Jesus Is The Messiah Predicted In The Old Testament

[I wrote this condensed essay 5 years ago (to be specific on 2^nd February 2015). One can write a thick book on it, but I attempted to prove it within just 1300 words. I decided to let the Scripture convince you by these many references. I hope this will be a good resource for anyone who wants to think through this issue. And for my blog readers, remember to visit this post again, when you have a question about it; or when you hear people talking about Jesus and OT; Christianity and Judaism.]

A SHORT CONDENSED ESSAY ON:

“JESUS IS THE MESSIAH PREDICTED IN THE OLD TESTAMENT”

Judaism and Christianity believe that the Old Testament is Scripture that comes from God. We believe that God is the God of the Old Testament. We believe what it says, what it teaches and what it prophesies. We believe that the Old Testament reveals clearly about Messiah (such as in Daniel 9:25-26). Judaism believes that Messiah had never come yet, and is waiting for His coming. Christianity, on the other hand, believes that Jesus is the Messiah who had walked on the earth 2000 years ago. He came as the fulfillment of the OT prophecies, and ascended to heaven, and will come back for His people. Therefore, Christians, too are waiting for the second advent of Christ. The 1^st Century Judaism fails to recognize the Messiah in spite of His bodily appearance and His claims. The present Judaism still fails to search the Old Testament in the light of the Christian New Testament. Having said this, even many Christian fail to see Christ in the Old Testament. So this short essay will prove that Jesus is the Messiah predicted in the Old Testament.

WHO AND WHAT MESSIAH IS: Messiah in Hebrew is “mashiyach” (Ps. 132: 17) which means “the anointed”. In Septuagint, it is translated as “Christos” which the New Testament recognizes Jesus as Christos (or Christ, in English). The Old Testament portrays Messiah as the extraordinary king (Jer. 23:5), as the son of man (Daniel 7: 13; Isaiah 7:14), as God (Isaiah 9:6), as Son of God (Ps. 2:7), as Savior (Isaiah 52:13 – 53:12). Thus Messiah is the God-Man (also in Psalm 110). The New Testament understanding of the Messiah is exactly the same (John 12:13; John 1:51; John 8:58; Matt. 14:33; Luke 2:11; John 10:30) and is fulfilled in Lord Jesus Christ. He is the second Person of the Triune-God, whom Christians worship, and He is the God of the Bible, both Old and New Testaments.

GENEALOGICALLY: Messiah would be the descendant of ABRAHAM (Gen 22:18). Here, the seed is the Messiah, through whom the nations of the world shall be blessed. In the New Testament, Gal. 3:16 proves that as Jesus Christ. It is also seen in Matt. 1:1. Messiah would be the descendant of ISAAC (Gen.21:12; 17:19). Isaac is not the only son of Abraham, yet God chose Isaac to be the line of the coming Messiah. The everlasting covenant is possible because Messiah is the everlasting Lord. Matthew 1:2 proves that Jesus is the descendant of Isaac. Messiah would be the descendant of JACOB (Num24:17). He would be a deliverer, protector, a scepter of Israel. Jacob (not Esau) was chosen from the womb (Gen 25: 23). Matt. 1:2 proves Jesus again. He would be from the tribe of JUDAH (Gen. 49:10). Shiloh is the Messiah to whom the peoples shall obey. Luke 3:33 proves that Jesus is from the tribe of Judah.  Messiah would be the descendant of DAVID (Ps. 89:35-36). He would be the heir of David’s throne, for David’s throne to last forever. Matt. 1:1 proves that Jesus is the descendant of David.

GEOGRAPHICALLY: Messiah would come from BETHLEHEM (Micah5:2). He would be the Ruler from everlasting to everlasting. No human comes from everlasting, only God-Man, the Messiah. Luke 2:4-7 tells that Jesus was born at Bethlehem. Messiah would come to JERUSALEM riding in a donkey (Zech. 9:9). Jesus made a triumphant entry to Jerusalem according to John 12:12-15. Messiah would come to the TEMPLE (Malachi 3:1). Jesus went into the temple in Matthew 21:12. Messiah shall be in the GALILEE (Isaiah 9:1, 2). Jesus began His ministry in Galilee (Matt. 4:18-25).

