Category: Teaching

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What Purpose?

Danby House

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:28

What kind of purpose are we talkimg about?

  1. God’s purpose for our lives?
  2. God’s purpose for making creation?

Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

( 2 Timothy 1:8-9 )

Are they the same thing?

When was the purpose decided on?

According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

( Ephesians 1:4 )

Whatever the purpose is, or for whom, it was estanlished before the foundation of the world.

In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;

( Titus 1:2 )

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Preaching to the Poor

Danby House

And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities.

Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another? Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.

( Matthew 11:1-6 )

How do we know that Jesus is real?

Danby House.

Why am I here? Why is it important to me? What could I possibly gain from it?

Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

( James 1:27 )

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,

( Luke 4:18 )

The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;

( Isaiah 61:1 )

עֲנָוִ֗ים – anavim

poor, afflicted, humble, meek

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

( Matthew 28:19-20 )

Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.

( John 6:27 )

Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom.

( Proverbs 23:4 )

His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

( Matthew 25:21 )

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Unschooled Idiots

Open Door Baptist Church

Acts 4:13-21

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Unlearned – unschooled – ἀγράμματοί – agrammatoi

Ignorant – ordinary – ἰδιῶται   – idiōtai

The irony here is that over the last few days Peter has quoted:

Acts 1

  • Psalms 41:9
  • Psalms 55:12-13
  • Jeremiah 32:6-10
  • Zechariah 11:12-13
  • Psalms 69:21, 25
  • Psalms 109:8

Acts 2

  • Joel 2:28-32
  • Malachi 4:5
  • Psalms 110:1
  • Psalms 16:9-11
  • Job 19:25-26
  • 1 kings 2:1-4, 10
  • 2 Samuel 7:12
  • 2 Kings 9:1-5
  • *Matthew 17:10-13 *Matthew 17:10-13 (eyewitness)
  • *Luke 1:30-33 (eyewitness)

Acts 3

  • Isaiah 30:15
  • Ezekiel 47:1-12
  • Deuteronomy 18:15-16
  • Genesis 22:18
  • *Matthew 21:42; Mark 12:10-11; Luke 20:17 (eyewitness)

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What was the commandment that the apostles were obeying?

The great commission.

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

( Matthew 28:19-20 )

The importance of obeying God?

And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

( 1 John 2:3-5 )

And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.

( 1 John 3:23-24 )

Revelation 12:13-17

And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

( Revelation 12:17 )

Revelation 14:9-12

Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

( Revelation 14:12 )

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The Belly of Hell

Danby House

Jonah 2:1-10

Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

( Matthew 12:38-40 )

The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven. He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red. And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times? A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.

( Matthew 16:1-4 )

And when the people were gathered thick together, he began to say, This is an evil generation: they seek a sign; and there shall no sign be given it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet. For as Jonas was a sign unto the Ninevites, so shall also the Son of man be to this generation. The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation, and condemn them: for she came from the utmost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here. The men of Nineve shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.

( Luke 11:29-32 )

What are the signs?

For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.

( Matthew 24:5-8 )

2 Timothy 3

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The Head of the Corner

Open Door Baptist Church

Acts 4:1-12

1-4

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Annas and Caiaphas were related, as we know from the passage directly after Jesus arrest in Gethsemane.

Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him, And led him away to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year. Now Caiaphas was he, which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.

( John 18:12-14 )

This is the same Annas and Caiaphas which were mentioned in the context of the beginning of the ministry of John the Baptist. They have been involved in the management of the temple for the whole of John and Jesus’ ministry.

Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene, Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness. And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;

( Luke 3:1-3 )

The plot to kill Jesus was initiated after Jesus raised Lazarus

Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles. If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation. And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation; And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad. Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death.

( John 11:47-50 )

Caiaphas hatched the plan, Annas carried it out.

Now Annas had sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest.

( John 18:24 )

First Annas then Caiaphas interrogated Jesus, then sent him to Pilate.

Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the passover. Pilate then went out unto them, and said, What accusation bring ye against this man?

( John 18:28-29 )

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“head of the corner” is a very important phrase.

It occurs in the discussion of the Parable of the wicked tennants

  • Matthew 21:33-41
  • Mark 11:27-33
  • Luke 20:1-8

Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?

