Transcript
Speaker: This is the Truth For The Matters podcast. Welcome back to another edition of Bible study, Reflections, Solo, or with Friends. This is episode 190. Of course, I'm your host, Jonathan. And for those who are unfamiliar with this segment, let me give you a quick background story.
Speaker: It was inspired by a Bible study that I had with two of my friends and we did this once a week. Basically, we would choose a book and a Bible to unpack together, choose two or three chapters, read them individually and see what we could unpack by ourselves.
Speaker: Then we would come together and fellowship with one another and learn about what we believe God has revealed to us individually. Remember scripture says anytime two or three are gathered there am I in your midst.
Speaker: Now what I concluded from these talks is that will still be full of information and yet still curious about a lot of things. So as a result, I decided to create this segment called Bible study reflections solo over friends and the goal ultimately is to grow and fellowship with others.
Speaker: And so if you're open to this fellowship with me on the next Bible study reflection episode, reach out to me on TikTok or IG. And that's at The Truth of T-M-I-S.
Speaker: Again, it's The Truth of T-M-I-S. And we can fellowship with one another. You can also reach out to me my Facebook group called I'm a Believer.
Speaker: Again, it's called a Believer. And lastly, you can email me at speeded83 at gmail.com. S-P-E-E-D-E-D-83 at gmail.com.
Speaker: And of course, I'm looking forward to hearing from some of you. Now, before we dive I believe the most important thing that we should always do is pray to the Lord.
Speaker: But first I want to say thank you all for tuning in today. Obviously it's been about three weeks since I have recorded an episode. But to be honest with you, I'm still working on an episode in regards to the Gospel of Matthew series.
Speaker: I'm actually really diving into a portion that I actually want to get right. And so that is why it's taken so long. You know, think one of the most responsible things that we ought to do about God's word is make sure we do our due diligence and studying it correctly.
Speaker: Because the words that come out of my mouth can either influence you or discourage you. And so when we want to read the scriptures, we got to rightly divide it sometimes.
Speaker: if it takes longer for me to put an episode out is because I want to make sure that what I am sharing won't have a detrimental effect, but I want to shoot for an inspirational one.
Speaker: And so it's important to me that what I say and what I share with you, it draws you closer to the Lord rather than further from the Lord.
Speaker: Okay. And on that note, we're going die right into prayer. Heavenly Father, in Jesus' name, I thank you for being God and God alone.
Speaker: I thank you for the influence of the Holy Spirit who is alive and well, active in the life of believer. I am really appreciative of your grace and mercy each and every day.
Speaker: And of course, as we dive into your word today, bless us, build us up for testing, strengthen us for times ahead. Give us courage and boldness.
Speaker: And Lord, I say this in confidence, knowing that you're Alpha and Omega, beginning, the end, creator of all things. Anything that I ask is according to your will. I believe that you will do.
Speaker: And on that note, I say this in Jesus name we pray. Amen. So
Speaker: it's interesting that last week I wanted to discuss a specific topic in a Bible study that I have with the seniors. And it seems as though they were in the midst of all being sick due to a sick bug going around.
Speaker: And so I didn't have the opportunity to have Bible study with them last week. And so what this enabled me to do is dive even deeper into what I wanted to talk to them about.
Speaker: And so I haven't had that opportunity as of yet. Today is Thursday and that opportunity is going to come Saturday. And so I thought I would Test out the message that I have wanted to share with them and put it on my podcast.
Speaker: As I stated earlier, I am currently in Matthew 11 in the Gospel Matthew series. I'm working on a particular. section in the scriptures that I'm still studying and reading up on.
Speaker: And of course, me reading up on it has had me questioning quite a few things. And so before I share that with you, I'm just trying to make sure that what I share with you is reflected of my heart.
Speaker: But most importantly, i can speak it confidently. And so today, What I thought would be cool is I wanted to reflect on two passages of scripture that I've sort of been reminded of because there was another Bible study that I was a part of and they were two verses.
Speaker: that stuck out to me that I want to share with you and introduce to you and tell you where my heart is and how I feel about them. So the first passage of scripture is 2 Corinthians 2, verse 12.
Speaker: And the second one is again 2 Corinthians 2, verse 15. So there's three verses in between these two verses. And so I just want to talk about why I felt
Speaker: they were important to me. So second Corinthians chapter two, verse 12 says, when I came to the city of Torres to preach the good news of Christ, the Lord opened a door opportunity for me.
Speaker: And this is obviously Paul who's in jail is reflecting and he's sharing with obviously the readers how The opportunity came to him due to the Lord opening up a door for him. Right.
Speaker: And so he preached the good news to these people as a result of the Lord filling the need. to obviously have him shed a light into that particular city.
Speaker: And so the Lord he used them as an instrument of righteousness. And in doing so, that brought upon quite a bit of reflection.
Speaker: that when we see individuals today, whether it's on YouTube, whether it's out in spaces of the world, you know, whether it's myself in a senior home or whether street preaching, wherever there is the good news that's being declared, I believe to some capacity, the Lord has opened the door for that to happen.
Speaker: And so in saying that the reason why I think this matters is because there's an additional verse that I actually think provides much more substance to that passage. We just read second Corinthians two 12 and it comes out of Romans chapter 10 verses 14 to 15 says, how then can they call on a one they haven't believed?