CHRONOLOGICALLY: The Seed of the woman (Gen. 3:15) promised in the Eden Garden is the expected Messiah. Adam and Eve in their holy condition cannot stand against Satan’s temptation, nor would any of their children stand in their fallenness. A perfect man, the Messiah can and has to fulfill the promise. Jesus was born of a woman conceived by the Holy Spirit in Matthew 1:20. He was born at the right time according to Gal. 4:4. Jesus is the promised Seed of the woman because He is the Son of God. Shem, the son of Noah was blessed, and God is adored by Noah as the God of Shem. Noah and his family were the only survivors of the flood. Luke 3:36 traces Jesus as the descendant of Shem, not of Ham or Japheth. God chose Abraham (Gen. 12:1-3) for the lineage of the Messiah. All the nations shall be blessed through him. Before the Israelite enter the Promised Land, Moses talked about the future prophet, whom they must listen (Deut. 18:18-19). The Israelite knew Moses as a deliverer, so the Messiah too will be the deliverer. As the revelation progresses, the prophets spoke that the deliverance is a spiritual one. Then God chose David to be the lineage of the Messiah. Then Davidic throne (Jer. 23:5), Jeremiah prophesied about the coming king, Messiah. Jesus is recognized by the people of His times as the Son of David (Matt. 20:30; 22:42). Messiah was promised right from the Eden garden through His Birth in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2; Luke 2:15).

THROUGH HIS BIRTH AND NATURE: The Messiah would be born of the virgin woman (Isaiah 7:14). Jesus was born of Virgin Mary (Luke 1:26-35; 2:7-11). Messiah is God (Ps 110:1; Matt 22:44; 26:64) since there is only one God, therefore, Jesus is God, the Messiah of the Old Testament’s promise. The coming of the Messiah would be preceded by a messenger (Isaiah 40: 3-5). Jesus was preceded by John the Baptist (Luke 7:24, 27). Moses predicted the coming Prophet in Deut. 18:18-19, who is the Messiah. Jesus was recognized by the people of His days as Prophet (Luke 7:16). The Messiah would be the Priest forever (Ps. 110:4). Jesus has become the High Priest forever (Heb. 7:14-18).

THROUGH HIS MINISTRY AND WORKS: The Spirit of the LORD will be upon the Messiah (Isaiah 11:1; 42:1). Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit (Matt. 3:16; John 1:32). Messiah will heal the broken-hearted (Isaiah 61:1, 2). Jesus proves Himself to be the Messiah in Luke 4:14-22. Messiah will perform miracles (Isa. 35:4-6; 53:4-5). Jesus performed miracles (Matt. 9:35; John 11:47). Messiah will speak to people in a parable (Ps. 78:2). Jesus came speaking in parables (Matt13:34). Messiah will be betrayed by His friend (Ps. 41:9). Jesus was betrayed by Judas Iscariot (Luke 22:48). Messiah will not defend Himself (Isaiah 53:7). Jesus spoke no words when He was accused (Matt. 27:12). Messiah will be pierced (Zech. 12:10). Jesus’s side was pierced (John 19:34). Messiah will be numbered with transgressors (Isaiah 53:12). Jesus was crucified with robbers (Matt. 27: 38). Messiah will have a rich tomb (Isaiah 53:9). Jesus was buried in a rich man’s tomb (Matt. 27:57-60). Messiah will be resurrected (Ps. 16: 8-11; Hosea 6:2). Jesus got resurrected (Acts 2:25-35). Messiah will be ascended unto heaven (Ps. 68:18). Jesus was ascended unto heaven (Luke 24:51).

There are still many more proofs in the Bible that I have left out to show Jesus is the Messiah predicted in the Old Testament. Lord Jesus Christ will come back very soon. Christians, Jews, Non-Christians, Atheist, everyone will see that He is the Messiah, Lord, and God of all creations. And every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus is Lord. Why not confess today and be saved?

Image Scripture: Proverbs 1:5, 22, 25-26, 28-29

A Devotional Reflection of Scripture

Random WSU6

07 April 19 b WSU

07 April 19 WSU

12 June 19 WSU

Stop Using Jeremiah 29:11 As Your Exhortatory Text.

