Doctrines of the Bible Module 2B - God’s Special Agents: Angels Lesson 4

Lesson 4 God’s Special Agents: Angels

“They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.”   (Rev 12:11)

A. What are angels?

Angels are created spiritual beings with moral judgment and high intelligence, but without physical bodies.

1. Created spiritual beings

(Neh 9:6) The host of heaven refers to angels. They were created by God.
(2 Pet 2:4) Angels have moral judgment because some of them sinned and fell from their positions.
(Mat 28:5) They are intelligent as can be seen from their speech.
(Heb 1:14) Angels are spiritual creatures and do not ordinarily have physical bodies.

2. Rank and order among angels

(Jude 9) One angel, Michael, is called an archangel, a title that indicates rule and authority over other angels.
(Rev 12:7-8) The archangel Michael is mentioned and appears to be a leader in the angelic army.

3. The power of angels

Angels apparently have very great power.
(Ps 103:20) Angels are known as mighty ones.
(Col 1:16) Angels are known as “powers” and “authorities”.

B. The place of angels in God’s purpose

1. Angels show the greatness of God’s love and plan for us.
God created two groups of intelligent, moral creatures. Among the angels, many sinned but God decided to redeem none of them. This was perfectly just for God to do, and no angel can ever complain that he has been unfairly treated by God.

Now, among the other group of moral creatures, human beings, we also find that all have sinned and turned away from God. As with the angels that sinned, God could have let all of us go on our chosen path toward eternal condemnation. Had God decide to save no one out of the entire human race, he would be perfectly just to do so, and no one could complain of unfairness on his part. But God decided to do more than merely meet the demands of justice. He decided to redeem out of sinful mankind a great multitude whom no one can number, “from every tribe and tongue and people and nation (Rev 5:9). This demonstrates his incomprehensible mercy and love and grace. The striking contrast with the fate of angels brings this truth home to us

2. Angels remind us that the unseen world is real

(2 Kings 6:17) When the Lord opened the eyes of Elisha’s servant, he saw a great angelic army.

3. Angels carry out some of God’s plans
(Like 1:11-19) An angel brings God’s message to Zechariah.
(2 Sam 24:16-17) An angel carries out God’s judgment , bringing a plague upon Israel.
(Dan 10:13) The archangel Michael wars against demonic forces.

4. Angels directly glorify God.
(Ps 103:20) Angels glorify God for who he is, for his excellence.

C. The origin of demons

Demons are evil angels who sinned against God and who now continually work evil in the world.
(2 Pet 2:4) Demons are these angels who sinned and rebelled against God.
(Is 14:12-15) Possibly referring to the fall of Satan, the prince of demons. The sin of Satan is described as one of pride and attempting to be equal to God in status and authority.

D. Satan as head of the demons

(Job 1:6) Satan (meaning adversary) is the personal name of the head of the demons.
Other names for Satan are : devil(Mat 4:1) “the serpent”(Gen 3:1) Beelzebub(Mat 10:25) “the prince of this world”(John 12:31) “the ruler of the kingdom of the air”(Eph 2:2) “the evil one”(Matt 13:19)

E. The activity of Satan and demons

1. Satan was the originator of sin
Satan sinned before any human beings did. The devil’s characteristic has been to originate sin and tempt others to sin.

2. Demons oppose and try to destroy every work of God
Just as Satan tempted Eve to sin against God(Gen 3:1-6), so he tried to get Jesus to sin as thus fail in his mission as the Messiah(Matt 4:1-11). The tactics of Satan and his demons are to use lies(John 8:44), deception(Rev 12:9), murder(John 8:44)) and every other kind of destructive activity to cause people to turn away from God and to destroy themselves. They will try to blind people to the gospel(2 Cor 4:4) and keep them in bondage to things that hinder them from coming to God(Gal 4:8).

3. Yet demons are limited by God’s control and have limited power
The story of Job makes it clear that Satan could only do what God gave him permission to do and nothing more.(Job 1:12; 2:6). Demons are kept in “eternal chains”(Jude 6) and can be successfully resisted by Christians through the authority that Christ gives them(James 4:7). Moreover the power of demons is limited and weakened because of their sin. Their power is probably less than the power of angels.

F. Jesus gives believers authority to rebuke demons and command them to leave

The work of Christ on the cross is the ultimate basis for our authority over demons (Heb 2:14; Col 2:15; Rev 12:11).
Our position as children of God is the firm spiritual position from which we engage in spiritual warfare(Gal 3:26).
1 John 4:4 affirms that “…..he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”

G. The destiny of Satan and the demons

(Rev 20:10) Satan will finally be thrown into the lake of burning sulphur to be tormented forever.
(Mat 25:41) Satan and his angels will burn in eternal fire which God has prepared for them.

