A Weekly World Wide Word of Encouragement to those in the Ministry
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A WEEKLY ‘WWW (world-wide word) OF ENCOURAGEMENT’
TO THOSE IN MINISTRY
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Issue No: 949 Published: 30 Dec 2019
THINKING GREEK OR HEBREW?
JUSTIFICATION/SANCTIFICATION
Greek (Western)
Justification (Just as if I never sinned) is seen as the key element of Christianity.
Interestingly, most of the references to justification are directed towards Gentiles. For example, it is found in the Old Testament, as prophesied by Isaiah.....
11 After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities. (Isaiah 53:11)
…..and then in the New.....
8 The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.”
(Galatians 3:8)
We are justified through faith in Jesus.....
24 So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. 25 Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law. (Galatians 3:24)
As we have seen previously, this concept of a 'mind decision' appeals greatly to our Greek-trained, ascendancy of thought, patterns. However, justification is to be only the first step in our 'walk with Jesus'.
Eastern (Hebrew)
Sanctification (Put simply, living a holy and righteous life) is regarded as the most important. In the Jewish culture, actions speak louder than words. Hence, living a godly life is their focus.
3 It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, 5 not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God; (1 Thessalonians 4:3-5)
Sanctification is to go hand in hand with justification.....
9 Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Corinthians 6:9-11)
Jesus was holy and righteous.....
14 You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. (Acts 3:14)
and we are called to the same walk, as seen in the example of Paul, Silas and Timothy.....
10 You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed. (1 Thessalonians 2:10)
Again, recognising the holiness and righteousness of Jesus in the final days.....
2 And I saw what looked like a sea of glass mixed with fire and, standing beside the sea, those who had been victorious over the beast and his image and over the number of his name. They held harps given them by God 3 and sang the song of Moses the servant of God and the song of the Lamb: “Great and marvelous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are your ways, King of the ages. 4 Who will not fear you, O Lord, and bring glory to your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.” (Revelation 15:2-4)
For the Lord is returning for a sanctified, holy and righteous church.....
6 Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. 7 Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. 8 Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.” (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.) (Revelation 19:6-8)
Amen.
SOME SPIRITUAL IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY
1. Discipleship, following 'conversion', is essential in order to bring a believer into the fullness of faith Jesus requires of us all.
2. Conversion of those of an Eastern persuasion (Jews and Muslims) is dependent upon our actions rather than our words.
3. Jesus is to return for a pure white, sanctified, holy and righteous bride. We can become that church, or else, God will wait for another generation. The choice is yours, the choice is mine. What will our choice be?
Find out more about us at.....
FROM THE WORD
THE WORDS OF JESUS
May we hear what the Lord is saying to us.....
Jesus Begins to Preach in Capernaum(Matthew 4:12-17, Mark 1:14-15)
Giving the message of salvation after the arrest of John the Baptist.
“The time predicted has come,” “God’s kingdom is near. Repent and believe in the good news.”
Jesus Talks With a Samaritan Woman (John 4:1-26)
At Jacob’s well.
“Please could you give me a drink?”
“If you only recognized God’s gift, and who is asking you, ‘Please could you give me a drink?’ you would have asked him and he would have given you the water of life.”
“Everyone who drinks water from this well will become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give won’t ever be thirsty again. The water I give becomes a bubbling spring of water inside them, bringing them eternal life.”
Upon requesting the water of life.
“Go and call your husband, and come back here,”
“You’re right in saying you don’t have a husband,” Jesus told her. You’ve had five husbands, and the one you’re living with now is not your husband. So what you say is true!”
About worshipping in Jerusalem.
“Believe me the time is coming when you won’t worship the Father either on this mountain or in Jerusalem. You really don’t know the God you’re worshiping, while we worship the God we know, for salvation comes from the Jews. But the time is coming—and in fact it’s here already—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for these are the kind of worshipers the Father wants. 24God is Spirit, so worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.”
Talking about the Messiah.
“I AM—the one who is speaking to you.”
The Disciples Question Jesus (John 4:27-42)
About whether he has had food to eat.
“I have food to eat that you know nothing about.”
“My food is to do the will of the One who sent me, and to complete his work. Don’t you have a saying, ‘four more months until harvest?’ Open your eyes and look around! The crops in the fields are ripe, ready for harvest. The reaper is being paid and harvesting a crop for eternal life so that both the sower and the reaper can celebrate. So the proverb ‘one sows, another reaps,’ is true. I sent you to reap what you didn’t work for. Others did the hard work and you have reaped the benefits of what they did.”
(Continued next week)
Download the complete 'Words of Jesus' here.
WELCOME TO 2020
Another year has passed, likely with both good and bad experiences in it.
The hope of another year, a new decade, is upon us.
May we all seek the Lord for His desires for us in 2020, so that we may live in His will.
Happy New Year.
David
A MUZUNGU’S (White Man’s) THOUGHT – Issue 17
A MUZUNGU’S (White Man’s) THOUGHT – Issue 17
We are currently in the Christmas celebratory period, which is meant to be both, a celebration of the birth of Jesus and a family get together time.
Of course, as with Easter, the world has taken the festival over for commercial purposes. It is sad, but the way of the world.
On Facebook, and in other Christian communications, the hardy perennial continually comes up, that 25 December is not the birth date of Jesus.
Of course, we don’t know His actual birth date, as the Bible does not tell us. But I don’t want to get into an argument over this.
The point I am wanting to make today, is that doctrine increasingly, as ‘denominations’ increase, is taking preference over showing the love of God to others.