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.  – Jeremiah 29:11

Last night I was reading through the book of Jeremiah. Some particular verses stood out to me as if I had never seen before. I was tempted to open my laptop and make Image Scriptures out of them, but I had decided to keep on reading until I complete a certain portion of Scripture as a part of spiritual discipline. When I reached Jeremiah 29:11, I couldn’t keep myself going. I remembered how many times I had heard people around me using that verse for all kinds of exhortations in all kinds of settings: birthdays, exam times, graduations, farewells, partings, fresher’s meet, home fellowships, and even in churches. I decided to write a blog post about it. I remembered a professor in a seminary who instructed us to maintain our Title in a positive tone as often as possible. Well, I believe in this case a negative tone that too in an imperative mood serves us much better. So, “Stop Using Jeremiah 29:11 As Your Exhortatory Text!”

As I set out to write a short article, it occurred to me to see if or how many article(s) on it are available on the internet, because I did not want to waste my time telling the same thing if many have written about it. Lo and behold! There were lots of articles on it by some reputed personalities. I skimmed through some of the articles and found some to be very short and some others to be of in-depth treatment. I was hard-pressed to write a new blog post or to put it away, but my mind was still not relaxed, because of all those misuses I had heard in the past. Consequently, I decided to publish a blog post online for anyone to see it about my concern regarding those misuses. Someday, when I hear people misusing or when people ask me about its misuse, I can just send a link of this page, “Stop Using Jeremiah 29:11 As Your Exhortatory Text!”

Well, you can surmise the reason why I used the strong word “stop,” it’s because every now and then people keep on misusing this verse. There are lots of other scripture portions for anyone to use for exhortatory texts. Come on, why default to Jeremiah 29:11, which is very common to the point that it has no more effect on the hearers, and also almost always wrong every time we hear it? Of course, Jeremiah 29:11 can be used as a text of exhortation as it can be of any text of Scripture, but it has to be done in its context. As Steve Lawson would say, “You can eulogize even the devil; he is consistent!” We can always come up with good words or exhortation from any passage of the scripture. The principle here is, if you aren’t sure of what it means, go for other texts of scripture that you are sure of. Or else, just don’t! Please stop!

Why do we often use Jeremiah 29:11? I think it’s because of its contents. It has soothing words. It has promise. It has a direct assurance from God. It has a personal effect on the hearer. It is very clear in its promises by the way of contrast. Its promises encompass both the present and the future – of hope and peace. Wow! A perfect message you would like to tell others in their birthdays, graduations, farewells, any occasions. The message is perfect, inerrant, and true, but is it for you, us, or anybody? Are you (or we) the perfect people to get this perfect message? There lies the line!

How do we know which verse is for us and which is not? Well, each and every verse in the Bible is for us. The question here is, how do we understand a particular verse and apply it to our life? Take for an example from the preceding chapter, Jeremiah 28:16 “Therefore thus says the LORD: ‘Behold, I will cast you from the face of the earth. This year you shall die . . .” Try this one for a birthday or farewell speech! What is the basis for not choosing this text? If and since everything that the Bible says is infallible and sure, it means this is true too. Some may argue, “Well, this isn’t appropriate for a birthday” and I would press on, “What if this is the most appropriate one, for he may die today?” No matter what your intention, feeling, desire, or prayer is if it’s the truth it is. You can sip a bottle of poison thinking it as a fruit juice, believing it will give you good health, but if you drink, you are dead! It doesn’t matter what may seem appropriate or not appropriate, we must be certain what is appropriate, and to be certain we must have a basis or a standard to find out its appropriateness.

How do we find out the appropriateness of any passage in the scripture? Well, we have to read the context: a few verses or chapters before and after any passage we seek to know. That’s not something of insight; that’s just normal and plain to us. We do that in each of our conversations, when we listen to the news, or when we read any letters or text messages on our phone. Don’t you remember yourself asking, “what did he say before that?” or “what did he say after that?” when you missed some part of news reporting on the television? We read anything, listen to anything, evaluate anything, and apply anything based on the fuller version of anything, not just in a few words of our choice for our indulgence. That’s often called “out of context” or “proof text” or “pretext,” and is negative in its connotation.

I want to remind you that this blog post is about to Stop Using Jeremiah 29:11 As Your Exhortatory Text, please don’t expect me to devote a section on how to use this verse as an exhortatory text. Weighing the issue at hand, it’s better off without that section. And, mind you, the title is not even “What is the meaning of Jeremiah 29:11?” but I am sure you will find out the answer to this question as you keep reading. Before we read verse 11, we must read v.10. “For thus says the LORD: After seventy years are completed at Babylon, I will visit you and perform My good word toward you, and cause you to return to this place.” Verses 10-13 are in the future tenses, “will,” that will happen only after 70 years of captivity in Babylon. The “you” here refers to the people of Judah (v.1, 4). Actually, most of the hearers of this news would not survive for 70 years to see the promises of v.11-13. It is for their children, being still the people of Judah, who will live to see it. For the original audience, their life will be hard and rough and die eventually (v.4-9)!

