The Christian Walk A Bible study to help you have a closer daily walk with God.

Transcription

1 The Monthly Mission Messenger Volume IV, No. 45 March 2018 Roy Matlock Ministries The Messenger is free for those who love to study God s Word. The Messenger is supported by free love offerings from those who wish to help spread the Word. Go to web page for purchases or donation. Roy Matlock May God Bless You. My friends, Please send this link to all your contacts. The Monthly Mission Messenger is available on site with all other materials written by Pastor Roy. The Christian Walk A Bible study to help you have a closer daily walk with God. To be a happy Christian we must be obedient to the Bible. Our text for this study is Romans 12:1-2 Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2. And be not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. This scripture teaches that we are not to form, or walk, with the world, but to carry over our walk, transfer it over, and form it with God. To walk after His ways. We concluded our study last month with a passage from Col. 2: Giving thanks unto the Father, who has made us fit to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13. Who has delivered us from the power of darkness, and has translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14. In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: All of our Christian instructions are given in God s word. It s up to us to learn them and be obedient to them. Let me indulge again and share more scriptures for Christian living. Colossians 3:1-10 If you then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sits on the right hand of God. 2. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3. For you are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall you also appear with him in glory. If you have been saved, and know that you are saved, you need to be obedient to the above scripture and set your affections on finding out God s way for your life. Your old life is dead and you have a new life (the Holy Spirit) living inside you. 5. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry: 6. For which things' sake the wrath of God comes on the children of disobedience: God wants you to leave, mortify, kill the old life and if you refuse to do so, you can expect His judgment and chastisement. 1

2 He names many things He wants you to get out of your life. 8. But now you also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy talk out of your mouth. 9. Lie not one to another, seeing that you have put off the old man with his deeds; 10. And have put on the new man, that is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: There is no better way to teach people how to live a Christian life than to teach them what God says about it in His word. Look at what He said in Ephesians chapter five. Ephesians 5: Be followers of God as dear children. 2. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us, and has given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling fragrance. 3. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becomes saints; 4. Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not fitting: but rather giving of thanks. 5. For this you know, that no fornicator, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things comes the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. 7. Be not therefore partakers with them. 8. For you were once darkness, but now are you light in the Lord: walk as children of light: 9. (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) 10. Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. 11. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. 12. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. 13. But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever does make manifest is light. 14. Therefore he says, Awake you that sleep, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give you light. 15. See then that you walk carefully, not as fools, but as wise, 16. Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17. Therefore be not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. 18. And be not drunk with wine, in which is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; 19. Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 20. Giving thanks always for all things unto God, even the Father, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; 21. Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. 22. Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. 23. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the savior of the body. 24. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. 25. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26. That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27. That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. There could be a lot said about the above scriptures but you can read them. Just submit yourself to God and ask for His grace to be obedient to His instructions. With this abundance of scripture from God s word Christians are taught how they should live their 2

3 lives. May you be obedient to God and find the true joy of living a Christian life. The Bible is God s Word to mankind. It teaches us what God wants us to know about life, sin and the Christian life; about death, life after death and eternity. There are numerous passages that command or teach us to study it. The following are passages that teach us to study God s word. (1). Seek you out the Book of God and read. Isa. 34:16. (2). Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.. Psalms 119;105 (3). Your word have I hid in my heart. Psalms 119:11. (4). Study to show yourself approved. II Timothy 2:15. (5). Search the scriptures John 5:39. (6). They searched the scriptures daily Acts 17:11. (7). My word will accomplish that which I please Isaiah 55:11. The Holy Spirit inspired the Apostle Paul to give more instructions for Christian living. Consider the following. Galatians 5:16-26 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that you cannot do the things that you would. 18. But if you be led of the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, impurity, licentiousness, 20. Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, strife, jealousy, wrath, selfishness, divisions, heresies, 21. Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of which I tell you beforehand, as I have also told you in time past, that they who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 22. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23. Meekness, self-control: against such there is no law. 24. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another. Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. You can live a Christian life as instructed in the Bible. This is the most joyous life there is. Join the family of God as we live for Him and wait for the return of Jesus Christ for all who believe in Him. (More from the Bible next month) * * * * * * * BIBLE QUIZ FOR THIS MONTH Name the two men who returned from Babylon to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. Give scripture for your answer.. ANSWER TO LAST MONTH S BIBLE QUIZ. Give the scriptures that show the beginning of the New Testament Church by the Messiah when the 69 weeks of Daniel s prophecy (Dan. 9:25) were fulfilled. After Jesus was tempted by the devil for 40 days in the wilderness, as recorded in Matt. 4:1-11, He came to Capernaum and began calling out the first members, Peter and Andrew, then James and John, which was the initiation of the New Testament Church. Matthew 4:11-16 Then the devil left him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him. 12. Now when Jesus had heard that John was 3