Review questions

1. How many angels are there?
2. Are we higher or lower than angels in terms of our standing before God?
3. It does seem that when people go to see fortune- tellers there are instances when the fortune-teller can tell people accurate details of their lives. How is this possible?
4. Can a Christian be demon possessed?
5. What conclusion can we draw from the following verses? Luke 9:1; Luke 10:17-20

Doctrines of the Bible Module 2B - God’s Continuing Work: Providence: Creation Lesson 2 & 3

Lessons 2 & 3 God’s Continuing Work: Providence

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”   (Rom 8:28)

Providence refers to the continuing work of God in preserving his creation(preservation) and in guiding it to fulfil his plans and purposes(government).

A. Providence as Preservation

Preservation is the work of God in maintaining the existence of his creation. God protects his creation from destruction and provides for the needs of his creation.

(Col 1:17) Paul affirms that Christ holds all things together
(Heb 1:3) The writer to the Hebrews speaks of the Son “sustaining all things by his powerful word”.
(Dan 3:26-27) Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were condemned to be burned in the fiery furnace because they had refused to worship the golden image that had been set up. Yet they came out of the furnace unharmed.
(Mat 6:25-34) The disciples were concerned about necessities of life such as food and clothing. Jesus assures them that the Father will take care of their needs just as He takes care of the plants and animals in his creation. God provides for the needs of his creation.
(John 10:27-30) Jesus affirms that believers will be preserved in their faith and that no one can snatch them out of his hand and the Father’s hand.
(Rom 8:35-39) Paul emphasizes that neither physical nor spiritual dangers need to be feared because all of these circumstances will not be able to separate us from his love. God will always be with us providing for us and protecting us.
(Mat 24:15-31) Jesus spoke of great tribulation that was to come upon the elect, but would not overcome them. As believers we will not be spared from danger or trial, but we will indeed be preserved within it. There is no promise that we will not be persecuted or suffer. The promise is that they will not prevail over us.
(Phil 4:19) Paul wrote that God would supply all of our needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
(Ps 104: 5-30) This hymn of praise focuses upon God’s preserving work throughout nature. God is at work through nature to provide for the needs of his creatures.

One outstanding example of providence as preservation is the preservation of Israel as a nation from God delivering them from Egyptian oppression, providing for them in the desert wilderness, taking them to the promised land and being faithful to them in spite of their rebellion and disobedience.

B. Providence as Government

Government refers to the work of God in guiding the creation so that it fulfils his plan for it. God controls and directs nature, the animal creation and humans in order to fulfil his plans.

1. Nature (Ps 135:5-7) He has control over nature. He sends rain and wind according to his wishes
(Mat 5:45) God causes the sun to shine on both the righteous and the unrighteous and the rain to fall on them
(1 Kings 17:1) Through Elijah, God pronounces a drought over the nation of Israel because of its idolatry.
(Mark 4:39) Jesus’ power over nature was demonstrated by his calming of the storm

2. Animal creation (Ps 104:21-29) The beasts depend on God for their provisions
(1 Kings 17:4-6) God tells Elijah that he will provide for him during the coming drought. He commands the ravens to bring food to Elijah every day.

3. Human history (Is 10:5-12) The Lord uses Assyria to accomplish his purposes with Israel, and then in turn brings destruction on Assyria as well.
(Acts 17:26) God planned the exact times when nations should emerge and decline. He also planned the specific area to be occupied by each nation.

4. Individuals (1 Sam 2:6-8) Hannah declares that life and death, prosperity and adversity, are determined by the sovereign power of God.
(Gal 1:15-16) Paul asserts that even before he was born God had set him apart for his task.
(1 Cor 4:6-7) Paul urges his readers to be humble since everything they have and are has been received from God.
(Ps 31:14-15) David continued to trust in God in difficult times believing that God is totally in control to deliver him.
(Ezra 7:27) When Ezra was refurbishing the temple, King Artaxerxes of Persia provided resources out of his nation’s funds. Ezra comments that this free human decision of the king was put into his heart by God. This shows that even the free actions of humans are also within God’s sovereign control.
(Acts 2:23) Peter attributes the crucifixion of Jesus to both God and man. This shows that even the sinful actions of man are part of God’s providential working.

C. The relationship between God’s governing activity and sin

The Bible makes it quite clear that God is not the cause of sin (James 1:14, 1 John 2:16). However, there are several ways in which God can and does relate to sin.

