Reading an entire book can seem like a big task. This introduction gives you a chance to convince your reader that they will miss out if they do not take the time to read the complete book.

Your introduction should be no more than one page long so that a busy person can scan read and still get a good idea of the overall message.

Key Subjects

What are the main benefits that a reader will receive from this book? How will the knowledge in this book help them to improve? Summarise these in a simple bullet list:

• How to improve on something they are already doing?
• How to learn a new technique that will save them time or money?
• Give them greater insight into a specific subject?

Finish the introduction with a personal message to the reader. Speaking directly to your audience helps to show that the book was tailored for their individual needs.

Your Name Here

It's hard to trust someone who you have never met. be sure to include a photo of the author so that readers can at least put a face to the name. if you are writing your ebook on behalf of a company you might want to include a team photo or a photo of the CEO.

Your expertise

What makes you an expert in your field? Why should someone read and trust the content in this book?

Have you gained this knowledge by working in the industry for a long time? Perhaps you achieved outstanding results based on the knowledge contained in this book.

Something personal

Remember, the purpose of this page is to give readers an insight into who you are. You can share details of a non-work hobby or passion so people get to know you on another level.

Pastors

“Oh look, there is our Pastor.”

I wonder what comes to mind when you read that sentence. How did you know he was a pastor?

What does he do that makes him a pastor? How did he get to be a pastor? What even makes him eligible?

We grow up in our various persuasions/traditions/denominations and our perception of a pastor may vary.

If you are of the opinion that truth is relative… that truth is changing with the times… that there is no absolute truth…

If you are of the opinion that the Bible is not the infallible, unerring Word of God, then your opinion is as good as anyone else’s, is it not?

But if the Bible is absolute truth; if it can be trusted to define this crucial work, then we can dig in it to uncover the Mind of the God of the Bible on

this topic. I would like to attempt that.

The commentaries generally group 3 epistles together. They are 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy and Titus and are generally referred to as the “pastoral epistles”. They are rich in instruction as to the character and work of the pastor.

But what else can we learn about the pastor according to the whole Bible?

 

The English word “pastor” in the OT is found 8 times in Jeremiah 2:8, 3:15, 10:21, 12:10, 17:16, 22:22, 23:1, 23:2

The Hebrew word used in Jeremiah translated “pastor” 8 times is translated 57 times “feed”, 65 times “shepherd” and 7 times “herdmen”

In the NT it is found once in Ephesians 4:11

The Greek word in Ephesians 4:11 translated “pastor” is used 18 times in the NT. All 17 other times translated shepherd(s)

 

Does this not equate “pastor” with “shepherd?” Does the Bible not use the work of the physical shepherd as an example for the spiritual shepherd? In the word of God, a pastor is a shepherd, he cares for the sheep, literally or figuratively.

In his excellent book “A shepherd looks at the 23 Psalm” Phillip Keller describes the work of a literal shepherd and extrapolates it to examine the figurative or spiritual shepherd. Sheep must be fed. Sheep must be tended, guided, lead, protected… lost sheep must be sought.

 

Shepherds more concerned about sheep are commended and encouraged.

The Shepherd in Psalm 23, John 10, and Matthew 18:12–13 is viewed in a positive light.

Shepherds more concerned about shepherds are rebuked.

In Ezekiel 34 the bad shepherds (if they can be called shepherds at all) are described.

In 1 Samuel 16:11 David’s father tells Samuel regarding David “behold, he keepeth the sheep” using the same work translated “pastor” 8 times in Jeramiah.

In 2 Samuel 5:2 “and the Lord said to thee, Thou shalt feed my people Israel, and thou shalt be a captain over Israel.”

Again, same word. David was to shepherd people.

Then in Psalm 23 David acknowledges being shepherded by the Great Shepherd… the Chief Shepherd… The Lord, using the same word.

The Shepherd is responsible for the sheep, whether Jacob of Gen 31, or the bad shepherds of Ezekiel 34.

 

Back to our original questions:

What does he do that makes him a pastor? How did he get to be a pastor? What even makes him eligible?

Many kings saw their responsibility to care for their people as a shepherd might his sheep.

Genesis 41:38 And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?

Pharaoh saw the value of Joseph’s connection with God. He perceived the presence of the Spirit that allowed Joseph to prophesy the future and formulate a plan to save his care… his nation. Would this not be necessary in a shepherd of people in the New Testament as well?

Romans 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he

is none of his.

2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV 1900) — 17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (a new creation!)

John 3:3 (KJV 1900) — 3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

John 3:7 (KJV 1900) — 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

Now Nicodemus could have expostulated “Oh no, you do not understand… I am way past that… I study God’s Word, follow God’s Word and teach God’s Word already. I have been a leader among the Jews for years!”

But he was humble enough to accept the Saviour’s requirement and after the crucifixion we see him caring for the body of his Lord.

John 19:39–40 (KJV 1900) — 39 And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight. 40 Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury.

Can you shepherd God’s people without “having the Spirit of God dwell in you” or “being a new creation” or “being born again”? Can you be an under-shepherd to the people of God without a Spiritual connection to the Great and Chief Shepherd who’s the sheep are? No! But if you pretend to be, you will be held responsible!

Let all who purport to be “pastors” examine themselves! Do you have the Spirit of God indwelling you?

Has that Spirit given you the tremendous gift of a shepherd’s heart?

One thing is clear today, as throughout history. The world is in desperate need of true shepherd and Godly shepherding.

things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” (Hebrews 13:5)

“And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.” (2 Peter 2:3)

“Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:” (2 Peter 2:14)

Note: All references are from the KJV 1900

Vine, W. E., Unger, M. F., & White, W., Jr. (1996). Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words (Vol. 1, p. 140). Nashville, TN: T. Nelson.

Ryken, P. G., & Hughes, R. K. (2005). Exodus: saved for God’s glory (pp. 579–580). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.

Diebel, B. (n.d.). Questions On Dispensations.

MacArthur, J., Jr. (Ed.). (1997). The MacArthur Study Bible (electronic ed., p. 125). Nashville, TN: Word Pub.

things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” (Hebrews 13:5)

“And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.” (2 Peter 2:3)

“Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:” (2 Peter 2:14)

Note: All references are from the KJV 1900

Vine, W. E., Unger, M. F., & White, W., Jr. (1996). Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words (Vol. 1, p. 140). Nashville, TN: T. Nelson.

Ryken, P. G., & Hughes, R. K. (2005). Exodus: saved for God’s glory (pp. 579–580). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.

Diebel, B. (n.d.). Questions On Dispensations.

MacArthur, J., Jr. (Ed.). (1997). The MacArthur Study Bible (electronic ed., p. 125). Nashville, TN: Word Pub.

Reading an entire book can seem like a big task. This introduction gives you a chance to convince your reader that they will miss out if they do not take the time to read the complete book.