Speaker: And how can they believe in a one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent?
Speaker: As is this written, how beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news. And I love that passage because it speaks about those who don't hear about it and how In fact, those who don't believe, how can they believe if no one tells them?
Speaker: Right? How can they hear the truth if no one preaches to them?
Speaker: And most importantly, how can anyone share the truth unless they're sent? And so I believe in some capacity God can lay it on some people's hearts to share the good news and how the Lord has impacted them in their personal lives.
Speaker: And so we can't overlook the fact that we all have a testimony to share. Of course, those who are followers of Christ, and I believe your personal testimony can impact somebody else.
Speaker: And so don't be afraid to share what the Lord has done in your life because you never know who's listening. You never know who can benefit from what has happened to you.
Speaker: And so we're not just living sacrifices. We have testimonies that have the influence of changing somebody else's life. Right. We can talk about the woman at the well.
Speaker: Right. And how. She went back and shared her experience with Christ, and it was because of her testimony many more believed. And in fact, it brought Jesus to then share the truth to them.
Speaker: And they they actually didn't believe upon her testimony, but they believed upon his words. And so we have to be mindful that as believers, we have the opportunity You know, based upon what Paul said, one person plants, another person waters, but God gets the increase. Right.
Speaker: And so, hey, maybe you're just a waterer. Maybe you're just a planter. Whatever stage it is to bring someone one to Christ, I believe we all can rejoice and be glad that someone else has had an invitation, an opportunity to enter the kingdom of God and they were accepted in open arms.
Speaker: And so the other passage of scripture is 2 Corinthians 2.15. It says, Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing.
Speaker: Another very powerful and meaningful verse here. because it points out how our affiliations with Christ, at least in how Paul is describing it, can give off a fragrance of attention.
Speaker: Right. And in that attention, the perception of those from the outside
Speaker: Can either can either view it as something that they can draw closer to because it sparks their curiosity and so they ask questions or it can be those who are not moved by it.
Speaker: And of course, if they're not moved or curious about what's going on, then in some cases they are perishing. Right. And I say in some cases because perception is a very interesting thing.
Speaker: And how we perceive people, things, situations. Is what determines what we're attracted to and what we're interested in And of course, those perceptions can be dead wrong because it's not backed up by facts. Instead, it's backed up by opinions.
Speaker: And so I can see something transpiring across the street and have different thoughts and ideas about what's going on. But unless I learn about the situation, i can speculate all that I want.
Speaker: and be wrong. And so I do believe without question, if we go in the Old Testament, we see that God and his affiliation with Israel, he wanted to be affiliated with them and he wanted to change their lives.
Speaker: And he wanted the surrounding nations to observe his interaction with them to obviously make them jealous. But have them curious enough to inquire about his relationship with his people.
Speaker: And so. If I'm not mistaken, the scriptures are clear that by them questioning. Or being curious about why is it that.
Speaker: their God is so much closer to them will make them envious. And if they're envious, then obviously they would inquire of the Lord.
Speaker: And so I want to talk about these two verses. Actually, there's one more other comment I want to make about fragrance, right? There are fragrances that draw the attention, obviously, from attraction, right? Men and women wear cologne and perfume.
Speaker: And so you want to give off a certain sense and because, you know, we're drive by the five senses, right? Some of us are driven by what we see.
Speaker: Some of us are driven by what we hear, right? Faith comes from hearing and hearing the word of God, right? We know that we walk by faith, not by sight. And sometimes the things that we see can ultimately lead us down a path that is not of God.
Speaker: And we're driven by our tastes. Right. And of course, we're driven by our smell. And so it's amazing how a Christ like fragrance has the opportunity.
Speaker: to lure people in, to be curious and want to learn. And ultimately, once the truth is shared and laid upon a person's heart, they have the opportunity to to decide whether or not they want to indulge in it or they want to resist it.
Speaker: And so I thought it was amazing in how Paul put this. Right. And I think it's clear, right? they felt The fragrance speaks to, of course, if to those that are being saved and those who are perishing.
Speaker: Those who are being saved is that you you kind of get the message and the message makes sense to you. You put two and two together. And so that's attractive to you. Whereas it may be unattractive to you because maybe there's just too many questions or what's being shared with you is too much for you to process.
Speaker: And in some cases, that process has to do with you not having enough information. And I'm certain that with what little information that you do have, it's not drawing you enough for you to take a chance.
Speaker: And I've always said this to myself because I believe it's true. that a lot of people are concerned
Speaker: about making a decision to follow Christ because of what's required. Right. I think we overlook what Jesus said when he says that to go to give up everything and follow him.
Speaker: And I think it's easy for some to consider that and it's difficult for some to consider that, all depending on what it is that you are to lose.
Speaker: and what is it to gain and to understand the value of what you're gaining and to let go what it is that you're losing. And so that's a deep conversation for another time because we can really get into quite a few things in relation to that.
Speaker: So with that being said, i want to briefly talk to you about what it is that I wanted to share and that I'm actually going to share with my seniors. I didn't do it last week, but I'm going to do it this week.
Speaker: And I want to talk about the difference between mission and purpose in relation to Jesus. I believe that when Jesus came here to earth, he had a purpose and along the way he fulfilled quite a bit of missions.
