Day in pictures: 17 May 2012-Four-week-old Florida Burrowing Owlets stand in their nest at a local park in Miami, Florida.

Four-week-old Florida Burrowing Owlets stand in their nest at a local park in Miami, Florida.

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FG Turns to ECA to Forestall Fiscal Crisis

Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

The Federal Government is building up the excess crude account (ECA) to cushion the effect of shortfalls in revenue accruing from sale of crude oil owing mainly to theft and illegal bunkering in the Niger Delta.

The Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, told THISDAY Tuesday that Nigeria has the ability to meet her obligations and payments as things stand today.

Even though Okonjo-Iweala admitted that the Federal Government might have recorded shortfalls in “one or two months, which is not out of place in the business of government", she argued that the government was managing the situation by building up ECA which stood at about $4.3 billion as at Tuesdat.

“The shortfall is not tantamount to fiscal crisis. And the shortfall has happened for the past month. The Federal Government is working to make sure that these activities (theft and illegal bunkering of crude oil) are curtailed. So you cannot, because there has been an issue for a month or two, talk about fiscal crisis. There is no fiscal crisis,” she said.

THISDAY had reported yesterday that with the massive theft of crude oil going on in the Niger Delta, Nigeria was on the verge of facing a fiscal crisis if the trend continued.

But assuring Nigerians that the country’s finances are solid, she ruled out the possibility of a fiscal crisis.

“The country is not in any fiscal crisis. We have the ability to meet our obligations and our payments. You know, be it for salaries, debt servicing and for all the things that we are supposed to do. It is true that we have to be careful to balance things because there are some challenges which have to contend with.

“There have been a lot of questions about government finances. But I want to reassure Nigerians that government finances are solid. As I said before, we have to balance and take cognisance of the fact that we need to build up our buffers. We are focusing on trying to build up the excess crude account so that we can have stronger buffers. We are focusing on making sure that the financial operations are conducted on time,” she said.

She, however, expressed the need to be careful in handling the issue of theft and illegal bunkering of crude oil.
“It is true we have got to be a bit careful because the issue of bunkering and all that have an impact on revenues, but that does not mean there is any crisis,” she added.

Meanwhile, the monthly meeting of the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) originally scheduled for Monday, May 14 and yesterday to distribute revenue to the three tiers of government for the month of April has been put-off.

THISDAY checks revealed that the FAAC meeting would now hold on Thursday and Friday this week.

Although no official reason was given for the postponement, THISDAY gathered that the Minister of State, Yerima Ngama, who is the chairman of FAAC, was having a closed door meeting with the state finance commissioners and other relevant stakeholders to tighten loose ends.

While there were insinuations in some quarters that the issue of revenue shortfall might have caused the postponement,  Chairman, Commissioners of Finance, Mr. Eze Echesi, told THISDAY that he was not aware that there had been revenue shortfall.

However, there has been a long-drawn disagreement between the states and the Federal Government on the sustained monthly subsidy deductions from the federation account by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) with the states calling for a stoppage.
The argument over subsidy deduction had only intensified lately following the state of revenue and had also forced the committee to emphasise on diversification of the economy from oil.

But Okonjo-Iweala told THISDAY that delay in FAAC allocations to was not an issue “because we were simply waiting for money to be disbursed by the NNPC”.

“Sometimes when it comes in a bit late, we augment from the resources in the excess crude account and pay back later. And that has been working well,” she explained.

She explained further: “The Federal Government is not withholding any money… everything is very transparent. There is a technical meeting that holds before FAAC, where all the numbers are put on the table for everybody to look at. And when the resources do not meet up with the amount projected for the month, it is discussed as to what are the reasons. You know, once NNPC sells, the money has to come in.”

Van Persie Wins Premier League Golden Boot

Van Persie shows off his Premier League Golden Boot award

GOAL.COM

Arsenal striker, Robin van Persie has scooped the Golden Boot Award for the 2011/12 Premier League season, beating Wayne Rooney and Sergio Aguero to the top spot.

The 28-year-old forward has received the award for the first time in his career, along with 30,000 pounds to be given to a charity of his choice, reports Goal.com.

Van Persie's 30-goal haul has matched that of Arsenal legend Thierry Henry in 2003/04, and gives him his third accolade in recent weeks after he took both the PFA and Football Writers' Player of the Year awards.

The Dutchman has been key to the Gunners' success this season, scoring several vital goals which have secured Champions League football for the north London side.

Wayne Rooney finished runner-up to van Persie with 27 league goals, after seeing Manchester United teammate Dimitar Berbatov pick up the award last year.

Two of Van Persie's strikes have been nominated for Goal of the Season, including a memorable volley against Everton at the Emirates Stadium back in December.

PICS OF JESUS BIRTH, THE WISE MEN AND THE BAPTISM

The Year Jesus Was Born and some very important information on the personality of Jesus Christ.

In the western hemisphere, we split time by the birth of Jesus Christ. But did he really even live? If so, when was he born?

Sometime ago, I struck up a conversation with a man who claimed that God did not exist. He was an atheist. But not just a run-of-the-mill atheist, you understand. He also insisted that Jesus Christ never existed! This fellow was hard core.

Now my atheist friend had incredible faith--blind faith, I might add. His religious fervor, in fact, would put many evangelists to shame. But the evidence that Jesus Christ invaded history is not just shut up to the testimony of the New Testament--as irrefutable as that might be! The very enemies of Christianity claimed that he lived--and that he performed miracles! Early Jewish documents such as the Mishnah and even Josephus--as well as first-century Gentile historians--such as Thallus, Serapion, and Tacitus--all testify that the one called Christ lived in Palestine and died under Pontius Pilate. As the British scholar, F. F. Bruce put it, "The historicity of Christ is as [certain]. . . as the historicity of Julius Caesar" (NT Documents, 119).

Now it logically follows that if Jesus Christ lived (need it be said?), he must have been born. The Gospels tell us that his birth was shortly before Herod the Great died. Herod's death can be fixed with certainty.

Josephus records an eclipse of the moon just before Herod passed on. This occurred on March 12th or 13th in 4 B.C. Josephus also tells us that Herod expired just before Passover. This feast took place on April 11th, in the same year, 4 B.C. From other details supplied by Josephus, we can pinpoint Herod the Great's demise as occurring between March 29th and April 4th in 4 B.C.

It might sound strange to suggest that Jesus Christ was born no later than 4 B.C. since B.C. means 'before Christ.' But our modern calendar which splits time between B.C. and A.D. was not invented until A.D. 525. At that time, Pope John the First asked a monk named Dionysius to prepare a standardized calendar for the western Church. Unfortunately, poor Dionysius missed the real B.C./A.D. division by at least four years!