Your introduction should be no more than one page long so that a busy person can scan read and still get a good idea of the overall message.

Key Subjects

What are the main benefits that a reader will receive from this book? How will the knowledge in this book help them to improve? Summarise these in a simple bullet list:

• How to improve on something they are already doing?
• How to learn a new technique that will save them time or money?
• Give them greater insight into a specific subject?

Finish the introduction with a personal message to the reader. Speaking directly to your audience helps to show that the book was tailored for their individual needs.

Your Name Here

Why are we here? What is our goal?

With the busyness of life, we can find it difficult to establish, and maintain priorities. However, to avoid being "tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine" it is best to include in our "grounding" in Christianity a clear picture of the goal(s). We found our salvation in the word of God. Should we we not find our goals as a follower there as well? I have been meditating on this for a while.

“No wind favors he who has no destined port.”

We cannot choose our path carefully if we do not know where we are going! In Genesis 12: " 1 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out... 4 So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him... we see at the start there is a "leaving"... a "departing" But as well as an "out of" in verse 1, there is a "unto" (a land that I will shew thee) And so with us. We start out bidden to leave the world-system behind, and "flee from the wrath to come" but, having obeyed that command, we search for guidance in getting to the "land" promised us. Again, the word that gave us salvation, being searched, will yield direction. While I highly value the input of others in Christ (please comment), I have gleaned some insight on my journey thus far.

To God:

We need a knowledge of God; the kind Paul sought after: Php 3:10, and at least in a measure, found: 2 Tim 1:12 As we learn more of Him, we can channel our thoughts, words, and deeds to bring glory to him: 1 Cor 10:31

To Self:

We need to be "conformed to His image" by following the Godly, and God's word: Rom 8:29, 1 Cor 11:1, 2 Tim 2:15, Jas 1:22

To The Saved:

We are told 13 times to love one another. There are two Greek words for "another". One signifying another of the same kind, the other, one of a different kind. In this place it is another of the same kind, suggesting another saved, or born again individual: Jn 13:34; 15:12, 17; Ro 13:8; 1 Th 4:9; 1 Pe 1:22; 1 Jn 3:11, 23; 4:7, 11, 12; 2 Jn 5 Also  to seek to edify; to build up one another: Rom 14:19

To The Church:

We are told to cause "The Church which is His Body" to be edified: Eph 4:12, and the "Local Church": 1 Cor 14:12

To The Unsaved:

The unsaved need, above all, a knowledge that they are not right with God, and they need the gospel that can solve that problem. We need to carry out the "great commission" : Mk 16:15, Acts 1:8

“Judge not, that ye be not judged.” (Matthew 7:1)

Is ALL judgment forbidden?        Do we never judge others when they do wrong?

It is foolish; even dangerous to build a doctrine on one verse without considering the whole of scripture.

Having considered other scriptures, we find, as with all else:

“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:” (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

So scripture mentions various times when judgment is not only allowed, but required and even commanded!

But there are rules, qualifications, limitations.

We are to judge only if:

We have considered 1 Co 13 a bunch and can judge in love

We can judge in mercy

“For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.” (James 2:13)

Have you, or do you do the same thing?

“So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.” (John 8:7)

“Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?” (Romans 2:1–4)

Can you judge “righteously”?

“Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.” (John 7:24)

Are you spiritually discerning enough to be handling it?

“Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” (Galatians 6:1)

Is it your place?

“Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.” (Romans 14:4)

Are they within the sphere we should be judging?

“For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.” (1 Corinthians 5:12–13)

Are we not to scrutinize our leaders?

1 Timothy 3: The whole chapter suggests we hold leaders to a standard

“And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.” (1 Timothy 3:10)

Will you follow the Biblical pattern?

“Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 18:15–18)

If the “Fruit”; the result is bad, should we not question the source?

“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” (Matthew 7:15–20)

Does not oversight have a responsibility to watch for, and deal with wolves, and the perverse

“For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.” (Acts 20:29–31)

We need to keep from thinking too highly of ourselves, or others

“For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.” (Romans 12:3)

“And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another. For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?. … ~ …I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you.” (1 Corinthians 4:6–14)

“Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:” (Colossians 1:28)

Are we to judge divisive people?

“Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.” (Romans 16:17)

Do we need to watch for, and react to those who get into sin;  into disobedience to God?

“Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.” (2 Thessalonians 3:6)

“A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;” (Titus 3:10)

We need to judge a person's actions as sin so we can rebuke.

“Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.” (1 Timothy 5:20)

We need to know who to “reprove, rebuke, exhort”

“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” (2 Timothy 4:2)

We need to deal with those that are “unruly”

“Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.” (1 Thessalonians 5:14)

1 Cor 5 - if you see it, deal with it, if it is in the assembly

We need to deal with blasphemers

“Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.” (1 Timothy 1:20)

Are you judging an action or a motive?

The sap returns to the roots of the trees in the fall, and we cannot see it; and it surges up the tree in the spring, and we cannot see that either.

This is a cause, a motive that brings about what we do see... the fruit. It is dangerous to say, or even think such things as "They just did that because..."

Can we truly know a person's motive beyond a shadow of a doubt? If we can't, can we judge them?

Are people guilty until proven innocent, or visa versa?

In conclusion then, Judgment is allowed, even commanded when God deems it warranted,

but conditions apply!

Discipline
Leader / Discipliner	Instruct /Teach	Model / Mentor	Correct/ Punish/Chastise
God to Person	2Tim  3:16, Rom   15:4	1Pet 1:16, John 13:15	Heb  12:5-11
Person to Self	1Cor  14:32, 2Tim  2:15 2Tim  3:16		1 Cor 9:27
Person to Another	2Tim  2:24-25, 2Tim  3:16 Mat 18:15-18, Jas 5:19-20	Php 3:17, Gal 6:1	Rom   16:17, 2 Thes 3:6
Father to Family, Mentor to Disciple	Eph  6:4, Titus 2:1-10	Gen 18:19	1Sam  3 :13(Neg) Prov  3:24,22:15, 23:13-14
Assembly to Member	1Tim  1:3-7, 18-19 Titus 1:13 2Tim  3:16 2Tim  2:2	Heb 13:7,17	1Tim  5:20, Titus 3:10 2Tim  4:2, 1Thes 5:14 1Cor  5, Mat  18:17-18 1Tim  1:20
Employer to Employee	1Pet 2:17-18 Rom   13:1-7, Eph  6:5-8	2Sam 23:3
Government to Citizen			Gen  9:6, Rom   13:1-7
Disciple / Disciplinee Learner/Follower	Listen/Study	Observe/Copy	Submit/Reform

 

DIVINE TITLES.

