Quote for Saturday 27 April 2024   ^#139

An overview of the entire first epistle of Paul to Timothy, considering our behaviour in and with regard to the house of God. This talk was broadcast on a mobile phone that had one bar of signal strength and sent over Zoom, so the quality is not great, but clear and intelligible.

There is a distinct difference between animals and human beings. Man is able to ask questions, such as, where have I come from? Man is different because God breathed life into him and he became a living soul. As a living soul he was formed in the image of God.

We have finished the historical section, in which the question was, from whence did the gospel come? People were trying to undermine Paul's authority, saying he was inferior to the twelve in Jerusalem, to discredit the gospel. Paul showed us that he got his apostleship directly from God and that his message was received by divine revelation. In Jerusalem they gave him the right hand of fellowship, saying they agreed fully with him. Now in chapter 3 we are moving to the doctrinal section, learning of the marvelous truth of justification by faith.

Despite stepping out in faith, circumstances quickly terrified Peter.

Little faith. An urgent prayer. A word of rebuke.

Peter was saved by the Lord's hand, not the strength of his faith.

The book of Job is one of the three great poetical books, including Psalms and Proverbs. They teach men about God and about themselves.

In chapter 23 Job is still in the midst of suffering, but with the Holy Spirit is lifted out of his misery and given an eye to the future. When times get tough, we need to think like Job.

Here we see new hope resting in Job's heart. He is sustained to persevere in faith because he is convinced that God is his saviour.

Jesus gives us a very clear and honest picture of the Christian life in these verses. What is a believer? What does it mean to "come after" him?

Peter was swayed by legalistic brethren.

He was the one who said, "Though all deny you, I will never deny you". Now here we see him intimidated by the legalistic mob, so that a little maid causes him to deny the Saviour.

Peter was intimidated by powerful personalities. He still believed the gospel, but he failed to practise it because of the pressure exerted on him.
Fear of man not only brings a snare, it also produces hypocrisy.

There is a need to admonish one another. It's something we should be doing when needed, but be sure our motives are right. Is it for the honour of Christ? Or is it to get back at a brother who was cruel towards me and my family?

When a person sets about rebuilding something that was useless, fit only for demolition, he's admitting that what he did was a mistake. Is that what Peter is saying? That going to Cornelius's household was a mistake?

We cannot set aside the grace of God by going back to law-keeping. If a man can be saved by his own works, will, and doings, then Christ's death was an unnecessary, shameful torture. Works religion is such an abomination to God because it makes the death of Christ meaningless.

From this verse two questions arise, which Christians should regularly ask: Can God be trusted? Do you trust God?

Reading Mark 8:1-26, sermon 8:22-26

Reading of Isaiah chapter 53 before the main message. Three important lessons we can learn from this passage: 1. The most earnest believer can get things wrong, 2. the most wonderful confession can be followed by the most terrible stumbling, and 3. the most undeserving sinner can be saved.