Now we see, this is for the people of Judah; we are not. This is also not even for all the people of Judah, it is only for those who survive the 70 years in Babylon; we’ve not been to Babylon. It is only for the good figs, for those are chosen by God as we see two types of people of Judah in Jeremiah 24 – the good figs and the bad figs; we are neither the good figs nor the bad figs of Jeremiah’s vision. And no matter who they are and how they live, this is a promise which will be fulfilled not in the lifetime of its hearers.

The people and timeline of Chapter 29 are the same as in chapter 24 and chapter 21. What is applicable in chapter 29 is applicable in chapter 24 and chapter 21. The only difference is those who are in Babylon and those who aren’t. Let’s see for those who aren’t in Babylon in Jeremiah 21:10 ““For I have set My face against this city for adversity and not for good,” says the LORD. “It shall be given into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall burn it with fire.””Also in Jeremiah 24:9-10  ““I will deliver them to trouble into all the kingdoms of the earth, for their harm, to be a reproach and a byword, a taunt and a curse, in all places where I shall drive them. And I will send the sword, the famine, and the pestilence among them, till they are consumed from the land that I gave to them and their fathers.””

You see! You aren’t in Babylon. You aren’t their children. You aren’t the people of Judah. You aren’t even reading properly the context of Jeremiah 29:11. Please Stop Using Jeremiah 29:11 As Your Exhortatory Text!

"Context is Queen!"

Image Scripture: Proverbs 5:21-22

A Devotional Reflection of Scripture

Biblical Principles for Discipline and Corporal Punishment

I believe every parent faces difficulty in bringing up their children to adults. To bring them up in godly ways is indeed difficult but it is not impossible because God has given us the right methods in the Bible. I grow up in a society where a parent who did not spank or discipline his children is seen as a selfish parent. Today, modern philosophy gave the impression that those who spank their children are very unloving and senseless parents. Now, parents are confused.

I realized, it is because parents do not examine the Scriptural teaching. They either followed the traditions of the past (by which they were brought up by their own parents) or by the trends of the present time (which is just a surrender to pressure without conviction, an abdication of responsibility). However, Parents must have experienced already that neither “all-permissive” nor “all-authoritative” parenting works. There must be some form of discipline and corporal punishment. Ephesians 6: 4 says clearly: “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” The Bible teaches that physical discipline is appropriate, beneficial, and necessary. Here are some of the Principles for Discipline and Corporal Punishment:

1.      Chastening and love go hand in hand in Scripture. God, the ultimate Parent, chastens those He loves when one goes astray. We should also do the same with our own children. Hebrews 12:6 “For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.”

2.      Spanking must be painful and timely (Hebrews 12:6). We don't pretend that certain aspects of discipline don't hurt. The word 'chastise' is very strong and indicates that at times, chastisement needs to be very painful to accomplish its goals. It has the idea of flogging.

3.      When spanking, we must avoid these two things: 1) spanking out of frustration or anger, and 2) the tendency to spank for every type of offense. God has not said that you must spank for every type of offense, nor has He specified which offenses require spanking. That’s what Proverbs 13:24 implies. “Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.”

4.      Discipline must be consistent. Parents must spank it on the basis of clearly defined rules, not on the feelings at that particular moment. Like police officers, we can choose to enforce God’s Moral Law on them. Proverbs 19:18 ​“Discipline your son, for there is hope; do not set your heart on putting him to death.”

5.      A clear explanation for spanking must be made known to Children or the reason for the punishment, and your expectations for their future behavior. The discomfort of swift consequences helps a young child associate the offense and the painful result. Rom 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Prov. 13:15 “Good sense wins favor, but the way of the treacherous is their ruin.”

6.      Focus on positive behavior rather than directing negative attitudes toward children. The end goal is to produce children that love and respect God and others. The doctrine of depravity tells us that they do not need help developing more self-esteem! They need encouragement to grow in humility and servanthood. Since as sinners, we’re all rebellious at heart, kids need to learn submission to proper authority as a part of godliness. Ephesians 4:24 “and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.”

