Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. – Ephesians 5:6-10
05.27.18 PM – Mark Day – Goodness
Scripture Reading – John Gambill: Ephesians 5:6-10
And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise. – Luke 23:39-43
05.27.18 AM – Mark Day – The Words of a Thief05.27.18 AM – Mark Day – The Words of a Thief
Many in the world would be surprised to hear that the message of Christ is inclusive, but the reality is—as the good old hymn goes–the Gospel is for all. The teaching that Christ only died for a restricted few people whom God has unconditionally chosen is false. God wants all to be saved (1 Tim. 2:4; 2 Pet. 3:9). In Galatians 3:8, Paul writes, “And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.” The Gospel in seed form was preached to Abraham in Genesis 12:3. The seed of Abraham who would bless all nations of the world is Christ (Gal. 3:16). Jesus said, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Mt. 11:28). After His death and resurrection Jesus commissioned that His followers make disciples of all nations (Mt. 28:19), going into all the world to preach the Gospel to every creature (Mk. 16:15). The apostles were to start at Jerusalem and carry the message to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). Centuries before Christ issued these marching orders, Isaiah prophesied that all nations would flow unto Jerusalem from whence Christ’s law would come forth (Isa. 2:2-3).
God is not a respecter of persons; He shows no partiality regarding race and nationality (Rom. 2:11; Acts 10:34). Salvation is by God’s grace through man’s faith (Eph. 2:8). Today, God does not have a special benefit package reserved for the Jews. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile in God’s eyes (Rom. 3:22; 10:12). “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Gal. 3:28-29). How much more inclusive could God get?
The Gospel of Jesus Christ is not only inclusive, it is all-inclusive—that is, it is comprehensive in its instructions to all regarding what to do to please God and be eternally saved (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:3). While the Gospel of Jesus Christ is extended to all, He provides eternal salvation to those who obey Him (Heb. 5:9). The totality of Christ’s message was not delivered to His apostles before His death (John 16:12). But His apostles were guided into all truth by the Holy Spirit (John 16:13). They were reminded of what Jesus had said while physically present with them and they were taught the totality of the message including instruction Jesus did not personally give (John 14:26). For example, Paul had some instruction regarding marriage that the Lord Jesus did not delve into during His earthly ministry (1 Cor. 7:10-12). Through the total message the Holy Spirit delivered by the first-century apostles and prophets, He reproves the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment (John 16:8). The all-inclusive Gospel commands all men everywhere to repent (Acts 17:30). Let’s not limit the Gospel to only people who are like us in cultural background, race, and class but strive to cross those boundaries to deliver the soul-saving message to all.
–Mark Day
And when they told it to Jotham, he went and stood in the top of mount Gerizim, and lifted up his voice, and cried, and said unto them, Hearken unto me, ye men of Shechem, that God may hearken unto you. The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said unto the olive tree, Reign thou over us. But the olive tree said unto them, Should I leave my fatness, wherewith by me they honour God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees? And the trees said to the fig tree, Come thou, and reign over us. But the fig tree said unto them, Should I forsake my sweetness, and my good fruit, and go to be promoted over the trees? Then said the trees unto the vine, Come thou, and reign over us. And the vine said unto them, Should I leave my wine, which cheereth God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees? Then said all the trees unto the bramble, Come thou, and reign over us. And the bramble said unto the trees, If in truth ye anoint me king over you, then come and put your trust in my shadow: and if not, let fire come out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of Lebanon. – Judges 9:7-15 KJV
05.20.18 PM – Mark Day – Should I Leave My Fruitfulness
Scripture Reading – Brad Morris: Judges 9:7-15