SEA
SEA, THE
RIVER
RIVER
RED SEA
RED SEA, PASSAGE OF
EXODUS
RED SEA
I. The Bitter Lakes region
II. The Gulfs of Suez and Aqabah
JORDAN
I. Archaeological sites
II. Topographical features

a. CHURCH
How does a church develop godly character? Through the actions of the people in it!

Our character is to be different to that of the world.

And our different character should be a witness to others.

For we are to be the witnesses of the cross to the world.

The Lord is returning for His Bride (church) dressed in the pure white linen of righteousness.

Developing a godly character is the fourth challenge the church faces today. For Jesus will not return until we have!

b. BELIEVERS
What is the key element of a godly character?

And what characteristics does this require?

For as we develop character so our hope, our fulfillment in Jesus grows.

Developing a godly character leads us on our path to spiritual maturity.

a. CHURCH
It’s most interesting that the only two churches out of seven in Revelation that Jesus didn’t have anything bad to say about, were those that would be regarded as the least successful by many today.

Firstly, Smyrna. A church of the poor, and suffering persecution!

Jesus too, wasn’t at all like the Jews were expecting in the promised Messiah. So they had Him murdered.

For Jesus came as a servant.

And the church is to follow in His image.

To become a servant church is the fifth challenge the church faces today. For Jesus will not return until we are!

b. BELIEVERS
As individuals, our challenge is to embrace the characteristics of Jesus within our lives and behaviour.

As we do so, we are transformed into His image.

Doing as Jesus would do leads us on our path to spiritual maturity.

a. CHURCH
The principles of servanthood need to be applied in practice as well as in theory, particularly by leadership.

Leadership is to be by example, not through demanding obedience but rather by being a servant to all. This was perfectly illustrated by Jesus, even unto death. After a humiliating death, God exalted Him to the highest place.

For we are to please God, not men.

Displaying true servant leadership is the sixth challenge the church faces today. For Jesus will not return until we do so!

b. BELIEVERS
The principles of sacrificial servanthood apply to all.

Servanthood isn’t slavishly doing what everyone tells you in the traditional way the world understands it, but rather, showing God’s love to others. By being Jesus to them.

Serving others leads us down the path to spiritual maturity.

With a look at the diverse, challenging areas of grace, money and miracles in the church today.

Today's teaching is really summed up by the headline of point 5, BECOMING LIKE JESUS.

In essence, this sums up our walk of discipleship. So simple, yet so difficult. Puts aside differences in theology for simple Christ likeness.

Oh, that we might learn what the Lord is trying to teach us!

Alexander Bows to the High Priest

It is a fascinating and worthwhile study to understand this ancient time period and its high priests. According to the Bible the high priest was the most important man in the world, for he represented the nation before God, and God before the nation. Unfortunately there were times when the priesthood became corrupt and blinded to its original intent. There were no doubt high priests in Israel’s history who sought after God. Every high priest has a story and the history of the intertestamental period is packed with adventures. One interesting story is related in the Talmud concerning Simon the Just:

The Talmud relates that when Alexander the Great and his conquering legions advanced upon Jerusalem, they were met by a delegation of elders, led by the High Priest Shimon Ha Tzaddik (Simon the Righteous). When Alexander saw Shimon approaching, he dismounted and prostrated himself before the Jewish Sage.

To his astonished men, Alexander explained that each time he went into battle, he would see a vision in the likeness of this High Priest leading the Greek troops to victory. In gratitude, and out of profound respect for the spiritual power of the Jews, Alexander was a kind and generous ruler. He canceled the Jewish taxes during Sabbatical years, and even offered animals to be sacrificed on his behalf in the Temple.

Unfortunately, history would prove that Alexander's heirs failed to sustain his benevolence.

Source: http://www.bible-history.com