Now Matthew tells us that Herod killed Bethlehem's babies two years old and under. The earliest Jesus could have been born, therefore, is 6 B.C. Through a variety of other time indicators, we can be relatively confident that the one called Messiah was born in either late 5 or early 4 B.C.

My atheist friend scoffs at such flexibility. He says, "If you don't know exactly when Jesus was born, how do you know that he really lived?" That is hardly a reasonable question! The other day I called my mother to wish her a happy birthday. "Mom, how many candles on this birthday cake?" I inquired. "I don't know, son--I don't keep track any more," she sighed. After a few minutes of pleasant conversation, we hung up.

Now, of course, I can't be certain, but I do believe that that was my mother on the other end of the phone. She can't remember how old she is (and she's neither senile nor very old), but that doesn't make her a figment of my imagination, does it? Because if she's just a phantom, then for the last three minutes, you've been reading absolutely nothing!

The Day Jesus Was Born

This coming December 25th most parents will be lying to their children about old St. Nick. Some of us will be celebrating the birth of our Savior. But was he really born on this day?

Was Jesus really born on December 25th? Virtually every month on the calendar has been proposed by biblical scholars. So why do we celebrate his birth in December?

The tradition for December 25th is actually quite ancient. Hippolytus, in the second century A.D., argued that this was Christ's birthday. Meanwhile, in the eastern Church, January 6th was the date followed.

But in the fourth century, John Chrysostom argued that December 25th was the correct date and from that day till now, the Church in the East, as well as the West, has observed the 25th of December as the official date of Christ's birth.

In modern times, the traditional date has been challenged. Modern scholars point out that when Jesus was born, shepherds were watching their sheep in the hills around Bethlehem. Luke tells us that an angel appeared to "some shepherds staying out in the fields [who were] keeping watch over their flock by night" (2:8).

Some scholars feel that the sheep were usually brought under cover from November to March; as well, they were not normally in the field at night. But there is no hard evidence for this. In fact, early Jewish sources suggest that the sheep around Bethlehem were outside year-round. So you can see, December 25th fits both tradition and the biblical narrative well. There is no sound objection to it.

Now admittedly, the sheep around Bethlehem were the exception, not the rule. But these were no ordinary sheep. They were sacrificial lambs. In the early spring they would be slaughtered at the Passover.

And God first revealed the Messiah's birth to these shepherds--shepherds who protected harmless lambs which would soon die on behalf of sinful men. Whey they saw the baby, could they have known? Might they have whispered in their hearts what John the Baptist later thundered, "Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!"

Now, of course, we can't be absolutely certain of the day of Christ's birth. At least, not this side of heaven. But an early winter date seems as reasonable a guess as any. And December 25th has been the frontrunner for eighteen centuries. Without more evidence, there seems no good reason to change the celebration date now.

We can blame the ancient church for a large part of our uncertainty. You see, they did not celebrate Christ's birth. At all. To them, it was insignificant. They were far more concerned with his death . . . and resurrection.

But modern man has turned that around. A baby lying in a manger is harmless, non-threatening. But a man dying on a cross--a man who claims to be God--that man is a threat! He demands our allegiance! We cannot ignore him. We must either accept him or reject him. He leaves us no middle ground.

This Christmas season, take a close look at a nativity scene once again. Remove your rose-colored glasses--smell the foul air, see the cold, shivering animals. They represent the Old Testament sacrificial system. They are emblems of death. But they are mere shadows of the Babe in their midst. He was born to die . . . that all who believe in him might live.

The Visit of the Magi

When Jesus Christ was born, men--known as magi--came from the east to worship him. Were they wise men . . . or astrologers?

Matthew begins his second chapter with these words: "Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, 'Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star in the east, and have come to worship him.'"

Who were these wise men from the east? Matthew tells us next to nothing about them--he doesn't mention their names, nor how many there were--not even which country they came from. As mysteriously as they come on the scene, they disappear. . . 

Though Matthew doesn't tell us much, over-zealous Christians throughout church history have dogmatically filled in the blanks. By the 6th century A.D., these dark strangers were given thrones and names: Gaspar, Melchior, and Balthazar were the alleged names of these alleged kings. But this has nothing to do with the biblical story: we really have no idea what their names were--nor even their number. There could have been 3 or 300 as far as we know! But one thing we do know for sure: they were not royalty. The ancient magi were reilgious and political advisors to eastern kings--but there wasn't a drop of blue blood among them.

But isn't it true that the magi were astrologers? And didn't God prescribe death to astrologers in the Old Testament? 'Not always' and 'yes' are the answers. In Deuteronomy 17, God commands his people to execute all astrologers by stoning. Jean Dixon wouldn't stand a chance in such a theocracy! The fact that she--and others like her--are so comfortably tolerated--even well respected!--in modern America ought to show us that the U.S.A. is a post-Christian country--at best . . . 

But what about these ancient magi? Were they astrologers? After all, they followed a star to Bethlehem.

We might answer this in three ways: First, not all magi were astrologers, for Daniel the prophet was the chief of the magi in Nebuchadnezzar's court. Through his influence, undoubtedly many of the magi carried on their religious and political duties as worshippers of the One true God.

Second, there are some biblical scholars who believe that Isaiah predicted that a star would appear when the Messiah was born. If this interpretation is correct, then the magi who worshipped the newborn king were clearly following in Daniel's train, for he almost surely taught them from Isaiah.

Third, although a few believe that the 'star' they saw was a natural phenomenon--such as a conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter--this cannot explain how the star stood right over Bethlehem. Clearly, the 'star' was completely of supernatural origin. If so, it probably had nothing to do with astrology.

Therefore, the magi most likely did not subscribe to such superstitious folly. If so, they were truly wise men . . . 

I saw a bumper sticker the other day, which read, "Wise men still seek him." Actually, that's not quite accurate. The Bible tells us that "no one seeks God, not even one." But if he has led us to himself, then we have become wise. For it is true that "wise men still worship him."

The Boys from Bethlehem

One of the most heinous atrocities in human history was the murder of Bethlehem's babies by Herod the Great. But did it really happen?

In the second chapter of Matthew's gospel, we read that when Herod the Great heard of the Messiah's birth, "he was troubled--and all Jerusalem with him." Later, when the wise men did not report back to him, he became furious and ordered all the baby boys up to two years old in and around Bethlehem to be slaughtered!

Three questions come to mind as we consider this cruel incident: First, how many babies did Herod actually kill? Second, how old was Jesus when this happened? And finally, why does no other ancient historian record this outrage? In other words, did it really happen?

How many babies did Herod murder? Some scholars have suggested as many as 200! But most reject such a figure. Bethlehem was a small community--almost a suburb of Jerusalem. The village itself--and the surrounding countryside--would hardly have more than 30 male infants under two. Most scholars today place the number between 20 and 30.

