Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Heritage Part One


     Why do we need to read or understand the genealogy of Christ? It’s important as the Messiah needed to be able to prove that He came from the line of Judah as prophesied in the scriptures. We can also learn a lot about the Messiah by what we read about with His family. We will also see some of His different characteristics of who He is through these various names.


Luke 3:23-29 ( ESV )
23Jesus, when he began his ministry, was about thirty years of age, being the son (as was supposed) of Joseph, the son of Heli,
24the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph,
25the son of Mattathias, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of Naggai,
26the son of Maath, the son of Mattathias, the son of Semein, the son of Josech, the son of Joda,
27the son of Joanan, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel,£ the son of Neri,
28the son of Melchi, the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, the son of Elmadam, the son of Er,
29the son of Joshua, the son of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi,

·         Jesus-Jehovah is salvation. Right off the bat we are told the purpose of Messiah’s coming to earth. He came here to save our souls.   Began His ministry..about 30 years of age-Thirty was a customary age to enter into the office of a prophet Ez. 1:1, Priest Numbers 4:3, 35 and 39, lastly a king as well with David in II Sam. 5:4.

·         Supposed-Not truly his Father.

·         Joseph-Let him add. Little is said about him in the N.T. but note his obedience and character. Matt. 1:19 and Matt. 1:25

·         Mattathias-One of the most common names used in the listing meaning, “The Gift of God.” A true proclamation of the Messiah to come that He would be the Gift of God and His salvation would be the greatest gift from God. Eph. 2:8-10.

·         Melki-My king and my Counsel. The messiah to come would be one that would not only rule over Israel but the whole world. Rev. 19:16 A name written King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

·         Jannai-Flourishing

·         Amos-Burden.

·         Nahum-His name means Consolation yet, he had a son named burden.  In Luke 2:25 Simon was waiting for the consolation of Israel. He was looking forward to the one who would bring comfort and peace. The Messiah would do just that. Jesus said the following in John14:27 “Peace I leave you with, my peace I give unto you.”

·         Esli- Reserved of God. To be that of His completely is the Christian’s greatest goal. Rom. 12:1-2

·         Naggai-Illuminating. Jesus would be and is the LIGHT OF THE WORLD.

·         Maath-Small. In light of the Messiah’s coming we are to be that of a people who will truly humble themselves before Him.

·         Semmein-Same name for Simon meaning the one who hearkens my report. When the Messiah comes we will listen to what He has to say and do what He commands.

·         Joda-He shall be praised. The Messiah is truly worthy of our praise. Phil. 2:5-11 Every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. He is worthy of our praise and shouts of joy will be heard for the name above all names.

·         Joann-Sustained of Jehovah.

·         Rhesa-The head. Eph. 5:23 tells us that Christ is the head of the church.

·         Zerubbabel-Born at Babel. He was the head of the tribe of Judah at the time of the return of Christ during the Babylonian captivity in the first year of the reign of Cyrus.

·         Sheltiel-I have asked of God

·         Neri-Jehovah is my lamp. John 8:12 I am the light of the world.

·         Er-Watchful. He was watchful of the Messiah’s coming. I Peter 4:7 “But the end of all things is at hand; Be ye therefore sober and watch unto prayer.

·         Joriam-Similar to Joann.

·         Eliezer-God is my help. Ps. 40:17 “Thou art my help and my deliverer.”

·         Jorim-Jehovah is exalted.


Just some names, I don’t think so. Are we willing to allow these names to be part of our Christian character? In our next blog we will look at the rest of the list and hopefully we will consider these names and allow them to be part of our Christian Heritage.
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Thursday, May 2, 2013

CAN I WALK YOU HOME?


He was just sixteen when he first saw her face,
A lump in his throat when she turned and looked his way,
The smile on her face took all his doubts away,
She was made for him; he knew it the very first day.
Can I walk you home?
Will you hold my hand?
Will you trust in me when you don’t understand?
How my heart cries out,
Just to have you near,
Can I walk you home?

