But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. (1 Peter 2: 9-10)
Two verses so full of awesome information that many blog posts could be written about any one of them! If we are not careful we will think we are reading the Old Testament and the nation of Israel will come to mind... and I think that is God's intention. He knows that we have knowledge of His selection of the Abraham's descendants as His chosen people to tell the world about Him and so he uses our understanding of that to communicate His relationship with us.
The Christian "race" is different than the world view. The world view is about the color of the skin and the nation of one's origin. God's view is about the nation that we belong to after we make Jesus our king. Is the Christian race black? Sure! Is it white? Absolutely! Yellow? You bet! Red? No doubt! Now you are thinking back to VBS and the songs you sang as a child. Amazing isn't it? Truth was being poured out into your life and you didn't even know it. Red and yellow, black and white... they are precious in His sight! (right here is a great time to read 2 Cor 5: 11-21)
When we come to Him, we renounce our former citizenship and we are granted membership in a new nation, a holy nation, a nation set apart for His possession. That sounds pretty special! (great place to read Col 1:13) The Christian is no longer an American or a Canadian... now they are part of the Kingdom of His dear Son. That's what I want on my passport!
Citizenship brings responsibility. If you are a citizen of the United States, you are expected to obey the laws of the land and pay your taxes. (at a minimum) As citizens of God's kingdom, you have responsibilities as well. Peter tells us that we are to be busy proclaiming the excellencies of Him who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light. We are to tell others about this wonderful new place we live and about our amazing King. Why? Because once we were not a people. Once we had not received mercy. But now in His kingdom, we are a people and we have received mercy. He made us His nation, His people and He has granted us forgiveness.
That is something to talk about! Americans spend a lot of time telling the rest of the world about what a great nation we live in. What if Christians started doing the same? What if we told everyone about Him? What if we told everyone that we are part of a nation that belongs to Him? What if we told everyone that our citizenship last forever, that our nation will never fall? That's worth telling!
...that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light...
The second chapter of 1 Peter is filled with great news for the Christian. Try to find a few minutes to read and meditate on the truths that the apostle Peter, through the Holy Spirit has given to us. I spent a few minutes reading and thinking on these things before I went to sleep last night and woke us refreshed and ready to work in His kingdom. That is what His word will do for you. (great place to read Hebrews 4:12) Have a blessed day and remember your "re-birth" certificate has His nation as your place of citizenship.
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
Monday, November 18, 2013
Hebrews 13 - Final Thougths
The writer of Hebrews closes his thoughts in chapter 13 with lots of encouragement for the disciple. God knows we need it! Life has a way of beating us down, even when we are in the body of Christ. Christians are not immune to the pitfalls of this life. We will be rude. We will mistreat our neighbors. We will not treat our mates as we ought. We will get enamored with the things of this world. We will malign those that lead us. And... we will forget that Jesus made everything we have possible. We will do that and much more.
So God sends us this message of encouragement to help us stay on the right path. I need it. Boy, do I need it! In our current Sunday morning Bible study, we have been discussing sanctification. Certainly we all know that God's work in us is an ongoing process. Yes, when we come out of the waters of baptism, we have been sanctified, that is "set apart". God views us differently. Our position has changed, but our nature is still the same. Our thoughts and actions don't suddenly change... miraculously. Thankfully, He sends His Spirit to dwell in us to help us change as we mature as His children. Through His word, His family and His work... we change.
Let brotherly love continue... There will be times when you don't love your brothers and sisters in Christ. They say things that hurt your feelings. They do things that get on your nerves... but, we are to keep on loving them. That love drives us to be people of hospitality. Our homes and our hearts are open. We will hurt with those that hurt. We feel the pain when our family is mistreated. No matter what is said or done... let love continue!
Let marriage be held in honor among all... Our personal conduct in relationships is to be honorable. We are to be faithful to our spouse. The things that pull us away, the stuff that others have that we want are to be seen as what they are... temporary and unimportant. Instead we are to live lives of contentment... in all areas! The reason we can do that... His promise, "I will never leave you nor forsake you". He is faithful to us. He will meet our needs. (see Matthew 6:33)
Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God... God calls on us to look to our church leaders, to examine their lives and to imitate their faith. That is a huge responsibility for the leader and a challenge for the follower. We are rebellious by nature. If left to our own desires, we will turn on those that lead us. They will make a decision that we don't like; they will say something that steps a little too hard on our toes. Whatever the reason, leaders are easy targets. God calls on us to be different. We are to give honor and respect to those that lead us in our churches. Are they perfect, not hardly. But they take on this role as servants to the church and we are called on to respect them and follow their examples.
Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you. Leaders need followers. Shepherds need sheep. Sounds simple doesn't it, but I have found this to be challenging at times, both as a leader and a follower. God understands us and so He sends us this message to help us deal with our independent nature. Obey, submit... not words that we particularly like to hear, but this is what we are called on to do. Whether we like it or not, our church leaders have authority over the church and God calls on His people to submit to that authority.
Being an elder has been a joy for me. The support that I have received has been wonderful. I can't imagine leading a congregation that is rebellious. I am thankful for every kind word and the ready positive response that exists in the members of the body in Wilkesboro. This December marks my eighth year as a shepherd to the Wilkesboro church of Christ. I have failed in many ways to be the leader that you have needed. (you know that, I just wanted to be sure you knew that I know it as well) Just as I did after the first four years, I will ask that you reaffirm that you desire for me to have this authority over you. William and I will do this during the month of December as we did four years ago. Further details will follow.
Regardless of the outcome of this time of reexamination, I am thankful for the time you have allowed me to serve. Please know that I have been blessed by being your shepherd. May God bless us as we serve and follow Him... together.
Read the entire chapter... it is filled with great words that will lift your spirits and put you back on the path following Him all the closer.
Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. (13: 20-21)
Thursday, November 7, 2013
Living and Active! (Hebrews 4)
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. (Hebrews 4:12-13)
The first eleven verses continue the thought of chapter 3... the need for us to remain faithful, continue to trust in Him in order to enter the Heavenly rest. Read yesterday's blog for more thoughts on this... http://www.dalesdailybible.blogspot.com/2013/11/can-christian-fall-away-hebrew-3.html. The Hebrew writer concludes his thoughts on the matter by giving us insight into God's word and how it works in our lives.
