Convert or Disciple? Matthew 28:18-20

19th Jun 2025 ~ Robert Spiller ~ Leave a comment

Pause for thought

A disciple is “ One who learns from another” in the secular Greek world ‘mathetes’ was used to describe an apprentice to a tradesman. A disciple was expected to imitate their teacher. This is what Paul meant when he said “ you are to imitate me, as I imitate Christ.” 1 Corinthians 11:1.

How many times have you heard it said “ we are not told to go and make converts, we are told to go and make disciples” Some Christians have a better start in their new life in Christ than others, We thank God for those who discipled us and continue to do so, who encouraged us to read our bibles, pray, seek Christian fellowship and to go on being filled with the Holy Spirit every day. We have heard sermons about how Christ helps break bad habit patterns, but perhaps not so many about how to create good spiritual habit patterns.

The first few weeks are crucial for new Christians, they have been regenerated by and received the Holy Spirit, and this is when they need the encouragement, and example, of their fellow disciples of Jesus. It’s often noted that at some well known evangelistic events many who came forward to receive Christ quickly fall away? no doubt some were never born again, but I often wonder what happened to the others? I think Jesus tells us in the parable of the sower Matthew 13:3.

Every Christian is called to be a disciple of Jesus and this means they will follow Jesus and put the claims of Jesus first in their lives, regardless of the cost to themselves. So a Christian disciple is a person who is determined to follow Jesus Christ, with the desire to learn from Him and live according to His example. (Bob Gordon)

Disciples are to go and make disciples, this is not optional for Christians but the command of Jesus. Paul was a good example of a new Christian obeying the command to go! Acts 9:20.

A verse to remember

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 28:20 N.L.T.

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Time for a fresh infilling with the Holy Spirit? Acts 2:38.

8th Jun 2025 ~ Robert Spiller ~ 3 Comments

Pause for thought

After His baptism in the Jordan river by His cousin John, the Spirit descended upon Jesus in the form of a dove, then God the Father spoke from heaven saying, “this is my beloved Son, and I Am fully pleased with Him”. Jesus said in John 5:19 that He only did what He saw His Father doing! Jesus always worked in cooperation with His Father and the Holy Spirit. Jesus ministry on Earth was a partnership with the other members of the Holy Trinity. After His baptism he was led forth by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After which, Jesus went forth in the power of the Spirit.

If this was so with Jesus how much more important for you and me? I believe the Bible teaches that God has a plan and purpose for every Christian and therefore every local congregation. This depends on our relationship with the Holy Spirit, it started when we confessed our sins and believed in Jesus as our saviour, at that point the Holy Spirit came and made His home in us, it is because of His indwelling that we became “new creatures in Christ” and it is the Holy Spirit who baptised “incorporated” us into the body of Christ 1 Corinthians 12:13.

The Holy Spirit has always been around, in the Old Testament the Spirit descended on individuals equipping and filling them but not remaining on them continuously. Jesus has promised us that the Spirit would come to stay dwelling with us forever. On the day of Pentecost, Peter reminded the crowds of Gods promise through Joel the prophet, God had promised to pour out My Spirit on all flesh. Pentecost at Jerusalem was the beginning, I love Peter’s statement “This promise is to you and your children, even the Gentiles, all who have been called by the Lord our God” Acts 2:39.

Every Christian needs their own Pentecost, we all need to experience the Baptism with the Holy Spirit and with fire, and to “ go on being filled” Many have sung this today. O God of burning cleansing flame send the fire, look down and see this waiting host and send the promised Holy Ghost, we need another Pentecost, send the fire today! May our hearts truly reflect what our mouths recite.

Some verses to remember

The name of Jesus has healed this man- and you know how lame he was before, Faith in Jesus name has caused this healing before your very eyes Acts 3:16.

After this prayer, the building where they we’re meeting shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they preached God’s message with boldness Acts 4:31
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The power of the Lord was upon them, and large numbers of the Gentiles believed and turned to the Lord Acts 11:21

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Whose Church is it Anyway? Matthew 16:13-20

28th May 2025 ~ Robert Spiller ~ Leave a comment

Pause for thought

Peter answered Jesus, You are the Christ the Son of the Living God. Jesus answered, you are blessed indeed, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being. You are Peter, and upon this rock, I will build My Church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.

Everything that can be shaken will be shaken Hebrews 12:26-29 I believe we are living in that period of history, where everything is being shaken, that is except the only unshakeable thing The Lord’s Church which is unconquerable Matthew 16:17-19.

