Welcome to NECF sermons. Each message here is
designed to uplift and strengthen you in your
walk with God. Don't miss out. Stay with us until
the end for a rewarding experience. Let's dive
right in. the issue of historical and cultural
contexts. We said that God utilizes history and
culture to communicate His Word. Are we together?
So when you want to understand the background,
the historical background, of that text, and
which whatever I'm going to do here, the next
step we're going to do especially is to take
each some of the problems that has been perpetuated
in the world through using the Bible, and what
we will do is that we will apply all these contexts
we have been talking about. Are we together?
And then, So we're going to do a lot of interpretation
together. The idea is for us to understand how
we can go about applying all this. But you can
ask some few questions to be able to know the
cultural or the historical context of a text.
When was this written is very important because
when you ask when it will tell you the time.
That is a historical fact. So it helps you to
travel back in the sun. You're not trying to
do and Moses cross a river. And then you say,
I pray that you will cross a river. You understand
what I'm saying? Because where you are staying,
there's no river here. So that's not how to go
about it. So you want to ask when was this written?
Because it helps you to travel back in history
to understand the times, what was happening at
that moment. You want to also ask the question,
who were the original or who was the original
audience? Who was the originality? Man of God
was teaching us. You make some very sensitive
statement that you have to truly travel back
in history to understand it. When he was talking
about that God using Israel, in the sun to reveal,
so we have to understand them. Even though you
can say Israel, Israel, all of us, it was with
Abraham, but Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers,
Deuteronomy, the one you are saying before them,
it was written to them. Did you understand what
I'm trying to say? So that means to understand,
in fact, when he was talking, my mind just moved
to Romans chapter 3, Romans chapter 9, that talks
about that they are the custodians of the revelations
of God. Are we together? To them is the Christ,
to them is the oracles of God, to them is the
law, to them is salvation. Are we together? Yes.
Glory to Jesus. So, and what is the political
climate? You know, sometimes we don't like to
talk politics, but you see, it is in a real world.
When those people existed, some people were on
the throne. Was he a monarchy? Was he kings?
What is whatever? Georgies? Whatever. I mean,
what are actually the things that are happening
then? It will help us now go back to see who
was on the throne. Was he during peacetime? Was
he during war? Was he during whatever? And all
those kind of information are important. Don't
be in a haste. You see, there is no award in
just quoting scriptures anyhow. in the sun. It's
not a competition. Do you understand what I'm
saying? You are in God. This is your dwelling
place. You are not going anywhere. Are we together?
So you are not competing with anyone. You can
stay in one scripture for one year, no problem.
Do you understand what I'm saying? Yes. You just
go here, ensure you are studying. Amen. Are we
together? Amen. So this is very important. And
then we looked at, we picked an example of Romans
chapter 12. We saw how the application, how power
will pull from history, you understand, from
culture to communicate revelation. So if you
don't understand the meaning of that, expression
or that thing that he was communicating, you
will miss the wheel. You will go out of context.
Are we together? You will go out of context.
So together we're just trying to say that when
we saw when Paul used that issue of burning coal,
so it was a visible sign of public remorse for
somebody to show, you understand, that I am sorry.
I regret what I just did. So it will carry coal,
understand, on a clay pot and just be moving
around the street. When you see him, you know
the ha -ha -ha, you understand? That's the communication.
Are we together? Yes. So that was what he was
saying. So Paul was speaking and saying that
when you respond to evil with a radical unexpected
kindness because somebody that would do something
to you will do evil to you is expecting you to
do evil to the person. Do you want something?
If you look at what Paul is saying here is what
exactly Jesus was saying in Matthew chapter 5.
Read from verse 38 to 44. You see that's exactly
what Jesus is saying. How do you treat your enemies?
You understand? He said love them, pray for them.
You understand? so that you imitate your father
in heaven that's exactly so but paul is using
a culture here you understand to communicate
that and he said that when you because your enemy
will not expect that you expect you to react
then you you give him the opposite definitely
to be an unexpected kindness what you are doing
you are not crossing the enemy in the sun what
you are doing you are breaking the defenses of
the enemy And what you are doing is that once
you are breaking his defenses, you are inducing
a psychological warmth of conviction that will
melt the hardened heart into a deep remorseful
self -reflection and repentance. So what is a
historical and cultural fact is that the burning
cause are not literal punishment. That's a historical
fact. The historical fact and the cultural fact
there is that the burning coals are not literal
punishment. They represent a fiery warmth of
conviction that melts the enemies hadn't had
into repentance and peace. So this indicates
that God speaks through real history and culture.
Let me repeat again. God speaks through history
and culture. God speaks through history and culture.
Please note that. God speaks through history
and culture. Very important. So the Bible is
properly interpreted when we take time to understand
the culture of the ancient world in which the
Bible was written. So understanding contains
what sounds like a crude punishment. To tell
somebody just carry coal or fire, it sounds at
the beginning, to us in the modern time, that
car, that is a crude thing to do. Imagine when
I ask you to carry fire, do you understand? But
you see, you can now turn that thing that seems
to, if you look at it beautifully in its context,
that it is a beautiful, in fact I'll call it
a master class on Christ -like peacemaking. Do
you understand what I'm saying? Yes, that's how
to make peace. Don't begin to say, if I'm not
a Christian. Now, stop those life, you know.
Why? You have left that life and you are cherishing
the life again, that life you have left. See,
if I'm not a Christian, you would have seen my
other face. Brother, you don't have any face.
At least you're not two -faced. Hallelujah. So
on the cross, we see this, Jesus actually doing
that. I mean, we've seen it in Jesus to his executioners.
What did he say? Father forgive what? Forgive
them. You gotta imagine this is kind of the thing.
Imagine you are innocent. And people who label
something upon you, and they want to punish you.
Go, you know, in our generation, we say, go and
punish your generation upon generation. Do you
understand what I'm saying? But now you say,
Father, forgive them. They do not know what they
are doing. Are we together? You see, remember
there are many people that were standing there.
There were his disciples that were standing close
by. There were centurions. They were Roman soldiers
who were part of it. Look at it. The Bible recorded
one man in the Sabbath. Give me Mark 15. The
Bible recorded a centurion who was standing by.
