God Keeps His Promises

June 5, 2011


Background Scripture: Joshua 1:1 – 6: 11:1 – 12:24
Lesson Passage: Joshua 1:1 – 6: 11:16 – 23

“Joshua, you have been chosen to be the executor of Abraham’s estate. What was promised to Abraham is now being delivered into your hands for distribution according to the sovereign will of God who deeded the property to Abraham in the land of Ur of the Chaldeans. Moses has completed his work of leading Abraham’s heirs out of bondage in Egypt and bringing them to the place where you now stand. Your work must begin here and now. The anointing and protection that Moses relied on to complete his work will now be upon you. You should now take heart and be of good courage. The east and west boundaries of the land are the Euphrates River and the Mediterranean Sea. Everywhere you walk within those boundaries is part of the promised possession of Abraham’s heirs. This land is now inhabited by many people but when you go to possess it for the seed of Israel, no one will be able to resist you or establish a successful defense against you. I have declared this and this is the way it is going to be.” How’s that for a conversation with God? It really puts into perspective some of the simple and mundane requests we make in our prayers of petition to God. Sometimes we act as though God has to work himself up to the point of accomplishing some of our requests—that if given a little more help we could accomplish ourselves. The difference is a matter of whose will are we really pursuing. If it is truly God’s will that we are praying about, then it is a matter of understanding what is His promise concerning the matter. God does keep His promises. This lesson opens with Joshua’s commission by God. Note how specific God is in detailing to Joshua what his mission is and what his constraints are as far as boundaries are concerned. In fact, the only constraints that were given to Joshua were physical boundaries to the east and the west. The lesson closes with Joshua completing the first phase of his mission which was to conquer and destroy the nations that were living in the land of promise. God’s enemies quickly became Israel’s enemies. Several nations banded together to strengthen their numbers against Israel but God was the Commander-in-chief of Israel’s army. God assured Joshua that the enemy’s number would not be enough to spare them destruction at the hand of Israel’s army. Even as God promised, so did Israel to all their enemies. Thirty one kings were destroyed by Israel’s army under the leadership of Joshua and the guidance of God—just as God had promised. Many years had passed since God made the promise to Abraham. In spite of the passage of time, God never wavered in His determination to fulfill His promise. Israel is a great example for the church in our quest to understand God’s dealings with His people. In today’s lesson, we are reminded that what God promises, He is well able to deliver. We can rest assured that every promise that God has made to the church will be fulfilled in time according to God’s sovereign will. Yes, God has promised many things to the church. Christ has promised to never leave the church nor forsake her. He has promised to love her. And he has also promised to return to receive the church unto himself as his bride and to usher her into eternal life in his presence. These are indeed precious promises and we can rest assured that they will all be fulfilled.

Robert C. Hudson
May 28, 2011

Water of Life

May 29, 2011


Background Scripture: Revelation 22
Lesson Passage: Revelation 22:1 – 9, 13 – 17

This final chapter opens with John viewing the river of the water of life flowing from God’s throne. For all who have thirsted after righteousness, the source of eternal refreshing is revealed. The book of Revelation—and indeed the bible close with the assurance that Jesus is coming back to the earth for the church. The church is spoken of prominently in the latter chapters as it was in the first chapters. Only in the middle chapters during the time of plagues or tribulation is there silence concerning the church in the world. This is the strength of the futurist’s view that the church will not go through the times of tribulation in the earth but will be raptured before it begins. Jesus reminds John that he sent this message to the churches. The use of the plural (churches) is an indication of the need for each as well as all local churches to be aware of the message that is revealed about the end of time. Note that it was not sent as a general message to individual Christians everywhere. It is a message sent to the churches. This further endorses the need for individual Christians to be a part of a local church and to expect to receive spiritual guidance and encouragement from the same. Jesus communicates and works through his local churches.

