10 Commandments of Youth Ministry:

1)   Thou shalt play some form of a game every time you meet

2)   Thou shalt never intentionally embarrass a teenager

3)   Thou shalt not take yourself too seriously but always take God seriously

4)   Thou shalt avoid moralistic therapeutic deism but instead preach Christ from every page of       Scripture

5)   Thou shalt get out of the office and interact with teenagers in the community

6)   Thou shalt teach the Bible in relevant, culturally appropriate ways helping to show teenagers how the Bible applies to the rest of their lives

7)   Thou shalt pray for teenagers by name daily

8)   Thou shalt communicate with parents

9)   Thou shalt involve teenagers in the life of the church providing opportunities for teenagers to interact with members of the church in all stages of life.

10)  Thou shalt foster a sense of community among teenagers in which teenagers have a safe environment to share their struggles and victories

What If?:

Something has been burning in my belly. I can't shake it. I have a picture in my head of movement of preachers that, I believe, will shake up the culture and change the face of American Christianity in a myriad of good ways. 

What if evangelicals hit America with 200, or 500, or 1,000 theologically strong, gospel-centered pastors who start preaching in open-air and public places in their cities, beyond their Sunday morning worship services, at least once a week for the rest of 2015? What would happen? What if even more did it, or what if it was done more often (Whitefield preached an average of 20 times a week for 34 years)? 

In my opinion and in no particular order, here are some things that will probably happen if a movement of solid preachers would take to the open-air in America...

1. The Gospel would spread, maybe in an unprecedented way, across our land. It would be heard by people who would never set foot in our churches. It would spread in other ways explained below.

2. Our pastors and our people would be forced to learn to explain the Gospel simply, answer objections, etc. This would spark more training in theology, evangelism, apologetics, etc, but this time with a sense of need rather than something we too often learn for our "personal growth" only.

3. A *buzz* would grow among our neighbors. Suddenly it would be hard to miss seeing and/or hearing the Gospel where we live and in the places we go. People will stumble across it sooner or later, and probably more than once, and it will shake people up. Instead of being the odd guy down at the outdoor mall, it will be respected, calm, thoughtful, theological, loving people doing it. It will open a conversation as to "why" this is suddenly everywhere.

4. Persecution of one form or another (or all forms) would naturally increase. We are mostly left alone in our buildings, but when we preach with biblical power in the open-air the Devil will not be pleased.

5. The stereotype would change of open-air preaching and open-air preachers as the "turn or burn" and "sandwich board" folks would be drowned out by good, biblical, evangelistic preaching. It would come across as more normal because good preachers are doing it, yet it would still shake things up.

6. The media would take notice and start asking us what's going on, and we'd get free airtime to talk about Jesus. It would spark a growing public conversation about things on our agenda instead of merely getting asked to chime in when we fit in with the world's agenda. 

7. Dozens, hundreds of doors for personal evangelism would open up in every place public preaching is done because some of our people will attend and strike up conversations with those who stop to listen. In other words, we create a clear pathway for immediate personal evangelism. The preachers cast nets to draw them in, our people cast hooks, and together we work out our different roles in evangelism.

8. We would begin to pray with a new fervency, boldness, and deep need like in the end of Acts 4.. We would find ourselves relying on God in ways we've ignored because we take few risks. Our prayer meetings would, without question, see less "pray for aunt Sally's leg" and see more prayer for salvation, for strength, for the words to speak, for courage and boldness, for the many different issues that will result from the preaching, and so on.

9. Our churches would immediately start to see more visitors. The seeker kind. The skeptic kind. The curious kind. This would come because of the people who want to hear more from the preacher and the people who have connected personally with Christians during public preaching. They will come because this is the preacher who doesn't play well with others, and this time not because they spew judgments but because they won't stay away in their safe, warm buildings.

10. Christians will be separated from "Christians." Dead churches and denominations, the ones that don't have nor preach the Gospel, will start to look clearly different from evangelical ones. Our preaching will force the issue because people of various "Christian" groups will hear and react differently. Christians without Christ will be challenged to leave their Gospel-less churches and denominations. It will create a challenge to the peaceful, live-and-let-live relationship happening among all groups called "Christian" in our cities and it will reopen a necessary discussion on issues of Gospel, truth, theology, heresy, etc... and all in a much more public way.

I believe that if in the next couple of months hundreds of preachers in America would embrace this, and public preaching started happening all over the place, especially with the spring and summer months coming as the perfect opportunity, that we would see amazing things happen by the hand of our good and gracious God. I believe we would see mighty works by the Holy Spirit. I believe it would be amazing, but we would have to do it in order to see it.

Life Lessons from Dean Smith

If there's a model of how we should live our lives, we need look no further than Dean Smith-Ford

Everyone who knows me knows I love Carolina basketball. During the months of February, March & April if you cut me I would bleed Carolina blue. In fact during my interview for my current position as Minister of Students one of my questions to the committee was the ratio of Carolina to Wake Forest fans in the church. I am outnumbered (lots of sinners in the church). This weekend I was following on Twitter the public funeral for UNC basketball's former head coach Dean Smith. I have read countless articles about Dean Smith's life and legacy and have been enamored by his love for the Lord, his service to his community and using college basketball as a tool to train young men.

One of the stories about Dean Smith which has stood out to me is the story of Smith giving his 1982 championship watch to team manager Dave Hart. Allow me to recap the story as it is recorded on Carolina's I-phone app. "The NCAA provided 22 watches, and Hart was the 23rd man on the team, but Smith wanted the manager to make sure he knew he was valued. Hearing it second-hand is remarkable. But hearing Hart retell it over 30 years later, with still the same amount of incredulity that the coach summoned him the day after the championship game to give him the watch, was even more meaningful." Really: would you give away your championship watch, the one people said you could never win? Dean Smith did, and it took him less than 24 hours. Even after reading that story and now retyping it I still have tears in my eyes. His first championship watch, one people said he would never win and it ONLY took him 24 hours until he gave it up. What an amazing story!

The story of Dean Smith giving up his first championship watch is incredibly moving because he models for us a characteristic absent for many leaders today. This characteristic is one of servant leadership. Dean Smith taught his players and teaches us the need to serve and appreciate others. We should take time everyday to thank those who serve us. We should be people who live lives filled with an attitude of gratitude. It is human nature to look out for number one and only befriend those who can help us; as Christians we have been given a new nature and because of our new nature have within us the ability to look out not only for are own interests but also the interests of others. We should take time everyday to serve and express gratitude to others. We are nothing but a turtle on a fence post. We arrived at the place we are in life because of the sacrifice of many people. We must take time everyday to thank them.

In conclusion, the last speaker at the funeral was the current head coach for the Tar Heels, Roy Williams. Coach Williams fittingly ended the funeral by asking the crowd to point to the sky to thank Smith for all his work at UNC. It was a fitting tribute to a man who taught and is teaching all of us to live our lives with an attitude of gratitude.

Tough Question: Is it OK for a Christian to Drink?

