Some people have expressed an interest in having the verses listed fully (not just the Bible reference, but the complete verse).  With that in mind, I have put together some documents with the verses listed according to the original groupings.

Click on the links below to open the relevant translation in pdf format.

Memory verses – NLT

Memory verses – NIV 1984

Memory verses – NIV 2011

Memory verses – ESV

Memory verses – NASB

Memory verses – NKJV

Memory verses – KJV

Memory verses – NVI (Spanish)

What should ‘Church’ look like?  According to the Bible’s understanding of ‘Church’, it is not a denominational or organisational structure, a hierarchy of power, or even a building.  It is people.  If we want to see what ‘Church’ ought to look like, we should look to see what ‘Christians’ should look like.

In Colossians 3:12-17, Paul shows us what Christians ought to look like on the outside, how they should be on the inside, and how they should do everything.

Outside

Christians should put on, like clothing, the qualities of mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience (Colossians 3:12).  Also, forgiveness (Colossians 3:13).  And above all, love (Colossians 3:14).

Inside

In our hearts, Christians ought to be filled with peace, and thankfulness to God (Colossians 3:15).  Also, the Word of God (the Bible) should fill our hearts, as should praise through singing spiritual songs and hymns (Colossians 3:16).

All around

And in all situations, Christians should do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.  That means not just tagging on the phrase “in Jesus’ name” to the end of prayers, but depending on Jesus for strength to cope and do everything that he calls us to do, giving him the glory for whatever good we do, and asking forgiveness for our sins because of his atonement for our sins on the cross.

These are challenging standards, but ones that are possible, when relying on the strength of the Holy Spirit instead of ourselves, and trusting in the atonement of Jesus for our sins when we fail to do what we ought to (1 John 1:7-9).

This is an image uploaded.

NLT: ‘How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word. I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.’ Psalms 119:9,11 NLT

NIV 1984: ‘How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.’ Psalms 119:9,11 NIV84

NIV 2011: ‘How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.’ Psalms 119:9,11 NIV

ESV: ‘How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.’ Psalms 119:9,11 ESV

NASB: ‘How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word. Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You.’ Psalms 119:9,11 NASB

NKJV: ‘How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.’ Psalms 119:9,11 NKJV

KJV: ‘Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, That I might not sin against thee.’ Psalms 119:9,11 KJV

NVI: ‘¿Cómo puede el joven llevar una vida íntegra? Viviendo conforme a tu palabra… En mi corazón atesoro tus dichos para no pecar contra ti.’ Salmos 119:9, 11 NVI

In the Bible, Paul speaks of enduring as a Christian, and compares it to finishing the race, referring to the marathon race, but meaning that we persevere to the end of this life, as God wants us to do.

‘I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.’ (2 Timothy 4:7–8, NLT)

William Carey

William Carey went to India as one of the first missionaries in recent centuries – he is the father of the modern missionary movement which started in the late 18^th century, that spread across the world.

He was not a dynamic person by any means.  But he could persevere for the long haul.

“I can plod.  That is my only genius. I can persevere in any definite pursuit. To this I owe everything.”

He translated the Bible into Sanskrit, Bengali, and other languages in India.  But one day all his work went up in smoke in a house fire.  Years of hard laborious work was lost.  What did he do?  He started again – he persevered despite such a serious setback.

Just like a marathon runner perseveres to the end of the race, just like the apostle Paul encourages us to persevere in the Christian life, just like persevering examples such as William Carey, we ought to persevere in our daily walk with the Lord, no matter what setbacks we might face.

No matter what happens, we ought to carry on carrying on.

Believers in Christ

But we cannot run this race on our own.  In fact, we cannot officially enter into this race without first having trusted in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of our sins.  While there are many people trying to deserve a reward from God after their life is over, the heavenly prize that is on offer from God is only available to those who have trusted in Jesus.

Believers must carry on, not looking back, not being burdened by sins that have already been forgiven, nor resting on their laurels or past glory, but looking forward to the finishing line.

When the going gets tough, too, those trusting in Christ have the unlimited power of God to strengthen them:

‘Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.’ (Ephesians 3:20–21, NLT)

Carry on carrying on!

Where does your heart lie?  Is it in unethical, selfish gain?  Or is it towards the values and benefit of God’s kingdom?

Jesus doesn’t ask us to answer that question by replying with a nicely phrased set of words.  Instead, he asks us to answer that question by looking at our actions – what do we treasure?

What do our actions say about us?  Do we treasure the things of this world, or the things of the kingdom of God?

What we need is someone to sort us out, we need new management, we need someone to sort out our old problems of sin and resolve its consequences, and to set us on a new path.

God is the fixer of our souls.  The Father loves us with an everlasting love.  The Son died on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins.  The Holy Spirit changes us on the inside, makes us holy.

‘So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus.’ (Romans 6:11, NLT)

NLT: ‘I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life.’ John 5:24 NLT

NIV 1984: ‘I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.’ John 5:24 NIV84

NIV 2011: ‘“Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.’ John 5:24 NIV

ESV: ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.’ John 5:24 ESV

NASB: ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.’ John 5:24 NASB

NKJV: ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.’ John 5:24 NKJV

KJV: ‘Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.’ John 5:24 KJV

NVI: ‘Ciertamente les aseguro que el que oye mi palabra y cree al que me envió, tiene vida eterna y no será juzgado, sino que ha pasado de la muerte a la vida.’ Juan 5:24 NVI

NLT: ‘For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile.’ Romans 1:16 NLT

NIV 1984: ‘I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.’ Romans 1:16 NIV84

NIV 2011: ‘For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.’ Romans 1:16 NIV

ESV: ‘For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.’ Romans 1:16 ESV

NASB: ‘For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.’ Romans 1:16 NASB

NKJV: ‘For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.’ Romans 1:16 NKJV

KJV: ‘For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.’ Romans 1:16 KJV

NVI: ‘A la verdad, no me avergüenzo del evangelio, pues es poder de Dios para la salvación de todos los que creen: de los judíos primeramente, pero también de los gentiles.’ Romanos 1:16 NVI

NLT: ‘In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.’ Matthew 5:16 NLT

NIV 1984: ‘In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.’ Matthew 5:16 NIV84

NIV 2011: ‘In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.’ Matthew 5:16 NIV

ESV: ‘In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.’ Matthew 5:16 ESV

NASB: ‘Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.’ Matthew 5:16 NASB

NKJV: ‘Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.’ Matthew 5:16 NKJV

KJV: ‘Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.’ Matthew 5:16 KJV

NVI: ‘Hagan brillar su luz delante de todos, para que ellos puedan ver las buenas obras de ustedes y alaben al Padre que está en el cielo.’ Mateo 5:16 NVI

For many people it means something to do with Easter Bunnys, Eggs, daffodils, and so on.  For others, it is about going to Church to remember Jesus being raised from the dead.

Yet, for many Christians, Easter is like a ‘remembrance service’, where they remember someone who died a long time ago.  Is that what we’re doing?  Simply commemorating an event that occurred many years ago?

There are several centenary commemorations coming up in the next few years, such as the Easter rising, the other one, in Dublin in 1916?  For many people, they are a walk back into history – like the recent centenary of the Titanic in 2012.  It’s fascinating to go to the Titanic exhibition, and see how they built the ships back then, and how they decorated the Titanic, and so on.

A trip down memory lane is interesting, but irrelevant to many people.

If we celebrate Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, are we just going on a trip down memory lane?  Or does it have far more importance and relevance to our lives here and now?

What does John want us to know?

In John’s gospel (John 20:1-31), we read about the first people who encountered Jesus alive, after his resurrection.  While Paul later comments that there were hundreds who saw Jesus alive (1 Corinthians 15:3–8), John focuses on those who initially discover the empty tomb, as well as some select aspects of his post-resurrection days:

Firstly, the tomb is empty – Jesus is risen (John 20:1-18).  Jesus broke the spell or curse on humanity, death, so that those who trust in him would be raised again to eternal life.

Secondly, the disciples are commissioned to offer the message of forgiveness to the world (John 20:19-23).  Jesus’ followers as a whole have a duty to take the gospel to those who have not heard it, so that they can receive forgiveness through faith in Jesus.

Thirdly, those who believe in Jesus, without seeing his body, are blessed (John 20:24-29).  We walk by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7).

Fourthly, John summaries the purpose of his gospel, that by believe in Jesus people may have eternal life (John 20:30-31, Romans 6:4, Romans 6:10–11).

The good news about Jesus resurrection isn’t simply a nostalgic trip down memory lane, commemorating the death and resurrection of a cherished religious leader.  It is arguably the most significant event in human history, since because of Jesus’ atonement for sin and resurrection from the dead, people today can know forgiveness from their sins, no matter how serious they have been, as well as know that they have eternal life with God forever.

Celebrating the resurrection of Jesus isn’t simply commemorating a historic event that has little contemporary significance.  It has enormous significance for everyone, because acceptance of the gracious and merciful offer of forgiveness is the only way to avoid a future encounter with God in judgment, as well as experiencing the firstfruits of eternal life by walking in the Spirit here and now (Matthew 16:27, Luke 24:44–48, Ephesians 1:13-14, Romans 6:10-11).