We are also reminded of the blessing that comes to those that keep the sayings revealed in this book. The surest way to do this is to first know what the sayings are. Put another way, we should read and study this book with the expectation of being blessed by it and not frightened by it as sinners should be. Revelation is a book of hope for Christians and condemnation for sinners. There are seven beatitudes in this book. The first is found in the first chapter and the last two in the last chapter. I like to think that we were blessed as we began to read this book and we are twice as blessed as we finish! Here to, we are reminded that God only is to be worshiped. Whatever knowledge may be revealed to us about angels or other spiritual beings is not to be misused by holding them in higher esteem than we ought. They were created to be God’s servants and man’s fellow-servants. Only God is to be worshiped.

We are reminded that Christians will be rewarded for their works. We are saved by grace through our faith in the atoning death of Jesus Christ. We have been created in Christ Jesus to do good works. We shall be rewarded for our works. Those works we do to gratify our flesh are rewarded through self-gratification. As Jesus stated concerning those who did things to be seen of men, “They have their reward.” However, for those who do the right things secretly, your reward will be delivered by Jesus openly. The final chapter ends with 2 beatitudes and a very stern warning. This book is not to be taken lightly! To heed its words will bring blessings but to take away from the words will bring a curse. One of the blessings is the invitation by the Spirit to come and drink freely of the water of life.

Robert C. Hudson
May 21, 2011

New Order of Things

May 22, 2011


Background Scripture: Revelation 21
Lesson Passage: Revelation 21:1 – 8, 22 – 27

As the book of Revelation nears its close, John is shown a new Heaven and a new Earth. Once again, God can look and see that it is good! All evil has been destroyed. Heaven and Earth both proclaim God’s glory and bow to the name of Jesus. Then the New Jerusalem is revealed as the bride of Christ. She will be composed of all that have been washed by His blood. Jews and Gentiles will be one. She will be given an unimaginable glory. John could only describe the majesty of her glory by stating that she will be adorned with all the precious stones of the earth.

As the Church makes her graceful re-appearance, she descends down the atmospheric aisle from Heaven and stops and is suspended between Heaven and Earth. Jesus’ next great display of love to an unwed church will be to meet her for their wedding in the sky. Glorification is the final stage of the salvation plan. It ushers in an eternal state whereby God delivers us from the presence of sin. We are then made like Jesus. In that day, God’s promise is fulfilled. Mankind is again in His image and after His likeness. Sin no longer separates or disrupts fellowship. At this point, the Apostle John has a glimpse of eternity in view. As we look through John’s eyes at the edge of eternity, we must understand that eternity is not a good day or a bad day. It is not a moment in time. In eternity, time has been suspended. There is no aging or the stealthy appearance of aches and pains. The former things have now passed away. All things have been made new. The full scope of eternity is beyond our limited imaginations. Eternity is the culmination of the Good News. John lived in the old earth. God had called him up and allowed him to see the old heaven. This became a needful point of reference for John. He saw the throne of God. He saw the four and twenty elders. He saw the heavenly host and the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. During the time of tribulation, he saw the steady march of humanity towards eternal damnation. One of our challenges today is to steer others away from eternal damnation by sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with them. The choice is Heaven or Hell; eternal life or eternal damnation. If we must have an eternal home, why not make it Heaven? Jesus promised to prepare a place for us. Therefore, let us constantly look to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. Even as we wait for the final redemption of our bodies, we must not be idle in our waiting. There are lost souls that need to know that God loves them and has provided a way out. They need to hear the gospel. We must not take lightly our mandate to deliver the gospel to every creature. This gospel delivery must start with home mission before we concern ourselves with foreign mission. The neighborhood around us must take a higher priority. All of heaven watches with anticipation waiting to rejoice at just one repentant sinner—the fruit, if you will, of our labors that result from the power of the Holy Ghost working through us. After we have completed our works on earth, we look forward to living an eternal life free from the presence of sin. That is God’s new order of things.