He can:
(1) prevent sin
David prayed that God would keep him from sin(Ps 19:13).
(2) permit sin
God gave people up to sinful desires and actions (Rom 1:24, 26, 28). Note that it is people who wilfully decide to sin.
(3) direct sin
The story of Joseph illustrates how the evil act of his brothers in selling Joseph as a slave was worked out by God to accomplish good (Gen 50:20).
(4) limit sin

In the case of Job, God permitted Satan to act but limited what he could do (Job 1:12).

Conclusion

The doctrine of providence gives the believer the assurance that he or she is in the hands of a good, wise and powerful God who will accomplish his purposes in the world.

Be not dismayed whatever betide, God will take care of you;
Beneath his wings of love abide, God will take care of you

Through days of toil when heart doth fail, God will take care of you;
When dangers fierce your path assail, God will take care of you;

All you may need He will provide, God will take care of you;
Nothing you ask will be denied, God will take care of you;

No matter what may be the test, God will take care of you;

Lean, weary one, upon His breast, God will take care of you;

God will take care of you, through every day, over all the way;
He will take care of you, God will take care of you.

Review questions

1. Explain how a proper understanding of the doctrine of providence should lead a Christian to a more active prayer life.
2. How does the doctrine of providence relate to the way you think about your future? 
3. Is it proper for a Christian to believe in feng shui?
4. Is there such a thing as coincidence in life?
5. Can you name two good things that have happened to you this year ? Have you thanked God for them?

Doctrines of the Bible Module 2B - God’s Originating Work: Creation Lesson 1

Lesson 1 God’s Originating Work: Creation

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” (Gen 1:1)

A. God created the universe out of nothing

1. Biblical Evidence for Creation out of Nothing

(Gen 1:1) The phrase “the heavens and the earth “ includes the entire universe.
(Ps 33:6,9) The heavens came into existence by the word of God. God spoke and it came to be.
(John 1:3) The phrase “all things” means the entire universe.
(Col 1:16) All parts of the universe, both visible and invisible things, were created by God.
(Acts 4:24) God “made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything in them.”
(Rom 4:17) God calls things into being out of nothing by his word.
(Heb 11:3) God created the universe by his word out of nothing.

2. The Creation of the Spiritual Universe

The creation of the entire universe includes the creation of an unseen spiritual realm of existence.
(Neh 9:6) The multitudes of heaven refers to angels and other heavenly creatures.
(Col 1:16) The creation of invisible heavenly beings is explicitly affirmed.
(Rev !0:6) God created “the heavens and all that is in them.”

3. The Direct Creation of Adam and Eve

God created Adam and Eve in a direct, personal way.
(Gen 2:7) God “formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life…”.
(Gen 2:22) “Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man….”.

4. The Creation of Time

When God created the universe He also created time. Before the creation of the world, God has an existence without the passage of time. God’s eternity refers to an altogether different kind of existence from ours.
(Job 36:26) We cannot comprehend God’s timelessness
(Ps 90:2) God has existed “from everlasting to everlasting…”.
(John 8;58) “I am” expresses the eternity of his being
(Rev 1:8) God is the beginning and the end. He is timeless and eternal.

5. Creation is the work of the Triune God

God the Father spoke the creative words to bring the universe into being. God the Son, he eternal Word of God, carried out the decrees. The Holy Spirit completes and gives life to God’s creation.
(Gen 1:1) God created the “…the heavens and the earth….”.
(1 Cor 8:6) Paul is including both the Father and the Son in the act of creation
(John 1:3) It is through the Son that all things were made
(Gen 1:2) The Holy Spirit was active in creation
(Ps 104:30) The Holy Spirit is mentioned in creation

B. Creation is distinct from God yet always dependent on God

God is distinct from his creation. He is not part of it, for he has made it and rules over it. At the same time God is also very much involved in his creation, for it is continually dependent on him for its existence.
(Job 12:10) The life of every living thing, including man depends on God
(Acts 17:25,28) God “….gives all men life and breath and everything else…”.
(Heb 1:3) Christ is continually ”…..sustaining all things by his powerful word.”

C. God created the universe to show his glory

The entire creation is intended to show God’s glory.
(Is 43:7) God created his people for his glory
(Ps 19:1-2) “The heavens declare the glory of God….’. The inanimate objects of creation, the stars and sun and moon and sky testify to God’s greatness.

