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Steadfast Day 15 Made Steadfast

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Steadfast Day 15 Made Steadfast

Sarah Afan

April 14, 2023

Alive,Peace,Power,Redemption,Resurrection

Read His Words Before Ours!

1 Corinthians 15:57-58
Matthew 28:1-4
1 Peter 5:8-10
Hebrews 4:14-16
Isaiah 46:8-13

Jesus was dead.
Condemned unjustly by
Jewish religious leaders (Luke 22:66-71),
Roman political leaders (Luke 23:1-12),
and the people of Jerusalem (Luke 23:13-24),
He’d been crucified (Luke 23:32-49). 

“Though He was delivered up according to God’s determined plan and foreknowledge, you used lawless people to nail him to a cross and kill him.” (Acts 2:23, emphasis mine)

After Jesus’ death, aware of His prophecies of rising on the third day, Jewish and Roman officials secured the tomb with soldiers, lest His disciples steal His body to counterfeit resurrection. (Matthew 27:62-66) Armed with every sophisticated weapon of their time, the soldiers believed they were in control. 

Suddenly, on the third day there was a great earthquake, and the soldiers fell like corpses. (Matthew 28:1-4) An angel of the Lord rolled away the stone, and Jesus emerged from the tomb victoriously. Hallelujah! 

“God raised Him up, ending the pains of death, because it was not possible for Him to be held by death.” (Acts 2:24)

Jesus’ resurrection revealed His victory over death, and now He lives forever; furthermore, we are invited to share in His victory!

“Now since the children have flesh and blood in common, Jesus also shared in these, so that through His death He might destroy the one holding the power of death–that is, the devil–and free those who were held in slavery all their lives by the fear of death.” (Hebrews 2:14-15)

We have been rescued from the kingdom of darkness and transferred into the kingdom of light. (Colossians 1:13) God, in His mercy and great love for us, made us alive together with Jesus. Though we were dead in our sins, God raised us with Him, and seated us together with Him in heavenly places. (Ephesians 2:4-6)

Our rescue and redemption are God’s gifts; we have done nothing to deserve them. We are saved by grace through faith in Christ. (Ephesians 2:8-9) Having believed in Him, we were buried with Him and raised with Him into newness of life. (Romans 6:4) 

We have been sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is a pledge of our inheritance. (Ephesians 1:13-14) While we will never reach perfection in these sinful bodies, we know He who started a good work in us will bring it to completion in eternity. (Philippians 1:6) In fact, His divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness; therefore, we may share in His divine nature and escape the world’s corruption. (2 Peter 1:3-4) 

Now, with these promises, we are called upon to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. (Philippians 2:12) This does not entail adding any value to what Jesus has done; it simply means obeying the leadership of the Holy Spirit. Our salvation does not make us immune to temptations and trials; we still live in a world where sin and evil are prevalent. (2 Timothy 3:12-15) On a daily basis, we face temptations, often wrapped in an attractive “package” to lure us into sin. We work out our salvation by obeying the prompting of the Holy Spirit, and resisting such temptations.

 While temptations may come disguised as pleasure, trials often present as life challenges such as sickness, loss of a beloved one, lack, marital issues, or persecution, to name a few. When faced with such situations, we tend to become overwhelmed; however we must hold fast to the confession of our faith in Christ. No matter the situation, we need to keep it in mind that Christ’s victory is our victory.

Again and again, the Scripture charges us to be steadfast in our faith, and not to be overwhelmed by trials. In 1 Peter 5:8-9, we are called upon to be on alert because our adversary prowls around like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. We are charged to resist him, remaining firm in the faith. In the same way, 1 Corinthians 15:58 charges us, “[B]e steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord’s work, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”

The significance of being steadfast cannot be overemphasized.

Being steadfast calls for patience, endurance, and perseverance in the face of suffering. Furthermore, we must remain focused on Christ, who is the author and finisher of our faith. (Hebrews 12:2) Whatever situation we are facing, we can steadfastly hold to the truth that Christ was tempted in every way just as we are, yet was without sin. (Hebrews 4:15) He endured hostility from sinners, just as we might, and He urges us not to grow weary or give up. (Hebrews 12:3) Having passed through incredible temptation and incomprehensible suffering, He is able to help us; we can seek mercy and grace from Him. (Hebrews 4:16)

Christ warned us we would experience tribulations in the world, but assured us of His victory. (John 16:33) Therefore, we can steadfastly say, “Who can separate us from the love of Christ? [. . . I]n all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” (Romans 8:35, 37)

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Steadfast Day 15
Digging Deeper

How steadfast is your faith?

Verse 58 isn’t the only mention of holding steadfast in our faith in Christ. He brings it up in the letter to the church at Ephesus as well. (Ephesians 4:14) Which only serves to remind us that we aren’t the first ones to have doubts in our walk with Christ.
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Steadfast Day 14 Death, Where Is Your Sting?: Digging Deeper

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Steadfast Day 14 Death, Where Is Your Sting?: Digging Deeper

Rachel Jones

April 13, 2023

Alive,Heaven,Hope,Power,Resurrection

Discover the original intent of Scripture. Make good application to our everyday lives.
Become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

This DD Connects With "Death, Where Is Your Sting?"
Why Dig Deeper?

Read His Words Before Ours!

1 Corinthians 15:51-56

51 Listen, I am telling you a mystery: We will not all fall asleep, but we will all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed. 53 For this corruptible body must be clothed with incorruptibility, and this mortal body must be clothed with immortality. 54 When this corruptible body is clothed with incorruptibility, and this mortal body is clothed with immortality, then the saying that is written will take place: Death has been swallowed up in victory. 55 Where, death, is your victory? Where, death, is your sting? 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.
Read More Of His Words

The Original Intent

1) How will we all be changed in a moment at the last trumpet? (verses 51-52)

In 1 Corinthians 15:51-52, Paul implores his readers, “Listen, I am telling you a mystery: We will not all fall asleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed.”

Paul describes a time when the dead in Christ shall rise and inhabit glorified bodies (1 Thessalonians 4:16), and those Christians still living will be changed instantly, transformed into eternal, glorified bodies that God has promised. (Philippians 3:21)

This will take place when the last trumpet sounds. This trumpet is “probably called last because it in effect brings an end to the Church age as it raptures the church from earth.” (Preceptausin.org) As author H.A. Ironside puts it, “This last trumpet describes the Christian’s ‘marching orders’ at the rapture of the Church.” When Jesus comes for His church, all Christians living and deceased will be changed into the image of God by being in the presence of God. (1 John 3:2)

When we see Christ, we will become like Him, no longer hampered by any human weaknesses but, as author John Gill describes, we “will be changed at once from corruption to incorruption, from dishonour to glory, from weakness to power, from being natural to being spiritual bodies; this change all the saints will undergo, whether dead or alive, at Christ’s coming.”

God is making us more holy each day we follow Him here on earth (2 Corinthians 3:18), but one day we will be like Him when we see Him face to face!

The Everyday Application

1) How will we all be changed in a moment at the last trumpet? (verses 51-52)

When I was a teenager, my family went through a difficult, abrupt life change that caused my parents to scramble to find new employment and my sister and I to change schools. We managed our new normal for a few years, but my parents sensed God was preparing us for another transition, this time to a new city. As we prayed for God’s provision, a song on the radio caught our attention. “Cool Change” by Little River Band isn’t a Christian song, but God used it to remind us it was “time for a cool change” in our lives, prompting us to pray about the changes He was bringing.

