The Significance of the Six  Books …..

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INTRODUCTION     Sometimes a preacher takes but one text. But  this sermon has  fifty-two ….. chapters ! We are going to take a quick survey of six New Testament books and grasp ( I hope) their basic message.

O.K. … so it’s different. But that may help it stick in one’s mind !
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(1)  The Epistle to the Romans emphasises the Necessity of the Gospel.

For the first two-and-a- half chapters , Paul reminds the reader that man is a sinner in the sight of a Holy God.

 Romans 3: 9Well then, are we Jews better than others? No, not at all, for we have already shown that all people, whether Jews or Gentiles, are under the power of sin. 10As the Scriptures say,
    "No one is good--
        not even one.
   11 No one has real understanding;
        no one is seeking God.
  12  All have turned away from God;
        all have gone wrong.
    No one does good,
        not even one."

Sin shuts a person out of Heaven. Sin must be punished … so ….

Paul continues to reveal that God took the initiative and provided salvation for all who place their faith in His Son.

 Romans 3: 21But now God has shown us a different way of being right in his sight--not by obeying the law but by the way promised in the Scriptures long ago. 22We are made right in God's sight when we trust in Jesus Christ to take away our sins. And we all can be saved in this same way, no matter who we are or what we have done.
23For all have sinned; all fall short of God's glorious standard. 24Yet now God in his gracious kindness declares us not guilty. He has done this through Christ Jesus, who has freed us by taking away our sins. 25For God sent Jesus to take the punishment for our sins and to satisfy God's anger against us. We are made right with God when we believe that Jesus shed his blood, sacrificing his life for us. 

 The inability of man to save himself and the grace of God that provided a Saviour reveals the necessity of the Gospel message … for salvation is found in no other.

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 (2) The Book of Hebrews speaks of the Superiority of the Christian Faith over Judaism.

The writer explains, by quoting the Jewish  Scriptures ( the Old Testament ) that the Lord Jesus is “ so much better” than the angels , ( 1: 4)  than Moses ( Ch. 3) , than Joshua ( Ch. 4) than the High Priests of Israel ( Ch. 5-7) than the Old Covenant ( 8:6) than the animal sacrifices (10:4,12) …

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(3) The Epistle to the Ephesians reminds us of the Unity of God’s People.

Ephesians 4: 3Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4There is one body and one Spirit--just as you were called to one hope when you were called-- 5one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Notice that it doesn’t say “try to be united” but maintain the unity you have by being a part of God’s family.  There is one head of the church  …the Lord Jesus … and we are all parts of His body. We all subscribe to the one Faith …those essential doctrines without which one cannot call oneself a Christian. We were all baptized into the Body of Christ by the Holy Spirit. (1 Corinth. 12:13) We all have the same Heavenly Father. 

Paul uses another illustration to describe the unity of believers … we are all building blocks in His Temple. ( Ephes. 2:21)

It is sad when fellow-believers fight each other over secondary issues … we are to

“make every effort” to maintain our God-given unity.

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(4) Philippians tells of the Joy that results from our Christian Faith.

Sixteen  times in these four chapters  Paul speaks of “joy”, “rejoice”, “rejoicing”  in spite of the fact that he is a prisoner in Rome not knowing whether he will be put to death or not.  So what ?, he says. “ To die is to be with Christ !” ( 1:23)

* He rejoices  that his arrest ( and the reason for it) has opened opportunities of witness in Caesar’s palace (1:13)  , and that others are emboldened to preach Christ. (1:14)

* And he bids his readers to “ rejoice, and again I say, rejoice !” (4:4)

Surely there is joy in knowing our sins are forgiven , that we have a Father who watches over us and a Great High Priest who intercedes for us and a Holy Spirit who indwells us ,  and a Home in Glory-land bye & bye …

 But, alas, there are some Christians who need to

 pray David’s prayer , “ Restore unto me the

 joy of Thy salvation…” ( Psalm 51:12)

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(5) The Epistle of James reminds us of the Out-working of our  Faith.

For “ faith without works is dead.” ( 2: 20 ) The faith that saves … and of which Paul was speaking in Romans 5:1 … is the faith that proves its reality by obeying the Lord Jesus.

Works alone cannot save.

Could my zeal no respite know

Could my tears forever flow,

All for sin could not atone –

Thou must save, and Thou alone.

But the faith that links us to the Saviour must be an obedient faith.

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(6) 1 & 2 Thessalonians spell out emphatically  the Hope of the Believer.

