All posts by Dorothy

Currently, I (Dorothy Newton} am a Street Pastor in Ramsbottom, working alongside Christians who believe that Jesus is the Son of God, the Messiah. Christian, visible unity among the churches.
Angels at the close of the age reap the harvest, but under grace, no condemnation, Not under law, Wheat seed

The Messiah’s Secret – The Wheat harvest

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The Messiah Secret – The Wheat Harvest    

One of the amazing facts of life is that a wheat seed has to die before it can start to grow and in the fullness of time the plant produces many seeds after its own kind.” Contained in the seed is the complete make up of a wheat plant, its colour, height etc.


Jesus described himself as the seed of wheat that had first to die to produce more seeds. 
“Unless a grain of wheat fall into the earth and dies it remains alone, but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” John 12: 24.

The wheat seed has first to die and that takes place while it is being stored over several months where the process dying off is completed, afterwards the seeds can be planted in the field. After the seed is planted it lies in the soil in darkness where it germinates and then starts to grow as it is watered by the rain. 

Jesus’ words were fulfilled when in his humanity he died on the cross, to produce the seeds of his eternal life.

The Messiah’s Secret Revealed
The disciples and followers of Jesus were devastated when Jesus died on the cross. Two disciples on the road to Emmaus talking to the stranger said, “We had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel.” This shows that his disciples hadn’t understood that Jesus had to die to fulfil the prophesies of the resurrection of the Messiah. Luke 24: 21. Job 19: 24. Psalm 16: 10. 49: 9.
After Jesus had died on the cross he was taken down and carried by Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea to a tomb where he was buried and the tomb was sealed. On the third day Jesus rose from the dead. The seed, Jesus, had to die and become the first fruits of the resurrection. Matthew 27: 57-61. Luke 24: 21, 36-43. Romans 8: 12-25.  Matthew 13: 24-30, 36-43

The eternal seeds the good news about Jesus.
“You have been born anew, not of perishable seed but of imperishable seed, through the living and abiding word of God.” 1 Peter 1:23 

The Holy Spirit bears witness, shows us within our being, our mind and conscience of a change that has taken place through receiving into our heart the words that tell us of what Jesus has done for us on the cross and in his resurrection and ascension. These words are the imperishable seeds of faith that germinate within us as they are planted in the heart and unite with our old nature that dies and our new nature appears, so we begin to grow and think in the same way as Jesus showing compassion and wanting to please God and our way of life, we become ‘Christ-like’, a Christian. The seed of faith sown in the heart is complete in itself, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It contains the potential to grow to its fullness. 

The seeds sown in the field
The Lord our God created us with a free will, so that we can choose what we believe and many after hearing the gospel message repeatedly turn away from it and seek a self determined way of life. In the parable Jesus identifies these people as weeds not wheat.
Many Christians after receiving Jesus as their Saviour do not move on from there, they continue to look at the cross, and are stuck between the cross and moving forward to walk in the Spirit. 
From my experience I have observed  that for some Christians there is a hurdle of ‘self’ we say what can I do for God? What am I capable of? What am I comfortable doing? The thought of asking Jesus what he wants me to do for him, the brake goes on, the traffic lights change to red. It is as if they are restricted by doubt and wanting the best of both worlds and what usually follows gradually they fall away or like some of Jesus’ followers who fell away when he said that he was the ‘bread of life.’  John 6: 66. 2 Timothy 3: 5.

Jesus died to his own will to do the will of his Father and we find it is the same for every Christian, Jesus calls us to look to doing his will and not our own desires. In the garden of Gethsemane Jesus died to ‘ self,’ Jesus said, “Father if you are willing remove this cup from me, nevertheless not my will be done, but I your will be done.” Luke 22: 42. The result of Jesus dying to self he was willing to fulfil the task that God his Father had sent him to do which was to literally die on a cross, in great pain and agony, spiritually taking upon himself sin and the causes of sin against God.

We are not under Law but under grace.

When I started woodcarving in the early eighties I went to wood work evening classes one of the items I made was a bedding box  1 &1/2 metres by ½ metre with five carved panels. On one of the panels I carved these words, ‘A Christian is not under law, but is under grace.’ On another panel Jesus walking on water, on another my daughter age 5 her hands praying and on another a cross and on another an open Bible.

The law written into my  heart when I heard at a Bible study in the 1970’s that the commandments are not to be adhered to as a set of rules, and later studying Paul’s letter to the Romans we are not under Law but under grace.  Under grace the Lord God wants us to be like a child dependant upon its parents, we are God’s children and we come to the Father in prayer as we are dependent upon him for our very life. 

The cross is the way to find God our Father’s forgiveness, his love, “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3: 16. By faith we accept Jesus as our Saviour, we can’t earn our salvation by good works that is by self effort, I’ll do this to please God, all within the limits of our self control what we decide to do for God. Faith to believe is followed by the Lord directing our path by giving us works to do, so we die to self, we say how we can please God.

Jesus, the eternal Word of God the Father, as we take hold in our hearts of Jesus’ words they are Spirit filled living words by them we are strengthened to stand against the unseen principalities and powers, the spiritual wickedness that is at work in the world.

The Bible tells us that the Cherubim Satan was full of self esteem and he developed a desire for power, his ambition was to be like God. As a result other angels joined him and together they conspired against God. A battle was fought and Satan and his angels were cast out of heaven. Isaiah 14 12-17. Job 1: 7. 2: 2.
Jesus saw Satan fall like lightening from heaven. Luke 10: 18. 
In Moses account of creation on day two when the atmosphere came into being, the words ‘it was good’ are not written like they are on the other days. It is generally taught that when Satan was cast out of heaven he took up residence in earth’s atmosphere, where he roams to and fro, like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour. Genesis 1: 6-8. 1 Peter 5: 8.    

Moses inspired by the Holy Spirit wrote that the first people Adam and Eve were created by God a living being and had fellowship with God until they were tempted by Satan to become like God. They responded to the temptation and fell under the spiritual influence of Satan and the condemnation of God. Genesis 2: 7. 3:1-7, 23   
Jesus is the second Adam he has set us free from their condemnation. 

By faith and grace (undeserved giving from God) he gave power to those who believe in his name to become children of God. John 1: 12.  

(I didn’t take a picture of the 5th panel Jesus walking on water. The box is to heavy for me to move. Hebrews 11: 1) 
Jesus walked on water in the power of faith, Peter asked if he could join him having the faith to believe he could be like Jesus and then we read his faith faltered and he began to sink and Jesus took hold of him. 
What happened to Peter’s faith? Maybe just for a moment the strength of the waves made him unsteady, and his humanity got in the way of his faith. The Lord understands our weaknesses and the enemy will hinder us if he can, but Jesus is always there to lift us up, the Holy Spirit comforts us and Christian friends encourage us. Matthew 14: 28-32                                                                         
The reality of personally knowing that God is our Father.   
I can only speak of what I know from my own experience, this knowing that God was my heavenly Father I realised when I received the Holy Spirit from the laying on of hands by Rev Ronald Freeman in 1980 and I knew personally that Jesus was God made visible in the flesh through studying the Sermon on the Mount. Matthew Chapters 5-7.  

A walk in grace  
I was listening to a home insurance ad on TV, it stated by paying so much a week the benefits you would receive: replacement of breakages: vases, glass domes, TV, windows, even to the extent of re-building your home.
Jesus has paid the payment in full for our salvation and the benefits are enormous, out of this world. 
When any person in the world turns to accept Jesus as their Saviour, Jesus’ final sacrifice deals with all our sin that has stood between ourselves and God. 
It is like erasing words or files on our computer and empting the recycling bin as well, both at the same time. No records kept of wrongs. We are a new creation in Christ, our broken spoiled nature is replaced with a new nature like Jesus himself.   

The enemy would try to recover his lost ground in our life, but we are set free from any condemnation. Romans 8: 1    
When I am tempted by Satan and I fall into sin and I seek God’s forgiveness and say I am sorry to God.  I know that I have been forgiven as there is no condemnation no guilt or fear lingering on as it used to do. The devil cannot recycle my sin, unless I allow him to.  

If I need to be reconciled to someone then the Lord will go before me and enable me to say sorry and if that person still holds onto unforgiveness then that is between themselves and God, I am  free from any condemnation.  