Praise God for such great salvation, offered freely to everyone…

NLT: ‘Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’ Matthew 28:19-20 NLT

NIV 1984: ‘Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’ Matthew 28:19-20 NIV84

NIV 2011: ‘Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’ Matthew 28:19-20 NIV

ESV: ‘Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’ Matthew 28:19-20 ESV

NASB: ‘Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’ Matthew 28:19-20 NASB

NKJV: ‘”"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”" Amen.’ Matthew 28:19-20 NKJV

KJV: ‘Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.’ Matthew 28:19-20 KJV

NVI: ‘Por tanto, vayan y hagan discípulos de todas las naciones, bautizándolos en el nombre del Padre y del Hijo y del Espíritu Santo, enseñándoles a obedecer todo lo que les he mandado a ustedes. Y les aseguro que estaré con ustedes siempre, hasta el fin del mundo.’ Mateo 28:19-20 NVI

The readings for today’s sermon are an accumulation of different aspects from the gospels of Matthew Luke and John: John 19:16-22; Matthew 27:39-44; Luke 23:34; John 19:23-24; John 19:25-27; Luke 23:39-43; Matthew 27:45-54; John 19:31-42.

So we openly oppose Jesus?

The religious leaders mocked and opposed Jesus.  So too did the four soldiers who were only interested in benefiting from Jesus’ effects, his clothing.  Initially too, the two criminals who were crucified on either side of Jesus both mocked him.

People today often mock Jesus, from using his name in vain to openly opposing him and denying the facts of his life, death and resurrection as recorded in the Bible.

Do we sit on the fence?

There were soldiers who were impressed, with one even declaring that Jesus was truly the Son of God.

Pilate, too, was not convinced of Jesus guilt.  In fact, he was convinced of his innocence.  Yet, he was more concerned to keep his job than to do what was right.

People today often think that they are sitting on the fence with respect to trusting in Jesus.  But Jesus said that if anyone is not for him, that they are against him (Matthew 12:30).  So, Jesus tells us that no-one sits on the fence; they are either for him or against him.  Where do each one of us stand – clearly for Jesus or not?

Do we follow Jesus?

It is encouraging to see secret believers such as Joseph of Arimathea (and possible Nicodemus too, although while his actions point in that direction, we are not told specifically that he was a secret disciple of Jesus) coming out and being openly in support of Jesus, by giving him a decent burial.

There were other faithful disciples too, who kept vigil at the foot of the cross.

And we must not forget the criminal who changes his mind, and turns to Jesus for eternal life, which was affirmed by Jesus on the cross.

The question for us is, which of these groups of people, or which character in particular, do we identify with?  Many think that they they identify with the faithful disciples, but in reality they identify with the unrepentant criminal or the four soldiers – this is because they only seek what they can get from God, how he can help them in their needy lives, but they never commit themselves completely to him, and put him first in their lives.

Whether we are religious or not, we can do what the repentant criminal did, and turn to Jesus.  His prayer was simple, and Jesus knew his heart.  We too can pray a simple prayer such as this one, and receive the same blessing of eternal life that was his.  How have you responded to Jesus?

NLT: ‘And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.’ Philippians 4:19 NLT

NIV 1984: ‘And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.’ Philippians 4:19 NIV84

NIV 2011: ‘And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.’ Philippians 4:19 NIV

ESV: ‘And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.’ Philippians 4:19 ESV

NASB: ‘And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.’ Philippians 4:19 NASB

NKJV: ‘And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.’ Philippians 4:19 NKJV

KJV: ‘But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.’ Philippians 4:19 KJV

NVI: ‘Así que mi Dios les proveerá de todo lo que necesiten, conforme a las gloriosas riquezas que tiene en Cristo Jesús.’ Filipenses 4:19 NVI”

Today’s readings are: John 18:28-38; Luke 23:5-15; Matthew 27:19-20; John 18:39-19:15; Matthew 27:24-25

Who is Jesus?

Jesus is a king:

‘Jesus answered, “My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But my Kingdom is not of this world.”’ (John 18:36, NLT)

Jesus is the Way, the Truth, the Light:

‘Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.’ (John 14:6, NLT)

Jesus is the Saviour of the world:

‘The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!’ (John 1:29, NLT)

Who condemned Jesus to death?

While it is tempting to accuse the Romans, and not the Jewish leaders, for fear of being seen to be anti-Semetic, the inescapable truth from the passages of Scripture listed above is that Pilate and Herod didn’t want to condemn Jesus.  Instead, the Jewish leaders, and later the crowd also, forced Pilate’s hand into condemning Jesus to death.  Pilate ceremoniously washed his hands, trying to absolve himself of guilt.  While it was a gesture, he remained guilty of Jesus’ death, to some extent.  However, it was the Jewish leaders and the crowd who unmistakeably took the responsibility onto themselves:

‘Pilate saw that he wasn’t getting anywhere and that a riot was developing. So he sent for a bowl of water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood. The responsibility is yours!” And all the people yelled back, “We will take responsibility for his death—we and our children!”’ (Matthew 27:24–25, NLT)

However, it was not only Pilate or the Jews who put Jesus to death – it was humanity.  The Jewish or Israelite people, as those who were the most privileged by God above all nations, rejected God (see Luke 20:9–19).

Yet, no other people or nation, or religion then, or since then, would have done any different.  While it is clear that the Jewish people condemned their Messiah to death, there is absolutely no excuse for self-righteous superiority by anyone, such as some Chrisitians in later centuries, for blaming the Jews alone for Jesus’ death.  This is because each nation or people, or us as individuals would have done exactly the same thing – because we are all sinners, and turn from God (Isaiah 53:6).

Moreover, Jesus knew what he was doing, and he came to earth to die on the cross, because of our sins.  As sinners, we are all responsible for Jesus’ death on the cross (Acts 3:18, Matthew 16:21).

We are all responsible for Jesus being condemned to death, and so no-one has any justification in hold an anti-Semetic view on this matter.  They would have done the same thing, had they been there themselves, and their sin drove Jesus to the cross.

Why was Jesus condemned to death?

This can be easily answered by quoting some of the most popular verses in the Bible:

‘“For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.’ (John 3:16–17, NLT)

If we trust in Jesus alone for our righteousness and forgiveness of sins, we will receive God’s grace and mercy, and know first-hand why Jesus died on the cross:

‘For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.’ (Romans 3:23–24, NLT)

 

NLT: ‘Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.’ Revelation 3:20 NLT

NIV 1984: ‘Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.’ Revelation 3:20 NIV84

NIV 2011: ‘Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.’ Revelation 3:20 NIV

ESV: ‘Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.’ Revelation 3:20 ESV

NASB: ‘Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.’ Revelation 3:20 NASB

NKJV: ‘Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.’ Revelation 3:20 NKJV

KJV: ‘Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.’ Revelation 3:20 KJV

NVI: ‘Mira que estoy a la puerta y llamo. Si alguno oye mi voz y abre la puerta, entraré, y cenaré con él, y él conmigo.’ Apocalipsis 3:20 NVI

But if we haven’t gone through a miscarriage of justice in the civil or criminal courts, through the legal system, most if not all of us will have gone through a miscarriage of justice in the courts of public opinion, or in the courts of those in family, at work, among friends.

Some have even gone through injustices or miscarriages of justice at the hands of church leaders, where their situation has not been fairly or justly dealt with.

But there is one injustice, one miscarriage of justice that stands out above all those that we have experienced, or could experience. It is that of Jesus before his crucifixion.

Yet, this injustice, this miscarriage of justice, was God’s plan, so that sinners who deserve to be found guilty before God on the judgment day can be declared not guilty.

‘For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.’ (2 Corinthians 5:21, NLT)

The readings for today’s sermon are: John 18:12–14, 19–24, Matthew 26:57–68, John 18:28–32.

NLT: ‘Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.’ Hebrews 10:24-25 NLT

NIV 1984: ‘And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.’ Hebrews 10:24-25 NIV84

NIV 2011: ‘And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.’ Hebrews 10:24-25 NIV

ESV: ‘And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.’ Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV

NASB: ‘and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.’ Hebrews 10:24-25 NASB

NKJV: ‘And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.’ Hebrews 10:24-25 NKJV

KJV: ‘And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.’ Hebrews 10:24-25 KJV

NVI: ‘Preocupémonos los unos por los otros, a fin de estimularnos al amor y a las buenas obras. No dejemos de congregarnos, como acostumbran hacerlo algunos, sino animémonos unos a otros, y con mayor razón ahora que vemos que aquel día se acerca.’ Hebreos 10:24-25 NVI

Peter failed doing things his way

Peter is a great example of someone who failed, repeatedly, to follow and understand Jesus.  Despite some great insights intially, he failed to understand what Jesus’ mission on earth was all about.  After being the first person to see and declare that Jesus was the Messiah, he then rebuked Jesus for saying that he needed to die on the cross.  Jesus had to correct him, not for the first time (Matthew 16:23).

Yet, Peter went on to become one of the foremost leaders of the early New Testament church, preaching his first and most famous sermon at Pentecost.

 Be restored and follow Jesus’ way

Peter was first called to follow Jesus on the shore of the Sea (lake) of Galilee.  His restoration probably occured at or near that place too in John 21.  While Peter denied him around a charcoal fire (John 18:18), Jesus restores him around a charcoal fire too (John 21:9).  While Peter denied Jesus three times (John 18:15-18, 25-27), Jesus gave him the opportunity to restate his love for him three times (John 21:15-17).

