Archive for the 'Bible Studies for Life' Category
Jesus is More Powerful Than Our Fears
Do you remember your wedding vows? Remember promising faithfulness in sickness and health, joy and sorrow? If you’ve never said those vows, you’ve probably heard them.
Most who make those promises have no idea what they are getting themselves into. The innocence of married bliss and the fog of romance often keep newlyweds from thinking about the realities life can bring. Needless to say, it isn’t all sunshine and roses.
When Things Change
Sometimes life may seem the same way. We have grandiose plans from college to retirement, with little thought of anything slowing them down. Then, life sets in, and, like a spouse who didn’t pay attention to the vows, things change.
We may not have exchanged vows with life, but we still deal with sickness, health, joy, sorrow, richer, poorer, and the rest; Job loss, being sandwiched between growing kids and ailing parents, going back to school, dropping out of school. So many things don’t go as we thought they would. For many people, these unexpected changes bring fear. Fear comes with the unknown.
When Bad Days Come
Tony Evans reminds us in Bible Studies for Life, “We can expect bad days, weeks, and even months. They come with living on a fallen earth with fallen humanity as a fallen child of the King. But we’re never to define peace by our circumstances. That’s because we have a far better source for peace–and for courage. In fact, it’s the only true Source.”1
In John chapter 16, Jesus reveals to His disciples the coming of the Holy Spirit and what it would mean for them when He left. He knew they would be fearful at times, not always certain of what to do in His absence. In verse 33, Jesus said, “I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world” (HCSB).
Then, Peace Comes
Jesus knows the kinds of surprises, changes, and hurtful things we will experience in our lives. He experienced persecution and trauma, and we will as well. Yet, we can experience the very same peace He has as the Prince of Peace. In another verse He says, “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Your heart must not be troubled or fearful.”2
And, lest we think these promises are for the Apostles only, we can turn to the epistles and see they are also for us. Paul wrote to the church at Rome, “The God of peace be with all of you. Amen.”3 He also encouraged the Ephesians to keep “the unity of the Spirit with the peace that binds us.”4 The writer of Hebrews said, “Pursue peace with everyone,”5 while James reminds us, “The fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who cultivate peace.”6
We also should not forget most of the epistles opened and/or ended with prayers or greetings of peace, specifically God’s peace.
Though life may not bring what we expect at every turn, we need not live in fear. Jesus gives peace like no other, and in Him we can fully trust.
Yours for the Great Commission,
Ronnie W. Floyd
Senior Pastor, Cross Church General Editor, Bible Studies for Life President, Southern Baptist Convention
References
1– Bible Studies for Life, Like No Other, Tony Evans
2-John 14:27
3-Romans 15:33
4-Ephesians 4:3
5-Hebrews 12:14
6-James 3:18
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.
A Beginning Like No Other
Many parents have some kind of odd childbirth story. A long labor. A short labor. A fainting father. An overly exuberant grandparent. A child born at home, in the car, or just after arriving at the hospital.
Childbirth is a wonderful and amazing thing.
Jesus was Robed With Humanity
The birth of Jesus Christ was different from any before, and different from any since. He was not the result of two 1st century, Middle Eastern parents. In a unique miracle, Jesus was conceived in the womb of a virgin girl by the power of God. As Tony Evans has written, “His was a birth like no other–like nothing else in history–for in Him God was robed with humanity.”1
There are three things unique about the birth of Jesus that demonstrates He is like no other: His birth was prophesied, His birth was announced, His birth was accomplished.
Jesus Fulfills Prophecy
The Old Testament prophets foretold the coming of Christ in many ways. Isaiah talked about the virginity of His mother (7:14). Jeremiah wrote of His lineage from David (23:5). Micah mentioned Bethlehem as his birthplace (5:1-2). Isaiah also prophesied that Jesus would have a predecessor (40:3-5), who we now know was John the Baptist. The details and fulfillments of these prophecies are unique in history.
Jesus’ Arrival Announced
Jesus birth was also like no other in the way it was announced. Jesus was not the only birth announced by an angel, but He was the only one announced as the Son of God. Luke records the angel’s words to Mary, “Now listen: You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will call His name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.”2
Jesus is Reality
Last, Jesus’ birth was accomplished. That is, all of the prophecies were realized, Mary gave birth, and the Son of God entered the world. Matthew records the moment simply, “When Joseph got up from sleeping, he did as the Lord’s angel had commanded him. He married her but did not know her intimately until she gave birth to a son. And he named Him Jesus.”3 The King of Glory has entered the world! This is not a myth; it is reality.
Jesus is the Living Savior
What does this birth like no other mean? It means a new way of living for followers of Jesus. We do not adhere to the teachings of a mere rabbi from the first century A.D. We do not claim one of many moral codes generated from various religions. We follow a living savior whose unique birth began a sinless life and substitutionary death and a victorious resurrection.
“The baby born of a virgin came not only to live and to die, but to reign. Through Jesus, God has set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed or abandoned. His kingdom and reign will last forever.”
Yes, His beginning is like no other. He is the One who was, who is, and is to come!
Yours for the Great Commission,
Ronnie W. Floyd
Senior Pastor, Cross Church General Editor, Bible Studies for Life President, Southern Baptist ConventionReferences
1–Bible Studies for Life, Like No Other, Tony Evans
2-Luke 2:31-33, Holman Christian Standard Bible
3-Matthew 1:24-25, HCSB
4–Bible Studies for Life, Like No Other, Tony Evans
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.