Corrie Ten Boom wrote that we should imagine a pond with a sign ‘no fishing’ and we should throw our sins forgiven into it and leave them there at the bottom of the pond. “Clippings from my Notebook” Corrie ten Boom page 75
  
Angels reap the harvest 
Our gospel reading is where Jesus illustrated this event of the gathering of the wheat harvest, the children of God from among those he described as weeds growing among the wheat. Revelation 20: 6   

Some years ago the Lord gave me a picture of a field with angels sounding the trumpet ready to separate the wheat and weeds that where growing together.  I wanted to carve the picture and make a bed head. I bought beech wood planks and duly at evening class made them up into a large board and started to carve the picture of this wheat field. However, the wood is so hard I haven’t finished the carving. (Below the unfinished wood carving on the bed head)  This unfinished work reminds me of the parable in the reading: the angels gathering in of the wheat harvest at the end of the age that has yet to take place.  
The wheat and the weeds growing together in some cases rubbing against each other, when this happens it is like Christians living and working together with unbelievers. There are occasions when our way of life comes into conflict with those we are rubbing along with. I remember being invited to a lingerie party only I found out beforehand that it was in order to buy sexy underwear, I declined the invitation. The world is overflowing with seducing spirits.  

The close of the age.  
Another picture the Lord gave me in 2002 was of wheat in a field shining like the sun.  I painted it on a small piece of paper and pinned it up in the church vestry. Any picture received usually is associated with scripture.  ( I have kept a folder with the pictures that the Lord has given me.)  

21st July 2002 St. Mary’s Church. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father Matthew 13: 43. I discerned that the wheat were people belonging to our church.  At that time the young teenagers of St Mary’s and St Paul’s, Kay Street Baptist and the youth from other churches began to move with the Holy Spirit and many teenagers came to Christ.  

All creation waits for the new heaven and the new earth that follows the close of the age. 
After the 1,000 year reign of Jesus Christ Satan is let lose for a period of time, this is followed by the end of the age battle where Satan and his fallen angels are defeated and destroyed. The books of life are opened and both great and small come before Almighty God’s white throne for judgement. Revelation 20: 7 -15

Jesus ends his parable, “He who has ears, let them hear.”  Jesus’ sense of humour in us having ears like the wheat.
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The Messiah’s Secret – Christians Together – Celebrating the Ascension

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The  Messiah’s Secret – Celebrating  the  Ascension
Christians Together Haslingden 
 
  In Acts 1 we read that Jesus ascended into heaven from the Mount of Olives, “As the disciples were looking on, Jesus was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.”
Jesus was greeted into his Father’s kingdom David’s Psalm captures the moment. “Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors! That the king of glory may come in. Who is the king of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory.”Psalm  24: 9, 10.
The  welcome the Lord must have received on his return to heaven.  
How the angels must have praised and sang just as we read they did at his birth. A multitude of heavenly hosts saying,”Glory to God in the highest and peace to all men.”
I liken it to the Queen’s coronation the crowds lined the streets, cheering and singing ‘God save our gracious Queen’ flags waving, trumpets sounded and bands played and bells rang out throughout the land.
Pearly gates 
The heavenly Jerusalem has 12 gates, each gate made of a single pearl.  
Pearls are found in oysters, they are the result of a parasite entering the oyster’s shell. The oyster sends a solution to the parasite, over a period of time this solution becomes the pearl. If the parasite represents our sin and the solution that destroys the parasite the blood of Jesus. Jesus’ blood blots out our sin and the beautiful pearl represents our salvation.   Revelation 21: 21 We enter the heavenly city by grace and faith in Jesus. 
 Where is heaven?    
Isaiah wrote of the Kingdom of heaven being in the North of the universe above the stars.  Isaiah 14: 13 Acts 1: 9, 12.                                                                                                                                 
Jesus’ Ascension signalled the start of the union between heaven and earth. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians 1: 10. “God’s plan for the fullness of time to unite all things in him in heaven and on earth.”
The Ascension is a crucial part of our eternal salvation. Jesus has united heaven and earth through his death, resurrection and his Ascension.
Paul in his letter to the Colossians 1: 13. Wrote that every Christian has been united with Christ, and transferred while we live on earth by the Spirit into Christ’s heavenly kingdom.
Our entrance into heaven, scripture says there is joy in heaven when a person repents, how we rejoice when a person comes to faith in Jesus and I wonder how much more in heaven will the angels be rejoicing when a new Christian is passing through the gates. Revelation 4: 1.
Paul in his letter to the Ephesians wrote “When Jesus ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.”
The captives ascended with Jesus, these were the people, who Jesus preached his message to in prison or  as we say in the creed ‘ Jesus died and went to hell’ these people  had died  before Jesus lived on earth and in God’s justice he gave them the opportunity to hear and believe in Jesus.

‘And he gave gifts to men’ His Ascension made it possible for the Holy Spirit to come and reveal to us the truth about Jesus’ Ascension and giving us spiritual gifts.
“And his gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers.” Ephesians 4: 8, 11 
These gifts distributed by the Holy Spirit to build up and bless the church, Christ’s body.  
Again in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians he wrote, “We have been blessed with every spiritual blessings in heavenly places.” Ephesians 1: 3.   
 What are the spiritual blessings?   
While on earth:  We are citizens of heaven. Philippians 2:20
Children of God and joint heirs in Christ. Romans 8:16, 17.
Imitators of God empowered to imitate Jesus by his Spirit and word in us. Ephesians 5: 1 
Ambassadors of the Kingdom of God. 2 Corinthians 5: 20.     
In heaven after Jesus returns
Reign and rule with Christ in his kingdom. Revelation 20: 4. Daniel 7: 22
Judge angels. 1 Corinthians 6:3
Authority over cities. Luke 19: 17. 

When Jesus ascended into heaven from the Mount of Olives he also fulfilled Daniel’s prophecy of 70 weeks of years. 
From the completion of Zerubbabel’s temple 515 BC on the 69th week the Christ would be cut off from his people, which was fulfilled when Jesus ascended into heaven. 
Daniel prophesied this would be followed by by wars, famine, earthquakes and floods. In 70 AD the Jerusalem temple and city were destroyed. 
What has yet to be fulfilled: the last 7 years of the 70 weeks, which will begin with three and a half years of peace followed by what is called the great tribulation were the antichrist turns on Israel and her allies.” Daniel 9: 27. 

So when will Jesus return?     
Paul in his first letter to the Thessalonians 1: 10 he writes that Jesus will call out his church to go to the marriage supper of the Jesus and his bride, the church before the start of the tribulation. 

The difference between being ascended like Jesus and being translated.
Jesus died before being taken up from the earth to heaven. Jesus had his own body in his resurrection, a body without blood that had the marks of the nails and the sword that pierced his side.  
Translated 
Enoch and Elijah were alive when they were taken up from the earth into heaven.   
The writer of Hebrews wrote, “By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death; and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he attested as  having pleased God.” Hebrews 11: 5   
Elijah was translated, “And as Elijah and Elisha still went on and talked, behold, a chariot of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them. And Elijah went up in a whirlwind into heaven.” 2 Kings 2: 11.
 Jesus’ ascension and our ascension when Jesus calls out his church from the earth.     
The Christians who have died and hear the call ascend to meet Christ in the air, the dust that once was their earthly body will be gathered to create a resurrected body with the marks on the body that will tell us it’s our own.  
We come together in heaven with those who are alive and are called and translated from the earth to meet Christ in the air,  these Christians will not die before meeting the Lord, but their bodies will be changed into a resurrected body.   
We take possession of our inheritance when we become Christians we have been transferred into Christ’s kingdom whilst on earth. Colossians 1: 13. 

In John’s Vision in the book of Revelation 19: 11-21. Jesus returns with all the saints and his heavenly armies and defeats the antichrist and his allies. Jesus takes up again with the remnant of Jewish people and rules the nations with a rod of iron.

Christians reign and rule with Christ. 
British values, called to witness the good news, imprisoned for their faith in Christ, mad about the gospel of Christ, newspaper article

The Messiah’s Secret – Who is Jesus

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The Messiah’s Secret – Who is Jesus?    