( Matthew 21:42 )

And have ye not read this scripture; The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner:

This was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?

( Mark 12:10-11 )

And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner?

( Luke 20:17 )

In every instance this passage is followed up with this:

And the chief priests and the scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on him; and they feared the people: for they perceived that he had spoken this parable against them.

( Luke 20:19 )

By using this reference to Jesus, Peter would have brought a stinging reminder of the duplicitous scheme that the High Priests hatched to capture and kill Jesus.

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One of the most important verses in the Bible which you may not know.

This one ranks up there with

  • John 3:16
  • Romans 10:9-10
  • Ephesians 2:8

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Kicking the Hornet’s Nest

Open Door Baptist Church

Acts 3:1-26

1-10

Confirming the Word with signs following.

And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

( Mark 16:20 )

This was confirmation that Peter and the apostles were authentic and the work that they did was the work of God.

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The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob was a very common way to refer to our God throughout the OT

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The Holy One of Israel? This is not a common phrase, but once again Peter is demonstrating his mastery of scripture and his knowledge of the prophets like Isaiah.

For thus saith the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not.

( Isaiah 30:15 )

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Prince of life?

The Greek work here is Ἀρχηγὸν – archégos

Usage: originator, author, founder, prince, leader

For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

( Hebrews 2:10 )

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

( Hebrews 12:2 )

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Peter is winding up to make a swing at the religious establishment.

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This is a very clear salvation message

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Times of refreshing? If the times of refreshing come from the presence of the Lord then this has to be a reference to the Millennial Kingdom. The tribulation will include plagues which devastate the surface of the earth and poison all of the world’s oceans. When the Millennial Kingdom is established there will be a temple in Jerusalem from which will issue waters which will heal the land and the oceans.

And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood; And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed. And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters; And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.

( Revelation 8:8-11 )

The healing is described in Ezekiel’s vision of the temple in the New Jerusalem.

Ezekiel 47:1-12

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Jesus is in heaven until the times of refreshing. The times of refreshing is the Millennial Kingdom.

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The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken;

( Deuteronomy 18:15 )

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And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.

( Deuteronomy 18:16 )

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And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.

( Genesis 22:18 )

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With Me in Paradise

Danby House

And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

( Luke 23:43 )

Mary asked this question after church Sunday night:

What happens in between dying on the earth and receiving our incorruptible body at the time of the rapture?

Our pastor does not believe in soul sleep based on the passage about what Jesus said to the dying thief. According to Jesus then the day that we die we will be with him in paradise. So how do we understand other NT teaching about Christians falling asleep (dying)?

For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.

( 1 Corinthians 11:30 )

And what about the passage that says that the dead in Christ shall rise at the rapture?

But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

( 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 )

So do we sleep or do we see Jesus on the day we die? And what happens to the body?

Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

( 1 Corinthians 15:50-57 )

We need to be sure that we understand the timing of this before we see what the answer is.

The rapture is before a time called the Tribulation. This is when the plagues of the the Book of Revelation come upon the earth. At the end of the Tribulation the Lord will return from heaven and wage war on his enemies, we will see the battle of Armageddon, and then he will establish the Millennial Kingdom.

The beginning of the Millennial Kingdom is when the first resurrection takes place. This includes us if we die before that and all the Christians who are asleep in the earth.

And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

( Revelation 20:4-6 )

Those of us who were raptured out of the world before the tribulation will receive our incorruptible bodies and we will live on the earth with Christ for 1,000 years. This is not heaven. Heaven comes later.

But what happens in between dying on the earth and receiving our incorruptible body at the time of the Millennial Kingdom?

This was Mary’s original question. I think I have an answer.

And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.

( Revelation 6:9-11 )

Our souls will be in heaven, we will have white robes to wear because we don’t have our resurrection body yet. Here again we have souls in white robes before the throne of God in heaven:

After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;

( Revelation 7:11 )

When we die our bodies will go into the ground. Our soul and spirit will go the heaven and be clothed with a white robe and we will serve the Lord with praise. At the end of the tribulation we will receive incorruptible bodies and return to the earth for the Millennial Kingdom.

