Find the Light

The Bible - It's Origin and History by Lindsay Aitcheson

2009-06-30T02:31:00.000-07:00

John Chapter 2 by Rodney Bowen

2009-05-21T22:39:00.000-07:00

listen to the article at findthelight.org...

A Word in Season by Andrew Brown

2009-05-21T22:35:00.000-07:00

The times and seasons are significant. Let us lift up our heads and read them for they speak of our redemption, which draweth nigh.

Meanwhile while we wait the times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord, what manner of people ought we to be in our behaviour and attitude?

The Truth in our hands has a constant urgent message to watch and pray that we might be prepared. There is no room for complacency as the Apostle Paul states regarding the times and season for he says that that day will come as a thief in the night to all those who sleep, but not to the saints of light who watch and are sober. While God is longsuffering with the World we are sojourning in, we are afforded time or opportunity to grow in the Truth or put right what may be wrong for this is the Day of Atonement or Salvation to make it sure.

Time is to be redeemed for it is given that we might work out our salvation showing ourselves workmen that needeth not to be ashamed but rightly dividing the word of truth. The coming together each first day of the week, is a good opportunity for renewing our strength for the conflict in which we are all engaged. May we then use this occasion to edify ourselves by self-examination. One thing we do well to contemplate is that we are all equal in terms of what God has given each person.

We all have the same hope and therefore opportunity. Also we have all been given the same time whether we are rich or poor, Old or Young, Learned or Unlearned, time travels the same speed for all. How do each of us use this commodity? For an answer to this Question let us take the interval since our last breaking of bread, as we assemble each 1st day.

We have had a six-day battle. Six days of common experience to man in this evil state. Six days of mortal occupation mixed with care and watchfulness and endurance. Now these six days are gone never to return and we are this day looking back upon them to sit in judgment upon them.

How do they look? Each of us must make that survey for themselves.There will come a day when the whole of our life will be in the rear in the same way. When there will be a gathering of a great multitude when the question for consideration will be that the account will be closed and the review of our past is analysed for a decision. But at the present moment our review of the past is useful in helping us to change the position of the account if need be.

Have the past six days all been what we could wished them to be? It is impossible at present that our days can ever be entirely what we should desire just because of the nature of things. We all share human nature as Paul confessed in saying the things I would do I do not. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. Forgiveness is available if we haven't engaged in wilful sin.

In the last six days did we walk in faith for whatsoever is not in faith is sin Paul said. Could our faith be stronger helping us in our conflict to overcome. For it is to him who overcomes are the promises made. How then are we to overcome? Apostle John gives us the answer. This is the victory that overcometh the World even our faith.

How is faith derived? Paul states, "Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. Therefore the most valuable advice that can be given to all those anxious about salvation is to give themselves to the reading of the Word. Jesus said the Words that I speak unto you they are Spirit and they are Life. Therefore as much as the Words of Jesus are in us the Spirit and the Life of the Truth is in us."

We cannot recall or alter the six days that are gone. They have taken their place in the record of our past on Jesus diary. But the six days to come are ours in a certain sense. What does wisdom say, redeem the time because the days are evil. Do not walk as fools but walk circumspectly.

The Apostle Paul lays down a doctrine of obedience. Doctrine means teaching, and Paul speaks to us in Titus saying, Teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world. Looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. If we remember these precepts and obey them, when our life is reviewed by Jesus we will be able to give an answer of a good conscience, having confidence and not be ashamed before him at his coming.

From now on, then let Paul's Policy in life be Our Policy in Life. Which was to him and is to us, he says therefore in Philippians 3:14 "I press towards the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." As a good soldier we march on in the conflict in which we are engaged. We have to be prepared for battle. The Apostle Paul lists the equipment needeth in our spiritual warfare to be successful in conquering and overcoming sin in its many forms.

Let us consider the spiritual armour that is necessary to fight a good fight of faith.The List is given in Ephesians 6:14-17. Stand therefore having your loins girt about with truth. Anything covering our loins covers our shame, thus nothing but the truth can cover our spiritual shame. As sinners we are in a state of shame before God. The Truth intelligently believed and heartily upheld covers our shame. Anything but the Truth is a fig leaf device and is not what God requires to be acceptable to him.

Breast Plate of righteousness.The Breastplate covers the heart. The heart of the Truth is righteousness, it is the centre permeating throughout all the parts.We must guard against unrighteousness.

Righteousness must be the basis of all things in the Truth, the centre or heart of the Truth.

Our Feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of Peace. Our Feet move us in a certain direction, that direction must be towards the Kingdom, which is the Gospel message of peace.

Let us always be shod with the Gospel message that we might be constantly moving towards that great destiny revealed in the Gospels joyful sound.