First, we are told that His word is "living and active". Our Bibles are not filled with useless words written thousands of years ago that only applied to "then". His word is alive. It is current and transcends the generations. It is active. The words we read have the ability to change us! Romans 12 tells us that our minds are "transformed" by his word. Who we are, what we think, how we act, what we do... all changes when we allow His word to be active in our lives. It changes us!
Sharper than any two-edged sword... I imagine this description was more meaningful to those that lived in a time when swords were the weapons that soldiers carried. But you and I can understand that a sword that cut in both directions was a deadly instrument. It cut coming and going. His word is like that! Pull it out of it's sheath, apply it to your life and see where the cuts are made. It is able to deal with all areas of our lives and expose what our true intentions are. This is painful stuff. Being exposed is not for the faint at heart. Many will run and hide, putting the Word away. Others will stand and allow Him to change the areas of their lives that need work.
He concludes the thought by telling us that regardless of whether we run and hide or allow the cuts, He sees us. We cannot hide from His sight. We are exposed! He sees everything. And... we will give an account. This is not optional. We will answer for what we think and what we do. Everything. All of us. But here is thing that matters... the Christian's account is settled! Jesus paid the penalty for our sins and our account is marked... Paid In Full! That changes everything. For the non-Christian, payment must be obtained... either through coming to Christ and accepting His free gift (read Romans 6) or by paying the price themselves. But the account must be settled.
I like the picture conveyed in Colossians 2:11-12... In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh was put off when you were circumcised by Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.
You see for the Christian, the surgery has been performed. Christ did it. In baptism, He does the operating. This is His work, not ours! He cuts out the cancer of sin and sends us on our way. (read Acts 2:37ff) Our faith in the working of God is what makes that happen. Our old self dies and is buried and we experience resurrection. We are raised to live a new life, one shaped by Him, by His Words... the words that are living and active.
The first eleven verses continue the thought of chapter 3... the need for us to remain faithful, continue to trust in Him in order to enter the Heavenly rest. Read yesterday's blog for more thoughts on this... http://www.dalesdailybible.blogspot.com/2013/11/can-christian-fall-away-hebrew-3.html. The Hebrew writer concludes his thoughts on the matter by giving us insight into God's word and how it works in our lives.
First, we are told that His word is "living and active". Our Bibles are not filled with useless words written thousands of years ago that only applied to "then". His word is alive. It is current and transcends the generations. It is active. The words we read have the ability to change us! Romans 12 tells us that our minds are "transformed" by his word. Who we are, what we think, how we act, what we do... all changes when we allow His word to be active in our lives. It changes us!
Sharper than any two-edged sword... I imagine this description was more meaningful to those that lived in a time when swords were the weapons that soldiers carried. But you and I can understand that a sword that cut in both directions was a deadly instrument. It cut coming and going. His word is like that! Pull it out of it's sheath, apply it to your life and see where the cuts are made. It is able to deal with all areas of our lives and expose what our true intentions are. This is painful stuff. Being exposed is not for the faint at heart. Many will run and hide, putting the Word away. Others will stand and allow Him to change the areas of their lives that need work.
He concludes the thought by telling us that regardless of whether we run and hide or allow the cuts, He sees us. We cannot hide from His sight. We are exposed! He sees everything. And... we will give an account. This is not optional. We will answer for what we think and what we do. Everything. All of us. But here is thing that matters... the Christian's account is settled! Jesus paid the penalty for our sins and our account is marked... Paid In Full! That changes everything. For the non-Christian, payment must be obtained... either through coming to Christ and accepting His free gift (read Romans 6) or by paying the price themselves. But the account must be settled.
I like the picture conveyed in Colossians 2:11-12... In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh was put off when you were circumcised by Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.
You see for the Christian, the surgery has been performed. Christ did it. In baptism, He does the operating. This is His work, not ours! He cuts out the cancer of sin and sends us on our way. (read Acts 2:37ff) Our faith in the working of God is what makes that happen. Our old self dies and is buried and we experience resurrection. We are raised to live a new life, one shaped by Him, by His Words... the words that are living and active.
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
Can A Christian Fall Away? (Hebrew 3)
Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end. (Hebrews 3: 12-14)
Be careful! The Hebrew writer sees danger for the Christian and so he gives him (and us) a clear warning. The alarm has been sounded and the dreadful words that many people deny even exists are used... fall away. Books have been written. Sermons have been preached. And arguments have been had. Many will say, "no, it is impossible for Christians to fall away!" But there it is, "leading you to fall away from the living God".
So, what will we do with this? We could deny it all together! We could explain it away. We could use other verses that seem to teach something else to argue against it. Or... we could accept that the Hebrew writer understood something that we need to understand... maybe. Three verses stating the exact same message just might be evidence of a truth that we need to grasp.
Verse 12....Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. Take care "brothers". The people being addressed are Christians. The warning is directed to those that have placed their faith in Him. The problem is unbelief. Christians never struggle with that! Do they? I have. Some days God seems farther away. Some days I doubt. The warning is that if that continues and grows, the risk is that the Christian will "fall away from the living God." Some of you are shaking your heads right now, "that can't happen!". Ok, let's move on.
Verse 13...But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. The solution to the problem that is detailed in verse 12 is given in verse 13. We need each other! I have a responsibility to my brothers and sisters. I "must" give them encouragement. I must see their needs and meet them. Without that continual exhortation, the danger is that the heart will be hardened. I have seen this and I am sure you have also. Concrete is hauled in trucks that continually mix it... why? If it sits, it hardens. If the Christian is left alone to his / her own devices, their hearts will harden. Life will happen and they will begin to lose faith. Sin will deceive us and we will turn away from Him. We need each other!
Verse 14...For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end. This is an if/ then statement given in reverse order. Let's turn it around... if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end, then we have come to share in Christ. The sharing in Christ is conditioned on our remaining faithful to the end. (check out Revelation 2:10) This is not an abstract thought, it is the thought that is consistent throughout the Bible! What do we think Jesus is teaching in the parable of the soils in Matthew 13? Why did Paul write so many letters of encouragement that warn of the dangers of losing faith? If none of this is possible, why all the warnings?
