HARLEY

LESSON 1

When I met Harley in my 62^nd year I had less muscle and he had more pounds than if we had been introduced in, say, my 22^nd year. That earlier meeting would likely have spared his being dropped and my being “skint” several times while we were getting acquainted. And, getting Harley back on his feet also earned me some painful scoldings from a good half dozen muscle groups. Despite all this I never considered myself too old a dog to learn new tricks. However, I do admit that these “new tricks” did take the old dog a little longer than expected to learn them.

When I met Jesus in my 28^th year I had less time before me to get acquainted and more sin to conquer than if I had come to know Him in any of my previous years. Our meeting at an earlier time would have sparred me many scars, within and without; and, I would not have many of the memories I would rather be without. As great as our relationship is today, I am persuaded that my knowing Him earlier would have made my life better now, for I do believe older dogs learn much slower than puppies.

I am now in my 76^th year. Harley and I are still the best of friends, and, although we get together much less than we did when I was 62, I rehearse and cherish every lesson He taught me in these 14 years. I can say the same, and much more, of the 48 years I have known Jesus. To both of my friends, but especially to Jesus, I say, “I surely wish I had known you earlier. I am convinced that I would have been greatly benefited if I had.”

Eccl 12:1

1 Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;  KJV

Ps 71:17

17 O God, You have taught me from my youth, And I still declare Your wondrous deeds.   NASU

 

HARLEY

FOREWORD

Rom 1:18-2

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.

20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

Teaching models are abundant in the Scriptures. Shepherd and sheep, warfare, planting and harvesting, building a house and athletic games are just a few that are used in the Bible to illustrate and clarify the eternal principles of the Kingdom of God. In a word, we can understand the invisible things of God through the study of the natural creation.

The model I use in this writing is not a model from the Scriptures (contrary to the belief of some more avid bikers, Jesus did not ride a Harley, but a Donkey). However, my personal relationship with Harley has referred me to the scriptures many, many times. I ask that I might share some of these references with you as I recount the Lessons That Harley Taught Me.

 

KINGDOM CONSTITUTION

Wednesday Night Bible Study

CHAPTER FIVE

EVENTS PREVIOUS TO JESUS' TEACHING ON THE MOUNT

Matt 4:23-25

23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.

24 And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.

25 And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judaea, and from beyond Jordan.

BEGIN CONSTITUTION WITH BLESSING OF THE CALLED

Matt 5:1-12

5 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples [The twelve, or more?] came unto him:

2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,

3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

SCRIPTURE COMMENTARY ON WHO IS CALLED

1 Cor 1:17-31

17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise [skilled], and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent [intelligent].

SCRIPTURE COMMENTARY ON “WISE AND PRUDENT”

Matt 11:20-26

20 Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not:

21 Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.

22 But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you.

23 And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.

24 But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.

25 At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise [skilled] and prudent [intelligent], and hast revealed them unto babes.

26 Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.

CONTINUE SCRIPTURE COMMENTARY ON “WHO IS CALLED” AND, THEREFORE, “BLESSED”

1 Cor 1:20-31

20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer [sophist; intellectual] of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?

21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:

23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;

24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:

27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:

29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.

BLESSING OF THE CALLED

30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

HOW many of the Gospel writers were wise and prudent, mighty and noble in the worldly sense? Maybe Paul and Luke? Were all the writers “Poor in spirit?”  Was theirs the Kingdom of God?