Tag: christianity

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

~ 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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Paul Sails for Rome Acts chapter 27:1-44

~ Robert Spiller ~ Leave a comment

Pause for thought

When Paul the prisoner takes charge. We must all sink or swim together! This was what in effect Paul told the ships company. Paul was an Apostle and extremely practical, He knew that hungry men are weak men, and weak men would be unable to swim ashore when the time came to evacuate the ship. Paul was brave and full of confidence in his Lord. Paul’s steadfast trust must of encouraged the others who were in turmoil to take and eat the food he had asked the Lord to bless 27:36.

Paul was shipwrecked three times including a day and a half in the open sea 2 Corinthians 11:25. Unlike Paul we may not of been literally shipwrecked, but we all experience the storms of life and at the time a few of these storms can be very scary. However like Paul, the Lord is able to bring us through these storms, but at times the storms can seem so large we can forget to ask! So if you’re in a storm now you know what you must do? ask the Lord for added strength! In addition to many hardships Paul didn’t let the trials he faced “shipwreck his soul” this doesn’t mean he always took things in his stride, but he was able to stand firm because he believed God’s promises. Paul told those on board the stricken ship “I believe it will be just as He said”.

What does a shipwrecked soul look like? Answer, A person who abandons Bible truths and morals in favour of that which is false, will meet with catastrophe (shipwreck) 1 Timothy 1:19.

A verse to remember

So take courage? For I believe God. It will be just as He said. Acts 27:25 N.L.T.

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Words of Truth and Reason. Acts 26:24-32

~ Robert Spiller ~ Leave a comment

Pause for thought

The Gospel is completely rational, but to its detractors it seems irrational! The message of the Cross is foolishness to this world but to those having believed it is the power of God unto salvation I Corinthians 1:18-25, Acts 26:25.

Paul was given the ability to relate to diverse groups and cultures enabling him to share the gospel with them. However when doing so he never deviated from its message which had been given him directly by God 26:16 what he preached had been spoken beforehand by God’s prophets 26:22.

Governor Festus reacted loudly to Paul’s claim that Christ was alive! many today react in a similar way. But like Paul, rather than pacifying them by watering down the Gospel, which incidentally is no gospel at all! We must stick to the truth if we want to save ourselves and our hearers also 25:26 and 1 Timothy 4:16.

A verse to remember

But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus, but speak the words of truth and reason. Acts 26:25 N.K.J.V.

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Paul’s Early Life, Conversion, and Life Purpose. Acts 26:1-23.

~ Robert Spiller ~ Leave a comment

Pause for thought

Paul started his defence by complimenting King Agrippa on his understanding of Jewish customs. Then as Paul continued to speak, his listeners quietly listened to his story. Beginning with his education in Jerusalem, Paul points out that despite his accusers denials, they had first hand knowledge that Paul was born into an important Jewish family, and had himself been an important member of the Pharisees, and was previously well known as a persecutor of Christians 26:5.

A great Light, brighter than the Sun! (Hebrews 1:3) everyone of Paul’s company fell to the ground, I believe this was probably the Shekinah Glory, Mathew 17:2 . Paul thought he was standing up for his religion by persecuting Christian’s, instead he discovered he was persecuting Jesus. Jesus said these things to Paul, but it’s a lesson we all need to remember 26:14-15.

Paul reminded his audience of the commission he received from the Lord, to take the good news to both Jews and Gentile alike, and a promise of God to protect him from both his own people and the Gentiles. I think it’s wonderful and so amazing that Paul was shown his purpose, at the same time as he was converted from Judaism to faith in Christ! 26:16.

God has a plan and purpose for every Christian, we are saved for good works 26:20. If you’re still not sure of your Life Purpose just ask! 26:16.

Memory verse

“to open their eyes so they may turn from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God. Then they will receive forgiveness for their sins and be given a place amount Gods people, who are set apart by faith in me.” Acts 26: 18. N.L.T.