Just turned twenty-one when he looked into her eyes,
The veil on her face hid the tears that freely streamed down,
He took a deep breath as he kissed his bride,
The promise was made he would always be by her side.
Can I walk you home?
Will you hold my hand?
How my heart cries out,
Just to have you near,
Can I walk you home?

The morning light broke as he held his little man,
He had to look across the room and gaze into her eyes,
He thought to himself he truly served a merciful God,
For only one like Him could give him such a life.
Lord, will you walk with me home?
Will you hold my hand?
I can trust in you when I don’t understand,
How my heart cries out,
Just to have you near,
Lord, will you walk with me home?

His breathing was hard as she lay by his side,
His hands were so cold; she knew that it was almost time,
She lifted her eyes as her sons drew close,
Then she said this prayer, “Lord would you walk with him home?”
Jesus, will you walk with him home?
Would you please hold his hand?
I’m trusting in you though I don’t understand,
How his heart cries out,
Just to be near your throne,
Jesus, will you walk with him home?
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Thursday, April 25, 2013

Prayer letter link

     I am sorry about the wait for a new blog for the last week but we will be putting out a new blog within the next week or two. We have been focusing our attention on the ministry that the Lord seems to now be leading us to which is with Rock Haven Ministries out of the Arkansas area.

     We are excited to see how the Lord has been leading us and moving us forward. We have just finished our first prayer letter and have sent out our first batch on e-mail. We will soon be sending out our prayer letter by snail mail as well. 

     If you have not but would like to read our prayer letter please feel free to go to the following link. We are looking for brothers and sisters who will be a part of our ministry in prayer. Please copy and paste the following address in your browser window and it will take you to our prayer letter.

     May God richly bless you as you serve Him. The Moores

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Monday, April 15, 2013

PREPARE THE WAY OF THE LORD. Part two


Luke 3:7-9 ( ESV )

7He said therefore to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

8Bear fruits in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham.

9Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”

·         John was always honest with people and let them know first of all that they were sinners. He calls them vipers which were looked upon as unclean animals. The heavy part of this is in the parallel passage in Matthew 3:7 John is addressing specifically the Pharisees and Sadducees. Even the quote religious ones were lost. He even goes a step further  by saying, Who warned you to flee? He was tired of those who pretended to be believers when they were really enemies of God.

·         He begged of them to live a life that did not just go through the motions and say the right words but that they would be changed and bear fruit. Their ancestry could not save their souls. God could make these rocks into a people who would follow after Him. He also can change a heart of stone into a heart of flesh.

·         Judgment is coming. The whole thing root and all would perish as unfruitful trees would be cut down and thrown into the fire. So is the person who lives religiously yet lives without a true relationship with Christ as they will face an eternal judgment of fire.


Luke 3:10-14 ( ESV )

10And the crowds asked him, “What then shall we do?”

11And he answered them, “Whoever has two tunics£ is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.”

12Tax collectors also came to be baptized and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?”

13And he said to them, “Collect no more than you are authorized to do.”

14Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or by false accusation, and be content with your wages.”

·         When confronted with their need and punishment that was in store for them many wanted help and asked what could be done?

·         In the next few verses we read how repentance will affect us all differently. For some they would become more giving.  A tunic was a shirt like garment and only one could be worn at a time. John was still stressing the coming judgment. This is not a time to hoard surplus goods. If you have an abundance of food sacrifice it for others.

·         Tax collectors were told not to collect more than they should. This was a common practice as many would pocket the difference.

·         Soldiers were told not to shake people down with violence to gain more money or to accuse people wrongly. They were to be content or satisfied with what they had.


Luke 3:15-17 ( ESV )

15As the people were in expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Christ,

16John answered them all, saying, “I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

17His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

·         The people were now anticipating the coming of the Messiah and many were reasoning within themselves if John was the one who would be Him.

·         Note John’s humility as he tells them there is one who is stronger. He saw himself as not even being worthy to act as a slave to him and untie his shoes. John simply offered water as a sign of his coming. Messiah would baptize them with the Holy Spirit but he would also baptize many of them with fire in the form of punishment. The reason why I say this is as you look at the immediate context this is what he is talking about.  A winnowing fork was used for tossing grain into the wind so that the chaff would be blown away. He will gather the wheat or the believers into his barn but the unbelievers would be burnt in the unquenchable fire of Hell.