When the Millennium ends will be when the earth and heavens dissappear like smoke and a new heaven and new earth will come down to us from heaven, there we will live for eternity.

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All Things Common

Open Door Baptist Church

Acts 2:37-47

37-40

v. 37-40 is a paragraph which would work well as the basis for a salvation message. It would be a good Sunday morning passage.

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Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

( Matthew 28:19-20 )

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The apostles doctrine and fellowship. See below for how well they carried out the Lord’s teaching.

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And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

( Mark 16:20 )

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All things common? This is not advocating communist government. This is how Christians should live in the world, regardless of the government.

Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.

( Luke 18:22 )

Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.

( Matthew 5:38-42 )

Pay your taxes.

Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

( Romans 13:7 )

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They are living examples of teaching that goes back to Isaiah:

Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?

( Isaiah 58:7 )

And they are no doubt mindful of Jesus parable of the sheep and the goats in Matthew 25:31-46

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With one accord?

That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

( Romans 15:6 )

Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.

( 2 Corinthians 13:11 )

Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

( Philippians 2:2 )

Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:

( 1 Peter 3:8 )

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Having favor?

And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

( Luke 2:52 )

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This Jesus

Open Door Baptist Church

Acts 2:29-36

Peter continues to lay out the case that recent events – the sky went black when Christ died on the cross – are proof that the great and terrible day of the Lord is upon them AND that this Jesus is the fullfilment of God’s promise that one of the seed of David would rule on the throne of Israel forever.

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So David slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David.

( 1 Kings 2:10 )

Now the days of David drew nigh that he should die; and he charged Solomon his son, saying, I go the way of all the earth: be thou strong therefore, and shew thyself a man; And keep the charge of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and his testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself: That the LORD may continue his word which he spake concerning me, saying, If thy children take heed to their way, to walk before me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul, there shall not fail thee (said he) a man on the throne of Israel.

( 1 Kings 2:1-4 )

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And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom.

( 2 Samuel 7:12 )

And it came to pass, when Solomon had finished the building of the house of the LORD, and the king’s house, and all Solomon’s desire which he was pleased to do, That the LORD appeared to Solomon the second time, as he had appeared unto him at Gibeon. And the LORD said unto him, I have heard thy prayer and thy supplication, that thou hast made before me: I have hallowed this house, which thou hast built, to put my name there for ever; and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually.
And if thou wilt walk before me, as David thy father walked, in integrity of heart, and in uprightness, to do according to all that I have commanded thee, and wilt keep my statutes and my judgments: Then I will establish the throne of thy kingdom upon Israel for ever, as I promised to David thy father, saying, There shall not fail thee a man upon the throne of Israel.

( 1 Kings 9:1-5 )


And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

( Luke 1:30-33 )

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Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

( Psalms 16:9-10 )

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For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:

( Job 19:25-26 )

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{A Psalm of David.} The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.

( Psalms 110:1 )

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In the paragraph Acts 2:14-36 Peter quotes or refers to:

  • Joel 2:28-32
  • Malachi 4:5
  • *Matthew 17:10-13 (eyewitness)
  • Psalms 110:1
  • Psalms 16:9-11
  • 1 Kings 2:1-4, 10
  • 2 Samuel 7:12
  • 1 Kings 9:1-5
  • *Luke 1:30-33 (eyewitness)
  • Job 19:25-26
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Hiding Our Eyes

Danby House

He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.

( Proverbs 28:27 )

We had a question in Sunday School about giving, specifically to pan handlers and beggars and people who “don’t deserve it.” These situations can be tricky but the best guidance is always to know what the scripture says.


Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

( 2 Corinthians 9:7 )

We give because we want to be blessed, not because we want to give a blessing:

I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

( Acts 20:35 )

What are we here for anyway, as ambassadors of Christ?

Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?

( Isaiah 58:7 )

Giving is good for us. Just as withholding is bad for us.

If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother:

( Deuteronomy 15:7-11 )

Harden thine heart? What happens if I harden my heart against the poor, over and over again?

And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

( Matthew 24:12 )

If you don’t want to give, don’t give, but don’t be afraid to give.

Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days. Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth.

( Ecclesiastes 11:1-2 )