4 cast into prison, he departed into Galilee; 13. And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the seacoast, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali: 14. That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying, 15. The land of Zebulun, and the land of Naphtali, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles; 16. The people who sat in darkness saw great light; and to them who sat in the region and shadow of death, light is sprung up. Isaiah prophesied that the light of the gospel would be taken to the Gentile world. This was done through the New Testament church. Jesus came and inaugurated it in the following passage. Matthew 4:17-22 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. 18. And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. 19. And he said unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. 20. And they immediately left their nets, and followed him. 21. And going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them. 22. And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him. Jesus is the chief corner stone. Peter and Andrew were the first two members of the new organization that we call the church. James and John were members three and four. Matthew 4:23-25 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. 24. And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with various diseases and torments, and those who were possessed with demons, and those that were epileptic, and those that were paralytic; and he healed them. 25. And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judea, and from beyond the Jordan. This is where the church had its beginning. There were local congregations established throughout the land. These are recognized after the conversion of the Apostle Paul. Acts 9:31 Then had the churches rest throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, were multiplied. The church has brought the gospel down through the years to you and me. JESUS SAID ABOUT IT IN: Matthew 16:18...and upon this rock (Himself) I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. HE SAID AGAIN IN: Matthew 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. * * * * * * * STUDIES IN THE BOOKS OF EZRA AND NEHEMIAH In our first two studies relating to the books of Ezra and Nehemiah we covered the time line of the departure of Zerubbable and Sheshbazzar. These are the two leaders of the group that voluntarily left to return to Jerusalem to build the temple when King Cyrus asked who would go. Ezra 1:1-3 Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, (Jer. 29:10.) the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, 4

5 (Isa. 44:28) that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying, 2. Thus says Cyrus king of Persia, The LORD God of heaven has given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he has charged me to build him a house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. 3. Who is there among you of all his people? his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of the LORD God of Israel, (he is the God,) which is in Jerusalem. Isaiah and Jeremiah both prophesied, before King Cyrus was born, that he would do this. Jeremiah 29:10 For thus says the LORD, That after seventy years are accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place. Isaiah 44:28 That says of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, You shall be built; and to the temple, Your foundation shall be laid. (This is a prophecy that the temple will be rebuilt. The building of the walls and streets of the city will also be rebuilt). Editor s correction The Lord has impressed upon my mind to re-analyze Dan. 9:25. Daniel 9:25 Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah, the Prince, shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: This is a period of 69 of the 70 weeks of Daniel s prophecy. These 69 weeks which equals to 483 years, will begin when King Cyrus makes the command to go back and build the temple on the date 3500 PA. It will cover the time period from then through the building of the temple, and the building of the walls and streets of the city by Nehemiah, to the time when Jesus will come on the scene. This will be when Jesus came on the scene at His baptism and the beginning of the New Testament Church. In our last study I took the statement, from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem, and applied it to the command from King Artaxerxes (Neh. 2:1-8) and the departure of Nehemiah to build the walls, not the building of the temple by Zerubbabel. I figured these 69 weeks and found that if I figured it from the time this command came to Nehemiah from King Artaxerxes it threw a wrench in the cogwheel as far as our timeline was figured. In your February edition of the MMM, on page one, col. 1, last par. it is stated: Again we note that this departure recorded in Ezra is NOT the date of the beginning of the 70 weeks of Dan. 9:24. I must make a correction here. Please mark out the word NOT in that statement. This IS the beginning of the 70 weeks of Daniel s prophecy. If we try to make the beginning of the 70 weeks of Dan. 9:24 with the departure of Nehemiah, the 69 weeks of Dan. 9:25 will take us out past the time of the ascension of Jesus back to heaven. That just won t work. Please disregard any other places in your January and February issues of the MMM where it was stated that it was with Nehemiah and mark through them. I confess that I am not perfect. But when I discover where I have an error, I will make the correction. This is one of those occasions. The beginning of the 70 weeks of Daniel s prophecy is when King Cyrus gave the command to go and rebuild the temple. This fulfills both the prophecies of Jeremiah and Isaiah. We found that the date for the departure recorded in Ezra is at the end of the 70 years exile which 5

