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The Greatest Commandment

By
Mark Alexander
 – July 13, 2010Posted in: Bible - NT - Matthew

34 But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. 35 And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. 36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

Matthew 22:34-40

One from the group of Scribes and Pharisees asked the Lord this question. “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” The scribes had been debating this question for centuries. The Lord’s two part answer was ““You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” and “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Thus the quintessence of the law is love; first loving God and second loving people.

Examining the Ten Commandments reveals that each commandment is a feature of love.

  1. “You shall have no other gods before me”, shows that love is not volatile but devoted, loyal and unswerving.
  2. “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth”, is a further description of loves faithfulness, attitude and practice.
  3. “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain”, reveals the respect that love gives.
  4. “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy”, describes loves respect toward the object of its devotion.
  5. “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you”, demonstrates that love is submissive to authority. Christians are to submit to God. Paul wrote in Ephesians 5:21 that believers are to submit themselves to one another out of reverence for Christ.
  6. “You shall not murder”, reveals the value we place on other people. In the sermon on the mount Jesus said that whoever hates someone has committed murder in his heart (cf. Matt 5:21-22).
  7. “You shall not commit adultery”, demonstrates the purity of love.
  8. “You shall not steal”, reveals love to be unselfish.
  9. “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor”, demonstrates the honesty and truthfulness of love. Love never seeks to be deceitful to the object of it’s affection.
  10. “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s”, reveals that love is content with what is has and is not selfish with others.
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Studies in Romans

By
Mark Alexander
 – July 9, 2010Posted in: Bible - NT - Romans

Over the next two months I will be studying Paul’s epsitle to the Romans and will share some of the experience and what I find on this journey.

Romans is a remarkable book and answers many questions concerning God and man. Some of these questions are: What is the good news of God? Is Jesus really God? What is God like? How can God send people to hell? Why do men reject God and Jesus Christ? Why are there false religions and idols? What is man’s biggest sin? Why are there sex perversions, hatred, crime, dishonesty and all the other evils in the world? What is the standard by which God condemns people? How can a person who has never heard the gospel be held accountable? How good is man? How evil is man? How can a sinner be forgiven? How is a Christian related to Abraham? What is the importance of Christ’s death? What is the importance of Christ’s resurrection? For whom did Christ die? Where can men find real peace and hope? What is grace? How are God’s law and God’s grace related? What is the Christians relation to sin? How important is obedience in the Christian life? Why is living a faithful Christian life such a struggle?

Have any of these questions grabbed your attention yet?

What does the Holy Spirit do for the believer? Why is there suffering? Will the world ever be different? What are election and predestination? How can Christians pray properly? How secure is salvation? What is God’s present and future plan for Israel? What is the Christian’s relation to the world? What is genuine love? How do Christians deal with issues that are neither right nor wrong? What is true freedom? How important is unity in the Church?

Over the course of the following studies, I will attempt to expound answers to some of these questions in a series of articles.

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The Culture of Pornograph: Advertising

By
Mark Alexander
 – April 29, 2010Posted in: Pornography

Pornography, once resigned exclusively to dirty darkened back street shops, has been transformed from a vice to a commodity. It has been moved from the seedy shop shelves to the largest of advertising bill boards in the most highly visible locations in our towns and cities. The plague of pornography is everywhere in advertising. Television, magazines, shopping centres. We are being flooded with pornographic images in the ambient background.

My marketing teacher taught us the fact that sex sells. This week the UK high street has been flooded with graphic sexual images of women in the pursuit of selling a bag of crisps.

As reported on the BBC

Padraig Power, commercial and marketing director of the IRFU, said: “This advertising campaign is in very bad taste and one which the IRFU would not want to be associated with in any way.

“Firstly, its blatant exploitation of women is tasteless and base and quite simply unacceptable.

The power of sex in advertise cannot be underestimated. The nature of the images in these adds coupled with double entendre captions, like “are you staring at my crisps?” is so pervasive, so much that you cannot avoid these signs as you commute to work or go shopping. The Belfast Telegraph displays a photograph of a young man staring up at one of these large bill board advertisements; a scene that I have witnessed being repeated by many a man in the city these past few days.

In our society pornographic images have become part of the ambience. Christians need to be on their guard against attacks of the enemy in this age where pornography counts as one of the largest attacks on the sanctity of marriage and the break up of the family.

The Preeminence of Christ

By
Mark Alexander
 – April 23, 2010Posted in: Person and work of Christ

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

Colossians 1: 15-20

In everything, Jesus Christ is preeminent. But what is preeminence and how does this help us understand Paul’s intent to help us clearly view our Lord as being preeminent?

Paul wrote this letter to the Colossians to address the exaltation of human philosophies over the unequalled greatness of the Lord. These philosophies, which later became known as Gnosticism, bring Jesus down to human proportions and teach that a secret higher knowledge is needed for enlightenment and salvation. Epaphras was deeply troubled and made the long journey from Colossae to Rome where Paul was incarcerated. Paul wrote this letter from his prison cell to warn the Colossians against this heresy they faced.