D. The universe God created was very good

The fact that the universe created by God is good is affirmed by God at the end of each stage of creation as recorded in Gen 1 (v. 4, 10, 12, 18, 21, 25, 31)

E. Summary of the creation account in Genesis 1

(v. 2-5) The first stage of creation: the formation of light. This must be primarily the light of the sun and the other heavenly bodies. Sunlight is generally a requirement for the development of plant life and animal life.
(v.6-8) The second stage of creation; The formation of an “expanse’ that separated between moisture in suspension in the sky and moisture condensed enough to remain on the earth’s surface.
(v.9-13) The third stage of creation: the receding of the waters of the oceans, seas and lakes to a lower altitude than the masses of land that emerged above them and thus were allowed to become dry. Once dry land appeared, it became possible for plant life and trees to spring up from the earth’s surface.
(v.14-19) The fourth stage of creation; God parted the cloud cover enough for direct sunlight to fall on the earth and for accurate observation of the movements of the sun, moon and stars to take place. V.16 should not be understood as indicating the creation of the heavenly bodies for the first time during this fourth stage, rather it informs us that the sun, moon and stars created on the first stage of creation as the source of light had been placed in their appointed places by God to function as indicators of time (signs, seasons, days, years) to observers on earth.
(v.20-23) The fifth stage of creation: God fully developed marine life, freshwater life and introduced flying creatures(insects, lizards or winged birds).
(v.24-26) The sixth stage of creation: God brought forth all the land animals “according to its kind” culminating in the creation of man.

Conclusion

God is the Creator of everything that exist.

Review questions

1. How would you answer someone who tells you that man descended from ape-like ancestors through a process of macro-evolution?
2. “The Genesis account in the Bible states that God created the universe in six days. However, scientific data shows that the universe is billions of years old.” Discuss this statement.

Doctrines of the Bible Module 2A - God’s Three-in-Oneness: The Trinity Lesson 4 & 5

Lessons 4 & 5 God’s Three-in-Oneness: The Trinity

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,”   (Mat 28:19)

God eternally exists as three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and each person is fully God, and there is one God.

A. The Oneness of God

(Ex 3:13-15) There is one God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
(Deut 6:4-5) There is only one God.
(Ex 15:11) God is clearly one God. There is no one like him.
(James 2:19) James commends belief in one God.
(1 Tim 2:5-6) Paul affirms that there is only one God.
(Rom 3:30) Paul affirms that God is one.

There is one God.

B. The Deity of Three

1. God is Three Persons

(John 1:1-2) The fact that the “Word” (Christ) is with God shows that he is distinct from God the Father.
(John 17:24) Jesus speaks to God the Father about the sharing of glory and a relationship of love between the Father and the Son before the world was created. Jesus is distinct from God the Father.
(Heb 7:25) Christ intercedes for us before God the Father. Jesus is distinct from God the Father.
(John 14:26) Jesus speaks of the Holy Spirit sent by the Father. The Father is not the Holy Spirit. The Son is not the Holy Spirit.
(John 16:7) Christ went back to heaven and sent the Holy Spirit to the church. Jesus is distinct from the Holy Spirit.

2. Each Person is Fully God

God the Father is clearly God
This is evident from the first verse of the Bible, where God created the heaven and the earth. It is evident through the Old and New Testaments , where God the Father is clearly viewed as sovereign Lord over all and where Jesus prays to his Father in heaven.

The Son is fully God
(John 1:1-4) John affirms the full deity of Christ. Christ is referred to as the “Word” and John says both that he was “with God” and that he “was God”.
(John 20:28) Here Thomas calls Jesus “my God.” The narrative shows that both John in writing his gospel and Jesus himself approve of what Thomas has said and encourages everyone who hears about Thomas to believe the same things that Thomas did.
(Heb 1:3) The author says that Christ is the exact representation of the nature or being of God.
(Heb 1:10) The creation of the heavens is attributed to Christ.
(Titus 2:13) Paul affirms “our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.”
(2 Pet 1:1) Peter speaks of “the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ.”
(Rom 9:5) Paul writes of Christ as the “God over all.”

The Holy Spirit is fully God
(Acts 5:3-4) According to Peter’s words, to lie to the Holy Spirit is to lie to God.
(1 Cor 3:16) God’s temple is the place where God himself dwells, which Paul explains by the fact that “God’s Spirit” dwells in it, thus equating God’s Spirit with God Himself.
(Ps 139:7-8) This passage attributes the divine characteristic of omnipresence to the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is God.
(1 Cor 2:10-11) Paul attributes the divine characteristic of omniscience to the Holy Spirit.
(John 3:5-7) The work of giving new spiritual life is attributed to the Holy Spirit. This work is the work of God. The Holy Spirit is God.

C. New Testament passages mentioning all three persons of the Trinity

(Mat 3:16-17) (Mat 28:19) (1 Cor 12:4-6) (2 Cor 13:14)
(Eph 4:4-6) (1 Pet 1:2) (Jude 20-21)

D. Old Testament passages partially revealing the Trinity

(Gen 1:26-27) The plural verb “let us’ in v.26 suggests a plurality of persons in God himself. The singular form used in v.27 suggests there is one God.
(Ps 33:6) Here we have the involvement of all three persons of the Trinity in the work of creation: the Father decrees, the Son as the Word brings the Father’s decree into operation, and the Spirit imparts His life-giving dynamic to the whole process.
(Is 48:16) Here we have the Son speaking. He says that He has been sent by the Lord Yahweh(God the Father) and also by His Spirit.