Jesus is coming again ! Every chapter in these two brief letters speaks of that event.

He is coming to destroy the unrepentant sinner … and take His people Home. (2 Thess 1: 7-10)  In this world of turmoil and woe we can “comfort one another”   with this truth. ( 1 Thess 4:16-18)  Hallelujah !

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CONCLUSION  … Each Book of Scripture has a distinctive message … and we need to know them all for a satisfying Christian life.

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 Grandpa Tom-tom  ….  & Iemke

 

Greetings from Down-under.

Enclosed are  my latest efforts … in-case you are running out of sermon material. Also to show you I don’t spend ALL my time watching T.V.

I’ve just finished this series on Joshua  … doing it at some Sunday services and some Wed. p.m. Bible studies.

I hope you don’t think I’ve gone liberal when you read my notes on the ‘Sun standing still’ !

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My health isn’t too good. The latest pathology report says I have hyperlipidaemia  which sounds like it has something to do with too much kissing . I may have a hyper-lip but I’m not sure about the daemia ! Anyway , the report also says “ Diabetes noted .”  I didn’t know there was anything else left for me to get.

Oh well… more pills !
And my fingers won’t close too good when I wake up in the morning… can’t grab anything (careful what I say here!) … but they improve as the day goes on.

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Yes …I’m still taking the Chinese Bible study Tuesday p.m. and mid-week Bible study  and preaching just about every Sunday somewhere or other.  And Barbie is still running to and fro  … sitting babies.

Andrew , our son-in-law is being sent by his work to Bangladesh for a week. So me-thinks Barbie will be off to Susie’s a bit more often when that happens . Susie is lecturing at Preston Institute of Technology  on Mental Illness ! Some say she had lots of experience living with one of her parents.  Your guess … which one ?

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Did you go and see “ The Passion of the Christ” ?  My friend Graham says I’d better not go with a dodgy ticker like I’ve got. He said it wouldn’t look too good to have a headline in New Life that says “ D.P. dies after night of Passion.”  

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    Blessings on you both 

   xxx for Iemke

    Donald

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Les … and lovely Martha 

 

Greetings from Down-under.

Enclosed are my latest efforts … in-case Les is running out of sermon material. Also to show you I don’t spend ALL my time watching T.V.

I’ve just finished this series on Joshua  … doing it at some Sunday services and some Wed. p.m. Bible studies.

I hope you don’t think I’ve gone liberal when you read my notes on the ‘Sun standing still’ !

………………………………………………………………………………

My health isn’t too good. The latest pathology report says I have hyperlipidaemia  which sounds like it has something to do with too much kissing . I may have a hyper-lip ( ask Michelle !)  but I’m not sure about the daemia ! Anyway , the report also says “ Diabetes noted .”  I didn’t know there was anything else left for me to get.

Oh well… more pills !
And my fingers won’t close too good when I wake up in the morning… can’t grab anything (careful what I say here!) … but they improve as the day goes on.

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Yes …I’m still taking the Chinese Bible study Tuesday p.m. and mid-week Bible study  and preaching just about every Sunday somewhere or other.  And Barbie is still running to and fro  … sitting babies.

Andrew , our son-in-law, is being sent by his work to Bangladesh for a week. So me-thinks Barbie will be off to Susie’s a bit more often when that happens . Susie is lecturing at Preston Institute of Technology  on Mental Illness ! Some say she had lots of experience living with one of her parents.  Your guess … which one ?

…………………………..

Did you go and see “ The Passion of the Christ” ?  My friend Graham says I’d better not go with a dodgy ticker like I’ve got. He said it wouldn’t look too good to have a headline in New Life that says “ D.P. dies after night of Passion.”  

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   Blessings on you both …

  xxx for Martha …of course !

    Donald

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’ve been asked to introduce the speaker … because nobody else wanted to do it.

 It is very difficult to introduce him … when you know him as well as I do.

 

I read somewhere  that in introducing a speaker one should always be as dry and boring as possible so that will . by comparison, make the speaker sound really interesting. ….   I’m sorry …I doubt if I can do that .

 

This is Bryan Greenwood .

He was born … due to circumstances beyond his control , at quite an early age. Way , way , waaay back in   1932. I mention that date because by looking at him I didn’t want you to jump to the conclusion that  he is 95.

 

He studied at Wagga Teacher’s College … ( or did they study him …? I forget .)

