Tuesday, January 31, 2017

FEBRUARY EDITION... WONDERFUL WORDS OF LIFE     Issue 5

by Dr. Keith J. Wise

I. INTRODUCTION:  

February has been called the "middle month."  It is called this because in many climates, the freezing hands of winter begin, in some small ways, to loosen its grip.  It has also been called the month of "Heroes and Hearts."  It is the month we celebrate George Washington and Abraham Lincoln plus Valentines Day.  So there is much to consider in the Christian life and the hearth and home.  We as a nation have historically been a people who value patriotism of the nation, and love of family and life.

 

II. DIGGING DEEPER: Considerations Concerning the Gospel of Luke


Luke is a wonderful gospel.  It is considered one of the best of the four gospels in many respects.  It is a part of the "Synoptic" trio of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, meaning they are "similar" in content and emphasis and character.   It is in comparisons to other New Testament literature, if added to Luke's other volume Acts, the larges number of verses by any author of the New Testament. (If you reject Hebrews as Pauline)... This author does not.  Who was Luke anyway?  Colossians 4:14 indicates he was a friend and physician of Paul.  He is a Gentile and a second-generation Christian, basically meaning that he did not see or known Jesus personally during his earthly ministry.  His Koine Greek, (the original language of the New Testament), is considered the most grammatically correct and centered on all the New Testament writers.  Luke will give attention to groups that were usually forgotten or neglected by the religious leaders of the day and the culture at large.  People such as; women, the poor, the socially, racially, and religiously ostracized.  


What seems to be striking with Luke is the eyewitness memories of Mary and also her genealogy.  His Gospel is dramatically introduced with the stark premise that it was based on interviews and research. (Luke 1:1-4)  If you look at his Gospel and the book of Acts, he will measure the historical periods by Roman Emperors reigns or those of other Roman and Jewish officials.  Since we are primarily looking at the Gospel of Luke just consider Luke 2:1 (Augustus) or chapter 3:1 (Tiberius) notice Luke 1:5, 2:1-2, Herod the Great and Quirinius, governor of Syria.  In the noticed ministry of John the Baptist, (Luke 3:1-2) Luke will acknowledge Tiberius, Pontius Pilate, Herod the tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and Traconitis, plus Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene. 


As to authorship, most of the early church fathers and traditions have Luke writing this Gospel.  Remember, he was a physician and historian.  He is driven by details and exact information to bring logical conclusions to the material.  Here are a few of the confirmation sources for Luke's Gospel: Irenaeus, the anti-Marconian Prologue to Luke, Tertulian, the Muratorian Fragment, Origen, Eusebius and others.  In terms of recipients, it is dedicated to Theophilus. (Luke 1:1-4; Acts 1:1) I believe Theophilus was a person.  Luke calls him "most excellent," the same term and title he uses for Felix in (Acts 23:26; 24:3) and Festus (Acts 26:25). There is a strong emphasis to Gentiles and Luke targets them quit distinctly.  He explains Jewish customs, and that his gospel is for all people. (Luke 2:10)  He quotes prophecies which refer to "all flesh" in Luke 3:5-6, which is a quote from Isaiah 40.  The genealogy is Luke goes back to Adam (all humans- Luke 3:38). He uses Old Testament examples that announce God's love for the Gentiles (Luke 2:32; 4:25-77).  In Luke's version of the Great Commission, he asserts that forgiveness must be preached to all nations and the predictions of Jesus as Messiah were announced in every area of Jewish Literature and context of the Old Testament. (Luke 24:36-49) 


As readers, two thousand years separated from this account of Jesus, we can rest assured that what we are reading is accurate and transformational.  It is not only important that we mark our Bibles, but more importantly, that our Bibles mark us. This is the reason I have called this Blog, "Wonderful Words of Life."  


DID YOU KNOW?   

Since February is a month as a nation we celebrate two of our Presidents, let me tell you something about Abraham Lincoln from a comparison of his physical stature.  Most of this information is from Carl Sandburg's monumental work, Abraham Lincoln-The War Years.


On his way from Springfield to Washington, for the inauguration, many men stepped up to the platform to stand back-to-back with Lincoln, and measure their height against his.  Most of them were shorter.  In Pittsburgh, a husky coal-heaver proved to be exactly as tall as Lincoln.  Was he really as tall as Lincoln?  Lincoln was taller in many respects that his physical height.  He was tall in Character.  He stood out, head and shoulders above the crowd, a measuring standard for manhood.  He was tall in Humility.  When one of his generals who insulted him and kept him waiting for several hours Lincoln remarked: "I would hold his horse, if he would only give us victories."  He was tall in Tolerance.  It was Lincoln who uttered those immortal words: "With malice toward none, and charity for all."  He was tall in Justice.  He pardoned many soldiers.  "A boy," he said, "should  not be blamed if his legs are cowardly."  He was tall in Humor.  Lincoln was big enough to laugh at himself.  We it was reported that one of his cabinet members had called him a fool, Lincoln retorted: "He must be right-- he is a very smart man."  He was tall in Faith.  In the dark days of war he said: "Let us have faith that right makes might, and, in that faith, let us, to the end, dare to do our duty as we understand it."  On the wall of history Lincoln has left us a mark to which we can aspire.  He was a in a national and spiritual sense one of God's tallest heroes.


