James (Program #6) – Practical Virtues of Christian Perfection (6)

One of the basic tenets of the Christian faith is the unequivocal belief that every word of the Bible is inspired by God. This essential truth comes from 2 Timothy 3:16, which literally says, “All scripture is God breathed“. Practically speaking what does this mean? Does it really mean that each word is God’s direct speaking? Well if that were the case, then we’d have to conclude that God was really speaking through Satan when Genesis quotes the serpent tempting Eve. Or how about Peter’s word in Matthew 16, which provoked the Lord Jesus to say to Peter, “get behind me Satan”. Surely every word is not God’s direct speaking, but every word is included in the canon of the biblical text according to God’s inspiration. And this inspiration is always linked to God’s purpose. If the Bible includes a passage it is there because God has desired it to be there, and there is a definite reason for it.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: TuneIn | RSS

Daniel (Program #11) – The Visions of the Overcoming Daniel (3)

After a victorious testimony of overcoming in the first six chapters of the book of Daniel. God came in to show Daniel vision after vision concerning the world situation.  Why did God showed Daniel all these visions recorded in chapter 7 through 12?  In our life-study today of chapter 8 of Daniel, we will be addressing this question.

Throughout the ages, Israel has suffered a great deal because of the fighting between the three great empires seen in the vision in Daniel 2.  The Medo-Persians empire, the Grecian empire and the Roman empire.  Of all these, the center of their fighting is Israel.  Israel has been through the ages of battleground and due to this fighting it been difficult at times for Israel God’s elect to be something truly according to His eternal economy.  In our program today, we will see the vision Daniel saw in chapter 8.  A vision concerning a ram and a male goat with its successor.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: TuneIn | RSS

James (Program #5) – Practical Virtues of Christian Perfection (5)

We have pointed out in our first 4 radio programs on the life study of James that we need to have a balanced view of the epistle of James. On the one hand this Epistle is helpful in emphasizing on practical Christian perfection. On the other hand this Epistle serves as a warning that it is possible even for a very godly man as James not to be clear concerning God’s New Testament economy.

Today we are going to get a view from chapter 2 of the book of Acts that James was not clear about God’s economy.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: TuneIn | RSS

Daniel (Program #10) – The Visions of the Overcoming Daniel (2)

“The Ancient of Days sits upon His throne.” This is a word from Daniel.  Today we want to consider further the visions of Daniel in chapter 7 concerning the four beasts out of the Mediterranean sea.  We have previously seen that these four beast are dreadful and terrible doing whatever they desire as if there was no God in the universe.  However these chapter reveals that the Ancient of Days is still on the throne.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: TuneIn | RSS

James (Program #4) – Practical Virtues of Christian Perfection (4)

In chapter one of the Epistle of James, three major points are covered: the divine birth in verse 18, receiving the implanted word in verse 21, and the perfect law of freedom in verse 25. First God brought us forth he regenerated us by the word of truth. Hence the word of truth is the seed of life for our divine birth. After being regenerated by receiving this seed, we need to continue to receive the implanted word, which is able to save our soul in our daily life.

According to verse 18, the word of truth is for regeneration in our spirit. According to verse 21, we need the implanted word for the daily salvation of our soul. Moreover according to verses 25-27, we need the perfect law of freedom so that we may live a God-fearing life. A life that might be considered religious in a proper sense. Such a life corresponds to God’s heart, which is love, and to God’s nature, which is holiness.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: TuneIn | RSS

Daniel (Program #9) – The Visions of the Overcoming Daniel (1)

God’s faithful servant Daniel not only interpreted the dreams of kings but also saw visions directly from God himself. Visions revealing God’s economy. Today on this life study of the Bible from the book of Daniel, we have reached the halfway point of Daniel. We are now going to get into the final six chapters containing many of Daniel’s visions.

The first section of Daniel or the first six chapters really focuses on the victory in captivity for Daniel and his three companions over Satan’s schemes.  But today we start the second section of Daniel; chapters 7 to 12 with the visions of the overcoming Daniel.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: TuneIn | RSS

James (Program #3) – Practical Virtues of Christian Perfection (3)

After studying the Apostle Paul’s writings and the life study messages on the writings of Paul, we will no doubt be influenced to receive the light concerning God’s economy and to be strongly for God’s economy. But there is the possibility that we may be careless in our behavior or that we may neglect the matter of practical Christian perfection. Therefore we need the balance provided by the book of James, which comes in the Scripture immediately after the fourteen Epistles of the Apostle Paul.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: TuneIn | RSS

Daniel (Program #8) – The Victory of the Young Descendants of of God’s Degraded Elect (6)

The Old testament book of Daniel is of course one of the great story books in the Bible.  Children and adults alike love these stories and the inspiration that countless believers have derived from them from over the years. But much more than just wonderful and inspiring stories, these chapters convey tremendous insights into God’s move on this earth in His economy.  This deeper view not only inspires us but it can compel us to join with God.  Not just to live a proper christian life but to actually become engaged with Him for the accomplishment of His eternal purpose.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: TuneIn | RSS

James (Program #2) – Practical Virtues of Christian Perfection (2)

Perhaps the most important contribution that the Epistle of James makes to the New Testament is in the area of practical Christian perfection. Some people may not understand the usage of the word “perfection” in this context. James actually uses it in verse 4 of chapter 1. Let me read beginning at verse 2 to give it its proper context, “Count it all joy, my brothers, whenever you fall into various trials, knowing that the proving of your faith works out endurance. And let endurance have its perfect work that you may be perfect and entire, lacking in nothing.” What is it to let endurance have its perfect work that we may be perfect?

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: TuneIn | RSS

Daniel (Program #7) – The Victory of the Young Descendants of God’s Degraded Elect (5)

“The handwriting is on the wall.” Well nearly all of us have heard this phrase, but did you know that it comes from Daniel chapter 5?

The writing on the wall from a mysterious hand is the story here.  The main character today that Daniel encounters is this man, this king named Belshazzar.  Belshazzar is a descendant of Nebuchadnezzar.  To get the context of the handwriting on the wall we begin with the verses in chapter 5:1-4.  This was quite a  humiliation quite an insult to the God of heaven; to take the very items that have been used for the worship of the one True God and use them now for the worship and praise of these idols.  This really provides a setting for another victory of the young overcomers that the Lord has sovereignly arranged to be in the house of Belshazzar the king in Babylon.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: TuneIn | RSS