But that's if only the boy babies were killed. Actually, the Greek text of Matthew 2:16 could mean 'babies'--not just 'boy babies.' And psychologically, Herod's henchmen might not have bothered to check the gender of their victims. The number might be as high as 50 or 60.

Second, how old was Jesus when this occurred? According to the best chronological evidence, he could not have been more than three or four months old. He was more than likely born in the winter of 5 or 4 B.C.--Herod died in the early spring of 4 B.C. So why did Herod slay all children up to two years old? The answer to the third question might help to answer this one. . . 

Third, why is this event not recorded outside the Bible? Specifically, why did Josephus, the first-century Jewish historian, fail to mention it?

Josephus tells us much about Herod. The best word to describe his reign is 'overkill.' He murdered his favorite wife's father, drowned her brother--and even killed her! He executed one of his most trusted friends, his barber, and 300 military leaders--all in a day's work! Then he slew three of his sons, allegedly suspecting them of treason. Josephus tells us that "Herod inflicted such outrages upon (the Jews) as not even a beast could have done if it possessed the power to rule over men" (Antiquities of the Jews 17:310). Killing babies was not out of character for this cruel king. And killing them up to two years old--to make sure he got the baby Jesus lines up with his insane jealousy for power.

Josephus might have omitted the slaying of the babies for one of two reasons: first, he was no friend of Christianity and he left it out intentionally; or second, just before Herod died he locked up 3000 of the nation's leading citizens and gave orders that they were to be executed at the hour of his death. He wanted to make sure that there would be mourning when he died. . . Israel was so preoccupied with this that the clandestine murder of a few babies might have gone unnoticed. . . 

Herod thought that he had gained a victory over the king of the Jews. Yet this was a mere foreshadowing of the victory Satan thought he had when Jesus lay dead on a Roman cross. But the empty tomb proved that that dark Friday was Satan's worst defeat!

Conclusion

We've been looking at several aspects of the birth of Jesus Christ in this short study. Now, we want to put it all together.

In the winter of 5 or 4 B.C., God invaded history by taking on the form of a man. He was born in a small town just south of Jerusalem. Bethlehem, which means 'the house of bread,' indeed became worthy of its name one lonely winter night. For there, in that town, was born the Bread of Life . . . 

His mother placed the infant king in a manger--or feeding trough--because the guest room where they were to stay was occupied. The birth of this king was celebrated that night only by his mother, her husband, and a handful of shepherds. The shepherds had been in the fields around Bethlehem, guarding the lambs which would die at the next Passover. An angel appeared to them and gave them the birth announcement: "today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:11). In their simple faith, they rushed to see their newborn king.

Shortly after the birth of the Messiah, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem and inquired of king Herod where the real king of the Jews was to be born. The theologians of Herod's court knew the Scriptures well--in 'Bethlehem' they recited. Ironically, though they knew the Scriptures, they did not believe them! They did not even bother to travel the five or six miles to Bethlehem to see their Messiah.

But Herod believed the Scriptures! That is why he sent a corps of butchers to Bethlehem to slaughter innocent children, in hopes of destroying this rival to his throne. But he was too late. The magi had come and gone and Jesus was by now safe in Egypt.

And the magi believed the Scriptures. They had traveled several hundred miles to worship this Babe. They were guided to Bethlehem by a supernatural celestial phenomenon--and by the Scriptures. Apparently, their ancestors had been instructed by Daniel the prophet about the coming Messiah. . . When they saw the child, they fell down and worshiped him. This was God in the flesh. They could do no other.

And they gave him gifts--gold, frankincense, and myrrh. This was an unusual present--by any standards. The gold, of course, we all can understand--but the frankincense and myrrh were odd. Perhaps they had read Isaiah's prophecy that "nations will come to your light, and kings to your rising . . . They will bring gold and frankincense, and will bear good news. . . " (Isa. 60:3, 6). This explains the frankincense, but not the myrrh.

Now myrrh, like frankincense, was a perfume. But unlike frankincense, myrrh smelled of death. In the ancient world, it was used to embalm a corpse. Jesus himself would be embalmed with this very perfume (cf. John 19:39).

If the magi were thinking of Jesus' death when they brought the myrrh, they no doubt knew of it from Daniel's prophecy (9:24-27). In the ninth chapter of Daniel we read that the 'Messiah will be cut off' and this 'will make atonement for iniquity' and ultimately 'bring in everlasting righteousness' (9:26, 24).

Even at the birth of our Savior, the shadow of the cross is already falling over his face. . . 

The theologians of Herod's court did not believe the Scriptures. They were fools. Herod believed, but disobeyed. He was a madman. The simple shepherds and the majestic magi believed in this infant Savior--and it was reckoned to them as righteousness. May we follow in their train.

Birth of Jesus
About 2000 years ago God sent an angel to Israel, to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to Joseph, a carpenter. The angel told Mary that by God's power, she would conceive and bear a son.

When Joseph learned that she was pregnant, an angel instructed him to marry her. Joseph took her to Bethlehem to register for a census. While there, Mary gave birth to Jesus. She laid him in a manger because there was no room at the inn. Shepherds visited Jesus in Bethlehem.

Later, wise men brought gifts to Jesus. They told Herod the Great, a wicked king, that Jesus would rule Israel. So Herod sent soldiers to kill the children in Bethlehem. Warned by an angel, Joseph took his family to Egypt. After Herod died, they returned to Israel and raised Jesus in a town called Nazareth.

Friends of Jesus
Jesus had many friends, including John the Baptist and the 12 disciples.

John the Baptist
John lived in the wilderness near the Jordan River. Many people came to hear John preach about repentance and the coming of Christ. John baptized people in the river for the forgiveness of sins.
   Although Jesus never sinned, he was baptized by John. When Jesus came up from the water, the Holy Spirit descended, and God spoke from heaven, saying "This is my beloved son."
   John the Baptist rebuked Herod Antipas for his evil deeds, and for marrying his brother's wife. Herod imprisoned John for this, and later had him executed.

12 Disciples
The disciples were men Jesus selected as companions. They had different backgrounds. Jesus chose fishermen, a tax collector, a twin, and others. They travelled with Jesus as he preached. After Jesus died, they taught others about him.
   The apostles names were: Peter, Andrew, James the son of Zebedee, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alpheus, Thaddeus, Simon, and Judas Iscariot.  


Teachings of Jesus
Jesus taught people how to live godly lives. As he traveled around Israel, Jesus taught with sermons and parables.

Sermon on the Mount
Jesus delivered his most famous sermon on a mountain. In it, Jesus taught his listeners to:
• Love your enemies.
• Do not judge others.
• Trust God.
• Don't be anxious about tomorrow.
• Do unto others as you would have them do unto you (The "golden rule").

