Be Like The Greek Churches Of Macedonia And The House Of Stephanas In Achaia Greece

 

Be Like The Greek Churches Of Macedonia 

Minister To The Needs Of Others Preaching Jesus

     2 Corinthians 8:1-5 describes how the churches of Macedonia (like the one pictured above) ministered to the needs of others. Learn how to minister to the needs of others from these scriptures. Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia. First notice that we need the grace of God to give us strength to minister to others. Daily deny yourself and look to Jesus Christ crucified saying I am crucified with Christ for strength and grace to minister to others. Remember Philippians 4:13 says I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Right now get saved so you can have strength to live and minister to the needs of others. Repent, decide to stop sinning, confess that Jesus is God, and believe the gospel that Jesus died for you on the cross, was buried, and rose again.

     2 Corinthians 8:2 says How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. This teaches us to always rejoice about Jesus even through trials and persecutions to give us strength to continue to witness Jesus and help others in need. According to 2 Corinthians 4:8 Jesus will give us strength through troubles to minister to the needs of others. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed. 2 Corinthians 6:8 describes christians saying By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true. As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed. As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

     Even through poverty, continue to minister to the needs of others; Say kind words to everyone while you call or email people everywhere and listen to their needs. A kind word can save someone's life. Don't be selfish and only concerned about your needs. Instead take time to listen to everyone and pray for the needs of others. James 5:16 says Pray one for another, that ye may be healed. In other words when you pray for others Jesus will heal you. 

     Proverbs 19:17 says He that hath pity (without payment) upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will he pay him again (notice that God pays you for just pitying the poor while you work on God's time clock). And note the blessings you receive for just considering (not paying) the poor according to Psalm 41: Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble. The Lord will preserve him, and keep him alive; and he shall be blessed upon the earth: and thou wilt not deliver him unto the will of his enemies. The Lord will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing: thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness.

     2 Corinthians 8:3 says For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. In other words when ministering and witnessing Jesus to others it is not by your power but getting strength beyond your power from the Holy Ghost to keep witnessing. Acts 1:8 says But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you; and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. In other words, a sign that you have the Holy Ghost is when you desire to witness Jesus by the power of the Holy Ghost everywhere to the uttermost part of the earth. Hallelujah Brother Bob with the power of the Holy Ghost is obeying Acts 1:8 and sending preachbrotherbob blog about Jesus all over this earth from Hong Kong to South Africa. 

     2 Corinthians 8:5 says And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God. In other words the way to minister to the needs of others is to first give yourself to the Lord and then give yourself to others. The biggest problem when ministering to others is self. When you look at yourself every day in the mirror say "Now what are you up to today." DL Moody said I've never met a man that gave me more trouble than myself. To minister to others effectively remember Jesus' advice at Luke 9:23: If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.   

Everybody Is Either Philippians 1:21 or Philippians 2:21

Philippians 1:21: For to me to live is Christ, And to die is gain

Philippians 2:21: For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's

Are you living for Jesus and blessing others?

Or Are you living for yourself?

Choose to live for Jesus demonstrated by ministering to others

     Jesus taught us how to minister to the needs of others at Matthew 20:28 saying Even as the Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many. Like Jesus who died for lost sinners, be concerned about others instead of yourself. Philippians 2:3 says Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves; Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

     Paul taught us how to minister to the needs of others at Acts 20:34: Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities and to them that were with me. I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. Note the blessing received after giving at Luke 6:38: Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give unto your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal, it shall be measured to you again.

Keep Ministering To Others

Don't Be Selfish And An Enemy Of The Cross Of Christ

     Next we learn how the Word describes an enemy of the cross of Christ. It's not a person threatening a christian with violence, guns, or weapons. The enemies of the cross of Christ are selfish people whose God is their belly. Unfortunately most people are enemies of the cross of Christ. Philippians 3:18 describes enemies of the cross of Christ saying For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things. Instead of minding earthly things that end in destruction, think about heavenly things that end in eternal life with everlasting joy. Don't be selfish and just mind earthly things: Witness Jesus everywhere. Be a light to the billions of people all around us that are not saved. You might be the only light of Jesus that someone sees on this earth.  