Luke 3:18-22 ( ESV )

18So with many other exhortations he preached good news to the people.

19But Herod the tetrarch, who had been reproved by him for Herodias, his brother’s wife, and for all the evil things that Herod had done,

20added this to them all, that he locked up John in prison.

21Now when all the people were baptized, and when£Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heavens were opened,

22and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son;£ with you I am well pleased.”£

·         What was the good news John preached? Repent for the Messiah is coming. He had to bring them to a point of recognizing that they were sinners in need of a Savior.

·         We must realize that in sharing the Gospel as well that like John when we speak truth not all will want to hear the message.  We know that it cost John as He had told Herod it was not right for him to commit the sins he had with Herodias and for his other sins. He would be confined into prison and eventually it would cost John his life.

·         Before this takes place though Jesus would identify himself with John’s message of people’s need for repentance and the righteousness that only God could give. Even though He was sinless by being baptized He declared to all of mankind their need for a savior who alone could save them.

·         At the baptism all of the trinity were involved and represented. The Spirit descended on Jesus in bodily form like a dove which represented a symbol of virtue. The Father testified to the world of His Son’s perfect and sinless character in whom He had the greatest pleasure in.
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Monday, April 8, 2013

PREPARE THE WAY OF THE LORD PART ONE


Luke 3:1 ( ESV )
1In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene,

·         The Jews were looking for a Messiah but it for sure would not come from the political arena. No one could qualify for that position among these men who were the leaders of the day. Let us look at this cast of characters.

·         Tiberius Caesar-After being raised to supreme power he became cruel and vindictive. Christ would die during his reign.

·         Pilate- He was known for his cruelty to the Jews and had certain Galileans killed in Luke 13:1. He had emperor worship enforced. He would also listen to the voices of men over the voice of God.

·         Herod-A ruler over Galilee who would leave his first wife for his brother Phillip’s wife. He was a cruel and perverted man who was willing to hand over the life of John the Baptist so that he could be with his niece.

·         Lysanias-What is amazing is how little was known about him and how many doubted his existence until recent archaeological finds.


Luke 3:2 ( ESV )
2during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas,£the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness.

·         They would also not find their Messiah through their high priest. The irony of this passage is that Annas means the humble one. He would be taken down by the Roman Procurator of Judea and later on his son-in-law was appointed to the position.  So both he and Caiaphas would be called the high priest by the people. Caiaphas acted as the high priest and Annas was the president of the Sanhedrin.

·         Yet the messenger who would proclaim the Messiah to come would be a lowly prophet by the name of John who had been out of the public eye and in the wilderness. Yet the time had come for a message of hope and change through this one.


Luke 3:3-6 ( ESV )
3And he went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
4As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, £“The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord,£ make his paths straight.
5 Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall become straight, and the rough places shall become level ways,
6 and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’”
·         Baptisms were not new for the Jews as Mosaic laws had prescribed various kinds for uncleanness and defilement. (Lev. 11-15 and Numb. 19) Yet this one was different in that it was symbolically preparing people to be aware that Messiah was coming.

·         The people’s hearts and mind were being challenged about their need to repent. They needed to be forgiven and pardoned. This baptism was to symbolize and testify of the forgiveness of Christ that was received. The water did not save them but the people were humbling themselves before God and preparing their hearts for the Messiah to come.

·         These words are from the book of Isaiah are from Isaiah 40:3-5 talking about John the Baptist and his message of the Messiah.

·         John proclaimed with a loud voice this message as one who had walked and would walk in the solitary places. The idea of the word prepare is drawn from the custom of sending people in front of kings on their journey and their job was to make the roads passable for them to go on. Note what he says every mountain and hill shall be made low and the crooked shall be made straight. John would not do this physically but he was spiritually preparing people to meet their God. He was telling them that Messiah would come and they should prepare their hearts to meet him. (We as believers today are to shout out to the world, “Believe in Christ, put your faith in Him and Him alone who can save you.)