When Jesus was saying all those things on the
cross, Father forgive them. And then he said
those words of the Psalmist. Because he said
a lot of things on the cross When the centurion
saw that look at his response Who crucified you
as a Romans were there because crucification
is a Roman punishment They are the only people
who have the legal rights to do so Are we together
so? But we can say part of his own those who
came to execute him when they saw the things
what he was saying on the cross Look at what
it I Say 15 verse 39 15 39 So when the Centurion
who stood opposite him Saw that he cried out
like this and break his last. What did he say?
What did he see truly this man? was a son of
God. Will your response make somebody to see
the revelation of God? Because that's what Paul
is saying. That when your enemy is thirsty, give
him a drink. When he's hungry, feed him. It might
not be literal but that's figurative he's saying.
But in doing so what will you do? He said you
will heap up. What he's saying that what you
are doing is that you will melt, you will break
the defenses of the enemy. And in doing so you
will reveal something. Are we together? Are we
together? It's the same thing Peter was saying
also to the woman whose husband have not obeyed
the word. In 1st Peter 3, he said when he sees
your chest and your conduct, what will he do?
He will be convicted by it. Hallelujah. This
is God's pattern. How many scriptures have I
quoted? I quoted from Peter. I quoted from Jesus.
We Jesus demonstrated it by himself. Are we together?
That is the way to treat your enemies This is
the way of light We're coming to it because some
of the scripture that have been used to torment
people in life so far not the which to live We're
coming to it in a son. These are the scripture
because when you pull a text out of context You
become like the devil You partake from his ministry
You understand No, I don't want to be part of
the ministry of Satan The ministry of people
who twist the world whether knowingly or knowingly
I Want to be part of those I don't want to be
part of the ministry of the Pharisee I Want to
be part of the ministry of Jesus because I am
in him we have a ministry the ministry is hinged
upon the right interpretation because in the
accurate interpretation is the will of God revealed
the will of God is revealed in right interpretation
hallelujah we saw that in Stephen as well Stephen
demonstrated exactly what Jesus did the same
thing father forgive them And the hardened criminal,
the one who later on, who writes, plus his companions,
who write almost the majority of the New Testament,
was there standing, seeing what was happening.
He was supporting them, grabbing their clothes.
He said, kill him. In fact, he himself later
admitted, I was there. I was consenting to what
was happening. Later he started moving, killing
them, killing believers, moving here and there.
You understand? Jesus would meet him and say,
it is hard to kick against the God. You know
God is a piercing this, you know what it means,
is a piercing object like that, a structure.
You know when you kick something that has sharp
things, will it feel good? What he's trying to
say is that what Paul was doing, by attacking
believers was already against his conscience.
Are you with me? Because that means something
has happened although he was consenting to Stephen
killing already. Do you know what the Bible says
that they saw? You understand? The reason why
they even killed Stephen was because Stephen
now raised his head and now saw something and
heavens was open. You understand? And he told
them what he saw. They were angry. Did you understand
see they now stood him all their soul of tussles
was there He was saying what type of a people
is this He couldn't understand but he was still
going to attack them yet something is happening
within him Until he was struck on the way Have
you ever imagined why will they say? You know
the question he asked, who are you Lord? I mean
imagine somebody who has no idea I mean no definitely
you know that this man have an idea the person.
Who are you Lord? That's not the first time he
has his conscience has been hitting him. So what
you are doing is that you are you are evangelism
also. You understand? is a totality. We preach
fundamentally, but our attitude must also align
to what we preach. Are we together? Yes. It has
to align what we preach. Now the next one, the
next context, next context is geographic or geographical
context. How many have we discussed now? Canonical?
immediate context literally right historical
and cultural context non geographical context
geographical context understanding geographical
context of the Bible is an essential key to unlocking
true meaning of text so we're trying to say that
You have to pay attention to where things are
happening Pastor if I started touching us or
Helping us to understand the importance of why
Jesus would tell his disciples go to Jerusalem
and wait Did you want to something why do you
say go to Samaria? He was particular go to Jerusalem
We learn that so geography is important Things
don't just happen Jesus don't just go anywhere
The first thing you understand about geography
is that that it proves the Bible is rooted in
history It proves that the Bible is rooted in
history, meaning that it's not a fairy tale.
It's not abstract. You can verify all these things.
They are not names of celestial bodies. They
are not aeons and geographical location on the
space. They are real places. That happened. Are
we together? They are real places, no? I had
the privilege to go to some of these places.
Even though I don't like the way some people
were doing with the tin, because they idolize
those places, they understand. But it's good
when you have the opportunity to visit some of
those places. Tango, we are in a place also.
Let's open to actor tin. We're in Cyprus, actor
tin. Glory to Jesus. Want you to look at verse,
verse 3, then having fasted and prayed and laid
hands on them, they sent them away. So being
sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to
what? Seleucia. And from there they sailed to
where? They were a Cyprus, a name of a celestial
body. Eh? It's a geographical location. We know
it. Today we are in it. We are here. Huh? And
when, verse five, and when they arrive in where?
Salamis. Many of us have gone to Salamis several
times. Is that correct? Yes. We saw the theater.
We saw where Paul was preaching. We saw all those
things. Are we together? Salamis. They preached
the word of God in synagogue of the Jewish. They
also had John as their assistant. What's six?
Now, when they had gone through the island of
Patmot, Patmot is just close here. Here. Did
you understand what I'm trying to say? Yes. It's
not, that's why when you read Bible, you see,
you know, you will see, you will see, you feel
it. These are real places. Even if you have not
traveled to those places, at least Tango, you
are here. Please don't leave this place. Go to
Salamis and see the place. It will not do to
you anything spiritual, but it will do something
to you in understanding. It means you are reading
something real. It's not a deception. This is
why sometimes I laugh. How can somebody come
after Jesus lived 700 years ago? I mean after
Jesus lived 700 and he said Jesus didn't die.
And that an angel told him. And then you have
eyewitness in history. The Romans wrote about
it. The Jews wrote about it. His own disciples
were more than 500 which he appeared to them.
I don't mean far away those who were with him.
Who do you believe? Somebody who came 700 years
later and said angel told him. Or someone who
were with him. I mean, there are some things
very easy to disprove. Did you understand what
I'm saying? Are we together? So, what are we
saying? I am saying that because this Bible is
real, it's an evidence that God is interested
in humanity. He's working among men. They are
places we know. They are not abstract. So pay
attention. So in many instances, those geography
are in themselves a message. It's not just only
that we know that they prove that our faith can
be traced accurately, but themselves, the geographies
became a message too. Now notice only that you
know that God speaks through culture. God also
speaks through geography. Oh Are you with me?
