Rev. Katherine Liu Bruce: April 2019

Wednesday, April 24, 2019

The pattern of resurrection: Peace be with you by Rev. Katherine Liu Bruce

Weekly message: The pattern of resurrection: Peace be with you 4/21/2019

By Rev. Katherine Liu Bruce Christian Arts Ministries: Biblical Precepts & Gospel Music

The pattern of resurrection: Peace be with you

The pattern of resurrection, “Peace be with you” is same yesterday, today, and forever more. The pattern of resurrection unveils in four gospel narratives. “Peace be with you” Jesus said to His disciples after his resurrection. And Jesus affirmed them who He is, was, and in to come. He said, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet; it is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have… (Luke24:38-39). This is what I told you while I was still with you; everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms. This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sin will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning of Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.” (Luke24:38-39, 44,46)

Apostle Peter testified Jesus’ crucifixion and preached to fellow Jews

Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection had vindicated by Father that He is Son of Men and fulfilled Father’s eternal redemption plan for all mankind. Jesus is Christ Messiah, disciple Peter testified and preached to fellow Jews after he denied the Lordship three times before Jesus died on the cross. Jesus raised from dead, appeared in physical being, have breakfast with him, and asked Peter three times, “ Simon son of John , do you truly love me more than these? Simon son of John, do you truly love me? Simon son of John, do you love me?” three times Jesus convicted Simon Peter and affirmed Peter’s heart “Feed my lambs”, “Take care of my sheep”, “and Feed my sheep”. Jesus commanded Simon Peter and all disciples before He ascended to the heaven. He said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing then in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you and surely I am with you always to the very end of the age.(Matthew28:18-20).

Therefore, Simon Peter took the leadership with great fulfillment of Jesus’ commands, not only personal conviction, the sense of quilt that he had denied Jesus three times, yet, received Jesus’ forgiveness, mercy and love, even appeared to him in person, encouraged him, comforted him to feed His sheep. Simon Peter’s faith was strengthened by Jesus Himself, the great testimony of Jesus was preaching to Jews through disciple Peter after His resurrection. In Book of Acts Peter quoted the scriptures that prophet Joel has spoken,

“In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. I will show wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Act2.2:17-21).

Apostle Peter convinced many Jews, he said,

“Men of Israel, listen to this Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. This man was handed over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge, and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. David said about him: “I saw the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will live in hope, because you will not abandon me to the grace, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.” (Acts.2:22-28)

During Peter’s preaching, and testimony, he urged, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your Children and for all who are far off –for all whom the Lord our God will call.” (Acts2:38). There were three thousand people who accepted his message and baptized, and added to their number in that day.

Moreover, Apostle Peter healed the crippled beggar at the temple gate called Beautiful by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, the crippled man jumped to his feet and began to walk. Many people were astonished the miraculous healing. Apostle Peter boldly testified about Jesus and said, “The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go. You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him as you can all see.” (Acts3:13-16) Apostle Peter again urged them to repent, and turn to God, so that their sins may be wiped out. The number of men grew to about five thousand. Apostle Peter and John with all the disciples after prayed, “They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.” (Acts.5:31)

Another Counselor to be with you forever-The Spirit of truth

Jesus’ resurrection pattern unveils to His disciples by said, “Peace be with you”. Many disciples in this generation may not see Jesus in physical being, yet, by the Holy Spirit, our inner man will hear the same pattern “Peace be with you” For Jesus said, “I will ask my Father and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever-The Spirit of truth. …I will not leave you as orphans. I will come to you.” …but the Counselor, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name will teach you all things and will remind you of everything. I have said to you.” (John14:16, 18, 26). In Chinese literary says, “Bao Hei Shi” in Greek says, “παράκλητος” is “a verbal adjective with a basic meaning one called alongside to help; as a legal technical term, as one who appears in another’s behalf advocate, defender, intercessor.(1John 2:1) It interprets also as one who gives protection, help, and security helper, comforter, counselor.(John14:16).” [1] In another words, Jesus asked Father gave us another “comforter”, “helper”, “counselor”, “advocate”, “defender”, “intercessor” be with us forever, which is the Spirit of truth. By the Holy Spirit, the disciples will be reminded all things that Jesus had taught. Apostle Peter and John with all the disciples were witnesses of this.

Implication/Application

My friends, do you receive the Holy Spirit- “the παράκλητος”, “the Counselor”, “Bao Hei Shi”, which is the Spirit of truth? Each Easter, Jesus appears in front of you and in your inner being by the Holy Spirit, acts in comforting, strengthening, exalting, interceding, defending and help you. Have you ever taken notice? The pattern of resurrection, “Peace be with you” is same yesterday, today, and forever more. Jesus loves you. He still waits for you to repent of sin so you will receive the Holy Spirit and the gift of forgiveness. For Jesus affirmed those who believe in Him, “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.”(John11:25). This indicates that whoever believes in Jesus, even if he dies physically shall live spiritually and eternally. Whoever lives physically and believes in Jesus will never die spiritually and eternally.

Bibliography,

Anderson, Neil. The Bondage Breaker: Overcoming negative thoughts, irrational feelings, habitual sins. Sisters Oregon: Harvest House Publishers, 2006.

Bauer, Walter. A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature. 3^rd Chicago: The University of Chicago press, 2000.

Brown, Robert, Philip W. Comfort and J.D. Douglas, ed. The New Greek English Interlinear New Testament. Carol Stream: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.1990.

Bruce, Katherine L. Book review: the bondage breaker by Neil T. Anderson. M.Div. VAN670. Orlando FL: Liberty University Baptist Theo. Seminary, 2012.