6 was 3500 Post Adam. When Zerubbabel and Sheshbazzar left they each had a mission to fulfill (Ezra 2:1-2). Sheshbazzar was given charge over the gold and silver vessels that Nebuchadzzar took out of the temple 70 years before when Jerusalem fell. You will remember that Belshazzar had a great party and used these vessels to drink wine with all his lords, wives and concubines the night he saw the hand writing on the wall. He was killed that night, Dan. 5:1-3. King Cyrus is now sending the Jews who want to go, back to Jerusalem. Ezra 1:7. Those who elected to go back to Jerusalem were to go with Zerubbable and Sheshbazzar. Ezra 2:1-2 Now these are the children of the province that went up out of the captivity, of those who had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away unto Babylon, and came again unto Jerusalem and Judah, every one unto his city; 2. Who came with Zerubbabel: Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mizpar, Bigvai, Rehum, Baanah. The number of the men of the people of Israel: These few are named in verse two. The following verses continue to name many of those who went back. (There were 42,360 of them. 2:64). You will note that Mordiciah, who raised Esther, went back. Of course this is not the Nehemiah who wrote the book of Nehemiah. He didn t return till the 20th year of reign of King Artaxerxes, Nehemiah chapter two. Many others are named in the following chapters of Ezra. We will not print them here for lack of space. If you would like to read the complete account just read the book of Ezra. You will find some very interesting things that God did during the rebuilding of the temple. Actually, the devil worked through wicked men until he got the work to cease for many years as recorded in chapter four. It ceased from the reign of Cyrus, who commanded it to be done, to the reign of Artaxerxes (V,5-7). This is during the lives of the prophets Haggai and Zechariah. These two prophets encouraged the work to proceed until it was finished, (Ch. 5). Actually, Ezra was a priest, and he didn t go back with the first group. The record of his return is in: Ezra 7:1-10 Now after these things, in the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra the son of Seraiah, the son of Azariah, the son of Hilkiah, 2. The son of Shallum, the son of Zadok, the son of Ahitub, 3. The son of Amariah, the son of Azariah, the son of Meraioth, 4. The son of Zerahiah, the son of Uzzi, the son of Bukki, 5. The son of Abishua, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the chief priest: (This is the genealogy of Ezra in the priesthood back to the first high priest, Aaron, the brother of Moses). 6. This Ezra went up from Babylon; and he was a skilled scribe in the law of Moses, which the LORD God of Israel had given: and the king granted him all his request, according to the hand of the LORD his God upon him. 7. And there went up some of the children of Israel, and of the priests, and the Levites, and the singers, and the gatekeepers, and the Nethinim, unto Jerusalem, in the seventh year of Artaxerxes the king. 8. And he came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, which was in the seventh year of the king. 9. For upon the first day of the first month he began to go up from Babylon, and on the first day of the fifth month he came to Jerusalem, according to the good hand of his God upon him. (It took him four months to make the journey.) 10. For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and ordinances. Though this is the book of Ezra, he did not go to Jerusalem until the reign of Artaxerxes about the time the temple was completed. In Ezra 7:1-10, Ezra goes up to Jerusalem to teach the Israelites the Law of God, v,10. King Artaxerxes wrote a letter for Ezra to present 6

