King James Bible Study – “And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” – Mark 8:34
Date: Friday, November 27, 2020
Chapters: Acts 17
Message: Bitter Envy
Hello My Friend,
When I was in elementary school there was a boy who always picked on me, especially my weight, and the thing was, he was bigger than I was. His words hurt and so did the way he treated me, it did not matter if every other student in the school was my friend, his words stuck and I actually developed an eating disorder. Well, I have come a long way since then, learning to accept who God made me to be, and not care what everyone else thought about me. We often wonder why these bullies are so mean, and so blind to what is actually in front of them. Well, the reason actually comes from the way they were treated or taught, which is why we are seeing such a rapid increase in violence in our country. The number one reason we get bullied by them is because they are envious of us, [James 3:14-16 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. 15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. 16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.]
Exactly what is envy? Envy; To feel uneasiness, mortification or discontent at the sight of superior excellence, reputation or happiness enjoyed by another; To fret at others prosperity; To grieve one’s self at the real or supposed superiority of another, and to hate him on that account. Does any of this ring a bell? Those who hate and bully us are actually lusting over the things that we have, so much so that they despise us. Jesus said, [John 15:18-19 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. 19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.]
If you know anything about Greek culture, then you know that they are extremely into mythology, and have in fact, made up several Greek gods that they still follow today. Paul and Silas spent quite a bit of time in Greece, going into the synagogues, and on the streets, preaching the Gospel of Christ. Someone else followed them wherever they went and that was the envious, Christ hating Jews, and they were determined to cause havoc.
[Acts 17:2-5 And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, 3 Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ. 4 And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few. 5 But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.]
[Opening and alleging,] Allege; To declare; to affirm; to assert; to pronounce, with positiveness. For years I use to think that the word allege meant that they were not sure if it was true and were only giving accusations. Of course, that was what I was taught so I never questioned it until I actually saw the definition. When we learn the truth about the Gospel we need to declare it, and not be ashamed of or afraid to speak the truth. When preaching the Gospel, Jesus said, [Luke 10:8-11 And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you: 9 And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. 10 But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say, 11 Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.]
[And heal the sick that are therein,] Healing the sick means that we are to teach them the Gospel, if they accept Christ, then they are healed from the curse of death to their soul. Now, Paul and Silas moved on to the next town, which was Thessalonica, they had more success there, but it did not take long for the envious Jews to show up, creating problems again. Something interesting is told to us about the Thessalonians.
[Acts 17:11-14 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. 12 Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few. 13 But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was preached of Paul at Berea, they came thither also, and stirred up the people. 14 And then immediately the brethren sent away Paul to go as it were to the sea: but Silas and Timotheus abode there still.]
[and searched the scriptures daily,] This is exactly how we determine what is correct from what we are being taught from the Bible. And not just any “version” of the Bible will do, we need a King James Bible, which is no version, rather the only Bible the exists today that tells the entire truth, [II Timothy 2:15-16 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.]
[But shun profane and vain babblings:] Speaking of babbling, when Paul and Silas got to Athens, the Holy Spirit moved them to preach the Gospel there when they found themselves in the mythology capital of the world, who accused them of being babblers.
[Acts 17:16,18-20 Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry. 18 Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection. 19 And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is? 20 For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean.]
[He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods:] To the world and religion, the saved, born again Christian who follows what is written in the King James Bible are babblers preaching about some strange god. Well, Paul stood up there and repeated something that Jesus said in his own words.
[Acts 17:22-27 Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars’ hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. 23 For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you. 24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; 25 Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; 26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; 27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:]
[Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship,] Jesus said it best, [John 4:22-23 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. 23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.]
[for the Father seeketh such to worship him.] It is truly incredible to me that of the billions of people on the earth only a fraction of them understand who God is and worship Him as such. The only thing that religion does is create a god that they are worshiping. If they honestly wanted God in their lives and all the blessings that come with it, then they would follow the Word of God as it is written and not make up all these versions that remove the truth. And let me tell you, they can make up their own versions of the Bible and cut out what they do not want to accept as truth, but that does not change the fact that it is true, and His Word will never change, [Hebrews 13:8-9 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. 9 Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.]
[For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace;] God never changes, no matter how many versions they come up with that remove His truths more and more. So, quit adding things to the Gospel, quit attempting to silence God, and quit distorting His Word, and saying that it comes from Him. God will not be mocked nor stand for those who are using His name to teach their lies and becoming rich off them. I have said it before, and I will say it until the day God brings me home, ignorance saves no one. If people are going to trust the lies over the truth, then so be it, but unless they repent of this nonsense, then they will be in hell.
[Acts 17:29-32 Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device. 30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: 31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. 32 And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter.]
[And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead,] So, why is it so hard for people to accept the truth when it is right there in front of them? Pride. They are way too proud to admit that they are the ones who are in the wrong. What these people really need to stop doing is worrying about what everyone else is doing and start being accountable for their own actions. There is not one person on this earth that does not have the same opportunity as another, no matter what color they are are. Everything we do is a choice we make, and no one has a right to bully and intimidate us into submission because they are not happy with their own lives, [James 4:1-3 From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? 2 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. 3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.]
Today’s Prayer: God, You give all a choice on how they live, and even who they worship. If we are going to choose You, then we are to worship You as You have chosen, and that is first by accepting and receiving Your Son as our Saviour. Lord, I choose Your Son, and I choose to worship You as You have taught us through Your Word. Lead me and guide me as I study Your Word and put it into practice, teaching those who are unknowing of the truth. Fill me with Your mercy, grace, wisdom, and power to discern the truth from the lies. Put Your hedge of protection around me, shield me from the bullies, and if they confront me, give me the knowledge and direction I need to withstand them. I ask these things in Your name, Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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