Saturday, April 16, 2005

Luke-Son's of thunder

Luke 9:54  And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?

These brothers were wanting to defend the Lord's honor, but were instead an offense. We sometimes are so eager to serve God and to show his glory, but do we destroy others? Elijah called fire down to show the glory of God over the pagan god Baal. The fire consumed the sacrifice, whereas Baal could do nothing. Elijah himself killed the prophets of Baal.  

1 Ki 18:40  And Elijah said unto them, Take the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape. And they took them: and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and slew them there.  

We sometimes are quick to draw the sword to defend the Lord, as did Peter.  

Mat 26:52  Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.
Mat 26:53  Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?
 

The fire we bring down on people comes from our own tongue.  

 James 3:5  Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
James 3:6  And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
James 3:7  For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:
James 3:8  But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
James 3:9  Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.
James 3:10  Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
 

The fire of God falls on believers for purifying and service, not on unbelievers.

1 Pet 4:17  For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
1 Pet 4:18  And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?

Luke 9:55  But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.
Luke 9:56  For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.
 

 He rebuked them. We are not to condemn people but to save them. Jesus would give his life for sinners, not for the rghteous. The Spirit of God is long-suffering and gentle.  

Gal 5:22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23  Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.  

What manner of spirit are we? Are we as Jesus to sacrifice ourselves to bring others to salvation? Our sacrifice may be in long-suffering, in love shown in hours spent witnessing for him. Will we use our own glory to destroy another? What spirit are you of?  

They went to another village and they planted the seed of God's word. Perhaps another would would come to those who were afraid to come to Jesus and show them the way to life? Maybe you will be the one another trusts and you will do the work of Jesus? Show forth his fruit, He will build his church. We are not sent to destroy but to give life to as many as would receive our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the way. We must get out of the way; and show Jesus to them.

 Eaglewings Topical Bible Studies  

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

   "You don't know what spirit you are of." That is a good thought. People think they can be so right in how they handle things, see things or speak to a matter but; they may not know what spirit they are of. That verse is telling me; it's quite possible to be deceived. Peter found that out as well. And right after he had a revelation of who Jesus was too.
    Someone may be seem holy or have righteous indignation, but they miss the heart of God. They miss it as much as the Pharisees did. The heart of the Lord was moved with compassion. Jesus wept over Jerusalem and then he whipped the money changers out of His house. I find it to be a good principle...That when I feel I want to "whip" someone; if I can't weep over that person...maybe I should not be so quick to tear into them. Motive is always a good bottom line. But we can  be fooled with religiosity and flesh. They often masquerade as wisdom, zeal and holiness when underneath it's just plain ego, pride and self righteousness.
   12 So, as those who have been chosen  of God, holy and beloved, put  on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;  13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. 14 Beyond all these things put on love, which is the  perfect bond of unity. 15 Let the  peace of Christ rule  in your hearts, to which indeed  you were called in one  body; and be thankful.( Colossians 3:12-15 NAS) Blessings on you Super. space, out