·         The beauty of this message is that it was not a message for just the Jews but for all of mankind. The salvation of God is coming was his message but our message today is that the Salvation of God has come. Jesus is willing to save man if they are willing to believe in Him. 
·         I am reminded of the words of Amos the prophet who told the people of his time. “Prepare to meet Your God.” Amos 4:12. I ask of you today like Amos and John the Baptist, “Are you ready to meet Your God?” 
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Monday, April 1, 2013

I HAVE COME TO DO MY FATHER'S BUSINESS


Luke 2:41 ( ESV )
41Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover.

·         Every year-This was about a one hundred mile journey from Nazareth that was a custom for them to make and was required by the Law.

·         According to Exodus 12 it took place during the month of Abib or our March-April . They would take a lamb for their household or share it with another one. The lamb accordingly was to be without blemish or spot and about a year old. This is a beautiful picture of Jesus as the Lamb of God. I Peter 1:18-19, 2:22 and 3:18. On the 14th day they were to kill it around 3:00-5:00 P.M. They were then required to take its blood and strike it on the 2 sides of the post and at the top. Deut. 16:16 They were required to go to Jerusalem during the Passover, Unleavened Bread and the Feast of Tabernacles. The city of Jerusalem would be packed during this time with crowds of people.


Luke 2:42-44 ( ESV )
42And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom.
43And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it,
44but supposing him to be in the group they went a day’s journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances,

·         Jesus was 12 at this time and at the age of 13 boys would be known as the Son of the Commandment. At 12 most boys would celebrate their first feast in preparation for manhood. Once again we are told that His parents were devout to this custom.

·         When the feast was finished and they had done what the Lord had commanded them to do they were ready to leave. Families during this time would go in lines as 100s of people from various communities would go together. The women and children would be in one group while the men would go in another. How could they have not kept track on Jesus whereabouts? I believe that the best answer to that is that as Jesus was 12 he could go with either his mother or his father. Both of them probably thought he was with the other. Note they have already gone a whole day’s journey away from Him.


Luke 2:45-47 ( ESV )
45and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him.
46After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.
47And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.

·         Can you imagine the fear that must have went through His parents mind and heart? Where could the one that the Father had entrusted them with be gone?

·         They were probably separated from Him around 3 day’s altogether. A day away from Him, a day getting back and the last day. The idea is that they searched intently for Him.

·         After all of this time they finally find Him in the temple surrounded by those who knew the Law. Jesus we are told listened to them but He also placed questions to these learned men. He literally amazed them with his understanding and question. The idea of the word amazed has the idea of throw out of position or displace.

·         One of the challenges personally that we see in this passage is that no matter how young we are we should be able to defend our faith. II Tim. 3:16-17 and I Peter 3:15


Luke 2:48 ( ESV )
48And when his parents£ saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.”

·         Think about it for a moment, Why would they be astonished?  He was not only a child but also their Lord. Secondly, He was being obedient to His Father. Lastly, God was His Father not Joseph.

·         Mary and Joseph had been brought to a point of distress in their search. The word here for distress is like that of a soul lost in Hades. Luke 16:24-25. They were in great grief over trying to find Him.


Luke 2:49-50 ( ESV )
49And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?”£
50And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them.

·         Why would you search for me? It is only natural that I would have been here.  Then He reminds them of where His Father would have him to be. Jesus had an end goal and a job to do. Heb. 10:5-9 He would say, I have come to do your will. (esp. v. 7 and 9) He would complete the sacrifice with these words in John 19:30, It is finished.  What about us are we willing to forsake all to be about the work of our Father? We are only told that Mary and Joseph still did not understand. The same will be true of us at times when we are obedient to our heavenly Father. Our actions just don’t make any sense no matter how right they are.


Luke 2:51-52 ( ESV )
51And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart.
52And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature£ and in favor with God and man.

·         He was still submissive to them and proved His obedience to Mary and Joseph.  Think of it the King of Glory was willing to walk in complete humility and be obedient. He was willing to obey His family, government and others even to the point of death. (Phil. 2:5-11) His conduct was pleasing to all who saw and knew Him.
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Monday, March 25, 2013

SIMEON AND ANNA


Luke 2:22-24 ( ESV )
22And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord
23(as it is written in the Law of the Lord,£“Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”)
24and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, £“a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.”