Crucially, Jesus’ way is not to ask what we will do for him, but to ask whether we love him or not.  If we love him, putting him at the centre of our lives, then we will not only do the things that he wants, but he will give us the strength to do them too (Phil 4:13).

It is costly but worth it

Jesus went on to tell Peter that he would, in fact, die for his sake after all (John 21:18-19).  All of Jesus’ followers must not be surprised if they are persecuted for his name’s sake.  We ought to take up our cross daily and follow him (Matt 16:24-25).

Yet, it is worth it by far: ‘Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later.’ (Romans 8:18).

And suffering as a result of love for Jesus will not only result in living eternally with him where there will be no more pain, sorrow, suffering, instead of being punished for our sins in Hell forever.  Suffering now also builds character (Romans 5:3-5).

Moving on from failure

Many people have failed, and still carry around the psychological scars of one failure after another.  Yet, Jesus wants us to have our failures resolved through repentance, which is only possible because he died on the cross to atone for our sins, our failures.  Only by turning our backs on past failures, through accepting forgiveness for what we have done, can we move forward with joy as we anticipate doing great things for God.

Praise God that we can move on from failure to following…

NLT: ‘Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises.’ Romans 4:20-21 NLT

NIV 1984: ‘Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.’ Romans 4:20-21 NIV84

NIV 2011: ‘Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.’ Romans 4:20-21 NIV

ESV: ‘No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.’ Romans 4:20-21 ESV

NASB: ‘Yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform.’ Romans 4:20-21 NASB

NKJV: ‘He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform.’ Romans 4:20-21 NKJV

KJV: ‘He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.’ Romans 4:20-21 KJV

NVI: ‘Ante la promesa de Dios no vaciló como un incrédulo, sino que se reafirmó en su fe y dio gloria a Dios, plenamente convencido de que Dios tenía poder para cumplir lo que había prometido.’ Romanos 4:20-21 NVI

Jesus taught us to pray in the Lord’s prayer in Matthew 6:9-13, including the prayer “Your will be done…”  While he taught that prayer in a context of teaching his disciples, he later on shows us by example what it means in real life to pray “Your will be done.”

As we go through John’s gospel on Sundays, leading up to Easter, beginning with Jesus’ teaching after the Passover, we have arrived at John 18:1-14 where Jesus and the disciples (minus Judas) go to the garden of Gethsemene.  There, we see how Jesus prays in anguish to the Father.  John’s gospel records some of the events in the garden, while Matthew fills out the story with some others.  Matthew records Jesus prayer to the Father in the garden, before his arrest;

‘He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”’ (Matthew 26:39, NLT)

Pray…

Pray: Jesus’ response was firstly to pray to the Father.  When we are faced with difficult issues, our first response is often to try to manipulate circumstances ourselves, rather than pray.  As one person commented to someone when they suggested praying about a difficult matter; “Has it come to that!”  In other words, have we run out of options and have to resort to prayer as a last resort?  For Jesus, prayer was his first resort, not his last.

Pray repeatedly: Jesus didn’t just pray, but he prayed repeatedly.  He prayed the same prayer three times.  We should bring our prayer requests to God, repeatedly.  And after praying, we ought not to then quickly do what we can, but instead we should go back to prayer again, and again.

Be ready to stop praying: Jesus already knew that there was no other way than for him to suffer on the cross, for our sins to be atoned for, so that we could be forgiven.  He was ready to accept the Father’s will, as his starting pointing point in prayer.  And he was ready to stop praying when the Father’s silence showed that his original will on the subject had not changed.  We, too, ought to be ready and willing to stop praying, and to accept the Father’s will in our situations.  We certainly should not start praying with the presupposition that our will should be done, and that God should get in line with our way of thinking.

Obey…

Jesus then obeys the Father.  He accepts his will.  It is often much more difficult to mentally prepare oneself for doing what is unpalatable, than going through the situation itself.  The biggest battle is in the mind, accepting what is to come, rather than in reality, facing what is to come.

Again, Jesus accepts the Father’s silence as guidance.  If we are commanded by God to do something, and we do not receive a counter-command to revoke the previous one, we ought to continue in the direction that we were going in the first place.  God’s silence is clear guidance at times.

Trust…

We ought to trust in God and his ways, and not resort to physical force, or other worldly methods, to get things done our way.  Peter did not understand the whole purpose of the crucifixion previously in Matthew 16:21-23.  Again, he tries to stop Jesus being arrested and attacks one of the arrest party with a sword, cutting off his ear.  Jesus rebukes him (and heals the wounded man).  Peter clearly is using the world’s ways, when Jesus knows that his ways are not of this world.

In the name of Christ, many went out to the ‘Holy Land’ in the ‘Crusades’ like Peter, using the sword to advance the kingdom of God.  Like Peter, some also try to force their way on others, either legally or illegally, such as Orange Order marches that clearly show disrespect and worldly thinking, as they try to advance their own cause, not Christ’s.  Many in other religions also use physical force or worldly methods, such as suicide bombers or violent jihad.  The list is long…

But the kingdom of God is not advanced by such methods.  We should not try to advance it by such methods.  While Jesus taught that believers must expect hostility, and in some way should prepare for it, he is most often understood in Luke 22:35-38 to mean that we have the right to self-defence, but should not be the cause or instigator of hostility.  Jesus’ kingdom is not of this world – if it were, he would use this world’s methods and win hands-down (John 18:36). Instead, believers should be known for the opposite, they whould be like God, the ultimate peacemaker;

‘God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.’ (Matthew 5:9, NLT)

Christians ought to know the gospel.  They ought to know that justification by faith is not a truth whose end is itself, instead it is a truth that when put into practice reconciles sinners to God, it results in the Spirit of Holiness (using Paul’s words in Romans 1:4) coming into a person’s life, transforming them, with the resultant fruit of the Spirit; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Gal 5:22-23).  Paul then continues,

“If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.” Gal 5:25–26 ESV.

We ought not to use worldly methods, but according to the Spirit, not the natural sinful nature, if we want to please God (Romans 8:4-8).

We ought therefore to trust in God, trust in his answers to prayer, trust in his ways not worldly ways, and accept whatever the outcome is, knowing that he works all things for the good of his people (Romans 8:28).

When we accept God’s will, and go forward in his strength, using his ways, we do his will.  Jesus’ action of obedience to the cross resulted in the atonement, the forgiveness of the sins of all who will trust in him.  Others too, when they have done God’s will, not only accepting his objective, but also his methods, find that their actions result in good in the long run.  Peter also encourages us to endure suffering, even if it is not deserved, because it is better to go along with God’s method than to do wrong:

‘Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world. So be happy when you are insulted for being a Christian, for then the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you. If you suffer, however, it must not be for murder, stealing, making trouble, or prying into other people’s affairs. But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name! For the time has come for judgment, and it must begin with God’s household. And if judgment begins with us, what terrible fate awaits those who have never obeyed God’s Good News? And also, “If the righteous are barely saved, what will happen to godless sinners?” So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you.’ (1 Peter 4:12–19, NLT)

When we are personally faced with a difficult situation, follow Jesus’ example: Pray, obey, trust…

NLT: ‘Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”’ 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 NLT

NIV 1984: ‘Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.’ 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 NIV84

NIV 2011: ‘Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.’ 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 NIV

ESV: ‘The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.’ 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 ESV

NASB: ‘Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.’ 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 NASB

NKJV: ‘But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.’ 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 NKJV

KJV: ‘But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.’ 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 KJV

NVI: ‘Recuerden esto: El que siembra escasamente, escasamente cosechará, y el que siembra en abundancia, en abundancia cosechará. Cada uno debe dar según lo que haya decidido en su corazón, no de mala gana ni por obligación, porque Dios ama al que da con alegría.’ 2 Corintios 9:6-7 NVI”

This prayer, which comes at the end of a teaching conversation, is sandwiched between the Passover or Last Supper on the one hand, and his arrest and subsequent trial, crucifixion and resurrection on the other hand.

This prayer covers so many topics, that it is difficult to analyse it.  One method is to see John 17:5 being his prayer for his glory (he is glorified when sinners turn to him and are made righteous, because of his death on the cross); John 17:6-19 being about the disciples with him, and John 17:20-26 relating to future believers.  However, since most of what he prays in John 17:6-19 applies to future believers also, and Jesus comments in John 17:20 that he is praying for them too, we are then left with a large section John 17:6-26 which relates to all believers.  How should we analyse this?

One way is to look at Jesus’ prayer requests, his purposes for praying, and his supporting reasons in prayer.

3 requests

• For his own glory in John 17:1 and John 17:5.
• For the holiness of his followers in John 17:11, John 17:15 and John 17:17.
• For the unity of believers together, and with the Father, in John 17:21 and John 17:24.

7 purposes

• That God may be glorified in John 17:1 and John 17:24
• That believers may be united with each other and with God in John 17:11 and John 17:22-23
• That the scriptures might be fulfilled in John 17:12
• That believers may have joy in John 17:13
• That believers may become more holy in John 17:19
• That the unbelieving world might believe in John 17:21
• That the love between the Father and Son might be experienced by Jesus’ followers in John 17:26

4 reasons

• To give eternal life to his people in John 17:2
• Because his followers are not in the unbelieving world any longer in John 17:14
• So that the world may know that Jesus has been sent by God, through the sending of his people into the world in John 17:18 and John 17:23
• Because the Father loved the Son since before the beginning of the world in John 17:24

8 words

What Jesus prays for or about can be summarised under eight topics, which are considered in more detail in the audio download:

• World
• Holiness
• God’s Word
• Evangelism
• Unity
• Glory
• Love
• Joy

Jesus has prayed for both those who would become believers, as well as those who were already his disciples.  Thank God that he has prayed for his people, whether not yet believers, or already believers by now.