When someone is  described as preeminent, that is to say that they are supreme, surpassing all others, outstanding in position or quality. In all created things, Jesus is preeminent, and not just among men but all creation, for all time and eternity. Jesus is God and was there in eternity past before everything was created. All creation was created through Him, by Him and for Him. There is no earthly or spiritual force greater than He. There is no one or thing that is greater, more powerful, loving, gracious, capable or beautiful than He is. Satan and all his demon hordes cannot compare to Jesus. He created them and He is greater than the sum of them all. He is preeminent in the past, He is preeminent in the present and He is preeminent in the future.

Past “He is the firstborn of all creation” (v. 15)

The Greek for firstborn can indicate the person was born first chronologically but it more often pertains to preeminence in rank or position. It would be wrong to think Paul is using this phrase to say that Jesus was created or had an origin. Rather, firstborn in this context clearly reveals the supremacy of God’s Son and his right of inheritance over all creation (cf. Psalm 89:27; Hebrews 1:2; Revelation 5:1-5).

Present “…and in him all things hold together” (v. 17)

Jesus continually holds all things together, sustaining His creation, preventing it from falling into chaos or disintegrating (cf. Hebrews 1:3).

Future “He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.” (v. 18)

Christ was the first to be resurrected, chronologically, from the dead never to die again. And of all the people that will ever be raised from the dead into the resurrection of life, Christ is the greatest and foremost, seated at right-hand of the Almighty (cf. Philippians 2: 8-11)

The Church “And he is the head of the body, the church.” (v. 18)

Paul in 1 Corinthians 12:12 used the metaphor that just as one human body has many members, so it is with Christ. Here, Paul further writes that Christ serves as the head of the body. Just as the body is controlled by the brain, so Christ, as the Head, has leadership and provides nourishment for every part of the church (cf. Ephesians 4:15; 5:23; Colossians 2:19).

His preeminence stretches throughout all time, from eternity past to eternity future. Jesus, as the first fruits of the new creation through his resurrection from the dead, is the first of many to be resurrected, never to die again (1 Corinthians 12:20 ff.). He is above all, greater than all and first in all. He is supreme over all earthly power, all governments, all spiritual powers. There is no one more beautiful, more significant, more wonderful than he. Turn and worship Jesus because he created it all for himself; and through him, the reconciliation of all the universe is accomplished through his atoning death and resurrection to life.

Do you believe that Jesus is preeminent? Many people who profess Jesus as Lord believe that he is preeminent. Allow me to ask a more piercing question. Are you living your life around the reality that Jesus Christ is preeminent and are you shaping your life around this truth?

46 “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you? 47 Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: 48 he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. 49 But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.”

Luke 6: 46-49

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Who Murdered Jesus?

By
Mark Alexander
 – March 28, 2010Posted in: Cross, Passion Week


The Jewish people have often been associated with the expression “Christ killers” and time and again been persecuted by misguided zealots and racists. The murder of Jesus actually involved a cast of characters.

  • The Chief Priests and Pharisees (Sanhedrin) who formed a secret council and plotted to put Jesus to death (cf. John 11:47-50, 53).
  • Caiaphas, the corrupt High Priest and leader of the Sanhedrin.
  • Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus to the Chief Priests and Pharisees.
  • The people of Israel, who cried out with blood lust “Crucify Him!” (cf. Luke 23:23; John 19:6, 15a).
  • Pontius Pilot, the Roman Governor who issued the death sentence (cf. John 19: 15b-16).
  • Herod Antipas, the “king of the Jews”, who colluded with Pontius Pilot (cf. Luke 23:11).
  • The Roman soldiers (Gentiles) who tore the flesh from His back, mocked Him, carried out His crucifixion and pierce His side with a spear (cf. Matthew 27:27-35; John 19:34).

The conspiracy to murder Jesus was vast, with a diverse cast of characters, some of which had intense rivalry with one another. This cast, until this moment, had rarely worked together. This is the only moment in history where these disparate factions, in a corporate act of humanity, would work together to murder the Son of God. The Jews were no more or less blameworthy than the Gentiles and all bear the guilt together. In a prayer offered by the early Church, this was plainly stated in Acts 4:27 “for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel”.

However, this cast of characters does not exhaust the truth behind who murdered Jesus. Again and again, throughout all of the Old Testament and from as far back as eternity past, God ordained that His Son, Jesus Christ, should die. The prophecy of Isaiah 53 expresses that it would even please the Father to bruise Him and put Him to death. Why? To make His soul an offering for sin (cf. Isa 53:10). This was God’s redemption plan for fallen man. God was pleased by the redemption accomplished. His eternal plan of salvation was fulfilled by the sacrifice of His Son so others might have eternal life; His love for sinners through a majestic sacrifice.

That God had foreknown and foreordained that Jesus would be crucified does not exonerate anyone of responsibility who contributed to His death. These things were predestined by God, yet the human beings who did them were morally “lawless”. We may not understand how the will of our sovereign God can be compatible with mans responsibility for his sinful acts, but both are affirmed here and in other passages (cf. Acts 3:13–16; 3:17; 4:27; 4:28).