Permission was kindly granted from John Ritchie Ltd – www.ritchiechristianmedia.co.uk to use this section from the Thomas Newberry Bible (Penfold Book & Bible House September 1987) Introduction "VII Divine Titles"

There are treasures of precious truth in the Titles of God and of Christ, which are more or less hidden or obscured in. the Authorized Version. One object of the Englishman's Bible is to present to the eye of the Reader these various titles as they really exist in the Inspired Originals.

A name or title is expressive of nature and character. Each separate title of God may be regarded as one letter, complete in itself, while all arranged. and com­bined together, spell out in full the one grand and wondrous Name of the God of the Bible.

EL    אֵל

The title EL (God, singular) occurs about 250 times.

The first occurrence is in Gen. 14:18,19,20,22. " Most High -God (EL),

possessor of "heaven" and earth."

EL signifies " strong," " first," It is the title which shows God to be the

Mighty One, the First Great Cause of all.

This title is generally connected with some one or more of the Divine attributes or perfections; as—

" Almighty -God." Gen. 17:1.

" Everlasting -God." Gen. 21:33.

"A jealous -God." Exod. 20:5.

"A -God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he." Deut. 32:4.

"A great -God, a mighty and a terrible." Deut. 10:17.

" The living -God." Josh. 3:10.

"A merciful -God." Deut. 4:31.

"A faithful -God." Deut. 7:9.

"A mighty and terrible -God." Deut. 7:21, etc., etc.

The persons of the Godhead are three—Father, Son, and Spirit; but in

nature and essence God is one.

Each attribute of God is infinite. One infinite eternal love, one infinite

almighty power, and so on; hence the attributes are connected generally with the

singular name for God, EL.

ELOAH.       אֱלוֹהַּ

ELOAH (-God, singular), from AHLAH; to worship, to adore, presents God as the one supreme object of worship, the Adorable One.

It occurs about 56 times.

First, in Deut. xxxii. 15. " Then he forsook Eloah, which made him; " again, 5:17, "They sacrificed to devils, not to Eloah." It is very frequently used in the Book of Job.

ELAH, or ELAHAH         אֱלָהּ

The corresponding title to Eloah is in the Chaldee language ELAN (-God, singular), or ELAHAH; emphatic., It is found in the Books of Ezra and Daniel 77 times, and always in the singular when applied to God.

The Chaldee portions of the Scriptures (marked in the margin) occur in Ezra and Daniel, with one verse at Jeremiah 10:11. Thus the record of Israel's captivity is inwrought in the Sacred Word.

ELOHIM.    אֱלֹהִים

ELOHIM (GOD _:plural of Eloah) occurs about 2500 times ; first, in Gen. 1:1. " In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."

Here it is joined to a verb in. the singular, "God (Elohim, plural) -created," (singular). Showing Trinity acting in unity.

It also frequently occurs with adjectives, pronouns, and verbs in the plural. Gen. 1:26—"And God said, Let us make (plural) man in our -image" (singular). Gen. 3:22—" as one of us." Gen. 20:13—" When (plural)God (plural)caused me to wander." Josh. 24:19—" He is a holy God (plural) ; He is a jealous -God" (singular). See also Isa. 6:8.

The Chaldee form ELAHHAYAH occurs in Jer. 10:11, applied to false gods.

JEHOVAH.   יְהוָ֥ה

JEHOVAH (The LORD). The title Jehovah occurs about 7600 times, but it is generally rendered " the LORD," and only occasionally " Jehovah," as Exod. 6:3 ;Ps. 83:18 ; Isa. 12:2; 26:4 ; and in combination, as Gen. 22:14 ; Exod. 17:15 ; Judg. 6:24 ; in all 7 times. 6800 times rendered " LORD_" 800 times " GOD."

It first occurs, in connection. with Elohim, in Gen. 2:4. "The Lord (plural)God (Jehovah Elohim) made." And alone, Gen. 4:1,3, etc.

The signification is,—He that always was, that always is, and that ever is to come. We have it thus translated and interpreted in Rev. 1:4. " From him "which is" (present participle,  the Ever-existing One), " and which was " (imperfect tense, expressing continuance in the past), " and the which is to come" (present participle, the Coming One, ever to come).

It is a combination in marvelous perfection of the three periods of existence in one word, the future, the present, and the past.

First, YEHI, "he will be," long tense. Second, HOVE, "being," participle. Third, HAHYAH, " he was," short tense used in the past.

Taking the first three letters of YEHi, YEH, the middle two letters of hOVe, and the last two letters of hahyAH, AH, we have YEHOVAH, or JEHOVAH, in full; XXXX, YEH-OV-AH.

_____________________________________________________________

Also see from Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words:

yehwah (יְהוָֹה, 3068), “Lord.” The Tetragrammaton YHWH appears without its own vowels, and its exact pronunciation is debated (Jehovah, Yehovah, Jahweh, Yahweh). The Hebrew text does insert the vowels for ˒adonay, and Jewish students and scholars read ˒adonay whenever they see the Tetragrammaton. This use of the word occurs 6,828 times. The word appears in every period of biblical Hebrew.

Vine, W. E., Unger, M. F., & White, W., Jr. (1996). Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words (Vol. 1, p. 140). Nashville, TN: T. Nelson.

_____________________________________________________________

I 'AM THAT I 'AM. אֲשֶׁ֣ר אֶֽהְיֶ֖ה  אֶֽהְיֶ֑ה

EWEN ABHER EHYEH. Literally, "I will be that I will be." Exod. 3:14. But as the so-called future or long tense expresses not simply the future, but also and. especially continuance, the force is, " I continue to be, and will be, what I continue to be, and will be."

EHYEH, " I 'AM," literally, "I will be." Exod 3:14. But in force and meaning, "I that ever will be.", "the Ever-existing One," or, " He that is to come," or, " the Coming One."

JAH or YAH.         יָ֥הּ

JAN (the Loan). This title occurs 49 times, and only in the Books of Exodus, Psalms, and Isaiah.

Its first occurrence is in Exod. 15:2 " The LORD (Jah) is my strength and song."

It is often associated with the words " Praise ye " in the word HALLELUJAH, " Praise ye Jah."

This title is expressive of eternal existence. It is the title of God, as inhabit­ing eternity, to whom past, present, and future are one eternal NOW.

It is composed of the first and last letters of the name JEHOVAH,  with the central vowel AH - Jah, or Yah.

It is a sublime title, see Ps. 68:4. " Extol him that rideth upon the heavens " (or the void spaces of infinitude) "by his name JAH" (the Eternal One), "and rejoice before Him." The Infinite and the Eternal God.

The title JAW or YAH is at once one of the sublimest yet simplest of the Divine names. " The simplest form of speech which infant lips can try," yet expressive of God's infinitude. The highest form of heavenly adoration ; " Alleluiah" praise ye Yah. Rev. 19:1,3,6.

