Sarah Boxer, "Charles M. Schulz, 'Peanuts' Creator, Dies at 77", McNamara, Pat. Just the fact that there is a hell and a heaven and a final judgment showcase this obvious truth. She didnt realize she was talking to Jesus! I expect a blessed transplantation of all these flowers below to a clearer atmosphere above, away from all this smoke and fog and damp, up where the sun is never clouded, where flowers never wither, where fruits never decay. Let him go up. (2 Chronicles 36:22-23 ESV). His love is poured out upon us through His Holy Spirit. But when one reads the poem this strangeness disappears. Carson talks about how some of the Jews thought (superstitiously) that the soul of a body hovers above the body for three days prior to finally departing. I would just add a disclaimer that they are my raw preaching notes. As Sproul points out though, Caiaphas must have forgotten Proverbs 17:15, which says, He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous are both alike an abomination to the Lord.. Theres no coloring outside the lines here. 18:28-38a), which was followed by Herods interrogation (Lk. [7] So he asked them again, Whom do you seek? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth. [8] Jesus answered, I told you that I am he. I want you to be changed into the likeness and image of Christ. The last days of the earth shall be its worst days. It is the evidence of faith, and the outward reality of a changed heart within us. Oh, the glory we shall then enjoy up yonder, on the hills of spices in the garden of God. His power is immutable, as are all His other qualities. Remember, He is not speaking to those who do not believe, but rather to those who love Him. But he learned the hard way that leaning on Christ is the only way to make it through this life. It was here that I found the poem The Hound of Heaven by English poet Francis Thompson. For as Paul tells us: Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned[13]for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law. Consequently, many believed in Him. How should we think of, and describe his reign? Where you have brought forth a single cluster, bring, forth a hundred! What a fantastic claim! The reaction to the miracles of Christ is always of interest to me. Act on that conviction and surrender your heart to His call. The argument used by non-Reformed people is that the text teaches that everybody in the world has it in their power to accept or reject Christ. 15:11-13 And he said, There was a man who had two sons. This morning I had the privilege of teaching on John 18:1-27. [11]For the Scripture says, Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame. [12]For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. It wasnt enough to say these are the miracles of Pharaohs magicians, but the very reason that the men in vs. 46 came to the Council in the first place was due to the overwhelming evidence before them. Remember, He is the Lord of all the earth, He is God and He sees and controls the hearts of all men (Prov. Everything he does is supremely worthy of his effort. Remember what side of the cross Peter is on. 1088, [xiv] John Frame, Systematic Theology, Pg. He arrived at some knowledge of his own heart and some knowledge of God's heart. Much has, perhaps rightly, been made of how when Jesus asked Peter whether he loved him, he was using the word agape whereas Peter was responding with phileo for his description of love. What touches my heart so much about this passage in John is the tenderness of Jesus. [16] In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; [17] and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, [18] praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. [38] For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, [39] nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. He doesnt say, I am, The Lordship of Jesus Christ not only over the world and all created things, but over her life, That He is the one who can take away sins Hes the savior of the world (Christ), That He is working out His sovereign plan in the world and in her life and she is surrendered to that plan who is coming into the world. It was not absolutely necessary for our preparation for immortality that we should tarry here. 12) so that He was able to endure the torment of the cross. o Extended Times of Prayer: Praying for 30-60 min. Written by a descendant of both Patrick Henry and Woodrow Wilson, New World Order reveals just who is behind the New World Order, what they want, how they are affecting your life today, and what can you can do about it. He always ordains and acts according to what will bring him the most glory this is the wisdom of God. When I read this passage several years ago I thought (rightly) that I cant teach anyone now, but realized that my inability wasnt God telling me not to teach, but rather it was Him calling me to learn and grow closer to Him in obedience in order to teach when the time presented itself. They dont know how to handle their Bible, and consequently they are not living a life in accordance with Gods will they arent pressing on toward completeness (Phil. [3] For this is the will of God, your sanctification (1 Thessalonians 4:1-3a). I fled Him down the nights and down the days. We see here that Gods purpose was to use the suffering and death of Lazarus to reveal the glory of His Son. And ill can brook delay; (Colossians 2:15), Frame describes how the Amil views the future, Amils affirm that toward the end of this era Satan will be released briefly, as Revelation 20:3 indicates (also verses 7-8). They have regressed. Are we not all the plants of his right hand planting? The glory of God is of infinite value! And though in sin or in human love, away from God it seeks to hide itself, Divine grace follows after, unwearyingly follows ever after, till the soul feels its pressure forcing it to turn to Him alone in that never ending pursuit."