I TIMOTHY 3:16 Part Two

"Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen of angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory." (NIV)

What are the odds?

Continuing with the  evidence of Jesus Christ's life on earth, and how His fulfillment of so many prophecies could not possibly be "coincidental":


#10: Old Testament prediction: He would be silent before His accusers. (Isaiah 53:7)  New Testament fulfillment: Matthew 27:12-14.  Probability:  1 chance in 100.

The odds against these ten prophecies being fulfilled by one Person = 1 chance in 24,000 Trillion.

#11: Old Testament prophecy: He would be crucified with thieves. (Isaiah 53:1)  New Testament fulfillment: Matthew 27:38  Probability: one chance in 100.

#12:  Old Testament prediction: People would gamble for His garments. (Psalm 22:18)  New Testament fulfillment: John 19:23-24.  Probability: one chance in 100.

#13: Old Testament prediction: His side would be pierced. (Zechariah 12:10).  New Testament fulfillment:
John 19:34.  Probability: 1 chance in 100.

#14: Old Testament prediction: None of His bones would be broken. (Psalm 34:20)   New Testament fulfillment: John 19:33.   Probability: 1 chance in 20.

#15: Old Testament prophecy:  His body would not decay. (Psalm 16:10)  New Testament fulfillment:
Acts 2:31. Probability: 1 chance in 10,000.

#16: Old Testament prophecy:  He would be buried in a rich man's tomb. (Isaiah 53:9)  New Testament fulfillment: Matthew 27:57-60.  Probability: 1 chance in 100.

# 17: Old Testament prediction: Darkness would cover the earth. (Amos 8:9).  New Testament fulfillment: Matthew 27:45.  Probability: 1 chance in 1,000.



The question we need to consider is this:  What are the chances that all seventeen of these predictions occurred BY CHANCE in the life of one individual - rather than by Divine plan?  The combined probability of these seventeen prophecies occurring is:
                                                  1 chance in 480 Billion x 1 Billion x 1 Trillion
or, another way of looking at it:   1 chance in 480,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000!

Thus, we are confronted with a combined probability absolutely staggering in its magnitude. If, somehow, this fails to make an impression on you, consider the fact that we have only examined 17 of the 48 major predictions given in the Old Testament concerning the promised Messiah.

Certain skeptics might say that Jesus arranged to have these events occur in His life so as to fulfill prophecy.
Okay... How does an infant arrange to be born in a certain town? How would you arrange for the price of your betrayal to be thirty pieces of silver? How would you arrange to be crucified with thieves? And, how would  a crucified man arrange to have his enemies gamble for His garments?  No, Jesus of Nazareth lived and died as foreseen in the Old Testament prophecies, all of which were written by the invisible hand of God

(The primary resource for this study on probability is "Jesus, The Great Debate", by Grant Jeffrey. Please take the time to buy Mr Jeffrey's books and read them;  this two-day blog is just the tip of the iceberg of Grant Jeffrey's extensive knowledge of Jesus Christ the Messiah.)



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COLOSSIANS 3:16

               "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God."  (NIV)

the site where Colosse once stood

In this letter to the Colossians, the apostle Paul is trying to educate the people of this town.  Although he had never met these people, Paul cared about them;  word had reached Paul through other missionaries that false teaching had entered into this city.  In this letter, which later became known as the book of Colossians, Paul teaches and reinforces that Christ is sufficient for all our needs and that we are to be a living lesson for each other.  My very basic paraphrase of Paul's message is as follows:
      



  Keep God's word in you at all times.  Study it. Memorize it. Cherish it. Share it.  Share it in word and in deed.  Share it in song. Share it in actions. Share it in all your transactions. Share it in your personal life. Share it in your business transactions. Bring Christ and His word into your everyday world. As a Believer, you are a representative of Christ. You may be the only glimpse of Jesus that some people ever see... A light shining in a darkened part of the world...  This reminds me of the passage in Deuteronomy when God instructs His people  about what to do with His Word:  "Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds: tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the door frames  of your houses and on your gates, so that your days and the days of your children may be many..."  (Deuteronomy 11:18-21 NIV)

You might ask, "Why should I study the Bible?" Well, the Bible is God's word. It is alive with excellent advice on how to live, how to get along with others, how to understand yourself.  It also contains beautiful descriptions of the ancient world.  Much more importantly, it contains God's plan of salvation for YOU.