EL SHADDAY.      שַׁדַּ֔י אֵ֣ל

EL SHADDAY (God Almighty, or ^-God. All-Sufficient). ^-EL, ^-God, singular; "SHADDAY, plural, either from SHADDTD, almighty, strong, or from SHADDAY, the breasts.

This title combines the singular title EL with the plural title SHADDAY.

It occurs in combination, " God Almighty," or, " the Almighty God," 7 times,
and alone, " the Almighty," 41 times. Chiefly in the Book of Job..

Its first occurrence is in Gen. 17:1. " I am the Almighty ^-God.

ADON.        אָדוֹן

ADON (“Lord," singular), Sovereign Lord, Master, Possessor, or Proprietor. Root either from afar, to rule, govern, to judge, or from ADEN, a base.

Occurs about 30 times. First occurrence, Exod. 23:17. " Three times in the year all thy males shall appear before the Adon Jehovah."

ADONAHY.             אֲדֹנָ֣י

ADONAHY (" Lord," plural), Sovereign Lord, or Master. In this form used

only as a Divine title ; different from ADONAY, plural of ADON. The one is ADONAHY, the other ADONAY.

Occurs about 290 times. First occurrence, Gen. 15:2,8. "And Abraham said, Adonahy Jehovah."

JEHOVAH TITLES.

JEHOVAH-JIREH,                  יִרְאֶ֑ה יְהוָ֥ה            "Jehovah will see," or "provide." Gen. 22:14.

JEHOVAH-ROPHECA,           רֹפְאֶֽךָ יְהוָ֥ה          "Jehovah that healeth thee." Exod. 15:26.

JEHOVAH-NISSI,                   נִסִּֽי יְהוָ֥ה              "Jehovah my banner." Exod. 17:15.

JEHOVAH-MEKADDISHKEM, מְקַדִּשְׁכֶֽם יְהוָ֥ה    "Jehovah that doth sanctify you." Exod. 31:13. Lev. 20:8; 21:8; 22:9,16,32, Ezek. 20:12.

JEHOVAH-ELOHENU,           אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ יְהוָ֥ה         "Jehovah our God."

JEHOVAH-ELOHEKA,           אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ יְהוָ֥ה          "Jehovah thy God."
JEHOVAH-ELOHAY,             אֱלֹהֶ֖י יְהוָ֥ה            "Jehovah my God."

JEHOVAH-SHALOM,             שָׁל֑וֹם יְהוָ֥ה           "Jehovah send peace." Judg. 6:24.

JEHOVAH-TSRBAHOTH,      צְבָא֖וֹת יְהוָ֥ה         "Jehovah of hosts." 1 Sam. 1:3, etc.

JEHOVAH-ROHI,                   רֹ֝עִ֗י יְהוָ֥ה             "Jehovah my shepherd." Ps. 23:1.

JEHOVAH-HELEYN,             עֶלְיֽוֹן יְהוָ֥ה                       "Jehovah most high." Ps. 7:17; 47:2 97:9.

JEHOVAH-TSIDKEENU,        צִדְקֵֽנוּ יְהוָ֥ה                       "Jehovah our righteousness." Jer. 23:6; 33:16.

JEHOVAH-SHAHMMAH,      שָֽׁמָּה יְהוָ֥ה                        "Jehovah is there." Ezek. 48:35.

WORDS FOR "MAN.

ADAM, Heb. AHDAHM,  from AHDAM, to be red, ruddy. Often used collect­ively. (^a man.)

ISH, an individual, man of high degree. Often used collectively. (' man.)

ENOSH, frail, mortal man, from AHNASH, incurable, mortal. (man.) ANASHIM, plural of ENOSH, also frequently of Ish (man.)

GEBER,   strong man, from GABHAR, to be strong. (man.)

METHIM,        p, few in number, or mortal. Only used in, the plural.(men.)

IMPORTANT DISTINCTIONS BETWEEN WORDS.

CONGREGATION, Heb. HEDAH, from YAHAD, to appoint, describes a general congregation, inclusive of all.

ASSEMBLY, Heb. KAHAHL, from WAHAL, to call together; an assembly, local and partial.

TENT, Heb. OHEL

TABERNACLE, Heb. MISHCAN,  a dwelling-place, from SHARCAN, to dwell.

" TENT OF THE CONGREGATION," is the term used by the Holy Ghost, never " Tabernacle of the Congregation₎" as frequently but erroneously rendered.

The term " TENT OF THE CONGREGATION," or, Tent of meeting by appointment, or at appointed seasons, Heb. OHEL MOHHED, is connected with the assembling of the people : " TABERNACLE," Heb. MISHCAN, is suggestive of the presence of God according to Exod. xxv. 8. " Let them make me a sanctuary ; that I may dwell among them."

There are other points of interest and importance, as—

Division into paragraphs retaining the ordinary verses.

Hebrew poetry arranged in parallelisms.

Leading words printed in more prominent type.

Interpretation of important proper names.

Words omitted supplied.

A careful selection of references and parallels and parallel paragraphs.

And other features which will be found of essential service.

Isaiah 12:1–6 (KJV 1900)

¹And in that day thou shalt say, O Lord(YHWH), I will praise thee: though thou wast angry with me, Thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortedst me.

²Behold, God(EL) is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: For the Lord(YAH or JAH) JEHOVAH(YHWH) is my strength and my song; He also is become my salvation. (See Psa 68:4 – JAH)

³Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.

⁴And in that day shall ye say, Praise the Lord(YHWH), call upon his name, Declare his doings among the people, Make mention that his name is exalted.

⁵Sing unto the Lord(YHWH); for he hath done excellent things: This is known in all the earth.

⁶Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: For great is the Holy One of Israel(Once in 2Kings, twice in Jer, 3 times in Psa, 25 times in Isaiah) in the midst of thee.

The Shepherd is in touch with the Father:

Genesis 41:38 And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?

Acts 13:22  And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.

The Shepherd is in touch with the times:

1 Chronicles 12:32 And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment.

The Shepherd knows, and watches the flock:

Proverbs 27:23 Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, And look well to thy herds.

Genesis 33:13 And he said unto him, My lord knoweth that the children are tender, and the flocks and herds with young are with me: and if men should overdrive them one day, all the flock will die.

The Shepherd must both feed, and tend the flock:

Psalm 78:70–72 He chose David also his servant, And took him from the sheepfolds: 71 From following the ewes great with young he brought him To feed Jacob his people, And Israel his inheritance. 72 So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart; And guided them by the skilfulness of his hands.

The Shepherd must courageously protect the flock:

1 Samuel 17:34–35 And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father’s sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock: 35 And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him.

The Shepherd’s shortcomings or absence brings disaster:

John 10:13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.

Ezekiel 34:6My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill: yea, my flock was scattered upon all the face of the earth, and none did search or seek after them.

Isaiah 56:11 Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, And they are shepherds that cannot understand: They all look to their own way, Every one for his gain, from his quarter.