7.      Disciplining should never lead to actual physical damage. It should not cause lasting pain or permanent scar. The rod is just one part of the correction process. We can use other tactics like a restriction of liberties, rebuking, distraction, and other things to work in conjunction with using the rod. Proverbs 23:13 “Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you strike him with a rod, he will not die.”

8.      Start disciplining early on. Settling the authority issue with the small child can prevent many problems later. Corporal Punishment helps develop respect for authorities and self-control so that the child can reach their full potential as a human being. Without this discipline, the child will become a victim of his own evil tendencies. Ecclesiastes 8:11 “Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed quickly, therefore the hearts of the sons of men are given fully to evil.”

9.      It should not be excessive. It should be balanced with instruction. Spanking should never be the objective of Christian parenting; it is one of many tools with which to achieve biblical principles in bringing up the child. Ephesians 6:4 “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”

10. Spanking or Corporal Punishment should not be avoided. If a parent hesitates to discipline his child, he also has a problem with God. Because God chastises whom he loves. This displays His interest in our well-being. The parent shows love in doing so. Proverbs 23:13-14 “Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you strike him with a rod, he will not die. If you strike him with the rod, you will save his soul from Sheol.” Hebrews 12:11 says, “All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.” Also, Deuteronomy 8:5-6 says, “Know then in your heart that, as a man disciplines his son, the LORD your God disciplines you. So you shall keep the commandments of the LORD your God by walking in his ways and by fearing him.”

In Conclusion: Parents need to learn from God, our Father, how to discipline. If children are precious, then parents need to consistently follow these principles. Parents should also continually build close relationships with children. Parents need to remove all the things that become barriers between parents and children in order to imitate our heavenly Father who exercises both His authority and love.

Block Diagramming: Ephesians 6:10-12

Water, Muskmelon, and the Gospel under the Summer Sun

I live on the top floor of one of the tallest buildings on my street. Yesterday, Derabassi was hot like any day with 41°C. I spent my day indoors with a cooler listening to Shepherds’ Conference 2020 Messages. At 3:00 PM, water use to come from a government water supply, so, I went down to a ground floor to put the motor on. It happened to be the hottest hour of the day (02:00-05:00 PM) as the sun had heated up everything on earth.

under construction

The moment I put the motor on, a migrant (construction) worker came running to my gate with a jug. He was a young man like me, but he looked very energetic and lively. I could see from his eyes that he was expecting favor from me, but because I couldn’t think of any way to be of any help I stared at him and said, “Kya chahiye? (What do you want?)” He said, “Pani (water).” I couldn’t believe what he had said because the opposite of my gate is a Hindu Temple with a water tap for devotees to wash their hands. And all the construction workers and vendors usually stop by to not only wash their faces but to quench their thirst. I couldn’t understand why this young man would want the same water from my tap and not from there. Moreover, at that time, the water hadn’t come to my tap, so I ignored him and told him to get from the temple.

Then he said, “That water is very hot!” It suddenly dawned on me that he was seeking cool water from my refrigerator. At the same time, I realized I should have been more kind and gentle to him in my response. I remembered a friend of mine, brother Liju who is the most gentle and kind person I ever know. Certainly, he wouldn’t respond as I did. And surely not my Lord Jesus Christ.  So, I said “Thike! (Sure).” I was heavy with conviction, so, I decided to give him all the cool water he needed. He looked very happy. And I was convicted all the more. 

drinking water inside the fridge

However, we, human beings are complicated creatures. We can have a godly sorrow in one thing which leads to good works and at the same time, we can be having another thought about some other thing in not so godly manner. As I was climbing stairs to get the water, it occurred to me that I had to climb up all the stairs to my room and get down to give him water. So, I thought, “Why do I need to wear myself? Let him do for himself. Giving cool water is good enough already. Is it not? He can still be grateful!” I told him to follow me. On the midway, I realized his feet and clothes were very dirty. It was not a time to regret it. Too late! At first, he hesitated to step into my room, but he did and I offered him to quench his thirst and filled his jug. He was very relieved. Apparently, he had been waiting for cool water for quite some time. When he heard me putting the motor on, he decided to not miss the chance of asking for it. Indeed, I would be locked in my room listening to H.B. Charles Jr. for another hour.