Scripture has much to say regarding the drinking of alcohol (Leviticus 10:9; Numbers 6:3; Deuteronomy 29:6; Judges 13:4, 7, 14; Proverbs 20:1; 31:4; Isaiah 5:11, 22; 24:9; 28:7; 29:9; 56:12). However, Scripture does not necessarily forbid a Christian from drinking beer, wine, or any other drink containing alcohol. In fact, some Scriptures discuss alcohol in positive terms. Ecclesiastes 9:7 instructs, “Drink your wine with a merry heart.” Psalm 104:14-15 states that God gives wine “that makes glad the heart of men.” Amos 9:14 discusses drinking wine from your own vineyard as a sign of God’s blessing. Isaiah 55:1 encourages, “Yes, come buy wine and milk…”

What God commands Christians regarding alcohol is to avoid drunkenness (Ephesians 5:18). The Bible condemns drunkenness and its effects (Proverbs 23:29-35). Christians are also commanded to not allow their bodies to be “mastered” by anything (1 Corinthians 6:12; 2 Peter 2:19). Drinking alcohol in excess is undeniably addictive. Scripture also forbids a Christian from doing anything that might offend other Christians or encourage them to sin against their conscience (1 Corinthians 8:9-13).

Jesus changed water into wine. It even seems that Jesus drank wine on occasion (John 2:1-11; Matthew 26:29). In New Testament times, the water was not very clean. Without modern sanitation, the water was often filled with bacteria, viruses, and all kinds of contaminants. The same is true in many third-world countries today. As a result, people often drank wine because it was far less likely to be contaminated. In 1 Timothy 5:23, Paul was instructing Timothy to stop drinking the water (which was probably causing his stomach problems) and instead drink wine. In that day, wine was fermented (containing alcohol), but not necessarily to the degree it is today. It is incorrect to say that it was grape juice, but it is also incorrect to say that it was the same thing as the wine commonly used today. 

Again, Scripture does not forbid Christians from drinking beer, wine, or any other drink containing alcohol. Alcohol is not, in and of itself, tainted by sin. It is drunkenness and addiction to alcohol that a Christian must absolutely refrain from (Ephesians 5:18; 1 Corinthians 6:12). Alcohol consumed in small quantities, is neither harmful nor addictive. In fact, some doctors advocate drinking small amounts of red wine for its health benefits, especially for the heart.

In conclusion, alcohol, consumed in small quantities, is neither harmful nor addictive. Consumption of small quantities of alcohol is a matter of Christian freedom. Scripture does not forbid Christians from drinking beer, wine, or any other drink containing alcohol. Alcohol is not, in and of itself, tainted by sin. It is drunkenness and addiction to alcohol that a Christian must absolutely refrain from.

Tough Question: What does Proverbs 22:6 mean for Parenting?

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it?-Proverbs 22:6

Proverbs 22:6 is a verse which is a lot of parent’s life-verse. A lot of parents believe this verse teaches that if we train our child in the right path, he/she will grow up to be a Christian.

Understanding this verse begins with understanding the kind of literature the proverbs are. The proverbs are not conditional promises; they are maxims or wise sayings. They describe, in a general sense, the way that God has made the world run. But there are plenty of examples from which it’s obvious that these maxims don’t hold true all the time. Proverbs 10:4 is just one example: “A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.” While it is generally true that hard work produces wealth, it’s not always the case. There are plenty of hard-working rice farmers in India who will never own a car and will wonder where their next meal is coming from. Another example is found in the proverb about the virtuous woman: “Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her” (Prov. 31:28). How many virtuous women have been scorned by children and husband only to be welcomed and honored by the Lord? Thousands? Millions?

The proverbs are not conditional promises; they are wise maxims. When we fail to understand this form of literature and build our lives on them as a guarantee, we end up with a philosophy akin to that of Job’s comforters. They had a very simple formula for obtaining God’s blessing: Go and do the right thing. Conversely, they believed that if someone lacks God’s visible blessing, it must be because he is not doing what God wants him to do. They thought that faithful obedience always obligates God to respond in the way one desires. They were wrong (Job 42:7-8).

While it is true that God often graces wise parents with godly children, that is not always the case. God may use your parenting as means to draw your children to himself. But he may use other means and at a different time. Or he may use your child’s rebellion and disinterest as a way to accomplish his unexpected will. Nothing we can do pus a lock on God’s blessing us in the way we expect.

Why wouldn’t God give us a sure promise that if we parent well, our children will do well? Wouldn’t our parenting be more diligent if we thought we had the ability to save them? No, actually it wouldn’t. We wouldn’t work harder if we had that command and promise, because we don’t respond well to commands. True obedience doesn’t come from commands with promises. The nation of Israel and their response to Deuteronomy 28 and 29 ought to be enough proof of that.

God doesn’t promise our children’s salvation in response to our obedience, because he never encourages self-reliance. It would be against God’s character to give us a promise that our children will be saved if we raise them in a certain way. That would mean that he was telling us to trust in something other than Christ and his grace and mercy. He would be encouraging us to trust in ourselves, and God never does that. The way of the Lord is always a way of faith-faith in his goodness, mercy and love. Our faith is to be in him, not in ourselves.

Here’s our hope: before time began God the Father saw us, each individually and distinctly. He not only saw us; he “knew” us. This means that he was intimately acquainted with everything about us before we even existed. He chose us in him to have relationship with him. He chose us as his children. But he didn’t do this because of any good he saw in us. In fact, all of us have absolutely nothing to boast about. He chose us out of his sheer grace and because he loves loving the unlovely. Because of his great love he deserves to be fully honored by us. This means that we transfer our entire trust (and keep transferring it over and over again) to him. This is faith.

 In the same way that you trust in him and not in yourself fo your salvation, you can trust in him for the salvation of your children. You can give yourself grace: he’s in control, he is loving, his plan is best. And you can give your children grace.

Monday Morning Humor

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The Meaning of Grace:

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ-by grace you have been saved-and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.-Ephesians 2:4-6

The decisive act of God in conversion is that he “made us alive together with Christ” even when “we were dead in our trespasses.” In other words, we were dead to God. We were unresponsive; we had no true spiritual interest; we had no taste for the beauties of Christ; we were simply dead to all that mattered.

Then God acted-unconditionally-before we could do anything to be fit vessels of grace. He made us alive. He sovereignly awakened us to see the glory of Christ (2 Corinthians 4:4). The spiritual senses that were dead miraculously came to life.

Verse 4 says that this was an act of “mercy.” That is, God saw us in our deadness and pitied us. God saw the terrible wages of sin leading to eternal death and misery. And the riches of his mercy overflowed to us in our need. But what is so remarkable about this text is that Paul breaks the flow of his own sentence in order to insert, “by grace you have been saved.” “God…made us alive together with Christ-by grace you have been saved-and raised us up with him.

Paul is going to say this again in verse 8. So why does he break the flow in order to add it here? What’s more, the focus is on God’s mercy responding to our miserable plight of deadness; so why does Paul go out of his way to say that it is also by grace that we are saved?

I think the answer is that Paul recognizes here a perfect opportunity to emphasize the freeness of grace. As he describes our dead condition before conversion, he realizes that dead people can’t meet conditions. If they are to live, there must be a totally unconditional and utterly free act of God to save them. This freedom is the very heart of grace.

What act could be more one-sidedly free and non-negotiated than one person raising another from the dead! This is the meaning of grace.

Code Words for New Christians:

Congratulations on getting saved! Now that you’re a Christian, there are a few things you really should know.

 First, you must listen to the songs by Chris Tomlin and David Crowder. These two artists will come up a lot in conversations, and have the potential to make you a lot of friends. Familiarize yourself with them. Be ready to lip sync to them on demand.

Second, get used to drinking awful coffee. Since the very first meetings in Jerusalem, Christians have insisted on drinking coffee that tastes like scalding hot paint thinner. It is one of the trials and tribulations we must endure.

