home - gospel meetings - correspondence courses - church directory - biblical studies
The Character Of Nathanael
(Kent Heaton)
He was not numbered as one of the twelve but Nathanael was a man of great character before God. Little is known of him as the gospel writer John is the only one who mentions him. The two references given of Nathanael are found in John 1 & 21. On the first occasion, we find Philip coming to Nathanael to tell him that he had "found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote - Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." (1:45) Nathanael was unsure of what value anyone would be who came from Nazareth.
The prophets had written that the Messiah would come from Bethlehem. Philip refers to Jesus as from Nazareth and Nathanael cannot see any purpose in the Messiah coming from Nazareth. At the bidding of Philip, Nathanael agrees to investigate the man who claimed to be the Son of God. Jesus becomes aware of Nathanael's coming and greets him with great enthusiasm. "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!" (1:47)
Jesus knows the hearts of all men. He knew the heart of Nathanael and expressed it with words of confidence to the noble character he possessed. To be without guile is not to suggest that Nathanael was without guilt. Jesus acknowledges that Nathanael is a man of integrity, honesty and truth. Guile is a character of deceit, treachery and cunning.. A person who is filled with guile cannot be trusted and is full of dishonesty. In a world filled with the wickedness of men, an honest heart is a rare commodity.
Nathanael was known by his friends and by the Lord as one whose heart was measured by truth and righteousness. He had a character that was humble before God and he sought to conduct his life with the integrity of virtue. David wrote in Psalm 32:1-2, "Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man to whom the LORD does not impute iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit."
To be without guile is found in the actions of our speech. Peter writes in 1 Peter 3:10, "For he who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit." Honesty and truth find themselves in the lives of God's people by the manner of speech. The power of the influence of the Christian is discovered in Nathanael. The measure of character is exemplified in the character of Nathanael. Honesty and truth are a must!
The apostle Paul exhorts the Christians at Ephesus to live their lives without guile. "Therefore, putting away lying. Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor, for we are members of one another. Be angry, and do not sin: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil. Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you." (Ephesians 4:25-32
The final place we find Nathanael is John 21:2 where he was gathered with the disciples and Jesus appears to them. Nathanael remained faithful to the Lord and one can only imagine the great influence and power of teaching Nathanael gave to the early church. His character still lives on today as an example of truth and the noble character of virtue. "But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue ... " (2 Peter 1:5)
Islam And Mormonism Are Similar
(Kent Heaton)
The teaching of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is familiar to most people in our country. The teachings of Islam have not been as familiar and yet with the events of the last decade, interest in Islam has increased. When a study is conducted of Islam, there is a similar tone in the beginnings and the basic teachings of Islam and the Mormon church. In both religions, a man presents himself as being a prophet of God and as a prophet of God, the final prophet.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints was founded by Joseph Smith in 1830. In 1820, Smith had a vision in which God told him not to join any existing churches because they were not the true churches of Christ. Three years later, another spirit told him of a new bible, written on golden plates in a strange language and hidden in a nearby hill called Cumorah. In 1827, the spirit allowed Smith to take the plates home. Smith said he translated the writing with the aid of magic spectacles. These writings were published as the Book of Mormon. Smith claimed that an angel named Moroni appeared to him in a vision and told him where to find the Book of Mormon plates.
Islam was founded by Mohammed, who was born in Mecca (Saudi Arabia). Like Joseph Smith, Mohammed claimed to have visions, dreams and revelations from God. One day, he was meditating alone in a cave on Mount Hira. A vision appeared to him. In the vision, he claimed the Angel Gabriel told him to preach of God's nearness, and to proclaim God's will to His people. Following persecution by the people of Mecca, he fled to Medina where he was exalted as king and accepted as a prophet of God.
From his teachings, the religion of Islam grew and the revelations were put together in a book called the Koran. In the teaching of Islam, the Koran supersedes all other revelations. The Koran is the most inspired and important book of all. Islam does embrace portions of the Bible such as the books of Moses, the psalms of David and the words of Jesus. However, the Koran is the holiest, highest and most important of all the revelations of God.
The similarity of Islam and Mormonism is seen in two men claiming to be the final prophet of God to reveal revelation to all men. Both religions embrace the Bible but only so far as it is not corrupted by men. The book of Mormon and the Koran are both put on an elevation higher than the Bible and any contradictions found between the Bible and what is taught in their own doctrine is cast off as corruption on the part of the Bible. In both religions, it is required that a person accept the belief that Joseph Smith or Mohammed is a prophet of God.
There are other similarities such as the Bible teaching the coming of Mohammed and the coming of the Mormon church. Both religions embraced polygamy. The Koran teaches that a man can have four wives. The teachings of the Mormon church at one time allowed multiple wives. Both religions are founded upon the teachings of men and not of God.