NLT: ‘Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.’ 1 Peter 5:7 NLT

NIV 1984: ‘Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.’ 1 Peter 5:7 NIV84

NIV 2011: ‘Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.’ 1 Peter 5:7 NIV

ESV: ‘Cast all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.’ 1 Peter 5:7 ESV

NASB: ‘casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.’ 1 Peter 5:7 NASB

NKJV: ‘Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.’ 1 Peter 5:7 NKJV

KJV: ‘Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.’ 1 Peter 5:7 KJV

NVI: ‘Depositen en él toda ansiedad, porque él cuida de ustedes.’ 1 Pedro 5:7 NVI

Cristiano Ronaldo: “I don’t like being alone.”

Anne Hathaway: “Loneliness is my least favorite thing about life. The thing that I’m most worried about is just being alone without anybody to care for or someone who will care for me.”

Jennifer Lopez: “I’ve always had a huge fear of dying or becoming ill. The thing I’m most afraid of, though, is being alone, which I think a lot of performers fear. It’s why we seek the limelight – so we’re not alone, were adored. We’re loved, so people want to be around us. The fear of being alone drives my life.”

People don’t like being alone.  Although some prefer being alone, because of the hurt that sometimes comes from relating to others, it is still far better to be with others in a safe, supportive and encouraging context.

We don’t like being left leaderless

Despite the moans we make about poor leadership, life would be a lot worse if we had no leadership.  Imagine Man. Utd. without Fergie?  Or a school without a principal?  Or work with no management?  After initially enjoying the freedom, what would result would soon be either anarchy or others, probably less able, stepping in to lead.  We all need leadership, whether it is good or poor, and whether we like it or hate it.

The Church needs leadership

Much could be said about how church leaders in different denominations could have led their people better, not only in recent years, but throughout the centuries.

By far the best leader was Jesus himself.  He led his small band of disciples over a short three year period.

But soon, Jesus would no longer be with his disciples.  He was going to leave them.  Yet, he reassures them that this would only be temporary.  He is not forsaking them, but only leaving them for a while, before returning to them afterwards.  It may be difficult for them, but Jesus explains that just like a woman giving birth to a child, the pain of childbirth is quickly forgotten (relatively speaking) when she is overjoyed by the birth of a new baby.

Jesus promises that he will come again

‘“In a little while you won’t see me anymore. But a little while after that, you will see me again.”’ (John 16:16, NLT)

Jesus does not simply explain that he is going to the cross and that he will rise on the third day.  Although his trial, crucifixion and resurrection are imminent, his wording is deliberately(?) less specific, and can be understood in a wider sense, or in three such senses.

You will see me – The Ressurection

In a little while, Jesus will die on the cross and be buried.  But a little while after that, they will see him resurrected, after conquering death.

You will see me – The Holy Spirit

In a relatively little while, Jesus will not only have died on the cross, but he will soon ascend to the Father in heaven.  Yet, he promises that he will come back.

Jesus speaks about the role of the Holy Spirit in a few places in John 14 and John 15, but he speaks mostly about him in John 16:4-33.

Luke writes in Acts 16:7 about the Holy Spirit but describes him as “the Spirit of Jesus.”  Paul writes similarly in Philippians 1:19 that “the Spirit of Jesus Christ helps us.”

Jesus can be understood to teach that when the Holy Spirit comes at Pentecost, to lead, guide, comfort, and direct the New Testament Church, that it is himself who is coming back to lead the Church.  Referring to seeing God, he has used the same words in John 14:9 previously to teach that “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.”  It is quite natural, then, to understand him to mean also that when the disciples receive the Spirit to lead and guide the Church, that it is Jesus who comes to them.  This may be reading too much into the text, but then again it may not.

You will see me – The Second Coming

In a relatively little while, Jesus will not only have died on the cross, but he will soon ascend to the Father in heaven.  Yet, he promises that he will come back finally when he returns to judge everyone.

Jesus teaches in John 16:28 that, in the widest sense, he has come into the world from the Father, but he is soon to return to the Father at the ascension.  If this is what Jesus means by ‘“In a little while you won’t see me anymore”, then it is only natural to conclude that “But a little while after that, you will see me again” he must be referring to the second coming.

Jesus has not left his followers alone

Whether it is the immediate resurrection from the dead, the intermediate coming of the Spirit of Jesus at Pentecost to empower and lead the Church on earth, or his future coming in glory to judge the world, Jesus has not left his followers alone:

‘I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you. Soon the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. Since I live, you also will live.’ (John 14:18–19, NLT)

Even if believers are abandoned by others, Jesus is always with us.  Praise God for such love and grace, for his presence and leadership, both now and into the future.

‘And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”’ (Matthew 28:20, NLT)

NLT: ‘He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.’ Titus 3:5 NLT

NIV 1984: ‘He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit…’ Titus 3:5 NIV84

NIV 2011: ‘he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit…’ Titus 3:5 NIV

ESV: ‘He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit.’ Titus 3:5 ESV

NASB: ‘He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit’ Titus 3:5 NASB

NKJV: ‘Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit’ Titus 3:5 NKJV

KJV: ‘Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost’ Titus 3:5 KJV

NVI: ‘él nos salvó, no por nuestras propias obras de justicia sino por su misericordia. Nos salvó mediante el lavamiento de la regeneración y de la renovación por el Espíritu Santo’ Tito 3:5 NVI”

The WWII film ‘A Bridge Too Far’ is based the true story of Operation Market Garden, a failed Allied attempt to break through German lines at Arnhem across the river Rhine in the occupied Netherlands during World War II in September 1944.

Several bridges were to be captured in the occupied Netherlands, with the main objective of outflanking the Germans. Capturing the bridge at Arnhem was crucial for the success of the operation.  Yet, while other bridges were captured, for a variety of reasons the allies failed to capture the bridge at Arnhem.

The title of the book on which the film was based comes from a comment made by the deputy commander of the First Allied Airborne Army, who is said to have told Field Marshal Montgomery before the operation, “I think we may be going a bridge too far.”

Building bridges

According to the Bible, Christians ought to build bridges with those of other faiths or none, in order to be able to communicate the good news about Jesus effectively.  Alistair McGrath even titles one of his books on effectively communitcationg the gospel ‘Building Bridges.’

Jesus was so used to building bridges with people that he was even at one point accused of being a drunkard (wrongly), like the people he spent so much time with (see Luke 7:33-34).

Paul also taught that Christians ought to build bridges, or fit in with the context in which we find ourselves, all for the sake of being able to effectively communicate the gospel and save souls (1 Corinthians 9:19-23).

A bridge too far

Yet, in John’s gospel, Jesus tells us that we ought not to be surprised when we cannot build one particular bridge with people (John 15:18-16:4).  He teaches that we must accept that those who are not his followers will at some point persecute believers.  It won’t always happen, because sometimes they lauded Jesus.  But they also persecuted him, to the point of death.  Jesus tells us that the follower must not expect any different treatment than the master.  And that some people will even persecute his followers in the name of their religion, under the mistaken assumption that they are doing God a service!  This is all because they do not know him – they do not have a saving relationship with God.

As a result, it is futile for believers to try to be completely accepted by the world.  If we do, we end up compromising either our beliefs to make them more acceptable to an unbelieving world, or our actions as we sin on occasions because we don’t want to appear to be too different from others.

If we try to cross the bridge named ‘Love of the world’, then we will end up compromising our faith.  Jesus told us not to be surprised if persecution comes our way, so that we would not lose our way (John 16:1).

No matter how culturally-sensitive, culturally-relevant, or how well we fit in with our neighbours, friends, family, etc, for followers of Jesus there will always be one difference that we cannot, and must not, try to bridge.  Being a follower of Jesus makes people different to those who aren’t his followers, and that cannot, and should not, be minimised for the sake of getting closer to people.

In other words, in the process of building bridges with others who are not yet followers of Jesus, we ought to build as many bridges as we can.  But, there is a limit – we must not attempt to go a bridge too far!

NLT: ‘Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.’ Philippians 4:6-7 NLT

NIV 1984: ‘Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.’ Philippians 4:6-7 NIV84

NIV 2011: ‘Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.’ Philippians 4:6-7 NIV

ESV: ‘do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.’ Philippians 4:6-7 ESV

NASB: ‘Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.’ Philippians 4:6-7 NASB

NKJV: ‘Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.’ Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV

KJV: ‘Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.’ Philippians 4:6-7 KJV

NVI: ‘No se inquieten por nada; más bien, en toda ocasión, con oración y ruego, presenten sus peticiones a Dios y denle gracias. Y la paz de Dios, que sobrepasa todo entendimiento, cuidará sus corazones y sus pensamientos en Cristo Jesús.’ Filipenses 4:6-7 NVI

In the past, and still today to some extent, people went into seclusion in monasteries in an attempt to get closer to God.  The idea was not only that they would have more time on their own to spend in prayer and reading, but that they would be more cut off from the rest of the world.  The idea was that by being more distant from people, that one would be more distant from sources of sin that tempt us away from God.