Shield of Faith to shield away the fiery darts of the wicked. Our faith is to withstand all what may come our way. Our faith will shield away all what may injure us protecting our life in the Truth.

Helmet of Salvation is the reason or motive, which directs all our actions. So if we think always of our salvation our actions will follow accordingly.

Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God. The Word is our Spiritual weapon even shaper than any two edged sword. But this weapon is of little use if we are unskilled in its use. The Apostle Paul tells us how to become skilful with God's Word in 2nd Timothy 2:5. He states "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of Truth."

The Apostle Paul concludes his list of armour by saying to be always; Praying and watching with all perseverance.Paul elsewhere states that no man that is engaged in this conflict against sin entangleth himself with the affairs of this life that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. Let us constantly be on our guard for our enemy never sleeps, sin is in all its manifestations.

Paul at the end declared I have fought a good fight. Jesus is styled the captain or commander of our salvation who fought the greatest fight. Let Paul's words of counsel ever serve to strengthen us each day. Ephesians 6:10-13.

Finally friends be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand.

read article at findthelight.org...

Faith by Alan Brown

2009-05-21T22:31:00.000-07:00

The prophet Amos spoke to Israel saying "Prepare to meet thy God O Israel." This message had to be constantly repeated throughout the history of Israel as it was by the prophets, then by Jesus who was sent by God as God's final appeal to his nation until Jesus returns. The same message applies to us as modern-day Israel. "Prepare to meet our God."

The Apostle John puts the same message this way, "Beloved now are we the sons of God and it doth not yet appear what we shall be but we know that when he shall appear we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is. Every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself even as he is pure." 1 John 3:2.

We are no different to Israel. We need the prophet's message. We need the voice of Jesus to counsel us unto obedience and righteousness. It is how well we respond to their voice that dictates our spiritual condition. Paul stated that "all things that were written a foretime were written for our learning that we, through patience and comfort of the scripture, might have hope." Now it is how well our learning of scripture is that determines our patience, our comfort, and our hope in the truth. If we do not learn from what is written, then we will not learn patience, we will not receive comfort, and we will not be strong in the hope - all essential ingredients to enter the Kingdom.

Thus again the prophet said, "My people perish through lack of knowledge." Understanding the will of God is the first step. Then the right application of knowledge is wisdom therefore let wisdom be at our right hand, at the doors of our heart to lead us unto life. For if we love wisdom we hate darkness or death. But contrary, as Proverbs 8:36 says if we hate wisdom we love death. Again, "wisdom excelleth folly as far as light excelleth darkness." Ecclesiastes 2:13.

We know Israel's history makes sad reading as a nation. Their backsliding, their spiritual bankruptcy and consequently their suffering.

The Apostle Paul draws from their history powerful lessons, e.g. Hebrews 4:1-2 "Let us therefore fear, lest a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. For unto us was the Gospel preached, as well as unto them but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it." Here Paul is warning us that it is our faith that determines our success spiritually. He says the Gospel was preached to Israel yet they did not receive it with faith and they fell short of the promise. John says it is our faith that enables us to overcome the world. How strong is our faith? Israel's faith was weak. Our faith can become weak because we can allow many faith-robbing obstacles weaken our hold on eternal life. Hold fast, stand firm in the faith - is our responsibility.

Israel's mistake was chiefly becoming more involved with the heathen nations around them. Is the threat any less, for us living in a world, which "knows not God nor desires a knowledge of His ways?"

We are told to come out from among them and be separate, keeping ourselves unspotted from the world, being found blameless. Are we different from the world? Are we a friend of the world? We must examine ourselves constantly to walk worthy of our high calling. Let us do an assessment of our spiritual standing before God in the world in which we live, eg, if we were convicted as a Christian or follower of Jesus, would there be hard evidence to prove that in fact we live as we have been called in the truth, ie, to be separate, and to be spiritually minded? Would witnesses who would be called forward to testify about us say they could see no difference in us from others in this world? Or would they say that these people are different? They talk about spiritual things, they have spiritual goals, affections and values, and they don't live for the present but prepare for the future return of Jesus.

