Matthew begins his gospel with a genealogy that shows that God has guided the whole of Israel’s history so that it might climax in the birth of Jesus, the Messiah, the Son of David and the Son of Abraham.[1] In this genealogy we see the perfect but often surprising plan of God.
1. Verse 1: Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham
Matthew’s gospel is appropriately the first of the gospels. And one way that we see this is in its opening words: the book of the genealogy. These same words in Greek are used in the Septuagint in Genesis 2:4 and Genesis 5:1. And so from the very beginning Matthew shows the connection between the Old and New Testaments. Yes, something new has come and is happening. But what is new is firmly based on what God already has done and has promised.
In the Old Testament the genealogies always take their name from who is first in the list. In Genesis 5, the genealogy runs from Adam to Noah, but since Adam, obviously was first, the genealogy is called the genealogy of Adam and not Noah. But here in verses 1-17, the genealogy is called not the genealogy of Abraham, but the genealogy of Jesus Christ, who is the Son of David, the Son of Abraham.[2] Matthew’s original readers would not have missed this point.
It is estimated that 45 million turkeys, weighing a total of 675 million pounds, are consumed each Thanksgiving day in the US.[1] Thanksgiving may now be about the only holiday that is still safe to mention by name. And judging by the statistics I just quoted, it would seem that most Americans have some sort of celebration with family or friends.
So what makes our Thanksgiving different from most of those in our nation who supposedly are giving thanks? For many the day is simply an excuse to eat more and watch football. So what is it that sets us apart as God’s people? Let me suggest four things that should set us apart as God’s people this Thanksgiving.
1. We are not just thankful but we give thanks to God.
2. We give thanks not just in ‘good’ times but also in ‘difficult’ times.
3. We are not just thankful for physical blessings but even more for spiritual blessings.
The purpose of this article is to challenge parents to home school in a disciplined and orderly manner, for it is my sincere belief that only a structured approach to home schooling is consistent with biblical standards. This message is born out of a desire to see more parents prosper in their commitment to home school by adopting or maintaining approaches to learning that are true to Holy Scripture. Continue reading 'Running the Homeschool Race'»
Devotion for Friday, September 17 from Morning and Evening by Charles Spurgeon
“Bring him unto Me.” – Mark 9:19
DESPAIRINGLY the poor disappointed father turned away from the disciples to their Master. His son was in the worst possible condition, and all means had failed, but the miserable child was soon delivered from the evil one when the parent in faith obeyed the Lord Jesus’ word, “Bring him unto me.” Children are a precious gift from God, but much anxiety comes with them. They may be a great joy or a great bitterness to their parents; they may be filled with the Spirit of God, or possessed with the spirit of evil. In all cases, the Word of God gives us one receipt for the curing of all their ills, “Bring him unto me.” O for more agonizing prayer on their behalf while they are yet babes! Sin is there, let our prayers begin to attack it. Our cries for our offspring should precede those cries which betoken their actual advent into a world of sin. In the days of their youth we shall see sad tokens of that dumb and deaf spirit which will neither pray aright, nor hear the voice of God in the soul, but Jesus still commands, “Bring them unto me.” When they are grown up they may wallow in sin and foam with enmity against God; then when our hearts are breaking we should remember the great Physician’s words, “Bring them unto me.” Never must we cease to pray until they cease to breathe. No case is hopeless while Jesus lives.
The Lord sometimes suffers His people to be driven into a corner that they may experimentally know how necessary He is to them. Ungodly children, when they show us our own powerlessness against the depravity of their hearts, drive us to flee to the strong for strength, and this is a great blessing to us. Whatever our morning’s need may be, let it like a strong current bear us to the ocean of divine love. Jesus can soon remove our sorrow, He delights to comfort us. Let us hasten to Him while He waits to meet us.
The task of home education presents some unique challenges to parents who are involved in the teaching process. Perhaps the most difficult part of the routine of many home educators, is the daily struggle to try to be all things to everyone who is in need. Parent educators, by the very nature of their calling, must multi-task on a regular basis for when the school bell rings there is no way for them to shut themselves off from all so-called distractions. Continue reading 'Establishing a Home School Routine'»
What is Biblical Meditation? How is different from the pagan practices of meditation? What are some current dangers that Christians are facing with the introduction of mystical practices. In a recent sermon, I dealt with these questions.
The audio for the sermon as well as my notes can be found here: SermonAudio
Thank you for your prayers for the Americans for Truth Conference that was held at CLA earlier in the month of August. On the first evening of the conference there were around 75-100 protestors organized by the Gay Liberation Network. Though some of the protestors were quite vulgar, rude, and even smelly, there was thankfully no violence. Some of the protestors were even willing to engage in serious conversation with some of the speakers and attendees of the conference. While the protestors were shouting about how the conference was inspired by hate, a former homosexual was sharing his story of God’s grace in his life.
I would strongly encourage you to order either CD’s or DVD’s from the conference. To learn more visit – www.aftah.org
To learn more about the protest, note the Facebook page here: GLN Protest
Have you ever heard someone say, “It’s my life. I should be able to do what I want with it?” Of course you have. I would be willing to bet that most of us have said that, or at least felt it, at various times in our lives. We usually say it when a parent or other authority figure is making demands upon us that we resent. Continue reading 'It’s My Life!'»
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