He married Norma in  19XX …… … & BOY !  she  is a great kisser.  But …  Bryan  still thinks that when I call in for a visit it is to share quality time with him…

In the mid-1950’s he joined O -.A -.C. Which does not stand for Old Age Crocks  … but Open Air Campaigners. And for about 25 years he held meetings in the open air , Schools , homes , wharves , parks, churches …bathrooms and dog-kennels. 

When I interviewed him for New Life in 1981 he was about to commence a series of meetings at Monash Uni.  With a certain off-sider named Peter Costello. ( Just a bit of name-dropping there because it’s very difficult to find something positive to say.)

 

In the mid 1980’s he took on responsibilities as  Australian Director  of Walk Thru’  the Bible Ministries.

He ( and his lovely wife , Norma , who is a great kisser,)  led numerous tours to Israel … my wife and I went along with them  in 1988 … and I’m pleased to say he only three times  did he lose us . ( And that was when he was giving some  of his sermons.)

 

After WTB  he worked  with Campus Crusade and the distribution of the Jesus video.

And all the time he has been  … ( and still is, for that matter ,  in spite of his advancing age and geriatric condition, )  in constant demand as  speaker at camps and churches both in Victoria. I think they keep inviting him back because he ran out of time half way through his sermon.  He is the only preacher I know who is able to condense one sentence into three paragraphs.   I might add that he has also  exercised an extensive ministry  Interstate ! Unfortunately they keep sending him back to us.

 

I must say, too,  that he is quite a comedian. He often has me holding my sides with laughter … especially when he is explaining his home-made interpretation of Bible Prophecy.

Brian and  his wife , Norma, ( who is a great kisser ) are members at Mitcham Baptist Church.   I count it a privilege to have had him as a friend … until 5 minutes ago.

 So Fasten your seat belts,   adjust your pillows and set your alarm clocks …here is

Australia’s answer to Oral Roberts …. Bryan Greenwood.

 

 

 

 

 

 

1 Corinthians 15:29Now if there is no resurrection, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized for them?

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 Acts 1 :12Then they returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day's walk from the city. 13When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. 14They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers. 
 


15In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) 16and said, "Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through the mouth of David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus-- 17he was one of our number and shared in this ministry." 

18(With the reward he got for his wickedness, Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out. 19Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this, so they called that field in their language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) 

20"For," said Peter, "it is written in the book of Psalms, 

   " 'May his place be deserted; 

       let there be no one to dwell in it,' and, 

   " 'May another take his place of leadership.' 21Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22beginning from John's baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection." 

23So they proposed two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. 24Then they prayed, "Lord, you know everyone's heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen 25to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs." 26Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.
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 Some Golden Daybreak 
Some glorious morning sorrow will cease; 
Some glorious morning all will be peace.                                  
Heartaches all ended, schooldays all done;             
Heaven will open - Jesus will come.
 *    Chorus: 
Some golden daybreak Jesus will come; 
Some golden daybreak, battles all won,                
He’ll shout the vict’ry, break through the blue; 
Some golden daybreak, for me, for you.
 
Sad hearts will gladden, all shall be bright,
Goodbye forever to earth’s dark night;
Changed in a moment, like Him to be,
Oh, glorious daybreak, Jesus I’ll see.
 
Oh, what a meeting, there in the skies;
No tears or crying shall dim our eyes.
Loved ones united eternally,
Oh, what a daybreak that morn will be.
 

 

Barbie…                                                                                  1/1/04

 I get the impression the emails I have sent didn’t get to you …so  I’ll  post them … although they looked better in colour.   Your ‘lavender’ postcard arrived and I can tell you are enjoying your holiday.   Sorry I missed a trip to the lavender farm (??) but you will probably still smell of it when you arrive home.

I’t still incredibly hot here. Last night was the bang, bang, bang of crackers at midnight. I was in bed trying to sleep. 

This morning I’ve spent on sermon preparation for next Sunday at Rosanna 9:00 a.m.  … and Northcote 11:00 a.m.

And a phone call from Rosalie ( as usual )  telling how she was accused of shop lifting at Bundoora Safeway … ( what next ? ) …how she denied it at the top of her voice ( in the store)  … they said they’d call the police .. she “ ran out of the shop !” … phoned the manager next day and demanded an apology … saw her solicitor ! … so it goes.  Someone ought to write her life story … I chuckled for ten minutes when I got off the phone.

 Honestly !!! It’s better than ‘Days of our Lives.’

Last Tuesday night I had a Bible study with Sophie and Mark.