We profess to follow the truth. Are we honouring God among men? What message are we sending to others around us? We know God is our judge but as others see us is a general assessment of our spiritual condition. Let us remember the Laodicean ecclesia had become so engrossed in the world and its ambitions, thus becoming a friend of the world, that Jesus considered them spiritually bankrupt. Let us adopt the same attitude as Nehemiah when he was invited to leave God's work to participate in other matters outside the truth. He said, "I am doing a great work. I cannot come down. Why should I leave God's work and serve others?" This is a perfect answer to all our resisters and things that distract us in the truth. Nehemiah only succeeded because he put God first. God therefore helped him against all odds. He completed the wall in 52 days not 53 days or more. Nehemiah had resistance within and without. The nation of Israel was the ecclesia. Each member was in what could be a divine university, where their work was assessed by God as a fail or a pass. Nehemiah had many obstacles to endure but faithfully endured in God's work. It is written in chapter 3:5 of certain members "putting not their necks to the work." This is equivalent to armchair Christadelphians. We all have a part to play, a job to do in the body of Jesus. Our pounds must increase. Our lamps well oiled, our lights will shine. The oil is the word, daily pondered, like the oil in the tabernacle to supply the light stand. Our prayers are the incense ascending to God as a sweet smell daily.

In our calling we are serving God in the Holy Place, preparing to meet God in the Most Holy Place. The priests of old had special garments to wear. We have the equivalent garment being clothed with the truth as Paul describes our "loins girt about with truth." The truth believed and obeyed covers our shame as Jesus says in the sixth vial, "Blessed is he that watcheth and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame." Revelation 16:15.

So at the eleventh hour, let us "give the more earnest heed to the things that we have heard lest at any time we should let them slip." Let us do as Paul in Titus wrote to all believers, be zealous of good works, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, live soberly, righteously and godly in this present world, looking for that blessed hope and glorious appearing of Jesus Christ.

Again in Timothy, Paul speaks "Preach the word; be instant in season out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine." "Endure afflictions, make full proof of thy ministry." "Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called." "Endure unto the end." "Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward." "Weeping may endure for the night but joy cometh in the morning." Hence a crown of righteousness will be laid up for us and we shall say "Lo this is our God, we have waited for Him. We will be glad and rejoice in His salvation." So let us now "Prepare to meet our God."

read article at findthelight.org...

Are We Allowed To Hate by Mrytle Brown

2009-02-10T00:05:00.000-08:00

In Psalm 139, David (who represented Jesus) said about the enemies of God "I hate them with a perfect hatred." And "I count them as my enemies." How can we hate and yet try to be perfect? We need to remember that our whole life under Gods law is a discipline.

Discipline is not popular; to the young it can seem to be full of very irksome restrictions, to some it can seem as though too much emphasis can be placed on small things. Yet it is more often these small things in life which make up the overall character. Each time we overcome a small thing, it makes the next triumph much easier.

We must hate all things opposed to God, just as Jesus hated the enemies of God with perfect hatred. He told them "Depart from me ye wicked men."

We too should have no company with men who deny God; we ought never to feel comfortable with them. Our lives take us among many people but we can be selective. It is possible of course to turn some enemies of God into friends, and we should try never to lose a chance, a chance word, or a good example could be just the thing.

One of the best rules in our lives is "In everything give thanks."

Can we at the end of each day thank God for all we have said or done? Could we for instance thank God that we have hurt someone's feelings? That we have wasted our employer's time? That we have turned out shoddy work? Deceived someone? Joined in rude talking or jokes with others? Of course we couldn't!

But if we had lived a day as if we were in the Lord's house, then we could thanks God for a day in which we had gained and given much happiness. How much better to thanks God for something than to constantly say "forgive me."

Perfect hatred is likely to involve us in some very searching self examination. We must remember first and foremost that we are "forgiven sinners" not righteous saints.

We have only to think of our natural tendencies that are with us all the time, idle words that are the result of indiscipline within us. They show our state of mind and when we are older we must not think that we have cleverly overcome our bad and frivolous habits, when all we have done is grown out of them. That is not overcoming.

Overcoming is what Jesus did when he resisted all temptation by the strength he had gained from always doing his father's will and praying often.

We too can gain strength through prayer, the very act of closing our eyes and speaking our inner most thoughts and asking for forgiveness is a divine arrangement for easing our hearts of the burden of sin. God arranged this long before the physiologists thought of it!

God wants us to speak to him through Jesus, but that does not relieve us of our responsibility. David wrote of God's love and care for those who trust in him, but he did not neglect to be very skilful in self defence. He did not expect God to protect him from the lion and the bear, which were ordinary hazards of his occupation as a Sheperd.

He knew it was of God that he killed Goliath, but he took his sling with him. We will never be perfect, but we can try. We must always have our weapons of the truths warfare ready, we can only do that by reading, praying, and more reading.

read article at findthelight.org...

The Hope of Israel by Myron Biernat

2009-01-28T22:52:00.000-08:00

The Mustard Seed by Myrtle Brown

2009-01-28T22:36:00.000-08:00

This seed was the least of all the seeds in the beginning, and the greatest of all the herbs at the end of its life! This is like the kingdom of God in every aspect. To an idolatrice people one old man was called from his wealthy home and given a promise of great things if he obeyed God. His neighbours must have wondered what he was up to and perhaps he had gone mad? He left all friends and all he knew, and set out with a tent, all his animals and servants to go to a land he did not know. But he was sure and as he lived among the Canaanites, quietly and confidently, that he would posses this land.