Are you with me? So if you misunderstand this
on geography, you'll miss a lot. The valleys,
the mountains. Man of God was reading to us Malachi
4, right? along specific rivers. Things you can
touch, but they can communicate things. We have
actual mountains. Mount Sinai, River Jordan,
the Red Sea. All of them mean something. The
Sea of Galilee. So geographic context? Prove
the gospel is not a made -up story. You understand?
As I told you, you cannot be able to say Jesus
is from India. How? His name, his family, his
everything does not speak that he has any connection
there. Are you with me? Are you with me? Yes.
It shows our faith is tied to read facts, not
feebles. It supports eyewitness accounts. And
it clarifies the intent of the original author.
This is the reason why we are studying this geographical
context. Because our major thought is that we
want to understand the intent of the author.
So in studying and reading and understanding
geographical context, it helps you to also comprehend
the intent of the author. The writers, with understanding
of their original readers. They do not stop to
explain why the journey was dangerous. But it
also can communicate. Sometimes when you are
reading the Bible, you don't need to be told
that this journey is dangerous. By just observing
the geography, it's already communicating to
you that. Are we together? Look at this look.
Look. This story of a Samaritan, right? Luke
chapter 10 verse 25 Luke 10 25 He said, And behold,
a certain lawyer stood up and tested him, saying,
Teacher What shall I do to inherit eternal life?
He said to him what is written in the law? What
is your reading of it? So he answered and said
you shall love the Lord and Then your God with
all your heart with all your soul with all your
mind and with all your what? Your strength. Let
me just go to 30 then Jesus answered and said,
a certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho.
Note that word. He went where? Down. Did he say
up or down? Down. A certain man went down. You
see that word down? You have to pay attention
to certain things now. You see that word down?
It's very important. Because by the time you
look at the geographical location, because he
said went down from where Jerusalem to where
to Jericho and fell among thieves that word down
is a description of geography it already by the
time you you look at it in in real time i mean
in in maybe maps you will now understand jesus
you see the reason why he didn't mention a there
were coughs here there were stones here there
were these because he was not communicating to
you Did you understand what I'm trying to say?
He's communicating to people who are familiar
with the terrain. So by just using the word down,
they already understood what he was saying. But
us today, we will need to investigate what is
down. Was Jerusalem up? Because you have never
gone to Jerusalem. So you can go in and say,
okay, let me see the horizon. Was Jerusalem up
and this and that? Or what does it mean down?
Now you will now understand that truly the wrote
from Jerusalem to Jericho is a horrific journey.
In fact, I did some study and I discovered Jerusalem
was about 700 meters, that's about 2 ,500 feet
above sea level. And Jericho lies below, you
understand, about 258 meters below sea level,
which means that What is saying to say that Jerusalem
there is more than twice you understand the height
that's one You get what I'm trying to see yes
So when the person is coming down and it's a
rocky environment It's not really like a like
a straight path You have to be dodging like this
But you are coming down That is why robbers can
can lock in upon some particular place so that
when you are coming you will not see them because
it's not a direct route mountains you have to
you have to navigate rocks and mountains so robbers
can thieves can block can hide somewhere and
wait for you and they will ambush you they understood
at the time when he said down but you and me
by the time we go and look at it and say oh so
that's how it is you will appreciate reading
that text So the terrain will tell you how vulnerable
to the man that was hit by thieves was So today
it is important to pay attention and there are
so many things Help me there John chapter 1 verse
5 The Bible say Jesus went up Hmm John there's
a one sorry five verse one five verse one he
said after this there was a feast of the Jews
and Jesus went up to what to Jerusalem so you
already understand I've already given you Jerusalem
is about 2500 feet above sea level that's about
700 and something or something like 60 there
about meters above syllable. Go back to John
1 verse 28. John 1, 28. These things were done
in what? In Betebrah. Beyond the what? The Jordan,
where John was baptized. That's a description
of geography. He said in Betebrah, right, or
Bethany. Some Bible verse will say Bethany. He
said it is across or beyond the Jordan. And that's
actually the description. It's a real geography.
If you go, you will see it that exactly. Where
John was baptized, Psalms 125 verse 2. Psalms
125 verse 2. As the mountains surround Jerusalem.
Do mountains surround Jerusalem? Yes. Did you
get what I'm trying to say? Yeah? Are we together?
That's exactly. mountain surrounds Jerusalem.
You know I was laughing when I was listening
to one debate so if you were trying to claim
it's one Muslim guy you want to claim that that
is it Pharaoh I mean the mix of Pharaoh as the
time of Jesus and Did you understand what I'm
trying to say? Sometimes you laugh, you know
why? Because you don't need the Bible to disprove
this. You know why? Because this is just pure
history. Did you understand what I'm trying to
say? Yes, this is why the Bible is clear. It's
real. It's not made up stories. You can verify
it. You understand? You can verify it. So I've
said in it that God speaks through geography
and so this geography could also Not just only
that can give us light to understand what was
happening, but you can also you go to use it
to speak spiritual realities Egypt, Canaan, Galilee,
Mount Zion, Mount Sinai, Red Sea, River Jordan
among others are used by God to paint a picture
of spiritual realities. Let me give you some
few examples. 1 Corinthians 10. Look at 1 Corinthians
10. Look at verse 1. Moreover, brethren, I do
not want you to be unaware that all our fathers
were under the cloud, all passed through the
sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the
cloud and in the sea. All ate the same spiritual
food, all drank the same spiritual drink, for
the drank of that spiritual rock. That followed
them and the rock was Christ's verse 5 said but
with most of them God was not pleased For their
bodies were scattered in the wilderness Are we
together? God was not pleased why because of
what Moses have preached what that means is that
the Red Sea represents Moses immersing Israel
in the teachings, in his teachings. That's what
it means. When he said they were baptized into
Moses in the cloud and in the sea. The Red Sea,
you know what I'm saying, is a speaking, a communication
of Moses immersing these people in the teachings.