[4]. That he will not come to the feast at all? [57]Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that if anyone knew where he was, he should let them know, so that they might arrest him. Lastly, I am personally reminded of the nature of light and how it sort of symbolizes purity and cleanliness a sort of antitheses to darkness and sickness. (Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV), Samuel Rutherford said, My shallow and ebb thoughts are not the compass Christ saileth by. He is faithful, He will lift you out of the mire you find yourself in and set your life upon solid footing for eternity. The poem became famous and was the source of much of Thompson's posthumous reputation. He cares more about comforting them and keeping them from harm than saving His own skin. [31]When the Jews who were with her in the house, consoling her, saw Mary rise quickly and go out, they followed her, supposing that she was going to the tomb to weep there. Brethren, in heaven we shall dive into the deepest depths of fellowship with Jesus . The purpose is so that his prayer and plan might come to pass for us. She was so confident in the power and Lordship of Jesus Christ that she announced confidently that if He had been there Lazarus wouldnt have died. Hound of Heaven by Francis Thompson | Goodreads It is so bold, so new, so fearless. Today let us remember the beautiful thing about the gospel Jesus does all the work. If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. And from them I will send survivors to the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, who draw the bow, to Tubal and Javan, to the coastlands far away, that have not heard my fame or seen my glory. 11:1-2 Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. The bread and the word are one in the same, the Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 1:24-25, ESV). He could have said to Himself I am really dying for this? but He did not. A Sermon Published On Thursday, September 24, 1914. That one so young, so sheltered, trained from his babyhood in the ways of God, could have felt so much and have had such exercises of soul may seem impossible, his own account of his darkness and despair may appear exaggerated; but those who are versed in the ways of God will understand. And yet here it seems as though Jesus is saying that He has died for the entire world, and that all we need to do is believe. Jesus has now achieved a great victory over Satan, sin, and deathThe Amil says that Satan no longer deceives the nations (20:3) as he did before the coming of Christ. Douglass Kelly says, The exercise of this heavenly authority over all lesser powers is the main thing that is happening in this age between the two comings of the Lord; which, as we shall seek to demonstrate, is the prime meaning of the millennium. 3:16 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 may perhaps be the most famous Bible verse in the world. The shepherd goes to great lengths to rescue the lost sheep. YOU WILL NEVER DIE. I find this extremely important when figuring out questions of interpretation. What resulted from this was a rather lengthy exposition of the chapter, but some refreshed notes which Ive posted below. Without the eyes of Christ you are driving 80 mph through dense fog all the while hoping for the best and yet still surprised when you hit a pole. The great signs (of which this is the 7th and final in Johns gospel) of this book point to the character of Jesus Christ and His true identity as the Son of God. Because the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light., Judgment in this case is the obvious result of exposure. Section 1: vs. 1-16 The Plans of God for the Glory of Christ, Section 2: vs. 17-27 Abramatic Faith & Ego Eimi, Section 3: vs. 28-44 The Sovereign Power of the Son of God, Section 4: vs. 45-57 Heart of Darkness: The Power of Unbelief, Section 1 The Plans of God for the Glory of Christ. The love she has for Jesus, and the painful reality of her loss are intersecting in a mass of emotion that simply cannot be held back. However, I think that this emphasis on the future nature of Christs kingdom does injustice to His victory at Calvary, and does not fully comprehend the fullness of Christs current reign. Why is it that Christ Jesus is so little beloved? (John 14:6, ESV), He said to them, You are from below; I am from above. 1110. Look at how the author of Hebrews describes the faith of Abraham: By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, [18]of whom it was said, Through Isaac shall your offspring be named. [19]He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back. 3:18), It is written in the Prophets, And they will all be taught by God. Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me (John 6:44-45), ***Jesus connects knowing God soteriologically and says its the results of His Spirits work within us, When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. Jesus, in effect, was showing them that they didnt understand Him because they didnt understand the nature of the person of the messiah and his mission. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? Wesley's Journal, Vol. 1087-1088. More likely still, they would not have removed them at all, since it would have been easier to transport the body it if were still wrapped. [3] He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. So waiting four days to raise Lazarus from the dead would have crushed their superstitions. This is why we study the character of God. Our King has come and has inaugurated the kingdom of God. And that group includes me. He brings us out of darkness into His marvelous light by His sovereign initiating love. Lastly this verse teaches us how people are saved: by believing in the Son of God. [30] Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, [31] he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. Now given what we know of these two principles, we know that God is both reigning supreme over all, but also dynamically working in and through His creation to bring about His purposes. Previously I was very skeptical about reading poetry (and admittedly didnt find them all that exciting!) It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. But Jesus doesnt accept this, does He? The fish were not counted until the shore had been reached, in order to teach us that the exact number of the elect remains unknown until they have reached the shore of heaven. Sproul at this point at length: Many professing evangelicals today believe the kingdom of God is strictly in the future, although there is no biblical foundation for that. He learned more of the things that matter in those years than most men learn in a lifetime. His bondage is self inflicted in more ways than one. In 1883, Charles Spurgeon was sitting on a bench in Menton, France, when a pale, emaciated woman sat down beside him. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. This is a clear example of Christ calling us from the dead, and the irresistible nature of that call. The Pursuit of God the Hound of Heaven - Jul 13, 2016 | Sharing Bread The truth is that unless God does a supernatural work in your heart you will always be dead in your sin and will always rebel against God. Bread . While Im not sure if Spurgeon was aware of and influenced by this poem, its hard not to see the parallels! Most folks who are of the post-mil persuasion also believe that the millennium period of 1,000 years is NOW just like the Amils believe. There they shall lie down in good grazing land, and on rich pasture they shall feed on the mountains of Israel. Its been awhile since I read another poem so I was eager to read The Hound of Heaven. Whose son is he? They said to him, The son of David. [43] He said to them, How is it then that David, in the Spirit, calls him Lord, saying, [44] The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet? Jesus performs an amazing miracle, and the reaction is quite mixed. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his names sake. But never think that imagination can picture heaven. And having spent time on this already, I will not review all that was said, except to remind you that in that prayer Jesus explicitly prayed for His disciples, and not for the world. He makes special mention of those who He came to save, and makes intercession on their behalf. Heres how he responds: And the angel answered him, I am Gabriel. For example: Jesus said to him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life. He saves us for Himself, by Himself, from Himself. In our own lives this means that we need to emulate Christ. Our very salvation is like this, for we are saved NOW, yet we have not yet fully realized that salvation. It was out of love that He was sent to earth in the first place (Eph. The God of the Bible is not a stoic. It is easy to fall into a legalistic mindset, so much so that you are unwilling to have a beer with a colleague after work. When Jesus returns it will not be to establish a kingdom, but rather to consummate a kingdom which has been established from before the foundation of the world, and which He reigns over at this very moment. As the hound follows the hare, never ceasing in its running, ever drawing nearer in the chase, with unhurried and unperturbed pace, so does God follow the fleeing soul by His divine grace. Peter understood that He was being tasked with the spiritual nutrition of the church. Is Jesus reign something future, or is it now and to be seen with our eyes in the future? Paul says this in Romans 10: because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Death and sickness and tragedy will come we are promised they will come. [16]Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. In this culture hospitality was a very important part of the social order, and who you ate with was just as important. They obviously dont know which one He is. Along with the exhortation, the author delivers an indicative statement about the character of God. Our need is now obvious. But his willingness to join Jesus was a matter of accepting the inevitable, clearly without understanding anything of the joy of which Jesus had spoken, to say nothing of being able to share in it.. Both men were elevated to the highest positions in the land due to their faith. I cannot believe that at this point, for these men, there was much doubt as to the veracity of the miracle(s); the issue was what to do about it. With these conjectures I leave the passage. That is another sermon altogether! For it is God alone working in the hearts of men, who melts those hearts, who changes those spots, who does a supernatural, miraculous work in our lives in order for us to see the majesty and great value of Christ. Why didnt they understand what was going on with the Lord? When it is most sublime when it is freest from the dust of earth, when it is carried up by he greatest knowledge, and kept steady by the most extreme caution, imagination cannot picture heaven. God has showed both common grace to all of mankind in that Hes allowed a way of salvation at all, and a more specific and particular saving grace to those whom He chose to save before He made the world. This Scripture John is referring to comes from the lips of David: Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. [11] But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. John Frame notes that some older literature reveals that there are a few Post-mills who have said that is a part of this time now, but more will reside in the future. Spurgeon early learned to know both. Paul reminds us that: For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth. So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills. Paul understands that the resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth is the lynchpin of our faith: And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. But this is not that spiritual Kingdom of which we read here, but rather that earthly literal Kingdom which comes at the culmination of human history.