So the little mustard seed was sown in Abrahams mind, he has a real conviction that God's promises were true, and yet he lived a life of worrisome problems, full of trouble and strife until he died, never having got what was promised but to his dying day knowing that he would. Hebrews 11:8 says that he dies in faith knowing that all God said would come to pass.

Abraham now lived putting up and taking down tents where there was grass for his animals, trying to keep out of bother with the Canaanites, he worried a lot about his nephew Lot in cities he knew would not be good for him, trying to keep peace with Sarah and Hagar, getting quite old and yet having no children. He eventually lived in fear of the kings of Canaan. He has a troublesome life until he died, so he, like us, cannot enter the kingdom of God without trials.

Can you imagine the awesome surprise when Abraham rises from the grave and he sees how large his family has grown? There are now 1 in 500 people in the world a Jew, and yet he was 99 years old when he had his only son Isaac.

When first spoken about to a Gentile, the Kingdom of God was so small it was just a promise. But now, slowly as we read the scriptures and see how God treats Israel we see it growing and coming closer. We know, as Abraham, that we have to be committed to obeying his commands.

We now see the Kingdom of God, or the mustard tree, grown almost fully, and when Christ comes and rules with righteousness throughout the World, that Jews and Gentiles will be able to come under the promises given to Abraham.

They will be fulfilled with Christ and all nations will want to be with the Jew. All the birds of the field will be able to seek shade in her branches. A knowledge of the Kingdom of God is the way to know what was meant by the mustard seed.

read article at findthelight.org...

Titus 2: Christian Living by Rodney Bowen

2008-10-10T20:34:00.000-07:00

In chapter one Paul gives Titus instructions about how to organise and deal with false teachers in the Cretan ecclesias. In chapter two Paul gives Titus instructions in what to teach some of the various groups in the ecclesia. He covers older men, older women, younger women, younger men, and slaves. These five different groups would have included every Christian believer on Crete.

In chapter 1 the importance of believing and teaching 'sound' (or correct) doctrine is emphasised in contrast to following the false teachers (1:9-13). The false teachers false doctrine had affected their way of life. Paul says that these false teachers were living lives that were inconsistent with how true Christians should be living. In chapter 2 Paul emphasises the need to live good Christian lives (works) that stems from believing sound doctrine.

Believe false teaching = live in unchristian way
Believe sound teaching = live in Christian way

Similar instruction in other letters: (Ephesians 5:21-6:9; Colossians 3:18-4:1; 1 Corinthians 7:25-40)

Issues faced in Crete

Men: Lack of restraint in public behaviour, drinking, and sexual liaisons (1:12)
Women: The new Roman women with her freedoms and appetites (1 Timothy 2:9-15). Some of the consequences of this movement (somewhat akin to 'women's liberation') for females was that they had less interest in household management, they challenged the society norm of the male being the head of the household, and they played a more prominent role in parties and meals held at their homes. These changes had a direct impact on women's role in the Christian home and community.

Teaching for Older Men (2:2)

Sober: cephalous adj. "sober, temperate; lit. soberness in contrast to drunkenness" fig. it describes having complete clarity of mind and thus being able to make good judgments (1 Timothy 3:2,11).
Grave: semnos adj. "honorable, worthy of respect, serious" (Philippians 4:8; 1 Timothy 3:8,11) Generally denotes an observable bearing or demeanor that commands respect from other people. Older men are to act in a way that will lead to people respecting them.
Temperate: sophron adj. "sound-minded, self-controlled (moderate as to opinion or passion), sensible" (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:8; 2:2,5). Older men are to have a measured restraint in all things.
Sound: hugiaino vb. "to be healthy, of sound health" fig. of soundness/healthiness in the faith (Luke 5:31; 1 Timothy 1:10; 6:3; 2 Timothy 1:13; 4:3; Titus 1:9, 13; 2:1,2; etc.: adj. used Titus 2:8). And what are they to be sound/healthy in?
Faith: pistis "total trust in God - faith, belief" - a healthy or faith that is alive (someone who really believes)
Charity: agape "self sacrificing love" - a healthy love or love that is alive (for fellow brethren)
Patience: hupomone "endurance, perseverance" - a healthy or living perseverance

"Together these terms form an overlapping network of virtues that describes a life of respectability free from overindulgence, dissipation [wastefulness], and foolishness."

