Devotional: Giving and Doing Things from the heart for God in Exodus 35:4-29

This will be a busy weekend of ministry for me (youth group on Saturday morning, Berkhof sytematic theology in the evening, still prepping for Sunday sermon and also servant meeting at church for Sunday).

Here’s a quick devotional from my family Bible study lesson this week from the book of Exodus.  I think the Old Testament has so much amazing truth from God, Christians shouldn’t just only read the New Testament!

Let’s look at Exodus 35:4-29:

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Bible Contradiction? Did Paul go to Jerusalem immediately after his conversion?

 

For today’s post we will tackle the question the Skeptic Annotated Bible asked: Did Paul go to Jerusalem immediately after his conversion?

Here are the two answers which the skeptic believes shows a Bible contradiction:

Yes

“When he came to Jerusalem, he tried repeatedly to associate with the disciples; and yet they were all afraid of him, as they did not believe that he was a disciple.” (Acts 9:26)

No

“to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with flesh and blood, 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went away to Arabia, and returned once more to Damascus.” (Galatians 1:16-17)

(All Scriptural quotation comes from the New American Standard Bible)

Here’s a closer look at whether or not there is a contradiction:

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Bible Contradiction? Were the men with Paul knocked to the ground?

 

For today’s post we will tackle the question the Skeptic Annotated Bible asked: Were the men with Paul knocked to the ground?

Here are the two answers which the skeptic believes shows a Bible contradiction:

Yes, they fell to the ground.

“And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew dialect, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’” (Acts 26:14)

No, they remained standing.

“The men who traveled with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one.” (Acts 9:7)

(All Scriptural quotation comes from the New American Standard Bible)

Here’s a closer look at whether or not there is a contradiction:

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Marveling that the Word can be Practical and also Deep

I am about to preach for a parenting conference in less than an hour.  It will be several sessions and I’m excited.

It got me thinking about my teaching ministry this week and an observation with the Word of God.

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Apologetics Sermon Illustration #82: Bad reasons to call 911 and thoughts on what’s one’s worldview’s understanding of one’s greatest problem

GO TO PART 81

Point: Everyone has a worldview.  Different worldviews also understand differently what’s  man’s biggest problem.  Of course what is seen as the greatest problem will shape what one thinks should be the solution (if any).  I think a helpful evangelistic and apologetics discussion question is “What do you think is the biggest problem in the world today?” and chances are someone would identify what’s a legitimate problem (though not always); yet what they think is a dire problem might not be the biggest problem from God’s perspective.  

How can we transition that point to sharing the Biblical worldview and also give an analogy for the nonbelievers to “step into the biblical worldview” and have the point driven home?

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Bible Contradiction? Is it OK to curse people?

 

For today’s post we will tackle the question the Skeptic Annotated Bible asked: Is it OK to curse people?

Here are the two answers which the skeptic believes shows a Bible contradiction:

Do not curse anyone.

“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.” (Romans 12:14)

No

“If anyone does not love the Lord, he is to be accursed. Maranatha!” (1 Corinthians 16:22)

“But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! 9 As we have said before, even now I say again: if anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!” (Galatians 1:8-9)

(All Scriptural quotation comes from the New American Standard Bible)

Here’s a closer look at whether or not there is a contradiction:

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The More I know about the Bible, the more questions I ask when I read the Bible

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

I noticed something over the years: The More I know about the Bible, the more questions I ask when I read the Bible.

I don’t mean questioning the Bible (as in I doubt the veracity of the Word of God).

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Bible Contradiction? Should we try to please others?

 

 

For today’s post we will tackle the question the Skeptic Annotated Bible asked: Should we try to please others?

Here are the two answers which the skeptic believes shows a Bible contradiction:

Yes

“Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification.” (Romans 15:2)

“just as I also please everyone in all things, not seeking my own benefit but the benefit of the many, so that they may be saved.” (1 Corinthians 10:33)

No

“For am I now seeking the favor of people, or of God? Or am I striving to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.” (Galatians 1:10)

(All Scriptural quotation comes from the New American Standard Bible)

Here’s a closer look at whether or not there is a contradiction:

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Bible Contradiction? Did Paul see Jesus on the road to Damascus?

 

For today’s post we will tackle the question the Skeptic Annotated Bible asked: Did Paul see Jesus on the road to Damascus?

Here are the two answers which the skeptic believes shows a Bible contradiction:

Yes

“Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord?” (1 Corinthians 9:1)

“and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also.” (1 Corinthians 15:8)

No, he was blind and “saw no man.”

“Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; and leading him by the hand, they brought him into Damascus.” ( Acts 9:8)

(All Scriptural quotation comes from the New American Standard Bible)

Here’s a closer look at whether or not there is a contradiction:

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Matthew 2:16, King Herod and Skeptic’s Argument from Silence

 

Matthew 2:16 states:

Then when Herod saw that he had been tricked by the magi, he became very enraged, and sent men and killed all the boys who were in Bethlehem and all its vicinity [a]who were two years old or under, according to the time which he had determined from the magi.

The Skeptic Annotated Bible thinks there’s problems with this verse.  In their own words:

Herod kills all boys in and around Bethlehem that are two years old and under. Such a massacre would certainly have been noted by contemporary historians. Yet not even Josephus, who documented Herod’s life in detail, mentioned this event

Here’s my response:

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Review: 1 & 2 Kings: A Commentary for Biblical Preaching and Teaching

David Schreiner. 1 & 2 Kings: A Commentary for Biblical Preaching and Teaching.  Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications, August 16th 2022. 320 pp.

