Category: Mining the Scriptures

Luke 3:1-6

This text of scripture reveals both the announcement of John the Baptist’s ministry, and an explanation of the prophecies concerning him.

The date is explicitly stated—the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius.

The location is clearly given—John was in the Judean wilderness, a hostile and desolate land.

The divine nature of the calling is proclaimed—“the word of God came to John.”

The message was revealed—John preached a “baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.”

The purpose of John’s ministry is given—to “prepare the way of the Lord.”

The coming of Elijah’s spirit once again, in preparation for the fulfillment of all things; John’s ministry signified that the most important events in man’s history were imminent. The significance of his ministry is seen in the final words of the text, “And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.”

Mark 1:9-13

Mark’s gospel is characterized by a concise telling of the events in Christ’s life. While not as verbose as the other gospels, Mark managed to encapsulate the grandeur of His ministry on earth.

These verses are a wonderful example. Here Mark recounts both the baptism of Jesus, and his temptation in the wilderness in just five verses.

The baptism of Jesus contains God’s witness that this was His Son. “You are my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (vs. 11).

The temptation of Jesus expresses His perfect example. “Tempted by Satan,” yet, as Peter later stated, a man “who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously” (1 Peter 2:22-23).

As such, He left us “an example, that [we] should follow His steps” (1 Peter 2:21).

Matthew 6:5-8

Before giving a model prayer for his disciples to emulate (vs. 9-13), Jesus instructed his disciples in how to pray.

He taught them to recognize the private and personal nature of prayer. Prayer is not performance, and those who treat it as such merely secure for themselves the recognition of men, not God. The Pharisees were of this ilk, and got what they wanted, the praise of men.

These performances are public, and often consist of “vain repetitions.” While such words may impress the hearers, they do not impress God, who sees the heart.

Instead, we should recognize that God knows our needs and desires. The purpose of prayer is not to inform God of those things, rather it is a means of acknowledging our dependence upon Him. We pray to God, not because He needs us to, but because he deserves our praise and thanksgiving. Pray to be seen of God, not men; and you will be rewarded.

3 John 1-4

Some of the greetings in the epistles of the New Testament are wonderful expressions of praise to the faithful. This is a grand example of such a commendation.

Gaius was an exceptional Christian. John’s words were not false flattery. These are inspired words, and Gaius here received praise from the Holy Spirit.

What was Gaius commended for? He walked in truth! Where many today put little emphasis on the truth of God, Gaius was notable because of his allegiance to it. As John said, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth” (vs. 4).

Here is the key. Gaius not only familiarized himself with God’s truth, but he walked in it. He was obedient to it. He lived his life by it. “But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does” (James 1:25).

1 John 1:1-3

In John’s introduction to his first epistle, he quickly affirms two basic facts. First, that the gospel of Christ was authentic. He states that he was an eyewitness to that which brings eternal life. He heard it, saw it, gazed upon it, and handled it.

An examination of the gospels underscores the truthfulness of this declaration. Jesus Christ was raised from the dead. The apostles not only heard of that resurrection, they saw and touched the Lord. They recognized His victory over death. Paul wrote, “…by Man also came the resurrection of the dead” (1 Cor. 15:21).

Second, that the gospel of Christ brings eternal life. He declared it to his readers that they might also “have fellowship with us.” Because it is authentic, it means Jesus truly is the Savior. He died for our sins, and was resurrected from the dead. His victory over death supplies for us the same hope!

2 Peter 1:1-4

The apostle Peter opens his second epistle by pronouncing a blessing upon those “who have obtained like precious faith with us.”

The key to this passage is the realization that all such blessings are found through Christ. The faith mentioned above is accomplished “by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ.”

In the following verses, Peter establishes that grace and peace come through a knowledge of Jesus; that the power of Christ has given us “all things that pertain to life and godliness”; and it is by Jesus that we have been given “exceedingly great and precious promises.”

The obvious conclusion is that as Christians, we are fulfilled. We have everything we need, equipped on this earth, and equipped for a future existence with God. All of this is accomplished through the power of Jesus Christ. Through Him, we escape to eternity.

Philemon 8-11

In the eighth verse of his epistle to Philemon, Paul clearly reveals the purpose of his writing. Philemon’s slave, Onesimus, had apparently ran away from Philemon. He had met Paul, and Paul had converted him to Christ (vs 10). As Paul put it, “who once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable to you and to me” (vs. 11).

While Paul had the authority to command Philemon in his treatment of the slave, he did not exercise that prerogative. Instead, he appealed to Philemon as a faithful and loving child of God.

Onesimus had broken the law in running away. His return could have been dangerous for him, but Paul was convinced that the love of Christ, present in Philemon, would moderate his response to Onesimus’ return — especially since Onesimus was now a brother in Christ.

No matter our relative positions in life, when we are Christians, we are brethren.

1 Timothy 2:1-4

Paul here exhorts Christians to pray for “all men, for kings and all who are in authority.”

The broad scope of such prayer clearly indicates the extent of the Christian’s charity. His desire is to be for the welfare of all men. As such, we are told even to “love [our] enemies” (Matthew 5:44).

The prayers are to include “supplications” (requests on behalf of another), and “intercessions” (an intervention for his benefit), as well as the giving of thanks. These are not imprecatory prayers (to invoke evil upon our enemies); rather they are petitions on their behalf and are intended to do them good.