[Towner, p.721, 2006]

"The latter years of life, especially for men, can be filled with regrets, a sense of uselessness or worthlessness, feelings of despair, self-absorption, or even a tendency to relax moral standards because of old age. However Paul desired for the older men what he desired for himself as he approached the end of life: to have fought the good fight, to have finished the race, to have kept the faith (2 Tim 4:7). "

[Lea and Griffin, Jr., 1992, p.298]

Teaching for Older Women (2:3-4)

As becometh holiness: hieroprepes "worthy of reverence" i.e. reverent in the way they live (only use).
Not false accusers: diabolos adj. "slanderers, false accusers, devils/satans!" (1 Timothy 3:11; 2 Timothy 3:3) Older women are not to speak lies, make false accusations, or spread malicious gossip around the ecclesia. You cant serve Satan and God. (1 Timothy 5:13)
Not given to much wine: lit. "not addicted to much wine." Presumably this was a problem in Crete. The older women were meant to have self-mastery over their appetites.
Teachers of good things: kalodidaskalos adj. "teaching that which is good" or "good teachers" (only use). Older women were to be good teachers, or teachers of good things. Paul doesn't mean that the older women are to teach in formal or public ecclesial situations. He taught against this in 1 Timothy 2:12 and 1 1 Corinthians 14:34-35. Rather, the older women should teach by giving advice and encouragement privately, in the things they say, and in the example they show. And this teaching should be aimed at the younger women in the ecclesia. Paul says that the older women are to be 'teachers of good things in order that (Grk. hina v.4) they are able to teach the younger women...' So it is the older women's responsibility to teach the younger women in the ecclesia how to live good Christian lives.

For the older women to teach the younger women all of the things in 2:4-5, they would have to also be doing those things - practicing what they preach. So while the older women have already been given some age specific instruction, it is also their responsibility to follow as well as teach all the things Paul goes on to tell the young women.

Teaching for Younger Women (2:4-5)
So what are the older women meant to teach the younger women, and how are the younger women meant to act?

Sober: sophronas vb. "to advise, instruct, calling to responsibility, or bring to their senses" (only use). "...That they may advise, bring to their senses, or instruct the young women to love their husbands, to love their children..." (v.4) The young women on Crete may have been influenced by the Roman women's liberation movement which had a detrimental influence on family life (1 Timothy 2:8-15) Towner (2006) says that this new Roman women's movement emphasised the freedom to pursue extramarital sexual liaisons and other liberties such as university education at the expense of the family. So marital fidelity as well as household management were threatened. It was tearing the family apart! And it's for this reason that Paul advises that the older women to 'bring the younger women to their senses' and goes on to emphasis the role of the younger women in the household.
Love their husbands: philandros adj. "loving her husband" (only use). From root philos adj. "to be friendly." So the sense is 'to be friendly [in a loving way] to her husband'.
Love their children: philoteknos adj. "loving her children" (only use). From root philos adj. "to be friendly." So the sense is 'to be friendly [in a loving way] to her children'. The fact that Paul had to mention these basic female responsibilities shows the extent of the problem on Crete. So the older women were to teach the younger to develop a loving affection for their family.
Discreet: sophron adj. "sound-minded, self-controlled (moderate as to opinion or passion), sensible" (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:8; 2:2,5. n.f. sophronsune used of women 1 Timothy 2:9,15 'sobriety'). Young women are to be self-controlled or exercise restraint and not go sleeping around with random men.
Chaste: hagnos adj. "holy, pure, undefiled" (2 Corinthians 11:2; Philippians 4:8; 1 Timothy 5:22; 1 Peter 3:2; etc.). Younger women are to remain pure or untouched sexually and morally. I guess it means that if they are married, younger women should be totally focused on their husband. See Peters instruction to wives of unbelieving husbands, and the link between 'hagnos' and not going to the extremes of current fashion (1 Peter 3:2).
Keepers at home: oikouros adj. "keeping the home, caring for the household affairs" (only use). The younger women are responsible for the household management. Now this is obviously the divine ideal, but its not the reality for the majority of the females in the ecclesia. For some people its impossible to get by without both the male and female bringing in money. So what do we do? Can we reinterpret Paul's instruction in a 21st century context and remain true to the principle he is teaching? Well I will leave this open for discussion, but perhaps I will just say that the principle Paul seems to be teaching is that women have the overall responsibility for holding the household together. And perhaps after in your groups you can think about how this principle can be upheld in our 21st century context.
Good: agathos adj. "good, kind." Even though managing the house might be boring and mundane, young women still have to try to be kind to their husband and children.
Obedient: hupotasso vb. mid. "to subject one's self, to obey, to yield to one's admonition or advice" (used similarly: Ephesians 5:21,22,24; Colossians 3:18; Titus 2:9; 3:1; 1 Peter 3:1,5,22; 5:5). Being in the middle voice (something you do to yourself), it implies that the wife is to show submission of their own free will. It's not something that a husband can extract in any way but by loving her.