Don't Be An Enemy Of The Cross Of Christ Full Of Yourself

Instead Care About Others And Deny Yourself

     Romans 16:17 also describes these enemies of the cross of Christ saying Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned, and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.   In other words earthly minded self centered people are enemies of the cross of Christ. These people are like dogs that eat, sleep, work, reproduce, and die. Don't become a selfish waste to society and an enemy of the cross of Christ like Solomon Grundy; Born on Monday; Christened on Tuesday; Married on Wednesday; Selfish on Thursday; Worse On Friday; Died on Saturday; Buried on Sunday; Thus ends the life of Solomon Grundy.

     Instead choose to be a friend of Jesus Christ by helping people everywhere. Every day say how can I encourage someone to draw closer to Jesus? Give your life purpose and meaning by witnessing Jesus everywhere. Jesus told us at Matthew 25:40 Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. And remember to go the extra mile for your brothers and sisters in the Lord Jesus: Galatians 6:10 says As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. Be like Paul and give yourself to the ministry of helping others: Paul said at 1 Thessalonians 2:8 So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only; but also our own souls because ye were dear unto us. 

Be Like The House Of Stephanas In Achaia Greece

Become Addicted To The Ministry Of The Saints

     Paul told us about the house of Stephanas in Achaia Greece pictured above at 1 Corinthians 16:15 saying I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia (defined as individuals that were the first of many converts in Achaia Greece), and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints. I pray in Jesus name that like the house of Stephanas, everyone reading this can become addicted to the ministry of the saints.

Instead of being addicted to cigarettes, booze, and drugs

Be like the house of Stephanas addicted to the ministry of the saints

Crave and constantly desire to tell lost sinners everywhere about Jesus

Crave and constantly desire to help orphans and widows in their affliction  

Today Jesus Is Asking Everyone Whom Shall I Send, And Who Will Go For Us?

Be Like Isaiah And Say Here Am I, Send Me (Isaiah 6:8)

     I have enjoyed writing this bible study today about the Greek churches of Macedonia and the house of Stephanas in Achaia Greece. I pray in Jesus name it blesses multitudes all over this earth with great peace, strength, and joy. Feel free to email Brother Bob anytime at rz9tlm@gmail.com or write to Brother Bob Malkin, 2233 Pinetree Lane, Apt. N., Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068. (614) 604-7133. Till we all meet again soon to lift up our Lord Jesus, everyone have a blessed day in Jesus name. 

Why Bible Verses About Mary Magdalene And The Adulterous Woman Are Inspired And Appear In KJV Bibles

 

Mark 16:9-20 and John 7:53-8:11 Speak About

Mary Magdalene And The Adulterous Woman;

These Verses Are Inspired And Appear In KJV Bibles

Watch The Youtube Video Link Below 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eduM1MANi6Q

From My Friend Dr. William Grady That Inspired This Bible Study

Support Dr. Grady At This Link https://gradypublications.com/

     Footnotes in several modern bible versions say that Mark 16:9-20 and John 7:53-8:11 are uninspired bible verses that should be removed from bibles because they do not appear in Vaticanus and Sinaiticus ancient Greek manuscripts. Today we will learn why the devil and modern bible translations want to remove bible references about Mary Magdalene and the adulterous woman. Let's discuss why it is important to keep Mark 16:9 about Mary Magdalene in the bible that says Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven devils.

     Mary Magdalene had the honor of being the first person to see the risen Jesus. This was because Mary Magdalene was a very brave woman who stayed by Jesus' tomb around Roman guards risking her life and was braver than the fearful men disciples who hid from the Roman guards. John 20:11 tells us But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping and looked into the sepulchre. And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain; And they say unto her, Woman, Why weepest thou? She said unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid Him. 

     John 20:14 goes on to say And when she had thus said, She turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, Why weepest thou? Whom seekest thou? She supposing Him to be the gardener, saith unto Him, Sir, if thou have borne Him hence, tell me where thou hast laid Him, and I will take Him away. Jesus saith unto her Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto Him, Rabboni, which is to say Master. Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father, but go to my brethren and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father, and to my God, and your God. Jesus did an MC Hammer on Mary Magdalene telling her "You can't touch this." 

Reasons Why Mark 16:9-20 Should Appear In All Bibles About Mary Magdalene

     Modern bible translations challenge the authenticity of Mark 16:9-20 because these 12 verses do not appear in the Vaticanus and Sinaiticus ancient Greek manuscripts. Other Greek manuscripts kept these bible verses with partial omissions and variations. Of note though during the 2nd and 3rd centuries, Hippolytus and Irenaeus said that these verses were authentic and should remain in the bible. Also note that 618 other ancient Greek manuscripts include Mark 16:9-20 in the bible. 