5 out of 5

Purchase:  Amazon

Is there a part of the Bible you wished you had a better grasp on?  The last few years I realized I need to give better study to 1-2 Kings and I imagine many Christians might feel the same way about this part of the Bible.  Fortunately there’s a resource that can help Christians go through 1-2 Kings and filled with insights and observation from the biblical text itself while also giving the occasional background information and original language observation.  This commentary not only has exegetical observations but also sections that are geared towards preaching and teaching.  This dual feature is the key characteristic of this Bible commentary series called “Kerux Commentaries” which is published by Kregel Publications.  The book actually has two authors, with the exegetical portions by Old Testament professor David Schreiner and the homiletical portion by a pastor name Lee Compson. 

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Bible Contradiction? What must a congregation do if it sins through ignorance?

 

For today’s post we will tackle the question the Skeptic Annotated Bible asked: What must a congregation do if it sins through ignorance?

Here are the two answers which the skeptic believes shows a Bible contradiction:

Kill a young bull.

“‘Now if the entire congregation of Israel does wrong unintentionally and the matter [a]escapes the notice of the assembly, and they commit any of the [b]things which the Lord has commanded not to be done, and they become guilty; 14 when the sin [c]which they have [d]committed becomes known, then the assembly shall offer a [e]bull of the herd as a sin offering and bring it in front of the tent of meeting. 15 Then the elders of the congregation shall lay their hands on the head of the bull before the Lord, and the bull shall be slaughtered before the Lord. 16 Then the anointed priest is to bring some of the blood of the bull to the tent of meeting; 17 and the priest shall dip his finger in the blood and sprinkle it seven times before the Lord, in front of the veil. 18 He shall then put some of the blood on the horns of the altar which is before the Lord [f]in the tent of meeting; and all the rest of the blood he shall pour out at the base of the altar of burnt offering which is at the doorway of the tent of meeting. 19 And he shall remove all its fat from it and offer it up in smoke on the altar. 20 He shall also do with the bull just as he did with the bull of the sin offering; he shall do the same with it. So the priest shall make atonement for them, and they will be forgiven. 21 Then he is to bring the bull out to a place outside the camp and burn it just as he burned the first bull; it is the sin offering for the assembly.” (Leviticus 4:13-21)

Kill a young bull and a young goat.

“then it shall be, if it is done unintentionally, [a]without the knowledge of the congregation, that all the congregation shall offer one bull as a burnt offering, as a soothing aroma to the Lord, with its grain offering and its drink offering, according to the ordinance, and one male goat as a sin offering. 25 Then the priest shall make atonement for all the congregation of the sons of Israel, and they will be forgiven; for it was an unintentional wrong, and they have brought their offering, an offering by fire to the Lord, and their sin offering before the Lord, for their unintentional wrong. 26 So all the congregation of the sons of Israel will be forgiven, as well as the stranger who resides among them, for guilt was attributed to all the people through an unintentional wrong.” (Numbers 15:24-26)

(All Scriptural quotation comes from the New American Standard Bible)

Here’s a closer look at whether or not there is a contradiction:

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Bible Contradiction? How many of Senaah’s offspring returned from Babylon?

 

For today’s post we will tackle the question the Skeptic Annotated Bible asked: How many of Senaah’s offspring returned from Babylon?

Here are the answers which the skeptic believes indicate a Bible contradiction:

3630

“the sons of Senaah, 3,630.” (Ezra 2:35)

3930

“the sons of Senaah, 3,930.” (Nehemiah 7:38)

(All Scriptural quotation comes from the New American Standard Bible)

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Review: Narrow Gate Narrow Way

 

Paul Washer. Narrow Gate Narrow Way.  Grand Rapids: Reformation Heritage Books, April 27, 2020. 53 pp.

5 out of 5

Purchase: Amazon

Do you need a book that will preach the Gospel to someone who maybe grew up in the Church and need to be awaken with the seriousness of sin and the importance of trusting in Christ?  Usually for evangelistic purposes I like something that is short, to the point and yet brings conviction of sin while preaching the Gospel and turning readers attention to Christ.  This book by Paul Washer fits the bill.  It is a call to repentance; it is a call to trust in the living God and believe in the Gospel of grace!

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Review: A Christian’s Pocket Guide to the Papacy: Its Origin and Role in the 21st Century

Note: Thanks Tom for letting me know about this author and book.

Leonardo De Chirico. A Christian’s Pocket Guide to the Papacy: Its Origin and Role in the 21st Century. Ross-Shire, UK: Christian Focus Publications, March 20th 2015. 128 pp.

5 out of 5

Purchase: Westminster | Amazon

Are you looking for a book that summarizes a biblical look at the Roman Catholic Pope and also the history of the papacy?  I would recommend this book.  Written by an author who wrote his doctoral dissertation on Roman Catholicism, the book takes a Protestant perspective and he is balance and fair and more importantly he is biblical and Gospel centered.  The author Leonardo De Chirico is a pastor in Rome and the director of the Reformed Initiative which aims to equip Protestants to better understand and engage with Roman Catholicism.  I am also glad that Christian Focus published this book since these days it seems new books addressing Roman Catholicism biblically is rare (this book was published 2015).  

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