Muskmelons

He hurried down the stairs in gladness. Seeing him very glad, I wanted to do more good things for him. I remembered the Muskmelon I kept for one of my church members who would be coming to my room in the evening for a book study. I thought, “I can give to my church member some other day. Let me give away for this guy.” I looked down the stair to stop him, but he was running down the stairs. Three times the word “Ruko (wait)” was on the tip of my tongue as I tried to catch his attention, but he was in a hurry. So, I didn’t mutter, couldn’t able to give away. Then I saw him running to his friends and it was a great sight, seeing them quenching their thirst. But I turned my face away quickly and headed back to my room because I couldn’t face the reality that I could and should have helped them like that from before especially if such tiny acts of kindness can be of huge significance. [Readers do well to remember Matthew 25:31-46]

Many thoughts came to my mind. Tomorrow, what should I do? Should I offer them before they ask? But will they need it? Maybe they will get it from other neighbors. Perhaps, they have more money than I do, and I shouldn’t underestimate (or pity) them unwittingly. But, should I tell them that they can always get cool water from me as long as they are working on my street? I, being not fluent in Hindi, decided to say nothing more. After all, I would not hesitate to help them in the morrow should they want again.

Spurgeon, Lloyd Jones, and Bonhoeffer

Another thought invaded my mind, “What’s the difference between that young man and me? Why was he working so cheerfully with a song played on his phone under the summer sun when I wasn’t able to even stay indoors without a cooler?” In fact, he looked happier, livelier, healthier, stronger, and younger. I thought, “He is more useful to society than I am. But why does my landlord honor me and treat that young man not in an honorable way? Is it because of what I do? Is it because I have a college degree? Or is it because I pay my rent fees to him?” I was thinking about respect, honor, and dignity in a society where there are strata of social classes. Sure, he and I are the same, alike, created in the image of God. I am no dearer to God than him, and he is no sinful than I am. He is an equally important and beloved image-bearer of God. The only difference is the gift of renewed life I receive in Christ. 

“It doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do it without the gospel. It means we need more evangelists and missionaries than billionaires and entrepreneurs.”

Social classes, status, professions, wealth, colors, education, ethnicity, gender, physical fitness, nothing matters if we do not know Christ. Also, helping poorer people, doing good deeds to the needy, all philanthropic acts, all of charity, mercy, and kindness without the gospel truth is incomplete. It doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do it without the gospel. It means we need more evangelists and missionaries than billionaires and entrepreneurs. Surely, we can’t fix the world. There will always be poor people. There will always be injustices, sufferings and evils in this world. We cannot save the world from these things, but surely we can proclaim the news of deliverance from sin and the wrath to come, which is a better solution and better news for anyone and everyone on planet earth. All these thoughts came and also settled in my mind within a few seconds.

I reached my room and sat down on the chair and resumed listening to the sermon I was listening to. My mind was occupied with this incident but I must practice self-control. As soon as I finished the sermon, I began to start typing on my laptop. Then the phone rang. It was the church member coming to study a book with me. After an hour of discussion about a chapter of that book, we had Muskmelon. As I was cutting it into pieces Galatians 6:10 kept coming to my mind, “. . . especially to those who are of the household of faith.”  After all, the Muskmelon is with someone who belongs to the household of faith. 

Block Diagramming Ephesians 5:1-2

Book Application: Christ-Centered Preaching – Redeeming The Expository Sermon

We can do a lot with a book after we have read it.  We can talk about it, we can write about it, we can promote it, or we can even lament for having wasted our time. While I was in a Seminary, we were assigned to read a lot of books in a very limited time with a requirement to write a book review for some, a book summary for some, and a book application for some. I enjoyed writing Book Application because whenever I was writing, I thought through what to apply it in my life and ministry. Actually, reading a book application is always edifying. A Book Review often contains both commendation and criticism. A Book Summary summarizes the contents of the book. A Book Application reveals the effects of the books on a reader. I am of the opinion that many should read and write a Book Application, not just a review or a summary. Here is the Book Application I wrote for this book of Bryan Chapell when I first read it 5 years ago. I am sure, I would write a different one when I reread again, now, especially after listening to the lectures of Dr. Abner Chou critiquing the Christo-centric hermeneutics applied in this book.