     It's amazing that the modern bible translations only follow two ancient Greek manuscripts out of 620 manuscripts and want to remove Mark 16:9-20. Note that every New Testament Book ends with a positive note and the word Amen. If you removed these bible verses, the gospel of Mark would have a negative ending with no testimony about Jesus' resurrection where the last word is afraid at Mark 16:8; And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed; neither said they anything to any man, for they were afraid. These modern bible scholars should respect the warning from Revelation 22:19 that says And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

     Now why would the devil want to remove Mark 16:9-20 that speaks about Mary Magdalene? It's because Jesus' first appearance to Mary Magdalene (a sinful woman delivered from seven devils) represents Jesus' love for His bride church (who like Mary Magdalene needs their sins cleansed by the blood of Jesus). Let's compare Eve with Mary Magdalene. God told Eve not to touch the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Eve sinned and disobeyed by touching the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. This created sin and separation between God and man.

     On the other hand, the Lord Jesus told Mary Magdalene Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father with my own blood to sprinkle on the mercy seat in heaven to remove sin. Note that the Lord Jesus was the gardener who gave the warning "Don't Touch" to both Eve and Mary Magdalene. Unlike disobedient Eve who created sin by touching the tree of knowledge of good and evil, obedient Mary Magdalene allowed Jesus to remove sin when she did not touch Jesus. Because of Mary Magdalene's obedience, everyone can be set free from sin where Jesus offered His own untainted blood on the mercy seat of heaven to remove sin. Mary Magdalene who was unclean could not touch our high priest Jesus so Jesus could fulfill the law and make a perfect offering of His own untainted shed blood on the mercy seat in heaven. Hebrews 9:12 describes Jesus' blessed perfect offering in heaven saying Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood He (Jesus) entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. 

     Leviticus 5:3 explains why Mary Magdalene could not touch Jesus saying Or if he (or she Mary Magdalene) touch the uncleanness of man, whatsoever uncleanness it be that a man shall be defiled withal and it be hid from him, when he knoweth of it, then he shall be guilty. Unclean guilty Mary Magdalene could not touch perfect Jesus to keep Jesus' blood untainted because Isaiah 64:6 says But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags, and we all do fade as a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. 

     After Jesus successfully offered His own perfect blood shed at Calvary on heaven's mercy seat, Mary Magdalene and all sinners who get saved could touch Jesus because they were clean by the blood of Jesus from their sins. 1 John 1:7 promises But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin. Right now get saved and cleansed from your sins by the perfect shed blood of Jesus; Repent, decide to stop sinning, confess that Jesus is God, and believe the gospel that Jesus died on the cross for you, was buried, and rose again.   

First After Jesus' Told Mary Magdalene Touch Me Not

 Later Jesus Allowed Mary Magdalene, Mary, And Salome To Touch His Feet

Then Jesus Allowed Thomas To Touch His Hands And Side

     After Jesus' first appearance to Mary Magdalene where Jesus told her touch me not, Jesus during another appearance allowed three women (noted at Matthew 28:1 and Mark 16:1) (Salome, Mary Magdalene again, and Mary the sister of mother Mary, wife of Cleophas whose children were James the less and Joses noted at Mark 15:40 and John 19:25) to handle and touch His feet. Now why could the three women touch Jesus after Mary Magdalene initially could not touch Jesus? Jesus allowed the three women to touch and handle His feet because within a short time after the first appearance to Mary Magdalene (maybe a second or an hour), Jesus finished offering His own blood on heaven's mercy seat cleansing the three women and everyone; Jesus accomplished this offering faster than warp speed and "Beam us up Scotty" where the three women could touch His feet without tainting Jesus.

     Matthew 28:8-9 speaks about the three women handling and touching Jesus' feet; And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy, and did run to bring His disciples word. And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held Him by the feet, and worshipped Him. Next Jesus appeared to Thomas and allowed Thomas to touch Him after He had offered His own blood on heaven's mercy seat. When Jesus first appeared to the disciples without Thomas, Thomas said at John 20:25 Except I shall see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. Then Jesus appeared again to the disciples with Thomas and told Thomas at John 20:27 Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side; and be not faithless but believing.