Jesus clearly tells us that He is the builder and the Head of His church. Pastors in particular can come under great pressure to add something to the glorious Church of God. This is where some methods and concepts can be introduced that are not necessarily the Church that Jesus Christ said He would build. We all must test everything and God deliver us from good ideas that masquerade as God ideas.

Jesus His session.

Appearing in the presence of His Father on our behalf Hebrews 6:20;9:24.

Sitting at the Fathers right hand as King-Priest. This is not a period of idleness, Jesus is our Mediator, intercessor, and Advocate Revelation 12:10-11.

Building His church by bringing conviction, repentance and faith to men by the power of the Holy Spirit Acts 5: 31; 11:18; 2 Timothy 2:25.

Directing the affairs of His Church, Ephesians 1:22, Colossians 1:15-19;2:9-10; Revelation 1-2-3.

Bestowing gifts and ministries upon His church individually and corporately 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, 28-30; Ephesians 4:8-10; Romans 12:1-6.

A verse to remember

And God has put all things under the authority of Christ, and He gave Him authority for the benefit of the church. Ephesians 1:22 N.L.T.

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The Body and Blood of Jesus in Heaven. Hebrews 10

19th May 2025 ~ Robert Spiller ~ Leave a comment

Pause for thought

The Body and the Blood of Jesus in Heaven

Jesus Blood and body did not perish or see corruption at Calvary, they are in Heaven for us as the eternal evidence of our salvation. They have been accepted by the Father as the basis of Christ’s session Hebrews 10:11-14.

His Body

Jesus body in heaven is the result of his miraculous incarnation. It is His virgin born body, prepared by the Holy Spirit in the womb of the Virgin Mary Hebrews 10:5-8, Luke 1:30-33.

His body in heaven is the surety of our entrance to heaven Hebrews 7:22.

His body in heaven is the guarantee that the bodies of the saints will be raised and glorified. His body is the first of all those who will also be resurrected 1 Corinthians 15:51-57, Philippians 3:21.

His blood

The blood of Christ is the most precious thing, and the only cleansing agent from sin in the universe 1 Peter 1:18-20. It is the blood of God Acts 20:28, it speaks to God on our behalf Hebrews 12:22-24 All true believers have faith in the blood of Jesus Romans 2:23-25.

Much of the above taken from the Foundations of Christian Doctrine by Kevin J Conner.

A verse to remember

Not with the blood of goats and calves , but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all having obtained eternal redemption. Hebrews 9:12 N.K.J.V.

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Jesus Ascends to Heaven Acts 1:1-14.

7th May 2025 ~ Robert Spiller ~ Leave a comment

Pause for thought

The way Jesus ascended
Jesus was taken up into heaven in broad daylight, for his disciples to witness, forty days after His resurrection. Jesus ascended into heaven in his glorified human body. Jesus was taken up in a cloud, and attended by Angels. Acts 1:9

Why Jesus ascended.
To fulfil the Scriptures, and to complete the work of redemption. To be glorified and receive the seal of His Fathers approval. To send the Holy Spirit John 7:39

Jesus now lives to make intercession for us. Jesus has taken humanity back to heaven, he understands our weaknesses Hebrews 2:18

Verse to remember

This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven , will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven. Acts 1: 11b N.K.J.V.

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Two End Time Parables, and the judgement of the Nations. Matthew 25.

26th Apr 2025 ~ Robert Spiller ~ Leave a comment

Pause for thought

When trying to understand the meaning of parables we should avoid allegorising, or by over symbolising every detail. Parables are best understood by looking at them in their entirety, don’t read more into the words of Jesus than the simple truth the parable conveys.

Parable of the wise and foolish virgins 25 : 1-13 When Jesus returns to take His people to heaven, will we all be ready? Preparation can’t be borrowed at the last moment! Our faith in Jesus must be our own, and we should be waiting in expectancy!

Parable of the talents 25 : 14-30 Jesus is coming soon! This should spur us on to serve God by making the most of the gifts, time, talents, and money He has given us. Let’s make sure we are about the Lords work utilising our God given gifts when Jesus comes again. Not thinking only of our own selves like the man who buried his talent out of fear, this gave his game away, he didn’t understand the grace and love of God.