We hoped and prayed for instant transformation in our situation, but it was several years before God orchestrated the circumstances that allowed us to transition to a new area. God used the time of waiting to prepare us for the work and ministry He had for us. (Philippians 1:6)

Often, God uses trials, difficulties, or even lulls in activity to change us into His image. (Romans 5:3) But one day, there will be instantaneous change for every Christian!

When Jesus returns, our transformation will be completed immediately. He will give all Christians, living and dead, spiritual bodies to live out eternity with Him. (Philippians 3:21) What a day of rejoicing that will be!

The Original Intent

2) What causes death to be swallowed up in victory? (verse 54)

Sin entered the world when Adam disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden; with that sin came death. (Genesis 2:17) As sin spread through humanity, so did death. (Romans 5:12)

The prophet Isaiah foretold that the Messiah would swallow up death once and for all. (Isaiah 25:8) Paul referenced Isaiah’s prophecy about death in 1 Corinthians 15:54 by saying it would be fulfilled at the return of Jesus, when “this corruptible body is clothed with incorruptibility, and this mortal body is clothed with immortality.”

When Jesus comes back and transforms all the saints, living and dead, into their immortal, incorruptible bodies, death will no longer have power over the saints of God. The triumphant, victorious return of Christ will swallow up sin and death forever for all Christians. (Revelation 21:4)

Author R. C. H. Lenski explains, “Death and all of its apparent victories are undone for God’s children. What looks like a victory for death and like a defeat for us when our bodies die and decay shall be utterly reversed so that death dies in absolute defeat and our bodies live again in absolute victory.”

Although sin brings about death, Christians can rejoice in the free gift of eternal life in Christ Jesus. (Romans 6:23) When we trust in Jesus, the power of death is defeated in our own stories. Even when our earthly bodies die, those who follow the Way of Jesus live forever. (1 John 2:17) Not only do we have abundant life on earth (John 10:10), but we have eternal life with Jesus in Heaven!

The Everyday Application

2) What causes death to be swallowed up in victory? (verse 54)

Each age and culture has its own take on death and the afterlife. Mexicans celebrate Day of the Dead, a type of Memorial Day for departed souls that commemorates death as part of life. In Madagascar there is a “turning of the bones” tradition every several years in which families freshly wrap the remains of the deceased in order to speed decomposition and send the spirits toward the afterlife.

Whether it is parades, wakes, or internment, all cultures have rituals and practices to deal with the end of life on earth and the possibility of life after death. No matter how a person’s body is dealt with upon death, Christians believe that all beings live on after death, either in eternal reward or eternal punishment. (Matthew 24:46)

Paul discusses eternity for the Christian in 1 Corinthians 15:54 when he writes, “When this corruptible body is clothed with incorruptibility, and this mortal body is clothed with immortality, then the saying that is written will take place: Death has been swallowed up in victory.”

This truth gives Christians a sense of peace and joy knowing that one day death will be defeated and they will live forever with Christ. (1 John 5:11) But it also should give us a sense of urgency to share the Good News of Jesus and His triumph over death with anyone who will listen. (Mark 16:15)

What we do for our friends after their deaths won’t matter for eternity, but telling them about the saving grace of Jesus now can be the difference between them living forever in the presence of God or spending eternity without Him. (John 17:3) Death is swallowed up in the victory of Jesus’ Resurrection, and part of our purpose here on earth is to make this truth known to every tribe and nation. (Matthew 24:14)

The Original Intent

3) How does the sting of death equal sin and the power of sin equal the law? (verses 55-56)

Paul states that death will be swallowed up by victory when Jesus comes. “Where, death, is your victory? Where, death, is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.” (1 Corinthians 15:55-56)

Paul says sin stings because it leads to death. (James 1:15) Albert Barnes explains, “sin is the cause of death. It introduced it; it makes it certain; it is the cause of the pain, distress, agony, and horror which attends it.” Paul asserts that death no longer has any sting because sin is now conquered by Jesus’ victory at the cross. (1 Peter 2:24)

Death no longer has the sting caused by sin, and sin no longer has the power brought about by the law. Classic author, Andrew Murray, observes, “The law reveals our sinfulness. It cannot help us against sin; rather, with its demand for perfect obedience, it hopelessly gives us over to the power of sin.”

The law (which we are required to keep but find impossible to obey) is fulfilled by Jesus. (Hebrews 10: 19-22) His perfection covers our imperfections, allowing us to appear blameless before God. (Colossians 1:22)

We don’t need to try to keep all the law because Jesus’ sacrifice covers all our sins. Tony Evans suggests that once death was swallowed up by Jesus’ victory, “for the believer, all death can do now is go ‘buzzing.’ All it can do now is make a lot of noise because Jesus holds the stinger in his hands, in his feet, in his side, when ‘He was wounded for your transgressions, bruised for your iniquity. The chastisement of your peace was upon him, and by his stripes you are healed.’” (Isaiah 53:5)

Because of Jesus, sin and death have no eternal hold on the life of Believers.

The Everyday Application

3) How does the sting of death equal sin and the power of sin equal the law? (verses 55-56)

In my enthusiasm to undertake household projects, I frequently overlook the fact that I am not good at do-it-yourself tasks. When I survey the copious instructions, tools, and parts required for the task, I generally give up before I get very far in the process or soon after I have made a few mistakes. The amount of work and skill required is daunting and I realize I do not have the abilities required.

I have the same feeling when I see all of the commandments in the Bible that make up God’s law. There are more than 600 laws in the Old Testament, but even if I only had to keep the famous 10 Commandments (Exodus 20), I would give up quickly, much like I do my house projects.

Paul discusses the law in 1 Corinthians 15:55-56, “Where, death, is your victory? Where, death, is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.” W. Harold Mare explains, “It is the law of God with its stringent moral demands that strengthens the power of sin by showing us how sinful we are, and thus condemns us.”

The good news that Paul announces is that the power of sin, which is the law, has no “sting” because of Christ’s work on the cross. (Romans 7:6) My sinful nature does not want to obey all of God’s laws (Romans 7:18), but Jesus came and obeyed all of the laws for me. (Matthew 5:17)

Andrew Murray asserts that “The Holy Spirit in us takes the place of the law over us.” By taking our sins on Himself and forgiving our iniquities, Jesus fulfilled the law and removed the power of sin that leads to death.

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Steadfast Day 13
Journey Study

Unable to hold us forever, death is only a stopgap for those who die before Christ’s return. It can’t do its worst – like corrupting our bodies, decaying our flesh, and wasting us away – forever. Death’s effects will not last for those found in Christ.

Those whom death has claimed, but who trusted Christ while they were living, will be raised. And death won’t even get the sting accompanying a brutal fight, because Christ has already won. (1 Corinthians 15:57)
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Steadfast Day 10 What’s It Like?

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Steadfast Day 10 What’s It Like?

Rebecca Adams

April 7, 2023

Alive,Clothed,Future,Glory,Heaven,Holy Spirit,Restored,Resurrection

Read His Words Before Ours!