Several Old Testament passages about the “angel of the Lord’ suggest a plurality of persons in God.
(Gen 22:11) (Gen 31:11,13) (Ex 3:2) (Judg 13:20)

E. Summary of the biblical teaching on the Trinity

In one sense the doctrine of the Trinity is a mystery that we will never be able to understand fully. However, we can understand something of its truth by these three statements.
1. God is three persons
2. Each person is fully God
3. There is one God
We can say that God is one undivided being, yet that in this one being there are three persons.

F. Doctrinal errors about the Trinity

1. Modalism

Modalism claims that there is one person who appears to us in three different forms(or modes). God is not really three distinct persons, but only one person who appears to people in different modes at different times. For example, in the Old Testament God appeared as “Father”. Throughout the gospels, this same person appeared as the “Son “ as seen in the human life and ministry of Jesus. After Pentecost, this same person then revealed himself as the “Spirit” active in the church.

Errors in Modalism

1. It is not faithful to Scripture
2. It must deny the personal relationships within the Trinity that appear in so many places in Scripture. Thus, it must deny three separate persons at the baptism of Jesus, where the Father speaks from heaven and the Spirit descends on Jesus like a dove.
3. It must say that all those instances where Jesus is praying to the Father are an illusion or a charade.
4. The idea of the Son or the Holy Spirit interceding for us before God the Father is lost.
5. The idea that God sent his Son as a substitutionary sacrifice, and that the Son bore the wrath of God in our place, and that the Father , representing the interests of the Trinity, saw the suffering of Christ and was satisfied is the heart of the doctrine of atonement. This idea is lost.
6. If there is no Trinity, then there were no interpersonal relationships within the being of God before creation. If God is only one person, then he has no ability to love before creation.

Modalism is the doctrinal position of the United Pentecostal Church (a Christian cult), part of the “Oneness group”

2. Arianism

Arianism denies the full deity of the Son and the Holy Spirit. It teaches that God the Son was at one point created by God the Father , and that before that time the Son did not exist, nor did the Holy Spirit, but the Father only. The Son is thus a created heavenly being and not God.

Errors in Arianism

1. It is not faithful to Scripture.
2. If Jesus is merely a created being and not fully God then he cannot atone for our sins. The heart of the doctrine of atonement is lost.
3. If Jesus is not fully God, we would rightly doubt whether we can really trust him to save us completely. We cannot depend on any creature fully for our salvation. Justification by faith alone is threatened if we deny the full deity of the Son.
4. If Jesus is not infinite God, then it would be idolatry to worship him since only God is worthy of worship.
5. If there is no Trinity, then there were no interpersonal relationships within the being of God before creation. God therefore has no ability to love before creation.

Arianism is the doctrinal position of the Jehovah witnesses (a Christian cult).

G. Distinctions between the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit

The only distinctions between the members of the Trinity are in the ways they relate to each other and to the rest of creation(the work of creation, the redemption of man……). For example, in the work of creation, we see different functions of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. God the Father spoke the creative words to bring the universe into being. God the Son, the eternal Word of God carried out the creative decrees. The Holy Spirit was moving over the face of the waters, apparently manifesting God’s immediate presence in his creation. Thus while the persons of the Trinity are equal in all their attributes, they nonetheless differ in their relationships to creation. The Son and the Holy Spirit are equal in deity to God the Father, but they are subordinate in their roles. It must be noted that the persons of the Trinity eternally existed as Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Conclusion

The doctrine of the Trinity is divinely revealed and not constructed by man. It is the teaching of Scripture. Even though we cannot fully comprehend its mystery, we hold it because God has revealed that this is what he is like. As someone has said of this doctrine:

“Try to explain it, and you’ll lose your mind;
But try to deny it, and you’ll lose your soul.”

Review questions

1. Why is the doctrine of the Trinity so unique among the various religions of the world?
2. What are the implications of denying the doctrine of the Trinity?
3. What analogies can we find to illustrate the doctrine of the Trinity?
4. Historically, how long do you think the early church took to formulate the doctrine of the Trinity from Scripture?
5. Do you think the Jehovah witnesses and the “Oneness” believers who deny the doctrine of the Trinity are saved?

We Salute Mothers

Rev Gideon Lee

I'd like to start by sharing with you the Top 10 Sayings of Biblical Mothers 

10. Samson! Get your hand out of that lion. You don't know where it's been!

9. David! I told you not to play in the house with that sling! Go practice your harp. We pay good money for those lessons! 

