Pause for thought.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever Hebrews 13:8.

Jesus Christ is fully man and fully God. He ascended into heaven in His human glorified body, He was taken up in a cloud (the shekinah glory?) In doing so He fulfilled scripture and completed the work of redemption, and received the seal of His fathers approval to send the Holy Spirit Acts 1:9-11 and John 7:39.

Jesus is our great high priest who ever lives to make intercession for us for He has carried humanity back to heaven he knows our weaknesses Hebrews 4:15.

When will Christ return? We don’t know! But we do know how and where, and that He will be the same Jesus who ascended with great glory Acts 1:11.

Matthias or Joseph? The call for an Apostle to take the place of Judas was according to scripture prophecy, Psalm 69:25, The New apostles credentials were that they had been with Jesus from the start of Christ’s ministry and a witness of the resurrection and ascension, lots were cast in faith and the decision was the Lords. Some have speculated that perhaps Paul should have been the twelfth apostle? But Paul came no where near to meeting the conditions Peter laid out before the disciples gathered in the upper room. Jesus called Paul on the Damascus road and Paul “saw” Jesus in a vision and was subsequently called by Jesus to be an Apostle to the gentiles. However the scriptures testify that Matthias was rightly chosen to replace Judas Acts 1:21-26

A 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 1:11 (b) N.K.J.

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Acts was written about A.D. 62. It’s theme the work of the Holy Spirit in the early Church. Believed to be written by Dr Luke an associate of Paul the apostle, for Theophilus a Roman official. Luke wrote his gospel and now writes an account of the acts of the early church making it clear that this is but a continuation of the work of the Lord through the power of the Holy Spirit.
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We read in Luke 4:18-19 that Jesus began to teach about the Kingdom of God through the Holy Spirits power, now he is about to give this power and responsibility to his disciples 1:1.

For many infallible proofs read 1 Corinthians 15:1-9. We have the testimony of the scriptures and the inner witness of the Holy Spirit 1:3

You shall be baptised with the Holy Spirit, every Christian receives the Spirit at conversion, but to be baptised in or with the Spirit is often seen as a work distinct from conversion. the baptism of the Holy Spirit is given to empower the church for ministry 1:8.

The Scriptures speak of three baptisms. each baptism has a candidate, a baptiser and an element.

At the moment of salvation we are Baptised into one body 1 Corinthians 12:13. The candidate is the believer, the baptiser is the Holy Spirit, the element is the church.

As soon as possible we need to get baptised, Believers baptism Acts 8:38 The candidate is the believer, the baptiser is a Pastor, the element is water.

This is the birthright of every believer, get Baptised with the Holy Spirit Acts 1: 5 The candidate is the believer, the baptiser is Jesus Christ, the element is the Holy Spirit.

A verse to remember

The former account I made O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and to teach Acts 1:1. N.K.J.

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Pause for thought

How we relate to other Christians matters, our behaviour is a witness both within and without the local church family. Paul also stresses that if we have relatives who are in need our first responsibility is to help them, it is not the responsibility of the church. A person who meets the needs of their own family is pleasing to God 5:4.

Seeking to lead your husband, wife, or children to Christ? Then Love and care with prayer accomplishes much, let your life do the preaching!

Let’s never be hasty about choosing leaders, often a good test is delay “time will tell” 5:22, 3:1-7

Everyone’s character especially those of church leaders will be revealed sooner or later by their fruit. Jesus said a healthy tree produces good fruit, and an unhealthy tree produces bad fruit Mathew 7:15-20

A verse to ponder

In the same way, everyone knows how much good some people do, but there are others whose good deeds won’t be known until later.

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Pause for thought

One of the gifts the Holy Spirit gives is “discerning of spirits” please remember there is no gift of discernment. This is a very important gift for Christians today, for this gift helps us to know if the message taught is from the The Holy Spirit, or the teachers own spirit, or from an evil spirit sent to deliver a false doctrine to the church 4:1,
1 Corinthians 12:10.

We must not build our physical muscles at the expense of our spiritual muscles. We developed our spiritual muscles as we spend time in prayer and Bible study using our God given gifts in the church 4:8.

Our lives will reflect what we give ourselves to 4:12.

Those who preach and teach have a great responsibility to watch what they teach is true, and live out what they teach. Like Timothy if we stir up and use our gifts we will not only help those who listen to us , we will find our fulfilment in Gods call.

A verse to remember

Physical exercise has some value, but spiritual exercise is much more important, for it promises a reward in both this life and the next 4:8. N.L.T.

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Pause for thought

In the first twelve verses of this chapter we are given a list of qualities every church leader should have, The requirements for a bishop or elder are similar for deacons. How a man cares for his wife and family is very important as it is a reflection of how he will care for the Church. There is a principle that those called into ministry should always try to follow, God first, spouse and family second, ministry third 3:2-5

How every Christian conducts themselves in the local church will testify to the world the validity of the truth God has revealed to us. We are the Church which is the pillar of truth to a fallen world 3:14-15

“The mystery” something once hidden and out of reach, is now revealed in the person of Jesus Christ 3:16

A verse to remember

so that if I can’t come for a while, you will know how people must conduct themselves in the household of God. This is the church of the living God, which is the pillar and support of the truth.