This is about accepting the role that a woman has within the marriage relationship and making an honest attempt to fulfil the duties that come as a result. It doesn't mean that women are in any way inferior to males (Galations 3:28).

This is proved here when Paul says that younger women are to be subject to their own husbands (v.5). Not to all husbands or all men, but to their own husband. This shows that the subjection is within the marriage relationship.

If it's not about women being inferior to men, they why do young women have to be subject to their husbands? Because the marriage relationship actually represents the marriage between Christ and the ecclesia (Ephesians 5:21-24) Christ is our head or leader, and everyone in the ecclesia is subject to him. So by the young women being subject to their husbands, they represent the fact that both males and females are subject to Christ.

'That the word of God be not blasphemed/defamed'. The implication is that the breakdown of male and female roles, and the breakdown of the family reflected badly on the truth, and led to unbelievers blaspheming or defaming it.

So these are all the things the older women are meant to be teaching the younger women. As an older woman in the ecclesia this is your responsibility. And as a younger woman, it is your responsibility to listen to the older women, and try to follow the things Paul describes.

Teaching for Younger Men (2:6-8)

Sober minded: sophroneo vb. "to be of sound mind, i.e. self-controlled, sensible" (used: Mark 5:15; Romans 12:3; 2 Corinthians 5:13; 1 Peter 4:7). '...to be self-controlled in everything. Young men are to be self-controlled. It might be normal in our society for young men to indulge in many forms of unrestrained behavior, for example, in sleeping with many different girls, but that's not how young Christian men are to act. Young men are to show self-control. Verses 7-8: Titus, an example for young men
Pattern: tupos "an example or pattern" (1 Corinthians 10:6,11; Philippians 3:17; 1 Thessalonians 1:7; 2 Thessalonians 3:9; 1 Timothy 4:12; 1 Peter 5:3).
Good works: ergon "the act of work, deeds." Titus was to act in such a way that the young men could look at him and see how they should act. He's meant to be our role model.
In doctrine: didaskalia "instruction, teaching" (used in Titus: 1:9;2:1,7,10).
Uncorruptness: adiaphthoria lit. "not corrupt, i.e. pure." (only use). Show yourself to be above corruption in your teaching', in contrast to the false teachers in 1:11 whotaught things that were opposed to true Christian teaching, and who did it for the money. It is the responsibility of young men to teach true uncorrupted Christian teaching
Gravity: semnotes "seriousness, dignity, decency" (1 Timothy 2:2; 3:4). Young men are to teach the gospel with dignity, decency, and in a serious manner. The gospel message isn't something to flippant about. And so young men are to teach it in such a way that they don't bring discredit to it (v.8).
Sincerity: Is not in the original text
Sound speech: 'sound' hugies adj. "healthy, sound in body" (e.g. used: Matthew 12:13; vb. use in Titus 1:9,13; 2:1,2). Healthy, true, or living teaching. Our living hope. - 'speech' logos "word". Healthy or living words. Young men are to speak sound, healthy, or true teaching, so that those who oppose them may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about them.

As a young man it your responsibility to follow the example of Titus and try to live up to the teaching above, and in a similar way you will become an example to those around you.

So that is Paul's teaching for males and females in the ecclesia.

read article at findthelight.org...

Timely Topics Number 02

2008-08-28T20:29:00.000-07:00

In this issue we will consider one of the smallest nations on earth, yet one that is constantly in the news and also in God’s plan for the future of this world. This nation is Israel, a nation that is living proof of the existence of God.

read article...

Timely Topics Number 01

2008-06-23T20:25:00.000-07:00

The few minutes it will take you to read this may reward you with a better understanding of the problems facing humans and the solutions offered to these problems by the Bible. While this article discusses some of the problems affecting humanity, it’s not designed to make you feel upset. On the contrary, this article intends to lay out some sound and proven reasons why you should feel happy about the future prospect of “peace on earth and goodwill toward all men.”

read article...

Women's Headcoverings Part 02 by Craig Simpson

2008-05-23T11:28:00.000-07:00

In our previous article we laid the foundation for our study on headcoverings, by looking at the background to the Apostle Paul's inspired comment in 1st Corinthians Chapter 11. We saw that several principles were firmly laid down from the beginning of creation:

* That man and woman were to have dominion over God's creation acting on God's behalf;
* That the commandment not to eat of "the tree of the knowledge of good and evil" was given directly to Adam;
* That Adam was given authority from God over Eve, and that this authority (man over woman) was to be passed on to all of their offspring including us in our day, we made the comment that the ultimate responsibility (in Spiritual matters) for giving direction rests with man.