Jeremiah 50:6 My people hath been lost sheep: Their shepherds have caused them to go astray, they have turned them away on the mountains: They have gone from mountain to hill, They have forgotten their restingplace.

Ezekiel 34:2 Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God unto the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks?

Ezekiel 34:7–10 Therefore, ye shepherds, hear the word of the Lord; 8 As I live, saith the Lord God, surely because my flock became a prey, and my flock became meat to every beast of the field, because there was no shepherd, neither did my shepherds search for my flock, but the shepherds fed themselves, and fed not my flock; 9 Therefore, O ye shepherds, hear the word of the Lord; 10 Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I am against the shepherds; and I will require my flock at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock; neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more; for I will deliver my flock from their mouth, that they may not be meat for them.

The Divine Shepherd promises:

Jeremiah 23:4 And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them: and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, saith the Lord.

Hebrews 12:15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

The Chief Shepherd Commands Under-Shepherds

John 21:15–20 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs . 16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep . 17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep .

• Hidden in these 5 verses are three variances.
  •  “Christian love, whether exercised toward the brethren, or toward men generally, is not an impulse from the feelings, it is an unselfish “love,” ready to serve. It does not always run with the natural inclinations, nor does it spend itself only upon those for whom some affinity is discovered. Love seeks the welfare of all, Rom. 15:2, and works no ill to any, Rom. 13:8-10; love seeks opportunity to do good to ‘all men, and especially toward them that are of the household of the faith,’Gal. 6:10. See further 1 Cor. 13 and Col. 3:12-14.”
  •  The use of phileo in Peter’s answers and the Lord’s third question, conveys the thought of cherishing the Object above all else, of manifesting an affection characterized by constancy, from the motive of the highest veneration.

•  “to feed,” is primarily used of a herdsman (from boo, “to nourish,” the special function being to provide food;
•  “to act as a shepherd”. The “feeding” of the flock from the Word of God is the constant and regular necessity; it is to have the foremost place. The tending (which includes this) consists of other acts, of discipline, authority, restoration, material assistance of individuals, but they are incidental in comparison with the “feeding.”

•  is a diminutive in form , but the diminutive force is not to be pressed. It is used only by the apostle John, (a) in the plural, in the Lord’s command to Peter, John 21:15, with symbolic reference to young converts.
•  “to go forward,” i.e., of the movement of quadrupeds, was used among the Greeks of small cattle, sheep and goats; in the NT, of “sheep” only (a) naturally, e.g., Matt. 12:11, 12; (b) metaphorically, of those who belong to the Lord, the lost ones of the house of Israel, Matt. 10:6; of those who are under the care of the Good Shepherd, e.g., Matt. 26:31; John 10:1, lit., “the fold of the sheep.

Acts 20:17 And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church .

Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, *over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers , to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

• en (ἐν, 1722) marker of a position defined as being in a location, in, among
• (Only once in the New Testament did I find this Greek word translated as “over”. Of the 2768 occurrences it is translated as “in” or “among” 1984 times. This put serious doubt as to whether the thought suggests authority or office over the people of God. It seems rather to suggest the work of guiding them from among them by example first, and word second. All authority is in the Word of God. Therefore these “men of God” who “oversee” can apply only the Word of God, and not their own opinions in guiding God’s people ) *among whom, NOT over

1 Thessalonians 5:12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are *over you in the Lord, and admonish you; *“to stand before,” hence “to lead, to direct, attend to”

Hebrews 13:7 Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.

Hebrews 13:17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

Hebrews 13:24  Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you.

 "to so influence others as to cause them to follow a recommended course of action—‘to guide, to direct, to lead." to lead, guide...

Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996). Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: based on semantic domains (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition., Vol. 1, p. 464). New York: United Bible Societies.

1 Peter 5:1–5 The elders , which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder , and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: 2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; 3 Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples tupos (τύπος, 5179) to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. 5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder . Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

• presbuteros (πρεσβύτερος, 4245), an adjective, the comparative degree of presbus, “an old man, an elder,” is used(a) of age (b) of rank or positions of responsibility
• (3) in the Christian churches those who, being raised up and qualified by the work of the Holy Spirit, were appointed to have the spiritual care of, and to exercise oversight over, the churches. To these the term “bishops,”episkopoi, or “overseers,” is applied (see Acts 20:17,28, and Titus 1:5 and 7), the latter term indicating the nature of their work presbuteroi their maturity of spiritual experience. The divine arrangement seen throughout the NT was for a plurality of these to be appointed in each church, Acts 14:23; 20:17; Phil. 1:1; 1 Tim. 5:17; Titus 1:5. The duty of “elders” is described by the verb episkopeo. They were appointed according as they had given evidence of fulfilling the divine qualifications, Titus 1:6-9; cf. 1 Tim. 3:1-7 and 1 Pet. 5:2;
• Note: Presbuteros, “an elder,” is another term for the same person as bishop or overseer. See Acts 20:17,28. The term “elder” indicates the mature spiritual experience and understanding of those so described; the term “bishop,” or “overseer,” indicates the character of the work undertaken. According to the divine will and appointment, as in the NT, there were to be “bishops” in every local church, Acts 14:23; 20:17; Phil. 1:1; Titus 1:5; Jas. 5:14. Where the singular is used, the passage is describing what a “bishop” should be, 1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:7. Christ Himself is spoken of as “the … Bishop of our souls,”1 Pet. 2:25. See elder. 

• ekklesia (ἐκκλησία, 1577), from ek, “out of,” and klesis, “a calling” (kaleo, “to call”) – ASSEMBLY

Philippians 1:1 Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons :

1 Peter 4:15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters. [(allotrioepiskopos (ἀλλοτριεπίσκοπος, )], from allotrios, “belonging to another person,” and episkopos, “an overseer,” translated “busybody” in the kjv of 1 Pet. 4:15)

Titus 1:5–9 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: 6 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. 7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; 8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; 9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

• diatasso (διατάσσω, 1299), a strengthened form of No. 5 (dia, “through,” intensive), frequently denotes “to arrange, appoint, prescribe,” e.g., of what was “appointed” for tax collectors to collect
• episkopos (ἐπίσκοπος, 1985), lit., an overseer” (epi, “over,” skopeo, “to look or watch”), whence Eng. “bishop,” which has precisely the same meaning, is found in Acts 20:28; Phil. 1:1; 1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:7; 1 Pet. 2:25. See overseer. - BISHOP (Overseer)

1 Timothy 4:14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery .

• presbuterion (πρεσβυτέριον, 4244), a noun, “an assembly of aged men,” denotes (a) the Council or Senate among the Jews, Luke 22:66; Acts 22:5; (b) the “elders” or bishops in a local church, 1 Tim. 4:14, “the presbytery.” For their functions see A, No. 1,