One very memorable method was introduced by Symeon the Stylite (stylite means pillar), in the 4th to 5th century, near Aleppo in Syria.  In order to get away from the ever increasing number of people who frequently came to him for prayers and advice, leaving him little if any time for his private devotions, he discovered a pillar amongst some ruins.  He made a small platform at the top of this four metre high pillar.  His well-wishers later replaced it with others, the last one being apparently over 15 meters high.

There is a little merit in this approach, as we are often tempted by others.  But the problem is that we take our own sinfulness wherever we go.

The question is, how do we get closer to God, without resorting to such extremes, which are impractical for most people anyway?

Trust in Jesus by faith

The first thing, is to be reconciled to God, by faith in Jesus.  A simple prayer is all that it takes, like this prayer.

How to know God more, as a believer

Assuming that someone is already a believer, a follower of Jesus, how can they get to know God more?  The question is not how can they get to know ‘about’ God more, since we can read many books about theology etc, and read the Bible from cover to cover, to get to know ‘about’ God more.

The question is more about drawing closer to God, ‘knowing him’ more, instead of knowing more ‘about’ him.

In John’s gospel, Jesus makes it clear that in order to know God, to have him abide with us, that we need to love him.  But the way to love him is to obey him.  In other words, we should obey God, in order to love God, in order to know God more.

‘Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.”’ (John 14:21, ESV)

‘Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.’ (John 14:23, ESV)

The results are a growth in holiness, which is a knowledge of God in practice that cannot easily be quantified or described on paper (or screen).

Jesus tells his followers that to obey him means not only to love our neighbour, everyony, but also to love fellow believers.  If we do so, we are loving Christ.  If not, we don’t love him.  One of the tests, therefore, as to whether we know God or not, is not only do we obey Jesus’ commandments, but do we obey the commandment to love fellow believers:

‘And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’’ (Matthew 25:38–40, ESV)

Loving God can be seen in practice, through our action to everyone.  As Jesus said,

‘“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.’ (Matthew 7:15–20, ESV)

We need to obey God, to love God, to know God!

NLT: ‘Because of this, I always try to maintain a clear conscience before God and all people.’ Acts 24:16 NLT

NIV 1984: ‘So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.’ Acts 24:16 NIV84

NIV 2011: ‘So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.’ Acts 24:16 NIV

ESV: ‘So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man.’ Acts 24:16 ESV

NASB: ‘In view of this, I also do my best to maintain always a blameless conscience both before God and before men.’ Acts 24:16 NASB

NKJV: ‘This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.’ Acts 24:16 NKJV

KJV: ‘And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.’ Acts 24:16 KJV

NVI: ‘En todo esto procuro conservar siempre limpia mi conciencia delante de Dios y de los hombres.’ Hechos 24:16 NVI

Randy Alcorn in his book Heaven writes:

Australian aborigines pictured heaven as a distant island beyond the western horizon. The early Finns thought heaven was a distant island in the faraway East. Mexicans, Peruvians, and Polynesians believed they went to the sun or the moon after death. Native Americans believed that in the afterlife their spirits would hunt the spirits of buffalo.

The Gilgamesh Epic, an ancient Babylonian legend, refers to a resting place of heroes and hints at a tree of life. In the pyramids of Egypt, the embalmed bodies had maps placed beside them as guides to the future world. The Romans believed that the righteous would picnic in the Elysian fields while their horses grazed nearby. Seneca, the Roman philosopher, said, “The day thou fearest as the last is the birthday of eternity.” Although these depictions of the afterlife differ, the unifying testimony of the human heart throughout history is belief in life after death. Anthropological evidence suggests that every culture has a God-given, innate sense of the eternal—that this world is not all there is.

In Mere Christianity C. S. Lewis argues that such longings are an internal argument supporting the expectation of an afterlife as a reasonable outcome after death.

Jesus is the way, the truth and the life

Having introduced the subject of his departure from this earth, Jesus told his disciples that they would join him too, in time:

‘“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.’ (John 14:1–3, NLT)

NLT: ‘You see, we don’t go around preaching about ourselves. We preach that Jesus Christ is Lord, and we ourselves are your servants for Jesus’ sake.’ 2 Corinthians 4:5 NLT

NIV 1984: ‘For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.’ 2 Corinthians 4:5 NIV84

NIV 2011: ‘For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.’ 2 Corinthians 4:5 NIV

ESV: ‘For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.’ 2 Corinthians 4:5 ESV

NASB: ‘For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants for Jesus’ sake.’ 2 Corinthians 4:5 NASB

NKJV: ‘For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake.’ 2 Corinthians 4:5 NKJV

KJV: ‘For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.’ 2 Corinthians 4:5 KJV

NVI: ‘No nos predicamos a nosotros mismos sino a Jesucristo como Señor; nosotros no somos más que servidores de ustedes por causa de Jesús.’ 2 Corintios 4:5 NVI

Have you ever not wanted to see a musical? After first hearing about Les Misérables about years ago, it didn’t attract me. A friend told me that it was about a fugitive who turned over a new leaf, met a dying prostitute, brought up her child, and evaded a law enforcement officer who hounded him throughout his life – all set in France after the French revolution, almost 200 years ago. Not exactly an inspiring storyline, I thought, from what she understood of the stage show. But a few years later, I saw it with my fiancé. It turned out to be the best musical I have ever seen, and very different from the portrayal I had been given. I went again (twice), and bought the album.

Film versions

While several films have been made of Victor Hugo’s 1862 classic novel (over 1,000 pages), in the 1998 version directed by Bille August, some critics said that Liam Neeson should have received an Oscar, as Valjean.

Until now, all the film versions were portrayals of the book.  Yet, this recent film version of Les Misérables is not a screen play of the book, but is instead of the musical.  With outstanding performances, recorded live, by such as Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway, Russell Crowe, the film is remarkably well done (although maybe too graphic and in-your-face at times, compared to the stage version).

The unforgettable music touches many emotions, from the tear-jerking “I Dreamed a Dream”, the haunting “Empty Chairs at Empty Tables”, of unreturned love “On My Own” to the final rousing anthem, “Do You Hear The People Sing?”

The story

While the story centres around the fugitive, Jean Valjean, various themes are developed through different characters. These range from romance to armed rebellion, set in France at the time of the French revolution.  Skip to the next heading if you don’t want to know how the story pans out.

Valjean is jailed for stealing a loaf of bread. After many years in prison, he is let out on parole.  But almost the first thing he does is steal from the Bishop of Digne. When caught by the police, the Bishop shows him mercy, saying that the goods belong to Valjean, even giving him more as well. This triggers a turning point where Valjean commits his life to God. Valjean is a renewed man who is kind, gracious and heroic.

Yet, the legalistic chief of police, (Javert) a man in whom there is not an ounce of compassion or grace, continues to hound him. Valjean adopts and brings up the daughter (Cossette) of a former employee (Fantine) as his own. Ultimately, the legalistic Javert cannot cope with Valjean’s forgiveness and change of character, his gracious and merciful approach to life. Throughout, there is also the unscrupulous couple (the Thernadiers), milking whatever system they can, even masquerading as Christians when it suits them.

Big issues

It is not only the themes that we can connect with that make this story populer: such as of Valjean making a better life after prison, the love that Maius finds with Cosette, the cause of justice for the poor of this world (les misérables), life’s dreams unfulfilled and the spiteful wrong that people do to others, as Fantine experienced.  There are themes such as poverty, hurt, injustice.

The film can be viewed in two ways.  At face value, one is the dilemma that the poor and oppressed of France (or Les Misérables) face as they suffer while the heartless rich are not merciful to them in their poverty.  Should they follow the path of rebellion, unmercifully turning the tables on the aristocracy and becoming rich themselves in a new republic?  Or should they follow Valjean’s example in seeking love, grace, and mercy

One response is to try to resolve problems through revolution and force, giving the hope of victory through insurrection.  Another is to seek love, mercy, grace, and forgiveness from God, which transcends our natural responses, which gives us a different hope for an eternal future.

Also, there are the themes of how on the one hand justice, and on the other hand grace, mercy and forgiveness, relate to each other. Javert relentlessly pursues Valjean, even after he is a reformed character, but Valjean eventually shows grace and mercy to Javert.  For some, mercy triumphs over justice, with love and hope triumphing over rebellion.

There are two salvations in view

The script weaves together two overlapping threads.  Based on the common search for justice and a better life, one thread focuses on how to achieve it in this world: for example, the rebels who take up arms on behalf of themselves and their community;  the Thénardier couple who are looking out only for themselves; or Javert who cold-heartedly wants to punish lawbreakers and is blind to mercy and forgiveness.

The other thread seeks a higher cause, where justice is met with forgiveness, grace and mercy, with hope for a better future than a revolution can provide: for example, Valjean prays to God on high for Marius’ life, and he shows mercy to Javert the rebels wanted him to die.

The first rousing crusade anthem is sung by the rebels as they anticipate a better life for the poor immediately after their barricade and rebellion. But in the ‘Finale’, the anthem is sung with a better life in view, beyond that barricade – they have in view the blessing of being with God for eternity, which although it is more distant, is far better.  Both groups have hope for the future, but they are very different.