Finally, learn the Christian code words. What you may not have realized is we have our own special code language. If you’re going to communicate with other Christians, you need to memorize our code words and their definitions. What exactly are these code words? I’m glad you asked. What follows is a guide to understanding Christian-speak. Think of this as the Rosetta of the Christian world.

TERMS AND DEFINITIONS

Story – Most people think of a story as something contained within a book. Oh how wrong they are! All of us have a story, and each of our stories is important. Your story (also called “Journey” or “Road”) includes: all your life experiences, the most recent book you’ve read, your friends (even though they have their own stories, they’re also part of your story), your Moleskine journal (in which you record thoughts about your story), that one mission trip which was a defining moment in your story, and the existential crisis you had in college (the dark part of your story). Get used to referring to every experience as being a part of your “story”.

A blank moleskine, just waiting to be filled with your story.
A blank moleskine, just waiting to be filled with your story.

Traveling Mercies  – Contrary to popular opinion, “Traveling Mercies” is not the name of a Rich Mullins cover band. Rather, traveling mercies refers to divine mercies which, oddly enough, can only be found on highways and in airplanes. No matter how much you ask, you simply cannot get traveling mercies for a trip to the grocery store. Regular mercies covers that. However, if you fail to ask for traveling mercies prior to a long trip (not to be confused with “Journey”), there is a 95% chance your car engine will catch on fire.

Echo – You’re in a prayer meeting, it’s your turn to pray, and your mind goes blank! What do you do? Don’t panic. You simply “echo” what the person before you prayed. To echo another person’s prayer, simply take their exact words, add the word “just” to the beginning, and add the words “really asking this” to the end. This simple tactic will rescue you out of every prayer jam (not to be confused with a Prayer Jam, which is praying to hip-hop music).

Echoing works especially well when in a "prayer huddle".
Echoing works especially well when in a “prayer huddle”.

Do Life – Christians don’t simply live life. No sir, we do life! And don’t you DARE confuse the two. Living life is boring and shallow, while doing life involves thrilling, exciting, awesome things, like Wednesday night Bible studies.

In This Place – This is a phrase included in many of our prayers as a way of making sure God knows exactly where we are located. We want God to bless us, in this place. We don’t want him to accidentally fire his blessings into the church down the street, so we alert him to our precise location. Think of this as the GPS of Christianity.

Authenticity – Ahh yes, authenticity, the Bigfoot of Christianity. Everyone talks about it and searches for it, but no one has ever actually seen it. I suspect this is what Bono (our favorite maybe-Christian) was referencing when he discussed not being able to find what he was looking for. It is essential that you always be looking for new ways to be authentic, regardless of whether you actually know what authenticity is. There is a theory that authenticity can be achieved by drinking coffee out of a Mason jar, but that theory has not been definitively proved yet.

The magical elixir of authenticity
The magical elixir of authenticity.

Hedge of Protection – What is the strongest thing in the world? Titanium? Diamond? Kevlar? Nope, hedges. That’s why we pray for a hedge of protection to surround us. The “Hedge Prayer” (as theologians commonly call it) is usually prayed in conjunction with the “Traveling Mercies” prayer. We want to be surrounded by a hedge while simultaneously being granted traveling mercies. To be safe, always pray the two prayers together. There is anecdotal evidence that praying for a hedge of protection without also praying for traveling mercies can cause spontaneous combustion. Be cautious.

Love On – When someone is going through a tough time, we don’t simply love them. We love ON them. Granted, to the average observer, this term sounds vaguely creepy and stalker-like, but it most certainly is not creepy. Loving a person involves sending them a condolence card. Loving ON a person involves gallons of sweet tea, a five-pound green bean casserole, a book written by Beth Moore, and a coffee mug with the “Footprints” prayer on it. We take care of our own, gosh darn it. Kind of like the mob, except without killing people or putting horse heads in people’s beds.

Altar Call – An altar call is something that happens at the end of emotionally charged church services. It is an opportunity for you to rededicate your life to the Lord for the 42nd time. Never miss out on the chance to go forward for an altar call, especially if the band is playing “Just As I Am”.

On Mission – This is kind of like the Red Bull consuming cousin of “Do Life”. We don’t simply invite people to church, share the gospel, and seek to bless our neighbors. We are on MISSION! It’s like Mission Impossible, minus the cool gadgets and crazy terrorists and Tom Cruise sprinting for forty-five minutes straight. If you really want to impress your friends, you will inform them that you are both missional and on mission. This is like being able to play both offense and defense in football. No one can stop you.

Hopefully this gives you a glimpse into the world of Christian code words. You are at the beginning of a journey, and your story is just beginning. If you stay focused on authenticity and being missional, you will most certainly get blessed in this place.

Original Article: http://theblazingcenter.com/2015/01/a-new-converts-guide-to-understanding-christian-code-words.html

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Tough Question: Do You Need a "Call" to Be In Ministry?

As an individual who spent the majority of my collegiate academic career in private Christian Universities I have heard the term “call” used a lot.  The word “call” comes into play concerning an individual assuming the role of a pastor, missionary, etc.  In every ministry class I was enrolled in, the professor took time to explain the “call”.  As I prepared to serve overseas with the IMB and as I prepared to be a Pastor everyone wanted me to talk about my “call” to missions or my “call” to ministry.

Whenever the meeting took a turn to begin talking about a “call” to missions or to the ministry, I never knew how to respond.  I knew what they wanted me to say, they wanted me to explain about “the” time when I felt God’s leading toward missions.  The problem is however, I am not sure if there ever was a specific time or if I have always just heard about the great need of taking the Gospel overseas and therefore “wanted” to go.  I always appeased the person asking the question.  I explained to him/her about a desire I had to serve overseas and then I talked about my experience working with inter-national students both in America and abroad; this was my common answer…until a few years ago.

A few years ago I was in chapel and a speaker was talking about a “call” to ministry.  He said, “that a “call” to the ministry will sustain you when times get tough. If you do not have a call then you are more likely to leave the mission field or abandon the pulpit.”   This statement by the speaker started me on an all out search for answers.   What does the Bible say about the will of God or a call to ministry?  What about other resources?   What do books, speakers, and fellow believers say?

Most Christians have struggled in similar ways as I did to discover God's specific calling for them.  I want to explore the idea of a calling, and see if this is really the best way to talk or think about ministry.  In 1980, Garry Friesen wrote a book titled, Decision Making and the Will of God.  Friesen argues that there is no specific will of God for each believer.  Rather, believers should make wise decisions based on what Scripture has revealed.  Friesen deals in detail with all of the passages that supposedly promote the specific will of God.  So, I don't want to just rehash those same passages.
Rather, I want to briefly discuss whether or not there is a calling to missions or ministry in general.  I think this is needed because 1) not everyone will read Friesen's 400 page book, and 2) because the idea of a calling plays such a big part in the language and beliefs of the average Christian.  I am finding that an understanding of a calling affects the way Christians make decisions and the way they counsel others.  Thus, there are lots of ramifications to this idea of a calling.  So, we do well to explore it.

As I moved into the process of applying for the IMB and pastorate frequently, I was counseled to go where God is calling me.  By "calling" I understand them to mean a strong sense that God is clearly leading me in a certain direction.

Go Where God Calls

What frustrates me with the advice "go where God calls you" or "find where God is working and join him" is that it is given as sort of the panacea answer, the ultimate solution to all my questions and doubts.  But this advice only begs the question.  To tell me to go where God is calling me leaves unanswered the very question it proposes to answer-Where do I go?