Speaker: And so why am I talking about this? Because I believe each and every one of us have a, has a purpose and each and every one of us will fulfill and complete missions.
Speaker: And so to me and reading the scriptures, There were quite a few passages where I felt that Jesus fulfilled and completed certain missions.
Speaker: And of course, I believe that Jesus had a purpose. And of course, when we really dive into it, can we singly, single handedly point out one purpose that trumps them all?
Speaker: I think that's up for conversation. I think it's a lot much, much more harder than you think. And so I'll lay out a few purposes that I think he fulfilled and I'll lay out a few missions that I believe he completed.
Speaker: And I keep going back and forth when it comes to the purpose of Jesus, because there are some very profound purposes that he completed and that he did.
Speaker: But then I also realize like, hey, you're here for one reason. What's your purpose?
Speaker: And the question is, is there a single purpose that trumps every other purpose? And so there's a lot to be discussed here. I just want to lay out some suggestions and then leave it up to you to decide for yourselves. Where are you when it comes to what his purpose is? And if you agree with some of the missions he completed.
Speaker: And so obviously here on the truth of the matter is podcast, we believe and providing definitions to the words because it helps us filter out what it is that is being shared.
Speaker: And so the definition of mission is an important assignment or task that is carried out. Again, mission, an important assignment or task that is carried read out.
Speaker: And again, I believe we all have missions. We're obviously focusing on Jesus, and I believe he completed some missions. We'll talk about that. Purpose, the definition for purpose, the reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists.
Speaker: The reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists.
Speaker: And so let's first address. mission The passage that comes to mind, in my opinion, is a passage that I enjoy. Hebrews chapter four, verse 15, and I'm going to read in the Amplified version.
Speaker: Again, it's Hebrews chapter four, verse 15. It says, for we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize and understand our weaknesses and temptations.
Speaker: but one who has been tempted knowing exactly how it feels to be human and every respect as we are, yet without committing any sin.
Speaker: So why do I deem this as a mission? Well, it's because we know based upon the Gospel of John, that God put on flesh and dwelt among his own creation.
Speaker: Right. And we know that Christ is God, but in the flesh. And so. There needs to be an understanding that Jesus.
Speaker: And knowing the human experience, has the ability to sympathize and understand our weaknesses and temptations because he was human.
Speaker: Not only was he human, he went through the human experience of being tempted. We know this based upon chapter four in Luke anne and in Matthew when he was tempted in the desert.
Speaker: And so he knows exactly how it feels to be human. Right. He was subject to. A human body and dealt with the different experiences that the human body goes to hunger, sleep.
Speaker: Right. We've seen Jesus sleeping in a boat. We've seen Jesus eating fish after he was resurrected. And so we know that the God we serve.
Speaker: He understands what it is that we go through. But what is this purse what is his verse actually pinpointing? That him going through everything that we went through, the reason why we go to him is because he didn't sin.
Speaker: That's the difference between us and him. He went through it all, and yet he was never found guilty of sinning at all.
Speaker: And so for someone to go through the same experience that I am currently going through as of right now, you have to realize that when we pray and we talk to the Lord and we ask for forgiveness, he understands that he knows what it is that you went through.
Speaker: He knows the struggles and urges that you have. And so in every respect,
Speaker: We're not talking to a God that is clueless to our situations and circumstances. He know what it is to be snitched on. He knows what it is to be lied on.
Speaker: He knows what it is to be taken advantage of. He knows the experience of loneliness, pain, suffering, you name it. And so for me, that brings a different element of respect and honor when it comes to the Lord.
Speaker: Another thing I want to look at here when it comes to his mission that he fulfilled. So I don't believe that falls in terms of purpose. I believe it falls in terms of mission because it tells me that as he went through that process and fulfilled that mission, I know it's possible.
Speaker: I know that I can't do it, but I know the God that I serve did. OK, next, let's look Luke chapter two verses 46 to 51. do fifty one We're also going to look at Luke chapter two verse 52. But let's let's deal with Luke chapter two verses 46 to 51. And of course, my job here again is to lay out to you why I believe what I'm believing.
Speaker: And I leave it up to you to decide whether or not what I'm saying to you comes across as very reasonable, respectable, and you can embrace it. Okay, here it is. Luke chapter 2 verses 46 to 51.
Speaker: After three days, they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.
Speaker: And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.
Speaker: He said to them, Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my father's home, my father's house? And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them.
Speaker: And when he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them, and his mother treasured up all these things into her heart. So what is this mission?
Speaker: What does this mean? Well, it speaks about Jesus' desire to discuss the scriptures.
Speaker: To listen, to ask questions. It shows us that he had a desire to learn. He also had a desire to gain understanding. And so i think in any kind of dialogue that you engage in, it should never be one sided.
Speaker: You should never have a desire to do all the teaching and not the listening. Right. You should have a desire to have a back and forth. Of course, it should be healthy. But what we get out of this is that Jesus was in the temple courts, sitting among those who were smart.
Speaker: And so he had a desire to talk, to share, to listen, to engage in healthy conversation. The next thing we learn also in this is that Jesus In doing this, his parents were looking for him. He couldn't be found.
Speaker: And so they were worried. And so what is Jesus doing in response to their worriedness? He becomes submissive to them. So you know where you know the pastors and Corinthians obey your parents and the Lord for this is right.