Are we together? Unfortunately, they refused
to believe. That's why he said, but with most
of them God was not what? Was not pleased. It
is impossible to please God without what? Without
faith. Hebrews 11 6. So they didn't please God
because they didn't exercise faith. and what
Moses has amassed them. Man of God was communicating.
He told them. Understand? The last part he was
saying. He told them. You see, that agreement
they agree. As if they heard Moses. No. It's
those are there too where they are finding things
difficult in Egypt. So their believing is they
are believing of their deliverance out of that
place. You understand? but not that they believe
Moses in the reality he was communicating they
just believe him in that yes we know God sent
you give us our physical deliverance let's get
out of here but they did not believe the real
thing the big picture of what God was communicating
and that's why God was not pleased with them
so you can see Red Sea The crossing of the Ressi
is a crossing of baptism and that baptism is
a mansion in the teachings of Moses The gospel
he preached them. He said the same gospel that
was preached to us was also preached to them
Hebrews chapter 4, right verse 2 But it did not
profit them Not being mixed with faith in them
that heard it That means they heard it. They
refused to believe it Hebrews chapter 12. Go
to Hebrews chapter 12. Look at verse 22. I'm
trying to show us that geography can be used
by God to speak spiritual realities. It can speak
revelation. So be careful as you study. Don't
neglect things. Are we together? Hallelujah.
Amen. Look at 22. He says, that but you have
come to Mount Zion. Are we together? You see,
before in the Old Testament he said, he said,
upon Mount Zion there shall be deliverance. Did
you hear me? You know, don't think that he's
talking about a physical place. is using a physical
mountain to speak about spiritual reality. That's
why a man that believe has come to Mount Zion.
It is in Mount Zion there is deliverance. So
God is using a physical mountain with a spiritual
communication. That Mount Zion is a church. That
Mount Zion is God's presence. That's what it
represents. Mount Zion and then he continued
the city of the living God in case you are in
doubt what he's saying the heavenly Jerusalem
what about Sinai just go some verses ahead verse
18 he said for you have not come to the mountain
that may be touched that burn with fire and with
blackness and darkness and tempest and the sound
of a trumpet and the voice of words so that you
who heard it bet that the word should not be
spoken to them anymore for they could not endure
what was commanded and if so as much as the beast
touches the mountain, it shall be stoned or shot
with an arrow." And so terrified that even Moses
himself, he said, I was exceedingly afraid and
tremble. Even the man who enlisted the angels,
when they started displaying their things in
the sun. And that's why The writer of Hebrew
was contrasting that. He said, believe us, we
have not come to that mountain, but you have
come to the mountain, which is Mount Zion. We
have not come to Mount Sinai. Are we together?
But we have come to what? Mount Zion. Amen. Are
we together? So Mount Sinai was a picture of
bondage, law and sin. Mount Zion is a picture
of what? Freedom picture of deliverance picture
of the church Geography with spiritual meaning
Look at Galatians chapter 4 Paul again made it
clear here. He made it clear more clearer here
Are we together Galatians chapter 4 verse 24
He said, which things are symbolic? Did you see
that? So they are used as expressions. For these
are the two covenants. He said, one from where?
Mount Sinai. Which is what? Which give birth
to what? Who are you with me? Are you with me?
Which give birth to bondage? Which is haga. For
this hugger is Mount Sinai in Arabia and correspond
to Jerusalem which is and is in bondage with
her children So he said that Jerusalem in the
Sun is the place of freedom He's saying that
the place of bondage is Mount Sinai Are you with
me are you with me amen So you can see how God
uses geography to communicate also revelation.
That's why it's good for us to pay attention
to geography. Look at Hebrews chapter 3. Hebrews
chapter 3. Go back to that Hebrews verse 16.
I want to show you again another one. Canon.
Are we together? Or let's start with Egypt. I
think we should start with Egypt before we go
to Canaan. Amen? Amen? Exodus chapter 13 verse
3. Exodus 13 verse 3. He said, and Moses said
to the people, remember this day in which you
went out of where? Out of where? The house of
what? Bondage. So Egypt is described as a picture
or a figure of bondage. He repeated that. Look
at chapter 20, verse 2, chapter 20. verse 2 I
am the Lord your God who brought you out of the
land of Egypt out of the house of bondage again
Egypt as a house of bondage Deuteronomy chapter
5 verse 6 Deuteronomy 5 verse 6 He said I am
the Lord your God who brought you out of the
land of Egypt out of the house of bondage out
of the house of bondage Look at how even a the
Bible describe it here in Hebrews chapter 11
When he was talking concerning Moses 11 24 Hebrews
11 verse 24 He said, by faith Moses, when he
became of age, refused to be called the sons
of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to suffer
affliction with the people of God than to enjoy
the passing pleasure of sin, esteeming the reproach
of Christ greater riches than the treasure in
Egypt. Look at it, esteeming Christ. than the
pleasure in Egypt. This is not a physical thing
so that you don't say in Egypt. It's a spiritual
reality. You understand? For He what? Looked
to the reward. So Egypt is depicted as a place
of sin. A place of bondage. What about Canaan?
Hebrews chapter 3. Look at Hebrews chapter 3
verse 16 The promise was for them to move to
freedom Hebrews chapter 3 verse 16 for Who having
heard believed indeed was it not all who came
out of Egypt that is they came out of the house
of bondage led by Moses Now, with whom was he
angry forty years? He said, Was he not with those
who sinned, whose corpses fell in the wilderness?
And to whom did he swear that they will not enter
his rest, but to those who did not obey? we see
that they could not enter rest in because of
unbelief. We said they died in the wilderness.
So he was using a communication, you know, although
they were moving from Egypt's bondage, their
destination is the promised land, Canaan, but
they couldn't enter because of unbelief. So Canaan
is a picture of rest. When you are removed from
bondage, but they die in the wilderness Are we
together they die in the wilderness, of course,
there are other scriptures you can write it Numbers
chapter 14 verse 27 Numbers 14 27 to 34 Deuteronomy
chapter 6 verse 23 Deuteronomy chapter 6 verse
23 Let me just say this one lastly here Galilee
You see Galilee also has a spiritual meaning
Galilee Isaiah chapter Well, let me read Matthew
because Matthew quoted Isaiah chapter 1 And sorry
chapter 9 verse 1 and 2. Let me read Matthew
chapter 4 So that we can read the two texts together
Matthew chapter 4 verse 15. Matthew chapter 4
verse 15 to 16. He said the land of Zebulun and
the land of Naphtali by the way of the sea beyond
the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles. He said
the people who sat in darkness have seen a great
light. and upon those who sat in the region and
shadow of the light as what? As dawn. Do you
know why when Jesus is eaten it's necessary that
Jesus will have to start his ministry in Galilee?