1 Corinthians 15:35-44
Isaiah 64:1-7
1 Corinthians 2:1-15

“Every stage of parenting is precious.”
My mom told me that when I had her first grandbaby.
What she didn’t tell me is that each stage of parenting is also progressively harder.
That’s right, mamas of toddlers, moms of pre-teen angst, and moms who are wiping away tears while planning senior graduations, it’s still going to get harder.

Because there is nothing.
Just nothing.
Like launching adult children.

Sure, there are successes and wins and many “almost wins”, but there are those crazy shaky decisions when you want to grab their shoulders saying, “Why Are You Doing This?!”

The apostle Paul never married nor prepared adult children for the real world, but I think if we had shared coffee in a little café along the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, we would have had many of the same experiences and emotions.

Paul was a missionary who birthed new churches and “parented” new Jesus followers. The work was arduous and often, it didn’t seem worth it. He would spend months teaching and training, then move to the next town only to catch word the previous church had wandered away from truth.

Paul was combatting heresy after heresy in the Corinthian church as well as other churches he had birthed like those gathering in Colossae and Galatia.

Paul’s passion pervades his letters as he punctuates solid truth while tearing down nonsensical arguments. (2 Corinthians 10:3-5)

In his second letter to the church gathering in Corinth, Paul continues going toe-to-toe with false teaching and, like the dad of a young adult, provides warning after warning while his insides groan with the ache of knowing “his kids” are just “missing it”.

Note, however, the undergirding power source of Paul’s words; he isn’t in this parenting-a-fledgling-new-church thing alone.

“For although we live in the flesh,
we do not wage war according to the flesh,
since the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh,
but are powerful through God
for the demolition of strongholds.

We demolish arguments and every proud thing
that is raised up against the knowledge of God,
and we take every thought captive to obey Christ.”
(2 Corinthians 10:3-5)

Paul’s words are inextricably tied to the power of God through Christ, who was raised from the dead, proving His power, divinity, and authority over all.

None surpasses the knowledge and power of God,
and He has made Himself both accessible through the sacrifice of Jesus
and knowable through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

On the heels of painstakingly proving the resurrection of Christ, and God’s promise for our own resurrection, Paul fields questions on what this resurrection will be like.

I can imagine the new Christians gathering together, thinking about eternity and collectively wondering, “What about my body? Will I still have my freckles? Will I still be a mom? Will I be an angel? A spirit singing in a choir? Perhaps a chubby cherub on a cloud? Paul, tell us! What will eternity be like?!”

“But someone will ask, “How are the dead raised?
What kind of body will they have when they come?”
“You fool! […].”
(1 Corinthians 15:35-36)

Sounds like Paul is getting a little frustrated with his “spiritual children”! If we keep reading, however, we find his discourse points to the complete authority and wisdom of God. Read verses 35-49 to see how Paul uses the wisdom of God in creation to point to His infinite wisdom in preparing the life yet to come.

The issue wasn’t their query, it was the lens through which they questioned.
If you start with the premise that God isn’t strong enough to raise you from the dead, everything else will be out of alignment.

The problem wasn’t their questions.
The problem was their understanding of God.

There’s no need to worry about whether our bodies can be raised if you start with the knowledge that God raised His own Son from the grave. (Ephesians 1:20-21)

We need not fear boredom in Heaven or if our bodies will suit our new realm, for the Lord who crafted each molecule of our present reality (Colossians 1:16-17), will surely usher in a new Heaven and a new Earth where Death will have no dominion. (Revelation 22:1-5)

If you start with a poor understanding of God,
you end up with crazy ideas.
Like becoming chubby cherubs on clouds.

Perhaps, this tool Paul handed the Corinthians was meant for more than just calming queries about eternity. Maybe good theology and a right understanding of God and His character can color the other heavy things we carry around in life.

Perhaps we need to renew our minds, shifting our lens to see more clearly.

Wouldn’t you like to give that gift to your child, friend, spouse, or coworker?
Your Heavenly Father would, too, for you.

“Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God”.
Romans 12:2

Start being renewed by honestly bringing your questions, beliefs, and pre-conceived ideas to the Lord in prayer. Write a list, speak them out loud to God Himself, then open His Word and see what His authoritative Spirit will say as you decide to listen to His voice.

Let His Word grip your shoulders saying,
“Daughter, walk in my ways; I’ll show you what it’s like to know Me!”

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Steadfast Day 10
Digging Deeper

We will die a very real physical death. When Christ returns our human bodies will be fully resurrected bodies. We have hope that this life is not the end. With Christ, we have a promise of a future where all wrongs are made right and in that New Heaven and New Earth, we will reside in perfect harmony no longer with an eye that wanders from the one true God.
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March 27 - April 14, 2023 - Journey Theme #116

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Whole Day 14 The Hope Of Wholeness: Digging Deeper

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Whole Day 14 The Hope Of Wholeness: Digging Deeper

Lisa Marcelina

July 7, 2022

Believe,church,Faith,Future,God,Hope,Lord,Love,Salvation

Discover the original intent of Scripture. Make good application to our everyday lives.
Become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

This DD Connects With "The Hope Of Wholeness"
Why Dig Deeper?

Read His Words Before Ours!

1 Corinthians 15:50-58

50 What I am saying, brothers and sisters, is this: Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor can corruption inherit incorruption. 51 Listen, I am telling you a mystery: We will not all fall asleep, but we will all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed. 53 For this corruptible body must be clothed with incorruptibility, and this mortal body must be clothed with immortality. 54 When this corruptible body is clothed with incorruptibility, and this mortal body is clothed with immortality, then the saying that is written will take place: Death has been swallowed up in victory. 55 Where, death, is your victory? Where, death, is your sting? 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ! 58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord’s work, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
Read More Of His Words

The Original Intent

1) What do the terms corruption, incorruption, corruptible and incorruptible mean in this context? (verses 50-53)

Corruption and corruptible share the same meaning. In Greek, corruption, phthora, means perishable or perishing. Contrarily, incorruption and incorruptible both imply immortality and lack of decay.

Paul focuses on the reality that our present mortal bodies, which are subject to decay at death, cannot enter God’s Kingdom in eternity in their current form, but must be transformed. “Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor can corruption inherit incorruption.” (verse 50) The necessary pre-cursor for this transformation is found in John 3:5, “Jesus answered, ‘Truly I tell you, unless someone is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.’” 

To enter eternity, a person must be born of water and spirit, meaning once they’ve accepted Jesus as their Lord and Saviour, they receive a spiritual re-birth through the Holy Spirit, becoming new for their old life has died. To be raised with incorruptible physical bodies that will be equipped to live in eternity, our souls must first have been reborn from death to life by God’s Spirit. Paul taught in Philippians 3:18-20, “…many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction; their god is their stomach; their glory is in their shame; and they are focused on earthly things, our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly wait for a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.” 

There is a distinction between those who are enemies of Christ and those already counted as citizens of Heaven; faith in Jesus. For those who are no longer enemies of Christ, when our physical bodies have died, for they are corruptible, they require a second transformation by Christ, “He will transform the body of our humble condition into the likeness of his glorious body, by the power that enables Him to subject everything to Himself.” (Philippians 3:21)

The Everyday Application

1) What do the terms corruption, incorruption, corruptible and incorruptible mean in this context? (verses 50-53)

I Corinthians 15 focuses on the resurrection from the dead of believers in Jesus. One day, their old, corruptible bodies will be transformed in preparation for their eternal dwelling with God.