Speaker: How would it look if Jesus wasn't submissive to his parents? What would be the standard that he would be setting? Right? That he would would defile his parents.
Speaker: that his parents weren't the final authority in his life. And so he teaches us and he lays and he fulfills this mission that as children.
Speaker: As children, we should desire to obey our parents, to be submissive to our parents.
Speaker: And in listening to them, we open up the door for the possibility of healthy interaction. And so he sets the standard here by being submissive to them and doing what it is that they asked of him.
Speaker: And to me, that is a mission I believe he fulfilled for us, the standard that he set for us. And so this is a great example in studying the life of Jesus about what president he wanted to set for further children.
Speaker: and how they should reveal and fall line with what their parents accident. Amen. Amen. Next mission, I believe Jesus fulfilled Luke chapter two, verse 52.
Speaker: It says in Jesus grew in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man. So this is just additional verse from the passes I just read and I separated them because it speaks about the growth of an individual.
Speaker: Right. Part of growing in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man is your desire to be humble, your willingness to learn from your mistakes and your desire to continue to grow as an individual.
Speaker: And so. Growing in wisdom takes time. It's not just experience. It also means listening to people that are older than you. Respecting your elders.
Speaker: Right. And so Jesus set this example that I believe we all should follow. We all should be looking to flourish as it individuals. Growing in wisdom and in stature and favor and with God.
Speaker: How do you grow in favor with God? Do what your parents ask of you. How do you grow in favor with God? Study the word. Get a better understanding of it. And in doing that, you draw closer to the Lord because you're prioritizing what it is that he has shared in it.
Speaker: And you're making attempts to live by it. And so these are missions that Jesus fulfilled along the way. going to look at.
Speaker: Two more. or about two more. Philippians 2 verses 6 to 8. This is a very interesting one that I think needs to be highlighted.
Speaker: And actually, now that I think about it, this will be the last one that I want to share because I also want to get to the purpose that Jesus came to fulfill.
Speaker: Okay. If we go to Philippians chapter two, verses six to eight, it says, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God as a thing to be grasped, but empty him himself by taking a form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men and being found in human form. He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Speaker: And so how do we make sense of this? So as I've mentioned in the previous portions of Scripture, the mission that Jesus fulfills is really talks about his life as a human, but specifically here as a servant.
Speaker: And one of the things he did is that he really took on the mission of being a human. And as I mentioned earlier in Luke 2 52, it talks about him desiring to gain favor with God and men.
Speaker: And one of the things he did is that he was born.
Speaker: As a man. And so he found that being human. Required to be humbled. To be obedient.
Speaker: And in in some cases. It required him to take on. Different responsibilities that obviously he didn't have to do, but he did it for the sole purpose for us to understand his intention.
Speaker: And so one of the top things that was mentioned of Jesus is that he was a carpenter. And so if you go to Mark six, verse three, says.
Speaker: that one of the I believe it was a conversation that was had and it says Isn't this the carpenter? Isn't this Mary's son and brother James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon?
Speaker: Aren't his sisters here with us? And they took offense to him. And you have to understand why they took offense to him. Because who he was to them is not what he ultimately became.
Speaker: me say that again. Who he was to them was unrecognizable to what he became. And that's what happens when the anointing hits you.
Speaker: it changes the identity and the purpose that God has for you in this life. And so when you are moving and operating in the purpose that the Lord gave you, there are some people who will see you only as what they remember you and never pay attention to the transition that was made.
Speaker: The calling that was on your life for God to use you as his instrument of righteousness to make changes in a context and society at large. Right. And we tend to overlook that.
Speaker: And so always be mindful of the fact that as you will evolve as a human being and as God puts you in certain places, he's putting you in certain places to be a light shining in the darkness, to let your light shine before others so they also may glorify your father in heaven.
Speaker: He's placing you in certain contexts is because he understands the potential that you have to impact the context that he placed you in. Always remember it as a child of God.
Speaker: Wherever God places you, he wants you to make an impact. And the impact doesn't have to be a verbal acknowledgement of him. It could just be the lifestyle. It could be the action. It could be the choices that you make that it reflects the Lord.
Speaker: right? We want to make sure, believe it's a beautiful passage in the gospel, not the gospel of John, I think it's first John. It says, let us not love a words or speech, but in actions and in truth.
Speaker: And so we're not concerned by what you say. We're more or less checking to see what it is that you do. And in those actions that you do, we know actions speak louder than words.
Speaker: And so what they thought they knew about Jesus was only based upon the things he did growing up, right? His ministry doesn't start until 3031. so,
Speaker: and so They're only seeing him as a relative or an affiliation in the family. Right. Isn't this the carpenter? Isn't this Mary's son and brother, James, Joseph, Judas and Simon?
Speaker: Aren't his sisters here with us? And they took offense at him. So you can imagine. The call on his life, the things he was saying. And how they not only were taken aback, they didn't believe in what he was saying.
Speaker: Now, check this out. if We go to Matthew chapter 13, verse 55. It says, isn't this the carpenter's son? Isn't his mother's name Mary? Aren't his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? So this is another portion of the same thing that I mentioned it by questioning it. Now, here's an interesting thing, and I thought this was pretty cool.