When he finished his resurrection he told his
disciples, tell them to go meet me in where?
In Galilee. Listen, it's a communication. something.
What Jesus is saying that, what man of God is
teaching us, is setting the stage for greater
works. Now no more among Israel you are to go
to the wall. Galilee is a doorway to the nations.
It's called Galilee of the Gentiles. What Jesus
is communicating is that now I am releasing you
to the wall. And that's why he demonstrated By
going to a physical place. It's not a mistake.
It is already a prophecy It's not just for going
sick when you read glory to God You you have
to be very careful some words In the Sun when
the when Jesus was to pass through, you know,
normally when you are moving when you are going
to a Jerusalem you have to pass through Samaria
Many don't want to pass through that because
of the discrimination. But the Bible says, but
Jesus hurt. Meaning that it became necessary
that you will have to pass through Samaria. The
reason is because there is an appointment. in
the Sun spiritually because Jesus Christ is doing
things deliberately to break certain things so
every movement you move it might look geographical
but it's not it's communicating something so
if you miss this reading as you go you think
you have to see thou says the Lord thou says
the Lord you're going to miss a lot of things
that's why you have to pay attention Are we together?
So geography will turn what sometimes may be
spiritual, that is locked up to be unveiled.
You will see that from what we have already studied.
You see, geography is explaining spiritual concept.
Unbelief, salvation, deliverance. Are we together?
Did you see that? That once you mention a place,
it already communicates something. Are we together?
That is exactly. So, bringing map into your Bible
study changes words. from just flat black ink
on white pages into vibrant three -dimensional
world where God's voice speaks with clarity.
So I want to encourage you, don't neglect geography
in your Bible study. Are we together? Don't do
what? Don't neglect geography. When you are reading,
you find a place, just say something, something,
something. Don't just pass anyhow. can you pull
a map and just try to because what you are doing
is that you are trying to travel back and sit
where the audience sat because you are not there
so sometimes you will have to pull the map because
when Jesus or when the apostles were communicating
they were communicating to audience who already
are familiar with the terrain so when they speak
small things like for example down they already
know what they are saying but you we don't know
because when you say down down how so you have
to pull them up and begin to look at it then
you now understand are we together amen hallelujah
okay let me give one more supernatural context
i'm going to discuss this maybe probably in a
separate video but let me give an introduction
the bible also have supernatural context Not
just only on the material. You see that's the
reason why we have to communicate in this way.
It has supernatural context. Understanding the
Bible also requires grasping the supernatural
context. A worldview. So supernatural context
means a worldview where the physical and the
spiritual realm are constantly interacting. Meaning
that The writer's worldview in those days is
not the same with our worldview today. Even though
we need to improve. Because the world has not
changed. Do you understand what I'm saying? The
world has not what? Has not changed. No, I think
Pasukosi used to emphasize that in the sun. Don't
think that everything is normal. Yeah, when you
watch what is happening around the world in the
sun, don't be too naive To think that is just
normal Hmm that men just do it that they that
way Monogathe just read a scripture Ephesians
chapter 2 the spirit who is at work in where
in the children of disobedient So don't see a
man hiding in his ways and think it's a normal
thing Did you get what I'm trying to say? Yes.
Hallelujah. So without this framework of understanding
the supernatural context, strictly literal or
modern scientific reading can miss the intended
spiritual and doctrinal meaning. When we read
the Bible like a cast -iron Literal strictly
scientific When I see day I Think as day today.
You are going to miss a lot of if I see moon
I'd always think as we think today. You're going
to miss something Meaning that is that's why
we said when you come to the Bible is not a free
flat thing You can read moon and star, literal,
in other places. That one is a tool. But you
cannot take how you read Genesis. That's how
you read First Kings and Second Kings. That's
how you read Ecclesiastes. That's how you go
to read the Epistos. How about now? The same
way. Just flat. You're going to miss a lot. Because
today we have believers who wants to always have
a short cut you know we like uh sharp sharp things
now you understand indo me you know i've been
trying to stop some people staying indo me understand
but the point is that because we like sharp sharp
things something that we just get is sharp fast
food fast fast fast things are we together but
please calm down this bible the implication of
taking it out of context is too high. Understand?
And that's why you have to calm down. Please,
be patient. Be patient. Don't be in a rush. Don't
be in a rush. Calm down. We live in a modern
world. Today is a material world. It's a scientific
world. Where we see universe through microscope,
through telescope, through law of physics. That's
how we see the world mostly. But when you come
to the Bible, the writers live in a different
world than ours. In a worldview, we are the physical
and the spiritual. Remember that's why we take
time for some of us who have been here when I
was dealing with the issue of the law in our
series about the issues about women liberty.
You must have seen that we discuss how these
people their view about angels. Did you understand
what I'm trying to say? Their view about spirit
beings. That's the issue. And this is important.
To them they see the unseen world, not just us.
as something different. They see the unseen world
as real as the seen. Are we together? Look at
Revelation 9. Revelation what? 9 verse 1. Revelation
9. Then the fifth angels sounded and I saw a
star falling from heaven to the earth. To him
was given the key to the bottomless pit. That
is the star was given a key. Are we together?
I mean if you just read in the adults with scientific
means you will likely see like this is a star
falling I mean to the earth maybe one of these
meteorites and maybe ah please let's be careful
before it will cause ecological disaster but
no that's not what he's saying John immediate
use of him he said I saw a star From heaven to
the earth in case you don't want to confuse it.
He said to him Hmm you see that he said to him
Was given and then he said he was giving a key
him was giving a key is to tell you that that
star Is a personality Is not the star at the
top defined by gases Are we together? No. This
star has an action. This star has an intelligence.
Did you understand what I'm saying? It's not
defined by nature that the star has an intelligence.
The star has an assignment. It's given a key.
