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Blog posts : "questions"
QA: Why does it seem that society is out of control?
QUESTION: Why does it seem that society is out of control?
REPLY: Because the media focuses almost entirely on the “lawless,” or those who are “out of control!
1. The “lawless” are in charge because the “lawful” have not insisted otherwise! “Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, froma good conscience, and fromsincere faith, from which some, having strayed, have turned aside to idle talk, desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what they say nor the things which they affirm. But we know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully, knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for thelawless and insubordinate, for theungodly and for sinners, for theunholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine, according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God which was committed to my trust”(1 Timothy 1:5-11). The people who want to live in violation of any restriction from God’s control are allowed to direct :government leadership and legislation, church policies, entertainment values, and educational institutions. The Media microscopekeeps the focus on these, as if they are the norm, while completely ignoring the multitude who are striving to live lawfully!
2. Those who crucified Jesus Christ were ignoring:(1)Moses’ Jewish Law on guilt:"One witness shall not rise against a man concerning any iniquity or any sin that he commits; by the mouth of two or three witnesses the matter shall be established” (Deuteronomy 19:15). With Jesus, “the chief priests, the elders, and all the council sought false testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but found none. Even though many false witnesses came forward, they found none” (Matthew 26:59-60); (2)Roman Law:“Then Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests, the rulers, and the people, said to them, ‘You have brought this Man to me, as one who misleads the people. And indeed, having examined Himin your presence, I have found no fault in this Man concerning those things of which you accuse Him; no, neither did Herod, for I sent you back to him; and indeed nothing deserving of death has been done by Him’” (Luke 23:13-15). Neither Religious nor Civil “courts” could condemn Jesus Christ! That’s why, Peter and the Apostles concluded: "Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know-- Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; "whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it”(Acts 2:22-24). By Jesus’ resurrection, God declared forevermore His total opposition to the “lawless!”
3. God has kept the door open, however, for the “lawless” to become “lawful.”“Our great God and Savior Jesus Christ…gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself Hisown special people, zealous for good works” (Titus 2:14). The lawless were commanded: “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). In Sodom, Lot “was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked (for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds)” (2 Peter 2:7-8). The “righteous soul” must never accept the “lawless” as if they were right! “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age” (Titus 2:11-12). -----JTPII
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QA: How can Jesus help me with my problems today?
QUESTION: “How can Jesus help me with my problems today?”
REPLY: This is best illustrated by reading Scripture. “Immediately He made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while He sent the multitude away. And when He had sent them away, He departed to the mountain to pray. Now when evening came, the boat was in the middle of the sea [of Galilee, jtpII]; and He was alone on the land. Then He saw them straining at rowing, for the wind was against them. Now about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea, and would have passed them by. And when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed it was a ghost, and cried out; for they all saw Him and were troubled. But immediately He talked with them and said to them, ‘Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid’" (Mark 6:45-50). Let’s note some parallels with our plight, today. 1. Jesus waited until they were “in the middle of the sea.” Why? They had to realize that He was back on shore and separated from them. But He knew where they were, and what their need was, and how to best help them, didn’t He? Today, we know that “after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God” (Mark 16:19). But we forget that He knows where we are, what our need is, and how best to help us, don’t we?
2. They were “straining at rowing, for the wind was against them.” The word “straining” literally carries with it the meaning of “torture, or distress.” They were putting all their effort into trying to counter the effects of the contrary wind. Jesus responded to their effort (“work” if you please) when all they could do to make progress didn’t amount to very much. Today, we seem greatly hampered by failed plans, faltering faith, sickness or disease, sadness or sorrows, economics, any or all of which become “the wind” against our progress, completely out of our control. Why are these things much different from that wind? Jesus knew, as He now knows, that we live on an earth where so much we face is out of our hands.