Parables
Jesus often taught with parables. A parable is a short story with a spiritual meaning.
   Jesus told a parable about two builders. One was wise, and built his house upon a rock. The other was foolish, and built his house on sand. When a storm came, the wise man's house stood, but the foolish man's house fell. Whoever obeys Jesus is like the wise man. Whoever disobeys his words is like the foolish man.
   Jesus taught with many parables. Some were easy to understand, and some were difficult. Matthew chapter 13 has several parables of Jesus. 

Miracles of Jesus
Jesus did many miracles to show others that he was God's son. God gave Jesus power over nature, power over disease, and even power over death!

Power Over Nature
Jesus and his disciples were crossing the Sea of Galilee in a small boat one evening. While Jesus was sleeping, a fierce storm came, and began to sink the boat. The disciples woke him.
   Jesus arose and rebuked the storm saying, "Peace be still." It became calm, and Jesus said to them "Where is your faith?"
   The disciples were afraid, saying "Who is this, that even the wind and sea obey him?" (Mark 4:35-41)

Power over Disease
One day a crowd was following Jesus on a road near Jericho. Hearing the crowd, a blind beggar asked what was happening. They told him Jesus was passing by. The blind man cried out "Jesus, have mercy on me!"
   Jesus stopped, and asked what he wanted. "Lord, I want to regain my sight," he replied. Jesus said, "Receive your sight; your faith has made you well." Immediately the man could see, and the crowd began glorifying God. (Mark 10:46-52)

Power over Death
Jesus had a friend named Lazarus, who lived in Bethany with his sisters, Mary and Martha. When Jesus learned that Lazarus died, he came to Bethany.
   Now Lazarus had been dead for 4 days, and a boulder covered the cave where his body was. Jesus asked them to remove the stone. He then shouted "Lazarus, come forth!" And Lazarus came out, restored to life!
   After seeing this, many witnesses believed that Jesus was the son of God. (John 11:1-45) 


Trials of Jesus
Jewish leaders wanted to kill Jesus. They accused him of blasphemy, and had Jesus arrested.
   A Roman governor named Pilate tried Jesus. He wanted to release Jesus. But when the Jews threatened to riot, Pilate condemned Jesus to death on a cross.

Death
Jesus was sentenced to death by crucifixion. He was beaten by Roman soldiers, scourged, stripped, and nailed to a cross. He was crucified between two robbers, and died.

Burial
His body was placed in the new tomb of a rich man named Joseph of Arimathea. Jesus had promised the disciples he would come back after he died. His enemies knew this. So, to prevent anyone from stealing the body, they had soldiers guard the tomb of Jesus.

Resurrection
On the third day after Jesus died, an angel descended, and the soldiers fled. The disciples came and found an empty tomb. Jesus had risen from the dead!
   He later appeared to many believers, commanding them to teach and baptize others. 

Angels visit Joseph and Mary
Angels announced Christ's birth to Mary, Zacharias, and Joseph.

Gabriel and Mary
The angel Gabriel visited Mary in Nazareth. She was engaged to Joseph. Gabriel told Mary she would give birth to the Son of God.
   Mary was a virgin. Gabriel told her God's power would make the conception possible. Gabriel said "Nothing will be impossible with God." He then told Mary her elderly relative, Elizabeth, was six months pregnant.

John the Baptist's parents
Before visiting Mary, Gabriel appeared to a priest named Zacharias. He and his wife, Elizabeth, were very old. Gabriel told Zacharias they would have a son named John. And that John would prepare the way of the Lord.
   Mary visited Elizabeth in her 6th month. When Mary arrived, Elizabeth's baby leaped in her womb for joy. This confirmed Gabriel's prophecy that John would have the Holy Spirit while yet unborn.

Joseph's vision
Joseph considered calling off the marriage. He learned about the pregnancy after Mary had conceived. But, an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream, and told him to marry her. The miraculous conception was caused by the Holy Spirit.
   Joseph took Mary as his wife. He kept her a virgin until Jesus was born.

Insights
• With God, all things are possible.
• The unborn have a spirit.

Read
Matthew 1:18-25 and Luke 1:5-2:45. 

	Birth of Jesus Jesus was born in Bethlehem, the city of David. Bethlehem Augustus Caesar ordered a census in Israel. Joseph and Mary went to Bethlehem for the census. The tiny city was crowded with Jews who also came to register. So there was no room for Joseph's family at the inn.    Mary gave birth to Jesus in Bethlehem. She wrapped him in cloths, and laid him in a manger. Announcement to Shepherds That night, an angel appeared to shepherds who were keeping their flock. He told them the Savior was born in Bethlehem.    The angel said they would find the Messiah in a manger. Other angels appeared, saying: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace towards men." Shepherds visit Jesus The shepherds left immediately, and found baby Jesus in Bethlehem. They told Joseph and Mary about the angels. And that an angel said the baby is the Messiah.    When the shepherds left Bethlehem, they praised God for all they had heard and seen. Insight King David may have tended his sheep in the fields these shepherds inhabited. Read Luke 2:1-20

Temple Rites Joseph and Mary observed the law of Moses by circumcising Jesus, and presenting him in the temple.    On the eighth day after his birth, Christ was circumcised. Joseph named him Jesus, as an angel had instructed. Temple presentation The law of Moses required mothers to present an offering 40 days after a son was born. Mary and Joseph went to Jerusalem to present this offering at the temple. Righteous Simeon A devout Jew named Simeon met Joseph's family in the temple. The Holy Spirit told Simeon he would see the Christ before he died.    When Simeon saw Jesus, he blessed him and said, "My eyes have seen Thy salvation." Joseph and Mary were amazed. Anna the Prophetess Anna was a very old widow who never left the temple. She devoted her time to prayer and fasting. When she saw Jesus, she thanked God, and continued by telling others about Jesus. Read Luke 2:21-38 Leviticus 12:1-8

Wise men visit Wise men from the east, called Magi, came to Jerusalem in search of Jesus. Herod the Great The wise men first visited Herod, who was king over Judea. They told Herod they sought the king of the Jews, whose star they had seen.    Intending to kill this new king, Herod lied by saying he wanted to worship the child. Herod asked the men to report to him when they found Jesus. Three gifts The wise men found Jesus and Mary at Bethlehem in a house. They worshipped Jesus, and offered gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.    An angel warned the men not to return to Herod. So they left for their own country. Escape to Egypt An angel appeared to Joseph in a dream, and warned him to flee to Egypt. So to protect Jesus from Herod, Joseph took his family to Egypt.    When Herod learned the wise men had tricked him, he became very angry. Herod ordered the execution of all males in Bethlehem who were 2 years old and younger. Return to Nazareth Herod died in the spring of 4 BC. An angel appeared to Joseph in a dream, and told him to return to Israel. So Joseph brought his family out of Egypt, and settled in Nazareth. Did you know? • Wise men worshipped Jesus in a house, not at the manger, as is commonly depicted. • The Bible does not say how many wise men there were. • Frankincense is a resin that is burned for its aroma. • Myrrh was used for incense, perfume, and medicine. Insight God blesses the faithful, even through adversity. Consider the wise men's gifts. They may have been sold to sustain Joseph's family while in Egypt. Read Matthew 2:1-23

