Ephesus - The Backslidden (Loveless) Church

This is my old version of this study. I am working on a commentary on the whole book of Revelation, which will include more indepth studies on the letters to the seven churches, and eventually the rest of the book, Lord willing.

Click here for Revelation Commentary Table Of Contents

Ephesus

The Backslidden (Loveless) Church

Revelation 2:1-7

Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith He that holdeth the seven stars in His right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;
2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:
3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for My name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.
4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

The messages to the churches have a threefold meaning:

Firstly, each letter has a primary association, having a local and direct bearing upon the church to which it was written. Each letter was a measuring rod by which each church could know its standing in the sight of the risen Lord.

Secondly, each letter has a personal application. Even though Christ addresses each church as a whole, the message to overcome is addressed to the individual.

Thirdly, each church individually, and the seven churches combined, set forth prophetic anticipation. We see in them seven eras of the life of the church on earth. Seven in the Bible is the number of perfection, completion, fullness. In these letters we have a prophetic picture of the church's complete history on earth.

Each of the seven letters follows the same general format:
1) Name (of the church that particular letter is addressed to)
2) Its Description of Christ.
3) Commendation - What that church is praised for.
4) Warning - What that church is rebuked for.
5) Promise. (Not applicable to this letter.)
6) To The Overcomers.
7) Prophetic Application. (As revealed in church history, found throughout the letter.)

Name: Ephesus- meaning "To let go, relax." According to some sources, also means "Desirable."

Description: He that holdeth the seven stars in His right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks.

The stars are the angels (messengers, pastors) of the seven churches. Christ holds the pastors in His right hand, in the position of honour and the place of power. This is the only place where His servants can be sustained and strengthened.

The golden candlesticks are the seven churches. In the early days of the church of Ephesus, Christ walked in their midst as the recognized head, and men took instructions from Him. (See Ephesians 1:22-23) Jesus is the Light of the world, and as His representatives, we are the light of the world, holding forth the Gospel light, the Word of Life. (John 8:12; Matthew 5:14; Philippians 2:15-16a)

Commendation: The Lord Jesus approved them for their sacrificial service (v. 2; Romans 12:1-2), suppression of evil (v.2; 1 Peter 5:8-9), spiritual discernment (v. 2; 1 John 4:1; 2 Corinthians 11:13-15), steadfastness (v. 3; 1 Corinthians 15:58), and their stand against the deeds of the Nicolaitans (v.6; 1 Corinthians 16:13).

In verse 2, Jesus commended the Ephesians for their works, labour, and patience. They were faithful in service, toiling for their master. The word "patience" is Strong's # 5281, meaning to "stay under", ie. persevere in trials.

They obeyed Paul's instructions to them in Acts 20:28-31. They could not bear those who were evil. They tried (Strong's #3985 - tested, proved) those who said they were apostles (ones directly "sent from" the Lord), and found them to be liars. They proved these imposters wrong by testing their message and their fruit and realizing that these did not line up with the Word of God.

In our modern age of ecumenical or apostate Christianity, it is prudent to be aware of what the Bible says about the requirements for an apostle:

Acts 1:21-22 Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that He was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of His resurrection.

Other than the original twelve disciples that Jesus chose as His apostles, the only other person that ever met these requirements was the apostle Paul. While he was not a disciple of Jesus Christ's during His public ministry, Paul was trained for three years personally by the Lord, according to Galatians 1:11-18. He was also a witness of the resurrected Christ, according to 1 Corinthians 9:1 and 15:7-9.

It is obvious from the clear testimony of the Scriptures that there is no one like that today! Truly the apostle Paul was the last of the apostles!

They had borne (#941 - endured), and had patience (#5281 - perseverance), and laboured (#2872 - to feel fatigue; by implication, to work hard; toil) for Christ's name's sake. And they had not fainted (#2577 - become weary).

A trace of the words "fainted" and "weary" throughout Scripture reveal some of the Lord's intended ways for us to refresh our spirits. We are to continually:

• seek God in prayer (Luke 18:1)
• wait upon the Lord (Isaiah 40:31)
• remember that it is He Himself who fights our battles and delivers us from our troubles and distresses (Deuteronomy 20:3-4; Psalm 107:5-6)
• hope and trust in His Word and the promises contained therein (Psalm 119:81)
• study His Word and look to the Scriptures for comfort (Isaiah 50:4-5; Amos 8:11-13)
• look for Jesus Christ throughout the Scriptures (Isaiah 28:9-13, 16; also see Matthew 11:28 and Acts 3:19)
• rely on God's mercy and grace (2 Corinthians 4:1, 16)
• take Christ's yoke of service upon us (Matthew 11:29)
• persevere in well doing (Galatians 6:9)
• keep looking unto Jesus and remembering His example (Hebrews 12:1-3)

All these things the Ephesians no doubt did when their love for Jesus was fervent and fresh, but somewhere along the way they took their eyes off of Him.

Jesus also commended this church for hating the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which He also hates. Nicolaitans comes from two Greek words: Nikao meaning "to conquer" and Laos (laity) meaning "the people". Christ hates those who conquer the people, who rise above His brethren and subdue them. A pastor (shepherd) is to be an example to the flock, not to Lord it over them, but to lead them. (1 Peter 5:3) They are to be in submission to their pastor, but his authority comes solely from the Word of God, and they are to follow him as he follows Christ and preaches the Word - not his own opinions and traditions. (Hebrews 13:7, 17; 1 Corinthians 11:1; 1:17-18; Matthew 15:6) In 3rd John 9-10, we are given a clear example of a "Nicolaitan" in the first-century church: Diotrephes, who loved to have the preeminence and who took on unbiblical authority.

Through the dark ages, we were given an even greater example of the Nicolaitans in the Catholic Church (and in certain Protestant churches) that made an unbiblical distinction between "the clergy and the laity". The clergy, according to them, had the inside favour with God, and who alone could supposedly correctly interpret the Word of God. The common people were held in bondage to this slavish system of works and rituals. Instead of having the freedom to read, study, and believe the Word of God for themselves, they had it taken away from them - and that faithful remnant who chose to preach and preserve this Word (by copying and memorizing it), were persecuted. Many paid the price of their faithfulness with their lives.

You would figure that our modern churches would have learned from this conquering of the people, but the sad fact is that most have not. While many are running back to Rome, others are resisting this Romeward trend; unfortunately, the majority of Christendom is running after new "Bibles" translated from Roman Catholic manuscripts. Now we have modern scholars and translators conquering the common people through their correcting of our Bibles!

In reference to the problem of modern dynamic-equivalent (thought for thought) translations (rather than formal-equivalent, word for word, translations), Leland Ryken stated the following: "The very translators who make so much of the need to translate the Bible into immediately understandable terms, with all interpretive problems removed from readers, have themselves become the counterparts to medieval Roman Catholic priests. By means of preemptive interpretive strikes, these translators take to themselves the power of making readers' minds up for them, deciding for 'ignorant readers' what they think the text means and then doling out only those interpretations that they think correct. The reader is just as surely removed from the words of the text as the medieval Christian was." "Translators have no right to assume the role of priest, doling out the 'right' interpretation to the masses." (Leland Ryken, The Word of God in English, p. 78, 288)

The Catholic church and their Jesuit army have not given up the fight to keep the Bible from the common man; instead they have changed their Bibles, and brainwashed modern Christendom to accept their Nicolaitan philosophy of Bible criticism. The Nicolaitans cry of old was, "You can't read the Bible in your own language! Let us interpret the Bible for you!" Now their cry is, "You can have your own Bible, but let us declare which parts of it are true, and which passages must be corrected in the light of the older and better (need we say, corrupt Catholic) manuscripts!" Truly, what was once a deed (Revelation 2:6) became a doctrine (2:15)!