Hebrews 3 establishes Jesus as the one who is worthy of our faith. He is greater than Moses. Moses was a servant, Jesus is the Son! It begins by addressing the readers as "holy brothers, those that share in the heavenly calling" and proceeds to warn them of the dangers they would face and the outcome of their faith. What about you? Are you struggling with belief? Do you see another Christian struggling? Get busy being encouraged or encouraging. Once the concrete has hardened, it is too late.
Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.
(Revelation 2:10-11)
You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. (Galatians 5:4)
For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt. (Hebrews 6:4-6)
Be careful! The Hebrew writer sees danger for the Christian and so he gives him (and us) a clear warning. The alarm has been sounded and the dreadful words that many people deny even exists are used... fall away. Books have been written. Sermons have been preached. And arguments have been had. Many will say, "no, it is impossible for Christians to fall away!" But there it is, "leading you to fall away from the living God".
So, what will we do with this? We could deny it all together! We could explain it away. We could use other verses that seem to teach something else to argue against it. Or... we could accept that the Hebrew writer understood something that we need to understand... maybe. Three verses stating the exact same message just might be evidence of a truth that we need to grasp.
Verse 12....Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. Take care "brothers". The people being addressed are Christians. The warning is directed to those that have placed their faith in Him. The problem is unbelief. Christians never struggle with that! Do they? I have. Some days God seems farther away. Some days I doubt. The warning is that if that continues and grows, the risk is that the Christian will "fall away from the living God." Some of you are shaking your heads right now, "that can't happen!". Ok, let's move on.
Verse 13...But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. The solution to the problem that is detailed in verse 12 is given in verse 13. We need each other! I have a responsibility to my brothers and sisters. I "must" give them encouragement. I must see their needs and meet them. Without that continual exhortation, the danger is that the heart will be hardened. I have seen this and I am sure you have also. Concrete is hauled in trucks that continually mix it... why? If it sits, it hardens. If the Christian is left alone to his / her own devices, their hearts will harden. Life will happen and they will begin to lose faith. Sin will deceive us and we will turn away from Him. We need each other!
Verse 14...For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end. This is an if/ then statement given in reverse order. Let's turn it around... if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end, then we have come to share in Christ. The sharing in Christ is conditioned on our remaining faithful to the end. (check out Revelation 2:10) This is not an abstract thought, it is the thought that is consistent throughout the Bible! What do we think Jesus is teaching in the parable of the soils in Matthew 13? Why did Paul write so many letters of encouragement that warn of the dangers of losing faith? If none of this is possible, why all the warnings?
Hebrews 3 establishes Jesus as the one who is worthy of our faith. He is greater than Moses. Moses was a servant, Jesus is the Son! It begins by addressing the readers as "holy brothers, those that share in the heavenly calling" and proceeds to warn them of the dangers they would face and the outcome of their faith. What about you? Are you struggling with belief? Do you see another Christian struggling? Get busy being encouraged or encouraging. Once the concrete has hardened, it is too late.
Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.
(Revelation 2:10-11)
You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. (Galatians 5:4)
For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt. (Hebrews 6:4-6)
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
Pay Much Closer Attention!!
Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard. (Hebrews 2:1-3)
I am afraid that many will drift or have drifted away. He is talking to the saved here... those that have heard the words of salvation and have believed and obeyed! Yet, he says that if we forget what we heard, what we believed, if we drift away, we will not escape retribution. Sounds pretty ominous, doesn't it! The Hebrew writer gives us lots to chew on in these three short verses. Let's break it down into bites we can chew on...
Chapter 2 begins with a "therefore", so we have to look back to see what the writer is referencing. In Chapter 1, we are told of Jesus' supremacy and that God has now spoken to us by His Son. Prior to this, He sent prophets to speak for Him, but now... we hear directly from God in the form of the Son. So, Chapter 2 begins with the idea that the message from the Son needs our close attention. Makes sense to me. If people listened to the prophets of old, certainly the Son of God demands even more of our attention. He warns that inattention leads to drifting away.
I picture a boat tied to a dock. As long as the boat is securely tied by strong ropes... safety. But the minute the knots come loose or the rope breaks... danger. We have all seen the results of storms along the coast to boats that loose their anchor. They are piled on the shore, ruined by the waves. We are just like that! Without being securely tied to the message, we will drift away and find ourselves shipwrecked.
We are told that the message is reliable. The ropes are strong! The dock is secure! We can rely on what the Son has taught us. Jesus (God in the flesh) brought us this message of salvation and it was confirmed by signs and wonders and miracles. (verse 4) The Hebrews writer wants us to know (for sure) that the words are true and that we need to "pay much closer attention" to what we have heard from the Master.
The two Greek word that are translated "pay much closer attention" are redundantly overly emphasized (if that makes sense). My point is that when we read that expression, there should be no question about the intent. The writer is telling us that this message of salvation demands our total and complete focus. Proper translation would go something like this... more superabundantly pay attention to. You got that? It is as if our neglect of such an important message is illogical and that such neglect deserves severe punishment. This is serious business!!
May we give this message the attention that it demands. May we understand that if we walk away from the truth, we are like a boat without an anchor and that the only outcome will be shipwreck. The message is true. The message is confirmed. The ropes are strong and the dock is secure. Stay in the harbor!
I am afraid that many will drift or have drifted away. He is talking to the saved here... those that have heard the words of salvation and have believed and obeyed! Yet, he says that if we forget what we heard, what we believed, if we drift away, we will not escape retribution. Sounds pretty ominous, doesn't it! The Hebrew writer gives us lots to chew on in these three short verses. Let's break it down into bites we can chew on...
Chapter 2 begins with a "therefore", so we have to look back to see what the writer is referencing. In Chapter 1, we are told of Jesus' supremacy and that God has now spoken to us by His Son. Prior to this, He sent prophets to speak for Him, but now... we hear directly from God in the form of the Son. So, Chapter 2 begins with the idea that the message from the Son needs our close attention. Makes sense to me. If people listened to the prophets of old, certainly the Son of God demands even more of our attention. He warns that inattention leads to drifting away.
I picture a boat tied to a dock. As long as the boat is securely tied by strong ropes... safety. But the minute the knots come loose or the rope breaks... danger. We have all seen the results of storms along the coast to boats that loose their anchor. They are piled on the shore, ruined by the waves. We are just like that! Without being securely tied to the message, we will drift away and find ourselves shipwrecked.