NUGGETS OF NOURISHMENT: (Sermon Outline)  


Title: Let Us Learn and Grow In Saying "Thank You."

Text: Psalm 35:18   (consider the words from the hymn "Count Your Blessings."

Introduction

One of the great sureties of scripture is the command and encouragement to give thanks.  If I calculate correctly, there is something about the grateful heart that brings pleasure and satisfaction to the heart of a holy and righteous God.  In fact, one passage I Thessalonians 5:18 says, "... give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." If this is such an imperative, why should we seek to develop skills of thanksgiving?  


Here are a few suggestions: 


I. It Pleases the Lord- (consider the above passage)

II. It Proclaims our Gratitude- (Luke 17)

III. It Provokes others to encourage with thanksgiving- (Hebrews 10:24)

IV. It Produces "Contentment."- (Psalm 100)

V. It Portrays Christ- (See the prayers of Jesus invoking thanks)


Conclusion

In the year 2012 one thousand couples in America who were married for over fifty years where asked the secret to there long and seemingly satisfying marriages.  Of all the varied responses, one quality that emerged in most, if not all of the couples was the ability to be "thankful" for their spouses' positive and negative qualities.  Yes, thanksgiving will keep you marriage solid and your relationship with God in good stead.



PROVERBIAL WISDOM... (Thoughts from the book of Proverbs)



"To learn, you must love discipline; it is stupid to hate correction." Prov. 12:1(NLT)


"Godliness makes a nation great, but sin is a disgrace to any people." Prov. 14:34(NLT)


"Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city." Prov. 16:32(NLT)



"Those who mock the poor insult their Maker; those who rejoice at the misfortune of others will be punished." (Prov. 17:5)NLT









Monday, January 2, 2017

Wonderful Words of Life - Issue 4 - New Years Edition

By Dr. Keith J. Wise


DIGGING DEEPER...

Having received a number of interesting comments concerning Augustus and Herod the Great in my Christmas issue, several wanted to know more about the Herodian Dynasty.  We won't spend a lot of time dealing with Herod the Great, but just note he is the Herod of the Christmas story. (Matt. 2:1; Luke 3:1)  He ruled from 37-4 B.C. and was known as a master builder in the mold of other Roman-Hellenistic rulers throughout the Mediterranean Basin.  Furthermore, he was considered cruel and ruthless in his rule by his Jewish subjects. He rebuilt and enlarged the city of Caesarea on the coast, called "Caesarea Maritima."  It was a modern port of the best technology of the day. (Poured cement through water to create the Harbor)  It contained magnificent aqueducts many of which are seen today.

  

     All the other Herods mentioned in the New Testament were the sons or grandsons of Herod the Great.  Herod's son Antipas succeeded him as Roman governor of Galilee and Perea (Matt. 14:1).  Antipas was responsible for the imprisonment and death of John the Baptist (Luke 3:19, 20; Matt. 14:1-12).

     Herod the Great's grandson Agrippa was named ruler over all of Palestine by the Roman emperor Caligula.  Agrippa is known as a persecutor of early Christianity.  He had James put to death and had Peter arrested and placed in prison. (An Angel miraculously freed him) Because of his cruelty and blasphemy, Agrippa was slain by an angel of the Lord (Acts 12) 

      In A.D. 50, Agrippa's son, known as Agrippa II, was made ruler of the kingdom of Chalcis.  Later he was given Abilene, Trachonitis, Acra, and important sections of Galilee and Perea. The only references to this Herod in the New Testament occurs in Acts 25:13-26:32, which deals with Paul's imprisonment in Caesarea.  Agrippa listened to Paul's defense, but the apostle appealed to Rome as a Roman citizen.  In this case Agrippa had no power to set him free. 

     The other two Herods mentioned in the New Testament are Herod Archelaus (Matt. 2:22) and Herod Philip (Luke 3:1).  Both of these rulers were sons of Herod the Great; they ruled parts of the territory previously administered by their father. 


DID YOU KNOW?  A Teaching Point...

The Church Is A Divine Organism of God and Christ Himself... (People)

     As you drive up and down the average street of America there are numerous church buildings with various traditions attached to them.  Some of these are based on the Bible and some are creations of man's vanity or the whimsy of a time or period in history.  However, our goal in this blog is to call you to scripture and to scripture alone in our understanding of what the Church is and how she functions.  Here are three of many points we could make concerning the Church.