Warning: They had left their first love. They had become enamoured of things other than the person of Christ. (1 John 2:15-17) They hated false teachers and false teachings, as well they should, but they left their first love - Jesus no longer had the preeminence in their lives. (Psalm 119:104, 127-128; Romans 12:9; 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22)

First love is:

1) The love of espousals. (Jeremiah 2:2)
2) The love of a bridegroom for his bride. (2 Corinthians 11:2)
3) The one thing that the Lord wants more than anything else. (Matthew 22:37-38; John 21:15-17; Deuteronomy 6:4-5)

A generation or two earlier, the Ephesians were commended for their love. (Ephesians 1:15-16) When Paul wrote to the believers at Ephesus, he reminded them of their exalted position in Christ. He told them that they were raised up together and seated in the heavenly places in Christ. (Ephesians 2:6) John simply says, "Thou art fallen." They had fallen from their fellowship with Him and had lost His power and the reality of His presence in their daily lives.

Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent. Before a person can get back to the Lord, he must acknowledge the fact he has fallen (into sin) and remember the place he left Christ. Repent means "a change of mind resulting in a change of conduct", to "turn" from sin and "turn" toward God. Repent and forsake sin. (Proverbs 28:13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.) In the New Testament, the word "confess" means "to be of the same mind about, to agree with." So we can see in 1 John 1:9 that we are to agree with God that we have sinned against Him, agree with Him (and His Word) that whatever sin we had committed was wrong. And the promise here is that if we see our specific sins in the light of God's Word, and turn from them, we will be forgiven and cleansed from our sins.

We can learn from the Scriptural example and admonition in this regard. (1 Corinthians 10:11) In the book of Leviticus (chapters 4 and 5), when the Israelites sinned, they were to confess that specific sin and make restitution for it. Nowhere in the Word of God does it teach a general confession such as is prayed so often in our churches and homes, "Forgive me, Lord, if I've sinned today." That's not repentance - there's no acknowledgement of sin in that kind of confession. Also, the book of Leviticus teaches that the people of God were to confess a sin when it was brought to their attention - whether through preaching, Bible reading, conversation with others, etc. All too often we get religious, hold on to our sin and wait until we "feel" a certain amount of grief for what we have done wrong, before we will confess it and make it right. The Bible exhorts us to make the sin right when it is brought to our attention, not when we are grieved about it. The word "repent" in Greek literally means "a change of MIND", not a change of emotions. We are to make a choice to confess and forsake our sins, whether or not we feel sorrow at that specific time for them.

Jesus told the church at Ephesus to repent, and do the first works. This would mean devoting themselves as earnestly and fervently to the Lord as they were when they first walked with Him. Doing good works for the cause/sake of Christ, compassionately striving to win the lost, loving both God and man (charity), faithfully serving the Lord, diligently studying His Word, fervently and continually praying, among others. (See Revelation 2:19 and Romans 12:9-13) Maintaining a walk with Jesus where He takes first place in our lives. Doing the first works is the only proof that a backslider has repented.

To The Overcomer: To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. To the church at Ephesus (and the individual churches throughout history), the Lord promises that He will give the person that overcomes to eat from the Tree of Life. In Genesis 3:22-24, because of Adam and Eve's disobedience, mankind was denied access to this Tree - which represented eternal life - but now it is promised to all overcomers. Lest we arrive at the unbiblical doctrine of persevering to be saved, Scripture teaches us that we overcome through our faith in Jesus Christ as our personal Saviour. 1 John 5:4-5 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? 1 John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world. To be saved and have the Holy Spirit indwelling us is to be an overcomer. (We receive the Holy Spirit when we believe on Jesus Christ as our Saviour. See Ephesians 1:13) In Jesus Christ, positionally, we share in Christ's victory and are overcomers; but practically, our obedience and faithfulness to God's Word will result in our daily overcoming of the world, the flesh, and the devil. (See 1 John 2:14)

Paradise (Heaven) is defined as the dwelling place of God. In Luke 23:43, Jesus told the repentant thief that when he died he would be with Jesus in Paradise. Paul, in 2 Corinthians 12:2-4, referred to Paradise as the third Heaven - the first two, according to the Bible, are as follows: the first heaven is where the birds fly, our atmosphere (Genesis 1:8, 20). The second heaven is the universe where the stars and planets are (Genesis 1:14-18; 2:1). The third Heaven is dwelling in the presence of God. (Hebrews 9:24) After the Millenium, Heaven will be on earth. (See Revelation 21-22)

Spiritually-speaking, Christ is our Tree of Life. It's in Him that we have eternal life; in Him we have abundant life; He is our life. (Colossians 3:4; Philippians 1:21; John 14:19) I believe the primary application of this promise is to have eternal life in Heaven, where we continually have access to the literal and spiritual Trees of Life, and secondarily, I believe that it is a promise to the overcomer that the power and presence of Jesus Christ will be with them in their Christian walk. We know the Lord has promised never to leave us nor forsake us, but we only sense His presence in our daily lives as we walk according to His Word, as we humbly obey Him. (John 14:15, 21, 23; Psalm 91:1; Isaiah 57:15)

A study of the promises to the overcomers in these seven letters will reveal that, although the promises are relevant to the saved (overcomers) of each specific church, they are all applicable to the true children of God throughout the church age. We will dwell with God in Heaven eternally; we will not be hurt by the second death (Hell), our names will not be blotted out of the Book of Life, etc. (These promises will be covered in more depth within the context of their particular letters.)

Prophetic Application: This letter corresponds to that of the Apostolic, first-century church, from Pentecost until the death of the Apostle John (tradition says he died of old age) - approximately, 32-100 A.D. It is the only one of the seven letters that uses the word "apostles" (verse 2). John was the last remaining of the twelve apostles, Peter and Paul (and the others) being martyred thirty years or more prior to him. (See comments above on the requirements for an apostle.)

During the course of the first century church - represented by Ephesus - what was once "desirable" became backslidden, as these believers "let go" of their love for the Lord Jesus Christ and "relaxed" their fervency and devotion to Him. It is interesting to note that the Lord kept His promise in Revelation 2:5, to remove their candlestick (their shining light) out of his place, unless they repented. This threat was carried out less than two centuries later when the city of Ephesus was destroyed by the Goths in 252 A.D.

And throughout history, we see this same warning fulfilled as churches which once stood for the truth of the Scriptures, lost their love and fervency for the Lord, and stopped preaching the Gospel to win the lost. Over time, these churches (if they still remain) became dead husks, dry of spiritual life, empty of spiritual light, dark:

O Ephesus, how you have grown -
Your works of faith and toil are known;
You've persevered, you've shone your light,
You've tested those who were not right;
You've laboured patiently - all for Him;
Yet somehow, somewhere, your love has dimmed.
Once exalted to the place of honour,
But now you've fallen from great heights;
Repent and do the first works or else,
Jesus will remove your candlestick from His sight.

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

May 1st, 2001
Jerry Bouey

The Seven Churches of Revelation 2-3:

Revelation Chapter One - An Overview
Ephesus: The Backslidden (Loveless) Church (This study)
Smyrna: The (Persecuted) Suffering Church
Laodicea: The Lukewarm Church

Revelation Chapter One - An Overview

Note: This is my old study and Introduction to Revelation One and the letters to the seven churches. A greatly expanded commentary on Revelation chapter One (the whole chapter) can be found here:
Commentary On Revelation Chapter One by Jerry Bouey (dated 2025)
Click here for Revelation Commentary Table Of Contents

Revelation Chapter One - An Overview

This chapter marks the background and overview for the letters to the seven churches recorded in Revelation chapters 2 and 3. This introduction and the following studies are based on the King James Bible (KJB).

Revelation 1:1-2. The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto Him, to shew unto His servants things which must shortly come to pass; and He sent and signified it by His angel unto His servant John: Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.

Verses 1-2: God the Father gave Jesus Christ this revelation, which Jesus then gave to the Apostle John through an angel. Jesus, the second member of the Trinity, took on a human body and became a man in Bethlehem. Now as God and man, He is the perfect (and only) mediator between both. (1 Timothy 2:5) This explains why the Father would give Jesus the book of Revelation to pass on to His Apostle John. This revelation is intended for all His (Jesus') servants, to reveal to them - and to warn and encourage them about - "things which must shortly come to pass."