1 Timothy 5:17 (KJV 1900) — 17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.

• kopiao (κοπιάω, 2872), akin to A, No. 1, has the two different meanings (a) “growing weary,” (b) “toiling”; it is sometimes translated “to bestow labor” (see under bestow, No. 3). It is translated by the verb “to labor” in Matt. 11:28; John 4:38 (2nd part); Acts 20:35; Rom. 16:12 (twice); 1 Cor. 15:10; 16:16; Eph. 4:28; Phil. 2:16;Col. 1:29; 1 Thess. 5:12; 1 Tim. 4:10; 5:17; 2 Tim. 2:6; Rev. 2:3; 1 Cor. 4:12, rv, “toil” (kjv, “labor”)

1 Timothy 3  This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop , he desireth a good work . 2 A bishop   then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; 4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; 5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) 6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. 8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; 9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. 10 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon , being found blameless. 11 Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. 12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. 13 For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus. 14 These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly: 15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. 16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

• orego (ὀρέγομαι, 3713), “to reach or stretch out,” is used only in the middle voice, signifying the mental effort of stretching oneself out for a thing, of longing after it, with stress upon the object desired
• episkope (ἐπισκοπή, 1984), besides its meaning, “visitation,” e.g., 1 Pet. 2:12 (cf. the Sept. of Exod. 3:16; Isa. 10:3; Jer. 10:15), is rendered “office,” in Acts 1:20, rv (kjv, “bishoprick”); in 1 Tim. 3:1 “the office of a bishop,” lit., “(if any one seeketh) overseership,” there is no word representing office. 
• Note: The corresponding verb is episkopeo, which, in reference to the work of an overseer, is found in 1 Pet. 5:2,rv, “exercising the oversight,” for kjv “taking the oversight.” See oversight 1983.
• epithumeo (ἐπιθυμέω, 1937), “to desire earnestly” (as with A, No. 1), stresses the inward impulse rather than the object desired. It is translated “to desire” in Luke 16:21; 17:22; 22:15; 1 Tim. 3:1; Heb. 6:11; 1 Pet. 1:12; Rev. 9:6. See covet.
• ergon (ἔργον, 2041) denotes (I) “work, employment, task,” e.g., Mark 13:34; John 4:34; 17:4; Acts 13:2; Phil. 2:30; 1 Thess. 5:13; in Acts 5:38 with the idea of enterprise; (II), “a deed, act,”
• episkopos (ἐπίσκοπος, 1985), lit., an overseer” (epi, “over,” skopeo, “to look or watch”), whence Eng. “bishop,” which has precisely the same meaning, is found in Acts 20:28; Phil. 1:1; 1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:7; 1 Pet. 2:25. See overseer. - BISHOP (Overseer)
• proistemi (προΐστημι, 4291), lit., “to stand before,” hence, “to lead, attend to” (indicating care and diligence), is translated “to rule” (middle voice), with reference to a local church, in Rom. 12:8; perfect active in1 Tim. 5:17; with reference to a family, 1 Tim. 3:4 and 12 (middle voice); v. 5 (2nd aorist, active)
• epimeleomai (ἐπιμελέομαι, 1959) signifies “to take care of,” involving forethought and provision (epiindicating “the direction of the mind toward the object cared for”), Luke 10:34-35, of the Good Samaritan’s care for the wounded man, and in 1 Tim. 3:5, of a bishop’s (or overseer’s) care of a church—a significant association of ideas.¶
• ekklesia (ἐκκλησία, 1577), from ek, “out of,” and klesis, “a calling” (kaleo, “to call”) – ASSEMBLY
• diakonos (διάκονος, 1249), (Eng., “deacon”), primarily denotes a “servant,” whether as doing servile work, or as an attendant rendering free service, without particular reference to its character. The word is probably connected with the verb dioko, “to hasten after, pursue” (perhaps originally said of a runner). “It occurs in the NT of domestic servants, John 2:5, 9; the civil ruler, Rom. 13:4; Christ, Rom. 15:8; Gal. 2:17; the followers of Christ in relation to their Lord, John 12:26; Eph. 6:21; Col. 1:7; 4:7; the followers of Christ in relation to one another, Matt. 20:26; 23:11,Mark 9:35; 10:43; the servants of Christ in the work of preaching and teaching, 1 Cor. 3:5; 2 Cor. 3:6; 6:4; 11:23; Eph. 3:7; Col. 1:23, 25; 1 Thess. 3:2; 1 Tim. 4:6; those who serve in the churches, Rom. 16:1 (used of a woman here only in NT); Phil. 1:1; 1 Tim. 3:8, 12; false apostles, servants of Satan, 2 Cor. 11:15. Once diakonos is used where, apparently, angels are intended, Matt. 22:13; in v. 3, where men are intended, doulos is used.”* 
• diakoneo (διακονέω, 1247), akin to A, No. 1, signifies “to be a servant, attendant, to serve, wait upon, minister.”
• 53.66 διακονέω^d: to serve God in some special way, such as a deacon—‘to be a deacon, to minister to.’ οὗτοι δὲ δοκιμαζέσθωσαν πρῶτον, εἶτα διακονείτωσαν ἀνέγκλητοι ὄντες ‘they should be tested first, and then, if they prove blameless, they should serve as deacons’ 1 Tm 3:10.
• (Vs 10 “then let them be serving as deacons” no office is envisioned here, just work, service . This is a verb in the Greek. Were it to represent an office, would it not be a noun?)

Vine, W. E., Unger, M. F., & White, W., Jr. (1996). Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words. Nashville, TN: T. Nelson.

 

MainThing

Mark 12:28-31

 

Mr. Clever served God in Egypt.  He wrote...

 

When I am dying, how glad I shall be

That the lamp of my life has been burned out for thee

I shall not regret whatever I gave

Money, or time, one sinner to save

Nor shall I mind that the road has been rough

That thy blessed feet led the way was enough

When I am dying, how glad I shall be

That the lamp of my life has been burned out for thee

 

Paul the apostle wrote...

For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain
 

“The main thing, is to keep the main thing, the main thing”

 

Mark 12:28-31 And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all? 29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: 30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. 31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

 

thou shalt love (not the greatest suggestion… the greatest COMMANDMENT!)

Love:  agape!  Unconditional, not drawn out by some excellence, or delight in the object being loved, but an act of the will, not necessarily mutual... sets a high value on something,

seeks its best interest, strives for its edification, is concerned about its needs & wants

We are to LOVE THE LORD!  What is that practically?

 

An O.T. example of an abiding love is found in…

Ex 21:5-6  And if the servant shall plainly say, I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free: Then his master shall bring him unto the judges; he shall also bring him to the door, or unto the door post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an aul; and he shall serve him for ever

LOVE SUBMITS!  LOVE IS COMMITTED…FOR THE LONG TERM!

 

N.T. examples

LOVE GIVES!!!

The Godhead’s example...