Note also the benefit accrued to the Christian who prays, “that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.”
God desires that all men be saved, including both those in authority, and those who would benefit from their righteous rule.

1 Thessalonians 4:9-12

In this text, the apostle commended the Thessalonians for the love they exhibited in their lives, especially toward all the brethren in Macedonia.

It is interesting that their expressions of brotherly love extended beyond congregational boundaries. While our work is centered within the congregational construct, we have a brothers or sisters wherever God has children.

Though Paul was impressed with their expressions of brotherly love, he exhorted them to more lofty heights; both in the expression of that love, and in their execution of the Christian life.

They were to avoid conflict and gossip. They were to be industrious. They were to develop a good reputation, even toward those who were not Christians.

Such admonitions are important as we consider that our faith impacts every part of our lives. Only when we give each area sufficient attention can it be said that we “lack nothing” (vs. 12).

Ephesians 1:22-23

Our text is often used as a proof text showing that God does not approve of denominations and the creeds of men. The church is the body of Christ. There is only one body, and therefore the concept of denominationalism is without scriptural precedent. Jesus is head over one body, not many. Too, Christ is head, and is given all authority. As such, man made creeds are inappropriate, usurping a dominion reserved only for the Lord.

Though this application is valid, these final two verses, in context, serve as the end of a paragraph that has as its theme the exaltation of God and Christ (starting with verse 15). The power of God for our redemption works in Jesus Christ, a fact proven through our Lord’s resurrection. When God exalted His Son, He sat Him on the throne in Heaven, a place of dominion over the church and all things. In this God’s great scheme is fully accomplished.

2 Corinthians 7:8-12

The apostle’s words here give us a wonderful example of the attitude that should be present in a Christian when convicted of sin.

Paul wrote concerning the various failings of the Corinthians, documenting many in his first epistle to that church. Verse 12 seems to indicate that Paul had specifically in mind their treatment of the immoral man in 1 Corinthians 5. They had tolerated his sin rather than withdrawing their fellowship from him, as Paul had commanded them.

But, at Paul’s instruction they had repented. Godly sorrow, as they were convicted of their sin, led them to repent. Such sorrow was strong, and led to indignation (toward themselves), and zeal (to prove their repentance). As a result of this profound change of heart regarding their sin, Paul stated, “In all things you proved yourselves to be clear in this matter” (vs. 11). May we all show the same sorrow at our own transgressions.

Revelation 3:1-6

The Lord’s fifth letter to the seven churches, written to the church in Sardis, identifies a local congregation that was “dead.”

Sardis was the capital city of ancient Lydia, a province of Asia Minor. The Lord noted that the congregation there had “a name that you are alive.”

It must be noted that God does not see things the way man does (cf. Isaiah 55:8). That the church in Sardis was seen to be alive (perhaps by others, perhaps by themselves), held no sway with the Lord. He reserved his strongest condemnation for this congregation, and called them to repentance.

Note that their “works” were not “perfect before God.” God judges us by the things we do, whether good or bad (cf. 2 Cor. 5:10). He demands righteous and steadfast obedience to His will. This is a serious consideration as any congregation examines her standing before God.

Titus 2:11-15

Our text contains a wonderful explanation of grace, and what it means for man.

First, grace brings salvation. Man can not save himself, he can not earn his redemption. But, God freely gave His son to die in our stead. This is grace. Jesus paid the penalty for our sin, allowing us to be spared an eternity in hell.

Second, grace is available to all men. It is not limited only to the Jew. All men have access to the saving grace of God.

Third, grace does not excuse us from personal responsibility. The idea of cheap grace, so popular today, is false. “Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not!” (Rom. 6:1-2). Rather, Paul says that grace teaches us to deny worldly lusts, and live “soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age.”

Finally, as recipients of grace, we have hope as we look for the second advent of our “great God and Savior Jesus Christ.”

John 1:1-4

John’s gospel is not the only book that begins with the words, “In the beginning.” The first book of the Bible, Genesis, begins with the statement, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”

Our text reveals that God consists, at least, of the Father and the Son. Of course, the Holy Spirit is the third person in the Godhead.

Verse 14 states that the “word became flesh”, clearly showing that Jesus Christ is God, and is the Word mentioned in the first four verses as existing “In the beginning”, being “with God”, and actually being God.

The Word, God’s Son, is behind the entirety of creation. “without Him nothing was made that was made.” Because of the positions He holds as Creator and Savior, He is worthy of our worship and devotion. As John so eloquently put it, “In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.” Consider carefully the person and position of your Lord.

Matthew 10:5-15

The text consists of what is commonly called the Limited Commission, in contrast to the “Great Commission” recorded in Matthew 28:16-20. On both occasions the apostles were commanded to go and preach, but where the “Great Commission” had as its scope “all the nations,” the commission of Matthew 10 was limited to the “lost sheep of the house of Israel.”

The apostles were to preach the coming of the kingdom, and were to depend totally upon God’s provision to care for and protect them in their ministry.

Two lessons can be learned from the text. First, we can depend upon God’s providence as we live our lives as His children (vs. 9-13).

Second, those who reject the gospel of our Lord show themselves to be unworthy of salvation (vs. 14-15).

Paul and Barnabas referred to those in Israel who rejected the gospel as “judge [-ing] yourselves unworthy of everlasting life” (Acts 13:46).