Revelation 1:3. Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

Verse 3: Notice the blessing is upon "he that readeth." "Readeth" is in present tense, implying continual reading, not just a quick skimming through of its contents. Many commentators take this to mean the person publicly reading the book of Revelation to a local gathering of believers, but I also believe it refers to any Bible-believer taking the time to diligently study it for himself. (See 2 Timothy 2:15) Contrary to popular opinion, and according to Rev. 22:10, this book was never sealed; God intended His servants to understand it. That is where the studying comes into place. Revelation is the culmination of the whole Bible, especially of Bible prophecy, concluding in the revealing (revelation) of Jesus Christ. There is a saying that the Book of Revelation is the Grand Central Station of the whole Bible, meaning that all the symbolism can be found and explained elsewhere in the Word of God. In 1 Corinthians 2:13, we are told to compare "spiritual things with spiritual"; this means comparing Scripture with Scripture. The Scriptures are the best commentary on themselves, and seeing how the Holy Spirit uses each word or phrase throughout the whole Bible is a better definition than any dictionary. The more you read and study all of Scripture, the more you will understand this book.

The blessing is also upon "they that hear... and keep those things that are written therein." A thoughtful and prayerful reading through of this book will give you a simple overview of events and a basic understanding of how the Lord wants His children to live, though more thorough study will put those events in context with the rest of Scripture.

There are three points I want to make at this time:

1) If you do not know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Saviour, until you do, studying this book will be a fruitless exercise for you because you will not have the Holy Spirit dwelling inside you to help you understand it. This is according to what God Himself says in His Word. (1 Corinthians 2:9-14) The only way to remedy that situation is to repent of your sins and to come to Jesus Christ, accept Him as your Lord and Saviour, believing that He died for your sins, that He completely paid the penalty that you could never pay, that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day in fulfilment of the Scriptures. (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) The moment you come to Jesus in repentance and faith, the Holy Spirit will seal, indwell, and guide you, to become your permanent Comforter and teacher.

2) All Scripture testifies of Jesus Christ. Our goal is to search the Scriptures to find Him, like treasure hidden in a field. Read the following verses: Matthew 13:44; Luke 24:27, 44-48; Acts 10:43; Hebrews 10:7. Revelation 19:10 also bears this out. "For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." The word "testimony" here is the same word in Greek as "testify" in John 5:39. It means to be a witness of. The way the word "prophecy" is used several other places in Revelation shows that here it is a synonym for the Scriptures. See Revelation 22:18-19. So this passage is teaching that the testimony (witness) of Jesus is the heart (spirit) of the Scriptures. Jesus is also at the heart of the book of Revelation; it is the revelation of Jesus Christ after all.

3) You don't need to understand the whole book of Revelation to obey it. There are many clear commands and admonitions in this book. In James 1:22, we are told to be doers of the word, and not hearers only. Scripture isn't intended to be an intellectual sharpening stone, but a book that we learn from and live by. (See John 13:17) If in all your reading of God's Word your life isn't changed, then you are missing the point of Bible study. (2 Timothy 3:15-17) Jesus promises to give us greater understanding and wisdom if we obey what we already know, if we put into practice what the Holy Spirit teaches us. (Matthew 13:12; 7:24-25)

The word "keep" in this verse is Strong's #5083 and means "to watch; to guard (from loss or injury, properly, by keeping the eye upon.)" Pay attention to what God is saying to you from His Word; keep it by applying it to your life, and then you will be blessed indeed!

Meditating on the Lord's soon return ought to stir you up to greater zeal and faithfulness. Contrast 1 John 3:2-3 with Matthew 24:48-51.
This is the first of seven "blesseds" in the book of Revelation. The other six are found in: 14:13; 16:15; 19:9; 20:6; 22:7, 14. Notice that the second to last one of these seven promises is also a blessing for keeping the Word of God (notice that the word "keepeth" here is the same word as used in 1:3):

Revelation 22:7 Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.

Revelation 1:4-8. John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from Him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before His throne; And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood, And hath made us kings and priests unto God and His Father; to Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. Behold, He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see Him, and they also which pierced Him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of Him. Even so, Amen. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

Verses 4-8: Grace and peace to you from the three members of the Godhead:

"From Him which is, and which was, and which is to come" - the Father.

"the seven Spirits which are before His throne" - the Holy Spirit. I believe the seven Spirits refers to the seven-fold attributes of the Holy Spirit found in Isaiah 11:2.

The Spirit of the LORD,
the Spirit of wisdom,
of understanding,
of counsel,
of might,
of knowledge,
of the fear of the LORD.

"and from Jesus Christ" - the Son.

In verse 5, Jesus is declared as Prophet (faithful witness), Priest (the first begotten of the dead - see Hebrews 7:27, 9:24-28 and Romans 4:25), and King (the prince of the kings of the earth. The word for "prince" here is Strong's #758, which means "first in rank or power; ie. chief ruler".)

Two ways that Christ has shown His love for us through His death, burial, and resurrection are: He washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests unto God the Father. Jesus Christ is coming again and all eyes will see Him.

Verse 7 is a quote from Zechariah 12:10, and refers to the fact that Christ's return will affect the whole world, whether mourning in repentance for sins (in the case of the remaining Jews - see Romans 11:26) or wailing in horror at the eternal judgements about to be pronounced on the nations of the world.

Jesus is (notice the seven different names or titles He has here in this first chapter of the book of Revelation):

Alpha and Omega,
the beginning and the ending,
the Lord,
which is, which was, and which is to come,*
the Almighty,
the first and the last, (verse 17) (This is a direct claim to Jesus' Deity - and there is only one true God. See Isaiah 44:6)
He that liveth and was dead... and is alive for evermore (verse 18)

*A comparison of verses 4 and 8 will reveal the Deity of Jesus Christ. In verse 4, God the Father is called "Him which is, and which was, and which is to come." In verse 8, Jesus is called by this same name, thereby giving Jesus equality with the Father.

Revelation 1:9-11. I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.

Verses 9-11: Now we come to the background on John the Apostle. He was imprisoned on the Island of Patmos for the Word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. This, historically, was during the reign of the Roman Caesar, Domitian, in the year A.D. 96. This was the second persecution of Christians by the Roman Caesars; the first was under Nero. (Under Nero's reign, Peter and Paul were both martyred.)

John's vision in the book of Revelation fulfilled, in a way, Jesus' words in John 21:22. While those words may or may not have been prophetic, it is still very interesting that John lived to see (via revelation from God) the physical return of Christ and the coming Millennial kingdom.

John is the only Apostle to have died of old age, the rest of the twelve were martyred for their faith and their testimony about Jesus Christ, beginning with John's own brother, James, who was murdered by Herod (in Acts chapter 12).

The Greek word for "witness" and "testimony" used in the book of Revelation is 'martus' (Strong's #3144, 3141, or a form thereof); from this word we get our English word "martyr". Millions of true Christians throughout history sealed their testimony with their own lives. Three good books to read about this subject are: Foxe's Book of Martyrs by John Foxe; Martyr's Mirror by Thieleman J. van Braght (these two books can be found easily online, and downloadable in pdf format, and Foxe's Book Of Martyrs is included for free in various Bible study programs) ; and Rome and The Bible by David Cloud. I highly recommend brother Cloud's book which traces the history of the Roman Catholic Church and its persecution of the Bible and of Bible believers. This pdf file can be downloaded for free through Way of Life Literature.

Next, John is told to write down the visions that Jesus Christ gave him and send them to the seven churches which are in Asia. These seven are Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. The letters in Revelation chapters 2 and 3 depict these literal, local churches as they were in the first century, with varying degrees of faithfulness and compromise, running the whole spectrum in which any local church throughout time can fall into at any given moment. Each church (and each individual Christian) can examine itself in light of Christ's warnings, exhortations, and praises. A careful study of these churches and a comparison of their descriptions with the eras of church history from the time of Christ until His return again will reveal a prophetic overview of the Church Age. In the Bible, the number seven symbolically represents perfection; fullness; completion. In these seven letters we have a complete overview of church history and its development throughout the centuries from God's perspective.

