Dying to Self, Living for God (Galatians 2:20)

Because Jesus died and rose again, nothing will ever be the same. The old you does not have to run your life anymore. Sin does not have to win. Death does not get the last word. The same power that raised Jesus from the grave is alive in every person who belongs to him. This is not just a story from long ago. Today, right now, in this year of our Lord, the risen Christ is calling people to stop living for themselves and start living for him. He says: give me your life, pick up your cross, follow me. Lose yourself and you will find something far greater. The seed that falls into the ground and dies does not stay dead. It rises and bears fruit that lasts forever. Resurrection Sunday is the proof that dying to self is not the end. It is the beginning. If you have never surrendered your life to Jesus, today is the day. If you have been holding back, today is the day. The tomb is empty, grace is real, and the door is wide open. This is the day of salvation.

🌱 The Old You Must Go

• Your old sinful self was nailed to the cross with Jesus, so sin no longer has to control you. Romans 6:6
• Get rid of your old self. It was full of wrong desires. Put on your new self, made to be like God, good and holy. Ephesians 4:22-24
• You have died, and your life is now hidden safely with Christ in God. Colossians 3:3

✝️ Follow Jesus, Take Up Your Cross

• If you want to follow Jesus, say no to yourself, pick up your cross every day, and follow him. Luke 9:23-24
• If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you give your life up for Jesus, you will save it. Mark 8:35
• Anyone who does not carry his cross and follow Jesus cannot be his follower. Luke 14:27

🌾 Dying Brings New Life

• A seed must fall into the ground and die. If it does not die, it stays just a seed. But if it dies, it grows and makes lots of fruit. John 12:24
• If anyone belongs to Christ, he is brand new. The old is gone. The new has come! 2 Corinthians 5:17

💧 Buried With Jesus, Raised to New Life

• When we were baptized into Jesus, we shared in his death. And just like Jesus rose from the dead, we get to walk in a brand new life. Romans 6:3-4
• If we have died with Christ, we will also live with him. Romans 6:8

🔥 Stop Letting Sin Be the Boss

• Think of yourself as dead to sin but alive to God through Jesus. Romans 6:11
• Sin does not have to be in charge of you anymore. You are not under the old rules. You are under God's grace. Romans 6:14
• Do not let the sinful parts of your body do wrong things. Instead, give yourself to God as someone brought back from death to life. Romans 6:13
• Put to death the wrong things in your life: bad desires, greed, and all that belongs to your old self. Colossians 3:5

🙌 Live for God, Not for Yourself

• Give your whole body to God as a gift, a living sacrifice. Do not copy the world. Let God change the way you think. Romans 12:1-2
• Those who belong to Jesus have nailed their sinful desires to the cross. Galatians 5:24
• Walk by the Spirit, and you will not do what your sinful self wants. Galatians 5:16
• He must become greater. I must become less. John 3:30

💪 Christ Lives in You

• I have been crucified with Christ. I no longer live. Christ lives in me. The life I live now, I live by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20
• For me, living is Christ. Dying is even better. Philippians 1:21
• I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13

🤝 Put Others First

• Do not be selfish or try to look important. Be humble. Think of others as more important than yourself. Philippians 2:3-4

🏆 Nothing Is Worth More Than Knowing Jesus

• I count everything else as worthless compared to knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Philippians 3:8
• What good is it if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Luke 9:25

🕊️ Nothing Can Separate You From God's Love

• Not death, not life, not anything in all creation can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39

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False prophets introduce destructive heresies, ignoring facts of wrath (2 Peter 2)

2 Peter 2

1) false prophets introduce destructive heresies (paganism/pantheism, agnosticism, dissents), denying Master who bought them
 - 2) many follow sensuality because of them, the way of truth maligned
     God and the world are polar opposites (1 John 2:15‭-‬17)
 - 3a) their greed, exploit you with false words
3b) their judgment/destruction is not idle or asleep
 - 4) God didn't spare angels, cast to hell, committed them to pits of darkness, reserved for judgment
 - 5) God didn't spare the ancient world, preserved Noah, flood world of ungodly
Principle: God's faithfulness in the past at being true to his word, ensures faithfulness in the future
6-8) if condemned Sodom Gomorrah, if rescued righteous Lot (oppressed by the sensuality of unprincipled men/lawless deeds).
 - 9) Then God rescue godly from temptation, then unrighteous punishment day of judgment
 - 10a) especially those indulge in the flesh - it's corrupt desires (I do what I do because I want what I want) and despises authority (Biblical Authority of God), daring, self-willed

The Bible teaches we have 3 enemies, the Eph 2:1-3, the world, the flesh, and the devil
 - a "fleshly" disposition says "I do what I do, because I want what I want" -selfishness
The Holy Spirit opposes the flesh: Gal. 5:16-17
 - a "worldly" disposition says, "take all you can, no one will give it to you" -godlessness
The Father opposes the world: I John 2:15-17, the world tries to shape our thinking toward godlessness (John 15:18-25)
 - a "devilish" disposition says, "I do what I do, because I hate myself and others" - wickedness
The Son opposes the Devil: Luke 4, I John 3:8 - Disposition is the power to deal with something as one pleases

