A Weekly World Wide Word of Encouragement to those in the Ministry
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A WEEKLY ‘WWW (world-wide word) OF ENCOURAGEMENT’
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Issue No: 973 Published: 15 Jun 2020
THINKING GREEK OR HEBREW?
SUMMARY Pt. 1
1. AN EXPANATION AND TESTIMONY
We have looked at 33 different ways in which Greek (our Western inheritance) and Hebrew ways of looking at life and faith differ.
'What does it matter?' you may say.
I have come to understand that it matters a lot! For the Lord has poked and prodded me (I have the bruises!) that, if I wish to understand Him more, I need to know more about the culture in which He lived, in order to understand the nuances of what He is saying to me through the Jewish writers of His Word.
The best way I can explain this is from the point of view of learning another language. I speak English as my first language. At school, I studied French. I could learn the words and the grammar, but no matter how much I learned, I could still not speak like a Frenchman. My accent, my lack of understanding of the idioms, the culture, the slang and the nuances of the language, would always hinder me. The only real way to overcome this would be to interact with born French speakers, in order to learn their ways, as well as how to communicate with them verbally. In New Zealand, here at the far end of the earth, this is not possible, without travelling thousands of kilometres to Europe or another French speaking country, so my, already very poor French, died.
This process is seen too, in immigrants to our country, whose first language is not English. No matter how well they speak the language, their culture is different, and mix-ups and misunderstandings inevitably occur. However, the immigrants' children, who attend our schools and grow up in our society and culture, rapidly become 'kiwis'! For they largely think, and speak, like those of us whose families have been here for generations.
When it comes to 'Christianity' and 'church', we have taken an 'Eastern religion' and adapted it to our cultural values, norms, and language. We justify this by saying that the Jews failed God and have been replaced by the 'gentile church'. Hence the term - 'Replacement Theology'.
These writings have not been about the truth, or otherwise, of this way of thinking. You need to read the teachings on our website (www.wwj.org.nz) to gain my understanding of this.
What I have been trying to achieve here is to form a bridge, albeit a tenuous and rickety one, between the Eastern and Western cultural understanding. I have never been to Israel, although I would love to go. Personally I know only a few Jews, and even fewer who have accepted Jesus as Saviour and Lord.
The essential truth the Lord has lain upon my heart and life though, is that a 'whole of life' commitment is necessary in order to become a true follower of Jesus. Over the years, I have become disillusioned with the form of 'easy Christianity', of self-centeredness, of happiness and prosperity that is taught in much of the church today.
When I studied the Bible, even from my Western perspective, I could see that this is not what it says! Jesus made 'disciples' who, all but John, were martyred for their faith! And John was boiled in oil and banished to Patmos, not a pleasant place!
The closest I have come to walking in the steps of the disciples was visiting Goa, where the now convinced Doubting Thomas landed in India. There is a Roman Catholic Church on the site and a real presence of the Holy Spirit over the area. Thomas was martyred on the other side of India, in Chennai. I believe you can visit his grave in a cave there.
In my reading of Scripture we are called to self-sacrifice, to putting Jesus and others above ourselves. Not the theology that has developed in our Western, Greek based, self-centred culture.
Once I started delving into the Hebraic roots of our faith, the lights of understanding that were dim have started to brighten. I hope they have here for you too.
I will try and summarize what we have been learning and sharing together. May the Lord help me, help us, better understand and apply His Word, His Life, to our own.
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FROM THE WORD
THE WORDS OF JESUS
May we hear what the Lord is saying to us.....
Peter Confesses Jesus as Christ (Matthew 16:13-20, Mark 8:27-30)
When the disciples were asked by Jesus about His divinity.
“Who do people say that the Son of man is?”
“But what about you?” “Who do you say I am?”
“You are truly blessed, Simon son of John,” Jesus told him. “For this wasn’t revealed to you by human flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. I also tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church and the powers of death won’t overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you ban on earth will be banned in heaven, and whatever you allow on earth will be allowed in heaven.”
Jesus Rebukes Peter (Matthew 16:21-8, Mark 8:31-9:1, Luke 9:18-27)
Again the question was asked. Peter gave the same reply.
“All these crowds of people—who do they say I am?”
“But what about you?” “Who do you say I am?”
Peter was told it was not easy path, for all involved.
“The Son of man must experience terrible sufferings,” “He will be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the religious teachers. He will be killed, but on the third day he will rise again.”