These periods are as follows (these dates are approximate):

1. Ephesus: 32 - 100 A.D. The Backslidden (Loveless) Church

2. Smyrna: 100 - 312 A.D. The (Persecuted) Suffering Church

3. Pergamos: 312 - 590 A.D. The Compromising Church

4. Thyatira: 590 - 1517 A.D. The Corrupt Church

5. Sardis: 1517 - 1750 A.D. The Dead Church

6. Philadelphia: 1750 - 1881 (or 1900) A.D. The Missionary Church

7. Laodicea: 1881 (or 1900) A.D. - the Tribulation. The Lukewarm Church

Revelation 1:12-18, 20. And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. His head and His hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and His eyes were as a flame of fire; And His feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and His voice as the sound of many waters. And He had in His right hand seven stars: and out of His mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and His countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. And He laid His right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in My right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.

Verses 12-18, 20: But before Christ gives His descriptions of the seven churches, He reveals His glorified self to His beloved Apostle. Though John was Jesus' closest friend, during His 3 1/2 years of ministry, and had previously caught a glimpse of Jesus' glory on the Mount of Transfiguration, he still fell at Jesus' feet as though dead. To comfort John, Jesus laid His right hand on him and told him to fear not.

Notice: when a person (especially a believer) is truly given a glimpse of the utter holiness and the glory of God, they are overwhelmed by their utter unworthiness and sinfulness, they are not lighthearted and frivolous. (See also Exodus 3:6; Isaiah 6:5; Luke 5:8; Acts 9:6.)

Here is what John saw: one like unto the Son of Man in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks (which are the seven churches - see verse 20). Jesus was holding in His right hand - the place of honour - seven stars, which represent the angels of the seven churches. The Greek word for "angel" (Strong's #32) also means "messenger", and is so translated seven times in the KJV. An angel is a messenger, one who is sent by God. In this case, the angels (messengers) refers to the pastors of the seven churches, to which each of the letters in chapters 2 and 3 are addressed. (See also Malachi 2:7.) In other words, Jesus was in the midst of His churches, and was holding the pastors (angels) in His right hand, in the place of honour.

It is interesting to note that John calls Jesus "one like unto the Son of Man." (See also Rev. 14:14.) Before Jesus' incarnation, Daniel also referred to Christ in this way in Daniel 7:13. In Daniel's time, Jesus may have revealed Himself as He would look six hundred years later when He would be incarnated in a human body. In the Old Testament (especially the book of Ezekiel), the term "son of man" was simply a reference to a human being. In His years of public ministry, Jesus referred many times to Himself as the Son of Man, giving this term the further connotation of Messiah - God's Anointed one who would be both God and man, in fulfilment of many O.T. prophecies. In A.D. 96, over sixty years later, John saw one like unto the Son of Man. Jesus was then (and forever will be) both God and man, but now in heaven He is glorified once again, bearing a recognizable, though changed, appearance.

All symbolism used throughout the book of Revelation is found elsewhere in the Word of God. A Strong's Concordance or good Bible program can easily help you find many other references where each item, name, and description are used elsewhere throughout the Bible. Prayerful study will reveal what God intends to convey by using each symbol in this book.

Note: I want to caution all readers against making everything in the book of Revelation into a symbol.

1st point: There is much in these 22 chapters that is plain and literal (like the New Jerusalem; the new heaven and earth; the thousand-year reign of Christ, the 144,000 sealed Jews, etc.), and even in some passages where obvious symbolism is used, there is still a literal event going on. (Like in Revelation 6:12-13 where the sun becomes black as sackcloth of hair, the moon becomes as blood, and the stars of heaven fall to the earth. This means the sun will literally turn black, but its colour will be like that of black sackcloth made of hair. In chapters 8, 9, and 16, "like" and "as" are used many times as comparisons.) By studying the rest of Scripture, you will realize that some of these events are also described elsewhere. (See Matthew 24:29 and Joel 2:31. Another example: compare Revelation 14:14-20 with Joel 3:12-15.)

One reason that I believe that the trumpet and vial judgements are real, literal events is because they are basically the same as the plagues that God (through Moses) poured out on Egypt, except now they are on a world-wide level instead of a local level. Check it out. Why would God perform literal, miraculous acts of judgement on Egypt 3500 years ago, and then use the same descriptions in regards to His end-time judgements, if He did not also mean to teach us that these plagues would also be literal? Romans 15:4 and 1 Corinthians 10:11 teach us that the Scriptures were given to us to learn from past examples and events. By seeing how God has worked in the past, we get a glimpse of how He will work in the future.

2nd point: Look how Scripture defines Scripture, how God in His own Word explains what He means by a symbol. Some examples of this can be found in Revelation 1:20 and 17:7, 9-12, 15, 18. Passages like these remove much of the guesswork out of prophecy, and help you sort out false interpretations. Because the Lord Jesus said in 1:20, that the candlesticks stand for the churches, I don't need to search out another meaning. It would be pretty foolish of God to define a symbol by a symbol. (Please note previous comment about the word "angel." In this case the word has a double meaning.) He meant for His children to understand His Word - how else could we keep the sayings of the prophecy of this book? (Rev. 22:6) "For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance." Matthew 13:12 "He who hath ears to hear, let him hear."

Determine what the symbolism is, see how that word (or phrase) is used elsewhere in Scripture, and then see how that symbol fits into the passage you are studying. Let Scripture define and explain Scripture, and always seek the Holy Spirit's understanding and wisdom.

Notice the following seven-fold description of Christ in this chapter, and see how other passages of the Bible itself open up this symbolism for us.

Symbolism Explained:

1. Girt about the paps (chest) with a golden girdle.
- Jesus was dressed like a high priest. See Exodus 28:4
- Gold many times in Scripture symbolizes Jesus' deity, especially in reference to the tabernacle system.

2. His head and His hairs were white like wool, as white as snow.
- White hair represents wisdom. Proverbs 16:31
- Also represents sinlessness, purity. Isaiah 1:18; John 14:30

3. His eyes were as a flame of fire.
- Christ's omniscience. His ability to know, see and judge all things. Jeremiah 32:19; Hebrews 4:13
- The judging power of God's Word. Jeremiah 23:29; Hebrews 4:12

4. His feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace.
- Brass=judgement in reference to its use in the tabernacle, on the sacrificial altar and in the implements. Exodus 27:1-4
- Symbolic of judging and crushing Jesus' enemies underneath His feet. Romans 16:20; 1 Corinthians 15:25

5. His voice as the sound of many waters.
- God's glory. Ezekiel 43:2; 1:24 Also Revelation 17:15; Daniel 10:6 As Niagara Falls would drown out any sounds that we could make, so God's glory thunders and drowns out everything else.

6. Out of His mouth went a sharp twoedged sword.
- The Word of God; the Sword of the Spirit. Hebrews 4:12; Ephesians 6:17

7. His countenance was as the sun shineth* in his strength.
- The brightness of Christ's glory. 1 Timothy 6:16; Matthew 17:2; Mark 9:3; Acts 9:3-9; Revelation 21:23
- *The verb ending "eth" indicates ongoing action. Jesus' glory was only glimpsed temporarily by Peter, James, and John on the Mount of Transfiguration - shining for a time, but then veiled to man after that; however, now in Heaven, Jesus' glory is no longer veiled or hidden; it is revealed forever (and this is the glory He had before He came down to earth to take on a human body, His glory which is now shining forevermore). See also John 17:5.

I find it so comforting to know that Christ alone holds the keys of hell and of death. My times are in His hands. Truly if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground apart from the will of the Father, I know that even if I am to die for my witness of Jesus Christ, it will only be in God's perfect timing and completely in His sovereign control. I cannot die until God wills to take me home!

Revelation 1:19. Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;

Verse 19: Final comment about chapter one: God even tells us how to rightly divide the book of Revelation.

The things which thou hast seen - this vision of Jesus glorified (chapter 1).

The things which are - the Church Age. (Historic and Prophetic, chapters 2-3).

The things which shall be hereafter (after the Church Age) - the Tribulation (Revelation chapters 4-19), the Millennium (chapter 20), and eternity in the new heaven and new earth (chapters 21-22).

Jerry Bouey

More studies in this series:
Ephesus - The Backslidden (Loveless) Church
Smyrna - The Persecuted (Suffering) Church
Laodicea - The Lukewarm Church

Come - Invitations From God

Come - Invitations From God

Come to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb:

Luke 14:16-23 Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.

Come reason with the Lord:

Isaiah 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

Isaiah 41:1 Keep silence before me, O islands; and let the people renew their strength: let them come near; then let them speak: let us come near together to judgment.