Many in the early church were influenced by false teachers like the Sadducees, who claimed there was no resurrection of the dead. Wanting the Church to be equipped with truth, Paul sought to clear the air on this misconception by providing resurrection facts from the Lord.

Part of his explanation included what would happen to our bodies. When we die, our physical bodies experience decay, for they are corruptible. At the resurrection, all who have safeguarded their souls with Christ Jesus will receive new physical bodies that have been made perfectly incorruptible by His power.

This truth encourages us because we can look forward to a day when there will be no more sickness, no more pain, and no more death. We will enjoy eternity with the Lord God in new, perfect physical bodies! Jesus even provided a sneak peek of these new bodies when He rose from the dead with His own incorruptible physical body. (Luke 24:36-43)

If we have a loved one or know someone living with a disability, illness like cancer, or suffering of any kind, we can take heart knowing this is only temporary for those who trust Jesus as their Savior. My own mother has dementia, and it is heart-breaking knowing she was once a vibrant woman who loved to sing. But I take comfort knowing that one day, she will become whole again at the resurrection with a new spiritual body.

The Original Intent

2) How has death been swallowed up in victory? (verses 54-55)

Paul’s pronouncement, “Death has been swallowed up in victory” (verse 54) quotes the Old Testament prophet, Isaiah. (Isaiah 25:8) His follow-on quote, “Where, Death, is your victory? Where, Death, is your sting?” (verse 55) pulls from another Old Testament prophet, Hosea. (Hosea 13:14)

Both of these spoke of a promised coming day when Death would no longer rule; Death itself would die as it was consumed by the Victor, God Himself. Death is inevitable for all of us (Psalm 89:48), but we should be aware there are three types of death, physical, spiritual, and eternal. 

Physical death is experienced by everyone when our lungs stop breathing and our hearts stop beating. (Hebrews 9:27) Physical death results from sin which infiltrated the world via Adam. 

Spiritual death is eternal separation from God, which is also caused by sin. These two deadly outcomes are the default position for every human being. All of us are destined to experience both of these if we trust ourselves to be “good enough” for God. His justice has no room for less than perfect, and each of us are far, far from perfect. (Romans 3:23)

The Spiritually dead are those who choose to remain worldly and have no desire to serve or worship God as their personal Lord and Savior from sin. (Ephesians 2:1-3) 

Eternal Death is the just reward reserved for the unrepentant spiritually dead. Those who reject Christ as their personal Lord and Savior, also choose to remain locked-in to their default destination of eternal separation from God as a result of their sin; this is referred to as the second death. (Revelation 21:8) The devil initially held power over death (Hebrews 2:14), but Jesus defeated Satan when He rose from the dead. Victory over death resulted from Jesus’ resurrection, making Him the firstborn from the dead. (Colossians 1:18)

The Everyday Application

2) How has death been swallowed up in victory? (verses 54-55)

Jesus’ resurrection from the dead defeated Satan and death once and for all, but our bodies still die, even those who have trusted Jesus as their Savior. Just as the Old Testament prophets announced, there is still coming a day when Jesus will “swallow up death once and for all” (Isaiah 25:8) when He returns and transforms the corruptible into the incorruptible!

Jesus is the firstborn from the dead, and when He returns to earth to transform us, all who have trusted Him as their Lord and Savior will come up out of their graves and meet him in the air! (I Thessalonians 4:16-17) Jesus’ resurrection has offered humanity a new birth and a living hope in victorious freedom from Death! (I Peter 1:3)

We must remember, this freedom is an offer not our default. 

Eternal Death remains our default destination unless we accept Jesus as our personal Lord and Saviour, confessing our helpless reality as sinner, and receiving His forgiveness and eternal life as a gift. (John 3:16, Romans 6:23) For the believer, eternal LIFE is our hope and confident expectation. This Sure Hope is why death is nothing to be feared for those who come to Jesus in genuine faith. Death is something we can welcome for it is nothing more than sleep until Christ makes us incorruptible. (verses 51-52, Matthew 9:24) 

Mother Theresa had some interesting quotes about death, but my favourite is, “People ask me about death and whether I look forward to it and I answer, ‘Of course’ because I am going home.” Death merely means going home to Jesus.

The Original Intent

3) What is to be learned from Paul’s exhortation to be steadfast, immovable, and excel in the Lord’s work because their labour is not in vain? (verse 58)

Labour is usually associated with hard work which is not always pleasant, but from the beginning, God created work. When God made the earth, mankind was not yet around to work the ground. (Genesis 2:5) However, when He planted the Garden of Eden, He placed Adam there to work it and be its caretaker, all before sin had entered the world. (verse 15)

Tending the garden before sin must have been pleasant and enjoyable, even relaxing, but when Adam sinned, part of God’s judgment was to curse the land and labour. Work became painful and laborious. (Genesis 3:17-18) Humanity now would labour hard to earn a living.

Imagine how much more creative and artistic and purposeful our work would be if it wasn’t tainted by sin and tediousness! Paul’s words in verse 58 serve as strong encouragement to the believers regarding their difficult work for the Lord, “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord’s work, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” 

Working for the Lord is full of challenges and persecutions, BUT Christ has won our victory, so we can be assured our labours for Him are not in vain for the Lord wastes nothing! The work Paul speaks of is more than just for earning a living, it refers to an active help in building the kingdom of God, which is accomplished in many ways throughout our everyday lives.

In Romans 16, Paul commended some women who worked hard for the Lord. Paul also worked hard to build up the Church (I Corinthians 15:10). His encouragement is for all the Corinthian believers to do the same and work hard for the Lord for their reward would come in eternal life. (Revelation 14:13)

The Everyday Application

3) What is to be learned from Paul’s exhortation to be steadfast, immovable, and excel in the Lord’s work because their labour is not in vain? (verse 58)

Work, which can be arduous most times, but our difficulties can be redeemed because of Christ. When we submit our work to the Lord, doing it for Him instead of mankind (Colossians 3:22-24), we are blessed because of His victory over the curse.

This doesn’t mean believers aren’t to engage in work that isn’t technically “ministry related” like work in the church; Paul stresses we must work to eat and live and not be lazy. (2 Thessalonians 3:10-12) God’s vision for work that honors Him encompasses every aspect of life and our heart-attitude while we labour.

Are we working for the Lord? Are we praying over our work? Are we using our jobs to further God’s kingdom by teaching others about Him, loving others, and using opportunities with coworkers to share about the Hope of Jesus?

These labors build up the Church (I Corinthians 3:10-15) and are not done in vain. I enjoy working for the Lord! 

I gave my life to Jesus at the age of seventeen, and while life has been challenging, at the age of fifty-three, I can say God has been with me and blessed me as I surrendered myself to Him. Living for Jesus and serving Him is what makes life abundant. (John 10:10) At the end of my physical life and when Jesus exchanges the corruptible for incorruptible, all believers will become truly Whole.

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Whole Day 13
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In seeking wholeness, we easily find ourselves looking for healing from wrong sources. The Bible talks about our misplaced gazes so we can recognize them and reject them.