“If any one of you wants to follow me, you must deny yourself, pick up your cross daily, and follow me,” “For if you want to save your life, you will lose it; and if you lose your life for my sake, you will save it. What do you benefit by gaining the whole world if you end up lost or destroyed? If you are ashamed of me and my message, the Son of man will be ashamed of you when he comes in his glory, and in the glory of the Father and the holy angels. I tell you the truth, some standing here won’t taste death until they see the kingdom of God.”
The Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-8, Mark 9:2-13, Luke 9:28-36)
On a high mountain, in front of Peter, James and John.
“Get up,” he told them. “Don’t be afraid.”
“Don’t tell anybody what you saw until the Son of man has risen from the dead,”
The disciples were told that the Elijah to return prior to the Saviour coming was indeed John the Baptist.
“It’s true that Elijah comes to put everything in place, but I tell you that Elijah has already come and yet people didn’t recognize who he was. They did whatever they felt like to him. In the same way the Son of man will also suffer at their hands.”
(Continued next week)
Download the complete 'Words of Jesus' here.
A MUZUNGU’S (White Man’s) THOUGHT – Issue 38
THE CHRISTIAN WALK
REPENTANCE, (JESUS) ……
RIGHTEOUSNESS (HOLY SPIRIT)…….
LEADING TO HOLINESS (GOD THE FATHER)
Regrettably today, Christianity has become ‘huff and puff’, majoring on the minors while forgetting the simple essence of what our faith is all about.
Differences in theology, worship styles, and dare I say, means of baptism, do not make you a follower of Jesus, It is ridiculous hearing people arguing whether a person is baptized correctly using the name of Jesus or whether the Lord Jesus Christ is necessary! Theology such as Calvinism or Arminianism are secondary also leading to arguments that rips the church asunder.
TRUE CHRISTIANITY IS VERY SIMPLE!
With belief in JESUS comes REPENTANCE, or at least it will if there is a genuine heart change in the believer. It is not forced, but a natural consequence of becoming a true believer.
Not too many evangelists or pastors today speak of repentance, when promoting Christ to the world. It is too hard in our self-loving society. Let’s concentrate God taking your worries away or bringing you wealth or other or other ‘Easy Christianity’ benefits!
Repentance is not simply a single, get it over and done with, humbling experience either. None of us are perfect, so repentance is a continuous experience of making peace with our Master and Lord.
ONGOING REPENTANCE IS THE FRIST STEP IN THE BELIEVERS WALK WITH JESUS.
RIGHTEOUSNESS, WALKING IN THE PATH OF JESUS, IS THE NEXT STEP ON OUR CHRISTIAN DEVELOPMENT.
Put simply RIGHTEOUSNESS is changing to live ‘right’ lives as guided by the HOLY SPIRIT. We can try and live righteously in our own strength but inevitably, it will end up in failure and disappointment. As we follow the Holy Spirit’s guidance our lives will change. Through the amazing reconciliation work of Jesus on the cross, we are ‘made right’ with God.
But again, as with repentance, we have to continually allow the Holy Spirit to change us into Christ-likeness.
In repentance we get cleansed form the wrong things we have done, while through righteousness, we positively take on the attributes, the character of Jesus.
HOLINESS is a further development in that we become ‘set apart’ from our own desires and aspirations, doing the Father’s will for us, as He requests us to do. This is the hardest step, setting aside our will to do His desires for us.
We can live lives of repentance and righteousness, but the step to holiness requires 100% selling out to Him.
It reminds me of the joke about a hen and a pig.
They both wanted to go to a party. The hen suggested they should take bacon and eggs.
That’s all right for you said the pig, as for you it is a gift, but for me it is a total commitment!
That explains beautifully the difference between righteousness and holiness.
Being a follower of Jesus is not complicated. Forget about all the religiosity of modern religion. Simply REPENT, LIVE RIGHTEOUSLY AND WITH A COMMITMENT TO HOLINESS.
Shurakini
(Thank You)
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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.
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DAVID'S DOODLINGS
- A RELIGIOUS PERSON follows rules to earn God's favour.
- The CHRISTIAN delights in giving to God, in gratitude for what He has given us.
- MAN delights in turning 'gifts to God', into 'rules of attainment'.
- GOD seeks an ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE from a giver.