There are two solutions for Les Misérables, the poor of this world. One is to struggle for a better life before we die, using rebellion and force to overturn the status quo and become better off here and now, in the short term, after the barricade on the streets. While it is right to try to overturn temporary injustices and unfairness, the second solution is to seek eternal salvation, in the long term, not through revolution and its barricade.  Those who pursue this seek peace with God; they seek to show love, mercy and justice in a world that suffers such pain.  And they seek a better future after death.  Both solutions have a common problem, but different means to address it, with different futures in view.

Will you join in our Crusade?

As these two threads in the story weave their way to a final conclusion, they are both presented together as a call to respond in the finale; “will you join in our crusade?”  Unlike the initial call to arms with the same anthem after which so many were killed at the barricade earlier in the film, the lyrics of the finale seem to reflect less of a recruitment call to rebellion than an offer of hope for eternity, and a call to join the march towards eternal salvation.

Following immediately after Valjeans’ prayer to God for the salvation of Marius, the finale resonates with the hope of a better life, hope beyond the here and now, for the blessing of salvation with God.  The last lines in particular focus our minds on eternity, beyond the barricade of revolution, to:

… They will live again in freedom in the Garden of the Lord,
They will walk behind the bloodshed, they will put away the sword.
The chain will be broken and all men will have their reward.

Will you join in our crusade? who will be strong and stand with me?
Somewhere beyond the barricade is there a world you long to see?
Do you hear the people sing? say, do you hear the distant drums?
It is the future that they bring when tomorrow comes… Tomorrow comes!*

How can we join in this crusade?

Some people will disagree that the themes listed above are present in the story.  Yet, the lyrics themselves describe these issues in plain speech.  So, the issues described above are not so much reading something into the story, as reading the story itself.

Nevertheless, while the musical and film magnificently describe the situation of Les Misérables, and the two ways to improve their lot, and while we are asked in the finale “Will you join in our crusade?”, we are not told explicitly how join in this crusade.  If it is a call to rebellion, that is easy for many people.  But if it is the call to trust in God for a better, eternal future, how do we do that?  The Christian answer is that we should trust in the Lord Jesus alone.  He has died in our place to save us and secure for us a better future beyond the final barricade.

Just as Valjean prayed a simple prayer before the finale, we too can pray a simple prayer to receive a better future for eternity, with peace and hope for the present, by praying this prayer.

*From the musical, ‘Les Misérables’ by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg’ (used with permission.)

This article was adapted from one published in ‘Crosstalk‘ in 2002.

Unfortunately, due to some technical problems with sound recording, we do not have recordings of the sermons for Sunday 16th December, Sunday 23rd December, or Sunday 13th January.

We apologise for this, and hope not to have the same issues in the future.

However, we do have the service sheets for those services, which generally gives an outline of the sermon, as well as other relevant details:

Sunday 16th December

Sunday 23rd December

Sunday 13th January

Sunday 6th January 2013

If we want our new year resolutions to last, if we want to make this year significantly different to last year, if we want to draw more close to God this year, then we need to make sure that our resolutions are not empty promises, like empty religion, but that they are sincere, out of loving obedience to God.

God doesn’t want hollow or hypocritical religion – he says that he can’t stand it in Isaiah 1:10-15.  Instead, he wants true religion:

Wash yourselves and be clean! Get your sins out of my sight. Give up your evil ways. Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows. (Isaiah 1:16–17, NLT)

Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you. (James 1:27, NLT)

But best of all, instead of just telling us to shape up and do better, God forgives us our past sins, blots them out, as if they had never happened at all:

“Come now, let’s settle this,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool. If you will only obey me, you will have plenty to eat. But if you turn away and refuse to listen, you will be devoured by the sword of your enemies. I, the LORD, have spoken!” (Isaiah 1:18–20, NLT)

Isaiah goes on later in his writing in the Bible to describe in more detail the forgiveness that God offers:

‘Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near. Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously.’ (Isaiah 55:6–7, NLT)

As David wrote in the Psalms:

The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God. (Psalm 51:17, NLT)

The new year is a good time to resolve to turn to God, to accept his fresh start and forgiveness, and to put ‘true religion’ into practice in our lives a more than it has been in the past.

Sunday 30th December 2012

Many people make new year resolutions each year.  And many people don’t, often because they don’t want to fail to keep them as they have in the past.

There are some interesting statistics about new year resolutions.  According to one source, people who explicitly make resolutions are 10 times more likely to attain their goals than people who don’t explicitly make resolutions.   Along with the usual resolutions such as losing weight, it was great to see that in the USA “Help others in their dreams” ranked within the top ten.

Why bother?

Should we, or shouldn’t we? that is the question!  Or, put more bluntly, why bother?

One reason, for Christians, is that we ought to live the new life that is part and parcel of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.  Jesus said:

If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?  (Matthew 16:24–26)

Christians ought to be in the process of being renewed, becoming like the Lord Jesus.  It means that we need to put off old sinful ways, and live as we ought to, in holiness.  If that renewal isn’t happening, then there is a very big questionmark over whether we are Christians at all.

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. (Colossians 3:12–14, ESV)

Why bother with resoutions?  Because we need encouraged to keep putting off the old life and putting on the new life, to stop sinning and to live in a way that pleases God.

New year resolutions are a great way to ponder how we can make changes, and then commit to seeing those changes put in practice in the coming year.

NLT: ‘God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through?’ Numbers 23:19 NLT

NIV 1984: ‘God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?’ Numbers 23:19 NIV84

NIV 2011: ‘God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?’ Numbers 23:19 NIV

ESV: ‘God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?’ Numbers 23:19 ESV

NASB: ‘God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent; Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?’ Numbers 23:19 NASB

NKJV: ‘God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?’ Numbers 23:19 NKJV

KJV: ‘God is not a man, that he should lie; Neither the son of man, that he should repent: Hath he said, and shall he not do it? Or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?’ Numbers 23:19 KJV

NVI: ‘Dios no es un simple mortal para mentir y cambiar de parecer. ¿Acaso no cumple lo que promete ni lleva a cabo lo que dice?’ Números 23:19 NVI

NLT: ‘Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit.’ 1 Peter 3:18 NLT

NIV 1984: ‘For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit…’ 1 Peter 3:18 NIV84

NIV 2011: ‘For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.’ 1 Peter 3:18 NIV

ESV: ‘For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit.’ 1 Peter 3:18 ESV

NASB: ‘For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit’ 1 Peter 3:18 NASB

NKJV: ‘For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit’ 1 Peter 3:18 NKJV

KJV: ‘For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit’ 1 Peter 3:18 KJV

NVI: ‘Porque Cristo murió por los pecados una vez por todas, el justo por los injustos, a fin de llevarlos a ustedes a Dios. Él sufrió la muerte en su cuerpo, pero el Espíritu hizo que volviera a la vida.’ 1 Pedro 3:18 NVI

NLT: ‘Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.’ Joshua 1:8 NLT

NIV 1984: ‘Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.’ Joshua 1:8 NIV84

NIV 2011: ‘Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.’ Joshua 1:8 NIV

ESV: ‘This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.’ Joshua 1:8 ESV

NASB: ‘This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.’ Joshua 1:8 NASB

NKJV: ‘This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.’ Joshua 1:8 NKJV

KJV: ‘This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.’ Joshua 1:8 KJV

NVI: ‘Recita siempre el libro de la ley y medita en él de día y de noche; cumple con cuidado todo lo que en él está escrito. Así prosperarás y tendrás éxito.’ Josué 1:8 NVI

NLT: ‘Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls.’ 1 Peter 2:11 NLT

NIV 1984: ‘Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.’ 1 Peter 2:11 NIV84

NIV 2011: ‘Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul.’ 1 Peter 2:11 NIV

ESV: ‘Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.’ 1 Peter 2:11 ESV

NASB: ‘Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul.’ 1 Peter 2:11 NASB

NKJV: ‘Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul’ 1 Peter 2:11 NKJV

KJV: ‘Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul’ 1 Peter 2:11 KJV

NVI: ‘Queridos hermanos, les ruego como a extranjeros y peregrinos en este mundo, que se aparten de los deseos pecaminosos que combaten contra la vida.’ 1 Pedro 2:11 NVI

‘Anna, a prophet, was also there in the Temple. She was the daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher, and she was very old. Her husband died when they had been married only seven years. Then she lived as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the Temple but stayed there day and night, worshiping God with fasting and prayer. She came along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she began praising God. She talked about the child to everyone who had been waiting expectantly for God to rescue Jerusalem.’ (Luke 2:36–38, NLT)

It was great to have fellowship with him during the service, as well as afterwards over tea/coffee.  Martin is currently the minister of Ballykeel Presbyterian Church in Ballymena, and is an enthusiastic supporter of CGCF.

In Daniel 9:1-27, Daniel turns to the Lord in prayer.  His prayer is a model of intercessory prayer.  He reads God’s Word, the Bible, and sees God’s promise of deliverance for his people.  He turns that promise into a prayer, asking God to make his promise a reality.

The first thing that he does is to confess the sin of his people.  God had promised blessing, if they had been faithful to him, but they were not.  Daniel accepted that God was faithful, but the people had got themselves into the state that they were in.

For God’s sake!