We are told that the message is reliable. The ropes are strong! The dock is secure! We can rely on what the Son has taught us. Jesus (God in the flesh) brought us this message of salvation and it was confirmed by signs and wonders and miracles. (verse 4) The Hebrews writer wants us to know (for sure) that the words are true and that we need to "pay much closer attention" to what we have heard from the Master.
The two Greek word that are translated "pay much closer attention" are redundantly overly emphasized (if that makes sense). My point is that when we read that expression, there should be no question about the intent. The writer is telling us that this message of salvation demands our total and complete focus. Proper translation would go something like this... more superabundantly pay attention to. You got that? It is as if our neglect of such an important message is illogical and that such neglect deserves severe punishment. This is serious business!!
May we give this message the attention that it demands. May we understand that if we walk away from the truth, we are like a boat without an anchor and that the only outcome will be shipwreck. The message is true. The message is confirmed. The ropes are strong and the dock is secure. Stay in the harbor!
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
Separate Ways
(Today's reading - Job 40-42; Acts 15: 22-41)
Yesterday, I told you about how the church remained unified. Today, we look at a time where brothers parted company. Interesting isn't it... same chapter, different results. The disagreement isn't doctrinal or even about a spiritual matter; rather the disagreement is over who to take along on a trip. Take a moment and read...
And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.” Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark. But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and departed, having been commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches. (Acts 15: 36-41)
I appreciate that the nature of the disagreement is fully exposed. It was a "sharp disagreement". It wasn't a little spat, it wasn't a mild disagreement; it was sharp. The words used by each man are not given, but the flavor is there for all to read. We were introduced to Barnabas in Acts 4 as a man who sold a field and gave the proceeds to the apostles to feed and care for the needy. He is called the son of encouragement. Later, when Saul (Paul) comes to Jerusalem to join the Christian movement, he is rejected... until Barnabas takes his side and tells his story. That is the kind of man Barnabas is... caring, kind, generous and trusting. It should not come as a surprise to anyone that he would want to give John Mark another chance to grow in the Lord.
Paul, on the other hand is all about the mission. Mark had abandoned them once before (Acts 13) and the mission is what is important. Why take along a man who had abandoned the mission? I understand both sides of this dispute. They are both right. Can that be? Yep. In the Lord's church, people can disagree on matters of opinion and both be right. Paul and Barnabas had different opinions of John Mark. I have heard people say that this was about God splitting them up to cover twice the territory... but I don't see that here. These two men had a disagreement and went on their way, apart. I don't read that they hated each other or that they wouldn't speak to each other. Both continued to work for the progress of the kingdom and I don't read that they went around talking about each other.
That's how a disagreement over opinion should be handled in the church... agree to disagree and move forward with the mission. Jesus commanded us to "love one another". That's how we are to disagree... love one another! I have failed at this several times in my life and I know I hurt others. For that, I am sorry. I intend to work to restore those relationships in as much as it depends on me. How about you? Any damaged relationships in your past? Let's all get busy and fix them.
Yesterday, I told you about how the church remained unified. Today, we look at a time where brothers parted company. Interesting isn't it... same chapter, different results. The disagreement isn't doctrinal or even about a spiritual matter; rather the disagreement is over who to take along on a trip. Take a moment and read...
And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.” Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark. But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and departed, having been commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches. (Acts 15: 36-41)
I appreciate that the nature of the disagreement is fully exposed. It was a "sharp disagreement". It wasn't a little spat, it wasn't a mild disagreement; it was sharp. The words used by each man are not given, but the flavor is there for all to read. We were introduced to Barnabas in Acts 4 as a man who sold a field and gave the proceeds to the apostles to feed and care for the needy. He is called the son of encouragement. Later, when Saul (Paul) comes to Jerusalem to join the Christian movement, he is rejected... until Barnabas takes his side and tells his story. That is the kind of man Barnabas is... caring, kind, generous and trusting. It should not come as a surprise to anyone that he would want to give John Mark another chance to grow in the Lord.
Paul, on the other hand is all about the mission. Mark had abandoned them once before (Acts 13) and the mission is what is important. Why take along a man who had abandoned the mission? I understand both sides of this dispute. They are both right. Can that be? Yep. In the Lord's church, people can disagree on matters of opinion and both be right. Paul and Barnabas had different opinions of John Mark. I have heard people say that this was about God splitting them up to cover twice the territory... but I don't see that here. These two men had a disagreement and went on their way, apart. I don't read that they hated each other or that they wouldn't speak to each other. Both continued to work for the progress of the kingdom and I don't read that they went around talking about each other.
That's how a disagreement over opinion should be handled in the church... agree to disagree and move forward with the mission. Jesus commanded us to "love one another". That's how we are to disagree... love one another! I have failed at this several times in my life and I know I hurt others. For that, I am sorry. I intend to work to restore those relationships in as much as it depends on me. How about you? Any damaged relationships in your past? Let's all get busy and fix them.
Monday, July 8, 2013
Unity Among God's People
(Today's reading - Job 38,39; Acts 15:1-21)
Imagine for a moment what it was like for the Jew when God decided it was time to bring the Gentile into the family, into a covenant relationship with Himself. From Abraham forward, the Jew was God's "chosen". What does that even mean? They had been chosen from among all people to make the one God known the world, to share His word, His "will" with the rest of the world. They were given the Law and that was to make them a different people, a people that would demonstrate God's goodness and His will for mankind. That made them a special people, not because they were special, but because God chose them and that made them special. (Deuteronomy 7:7)
Many people misunderstand the concept of "chosen", as if the "unchosen" were in some way inferior or even unloved. The chosen had a specific responsibility to the those that had not been chosen. A proper understanding of this is needed to understand and appreciate the responsibilities that God's people have to the rest of the world today. It was never that the Jew was going to heaven and the rest of the world was condemned. Rather, the Jew was to take the message of God to everyone else. Their disobedience in no way removed their responsibility. (this must be understood) It is also important to remember that the Jew, the Israelite was a branch of the family; it is not as if we are talking about some particular race of people.
As we begin to read Acts 15, we see that Jews (Christian Jews) were teaching the gentile Christians that they must abide by the Law of Moses. (and be circumcised) I can imagine that this was causing quite a stir among these new followers of God. I am sure the Jew was thinking that what is good for the goose is good for the gander. They had lived under the Law (not an easy task) and had been subject to all its' rules and regulations, why not these new followers of God?