You might ask, "Why should I memorize scripture verses?"  Here is a scripture verse to help answer that question:  "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you."  (Psalm 119:11 NIV)

You might ask, "Why should I sing songs of praise?"  Again, let the scriptures reveal the answer:  "And the Levites carried the ark of God with the poles on their shoulders, as Moses had commanded in accordance with the word of the Lord. David told the leaders of the Levites to appoint their brothers as singers to sing joyful songs, accompanied by musical instruments - lyres, harps, and cymbals."  (I Chronicles 15:15,16 NIV) And, "Let Israel rejoice in their Maker; let the people of Zion be glad in their King. Let them praise his name with dancing and make music with tambourine and harp. For the Lord takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with salvation." Psalm 149:2-4  NIV)

Everything God tells us to do is for our own good.  Our heavenly Father didn't set up a bunch of rules as stumbling blocks for His people.  On the contrary, He gave us instructions to make our lives better.  It is up to each of us individually to follow His instructions for a better life.

PSALMS

         "The Lord has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all"  Psalm 103:19  NIV)

photo from: mercyandgrace,net

     The book of Psalms, large as it is, has no "3:16".  Psalms is a large collection of songs to God; many of them even have directions to the music leader; yes, they were meant to be sung.  Some of the psalms are songs of praise, worship, and thanksgiving.  Others are expressions of despair or fear. Still others describe the attributes of God.  In all the Psalms we recognize our thoughts and needs as children of God.
     For this little lesson, I chose an unusual psalm... It's not very flowery or poetic...  It doesn't paint a word picture such as we might get with the 23rd Psalm... But, I chose it because it gives the concise message: God Is In Control.  God has absolute power.  He is the ruler over all people,  the coordinator of all the events in the universe.  HE  IS  SOVEREIGN.
     Sovereign = deserving our utmost reverence and honor. He is in control.  He rules over everything that happens in your life.  Have you put the proper emphasis on His power and His knowledge?  Or, are you trying to hold back certain parts of your life?
  

photo from:  reference.findtarget.com

   That reminds me of a story I read many years ago in a history book; I don't remember what book, and I'm not sure whether or not it was fact, but it sounded like human behavior to me:   When Christianity first came to Europe, military leaders took their armies to rivers for mass baptisms before battle.  Some of the soldiers submerged themselves in the river, but held their right hands up out of the water.  Their rationale was that the soul would be baptized, but the right hand could keep on fighting in battle - just like before the baptism.
     This was wrong-thinking on a couple of levels.  Truth be known, if one examines the scriptures,  it is not wrong to fight in battle... But that's another topic for another day.  In their ignorance of that fact, the soldiers were trying to "get one over on God".  The reader might, at first glance, think this is a pitiful act... But, is our behavior so different from that of the soldiers?  Do we claim to be wholly committed to God, but somehow "forget" to commit our bankbook?  Or, do we hold back certain selfish behaviors, not even allowing for the idea that God could help us improve them?  Why do we hold back from the God Who knows all, created all, and rules all?  He is sovereign.
  

      Sovereign.  Through the years there have been many gold coins called sovereigns.  As we know, coins have two sides.  God has another side, too.  We have looked at His power.  But, now if we will look at "the other side of the coin", we find this wonderful, gentle Father with His arms wide open.  Waiting to hold us, adopt us, forgive us, redeem us, love us.  This offer of Supreme Love is part of his sovereign plan, too:
      

 

Hubble photograph, from the book, "Universe"

 "He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.  He telleth the number of the stars; He calleth them all by their names."    (Psalm 47: 3,4   KJV)

     The same God Who watches over you, takes care of the universe.  Isn't that awesome?  Invite Him to be truly sovereign in your life.