The Judgement of the Nations 25 : 31-46 The Sheep and Goats represent individual believers and non believing citizens of the nations of this World. Who are the brothers and sisters of Jesus? Some suggestions include the A Jews, B Christians , C suffering people worldwide? As true believers loving others and helping the needy should be the natural outworking of the love of Christ within us, please read Luke 10 : 29-37. There are also differences of opinion about the meaning of the Judgement of the sheep and goats Nations. 1 These are goat nations who have persecuted Israel and sheep nations who have blessed Israel. 2 That this judgement is in addition to the great white throne judgement. 3 That Jesus is describing the great white throne judgement Rev 20 : 11-15

A verse to remember

The Master said, Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount , so now I will give you many responsibilities, Let’s celebrate together!” Matthew 25 : 23 N.L.T.

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Heaven And Earth Will Pass Away, But My Words Will By No Means Pass Away. Matthew 24:29-51.

19th Apr 2025 ~ Robert Spiller ~ Leave a comment

Pause for thought

To keep from being deceived by false christ’s we need to understand that Jesus Christs return will be unmistakable Mark 13:26, and obvious to everyone Matthew 24:27.

There are many genuinely held views, most of which seem quite valid! But we must not forget that what we think will not change what God has planned to happen.

Hear what the Bible says

It will be according to Gods timetable 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3.

It will be sudden yet need not be unexpected 1 Thessalonians 5:1-7.

Yet a day of disaster for the unprepared 1 Thessalonians 5:3.

A Day of Salvation 1 Thessalonians 5:9.

A day of comfort 1 Corinthians 15:20-26.

A noisy affair 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 and 1 Corinthians 15:51-52.

A Joyous reunion! when we Christians all receive new bodies like Christ’s for we shall all be changed inthe blink of an eye 1 Corinthians 15:51-52.

A verse to remember

So be prepared, because you don’t know what day your Lord is coming. N.L.T.

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The Signs of the Times and the End of the Age. Matthew chapter 24:1-31

12th Apr 2025 ~ Robert Spiller ~ Leave a comment

Pause For Thought

When is Jesus coming again? we are not to know Matthew 24:36, Acts 1:6-7.

How and where will He come ? Matthew 24:30, Acts 1:9, Zechariah 14:4.

Signs pointing to Jesus coming. Matthew 24:4-14 many deceivers coming in the name of the Lord claiming to be Christ. Reports of wars and rumours of wars , earthquakes, famines and troubles. The Gospel will be preached to the whole world.

Warnings from Bible history days of Noah. Matthew 24:37-39, days of Lot, Luke 17:28-30

A verse To Remember

See I have told you beforehand. Mathew 24:25 N.K.J.V.

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Paul’s Ministry in Rome Acts 28:11-31

29th Jan 2025 ~ Robert Spiller ~ 2 Comments

Pause for thought

Although the Christian delegation from Rome who met Paul at Appii Forum did not know Paul personally they had come to know about this man of God through his reputation and teaching, they would of probably of listened as the Letter of Romans was read to them in their congregations. ( Romans was written before Paul’s visit)

Paul and his companions may of been a bit apprehensive now they were nearing Rome. But how like God to put the idea in the minds of the Roman Christian’s to meet Paul at Appii Forum and escort Paul and the others to Rome 28:15

Paul lived under house arrest in his own accommodation, while thus imprisoned it did not stop him writing letters to the Philippians, Ephesians, Colossians and Philemon. He shared the gospel with any that would listen especially his guards ( I wonder how many were saved as a result of Paul’s imprisonment?) 28:16. Paul wrote to the Philippians that everything that happened to him was for the furtherance of the gospel Philippians 1:12

A verse to remember

Preaching the Kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him. Acts 28:31 N.K.J.

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Bible Truth with Robert Spiller is taking a short break and God willing will recommence later in the spring.

Paul Continues To Minister To Others. Acts 28: 1-10.

21st Jan 2025 ~ Robert Spiller ~ Leave a comment

Pause for thought

This incident on Malta was a direct fulfilment of the words of Jesus to his disciples as recorded in Mark 16:15-18. Snakes, poison or personal circumstances did not stop Paul, nor can it stop those who know their God.

Whatever the circumstance Paul was prepared to act, as a prisoner and servant he collected wood for the the fire. As a servant of Christ he continued to minister to the sick, as the Lord opened the door of opportunity. Paul was truly a man for all seasons. Paul was able to write “ imitate me as I imitate Christ” 1 Corinthians 11:1 Paul was never arrogant, but was able to write this because of his reverence for Christ.

A verse to remember

Yes the way to identify a tree or a person is by the kind of fruit that is produced. Matthew 7:20 N.L.T.

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