TOP 10 THINGS I LEARN FROM BRYAN CHAPELL’S BOOK

“CHRIST-CENTERED PREACHING – REDEEMING THE EXPOSITORY SERMON”

2^nd February 2015, Sancoale, Goa, India

1.      “When preachers perceive the power that the Word holds, confidence in their calling grows even as pride in their performance withers.” (p. 18). “Neglect of prayer signals serious deficiencies in a ministry even if other signs of success have not diminished.” (p. 21)

Ø  These two lines show me to focus on the study of the word of God and prayer. When these are strong, nothing shall discourage me. On the other hand, negligence of these will cost the ministry dear sooner or later, how effective the moment may seem.

2.      “Statements of truth, even biblical truth, do not automatically make a message for the pulpit. Well-constructed sermons require unity, purpose, and application.” (p. 30)

Ø  This statement is really practical for the ministry of preaching. It challenges me to go beyond understanding the text for myself and to present it to everyone.

3.      “The Fallen Condition Focus (FCF) is the mutual human condition that contemporary believers share with those to or about whom the text was written that requires the grace of the passage for God’s people to glorify and enjoy him.” (p. 35)

Ø  I realize that finding FCF will be one of the most effective methods to prepare for a sermon. Moreover, that would be like a bait to the ears of the hearers when emphasized in the introduction.

4.      “Mere lectures are pre-sermons because they dispense information about a text without relevant application from the text that helps listeners understand their obligations to Christ and his ministry to them.” (p. 39). “Preachers who cannot answer ‘so what?’ will preach to a ‘who cares?’” (p. 40)

Ø  The difference between a teacher and a pastor, both in terms of preparation and shepherding.

5.       “The application of the sermon is not merely an appendage to the discussion or a subordinate part of it, but is the main thing to be done.” (P. 62). “However, these traditional categories can damage expository preaching if preachers do not see that explanation, illustration, and application are all essential components of opening and unfolding the meaning of a text. Explanation answers the question, What does this text say? Illustration responds to, Show me what the text says. Application answers, What does the text mean to me? Ordinarily, each component has a vital role in establishing listeners’ full understanding of a text.” (p. 66). “Preachers once posted this reduction of the preaching task in their studies: Preach Reach Each.” (p. 69)

Ø  The component of Exposition is well-written in these 3 statements. Nothing to be taken lightly. Moreover, the “PREach” is quite informative and beneficial for sermon preparation.

6.      1. State the truth. 2. Place the truth. 3. Prove the truth (p. 93)

Ø  Perhaps, one of the most logical way to make a point in an outline. However, it may take me time to catch up very well.

7.      “The bottom line for structure simply requires that all expository sermons have F-O-R-M. Every outline should be: Faithful to the text. Obvious from the text. Related to a Fallen Condition Focus. Moving toward a climax.” (p.129)

Ø  Another insight for preparing a sermon. Easy to remember, yet broad in its understanding.

8.      “Thus, John Broadus, the father of modern expository preaching, declares, “Application is the main thing to be done.” (p. 167). “The application of an expository sermon, however, is not complete until the pastor has disclosed the grace in the text that rightly motivates obedience.” (p. 174)

Ø  Applications to be very effective for each one, which is doable. And there should be motivation for it, in the grace of God

9.      “Maybe there are those who enjoy developing the universal sermon, the one that can be preached everywhere and anywhere, that has a quality of being timeless. But as far as I am concerned, everywhere and anywhere really means nowhere; and those who strive to be timeless, are usually, simply not very timely.… The particular is higher than the universal.” (p. 178). “In application, preachers pour out their hearts. Without application, preachers have difficulty preaching with fervor.” (p. 184)

Ø  The whole chapter of “Application” convicts me that a preacher should take seriously of applications in a sermon. It’s true that a sermon with applications shows the integrity of the preacher, and the shepherding spirit he has for the flock.

10. “A message that merely advocates morality and compassion remains sub-Christian even if the preacher can prove that the Bible demands such behaviors.” (p. 215). “However well intended, these sermons present a faith indistinguishable from that of morally conscientious Muslims, Unitarians, Buddhists, or Hindus.” (p. 231)

Ø  The difference between the world and the church. The difference between true transformation and superficial behavior modification. Yes, almost every religion is moralistic. The exclusivity of the Christian Gospel makes Christianity differs from other religions. And that must be preached all the time, for us to be worthy to bear the name of Christian.