Speaker: When I looked it up, so the Greek word for carpenter is telecon T E K T O N might be pronouncing it wrong, but it's telekin telecon telekin, which could also be translated more broadly as artists.
Speaker: contractor or handyman. Now, it's possible, therefore, right, that Jesus and Joseph were the sort of men that you can call what something needs to be fixed.
Speaker: Right. It could be something that they did that required them to deal with wood, stone or something else. Right.
Speaker: You can obviously now think that they were civic, know, civil engineers, right, designing bridges or structures or something that needed to be addressed in a town.
Speaker: And I think this has to throw an interesting light on Jesus.
Speaker: Right. Because now Obviously, we don't do no evidence in scripture about what it was that he actually did. We just know that he did it. And so we're seeing that in a limited view that he's a carpenter.
Speaker: But in the original language, yeah, he could have been. a handyman. He could have been a contractor.
Speaker: Right. Could have been an artist. And that to me.
Speaker: tells me
Speaker: his overall view of quite a few different things. See, I think we have to remember also
Speaker: that there were several points in times when he was teaching and the synagogues and how they looked over the temple.
Speaker: And I'm pretty sure he was extremely knowledgeable when it comes to the great buildings that were in Rome. And so this brings an extra element of study that I'm sure anybody can dive into when really trying to understand or make sense of really how deep Jesus could have went in discussing these things.
Speaker: And it actually brings about curiosity in myself, something that I saw on the surface and something that I actually could philosophically dive more into.
Speaker: and So I want to leave that as that because obviously there's more to discuss there. And so I just want to spark your interest in that. Now let's talk about his purpose.
Speaker: Okay. Let's talk about second Corinthians chapter five, verse 21. It says God made him who had no sin to be sin for us so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Speaker: And so I want to bring something up here as well. Anytime you read scripture. And you read different passages of scripture and you read how certain things are written, there are going to be certain things that's going to spark your curiosity.
Speaker: And one of those things is the wording here. It said God made him. And so originally when you read this passage, you're going to believe that Jesus was created, that God created him.
Speaker: And so we have to be honest with ourselves and look at the scriptures fully and understand that that's not what he's saying. Because look at the fullness of this. God made it him who had no sin to be sin for us so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Speaker: So what I'm willing to accept is the portion where it says he had no sin. He became sin for us. So that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Speaker: And here's the reason why.
Speaker: We know based upon the gospel of Matthew, that it was a woman that was accused of being an adulterer.
Speaker: And so they call Jesus in an accident about stoning her. And obviously his response is him, who was what I was saying, cast the first a stone, he wrote in the ground, he wrote something in the ground.
Speaker: And so every person that had a desired stone dropped the stones and there's different ways you can interpret that. And so It speaks to the fact that one, obviously Jesus didn't sin.
Speaker: It speaks to the wisdom. But I want to highlight that he took on the sin, having been having not been sinful, but became sin for us.
Speaker: And it says so that we might become the righteousness of God, which is still an invitation because everybody may not become the righteousness of God, right? The righteousness that God has, the christ the righteousness that Christ covers us with.
Speaker: And so I want to point out a passage of scripture that the box, the idea that Jesus was created. And this is why you have to take the Bible and read in whole, because when you read certain things in different translations and it doesn't line up with who you know Jesus to be, you can get conscrued.
Speaker: And so scripture has to interpret scripture. This is why hermeneus is important. This is why reading the Bible. in its entirety within allow you to identify how certain narratives aren't true.
Speaker: And also the wording, right? We know that the Bible wasn't written in English. We know it was translated in English. And so we are missing certain elements truthfully of what certain scriptures are really, really saying.
Speaker: And so we have to be honest with ourselves when it comes to that. Okay. And so, I've mentioned this passage of scripture on the podcast before, and I'll mention it again.
Speaker: Proverbs chapter eight, verses verses 22 to 31. It says the Lord possessed me at the beginning of his works, the first of his acts of old.
Speaker: Ages ago i was set up at the first. Before the beginning of the earth, when there was no depths, I was brought forth. When there was no springs abounding in waters, before the mountains had been shaped, before the hills I was brought forth, before he had made the earth with its fields, or first of the dust of the world, when he established the heavens, I was there.
Speaker: When he drew a circle on the face of the depth, when he made firm the skies above, when he established the found the fountains of the deep, when he is assigned to the seas its limits so that the waters might be transgressed, his command when he marked out the foundations of the earth, then I was beside him.
Speaker: Like a master the workman. And I was dearly his delight, rejoicing before him always. Rejoicing in his inhabited world and delighting in the children of man. So it speaks about him being there when all this was happening.
Speaker: So no, he was not created. He was present. He was right there. And so we can read that and know that God did not make Jesus like he made man and woman. He didn't do that.
Speaker: And so we have to leave the door open for that. And obviously we could talk about that at more length. And I mentioned it in other episodes. And so just be mindful that when you read in the scriptures. Another purpose that I think needs to be spoken about.
Speaker: First, John, chapter three, verse eight. And it says the one I'm reading this in the Amplified version again, first John chapter three, verse eight, the one who practices sin, separating himself from God, offending him by acts of disobedience, indifference or rebellion is of the devil.