8. Abraham! Stop wandering around the countryside and get home for supper! 

7. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego! I told you never to play with fire! 

6. Cain! Get off your brother! You're going to kill him some day! 

5. Noah! No, you can't keep them! I told you, don't bring home any more strays! 

4. Gideon! Have you been hiding in that wine press again? Look at your clothes!

3. James and John! No more burping contests at the dinner table, please. People are going to call you the sons of thunder! 

2. Judas! Have you been in my purse again?!

And the number one Biblical saying of mothers is: 

1. Jesus! Stop working on that old wood and come in and eat! You'd spend your life on that wood, if your father asked you to!

We know what Jesus is doing right? We are that wood and often it takes a lifetime for Jesus to do that work in us. 

Romans 16:1-16

Personal Greetings

1 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church in Cenchrea. 2 I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been a great help to many people, including me.

3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus. 4 They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them. 5 Greet also the church that meets at their house.

Greet my dear friend Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia. 6 Greet Mary, who worked very hard for you. 7 Greet Andronicus and Junias, my relatives who have been in prison with me. They are outstanding among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was. 8 Greet Ampliatus, whom I love in the Lord. 9 Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and my dear friend Stachys. 10 Greet Apelles, tested and approved in Christ.

Greet those who belong to the household of Aristobulus. 11 Greet Herodion, my relative.

Greet those in the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord. 12 Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, those women who work hard in the Lord.

Greet my dear friend Persis, another woman who has worked very hard in the Lord. 13 Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me, too. 14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas and the brothers with them. 15 Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas and all the saints with them. 16 Greet one another with a holy kiss.

All the churches of Christ send greetings.

How many of you wondered why God put these names at the end of this passage. What benefit can we possible gain from this passage of scripture? I must confess often I skip when I come across passages like these. 

But I want to say that whatever God puts in the bible, it has value. This is a Mother's Day passage. 

Of all the 26 people that was mentioned, Paul singled out 6 that were women. Some say Paul was a male chauvinist. That he's one sided towards the male. But here we see he mentioned specifically 6 women. He took the time to appreciate ladies. They were tremendous influence not just in his life but in ministry. 

He comes to verse 13 where he gave his greetings and then that Rufus's mother was also a motherly figure to Paul. We don't know who this Rufus were but that she was chosen of the Lord. The mother was instrumental in Paul's life and had been like a mother to him. 

Today we celebrate Mother's Day but there are some churches that don't celebrate Mother's Day but I beg to defer because I think there is a place to honour our mothers and fathers. Also our spiritual fathers and mothers in the church. 

There are a few things we want to look at. 

We want to salute mothers today because of her tenacious love. 

What does tenacious means to you? Have you seen a bulldog? Once its jaws lock on something it won't let go. You can whack it but it will just hang on. That's why many like to use them as guard dogs. The bible tells us that mothers have this tenacious love for their children. 

Let me give you an example. When I go to the hospitals, who is the person that will stay overnight? It's the mothers. They just have the kind of capacity to do so. My children was sick these few days. Jayden runs to the mom and clings to her. Josiah came home also sick and I thought I'd be a hero and take care of Josiah. I see what his mom did but I cannot see how my wife can do it. He will run to my wife and my wife will comfort him. For me I'd tell him to stop whining. He'd say its painful, and I'll shout and say "yes, just deal with it!". Mothers are made different. Mothers have this tenacious love. 

We salute them because they have tremendous impact in our lives. 

You have heard its been said that "The hands that rock the cradle rules the world". All of us have had some influence from our mothers. 

I remembered how my mother influenced me. There was a point in my life when I was so far from God that my mom was worried for me and she got the church members to pray for me. And I sincerely believe it is because of that that I am here today. 

Mothers, your words and prayers have tremendous influence. I feel that God gives special attention to a mother's prayer. Mothers, if you have children that are wayward, never give up. God hears your prayers. When you place your children in God's hands, your children will come to realize there is a God. 

Spiritual mothers, are you praying for someone. Pray for that person and you will see God's hands moving in these lives. How many of you heard of John Wesley. It is said if you do not know his mother Susanna Wesley, you will never understand John Wesley. The same with Abraham Lincoln. He said the person constantly in his mind is his mother. 

I pray we not only honour our mothers only on Mother's Day. Mother's Day is so commercialized now like Valentines Day but it does not mean we do not appreciate them. I pray we do not think of our mothers only on Mother's Day. 

We salute the mothers because a home is not complete without a mother. 