I appreciate the way this is settled. Pay close attention and see how disputes should be handled among God's people. They didn't vote. They didn't find out what was popular. They didn't turn to culture or society. They didn't consider what might offend people. They didn't ask the most powerful in the church. They didn't ask the smartest people in the congregation. Instead, they turned to the Apostles, those whom God had entrusted with His Word. The final Word came down from the proper authority and the dispute was settled.
Wouldn't that be amazing! Instead of allowing our wants, our desires to determine what we practice and believe, we turn to the Apostles for direction from God. Had they not done that, I can imagine that we would have seen two churches in town... the First Church of the Circumcised and the Assembly of the Uncircumcised. They would have been running around trying to convince people why they were right and "that other church" is wrong. Instead, we are given the solution to doctrinal differences... God's Word. An honest reading of His Word will settle the issue and keep people united. And where a disagreement remains after an honest look, I believe God calls on His people to extend love to their brother and sister. Maybe time and more study will change the heart and mind. Maybe the dispute is over something that really doesn't matter anyway. (can I get an O Yeah)
Whatever the issue is, I am sure of this one thing... God expects His people to work it out and stay united. Jesus prayer before His ascension was for our unity. He knew we would struggle with wanting our own way, so He took it to the Father in prayer... maybe we should do the same. Not everything is all important. Not everything carries the same weight. (read 1 Corinthians 15:3) Let's follow the example of the early church and seek God's will on matters that pull us apart. Spend time in prayer for the brother that you disagree with! Let love do its' work. As His people, we are His chosen... the world is watching, how are we going to settle our disputes?
Imagine for a moment what it was like for the Jew when God decided it was time to bring the Gentile into the family, into a covenant relationship with Himself. From Abraham forward, the Jew was God's "chosen". What does that even mean? They had been chosen from among all people to make the one God known the world, to share His word, His "will" with the rest of the world. They were given the Law and that was to make them a different people, a people that would demonstrate God's goodness and His will for mankind. That made them a special people, not because they were special, but because God chose them and that made them special. (Deuteronomy 7:7)
Many people misunderstand the concept of "chosen", as if the "unchosen" were in some way inferior or even unloved. The chosen had a specific responsibility to the those that had not been chosen. A proper understanding of this is needed to understand and appreciate the responsibilities that God's people have to the rest of the world today. It was never that the Jew was going to heaven and the rest of the world was condemned. Rather, the Jew was to take the message of God to everyone else. Their disobedience in no way removed their responsibility. (this must be understood) It is also important to remember that the Jew, the Israelite was a branch of the family; it is not as if we are talking about some particular race of people.
As we begin to read Acts 15, we see that Jews (Christian Jews) were teaching the gentile Christians that they must abide by the Law of Moses. (and be circumcised) I can imagine that this was causing quite a stir among these new followers of God. I am sure the Jew was thinking that what is good for the goose is good for the gander. They had lived under the Law (not an easy task) and had been subject to all its' rules and regulations, why not these new followers of God?
I appreciate the way this is settled. Pay close attention and see how disputes should be handled among God's people. They didn't vote. They didn't find out what was popular. They didn't turn to culture or society. They didn't consider what might offend people. They didn't ask the most powerful in the church. They didn't ask the smartest people in the congregation. Instead, they turned to the Apostles, those whom God had entrusted with His Word. The final Word came down from the proper authority and the dispute was settled.
Wouldn't that be amazing! Instead of allowing our wants, our desires to determine what we practice and believe, we turn to the Apostles for direction from God. Had they not done that, I can imagine that we would have seen two churches in town... the First Church of the Circumcised and the Assembly of the Uncircumcised. They would have been running around trying to convince people why they were right and "that other church" is wrong. Instead, we are given the solution to doctrinal differences... God's Word. An honest reading of His Word will settle the issue and keep people united. And where a disagreement remains after an honest look, I believe God calls on His people to extend love to their brother and sister. Maybe time and more study will change the heart and mind. Maybe the dispute is over something that really doesn't matter anyway. (can I get an O Yeah)
Whatever the issue is, I am sure of this one thing... God expects His people to work it out and stay united. Jesus prayer before His ascension was for our unity. He knew we would struggle with wanting our own way, so He took it to the Father in prayer... maybe we should do the same. Not everything is all important. Not everything carries the same weight. (read 1 Corinthians 15:3) Let's follow the example of the early church and seek God's will on matters that pull us apart. Spend time in prayer for the brother that you disagree with! Let love do its' work. As His people, we are His chosen... the world is watching, how are we going to settle our disputes?
Thursday, July 4, 2013
Prison and Prayer
Today we read Acts 12. This is not a great time to be a Christian. Unlike the times we read about earlier in Acts, disciples of Jesus are facing persecution and execution. It is difficult for us to relate to this (for now). We live in a nation that protects our religious freedom and few of us have ever faced people that threaten harm or imprison because of what we believe. In Acts 12, we read about the death of James, the brother of John. (I will leave you a moment here to think about James)
We often read verses and they don't really impact us. James, the brother of John, was one of the first four disciples that Jesus called to follow him. He left his fishing business and his father, Zebedee to become one of the "Sons of Thunder" as Jesus would name them. Take a moment to think about this man of God who died because he chose Jesus over a fishing career.
After James is executed, Peter is taken into prison and his fate is to be the same as James. But God has other plans. Let's read... Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison. Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, “Arise quickly!” And his chains fell off his hands. Then the angel said to him, “Gird yourself and tie on your sandals”; and so he did. And he said to him, “Put on your garment and follow me.” (12: 5-8)
I want us to read that slowly. Peter is in prison, bound with two chains between two soldiers. There were guards keeping the door as well, a total of 16 soldiers. Sounds like a "high security prison". No doubt, Herod had heard of the previous prison breaks (Acts 5) and wanted to be sure that Peter stayed put this time. What I want us to focus on is the little phrase "but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church". Why does Luke, by the direction of the Spirit tell us that while Peter is chained in prison, the church is constant in prayer? Sixteen professional soldiers, a high security prison, chained to two soldiers and the church is constant in prayer. Why? Why are they praying and why are we told about it?
