Arizona Bible Conference 2018

Notes

We are thankful for those who made an effort to be at the conference here in Arizona. We are also thankful for the prayers of those who were not able to come.

We enjoyed some very happy fellowship and some very encouraging ministry. The local exercise was to look at the first parable in Matthew 13 to see the necessity of the word of God. From there we hoped to look at some scriptures that emphasizes it’’s sufficiency and supremacy.

Much of this summary is from memory and a few notes that were taken. We are sorry that we can not remember all the helpful comments that were made.

We had four meetings to read and discuss the portion before us (reading meetings – 1 Timothy 4v13). We also had two meetings that where open for at least two but no more than three to have opportunity to share what the Lord has placed on their hearts (Open ministry – 1 Corinthians 14v29).

The first Reading meeting - Matthew 13v1-23 was read and this first meeting was given over to introductory remarks and many were at liberty to contribute.

Our attention was drawn to the temple but the Lord was greater than temple Matthew 12v6. It was then drawn to Jonah, a picture of the Lords death and resurrection, and Jesus being greater than Jonah Matthew 12v40. Finally we considered the great wisdom of Solomon yet Jesus was greater than Solomon Matthew 12v42.

At the end of chapter 12 the Lord takes advantage of His mother and His brethren seeking Him to introduce a break with Israel and establish new ties with those that do the will of His Father. A number contributed other scripture references to further establish the fact of this break with Israel.

The first parable is not a similitude of the Kingdom of Heaven for the Kingdom of Heaven did not begin until Christ ascended to heaven and the sowing of the seed was going on when the Lord was still on earth though it continues while He is away.

We briefly discussed the twelve aspects of the kingdom with the unique features of each aspect.

The Kingdom - The Kingdom of God - The Kingdom of our father David - The Kingdom of Heaven - The Kingdom of the Son of Man - The Kingdom of the Father - The Kingdom of My Father - The Kingdom of His Dear Son - The Kingdom of our God - The Kingdom of Christ - The Heavenly Kingdom – and The Everlasting Kingdom of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Keeping in mind that there is only one kingdom but it is looked at many different ways.

The features of the Kingdom of Heaven we found to be, first that the king was away and second that a mixture of good and evil had developed in His absence. Yet, He still reigns from heaven in men, women and households where He and His word is owned. David was referred to as being rejected and yet he was the true king.

Today this mixture may be referred to as professing Christendom but we found that the Kingdom of Heaven also continues through the tribulation and the thousand years of the world-to-come after the church has been taken to be with the Lord.

Though there is a mixture and some had hardened their hearts, the heart of the Lord goes out to all, Ruth was given as an example.

A few remarks concluded the meeting. The good ground being that which is in agreement with God. In Ruth chapter 1, Naomi went through some very difficult times. The Spirit works in the heart to break up the ground to make it good. Deuteronomy 31v12 gather the people together that they may hear.

The second Reading meeting - Matthew 13v1-23 was read again. The word parable is mentioned 12 times. It is something that is drawn from natural things that we can relate to. It is from two Greek words, para meaning along side or parallel and ballo meaning to cast down. A parable then has a spiritual meaning, along side the natural, that is not understood by all. It is intentional and only for those who truly belong to Christ.

He came out of the house of Israel and goes to the gentiles. Reading Acts and some of Paul’s writings it seems that some that may have come out of the house with him brought some of the furniture with them as there were some that wanted to bring the gentiles under some of the bondage of the law.

Something new was going to take place. The field was cleared, no more vine or fig tree which speaks of Israel for they rejected their Messiah. The Lord was sowing the seed at that time but it continues to be sown by others today. Ecclesiastes 11v1-2 was suggested as an example of the responsibility of those who sow today.

The Lord was looking for a 100% yield but some things hinder. Some are not His at all and the Lord is looking for reality. He does not want just a change of habits or an outward appearance with no real inward change.

Isaiah 6 was quoted here showing that some had no heart for the word of God. Yet, the seed is precious and there is love behind it. The Lord makes it clear that His true followers have a special ability to enter into some secrets that have not been revealed before. What privileges we have and we should value the precious things He has for us in His word.

