A Prisoner for
Christ
Paul, a prisoner, bravely
faced King Agrippa and other
powerful men as he explained his
belief about Jesus. In doing so, Paul simply spoke
the truth about a personal experience that actually
happened to him on the road to Damascus.
“About noon, O king, as I was on the
road, I saw a light from heaven, brighter
than the sun, blazing around me and my
companions. We all fell to the ground, and
I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic,
‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is
hard for you to kick against the goads.” * (Goad= prod or “You are only hurting yourself.” The Living Bible)
Then I asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’
‘I am Jesus, whom you are
persecuting,’ the Lord replied.” Paul definitely had seen the Light of God; in
fact, it physically blinded him for a time.
In accurately reporting this event to these
officials, Paul did so sincerely, as an eyewitness,
because he knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that
Jesus had spoken to him and then had sent him “to
open” the eyes of men and women, turning them
from darkness to God’s powerful Light. Jesus’
Divine intervention changed Paul’s life forever,
rescuing him from a religion that denied the sacred
birth of the Greatest Hope in the world, Jesus
Christ, our Redeemer.
After Paul finished sharing his eyewitness
account, King Agrippa, still skeptical, said to him,
“Do you think that in such a short time you can
persuade me to be a Christian?”
Paul’s humble response was and is Eternally
Significant, reaching all the way to 2008.
“Short time or long – I pray God that not only you
but all who are listening to me today may become
what I am, except for these chains.”
Paul, the persecutor of Christians, had
become a Believer in the Savior of all mankind, and
he spent the rest of his life as a servant of the
Gospel. Soon Paul was preaching the message that
righteousness with God comes only through
believing and trusting in Jesus Christ. Although
cynics attacked his credibility, no one could deny
that Paul’s life had been forever changed that day
on the road to Damascus.
Many, many years ago, Paul told a true story
to doubtful leaders who seemed to reject his
eyewitness account. And yet, that “Message of
Hope” continues - as powerful and accurate – as it
did soon after Christ died and was resurrected.
“For God so loved the world that He gave
His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him
shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did
not send His Son into the world to condemn the
world, but to save the world through Him.” John 3
Contents:
A Prisoner for Christ 1
Happy Thanksgiving & Anita 2
Helesteo 3
Christ and His Bride – Byrum 3
Christ and His Bride 4,5
Beautiful Zion 6
A Look at the Book of Matthew 6
Matthew & Letters 7
*Volume 105 *No. 09 *Published by Christian Triumph Co. *Permit # 695 *NOVEMBER 2008
2
“O Lord my God, I will give you thanks
forever.”
Psalm 30:12
Feasting
by Anita
The Thanksgiving meal is one that most
of us look forward to with pleasure. Not only is
the food enjoyable but also the company –
usually friends and family.
Of course, clean up time involves more of
a tasteless type of expectation. Large stacks of
dishes, cups and cooking utensils, as well as
excuses for delay, are easy to find: “I’m too
tired…too full…let’s visit…or we’ve been in this
kitchen too long!” Yet to procrastinate may not
be in one’s best interest.
There is another kind of “feasting,”
however, that brings complete & perfect delight.
Jesus issued this personal invitation to each one
of us “…Come and dine…” in John 21:12.
“Feasting with the Lord” is not only enjoyable
but also essential in our busy lives.
Food for this “feasting” comes from the
Holy Bible because God’s Word fills us with
instruction, direction, guidance and history
lessons. “Hope” and a closer understanding of
God fully satisfy our hunger and thirst.
Sacred music also presents immeasurable
amounts of spiritual pleasure, comforting and
soothing our need for nourishment.
Gospel literature, poetry, and missionary
books are food for the soul as well as spirit-filled
church services that support and enlighten.
����
Visiting with those who are ill or cannot get out
and about
provides a
very special
time of
“feasting”
and
fulfillment.
Similarly, when the Thanksgiving meal is
over and it is time for cleaning up all those
dishes and utensils, Christians, too, need to find
the time for their eternal souls to be cleansed and
fed. Waiting for a “better time” may mean not
having “the time” at all.
SONG: COME AND DINE
“Jesus has a table spread where the saints of
God are fed. He invites His chosen people,
‘Come and dine.’ With His manna He doth feed
and supplies our every need. Oh, ‘tis sweet to sup
with Jesus all the time…”
Anita – “Please take time to feast with our
Wonderful Lord, not only at Thanksgiving but
throughout the coming year.” (edited)
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3
The Church of Today
And Tomorrow
Helesteo - at Christian Triumph
What Money Can Buy! (An original article written for the El Mensajero by
eleven year old Helesteo & translated by him
for the Faith Messenger.)