 - 10b) Daring, self-willed, not trembling revile (slander) angelic majesties,
   - Character traits of ungodly: lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy (2 Tim 3:2), Scoffers (Psalm 1, 2 Peter 3:3)
  - Antithesis Character: As God's steward, an overseer must be above reproach--not self-absorbed, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not greedy for money. (Titus 1:7)
   - Revile/slanders: You must not blaspheme God or curse ruler of your people (Ex 22:28)

"Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, is any sin that a person clings to by continually resisting the convicting power of the Holy Spirit. Keep in mind that there is not one specific sin that is unforgivable, such as lying, stealing or murder, but rather a perpetual hardening of the heart and willfully sinning against God and man (1 Timothy 4:2; Titus 1:15). Can blasphemy be forgiven?

11-13) Slander where they have no knowledge like unreasoning animals, creatures of instinct, suffering wrong for doing wrong, reveling in their deceptions as they carouse with you
14) eyes full of adultery, never cease from sin, heart trained in greed
Principle: Looking comes before the sin (David and Bathsheba)
Application: Biblical Logic: If then conclusion about who God is and what He's historical done will prove for us in the future.
15-16) forsaking the right way, gone astray, the way of Balaam - who loved wages of unrighteousness
 - Balak and Balaam share fear, madness and condemnation
17-18) springs without water, speak arrogant words, vanity
19) promising them freedom while they themselves are slaves of corruption, enslaved
20) if escaped defilements of world by knowledge of Lord, Savior Jesus Christ then entangled/overcome again. The last state has become worse for them than the first
21-22) would be better not to know, than to know way of righteousness, then having known it turn away from holy commandment handed to them
Application to save your life: Works the Holy Spirit does in the believers life
 - see also: Jesus the Bread from Heaven, offered to all offensive to most, Geysers, planters and pruners: How people are born into and matured in the Faith


Bottom line:

Bible claims to be effective, it dramatically effects people (Isaiah 55:9-11 like rain, seed is Word from my mouth - it accomplishes all I desire). Matthew 13:1-23; Luke 8:1-15
Seed: 2 Corinthians 9:10; Isaiah 61:11;Hosea 10:12
Rain: Deuteronomy 32:2; Isaiah 30:23; Psalm 72:6,7;
Response: Hosea 2:21; Isaiah 30:23; Matthew 13:23; Luke 8:15; Luke 8:18
Never underestimate the power of God’s Word to change a person’s heart

Helps received from:
2_peter/2-10 

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Gospel encoded in Genesis 5

A friend sent me this video that shows the meaning of the names from Adam to Noah in Genesis 5,

I found Design in Genesis 5 had it all laid out. Amazing!
John 5:46 “For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me.”

Hebrew	English
Adam	Man
Seth	Appointed
Enosh	Mortal
Kenan	Sorrow;
Mahalalel	The Blessed God
Jared	Shall come down
Enoch	Teaching
Methuselah	His death shall bring
Lamech	The Despairing
Noah	Rest, or comfort.

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Jesus is all over the Old Testament: A Study in Typology

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Dispensationalism attempts to explain a correct philosophy of history, a unifying principle

In Ryrie's book Dispensationalism, he says,
All interpreters feel the need for distinctions.... "Any person is a dispensationalist who trusts in the blood of Christ rather than bring an animal sacrifice" and "Any person is a dispensationalist who observes the first day of the week rather than the seventh"

Dispensationalism attempts to explain a correct philosophy of history, a unifying principle. In progressive dispensationalism, the unifying principle is Christological because of the emphasis on Christ and on the Messianic, Davidic kingdom, already and not yet fulfilled. "Progressive revelation" as we see in actual, literal, plain, normal or historical-grammatical interpretation. This is consistent with hermeneutics.

I like that term "already and not yet" - this is how we accept God's promises by faith. When God says something, it's as good as already happened.

So far I"m enjoying this book, it makes sense to me as a Project Manager, it shows scripture in a logical sequence of events, leading somewhere. It helps us understand the ideas of spiritual maturity and God's kindness in wanting all to come to Him in faith and repentance.

Scofield's Reference Bible defines Dispensationalism as "A dispensation is a period of time during which man is tested in respect of obedience to some specific revelation of the will of God. Seven such dispensations are distinguished in Scripture."
1. Deposit of divine revelation
2. man's stewardship responsibility for that revelation, and
3. the time period during which a dispensation operates

This doctrine makes it clear, there is only one way of salvation - "by God's grace through the work of Christ... on the cross."