  Wednesday  lunchtime I went to Smorgy’s and bumped in to …of all people …  John O’Kane , and  Marisa and Esther. They were just about to start their meal too.  So I had to sit with them … I was stuck there for ages.  They seemed to be a happy enough family, off to visit his relatives in Whittlesea. He heads back to Korea in a week. 

 Well … now’s all the other gossip in the previous emails … read on !

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dear , dear Mrs Waterhouse;

 

Of course I remember you … living somewhere near the Ballarat Mission I seem to recall. And I remember Black Hill Baptist , two of the happiest years I ever knew.

And Faye’s sermon … what can I say ? Thank-you for sending it to me. It almost made me cry !  Bless her heart. It is good to know some of the folk from those days are still active for the Lord. John Doodt is Secretary of some Baptist church I think. Barbie & I bumped into Anne Walker at Gisborne Baptist when we stopped off for church on our way to Sydney.  I often wonder how many of those young people I’ll meet up in Glory.

At the moment I’m still “ singin’, shoutin’, preachin’, prayin’,” … not pastoring but getting invited all over the place. I have services lined up  every Sunday until the  New Year. Maybe one of these days I’ll get invited to  Ballarat to preach somewhere or speak at a Bible study … it would be good to see you all again.

It was sad to read of Simon’s drowning ; Barbie and I lost our son, Cameron, the same way in 1988.  Isaiah 57:1-2 was a comfort at that time.

We have five grand-children… Barbie is even out tonight baby-sitting.

My health is so-so … a heart attack six or seven years ago whilst driving up to Sydney  ( but I got there !)  laid me up in intensive care … and slowed me down temporarily … but God is good and I’m preaching my heart out again  as I love to do.

I’m enclosing my one of the  books I’ve written  … four copies so you can give one to each   your children …  and my card  with my email address on it in case someone in your clan has Internet connection.

…………………………………..

As for Faye saying in her sermon that I “gave up” so much to pastor Black Hill Baptist … hardly. I never thought of it that way. Nor do I now. It was a privilege to be able to share the Good News of the Gospel with the folk whom I contacted in those days. 

The Baptists “ kicked me out” due to lack of educational qualifications … but I’ve pastored three churches ( over 20 years ) , and held literally hundreds of seminars on the Bible and on  Cults  and on Church History.  In various denominations and in 4 States …and Tas. & N.Z. !

Something I may not have been able to do if the Baptists had popped me into their college and stuck me in one church. 

God has been good to me .. and He still is !

God bless you ;

Love to all the family

Pastor Don

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ray;

 

I had a talk to the church officers at Northcote Baptist last night concerning your Baptism.

Whilst they are glad , as I am , that you wish to obey the Lord in this matter , yet they find it odd that you do not wish to be baptized at the church you attend. Surely making a public confession of your faith before people you know and who know you is more meaningful than doing it before a congregation of

strangers.

I must confess that I agree with them in this regard.

Have a talk to your own minister about this.

I will return David Pawson’s book when I have read it … but at the moment I have a deluge of material to be read and review  for New Life as well as books that need reading for sermon preparation background. But I will post your book back in due time.

Good to see you the other day ;

God bless you ;

Donald

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COMMUNION TALK

 

There is a rather delightful story of an elderly grey-haired great-grandmother who hobbled into the police station.

“Officer,” she said to the sergeant behind the desk ,” I’ve something to report.

“Yews madam ,  he replied ,” what is it ?”

“Well , .. I was walking through the park , minding my own business , when this young man rushed up to me , threw his arms around me , and gave me a big kiss !”

“ Mmmm,”  said the sergeant, “ where exactly did this take place?”

“In that park outside the town Hall,” she replied.

 The sergeant noted it down. “Can you describe the gentleman in question?” he asked.

“ Well, he was tall , good looking , blue eyes, dark curly hair … he was wearing a brown jumper and  corduroy trousers.”

“And when exactly did this take place, madam ?”

She smiled coyly … and said , “ On this very day , fifty years ago.”

The sergeant put down his pen …gave her a puzzled look … and said , “Why are you telling me about it now?”

To which she replied, “ Well ,  whenever I walk through that park, the memory of it comes flooding back … and I just like to tell some-one about it.”

…………………..

To this dear lady the wonder of that moment had never left her. It lived in her memory as if it had taken place but yesterday.

And as we gather around the Lord’s table we should be reminded of ‘the wonder of it all’ when the Son of God  died on the cross for your sins and mine. The memory of that event should coming flooding back to us as we partake of these simple elements , the bread and the wine.