As we think about a calling, let's consider the first missionary journey in Acts 13:2.  It says, "And while they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, 'Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them'" (NASV).  The other passage that comes to mind regarding God's call to missions is the Macedonian Call in Acts 16.  Paul wanted to preach in Asia, but was forbidden by the Spirit, and a vision led him over to Macedonia.  Many Christians conclude that all believers must therefore have this kind of clear calling.  But, can we make either of these experiences the standard for all other missionaries?  If so, why?  Nowhere does Scripture promise this sort of clarity when doing God's will.

For a moment, let's take a look at pastoring.  If there's any Christian vocation that warrants a call, other than being a missionary, it's pastoring.  Most pastors I know talk about a calling to the pastorate.  So let's look at a few passages about pastoring.  First Timothy 3:1 says, "If a man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do."  Ephesians 4:11 says Jesus "gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers."  And 1 Peter 5:2 exhorts elders or pastors to "shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for gain, but with eagerness."  None of these three passages talks about a call, but they do talk about qualifications and desire.  First Peter 5:2 mentions the will of God, but there's a textual variant at this point, so it might also be rendered, "not by compulsion but willingly," as the NKJV has it.  But, even if the original reading is as the NASV has it, the phrase "the will of God" is a far cry from establishing our modern day concept of God's call to the pastorate.

Four Guiding Principles

As I examine the above passages and other Scripture regarding pastoring and missions, I see no warrant for what we often mean by God's calling: a strong, clear, and unalterable sense of God's leading.  Rather, I think the whole idea of serving on the mission field, or any other ministry, is best talked about in terms of: 1) gifting and qualifications, 2) obedience, 3) desire, and 4) faith.

1)      Gifting and qualification are significant.  If you tell a mission organization God has called you to a particular country, they're not going to send you based on that alone.  You'll have to meet other qualifications (lot's of other qualifications).  And rightfully so.

2)      Obedience to Scripture is also of utmost importance.  In general, we know that Christ wants to reach the nations for his name sake (Hosea 2:23, Acts 28:28).  We can confidently say that missions work is a good and noble thing.  Scripture commands it (Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 1:8) so it's got to be the right thing to do, in most cases.  Christians in the U.S. saying God hasn't called them to missions are mistaken.  Unless uncontrollable circumstances prevail, like a sick spouse or rebellious child, etc, no Christian has a right to say that cross-cultural missions isn't for him.  He can at least take a two-week trip into another culture before concluding he's not gifted for cross-cultural living.

3)      Desire is also a key player here.  Psalm 37:4 says to "Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart."  I take this to mean that when you are delighting in God, he will give you what you are desiring to have (also see Psalm 20:4, 145:19, Pro 10:24).  These passages lead me to believe that wanting to do something, while not the most important thing is nonetheless important.  Yes, sometimes we need to do some things whether we want to or not.  And God doesn't say that he will always give us what we want, but God is not against us wanting to be where we're going to serve.

4)      Faith really is the bottom line of where we live every day.  It doesn't matter how sure we are of a decision to go to a particular people group, or to marry a certain godly person, it's still a step of faith.  We have the promise that Christ will never leave us or forsake us on this life's journey, but there's no guarantee that it will always be an easy journey.

I think that from God's perspective, since he is absolutely sovereign, he does in fact have a specific will for us.  By virtue of his sovereign control, it must have specific ramifications.  But, from our perspective his specific will for each of us isn't something we have to discover.  God doesn't promise clarity at this point.  The Bible will guide us into truth, and when we have to decide on things not specifically covered in Scripture, like which country we personally should serve in, then biblical principles like the four discussed above can guide us.

I suggest that a calling is not the best way to talk or think about our approach to missions (or to any other ministry).  Instead, it might be better to talk about what we are gifted to do, what we truly want to do, and what is the biblical thing to do.  Some might ask, "Why not say that the four things you've presented are part of God's calling rather than different from it?  Why do the things you've suggested have to be opposed to a belief in a call?"  They're different because the assumption made when we talk about God's call is that it's definite, something that can be verified, something that is obligatory, something that can't be influenced by others, and something specific to us.  But, Scripture doesn't teach this concept of a call for all believers, or even for most believers.  Although the view I've espoused here has its weaknesses (i.e., there's still confusion about making the wisest choice), it seems to be a better biblical model than the idea of a calling.  Some might argue that a calling is the only thing that will keep you on the field when things get rough, but I suggest that other noble things, such as God's sustaining grace, can keep you there too.

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Monday Morning Humor:

If you are watching from a phone here is the link: Monday Morning Humor

Jesus Opened the Way to God:

But Jesus let out a loud cry and breathed His last. Then the curtain of the sanctuary was split in two from top to bottom. When the centurion, who was standing opposite Him, saw the way He breathed His last, he said, “This man really was God’s Son!”-Mark 15:37-39

I have been thinking a lot about the Passion Week and the Resurrection story in the weeks leading up to Easter. I have attempted to meditate on each of the accounts in the Gospels during the month of March. In Mark’s account of Jesus’s last words he records the death of Jesus and how His death opened the way to God. In verse 37 Mark records, “Jesus let out a loud cry” and died. Almost certainly it was the cry recorded in John 19:30, “It is finished!” Atonement has been made, and the work of salvation is done. As tangible evidence, “the curtain of the sanctuary was split in two”-and do not miss this-“from top to bottom”. This was God’s doing. The significance of the tearing of the curtain that separates the holy place from the holy of holies is rich in symbolic allusions.

1. It points to the complete, perfect, and altogether sufficient sacrifice for sins that Jesus has offered in himself on the cross. The sin that had created a barrier both spiritually and naturally between God and man has been atoned for.

2. It also points to the end of the Mosaic Covenant and laws, which have been fulfilled in Christ. The “old order” has passed away!

3. It points to the fact that God in all his glory is now freely and fully accessible to all men and women who come to him by faith in Jesus Christ. For centuries before the coming of Christ, God had confined the revelation of his glory and majesty to the Holy of Holies. Now he bursts forth to dwell no longer behind a veil in a house built with his wood and stone and precious jewels, but to dwell in the hearts of his people.

In conclusion, verse 39 reveals the point of Mark’s Gospel. On the lips of a Gentile Roman Centurion, we hear the confession, “This man really was God’s Son”. It was not one of His marvelous miracles or tremendous teachings that evoked this confession; it was His passion, His death. Like the centurion, Mark wants his readers to confess Jesus as the Christ. The question is, have you? Will you? It is a question only you can answer.

Promise Keeper:

If you are watching from a phone here is the link: Jesus Fulfilled Prophecy 

In Youth we currently finished up a series entitled DOCTRINE: WHAT Christians believe and WHY it Matters. One Sunday we focused on the fact that Jesus Christ fulfilled 354 prophecies which pointed to His first coming. This is important because if Christ kept His 354 promises and did not break one than we can trust that He will keep His other promises. Promises to come again, never forsake us, He will never let us fall from His grasp, He has gone to prepare a place for us, and the list goes on and on. Below is a list of all the prophecies Jesus Christ fulfilled. He truly is a promise keeper.