Robert C. Hudson
May 14, 2011

Thankful Worship

May 15, 2011


Background Scripture: Revelation 7:9 – 17
Lesson Passage: Revelation 7:9 – 17

Chapter seven represents an interlude or quiet pause during the time of tribulations. This is the first of two interludes. Each interlude appears to provide a space of time for mankind to repent and turn to God before the final destruction is upon the earth. Many will not repent although the opportunity of grace is available to do so.

There are two groups identified in this chapter that are given divine protection during the time of tribulations. The first group is identified as belonging to the Jewish tribes. The second group is from all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues. In other words, the second group is a Gentile group. The Jewish group was sealed; which afforded them divine protection during the upcoming plagues. The Gentile group was protected by being removed from the earth during the great tribulation; they came out of great tribulation. All that belong to God that go into tribulation will be protected from the tribulation plagues whether by seal or removal.

Neither group is referred to as the church. Part of Chapter 1 and all of Chapters 2 and 3 were focused on the church. This focus is gone after Chapter 3. This is where the Futurists’ interpretation of Revelation begins to develop its framework. According to the Futurists’ view, the book of Revelation covers past, present, and future times—which is in agreement with verse 19 of Chapter 1. The church is raptured after Chapter 3 and does not go through tribulation. This viewpoint would identify the Gentile group in today’s lesson as those who are saved during the tribulation.

The Historicist’s view of Revelation is quite different. This view holds that Revelation covers the span of time from Pentecost to the rapture of the church. In other words, the timeframe is that referred to as the Church Age. In this view, the church does go through tribulation and in today’s lesson is shown being delivered out of it.

Whether one subscribe to the Historicist’s view or the Futurist’s view, both views share this common thread, the church is protected from tribulation by removal. One view holds that the church is removed before the time of tribulations and the other view holds that the church is removed during the time of tribulations. These are just schools of interpretation that allow us to view this book of prophecy with a time-constrained framework. Both agree that God does protect His own. When tribulation times occur on earth, Christians everywhere can rest assured that Christ will protect us and that is yet another reason we should express thanksgiving in our worship.


Robert C. Hudson
May 9, 2011

Perpetual Praise

May 8, 2011

Background Scripture: Revelation 4
Lesson Passage: Revelation 4

The book of Revelation is the New Testament’s book of prophecy. It is filled with promises, warnings, and activity interspersed with a heavy use of symbolism. John is the writer. At the beginning of Chapter 4, John is invited up to Heaven to receive a preview of future events. He is given an immediate transition from earth to heaven. (Futurists view this as symbolic of the rapture of the church from earth to heaven when Jesus returns.) The heavenly scene is the throne room of God. The thought of the throne room of God is interesting in light of the omnipresent attribute of God. Since man is finite and cannot fully comprehend the omnipresence of God, we can view the Throne Room of Heaven as the place where God’s glory is fully manifested without measure at a point in time. John observed the Lord sitting upon the throne. The throne was surrounded by twenty four elders and four living creatures. The four living creatures were observed continuously praising the Lord and the elders responding by worshiping him. The description of the four living creatures is very much like the four living creatures that Ezekiel described in his vision. They appear as symbolic expressions of the gospel presentations. Note the order in which each creature is described in comparison to the order of the Gospels in the Bible. Matthew presented Jesus as being born King of the Jews descended through the line of David. Matthew is symbolically a lion. Mark presented Jesus as the Servant of mankind. Mark symbolically is that of a beast of burden. Luke presented Jesus as the Son of Man both literally and symbolically. John presented Jesus as God—who speaks symbolically of himself as an eagle. Through separate images, each writer presents the gospel from a different perspective and yet they tell a single story of redemption. They each present Jesus as God in human flesh redeeming mankind back to him. Much like the gospel presentations, all four living creatures—though they are different—agree in their assessment of the Lord. They declare that the Lord is Holy and eternal. Both attributes are truly worthy of praise. He created everything for his own pleasure. He is to be praised.

The twenty four elders, who many view as representing the raptured church, are presented as sitting around the throne of God. Their white robes are indicative of redemption and the crowns of rewards. The twenty four elders descriptively sound like the church of Jesus Christ as they are described in Chapter 5. There they are said to have come from every kindred, language, race, and nationality. They were redeemed by the blood.