7 to the people of Israel about what was to be done. The letter is recorded in Ezra 7: In V,27-28 Ezra praises God for moving the king s heart to do this. Ezra 7:27-28 Blessed be the LORD God of our fathers, who has put such a thing as this in the king's heart, to beautify the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem: 28. And has extended mercy unto me before the king, and his counselors, and before all the king's mighty princes. And I was strengthened as the hand of the LORD my God was upon me, and I gathered together out of Israel leading men to go up with me. After Ezra s trip, and upon his arrival at Jerusalem, the first thing he found was the disobedience of many of the Jews. They had intermarried with the non-jews of the land, which was an abomination (9:1-3). Chapter ten records the repentance of those involved. Thus, Ezra s mission as a priest was to get the people on the right track of serving God in their land. You are encouraged to read the complete books of Ezra, Nehemiah, Haggai and Zechariah in connection with this study. We will pick up with the book of Nehemiah next month. The book of Nehemiah gives us the record of his trip from Persia to Jerusalem. More next month THE WAY OF PEACE As for God, His way is perfect: the Word of the Lord is tried: He is a buckler to all those that trust in Him. For who is God save the Lord? Or who is a rock save our God? Psalms 18: Do you have peace with God? What shall you do if you reject God s offer of salvation? Only Jesus can forgive your sins and give you eternal life. Won t you trust Him today!!! SOME ASTOUNDING STATISTICS One of every three people who makes a profession of faith in Christ drops out of church within three months. (Was it real?) Less than three percent of all church members ever attend the Wednesday evening services of the church. ( How sad. Heb. 10:25) More than 75% of America s teenagers never attend church at all. (Woe unto their parents.) More babies are born in one week than there are Christian converts in one year. These are sad statistics. Make sure they are not true in your life. You can make sure by dedicating your heart and life to God, to live for Him as He directs in the Bible, instead of living for the sinful things of the world. If the Christian convert rate versus the birth rate continues, just imagine in what kind of condition the world will be in a few more years. Copied * * * * * * * John 3:36 He that believes on the Son has everlasting life: and he that believes not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abides on him. John 10:9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. John 14:6 Jesus said unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes unto the Father, but by me. Matthew 11:28-29 Come unto me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest unto your souls. John 6:40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that everyone who sees the Son, and believes on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. 7

8 HELPS AND HINTS FOR DEEPER STUDY OR YOUR SPIRIUAL ENJOYMENT Order info on web page REVELATION COMMENTARY A description of the evil beast. The Antichrist exposed. The woman on the scarlet colored beast explained. Second Coming of Christ. Battle of Armageddon. The Millennial Kingdom. The Holy City and the glories of heaven. THE BIBLE QUIZ Hundreds of Bible questions with an answer section that will guide you to the answers to many things of the Bible. Sharpen your Bible skills. Increase your Bible knowledge. A BIBLICAL CHRONOLOGY OF MAN A detailed study of the scriptural links with dates from Adam to the birth of Jesus. HEAVEN, WHERE IT IS AND HOW TO GET THERE Hell, where it is and how to avoid going there. A study about the eternal Holy City and the Ne Earth, about hell, that place that all unsaved people wish, or hope, doesn t exist. THE AGE OF ACCOUNTABILITY a study of God s plan for younger children who, for some reason may die from infancy through a very young age when they have not made a profession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. A must for all parents with young children. THE MOST POWERFUL FOUR BIBLE DOCTRINES There are certain fundamental doctrines taught in the Bible that are very important and should be known by all believers. This study covers the four most important doctrines for mankind to know in order to have perfect peace with God. MIRACLES AND TONGUES These teachings go into deep detail about what the Bible teaches on these subjects. They give the Old Testament prophecies concerning them and the New Testament fulfillment of them. There is much confusion in religious circles today about these subjects. A good Bible knowledge about them will remove such confusion. MY JOURNEY THROUGH LIFE Roy Matlock: This will begin when and where I was born and covers the highlights of my life. It covers the growth of my family with pictures all through life; somewhat of an Autobiography. 106 pages, many color pictures: P LAW & GRACE NEW A detailed study primarily of why most Christians do not keep the 7th Day Sabbath, but worship on the first day of the week. A VERSE BY VERSE STUDY NEW OF THE BOOK OF DANIEL. All the Beasts of Daniel explained. The Little Horn on the beasts as the Antichrist of the Tribulation Period, explanation of what will happen to Him. Many End Time Prophecies explained. C D I LL SEE YOU SOON Your editor plays the guitar and sings Country Gospel. We have completed our first recording of a CD entitled I ll See You Soon. This is the first of a series of Country Gospel songs written by your Editor. It somewhat tells the story of me and my wife who went to be with the Lord on March 27, Available also on the You Tube App.