And like the dear old grandmother , we should go forth from this place wanting to tell others about what the Lord Jesus has done for us.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ron Tibbey , of European Christian Mission book shop , asked me to do a report for the ECM conference recently.  So I did …..

 

A Messenger Boy’s  Lament

 

“Hullo, Donald ,” says friend Ronald  when he rings me on the ‘phone,

“ I’ve got a little job that’s right for you.

There’s some books to be picked up  … at Koorong & at Word …

I wonder if it’s something you could do ?”

 

So off I go to Word, get the books that Ronald ordered,

Next stop is Koorong shop some miles away;

While I’m there I get a phone call …’tis our Ronald once again …

He wants another book at Word … today .

 

So back I go to Word where shop assistant says,

“Ronald rang … and wants you to give him ring …”

“Hullo Ronald,” says I apprehensively .. .  and hear his cheerful voice ,

“There’s a book at Koorong .. . could you please, please,  bring ?”

 

So back I go to Koorong and gather books for him ,

And race ‘em home to Ronald  like a flash!

Says he , “They’ve given you wrong order and quickly want  ‘em back  ”

 so once again across the town  I dash.

 

So back I go to Koorong , swap books for the right ones,

  Phone rings !  ‘tis   Ronald with more pleas ,

“ Could you call at Word, please, there’s a lady here

wants a book that’s in their catalogue she sees ? ”

 

So back to Word I go  --& get out of there before

The phone it rings again … and there me find .

Then back to E.C.M. and Ronald’s smiling face,

“The lady’s gone,” he says , “She changed her mind.”

 

If Ronald ever asks you to be a message boy

And you think the trip may not be very far ,

Make sure you do not answer any phone calls

Or else abundant petrol’s in your car !!

 

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The following is adapted from a poem I heard on the T.V. ( Benny Hill !! not Hinn ) )  …I’ve altered it quite a bit  and plan to dress up like a Cockney farmhand and do it at a social evening one of these days …

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‘Twas market day in the village

& the crowds ‘round the stalls was quite dense,

but what caught my eye.. ..was a stall piled ‘igh

with musical instruments.

 

Then  up to that stall came a little old man

…. ‘is clothes was all tattered & thin,

but his face came alight ..as ‘is eyeballs caught sight

of a beautiful old violin.

 

He ‘eld it up to the dealer,

sayin’, “ ’ow much is this one then ?”

The dealer replied, “That’s a Stradivarius,

 …. It’ll cost ya Four pound ten !”

 

“I can’t afford that,” said the little old man,

and a lump came into my throat;

For him I felt sad … so I gave him what I had -

my only Ten shilling note.

 

A crowd had all gathered behind us

so I quickly went round with ‘is ‘at.

When I finished I found  I’d collected Five Pound

so I took my Ten shilling note back.

 

Well , we gave to the dealer the money

and this old man, … so shabbily dressed,

picked up the violin, … put it under his chin …

and  he played like a man possessed !

 

He played Fu-gues & cantatas,

and Ora-ta-torios too.

by composers like Johann , Sebastian,  Bach,

to mention just  a few.

 

He played waltzes by Strauss and Die Flaudermaus

and ‘Tales from the Vienna Wood’,

and  Tchaikovsky’s ‘Piano Concerto’ ….

but he didn’t play that very good …

 

The crowd were all hushed as the little old man

said “I’ll now play with   dexterity

a well known tune .. that may make you all swoon -

‘The Flight of the Bumble Bee’.”

 

Well!  We’d never ‘eard anything like it

as he played whatever he’d said ,

but when the crowd clapped

something in ‘is ‘eart snapped …

and down he fell  … at our feet … dead. 

 

So we gave back the feeler his diddle

( Er … the dealer his fiddle,)

We took back our money , but then

“ No ! no!” cried the crowd,  in unison loud,

“we’ll bury him , with that vi’lin !”

 

 

 

 

 

So ‘twas then on that cold Tuesd’y mornin’

we laid the old man to his rest,

and we took that old fiddle …

… laid it down on his middle,

and we went away feeling depressed.

 

But the angels all welcomed the little old man

when he stepped into Heaven that day;

…’till he took up the bow …o’er the strings it did go

and those angels all howled  with dismay.

 

They put their wings over their ears

as “Flight of the Bumble Bee” droned,

Three  .. were sure they’d been stung !

six   became quite unstrung -

and the other ten thousand all groaned.

 

  The  Stradivarius they then took from him

and gave ‘im a ‘arp instead;

He took one look at it .. and then ‘is head scratched it

saying,  “By Gumm, I think I must be dead.”