Matthew 16:13-19.    2 Timothy 4: 6-8, 17, 18.
The cross Paul wrote is folly to the world, but to those like us who believe that the gospel is true, by the Holy Spirit revealing Jesus the Son of the living God into our hearts.

Many Christians today are being imprisoned for their faith in Jesus, not just because they believe in Jesus, but because they are living out their faith on a daily basis.   

Paul’s second letter to Timothy was written from the house where he was being held as a prisoner. It is generally thought to be in Rome. Acts 23: 11 
Paul had been given a prophecy through Agabus the prophet.  Agabus took Paul’s belt and tied up his own feet and hands and prophesied ‘So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles’. After hearing this some begged him not to go to Jerusalem. Paul’s response he was ready to be imprisoned and even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Acts 21: 10-14, 33  
After Paul was arrested at Jerusalem he was about to be scourged when he appealed to Caesar as he was a Roman citizen. For two years Paul was held at Caesarea until Festus became governor.  
 Paul was brought in chains before Festus  and King Agrippa, they mocked Paul accusing him of madness. After Paul gave his testimony, telling them that he persecuted the Christians and he had seen Jesus in a vision on the Damascus Road. Festus declared, “Paul you are mad; your great learning is turning you mad.” Paul declared that he was not mad, “I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am, except for these chains.” “And Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”   Acts 22: 25-27. 25: 23-27                                                              
Paul was prepared  to die for his faith. In his letter to the Philippians, he wrote that he was hard pressed between the two ”For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Perhaps a little weary at times he desired to be with Christ, “My desire is to depart and be with Christ.”  
 Paul ended his letter to Timothy witnessing  how the Lord had stood by him and had strengthened him to give the message to the Gentiles. 
Today we are strengthened and encouraged when the Lord stands by us strengthening us to be bold in witness what may seem to some as madness to believe that Jesus is God made visible in the flesh. 

Extract from an article in the Barnabas Magazine.    
“In many parts of the world Christians suffer discrimination, harassment and violence, and even in the West we face social pressure to water down or abandon our faith.” 

 Bury Bible Society Action Group held a concert at Bolton Road Methodist Church on Saturday 21st June.  I emailed the Bury Times a brief account of the event plus two photos: 

The United Christian Singers presented  ‘New Creation’ Composer Brian Hoare Musical Director Walter Brisk. 

On a warm, beautiful  June evening 120 people gathered in Bolton Road Methodist Church to hear a spectacular performance  by the United Christian Singers of Brian Hoare’s score ‘New Creation’.  The voices of seventy people joyously brought to life the first chapter of Genesis, with the account of God’s creation narrated by a member of the choir. The musical score was accompanied by fantastic photography on the screen that showed the great diversity in creation. God crowned his creation with humanity with the ability to invent and to achieve with numerous skills having different gifts, gifts we see in each other.  Christians believe that we are a new creation in Jesus through his death, dying for our sins, and having received forgiveness we receive a fresh new start. Members of the choir sang solo’s and the audience were asked to join in several times.  The evening’s performance was a great success, and enjoyed by all. Donations amounting to £500 were given to the Bible Societies work in translating the Bible into other languages. (total 189 Words)

The Bury Times published: Heading – £500 for Bible Work  Members of the Bury Bible Society Action Group enjoyed a night of memorable music. About 120 people congregated at Bolton Road Methodist Church to enjoy a performance by the United Christian Singers. The night raised £500 to support the work of the group.”

Today the gospel message may seem crazy in this materialistic and science driven world, especially if you believe that God created the heavens and the earth. The prime minister said on the 21st April 2014 that we were a Christian country, surely then British values are based on Jesus’ teaching, “love the Lord your God . . . . and love your neighbour as yourself.” If that is the case then Christian beliefs should be allowed to be expressed in a public newspaper. 

The person who wrote this at the Bury Times had identified with the Bible, so if I came in conversation with this person, the Bible would be the point of engagement, “What do you think about the Bible is it relevant for today?”   My answer would be to tell him about the prophesies in the Bible that have been fulfilled and some of those yet to be fulfilled.  Daniel 7: 24-28.8: 19-25. 9: 24-27.    

In our Gospel reading Matthew 16: 13  Jesus asked his disciples “Who do men say that the Son of man is? It implies that the people had probably been asked this question by his disciples. The people’s response to the question indicated that they expected someone who had lived and died and then would be resurrected by God to be the Christ.
Peter responded saying that the Son of man was the Christ, one of two names in this passage association with the Christ. The other is were Peter identified Jesus as the Son of the living God. Two names in association with the Christ: the Son of man and the Son of God. 

Today when a similar question is asked about Jesus, “Who do they say Jesus is?”  Most people would separate his humanity from his divinity by saying he was a prophet. Even some Christian denominations say that Jesus is only a prophet.

We believe that Jesus is the Christ being both ‘the Son of man and Son of God, that Jesus is God made visible in the flesh. 
The Son of man: referring to Christ’s humanity.
Luke 4 : 17-19. Jesus confirmed that he was the Christ when he read from the book of Isaiah 61; 1, 2. “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing. What Jesus read I believe he outlined the Son of man’s ministry, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,” (Christ meaning ‘the anointed one’) God’s anointing was on Jesus to preach the good news to the poor about the coming of the kingdom of God. The release of the captives, the devil no longer holding the power over death and recovering of sight to the blind, the inwardly blind enlightened by the light of his word. Liberation from oppression, Jesus setting us free to worship in the Spirit the living God and proclaiming the acceptable year of the Lord that related to his ministry as ‘ the Son of man’.

Jesus the Son of God 
Caiaphas the high priest identified the Christ as being the Son of God.  Jesus was arrested and brought to Caiaphas’ house, the scribes and the elders where gathered there. “And the high priest stood up and said, “Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?” “But Jesus was silent, and the high priest said to him, “I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.” Matthew 26: 63.
Caiaphas in his response he said that the Christ and the Son of God were one of the same. Jesus’ response, “You will see the Son of man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.” Jesus pointed to himself in the context of his humanity as the Son of man and of his divinity acknowledging he was the Son of God. 
Caiaphas indicated his displeasure he tore his garments, and accused Jesus of blasphemy.
Caiaphas the religious man that he was could not get his mind around what Jesus was saying that he was the Son of God, which was blasphemy.

Today the Holy Spirit reveals to us that Jesus is God, maybe not always in a vision, but through the revealed word.   


The Messiah’s Secret.  
Before they could receive him as the Christ it was necessary for Jesus to die on a wooden cross in order to make the final sacrifice for the forgiveness of sin before he could return coming on the clouds of heaven.                                                                                                   

Jesus was silent.
On the cross Jesus bore upon himself every aspect of the law even this law of withholding evidence. “If any one sins in that he hears a public adjuration to testify and though he is a witness, whether he has seen or come to know the matter, yet does not speak, he shall bear his iniquity.” Lev 5:1
Jesus was only silent until the appropriate moment when he did respond to Caiaphas’ questioning. Matthew 26: 64. 27: 11-14. 1 Timothy 6: 13.   
Isaiah prophesied,“He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth, led like a lamb to the slaughter.” 
 ”Yet it was the will of God to bruise him; he has put him to grief; when he makes himself an offering for sin, he shall see his offspring, he shall prolong his days; the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.” Isaiah 53: 7, 10.  
                                                                             
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The Messiah’s Secret – The Tower of Babel and the Gift of Tongues

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The Messiah’s Secret – The Tower of  Babel and the Gift of Tongues

Matthew  records Jesus telling his disciples to go and make disciples of all nations. God gave them the ability to speak with people from all over the known world without learning their language
At the time of Noah the Bible informs us that Noah and his family only spoke one language probably Hebrew.
 God had given instructions to Noah and his sons, “Go and be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth.” Genesis 9: 1,7.
 However, they did not move very far after the flood, they went to a place on the plain of Shinar with their families and decided to settle there and they started to build a city and in the city they built a tower.

Children with the boxes build the tower 

They built the city and tower of bricks, these were made out of clay and straw and then hardened in a fire which made them strong.
                            
But they had forgotten what God had called them to do, to go and live to different places to populate the earth.
So God confused their language so they had to learn how to speak different languages so they left the city some went to the North, some to the East, and South and West. Some members of congregation spoke in various languages, without giving the meaning.