Money can buy houses, cars, food, hotels,
pools, and televisions, but money cannot buy the
blood of Jesus or God. The blood of Jesus paid for
everything because God is everything.
Some persons wear the Crucifix with Jesus
hanging on it (as a piece of jewelry) but this does
not have value because Jesus (God) is the only One
Who is of (the highest) value and can bring us
through. There is no other!
Exodus 20: “You shall have no other gods before
Me. You shall not make for yourself an idol in the
form of anything in heaven above or on the earth
beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow
down to them or worship them…”
______________________________________________________
Have a blessed Thanksgiving!
Christian Triumph is thankful for each
and every person who is a part of this
ministry. Approximately 3300 Faith
Messengers are mailed monthly to our
readers, and we greatly appreciate you.
CHRIST AND HIS BRIDE Byrum C. Lee
GOD'S SYMBOLIC RELATIONSHIP WITH ISRAEL
In the Old Testament there are numerous
places where God is described as being married to
Israel, such as Isaiah 54:5: “(Y)our Maker is your
husband—the Lord Almighty is his name—the
Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called
the God of all the earth.” Because of Abraham's
faithfulness, God chose Abraham and his
descendants from among all others as a peculiar
people, special to himself. The uniting of a man
and a woman in marriage is the closest, and ideally
the most beautiful, of all human relationships. In
Mark 10:8, quoting from Genesis 2:24 Christ said,
“they are no longer two but one.” This is what God
hoped for in the relationship between himself and
Israel, only to be heart-broken by her frequent
flirtations with other gods, so that God even
described Israel as an adulteress.
When God created Eve as a life-partner for
Adam, he intended that the husband/wife
relationship should be that of one man/woman for
life. For a time, allowance was made for a man to
take more than one wife, but sharing the marriage
bed was always fraught with problems even within
Abraham's own family. However, polygamy wasn't
God's plan for the human family. In his relationship
with Israel God demanded exclusivity. The second
of the Ten Commandments decreed, “Thou shalt
have no other gods before (besides) me. . . for I, the
Lord thy God, am a jealous God” (Exodus 20:3,5
KJV). However, the history of Israel reveals many
occasions of unfaithfulness to God; she frequently
joined with her neighbors in worshiping the Baals.
In Jeremiah, chapter 3, God expresses his
frustration with Israel (the ten northern tribes)
because of her infidelities, causing him to ponder
the thought of divorcing her. (Continued on Page 4)
4
(Continued) Christ and His Bride But he remained hesitant about doing so,
commenting, “If a man divorces his wife and she
leaves him and marries another man, should he
return to her again? Would not the land be
completely defiled? But you have lived as a
prostitute with many lovers—would you now return
to me?” (3:1). What should God do? Through her
repeated prostitutions with other gods, Israel had
broken her covenant, but should he divorce her,
with no possibility of restoration? As we look
further, God says, “I gave faithless Israel her
certificate of divorce and sent her away because of
her infidelities” (vs 8).
But should the divorce decree be
permanent? Because of his promise to Abraham,
and his undying love for Israel, we find God
offering the opportunity for restoration, even
pleading, “Return, faithless people, for I am your
husband.” However, with little expectation of a
wholesale return, God extended the invitation on an
individual basis, saying, “I will choose you—one
from a town and two from a clan—and bring you to
Zion. Then I will give you shepherds after my own
heart, who will lead you with knowledge and
understanding” (Jeremiah 3:14,15).
The people in Judah, not unlike the northern
tribes, were continually following after the strange
gods of the neighboring nations. And through the
prophet Isaiah,God asks, “Where is your mother's
certificate of divorce with which I sent her away?
Or to which of my creditors did I sell you? Because
of your sins you were sold; because of your
transgressions your mother was sent away. When I
came, why was no one there? When I called why
was there no answer? Was my arm too short to
ransom you?” (Isaiah 50:1,2a).
The history of Israel/Judah records repeated
periods of unfaithfulness to their God, which he
viewed as infidelities. But repeatedly God sent
messengers who pleaded with them to return to him.
The prophet Hosea (whose name is the same root as
Joshua and Jesus, meaning 'Salvation'), was
instructed by God to “take to yourself an adulterous
wife and children of unfaithfulness,” (Hosea 1:2).