·         This purification was for the woman after childbirth. According to the Law of Moses in Lev. 12:3 a mother was declared unclean after birth, she would remain that way for a period of 33 days. She would then have to present a burnt offering and sin offering for herself. It was a reminder to them that the sin nature was transmitted. (Yet, this one was perfect.)

·         Only a blood sacrifice could take away the defilement. We also see how poor Mary and Joseph were in that Lev. 12:8 stated that smaller pigeons could be used by the poor instead of a lamb. (The pigeons were numerous and would pair for life; they became a symbol for purity.)


Luke 2:25-26 ( ESV )
25Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
26And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.

·         We are now introduced to Simeon. His name means the Harkening one which seems to fit him well.  He was a man who was known to be right in his judgments, a pious man who was devoted to the cause of expecting the coming Messiah. His heart longed for the day in which he would see the comforting one who would be the Messiah. One other mark of this godly man was that the Holy Spirit was upon his life.

·         He was told by the Spirit of God that he would not see death until he would see the Lord’s Christ face to face. (Tradition tells us he was at least 110 or more at this time.) Do we long to see His return and to see him face to face?


Luke 2:27-32 ( ESV )
27And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law,
28he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,
29 “Lord, now you are letting your servant£ depart in peace, according to your word;
30 for my eyes have seen your salvation
31 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”

·         Note how often the Spirit worked in Simeon’s life in just these few verses. (2:25, 2:26 and 2:27) He was devoted to His coming but also devoted to the Spirit of God.

·         Can you imagine the peace in his heart as his arms bent to take the Messiah into his hands. His first reaction was that of praising and blessing. (Think about it, he was holding the creator of the universe in his arms.) He had been like a watchman who now welcomes his hour of dismissal as it had been worth it all too just see the promised one of Abraham and the Fathers now in his very sight.

·         He calls Him Salvation. He would be the one who would be God’s perfect plan for fallen man.  Even though he sees Christ as a child yet he saw Him as Lord. He not only sees Him as the one who would bring glory to Israel, the promised one of the tribe of Judah. He also saw Him as the salvation for all peoples. This light would even shine upon the Gentiles and offer them hope.


Luke 2:33-35 ( ESV )
33And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him.
34And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed
35(and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

·         When Mary and Joseph heard these words they were awestruck by the reaction and the words of Simeon. Yet, Simeon was not yet done as he also brings up some other things that would happen to their son and Mary.

·         Many because of Christ would be brought down to ruin but there would also be those who would be able to rise up or be blessed. This one who would bring salvation though would also be opposed in doing so. There would be those who would have nothing to do with him. Inward thoughts of a person would be laid bare. They would be exposed for who they really were as the Light would shine upon them.

·         Heart break would also come to His mother. It would feel like the piercing of her very soul. Mary would suffer great anguish as she would watch Jesus be put to death before her very eyes. (The word for sword here is like that of a large one almost like a javelin.


Luke 2:36-38 ( ESV )
36And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin,
37and then as a widow until she was eighty-four.£ She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day.
38And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.

·         Now enter into our scene a woman who had served her Father faithfully as a prophetess or one to whom future events may have been revealed to. Her name was Anna or Grace and she would be shown that now as an older woman who would look into the very face of God.

·         She had been so devoted to God that she did not depart from the temple . She worshiped or ministered in the house and had been known for her life of service.  She was a woman who prayed continually. It was at that very moment she began to give thanks to God and speak of the one who would bring redemption to Israel. Both her and Simeon’s service were honored by being those who would see the Hope of their salvation. (One day as believers we also will see the Hope of our salvation not through a mirror darkly but face to face.)


Luke 2:39-40 ( ESV )
39And when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.
40And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.

·         Mary and Joseph just like Simeon and Anna had honored the Lord by performing what the Lord had required of them to do and this is the house that Jesus would grow up in and God’s mighty grace would be thus shown forth as the Savior would grow up in a world in which He would soon give His life for.
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