There is someone in this house. (look inside the house remove Oleg the mere cat) (Read note) “This is baby Oleg, he needs a good home and is hungry for grubs, please look after him.” We will give him a home at St. Mary’s.

Matthew records that Jesus told his disciples to go and make disciples of all nations. How amazed the disciples must have been when these foreign words came from their lips and the people around them knew what they were saying. (Go back to those who spoke earlier and ask for their interpretation of what they had said.)

Only the God who had confused the language of Noah’s family who gave them different languages could enable the disciples at Pentecost to speak with people from all over the known world without learning their language in order to tell them about Jesus.
Some hearing the disciples were amazed and confused, other mocking said, “They were filled with new wine,” saying they were drunk. Acts 2: 13, 15.
But in fact those who commented were making a connection with Isaiah 28 “These also reel with wine and stagger with strong drink; the priest and the prophet reel with strong drink, they are confused with wine.” Isaiah 28: 7
Peter said they were not drunk as they supposed, Isaiah prophesied in same chapter verse 11, 12 “Nay, but by men of strange lips and with an alien tongue the Lord will speak to his people.” And in the following verse, “Yet they would not hear.” RSV Bible

What a tremendous sign that God was in their presence, yet we read in Matthews Gospel that as they stood with Jesus on the mountain in Galilee some doubted. 

St Paul in his first letter to the Corinthians Chapter 14 he quoted from Isaiah 28 to explain the Holy Spirit’s gift of tongues. The Spirit gives a message to a person in any one of the approximately 2,700 languages in the world. 
In verse 10 he wrote, “There are doubtless many different languages in the world, and none is without meaning,” so the message is given in a language either with the interpretation from the same person speaking in tongues or by another person who has the gift of interpretation of a message given in tongues.                                                                                                                        
Paul makes point that the Holy Spirit’s gift of speaking in a foreign language it is so that the unbeliever hearing will be blessed by the interpretation of the message, he says,  “The secrets of his heart is disclosed; and so, falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among them.” The Lord touching the point of need.
In the time of Noah and his sons, God gave them a directive, “Go and be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth.”  Gen 9: 1,7 But we read that they were reluctant to go and be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth with their descendants.  
Under the leadership of Nimrod the mighty warrior they only managed to go as far as the plain of Shinar (Babylonia) or modern day Irac.  We read in Genesis 10: 10 that Babel was the beginning of Nimrod’s kingdom. 
In Babylon they decided to stay and build a city and tower. The tower being a monument to their achievement, their pride and ambition.
Stepping out in faith is not easy like Noah’s son’s families felt secure being together in their city, it took the confusion of tongues to fulfil God’s command for them to go and fill the earth.

In the days of Peleg the earth was divided. 
“To Eber were born two sons: the name of one was Peleg (for in his days the earth was divided.” 1 Chronicles 1: 19
Some translations translate that this was at the time when the languages were given. 
Amplified Bible “To Eber were born two sons: the name of one was Peleg, because in his days (the population of the earth was divided(according to its languages), and his brother’s name was Joktan.” 
When the Hebrew scribe wrote that the earth was divided surely it means that it was the time when the earth’s plates separated to form continents and islands.

The Bible confirms the existence of dinosaurs.
In the Book of Job there is a description of a dinosaur,”Who can strip off his garment? Who can penetrate his double coat of mail? Who can open the doors of his face? Round about his teeth is terror. His back is made of rows of shields, shut up closely as with a seal . . . . . when he raises himself up the mighty are afraid.”Job 41                                              

Jesus words to his disciples, “Go and make disciples of all nations.”  
There are varying views as to how long the church community remained in Jerusalem. After due consideration I estimate it would be approximately 4 years. The church met daily in the temple and broke bread in their homes, many thousands of people came to faith. But it took the start of persecution against the church to fulfil Jesus’ command for them to go from Jerusalem and make disciples of all nations.
It was after Stephen was brought to trial and later stoned to death that the persecution of the church began. “On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.”  Acts 1: 8,  8: 1.

The Messiah’s Secret – The Apostles remained in Jerusalem. 
“The apostles remained in Jerusalem as they were expecting Jesus to return. The evidence for this is clear in Mark’s Gospel Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power.” Mark 9: 1 After the lame man was healed Peter and John witnessed that they had acted in ignorance when they had Jesus crucified and if they repented God would send Jesus to establish the throne and kingdom of King David. (The times of refreshing)” Acts 3: 17 -26. 
The leaders of the nation had been given the opportunity of accepting Jesus as their Messiah when they heard for the first time Peter publicly proclaim that Jesus was the Christ. Caiaphas the Chief Priest could not discern the prophecy that God had given to him ‘that one man had to die to save the nation.’ John 11: 49-53. 
In the plan of God the Messiah’s death was hidden from their understanding so that the Christ would die to save not just Israel but become the Saviour of the world and that one man  was Jesus.”

The same commission for the church today.
For us today to fulfil Jesus’ same commission to go and make disciples of all nations, it is not easy to step out of our comfort zone, for every Christian there is a cost involved, Jesus told the parable of the cost of being a disciple in Luke 14 Jesus spoke of ‘Taking up your cross.’

1. Taking up your cross  it speaks of suffering and dying to self in order serve the needs of others  
The Lord calls us to serve others in their need Isaiah wrote that the Lord strengthens the weak, he brings hope were there is none. and so God uses us to bring God’s  love  to help those who are desperately in need  of the Lord to give them hope for the future. 
On Thursday Jane and I went to a church in Oldham where they have a Christian Job’s Club, there they hold courses for the long-term unemployed. 
At the meeting on Thurs they had a speaker from Greater Manchester Transport and he explained the various help that is available to assist a person to arrive at their interview for a job on time. For many unemployed making that journey is a momentous thing to do.  

2.    Jesus went on and gave the example of building a tower. Before starting to build  the tower at the planning stage to make sure he has enough funds to complete it. 
The Jobs Club is something that we are looking into at our next Pastoral Committee. On the practical side of running a Job’s Club there is a financial outlay, which for us ties in with our ‘Jigsaw Stewardship Campaign’ in two weeks time. It is an opportunity to take afresh look at our financial giving to the work of making Christ known in our community and of our commitment to the building up of our church. 

The blessings that the church at Oldham have received.  Within a short period of 8 months 11 people have started in full time employment and 3 are currently on a training programme. 19 people have come to faith and have joined their church. 

St Mary’s has never been an inward looking church, it has always been outgoing with the Gospel, and on many occasions in mission working together in serving our Jesus our Lord and God.        
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The Messiah’s Secret – Our Inheritance in Jesus

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The Messiah’s Secret – Our Inheritance in Jesus

      Sketch.  Fulfilling our commission to share the good news about Jesus
         
Parts:   Narrator –  Mrs Smith –  Mrs Jones 


Narrator.  Two neighbours Mrs Smith and Mrs Jones were going shopping and they met on the Street. 

Mrs Smith on the left Mrs Jones on the right

Mrs Smith. “Hello Mrs Jones have you got a minute, I’m really upset, it was our Fred’s birthday and they didn’t invite me, I only found out when I bumped into Sally and she let it slip. They couldn’t careless about me and they won’t talk to me since we fell out over Albert’s will.”
Mrs Jones. “I know someone who will listen and bring healing between you and your family.
Mrs Smith. “Who can do that? 
Mrs Jones “God, when we bring our concerns before him, we know he listens because Jesus his Son said, when you pray ask anything in my name you will receive.” 
Mrs Smith. “ What do I have to do?”                                                                                      
Mrs Jones. “Talk to God, say a prayer, We believe that God hears us because God sent his Son Jesus to remove the sin that separates us from God, he bore sin and the causes of it on a cross which led to his death. God raised Jesus from the dead. So through faith believing that our sin has been forgiven, we know that God will hear our prayer to him.”
Narrator. “What Mrs Jones was telling Mrs Smith is true. History records that Jesus lived and died and rose again, it is a fact. It is also true that God sent his Spirit into the world for us to receive and he reveals to us that Jesus is God manifested in the flesh and in his love for us he listens and takes care of us.
Mrs Jones. “Call on Jesus now and say sorry to God and ask Jesus to come into your life and you won’t regret it.” 
Mrs Smith (in tears). “Okay, I’ll have a word with Jesus.”
2 Samuel 23: 1-5.  Mark 16: 14 – 20
After taking that step of faith thirty years later Mrs Smith looked back to the time when she first heard about Jesus and praised God.