 

So if you pass by yonder graveyard

on a cold wintry night you may see

a little old man … with a harp in his hand…

playin’  ‘Flight of the Bumble Bee’.

 

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And lo ! and behold !  I just found  last Easter’s mid-week Bible study . Here ‘tis !

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The Curious Case of the Easter Triplets

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INTRODUCTION ….  When it comes to a study of Numerology we need to be wary.  Attaching meanings to numbers leads to all kinds of strange interpretations.

Who said that the number 286 means “ displacement”  or that 37 indicates “ The Word of God”? Is it true that 7 and 40 have “a definite bearing on the time of the Second Coming “?

  Such are but a few of the claims made in books before me as I write.

However it must be acknowledged that the number 7  in Scripture seems to symbolize completeness. And 6 may well have something to do with ‘man’. 

The Apostle John uses such symbolism in Revelation.

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The Number 3 is stamped upon  all creation … time ( past, present future); space 

(length, breadth,height); kingdoms ( animal, vegetable, mineral); values ( good, better, best); man himself ( body, soul, spirit);grammar (1st person, 2nd. Person, 3rd. person ) … and there are many more ( I’ll give you 3 guesses what they are !! )

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 But let’s look at about twenty  3’s  connected with the Easter story !!

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 SOME EASTER TRIPLETS   Beginning in Gethsemane … only 3 disciples accompany the Lord Jesus ( Mark 14:23) … the third time they had done so  (Mark 5:37; Mark 9:2) … and in that garden the Lord prays 3 times. ( Mark 14:41). Three groups of people send a mob to arrest Him (Mark 14:43) carrying 3 things !

( John 18:3)  Three times the Lord affirms “ I am He !” ( John 18:5,6,8)

He addresses 3 groups (Luke 22:52)  There follows three Jewish trials(before Annas (John 18:13), Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin’s evening meeting (John 18:24) , and then an  early morning  trial ( Mark 15:1).

It is during this second trial Peter denies his Lord 3 times. (Mark 14:72)

There are 3 Roman trials …before Pilate ( Mark 15:1-5) Herod ( Luke 23:6-11a) and back to Pilate. ( Luke 23 11b.)

Matthew 27:28-29 tells of the  three mockeries of His Kingship  … a scarlet robe, a crown of thorns and the reed .

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 He is crucified at the 3rd. hour ( 9 a.m. )  Pilate places a notice upon the cross in 3 languages. (John 19:20)  From noon until  3:00p.m.   3 hours of darkness cover the land.  Three things are ‘rent’ in the Easter story … the veil of the Temple

(Matthew 27:51), the rocks  (Matthew 27:52), and a little earlier, the High Priest’s garment. (Matthew 26:65) All of which speaks to us of the end of the sacrificial system , the power of death being broken   and the cessation of a human priesthood.

“Many other women” were present but Mark only specifies 3 by name . ( Mark 15:40-41)

  The myrrh ( John 19:39) brought by Nicodemus reminds us of the 3 gifts of the wise men ( Matthew 2:11) … Gold for a King ( and He was ! John 18:36), frankincense for a Priest ( and He was !  Hebrews 10:12)… and myrrh to quench the stench of death.  A prophetic gift for the Babe … who was born to die.

Three  tenses describe our Shepherd in the New Testament  … He is the “ the good shepherd” who died for the sheep ( John 10:11) ;  the  “great shepherd” who rose again to be our  High Priest ( Hebrews 13:20-21) and the “ chief shepherd”  who is coming again. ( 1 Peter 5:4)  Myrrh, frankincense and Gold !

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Three barriers were set up to keep His body from being stolen …the stone, the seal and the soldiers. ( Luke 23:66) To no avail.  He arose “ after 3 days and 3 nights” (Matthew 12:40)

Mention must be said of the Triune God who is ever present in this Easter narrative …The Father  planned it  … the Son  gave Himself a sacrifice for sin … and the Holy Spirit  “quickened” Him from  death.   ( 1 Peter 3:18) And, we might add, the Holy Spirit inspired the Gospel writers to record these events , and their meaning , for us.

Such are some of the triplets of Easter.

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CONCLUSION …  Three reactions to the message of the Cross ?

No!  Only two. Belief or unbelief.

Saved or lost ? Heaven or Hell ?
The choice is yours.

 

Romans 10:9:   If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10: For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
11: For the scripture saith, Whosoever  believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
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