My faith is in a God that answers prayers. He listens to the prayers of His children and then acts in their best interests. Sometimes I see the results of my prayer, sometimes I don't. Either way, He still acts and He still answers my prayers! Maybe God planned on rescuing Peter without the prayers of the church. Maybe. I don't know (and you don't either), but I know this, God saw fit to tell us that the church was praying (constantly) and that Peter was set free. Why tell us that if prayers are not efficacious? Why set us up for wasted efforts? I have prayed for friends that were ill and they were healed. I have prayed for friends and they were not healed. That is truth. I don't fully understand why God answers my prayers with a yes sometimes and at other times it is a no. But this I know for sure... he knows what is best in every situation and by faith I accept that.
Let me leave you with a verse that covers this very adequately... And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28) He is working in our best interests... always, in all things! That is the kind of God we love and serve. Sure I wonder "why" sometimes and that is alright. but in the end, I have to remember who is God and who is not. Isaiah tells us a truth that helps... “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:9) I believe one day I (and you) will understand better the "why", but until then... trust and faith.
We often read verses and they don't really impact us. James, the brother of John, was one of the first four disciples that Jesus called to follow him. He left his fishing business and his father, Zebedee to become one of the "Sons of Thunder" as Jesus would name them. Take a moment to think about this man of God who died because he chose Jesus over a fishing career.
After James is executed, Peter is taken into prison and his fate is to be the same as James. But God has other plans. Let's read... Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison. Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, “Arise quickly!” And his chains fell off his hands. Then the angel said to him, “Gird yourself and tie on your sandals”; and so he did. And he said to him, “Put on your garment and follow me.” (12: 5-8)
I want us to read that slowly. Peter is in prison, bound with two chains between two soldiers. There were guards keeping the door as well, a total of 16 soldiers. Sounds like a "high security prison". No doubt, Herod had heard of the previous prison breaks (Acts 5) and wanted to be sure that Peter stayed put this time. What I want us to focus on is the little phrase "but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church". Why does Luke, by the direction of the Spirit tell us that while Peter is chained in prison, the church is constant in prayer? Sixteen professional soldiers, a high security prison, chained to two soldiers and the church is constant in prayer. Why? Why are they praying and why are we told about it?
My faith is in a God that answers prayers. He listens to the prayers of His children and then acts in their best interests. Sometimes I see the results of my prayer, sometimes I don't. Either way, He still acts and He still answers my prayers! Maybe God planned on rescuing Peter without the prayers of the church. Maybe. I don't know (and you don't either), but I know this, God saw fit to tell us that the church was praying (constantly) and that Peter was set free. Why tell us that if prayers are not efficacious? Why set us up for wasted efforts? I have prayed for friends that were ill and they were healed. I have prayed for friends and they were not healed. That is truth. I don't fully understand why God answers my prayers with a yes sometimes and at other times it is a no. But this I know for sure... he knows what is best in every situation and by faith I accept that.
Let me leave you with a verse that covers this very adequately... And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28) He is working in our best interests... always, in all things! That is the kind of God we love and serve. Sure I wonder "why" sometimes and that is alright. but in the end, I have to remember who is God and who is not. Isaiah tells us a truth that helps... “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:9) I believe one day I (and you) will understand better the "why", but until then... trust and faith.
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Simon's Sin or Legend Of The Fall
Our daily reading takes us to the book of Acts and includes some very interesting information. Take a moment and read Acts 8:1-25. Now, take a marker and highlight the things that you were surprised by and the things you had confirmed for you. (if you are a believer in marking in your Bible, otherwise don't do this)
The chapter begins with the fulfillment of the command given in Acts 1:8. (Jump back there and read) Jesus had told his disciples that they were to go and teach the good news, yet we find them hanging around Jerusalem until the 8th chapter. What changed? Well, it got pretty uncomfortable to be a Christian in Jerusalem about this time. Did God bring about the persecution to scatter the disciples? I don't know, but it got the job done! From this point forward the message of Jesus begins to be preached everywhere. So, for you and me this is a pretty important day in the history of the church.
Next we read about a man named Simon, Simon the Sorcerer. (sounds like a Disney movie) Philip makes his way to a little town called Samaria and begins to preach the great news of our Savior. He performs miracles to prove his authority and people respond to his message. Just as all the others we have read about that become Christians, they believe and are baptized. Let's take a read...But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. 13 Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done. (v 12-13) Clearly, the teaching that is described as "things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ" included the command to be baptized and the people obeyed. (Matthew 28:18ff, Acts 2:38ff)
The next tidbit of information is very interesting. Simon witnesses Phillip (the Apostle) laying his hands on people so that they could receive the gifts of the Spirit (ie. the ability to perform miracles) and he wants that power. He had been used to getting the attention, after all he was a "sorcerer". But now he saw the real thing, no magic tricks... the real deal! And he wanted this ability. Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, saying, “Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” (17-19) Want to know why miracles are not around today... there is your answer. Only the apostles had the ability to pass on the miraculous gifts. When they died, so did the ability to give these gifts. And... when those that they gave gifts to died, then miraculous gifts ceased to exist.
What occurs next is very important, so pay close attention. Simon seeks to purchase this ability from the apostles. Remember Simon had been saved back in verse 13. He makes his request to purchase this ability and the response from Peter is swift and to the point. But Peter said to him, “Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.” (20-23) Do you understand what just happened? Peter tells Simon that because of the intent of his heart, he was going to perish. He was lost! He was saved and then he was lost.
Peter's response to Simon's problem... Repent of your wickedness and pray for forgiveness. What does a Christian do when they fall, when they find themselves in sin... repent (change direction, stop the sin) and pray for forgiveness. Simon responds by asking Peter to pray for him also. Peter's rebuke cut to his heart and Simon didn't want to stay in that condition. What a great example for us. When we find ourselves caught in a sin, repent of it, pray and ask others to pray for us also and God will forgive our transgression.
The story of Simon, his sin and his recovery is important for us. Obviously it is, God included it for a reason! It gives us assurance that when we fall, we have a way back to a right relationship with the Father. I am thankful for His love and the security that we find in Him. Amen? Amen!