In our reading King David was looking back to when he heard a prophecy from the prophet Nathan verse 5.“ Yea, does not my house stand so with God? For he has made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things secure.” 2 Samuel 23: 1-5
The prophecy that God gave to Nathan for David, ”When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come forth from your body and I will establish his kingdom.. . . 16. And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me; your throne shall be established for ever. 2 Samuel 7:12-16

During David’s life he continued to hear from God about his offspring, the Messiah, and he put the words into song, words that were sweet to David as he sang and played his lyre in the Spirit. Psalm 33: 2  
In the Anglican tradition at Evensong we used to sing the Psalms. 
A lady I knew when she came to know Jesus, she received the gift of composing songs, even though she could not sing or read music. She asked a friend who was able to write the music as she sang what the Lord had given her. 
David’s Psalms gave prophesies concerning the Messiah.
Psalm 2 God laughs in heaven as he knows his Messiah has the victory over his conspirators. David prophesied that the Lord’s anointed was born of God and his kingdom he will rule over the earth with Godly justice.
Psalm 16 he speaks of the resurrection his holy one would not see the corruption of his body
In 18 He sings of his own relationship with his Lord and God, David loved God, his strength was in God, who was solid as a rock. He knew to call on the Lord when he was in trouble and David praised the Lord for saving him from his enemies.

In Psalm 22 David foretold the Messiah’s agony of separation from God, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” and of his suffering. He was despised and mocked by the people. His body being ravaged and encircled by evil. The second half of the Psalm God has fulfilled his purposes those who seek the Messiah shall praise the Lord and their hearts live for ever.  
Psalm 22: 27 “All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord and all the families of the nations shall worship before him. For dominion belongs to the Lord and Jesus rules over the nations.” 

Psalm 24. David’s prophecy of the Ascension   “Lift up your heads, O gates!  And be lifted up you ancient doors! That the king of glory may come in. Who is the King of glory the Lord strong and mighty, .  .  The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory!                                                                                            
Last Thursday we celebrated the Ascension
What a welcome the Lord must have received on his return to heaven.
How the multitude of heavenly hosts must have praised God, just as we read they did at his birth. ‘Glory to God in the highest and peace to all men.”              
I can only liken it to the Queen’s coronation 1953 where the crowds lined the streets, cheering and singing ‘God save our gracious Queen’ flags waving, trumpets sounded (fanfare)and bands played and the church bells rang out throughout the land.
The Ascension is a crucial part of eternal salvation because Jesus united heaven and earth through his death, resurrection and his Ascension. His kingdom on earth within his believers as in heaven we have received eternal life.
At the time Some of Jesus followers still doubted they expected Nathan’s prophecy to King David to be fulfilled. 
The Jews expected to enter into their inheritance  from the covenants and promises God gave to Abraham and to his descendants and to David of inheriting God’s kingdom.
John the Baptist and Jesus both proclaimed the coming of the kingdom of God. 
The writer of Hebrews pointed out, that before a person can receive their inheritance, a person has to die then the will comes into force, those who are to inherit then receive their inheritance Hebrews 9: 17. 

The Messiah had to die before the Jews could inherit the promises of eternal throne and kingdom promised to David. 
The Messiah’s Secret.
The death of the Messiah was hidden from the understanding of the Jewish leaders. They had taught from the Law that when the Messiah came he would remain for ever. John 12: 34                                                                              
Christians inherit eternal life through the death of Jesus. and as a result  we receive our inheritance, while living on the earth we are transferred into Christ’s eternal kingdom. Col 1: 13
St Paul wrote in his letter to the Ephesians, “We have been blessed with every spiritual blessings in heavenly places.” Ephesians 1: 3. 

What are the spiritual blessings? 

While we live on the earth: We are citizens of heaven. Philippians 2:20.
Children of God and joint heirs in Christ. Romans 8:16, 17.          
We are raised up and seated with Christ in heavenly places. Ephesians 2:6. Imitators of God, empowered to imitate Jesus by his Spirit and word in us. Ephesians 5: 1  Colossians 1: 27.
Ambassadors of the Kingdom of God. 2 Corinthians 5: 20.

In our sketch the neighbour who was a Christian shared the good news about Jesus to a neighbour who had no faith in Jesus. It was important for her to know that Jesus cares about every person, and through prayer will bring about healing of broken relationships and to those who repent and turn in faith to Jesus the ultimate God’s forgiveness and love. Also the gift of eternal life in fellowship with our Lord God.

In heaven after Jesus returns  
Reign and rule with Christ in his kingdom. Revelation 20: 4. Daniel 7: 22. 
Given authority over cities. Luke 19: 17 & Judge angels. 1 Corinthians 6:3  
One day we will look back to when we received our inheritance our salvation in Christ
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The Messiah’s Secret – The Way, the Truth, the Life

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The Messiah’s Secret –   The Way, the Truth, the Life 
Last week we heard Martin told us through the parable of the sheepfold that Jesus was the Shepherd and were his sheep, our way into the kingdom was through the gate of the sheepfold.  
The way was through belief in Jesus and Jesus knew his (sheep) children and called us personally by our name.
This theme continues this week but with the emphasis on Jesus’ identity. 
Children’s visual Aid
We expect what’s on the label to be inside the tin. What’s on the label? Answer Carrots 
(Child opens the tin with the pull ring.)
Inside the open tin we find carrots.(tip contents out)







Now if we take off this label, the label underneath tell us what’s in the tin. ‘The Trinity’ Father Son and Holy Spirit.

Turn the tin around, this outer tin represents God the Father,
 inside we have two tins:
Jesus (pull ring) and inside that one is another tin with the Holy Spirit on label
.







What it says on the tin we find is true that God is made up of three person’s Father Son and Holy Spirit.
God created the Universe all things by his word. God said, “Let there be light”. Genesis 1: 3
 Jesus the word of God clothed in flesh and blood. He was the word of God that said,”Let there be light.” Jesus is also called the Son of God and also the Christ and we know Jesus as Jesus Christ.
The Holy Spirit directing the word gave life to creation. He also directed his disciples where to go and who they should go with.   Acts 13: 2. 16: 6
When we believe in Jesus, we receive into our heart all three person’s of the Trinity:

Our sketch focused on finding the way to heaven. The way, the Truth and the Life.

John 14: 1-14      Acts 7: 55-end    
Every day for three years  the disciples were walking alongside Jesus they must surely have become very religious men and very close to him.                                                           
At the end of the previous chapter when Peter heard that Jesus was going away, he wanted to go with him and Peter said that he was prepared to die for him, Jesus told him that he would shortly deny him three times and where he was going they could not follow him, they were all troubled.
Probably one of the reasons they were troubled was because from the teaching that they had received from the chief priests, lawyers and scribes they claimed that when the Messiah came he would remain for ever. “The crowd answered him,” We have heard from the Law that the Christ will remain for ever.” John 12: 34 This is another aspect of the Messiah’s secret, they did not expect Jesus who they believed was the Christ would go away and leave them, unfinished business.
The human heart when troubled can quickly become disquieted; Jesus thought that they knew where he was going to, but Thomas indicated he did not know. “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, show us the way.”                                                                                                 
He was going to heaven to prepare a place for them in his Father’s house,  
Jesus indicated that by following him, he would show them the way to get to heaven.

For us today Jay’s sketch shows us that the Bible is our map and compass it leads us to Jesus.
Jesus has reserved  our place in heaven having bought it with a price of his life laid down,  that cannot be sold or handed over to anyone else, a mother would dearly love to share her Salvation with her child, but we can’t do that, we each have to find the way to heaven through the cross for ourselves. Proverbs 23: 23

Right up to eight daysafter Jesus resurrection Thomas was still not convinced of knowing the way to heaven, he would not believe that Jesus had been resurrected until he saw where the nails  had pierced his flesh and the sword his side. Thomas found out the truth when he saw his risen Lord. Thomas exclaimed, “My Lord and my God.” He recognised Jesus as his Lord (master) and God.