It was noticed that Caleb’s daughter valued what might be looked at as the word of God. Her desire for springs of water was granted but Caleb wisely gave also the nether springs. The upper springs flow into the land but the nether flow out. We were reminded that the Jordan flows into the Dead Sea but not out and there is no life there, but the Jordan flows both into and out of the Sea of Galilee and it is full of fish. When dealing with younger Christians it is good to give them the word of God but also eventually give them an opportunity to share what they learned with others.

The third Reading meeting - Matthew 13 v 18-23 was read. A couple questions were asked at the beginning of the meeting. What is fruit bearing? What scriptures do we have that tells us what the fruit is?

Our attention was drawn first to Galatians 5:22-23, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law” than to John 12:24, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit” and finally to Hebrews 12:11, “Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.”

All of the items mentioned here can all be found in Christ, they are features that mark Him. To reproduce these features in others He had to die. Some other applications of what fruit bearing is were mentioned.

An example of those that received the seed on the way side was found in John 5 v 16 – 18, They had no intention to receive Christ. Their hearts were hard and the seed found no environment in which it could germinate.

An example of the stony place hearers was found in John 6 v 60-66, “From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.” Some are attracted to those that are marked by good clean living but they do not have life in themselves and when difficulties arise they move on. Persecution always brings out who is real.

An example of those who heard the word among thorns was found in John 13v27-30, Judas was with the Lord and often witnessed the wonderful things that He did. He was so close yet the deceitfulness of riches kept him from real blessing.

These examples are all of unbelievers yet those who are real need to take notice so the same similar snares do not keep them from producing more of the fruit that the Lord so desires.

In Matthew 13 the good ground produced fruit some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold because the emphases is on the soil that is the heart of man. In Mark 4 it produced some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred because the emphases is on the sower the perfect servant. In Luke 8 it bares fruit an hundredfold because the emphases is on the seed that is the word of God.

In this parable we find that the word of God is absolutely necessary if there is going to be anything for the pleasure of God.

The first Open ministry meeting - The first speaker took us to Exodus 6 and the Lord said unto Moses – he mentioned those who God used to write His word. All three in the Godhead were involved and we are warned not to add or take away from the word. A number of references were brought before us to show the importance of God’s word. Proverbs 30v5-6, Revelation 22v18, Psalm 19v7, Isaiah 48, Psalm 119 in verse 9 the word cleanses - in v11 it keeps you from sin - v28 strengthens - v41 salvation - v76 comforts - v 103 it is sweet to taste and v170 it delivers, Psalm 114 hope in his word, Psalm 25 life, Psalm 89 v30 shows how valuable is it to you and me. In Nehemiah 8 they were to bring the book – they were attentive to the book - stood up v 6 bless the lord – read distinctly - the people wept – the people rejoiced.

The second speaker brought before us that those in Berea were more noble as they searched the word. There was a fresh word of God coming through Paul. In 1 Thessalonians 5v16-22 we find instructions for us so the word of God would not be hindered. In Mark 16v19-20 we see the power that marked those that first took out the word of God.

The third speaker drew our attention to Galatians 6v10, how we will have opportunities but also interruptions. There are things that can not be recovered if we miss the opportunities. Seek to be alert to take advantages of these opportunities.

The Children’s meeting - The word of God was compared to a Hammer, seed, soap, water, light, honey and bread. The children each received a little something to remind them of God’s word.

The fourth Reading meeting - Matthew 13v24-58 was read. It was suggested that we continue with the parables.

The wheat and the tares tell us of the mixture that is developing while the king is away. They did not notice the tares for a while and all had to be left until the harvest. In the history of the church we find that some tried to root up the tares but did much harm to the wheat. At the harvest the tares will be bound into bundles to be burned, possibly the ecumenical movement.

We are told that the mustard seed is the smallest of all seed yet it became (mysteriously, as the Bible Dictionary puts it) a tree. In other words it was not intended to grow into this tree. The birds lodged or found a habitation there. We found the birds are evil things and they found a place where they could be completely at home. The followers of the Lord were not intended to develop something great in this world. This is not our home we are just passing through. Yet some have have made it into something great and at times tried to rule the world.