We look to idols such as money (Luke 16:13), popularity (Galatians 1:10), politics (Matthew 22:21), and possessions (Luke 12:16-21).

We try to heal ourselves through things like willpower (Romans 7:19-20), sex (Hebrews 13:4), ambition (1 Corinthians 8:2), and a host of others (Colossians 3:5).

Do any of these actually heal our brokenness? Absolutely not. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
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June 20 - July 8, 2022 - Journey Theme #109

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Champion Day 6 Behind The Scenes God

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Esther 4:8-17
Deuteronomy 30:1-11
1 Thessalonians 5:14-18
Hebrews 11:1-13
1 Peter 3:1-9

Champion, Day 6

Esther.
An orphan becomes queen and saves her people.
Sounds like a fairy tale, doesn’t it?

But this was no fairy tale. It was certainly not some glorious dream-come-true for Esther. She had many obstacles to overcome, but her faith in God sustained her.

She came from a humble background, born into the Jewish lineage of Benjamin during their Babylonian exile. Her father and her mother died when she was very young, leaving her to be raised by her cousin, Mordecai. (Esther 2:5-7) However, her faith radiates through her humility; she is obedient to her cousin as if he were her father.

I like to think her humility was one character trait that attracted the favor of Hegai, the overseer of the house of women, when she was taken from her home and forced to participate in the king’s search for a new queen. (Esther 2:8-9) Think how it would be to live in a house of 400 beautiful women vying for the attention of the king. Yikes!

As Esther’s story progressed, she was selected to be the new queen (Esther 2:17), but she remained in contact with Mordecai (Esther 2:10-11). Therefore, Mordecai was the person to inform Esther of the king’s decree (made at the urging of Haman, a wicked, high-ranking official) that all Jews should be massacred on a future date. (Esther 3:5-4:7)

Though her faith is never mentioned, Esther’s integrity and faithfulness to God shine through her responses. Her utmost goal was to glorify God in all things.

When she needed wisdom and protection regarding the annihilation of the Jews, she requested prayer and fasting. (Esther 4:8-17) Long before letters to the New Testament church in Philippi would be written, Esther lived out their exhortation:

“Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, make your requests to God.” (Philippians 4:6)
Certainly, this reveals she loved the Lord and desired to follow His plan, even in a life and death situation.

Only after she (and the community) had fasted and prayed did she approach the king. Wise and brave, risking death by approaching the king unsummoned, she stood in the inner court of the palace. When the king saw her, he invited her in.

“‘What is it, Queen Esther?’ the king asked her. ‘Whatever you want, even to half the kingdom, it will be given to you.’” (Esther 5:3)

In her wisdom, Esther was patient. She didn’t immediately complain about Haman. Instead, she invited the king and Haman to a series of banquets. How clever to come bearing gifts, you might say, with no obvious intent other than to please the king.

At the second feast, the king again assured Esther, “Queen Esther, whatever you ask will be given to you.” (Esther 7:2) At this pivotal moment, she pleaded for her life, and for the lives of all Jews, accusing Haman as her adversary.

Wow! What courage! I’m sure she experienced fear, but God bolstered her courage, demonstrating how His power is perfected in our weakness. (2 Corinthians 12:9)

Interestingly, the Name of God is never mentioned in the Book of Esther, although we clearly see Him at work.

Why? One theory is that this bit of history was written by either Esther or Mordecai for the archives of this pagan nation (Esther 9:32); therefore, mention of God was left out. But certainly, we can see the hand of God weaving His plan through every step.

Though the life Esther had imagined was shattered the day she was abducted to the palace harem, God was with her, and she found favor with Hegai.
Though her future seemed to hinge on a single, forced sexual encounter with an unstable, arrogant king, God was with her, and she found favor with the king.
Though Esther grappled with danger, and fear, and the unknown and powerlessness, God was with her, bringing the salvation of His people from the silt of men’s evil plans.

God, as Master Author working behind the scenes, placed each person in the right place at the right time “for such a time as this”.

God is still working in the events of our day. At times we may wonder, “Where are you, God?” and struggle to understand why evil appears to win. Years before Esther, the Jewish prophet, Daniel, told King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon,
“He [the Most High God] changes times and seasons;
He removes kings and establishes kings.
He gives wisdom to the wise
and knowledge to those
who have understanding.
He reveals the deep and hidden things;
He knows what is in darkness
and light dwells with Him.”
(Daniel 2:21-22)

When we arrive in Heaven and look back, our eyes will be opened to all the things God has done. We will turn and observe the “Behind the Scenes God” like Jacob did, “Surely the LORD was in this place, and I did not know it[!]” (Genesis 28:16)

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Worship X Day 13 Let Them Praise!

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Psalm 148
Psalm 149
Psalm 150
Ephesians 5:18-21
Hebrews 13:15-19

Worship X, Day 13

Have you thought about all the noise around us?

All the dogs in the neighborhood won’t stop barking.
The ocean waves are so peaceful.
The whispering wind sounds so calming.

Sometimes we create the noise, with TV or fans running. When the electricity goes out, the sound of silence is deafening and eerie. Without the TV, appliances, or heat/air conditioning running, we hear the natural sounds of creation, sounds of wind or rain or animals creeping. Live on or near a farm? Cows, chickens, horses, sheep…it’s a pretty noisy place.

Is it really just noise? Or is it praises to the Lord?

The book of Psalms has many chapters on praising the Lord. Today, we’ll begin our study with Psalm 148, which makes a transition from hearing and seeing God’s mighty works to the response of His creation to His works.

As we read this chapter, we see and hear all creation praising the Lord.
“Praise the LORD from the heavens;
praise Him from the heights.
Praise Him, all his angels;
praiseHim, all his heavenly armies.
Praise Him, sun and moon;
praise Him, all you shining stars.”
(Psalm 148:1-3)

Weather (verse 8), plants (verse 9), animals (verse 10), and people (verse 11) all giving God praise. Everything on this planet and in the universe was created to praise God.

In Psalm 149, the psalmist shifts to more personal praise of the Lord as our Redeemer, the One who brings justice and victory for His people.

“Let Israel celebrate its Maker;
let the children of Zion rejoice in their King.
Let them praise his name with dancing
and make music to Him with tambourine and lyre.
For the LORD takes pleasure in His people;
He adorns the humble with salvation.”
(Psalm 149:2-4)

Finally, Psalm 150 calls humans to praise the Lord with zeal through instruments and song.
“Praise Him with the blast of a ram’s horn;
praise Him with harp and lyre.
Praise Him with tambourine and dance;
praise Him with strings and flute.
Praise Him with resounding cymbals;
praise Him with clashing cymbals.”
(Psalm 150:3-5)

Have you ever heard a band or orchestra warming up, playing random notes?
Or listened to someone who is learning to play a musical instrument?

It isn’t exactly music to our ears, but after much practice and working with the conductor, it can create a beautiful song. Reassuringly (for those of us who can’t carry a tune in a bucket), the sound itself isn’t important to God; rather, He sees and hears a masterpiece when our hearts overflow in praise to Him!

If we take all of these psalms and put them together, we get more than just a choir or an orchestra. The entire universe is working together to praise the Lord, our God of creation, of glory, and of redemption.