[ii]. In the final verse we find that those who do right are okay coming into the light. Only the Holy Spirit can effect that change in a mans heart. There will be no universal peace before the second advent of the Prince of peace. 21:1, Ps. The other nations were deceived by Satan into worship idols. Where did it go? Mostly, though Thomas might be brave and we can admire that in him he is also following as a rule. Im not saying that the Postmillennial view is perfect, but their mindset on the nature of the kingdom certainly seems to make more sense and align more Biblically to me. May his words bring you the comfort they brought me: If God had willed it, each of us might have entered heaven at the moment of conversion. [5]No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham, for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations. They were actually illegal trials meant to ram through a decision based upon fear and hatred of Jesus. In fact, they just left and went back to their homes leaving Mary at the tomb with her sorrow. The structure is exposed to the elements until the rest of the house can be built upon it. Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. [14]Then Jesus told them plainly, Lazarus has died, [15]and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. He has been given all power by the Father to execute His life-saving mission here on earth (see chapter 5). [3] And this we will do if God permits. [9] When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. Tax collectors were traitors to their own people, collecting money from fellow Israelites on behalf of the Romans. [vii] This quote from Schreiner is from his New Testament Biblical Theology, Page 512. By nature the hearts of all people are dull and insensitive to the things of God, nor are people genuinely interesting in hearing and seeing what God has to say to them (Matt. What is the connection here between us becoming like Him and us beholding Him? Carson weighs four major opinions on the matter and comes to the conclusion that the best way to understand this is through the prism of what is going on in each situation with each individual. Behold 153. God doesnt not discriminate based on sex, age, race, and ethnicity. J.C. Ryle gets at an important point that I hadnt thought of right away, namely that the world mocks at repentance. The specific meaning, therefore, of, are there not twelve hours in the day is to remind them that the fullness of the days work (His ministry) had not yet faded. But as Caiaphas gets their attention, he continues on with an idea that is devious and characteristic of his political acumen (he lasted 18 years as high priest which was quite a feet during that time was deposed at the same time as Pontius Pilate in AD 36). [16] For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. Therefore it is not a mental, or intellectual issue hes dealing with, nor is it a communication problem with what the author is saying to them, rather it is a problem of the heart. But needless to say that the God whose hand was in the suffering and death of His Son is also in your life not just to make you appreciate the good times, but to fashion you after His Son in order that you might have true joy both now and forever in heaven. I hid from him, and under running laughter. I like to think of myself as a patient man except, of course, when the kids or the co-workers, or someone (anyone) else has really pressed my nerves or my buttons repeatedly. God doesnt do anything that is a waste of his time so to speak. J.C. Ryle has examined this passage and, surveying all the commentators up till his time, has provided some thoughts on the possible broader allegorical meaning of the matter. Then Jesus came announcing the presence of the kingdom. [28] You have made known to me the paths of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence. [29] Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Surely His love looks greater and greater the more we look at Peter and our own souls. I FLED Him, down the nights and down the days; I fled Him, down the arches of the years; I fled Him, down the labyrinthine ways. Sproul was speaking of earlier when he said that Christs kingdom was inaugurated but not yet consummated. There are some promises, and some realities that are presently being realized in the church age, yet will not come to their full glory until Christ returns. Through each parable we see the heart of Christ for the lost, the sinful, the wayward He sees them as valuable beyond measure. It is therefore comforting and of no small importance that upon His victory the Lord refers to His disciples as those who will participate in the rewards of His triumph. And indeed Peter understood this. For those of us who are children of God, saved from the wrath of the Father because of the work of Christ on the cross, we must not miss the importance of this text. [2] Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh, stir up your might and come to save us! Here He is speaking of the disciples. The work of the Church will be completed, and the reckoning of results will take place. And where we spend our time and money is an accurate reflection of where our affections truly lie. "I must confess," he says, "that I never would have been saved if I could have helped it. [36]So the Jews said, See how he loved him! [37]But some of them said, Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man also have kept this man from dying?. This is not to say that we dont cherish the foundation, of course. Imagine a home where the builders laid the foundation, got the plumbing and electrical set in, built the cement blocks structure and decided to take a breakfor a few years! Certainly Vos is certainly correct: This is a moment upon which earths history hinged, and it is a vital moment for those of faith as well.