It's a hymn. In ancient... apocalyptic writings
or context, a falling star most time is seen
as a falling angel or angelic entity. In fact,
just move a little bit to chapter 12. Look at
chapter 12, verse 3, Revelation 12 verse 3, and
another sign appeared in the heaven, behold a
great fiery dragon. having seven heads and ten
horns and seven dead ends on his head his tail
drew a thought of stars from heaven and threw
them on the earth and the dragon stood before
the woman who was ready to give birth to to devour
her child as soon as it was born. When you read
that you say ah ah Stars who the dragon wipe
is a what you call in the sun But when you read
more you now understand was Was six or let me
read verse 7 is there and war broke out in heaven
Michael and his angels fought with the dragon
and the dragon and his angel fought but they
did not prevail nor was a place found for them
in the heaven any longer so the dragon was cast
out and the serpent of old called the devil and
satan who deceived the world he was cast out
He was cast to the earth and his angels were
cast out with him. Do you see that? So the dragon
is Satan. The stars were the fully angels that
came with him, his angels. That is the stars
Isn't just some cosmic event or some things are
threatening the solar system He's talking about
spiritual rebellion here The fully angelic beings
who sided with the enemy who sided with Satan
Therefore reading the Bible with a scientific
lens will strip you of the reading of the scriptural
text the way it's original audience wrote it
you know I read one book sometimes they will
read Matthew chapter 25 about the parable of
the talent and then they will be given counsel
of how to make money using that I mean please
now you know the issue is that is that the intern
when Jesus was writing that was he giving business
advice there You see, you are misusing the intent
of the author. You are misusing. After all, if
you want business ideas, that's nowhere to go.
The same thing we say, stop ideating with these
people who want to defend. The world is also
a number of years. Leave them. Science has to
know how to correct themselves. I tell you the
truth. Science knows how to correct. They have
corrected many things. If you have been in science,
you understand. All the Dalton's atomic theory
and all those things, you understand? Atom is
an indivisible part of it. I mean, all those
things. Is it divisible now? I mean, who changes
it? Who changes it? You are not the one now.
Allow them. They will change it. Do you understand
what I'm trying to say? You don't need to fight.
They will change. Leave them. You understand?
They are already fighting and changing already
the law about evolution. So don't worry. Calm
down. Just preach the word in season and out
of season. Do you understand what I'm saying?
So leave them. So, you see, you will miss it.
Because even though Moses was using the creation
story, his intent was not to give how the world
was created and this and that and that. I mean,
that's it. You will miss it. Because by the time
you read the entire Genesis 1, by the time you
come to Genesis chapter 2, and God rested, and
then you read the epistles, you come to where
we read Hebrews chapter 4. When you read down,
it made reference to Genesis chapter 2. Moses
was writing that he was not talking about those
things. His focus is to communicate the gospel.
And that is why the rest of God is salvation.
The creation story about him is a description
of the redemptive work of Christ. And after he
has finished the work, he rests. What is rest?
It doesn't mean just to stay idle. It means to
enter into the position of authority, to enter
into a position of glory. That's mean by rest.
His indwelling, His ascension is called rest.
That means Christ now is resting in you. It means
He's living in you. That's what it means. Are
we together? So, and that's why we must trust
God to read the Bible. in the author's intent.
Amen. Amen. If you understand this way, you will
now not be struggling. You will not be struggling
when you see some certain discussion, even in
the Epistles. He now said, though we walk in
the flesh, we do not wage war after the flesh.
For the weapon of our warfare. They are not cannot
did you want something? Are we together? He will
say again and then tell you how we watched which
the war He said we we wage the war against principalities
and powers Against rulers of the darkness So
don't be sitting here and think everything is
physical. It's not. These people that wrote it,
they have an understanding that though we are
on earth in the material world, what influences
this material world is not just only in the material.
If you understand, you will be conscious of the
spirit world. Are we together? that is what a
Supernatural context of the Bible. We're going
to explore that more hopefully subsequently Now
let me introduce something before tomorrow understand
The contextualization of the scripture and the
consequence abuses the contour from the word
context, decontextualization of scriptures and
the consequent abuses. Now, what I intend to
do here is to handle, because we don't want to,
we're living in a real world. Tango Pasofre started
talking about the issue of transgender and so
many of this. We will both, as God help us, Through,
along the air, as the air moves, we will have
to both review what has happened in the past
in the horrible history of the church, because
we want us to know how some things have been,
how the Bible has been used as a weapon in the
sun. Because the problem that was facing some
of them some of them we still have them today
in the Sun and Then to see how we can also help
to know how to explain certain things in scriptures
even our problems of today Are we together? Amen?
Now I want you to understand that The most dangerous
lies Please I beg in the name of God to be sensitive
with this listen the most dangerous lies that
has been spread perpetuated in history were not
told by atheists they were not told by who by
atheists they were spoken by people holding a
bible very hard to accept. The most clear treatment
of humanity we have seen, some of it were held
perpetuated by people holding the Bible. I am
not saying unbelievers, I am saying believers,
leaders of churches. So what we are trying to
say that from all that we have said when you
ripped when you remove when you caught a way
a verse out of its setting out of its context
You are weaponizing it to perpetuate evil What
we call it is the methodology of Satan Meaning
You take the word and remove it out of its context.
You will do harm with it. Remember that the scripture
is profitable, but once you remove it out of
its context, it becomes injurious. It becomes
harmful. Are you with me? Are you with me? Are
you with me? That's why Paul says it is a spirit
in a son that give it life He said that the letters
kill it But the spirit do what? Gives life. Are
you with me? Let me repeat again. He says the
letters kill it But the spirit gives what life?
Mean that this same Bible interpreted accurately,
it gives life. This Bible also, once removed
out of context, it results to death. And so I
want you to pay attention. Second Corinthians
chapter 3, that's what Paul say there. In fact,
we also saw in Romans, he said the commandment
which was intended to give life now has been
found to give death. All this I'm trying to tell
you the implication of removing what it takes
out of context. So many of the major abuses and
tyrannies in history were perpetuated by the
violation of the intent of the author of scriptures.