Come, walk in the light of the Lord:

Isaiah 2:2-5 And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD'S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of the LORD.

Come learn of the Lord (let Him take your burdens):

Matthew 11:28-30 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

John 1:37-39 And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou? He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour.

John 1:45-46 Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.

Come seek the Saviour at the throne of grace:

Hebrews 4:14-16 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Come worship the Lord:

Psalms 66:5 Come and see the works of God: he is terrible in his doing toward the children of men.

Psalms 66:16 Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.

Psalms 95:1 O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.

Psalms 95:6 O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker.

Come away from the distractions of this world:

Song of Solomon 2:10 My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.

Come, eat and drink:

Isaiah 55:1-3 Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.

Isaiah 55:6-7 Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

John 7:37-39 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

John 21:9-13 As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread. Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught. Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken. Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord. Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise.

Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

Matthew 5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

Psalms 34:8-11 O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him. The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing. Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD.

Revelation 21:6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

Revelation 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

Come to the Lord Jesus Christ today:

Isaiah 45:22 Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.

It's Jesus

There's a refuge to be found in the midst of life's storms,
There's a peace so profound it will guard your heart from harm,
Where is this shelter under the everlasting arms?
It's Jesus.

There's only one Saviour who died to make men free,
One source of Living Water that flows abundantly,
One plan of salvation - Are you thirsty? Come and see.
It's Jesus.

God was manifest in the flesh when He came down to earth,
The Son of God who became a Man through the virgin birth,
One sacrifice for sins forever - His love gives us worth,
It's Jesus.

There's only one sinless Man whose life He gave,
Only one Man who arose victorious over the grave,
There's only one Saviour who can ever save,
It's Jesus.

There's only one fountain of blood that can cleanse from all sin,
Only one Spirit of Life that will dwell within,
True righteousness is found only in Him -
It's Jesus.

Poem written October 22nd, 2003
(Edited slightly and added middle verse on February 19th, 2022)
Devotional put together May 18, 2009
Jerry Bouey

14 Gospel invitations to come and seek the Lord:

1) Proverbs 9:1-5  Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars: She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table. She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city, Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled.

2) Song of Solomon 2:10-13  My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away. For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone; The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land; The fig tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.

3) Isaiah 1:18  Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

4) Isaiah 2:2-3  And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD'S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

5) Isaiah 55:1-3  Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.

6) Micah 4:1-2  But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it. And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

7) Matthew 11:28-30  Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

8) Matthew 22:2-4  The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.

9) Matthew 25:34  Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

10) Mark 1:17  And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.

11) Luke 14:16-23  Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.

12) John 1:35-39, 46  Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou? He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour... And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.

13) John 21:12  Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord.

14) Revelation 22:17  And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

See also this final invitation the church is waiting for - the rapture, the call to come up hither:

Revelation 4:1  After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.

I Am The Light Of The World

I Am The Light Of The World

Darkness hides things - but Light reveals (try to find something you lost without adequate light, as soon as you have enough light, it is easy to spot).

Darkness blurs things - but Light makes things apparent (such as showing the spots on a white shirt).

Darkness obscures the path - but Light shows the way (imagine trying to find your way through a crowded room without a light).

Darkness causes fear and oppression - but Light brings freedom and dispels fear (fears of the night are dispelled when the day comes).

Darkness (lack of sunlight) can often bring bad health over time - but Light brings with it healing (pale as opposed to robust health).

Genesis 1:1-4 - Light was the first thing created after God made the earth. It was the creation of the light that God declared good.

Genesis 1:14-18 - The creation of the sun, moon and stars dividing/separating the light from the darkness was the fourth thing that He declared good.

All through man's history, there has been a battle between light and darkness. 69 verses that speak about the contrast between light and darkness in the same verse.

John 1:1-9, 14 - Jesus is the Creator; He is Almighty God. He is the source of all life and light.

He has given light to every man in three main ways:

1) The light of nature (Romans 1)
2) The light of conscience (Romans 2)
3) The light of revelation - the Scriptures (Romans 3)

John 3:19-21 - The darkness hates the Light and will run from the truth (the Word of God). Jesus came to show the division between Light and darkness, the kingdom of light and the kingdom of darkness.

John 11:9-10; 12:35-36, 46 - Man needs to receive the Light and walk in His light, or else they remain forever in apiritual darkness.

John chapters 8-9 deal with Jesus Christ being the Light of the world.

John 8:12 - Sum up verses 1-11, showing how the Light of the world came to save, rather than condemn - to reveal their sin so they would turn to the Saviour; not just bring condemnation, like many of the religious crowd.

John 8:23-24, 28 - We need to realize that Jesus is the Messiah, the Saviour, the LORD God Himself who died upon the cross for our sins, if we want to be forgiven of our sins and have fellowship with Him.

John 8:30-36. Receiving the Light and walking in His light will bring freedom from sin.

John 8:51-53; 56-59 - Promise of spiritual life from the self-existent God, the LORD, I Am.

John 9:5; 39-41 - Rejection of spiritual Light proves someone is still blind; Reception of the Light will give true spiritual sight.

Preached April 25th/2010 (lunchtime)
Jerry Bouey
Lord willing, I will preach this message dealing with John 9 at Supper: Earthen Vessels

Compound Names Of The Lord

Compound Names Of The Lord

When you are struggling, meditate on the nine compound names (there may also be others) of Jehovah in the Old Testament and Jesus' seven I Am statements in the Gospel of John, and marvel at how the LORD meets every need you could possibly ever face.

The nine compound names and their translations into English are as follows:

1) Jehovah-Jireh, The LORD my Provider. (Genesis 22:8, 13-14)
2) Jehovah-Rapha, The LORD my Healer. (Exodus 15:26)
3) Jehovah-Nissi, The LORD my Banner. (Exodus 17:15)
4) Jehovah-Qadash, The LORD thy Sanctifier. (Exodus 31:13)
5) Jehovah-Shalom, The LORD our Peace. (Judges 6:23-24)
6) Jehovah-Raah, The LORD my Shepherd. (Psalm 23:1)
7) Jehovah-Sabaoth, The LORD of Hosts. (Isaiah 6:3)
8) Jehovah-Tsidkenu, The LORD our Righteousness. (Jeremiah 23:6; 33:16)
9) Jehovah-Shammah, The LORD Is There (ie. Present). (Ezekiel 48:35)

The name "Jesus" means "the LORD our Salvation," a further revelation of the magnitude of the LORD. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins. Matthew 1:21.

Jesus’ seven I Am statements are:

1) I Am the Bread of Life. (John 6:35, 48, 51)

2) I Am the Light of the World. (John 8:12; 9:5)
3) I Am the Door of the Sheep. (John 10:7, 9)
4) I Am the Good Shepherd. (John 10:11-14)
5) I Am the Resurrection and the Life. (John 11:25)
6) I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. (John 14:6)
7) I Am the True Vine. (John 15:1, 5)

By the way, the number seven in the Bible represents perfection, fullness, completion. Just thought you should know Jesus is all you need!

(Quoted from my study, Leaning On The Lord)

7 other I Ams in John: 4:26 (I Am the Messiah); 8:24, 28, 58; 13:19; 18:5, 8. These last two really show the Lord Jesus Christ's power.

John 18:4-6 Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye? They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them. As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.

He just had to declare who He was, and the crowd fell over backwards!

Each one of these names reveal who the Lord is, reveals something about His character, and His desire to meet all the needs we will ever face in this life.

Read these two poems:

My Name Is I Am

I Am Jesus

Preached April 23rd/2010
Jerry Bouey

The Shepherd's Rod And Staff

The Shepherd's Rod And Staff

This is actually the second message on the Good Shepherd I preached in this series, but I had the notes already typed up so decided to post it first. I will post the first sermon outline as soon as I get it typed up.