In obedience, the prophet married Gomer, who
broke his heart time and again by her
continued infidelities.
God used this as a parallel, symbolically
representing his relationship with Israel, saying,
“the land is guilty of the vilest adultery in departing
from the Lord. (1:2) . . .I will put an end to the
kingdom of Israel. (1:4) . . .for you are not my
people, and I am not your God. (1:9) . . . (Israel) is
not my wife, and I am not her husband. (2:2) . . . I
will expose her lewdness. (2:10) . . . I will punish
her for the days she burned incense to the Baals.
(2:14) . . . They have deserted the Lord to give
themselves to prostitution. (4:14). Like Adam they
have broken the covenant” (6:6). But in spite of
Gomer's many prostitutions God instructed Hosea
to be reunited with her, and to “Love her as the
Lord loves the Israelites, though they turn to other
gods” (3:1).
The above several excerpts from the book of
Hosea sufficiently illustrate that by Israel's repeated
infidelities God would have been justified in
divorcing himself from her permanently. And yet,
because of his promise to Abraham, and his great
love for Israel, God determined to win her back to
himself, saying, “I am going to allure her, . . .and
speak tenderly to her.” (Hosea 2:14). But for all of
God's attempts to win her back to himself his efforts
proved futile. Yet he continued to hope for a better
future, saying, that although “(they) will live many
days without king or prince . . . afterward (they)
will return and seek the Lord their God and David
their king. They will come trembling to the Lord
and to his blessings in the last days” (3:4-5). This
passage is apparently a reference to Jesus, the Son
of David whom God promised to send as their king,
and of his plan for reestablishing the kingdom that
had been forfeited because of their unfaithfulness.
CHRIST'S RELATIONSHIP WITH THE NEW
ISRAEL—THE CHURCH
The prophet Isaiah had a glimpse into the
future when Christ would come to call Israel again
to Zion and would be their king, predicting, “The
ransomed of the Lord will return. They will enter
Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their
heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and
sorrow and sighing will flee away” (Isaiah 51:11).
Of that day the prophet envisioned, “I delight
greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. (Continued on Page 5)
5
(Continued) Christ and His Bride
For he has clothed me with garments of salvation
and arrayed me in a robe or righteousness, as a
bridegroom adorns his head, . . . and as a bride
adorns herself with her jewels”(Isaiah 61:10).
“(A)s a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will
your God rejoice over you” (Isaiah 62:5b).
In the Song of Solomon, God is depicted as
singing to his beautiful bride, the church, whom he
loves intensely, “How beautiful you are, my
darling; there is no flaw in you” (4:7).
Typically, when a young man is deeply in
love with his bride he can see nothing but flawless
beauty in her. That is how Christ will view his
church, when he comes to claim her as his bride,
“radiant . . . without stain or wrinkle or any other
blemish, but holy and blameless. . . This a profound
mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the
church” (Ephesians 5:27,32).
When Jesus was born in Bethlehem it was in
fulfillment of the promise of God, and the hope of
being reunited with his people, Israel as their Lord
and King. To demonstrate that Jesus was the
legitimate heir to the throne of David, Matthew
records Jesus' genealogy as a son of David and of
Abraham. And when wise men from the East, by
following his star, came to Jerusalem they asked,
“Where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we
have seen his star in the east, and are come to
worship him”(Matthew 1:2). But from the time of
his birth, when Herod sought to eliminate him, to
the day of his crucifixion, Jesus met with opposition
from the 'establishment.' Although the common
people heard him gladly, he was considered by the
religious leaders as a threat to their authority. “He
came unto his own (people), and his own received
him not, but as many as received him, to them gave
he power to become the sons of God” (John 1:11).
Addressing the mixed multitude gathered at
Jerusalem during the feast of Pentecost, Peter
declared, “let all Israel be assured of this: God has
made Jesus whom you crucified, both Lord and
Christ” (Acts 2:36). Much later, in a Sabbath
address at the synagogue in Antioch, Paul testified,
“'From this man's (David) descendants God has
brought to Israel the Savior Jesus, as he promised. .
. . Brothers, children of Abraham, and you God-
fearing Gentiles, it is to us that this message of
salvation has been sent’. . On the next Sabbath
almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of
the Lord. When the Jews saw the crowds, they
were filled with jealousy and talked abusively
against what Paul was saying. Then Paul and
Barnabas answered them boldly: 'We had to speak
the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and
do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life,
we now turn to the Gentiles. For this is what the
Lord has commanded us: 'I have made you
a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation
to the ends of the earth.'” (Acts 13:23,26,
44-47).