 

The Father loves, and gives!:

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he

 gave his only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Luke 11:13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father

give the Holy Spirit

to them that ask him?

John 7:39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given;

because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

John 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall

give you another Comforter,

that he may abide with you for ever;

2Co 1:21-22  Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

(guarantee. A pledge or down payment. The Spirit is the down payment on the believer’s eternal inheritance (see note on Eph. 1:14; cf. 2 Pet. 1:4, 11).)
Ro 8:37  Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

(completely and overwhelmingly victorious)

38  For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

39  Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The Father loves, and gives the Son, the Spirit, and the Victory!

 

The Son loves, and gives!:

Ephesians 5:2  And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

The Son gives himself!

 

The Spirit loves, and gives!:  John 15:26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father,

he shall testify of me:

John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come,

he will guide you into all truth:

for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

Luke 4:18-19 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath

anointed me to preach the gospel

to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

Anoint:  5548 criw chrio khree'-o

1) to anoint

1a) consecrating Jesus to the Messianic office, and furnishing him with the necessary powers for its administration

1b) enduing Christians with the gifts of the Holy Spirit, the fruit of the Holy Spirit!

The Spirit gives of himself, indwelling, testifying, guiding, anointing!

 

What about ME, what about you?  What does God want from me? What will this cost me?

thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength

 

ALL  all 65, whole 43, every whit 2, altogether 1...throughout, completely

 

Heart:

Proverbs 23:26  My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways.

1Sa 13:14  ...the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people...         LEADERSHIP

Ac 13:22 …I have found David the of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.            STEWARDSHIP

thou shalt love the Lord …with all thy heart

 

Soul: Philippians 2:20  For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state.

Lit. “one souled,” and also translated “kindred spirit.” (NASB95)   Timothy was one in thought, feeling, and spirit with Paul in love for the church.

thou shalt love the Lord …with all thy soul

Mind: Proverbs 23:7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:

1 Timothy 4:15-16 15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them…

16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them…

2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Mentally, but also spiritually...  Paul instructed Timothy to give of himself,  wholly.

thou shalt love the Lord …with all thy mind

 

Strength:  Physically...  Lam 3:27  It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth.

Some of our younger ones were a real help as we renovated the hall.

Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Be aware that a living sacrifice may try to crawl down off the alter from time to time!

To the Older –

You see the field, white to harvest... You see your hair white, and falling out, taking your strength with it.

Do not die with the baton still in a death grip in your hand !

PASS IT ON !

To the Younger –

Do not go on with empty hands when God has a baton with your name on it !

SEEK OUT YOUR GIFT(s) AND USE IT(them) FOR HIM

thou shalt love the Lord …with all thy strength

 

Between the heart, soul ,mind, and strength, we have covered the seat of emotions, the seat of  the will, the seat of the intellect, and the strength of the body being given over to the LORD.

 

What about the second of all the commandments? 13 times in 12 verses we are told to love (agape) each other.

Those of like spiritual persuasion are to have reciprocal unconditional love for each other.

2 Corinthians 8:1-5 Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; 2 How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. 3 For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; 4 Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. 5 And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.

 

Paul uses his life as an example... Philippians 1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

 

Philippians 2:17 Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.

being poured out. From the Gr. that means “to be offered as a libation or drink offering.”

The verb is in the present tense, which means he is referring to his sacrificial ministry among the Philippians. drink offering.          The MacArthur Study Bible

2 Corinthians 12:15 And I will very gladly spend and be spent for youc;† though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.

1 Corinthians 4:16 Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.

1 Corinthians 11:1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

Romans 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Are you conformed to his image... OK, unrealistic question... let me ask you this...

Are you BEING conformed to his image?

Our dear brother McBride, during the 2006 conference asked

“do you know him better today than you did a year ago?

 Or would John the baptist have to say of us ...

Are you growing in the knowledge of Christ?... Are you growing in His likeness?”

Mr. McBride went on to point out...

2 Peter 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

Matthew 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

 

Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: … Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

“ The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing”

The poem… Mr Clever.
 

When I am dying, how glad I shall be

That the lamp of my life has been burned out for thee

I shall not regret whatever I gave

Money, or time, one sinner to save

Nor shall I mind that the road has been rough

That thy blessed feet led the way was enough

When I am dying, how glad I shall be

That the lamp of my life has been burned out for thee
----

e  likeminded: or, so dear unto me

 

Lit. literally

a  liberality: Gr. simplicity

 

c  offered: Gr. poured forth

  The Holy Bible : King James Version. 1995 (electronic ed. of the 1769 edition of the 1611 Authorized Version.). Bellingham WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

 

Gr. Greek

c  for you: Gr. for your souls

 

†  A Greek word occurs that is not directly translated in the King James Version.

Greek Strongs: 2532

 

 

MainThing1

Mark 12:28–31

Mark 12:28-31

 

Mr. Clever served God in Egypt.  He wrote...

 

When I am dying, how glad I shall be

That the lamp of my life has been burned out for thee

I shall not regret whatever I gave

Money, or time, one sinner to save

Nor shall I mind that the road has been rough

That thy blessed feet led the way was enough

When I am dying, how glad I shall be

That the lamp of my life has been burned out for thee

 

Paul the apostle wrote...

For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain
 

“ The main thing, is to keep the main thing, the main thing”

 

Mark 12:28-31 And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all? 29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: 30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. 31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

 

thou shalt love (not the greatest suggestion… the greatest COMMANDMENT!)

Love:  agape!  Unconditional, not drawn out by some excellence, or delight in the object being loved, but an act of the will, not necessarily mutual... sets a high value on something,

seeks it’s best interest, strives for it’s edification, is concerned about it’s needs & wants

We are to LOVE THE LORD!  What is that practically?

 

An O.T. example of an abiding love is found in…

Ex 21:5-6  And if the servant shall plainly say, I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free: Then his master shall bring him unto the judges; he shall also bring him to the door, or unto the door post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an aul; and he shall serve him for ever

LOVE SUBMITS!  LOVE IS COMMITTED…FOR THE LONG TERM!

 

N.T. examples

LOVE GIVES!!!

The Godhead’s example...

 

The Father loves, and gives!:

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he

 gave his only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Luke 11:13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father

give the Holy Spirit

to them that ask him?

John 7:39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given;

because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

John 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall

give you another Comforter,

that he may abide with you for ever;

2Co 1:21-22  Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

 

Ro 8:37  Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

38  For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

39  Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The Father gives the Son, the Spirit, and the Victory!

 

The Son loves, and gives!:

Ephesians 5:2  And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

The Son gives himself!

 

The Spirit loves, and gives!:  John 15:26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father,

he shall testify of me:

John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come,

he will guide you into all truth:

for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

Luke 4:18-19 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath

anointed me to preach the gospel

to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

Anoint:  5548 criw chrio khree'-o

1) to anoint

1a) consecrating Jesus to the Messianic office, and furnishing him with the necessary powers for its administration

1b) enduing Christians with the gifts of the Holy Spirit

The Spirit gives of himself, indwelling, testifying, guiding, anointing!