Speaker: It takes his inner character and moral values from him, not God. Interesting. For the devil has sinned and violated God's law from the beginning.
Speaker: The Son of God appeared for this purpose to destroy the works of the devil. And so we have to, in reading this verse, we have to really understand the value of why this is a purpose and not a mission.
Speaker: Right? So one of the things that God desires for us is not to practice said. Because what does it say here?
Speaker: By practicing sin, you're separating yourself from God. You offended him. By moving and acting and disobedience, it shows there's an indifference, it shows that you're rebellious.
Speaker: And I understand the challenge that it is to live holy as he is holy. Right.
Speaker: Another thing is there's someone that opened the door for this when it comes to resisting God, and that's the devil.
Speaker: And so by practicing sin and moving and acting in disobedience and desiring to rebel against God, you're taking on pretty much the character and more values of the devil.
Speaker: Right. We know that the devil resisted God. We know that the devil thought he was better than God. And so. Anyone. Who thinks such as this thought process.
Speaker: They're considered. The Antichrist. Because they're rebellion. They're rebelling against the truth.
Speaker: Right. And so there's something we have to highlight here.
Speaker: We know that the son of man appeared for a specific purpose. And for this, it says to destroy the works of the devil. Now, we have to understand that by destroying something, I don't think we meet it in a physical sense.
Speaker: Right. I think it means by debunking a concept or an idea that tends to be spreading like a fire.
Speaker: Right. And so to really understand this, you more or less would have to go back and understand what it is that the devil did. He sowed a seed or an impression or a thought process into Eve that had a question of legitimacy of who God was.
Speaker: Right. God said something and so we know anything or any person that desires to question the truth. Obviously, there's an aspect to them that is rebellious.
Speaker: And so I believe Jesus came his purpose. was to eliminate and do away with this mentality that it's okay to do what it is that the devil did. Right? Monkey see, monkey do.
Speaker: And I think we have a lot of that in society. And so we're getting to something big here. But I think in really reading...
Speaker: the past is in Genesis and understanding what it is that the devil did from a psychological and philosophical standpoint. There's much more there to be unpacked. And obviously I don't want to go into all of that now, but I just want to bring it up to something that here it's telling you clearly that the son of God appeared for this purpose because you have to understand that this issue that arrived was not something that could be corrected so quickly.
Speaker: It was something that had to be progressively worked on to then get to a certain point where it required much more to address, especially the impact and what it could have on generations to come.
Speaker: And so when we read that the son of God appeared for this purpose to destroy the works of the devil, you then have to study what are some of the works that the devil started to implement into the society.
Speaker: And we see it now. So much that has transpired, how evil and wickedness has spread To places and to levels that is so deep.
Speaker: And so here is the verse that I believe. Really sums up its purpose.
Speaker: And this is my opinion, of course. First John chapter five, verse 20 says, and when we know that the son of man has come.
Speaker: He has come to give us understanding so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true. By being his son, Jesus Christ, he is true God and eternal life.
Speaker: Why do I believe this summarizes his purpose? Again, I want to be clear. There are plenty of passages of scripture that tell you what
Speaker: appears or seems to be his purpose. And I agree with that. There are a lot of different ones. I'm not here to tell you which one is the most important one. I can only tell you what I believe extremely important because this particular passage indicates that the son of God has come and has given us understanding.
Speaker: Right. And we know from problems and all that getting get understanding. Right. If we are desiring to walk by faith, not by sight, that requires understanding.
Speaker: If we need to understand that is impossible to please him without faith, it requires understanding. If it comes down to the importance of why Jesus had to die on the cross, it requires understanding.
Speaker: If we are going back and forth in terms of why you shouldn't have sex before marriage, it requires understanding. If we're being told the importance of loving one another, even our enemies, it requires understanding.
Speaker: Right? Jesus, who was tempted in the desert for 40 days, 40 nights, it requires us understanding. Every aspect of scripture And of everything that transpired about why Jesus died on the cross and why it happened in that particular way and what was he fulfilling and how he was fulfilling.
Speaker: And not abolishing the law, but fulfilling it requires understanding. And in reading what it is that Jesus did, it requires understanding. When Jesus had a conversation with the woman at the well and sent his disciples away, it requires us to unpack understanding. And so no matter what you look at and what you study, it requires for the Lord to give us understanding.
Speaker: Right. And so his purpose has been to provide us understanding. That's the first half of it. Understanding. The other aspect is so that we may know him who is true.
Speaker: And so the question is, is God true? Is he real? Is he present? And we know this by studying the life of Christ.
Speaker: If we want to know that he's true, we want know that he's compassionate, that he's love, that he's caring, that he's comforting. Look at the way Jesus interacts with his own creation.
Speaker: And we know him. and we know that he's true by seeing how Jesus interacted with people.
Speaker: Right. We also know that Jesus told Philip. That if you want to know the father. Right. You look at him.
Speaker: You look at him. And that will really give you understanding of who the father is. And so. I think this is is so important.
Speaker: Again, understanding. and knowing him who is true. Right? Because what is the rest of that portion say?
Speaker: It's very clear to us what the portion says. It says, and we are in him who is true by being in his son, Jesus Christ. Right?
Speaker: So we go to the Gospel of John. Right. Chapter 14.
Speaker: And we read through. What was stated is very clear. How do you begin to understand. Who God is and know that he's true.