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100% Pure a story of Gods Grace.(part three)

~ Robert Spiller ~ Leave a comment

Pause for thought

Some may be wondering at the title given to this series, about the amazing grace given to me. if you stick with it all is revealed in part five!
Every Christian has a glorious testimony about Gods grace, and how their lives have changed since receiving that grace. . In the words of John Newtons great hymn “it’s grace that taught my heart to fear and grace that fear relieved”

Our stories haven’t finished being written yet, so let’s all take heart, it’s easy to look at the present world situation, but let’s all look up to Jesus Christ, for the best is yet to come!

Memory verses

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God did not send his Son into the world to condemn it , but to save it. John 3:16-17. N.L.T.

There is no judgement awaiting those who trust in him. But those who do not trust him have already been judged for not believing in the only Son of God. john 3:18. N.LT.

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Paul’s Testimony Acts 22:1-21.

~ Robert Spiller ~ Leave a comment

Pause for thought

When Paul addressed the Jewish crowd in their own language they became very quiet. There were the usual trouble makers who had made a point in criticising Paul as he preached in foreign cities, now they had followed Paul to Jerusalem. They were not surprised to hear him addressing the mob in their own language they already knew full well who Paul was. Nevertheless Paul identified with the people he was addressing, 1 he was a Jew and he never forgot it, 2 Although he was born in Tarsus he was educated in Jerusalem by the great Jewish teacher Gamaliel in the strictness of Jewish Law. 3 He was not only a persecutor of Christians he pursued them to death.

Up to this point Paul had shown the crowd that he was entirely like them. Now he stresses his differences with the crowd, 1 Paul proclaimed that Jesus Christ was God and the saviour of all men, they did not believe Jesus to be God or that any other nation could experience salvation. 2 Paul was called to evangelise the Gentiles, they wanted to keep God to themselves 22:21

Like Paul we identify with those who live in this world, but there the difference ends, Christ has redeemed and called us for a special task to spread the good news of Gods love to anyone who will listen.

Memory verse

You are to take His message everywhere, telling the whole world what you have seen and heard Acts 22:15 N.L.B.

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Be Open Minded But Don’t Be Gullible Acts 13:1-15

~ Robert Spiller ~ Leave a comment

Pause for thought

Central to Paul’s message was the suffering of Christ for our sins, I remind myself that Jesus had to suffer physical and mental pain including being forsaken by God His father. The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ was the message preached by Paul and Silas. As he wrote in his letter to the Corinthians For I decided to concentrate only onJesus Christ and His death on the Cross 1 Corinthians 2:2.

The message of Jesus death for our sins sounds foolish to those who don’t believe. But we know that death is not the end of the road, because Jesus did not remain dead, His resurrection showed His power over death and the grave for all who put their trust in Him as their saviour 17:3

The people of Berea were open minded, this can become harder with age! I truly believe that God has fresh things for us as we listen to the Holy Spirit. Always search the scriptures comparing what is being preached with what the Bible says. A truly Spirit filled message will never contradict the scriptures 17:11

Memory verse

The people of Berea were more open minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the scriptures day after day to check up on Paul and Silas, to see if they were really teaching the truth. Acts 17:11. N.L.T.

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Don’t Play It Safe, Paul Didn’t! Acts 13:1-14.

~ Robert Spiller ~ Leave a comment

Pause for thought

This was the starting point of Paul’s first missionary journey. This was no spur of the moment decision, I believe it had always been Gods plan. The church leaders were seeking the Lord in fasting and worship, when the Lord spoke through one of the prophets that Barnabas and Paul should be sent out. (were these two already sensing the call?) It’s noteworthy that they continued in fasting and prayer before laying hands on them and sending them out. Verse 4 makes it very clear that the call and commissioning and sending forth was the work of the Holy Spirit.

It was at this time that Paul became known as and called Paul. His Hebrew name was Saul but his Roman name was Paul. As the Apostle to the gentiles was this a further reason he chose to use his gentile name?