Jesus said to Thomas,”Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.
My mother was brought up in the Unitarian Church, she was taught as a Christian Universalism. Universalists believe that Jesus was not God revealed in the flesh. They also  teach that there is one God over all world religions 
How ever, we believe that Jesus is God made visible in the flesh and only way to find God is through Jesus. Jesus declared, “I am the way, the truth and the life no one comes to the Father except by me.”

How my mother rejoiced in the truth when she too could say “My Lord and my God.” When she came to know Jesus for herself. Her life in Christ brought her physical healing. The emergency doctor was called out to my mum. He diagnosed that she had Parkinson’s disease. I took her to the hospital at the appointed time and they confirmed the diagnosis. Her shaking was quite bad. I suggested to her that I would take her to the house prayer and Bible Study meeting that I attended at Mr Oldham’s home, the Pastor at Winton Baptist Church, Eccles. My mother was healed that night of Parkinson’s disease, she stopped shaking and a few months later her doctor confirmed that she no longer had Parkinsin’s disease.

What it says on the tin Jesus heals today
You get what it says on the tin Jesus wants to bless us in having an abundance of life.
         
 Philip joined in the conversation and said “Show us the Father and we shall be satisfied.”
Jesus replied, “Have I been with you so long and yet you do not know me, Philip? He who has seen me has seen the Father.”

The Incarnation means Jesus being both man and God. Jesus’ Father was God,  giving him his divinity and Mary gave him his humanity.

Jesus said to those present: believe in God and  believe in me” and  that he and the Father were one of the same.
The Church of the fourth Centurymet together at Nicocea in 325 AD they took Jesus’ words in John 14 and  put together to form  the Nicene Creed. Making it clear to the world what Christians believe : Belief in God and Jesus being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made.               
We also say in the creed: “He ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge the quick and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end.”

Jesus ascended into heaven from the Mount of Olives.
 His ascension also fulfilled Daniel prophecy of 70 weeks of years from the completion of Zerubbabel’s temple 515 BC on the 69th week the Christ would be cut off from his people, which was fulfilled when Jesus  ascended into heaven, leaving what seemed unfinished business. Daniel 9: 24 end.( verse 25 7 weeks + 62 weeks)

Stephen witnessed that he saw Jesus in heaven. Acts 7: 55

Daniel prophesied this would be followed by followed by wars, famine, earthquakes and floods ‘a troubled time.’.  In  AD 70 the Jerusalem temple and city were destroyed.

What has yet to be fulfilled: verse 27 the last 7 years of the 70 weeks, this period will begin when the antichrist  appears and make an agreement with Israel followed by three and a half years of peace followed by what is called the great tribulation where the antichrist turns against Israel and her allies” 

So when will Jesus return? 
Paul in his first letter to the Thessalonians 1: 10 he writes that Jesus will call out his church to the marriage supper of the Jesus and his bride, the church before the start of the tribulation. Revelation 19: 7-9.
 In John’s  Vision in the book of Revelation 19:11-21 Jesus returns with all the saints and his heavenly armies and defeats the antichrist and his allies. Jesus takes up with his people again and rules the nations with a rod of iron.
And Christians reign with Christ in our place prepared by Jesus in his kingdom.
joint heirs in Christ, one in Christ.

Celebrating the 20th Year of the Ordination of Women

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Celebrating  
20th Year of the Ordination of Women
in the Anglican Church.


“But to all who received him and believed in his name, Jesus gave power to become children of God; who were born, not of blood nor the will of the flesh nor the will of man, but of God.” John 1: 12, 13.

The oak woodcarving above was carved in 1994 by Dorothy Newton (3rd July 2016 Woodcarving given to Manchester Diocese)
 “It is the Spirit himself bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may be glorified with him.” Romans 8: 16, 17.

“Buy truth and do not sell it.” Proverbs 23: 23
Paul writes that we are bought with a price. ” 1 Corinthians 6 20. 7: 23 
Jesus paid the price of our Salvation by bearing our sin upon the cross, forgiving and healing our relationship with God our Father. Coming to faith in Christ is so liberating and in Christ walking in that freedom has been expressed in women’s Ordination into the priesthood of believers. We are all priests in Christ’s kingdom. Revelation 1: 5,6

A mother would dearly love to share her Salvation with her child, but we can’t do that, every person is called to find their way to Christ for themselves.  
Christ's body, Conflict, Make me a channel of your peace, money changers, Rebuilding the Church

The Messiah’s Secret – The Temple of Jesus’ Body

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The Messiah’s Secret – The Temple of Jesus’ Body

An American was being shown the sights of London by a taxi driver. “What’s that building over there?” asked the American. “That’s the tower of London, sir,” replied the taxi driver.
“Say, we can put up buildings like that in two weeks, “drawled the Texan. 
A little while later he said “And what’s that building we are passing now?” “That’s Buckingham Palace, sir, where the Queen lives.” “Is that so?” said the Texan. “Do you know back in Texas we could put up that place in a week?” 
A few minutes later they were passing Westminster Abbey. The American asked again, “Hey cabbie what’s that building over there?” “I ‘m afraid I don’t know, sir,” replied the taxi driver. “It wasn’t there this morning.” 
J. John & Mark Stibbe ‘A Barrel of Fun.’
Readings: Haggai 1: 13 – 2: 9.   John 2: 13 – 22.

In our Gospel reading the Jews said that it had taken a king Herod 46 years to build his temple.
Josephus the Jewish Historian Antiquities Book 15 Chapter 11 wrote about the life of King Herod. Herod had accumulated much wealth and so he decided to build a Temple as a memorial to himself by replacing Zerubbabel’s Temple with a much larger one. He knew that he would have to persuade the people to do this, so he gathered both men and materials before pulling down Zerubbabel’s Temple. He started the work in 20 BC and it was finished 46 years later in 26AD.
Conflicting views
However the translator of Josephus’ book in his notes wrote questioning was this third Temple and not as Jews and Christians say it was the second Temple.
Both Jews and Christians look to the prophet Haggai’s word in Chapter 2: 9 “The latter splendour of this house shall be greater than the former, says the Lord of hosts and in this place I will give prosperity, says the Lord of hosts.”
This verse is therefore taken as referring to the second Temple.
Jesus respected Herod’s Temple.
Jesus referred to it as his Father’s house and in our reading John wrote that he fulfilled the Psalmist’s words, “Zeal for thy house will consume me.”
Jesus fulfilled the prophesies concerning this Temple.
The Temple was a focus point especially at Passover time. Jewish people came from all over the known world to this feast at Jerusalem, so there would have been thousands of people wanting to change their currency in order to buy sacrificial offerings.
The city must have been in uproar after Jesus turned over the tables of the money changers and drove out the sellers of sheep, oxen and birds.  
As a result Jesus caused conflict between himself and the people involved. Some Jews came to him and asked him to give them a sign to account for his actions.                   
Last Tuesday a friend gave me a book to read, Joyce Hugget’s Book ‘Conflict’ Joyce gives an in depth study on the causes of conflict and ways of dealing with conflict in relationships. I discerned that the Lord wanted me to study this subject for Sunday yesterday’s evening service at St Mary’s.   In the morning service the intercessions (prayers) confirmed the word. Anne’s prayers were based on the Hymn “For I’m Building a People of Power” I had chosen the same Hymn for the evening service.
Joyce quotes from Richard Walters’ Book ‘Anger’ “Inner conflicts are often expressed in rage, resentment and indignation: rage seeks to do wrong, resentment seeks to hide wrong and indignation seeks to correct wrong.”
In our reading Jesus expressed indignation.Indignation in his fervent love for the integrity of his Father’s Temple.  
Joyce Hugget writes; “Conflict is part of our humanity and God allows ‘conflict’ but it’s how we respond to it, we can disarm the conflict from people by discerning the motivation that has caused it and then find ways of processing or channelling our response, so it can be constructive rather than destructive.”
The Jews response was constructive,they had asked for a sign and he gave them the sign of his resurrection, “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.” 
John witnessed when he wrote that Jesus spoke of the temple of his body. God resurrected Jesus’ body from the dead, rebuilding it in three days. His body a temple made without human hands.
In our Old Testament reading Haggai had stirred the people up to continue to build Zerubabbel and Joshua’s Temple.  
Jesus continually stirs up his people to build his church in every generation.                                   
In the process of building us up, some structures may need to be pulled down in our lives, especially were we have conflicts going on within us: like a bad habit or a belief structure that we have adopted or have been brought up with, or a past hurt through a broken relationship. 
My mother was brought up in the Unitarian Church. It was when she came to know Jesus in a personal way that convinced her that Jesus was God made visible in the flesh. Words alone could not convince her.
Our amazing God helps us grow out of those conflicts, like a child grows out of its clothes so we will grow out of those things, as we hand them over to Jesus. 
On some occasions a  ministry of healing prayer to a person is required, Jesus will drive out the cause of conflict from within, as every Christian’s body is Christ’s temple.
So we are built up by the Lord’s healing grace and grow as we learn how to stop and think before responding to what would make us angry, and take response- ability so that we will be constructive: if its indignation to speak out or to pursue peace and unity to create harmony rather than contribute to strife, rage or resentment.
I understand better now the prayer of St Francis of Assisi.