The Bible is the only true word of God. There is no such angel called Moroni and Gabriel never appeared to Mohammed. The Bible teaches: "But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed." (Galatians 1:8,9) Jesus said in John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." All the revelation given to man is found in the true word of God - called the Bible. Jude 3; Ephesians 4:3,4; John 16:13.
Christmas - You Never Tell The Story Right
(Kent Heaton)
You would think that people who believe in God and accept the Bible as the only guide for man to follow would have the knowledge that it contains firmly rooted in their minds. It would seem, at least, that when Bible speaking people spoke of the Bible, they would try to make as accurate a telling of the word of God as possible. The hope of truth and honesty should rest upon the basic foundation of describing an event - that changed the course of man's relationship with God eternally - as truthfully and honestly as possible. However, the fickle mind of man does not permit the most obvious conclusions.
Many people shun the idea of telling the whole truth about Christmas. So many people, in fact, that most do not know the true story of Christmas. When told what the true story of Christmas is, a wave of the hand and "It doesn't really matter," blows the truth of God's word away as so much chaff. The conclusion then becomes apparent that while many people devote themselves to a holy worship of God and Jesus and the story of Christ birth, they care little about the truth.
You see, when you celebrate Christmas as the birth of Christ, you do not care what the Bible says about the subject. Why? The Bible does not tell us when Jesus was born. The likelihood of Jesus being born in December is nearly impossible. This date was chosen by a Pope of the Roman Catholic Church. You put more stock in what a Catholic Pope says than God? That should cause concern in the minds of any who claim to follow the Bible. Why didn't God tell us when Jesus was born? Did He not know when it was? Did He not think we needed to know? God did reveal to us that His Son was raised on the third day and we remember that each first day of the week in the partaking of the Supper. If you don't mind telling the story any way you chose, that doesn't really matter - that God did not tell us.
The most interesting part of the story of Christmas is that when the story is told, it is told wrong. This is not a matter of interpretation but simple Bible fact. In every manger scene (that I know of) you have Joseph, Mary, Jesus in a manger, some animals, the shepherds and three wise men. What is wrong with that picture? Let us see what God said: "Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger' ... And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger." (Luke 2:8-12,16)
Do you have any wise men in this picture? No! When did the wise men come? Matthew 2:9-11 tells us: "When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was ... And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshipped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh." We do not know how many wise men there were but they found Jesus in a HOUSE and he was a young CHILD!
You would think that Bible believers would tell the story right ... but then they still believe Jesus was born December 25. I wonder what God thinks? (Galatians 1:8,9)
(Kent Heaton)
"The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" David knew trouble in his life. He had faced the bear and the lion and stood against Goliath when the enemies of God seemed to have the upper hand. In all of the trials that he faced, David knew the abiding presence of God would protect him and give him strength. There would be many "Goliath's" in his life but he knew the strength of God would give him the courage and faith to weather any storm.
"When the wicked came against me to eat up my flesh, my enemies and foes, they stumbled and fell. Though an army may encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war should rise against me, in this I will be confident." David pictured the enemies that sought to have his life as surrounding him and their single desire was to destroy him. His heart did not fear or tremble for his heart was kept by the presence of God. The faith of a man of God is seen when he faces the most difficult time and stands true to his Lord.
"One thing I have desired of the LORD, that will I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in His temple. For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in His pavilion; in the secret place of His tabernacle he shall hide me; he shall set me high upon a rock." No storm can be endured without a firm foundation or deep root of faith in God. As David stood before the giant, he boldly declared that he had been in the dwelling place of God and through that presence his strength remained firm in God. Faith is the temple of God's people and courage is house of those who seek the Lord. Dwelling in the beauty of the Lord builds great faith in the lives of the people of God.
"And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me; therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the LORD. Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice! Have mercy also upon me, and answer me." The heart of David rested firmly in the love of the Lord and his joy was found not in the praise of men nor in the assaults of those who would shame him or deride him but he would sing praises to God for the glory found in those who dwell in the house of the Lord.
"When You said, 'Seek My face,' my heart said to You, 'Your face, LORD, I will seek. Do not hide Your face from me; do not turn Your servant away in anger; you have been my help; do not leave me nor forsake me, O God of my salvation. When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take care of me." The distraction of his enemies would turn him away from God. David sought only to do the Lord's will in his life and he needed the complete confidence of God to assure him in time of need. No matter who stood against him or deserted him, David knew that God would always be there.
"Teach me Your way, O LORD, and lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies." The knowledge of God is the anchor that secures the soul. Through the word of God wisdom is attained to have patience, peace, hope and comfort. By the teaching of God, courage fills the mind to stand firm in the resolve of God's will.
"Do not deliver me to the will of my adversaries; for false witnesses have risen against me, and such as breathe out violence. I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living." It is difficult when you are in the midst of a storm to believe in deliverance. David had found through experience that as long as he believed in God and trusted in Him, deliverance would come. He believed in God and was assured that he would see the face of the Lord no matter what became of him.
"Wait on the LORD; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the LORD!" Amen.