From that time, although the apostles
continued in their appeal to the Jews, they were
increasingly rejected, as Jesus had been, and they
turned to the Gentiles, who heard them gladly.
Addressing the Gentile Christians in Ephesus, Paul
wrote, “You who are Gentiles by birth were
excluded from citizenship in Israel, and foreigners
to the covenants. But now in Christ Jesus you who
once were far away have been brought near through
the blood of Christ. . . Consequently, you are no
longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens
with God's people and members of God's
household” (Ephesians 2:11,12-13,19). Through
Christ they had become a part of the new Israel of
God, something that even some of the Jewish
leaders in the church were slow to accept.
In controversy with certain Jews who
claimed, “We are Abraham's descendants,” Jesus
replied, “I know you are Abraham's descendants. .
.(but) if you were Abraham's children you would do
the things Abraham did” (John 8:33,37,39). In
agreement, Paul wrote, “not all who are descended
from Israel are Israel(ites). Nor because they are his
descendants are they all Abraham's children”
(Romans 9:6,7). In another place Paul wrote, “the
promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace,
and may be guaranteed to all Abraham's offspring—
not only to those who are of the law, but also to
those who are of the faith of Abraham. He is the
father of us all, as it is written: ‘I have made you a
father of many nations’” (Romans 4:16-17).
It is evident that God never divorced Israel,
but intended that they be incorporated into an
enlarged Israel composed of people from every
nation under the sun, including those who were not
descended from Abraham, but who shared the faith
of Abraham. (Continued- Page 6)
6
(Continued) Christ and His Bride But when the Jews rejected Jesus as their King,
even crucifying him, he instructed the apostles to go
into all the world with the message of the Kingdom
which would include all those, whether Jew or
Gentile, who believe in him as their Savior and
Lord. All the redeemed, including the Gentiles who
were once no people, have been inducted into his
church which is the true Israel of God today.
This is the beautiful bride of Christ for whom he
will one day return for a great wedding in the air.
John, the Revelator, saw a beautiful vision,
of which he wrote: “I saw the Holy city, the new
Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God,
prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her
husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne
saying, 'Now the dwelling of God is with men, and
he will live with them. They will be his people, and
God himself will be with them and be their God…’
(And) one of the angels . . . said to me, 'Come, I
will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.' And
he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great
and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem,
coming down out of heaven from God. It shone
with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like
that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as
crystal” (Revelation 21:1-3,9-11). May the
bridegroom hasten the day of his appearing to claim
his bride!
BEAUTIFUL ZION
God so loved Zion's beautiful gates,
That He chose to build His temple there,
Where for Him the people would wait,
As glorious things He would with them share.
On that same hill Abraham brought his son,
Giving back to God the “promised one,”
Not knowing that God was providing
A ram that nearby He was hiding.
But on that same hill God's only Son,
For your sins and mine had to die.
To replace His Son there would be none,
For only He our freedom could buy.
Zion was of God's church a great type,
Which He founded when the time was ripe.
The church, composed of all the redeemed,
Is by her Lord immensely esteemed.
'Twas on Christ her foundation was laid,
And to her God's saints love to gather.
Of the Holy City, God once said
That “this and that one were born in her.”
From all the world, people come to her,
And through her find the inspiration
To go from there almost everywhere,
Sharing the good news with each nation.
Byrum C. Lee 08/2008
����
A LOOK AT THE
BOOK OF MATTHEW SERMON ON THE MOUNT
Chapter 5
(Reference for this study comes from the Holy Bible
as well as the book,
The Gospel of Matthew, Volume 1
By William Barclay)
Matthew 5: 29, 30
“If your right eye proves a stumbling-block to
you, tear it out and throw it away from you; for
it is better that one part of your body should be
destroyed, than that your whole body should go
away to Gehenna. If your right hand proves a
stumbling-block to you, cut it off and throw it
away from you; for it is better for you that one
part of your body should be destroyed than that
your whole body should go away to Gehenna.”
With these words, Jesus is making an
important, spiritual- surgical demand: whatever
would cause a person to sin must be removed from
his or her life.
“What good is it for a man to gain the whole
world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?” Luke 9
We were created to live with God, today and
eternally; however, sin - an action void of love –
will surely keep us from God’s presence, as well as
result in personal pain and sorrow.