The chapter begins with the fulfillment of the command given in Acts 1:8. (Jump back there and read) Jesus had told his disciples that they were to go and teach the good news, yet we find them hanging around Jerusalem until the 8th chapter. What changed? Well, it got pretty uncomfortable to be a Christian in Jerusalem about this time. Did God bring about the persecution to scatter the disciples? I don't know, but it got the job done! From this point forward the message of Jesus begins to be preached everywhere. So, for you and me this is a pretty important day in the history of the church.
Next we read about a man named Simon, Simon the Sorcerer. (sounds like a Disney movie) Philip makes his way to a little town called Samaria and begins to preach the great news of our Savior. He performs miracles to prove his authority and people respond to his message. Just as all the others we have read about that become Christians, they believe and are baptized. Let's take a read...But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. 13 Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done. (v 12-13) Clearly, the teaching that is described as "things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ" included the command to be baptized and the people obeyed. (Matthew 28:18ff, Acts 2:38ff)
The next tidbit of information is very interesting. Simon witnesses Phillip (the Apostle) laying his hands on people so that they could receive the gifts of the Spirit (ie. the ability to perform miracles) and he wants that power. He had been used to getting the attention, after all he was a "sorcerer". But now he saw the real thing, no magic tricks... the real deal! And he wanted this ability. Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, saying, “Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” (17-19) Want to know why miracles are not around today... there is your answer. Only the apostles had the ability to pass on the miraculous gifts. When they died, so did the ability to give these gifts. And... when those that they gave gifts to died, then miraculous gifts ceased to exist.
What occurs next is very important, so pay close attention. Simon seeks to purchase this ability from the apostles. Remember Simon had been saved back in verse 13. He makes his request to purchase this ability and the response from Peter is swift and to the point. But Peter said to him, “Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.” (20-23) Do you understand what just happened? Peter tells Simon that because of the intent of his heart, he was going to perish. He was lost! He was saved and then he was lost.
Peter's response to Simon's problem... Repent of your wickedness and pray for forgiveness. What does a Christian do when they fall, when they find themselves in sin... repent (change direction, stop the sin) and pray for forgiveness. Simon responds by asking Peter to pray for him also. Peter's rebuke cut to his heart and Simon didn't want to stay in that condition. What a great example for us. When we find ourselves caught in a sin, repent of it, pray and ask others to pray for us also and God will forgive our transgression.
The story of Simon, his sin and his recovery is important for us. Obviously it is, God included it for a reason! It gives us assurance that when we fall, we have a way back to a right relationship with the Father. I am thankful for His love and the security that we find in Him. Amen? Amen!
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Of Lions and Grass
Let me set the stage for you... Last night I am sitting in an excellent Men's Bible Study (doing a fairly critical review of "Wild At Heart") and we dive into a discussion of the world, pre and post-fall. What was this world like before man sinned and what was it like after? I know, right, you are sitting on the edge of your seat about now! First let me say this, the Bible is not filled with lots of information about this, so there was a lot of "I think" going on.
Finally, one guy says that every creature on earth ate veggies before the fall. Well, I quickly corrected him and said something to the effect of, "you mean to tell me that lions ate grass and not sheep?". I did so with great joy and a little laughter at his ignorance. I mean come on, lions and tigers munching on green beans and squash. LOL! Now here's where things get a little fuzzy for me... somewhere between the giggles, another guy says, "yep, just read the last few verses in Genesis 1". Ok, I 'll humor him, I mean I have read Genesis many times and 5 times in the last years, so there is no way something so silly is in there. I know what it says!
( I know, each of you is busy turning in your trusty little pocket Bibles to see what it says) Let me save your fingers the exercise... Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds in the sky and all the creatures that move along the ground —everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food.” And it was so.
Imagine my surprise as I was confronted with the truth. My mantra has always been if you can show me something in the Bible, in context... I will believe it. Lions eat grass. Before the fall of man, all creatures ate green plants. That my friends is the truth as God's word reveals it and so I believe it. I am reminded of 1 Corinthians 10:12... Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. I knew that lions didn't eat grass! I was certain of it and I was standing on my belief. Timber!
Sometimes, that is the way it is. We believe something, we are sure of it and yet we are wrong. Our parents, our grandparents, our friends and our preachers have told us things. They are trustworthy and so we file it away as truth in our beliefs. Here's the rub... sometimes they are wrong! They have been told things by people that they trust who were told by someone they trust and on and on. For many years, the world was flat. That was the "truth" and everyone believed it... until someone sailed out there and didn't fall off the edge. You get the idea.
What's my point in all this? Peter put it this way, Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. For this reason I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things, though you know and are established in the present truth. (2 Peter 1: 10-12) He tells us that even though we know the truth, he will continually remind us of it. Our responsibility is to be diligent in making our "election" sure. Spend time with other Christians in discussion. Listen to your preacher. Read commentaries. Read Christian authors. But in the end... remember that His word is truth. Our beliefs must be Biblical to please Him.
Listen to what Francis Chan has to say about all this... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Is8QnxviOI
Are your beliefs Biblical? Mine were not! I was sure that lions ate sheep. I was wrong. You know, the big question is "what do you do when you realize your beliefs are not Biblical?". You can hold onto what is wrong or you can let His word reign in your life. Many will hold onto a lie to save face. Pride prevents them from allowing truth to correct a wrong belief. I know people like that. (I have been like that)
Paul gives us a strong warning in 2 Corinthians 13:4-6 - For though He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, but we shall live with Him by the power of God toward you. Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified.
Do you believe that lions eat grass?
Finally, one guy says that every creature on earth ate veggies before the fall. Well, I quickly corrected him and said something to the effect of, "you mean to tell me that lions ate grass and not sheep?". I did so with great joy and a little laughter at his ignorance. I mean come on, lions and tigers munching on green beans and squash. LOL! Now here's where things get a little fuzzy for me... somewhere between the giggles, another guy says, "yep, just read the last few verses in Genesis 1". Ok, I 'll humor him, I mean I have read Genesis many times and 5 times in the last years, so there is no way something so silly is in there. I know what it says!
( I know, each of you is busy turning in your trusty little pocket Bibles to see what it says) Let me save your fingers the exercise... Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds in the sky and all the creatures that move along the ground —everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food.” And it was so.
Imagine my surprise as I was confronted with the truth. My mantra has always been if you can show me something in the Bible, in context... I will believe it. Lions eat grass. Before the fall of man, all creatures ate green plants. That my friends is the truth as God's word reveals it and so I believe it. I am reminded of 1 Corinthians 10:12... Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. I knew that lions didn't eat grass! I was certain of it and I was standing on my belief. Timber!