172. How we spend our money and time clearly reveals where we are at in God.
173. The world says, 'Blessed is one who receives', but the Lord says, 'Blessed is the one who gives.'
174. It is so easy to remember the gift, but to forget the giver.
176. Giving in the expectation of receiving a multiplied return, is an investment, not a gift.
318. Any gift given by us, pales into insignificance when compared to the gift given for us.
319. To give out of bounty is great, to give out of poverty, divine.
320. We cannot 'out give' God, but we could always try!
384. Giving should be the heart guiding the wallet, not the other way round.
CARTOONS FROM TOON FEVER
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TUESDAY TEACHINGS
THIS WEEK: TRANSFORMATION OF THE CHURCH: 3. FROM KINGS TO KINGDOM continues..... .
We will consider the 3rd remaining relational aspect, relationship with the world, tomorrow.
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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. ***
423. The Thank You Note
There was a Catholic priest, Jewish rabbi and Baptist minister. One day the priest went to get a hair cut. After the barber cut his hair the priest wanted to pay him. The barber said, "Oh no, I will not accept any money from a man of God." So the next day when the barber went to open his shop he saw a loaf of bread with a thank you note.
Well the rabbi came for a hair cut. Again the barber said, "Oh no, I will not accept any money from a man of God." So the next day the barber went to open his shop and found a bottle of wine and a thank you note.
Well, the Baptist minister came for his hair cut. Again the barber said, "Oh no, I will not accept any money from a man of God."
Well, the next day when the barber went to open his shop, he found 10 other Baptist ministers with a thank you note.
424. Nothing There
Three friends decided to go hunting together. One was a lawyer, one a doctor, and the other a preacher. As they were walking, along came a big buck. The three of them shot simultaneously. Immediately the buck dropped to the ground and all three rushed up to see how big it actually was. Upon reaching it they found out that it was dead but had only one bullet hole.
Thus a debate followed concerning whose buck it was. 5 minutes later a game officer came by and asked what the problem was. The doctor told him their reason for the debate. The officer told them he would take a look and tell them who shot it. 5 seconds later he said he knew who shot the buck. He said with much confidence, "The pastor shot the buck!" They all wondered how he knew that so quickly. The officer said, "Easy. The bullet went in one ear and out the other."
QWIK QWIP: “Begin to weave and God will give you the thread.”
425. The Holiday
Two priests were going to Hawaii on vacation and decided that they would make this a real vacation by not wearing anything that would identify them as clergy. As soon as the plane landed, they headed for a store and bought some really outrageous shorts and shirts, sandals, sunglasses, etc.
The next morning, they went to the beach, dressed in their "tourist" garb and were sitting on beach chairs, enjoying a drink, the sunshine and the scenery when a "drop dead" gorgeous blonde in a tiny bikini came walking straight toward them. They couldn't help but stare and when she passed them she turned to them, smiled and said, "Good morning, Father; good morning, Father" nodding and addressing each of them individually, then passed on by. They were both stunned - how in the world did she recognise them as priests?
The next day they went back to the store, bought even more outrageous outfits -these were so loud, you could hear them before you even saw them - and again they settled on the beach in their chairs to enjoy the sunshine, etc. After a while, the same gorgeous blonde, wearing a string bikini this time, came walking toward them again. (They were glad they had sunglasses, because their eyes were about to pop out of their heads). Again, she approached them and greeted them individually: "good morning, Father; good morning, Father" and started to walk away.
One of the priest couldn't stand it and said, "just a minute young lady. Yes we are priests, and proud of it, but I have to know, how in the world did YOU know?" "Oh Father, don't you recognise me?. ................ I'm Sister Kathryn"
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
Patience is a virtue - and a much needed one here in Kenya!
In the West, we are so time conscious. We want everything done now.
But here, and Africa generally, watches, clocks, and now cellphones and computers are relatively new introductions.
When I first came to Africa 20 rears ago, time was told by the sun. This is very difficult to do accurately. If you wanted to talk to someone, you had to visit them. Therefore communities were locally centred within walking distance.
In the past 20 years cars and paved have arrived, so you can travel anywhere efficiently.
Can you imagine the adaptation that has been required? Yet all these inventions have been assimilated very fast.
The one thing though that is inbuilt and slow to change is the concept both of being on time and starting and finishing a job on time.
Hence patience is a vital attribute, if you wish to live and work here.
Sometimes it is difficult to remember that it is one of the Fruit of the Spirit!
It does us good to move out of our comfort zone and experience new cultures and new things.
We can develop into more rounded people through the experience.
Until next time.....
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD
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 websitewwj.org.nz or by contacting us as follows.
Walking With Jesus Ministries
7 Bull Street
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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