The Jewish leaders, threatened by Jesus popularity among the people of Jerusalem met together to discuss what to do about Him (cf. Matthew 26: 3-5). From the time of His birth, the enemies of Christ have sought to kill Him and have always been divinely thwarted because His time had not yet come. Again when Jesus was teaching in the synagogue (cf. Luke 4:16-30) they tried to kill Him. When He healed the lame man at the pool of Bethesda (cf. John 5:16-18). Such was the public knowledge of their desire to kill Jesus that John records in John 7:25 that the people of Jerusalem referred to him as “Him who they seek to kill.” When His predetermined time had finally come, He knew it (cf. Luke 22:22).

John writes that the Jewish leaders were fearful that Christ’s popularity would result in pressure to recognise Him as Messiah and the rightful ruler of the Jews. This would disrupt the peace with Rome and could act as a catalyst to ignite the anti-Roman zealots who desired to overthrow Roman authority. This posed a tangible threat to the status of the High Priest and the Sanhedrin who, by consent of Rome, wielded token authority in Jewish society. Therefore, the Jewish leaders would set their minds to do all they could to suppress and put to an end the Messianic fever in Israel. They concluded they had to silence Jesus without giving regard to whether he was the true Messiah or not. They just lacked an opportunity to do this in secret so not to draw attention which they feared could incite a riot. Judas would approach them with an offer to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver (cf. Matthew 26:14-15)

Caiaphas was High Priest at this time. He was very politically motivated and corrupt. He allowed the money changers to operate in the Temple and taking a cut of profit; he knew the troubled that Jesus caused him when, on two separate occasions, Jesus had entered the Temple and overturned the tables of the money changers. During Roman occupation the High Priests had to be approved by Rome. Sometimes the office was purchased or granted as a political favour. Caiaphas had married the daughter of Annas, the former High Priest (cf. John 18:13). Annas wielded significant power through his Son-in-Law which mounted more or less to a joint priesthood (cf. Luke 3:2). Caiaphas had unusual favour with Rome. During a period of one century of Roman occupation, Rome appointed 28 High Priests; Caiaphas held the office for about 20 years. Therefore, it is no surprise Caiaphas saw Jesus as a political threat and spoke of murdering Jesus (cf. John 11:50).

The crucifixion of Jesus was the most evil act ever committed by sinful, morally lawless human hearts. What the Sanhedrin led by Caiaphas, were planning was meant for evil; but God intended it for an infinite good through which many may be saved (cf. Genesis 50:20). God is always sovereign. His purposes are always fulfilled in spite of the evil intentions of the morally lawless heart of sinful mankind. God works His righteousness through many evil unrighteous acts. This demonstrates how all He does is good; and how He weaves everything together for the good of His children, in Christ, fruit bearing and glorification (Romans 8:28).

The cast have taken their positions and the stage is set for the greatest miscarriage of justice in history; the murder of God.

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It is Finished!

By
Mark Alexander
 – March 26, 2010Posted in: Cross, Passion Week

For three hours the Lord Jesus Christ had endured the full wrath of His Father as He hung, willingly, on a Roman cross. The brutal beating He received at the hands of the Roman soldiers in the Praetorium would pale into insignificance with the infinite debt that He paid, stretched out on the cross during those three hours of darkness; Christ Jesus suffered more than any soul ever would in hell.

After this, Jesus knowing that all things had been accomplished, said, “I thirst”. The soldiers brought Him a sponge soaked in sour wine and reached it up to Him on branch. After having received this, the He said “It is finished!”

These three words were not an exhausted whispered, or a mumbled groan. Nor where they an exhaled sigh of a beaten, bruised, bloodied man as he hung helplessly on the cross. No. This was the triumphant cry of the victorious Saviour who had just paid the full ransom for the atonement for all who would believe (Hebrews 9:12; 10:12). Satan was defeated at the cross and no longer had power over death (Hebrews 2:14; 1 Peter 1:18-20; 1 John 3:8). Every sin had been appeased (Romans 3:25; Hebrews 2:17; 1 John 2:2; 4:10). The work of redemption that the Father had given to the Son, from before time began, was complete. Every prophecy fulfilled. Christ’s completion of the work of redemption means that nothing needs to be added to it. Salvation is entirely a work of God’s grace, appropriated by faith alone in Jesus alone (Ephesians 2:8-9).

After commending His spirit into His Fathers hands, our precious Saviour voluntarily gave up His life. No man could take it from Him; He was not physically at the point of death when He cried “It is finished!” But by His own sovereign will, He freely laid down His life.

In three days, the Lord would rise from the grave. He had power to lay down His life and He had power to take it up again. When He arose, He was the firstborn of the dead to life everlasting, never to die again.

And we too can appropriate this salvation from hell and eternal death if we repent of our sin, and believe the Lord Jesus Christ, in this work that did for us, on that old rugged cross.

It’s up and I’m blogging

By
Mark Alexander
 – March 26, 2010Posted in: Uncategorized

Well, here it is.  I have been talking about doing this for a while and it’s finally here.  Sigh.  Let’s see how long it lasts.