ And when He had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, He distributed their land to them by allotment.

Recalling the conquest of the Promise Land with Joshua.

²⁰ “After that He gave them judges for about four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet.

Twelve judges in all: Othniel, Ehud, Shamgar, Deborah, Gideon, Tola, Jair, Jephthah, Ibzan, Elon, Abdon, and Samson.

 ²¹ And afterward they asked for a king; so God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. 

²² And when He had removed him, He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.’ 

Paul didn’t sugar coat their HIStory, the freedom didn’t come easily or instantly or freely, it took years of battles and wars, without and within.

But all the while God’s hand was with them. Putting up with them, fighting for them, and providing to them, judges, prophets and kings.  

Remember that humble man beside that Gettysburg field? He didn’t sugar coat anything either. He too acknowledged wars without and within and said:

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war...

²³ From this man’s seed, according to the promise, God raised up for Israel a Savior—Jesus— 

From David’s Seed, according to the promise, to Abraham, that all nations of the earth would be blessed.

After laying a Scripturally sound and historically accurate foundation, Paul reveals that the trajectory of their nation points straight to this Man called Jesus, that God raised up as Savior, Messiah and Lord.

²⁴ after John had first preached, before His coming, the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.

Paul doesn’t stop with just people in the past, he fast forwards to a well-known, modern-day prophet, John the Baptist, who preached repentance, preparing the way of the Lord.

 ²⁵ And as John was finishing his course, he said, ‘Who do you think I am? I am not He. But behold, there comes One after me, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to loose.’

There was a rule regarding protocol of rabbis. They were not to be so arrogant as to order a student, a disciple, to loosen their sandal. If they said, “Take off my shoes, rub my feet, wash my feet.” The student could respectfully decline.

John the Baptist humbly said he wasn’t even worthy to loosen the sandals of Jesus.

Jesus showed what humility really means and loosened the sandals of his disciples and washed their feet.

That humble man in Gettysburg, had something to say about that as well.

We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow -- this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here.

We are responsible to respect and honor the Godly legacy of those who’ve gone before us and build upon that legacy for those who come after us.

²⁶ “Men and brethren, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to you the word of this salvation has been sent. 

To you, Jew and gentile alike, to all created equal, in the image of the Almighty,  to you this salvation has been sent.

²⁷ For those who dwell in Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they did not know Him, nor even the voices of the Prophets which are read every Sabbath, have fulfilled them in condemning Him.

They were so blinded by hate for one Man, that they couldn’t even see that they were fulfilling the very Scriptures they read, about how the Messiah would come and be killed.

 ²⁸ And though they found no cause for death in Him, they asked Pilate that He should be put to death. 

Paul is calling out the sin of their rulers.

That’s the kind of talk that got John the Baptist beheaded, what got Stephen, stoned; and got the apostles thrown in prison.  

This is no longer easy to agree with Scripture and HIStory. This is modern day, current event, hard to believe, un-politically correct, stuff you’re not supposed to talk about.

The Church must be willing to speak the Truth, in Love, even when, especially when it’s hard.

So, do not listen to anyone who says Christians should shut up, sit down, be nice. That’s not Christianity that’s apathy, that’s being lukewarm, and that makes Jesus want to puke. Revelation 3:16; emeó: to vomit.

²⁹ Now when they had fulfilled all that was written concerning Him, they took Him down from the tree and laid Him in a tomb.

³⁰ But God raised Him from the dead.

I know it’s impossible.

This is not only politically incorrect, it’s unbelievable, it’s impossible, it’s exactly what God likes to do. The impossible. It’s His nature. It’s what God likes to talk about.

We should too. 

The hurricane is coming.

Let’s pray it fizzles.

No, it’s not going to fizzle. The meteorologists said so, and the weather man is always right.

I pray it fizzles.

They can see it. It’s huge. It’s already formed.

I’m still praying it fizzles.

The water temperatures are up. It’s coming. You’re nuts.

Maybe so. Doesn’t matter. I pray it fizzles.

But that doesn’t mean I won’t prepare. I’ll pray and preprayer. Walking in faith, not foolishness, or fear. Preparing, all while praying for it to fizzle, for no damage to person or property.

That’s our job.

Leave the results to God.

 ³¹ He was seen for many days by those who came up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are His witnesses to the people.

Now, God knows we’re slow of heart to believe, so He gave many infallible proofs of His resurrection, to many eyewitnesses, at different times and places and one time to 500 at the same time.

To this very day He still provides irrefutable proofs.

His Word that has survived the test of time, even though they’ve tried to burn it, ban it, wipe it off the face of the globe. It remains and will always remain. It holds more authenticated articles in antiquity than any other ancient writing.

He provided undeniable proof with every sunrise, every sunset, all of creation cries of a Creator. All the heavens, day after day, declare His glory, so all are without excuse. Psalm 19:1-4; Romans 1:19-20.

Then there’s the innumerable multitude of people whose lives have been forever changed. The inward knowing that nothing or no one could ever change, even upon threat of death.

Which is what happened over and over so often that the Greek word for witness, martus, is where we get our word, martyr.

Are you willing to be a witness for Christ? Even if it means, martyr?

 But God doesn’t want us to die for Him, He died for us.

He wants us to live for Him. He told us: I've come that you may have Life, and Life abundantly. John 10:10.

Oh, and our friend, standing beside that blood-soaked Gettysburg field had something to say about living:

It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

President Abraham Lincoln
November 19, 1863

Let’s pray.

Oh Lord, our God, how great Thou art.

Thank You for giving us a HIStory to tell and a present to live.

Yet, here we stand before the bloody field of a great civil war.

The foundations of Your Church and America, have been laid in the blood of Your martyrs, with the Chief Cornerstone being Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

We ask that by Your strong hand You deliver US from bondage to freedom.

Lord, help us to dedicate our lives, with high resolve and devotion, to be Your witnesses, even if that means martyrdom.

The cause is just, to die, yet more, to live, to fight, fight, fight, for Your Truth to be known, so not one drop of Your blood, or that of Your saints, will have been shed in vain.

We commit this day to set our hand to the unfinished work, until we see You face to face and hear You say, “Well done.”

We love You, forever.

Amen.

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This was feed for you to read. Now it’s Seed for you to sow.

Thank you for sharing.