I. The Church was Planned... The Apostles carried out the mandate of the New Testament as Jesus instructed them.(Matt.28:16-20)  Paul in particular will say that the "... manifold wisdom of God" might be known in or through the church, and further that such as "according to the eternal purpose which He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Ephesians 3:10-11) 

II. The Church was Promised... Besides the prophecies of the Old Testament and pictures that Jesus said were declared about Himself. (Luke 24:44) He declared to His Apostles "...upon this rock I will build my church..." (Matt. 16:18).  Jesus Christ promised to begin the Church upon the foundation that He was "... the Christ, the Son of the living God."  This was the great confession of Peter, not Peter himself.

III. The Church was Established... On the Day of Pentecost, fifty days after Passover of the Passion, we see God's workmanship in power.  Here, the third person of the trinity, God the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, Counselor, came in power to help us live out the Christian Life in this new kingdom of God.  Furthermore, entrance into this new kingdom was provisioned by Peter who used the keys given by Christ to declare the first sermon of the kingdom the church. So dramatic was this event that as the Jews heard the saving message they believed that Jesus was the Messiah and Savior.  They responded by asking a question.  "What shall we do?..."  Peter, with the authority of an Apostle said, "...repent and be baptized...for the remission of sins..."(Acts 2:38).  Then they that "...gladly received his words were baptized(immersed)... for the remission of sins."  "And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved." (Acts 2:47)  As people simply responded to the gospel the Church came into existence. Initially, 3,000 responded to the "good news." The Church then were simply those "called out" (ekklesia)  from the world by the gospel. (2 Thess. 2:14) 


NUGGETS OF NOURISHMENT...

Sermon for a New Year...  COMMITTING OURSELVES FOR A NEW YEAR

Text: Philippians 3:13-14

Introduction: It's that time of year again.  Happy New Year!!  As Christians we pray we are wiser and more committed than this time last year.  God has guided us through mountain tops and valleys in ways we know are within His providential care. Our physical, mental and emotion health will be enhanced as we consider God's encouragement and our "resolutions" based on His provisions and strength.  Here are three workable and practical "resolutions" in His power.

I. Commit Yourself to Forget Your Failures- Paul in our text today gives some of the best advice to travel our path in the future of 2017.  "...forgetting what is behind..." All of us have failed in some fashion in our lives over the past year.  In some way we may have made the wrong decisions, said or did the wrong things, and in some cases relationships ended.  God's Word would have us claim the future and learn from that past and not be bogged down by its weight.  God is prepared to help you and I to anticipate the future with His presence and His power. Consider the Children of Israel when they, in one of their rebellious modes, God sent serpents among them.  Moses crafted a serpent on a staff for them to look at for healing from the poisonous bit of the serpents. We sing the old hymn, "...Look and Live..." meaning our Lord Jesus Christ who is able to deliver us from sin and failure when we look on Christ by faith, and we walk in His provision and faith. Look to Him not only in your initial salvation, but in your walk as a Disciple day by day.


II. Commit Yourself to Give Up Your Grudges-  Sometimes we, in the midst of our hurt "rehearse" these painful feelings, not allowing the forgiveness of God to work in us and releasing it to Him in prayer and thanksgiving.  Read again Colossians 3:12-14.  This has great advise for the Christian.  Beloved, grudges are dangerous and destructive. Grudges destroy marriages, break up families, ruin friendships and split churches.  God is speaking to all of us today in some way to GIVE UP YOUR GRUDGES FOR THE NEW YEAR... LET THE PAST BE PAST!!


III. Commit Yourself to Turn Your Back On Your Transgressions- Here is a great illustration of this last point.  After the Civil War, history tells us that many slaves did not become free and take advantage of the Emancipation- Proclamation of Abraham Lincoln.  Many stayed on the plantation with their former masters.  If we are not careful as Christians we can become comfortable with our old masters, of sin that brings death.  Romans 6:22 says, "...But now that we have been set free from sin and have become slaves(servants) to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life."

Conclusion: We have a "Bridge to the Future" which is Jesus Christ our Lord.  Employ these three great commitments for the New Year. It will change and help you. Jesus, speaking of the past and future in Luke 17 says simply "... remember Lot's wife..."  She looked back and died.  You and I with the power of God helping, guiding, and giving peace to us so we can Live, Live, Live... Lets just praise the Lord for His everlasting provision.  


QUOTABLE QUOTES...

Jack London... "A bone given to a dog is not charity.  Charity is the bone shared with the dog when you are just as hungry as the dog."

Helen Keller... "Joy is the holy fire that keeps our purpose warm and our intelligence aglow."

Charles F. Kettering... "My interest is in the future, because I am going to spend the rest of my life there."

Short Thoughts... for good: Do something worth while when nobody makes you do it.

This day's sunset gives one less day to live, but one more day to remember and reflect.


MY CLOSING THOUGHT FOR A NEW YEAR...  May Wisdom Guide You, True Love Bless You, And Peace Be Unto You...  Dr. Keith J. Wise