The leaven was put into three measures of meal. Leaven in scripture always speaks of something undesirable. The leaven of Galatia was evil doctrine – they were trying to put believers back under law. The leaven of Corinth was evil practice – they were allowing unchecked sin. The leaven of Herod was worldliness – the activity of his birthday party proves this. The leaven of the Pharisees was hypocrisy – they forced others to do things that they would not do themselves. The leaven of the Sadducees was infidelity – they did not believe in angels or the resurrection. Here in Matthew 13 the woman was hiding something in the meal, introducing something that should not be there. Linking the woman here with the woman in Zechariah 5 suggests it is idolatry.

The last three parables were spoken in private to His disciples.

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. Matthew 13:44

With the mustard seed it was small and never intended to grow into something great. What has grown into something great is what man has done. Those who are walking by faith do not seek a great place in this world. They are hid to the eyes of man. The treasure then represents the whole heavenly company. Each gem is the result of varying amounts of heat and pressure.

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. Matthew 13:45-46

The pearl is formed by something being introduced that damages the creature. It consists of the same material as the creature. The word schulamite is feminine for Solomon a picture of Christ and His bride. The value of a good pearl is always far above rubies.

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Mat 13:47-50

The net is the gospel net. In this day it is the gospel of the grace of God and at other times it is the gospel of the kingdom. Some are affected by the good news but never really turn to Christ. The Lord knows those that are His. We do what we can to bring people into the local gathering where they should be cared for and nourished up in the things of God. But, in the end of the age, that is the end of the world to come, the angels will be used to administer the results of judgment.

The second open ministry meeting - The first speaker drew our attention to two words - pleased and satisfied. Isaiah 53v12 it pleased the Lord. God is satisfied with Jesus we are satisfied as well. Colossians 1v 18 for it pleased the Father. 2 Peter 1v16 this is my beloved son in whom he is well pleased. John 8v29 I do always those things which please him. Psalm 107 v8-9 he has satisfied the longing soul.

The second speaker started with 1 Corinthians 2v9 God has revealed these precious things through his word. Ephesians 1v19 what is the exceeding greatness of his power. The word for power is the word for dynamite, it explodes downward. The Spirit takes what we have read in God’s word and takes it down into our souls that it becomes part of us so we can walk in it. Colossians 1v9 knowledge, wisdom and spiritual understanding. Knowledge we get from hearing and reading God’s word. Wisdom has the answer to every moral question. Spiritual understanding according to the concordance means to put it together. A head knowledge of the word of God is a good start but it can do harm if we can not rightly put it together with the circumstances and end up misapplying the word. This has caused a lot of sorrow among God’s people.

In Luke 4 we find that the word of God is sufficient. The Lord uses it to combat every attack of the enemy. It was mentioned that Albert Hayhoe was once in London and was listening to a communist spewing his doctrine. Albert started to quote a verse to answer every statement the man said. The man eventually walked away defeated.

In Colossians 2v8 we read of the philosophy of men. The mind of man is actively pursuing many channels of thought ever learning but never coming to the knowledge of the truth. But, grace and truth comes by Jesus Christ and ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free. In this we see that the word of God is superior to the thoughts of men.

It has been suggested that Daniel may have written Psalm 119, be that as it may whoever wrote it had a real love for the word of God. It seems that in the 176 verses the word is referred to 176 times. There are some verses where it is not found but there are some where it is found twice. Verse 105, “thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path”.

In Matthew we saw that the word of God is necessary, in Luke 4 it is sufficient and in Colossians 2 it is superior to all others.

The third speaker also drew our attention to the importance of the word of God. 2 Timothy 3 gives us a good picture of what is going on around us today. But Timothy was encouraged to continue thou in the things you have learned and as a child thou has known the holy scriptures. Saturate your minds with the word of God and it will help to know God’s mind in what ever circumstances we may come into.

The founding fathers of this country had their minds saturated with the word of God. Many of their impromptu speeches revealed their knowledge of the word of God and how much the word was part of their every day lives.

The Lord did answer our prayers for the conference and the liberty was enjoyed by all.