Just for one quick moment, imagine sin as a
rock hiding in the pathway of a person enjoying an
autumn stroll. Suddenly, the walker steps on the
rock, turning his ankle and falls to the ground in
pain. Sin is like that rock: deceptive, yet often
portrayed as a unique but natural thing. Instead, it
7
becomes a stumbling-block planned purposely to
“trip up” one’s relationship with God and others.
Life can be tricky and complex, but
choosing the ways of sin to improve things will
only increase the frustrations of confusion and
chaos. Why? Because wrong or unhealthy choices
only lure us to heartbreaking, personal betrayal.
In contrast, making a decision to stop, to
think, and to remove the unhelpful, unhealthy and
just plain wrong things in our lives will enable us to
sort out mistakes and change direction. We’ll be
able to find answers to perplexing relationships as
we take time to ask God for His guidance in what is
important to Him, ourselves, and others.
It is a true fact, experienced by many
persons, that God’s Word and ways are
unbelievably productive and miraculous. Many
times God called to His Beloved, “Come back to
Me,” and “I will return to you.” God’s ways are not
only merciful but bring total satisfaction.
Temptations, destructive habits, and
addictions are extremely hard to struggle with and
Jesus’ command to “tear out” those damaging
patterns comes from an understanding “Greater
Power” than any human being can imagine.
In asking for His Divine help, we can be
assured that His Power is ready and available.
Then we can begin to help ourselves. A supportive
suggestion might be: fill the void of unhealthy or
sinful patterns by thinking on these things:
“whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is
right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever
is admirable…excellent or praiseworthy…” (Phil.4)
Overcoming may take dedicated personal
action - such as plunging into Christian service. In
helping others, it seems we concentrate less on our
losses, even those destructive ones.
“Lose your life to find it in Jesus.” Luke 9
An aged idea: replace a bad habit with a
good one. When temptation comes in its enticing
form, turn immediately and go another direction,
and do something else – think of something else.
Purposely, ask God for His strength and His
infilling with that Divine power which Jesus
displayed in His resurrection. His death on the cross
won our battles; and He lives again to give us hope
and a promise of life in Heaven. God the Holy
Spirit is active on this Earth in 2008, and there is
victory over sin and despair.
“We are more than conquerors through Him Who
loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor
life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present
nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor
depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able
to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ
Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8 (It’s a promise!)
Changing one’s lifestyle is challenging, but
God will empower that decision. Counseling may be
helpful.
December issue: Matthew 5:31-32
Thank you for mailing to me a copy of the book,
“Walking Man.” It was a very interesting story
about missionary work in Latin America. Narciso
mentioned the city of Mendoza, Argentina, in his
travels. I have contact with the Archers,
missionaries with World Gospel Missions…thank
you for the Faith Messenger paper. Today, I am
celebrating my 89th
birthday. Marion
I received the book (Walking Man) and am enjoying
reading it. Annabelle
We want to acknowledge the receiving of a book
entitled, “Walking Man”…thank you. Olive
Thank you very much for the book “Walking Man.”
I have read some and it is very interesting….Idell
I hope this will be a very profitable year for the
Lord. I appreciate each of you that carry on this
wonderful work. Lovingly Beverly
Would you please send me your Bible course in
English. I am interested in the Lord God and want
to learn as much as I can about the Bible…Paul
Unfortunately, at present, Christian Triumph has no
correspondence Bible course in English.
I appreciate your efforts and dedication to continue
the ministry of Sister Evelyn, her parents, and all
who have dedicated past years to spreading the
gospel. God bless you all…Doris
Faith Messenger Readers: Did you receive your
FREE book, Walking Man? This is our gift of
“Thanksgiving” to all our readers. Questions or
comments? Please write: Christian Triumph,
PO Box 5187, Corpus Christi, Texas 78465-5187
We are praying for your requests. Please
remember Narciso’s wife, Udelia, who is ill.
8
Faith Messenger
A publication of Christian Triumph Company
P.O. Box 5187 905 Bluntzer Corpus Christi, TX 78465
Address Service Requested
Praise the Lord, O my soul.Praise the Lord, O my soul.Praise the Lord, O my soul.Praise the Lord, O my soul.
O Lord my God, you are very O Lord my God, you are very O Lord my God, you are very O Lord my God, you are very
GGGGreat;reat;reat;reat;
You are cYou are cYou are cYou are clothedlothedlothedlothed
With splendor and majesty.With splendor and majesty.With splendor and majesty.With splendor and majesty.
Psalm 104Psalm 104Psalm 104Psalm 104
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