Prophecy

Fulfillment

1. Gen. 3:15	Seed of a woman (virgin birth)	Galatians 4:4-5, Matthew 1:18
2. Gen. 3:15	He will bruise Satan's head	Hebrews 2:14, 1John 3:8
3. Gen. 3:15	Christ's heel would be bruised with nails on the cross	Matthew 27:35, Luke 24:39-40
4. Gen. 5:24	The bodily ascension to heaven illustrated	Mark 16:19
5. Gen. 9:26, 27	The God of Shem will be the Son of Shem	Luke 3:36
6. Gen. 12:3	Seed of Abraham will bless all nations	Galatians 3:8, Acts 3:25, 26
7. Gen. 12:7	The Promise made to Abraham's Seed	Galatians 3:16
8. Gen. 14:18	A priest after the order of Melchizedek	Hebrews 6:20
9. Gen. 14:18	King of Peace and Righteousness	Hebrews 7:2
10. Gen. 14:18	The Last Supper foreshadowed	Matthew 26:26-29
11. Gen. 17:19	Seed of Isaac (Gen. 21:12)	Romans 9:7
12. Gen. 22:8	The Lamb of God promised	John 1:29
13. Gen. 22:18	As Isaac's seed, will bless all nations	Galatians 3:16
14. Gen. 26:2-5	The Seed of Isaac promised as the Redeemer	Hebrews 11:18
15. Gen. 28:12	The Bridge to heaven	John 1:51
16. Gen. 28:14	The Seed of Jacob	Luke 3:34
17. Gen. 49:10	The time of His coming	Luke 2:1-7; Galatians 4:4
18. Gen. 49:10	The Seed of Judah	Luke 3:33
19. Gen. 49:10	Called Shiloh or One Sent	John 17:3
20. Gen. 49:10	Messiah to come before Judah lost identity	John 11:47-52
21. Gen. 49:10	Unto Him shall the obedience of the people be	John 10:16
22. Ex. 3:13-15	The Great "I AM"	John 4:26, 8:58
23. Ex. 12:3-6	The Lamb presented to Israel 4 days before Passover	Mark 11:7-11
24. Ex. 12:5	A Lamb without blemish	Hebrews 9:14; 1Peter 1:19
25. Ex. 12:13	The blood of the Lamb saves from wrath	Romans 5:8
26. Ex. 12:21-27	Christ is our Passover	1Corinthians 5:7
27. Ex. 12:46	Not a bone of the Lamb to be broken	John 19:31-36
28. Ex. 15:2	His exaltation predicted as Yeshua	Acts 7:55, 56
29. Ex. 15:11	His Character-Holiness	Luke 1:35; Acts 4:27
30. Ex. 17:6	The Spiritual Rock of Israel	1Corinthians 10:4
31. Ex. 33:19	His Character-Merciful	Luke 1:72
32. Lev. 1:2-9	His sacrifice a sweet smelling savor unto God	Ephesians 5:2
33. Lev. 14:11	The leper cleansed-Sign to priesthood	Luke 5:12-14; Acts 6:7
34. Lev. 16:15-17	Prefigures Christ's once-for-all death	Hebrews 9:7-14
35. Lev. 16:27	Suffering outside the Camp	Matthew 27:33; Heb. 13:11, 12
36. Lev. 17:11	The Blood-the life of the flesh	Matthew 26:28; Mark 10:45
37. Lev. 17:11	It is the blood that makes atonement	Rom. 3:23-24; 1John 1:7
38. Lev. 23:36-37	The Drink-offering: "If any man thirst"	John 7:37
39. Num. 9:12	Not a bone of Him broken	John 19:31-36
40. Num. 21:9	The serpent on a pole-Christ lifted up	John 3:14-18, 12:32
41. Num. 24:17	Time: "I shall see him, but not now."	John 1:14; Galatians 4:4
42. Deut. 18:15	"This is of a truth that prophet."	John 6:14
43. Deut. 18:15-16	"Had ye believed Moses, ye would believe me."	John 5:45-47
44. Deut. 18:18	Sent by the Father to speak His word	John 8:28, 29
45. Deut. 18:19	Whoever will not hear must bear his sin	Acts 3:22-23
46. Deut. 21:23	Cursed is he that hangs on a tree	Galatians 3:10-13
47. Joshua 5:14-15	The Captain of our salvation	Hebrews 2:10
48. Ruth 4:4-10	Christ, our kinsman, has redeemed us	Ephesians 1:3-7
49. 1 Sam. 2:35	A Faithful Priest	Heb. 2:17, 3:1-3, 6, 7:24-25
50. 1 Sam. 2:10	Shall be an anointed King to the Lord	Mt. 28:18, John 12:15
51. 2 Sam. 7:12	David's Seed	Matthew 1:1
52. 2 Sam. 7:13	His Kingdom is everlasting	2Peter 1:11
53. 2 Sam. 7:14a	The Son of God	Luke 1:32, Romans 1:3-4
54. 2 Sam. 7:16	David's house established forever	Luke 3:31; Rev. 22:16
55. 2 Ki. 2:11	The bodily ascension to heaven illustrated	Luke 24:51
56. 1 Chr. 17:11	David's Seed	Matthew 1:1, 9:27
57. 1 Chr. 17:12-13	To reign on David's throne forever	Luke 1:32, 33
58. 1 Chr. 17:13	"I will be His Father, He...my Son."	Hebrews 1:5
59. Job 9:32-33	Mediator between man and God	1 Timothy 2:5
60. Job 19:23-27	The Resurrection predicted	John 5:24-29
61. Psa. 2:1-3	The enmity of kings foreordained	Acts 4:25-28
62. Psa. 2:2	To own the title, Anointed (Christ)	John 1:41, Acts 2:36
63. Psa. 2:6	His Character-Holiness	John 8:46; Revelation 3:7
64. Psa. 2:6	To own the title King	Matthew 2:2
65. Psa. 2:7	Declared the Beloved Son	Matthew 3:17, Romans 1:4
66. Psa. 2:7, 8	The Crucifixion and Resurrection intimated	Acts 13:29-33
67. Psa. 2:8, 9	Rule the nations with a rod of iron	Rev. 2:27, 12:5, 19:15
68. Psa. 2:12	Life comes through faith in Him	John 20:31
69. Psa. 8:2	The mouths of babes perfect His praise	Matthew 21:16
70. Psa. 8:5, 6	His humiliation and exaltation	Hebrews 2:5-9
71. Psa. 9:7-10	Judge the world in righteousness	Acts 17:31
72. Psa. 16:10	Was not to see corruption	Acts 2:31, 13:35
73. Psa. 16:9-11	Was to arise from the dead	John 20:9
74. Psa. 17:15	The resurrection predicted	Luke 24:6
75. Psa. 18:2-3	The horn of salvation	Luke 1:69-71
76. Psa. 22:1	Forsaken because of sins of others	2 Corinthians 5:21
77. Psa. 22:1	"My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?"	Matthew 27:46
78. Psa. 22:2	Darkness upon Calvary for three hours	Matthew 27:45
79. Psa. 22:7	They shoot out the lip and shake the head	Matthew 27:39-44
80. Psa. 22:8	"He trusted in God, let Him deliver Him"	Matthew 27:43
81. Psa. 22:9-10	Born the Saviour	Luke 2:7
82. Psa. 22:12-13	They seek His death	John 19:6
83. Psa. 22:14	His blood poured out when they pierced His side	John 19:34
84. Psa. 22:14, 15	Suffered agony on Calvary	Mark 15:34-37
85. Psa. 22:15	He thirsted	John 19:28
86. Psa. 22:16	They pierced His hands and His feet	John 19:34, 37; 20:27
87. Psa. 22:17, 18	Stripped Him before the stares of men	Luke 23:34, 35