Speaker: Right. says by being in the sun, Jesus Christ. Look at what it says. It's philicept to him. Lord, show us the father and then we'll be satisfied. Then we will be satisfied in other translations.
Speaker: And it says, then So it says, show us the father and then we'll be satisfied with that. It will be good enough for us. Right. And Jesus said to him, have I not been with you for such a long time?
Speaker: Do you not know me, Philip? Nor recognize clearly who I am. Anyone who has seen me has seen the father. How can you say, show us the father?
Speaker: Do you not believe that I am in the father and the father is in me? Right? The words that I say to you do not do I do not say on my own intuitively authority, but the father abiding continues in me. This is works. Here's a testament, his miracles, acts of power.
Speaker: Believe me that I am in the father and the father is in me. Otherwise, believe me because of the very works themselves which you have witnessed. I assure you most solemnly say to you, anyone who believes in me as savior will also do the things that I do.
Speaker: He would do even greater things than these. And so. These two statements in that passage.
Speaker: really speaks to the idea of what his purpose
Speaker: is.
Speaker: Can't overlook it.
Speaker: Now, I want to point out the other aspect, right? Matthew 517. This is another purpose. Don't misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets.
Speaker: No, I came to accomplish their purpose. So he's speaking to what the purpose of the law is. OK.
Speaker: And so what was the purpose of the law? You have to first ask yourself that. And so the purpose of the law can be found in Galatians chapter three, verse 11.
Speaker: Galatians chapter three, verse 11. We'll read this in the Amplified Version. It says, Now it is clear that no one is justified, that is, declared free of the guilt of sin and its penalty.
Speaker: and placed in right standing before God by the law for the righteous, the just, yup, right shall live by faith.
Speaker: And to take it a step further, we have to leave. We actually have to read Galatians chapter the three verses 15, right? Do 29. I want to read this to you. It says brothers and sisters, let me take an example from everyday life.
Speaker: just as no one can set aside or add to a human covenant that has been duly established. So it is in this case, the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed.
Speaker: Scripture does not say and to seeds, meaning many people, but and to your seed, meaning one person who is Christ's.
Speaker: What I mean is this, the law introduced 430 years ago does not set aside a covenant previously established by God, thus do away with a promise.
Speaker: For if the inheritance depends on law, then it no longer depends on the promise. But God, in his grace, gave us or gave it to Abraham through a promise.
Speaker: Why then was the law given at all? It was added because of the transgressions until the seed to whom the promise referred had come.
Speaker: The law was given through angels and entrusted to a mediator. A mediator, however, implies more than one party, but God is one.
Speaker: Is the law therefore opposed to the promise of God? Absolutely not. For if a law had been given that could impart life, the righteousness would certainly have come by the law.
Speaker: But scripture has locked up everything under the control of sin so that the one, so that what was promised being given through faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.
Speaker: Before the coming of this faith, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed.
Speaker: So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith. Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.
Speaker: So in Christ Jesus, you are all children of God through faith. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourself with Christ.
Speaker: There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Speaker: If you belong to Christ, you are Abraham's seed and heirs according to the promise. So I believe that definitely addresses that point. Again, if you're interested, Galatians chapter three, verses 15 through 29, and it tells you what was the purpose of the law and what did it drive?
Speaker: the covenants and the explanations between two the two covenants and what it did. And so I want to finish with this passage of Scripture. And I want to finish this passage of Scripture because this is where my studying came to an end.
Speaker: And it came to an end because it brought up more questions, or more importantly, it brought up more things to study. And so I want to read this passage and I want to briefly tell you a couple of things that crossed my mind.
Speaker: And so here we go. Gospel of John, chapter 18, verses 33 to 38. thirty eight So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, Are you the king of the Jews?
Speaker: Jesus answered, Do you say this on your own accord? Or did you say what others told you about me?
Speaker: Pilate answered, am I a Jew? Your own nation and chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done? Jesus answered, my kingdom is not of this world.
Speaker: If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting that I might be delivered. I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not of this world.
Speaker: Then Pilate said to him, So you are a king. Jesus answered, You say that I am a king. Now check this. For this purpose I was born, and for this purpose I have come into the world to be a witness to the truth.
Speaker: Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice. Pilate said to him, what is truth?
Speaker: And so what's the name of this podcast? The Truth of the Matter Is. And one of the reasons why I named it The Truth of the Matter Is, for those who haven't wish the first watched the first episode or listened to the first episode,
Speaker: well, listen to the first episode. There's no way you can watch the episode. It's because we live in a society now where there tends to be my truth, your truth, their truth.
Speaker: Right? And I believe when it comes to truth, it's not a concept. It's a person. I don't think it was a mistake when Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, and the life.
Speaker: And I think if you want to have any relationship with the Lord, It has to be rooted in acknowledging and appreciating that Jesus is the truth.
Speaker: That is what sustains your relationship with God. In him dwells wisdom. In him, you have comfort. You have love. You have everything that you ever need.
Speaker: He's your savior, your guide or your lawyer, your teacher. Your father, he's everything that you ever need. And so I think in reading this portion of scripture.
Speaker: Jesus said he came.
