Building Lives International
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Father's Day Message
I just posted a message under "Most Recent Studies" that I taught at the First Baptist Church in Brownsville, TX on Father's Day entitled "The Role of a Father".
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Galatians Finale
This will be my final article on the book of Galatians. It’s been a great ride and I hope that you have enjoyed it. For the complete articles from day one, you can visit my website at www.dwaynespearman.org. Let’s pick up in Galatians 4:14 where it says, “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” Paul chooses to glory in the cross and not in how many people He has been a part of converting to Christ. He realized that he was doing his ministry as unto the Lord. One’s ministry will fail quickly when they begin to think that it is all because of them alone.
Note, “…the world has been crucified to me…” Paul said in Galatians 2:20, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” In other words, the world no longer meant anything to Paul. We would all do well to take heed to that advice as well (1 John 2:15-17).
Notice v.15, “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.” All God wants is people to be born again by accepting his forgiveness through His Son Jesus Christ. It’s not about where you were born or into what family or ethnicity; it’s about coming to Jesus.
Notice v.16, “And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.” God’s peace will rest upon those who walk according this will.
Notice v.17, “From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.” Sadly, Paul spent his entire ministry justifying his apostleship.
Note, “…I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.” Paul said in 2 Corinthians 11:24-25, “Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;”
And notice, v.18, “Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.” Amen!
Note, “…the world has been crucified to me…” Paul said in Galatians 2:20, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” In other words, the world no longer meant anything to Paul. We would all do well to take heed to that advice as well (1 John 2:15-17).
Notice v.15, “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.” All God wants is people to be born again by accepting his forgiveness through His Son Jesus Christ. It’s not about where you were born or into what family or ethnicity; it’s about coming to Jesus.
Notice v.16, “And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.” God’s peace will rest upon those who walk according this will.
Notice v.17, “From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.” Sadly, Paul spent his entire ministry justifying his apostleship.
Note, “…I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.” Paul said in 2 Corinthians 11:24-25, “Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;”
And notice, v.18, “Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.” Amen!
Gleanings from Genesis
I have been reading through the book of Genesis and I noticed a few things that I've known in time past but really excited me again. It is in respect to Abraham, Isaac, the unknown servant and Rebekah.
In Genesis 22:1 we see Abraham who was willing to offer up his son Isaac as a living sacrifice. Abraham is a type of the Father who was willing to do the same with His own Son, Jesus Christ.
In Genesis 22:19 we notice that when coming back down the mountain from which Abraham fully intended to offer Isaac, that Isaac is not mentioned as coming back down with Abraham. I'm sure that he did, but the point is that Isaac is a perfect type of Christ in that once he was sacrificed and was taken up into heaven, He will not appear again until He meets His bride.
In Genesis 24:2 we notice that no name is given for the servant who went to get Isaac's bride. We can assume from Genesis 15:2 that it was Eliezer. However, the lack of a name completes the type of the Holy Spirit. Like the servant, the ministry of the Spirit today is to seek out a bride for Christ. Also, notice that the servant, like the Holy Spirit, does not speak of Himself (John 16:13-14).
Finally, in Genesis 24:64 we see the bride of Isaac, Rebekah. She is a type of the Church in that she was presented to Isaac as a virgin (2 Corinthians 22:2). I couldn't help but also notice that the Scripture says that when she saw Isaac that she "took a veil and covered herself." That is where we get the practice today in our modern wedding ceremonies of the bride covering her face before being presented to the bridegroom. Actually, the wedding ceremony is simply a type of the Church (the bride) being presented to her husband (Jesus - the Bridegroom). What a beautiful picture!
In Genesis 22:1 we see Abraham who was willing to offer up his son Isaac as a living sacrifice. Abraham is a type of the Father who was willing to do the same with His own Son, Jesus Christ.
In Genesis 22:19 we notice that when coming back down the mountain from which Abraham fully intended to offer Isaac, that Isaac is not mentioned as coming back down with Abraham. I'm sure that he did, but the point is that Isaac is a perfect type of Christ in that once he was sacrificed and was taken up into heaven, He will not appear again until He meets His bride.
In Genesis 24:2 we notice that no name is given for the servant who went to get Isaac's bride. We can assume from Genesis 15:2 that it was Eliezer. However, the lack of a name completes the type of the Holy Spirit. Like the servant, the ministry of the Spirit today is to seek out a bride for Christ. Also, notice that the servant, like the Holy Spirit, does not speak of Himself (John 16:13-14).
Finally, in Genesis 24:64 we see the bride of Isaac, Rebekah. She is a type of the Church in that she was presented to Isaac as a virgin (2 Corinthians 22:2). I couldn't help but also notice that the Scripture says that when she saw Isaac that she "took a veil and covered herself." That is where we get the practice today in our modern wedding ceremonies of the bride covering her face before being presented to the bridegroom. Actually, the wedding ceremony is simply a type of the Church (the bride) being presented to her husband (Jesus - the Bridegroom). What a beautiful picture!
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Spirit and Flesh
Today, let’s pick up our study in Galatians 6:8 which says, “For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” If we sow to the flesh, we reap flesh. If we sow to the Spirit, we reap Spirit. In other words, what you put in comes out. If you put in spiritual things, spiritual things will come out. If you put in fleshly things, fleshly things will come out.
Notice v.9, “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” God desires for us to be faithful. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:58, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord…” It’s easy to be faithful when times are good; quite another when times are bad.
Notice v.10, “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” We need to take care of each other in the church first and in the Body of Christ second. This is not only physically, but spiritually by doing all that has been mentioned in this chapter.
Notice v.11, “Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand.” This verse is proof of two things. First, Paul used a scribe to help pen his letters. Secondly, Paul apparently had some kind of infirmity with his eyes that made a scribe necessary. Paul’s desire to write this letter with his own hand is an indicator of the seriousness of the message.
Notice v.12, “As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.” Back to the legalists that want to make themselves look good by putting the rest of us back under the Law.
Notice v.13, “For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.” He is referring to those legalist who were prompting them be circumcised to keep the Jewish Law as a road to salvation. Again, Galatians 5:2-4 says that those who trust in the law to save them will perish.
Notice v.9, “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” God desires for us to be faithful. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:58, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord…” It’s easy to be faithful when times are good; quite another when times are bad.
Notice v.10, “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” We need to take care of each other in the church first and in the Body of Christ second. This is not only physically, but spiritually by doing all that has been mentioned in this chapter.
Notice v.11, “Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand.” This verse is proof of two things. First, Paul used a scribe to help pen his letters. Secondly, Paul apparently had some kind of infirmity with his eyes that made a scribe necessary. Paul’s desire to write this letter with his own hand is an indicator of the seriousness of the message.
Notice v.12, “As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.” Back to the legalists that want to make themselves look good by putting the rest of us back under the Law.
Notice v.13, “For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.” He is referring to those legalist who were prompting them be circumcised to keep the Jewish Law as a road to salvation. Again, Galatians 5:2-4 says that those who trust in the law to save them will perish.
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