In this article we will build on our foundation and look a little more closely at the Apostle's inspired comment, concerning headcoverings for brothers. After setting our foundation we are now in a position to understand what the Apostle Paul is saying to the Corinthian brethren.

read article...

Women's Headcoverings Part 01 by Craig Simpson

2008-05-09T01:47:00.000-07:00

In this series of articles we want to consider the subject of head coverings; it is a subject that has caused so much confusion throughout the years, and in a lot of people's minds, it is really an unsettled matter. This however, needn't be the case. If we look at this subject with a searching mind, we will see that the subject is very clear and has a reasonable explanation, which is provided in the pages of the Word of God.

Our objective in these articles is to approach the subject with a clear mind helping all of us to come to a firm conclusion once and for all, we will:

* firstly set the background to the Apostle Paul's inspired comment
* look at what Paul has to say in 1 Corinthians 11
* look at what early church history has to say on these matters
* consider objections which have been raised throughout the years
* and finally consider what we in the twenty first century should be doing in our worship to our Heavenly Father.

read article...

Mary by Jason McBratney

2008-05-06T13:53:00.000-07:00

This article is based on the doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church, in particular, the teachings concerning the worship and veneration of Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ.

So what do we know about Mary from the New Testament record? Surprisingly, considering her important role in modern religion, there is not that much written about her personal history. She was a relative of Elizabeth, who was the wife of the priest Zechariah of the priestly division of Abijah. Mary resided at Nazareth in Galilee, presumably with her parents, while betrothed to Joseph of the House of David (Luke 1:26). She, like Joseph, was also a descendant of King David. During their betrothal, which is the first stage of a Jewish marriage, the angel Gabriel announced to her that she was to be the mother of the promised Messiah by conceiving him through the Holy Spirit.

read article...

15 New Audio Files Added

2008-01-10T17:20:00.000-08:00

Phillipians by Graham McBratney
Faith, Hope and Love by Graham McBratney
1st Timothy Chapter 1 by David Bowen
Hope by Ian Bowen
Love by Ian Bowen
Amos by Wayne Brown
The Yoke of Christ by Wayne Brown
Faith by Wayne Brown
A Vessel for the Future by Wayne Brown
Mans Restless Spirit by Ray Simpson
Holy Spirit Gifts by Lyndon Jackson
Forgiveness by Lindsay Aitchison
Marriage in the Lord by Philip Bowen
Answers in the Bible by Ray Simpson
Ephesians by Robin Jackson

Titles of Deity by Craig Simpson

2007-11-22T23:20:00.001-08:00

Everybody has a name. Our names are one of the main distinguishing features about us which make us an individual.
No individual would respond when called by a name which is not their own, and we all find a sense of comfort when strangers remember our names. If these basic statements are true of each one of us, how much more when we consider the Creator of the Universe.

read article...

When Christ Became God by Rodney Bowen

2007-11-22T23:09:00.000-08:00

If there's one thing that Christians today are not short of, it's a church to go to. There are literally thousands of different churches or religious denominations open and available to today's Christians. Among all of these churches there is a wide spectrum of differing views and diverging practices that makes each church unique in its own right. However, there is one founding principle, a common thread that unites the majority of these various sections of Christianity, and that is their concept of God.

read article...

Isaac Newton by Jeremy Bowen

2007-11-06T09:29:00.000-08:00

Isaac Newton was a remarkable man, one of the greatest scientists in modern times; he also had some amazing views on the Bible.

Background of Isaac Newton

*Born on 25 December 1642 in Wools-Thorpe, Lincolnshire, England.
*Died on 31 March 1727 in London England.

Isaac came from a family of farmers. His father died at the age of 36 from poor health before Isaac was born; and Isaac was named after his father.

The first school he went to was called Kings and was 7 miles away from home. School was of little interest to Isaac in his younger days. He was quiet and didn't stand out to be anything special and at first he wasn't liked by the other boys.

read article...

The Psalms by Lyndon Jackson

2007-11-06T09:25:00.000-08:00

Written 1000 years before his birth, Jesus pointed to the importance of the Psalms, telling certain disciples after his resurrection "These are the words that I spoke unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the Law of Moses, and in the prophets and in the Psalms concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures." Luke 24:36-45 In this collection of 150 musical poems, the Lord Jesus himself indicated that we can expect to read about his mission and the saving work he performed. Thus the Psalms record more than just principles for meditation reflection, but more importantly, the Psalms reveal gods purpose in his son and the way in which eternal salvation can be obtained.

read article...