 

What about ME, what about you?  What does God want from me? What will this cost me?

thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength

 

ALL  all 65, whole 43, every whit 2, altogether 1...throughout, completely

 

Heart:

Proverbs 23:26  My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways.

1Sa 13:14  ...the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people...         LEADERSHIP

Ac 13:22 …I have found David the of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.            STEWARDSHIP

thou shalt love the Lord …with all thy heart

 

Soul: Philippians 2:20  For I have no man likeminded(*e), who will naturally care for your state.

Lit. “one souled,” and also translated “kindred spirit.” (NASB95)   Timothy was one in thought, feeling, and spirit with Paul in love for the church.

thou shalt love the Lord …with all thy soul

Mind: Proverbs 23:7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:

1 Timothy 4:15-16 15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them…

16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them…

2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Mentally, but also spiritually...  Paul instructed Timothy to give of himself,  wholly.

thou shalt love the Lord …with all thy mind

 

Strength:  Physically...  Lam 3:27  It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth.

Some of our younger ones were a real help as we renovated the hall.

Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Be aware that a living sacrifice may try to crawl down off the alter from time to time!

Strength:

The Older –

You see the field, white to harvest... You see your hair white, and falling out, taking your strength with it.

Do not die with the baton still in a death grip in your hand !

PASS IT ON !

The Younger –

Do not go on with empty hands when God has a baton with your name on it !

SEEK OUT YOUR GIFT(s) AND USE IT(them) FOR HIM

“30  And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. 31  And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.” (Mr 12:30-31 AV)

 

thou shalt love the Lord …with all thy strength

 

Between the heart, soul ,mind, and strength, we have covered the seat of emotions, the seat of  the will, the seat of the intellect, and the body being given over to the LORD.

 

What about the second of all the commandments?

2 Corinthians 8:1-5 Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; 2 How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberalitya. 3 For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; 4 Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, andtake upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. 5 And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.

 

Paul uses his life as an example... Philippians 1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

 

Philippians 2:17 Yea, and if I be offered(*b) upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.

being poured out. From the Gr. that means “to be offered as a libation or drink offering.”

The verb is in the present tense, which means he is referring to his sacrificial ministry among the Philippians. drink offering.          The MacArthur Study Bible

2 Corinthians 12:15 And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you;† though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.

1 Corinthians 4:16 Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.

1 Corinthians 11:1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

Romans 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Are you conformed to his image... OK, unrealistic question... let me ask you this...

Are you BEING conformed to his image?

Our dear brother McBride, during the 2006 conference asked

“do you know him better today than you did a year ago?

 Or would John the baptist have to say of us ...

Are you growing in the knowledge of Christ?... Are you growing in His likeness?”

Mr. McBride went on to point out...

2 Peter 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

Matthew 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

 

Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: … Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

“ The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing”

The poem… Mr Clever.
 

When I am dying, how glad I shall be

That the lamp of my life has been burned out for thee

I shall not regret whatever I gave

Money, or time, one sinner to save

Nor shall I mind that the road has been rough

That thy blessed feet led the way was enough

When I am dying, how glad I shall be

That the lamp of my life has been burned out for thee
----

e  likeminded: or, so dear unto me

 

a  liberality: Gr. simplicity

 

b  offered: Gr. poured forth

c  for you: Gr. for your souls

†  A Greek word occurs that is not directly translated in the King James Version.

Greek Strongs: 2532

 

MacArthur, J., Jr. (Ed.). (1997). The MacArthur Study Bible (electronic ed., p. 1765). Nashville, TN: Word Pub.

Marks of the Spiritual Man

Galatians 6:1 … YE WHICH ARE SPIRITUAL …  (are you?)

1. He wants to see the honour of God advanced through his life, even if it means that he himself must suffer temporary dishonour or loss. John the forerunner - John 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease.

(Such a man prays “Hallowed be Thy name,” and silently adds, “at any cost to me, Lord.”)

2. The spiritual man wants to carry his cross.

(The cross is that extra adversity that comes to us as a result of our obedience to Christ)

2 Timothy 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

Galatians 6:12 As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.

3. He desires to die right rather than to live wrong.

1Co 9:15  But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void.

4. He desires to see others advance even at his expense.

John the forerunner - John 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease.

5. He sees everything from God’s viewpoint, even if it humbles him and exposes his ignorance to the point of real pain.

2Ki 6:17  And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.

6. The spiritual man habitually makes eternity-judgments instead of time-judgments. Plowing a field
7. He desires to be holy rather than happy.

(John Wesley said of the members of one of the early Methodist societies that he doubted that they had been made perfect in love because they came to church to enjoy religion instead of to learn how they could become holy.)

Such a man would rather be useful than famous and would rather serve than be served.

You cannot be a good leader without being a good servant.

Scripture speaks of some things that bring happiness to the spiritual:

Obedience - John 13:17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.

Clear conscience - Romans 14:22 Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.

Enduring rather than fleeing trials - James 5:11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy. (Heb 11)

Suffering for HIM - 1 Peter 3:14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;  (Heb 10:34  For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.) Martyred missionary Jim Elliot said it best: “He is no fool to give what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose.”

Reproached for HIS name  - 1 Peter 4:14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.

Witnessing - Acts 26:2 I think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews:

Is your ekklesia (Gathering Centre, Church) like a cruise ship, where people focus on having a good time?

or an aircraft carrier, where they come for fuel, and leave on missions to be ambassadors for God?

 

Knowing our level of spirituality requires self-examination!

1. What do we want most? (Pr 23:26 My son, give me thine heart,) (Ps 42:1   As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.)
2. What we think about most.( Pr 23:7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:)
3. How we use our money. (Mt 6:24 noone…;Lu 16:13 No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.- ) your threefold enemy (the world/flesh/devil) will use money to use you, or you will overcome and use money for HIS glory.
4. What we do with our leisure time. (Time is another thing we can “spend”, but it can also be redeemed )
5. The company we enjoy. (1 Co 15:33 °Do not be deceived°! “Bad company corrupts good °” – or ruins good °morals.”)
6. Whom and what we admire. (Elijah/Elisha, Moses/Joshua, 1 Kings 12:13 Rehoboam answered the people roughly, and forsook the old men’s counsel that they gave him 14 And spake to them after the counsel of the young men)
7. What we laugh at. (What is our motive for laughter? In Gen 18 Sarah laughed in unbelief, but in Gen 21, at the birth of the prophesied Isaac, she laughed in joy How do you feel about the laughter? Does laughter have its place? Ec 3:4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; I think scripture makes it clear there is a time for it.)

Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 279). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.