But Daniel doesn’t just ask God to take pity on the people.  He doesn’t ask God to help them, for their sake.  We often pray to God to help us, because our situation is so important to us, and we want God to take our issues seriously.  We often have selfish motives and desires, and God is not really in a position to grant our selfish prayers.  How can we be sure that our prayers will be heard and answered?  By praying along that God’s will is done on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10).  If we ask God to bring about what he has told us he wants to happen, then we know that we are asking good prayers.

Daniel prayed, not primarily for the good of the people, but for God’s reputation and his glory.  As John Piper outlines in his book ‘Desiring God‘, God is most glorified when he is being gracious to his people, is seen to be their God and Saviour, and when they praise him.  That might seem self-centred, if we were to look for praise – but it isn’t with God, because he truly deserves it.  Daniel prays for God’s name to be praised and honoured, through rescuing his people.  He prays primarily for God’s sake, not the people’s sake.

While the people Daniel was praying for had broken the old covenant with God, we can look forward to the new covenant where God himself ensures that it will not be broken.  For God’s people across all time, the death and atonement of Jesus is the reason why we can call on God to be merciful and gracious.  And just like the exiled people start returning to their homeland, believers in Jesus have a homeland in heaven to look forward to.  In this sense, Daniel’s intercessory prayer mirrors that of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, praying for the good of his people (John 17:1-26).

When we pray for God’s sake primarily, not our own selfish (or potentially selfish) aims, we know that God will grant our prayer requests.  So, pray, for God’s sake!

NLT: ‘Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.’ Hebrews 12:3 NLT

NIV 1984: ‘Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.’ Hebrews 12:3 NIV84

NIV 2011: ‘Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.’ Hebrews 12:3 NIV

ESV: ‘Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.’ Hebrews 12:3 ESV

NASB: ‘For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.’ Hebrews 12:3 NASB

NKJV: ‘For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.’ Hebrews 12:3 NKJV

KJV: ‘For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.’ Hebrews 12:3 KJV

NVI: ‘Así, pues, consideren a aquel que perseveró frente a tanta oposición por parte de los pecadores, para que no se cansen ni pierdan el ánimo.’ Hebreos 12:3 NVI

NLT: ‘For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.’ Philippians 4:13 NLT

NIV 1984: ‘I can do everything through him who gives me strength.’ Philippians 4:13 NIV84

NIV 2011: ‘I can do all this through him who gives me strength.’ Philippians 4:13 NIV

ESV: ‘I can do all things through him who strengthens me.’ Philippians 4:13 ESV

NASB: ‘I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.’ Philippians 4:13 NASB

NKJV: ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.’ Philippians 4:13 NKJV

KJV: ‘I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.’ Philippians 4:13 KJV

NVI: ‘Todo lo puedo en Cristo que me fortalece.’ Filipenses 4:13 NVI

Daniel 7:1-28 describes the future of the world.  In Daniel 7:1-12, very much in parallel to Daniel 2:31-45, describes the rise of powerful empires in the world, beginning with the Babylonian empire during which time Daniel lived. But they will be judged in the end on the judgment day.

Daniel 7:13-14 also describes the growth of the kingdom of God.  While the vision may have been given to Daniel consequtively after the vision about the rise and fall of the beasts in Daniel 7:1-12, we should not necessarily conclude that the events in Daniel 7:13-14 occur chronologically after the judgment day when the fourth beast is finally put down.  As in Daniel 2, the rise of the kingdom of God is concurrent to the time when the fourth has power.  There is, therefore, at present, the cause of evil in the world alongside the rise of the kingdom of God.  Christ is building his church, and the schemes of the evil one will not prevail against it (Matthew 16:18).

Visions are vague

Imagery and visions were used to convey something of the story of the future.  But the nature of these visions, just like in the book of Revelation, is that while we get a rough idea of what is going to happen, we can’t nail it down to specifics in the way that we often want to do. God did not give us a diary of dates, names and places when future events would occur.  Instead, he gave us a rough or vague idea as to what is going on, so that we would have hope for the future, and not fear.

God’s people overcome in the end

Yet, if we take the message of this chapter as a whole, the conclusion is that despite the writhing of evil in the world, God is in control, and God’s people eventually overcome.  It will include persecution and trials for some, or many.  But in the end, this too shall pass, and it will be worth it.  Daniel asks and angel what the vision means, and he is told the following summary:

‘So I approached one of those standing beside the throne and asked him what it all meant. He explained it to me like this: “These four huge beasts represent four kingdoms that will arise from the earth. But in the end, the holy people of the Most High will be given the kingdom, and they will rule forever and ever.”’ (Daniel 7:16–18, NLT)

If we are under severe persecution, or going through difficult trials, we can at the very least take comfort that in the end, this too shall pass, and God’s people will come through victorious.

Many people know the story of Daniel in the lion’s den (Daniel 6:1-28).  He was top of his game as one of the leading civil servants, and was in line for promotion.  Was he too honest while others were lining their own pockets?  Was that the reason why they didn’t want him promoted to be over them too?  Whatever the reason, they conspired to have him killed.

They convinced the king to pass a law to outlaw praying to God or any other idol (or god) for a month, or face death, knowing that Daniel would still pray to his God.  When he did, the king reluctantly had no option by law but to put him to death, into the lion’s den.  But the next morning he emerged alive, because God stopped the lions from harming him.  His salvation showed that he was innocent (while it was not intended to be a trial by ordeal, his survival turned it into a vindication along those lines).  The king put the conspirators into the lion’s den to their deaths instead.

Be fearless like Daniel?

A lesson that is often taken from this story is that when Christians are faced with terrible circumstances, we should act like Daniel.  In the face of adversity, we should have complete, unwavering, faith in God, to rescue us from whatever we face.  Such moralism sounds very spiritual.  But the problem is that ordinary belivers generally don’t have the kind of faith that can withstand such an ordeal.  Being told to be like Daniel, is like telling sinners not to sin, to be perfect and everthing will be alright.  While there is a sense in which we ought to trust in God in such circumstances, this is not an encouraging passage for most people, if that is what we are to learn.

Beware the judgment of the conspirators?

Another application of this passage is that we should not rebel against God, without having to face the consequences, in the same way that the conspirators against Daniel faced the death that they had prepared for him.  Again, it is a valid application.  But does that give us hope?

There is a saviour in Daniel’s story!

However, if we were to consider the story in terms of how it would originally have been understood by the exiles in captivity, we can get a very different understanding or its message.  The average exile was under exactly the same threat as Daniel – if you pray you will be executed.  But the godly exiles wanted to serve God, and not give in to such a threat.  Many would have been filled with fear, insecurity, probably aware of the weakness of their faith, like many believers today would feel if under persecution.

But what happens?  Daniel prays publicly, knowing that he will be arrested for doing so.  He is tried and condemned to death.  But he is vindicated before God and freed, and the restriction of the unjust law is lifted, and the average exile is saved from the threat they were under.

Daniel is a type of Christ

In this respect, Daniel is a type of Christ.  He foreshadows the salvation that Jesus secured centuries later.  In fact, the parallels are so striking, that it is reasonable to describe the salvation that Daniel secures here as a preview of the gospel of salvation in Jesus Christ much later.  Here are the major parallels:

• Daniel is without fault, yet is opposed for his godliness by people who didn’t want him to rule over them. They can’t find fault in him, so they change the legal system to make what he already does illegal.  Jesus was tried by a legal system that could not find fault with him, but was threatened with the death penalty anyway
• Daniel is tried by a ruler who is more concerned about himself than doing what is right (Darius’ pride comes to the fore when making the law).  Pilate’s desire to not upset Rome prevents him from doing what is right and just in Jesus’ trial.
• The king wants to release Daniel instead of send him to the lion’s den, but who eventually condemns to death.  Pilate doesn’t want to be part of the Pharisees’ charade, and initially sends Jesus to Herod for trial, and even tries to get Jesus off the hook by releasing him, but the crowd wanted Barabbas instead.
• There is no way out of this outcome since the law of Medes and Persians is unbreakable.  The Father’s will was not changed for Jesus going to the cross – he had to go through that to save people.
• Daniel is not recorded as having said anything in his defence.  Jesus was similarly  silent before his accusers in terms of putting up a defence.
• A stone was brought to seal the lion’s den (which was most likely more like a cave or tomb than a lion’s enclosure in modern zoos).  Jesus was similarly placed in a tomb with a stone which was put across the entrance.
• God rescues and exalts Daniel because he was innocent.  Jesus was vindicated by the resurrection, because he had not sinned.
• When the stone was removed, Daniel came out of the entrace to the cave, being metaphorically brought back from the dead.  When the stone was removed, Jesus came out of the tomb, being literally brought back from the dead.
• The king punishing those who opposed Daniel.  In time, there is a judgment day when those who have opposed Jesus publicly and have not asked for forgiveness will be punished.
• King Darius knows that Daniel’s God is special, and could possibly save him (otherwise he would not have had the hope that Daniel would be alive the next morning).  Pilate acknowledged that Jesus was special, putting the heading ‘King of the Jews’ on his cross.
• Daniel was found blameless before God, just like Jesus was blameless.
• Daniel was saved by faith.  Jesus saves by faith those who trust in him.
• Daniel’s ordeal resulted in salvation for God’s people who were exiled in a foreign land.  Jesus’ ordeal of his crucifixion, death and resurrection has resulted in the salvation of God’s people who are exiles on this earth, looking forward to going home to be with the Lord.

