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Online links to scriptures (New International Version [NIV] unless otherwise stated) are shown in blue
| 3. LEARNING BY EXAMPLE - THE CALL TO CHRIST LIKENESS |
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 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.....
Matthew 1:1-17
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 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.....
Hebrews 11:1-40
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 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.....
1 Corinthians 13:13
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 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.....
Revelation 21:1-4
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| 4. ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS - THE CALL TO HOLINESS |
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 Again, I have learned that a huge deterrent to both Jews and Muslims coming to Jesus is us! What an indictment!
Why is this?
For we talk about Jesus but we don't live like Him. It is worth repeating again and again that, if we wish to see Jews and Moslems come to Christ, they first need to see the Christ in us. For, in their cultures, actions speak louder than words.
The Bible primarily refers to godly living as attaining holiness. While there are other words used, such as righteousness and sanctification, enacting the principles of holiness puts us on the right track.
We are commanded to holy living.....
1 Peter 1:13-16
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 The following extract is headed 'Rules For Holy Living' and basically sums up the New Testament, indeed the whole Bible.....
Colossians 1:13-17
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 The reality is, the Bible is a handbook on Holy Living, setting out its principles and detailing the experiences of people, great and small, as they sought to apply the principles to their daily lives. The Bible is a guide to living our lives, day by day, of walking with Jesus. We can share in the trials, tribulations and victories of the men and women whose real life stories are included.....
Acts 7:54-60
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 And we can learn principles to live by given through revelation to the writers by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.....
Hebrews 12:10
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 Indeed the Bible is known as the Holy Scriptures......
Romans 1:2-4
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 If we disobey the manual we won’t see the Lord!.....
Hebrews 12:14
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Sadly, we have taken this 'manual of life experience and instruction' and turned it into worthless theoretical theologies upon which no two people can agree, which split and divide, devoid of the power necessary to change lives.
May we get back to basics today.
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| <i>NEXT WEEK:</i> THINKING GREEK OR HEBREW continues..... |
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 ..... as we continue with summarizing what we have learned.
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| A NOTE FROM DAVID |
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 Christ-likeness, Holiness, Purity, etc., are words and applications that we do not hear a lot of in the church today. Yet they are the heart of the Gospel of Jesus.
May the Lord's revelation be received today.
THE MOA
Until human habitation of New Zealand from the 13th century onwards, the flightless Moa were the dominant species in the country. Yes, a bird, not an animal, the largest species growing up to 3 metres (10 feet) or more tall! Amazingly, the ladies were 3 times as heavy and half as tall again as their male partners. Wonder who was the boss!
The picture shows and artists representation of this magnificent bird beside a Maori, the original Polynesian settlers of New Zealand. As there were so few animals, these birds supplied the meat for the people of the time and became extinct within 200 years of human settlement.
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So until next week.......
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD!
His servant and yours
Learn more about us at...
www.wwj.org.nz/about.php
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A DAVID'S DOODLING
1007. Holiness is a way of life, not a doctrine.
David Tait
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Check
out the WWJ website for….
More David's Doodlings: www.wwj.org.nz/dd.php
Links to other sites of interest: http://www.wwj.org.nz/links.php
Till Death do us Part!: http://www.wwj.org.nz/tddup.php
Pets Rule!: http://www.wwj.org.nz/pets.php
The World's Greatest Groans: http://www.wwj.org.nz/groans.php
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