3. He came to them, demonstrating His Supreme Power over everything they were facing: wind, sea, darkness. They had seen many mighty miracles from Him already, yet they “cried out; for they all saw Him and were troubled.” They were surprised that: 1) He came to them; 2) He could come to them; 3) He wanted to come to them! Today, are we often in the same boat as they? Aren’t we surprised that:
1) Jesus comes to us, even Providentially providing what, or who, we need when we need it? 2) Jesus could overcome our barriers and be where we need Him to be for us? 3) Jesus’ on-going attention to our life is such that, He asked: “Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows” (Luke 12:6-7). And, He thanked God, “While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled” (John 17:12). Jesus will see that all who remain in the boat (“church”) will be cared for.
4. He encouraged an optimistic attitude to go onward: “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” Have a good outlook because we’re dealing with Jesus the Christ, and He is still God, and, therefore we have nothing to fear: “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31). Keep rowing, my Brethren! -----JTPII
Don't We All Believe in the Same God?
Question: Why is there so much fussing between different religions? Don’t we all believe in the same God?
For the answer, please see the Questions Answered page.
Psalm 73: Why Do the Wicked Prosper?
My commentary for Psalm 73, Why Do the Wicked Prosper?, is available in Devotions from Psalms, in Commentaries.
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Proverbs 14:6 - God's Word to the "Me" Generation: Commentary #79
My commentary #79 on Proverbs 14:6, God's Word to the "Me" Generation, is available in Studies in the book of Proverbs in Commentaries.
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Psalm 80: Laments for a Broken People
My commentary for Psalm 80, Laments for a Broken People, is available in Devotions from Psalms, in Commentaries.
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Profanity: Sermon Presentation Available
My sermon entitled Profanity is available in Sermon Powerpoints.
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Do You Have Any Bible Questions?
If you have any Bible related topics or questions you would like for me to address, please leave a reply via my Contact page.
Review my Questions Answered page to see some questions I have already addressed.
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Psalm 65: The Living God Rules the Living World
In light of recent Words of Wisdom on the theory of Evolution, my commentary for Psalm 65, The Living God Rules the Living World, is available in Devotions from Psalms, in Commentaries.
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Do You Have Any Questions?
If you have any Bible related topics or questions you would like for me to address, please leave a reply via my Contact page.
Review my Questions Answered page to see some questions I have already addressed.
Please use the tags below as an Index for my content.
Psalm 15: God's "House Rules" Available
In light of my sermon Sunday, my commentary for Psalm 15, God's "House Rules", is available in Devotions from Psalms, in Commentaries.
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Do You Have Any Questions?
If you have any Bible related topics or questions you would like for me to address, please leave a reply via my Contact page.
Review my Questions Answered page to see some questions I have already addressed.
Please use the tags below as an Index for my content.
The Thief On the Cross: Sermon PowerPoint Now Available
My NEW sermon The Thief On the Cross is now available in Sermon Powerpoints. It is based on Luke 23:39 - 43 and was delivered in December, 2012.
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2 Corinthians: Outline Available
My new outline of Paul's Second Letter To The Corinthians is now available in Bible Books Outlined.
All my content is provided in PDF format for use in smartphones, ereaders, and ease of printing. Click here for more details.
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The Cleansing Power of Baptism - Acts 2:38
My revised sermon The Cleansing Power of Baptism is now available in Sermon Powerpoints. It is based on Acts 2:38 and was delivered in July, 2016.
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1 Corinthians: Outline Available
My new outline of Paul's First Letter To The Corinthians is now available in Bible Books Outlined.
All my content is provided in PDF format for use in smartphones, ereaders, and ease of printing. Click here for more details.
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Bible Outline: Paul's Letter to the Romans Now Available
My new outline of Paul's Letter To The Romans is now available in Bible Books Outlined.
All my content is provided in PDF format for use in smartphones, ereaders, and ease of printing. Click here for more details.
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Proverbs 11:7 - 8 - Why Beg Trouble? Commentary #36
My commentary #36 on Proverbs 11:7 - 8, Why Beg Trouble?, is available in Studies on the book of Proverbs in Commentaries.
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