Light; Love; Life by Craig Simpson

2007-10-31T22:33:00.000-07:00

Light, love and life are three qualities, which in the Bible are attributed to God. They are qualities, which are progressive; they do not and cannot exist without one another. Light, love and life are qualities, which form part of the wonderful character of the God of the universe, and as such they form part of the characteristics of all true believers.

Light creates by causing life to spring forth, it reveals by sending its rays everywhere, and it conquers because in its presence darkness ceases.

Whilst darkness is passive, light is active – it penetrates and completely destroys darkness. Darkness can only exist where light is absent.

read article...

The Bible by Sarah Bowen

2007-10-30T17:44:00.000-07:00

What is the Bible?

The Bible is a collection of 66 books, compiled into one volume. Some of these books are letters or lovely poetry, others are books of history and prophecy. Many different people, of different backgrounds and cultures, wrote the Bible over a period of about 1500 years.

The Bible is divided into two distinct parts: The Old Testament and The New Testament. The Old Testament begins with the creation of the Earth and the Flood, and continues with a history of the Israelite nation, from Abraham to Moses and the kings of ancient Israel. The Old Testament ends with some books of practical wisdom about life, as well as books of poetry and prophecy. The New Testament begins with four books that give different accounts of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, and continues with a book called “The Acts of the Apostles” which is about the early preaching work that the Apostles did after Jesus’ death. This is followed by some letters written by the Apostles to the early church, and finally a detailed book of prophecy, called Revelation, that gives information about the world before and after Jesus Christ returns.

read article...

Light; Love; Life by Rodney and Sarah Bowen

2007-10-29T22:19:00.000-07:00

In the Bible light is a symbol of truth and purity. Light is connected with what is real and good; while darkness is a symbol of blindness, sin, and being without God. “God is light, in Him there is no darkness at all” (1st John 1:5).

Why is God like light?

* He is open not secret, he wants us to know him. John 17:3
* He is illuminating, glorious, and beautiful. Psalms 104:1, 2
* Like the sun, He is our source of life. Genesis 1:1-3; James 1:17
* He is pure, true, and holy. 1st Peter 1:15, 16

God sent Jesus (His son) as a light to the world to show clearly who He is. Jesus showed God’s light perfectly in the way that he lived and treated others. Jesus said “I am the light of the world, whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). If we want light in our lives we have to follow the example of Jesus. This means that we have to adopt his attitude and way of life; God’s word (The Bible) shows us how to do this. “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path” (Psalms 119:105).

read article...

Prayer by Craig Simpson

2007-10-28T22:26:00.000-07:00

Paul says in his first letter to the Thessalonians, chapter 5, verse 17, “Pray without ceasing.” We always find time in our busy lives to talk to our close friends, family, relatives or even total strangers. Few of us however have the opportunity to talk to someone considered world famous; but if we did, we would be very careful what we said.

When we consider how great our Creator is, the very fact that He hears our prayers becomes difficult to comprehend and yet, we are assured in 1st Peter 3:12 that “the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and His ears are open unto their prayers.”

read article...

New Testament Background Part 01 by Rodney Bowen

2007-10-27T22:24:00.000-07:00

In our Bibles today the Old Testament ends with the book of Malachi and the New Testament immediately begins with the Gospel accounts of the life of Jesus Christ. However between the Old and New Testament there is a gap of almost 400 years. During this time Israel experienced periods of independence and blessing, upheaval and destruction, oppression and humiliation. A mass of Jewish literature was written, for example, the books in the Apocrypha, the books of Jubilees and Enoch, the Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs, the Sibylline Oracles, the Septuagint, and the list goes on. Jewish theology changed with the influence of Persian and Greek mythology. For example during this time belief in evil spirits, demons, and the devil, were incorporated into Jewish thought. Empires changed with the passing of seasons, the sacred position of High Priest was defiled, and the Jewish nation became divided in allegiance and in religious beliefs. Factions such as the Scribes Pharisees and Sadducees, those who should have been leading the nation, fought, bribed and murdered one another, all to gain the rulership of Israel.

read article...

Acknowledging Our Creator by Michelle Collie

2007-10-27T12:46:00.000-07:00

In the King James translation of the Bible Proverbs chapter 3 verse 6 says: "In all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths" Two very important ways to acknowledge God are praying daily and being careful in the way we treat other people.

Through prayer we have a constant lifeline with God. No matter where we are, we are able to communicate our thanks, admiration and even our needs to him.

read article...

Hell in the Bible by Rodney Bowen

2007-10-26T22:13:00.000-07:00

We all know that the church idea of hell and eternal torment are not consistent with true Bible teaching. The word hell does occur in the Bible, but if we look at the verses it is found in, and the meaning of the Hebrew or Greek words translated hell, we will see that it is something completely different to what contempory ‘christian’ theology teaches.

read article...