It is a mothers love that makes a home a home. That's why we call it home sweet home. If not it's just a building. It is a mothers home that makes it complete. When I shifted up to Penang one of the things I think of is my mother who is in Klang. She is staying with my younger brother. When I go to my mom, I can just talk to her even if she cannot solve or understand my problems but she always makes it better. That's what a mom does for us. When she is there things get taken care of. 

For my children, they know that mom will give them the tender loving care. Next month I will talk about dads. We need both. 

Love your mothers. How many of you have hugged your mom today? If they are around I mean. Do it not only today. How many of you will take your mom out for lunch today? Moms, can you let your children pay today? If you can save money for your Samsung S4 or is it S5 now, you can buy lunch for your mom. Can?

Melissa's beautiful solo dedicated to all mothers,  "Because you love me".

All mothers, grandmothers, mothers to be and those wanting to be mothers 
invited by pastor to the altar at the end of the service.

Pastor Gideon praying for all those who responded to his invitation.

Mothers receiving their gift from TOP's youth.

Doctrines of the Bible Module 2A - The Goodness of God Lesson 2 & 3

Lessons 2 & 3 The Goodness of God

“but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”   (1 Pet 1:15-16)

God is a moral being. His basic moral attributes are purity, integrity and love

Purity

The moral purity of God means that he is free from wickedness and evil. He is, therefore, holy, righteous and just.

Holiness

(Ex 15:11) God is different from all other beings. He is majestic in holiness.
(Is 6:1-4) Isaiah saw the Lord “sitting on a throne, high and lifted up”. The seraphim cried out, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts”

God is unique. He is totally different from all of creation.

(Hab 1:13) God cannot look on evil.
(James 1:13) God cannot be tempted with evil.
(Lev 11:44-45) We are to be holy because God is holy.

God is absolutely pure and good. He is allergic to sin and evil.

Righteousness

(Ps 19:7-9) God commands only what is right and have a positive effect on the believer who obeys.
(Gen 18:25) God’s actions are in line with the law he himself has established.

God is righteous. The law of God is as perfect as he is.

Justice

(Gen 2:17) Sin has consequences.
(Rom 6:23) The consequence of sin is death.
(Rom 12:19) God punishes sin.
(Deut 7:9) God rewards obedience.

God is just. He punishes those that violate his law and rewards those that obey his law.

Integrity

Integrity is about truth. God is a God of truth.

Genuineness – Being true

(Jer 10:10) The Lord is the true God. God is real.
(John 17:3) Jesus addresses the Father as the only true God.

God is real. He is not a being of our imagination. He is what he appears to be.

Veracity – Telling the truth
(1 Sam 15:29) God does not lie.
(Titus 1:2) God does not lie.
(Heb 6:18) God cannot lie because lying is contrary to his nature.

God always tells the truth. He represents things as they really are. What God says is always accurate.

Faithfulness – Proving true
(Num 23:19) God always fulfils his promises.
(1 Thess 5:24) Paul affirms that God is faithful and he will do what he says.

God is faithful. He keeps all his promises. He always fulfils what he has said he will do.

Love

The nature of God is love. God’s love to us is expressed in benevolence, grace, mercy and persistence.

Benevolence
(John 3:16) God loves us so much that he sent his Son to die for us. God’s love is seen in his act of self-giving.
(Deut 7:7-8) God loved the Israelites.
(John 15:9-17) Jesus emphasizes that his relationship with us is on a friend –to- friend basis and that love is the basis of this relationship.
(1 John 4:10) The apostle John affirms that God loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins not because of our prior love for him. God first loved us.
(Rom 5:8) While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
(1 Cor 13:4-7) Since God is love, this description of love is also a description of him.

God’s love is an unselfish interest in us for our sake. It is agape, an unconditional love. God’s love is seen in what he has done. He cares for us. He provides for us. He ultimately sent Jesus to die for us. God’s love is active not passive.

Grace

(Ex 34:6) God is compassionate and gracious. He is slow to anger and abounding in love and faithfulness.
(Eph 1:5-8) Paul attributes our salvation to the grace of God.
(Eph 2:7-9) Salvation is a gift of God.

Grace means that God gives us undeserved favors. Grace begins from God seeing people as sinful, guilty and condemned.

Mercy

(Ps 103:13) God has compassion on those who fear him.
(Ex 3:7) God heard the cry of the Israelites under bondage to the Egyptians and knew their sufferings.
(Mark 1:41) Jesus had compassion for the people who were suffering from physical sickness.

God’s mercy is his tenderhearted loving compassion for his people. Mercy begins from God seeing people as miserable and needy.

Persistence

(1 Pet 3:20) Peter suggests that the flood was delayed to provide an opportunity of salvation for those who were ultimately destroyed.
(2 Pet 3:9) Peter suggests that the Second Coming is delayed because of god’s patience.