The Etymology of the word dispensation is Latin verb, "to weigh out or dispense" the English word has these 3 principal meanings; 1) action of dealing out or distributing; 2) action of administering, ordering or managing; the system by which things are administered; 3) the action of dispensing with some requirement. "dispensation is a stage in a progressive revelation, expressly adapted to the needs of a particular nation or period of time... Also, the age or period during which a system has prevailed"

The Greek word oikonomia comes from the verb that means to mangae, regulate, administer, and plan. The word itself is a compound whose parts mean literally "to divide, apportion, administer or manage the affairs of an inhabited house." The central idea of dispensation is that of managing or administering the affairs of a household.

Scriptural use of the word dispenstion (oikonomia), used in Luke 16:2 translated "to be a steward" this is also found in Luke 16:3,4; 1 Cor 9:17; Eph 1:10;3:2;Col 1:25;1 Tim 1:4 (translated "stewardship", "dispensation", "administration", "job", "commission") - the noun (oikonomeo) appears 10 times, Luke 12:42;16:1,3,8; Rom 16:23; 1 Cor 4:1,2;Gal 4:2; Titus 1:7; 1 Peter 4:10 and usually translated "steward" or "manager" (but "treasurer" in Rom 16:23

Christ's teaching is confined to two parables in Luke 12:42;16:1,3,8. In both cases it's a concern of the steward or manager of a household.

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Without Jesus we wouldn't talk about Tacitus, Pliny and Josephus

I'm a fan of the "50 ideas you really need to know" books. They offer a range of subjects and years ago when people would actually browse a physical store for books, these would pop up (so to speak) and I found myself buying a few of them because they are really concisely written and interesting. In this book they explain the life of Christ with a timeline, who he was, what he did and what 2.1 Billion Christians believe; the condensed idea Jesus Christ is the son of God. They also included independent evidence of Jesus from Tacitus, Pliny and Josephus:

Aside from the gospels, there are three other independent historical sources that mention Jesus's life and death. At the end of the first century CE and the beginning of the second, two Roman historians, Tacitus and Pliny, and the Jewish chronicler Josphus all described him as a religious teacher living in Palestine. Tacitus includes the following just after an account of the great fire in Rome that occurred during Emperor Nero's reign in CE 64: 'Nero fastened the guilt of starting the blaze and inflicted the most exquisite tortures on a class hated for their abominations, called Christians by the populace. Christus, from whom the name had its origin, suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius [CE 14-37] at the hands of one of our procurators, Pontius Pilatus.' - page 30

This book has 49 other religious concepts you must know but this one was particularly good. Here a link to the Gospel narrative from Matthew, Mark, Luke and John on the arrest, crucifixion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.


https://www.amazon.com/Ideas-Really-Need-Know-Religion/dp/1848660766

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Israel and Rome are evidence of historical facts in the Bible

Arch of Titus Facts

Arches are built to commemorate military victories.  

Arch of Titus contains inscription records of the dedication of this arch by the Senate and people of Rome to the emperor after his victory over Judea (AD 70). Scenes from the conquest are sculpted on the inside: one panel shows the procession with the booty taken from Jerusalem, including the seven-branched candlestick; on the other is Titus on his chariot, followed by Victory and personifications of the people and the Senate; on the outside is the procession of the defeated Jews. In the Middle Ages the arch was incorporated into the fortification built by the Frangipane family, removed in 1821 by the architect Valadier.

 Here's a close up of the Arch of Titus in Rome I took in 2015 (anno domini) depicts the Jerusalem Temple's Menorah being paraded

The Golden Lampstand was commanded by God to be built (Exodus 25:31-40) as part of the tabernacle. Here's my sumary in contects

A) God shows Moses details of his dwelling place the Tabernacle

(25:1-9) LORD’s dwelling place tabernacle: bring offering supplies for my sanctuary, my pattern

(10-22) Ark hold covenant law: gold around acacia, permanent poles to carry, atonement cover, Lord above meets and gives commands

( 23-30) Table:  rings around where four legs, used to carry it, dishes are gold

(31-40) Lampstand: 3-1-3 almond flowers 1 piece of pure gold, according to pattern shown on mountain

(26: 1-6) Tabernacle: 10 curtains purple, blue, scarlet with cherubim woven into them

(7-25) eleven goat hair curtains tent over tabernacle, w/ ram skins, 20 frames, 40 silver bases, corners double bottom to top, 8 frames, sixteen bases silver 2 under each frame

(26-37) also make Crossbars 5 for frames on all sides and center, entrance embroidered

(27:1-8) Altar of Burnt offering: horn at each corner (one piece) bronze. Polls in rings mobile, hollow, shown on mountain (8)

(9-19) Courtyard: curtains and tent posts (100 cubits north, south, 50 cubits east, west)

(20-21) oil for Lampstand olive oil Aaron and sons keep it burning evening to morning for generations to come

http://www.gotquestions.org/BC-AD.html
http://www.hebrew4christians.com/Scripture/Parashah/Summaries/Tetzaveh/Menorah/menorah.html

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