Daniel and the lion’s den teaches us not so much that we ought to have great faith when facing ultimate trials.  Instead, it tells us that there is a Saviour who rescues those who trust in him from ultimately perishing.

‘For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.’ (John 3:16, ESV)

The gospel in the Old Testament

Some people might think that the Old Testament was judgment, while the New Testament is salvation and grace.  This story in Daniel 6:1-28 shows us in a remarkable way that the message of a Saviour was clearly taught in the Old Testament.  And what’s more, the king of the superpower empire of the world at that time, king Darius, sent out a proclamation to the whole world that Daniel’s God saves!  Amazingly, the gospel message of salvation was proclaimed across the whole world:

Then King Darius sent this message to the people of every race and nation and language throughout the world: “Peace and prosperity to you! “I decree that everyone throughout my kingdom should tremble with fear before the God of Daniel. For he is the living God, and he will endure forever. His kingdom will never be destroyed, and his rule will never end. He rescues and saves his people; he performs miraculous signs and wonders in the heavens and on earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.” (Daniel 6:25–27, NLT)

In Daniel 5:1-31 the ruler of Babylon (the ancient superpower about 2,500 years ago) insulted God.  He could have learned the lesson of his immediate predecessor, Nebchadnezzar, who was humbled before God, and then lifted high to such great power and glory.  While Belshazzar knew all about God and how he is powerful, and how we ought to honour and worship him, he choose not to.

But not only did he not learn the lesson of history, at a massive dinner party he choose to dishonour God by abusing the sacred items that had been taken from the temple in Jerusalem. In a metaphorical sense, he was spitting in God’s eye, by dishonouring him in such a public way.

But then, a hand appeared and wrote on the wall, spelling out judgment for Belshazzar.  He was weighted in the balance and found wanting.  We could say that he was not warned like others were that he should turn from the judgment.  Is it fair that he was summarily judged and died that night?  The truth is that he was warned, through the lesson of his predecessor, although not directly.

Just like him, we have been warned of the coming judgment of God on all that we have done (Romans 2:1-4).  No-one is perfect, and we all have much to fear.  That is, unless we have made our peace with God before going to trial.  We can be forgiven, and avoid the judgment, if we place our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16, ESV)

About 2,500 years ago, the leader of the most powerful empire in the world, the superpower of its day, was humbled before God.  He ended up praising God, and telling everyone about him.

King Nebuchadnezzar was told that his great power was going to his head, but that he would have to humble himself before God.  He refused to act on the prophecy, and a year later he lost his mind and lived in the wild like an animal.

But after some time, he humbled himself before God in his heart.  And then everything changed for the better.  He was on the throne as king again, with even more glory and power than before.  Yet, after this, he never told people how great he was, as he had done beforehand.  Instead of pride and boasting, he then praised God from whom all blessings flow.

Being the most powerful man in the world, he sent out a proclamation everywhere, that the God of Daniel was the true God.  He concluded:

“Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and glorify and honor the King of heaven. All his acts are just and true, and he is able to humble the proud.” (Daniel 4:37, NLT)

Imagine, when God’s people were exiled in a foreign land, God is still in control, and uses the most powerful person in the world at that time to send out the news that God is to be worshipped and honoured.

Nebuchadnezzar might not have been born as a descendant of Abraham.  But his attitude and actions in Daniel 4:34-37 are entirely consistent with someone who has placed their faith in the Lord God for salvation.  His proclamation to the nations was of his own initiative, and can be seen as his testimony that he now serves the one and only true God.

If God can humble a proud, aggressive, and powerful man such as Nebuchadnezzar, there is hope for everyone.

NLT: ‘And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment…’ Hebrews 9:27 NLT

NIV 1984: ‘Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment…’ Hebrews 9:27 NIV84

NIV 2011: ‘Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment.’ Hebrews 9:27 NIV

ESV: ‘It is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment.’ Hebrews 9:27 ESV

NASB: ‘And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment’ Hebrews 9:27 NASB

NKJV: ‘And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment’ Hebrews 9:27 NKJV

KJV: ‘And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment’ Hebrews 9:27 KJV

NVI: ‘Y así como está establecido que los seres humanos mueran una sola vez, y después venga el juicio’ Hebreos 9:27 NVI

NLT: ‘Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.’ John 14:21 NLT

NIV 1984: ‘Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.’ John 14:21 NIV84

NIV 2011: ‘Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.’ John 14:21 NIV

ESV: ‘Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.’ John 14:21 ESV

NASB: ‘He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him.’ John 14:21 NASB

NKJV: ‘He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.’ John 14:21 NKJV

KJV: ‘He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.’ John 14:21 KJV

NVI: ‘¿Quién es el que me ama? El que hace suyos mis mandamientos y los obedece. Y al que me ama, mi Padre lo amará, y yo también lo amaré y me manifestaré a él.’ Juan 14:21 NVI

Prayer is at the heart of a Christian’s relationship with God.  At least, it should be, as part of a two-way relationship with God.  On the one hand, we listen to God speak to us through the Bible.  On the other hand, we talk to God in prayer.  Listening to God directly, through reading his Word to us, the Bible, is often lacking in personal devotions.  But I’m not going to address that here.  Instead, I recommend this handbook by Ken Boa as a guide to get started, or continue, in a pattern of prayer that really connects with God.  It is quite expensive to purchase in book form, and is not readily available, but it is inexpensive in electronic form at Amazon: Handbook to Prayer: Praying Scripture Back to God.

Prayer God’s thoughts back to him

As the title suggests, the contents of the prayer guide are essentially praying God’s will back to him, that his will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  We often pray for things where we’re not really sure whether or not they are God’s will.  But when we know God’s will, and pray that these things will come into effect, we can be sure that our prayers are on target and that God will hear and answer them.  Praying God’s will, or the scriptures, back to God was the Lord Jesus’ pattern of prayer, and that of many others in the Bible as well.  As the author writes in the foreword:

Think of this handbook as a tool that combines the word of the Lord with prayer and guides you through the process of praying Scripture back to God. It will enable you to think God’s thoughts after Him and to personalize them in your own thinking and practice. It will also provide you with a balanced diet of prayer by guiding your mind each day through eight kinds of prayer. Because it is based on Scripture, you can be assured that these prayers will be pleasing to God. This book will encourage you in your walk with God by enriching and enhancing the quality of your experience of prayer.

With so many quotations from the Bible used as the basis of the prayers, this guide remains very close to God’s Word.  The result is that we are praying God’s Word back to him, instead of praying the author’s thoughts.

Based on the Our Father

The structure of prayer in this guide is based on the Our Father, or the Lord’s Prayer.  Each prayer or phrase within the Lord’s Prayer is used as a principle or approach in prayer, that is expanded on in different ways: “The eight forms of adoration, confession, renewal, petition, intercession, affirmation, thanksgiving, and closing prayer are all illustrated in this model prayer.”*

Prayer of petition are organised around a seven day cycle focusing on different needs, with prayers of intercession similarly organised into groups.

Three month cycle

The shorter section of Part One: Morning Affirmations can be read daily, and can help us focus our lives towards God each day.  The bulk of the guide is contained in Part Two: Daily Prayer Guide which has different prayers each day over a three month cycle.  These prayers don’t need to be read or prayed mechanically, although they can be prayed as they are.  They can also be used as templates for our own prayers on the topics or verses for that day.  For times of more concentrated devotions, Part Three: One Week Prayer Guide is an excellent addition.  In the paper book, Part Four: Personal Prayer Pages allows notes to be taken, but this is not included in electronic editions (at least not in the Logos Bible software edition – I’m not sure about the Kindle edition).

Loving God completely

The final words are probably best put by the author himself.  He concludes:

Loving God completely is a growth process that involves the personal elements of communication and response. By listening to the Holy Spirit in the words of Scripture and speaking to the Lord in our thoughts and prayers, we move in the direction of knowing Him better. The better we know Him, the more we will love Him, and the more we love Him, the greater our willingness to respond to Him in trust and obedience.

To love ourselves correctly is to see ourselves as God sees us and to allow the Word, not the world, to define us by telling us who and whose we really are. The clearer we capture the vision of our new identity in Christ, the more we will realize that our deepest needs for security, significance, and satisfaction are met in Him and not in people, possessions, or positions.

A biblical view of our identity and resources in Christ moves us in the direction of loving others compassionately. Grasping our true and unlimited resources in Christ frees us from bondage to the opinions of others and gives us the liberty to love and serve others regardless of their response.

Since we cannot serve two masters, the focus of our heart will either be the temporal or the eternal. If it is the temporal, we cannot love God completely because of a divided heart. When Christ is a component instead of the center of life, things become complicated; the worries of the world, the deceitfulness of wealth, and the desires for other things choke the word of truth in our lives and we do not bear lasting fruit (Mark 4:19). If the focus of our heart is the eternal, we will love Christ above His created goods and pleasures and begin to fulfill the enduring purpose for which we were created.

* Note: the closing prayer “For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever” noted in the Lord’s Prayer is found in only some Bibles, and is generally accepted as not in the original manuscripts.  However, it is nevertheless a useful note on which to conclude a time of prayer.