North Branch Bible Church

11/08/2019

Bob Feliszak, our dear brother in Christ, has left this world and back to the Heavenly Home with the Lord at 9:45 am, Nov 7, 2019. The night before, the prayer meeting was held at his house, although he could not speak, but sensed that he was surrounded by prayer warriors from the church.

I personally feel sad, for he started his journey of pilgrims at Saturday Bible Study at NBBC, and he finished successfully today; in that aspect, I also feel happy for him; for he surely is in a place that The Lord had promised him -- "For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; ‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’ ” --(Revelation 7:17)

Many things regarding his memorial service will be taken care of by the church. Detail will be announced at the due time. Please keep his family member in your prayer.

03/15/2019

Dear Friends,

Psalm 90 records a prayer by Moses.
Psalm 90:2 Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
Psalm 90:10 The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away.
These verses are full of sorrow of life span which is not only short but also overwhelmed by toil and trouble; deep in the heart of the psalmist which is not expressed by the wording is the yearning for eternity.

Famous mathematician and philosopher Blaise Pascal had said: “the only good thing in this life is the hope of another life,...” (Pansees)
According to Psalm 90, Moses did not seem to have any idea about life after this one, otherwise we would have seen "eternal life" in the wording. However, in the new Testament, John 3:16 For God so love the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Eternal life is a very important element in Christian Faith. How come God did not reveal it to His chosen people in the Old Testament? Or did He? If He did, where in the scripture and how?
That is the subject we are going to talk about in the coming Saturday (March 16). Anybody is welcomed to come and join the discussion.

Topic: "From Everlasting to Everlasting"
Scripture: Psalm 90; Act 23:8; Job 14:1~15; Job 19:23~26; Dan 12:1~4; Gen 5:24; Gen 18:10; Mat 1:20~23; Joh 3:16
Time: 8:30 AM ~10:30 AM, March 16, 2019
Location: North Branch Bible Church; 3030 Central Road, Glenview.
Entrance: Second (eastern) Door from parking lot.
Breakfast included, just bring the Bible and yourself and, if possible, your friends.
Contact number: (847) 532-9605

Hope see you there,
Jonathan

03/07/2019

In the mid-first-century, Apostle Paul traveled to Athen from Berea to flee from troubles caused by some elements of local synagogues, Paul ended up staying in Athen for a while; he was so often rejected by synagogues, so he grabbed this opportunity to bring the gospel to the local Athenians.

Act 17:19 And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting?

Areopagus (Mars Hill) is a huge rock situated on the foot of Acropolis of Athen, where famous Parthenon Temple still stands today. In those days, Areopagus was used by Athenians for Judicial judgments, philosophical debate, and other civic activities. It was very natural that those Athenians brought Paul to this spot and listen to his preaching. Attached are pictures of Areopagus today. I was so much amazed that I stood on the same spot that apostle Paul once stood and preached the gospel to those Athenians; Paul's sermon in that day is recorded in Acts 17:22~34

What the sermon on the Areopagus is all about? The preaching (what), time (when), location (where), the Apostle and his Athenian audience (who) and the message (Why), all elements of a true events are there to witness the Truth -- Jesus Christ. This is one example to show what Christianity is -- it is a faith based on evidences. It is not a blind faith.

On the coming Saturday we will study Paul's sermon on the rock of Areopagus. It contains very interesting subjects for us to investigate and discuss.

Topics: On the rock of Areopagus; Scripture: Acts 17:23~34
Location: North Branch Bible Church, 3030 Central Road, Glenview
Entrance: Eastern door (second door from parking lot)
Time: 8:30 AM ~10:30 AM; March 9, 2019
Breakfast included, visitors very much welcomed.

02/07/2019

Dear Friends:

There are some important issues in our lives, one of them is its meaning. Although we may not see big differences by overlooking it, having a well defined meaning would bring us very positive long term impacts on our lives.

In our next study (Feb 9), we will discuss the following topic:

"Meaning and The Truth"

In this discussion, we will quote from John 18:33~19:16, we also will review the scientific and philosophic view in comparison with the Biblical view of the meaning of life and its relation with The Truth. The goal of this study is to align our lives with the meaning that God assigned to everyone who come to exist in this world. At whatever stage of seniority, we still have very meaningful lives to live on the earth until we see Him face to face in His Kingdom.

Come and join us, bring your friends and folks, everyone is welcomed.

Time: 8:30 AM ~10:30 AM; Saturday (Feb 9)
Location: North Branch Bible Church; 3030 Central Rd, Glenview; Second (eastern) door from parking lot.
Breakfast included.

God Bless,

Jonathan

01/31/2019

Dear friends,

Finally the polar vortex is almost over, hope all of you are kept warm and safe. For many of us, Saturday morning has been a very delightful time, for we rest and meet our Lord through His Word on the day of Shabbat.

Due to the severe weather, we canceled last two Bible Studies on Saturday, I personally missed this gathering and joyful fellowship. Now we will have much warmer temperature on Saturday, although still rainy, however, that is nothing comparing with this arctic vortex.

God permits, we will meet on Saturday (February 2) morning on time: 8:30 AM, in the Bible Study Room; NBBC.

This week's topic: Samson (Judges chapter 13~16)

If you grew up in church, you may recall your heros in the Bible through Sunday school. Samson may be one of your favorites, especially for boys. However, it would be a grave mistake if we thought God put figures like Samson in the Bible just to satisfy children's adventurous curiosity; Unlike other figures of the Bible, Samson's character is problematic. He is valiant yet ruthless. What can we learn from the story of this figure with such a questionable character? What is the core messages this fascinating story of Samson carries? Does it has anything to do with our lives?

Friends, solving these questions may not be of urgent in your lives, it is definitely, in my opinion, one of the important issues about how to live our lives on earth.