"Well has it been said 'without Psalm 22, there could be no Twenty-third Psalm.' While the former Psalm reveals Christ as the good Shepherd, who gives His life for the sheep, this Psalm makes Him known as the great Shepherd of the sheep, whom the God of Peace hath brought again from the dead, through the blood of the everlasting covenant (Heb 13:20). And all who deny the atoning work of Christ have no claim whatever upon the assurance and comfort of this Psalm... Much has been written devotionally on this Psalm. Hundreds of books have been published, but it has never been exhausted nor ever will be. The assurance of the first three verses belong to every believer on the Lord Jesus. He is individually the Shepherd and each child of God can say, 'Jehovah is my Shepherd, the Shepherd who never fails, who never changeth, the Jehovah-jireh -- the LORD who provides.' He gives pasture, peace and rest, with the never failing waters, the supply of His Spirit. Then He restoreth after failure and leads in paths of righteousness for His Name's sake." (Arno Clement Gaebelein, The Annotated Bible)

Read Psalm 23 - Assurance

A good way to read this Psalm is by asking the question, "What shall I not want?"

I shall not want--
Rest -- for He makes me to lie down in green pastures.
Drink -- for He leadeth me beside the still waters.
Forgiveness -- for He restoreth my soul.
Guidance -- for He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness.
Companionship -- for Thou art with me.
Comfort -- for Thy rod and Thy staff comfort me.
Food -- for Thou preparest a table before me.
Victory -- in the presence of mine enemies.
Joy -- Thou anointest my head with oil.
Overrunning joy -- for my cup runneth over.
Everything in time -- for goodness and mercy shall follow me.
Everything in eternity -- for I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Quoted from The Annotated Bible by Arno Clement Gaebelein

Psalm 23 is probably the most popular Psalm, and one of three most memorized or known passages of the Bible. The other two being John 3:16 and the Lord's Prayer. Many people may never have read the Bible, but most are familiar to some degree with these three passages.

Psalm 23 written about 3000 years ago - probably millions upon millions of sermons or studies preached upon this chapter alone - and yet, each preacher or teacher can always learn and teach something new from it.

To learn more about the Lord, we need to learn about Him and His character - this is often revealed through the various names He gives us about Himself.

9 Compound names of the Lord God (this theme will be developed later): Jehovah-Raah, the Lord my Shepherd. Not just a statement about the Shepherd, but one of His names revealed to His people.

Notice how the Old Testament refers to the Lord God as being the Shepherd, and in the New Testament, Jesus Christ Himself claims to be that Shepherd in John 10. (I Am The Good Shepherd was covered as a separate message.)

Notice how the Psalmist goes from talking about the Shepherd in the first half of this Psalm to speaking with Him.

Psalms 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Explain rod and staff - could be one instrument with two uses.

Rod used to defend against wild animals or robbers. Used to count the sheep as they passed under.

Staff used to stop the sheep from wandering away - ie. by placing it next to or in front of them, much like a parent or friend might put out their arm to halt a child from rushing into the street when it is not clear. The Shepherd's crook or the curved hook on the end of the staff is often used to pull a sheep back from danger, such as rescuing it from drowning in the creek or pulling it up from a pit or ledge it had fallen off of.

Give a little of my sister's testimony of raising her children by herself when she was in Canada and unable to go to the States to be with her husband (and vice-versa) - how she had many cares and concerns for her young children; then relate how the following verse brought her comfort.

Isaiah 40:11 He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.

Read The Straying Lamb

Preached April 18th/2010
Jerry Bouey

I Am The Bread Of Life

 I Am The Bread Of Life

I recently started a series on the Seven I Ams of Jesus found in the Gospel of John.

Introduction:

In this Gospel (and even in the book of Revelation), many times when Jesus made a statement beginning with "I am...," He wasn't just declaring something about Himself, but was identifying Himself as the Lord God. The primary name for God used in the Old Testament is LORD, which is a translation of Jehovah, the self-existent God. When the Lord sent Moses to deliver and lead His people out of Egypt, the question of who had sent him was on Moses' heart. Notice God's reply:

Exodus 3:13-15 And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them? And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you. And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.

Jesus claimed to be the LORD God of the Old Testament - He claimed to be that same I Am!

John 8:58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

The passage and claim I want to cover today is found in John 6, and occurs the day after the miracle of the feeding of the 5000 men (which would make approximately 15000-20000 people altogether when you count the women and children present as well). In His discourse with the multitude, Jesus uses the historical account of the Lord feeding the Israelites manna during their forty years of wandering in the wilderness as the starting place to teach them something about Himself and His care for them.

The Background Of Manna and its definition, plus its description and taste:

Exodus 16:14-15 And when the dew that lay was gone up, behold, upon the face of the wilderness there lay a small round thing, as small as the hoar frost on the ground. And when the children of Israel saw it, they said one to another, It is manna: for they wist not what it was. And Moses said unto them, This is the bread which the LORD hath given you to eat.

Exodus 16:31-35 And the house of Israel called the name thereof Manna: and it was like coriander seed, white; and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey. And Moses said, This is the thing which the LORD commandeth, Fill an omer of it to be kept for your generations; that they may see the bread wherewith I have fed you in the wilderness, when I brought you forth from the land of Egypt. And Moses said unto Aaron, Take a pot, and put an omer full of manna therein, and lay it up before the LORD, to be kept for your generations. As the LORD commanded Moses, so Aaron laid it up before the Testimony, to be kept. And the children of Israel did eat manna forty years, until they came to a land inhabited; they did eat manna, until they came unto the borders of the land of Canaan.

Numbers 11:7-9 And the manna was as coriander seed, and the colour thereof as the colour of bdellium. And the people went about, and gathered it, and ground it in mills, or beat it in a mortar, and baked it in pans, and made cakes of it: and the taste of it was as the taste of fresh oil. And when the dew fell upon the camp in the night, the manna fell upon it.

Nehemiah 9:19-21 Yet thou in thy manifold mercies forsookest them not in the wilderness: the pillar of the cloud departed not from them by day, to lead them in the way; neither the pillar of fire by night, to shew them light, and the way wherein they should go. Thou gavest also thy good spirit to instruct them, and withheldest not thy manna from their mouth, and gavest them water for their thirst. Yea, forty years didst thou sustain them in the wilderness, so that they lacked nothing; their clothes waxed not old, and their feet swelled not.

Psalms 78:23-25 Though he had commanded the clouds from above, and opened the doors of heaven, And had rained down manna upon them to eat, and had given them of the corn of heaven. Man did eat angels' food: he sent them meat to the full.

Psalms 105:39-41 He spread a cloud for a covering; and fire to give light in the night. The people asked, and he brought quails, and satisfied them with the bread of heaven. He opened the rock, and the waters gushed out; they ran in the dry places like a river.

All their needs were met, including their physical needs, while they journeyed to the Promised Land. Bread has always been considered a staple of life. This manna, this bread from Heaven, this angels' food, tasted like wafers made with honey, and yet it also contained all the nutrients they would need to live as they made this rugged journey.

Use pastry as an object lesson here.

Something so good, tasty and nutritious - who could ask for more?

Deuteronomy 8:1-3 All the commandments which I command thee this day shall ye observe to do, that ye may live, and multiply, and go in and possess the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers. And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no. And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.

This manna was intended to teach them something foundational about their daily provision - just as the people of God needed physical food to survive (ie. their daily bread - see Matthew 6:11), so also they needed daily spiritual food to prosper spiritually - and that food was the Word of God and their fellowship with the Saviour. Yet they took God and His provision for granted and despised His leading in their lives.

Numbers 11:4-6 And the mixt multitude that was among them fell a lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat? We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlick: But now our soul is dried away: there is nothing at all, beside this manna, before our eyes.

Numbers 21:5 And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread.

John 6, the day after the feeding of the 5000:

John 6:26-34 Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled. 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. Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. They said therefore unto him, What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work? Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat. Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world. Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.

The Bread from Heaven was a person. The manna was a type or a picture of the Lord Jesus Christ.

John 6:35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

Jesus offers to fill that aching spiritual hunger and thirst inside of us - and fill it to the full, so that we would never hunger or thirst the same way again if we believe in Him.

John 6:41-43 The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from heaven. And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how is it then that he saith, I came down from heaven? Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves.

John 6:47-51 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. I am that bread of life. Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.

Physical bread (including manna) could only fill physical needs. Its effects were temporal. They needed spiritual bread to fill their spiritual needs. That bread was Christ - feeding on Him through faith was what would give them eternal life and fulfillment/satisfaction in this life.