88. Psa. 22:18	They parted His garments	John 19:23, 24
89. Psa. 22:20, 21	He committed Himself to God	Luke 23:46
90. Psa. 22:20, 21	Satanic power bruising the Redeemer's heel	Hebrews 2:14
91. Psa. 22:22	His Resurrection declared	John 20:17
92. Psa. 22:27-28	He shall be the governor of the nations	Colossians 1:16
93. Psa. 22:31	"It is finished"	John 19:30, Heb. 10:10, 12, 14, 18
94. Psa. 23:1	"I am the Good Shepherd"	John 10:11, 1Peter 2:25
95. Psa. 24:3	His exaltation predicted	Acts 1:11; Philippians 2:9
96. Psa. 30:3	His resurrection predicted	Acts 2:32
97. Psa. 31:5	"Into thy hands I commit my spirit"	Luke 23:46
98. Psa. 31:11	His acquaintances fled from Him	Mark 14:50
99. Psa. 31:13	They took counsel to put Him to death	Mt. 27:1, John 11:53
100. Psa. 31:14, 15	"He trusted in God, let Him deliver him"	Matthew 27:43
101. Psa. 34:20	Not a bone of Him broken	John 19:31-36
102. Psa. 35:11	False witnesses rose up against Him	Matthew 26:59
103. Psa. 35:19	He was hated without a cause	John 15:25
104. Psa. 38:11	His friends stood afar off	Luke 23:49
105. Psa. 38:12	Enemies try to entangle Him by craft	Mark 14:1, Mt. 22:15
106. Psa. 38:12-13	Silent before His accusers	Matthew 27:12-14
107. Psa. 38:20	He went about doing good	Acts 10:38
108. Psa. 40:2-5	The joy of His resurrection predicted	John 20:20
109. Psa. 40:6-8	His delight-the will of the Father	John 4:34, Heb. 10:5-10
110. Psa. 40:9	He was to preach the Righteousness in Israel	Matthew 4:17
111. Psa. 40:14	Confronted by adversaries in the Garden	John 18:4-6
112. Psa. 41:9	Betrayed by a familiar friend	John 13:18
113. Psa. 45:2	Words of Grace come from His lips	John 1:17, Luke 4:22
114. Psa. 45:6	To own the title, God or Elohim	Hebrews 1:8
115. Psa. 45:7	A special anointing by the Holy Spirit	Mt. 3:16; Heb. 1:9
116. Psa. 45:7, 8	Called the Christ (Messiah or Anointed)	Luke 2:11
117. Psa. 45:17	His name remembered forever	Ephesians 1:20-21, Heb. 1:8
118. Psa. 55:12-14	Betrayed by a friend, not an enemy	John 13:18
119. Psa. 55:15	Unrepentant death of the Betrayer	Matthew 27:3-5; Acts 1:16-19
120. Psa. 68:18	To give gifts to men	Ephesians 4:7-16
121. Psa. 68:18	Ascended into Heaven	Luke 24:51
122. Psa. 69:4	Hated without a cause	John 15:25
123. Psa. 69:8	A stranger to own brethren	John 1:11, 7:5
124. Psa. 69:9	Zealous for the Lord's House	John 2:17
125. Psa. 69:14-20	Messiah's anguish of soul before crucifixion	Matthew 26:36-45
126. Psa. 69:20	"My soul is exceeding sorrowful."	Matthew 26:38
127. Psa. 69:21	Given vinegar in thirst	Matthew 27:34
128. Psa. 69:26	The Saviour given and smitten by God	John 17:4; 18:11
129. Psa. 72:10, 11	Great persons were to visit Him	Matthew 2:1-11
130. Psa. 72:16	The corn of wheat to fall into the Ground	John 12:24-25
131. Psa. 72:17	Belief on His name will produce offspring	John 1:12, 13
132. Psa. 72:17	All nations shall be blessed by Him	Galatians 3:8
133. Psa. 72:17	All nations shall call Him blessed	John 12:13, Rev. 5:8-12
134. Psa. 78:1-2	He would teach in parables	Matthew 13:34-35
135. Psa. 78:2b	To speak the Wisdom of God with authority	Matthew 7:29
136. Psa. 80:17	The Man of God's right hand	Mark 14:61-62
137. Psa. 88	The Suffering and Reproach of Calvary	Matthew 27:26-50
138. Psa. 88:8	They stood afar off and watched	Luke 23:49
139. Psa. 89:27	Firstborn	Colossians 1:15, 18
140. Psa. 89:27	Emmanuel to be higher than earthly kings	Luke 1:32, 33
141. Psa. 89:35-37	David's Seed, throne, kingdom endure forever	Luke 1:32, 33
142. Psa. 89:36-37	His character-Faithfulness	Revelation 1:5, 19:11
143. Psa. 90:2	He is from everlasting (Micah 5:2)	John 1:1
144. Psa. 91:11, 12	Identified as Messianic; used to tempt Christ	Luke 4:10, 11
145. Psa. 97:9	His exaltation predicted	Acts 1:11; Ephesians 1:20
146. Psa. 100:5	His character-Goodness	Matthew 19:16, 17
147. Psa. 102:1-11	The Suffering and Reproach of Calvary	John 19:16-30
148. Psa. 102:25-27	Messiah is the Preexistent Son	Hebrews 1:10-12
149. Psa. 109:25	Ridiculed	Matthew 27:39
150. Psa. 110:1	Son of David	Matthew 22:42-43
151. Psa. 110:1	To ascend to the right-hand of the Father	Mark 16:19
152. Psa. 110:1	David's son called Lord	Matthew 22:44, 45
153. Psa. 110:4	A priest after Melchizedek's order	Hebrews 6:20
154. Psa. 112:4	His character-Compassionate, Gracious, et al	Matthew 9:36
155. Psa. 118:17, 18	Messiah's Resurrection assured	Luke 24:5-7; 1Cor. 15:20
156. Psa. 118:22, 23	The rejected stone is Head of the corner	Matthew 21:42, 43
157. Psa. 118:26a	The Blessed One presented to Israel	Matthew 21:9
158. Psa. 118:26b	To come while Temple standing	Matthew 21:12-15
159. Psa. 132:11	The Seed of David (the fruit of His Body)	Luke 1:32, Act 2:30
160. Psa. 129:3	He was scourged	Matthew 27:26
161. Psa. 138:1-6	The supremacy of David's Seed amazes kings	Matthew 2:2-6
162. Psa. 147:3, 6	The earthly ministry of Christ described	Luke 4:18
163. Prov. 1:23	He will send the Spirit of God	John 16:7
164. Prov. 8:23	Foreordained from everlasting	Rev. 13:8, 1Peter 1:19-20
165. Song. 5:16	The altogether lovely One	John 1:17
166. Isa. 2:3	He shall teach all nations	John 4:25
167. Isa. 2:4	He shall judge among the nations	John 5:22
168. Isa. 6:1	When Isaiah saw His glory	John 12:40-41
169. Isa. 6:8	The One Sent by God	John 12:38-45
170. Isa. 6:9-10	Parables fall on deaf ears	Matthew 13:13-15
171. Isa. 6:9-12	Blinded to Christ and deaf to His words	Acts 28:23-29
172. Isa. 7:14	To be born of a virgin	Luke 1:35
173. Isa. 7:14	To be Emmanuel-God with us	Matthew 1:18-23, 1Tim. 3:16
174. Isa. 8:8	Called Emmanuel	Matthew 28:20