“Loving God, make me an instrument of your peace. 
Where there is hatred, let me sow love; 
Where their is injury, pardon; 
Where there’s doubt, faith; 
Where their is despair, hope; 
Where there is darkness, light; 
And where there is sadness, joy. 
O, Divine Teacher, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
To be understood as to understand; 
To be loved as to love;
 For it is in giving that we receive;
 It is in pardoning that we are pardoned; 
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.”

 Extract from ‘Praying with Francis of Assisi’ by Joseph M Stoutzenberger and John  D Bohrer


one in Christ., peace of God, reconciled all things in heaven and on the earth in Jesus., Shalom, time of testing, time of trial, twelve disciples names

The Messiah’s Secret – Shalom – Peace

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The  Messiah’s Secret – Shalom – Peace
  Before they entered the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus had prayed that his disciples would still believe in him after his arrest, his trial and crucifixion, and as a result of his prayer they came together in the house at Jerusalem.

Children’s short talk with a visual aid:   an orange  

              
The orange represents the church. 

The peel that holds all the orange is like Jesus’ love holding them all together in his name                                                                                                                                              

REMOVE OUTER PAPER 
The segments contain goodness of the orange. the juice and the seeds
The segments of the orange represents the disciples of Jesus. I’ve put on the names of the twelve disciples: Simon Peter, Andrew, James, John, Thomas, Philip, Matthew, Simon the Cananaean Judas, James the son of Alphaeus, Bartholomew, and Thaddaeus.                                                                                                                                

REMOVE TWO SEGMENTS    
Two disciples were missing: Judas and Thomas (pull out two segments) Do you know why they were missing?  Answer: Judas, he was the one who had betrayed to the ruling authorities and died shortly afterwards by taking his own life                                                                                                                                        
Thomas was not there, he had doubts about the resurrection, he did not believe until he saw the risen Jesus 8 days later.

Later Matthias took Judas’ place.

PUT BACK TWO SEGMENTS.

So now they were together Jesus prayer is for us to that we should be one in him

So when we pray on behalf of Jesus for someone or something we pray add his name to our prayer, we end our prayer: in Jesus’ name. Amen and we can expect that our prayers will be answered. 

                                                                            
1 Peter 1: 3-9.  John 20: 19 – 23.

Peter wrote in his letter of a Christians faith being tested going through time of trial. He spoke from his own experience when he denied knowing Jesus in Caiaphas’ courtyard and seeing Jesus brought to trial, crucified and buried in a tomb.
                                                                                                                                                 

On the evening of the day of the resurrection the disciple’s faith in Jesus had been severely tested by his crucifixion, even though he had told them he was going to be die at Jerusalem and rise on the third day they did not understand what he had said.
In verse 9, “As of yet they did not know the scripture that he must rise from the dead, this I call the Messiah’s secret. God had hidden Jesus’ death and resurrection from their understanding because Jesus had to die on the tree of crucifixion and be raised from the dead.  

So they were taken by surprise when Jesus appeared before them in the house at Jerusalem, they must have been flabbergasted, especially when he spoke saying  “Peace be with you,” “Peace be with you,” and he then showed them his hands and his side, how they must have rejoiced within themselves. 
Shalom – a greeting of peace – St Paul in all his letters gave a greeting of peace and Peter in verse 2 of our reading wrote, “Grace and peace be yours in abundance”.
Shalom – farewell, goodbye Again Paul’s letters most not all of them ended with the peace, shalom. In his letter to the church at Philippi he wrote, ”And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Jesus Christ.” Phil 4: 7.

Shalom is God’s peace that passes all understanding, it embraces the welfare of the whole of creation. God brought peace to the universe through Jesus: St Paul wrote,  “And through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven making peace by the blood of his cross” Colossians 1: 20 

Throughout the Bible there is a legal aspect running through. God always seeks justice rather than imposing his will on creation.
Shortly after the creation there was rebellion in heaven, Jesus confirmed Isaiah words, when he said that he saw Satan fall like lightening from heaven. Isaiah wrote concerning Satan the Cherubim, “How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of the Dawn! How you are cut to the ground, you who laid the nations low! You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will make myself like the Most High.’ But you are brought down to Sheol, to the depths of the pit.” Isaiah 14: 12-15.    
On the cross Jesus Legally won the victory over the forces of the rebellion through his precious blood, the life of the living God, as a result Jesus has brought peace in the universe. It has also brought reconciliation between God and humanity.  
Forgiveness and the peace are at the heart of Christian message.  
To the church at Rome Paul wrote, “Therefore since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Through faith in Jesus repenting of our sin before God enables us to receive his forgiveness, as a result we are justified, declared not guilty of any sin, and reconciled to God.                                                                                               

TO EXPLAIN

 In 2010 I was penalised for speeding, I had a choice either to pay the fine or spend a day at Preston on a Speed Awareness Course, to be convicted of my driving sins, so I chose Preston. At the end of the day I had repented of my driving sins, as a result the points on my licence were cancelled out, so likewise Jesus has legally cancelled out my sin. And I have received a blessing as well.

Just as Jesus breathed on his disciples the Holy Spirit, so he breathes the Holy Spirit on us and fills us with great love, joy and peace.  God’s peace is complete in us and inspires peace of mind, satisfaction and good health.                                                                        


Sustained in peace by keeping our eyes focused on Jesus, Isaiah wrote, “Thou dost keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusts in thee.”  Isaiah 26: 3

In the 1990’s I met an Anglican Nun Sister Irene Mary, whose eyes were focused on Jesus. I met her through the pottery that I produced with Bible texts. On one occasion I called at her house with a pottery order and when she opened the door and greeted me the peace of God came from her.  
That same peace becomes apparent when we are going through a troubled time, caught up in a storm that is raging around us, then Jesus stills our storm and peace and calm follows, we are comforted by Jesus’ words,  “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” John 14: 27.                                                                                                                             

Peter wrote in v 5 “Who through faith are shielded by God’s power.” God’s power is in his name. Jesus prayer in John 17: 11 “ Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name – the name you gave me – so that they may be one as we are one.”
Jesus’ oneness with his Father is like the orange is one with the orange tree, we have that continuity

The visual aid of the orange portraits Jesus one with his church All the segments stuck together, unified one in Jesus. St Paul in his letter to the church at Rome wrote that we are individually members of the body of Christ and individually members of one another.  Each containing the Spirit of God’s goodness, the righteous love of God and bearing the seeds of faith that contain the words about Jesus and when sown into a person’s heart that person has the potential to be like Jesus.        

 Christians making up the whole orange.

Jesus said, “I have said this to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”  John 16: 33.
We are overcomers in Christ.

Jesus had prayed for their perfect unity, perfectly one, so God had answered Jesus’ prayer that the disciples should be kept together in their faith in him.

The church in the world will be perfectly one when Jesus returns, and all who confess that Jesus is Lord will be forever with the Lord.

34 Prophesies Fulfilled in One Day, Jesus on the cross

The Messiah’s Secret – 34 Prophesies Fulfilled in one Day

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The Messiah’s Secret – 34 Prophesies Fulfilled in One Day

1. The prophecy of his marred body, due to the brutality of the soldiers. “As many were astonished at you; his body was so marred more than any man and his form more than the sons of men.” Isaiah 52: 14. 
Fulfilled. Pilate had Jesus flogged. ”Then Pilate released for them Barabbas, and having scourged, delivered him to be crucified.” Matthew 27: 26.

