A Weekly World Wide Word of Encouragement to those in the Ministry
PRAISE GOD IT’S MONDAY!
A WEEKLY ‘WWW (world-wide word) OF ENCOURAGEMENT’
TO THOSE IN MINISTRY
A FREE service, currently connecting with Christian leaders from 3,000 denominations and ministries, in 70 countries.
Issue No: 1127 Published: 22 May 2023
THINKING GREEK OR HEBREW
SUMMARY Part 2
3. LEARNING BY EXAMPLE - THE CALL TO CHRIST LIKENESS
The importance of following in the footsteps of godly ancestors is readily apparent throughout Jewish culture. Hence the importance placed on genealogy. In the Gospel primarily written for the Jews, it is the first thing discussed, indicating its huge importance.....
The Genealogy of Jesus
1 A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the son of David, the son of Abraham:2 Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, 3 Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar, Perez the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram, 4 Ram the father of Amminadab, Amminadab the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon, 5 Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse, 6 and Jesse the father of King David...... (and so on - Matthew 1:1-17)
With our different cultural understanding, we tend to skip over these verses, as our ancestry is of far less significance to us.
The importance of the example of those who went before is seen in Hebrews, where the writer, when talking about the key element of faith, quoted the Patriarchs and forefathers as examples of faith in action to be admired, followed and improved upon, through the sacrifice of Jesus for us.....
By Faith
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. 2 This is what the ancients were commended for. 3 By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. 4 By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead. 5 By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. 6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. 7 By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith. (and so on - Hebrews 11:1-40)
Jewish rabbinical training, at the time of Jesus, was based on an extreme form of this principle. The student of the Rabbi would follow the behaviour of his Rabbi totally. If the Rabbi stood up, walked, and then sat down, so would his student. He would mimic the Rabbi's actions in their entirety. Of course, this was a 'religious behaviour', but the principle of 'following the Rabbi' was entrenched in their culture.
So, who is our Rabbi? Jesus, of course. And where is His behaviour modelled? It is found throughout all the New Testament, but specifically in the 4 Gospels.
Through the history of the church, a greater emphasis has been placed upon the Epistles of Paul and others, for it is primarily upon these that the theology of the church has been built. Our divided church is based upon the development of theological principles that are academic, are of the mind. Hence the importance placed on Seminaries, theological training and degrees, which are presumed to bring people closer to Jesus. Unfortunately, it has resulted in much knowledge about Jesus, but so often, a much reduced relationship with Him. Sad but true.
In the church today, a greater emphasis needs to be placed upon the Gospels, through which we can learn to become more like Jesus. It is a truism that married people eventually get to look like each other. (Sorry Kathy!) For we spend time together, meld our thoughts and ways, to become one, rather than two.
This is what Jesus wants of His Bride too. He wants us to become one with Him. How do we do that? By interacting with Him until we are moulded into His image. By copying His behaviour. By basing our lives on love of God and others, as Jesus did. Theology divides, love unites.
As Paul, the consummate theologian, witnessed.....
13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. (1 Corinthians 13:13)
May it be so in our lives too, as we grow, through marriage to the Lamb, to become more like Him.
Then we can look forward with confidence to this glorious day.....
The New Jerusalem
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (Revelation 21:1-4)
(Continued next week)
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FROM THE WORD
THE WORDS OF JESUS ”
Parables of the Mustard Seed and the Yeast(Matthew 13:31-5)
“The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a farmer sowed in his field. Even though it’s the tiniest of seeds it grows much bigger than other plants. In fact it grows into a tree big enough for birds to roost in its branches.”
“The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman mixed with a large quantity of flour, until all the dough was raised.”
Parable of the Weeds Explained(Matthew 13:36-43)
In private, as requested by the Disciples.
“The one who sows the good seed is the Son of man,” Jesus explained. “The field is the world. The good seeds are the children of the kingdom. The weed seeds are the children of the evil one. The enemy that sowed the weed seeds is the devil. The harvest is the end of the world. The reapers are angels. Just as the weeds are harvested and burned so it will be at the end of the world. The Son of man will send out his angels, and they will gather up every sinful thing and everyone who does evil, and will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth. Then those who live rightly will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their father. Anybody with ears should be listening!
Parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl(Matthew 13:44-6)
Followed by more parables.
The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. A man found it, reburied it, and then full of joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.
The kingdom of heaven is also like a trader looking for good pearls. When he found the most expensive pearl ever he went and sold all he had and bought it.
(Continued next week)
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*DAVID"S DOODLINGS
Enjoy some of David's sayings here, plus 1300 more on the website at.....
'THE WORDS OF JESUS' REMAIN AVAILABLE FOR PDF DOWNLOAD
Join the many who have downloaded the 'The Words of Jesus'. I am sure you will be blessed by it, as I have been.
One key element here is the setting out in chronological order (as far as it is possible to do so) our Lord's words drawn from all the Gospels, and the elimination of repetition between Gospels.
You may be surprised by the different perspective this presentation gives you both in understanding of His life and ministry, and in achieving a closer relationship with Him.
Download the free PDF here.....