Childhood of Jesus Jesus grew up in Nazareth. The Bible gives us a little information about his childhood. Family of Jesus Jesus had brothers and sisters. Although his sisters are un-named, his brothers were: James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas. Adolescent Jesus Jesus was taken to Jerusalem for Passover when he was twelve. When they left Jerusalem, his parents discovered Jesus was not with the caravan.    They searched for Jesus, and found him at the temple in Jerusalem. Jesus was with the teachers, who were amazed at his understanding. The carpenter's son Joseph was a carpenter, and taught Jesus the trade. Scripture does not indicate what they built, but an early historian claimed they made wooden plows.    Jesus worked as a carpenter until his ministry began. He was about 30 years old at that time. Some believe Joseph died before Jesus began preaching. Read Luke 2:39-52 Matthew 13:55-57 Mark 6:3

"Determining Your Destiny" (Genesis 49:1-28)

The year 1980 was an eventful year.¹ Ronald Reagan was elected the 40^th US president in a sweeping victory. Mount St. Helens erupted. Hewlett-Packard released its first personal computer. Jessica Simpson was born. The Philadelphia Phillies won the World Series. The Pittsburgh Steelers won the Super Bowl. The Empire Strikes Back was the top grossing film. “Lady” by Kenny Rogers spent the most time at the top of the US charts. US viewers got caught up in the “Who Shot J.R.?” cliff-hanger on the soap opera series Dallas.² On one hand, 1980 seems like a lifetime ago, on the other hand, it seems like yesterday.

In 1980, I was a nine-year-old boy. Today, I am the father of a nine-year-old son. I’m here to tell you that time flies. Our lives are here one moment and gone the next. This is why the Bible compares our lifespan with grass (Isa 40:6-8), vapor (Jas 4:14), and breath (Ps 39:5). While most of us will intellectually acknowledge the fleeting nature of life, the way we live our lives doesn’t match our beliefs.³  Sadly, many of us are more excited about things that will not matter in eternity. Yet, as Matthew Henry (1662-1714) once said, “It ought to be the business of every day to prepare for our last day.” Or as Martin Luther (1483-1546) declared, “There are two days on my calendar—‘Today’ and ‘That Day.’” Honestly, a day is coming when all that will really matter is how you and I lived our lives for the sake of eternity.⁴

Genesis 49 provides a sobering wakeup call to contemplate both our present and future life. In the first 28 verses of this chapter, we will be able to look on as Jacob gives his last words to his 12 sons.⁵ All 12 of Jacob’s sons⁶ regardless of their faithfulness have a future with God and are blessed by God. But only the faithful sons will have an inheritance in the land. The lesson is clear: The actions of believers determine their future blessings in God’s program. Also, the choices believers make today will affect their descendants for generations to come.⁷

1. Introduction (49:1-2). Moses begins his account with these words: “Then Jacob summoned his sons and said, ‘Assemble yourselves that I may tell you what will befall you in the days to come. Gather together and hear, O sons of Jacob; and listen to Israel your father.’”⁸ The expression “in the days to come” refers to the distant future, including the end of the age and millennium.⁹ The double exhortation to give attention to Jacob’s words lays stress upon the importance of what he is about to say. His words are doubly important.¹⁰ In many respects, this can be seen as a picture of that Day when the believer stands before Jesus Christ. So let me ask you, “Are you living for that Day to come?” Are you living for your Lord and for those descendants that will come after you? A believer’s works during this life significantly determine the extent of divine blessing he and his descendants will receive in the future.

The words that we are about to read are not the spontaneous thoughts of a dying man, but the carefully prepared words of a prophetic poet. The purposes of Jacob’s prophetic words are: (1) to reveal the future; (2) to serve as a warning against sin; (3) to motivate us to godly living; and (4) to foreshadow the life and ministry of Jesus the Messiah.

2. Jacob’s three oldest sons are disinherited for their unfaithfulness (49:3-7).¹¹ In this section we learn that uncontrolled passions lead to personal and family ruin. Jacob begins with his oldest, in 49:3-4: “Reuben, you are my firstborn; my might and the beginning of my strength, preeminent in dignity and preeminent in power. Uncontrolled as water, you shall not have preeminence, because you went up to your father’s bed; then you defiled it—he went up to my couch.” Jacob affirms that Reuben holds a special place in his heart by virtue of the fact that he was the firstborn. The firstborn son normally had two rights. First, he became the leader of the family, the new patriarch. Second, he was entitled to a double share of the inheritance. But Reuben was not to receive this blessing because he is “uncontrolled as water.”

The Hebrew word translated “uncontrolled” means “reckless or destructive.”¹² The picture is of water that floods its banks and goes wildly out of control. The metaphor, which literally means something like boiling over like water, suggests a certain seething of lust, an unbridled license. The result is an evaluation of Reuben that pointed to wildness and weakness, an undisciplined life.¹³

The sins of the past have disqualified him from blessing in the future. If you recall, after Rachel died Reuben slept with Rachel’s servant—the mother of his brothers Dan and Naphtali (35:22). All the text tells us is that Jacob heard about it. We don’t know for certain why Reuben did this.¹⁴ This incident happened 40 years ago. Reuben, the firstborn, should have received a double portion of the inheritance. He should have been the leader among his brothers. He, above all his brothers, should have been the one to defend his father’s honor, not defile it. But his one act of indulgence robbed him of his privileges as the firstborn. Like King David after him, he paid a terrible price for a night of pleasure.

All the potential in the world won’t benefit you if you don’t develop self-control, especially in the area of sexual temptation. Satan has plenty of time to wait for you to fall. He just sets his traps and bides his time. Eventually, he knows that he’s going to trip you up. You may be preeminent in dignity and power. But if you’re as uncontrolled as water, it’s only a matter of time until your potential is swept away by the flood of lust. You may have tremendous potential in the Lord. But you’ve got a habit of flowing downstream with lustful thoughts. It’s all in your head at this point. No one else knows and no one has gotten hurt—yet. But, great gifts are worthless without godly character. I know many gifted pastors who are out of the ministry because they did not judge their lust. If you aren’t learning to take every thought captive to the obedience of Jesus Christ, it’s only a matter of time before your great potential is ruined by reckless lust.¹⁵ Reuben provides a gripping illustration that the passion of uncontrolled lust leads to ruin.