There is a ‘joke’ that sadly, illustrates this perfectly…..
WHAT IS YOUR FAITH?
I was walking across a bridge one day, and I saw a man standing on the edge, about to jump off. So I ran over and said, "Stop! Don't do it!"
"Why shouldn't I?" he said.
I said, "Well, there's so much to live for!"
He said, "Like what?"
I said, "Well...are you religious or atheist?"
He said, "Religious."
I said, "Me too! Are you Christian or Buddhist?"
He said, "Christian."
I said, "Me too! Are you Catholic or Protestant?"
He said, "Protestant."
I said, "Me too! Are you Episcopalian or Baptist?"
He said, "Baptist!"
I said, "Wow! Me too! Are you Baptist Church of God or Baptist Church of the Lord?"
He said, "Baptist Church of God!"
I said, "Me too! Are you original Baptist Church of God, or are you Reformed Baptist Church of God?"
He said, "Reformed Baptist Church of God!"
I said, "Me too! Are you Reformed Baptist Church of God, reformation of 1879, or Reformed Baptist Church of God, reformation of 1915?"
He said, "Reformed Baptist Church of God, reformation of 1915!"
I said, "Die, heretic scum!" and pushed him off.
This is a classic, hopefully exaggerated, description of how Christian concern deteriorates into doctrinal argument. You may say, “That’s not me”, but when you get down to it, we feel more comfortable with those whose beliefs are the same as our own. It is human nature to mix with those we like, and doctrine can play a large part in this, for it is part of who we are.
But Jesus did not come to ‘save’ the religious, but the sinners. In fact, His harshest words were saved for the self-righteous Pharisees. Sadly, Jesus would find many ‘Denominational Pharisees’ if He returned today!
Let us remember His primary commandment, to love God with everything we have, and to love others (includes other believers with different views) as ourselves.
Until we follow His commandment, the world will continue to laugh at the self-righteous believers and our ability to witness to others will be compromised.
Shukrani
(Thank You)
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STOP PRESS! SANTA ARRIVED IN KENYA WITH A SUNTAN!
Santa has been to New Zealand and Australia, so yesterday (23rd) I took Kathy to Eldoret for a Christmas treat of meeting him - and meet him she did!
From a non-Christmas celebration in Webuye, Santa iwas alive and well in the Juma Mall in Eldoret.
Most of THE CHRISTMAS DAY TEAM AT KINGDOM (plus a client) WISHEDYOU A VERY HAPPY DAY!
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'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
1090. To be as one with the character of Jesus is our highest call.
1091. To believe in Jesus is wonderful, but to develop His character, divine.
1092. Many say, "Lord, give me faith." But I say "Lord help me develop my character" and faith will automatically come.
1093. It is easy to believe, but a godly character reflects the true disciple.
1094. Our character is truly visible in the reflection of our love for God and for others.
1095. Rather than asking God for gifts, develop character, and gifts will automatically follow.
1096. A sin forgiven is of the moment, but developing godly character lasts a lifetime.
1097. The only proven way to avoid sin is to develop the character of Jesus in our lives.
1098. Character is 'walking the talk.'
CARTOONS FROM TOON FEVER
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TUESDAY TEACHINGS
This week we will look at some practical examples and see what we can learn from them to help us in our 'walk with Jesus'. My heart is not to criticize the establishment but to suggest ways in which we might do things better, to operate more in tune with Holy Spirit' ways.
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LAUGHING AT OURSELVES
***Blessed are those who can laugh at themselves for they shall never cease to be amused***
*** Those who can't laugh at themselves leave the job to others. ***
355. Hang On
A mountain climber, who was also a Christian, began to slip as he climbed a dangerous section of the mountain. In a flash he had fallen over the edge of a cliff and began to plunge downward when he thrust out his hand and grabbed a small tree that had grown out from between two rocks. As he hung there fearing the worst, but trying to figure out what to do, he suddenly heard a voice calling him from above, "Just trust me, let go of the branch, and I will save you." Pausing a moment while he glanced down, the climber called out, "Hey, is there anyone else up there?"
QWIK QWIP: “How come you're always running around looking for God? He's not lost.”
356. Noisy
Sunday School Teacher: "What evidence is there in the Bible that Adam and Eve were noisy?"
Boy: "They raised Cain!"
357. The Perfect Offertory Sermon
"I would like to remind you that what you are about to give is deductible, cannot be taken with you and is considered in the Bible that the love of this is the root of all evil."
358. Peanuts
A preacher visiting an elderly parishioner at a nursing home noticed a bowl of peanuts by her bed and took one. As they talked. he couldn't help himself and ate one after another. By the time their visit was over, the bowl was empty.
"I'm sorry, but I seem to have eaten all of your peanuts," he said.
"That's OK," she replied. "They would have gone stale anyway. Without my teeth, all I can do is suck the chocolate off."
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
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A DAVID MUSING
At this celebratory time of year we need to remember that it is not a happy time for all.
There are many reasons - sickness, bereavement now, or past memories, loneliness, and many more.
It can be extra tough when others are celebrating and you aren't.
Jesus came to help the downtrodden, and those going through difficult times. God doesn't promise to take all our troubles away but He does promise to help us through them. We simply need to ask our Lord for help and comfort. He is there waiting to hold us in His hand.
May the Lord bless you, and keep and comfort you.
Until next week.....
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD
His servant and yours
David Tait
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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 websitewwj.org.nz or by contacting us as follows.
Walking With Jesus Ministries
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Ahuriri
Napier
New Zealand
Phone: (06) 835 0567 International (+64) 6 835 0567
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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