Even as the living creatures praise the Lord continuously, the redeemed of the Lord who have been rewarded and glorified shall praise Him in the presence of His holiness. What is done on earth is not to be compared to the perpetual praise and worship that will exist throughout eternity in heaven.

Robert C. Hudson
April 30, 2011

Be Like Jesus

May 1, 2011

Background Scripture: Philippians 2:1 – 11
Lesson Passage: Philippians 2:1 – 11

Paul’s epistle to the Philippians is replete with admonition for the church to continue to walk in the joy they receive from being in fellowship with Jesus Christ. The letter doesn’t have much to say about changes or corrections needed by the church but instead makes an appeal for the church to grow in the Lord Jesus. This is one of the letters Paul wrote from prison. In it he expressed gratitude to the church for sending him a gift after they learned of his imprisonment. The salutation suggests that the church was well established seeing that reference is made to the bishops and deacons that were there. Today’s lesson passage is taken from chapter 2 of the letter. I was once inspired by God to preach a sermon from this passage of scripture. The sermon was entitled “Give What You Get”. This passage encourages believers to reflect the same spiritual blessings that God imparts into our lives back into the lives of others. If you have ever been encouraged spiritually, then you should in turn encourage others to be strong in the Lord. If you have been comforted by the presence of God’s Spirit in you so that you experienced true fellowship in Him, then comfort others and have fellowship with them when they find themselves in need of the same. The Apostle Paul experienced joy from knowing that this was happening in the lives of those he had bestowed his labor upon as part of his ministry. Paul admonished the Philippians to let the mind of Christ be in them. We must practice being as concerned about the affairs of others as we are about our own. All of this is an example of Christ’s attitude. Jesus demonstrated a life of humility and service to others. All things were made by him in heaven and on earth yet he did not allow possessions to possess him. He had true enemies that were determined to destroy him but he did not destroy them. Instead, he reached out to them in love. Jesus was not humbled but rather he humbled himself. He made the ultimate sacrifice when he allowed wicked men to crucify him and then he laid his life down. He could have destroyed all of them but he chose to allow them to try to destroy him. For his self-humility, God rewarded him greatly. He has been given a name that is above all names. At his name, all will bow and pay homage. Demonic spirits tremble at the name of Jesus for they understand the power and authority that are in his name. One day every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord of all both in heaven and on earth. The world often rewards the proud and insensitive. The world runs after the “top dog”. The world seeks after the self-confident to be their leaders for them to submit themselves to and follow. The world idolizes those that are often arrogant and self-absorbed in material things. What the world idolizes and follows after, mirrors those things in the bible that God refers to as an abomination or detestable thing. God’s desire for believers is that we would all be like Jesus.