My husband is the music minister at our church. Each week, he, along with other worship leaders throughout the whole earth, faithfully prepare to lead God’s people in His praise.  Some have big groups, some have smaller teams, but they work together to create a chorus of praise that echoes around the world.

Take that one step further. Add the living things outside church. We don’t bring our pets and plants into a worship service, but they praise the Lord each and every day. Each one has their part to play in a symphony God creates. Each one alone may not sound like much, but imagine putting it all together. I’ll give you a moment to try and do that . . .

Can you imagine? Do you hear the ocean roar and the stars sing?
Do you hear the dog barking and the orchestra playing praise to the Creator?
Do you hear singing and all creation declaring the wonder of our God?!

In our ears, it may sound more like a mess…but to God, it’s a beautiful symphony of praise!

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Sacrifice Day 11 The Price Of Forgiveness!

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Hebrews 9:6-28
Leviticus 16:11-19
Ephesians 2:11-18

Sacrifice, Day 11

Many years ago, an American missionary based in my state of Nigeria was shot by an armed robber as he traveled to the northern part of our country. Wounded in his chest, he knew he would die; in his final moments, he placed his hand on his bloody wound, showed the robber, and said, “This blood is for your repentance; I have forgiven you.”

What a great price for forgiveness! Who can forgive so great a wrong, if not motivated by God? The missionary remembered the great price God paid to forgive him, and he extended the same to the robber, even using similar wording.

“Then Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.’” (Luke 23:34)

God’s forgiveness was not only extended to the missionary, but to all who are willing to embrace it. God sacrificed His one and only Son as atonement for the sin of humankind, for Scripture says, “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” (Hebrews 9:22)

Since the fall of humankind, sin separated people from God, and the only way humans could approach God was through the sacrifice of animals.

God, speaking to Moses said,
“For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have appointed it to you to make atonement on the altar for your lives, since it is the lifeblood that makes atonement.” (Leviticus 17:11)

Romans 6:23 explains, “For the wages of sin is death,” and the sacrificial lifeblood protects the sinner from the consequences of sin, which are death and eternal separation from God.

But Hebrew 9:12-18 tells us an animals’ blood sacrifice was temporary, and the atonement was partial, since it had to be done repeatedly. Contrastingly, when Christ came as the high priest and entered the most holy place, He offered His own blood once and for all time, rendering future atonement unnecessary.

Jesus testified to this truth as He was dying on the cross, declaring, “It is finished.” (John 19:30)

Jesus’ death ended the sacrifice of the blood of bulls and goats, which is unable to cleanse humankind from their sins permanently. By His blood, we have been brought near to God. Hebrew 9:24 says, “For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with hands [. . .] but into heaven itself, so that He might now appear in the presence of God for us.”

Now, whoever believes in the atoning blood of Christ as the price for the forgiveness of his or her sins, they will be saved, rescued for eternity. Yet, I recall times of sharing the gospel when some people would respond they don’t need Jesus’ forgiveness because they had not sinned. This belief is a falsehood, because Scripture confirms, “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God[.]” (Romans 3:23)

The prophet Isaiah testified,
“All of us have become like something unclean,
and all our righteous acts are like a polluted garment[.]” (Isaiah 64:6)

Colossians 1:21 agrees, “Once you were alien and hostile in your minds as expressed in your evil actions.”

These passages make clear that on our own merit, we are lost, drowning in our sin.

For those who reject the gift of forgiveness, “there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a terrifying expectation of judgment and the fury of a fire about to consume the adversaries.” (Hebrews 10:26)

Only the atoning blood of Christ can usher us into the presence of God.
And oh, how God longs to welcome us into His presence and fellowship with us!

Ephesians 1:5-6 tells us, “He predestined us to be adopted as sons [and daughters] through Jesus Christ for Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of His glorious grace lavished on us in the Beloved One.”

Jesus, while lamenting over Jerusalem, expressed God’s keen desire to gather His people as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings. (Luke 13:34)

Using imagery of living and feasting together, He expresses His desire for us to dine with Him, and Him with us. (Revelation 3:20) We who have received the covering of Christ’s righteousness through His atoning blood can confidently testify how glorious it is to fellowship with the Master of the Universe.

The psalmist confirms this abundance of joy in God’s presence. (Psalm 16:11)

In Him, we have freedom from the kingdom of darkness (Colossians 1:13), because those the Son has set free are free indeed. (John 8:36)

Sisters, here is our hope, and the reason Jesus was willing to pay the excruciatingly high price of our forgiveness.
Our lives, once lost in sin, have been re-created in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17), awaiting our acceptance of His forgiveness. ALL whose sins have been atoned for by His blood will be with Him forever when we surrender our lives back to Him.

He has gone to prepare a place for us, and one day, He will return to gather us to Himself in eternity. (John 14:3) Come quickly, Lord Jesus!

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Wilderness Day 14 Bitter Places: Digging Deeper

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Wilderness Day 14 Bitter Places: Digging Deeper

Shannon Vicker

March 24, 2022

Alive,Christ,church,Clothed,Creation,Digging Deeper,Faith,Preparing,Security

Discover the original intent of Scripture. Make good application to our everyday lives.
Become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

This DD Connects With "Bitter Places"
Why Dig Deeper?

Read His Words Before Ours!

Revelation 21:1-5

1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 I also saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband.

3 Then I heard a loud voice from the throne: Look, God’s dwelling is with humanity, and he will live with them. They will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them and will be their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; grief, crying, and pain will be no more, because the previous things have passed away.

5 Then the one seated on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new.” He also said, “Write, because these words are faithful and true.”
Read More Of His Words

The Original Intent

1) What is the new heaven and the new earth? (verse 1)

The idea of a “new heaven and a new earth” sounds like a foreign concept to our ears. However, John’s readers would have had context for these words from Jesus. In 2 Peter 3:7-13, Peter presents a very clear description that the currently known world will someday come to an end. The Lord Jesus ascended to Heaven, returning to His place at the right hand of Father God, but He promised to return (Matthew 16:27, Acts 1:11) and Peter likens His return to a “thief in the night” telling his readers the return will be when least expected.

John points to good news; when the earth as we know it ends, there is the promise of a new one! God has promised to deliver this perfection of things to come to His bride, the Church. (1 Corinthians 15:52-55) The letter of John’s Revelation provides details about this new heaven and new earth using the best words and imagery John could possibly use to convey what the Lord Jesus revealed to him in a vision of what would one day become reality.

The Everyday Application

1) What is the new heaven and the new earth? (verse 1)

This world can be difficult to live in with its brokenness and grief. If I have learned anything over the last two years of facing the pandemic of Covid, it’s that life isn’t perfect or easy and challenges will come. Sin runs rampant and we are faced with the consequences of it everywhere we turn. However, as believers in Jesus, we hold a promise that this is not how things will be forever. You and I live in a world that will someday end.

One day, Jesus will return and we will all face judgment. (Matthew 25:31-46) For those who have trusted their lives and souls to Jesus, we are assured we will forever be safe with the Lord, welcomed home to be with Him. (1 Peter 1:3-4) We cling to the hope that God will fulfill His promise of newness, and when He does, He will establish a new heaven and a new earth. This newness will be more than we can imagine; its perfection guarantees God will dwell with us and nothing will remain in the former brokenness.