God’s persistence refers to God withholding judgment and continuing to offer salvation and grace over long periods of time. God’s long-suffering was especially seen with Israel who repeatedly rebelled against God and falling into idolatry. But God remains faithful to them.

Conclusion

God is morally pure. God is truth. God is love.

Review questions

1. What practical implication can we draw from 1Pet 1:15-16? How does this implication apply to all the other moral attributes of God?
2. “At times the rule of God does not appear to be just. Those who lead sinful lives are not always punished, and the righteous frequently seem to go unrewarded.” Discuss the statement.
3. What is the relationship between God’s love and God’s justice ? Is there a tension between these two attributes of God?
4. What is the difference between God’s grace and God’s mercy?
5. What is meant by the “beauty of the Lord” in Psalm 27:4?

Doctrines of the Bible Module 2A - The Greatness of God Lesson 1

Lesson 1 The Greatness of God

“And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.………………..”  (Ex 3:14)

God is personal, all-powerful, eternal, spirit, present everywhere within his creation and unchanging in his perfection.

Spirituality

(John 4:24) God is spirit. He does not possess a physical nature
(John 4:21) He is not limited to a particular geographical location.
(Luke 24:39) A spirit does not have flesh and bones.

God cannot be represented by any physical object because He is spirit. Therefore the worship and use of idols to represent God is totally unbiblical. This is why it is condemned in the Second Commandment (Exodus 20:4).

Personality

(Ex 3:14) When Moses wonders how he should respond when the Israelites ask the name of the God who has sent him, God identifies himself as “I AM” (Yahweh, Jehovah, the Lord). God has a name.
(Gen 4:26) Men began to call on the name of the Lord.
(Gen 12:8) Abraham built an altar to the Lord and called on the name of the Lord.
(Gen 3) God comes to and talks with Adam and Eve. He has all the attributes of personality such as knowing, feeling, willing and acting.

Because God is a person, our relationship with Him must have elements of warmth and understanding. He is pictured as our Father. He can be approached. He can be spoken to, and he in turn speaks. God is to be treated as a being. He is of value to us for what he is in himself, not merely for what he does.

Life

(Ex 3:14) His very name “I AM” indicates that he is a living God.
(Heb 11:6) Existence is considered a most basic aspect of his nature.
(John 5:26) God has life in Himself.
(1 Thess 1:9) The Thessalonians turned from idols to serve the living and true God.

God is complete without us. However, he has chosen to use us to accomplish his purposes. He relates to us by choice not by need. He does not need us but he chooses to use us for his glory. The fact that God has given us this privilege to serve him should evoke in us a sense of gratitude to him and love for him.

Infinity

(Acts 17:24-25) God created the world. God is the one who brought space into being. He, therefore, is not limited by space.
(Jer 23:24) God is everywhere (omnipresence). No one can hide from him.
(Ps 139:7-12) The psalmist found that he could not flee from the presence of God. Wherever the psalmist went, God would be there.

On a positive note, the omnipresence of God means that he is available to us wherever we may be. God is not localized. He can be found anywhere if we diligently seek him.

(Ps 90:1-2) He was before time began. God is the one who always
(Jude 25) is. He was, he is, he will be.

God is timeless. However, he is conscious of the succession of points of time. He knows what is occurring in human experience in terms of a past, present and future. Yet he is aware of these events (past, present and future) at one and the same time.

(Ps 147:5) His understanding is immeasurable.
(Prov 15:30) The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.
(Matt 10:29-30) Not a sparrow can fall to the ground without the Father’s will, and even the hairs of the disciples’ heads are all numbered.

God knows all truth. He is omniscient.

(Gen 17:1) When God appeared to Abraham to reaffirm his covenant, he identified himself by saying , “I am God Almighty”. His name shows that he is all-powerful.
(Matt 19:26) Here Jesus affirms that with God all things are possible.

This power of God is manifested in several different ways. God has power over nature, to determine the course of human history and to change human nature.

Constancy

(Ps 102:26-27) God will always remain the same.
(Ps 33:11) God’s thoughts are permanent.
(Mal 3:6) God does not change.

God cannot increase or decrease in anything because he is already perfection. The nature of God does not change. Therefore, God does not change his mind, plans or actions.

Conclusion

God is a great God.

Review questions

1. The Mormons maintain that both God the Son and God the Father have a physical body. How do we refute this claim?
2. Are we to put God first in our lives because of what he has done for us or because of who he is?
3. How does the fact that God is all-knowing and all-powerful give us assurance as children of God?
4. If God is unchanging, how do we explain passages where God seems to change his mind ? (for example Jonah 3)