John 6:52-63 The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat? Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me. This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever. These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum. Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it? When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you? What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before? It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

It is faith in the Word of God that will bring life, faith in the finished work of the Saviour upon the cross that gives life. The Spirit of God takes that faith and brings to life (quickens) the lost soul that trusts in Christ.

One final reference to manna is found in Revelation. I love some of those Hidden Picture games, where you have to intently look, intently seek a hidden object. There is satisfaction when you find what you were looking for all along.

Revelation 2:17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

Jesus is that hidden manna, and He gives Himself in fellowship to that person who will look away from the world and will look only to Him in faith. Seek, and ye shall find. Only faith in and fellowship with the Saviour can bring contentment and satisfaction in this life.

Matthew 5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

Are you hungry?

Remind them of the pastry object lesson. Who is hungry? Offer pastry. Recap difference between physical hunger and spiritual hunger. One can lead to temporal fulfillment, one can lead to eternal fulfillment.

Not only does the Lord promise to meet your physical needs as you walk with Him, but your spiritual needs as well.

Psalms 37:3 Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.

Preached April 13th/2010
Jerry Bouey
(Due to time constraints, I could not read all these passages, but they were part of the outline I prepared while studying, and I made sure I was familiar with their content, so could sum them up or refer to them as needed.)

Devotionals Preached At The Gospel Mission In 2011

Devotionals Preached At The Gospel Mission In 2011

This post is my memorial of all the devotionals I preached at meals times at the Kelowna Gospel Mission during my last seven months working there. Lord willing, I will add links to any of these that I have previously posted on any of my sites, and I will add any links in the future to any outlines or full studies that came from these notes.

If you are a preacher, I hope this list of studies is a challenge and encouragement to you in your service to the Lord Jesus Christ.

January:

• 3rd - 2 Samuel 6:12-23 David, The Ark Of God, And Michal
• 6th - 2 Samuel 9 David's Example & How We Should Respond To Our Enemies
• 10th - 2 Samuel 12 Hope For The Sinner/Backslider
• 13th - What's New With You?
• 14th - 1 Chronicles 11-12 Mighty Men Serving Their King
• 15th - 2 Samuel 13:19-29 The Destruction Of Sexual Abuse And God's Healing
• 17th - 2 Samuel 15:1-12 Absalom Wins The Heart Of The People
• 21st - 2 Samuel 18:1-18 The War With Absalom
• 22nd - 2 Samuel 19:1-14 David's Inconsolable Grief For The Death Of Rebellious Absalom (Contrasted With His Hope In The Death Of His Baby)
• 23rd - John 14 Hope In The Midst Of Our Grief
• 24th - 2 Samuel 15:23; John 18:1 Jesus Became A Man (To Identify With Us, Share Our Sorrows, Die For Our Sins)
• 28th - 2 Samuel 23:1-7 David's Last Words
• 30th - 2 Samuel 24 David's Sin And His Altar
• 31st - Intro To Hosea

February:

• 4th - Hosea 2 The Valley Of Trouble
• 6th - Hosea 3 God's Redeeming Love (Sermon by Clarence Sexton)
• 7th - Hosea 4:1, 6 No Truth, Mercy, Or Knowledge Of God
• 14th - Hosea 7 Return And Remember
• 17th - Hosea 7:7-8 Sow The Wind, Reap The Whirlwind
• 23rd - Hosea 11:8-11 I Loved Him (Sermon by Clarence Sexton)
• 26th - Hosea 14 Hope For Backsliders (Sermon by A. C. Dixon)
• 28th - Introduction To John

March:

• 4th - John 1:23-29 Behold The Lamb Of God
• 6th - John 2:1-11 Filling Our Empty Vessels
• 7th - John 2:12-25 Cleansing His Father's House
• 9th - John 3:16 The Gospel In A Nutshell
• 11th - John 4:27-42 Sowing The Gospel In Samaria
• 12th - Compound Names Of The Lord
• 14th - John 5:18, 21-30 Jesus, The Judge Of Man
• 17th - John 6:25-40 Sealed And Satisfied In Christ
• 19th - John 6:51-63 Partaking Of Jesus' Sacrifice By Faith
• 20th - John 7:25-44 Living Water Flowing Forth
• 21st - John 8:1-11 The Sinless Saviour And The Blind Stone Throwers
• 25th - John 8:59; 9:5, 11-38 Sight And Spiritual Light Given To A Blind Man
• 26th - John 10:1-10, 14, 27 I Am The Door
• 27th - John 10:22-42 My Father And My Sheep
• 28th - John 11:1-37 I Am The Resurrection And The Life
• 29th - John 11:45-12:3 The Line Being Drawn For Or Against Christ

April:

• 2nd - John 13:1 Jesus Loved Them To The End
• 3rd - John 14:2-14, 18-19 The Way To The Father's House
• 4th - John 14:22-31 The Peace That Jesus Gives
• 9th - John 17 Given By The Father To The Son (Part One)
• - John 17 Given By The Father To The Son (Part Two)
• 10th - John 17 Given By The Father To The Son (Part Three)
• 11th - John 18 Bold And Rash Peter
• 14th - John 19; 20:27-28 Behold - Your Saviour! (Fivefold Picture)
• 18th - Matthew 27 The Responses Of Those Around Christ's Cross
• 25th - John 20:1-10 The Disciple  Whom Jesus Loved (7 times referred to in John)
• 28th - Introduction To Genesis
• 29th - Genesis 1:6-8 Day Two (Creation Vs Evolution)
• - Genesis 1:9-13 Day Three (Built On A Solid Foundation)

May:

• 2nd - Genesis 1:26-31 Day Six (The Trinity Creates Man)
• 5th - Genesis 2:15-25 A Help Suitable For Adam
• 6th - Genesis 3:1 Background On Satan
• 7th - Genesis 3:1-13 Three Avenues Of Temptation
• 9th - Genesis 4:1-11 Contrast Between Cain And Abel
• 11th - Genesis 5 A Picture In Genesis Five
• 12th - Genesis 6:8-22 Preparing The Ark
• 13th - Genesis 7:17-8:1 God Remembered
• 14th - Genesis 8:1-12 God's Sovereignty/Preservation
• 15th - Genesis 8:20-9:17 The Rainbow The Sign Of God's Covenant
• 16th - Genesis 9:18-28 Slavery And Servanthood
• 21st - Genesis 15:1-21 Righteousness Credited To Abram's Account (And Ours) By Faith
• 23rd - Genesis 17:1-16 A Mature (Perfect) Walk With The Lord
• 29th - Genesis 21:9-21 (And Chapter 16) Hagar's Growing Faith
• 30th - Genesis 22 Abraham Offering Isaac

June:

• 5th - Genesis 25 Jacob, The Plain Man
• 6th - Genesis 26 Isaac, The Man Of Wells And Peace
• 8th - Genesis 27 A Family In Disarray (Learning From Their Mistakes)
• 13th - Genesis 30:25-43 God Blessing Jacob With Cattle
• 15th - Genesis 32 When The Lord Became A Wrestler (Chapter 5 of Wrestling With God by Greg Laurie)
• 16th - Genesis 32 Wrestling Until The Daybreak
• 20th - Genesis 37 The Romans 8:28 Of The Old Testament
• 23rd - Genesis 39 When Life Doesn't Go As You Planned Part One
• 24th - Genesis 41 When Life Doesn't Go As You Planned Part Two
• 25th - Genesis 42 When Life Doesn't Go As You Planned Part Three
• 27th - Genesis 43-44 Jesus, The Sinner's Surety
• 30th - Genesis 45 Israel's Faith Is Strengthened

July:

• 2nd - Genesis 47:13-31 Joseph Faithful In Much
• 4th - Genesis 49:1-28 Jacob's Last Words
• 8th - Romans Road: Romans 10:9-10, 13 Believing In Your Heart
• 9th - Romans Road: Romans 8:1, 35-39 Present Tense Salvation
• 10th - 1 Peter 1:1-2 Peter And The Strangers (Chapter 2 of Strengthen Thy Brethren by Clarence Sexton)
• 15th - 1 Peter 2:11-12 Living In Light Of Jesus' Soon Coming
• 16th Supper - 1 Peter 2:21-25 The Shepherd And Bishop Of Your Souls (Chapter 1 of Strengthen Thy Brethren Volume Two by Clarence Sexton)
• 17th - 1 Peter 3:1-6 Submitting To God's Authority In The Home
• 18th - 1 Peter 3:8-12
• 23rd Lunch - 1 Peter 5:10-11 The God Of...
• Supper - 1 Peter 5:12-14 The Value Of Friends
• 25th Lunch - Steps To Christian Growth
• Supper - 2 Peter 1:1-8 Precious And Growing Faith Part One

Devotions Preached At The Gospel Mission in 2010

Devotions Preached At The Gospel Mission in 2010

I thought it might be profitable for me to start keeping track again of the devotionals I preach at the Gospel Mission for several reasons. I didn't think to do this until partway through the month of February, so I really can't remember the first few messages preached in January or what dates I covered my first few devotionals in February. The dates where I have two devotionals listed are days that I preached at both lunch and supper.