It’s worth noting that for Barnabas, Cyprus was home territory 13:4. After leaving Salamis they went from town to town preaching the gospel, little did they know what lay ahead at Paphos 13:6! It was not an easy place Paphos was a centre for the worship of Venus, the goddess of love, and was a byword for lustful immortality. Paul led by the Spirit never chose the easy way. The Proconsul of the Island was Sergius Paulus a man who wished to hear the gospel, it seems the Holy Spirit was drawing him and causing him to be open to the gospel. Whenever men turn and receive the gospel, opposing demonic forces will try to stop the work one way or another. Paul did not retreat! Full of the Holy Spirit he looked the sorcerer in the eye ( looked the demon in the eye) and taking authority and naming the works of the devil in the sorcerers life, bound him in physical darkness for a time so that he became dependent on others to lead him. By experiencing physical blindness Paul revealed to the sorcerer first hand how dark were his works and how misled by the devil he was, that he now needed someone to lead him by the hand, We don’t know what the outcome was but hope he repented? That is a possibility as Paul bound him in physical darkness for a limited time 13:11.

Paul remembered his commission was by the Holy Spirit. Which was why he was so bold. He relied totally upon the Holy Spirit to lead him and knew that if that was where God wanted him and who it was he was to lead to repentance and faith in Christ, nothing was going to stop him. The result the Proconsul believed the gospel and as astonished at the power of God13:12

Something to think about

Don’t play it safe Paul didn’t !

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The Heart Of The Gospel Acts 10:34-48.

~ Robert Spiller ~ Leave a comment

Pause for thought

God made it clear to Peter and through Peter to us that the Gospel, the good news about Jesus Christ is for everyone! There is no barrier outside of ourselves that can stop us hearing or telling others about Jesus 10:34-35.

Peter preaches the gospel as recorded in verses 34-43 it is a concise statement of all that Jesus did starting at His baptism and anointing with the Holy Spirit. He showed His Father was a good God who loves people by healing many and delivering them from the devil’s oppression. He was taken and crucified showing what man’s sin can do. He rose again to life, showing that Gods power can not be defeated. Peter witnessed to the truth of what he was telling to those assembled, he was a witness to the truth of all these events. The result of all this is the redemption of everyone who believe and forgiveness of sins through the name of Jesus.

I love it ! The Spirit fell upon all who heard Peters message, this description of the Holy Spirits interaction with these new believers is so similar to the parable Jesus told and how the Father of the prodigal showed his heart of love to his returning son by falling upon his son in love 10: 44 ,Luke 15:20.

Just as the Jewish believers had received the gift of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, now the Jewish believers who had accompanied Peter to Caesarea witnessed the Holy Spirit falling upon these gentile believers in an identical way, for they. heard them speak with tongues and magnify God in the same way as they had. The filling of the Holy Spirit is the same for these gentile Christians here in Caesarea, as it had been in in Jerusalem for the Jewish Christian’s 10: 44-48

Please note believers baptism immediately followed conversion as was always the case in Acts, a very good example that we should strive to follow. Peter was asked to stay for a few days no doubt he did some teaching but this was not to prepare these converts for baptism, that first step in discipleship was behind them!

A verse to remember

He is the one all the prophets testified about, saying that everyone who believes in him will have their sins forgiven through his name. Acts 10:43 N.L.B.

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Saul, Full of the Holy Spirit, hits the road running! Acts 9: 20-31.

~ Robert Spiller ~ Leave a comment

Pause for thought

Saul immediately began preaching about Jesus in the Synagogue, he didn’t wait before telling others about Jesus, nor should we!

Saul’s message was clear “Jesus is the son of God” he preached in the very Synagogue’s that the letters from the high priest were to be delivered, empowering Saul to arrest the Christians in Damascus., Saul was certainly expected by those in the Synagogue, but they were not expecting to hear what he was saying!

The more Saul preached, the more powerful his preaching became. Some suggest this was because Saul was well versed in the scriptures, but this is only partially true. The Holy Spirit the author of the scriptures had opened Saul’s eyes and heart ( revelation ) to the scriptures that all spoke of the coming Messiah, revealed as Jesus of Nazareth. Saul was a very strong character, however his strength now came from the indwelling Holy Spirit, despite his strong personality Saul always did as God directed, “ my gracious favour is all you need. My power works best in your weakness”. Saul was to write “for when I am weak ,then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:9-10.

A verse to remember

The Church then had peace throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria, and it grew in strength and numbers. The believers were walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit. Acts 9:31 N.L.T.

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