20061203 The terms “marriage” and “marriage supper” in Revelation 19 is better understood with some background knowledge of Jewish marriage customs in Biblical times. Jewish marriage customs in Biblical times involved three major steps. First, was the betrothal, when the bride is chosen, the dowry is… Read More »The Marriage Supper
20061126 The Beatitudes are part of the Sermon on the Mount. It is the sermon of all sermons. Jesus Christ taught His disciples that blessings from God flow to those who live by that code. Blessings are favours from God. Our Lord’s desire is to do the Father’s will. He… Read More »Jesus Christ – Our Example
20061119 Last Sunday, 12 November, was designated International Day of Prayer (IDOP) for the persecuted church. IDOP was started in 1998 by World Evangelical Fellowship in collaboration with Churches and various Christian Organisations – a global day of intercession on behalf of persecuted Christians. Why are Christians… Read More »The Persecuted Church
20061112 When Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite, died on December 10, 1896, he left behind a generous endowment fund. Ironically, this fund was to be used for five international prizes, including one for peace. The Nobel Prize was to be given out annually. In 2006, the amount… Read More »Jesus – The Peacemaker
20061105 During the time of Jesus Christ, the religious leaders of the Jews, called the Pharisees, were very concerned about strictly interpreting and keeping the Jewish Torah (Law). They showed special zeal in insisting that laws of tithing and ritual purity be kept. However, Jesus rebuked them… Read More »The Heart Of The Matter
20061029 What is mercy? How is mercy different from grace? Grace is love shown where it is undeserved. Mercy is love shown as a response to helplessness of another. Grace responds to the undeserving and mercy answers to the helpless. The parable of the Good Samaritan (Lk. 10:30-37) illustrates the… Read More »Show Mercy To Others
20061022 Righteousness in the 4th Beatitude refers to the idea of conforming to a standard that is a pattern of life in conformity to God’s will. The exact nature of this righteousness for which the blessed hunger and thirst has at least two points of reference. 1. Personal… Read More »Desire Righteousness
20061015 Meekness follows poverty of spirit and mourning in a logical fashion as the manner in which a forgiven child of God lives out his life in relation to those around him. The Scottish theologian and pastor Sinclair B. Ferguson defines meekness as follows: “It is… Read More »Meek and Lowly
20061008 Mourning is the heartfelt emotion of the believer who is poor in spirit, and can be understood as profound sorrow or grief caused by deep personal loss. The Christian believer who understands the gravity of his own personal sin cries out with the apostle Paul, “What… Read More »The Joy Of Mourning
20061001 What does it mean to be poor in spirit? It does not mean financial poverty, nor does it mean emotional depression. Poverty of spirit is the personal acknowledgment of one’s spiritual bankruptcy before God. It refers to the person who realizes his spiritual bondage and his personal… Read More »The Poor In Spirit