Robert C. Hudson
April 19, 2011

Go and Tell

April 24, 2011

Background Scripture: Matthew 28
Lesson Passage: Matthew 28

Go and tell. Is it a suggestion or is it a mandate? Is it for all Christians at all times or is it just for the first century apostles? Or perhaps it’s just for those called of God to be preachers. The answers to these questions will probably not change how we look at the twenty eighth chapter of Matthew’s gospel but the answers will change how we view ourselves relative to it. As Matthew closes out his account of the gospel, the final chapter begins with a brief historical summary of what happened on the first Easter Sunday morning. (The parallel accounts of the gospel help us fill in the details.) Some very faithful women who had followed Jesus and ministered to his needs went to the place of his burial with the intent of anointing his body with ointments as was customarily done in that day by the Hebrews. In fact, this was after the time it normally would have been done because there was insufficient time to do so between his dead body being removed from the cross and the need to bury him before sunset because it was the start of the Jewish Sabbath. According to Jewish law, the land would have become defiled if the body was not quickly buried before sundown. But once the Sabbath was over, these women were determined to complete the process out of respect for Jesus. On the way there, they wondered who would assist them to remove the heavy stone that had been placed over the opening of the tomb so that they could gain access to his body. That question was soon answered and replaced by others. They were greeted at the tomb by an angel who was seated on the stone which had already been removed from the opening. The angel assured the women that they should not be afraid of him and the best part was that Jesus, whom they sought, was not there but had indeed risen from the dead even as he said he would. The angel invited the women to look inside the tomb and note that it was empty. Then he sent them to carry this good news to Jesus’ disciples and to inform them that Jesus would meet them in Galilee. As they left the tomb with mixed emotions, the morning got even better. Jesus met them as they went and greeted them. After exchanging greetings, they worshiped him. Then Jesus sent them on their way to inform his disciples and let them know that he would meet them in Galilee. Matthew closes out this last chapter and his account of the gospel by relating what happened at the meeting between Jesus and his disciples in Galilee. They worshiped him even in the midst of some of them having doubts of what it all meant. Jesus declared to them that he had been given all authority in heaven and in the earth. Then he instructed them to do three things. They were instructed to go and make disciples of all people, to teach those disciples what he had taught them, and then to teach them to continuously repeat the process. And this was sealed with the promise that Jesus would be with them all the way to the end of the world (or time). I believe that a careful review of Matthew’s account answers the questions asked at the beginning. The process continues to be repeated and new disciples are being made. Whether you consider it a mandate, a mission, or just a privilege, it all starts by going and telling the good news of Jesus Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection from the dead.

Robert C. Hudson
April 15, 2011

Praise the Lord

April 17, 2011

Background Scripture: Mark 11:1 – 11
Lesson Passage: Mark 11:1 – 11

Today’s lesson provides the historical background for the celebration of Palm Sunday. This event took place at the beginning of the Passover week as Jesus prepared to participate in his final Passover meal with his disciples. This week is better known to Christians today as Passion Week. The lesson passage was taken from the Gospel of Mark, however, this event is attested to by all four writers of the gospel account. According to the gospel writers, Jesus made his grand entrance into Jerusalem in the fashion of a king with one twist of humility (or irony), he would not be riding a princely mount or a warhorse but instead a young donkey or beast of burden. This was even as it had been prophesied by Zechariah about five centuries prior. This was an unusual entrance for a king. Also unusual about this is the fact that Jesus himself had orchestrated it all. Jesus had been keeping a low profile and avoiding Jerusalem prior to this event. But for this occasion, he sent two of his disciples to retrieve the young donkey. He told them which village to go to and how to recognize the particular beast chosen for the occasion. Any beast would not do but it had to be the one that had not been ridden and was preordained for this moment. Those standing by when the disciples went to retrieve the colt questioned them but they answered as Jesus had instructed them to, the master has need of him. They apparently had nothing further to ask or say about the matter and the disciples took the colt and returned to Jesus with it. They covered the animal with items of clothing and Jesus sat upon it and began to make his entrance into the holy city of Jerusalem. As Jesus made his grand entrance into Jerusalem, many went before him and others followed. They all cheered him on. Those who went before placed palm branches and items of clothing in his path as part of the celebration. The palm branches were used historically as a sign of military victory although this hero was coming in humility as the Prince of Peace. The people cried out in recognition of Jesus by using his messianic title “Son of David”. They accepted Jesus as the fulfillment of prophecy concerning David’s son once again ruling Israel as their king. King David had held God and the temple in high esteem; this fulfillment of prophecy would do no less. Jesus led the procession to the temple where he inspected it and left Jerusalem and returned to Bethany because it was evening. The next day he returned and cleansed the temple of the money changers and declared that the temple’s intended purpose is to be a house of prayer. Although many had come to Jerusalem for the Passover week celebration and therefore joined in on this celebration as well, yet there were those among the religious leaders who scoffed at what Jesus was doing and were repulsed by it. While the leaders complained, others seized the moment and realized what God was doing and join the praise for their messiah. At least for that Sunday, many were willing to forget about their daily cares and just praise the Lord.

Robert C. Hudson
April 6, 2011