God has proven Himself trustworthy over and over again throughout the Bible. (2 Timothy 2:13) We can rest assured that God will fulfill this promise right along with every other one. (2 Corinthians 1:20) Jesus will return, defeating sin and Satan once and for all and establishing a new earth without even a hint of sin’s destruction or our enemy, Satan. (1 Corinthians 15:54-56)

The Original Intent

2) How is God dwelling with humanity? (verse 3)

God created Adam and Eve in His image (Genesis 1:27), and ultimately, the rest of mankind are created as image bearers of the Almighty God. While we do not know the extent of Adam and Eve’s dwelling together in the Garden of Eden, we do know God came to them and they hid from Him in shame of their sin. (Genesis 3:8)

Genesis also makes it clear that Adam and God spent time together in some fashion as Adam named all the animals and God told Adam He would make a “helper suitable for him” while on earth. (Genesis 2:15-23) The Bible is also clear that Jesus, the Son of God, came and dwelt on earth as God in the flesh. (John 1:14)

The Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) detail Jesus’ time dwelling with humanity as a human. John’s audience would have been familiar with Jesus’ dwelling on earth, some had likely even been a first-hand eyewitness of Jesus’ ministry. However, John now tells of a new kind of dwelling. John sees God physically dwelling with humanity for eternity. Up until this point, this has always been impossible due to sin.

There are times in the Bible where God talks to His creation but doesn’t dwell with them. God is now able to live among His creation still as God, but now in a perfected relationship.

The Everyday Application

2) How is God dwelling with humanity? (verse 3)

Though we have a “down payment”, a mere inkling of what is to come, through the Holy Spirit living within us (Ephesians 1:14), God dwelling with His people is something we have only read about. We know Jesus walked on earth as a man with humanity and was God’s Son in the flesh. However, we have no concept of what the coming glory will be like to experience the full glory of the triune God dwelling with us. (1 Corinthians 2:9)

We were born thousands of years after Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection. However, Jesus came to rescue you and I from the consequences of our sin, which is death (Romans 6:23), just as He came to rescue those who physically walked beside him while He was on earth. Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross was as much for my sins and yours as they were for those who watched Him suffer.

The best news is His resurrection and defeat of death is also mine to share when I accept His sacrifice. The good news doesn’t end! Jesus promised to return and defeat Satan once and for all, and when that happens, sin will be no more. Jesus’ blood has paid the penalty for sin and we will be able to dwell in the holy presence of God. What a joyful day that will be!

The Original Intent

3) Why is God making everything new? (verse 5)

John is writing his Revelation letter to churches who were being persecuted for their faith. It wasn’t an easy time to be alive and follow Jesus; believers faced harsh penalties for believing in Jesus. However, these believers knew the promises of God and knew that someday all things would be made new. Jesus would return and establish a new heaven and a new earth and what they knew as reality would cease, even if they never saw the fruition of the promise while they lived earthly lives. Because of Jesus, their coming Hope of all things being made new, was incorruptible.

God provided John with the exact words of hope and promise that Christ’s followers needed to hear in the midst of deadly persecution. Someday, all would be made new and the present sufferings wouldn’t even compare to the coming glory! (Romans 8:18)

Just as when a person is in Christ, leaving their old way of sinful living behind, they become a new creation for the old has passed away (2 Corinthians 5:17), so God will do the same with all of creation when Jesus returns. God is providing a hope for these believers, and all believers, to hold onto in the midst of trial.

The Everyday Application

3) Why is God making everything new? (verse 5)

The earth is full of sin, death, pain, grief, and so much more. There are days when all hope seems lost and the pains of this world seem more than we can bear. We have all experienced some of this by living through a global pandemic, some of us bearing the toll in deeper ways than others.

All true believers experience persecution for their faith in varying degrees, for many around the world this means their very lives and families are constantly threatened for their faith. This persecution we experience, like our brothers and sisters to whom John’s letter was written, is not unexpected, but this is not the experience God originally intended. The Garden of Eden was perfect before Adam and Eve chose sin and, just as the Bible starts with a perfect creation in Genesis, it ends with a perfect creation in Revelation. God absolutely will make all things new in ways that are beyond our wildest imaginings. (Isaiah 64:4)

He will establish His perfect creation where we can dwell with Him and all the pains of this world will cease. (2 Corinthians 6:16) John closes these verses with a promise from God that His words are “faithful and true”. (verse 5) We don’t need to doubt or wonder in insecurity because we can KNOW God will do what He has promised and we have the promise of perfection in eternity with our perfect Creator. I don’t know about you, but that brings joy that can’t be stolen even in the midst of sorrow!

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Wilderness Day 13
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The last couple of years have brought so much loss for us all due to the pandemic. We’ve grieved the loss of celebrations with family and friends, cancellations of long-anticipated plans, the loss of “normal” in gathering and traveling, all of which we once took for granted.

Sometimes, even “smaller” losses hit us hard.

In Naomi’s case, the devastating losses were so overwhelming they affected her whole sense of identity. As her old friends greeted her on her return to Bethlehem, her bitterness poured out.
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Mar 7 - Mar 25, 2022 - Journey Theme #104

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Sketched IX Day 9 Who Do You Say I Am?: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out Who Do You Say I Am?!

The Questions

1) Why did people think Jesus might be Elijah, John the Baptist, or a former prophet? (verse 14)

2) Why did Jesus change Simon’s name to Peter? (verse 18)

3) What are the keys of the kingdom of Heaven that Jesus says He will give Peter?  (verse 19)

Matthew 16:13-20

13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”
14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
15 “But you,” he asked them, “who do you say that I am?”
16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

17 Jesus responded, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but my Father in heaven. 18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will have been loosed in heaven.” 20 Then he gave the disciples orders to tell no one that he was the Messiah.

 

Original Intent

1) Why did people think Jesus might be Elijah, John the Baptist, or a former prophet? (verse 14)
The events recorded in Matthew 16 occur in Caesarea Philippi, which author David Guzik explains was “associated with idols and rival deities.”  Jesus knew this when He asked His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” (verse 13) Jesus probably expected the Gentiles to compare Him to their gods since His miracles proved He was more than just a wise teacher. By His Jewish followers, He was compared to John the Baptist or one of the Old Testament prophets. Author Adam Clarke explains that the Pharisees taught the “doctrine of the Metempsychosis, or transmigration of souls . . . that the soul of the Baptist, or of Elijah, Jeremiah, or some of the prophets, had come to a new life in the body of Jesus.” Jesus probably sounded like an Old Testament prophet to the Jews. His Words and actions fulfilled the Scriptures right in front of them! His miracles convinced them He must be an emissary of God like Elijah or Jeremiah had been hundreds of years prior. These comparisons to Old Testament characters probably also signaled the hope that Jesus was a messenger of the coming Messiah, or perhaps the Messiah Himself. David Guzik suggests, “perhaps in seeing Jesus in these roles, people hoped for a political messiah who would overthrow the corrupt powers oppressing Israel.” It was important that even though many accounts existed of who Jesus was, His disciples knew the Truth about Him. Peter’s answer to Jesus’ question, “Who do you say I am?”, was to proclaim, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God!”. (verses 15-16) The disciples believed Jesus was divinely God’s Son, the promised Messiah. Because the disciples believed the truth that Jesus was God, Jesus could begin building His Church through their faith and their discipleship of His followers.