175. Isa. 8:14	A stone of stumbling, a Rock of offense	1Peter 2:8
176. Isa. 9:1, 2	His ministry to begin in Galilee	Matthew 4:12-17
177. Isa. 9:6	A child born-Humanity	Luke 1:31
178. Isa. 9:6	A Son given-Deity	Luke 1:32, John 1:14, 1Tim. 3:16
179. Isa. 9:6	Declared to be the Son of God with power	Romans 1:3, 4
180. Isa. 9:6	The Wonderful One, Peleh	Luke 4:22
181. Isa. 9:6	The Counsellor, Yaatz	Matthew 13:54
182. Isa. 9:6	The Mighty God, El Gibor	1Cor. 1:24, Titus 2:3
183. Isa. 9:6	The Everlasting Father, Avi Adth	John 8:58, 10:30
184. Isa. 9:6	The Prince of Peace, Sar Shalom	John 16:33
185. Isa. 9:7	To establish an everlasting kingdom	Luke 1:32-33
186. Isa. 9:7	His Character-Just	John 5:30
187. Isa. 9:7	No end to his Government, Throne, and Peace	Luke 1:32-33
188. Isa. 11:1	Called a Nazarene-the Branch, Netzer	Matthew 2:23
189. Isa. 11:1	A rod out of Jesse-Son of Jesse	Luke 3:23, 32
190. Isa. 11:2	Anointed One by the Spirit	Matthew 3:16, 17, Acts 10:38
191. Isa. 11:2	His Character-Wisdom, Knowledge, et al	Colossians 2:3
192. Isa. 11:3	He would know their thoughts	Luke 6:8, John 2:25
193. Isa. 11:4	Judge in righteousness	Acts 17:31
194. Isa. 11:4	Judges with the sword of His mouth	Rev. 2:16, 19:11, 15
195. Isa. 11:5	Character: Righteous & Faithful	Rev. 19:11
196. Isa. 11:10	The Gentiles seek Him	John 12:18-21
197. Isa. 12:2	Called Jesus-Yeshua	Matthew 1:21
198. Isa. 22:22	The One given all authority to govern	Revelation 3:7
199. Isa. 25:8	The Resurrection predicted	1Corinthians 15:54
200. Isa. 26:19	His power of Resurrection predicted	Matthew 27:50-54
201. Isa. 28:16	The Messiah is the precious corner stone	Acts 4:11, 12
202. Isa. 28:16	The Sure Foundation	1Corinthians 3:11, Mt. 16:18
203. Isa. 29:13	He indicated hypocritical obedience to His Word	Matthew 15:7-9
204. Isa. 29:14	The wise are confounded by the Word	1Corinthians 1:18-31
205. Isa. 32:2	A Refuge-A man shall be a hiding place	Matthew 23:37
206. Isa. 35:4	He will come and save you	Matthew 1:21
207. Isa. 35:5-6	To have a ministry of miracles	Matthew 11:2-6
208. Isa. 40:3, 4	Preceded by forerunner	John 1:23
209. Isa. 40:9	"Behold your God."	John 1:36; 19:14
210. Isa. 40:10.	He will come to reward	Revelation 22:12
211. Isa. 40:11	A shepherd-compassionate life-giver	John 10:10-18
212. Isa. 42:1-4	The Servant-as a faithful, patient redeemer	Matthew 12:18-21
213. Isa. 42:2	Meek and lowly	Matthew 11:28-30
214. Isa. 42:3	He brings hope for the hopeless	John 4
215. Isa. 42:4	The nations shall wait on His teachings	John 12:20-26
216. Isa. 42:6	The Light (salvation) of the Gentiles	Luke 2:32
217. Isa. 42:1, 6	His is a worldwide compassion	Matthew 28:19, 20
218. Isa. 42:7	Blind eyes opened.	John 9:25-38
219. Isa. 43:11	He is the only Saviour.	Acts 4:12
220. Isa. 44:3	He will send the Spirit of God	John 16:7, 13
221. Isa. 45:21-25	He is Lord and Saviour	Philippians 3:20, Titus 2:13
222. Isa. 45:23	He will be the Judge	John 5:22; Romans 14:11
223. Isa. 46:9, 10	Declares things not yet done	John 13:19
224. Isa. 48:12	The First and the Last	John 1:30, Revelation 1:8, 17
225. Isa. 48:16, 17	He came as a Teacher	John 3:2
226. Isa. 49:1	Called from the womb-His humanity	Matthew 1:18
227. Isa. 49:5	A Servant from the womb.	Luke 1:31, Philippians 2:7
228. Isa. 49:6	He will restore Israel	Acts 3:19-21, 15:16-17
229. Isa. 49:6	He is Salvation for Israel	Luke 2:29-32
230. Isa. 49:6	He is the Light of the Gentiles	John 8:12, Acts 13:47
231. Isa. 49:6	He is Salvation unto the ends of the earth	Acts 15:7-18
232. Isa. 49:7	He is despised of the Nation	John 1:11, 8:48-49, 19:14-15
233. Isa. 50:3	Heaven is clothed in black at His humiliation	Luke 23:44, 45
234. Isa. 50:4	He is a learned counselor for the weary	Matthew 7:29, 11:28, 29
235. Isa. 50:5	The Servant bound willingly to obedience	Matthew 26:39
236. Isa. 50:6a	"I gave my back to the smiters."	Matthew 27:26
237. Isa. 50:6b	He was smitten on the cheeks	Matthew 26:67
238. Isa. 50:6c	He was spat upon	Matthew 27:30
239. Isa. 52:7	Published good tidings upon mountains	Matthew 5:12,15:29,28:16
240. Isa. 52:13	The Servant exalted	Acts 1:8-11; Eph. 1:19-22, Php. 2:5-9
241. Isa. 52:14	The Servant shockingly abused	Luke 18:31-34; Mt. 26:67, 68
242. Isa. 52:15	Nations startled by message of the Servant	Luke 18:31-34; Mt. 26:67, 68
243. Isa. 52:15	His blood shed sprinkles nations	Hebrews 9:13-14, Rev. 1:5
244. Isa. 53:1	His people would not believe Him	John 12:37-38
245. Isa. 53:2	Appearance of an ordinary man	Philippians 2:6-8
246. Isa. 53:3a	Despised	Luke 4:28-29
247. Isa. 53:3b	Rejected	Matthew 27:21-23
248. Isa. 53:3c	Great sorrow and grief	Matthew 26:37-38, Luke 19:41, Heb. 4:15
249. Isa. 53:3d	Men hide from being associated with Him	Mark 14:50-52
250. Isa. 53:4a	He would have a healing ministry	Matthew 8:16-17
251. Isa. 53:4b	Thought to be cursed by God	Matthew 26:66, 27:41-43
252. Isa. 53:5a	Bears penalty for mankind's iniquities	2Cor. 5:21, Heb. 2:9
253. Isa. 53:5b	His sacrifice provides peace between man and God	Colossians 1:20
254. Isa. 53:5c	His sacrifice would heal man of sin	1Peter 2:24
255. Isa. 53:6a	He would be the sin-bearer for all mankind	1John 2:2, 4:10
256. Isa. 53:6b	God's will that He bear sin for all mankind	Galatians 1:4
257. Isa. 53:7a	Oppressed and afflicted	Matthew 27:27-31
258. Isa. 53:7b	Silent before his accusers	Matthew 27:12-14
259. Isa. 53:7c	Sacrificial lamb	John 1:29, 1Peter 1:18-19
260. Isa. 53:8a	Confined and persecuted	Matthew 26:47-27:31
261. Isa. 53:8b	He would be judged	John 18:13-22
262. Isa. 53:8c	Killed	Matthew 27:35