True to Jacob’s prophecy, the Reubenites never produced a leader of any kind for Israel. They never entered the Promised Land (Num 23). They built unauthorized places of worship (Josh 22:10-34). About no other tribe do we know so little as about Reuben. The tribe produced no significant man, no judge, no king, and no prophet. From this first oracle, the teaching is clear that the behavior of one individual affects the destiny of his descendants.¹⁶ Jacob now moves on to his next two sons.

In 49:5-7, Jacob declares, “Simeon and Levi are brothers; their swords are implements of violence. Let my soul not enter into their council; let not my glory be united with their assembly; because in their anger they slew men, and in their self-will they lamed oxen. Cursed be their anger, for it is fierce; and their wrath, for it is cruel. I will disperse them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel.” When Jacob says that these men are brothers, he doesn’t mean just biological brothers. He means that they are two of a kind. Brothers and sisters can either encourage one another to righteous living or to sin. These brothers plotted how they would get even with the Shechemites because the prince of Shechem had raped their sister. They used God’s covenant of circumcision, which should have been a channel of blessing, as the means of deceiving and slaughtering all the men in the town. Here Jacob distances himself from their treachery and pronounces a curse upon their anger. These two sons teach us that the passion of uncontrolled anger leads to ruin.

Interestingly, over 40 years later, Jacob still characterizes his sons as angry men. He doesn’t say, “Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce, and their wrath, for it was cruel.” He says it “is” fierce and cruel. They were still angry men. Uncontrolled anger results in senseless destruction of people and property. Think of the families these men ruined by murdering all the fathers. They hamstrung some of the oxen, an act of senseless waste. The word “self-will” (49:6) has the nuance of doing as they pleased. They weren’t concerned about anybody’s feelings except their own. Most anger stems from selfishness. “I didn’t get my way! I demand my rights!” But that kind of anger hurts everyone, including the angry person.

Jacob distances himself from these two angry sons (49:6) and prophesies that they will be dispersed and scattered in Israel. That was fulfilled as the tribe of Simeon later inherited land scattered throughout Judah’s territory (Josh 19:1-9; see also 1 Chron 4:28-33, 39, 42). The tribe of Levi became priests who had no inheritance, but were scattered throughout the rest of the tribal lands.¹⁷

Even though these first three tribes suffered loss for their sins, Jacob’s prophecies about them were still a blessing. They retained a place in the chosen family and enjoyed the benefits of God’s promises as Jacob’s heirs. Yet, they were disqualified from the reward that could have been theirs because of their failure to repent of their sin (Num 32:23-24; Ezek 18:30). By demoting Reuben for his turbulence and uncontrolled sex drive, Jacob saves Israel from reckless leadership. Likewise, by cursing the cruelty of Simeon and Levi, he restricts their cruel rashness from dominating.¹⁸

Perversion and anger are the two sins that men struggle with the most. Unfortunately, both sins can be handed down from generation to generation. Take anger, for example. It’s interesting that Moses was a descendant of Levi. What problem kept Moses from beginning his work at first and then from entering the Promised Land? Anger! He got angry and murdered the Egyptian who was mistreating the Hebrews and had to flee to the desert for 40 years. Then he got angry with the people and struck the rock to bring forth water, when God had told him to speak to the rock. For that sin, God prevented Moses from entering Canaan. Moses was the son of Levi.

The lesson is clear: Our actions determine our future blessings in God’s program and the choices we make today will affect our descendants for generations to come. We must learn from Reuben, Simeon, and Levi that we cannot live recklessly. God, the righteous judge sees everything. We may feel that we have “gotten away” with something, but we haven’t. We just haven’t “faced the music” yet…but we will. Even though we are secure in Christ, there are still consequences to our actions.¹⁹ We must continually recognize that one day we will have to give an account (2 Cor 5:10).²⁰

I appreciate Jacob’s willingness to step up and drill his sons between the eyes. Previously, he was a passive, sissified male, but in his final days he steps up. As parents, one of the things we must do is tell our children the truth. Our society has been caught up in self-esteem. We don’t want to say or do anything that will jeopardize anyone’s sense of worth. Yet, healthy people are disciplined. Who is the most rebellious and prideful being that has ever lived? Satan. He has always sought to have his own way. Apart from the boundaries God has placed upon him, he does whatever he wants. He hasn’t turned out very well. Parents, discipline your children. Exercise tough love. You may feel like your children are little devils right now. Well, just wait. If you choose not to discipline them and speak hard words, you will find that they will become menaces to society.

3. The seven acceptable sons are given responsibilities (49:13-21, 27). In these ten verses, Jacob shares brief words with seven of his sons. True to the poetic qualities of the text, the images of the destiny of the remaining sons are, in most cases, based on a wordplay of the son’s name. The central theme uniting each image is that of prosperity.²¹ In 49:13, Jacob begins: “Zebulun will dwell at the seashore; and he shall be a haven for ships, and his flank shall be toward Sidon.” Zebulun later obtained territory between the Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Galilee. This was a thriving commercial area though Zebulun may never have had permanent “waterfront property.” It is possible, however, that Zebulun and Issachar shared some territory (cf. Deut 33:18-19), so Zebulun could have bordered the Sea of Galilee. Perhaps the men of Zebulun worked for the Phoenicians in their maritime trade (cf. Deut 33:19). Zebulun will extend to the sea in the millennium when his borders will extend as far as Sidon on the Mediterranean (Ezek 48:1-8, 23-27). An important caravan route from Mesopotamia to Egypt passed through his territory.

In 49:14-15, Jacob says, “Issachar is a strong donkey, lying down between the sheepfolds. When he saw that a resting place was good and that the land was pleasant, he bowed his shoulder to bear burdens, and became a slave at forced labor.” Issachar would prefer an agricultural way of life and what it produced rather than political supremacy among the tribes. Evidently Issachar was strong and capable, but also passive and lazy. In contrast to Judah, who subdued his enemies like a lion, Issachar submitted themselves as slaves to the Canaanites.

Jacob continues in 49:16-18: “Dan shall judge his people, as one of the tribes of Israel. Dan shall be a serpent in the way, a horned snake in the path, that bites the horse’s heels, so that his rider falls backward. For Your salvation I wait, O LORD.” Dan would be a judge in Israel. This prophecy came to reality partially during Samson’s judgeship (Judg 13:2). Dan’s victories benefited all Israel. Yet this tribe led Israel into idolatry (Judg 18:30-31; 1 Kgs 12:26-30) and became known as the center of idolatry in Israel (Amos 8:14). Thus, Jacob likened Dan to a serpent (49:17), pointing to God’s prophecy that the serpent would bite the heel of God’s promised deliver, but the Messiah would finally crush his head and bring the long-awaited salvation (3:15).²² It was natural, therefore, for Jacob to cry out, “For Your salvation I wait, O LORD” (49:18). Ultimately, Jacob knows that the future of the nation of Israel does not depend on his 12 sons, but rather on God who would one day send a deliverer (Matt 1:21).