Speaker: So he may bear witness to the truth. Now, what witness is he bearing to the truth? Remember what I said earlier, or we got to a certain portion of scripture. We were talking about the ah first John chapter five, verse 20.
Speaker: And it spoke about how he came so that he may give us understanding to him who is true. Which means back to what I had read previously was Proverbs 8, 22 through 31.
Speaker: Why I didn't see the connection. Where i spoke about him being in the beginning when all things were created. And all things were established. He was there. Right?
Speaker: And so if he was there and he's bearing witness to him who is true. He's talking about God.
Speaker: And so who else can bear witness to what they have seen?
Speaker: Right. Let's take it a step further. When Jesus had a conversation with the woman at the well, he talked about the difference between those who are worshiping what they don't know and those who are worshiping what they do know.
Speaker: There's a distinction. There's a distinction between what it is that's true and what it is that is rooted in what people think is true. And so if he's bearing witness to the truth,
Speaker: He obviously knows who it is. Right. We'll take it a step further. He's part of the Trinity. God, the father, God, the son, Holy Spirit, father, son, Holy Spirit.
Speaker: First community that ever existed. And yet they're all God. One. God is one. That's exactly what we just read. When we read Galatians.
Speaker: And so he said, i was born for this purpose. And I have come into the world to bear witness to the truth. It says every everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.
Speaker: And I think here's the interesting thing. Pilate posed the question. What is truth?
Speaker: Because I think he's confused at what truth is. Take it a step further. Before Jesus had a conversation with Pilate, remember who told Pilate to have nothing to do with this man? His wife.
Speaker: And so when you really read the clues,
Speaker: you really see what's happening here. Some multifaceted explanation about what's really going on here.
Speaker: Another thing we have to point out that doesn't get discussed often. is that if he came into the world to bear witness to the truth, what was the lie that was told that had Jesus come to bear a witness to the truth?
Speaker: What did the devil say or tell that would shake the foundation of this world that Jesus had to come and correct and declare?
Speaker: Right. And you can look at so many different. Lies that the devil told. What is it? The phrase that we have in society is that the greatest lie that the devil has ever told us that him, that he's convinced in the world that he doesn't exist.
Speaker: Right. There are people walking around who don't believe that are spiritual beings exist. There are some people that believes is all fairytale and it's not real. Right.
Speaker: And so ah reading the scriptures, it it can become extremely interesting.
Speaker: So what is it? What's the lie that the devil told? When you read Job. Right. We know. That the devil is the accuser of the brethren.
Speaker: And if you really read that whole story, you learn that.
Speaker: The devil claimed that if you took everything from Joe, he wouldn't serve him the same. And so to answer that question, it's going to take time.
Speaker: Can i answer that confidently that I know what's the lie that the devil told that had Jesus come here, who felt the need to bear witness to the truth, truthfully and honestly? No.
Speaker: There's a couple of speculations that I have that I've read and I could piece together. But when I learn of it, I don't mind sharing it because there's so many different possibilities.
Speaker: But for him to come bear witness to the truth, I think was obvious is that there's been a question of who's the one and true God. And we know that God has declared that he is.
Speaker: We know that Paul talks about this in the book of Corinthians, that there are many gods in this world and the many lords, but there's one God and one Lord.
Speaker: Who's the creator of all things. And so that's what I wanted to spark with you to today. This is what I had intent intended to share and what I still intend to do and share you.
Speaker: my friends at For Bible Study, my senior friends. And so I hope what I have shared today will spark your curiosity. And i I want you to know that my intention for any episode that I put out is I want to be intentional.
Speaker: I want to inspire you to search the scriptures diligently, to ask questions, to pray, to inquire of the Lord for understanding and clarity.
Speaker: And I don't want to produce content that's not going to build you up or waste your time. I want to make sure that anything that I post and share with you, you benefit from because I appreciate the platform that the Lord has given me. And so I want to take full advantage of being a blessing to those who feel that what I have to say to them is worth listening to.
Speaker: And on that note, I'm going to pray this out. And i what I want to say is just just watch out and listen out for and next episode that's coming up. I'm just, you know, crossing my T's and dying my I's.
Speaker: Heavenly Father, Lord, in Jesus' name, your word is so amazing. It's so filled with so much wisdom and mysteries and revelations. And so we appreciate the fellowship and a time that it takes to learn all that the scriptures have to offer. I'm most certain that even in a lifetime,
Speaker: that each and every one of us has depending on when it will be your time to call us, obviously to those who believe that there's so much we can get. There's so much to learn, there's so much to share, there's so much to consume, there's so much to put into practice and action that it can become extremely overwhelming.
Speaker: And so I thank you for i thank you for patience. I thank you for loving us in spite of ourselves. I thank you for being there, supporting us in all that we do.
Speaker: And I truly thank you for your love and your passion for each and every one of us, how you thought about us before the sacrifice was made and how you don't want anyone to perish, but all to repent and to come to believe.
Speaker: And so I'm praying for that experience to happen today. I'm praying for all those who are in trouble or in need of healing or protection or safety.
Speaker: With that being said, Lord, I say this confidently and with surety, knowing that you're Alpha and Omega, beginning, the end, the creator of things and anything that acts that is according to your will, you would do. And on that, Lord, I say these things in Jesus name we pray.
Speaker: Amen and amen. And I'll talk to you all next time.