263. Isa. 53:8d	Dies for the sins of the world	1John 2:2
264. Isa. 53:9a	Buried in a rich man's grave	Matthew 27:57
265. Isa. 53:9b	Innocent and had done no violence	Luke 23:41, John 18:38
266. Isa. 53:9c	No deceit in his mouth	1Peter 2:22
267. Isa. 53:10a	God's will that He die for mankind	John 18:11
268. Isa. 53:10b	An offering for sin	Matthew 20:28, Galatians 3:13
269. Isa. 53:10c	Resurrected and live forever	Romans 6:9
270. Isa. 53:10d	He would prosper	John 17:1-5
271. Isa. 53:11a	God fully satisfied with His suffering	John 12:27
272. Isa. 53:11b	God's servant would justify man	Romans 5:8-9, 18-19
273. Isa. 53:11c	The sin-bearer for all mankind	Hebrews 9:28
274. Isa. 53:12a	Exalted by God because of his sacrifice	Matthew 28:18
275. Isa. 53:12b	He would give up his life to save mankind	Luke 23:46
276. Isa. 53:12c	Numbered with the transgressors	Mark 15:27-28
277. Isa. 53:12d	Sin-bearer for all mankind	1Peter 2:24
278. Isa. 53:12e	Intercede to God in behalf of mankind	Luke 23:34, Rom. 8:34
279. Isa. 55:3	Resurrected by God	Acts 13:34
280. Isa. 55:4a	A witness	John 18:37
281. Isa. 55:4b	He is a leader and commander	Hebrews 2:10
282. Isa. 55:5	God would glorify Him	Acts 3:13
283. Isa. 59:16a	Intercessor between man and God	Matthew 10:32
284. Isa. 59:16b	He would come to provide salvation	John 6:40
285. Isa. 59:20	He would come to Zion as their Redeemer	Luke 2:38
286. Isa. 60:1-3	He would shew light to the Gentiles	Acts 26:23
287. Isa. 61:1a	The Spirit of God upon him	Matthew 3:16-17
288. Isa. 61:1b	The Messiah would preach the good news	Luke 4:16-21
289. Isa. 61:1c	Provide freedom from the bondage of sin	John 8:31-36
290. Isa. 61:1-2a	Proclaim a period of grace	Galatians 4:4-5
291. Jer. 23:5-6	Descendant of David	Luke 3:23-31
292. Jer. 23:5-6	The Messiah would be both God and Man	John 13:13, 1Ti 3:16
293. Jer. 31:22	Born of a virgin	Matthew 1:18-20
294. Jer. 31:31	The Messiah would be the new covenant	Matthew 26:28
295. Jer. 33:14-15	Descendant of David	Luke 3:23-31
296. Eze.34:23-24	Descendant of David	Matthew 1:1
297. Eze.37:24-25	Descendant of David	Luke 1:31-33
298. Dan. 2:44-45	The Stone that shall break the kingdoms	Matthew 21:44
299. Dan. 7:13-14a	He would ascend into heaven	Acts 1:9-11
300. Dan. 7:13-14b	Highly exalted	Ephesians 1:20-22
301. Dan. 7:13-14c	His dominion would be everlasting	Luke 1:31-33
302. Dan. 9:24a	To make an end to sins	Galatians 1:3-5
303. Dan. 9:24a	To make reconciliation for iniquity	Romans 5:10, 2Cor. 5:18-21
304. Dan. 9:24b	He would be holy	Luke 1:35
305. Dan. 9:25	His announcement	John 12:12-13
306. Dan. 9:26a	Cut off	Matthew 16:21, 21:38-39
307. Dan. 9:26b	Die for the sins of the world	Hebrews 2:9
308. Dan. 9:26c	Killed before the destruction of the temple	Matthew 27:50-51
309. Dan. 10:5-6	Messiah in a glorified state	Revelation 1:13-16
310. Hos. 11:1	He would be called out of Egypt	Matthew 2:15
311. Hos. 13:14	He would defeat death	1Corinthians 15:55-57
312. Joel 2:32	Offer salvation to all mankind	Romans 10:9-13
313. Jonah 1:17	Death and resurrection of Christ	Matthew 12:40, 16:4
314. Mic. 5:2a	Born in Bethlehem	Matthew 2:1-6
315. Mic. 5:2b	Ruler in Israel	Luke 1:33
316. Mic. 5:2c	From everlasting	John 8:58
317. Hag. 2:6-9	He would visit the second Temple	Luke 2:27-32
318. Hag. 2:23	Descendant of Zerubbabel	Luke 2:27-32
319. Zech. 3:8	God's servant	John 17:4
320. Zech. 6:12-13	Priest and King	Hebrews 8:1
321. Zech. 9:9a	Greeted with rejoicing in Jerusalem	Matthew 21:8-10
322. Zech. 9:9b	Beheld as King	John 12:12-13
323. Zech. 9:9c	The Messiah would be just	John 5:30
324. Zech. 9:9d	The Messiah would bring salvation	Luke 19:10
325. Zech. 9:9e	The Messiah would be humble	Matthew 11:29
326. Zech. 9:9f	Presented to Jerusalem riding on a donkey	Matthew 21:6-9
327. Zech. 10:4	The cornerstone	Ephesians 2:20
328. Zech. 11:4-6a	At His coming, Israel to have unfit leaders	Matthew 23:1-4
329. Zech. 11:4-6b	Rejection causes God to remove His protection	Luke 19:41-44
330. Zech. 11:4-6c	Rejected in favor of another king	John 19:13-15
331. Zech. 11:7	Ministry to "poor," the believing remnant	Matthew 9:35-36
332. Zech. 11:8a	Unbelief forces Messiah to reject them	Matthew 23:33
333. Zech. 11:8b	Despised	Matthew 27:20
334. Zech. 11:9	Stops ministering to those who rejected Him	Matthew 13:10-11
335. Zech. 11:10-11a	Rejection causes God to remove protection	Luke 19:41-44
336. Zech. 11:10-11b	The Messiah would be God	John 14:7
337. Zech. 11:12-13a	Betrayed for thirty pieces of silver	Matthew 26:14-15
338. Zech. 11:12-13b	Rejected	Matthew 26:14-15
339. Zech. 11:12-13c	Thirty pieces of silver cast in the house of the Lord	Matthew 27:3-5
340. Zech. 11:12-13d	The Messiah would be God	John 12:45
341. Zech. 12:10a	The Messiah's body would be pierced	John 19:34-37
342. Zech. 12:10b	The Messiah would be both God and man	John 10:30
343. Zech. 12:10c	The Messiah would be rejected	John 1:11
344. Zech. 13:7a	God's will He die for mankind	John 18:11
345. Zech. 13:7b	A violent death	Mark 14:27
346. Zech. 13:7c	Both God and man	John 14:9
347. Zech. 13:7d	Israel scattered as a result of rejecting Him	Matthew 26:31-56
348. Zech. 14:4	He would return to the Mt. of Olives	Acts 1:11-12
349. Mal. 3:1a	Messenger to prepare the way for Messiah	Mark 1:1-8
350. Mal. 3:1b	Sudden appearance at the temple	Mark 11:15-16
351. Mal. 3:1c	Messenger of the new covenant	Luke 4:43
352. Mal. 3:6	The God who changes not	Hebrews 13:8
353. Mal. 4:5	Forerunner in spirit of Elijah	Mt. 3:1-3, 11:10-14, 17:11-13
354. Mal. 4:6	Forerunner would turn many to righteousness	Luke 1:16-17