2) Why did Jesus change Simon’s name to Peter? (verse 18)
When Jesus first met a fisherman named Simon, he changed His name to Cephas, or Peter. (John 1:42) He elaborated on the name change in verses 17-18, when Peter acknowledged for Himself that Jesus was indeed the Son of God. Jesus said, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but my Father in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.” Peter got his name from the Greek word petros, “a masculine proper noun which means a ‘stone’ and generally a smaller stone than the feminine form petra which refers to a massive rock or a foundation boulder.” (Preceptaustin.org) Jesus renamed Simon, the emotional, unpredictable fisherman, to Peter, a rock-solid character on whom He could build His church. The name change represented a new phase in Peter’s life, who had just professed His faith in Jesus as the Son of God. His unshakeable faith in Jesus as the Messiah was the kind of faith required to act as the foundation for Christ’s Church. The name Peter represented rock-solid faith of the new Christ followers. Author, Gregg Allen, explains, “Using a play on words, Jesus renames his disciple Peter (Greek petros) and promises to found Messiah’s church on “this rock” (Greek petra.)”  Because Peter’s confession of faith in Jesus provided a foundation on which Christ could build His Church, Peter became instrumental in building a body of believers who would confess Christ and take His Good News to the world.  That body, Christ’s Church, continues to share the Gospel and stand firm in faith today!

3) What are the keys of the kingdom of Heaven that Jesus says He will give Peter?  (verse 19)
Jesus told Peter, “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will have been bound[ in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will have been loosed in heaven.” (verses 18-19) Some interpret these keys as literal keys to Heaven, exemplified by many art depictions of Peter holding the keys to the pearly gates. Others view the keys as symbolic. Author, Thomas Constable, suggests, “Probably the keys stand for the judicial authority that chief stewards of monarchs exercised in the ancient world . . . They could permit people to enter the monarch’s presence or give them access to certain areas and privileges. As the Judge of all humanity, Jesus gave this authority to Peter. Of course, some of the other Apostles exercised it too.” In Matthew 18:18, Jesus uses similar wording when He tells His followers, “Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will have been loosed in heaven.”  This suggests that Peter, and others who believed Gods’ message, were entrusted with carrying out the work of Heaven here on earth. Rather than denoting Peter as Heaven’s gatekeeper, the keys to the kingdom of Heaven represent the authority Jesus gave Peter and other Christians to carry out His will and bring the Kingdom of Heaven to earth. Author, Louis Barbieri, explains that “Peter was told he would possess the keys and be able to bind and loose people. These were decisions Peter was to implement as he received instruction from heaven, for the binding and loosing occurred there first. Peter simply carried out God’s directions.” Using the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven includes doing God’s will and sharing His Word. What a privilege to be entrusted with taking God’s Word to the world!

Everyday Application

1) Why did people think Jesus might be Elijah, John the Baptist, or a former prophet? (verse 14)
My teenagers are Marvel fans, and they enjoy discussing theories about what the latest episodes set up for the future. Every scene is intensely scrutinized for its importance in upcoming installments. I get this sense of frenetic “fandom” when I read the theories about who Jesus is in Matthew 16. The disciples report how some think Jesus is “John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” (verse 14) These theories come from people who didn’t know Jesus very well. His lifestyle probably reminded casual observers of John the Baptist. Even King Herod, when He heard about Jesus, said, “John, the one I beheaded, has been raised.” (Mark 6:16) None of the theories going around about Jesus’ identity were accurate. Jesus wanted to ensure His closest followers believed He was who He claimed to be, the divine Son of God. Although Jesus already knew the answer, He queried, “Who do you say I am?” (verse 15) so His disciples would be moved to profess their faith. Author, Thomas Constable, asserts, “This passage represents the climax of Jesus’ teaching ministry. It was, in effect, the apostles’ final examination, consisting of but one question, the ultimate question that every human being must face: Who is Jesus Christ?”  When Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God” (verse 16) he demonstrated their belief in Jesus as God’s Son, their Redeemer.” Today, confusion still surrounds people’s perception of Jesus’ identity. Some consider Him benevolent, though not divine; others consider Him just one entrée to sample on the smorgasbord of religions, but equal to all others. But those who truly know Him have come to understand and believe He is “the Way, the Truth and the Life,” the only bridge to reach God the Father. (John 14:6)  His desire is for everyone to trust Him, by relying on His sacrifice on the cross to bring us back in relationship with God. (1 Peter 2:24) Only His sacrifice is sufficient to pay the penalty we owe because of our sin, allowing us to deeply know God as our Rescuing Savior!

2) Why did Jesus change Simon’s name to Peter? (verse 18)
My friend was known by his middle name, John, well into his thirties when he decided to switch to his first name, Michael. He had recently gained some personal victories over self-destructive thinking patterns, and wanted to reflect those improvements by presenting himself in a healthier way to others. His name change reflected an important new mind-set. I always admired him for doing this, even though it took me months to remember the switch. It has always interested me how God changed peoples’ names in the Bible for similar reasons to Michael’s. God changed the name of a temperamental fisherman, Simon, to Peter, the rock, as seen in Matthew 16:18. He gave Simon a new name indicative of the strong foundation God would build in Peter. Author, Kenneth Ortiz, notes, “Many times in the Bible, God changed someone’s name because He was calling them to live out a new mission or identify with a new role God was giving them. This is exactly what Jesus did with Simon as He saw the greatness God could do in Peter’s life. Everyone else saw Simon, but Jesus saw Peter.” God may not call you to change your name to express what He is doing in your life but know that He is at work and He does see the good work He can do in you if you surrender to Him. (Ephesians 2:10) Others may not be able to see how God could use you, maybe not even you. Rejoice with me today that God has good plans for me and for you that will accomplish His good purposes! (Jeremiah 29:11)

3) What are the keys of the kingdom of Heaven that Jesus says He will give Peter?  (verse 19)
I drive an ancient mini-van with only one remaining key. I constantly fuss at my family not to lose my one and only key. On a recent mechanic’s visit, I separated the key from the fob in case he needed to lock the key inside the vehicle if I retrieved the van after hours. Of course, I promptly lost the key fob, and my family gloated over the irony. Being the keeper of the keys can be a lot of pressure! The Apostle Peter was entrusted with something even more important than car keys in Matthew 16:19 when he was given the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven. In giving Peter these keys, Jesus gave him authority to loose and bind things that had been loosed and bound in the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus called on Peter to do His work and carry out His Word, and to lead others to do the same. Now this was the same Peter who was previously called Simon, the tempestuous fisherman with a big heart, and a big mouth, and a propensity for making big mistakes. Simon probably would not be my first choice for key-keeper in God’s Kingdom. But Jesus saw Simon’s strong faith and called him Peter, the rock, designating him to disciple others and spread His Word as the Holy Spirit led him. You might feel like you shouldn’t be trusted with keeping track of the car keys some days, let alone with showing others how to live out God’s great plan for their lives. When you feel this way, remember Peter and his rock-solid faith. God didn’t choose Peter because of Peter’s strength or ability. He chose him because Peter believed unswervingly in God and His Word and was willing to surrender to Him. When we trust in God, He strengthens us to do what He asks.

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Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

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Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

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