     Therefore we see the importance of Mary Magdalene not touching Jesus when He first appeared to Mary Magdalene. If Mary Magdalene touched Jesus, Jesus would not have been pure to remove our sins. The devil wanted sin from disobedient Eve to remain with no hope of salvation. But since obedient Mary Magdalene did not touch Jesus, pure Jesus with His own blood removed believers' sins forever. The devil, modern bibles, and the Gnostic gospel of Philip try to remove Mark 16:9 and lie saying Mary Magdalene touched Jesus, had a relationship with Jesus, and had children with Jesus. These modern bibles, Gnostic gospel of Philip, and the devil want sin to remain where the blood of Jesus was not pure enough to remove sin. 

     The Gnostic gospel of Philip denounced by most churches as heresy says that the apostles witnesssed Jesus kissing Mary Magdalene on the mouth. The apostles being horrified and jealous say Jesus Why do you love her more than us? And a modern movie called the Da Vinci Code based on this perverted Gnostic gospel of Philip is blasphemy saying that Jesus had an affair with Mary Magdalene where they had children. These are lies because according to the blessed KJV bible at John 20:17, Mary Magdalene did not touch Jesus allowing Jesus to have His own untainted blood offered on heaven's mercy seat to remove sins forever. Jesus fulfilled the law and did not allow Mary Magdalene's unclean sin taint His perfect shed blood. Therefore only read the 1611 KJV bible and don't read perverted modern bible translations and the Gnostic gospel of Philip.   

Jesus' First Appearance To Mary Magdalene At Mark 16:9

Is Not Noted With Jesus' Other Appearances At 1 Corinthians 15:5-9

     1 Corinthians 15:5-9 says Jesus appeared to Cephas (Peter), James, Paul, and was seen of above five hundred brethren with no mention about Jesus' first appearance to Mary Magdalene at Mark 16:9. Therefore it is wrong for modern bible translations to remove Mark 16:9. Also note that modern bible translations say that John 7:53-8:11 about the adulterous woman are uninspired verses that should be removed from bibles. Notice that the scriptures about Mary Magdalene and the adulterous woman reveal how God cares about fallen troubled women. Jesus delivered Mary Magdalene from seven devils and honoured Mary Magdalene before He visited Father God; After many men accused a woman of adultery, Jesus said at John 8:7 He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. When all the accusers left, Jesus told the woman at John 8:10 Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee; go, and sin no more. 

     The devil and modern bible translations want to remove bible verses about suffering women like Mary Magdalene and the adulterous woman for this reason: Mary Magdalene and the adulterous woman represent the bride church that needs healing and deliverance from sin. The correct KJV bible keeps verses about Mary Magdalene and the adulterous woman because the bride church has comfort and eternal security of salvation from Jesus that can not be removed by the devil or anyone. Be like Jesus and take care of homeless poor suffering women in shelters with a kind word, food, money, and clothes. Jesus told us not to ignore suffering women, orphan children, or any poor troubled people in the bride church of God. James 1:27 says Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and the widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

     Finally, listed below are the 12 post resurrection appearances of Jesus that occurred for 40 days after His resurrection: 1) First appearance to Mary Magdalene 2) Appearance to three women (Mary Magdalene, Mary, and Salome) 3) Appearance to ten disciples without Thomas 4) Appearance to eleven disciples with Thomas 5) Appearance to Cephas Peter 6) Appearance to James 7) Appearance to seven fishing on a boat (Peter, Thomas, Nathaniel, James, John, and two disciples) 8) Appearance again to eleven disciples with the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) 9) Appearance to above five hundred brethren at once 10) Appearance to Cleopas and another disciple on the road to Emmaus 11) Appearance again to the eleven disciples at Jesus' ascension to heaven 12) Appearance to Paul on the road to Damascus. These appearances occurred 40 days after Jesus' resurrection noted at Acts 1:3: To whom also He (Jesus) shewed Himself alive after His passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.  

     I have enjoyed writing this bible study about Mary Magdalene and the adulterous woman. I pray in Jesus name it blesses everyone (especially women) with great peace, strength, and joy. Feel free to email Brother Bob anytime at rz9tlm@gmail.com or write to Brother Bob Malkin, 2233 Pinetree Lane, Apt. N., Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068. (614) 604-604-7133. Till we all meet again soon to lift up our Lord Jesus, everyone have a blessed day in Jesus name.