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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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?

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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.

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James (Program #1) – Introduction and Practical Virtues of Christian Perfection (1)

One of last books to be added to the canon of the New Testament was the Epistle of James. Throughout the centuries, believers have had very different attitudes towards this book. Some believers treasure it to the uttermost, granting it a status of being among the very top books in the bible. Others, drawing a comparison between James and Proverbs, may feel that it would better fit in the Old Testament. While some have question whether it belongs in the Bible at all. Why would such a book give rise to these varied opinions? The message of the book is very clear and straightforward. The language is lovely even poetic in places. And the author had great creditability because scholars agreed that this was the James that was the Lord Jesus’ flesh brother and he was also the leading elder in the first church, the Church in Jerusalem.  We believe that the life study we begin today will give us a very solid answer to this intriguing question.

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Hebrews (Program #1) – A Foreword

Today we come to one of the most mysterious books in the entire Bible – the book of Hebrews. Many believers shy away from this epistle but given the proper keys to unlock the treasure of this book, it surely is one of the most nourishing and enlightening of all in Scripture.

What will be different in the life-study of Hebrews will be an exploration of the profound concepts, the divine thoughts that are the foundation of the revelation in this book. What will be unique will be a faithful and thorough and comprehensive unveiling of the uniqueness of Christ as unveiled in the epistle to Hebrews. Another aspect of what is different or what is unique will be a serious consideration of the warning passages which point us to the fact that the coming kingdom, the coming reign of Christ on the earth for a thousand years, will be a reward not to all believers but to the faithful, overcoming believers. more…

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