In 49:19-21, Jacob speaks very brief words to the next three sons. In 49:19, he says, “As for Gad, raiders shall raid him, but he will raid at their heels.” The tribe of Gad would become tenacious fighters and would be victorious over all the foreign armies they faced (Jer 49:1).

In 49:20, Jacob says, “As for Asher, his food shall be rich, and he will yield royal dainties.” Asher would enjoy some of the most fertile land in Canaan (Deut 33:24-25; Josh 19:24-31).

In 49:21, Jacob says, “Naphtali is a doe let loose, he gives beautiful words.” The tribe of Naphtali would be well known for producing eloquent speakers and beautiful literature.²³ The most famous of these was Deborah who composed a beautiful poem of military triumph in Judg 5:1-31. Along with the land of Zebulun, Naphtali’s territory was near the Sea of Galilee, the region where Jesus did much of His teaching and ministry (Matt 4:15-16). And it goes without saying that there has never been a man who spoke such beautiful, life-giving words as Jesus Christ.

The seventh acceptable son is baby Benjamin. Jacob surprises us when he states that the runt of the litter “is a ravenous wolf; in the morning he devours the prey, and in the evening he divides the spoil.” The tribe of Benjamin had a reputation for being fierce and aggressive (Judg 19-21).²⁴ He produced many warriors in Israel’s history (e.g., Ehud, Saul, Jonathan, et al.) and demonstrated a warlike character among the tribes (Judg 5:14; 20:16; 1 Chron 8:40; 2 Chron 14:8; 17:17). I guess Ben learned some toughness having eleven older brothers.

4. The two most faithful sons are given greater responsibility (49:8-12, 22-26). Since the first three brothers were disqualified from their position, the mantle falls to the fourth child, Judah. Remember, Judah wasn’t exactly a spiritual giant: He lobbied to sell Joseph for a profit (37:26). He separated himself from God’s covenant people (38:1). He hung around ungodly men (38:12). He was sexually immoral (38:18). He failed to keep his word to his daughter-in-law Tamar (38:26). So why did Jacob pronounce such a rich blessing on Judah? He confessed and repented of his sins (38:26). He took full responsibility for the safety of Benjamin (43:8-10). He offered himself as a substitute for Joseph (44:18ff). The blessing of Judah is a beautiful picture of God’s grace to those who confess and repent of their sins (Jer 15:19).

Today, if you have a long resume of sin, God wants to give you a new job description. He wants you to experience His forgiveness. He longs for you to begin again.

Jacob’s words to Judah are powerful, perhaps even staggering. Jacob declares, “Judah, your brothers shall praise you; your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies; your father’s sons shall bow down to you” (49:8). Judah will be preeminent among his brothers and they will praise him. This is a play-on-words since the name Judah means “praise.” His hand would be on the neck of his enemies. His brothers would bow down to him. But his leadership will not be fully realized until the days of King David, some 640 years later.

Jacob continues in 49:9-10: “Judah is a lion’s whelp;²⁵ from the prey, my son, you have gone up. He couches, he lies down as a lion, and as a lion, who dares rouse him up? The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until Shiloh²⁶ comes, and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples.” Jacob is informing Judah that he will be the line of the Messiah (Zech 10:4; Heb 7:14). The scepter will not depart from Judah (Num 24:17). If you know the history of Israel, you know that starting with Saul, David, and Solomon every king came from the tribe of Judah. And Matt 1:2 states that Jesus was from the tribe of Judah. After Christ, there have been no kings. So, even now in the book of Genesis, Jacob is pointing to Jesus as the rightful ruler. He is the One who will not only be King over Israel but over the nations! He is the One that Rev 5:5 calls “the Lion of Judah.”

“Shiloh” (lit. the “bearer of rest”) is an obscure word²⁷ that we should probably translate “whose it (the ruler’s staff) is” or “to whom it belongs” rather than transliterate it “Shiloh” (cf. Ezek. 21:26- 27).²⁸ Jacob is saying that until the One to whom all royal authority belongs comes, the tribe of Judah will always have a lawgiver in its ranks (Isa 9:1-6). Shiloh, like “seed” in 3:15, is a name for the coming Messiah.

These words are amazing! They demonstrate that God has a plan. From the first sin in Gen 3, God has been pointing His people to a Savior. And He points us in the same direction. We have the advantage of the added testimony of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection. We have the testimony of those who traveled with Him and were transformed by Him. Yet, even in Gen the spotlight is on Jesus. He is the One mankind has needed so desperately. It is not something some guy dreamed up like most of the religions of the world. This is what God has been preparing from the foundations of the earth. This ought to give you and me great confidence in the Bible. It is a supernatural and prophetic book that has stood the test of time and weathered every attack!

In 49:11-12, Jacob says, “He ties his foal to the vine, and his donkey’s colt to the choice vine; he washes his garments in wine, and his robes in the blood of grapes. His eyes are dull from wine, and his teeth white from milk.” The picture is clear: The tribe of Judah will be a victorious tribe. Judah’s descendants will be victorious in battle and will reign over the others. The descendants of Judah will be prosperous...so prosperous that the vines for wine will be so plentiful that they will use them for common purposes like tethering their donkeys or washing their clothes (Ps 16:11).

Later biblical writers drew heavily from the imagery of this short text in their portrayal of the reign of the coming Messiah. Isaiah 63:1-6 envisions the coming of a conquering king whose clothes are like those of one who has tread the winepresses. His crimson clothing is then likened to the bloodstained garments of a victorious warrior. He is the One who has come to carry out the vengeance of God’s wrath upon the ungodly nations (Isa 63:6). In the book of Rev, this same image is applied to the victorious return of Christ. He is the rider on “the white horse” who is “dressed in a robe dipped in blood…Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations…He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty” (Rev 19:11, 13, 15).²⁹

Now that we have looked at Judah, it is time to transition to Joseph. In 49:22-26, Jacob says, “Joseph is a fruitful bough,³⁰ a fruitful bough by a spring; its branches run over a wall. The archers bitterly attacked him, and shot at him and harassed him; but his bow remained firm, and his arms were agile, from the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob (From there is the Shepherd, the Stone of Israel),³¹ from the God of your father who helps you, and by the Almighty who blesses you with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that lies beneath, blessings of the breasts and of the womb. The blessings of your father have surpassed the blessings of my ancestors up to the utmost bound of the everlasting hills; may they be on the head of Joseph, and on the crown of the head of the one distinguished among his brothers.” Joseph’s blessing is especially abundant. The two tribes that bore his sons’ names would see their fulfillment even though during his lifetime Joseph had faced much opposition. Judah received the leadership of the tribes, but Joseph obtained the double portion of the birthright (cf. 1 Chron 5:2).