Let me give you some examples and start with
that. Slavery in America. Write number one, slavery
in America. Slavery in America. Now, at that
time, there is some people we call them the pro
-slavery theologians. We call them the pro -slavery
theologians in the American South. They build
the theology to defend slavery so that it should
be perpetuated. Let me just give you some of
these people before we start to discuss some
of the how did they use the Bible to defend?
the perpetuation of slavery Number one James,
maybe you are you might have time to I mean you
can go and just read about them That's why I'm
giving you in the Sun James Henley Turnwell James
Henley that is T H O R N W E double L James Henley
Torwell was a South Carolina Oh Pastor, he's
a Presbyterian pastor and theologian. In fact,
he's a professor of theology at Colombian Theological
Seminary. So I'm not talking about some sumo
sumo built Brazil. I'm talking about professors
who were pastors who later become professors,
you understand? He argued that the relationship
between master and slave is divinely ordained
and consistent with God's word. Don't worry.
Let me just mention their name. I'm coming back
to give you their arguments. The next one is
Benjamin Morgan. Benjamin Morgan. Palmer. This
one is also a pastor. in the sun. He's a Presbyterian
pastor. Benjamin Morgan Palmer, Morgan Palmer,
P -A -L -M -E -R, in the sun. In fact, this one
is, this one is even a very severe thing, you
know, sun. You know, he preached one message.
He calls it Thanksgiving. He called it the Thanksgiving
Salmon. In the 1960s, where he supported the
southern part of the United States, which is
then they were, you know, in the United States
then, they had all these states, that's why they
are called the United States of America. So then
they have the southern and they have the northern
part, understand? And then the southern part,
there are 11 states then in the northern part.
He called it the confederates. And these people,
they are the ones, they are the major people
who want slavery. They still want to continue
with that. So, the, a someone that he preached,
he calls it, let me see, the someone, yes, this
is the name of the someone, the title. You can
find these online. He said the slavery, he called
it slavery, a divine trust. duty of the South
to preserve and perpetuate it. That's the title
of the Psalm. You can imagine somebody, one person
come to this, he said, he calls it slavery a
divine trust. Column, duty of the South to preserve
and perpetuate it. Then we have Baptist pastors.
One of them is Ton Ton. That is T -H -O -R -N
-T -O -N. That is Ton Ton. String fellow. Ton
Ton String fellow. String fellow just from string
and fellow. Understand? It's a Baptist pastor.
In fact, these people were the one who caused
the division to break the Baptist Church into
the South, Southern Convention in the sun. They
break it because the Northern part don't want
to agree with it, so they broke the sun, caused
division. In the 1960, he also published a book
called Scriptural and Statistic View in Favor
of Slavery. You cannot imagine monogod. He even
said with statistics. Hmm? That's the title of
the book. Scriptural and statistical views in
favor of slavery. In favor of slavery. Then another
Baptist pastor, Richard Fuller. Richard Fuller
is also a Baptist pastor. He's a pro -slavery
theologian. He's part of those people who also
helped the establishment of the Southern Baptists
Convention, where they broke away from the North.
In fact, there is a book in which the Richard
Fuller, in 1947, Fuller and Brown University
President Francis Wayland. There's another guy,
he's a Brown University President Francis Wayland
because Wayland is against Fuller's position
of pro -slavery. So what they did was they now
publish a book, Fuller giving pro points and
then Francis Wayland giving against slavery.
The book again is called Domestic Slavery Considered
as scriptural institution. So more or less, the
book is like a debate between the two of them.
You understand? Let me say it again. The book
is titled, Domestic Slavery Considered as a Scriptural
Institution. So let me give more, just two more.
Because there are many. To tell you that is an
arsenal of men supporting that. We have George
Doot Armstrong. This one is a Presbyterian. George
Doot D -O -D -D Armstrong. From the word arm
and strong. George Doot Armstrong. This one is
also he argued so much that God created different
stations in life that this is arguing that God
is the one responsible for social hierarchy Social
hierarchy That the social hierarchy helped to
emancipate the enslaved people. You can imagine
that. You are arguing that the slavery is helping
the slave people. You know, he also authored
a book. You know these people, they are formed
a very, it's a cartel. He also authored a book
called The Christian Doctrine of Slavery. The
Christian Doctrine of Slavery. the Christian
doctrine of slavery. That's the title of the
book. Then the last person I will mention is
Charles Colcock Jones. Charles Colcock. C -O
-L -C -O -C -K. Colcock. Jones. Jones. In fact,
this person his own is not like the other one
you understand this person the jones let me tell
you jones one is a little bit interesting they
call him apostle of the slave to slaves now his
own is not just only that he is using the bible
to keep slave but that he wants to preach christ
for slaves to be born again Do you understand
what I'm trying to say? So he wants to preach
to the slaves to be born again and his intent
is not just because he wants them into the kingdom
of God Yeah, his intent is that by converting
them to Christianity to become easier to brainwash
them with the scriptures of those swans So that's
why you're calling him an apostle. So he believed
in evangelism and the evangelism will make enslaved
people more obedient and make the plantation
system more stable. Because if you have people,
although you can use Bible to support the people
at the society level, those who are holding up
to big powers and like the politician and the
rest, you can use Bible to defend it, you understand?
But then if you want to make the slavery more
systemized, then that means you have to just
not just only convince the aristocrats you understand
you have to come down and also preach Jesus to
these people because by doing so you will you
will ensure they become more obedient so his
work focus on converting slaves to Christianity
while ultimately reinforcing the established
racial and social hierarchy of that time. Hallelujah.
Are we together? Now, before we close, what is
the theological argument? What are the things
they were holding and promoting that supports
slavery? Now number one using the Old Testament
so they use the Old Testament very well They
use the Old Testament patriarch they argue that
this patriarch owns slaves and the Levitican
laws permitted the purchase of burnt people they
permit people to purchase servants They say the
Old Patriarch, the Old Testament Patriarch, like
Abraham and the rest, they own slaves. And also
the Levitican laws permit to purchase a person.
Let me give you some scriptures. Genesis chapter
12 verse 5. Genesis 12, 5. Genesis 14, 14. Genesis
16 verse 1 to 3 Genesis 26 verse 14 Genesis 31
verse 41 Job chapter 1 verse 1 to 3 Leviticus
chapter 25 verse 44 to 46 Exodus 21 verse 2.
Let me come again. Genesis 12 verse 5. Genesis
14 verse 14. Genesis 16 verse 1 to 3. Genesis
26 verse 14. Genesis 31 verse 41. Job chapter
1 verse 1 to 3. Leviticus chapter 25 verse 44
to 46. Exodus chapter 21. Verse 2. These are
the texts they normally use. We're going to explore
some of them. Then they use the New Testament
also. New Testament. They argue that Paul and
Jesus, or Jesus and Paul, never explicitly condemned
slavery. Because Jesus, according to them, never
condemned slavery. Paul never condemned slavery.