2. “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53: 5
Fulfilled. “And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the purple cloak, and put his own clothes on him. And they led him out to be crucified.” Mark 15: 20 

Matthew wrote in his Gospel, “Jesus cast out spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick. This was to fulfil what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah, “He took our infirmities and bore our diseases.” Matthew 8: 16, 17.
Jesus bore on the cross, the causes and results of sin that came into the world with the fall of Adam.

3. “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” Isaiah 53: 6
Fulfilled. “Jesus said on the cross, “Father forgive them; for they know not what they do.” Luke 23: 34.

4. “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth.” Isaiah 53: 7
Fulfilled. “Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many things they testify against you but he gave no answer, not even to a single charge; so that Pilate wondered greatly.” Matthew 27: 13, 14.

5. “By oppression and judgement he was taken away; and as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgressions of my people. Isaiah 53: 8
Fulfilled. ”Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ? They all said, “Let him be crucified.” And he said what evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more. “Let him be crucified.” Matthew 27: 22, 23.

6. “The place of the burial of Christ was predicted.” And he made his grave with the wicked and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was there any deceit in his mouth.” Isaiah 53: 9
Fulfilled. Joseph from the town of Arimathea, believed the words that Jesus had spoken. Joseph was a member of the Jewish Council. “When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who was also a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. And Joseph took the body, and wrapped it in a clean linen shroud, and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb and departed.” Matthew 27: 57, 60.

7. “Yet it pleased him to bruise him; he has put him to grief; when you shall make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his offspring, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand; Isaiah 53: 10
Fulfilled. It was in the plan of God that Jesus would suffer and be killed and that on the third day God would raise him from the dead. 
“Jesus said, “For I tell you that this scripture must be fulfilled in me, ‘And he was reckoned with transgressors’; for what is written about me has its fulfilment.” Luke 22: 37.

8. “He shall see the fruit of the travail of his soul and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous; and he shall bear their iniquities.” Isaiah 53: 11
Fulfilled. ”For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3: 16.

9.  “He bares the sin of many; He was numbered with the transgressors.” Isaiah 53: 12
Fulfilled. “And when they came to a place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left” Luke 23: 33

10. 1,000 B.C. The prophecy of the betrayal of the Lord Jesus by Judas, 
“Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.” Psalm 41: 9.
Fulfilled. ”And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went to the chief priests, to betray him to them.” Mark 14: 10.(Just before Day of Preparation)

11. The price paid for his betrayal foretold. “And I said to them, if you think good, give me my price; and if not forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver.” Zechariah 11: 12. 
Fulfilled. “What will you give me, and I will deliver him to you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.” Matthew 26: 15

12. What would be done with the money? How would Judas use the betrayal money? “And the Lord said to me, Cast it into the treasury: a goodly price that I was paid off by them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them into the treasury in the house of the Lord.” Zechariah 11: 13. 
Fulfilled. “Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? See thou to that. And he threw down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself. And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said. It is not lawful for us to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood. And they took counsel and brought with them the potter’s field to bury strangers in.” Matthew 27: 3-7.

13. The prophecy of his scourging. “I gave my back to the smitters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair; I hid not my face from shame and spitting.” Isaiah 50: 6. 
Fulfilled. “And they spat upon him, and took the reed and struck him on his head.” Matthew 27: 30.

14. Prophecy of shame, reproach and dishonour. “You have known my reproach, and my shame, and my dishonour.” Psalm 69: 19. 
Fulfilled. “They stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe.” Matthew 27: 28.

15. Prophecy of the false witnesses against Christ at his trial. “False witnesses did rise up; they laid to my charge things that I knew not.” Psalm 35: 11 
Fulfilled. “Many bore false witness against him, and their witness did not agree.” Mark 14: 56.

16. Prophecy of the smitten shepherd. “Smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered.” Zechariah 13: 7.
Fulfilled. “Then Jesus said to them . . . it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.” Matthew 26: 31. “And they all forsook him and fled.” Mark 14: 50.

17. Prophecy of the parting of his garment. “They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.” Psalm 22: 18. 
Fulfilled. “So they said to one another, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it shall be.”. John 19: 24

18. It was seen in prophecy that he would fall beneath the cross. “My knees are weak through fasting.” Psalm 109: 24 
Fulfilled. “So they took Jesus, and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place of a skull, which is called in Hebrew Golgotha.” John 19: 17.
“And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: they compelled him to carry his cross.” Matthew 27: 32.

19. The prophecy of his thirst. ”I am weary of my crying; my throat is dried.” Psalm 69: 3. 
Fulfilled. “After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst.” John 19: 28.

20.  What would they give him to drink? “In my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.” Psalm 69: 21. 
Fulfilled. ““When Jesus had received the vinegar, he said, “It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.” John 19: 30.

21. They stared at Jesus on the cross. “They look and stare upon me.” Psalm 22: 17. 
Fulfilled. “They stare and gloat over me.” Luke 23: 35.

22. The pierced hands and feet. “They pierced my hands and my feet.” Psalm 22: 16. 
Fulfilled. “And they crucified him.” Matthew 27: 35.

23. The pierced side. “They shall look upon me whom they have pierced.” Zechariah 12: 10.
Fulfilled. “And sitting down they watched him there.” Matthew 27: 36.

24. Prophecy. His heart was broken. “I’m poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels.” Psalm 22: 14. 
Fulfilled. “But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water.” John 19:34 The blood and water issuing from his side, indicated extravasations of the heart: I.e., a broken heart.

25. Our Lord’s mother and friends in prophecy. “My lovers and my friends stand aloof from my wounds and my kinsman stand away off.” Psalm 38: 11. 
Fulfilled. “And all his acquaintances and the women who had followed him from Galilee stood at a distance and saw these things.” Luke 23: 49.

26. The mockery of the people in prophecy. “I became also a reproach to them: when they looked upon me they shake their heads.” Psalm 109: 25. 
Fulfilled. “And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads and saying, “You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God then come down from the cross.” Matthew 27: 39, 40.

27. The railing, hatred, and taunting of the mob. “ He trusted on the Lord that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him.” Psalm 22: 8. 
Fulfilled. “He trusted in God let him deliver him: let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God.” Matthew 27: 43.

28. The intense lonely cry in the hour of his suffering. “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Psalm 22: 1. 
Fulfilled. “Jesus cried with a loud voice . . . My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Matthew 27: 46.

29. The cry of victory and triumph. “It is finished!” Psalm 22: 31.
Fulfilled. “When Jesus had received the vinegar, he said, “It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.” John 19: 30.

30. Jesus commends his Spirit to his Father. “Into your hands I commend my spirit.” Psalm 31: 5. 
Fulfilled. “Father into your hands I commit my spirit.” Luke 23: 46.

31. A wonderful prophecy uttered 1490 years before its fulfilment. “In one house it shall be eaten; you shall not carry any of the flesh outside of the house; and you shall not break a bone of it.” Exodus 12: 46. 
Fulfilled. “But when they came to Jesus they saw that he was dead already, they did not break his legs.” John 19: 33. “For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled. A bone of him shall not be broken.” John 19: 36.

32. The Messiah was to be cut off, but not for him. “And after three score and two weeks shall the Messiah be cut off, but not for himself.” Daniel 9: 26. 
Fulfilled. “You do not understand that it is expedient for you that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation should not perish.” He did not say this of his own accord, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus should die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but to gather the children of God who are scattered abroad. “ John 11: 50-52.

33. The oldest prophecy of all, uttered by the Lord himself at least 4,000 years before. “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” Genesis 3: 15.
Fulfilled. The heel of the Lord Jesus Christ was bruised when he was crucified, for the nails were driven through his feet, thus bruising his heels. John 19: 18.
The serpents head was there also bruised. John 12: 31-33. The execution of this sentence will take place when Christ returns. Romans 16: 20.

34. A great Calvary miracle prophecy uttered about 800 years before. “ And it shall come to pass in that day, said the Lord God, that I will cause the sun to go down at noon, and I will darken the earth in the clear day.” Amos 8: 9 
Fulfilled. This is one of the most profound prophesies of the word of God. On the day that the Saviour would be crucified, there would be darkness at noonday. 
“Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. (12noon – 3pm) Matthew 27: 45.