___________. Can you see the glory of God? Orlando FL: Christian Arts Ministries: Biblical Precepts & Gospel Music, 2016.

Countryman, Jack. If my people. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2016.

Friberg, Timothy, Barbara Friberg, and Neva F. Miller et al., eds. Analytical Lexicon of the Greek New Testament.1^st ed. Victoria BC: Trafford Publishing, 2005.

King James, The Holy Bible, Cleveland, OH: The world publishing company

Lee, Witness. The New Testament (R.V.) Anaheim, CA: Living Stream Ministry, 1985.

Lucado, Max. God is with you every day. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2015

__________. Glory Days. Nashville, TN. Thomas Nelson, 2015

Myers, Roth. 31 days of praise. Colorado Springs, CO: Multnomah Books, 1994.

Ryrie, Charles C. The Ryrie study Bible (NIV).Chicago, IL: The Moody Bible Institute, 1986.

Strong, James. Strong’s: the expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2010.

Towns, Elmer. Fasting for a Spiritual Breakthrough: a guide to nine biblical fasts. Ventura: Regal Books, 1996 .

[1] Timothy Friberg, Barbara Friberg, and Neva F. Miller et al., eds. Analytical Lexicon of the Greek New Testament.1^st ed. (Victoria BC: Trafford Publishing, 2005), 296

Can you see the glory of God? (John: 11:1-44) by Rev. Katherine Liu Bruce

Message: Can you see the glory of God? (John: 11:1-44)

By Rev. Katherine Liu Bruce Christian Arts Ministries Date: 3/312016

My friends, can you see the glory of God in His timing?

According to the New Testament John: 11:1-44 stated, there was a man from Bethany, Lazarus, who was sick. He had two sisters, Mary and Martha. And the Mary was the one who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped His feet with her hair. When Jesus heard Mary’s brother was sick, He remained at the time in the place where He was for two days. Then, He said to disciples. “Let us go into Judea again.” (v.7) “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep.” (v.11). But disciples did not know Jesus had spoken about Lazarus’s death. When Jesus arrived, Martha said to Jesus, “Lord if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” But Jesus said to her, “Thy brother shall rise again…I am the resurrection, and the life: He that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?”(vv.23,25-26) Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me, and I know that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which standby I said it, that they may believe that thou has sent me.” (vv.41-42.) Then, Jesus cried with a loud voice” Lazarus, come forth”, Lazarus that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus said to them, “loose him, and let him go.”(vv.43-44).by the power of Jesus, Lazarus was dead, but rose again.

What is the implication and application of the narrative in John: 11:1-44?

1). God’s timing is best. Patiently wait upon the Lord; you will see the glory of God in His timing. When Jesus said, “this sickness will not end in death. No, it for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” (John 11:4) but the reality is that Lazarus was death, not even died, even buried in the cave four days. Jesus’ words and assurance seems like contradict to His disciples, the followers in village, Mary and her sister Martha. During the four days waiting hours in cave they were weeping, and mourning. Facing this contradict scenario, disciples, Mary, Martha, and the people in the village must full of doubts, confusion, and criticized about Jesus. Did he speak truth? Is he really prophet? Did he lie? For he said, this sickness will not end in death. But the truth is that Lazarus was not only died, even buried four days in the tomb.

2). Before see the glory of God, you may experience the darkness hours. Don’t just look at the circumstance; rather, let God unveils His purpose, vision, and lesion. As Jesus said, “It is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.”

3). Humankind can’t see the glory of God, so often, the blindness are resulted by their own perception, concepts, notions, ideals, and pre-knowledge. When Jesus told Mary’s Sister Martha, “your brother will rise again.” Martha was well-educated and had pre-knowledge of the resurrection at the last day. Martha didn’t know that Jesus meant to say, “You will see the resurrection of Lazarus now”. In other words, you will see the glory of God now, neither the past tense, nor future tense, it is present tense.

4). Don’t intend to change others, don’t insist you are right or depend on your own experience, perception and knowledge. Rather, let God unveils His glory and purpose in His timing. When Jesus came to the tomb, Mary sounds regret of His delay and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” (John 11:32). Jesus told them to take away the stone laid across the entrance. Martha (Mary’s sister) with a doubting heart, she criticized, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.” (John11:39). Jesus reassured Martha, “did I tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?”(John11:40).

5). Faith is being sure what we hope for; faith may be tested by the Lord in the period of times. It’s only keep a heart of steadfast, persistence with perseverance, hope will become the reality and faith will see the glory of God. “Lazarus, come out!” Jesus called in a loud voice. The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus told them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.” (John11:43-44).

6). In every circumstance, remember, Jesus wept together with you in your every grieving hour, for he loves you. When Jesus saw Mary weeping and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping; he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. Jesus wept. (Jh.11:35). When we face circumstances, focus on the sovereignty of God rather than on the will of men. Jesus wept together with you in your every grieving hour.

7). Trust in the Lord with all your heart and believe His assurance. In this era continually talk to you, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe me? ”(John11:25). Jesus indicated, he who believes in me, even if he dies physically shall live spiritually and eternally. Whoever lives physically and believes in me will never die spiritually and eternally.

Conclusion,

My friends, do you believe, in this era, Jesus still talking to you? Do you believe Jesus raised from death, do you believe He has power to rise Lazarus from death? My friends, you may be Mary or Mary’s sister Martha, it is your natural instinct to doubt Jesus’ resurrection power when you had faced long hours waiting and weeping. You may wonder that Jesus is alive or Is Jesus a real God? Will you wait for Him patiently? My friends listen to His voice again, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?” (John11:40).