One of the main reasons I want to start keeping track again of the devotionals preached is so I can easily check the lists to find the last time I touched on a certain theme or passage of Scripture.

Sometimes I use devotionals that I receive in my emails (such as from Days Of Praise) that I have adapted; sometimes I re-use an older study of mine (which I may have modified); and other times I preach a brand new message. I will post those lists of devotionals preached here for those who may be interested, with links to those I have typed up (I will also add the link to ones I post later).

In September, the Mission Chaplain wanted to do something new, and we started a series on the book of James, where each staff member preaching devotionals would cover the next section of the book. This was to create a bit of continuity between most of the devotionals preached. It has been a challenge, but the renewed interest by the clients and the increased build up in Bible knowledge since then has been well worth it. In 2011, after James we tackled Ruth, two weeks on the theme of Thanksgiving, 1 Samuel, a week of staff sharing their testimonies, the first ten chapters of Proverbs, Old Testament passages prophesying about the coming Messiah and their fulfillment (a different approach to the Christmas story), then we started 2 Samuel.

February 2010:

- The Work of thy Hands (plus some comments on verses from Ps 68)
- Eye to Eye and Faith to Face
12th - Resting On The Promises
13th - The Song Of The Altar
15th - True Friendships (Jesus)
18th - First half of My Victory Over Depression
19th - Second half
21st - What God Wrote
27th - A Psalm Of Guidance (Psalm 25) (I covered the whole Psalm, but this linked study only contains the first part of the message preached)
28th - Continue

March 2010:

1st - Choices (1 Kings 19, Deut 30, Josh 25)
6th - Real Success (Phil 3; Jer 9:23-24)
7th - Psalm 19
- Six Questions In Romans 8:31-39
8th - The Story Of Four Gardens: The Garden Of Eden (first half)
9th - The Story Of Four Gardens: The Garden Of Eden (second half)
13th - Blessed Is
14th - The Story Of Four Gardens: The Garden Of Gethsemane (first half)
15th - The Story Of Four Gardens: The Garden Of Gethsemane (second half)
22nd - The Story Of Four Gardens: The Garden With The Empty Tomb
25th - Psalm 90
- Mustard Seeds And Mountains
29th - The Story Of Four Gardens: Paradise, The Garden Of Eternity

April 2010:

1st - This Is Jim Checking In (Emphasized the importance of having a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ and the assurance of sins forgiven)
2nd - It's Friday But Sunday's Coming (Luke 22:52-53) (No, I don't believe in a good Friday, but I preached this on the Friday before Easter Sunday, and emphasized the theme of the dark time of trials coming before the dawn; ended with the statement: "Spiritually, it's Friday - but Sunday already came!")
- New Beginnings (What Jesus Saw, 8 times in John) also read A Brand New Start
5th - What God Cannot Do/What God Can Do, also read God Is
12th - Psalm 40
13th - I Am The Bread Of Life
16th - I Am The Good Shepherd
17th - Praying & Waiting For Answers
18th - The Shepherd's Rod And Staff
19th - I Am The Door
23rd - Compound Names Of The Lord
25th - I Am The Light Of The World
- Earthen Vessels
26th - My Hiding Place (Psalm 32)

May 2010:

1st - The Shadows Flee Away
2nd - I Am The Resurrection And The Life (Our Mom's Victory Through Faith)
3rd - I Am the Messiah (John 4)
9th - Who I Am
10th - The God Of...
24th - Disappointment - His Appointment (Summed up life of Joseph, life's disappointments - Romans 8:28; Genesis 50:20) 
31st - I Am The True Vine

June 2010:

5th - Shew Me Thy Glory
7th - True Worship 
12th - Behold (Intro & part of Behold My Servant)
13th - Behold My Servant
14th - Behold Your King
19th - Behold The Man
20th - God Our Heavenly Father
26th - 1 John 1:1-2:2
27th - Magazine Article From Let The Bible Speak (On the Gospel of John)
28th - Behold Your God Part One
- Behold Your God Part Two

July 2010:

4th - The Road Of Life (Paul Chappell devotional)
5th- God Is Nowhere/Now Here
12th - Gratefulness (Ten Lepers)
30th - Devotional by Paul Chappell on roadblocks to avoid in our spiritual walks
31st - Gideon

August 2010:

2nd - Is Your Name Written Down?
6th - Who Touched Me? (Sermon by Clarence Sexton on the touch of faith)
7th - Wrestling Until The Daybreak
8th - Sinking In The Mire
9th - What's Your Net Worth?
14th - Leaning On The Lord
15th - They Delivered Jesus Because Of Envy
21st - The Armour Of God Part One
23rd - The Armour Of God Part Two
28th - Eight Things God Requires Of Man (Micah 6:8) Part One
29th - 8 Things Part Two
30th - Judge Not (Matthew 7:1-5)

September 2010:

6th - James, Son Of Thunder (a character study on the wrong James, but still worth preaching on!)
9th - James 1:18-22
13th - James 2:13-20
18th - James 4:13-17
20th - James 5:14-20
26th - Ruth Recap and Overview
27th - Ruth 4:1-12 Kinsman Redeemer

October 2010:

1st - History of Thanksgiving (devotional by Paul Chappel)
2nd - Thankful For His Benefits (Psalm 103:1-5)
4th - Thank Him For The Thorns
9th - Praising The Lord Throughout The Day
10th - Thankful For The Love Of God
16th - 1 Samuel 3:11-21 The Necessity Of The Negative
17th - 1 Samuel 4:10-22 The Glory Of God (in Christ)
18th - 1 Samuel 6:1-16 Humour And Providence (recap chapter 5)
24th - 1 Samuel 11:1-11 Men of JabeshGilead/Covenant With A Serpent
25th - 1 Samuel 12:1-7, 14, 22-24 Israel's Spiritual Leadership & God's Covenant

November 2010:

1st - 1 Samuel 15:20-35 History Of The Amalekites/Saul's Insincere Confession Of Sin
3rd - 1 Samuel 17 Introduction to The Valley Of Elah (Strength)
6th - 1 Samuel 17:51-58; 18:1-16, 28-30 David's Valour & Growing Reputation
8th - 1 Samuel 18:1-4; 19; 20; 23:16 Jonathan's Friendship To David
11th - 1 Samuel 21:10-15 David, Mad Or Fearful?
15th - 1 Samuel 24 Saul In David's Hands
20th - 1 Samuel 29 The Lord Holding David Back From Sin 
- 1 Samuel 30 The Road To Jerusalem Goes Through Ziklag (Sermon by Clarence Sexton)
22nd - 2 Samuel 9 David And Mephibosheth
27th - Testimony Part One (Salvation and early Christian walk)
28th - Testimony Part Two (How I came to the Mission)
29th - Proverbs 1:1-7 Introduction And Comments

December 2010:

4th - Proverbs 3:25-35
5th - Proverbs 4:10-19
6th - Proverbs 5:1-14
12th - Proverbs 10:1-14
13th - The Angel's Announcement & Mary's Faith
19th - Preparing The Way For The Messiah (John The Baptist's Ministry And Message)
20th - The True Shepherd Vs False Shepherds (Ezekiel 34)
27th - Introduction To 2 Samuel
30th - 2 Samuel 3:12-18 Michal, A Snare To King David