How was Joseph able to persevere through the challenges of life? Jacob’s five names for God in this blessing are noteworthy:

1. “The Mighty One of Jacob” (cf. Ps 132:2; Isa 1:24; 49:26; 60:16)
2. “The Shepherd” (28:8-9; 48:15; Ps 23:1)
3. “The Stone of Israel” (cf. Deut 32:4, 18; Ps 18:2; 19:14; Isa 8:14)
4. “The God of your [Joseph’s] father” (31:5; 32:9-10; 46:3)
5. “The Almighty” (17:1)

Blessing is one of the key words of Gen, occurring some 88 times in the book. Here in 49:25-26, like the finale of a fireworks display, the root occurs six times (verb 1x, noun 5x) making a brilliant climax to the last words of Jacob. The God-given blessings of the future will far outshine those already experienced.³²

Our passage closes in 49:28: “All these are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is what their father said to them when he blessed them. He blessed them, every one with the blessing appropriate to him.” Jacob treated each of his sons differently. He disciplined and blessed them appropriately. Yet, this passage closes with three usages of the word “bless.” God eagerly seeks to bless His people. Will you be a recipient of His blessing today?

This evening, we have our annual Awana awards. Every child that participates in these awards is blessed. He or she is a part of the Awana family. Many are a part of the Emmanuel family. Yet, tonight we celebrate not just participation, but faithfulness. There will be some children that worked diligently; there will be others who did not. Each child will be blessed, but not every child will be equally blessed. Some people have been critical of Awana and have suggested that it promotes “works righteousness.” Nothing could be further from the truth. Awana prepares children and adults for that Day when Jesus Christ will scrutinize our lives. On that Day, He will be looking for faithfulness. Will you be found faithful? Will you enter into your full reward or will you be disqualified from the reward that could have been yours?

In 1 Cor 10:11, Paul tells us that the stories of the Old Testament are examples that were written down as warnings for us. Will you heed the warning from Jacob and his sons? Will you recognize that your actions determine your future blessings in God’s program and the choices you make today will affect your descendants for generations to come?³³

Keeping the Main Thing the Main Thing.

Today's Scripture: Titus 3



1Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,

2To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.

3For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.

4But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,

5Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

6Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;

7That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

8This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

9But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.

10A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;

11Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.

12When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis: for I have determined there to winter.

13Bring Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that nothing be wanting unto them.

14And let our's also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.

15All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.

learn
What is the Meaning of this Text?



bedience to magistrates, and becoming behaviour towards all, are enforced from what believers were before conversion, and what they are made, through Christ. (1-7) Good works to be done, and useless disputes avoided. (8-11) Directions and exhortations. (12-15)

Verses 1-7: Spiritual privileges do not make void or weaken, but confirm civil duties. Mere good words and good meanings are not enough without good works. They were not to be quarrelsome, but to show meekness on all occasions, not toward friends only, but to all men, though with wisdom, (Jam 3:13). And let this text teach us how wrong it is for a Christian to be churlish to the worst, weakest, and most abject. The servants of sin have many masters, their lusts hurry them different ways; pride commands one thing, covetousness another. Thus they are hateful, deserving to be hated. It is the misery of sinners, that they hate one another; and it is the duty and happiness of saints to love one another. And we are delivered out of our miserable condition, only by the mercy and free grace of God, the merit and sufferings of Christ, and the working of his Spirit. God the Father is God our Saviour. He is the fountain from which the Holy Spirit flows, to teach, regenerate, and save his fallen creatures; and this blessing comes to mankind through Christ. The spring and rise of it, is the kindness and love of God to man. Love and grace have, through the Spirit, great power to change and turn the heart to God. Works must be in the saved, but are not among the causes of their salvation. A new principle of grace and holiness is wrought, which sways, and governs, and makes the man a new creature. Most pretend they would have heaven at last, yet they care not for holiness now; they would have the end without the beginning. Here is the outward sign and seal thereof in baptism, called therefore the washing of regeneration. The work is inward and spiritual; this is outwardly signified and sealed in this ordinance. Slight not this outward sign and seal; yet rest not in the outward washing, but look to the answer of a good conscience, without which the outward washing will avail nothing. The worker therein is the Spirit of God; it is the renewing of the Holy Ghost. Through him we mortify sin, perform duty, walk in God's ways; all the working of the Divine life in us, and the fruits of righteousness without, are through this blessed and holy Spirit. The Spirit and his saving gifts and graces, come through Christ, as a Saviour, whose undertaking and work are to bring to grace and glory. Justification, in the gospel sense, is the free forgiveness of a sinner; accepting him as righteous through the righteousness of Christ received by faith. God, in justifying a sinner in the way of the gospel, is gracious to him, yet just to himself and his law. As forgiveness is through a perfect righteousness, and satisfaction is made to justice by Christ, it cannot be merited by the sinner himself. Eternal life is set before us in the promise; the Spirit works faith in us, and hope of that life; faith and hope bring it near, and fill with joy in expectation of it.

Verses 8-11: When the grace of God towards mankind has been declared, the necessity of good works is pressed. Those who believe in God, must make it their care to maintain good works, to seek opportunities for doing them, being influenced by love and gratitude. Trifling, foolish questions must be avoided, and subtle distinctions and vain inquiries; nor should people be eager after novelties, but love sound doctrine which tends most to edifying. Though we may now think some sins light and little, if the Lord awaken the conscience, we shall feel even the smallest sin heavy upon our souls.

Verses 12-15: Christianity is not a fruitless profession; and its professors must be filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. They must be doing good, as well as keeping away from evil. Let "ours" follow some honest labour and employment, to provide for themselves and their families. Christianity obliges all to seek some honest work and calling, and therein to abide with God. The apostle concludes with expressions of kind regard and fervent prayer. Grace be with you all; the love and favour of God, with the fruits and effects thereof, according to need; and the increase and feeling of them more and more in your souls. This is the apostle's wish and prayer, showing his affection to them, and desire for their good, and would be a means of obtaining for them, and bringing down on them, the thing requested. Grace is the chief thing to be wished and prayed for, with respect to ourselves or others; it is "all good."

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How can We Apply this Scripture familyto our Life?


In our Bible Study here in the book of Titus we have made application in Titus chapter 1 for the Right Leadership in the Church, in Chapter 2 our responsibility to live right in the Church, and here in Chapter 3 to Obey Government, Avoid useless arguments. We all have a responsibility to live what we study in the scriptures. To not just hear the Word but Obey and live it out in every decision we make. Keeping the main thing, the main thing, Sharing what God did for us through His Son. Once we learn it, we live it, then teach it to the next generation. I have heard of Churches splitting because of the color of the carpet in a building plan. I have heard of Christians not paying their taxes. Fighting within the Church for anything and everything. Be tolerant of believers for their standards and level of their Christian growth. It is really simple, get saved, share Christ, and love others as Christ has loved us. Keep the main thing the main thing.