Therefore, it carries an implication of divine
approval. It carries an implication of divine
approval. John chapter 8 verse 35. John chapter
8 verse 35. Ephesians chapter 6 verse 5 to 9.
Colossians chapter 3 verse 22. to chapter 4 verse
1. Again, John chapter 8 verse 35, Ephesians
chapter 6 verse 5 to 9, Colossians chapter 3
verse 22 to chapter 4 verse 1. So using all these,
plus there's something they call divine hierarchy.
They carve out some theological terms like divine
hierarchy. that is a claim God ordained patriarchal
society you know when you read the bible this
is why i was trying to say historical facts you
understand you see that there are certain things
of course did the old testament has a patriarchal
society yes you understand even during the time
of jesus a patriarchal society right but that
doesn't mean that god approved the order so they
claim that god ordained patriarchal society order
We are women and children and enslave people,
all submission to male heads. In a sense, that's
what they argue. Then they have another term
which they call the paternalistic idea, paternalistic.
Paternalistic ideals and idea, ideals and idea.
They frame that the plantation Was an extended
Christian family Was an extended Christian so
you see that this terminology one divine hierarchy
They believe that the that the society that is
a divine Order that God have said that the society
become patriarchal That everywhere including
the child supposed to be patriarchal and women
and children and slave submits to the male You
know son And then the paternalistic ideal or
idea, they framed that the plantation was an
extended Christian family. We are masters, provide
physical care and spiritual salvation. It's like
you are the master of the house, so you are providing
protection for your extended family. And in your
family, we have different people with different
hierarchy. You have women, you have children,
then all of them are, the male are always at
the top of the order, at the order, yes. And
then also including servants. Just the same way
like you see in the pattern of Abraham. Abraham's
servant, 318, right? Servant in his house, like
he has them with him. Of course he has his family,
he has that, you understand. So they are trying
to argue on those things. Amen. Now lastly, let
me give you another thing they did. Remember
I told you that this preacher, the last preacher
which is Jones, Charles Colcord Jones, which
is called an apostle of slaves, the focus was
to convert as many slaves as possible because
it would be easier to make them obedient using
the scriptures, you understand, than somebody
who is not reading anything. There's something
they call the slave Bible. What they did was
to mutilate the Bible. They call it the slave
Bible. I need to give you this before we go.
The slave Bible. It was published by the English
missionaries. I mean this before, it looks as
if they are missionaries but they are not. The
English missionary in the 1804. And you know
what they did? They completely removed any text
that talks about liberation, equality, Exodus.
In fact, because the Exodus story depicts a people
who are coming out of bondage. They removed the
entire Exodus and removed most of these texts
from the Bible. In fact, in the slave Bible,
it was said that 90 % of the Old Testament has
been removed. and 50 % of the New Testament.
If you look at the Bible entirely, the Bible
has about 1 ,100, about 1 ,200, 1 ,189, they're
about chapters of the Bible. But in the slave
Bible, we only have 232 chapters. That means
you have a slave Bible that's supposed to be
1 ,000, about 1 ,200 chapters. And then you are
having only the chapters of your Bible. It's
only 232 chapters. They remove everything that
talks about liberation, equality, exodus, whatever.
And the major mission is to remove all those
things. All these texts like Galatians chapter
3. that talks about there is neither Jew nor
Gentile no slave no free they remove it anyone
that shows that you are you are a free person
they remove it and then they publish so they
preach to you you believe God then they will
be teaching you with that Bible they will be
giving you those of it you don't know whether
any Bible have existed but at least you have
one that will be making you obedient so all the
texts that appear to say in a sign you should
submit your master in all things in that that
that's the one they left what a crooked generation
Now, it's not just only to talk about some of
the things that they have done. That is our responsibility
to as well look at those things, because we have
some of these problems today. Do you know that
even including the words of Paul, like for example,
in 2 Timothy chapter 2, we're coming to it where
he talks about I do not permit a woman to teach
a man. They use it as part of the things that
both the church and the society is a patriarchal
society. And therefore, women are supposed to
have total submission. They have no any other
rights in the sun than actually to submit. And
they use it both. So we're going to look at submitting.
We're just starting with the issue of the slavery
in the sun. And I wanted to see how the Bible
has been misused, you understand, mutilated just
for the sake of it. So don't be afraid. Let me
tell you, some of the people you are going to
face and fight with so much on the issue of doctrine
are not unbelievers. They are going to be church
people who are rooted in tradition. And let me
tell you, all these pastors that I mentioned,
their own slaves, you understand? They also have
their position at the top of the society. You
know what I'm saying? They enjoy lots of benefits.
I remember we used to talk, just like our most,
apology to most of our Nigerian lecturers, you
know what I'm saying? But I have to complain
that many of our lecturers, especially the old,
old professors, you know what I'm saying, enjoy
Nigeria. When they went to school at that time,
because my uncle, my dad used to tell us a story,
you know what I'm saying? They are the one that
enjoy government. Sir, in ABU, one of my uncle
used to tell us what is happening in ABU. You
go to cafeteria, free food. The tea, thick one,
is coming from the tea. You just own and fetch
the much you have. You'll see big, big chicken
and all that. They're not paying it. Government,
during their time. But these people, now that
they have become professors, oh, they are the
one that do the hell out of to them. Many of
the lecturers also come abroad, enjoy that they
were not treated that way. But when they go back,
they demand hell out of students. That is the
same thing. And then we complain about the system.
That's the same thing we have pastors. Now, because
they enjoy the benefit of it. You understand?
May we not be like that. That because of the
mundane things we enjoy, that we put aside. the
revelation of God and abuse people and mutilate
people. But we will stand and fight. So we have
a lot of fight. That's a fight of the good fight
of faith. To insist on the revelation and the
intent of the autumn. Are we together? Can we
just pray? I want you to pray this prayer before
we go. Whether you are online listening to us,
can we pray for courage? That's what Paul prays.
We appreciate you being here today. We hope you
carried this word with you throughout your week.
Don't forget to check the show notes for additional
insights. Stay connected with us through our
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you care about. Until next time, stay blessed.