November 9 - Evening
"Since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.”
- Second Corinthians 4:1-3
- Second Corinthians 4:1-3
The Plain Truth
The ministry of the New Covenant is accomplished through the teaching ministry when the Word of God is communicated to unbelievers (evangelism) and to believers (teaching). Paul has previously spoken about the opposition his apostolic ministry faces, but he now says it is through God’s mercy that he has this ministry, and because of this he will not lose heart:
“Since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart.”
Paul refused to alter the ministry God, in his mercy had given him, even in the face of opposition, rejection or the temptation to compromise the teaching ministry with information that is more appealing or appears more applicable.
“We have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God.”
The choice was clear to Paul, he could teach God’s revelation and, thus, fulfill his assignment, or he could slightly tweak the message to make it more acceptable, culturally relevant and economically profitable. But, Paul knows that any addition of information would be “deception” and any adjustment of the message would “distort the word of God.”
Instead, Paul “set forth the truth plainly” knowing that when people heard the truth and saw the effect it had on their lives they would know the apostolic message had been vindicated. The results would be proof enough. Paul says that through the salvation, the maturity and the fruit in the believers’s lives we “commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience.” The proof is in the results. The people will judge his ministry for themselves. Are they saved? Are they maturing? Are they producing? If the answer is affirmative, Paul is justified in his ministry style and does not need to use “secret and shameful ways” to create the illusion of “Christian” growth through some other method.
Paul adds that if someone does not understand his message or does not comprehend the Word of God as it is presented, that person is blinded because they have already rejected the truth and are already perishing. The truth has been veiled to that person. There is never a need to change the “truth” to make it easier to accept, and especially for a person who has already rejected the “truth.” The minister of the Word of God who uses deception or distorts the Word of God in order to gain a following has rejected the truth and is ministering void of the power of human transformation that comes with the truth of the Word of God.
“Even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.” – 2 Corinthians 4:3
“They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.” - 2 Thess. 2:10
People do not perish because ministers fail to mix the Truth with a spoonful of sugar. People perish “because they refused to love the truth.” Teaching ministries fail not because they teach the Word of God, but because they resort to secret and shameful practices such as deception and distortion of the Word of God in an attempt to create something acceptable to people who have already rejected the Truth.
Henotes (Gr) - Unity (Eng) - the Greek henotes means "unanimity" and "agreement."
The New Testament concept of henotes is agreement concerning the revelation of God concerning Jesus. It is not a calculated agreement to tolerate differences for mutual benefits.
Point: the closer we draw to the truth, the greater the henotes with those who are also drawing closer to the truth.
The New Testament concept of henotes is agreement concerning the revelation of God concerning Jesus. It is not a calculated agreement to tolerate differences for mutual benefits.
Point: the closer we draw to the truth, the greater the henotes with those who are also drawing closer to the truth.
I will seek unity by pursuing the truth in God's written word.
Bible Reading Descriptions Here
Personal
Family friends and their children
Church
Heal the broken
Nation
Welfare
World
Sudan - peace in the south since 2005 is fragile; 20 years of large church growth in south
Galyn Wiemers in the gutter under the road that led from the Temple Mount to the Pool of Siloam. The blind man that Jesus put mud in his eyes would have walked on the street above to the Pool of Siloam. (Details)
Video of this gutter below:
Someone to Quote
"This is God's universe and He does things His way. You may have a better way but you don't have a universe."
- J. Vernon McGee
Something to Ponder
“I myself have read the writings and teachings of the heretics, polluting my soul for a while with their abominable notions, though deriving this benefit:
I was able to refute them for myself and loathe them even more.”
- Eusebius, the church historian from 263-339 AD in "The Church History"
Here’s a Fact
Herod was involved with building projects throughout Israel and in thirteen cites outside of Israel. Three inscriptions have been found in Athens commemorating Herod's support and building right there in Athens. Two of the three inscriptions say: 'The people erect this monument to King Herod, devout and lover of Caesar, because of his virtue and benefaction.'
Proverb
"The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the Lord."
- Proverbs 21:31
- Proverbs 21:31
Coach’s Corner
Learn to identify when you are being moved by your emotions, and make it a life rule not to take action or make decisions while you are merely controlled by your emotions.
2 Corinthians 13
New International Version (NIV)
Final Warnings
13 This will be my third visit to you. “Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.” 2 I already gave you a warning when I was with you the second time. I now repeat it while absent: On my return I will not spare those who sinned earlier or any of the others, 3 since you are demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you. 4 For to be sure, he was crucified in weakness, yet he lives by God’s power. Likewise, we are weak in him, yet by God’s power we will live with him in our dealing with you.
5 Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test? 6 And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test. 7 Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong—not so that people will see that we have stood the test but so that you will do what is right even though we may seem to have failed. 8 For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. 9 We are glad whenever we are weak but you are strong; and our prayer is that you may be fully restored. 10 This is why I write these things when I am absent, that when I come I may not have to be harsh in my use of authority—the authority the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down.
Final Greetings
11 Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.
12 Greet one another with a holy kiss. 13 All God’s people here send their greetings.
14 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
New International Version (NIV)
Final Warnings
13 This will be my third visit to you. “Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.” 2 I already gave you a warning when I was with you the second time. I now repeat it while absent: On my return I will not spare those who sinned earlier or any of the others, 3 since you are demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you. 4 For to be sure, he was crucified in weakness, yet he lives by God’s power. Likewise, we are weak in him, yet by God’s power we will live with him in our dealing with you.
5 Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test? 6 And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test. 7 Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong—not so that people will see that we have stood the test but so that you will do what is right even though we may seem to have failed. 8 For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. 9 We are glad whenever we are weak but you are strong; and our prayer is that you may be fully restored. 10 This is why I write these things when I am absent, that when I come I may not have to be harsh in my use of authority—the authority the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down.
Final Greetings
11 Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.
12 Greet one another with a holy kiss. 13 All God’s people here send their greetings.
14 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
John 14
New International Version (NIV)
Jesus Comforts His Disciples
14 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.”
Jesus the Way to the Father
5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”
6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”
8 Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”
9 Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. 11 Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. 12 Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit
15 “If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. 21 Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”
22 Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, “But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?”
23 Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. 24 Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.
25 “All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
28 “You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. 29 I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe. 30 I will not say much more to you, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold over me, 31 but he comes so that the world may learn that I love the Father and do exactly what my Father has commanded me.
“Come now; let us leave.
New International Version (NIV)
Jesus Comforts His Disciples
14 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.”
Jesus the Way to the Father
5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”
6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”
8 Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”
9 Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. 11 Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. 12 Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit
15 “If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. 21 Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”
22 Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, “But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?”
23 Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. 24 Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.
25 “All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
28 “You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. 29 I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe. 30 I will not say much more to you, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold over me, 31 but he comes so that the world may learn that I love the Father and do exactly what my Father has commanded me.
“Come now; let us leave.