Caroline Barclay Christmas Eve 2023

Christmas Break

 

Dr. Barclay will be taking a well-deserved break over Christmas, so there will be no "Something to Think About" or Bible study next week.

We will look forward to hearing from him in the new year.

Dr. Barclay's Bible Study - The Book of Daniel Part 12

Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - HIS TRUTH

                                                                         

                                          HIS TRUTH

At this time of year, we often hear of the prophecies that predated the birth of Christ. We hear of Micah, the prophet, who, approximately 750 years before Christ, wrote that:

“…Bethlehem Ephrethah,

Though you are little among the thousands of Judah,

Yet out of you shall come forth to Me

The One to be Ruler in Israel,

Whose goings forth are from old,

From everlasting.”

(Micah 5:2)

And we often hear about what Isaiah prophesied when he said:

   

For unto us a Child is born,

Unto us a Son is given…

And His name will be called

Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, 

Prince of Peace.

(Isaiah 9:6)

…He will teach us His ways,

And we shall walk in His paths…

He shall judge between the nations,

And rebuke many people… 

(Isaiah 2:3-4)

We hear much less about prophecies such as the one in Daniel:

“I was watching…and behold, One like the son of Man,

He came to the Ancient of Days…

Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom,

That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him.

His dominion is an everlasting dominion,

Which shall not pass away,

And His kingdom the one

Which shall not be destroyed 

(Daniel 7:13-14)

The prophecies regarding the birth of Christ are ones which are frequently repeated in churches at this time of the year. But the others are often not mentioned as much at this or any other time of the year, and this is unfortunate because understanding the prophetic nature of scriptures can lead to a greater awareness of the full meaning of the Bible itself. After all, it is estimated that there are over 1800 prophetic utterances in Scripture and the likelihood of these being fulfilled entirely by chance is staggeringly small. In fact, it has been estimated that Christ fulfilling only 17 of the prophecies relating to the Messiah by chance and not by being who He said He was is in the range of 480x10 to the 30th power.*

When you consider this it really does give one something to think about.

*Adapted from The Signature of God chapter 8 by Grant R. Jeffery

Deepest Sympathy

Our deepest sympathies to Mike Shindruk and family on the death of Mike's mother Doris.

Please keep Mike and his family in prayer.

Obituary of Doris Shindruk

Dr. Barclay's Bible Study - The Book of Daniel Part 11

Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - WHY?

 WHY?

We are once again approaching Christmas, the time when the church has decided to recognize the birth of Christ. And although the date of December 25th has probably nothing to do with the birth of Jesus, it is certainly true that He was born on some date and that He actually lived a life among us. The real question is not whether He was born or not but why did He in fact come to earth all?

Why did the creator of the universe decide to come to earth as a human? Many religions dispute that He did or that He would or even that He could. But we certainly believe that God did come to earth in the form of man and as Christ, but the question still remains as to why. Why would the supreme being in the universe suffer the trauma of being born as an infant, the trials of growing up as a child and youth, the troublesome difficulties of preaching to those who for the most part did not listen, and the torture of bring whipped and crucified by the ones He came to save? Why?

The book of Hebrews gives us four reasons as an answer to that question.

Firstly, He apparently did it to help man regain that which had been lost. It was the initial intent for man to: “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion…over every living thing…” (Genesis 1:28). In Hebrews, it goes on to say:

You have made him [man] a little lower than the angels;

You have crowned him with glory and honour,

And set him over the works of Your hands.

You have put all things in subjection under his feet… 

(Hebrews 2:7-8)

But this position was lost when man first sinned and so needed to be reclaimed. The way for this to be accomplished was through Christ’s efforts on our behalf.

And so comes our second reason, Christ came to help us regain that association with God, that we had lost, through His suffering and His empathy.

But we see Jesus…for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honour, 

that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone. 

For it was fitting for Him…in bringing many sons to glory, 

to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 

For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one… 

(Hebrews 2:9-10)

Thirdly, He came to free us from fears and bondage. Not only did He come to help us regain what we had lost and to pay the penalty that such loss cost us, but He came to ensure that we are free from that price that the penalty put upon us.

Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, 

He Himself likewise shared in the same, 

that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, 

that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death 

were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 

(Hebrews 2:14-15)

Lastly, to relate to us and so that we could relate to Him. It is essentially impossible to understand and relate to a Spirit which we cannot directly see or to whom we cannot directly speak. It is much easier to do so to a Man who walks with us, talks with us, and lives with us for a period of time. God knows us but it is us who need to know Him in a personal way and as a personal Lord. And so:

…in all things He had to be made like His brethren, 

that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, 

to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 

For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, 

He is able to aid those who are tempted.

(Hebrews 2:17-18)

So, as we once again approach Christmas it is important to remember that it is not really about all the secular activity that has become associated with the season. It's about a God who decided to come to earth as a human, to spend time with other humans, and to become known by them. By doing this He enables humanity to once more have access to the eternity designed for them. When Christ came to earth is not overly important - it’s the fact that He did come. That is what we should remember about Christmas and always continue to think about.

Jasmine Trott - Service of December 10, 2023

Dr. Barclay's Bible Study - The Book of Daniel Part 10

Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - THE WAY OF...

 THE WAY OF...

The book of Jude is one of the shortest books in the Bible and is considered primarily as a book of warning. It tells us a great deal about what we should not do and is placed directly if front of the book of Revelation, which tells us what we can expect if the warnings are not heeded. It implores us to strive diligently for the faith which had been given to the saints and warns against those who have insidiously and surreptitiously tried to change the gospel message from its original. 

In this book, we are warned of three things in particular, especially if attempting to contend with Satan. It says:

Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain… 

(verse 11)

Cain was the one who killed his brother Abel, after Abel gave an offering from his flocks and Cain from his grain harvest and God rejected Cain’s sacrifice. But it was apparently not because Cain’s offering did not contain a blood sacrifice but because Cain did not display the faith that God needed.

By faith Abel offered to God more excellent sacrifice than Cain, 

through which he obtained witness that he was righteous… 

(Hebrews 11:4)

for

…without faith it is impossible to please Him… 

(Hebrews 11:6)

A religion without faith is vain and empty, and often leads to jealousy, persecution of the faithful and anger - a murderous anger - the way of Cain.

In addition, it says that men have run in the way or in the error of Balaam. The story of this prophet is told in the book of Numbers, chapters 22-25 and 31. Balaam was hired by King Balak to curse the Israelites and to help the Moabites overcome the advancing Israeli people. Balaam, in fact, ended up being unable to curse the Israelites. Instead, he blessed them under God’s direction. Even though Balaam could not fulfil his obligation to Balak, and God had warned him about going back to Balak, he persisted because he was desirous of the rich reward he had been promised by Balak. And since he seemed unable to curse the Israelites, Balaam decided to deceive them by sending young women into the Jewish camp and leading them into fornication and adultery. As a result, God would curse the Israelites Himself. And so Balaam was guilty of leading others into sin and all for the love of money.

And finally it says that certain men have… 

perished in the rebellion of Korah.

(verse 11)

Korah was a Levite and a prominent man in Israel but one who evidently resented the authority given to Moses and Aaron by God. He wanted the authority and ministry for himself, similar to that wanted by Satan from God. As Satan tried to supplant God, so Korah wanted to replace Moses and take over his authority. God apparently does not appreciate it when we try to replace His appointed. He evidently would like us to do what He has requested us to do and not try to be something other than what He has called us to be. Korah’s rebellion led to the  destruction of Korah and his followers because they tried to usurp God’s authority and his appointed. If one looks carefully, the same type of situations still occur today with similar results.

So, the Bible indicates that men have crept in and have gone the way of Cain with false faith, increasing anger, and jealousy against those who have true belief. It implies that men have followed the ways of Balaam, and have exchanged integrity and conviction for deceit and corruption; often for the sake of money or they have tried to usurp power and authority over the ones designated for such positions. It seems to be the way of the world rather than following the way of Christ, which is humility and surrender. We all have to determine the way for ourselves. Perhaps this is why initially Christians were deemed to be members of “The Way.” Going the way of the true gospel is something we should all think about. 

Happy 1st Day of December