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Pause for thought

Paul urges us to pray not only for ourselves but for all people pleading to God for mercy and with thanksgiving. We are to include those in Government also, by the way this includes those we wouldn’t vote for! When Paul wrote this he had already suffered at the hands of those in authority, yet he was reminded as we must also remind ourselves that God desires that all men be saved coming to the Knowledge of the truth 2:1-4, James 5:16.

Although God desires that all men become Christian’s, this does not take away anyone’s freedom to choose. We reject “universalism” that is that everyone will be saved in the end as a lie of the devil.

Lifting Holy hands in worship reveals a heart of surrender to God. 2:8.

Surrender describes an action of laying aside anything that would raise itself against the object of our worship.. Paul describes some of the things that can hinder full surrender, Men. stop doubting and don’t let anger control you. Women, observe a proper sense of modesty avoiding drawing attention to oneself 2:8-10.

Chapter 2 verse 12 seems to imply that like Eve the Women of Ephesus were more likely to be deceived by the many false teachers who Paul warns about in 1:3-7, and being deceived attempt to take the leadership role away from their husbands? Paul acknowledges in other scriptures the work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of women Acts 2:17, Philippians 4:3, Romans 16:3. The prohibition most likely refers to the office of Apostolic teacher in the church, which Paul said was solely from God 1:1.

The matter of male headship is often one that can divide Christian’s! In creation Adam was made first, he was given the responsibility to rule Genesis 2:15-25, but it should be noted that while Eve was tempted by Satan to eat the forbidden fruit, it was Adam who listened to his wife and chose to sin. The result was the fall effecting all of Adams descendants who were given a life sentences of hard labour. For Eve because she believed the lie of Satan she and her female descendants would bear children in pain, ( and a desire to rule over her husband but he will rule over you) Genesis 3:16-17.There are several ways to understand 2:15 Both men and women are saved through trusting in Christ, and both men and women are blessed as they fulfil there God given roles by showing their commitment and surrender to Christ.

A verse to remember

For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and people. He is the man Christ Jesus. 1Timothy 2:5 N.L.T.

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Please pray for Sugan and Emily Govener who have been given the vision for a carol service that includes a message about the true meaning of Christmas. The Guild Hall in Axminster has been booked for Sunday December 3rd for this Christian outreach service between 3:00 -5:00 PM. A Christian band from Axminster Waffle house will be supplying the music. Please support this event through prayer, and word of mouth, bring along your friends and family saved or unsaved all are very welcome.

Paul had visited Ephesus in about A.D. 63, following his release from his first imprisonment. When he left Ephesus he appointed Timothy as Pastor. This letter was written to Timothy about A.D.64.
Pause for thought

False teaching was being sown in the church at Ephesus, and Timothy had to confront and correct it. These false teachers were teaching a mixture of law and grace. They were also spreading the legends that the Jews had added to the Old Testament, speculating about all sorts of myths and bringing erroneous teaching. This was not a problem confined to the early church, we must be on our guard against any new idea that comes on the scene that is contrary to God’s Word, for we all know how easy it is to get drawn into speculation about things that often prove to be false. Pray for wisdom! 1:4-6

Paul’s testimony is an example of Gods mercy and the abundance of Gods grace toward us who believe. Paul was not boasting about himself but pointing us again and again to Christ who had redeemed and changed him.

Paul called upon Timothy to face thes false teachers down (fight the good fight) Timothy had received prophetic words when the elders laid hands on him 4:14. The prophetic gift is alive today and like Timothy who was to encourage himself by remembering these words, so should we, and like Timothy we need reminding to stir up the gift within us. 3:20-21 The commissioning by the laying on of hands with prayer and words from the Lord by Godly people must never be underestimated 1:18

A verse to remember

Cling tightly to your faith in Christ, and always keep your conscience clear. For some people have deliberately violated their consciences ; as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked. 1 Timothy:19 N.L.T.

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Pause for thought
The Church whose members are the body of Christ only functions as God intends when we its members work together for the common good 1 Corinthians 12:20-25. independently minded Christian, and I’ve met a few who really believe that they are so free that they have no need of fellowship, and therefore are excused from helping others. True freedom is not to satisfy our own selves but to let the Holy Spirit teach us how we can serve each other in love. The Holy Spirit instructs us how in 6:1-2. See also 5:13

When we have helped another Christian to get back on track we must remain alert to temptation. We must not become proud of the good we’ve done, or be tempted to compare the outcome of our ministry, with the ministry of others. We are always thankful that the Lord has used us 6:6.

Paul’s use of the spiritual Law of sowing and reaping in Galatians 6 is about money! and it’s proper use. Its our choice we can spend it on ourselves or use it in a way that pleases the Spirit 6:7-8. It seems to be a spiritual truth that as we contribute to the wages of those who minister we will gain much more from their ministry, than if we are simply passive listeners 6:9.

Paul says he wrote in very large letters, some have suggested he was referring to an eyesight problem! I believe he was simply emphasising the importance of his message “As for me , God forbid that I should boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, because of that cross my interest in this world died long ago, and the world’s interest in me is also long dead” 6:14

Paul blessing of peace and mercy extends to all who are believers in Christ and know that they are the new creation 6:16. Please read Ephesians 2:14-18.

A verse to remember

It doesn’t make any difference now whether we have been circumcised or not. What counts is whether we have been changed into new different people. May God’s mercy and peace be upon all those who live by this principle. Galatians 6:15-16 N. L.T.

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