Please come and enjoy. Breakfast is included; New friends will be welcomed wholeheartedly.

God Bless,

Jonathan

07/24/2016

Noah's Ark Encounter
*Days after white doves and shofar horns christened the opening of a new Noah's Ark attraction in northern Kentucky, the land-anchored ship welcomed a conspicuous and curious visitor: Bill Nye "the Science Guy."

'Absolutely Wrong': Bill Nye the Science Guy Takes on Noah's Ark Exhibit
*http://www.nbcnews.com/…/absolutely-wrong-bill-nye-science-…


Is this model presented by Noah's Ark Encounter accurate? It is not according to Bill Nye the Science Guy. He sees no historicity in the story of Noah's Ark,

It is almost impossible to uncover historicity of Biblical records in Genesis without disputation.

The historicity of pyramids meet little doubts; however, what do pyramids mean to ordinary humankind? Not much beyond the historical records for academic curiosity; on the other hand, Exodus are questioned by many historians; yet numerous minds and souls hear the message of salvation from the history of the Hebrew slaves (who built great pyramids); This message resonates in our minds and souls for more than 3 thousands years and still on. Pyramids are dead history, and Exodus is a living message.

History without spiritual implication is dead. That is why I am not interested in the accuracy of the model presented by the Noah's Ark Encounter. If we don't hear the message of Salvation from Noah's Ark, then however accurate the model presents is meaningless but a dead historical record. Historians, scientists and ordinary folks like you and me can easily question the historicity of Noah's Ark. For me, that is not the point.

The point is do we hear the message? what does Noah's Ark mean to you? Historicity can only bring you a dead record for your curiosity. The true power of the Noah's Ark is in the message of Salvation; a very loud voice from God, which can be heard through spiritual ear.

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05/25/2016

Caesarea Maritima

This is the ruins of governor's palace of ancient Roman colony of Caesarea, "Herod's praetorium" (Acts 23:35), built by Herod the Great about 25 -13 BC, located on nowadays Mediterranean coast of Israel.

One of the most significant event happened in this place, right on the spot shown in the picture 2000 years ago, is recorded on the scripture:Act 23:23~30

Then he called two of the centurions and said, “Get ready two hundred soldiers, with seventy horsemen and two hundred spear-men to go as far as Caesarea at the third hour of the night. Also provide mounts for Paul to ride and bring him safely to Felix the governor.” And he wrote a letter to this effect:“Claudius Lysias, to his Excellency the governor Felix, greetings. This man was seized by the Jews and was about to be killed by them when I came upon them with the soldiers and rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman citizen. And desiring to know the charge for which they were accusing him, I brought him down to their council. I found that he was being accused about questions of their law, but charged with nothing deserving death or imprisonment. And when it was disclosed to me that there would be a plot against the man, I sent him to you at once, ordering his accusers also to state before you what they have against him.”

Apostle Paul testified here (most likely right on this spot shown in the picture) before Felix (the Roman governor):

"But this I confess to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our fathers, believing everything laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets, having a hope in God, which these men (high priests, the accusers) themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and unjust."

Paul was kept here for two years before he set out to Rome to finish his race.

(Taken from Saturday Bible Study at NBBC -- a fellowship since 2004)

05/20/2016

The Temple

Joh 2:18~21 "So the Jews said to him, "What sign do you show us for doing these things?" Jesus answered them, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." The Jews then said, "It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?" But he was speaking about the temple of his body."

The Jews were talking about the physical temple that stood on the top of temple mount; where people should worship God. But what Jesus said is that everything that Mosaic Law teaches is the foreshadow of Christ, when the true light comes, the shadow disappeared.

This pile of rocks sit next to the western wall of temple mount in Jerusalem. The temple which housed the Holy of Holies was located on top of the temple mount. In 70 AD, Roman army led by Titus besieged and sacked Jerusalem; these building blocks are the remains of the temple structure after destruction, were thrown over the western wall of the temple mount by Roman soldiers and stayed there until today. These rocks are the archaeological evidences for this historical event.

Joh 4:25 The woman said to him, "I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he will tell us all things."
Joh 4:26 Jesus said to her, "I who speak to you am he."

Taken from Saturday Bible Study at NBBC -- A fellowship since 2004

05/17/2016

"You shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation" (Exodus 19:6)

These words are what God told Moses in the wilderness of Sinai before giving Israelite Ten Commandments. The Israelite is expected to be "a kingdom of priests"; it is truly beyond my comprehension that Israel as a nation bears the status of "kingdom of priest" and is holy in God's eye.

Priest - is a person who appeal to God on behave of men; and we recognize immediately that who is our Greatest Priest -- Yeshua HaMoshiach (Jesus Christ).

But men as "a kingdom of priests"? The Mosaic covenant points out the deficiency of the nation of Israel to become "a kingdom of priests". Yet the Mosaic covenant is also a foreshadow of the New Covenant:

To him (Christ) who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. (Revelation 1:5~6)

The world thinks only those non-educated who cannot think for themselves believe in Yeshua. It is true that there are disciples with limited education from this world; However, education may bring us smartness but not necessary wisdom. I have friends who are very successful in the field of science and medicine, they choose to drop their Ph.D. title from their name card; they rather prefer the status that Yeshua give; for the scripture says:

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his (God's) own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. (1 Peter 2:9)

I had worked for a big pharmaceutical company, one of the very successful CEO retired at the peak of his long career, within three years after he retired, very few people in the company knew who was the previous boss.

We may be nobody and despised in this world, very few people know who we are, and if they know they don't care. But as disciples we are a people for His Own possession, we are sinners, but we also have a status of His royal priesthood.

For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. (Psalm 16:10)