DAVID'S DOODLINGS
FAITH
292. Without dreams there is no hope, but without faith, no reality.
293. Without challenges there can be no accomplishments. Faith lubricates the challenges and drives the accomplishments.
294. As we grow in God, so our hope is expressed through faith and our faith through love.
295. Faith in mankind will occasionally generate human love, but godly love is a requirement of faith in Christ.
296. Lose faith and die.
297. A young person without faith rapidly grows old, while vibrant faith keeps us young at heart.
298. When we give up on faith we give up on life.
299. Other's faith is an encouragement, but can never substitute for our own.
300. Dreams may be shared, but faith must be experienced.
301. Faith is to heaven as doubt is to hell.
Many more at.....
CARTOONS FROM TOON FEVER
Visit the Toon Fever website for more cartoon fun..... http://www.toonfever.com
Check it out at...
'LAUGHING AT OURSELVES
Another laugh or three for you today
Many more on our website below. Also many, may, many more under these categories on our website, wwj,org,nz Look under the heading MAINLY LAUGHS. Choose from.....
THIS WEEKS TUESDAY TEACHING.....
THIS WEEK: A REVELATION OF...THE SEVEN REVELATIONS OF THE LAMB Part 6
LAMB OF VICTORY
Over Satan (1st of 2)
The 'good' story starts after Jesus dies!
This week is the first of a 2 part look at His victory over the age-old enemy, satan.
LAUGHING AT OURSELVES
***Blessed are those who can laugh at themselves for they shall never cease to be amused***
351. How Can I Get There?
There's the story of the new Pastor in town who got turned around on his very first Sunday on the way to the new church He stops the paperboy and gives him the street address and then adds "you know that's First Baptist Church."
The kid wants to help so he very politely says, "Oh sure, down three blocks, make a right, 2 blocks make a left and it's in the next block on your right."
The preacher is moved by this kind of friendship to a newcomer like himself so he says, "son, how'd you like me to tell you how you can get to Heaven?"
At this the kid laughs slightly and says, "How you gonna do that, you can't even find First Baptist?"
QWIK QWIP: “The answer is "Yes, God". What is the question?”
352. Pious Christian
Once there was a Christian, he had a pious look
His consecration was complete except his pocketbook.
He'd go to Church and give his dollar and meekly close his eyes,
So glad his weekly rent was paid for his mansion in the skies.
353. Success With Maths
A ten-year-old boy was failing math. His parents tried everything from tutors to hypnosis, but to no avail. Finally, at the insistence of a family friend, they decided to enrol their son in a private Catholic school.
After the first day, the boy's parents were surprised when he walked in after school with a stern, focused and very determined expression on his face, and went right past them straight to his room, where he quietly closed the door.
For nearly two hours he toiled away in his room - with math books strewn about his desk and the surrounding floor. He emerged long enough to eat, and after quickly cleaning his plate, went straight back to his room, closed the door, and worked feverishly at his studies until bedtime.
This pattern continued ceaselessly until it was time for the first quarter report card.
The boy walked in with his report card - unopened - laid it on the dinner table and went straight to his room. Cautiously, his mother opened it, and to her amazement, she saw a bright red "A" under the subject of MATHS.
Overjoyed, she and her husband rushed into their son's room, thrilled at his remarkable progress. "Was it the nuns that did it?", the father asked.
The boy only shook his head and said, "No."
"Was it the one-on-one tutoring? The peer-mentoring?"
"No."
"The textbooks? The teachers? The curriculum?"
"Nope," said the son. "On that first day, when I walked in the front door and saw that guy they nailed to the 'plus sign,' I just knew they meant business!"
QWIK QWIP: “Our eyes are placed in front because it is more important to look ahead than look back.”
Download the book 'Laughing At Ourselves' in PDF format at LAUGHING AT OURSELVES One of the most comprehensive sources of Christian Humour on the Net with 800 sermon fillers for your entertainment and use at ..... https://www.wwj.org.nz/content/wwj18p47.pdf
Or read even more online at.....
A DAVID MUSING
I too often write about trials and testing, simply as we continually go through them!
Why! Why! Why!
The truth is not generally accepted, but the deeper you get into God, the more tribulation you get!
For God is bulding you up, by taking you down!
For unless He builds you up in trusting Him, you won't be able to do that thing He has next planned for you to do.
This is the way of God.
Until next time
His servant and yours
David Tait
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ABOUT US
WALKING WITH JESUS MINISTRIES is a non-profit, non-denominational, Bible based ministry located in Hastings, New Zealand. A ministry dedicated to developing discipleship, fostering unity amongst God's people to achieve the Great Commission, and in doing so, preparing for Christ's return. It is securely based upon the foundational principles of the Apostles Creed while recognising the wide and rich diversity of beliefs amongst Christians in other areas. In accordance with the Lord's direction, materials produced by the ministry are available, free of charge, to genuine enquirers upon request. The ministry is solely funded by donations, as the Lord provides. A list of materials available (plus some fun!) is obtainable and freely downloadable from our website
wwj.org.nz or by contacting us as follows.
Walking With Jesus Ministries
P O Box 2
Webuye 50205
Kenya
Email: enquiries@wwj.org.nz
Web: wwj.org.nz
Our role is to bless and encourage those in ministry while promoting co-operation and unity of direction amongst the body of Christ, as emphasised 3 times by Jesus in His longest prayer, immediately prior to His arrest and crucifixion. "... so that they may be one as we are one." (John 17:12, 21, 23-4) Our website is currently being developed to encourage your participation one with another, to share resources, and to enable you to promote events and items of interest to the body as a whole - and have a smile while doing it!
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david@wwj.org.nz