Sometimes, that is the way it is. We believe something, we are sure of it and yet we are wrong. Our parents, our grandparents, our friends and our preachers have told us things. They are trustworthy and so we file it away as truth in our beliefs. Here's the rub... sometimes they are wrong! They have been told things by people that they trust who were told by someone they trust and on and on. For many years, the world was flat. That was the "truth" and everyone believed it... until someone sailed out there and didn't fall off the edge. You get the idea.
What's my point in all this? Peter put it this way, Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. For this reason I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things, though you know and are established in the present truth. (2 Peter 1: 10-12) He tells us that even though we know the truth, he will continually remind us of it. Our responsibility is to be diligent in making our "election" sure. Spend time with other Christians in discussion. Listen to your preacher. Read commentaries. Read Christian authors. But in the end... remember that His word is truth. Our beliefs must be Biblical to please Him.
Listen to what Francis Chan has to say about all this... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Is8QnxviOI
Are your beliefs Biblical? Mine were not! I was sure that lions ate sheep. I was wrong. You know, the big question is "what do you do when you realize your beliefs are not Biblical?". You can hold onto what is wrong or you can let His word reign in your life. Many will hold onto a lie to save face. Pride prevents them from allowing truth to correct a wrong belief. I know people like that. (I have been like that)
Paul gives us a strong warning in 2 Corinthians 13:4-6 - For though He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, but we shall live with Him by the power of God toward you. Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified.
Do you believe that lions eat grass?
Monday, June 24, 2013
Ah, What Trouble?
(Today's reading Job 1-3, Acts 7:1-19)
I have read the story of Job several times in my life. I still struggle with it. Why would God turn a good man over to Satan for testing? Why would he allow the devastation of Job's life? I am encouraged every time I read of Job's devotion to God and I wonder if I have what it takes to be like him. I pray that I never have to find out.
The story goes like this. Satan comes before God and asks permission to strike Job so that his faith would be tested. Satan is sure that it is because of the blessings in Job's life that he has faith in God. God allows the testing. Job looses everything... almost. His wealth is gone. His children are gone. His servants are gone. His wife remains. (I am not convinced that she is not part of the testing) He holds up well until God allows Satan to attack his person. Job is covered with sores from the bottom of his feet to the top of his head. He takes pot shards and scraps his body. Sounds like a party to me. His wife tells him to "curse God and die". (My earlier point reinforced) His response to her is amazing... He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” (2:10)
Next Job is visited by three friends. When trouble comes, true friends show up. Some folks talk about you and your troubles, but true friends show up. I am thankful to have so many true friends! Take a moment to read the account of their visit... When Job’s three friends, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite, heard about all the troubles that had come upon him, they set out from their homes and met together by agreement to go and sympathize with him and comfort him. When they saw him from a distance, they could hardly recognize him; they began to weep aloud, and they tore their robes and sprinkled dust on their heads. Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights. No one said a word to him, because they saw how great his suffering was. (2:11-13) That my friends is friendship. Sometimes just showing up is enough. Sometimes words just get in the way (and they do in the next few chapters). His friends come and sit with him, hurt with him and cry with him.
After a while, Job speaks and what he says makes sense to me. He questions why he was born and why he lived. When tragedy strikes, isn't that always the question... why. Why me? Why did this happen to me? I wish I had never been born! I wish I was dead! Job goes through all of those thoughts. He is human and humans ask those questions (and that is ok). He closes his thoughts in Chapter 3 with these words...
"Why is life given to a man whose way is hidden, whom God has hedged in? For sighing has become my daily food; my groans pour out like water. What I feared has come upon me; what I dreaded has happened to me. I have no peace, no quietness; I have no rest, but only turmoil." (3:23-26)
I am thankful that our Bibles are filled with stories of real people, who have real problems and make real mistakes and suffer real consequences. For Job to react the way he did helps me to understand the human condition. Each of us will have days filled with joy and each of us will have days filled with pain. When wonderful days come, may we praise God and remember that He gives us just such days. When painful days come, may we remember that our lives are a gift from Him and that even in difficult situations His love is present and we can be enriched by our suffering. What kind of person would you be if you only experienced good days? Would you be of any value to those around you if you could not sympathize because of your experiences?
I am reminded of a scene in the movie Jeremiah Johnson. He has become a true mountain man. He has lost his wife and son. His home has been burned to the ground. Just watch...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95ND_fwX2fM
Trouble, what trouble? May each of us determine to have just that attitude in our lives. "You've come far pilgrim... Feels like far... Were it worth the trouble?... Ah, what trouble?"
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) Jesus told his disciples that trouble would come. Life isn't lived without it! But He tells us, you and me, that in Him we may have peace. In Him we can say... "ah, what trouble". Job takes us there if we will let him. In all his trouble, his love for God and God's love for him is never in question. Let us learn from him. Amen.
I have read the story of Job several times in my life. I still struggle with it. Why would God turn a good man over to Satan for testing? Why would he allow the devastation of Job's life? I am encouraged every time I read of Job's devotion to God and I wonder if I have what it takes to be like him. I pray that I never have to find out.
The story goes like this. Satan comes before God and asks permission to strike Job so that his faith would be tested. Satan is sure that it is because of the blessings in Job's life that he has faith in God. God allows the testing. Job looses everything... almost. His wealth is gone. His children are gone. His servants are gone. His wife remains. (I am not convinced that she is not part of the testing) He holds up well until God allows Satan to attack his person. Job is covered with sores from the bottom of his feet to the top of his head. He takes pot shards and scraps his body. Sounds like a party to me. His wife tells him to "curse God and die". (My earlier point reinforced) His response to her is amazing... He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” (2:10)
Next Job is visited by three friends. When trouble comes, true friends show up. Some folks talk about you and your troubles, but true friends show up. I am thankful to have so many true friends! Take a moment to read the account of their visit... When Job’s three friends, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite, heard about all the troubles that had come upon him, they set out from their homes and met together by agreement to go and sympathize with him and comfort him. When they saw him from a distance, they could hardly recognize him; they began to weep aloud, and they tore their robes and sprinkled dust on their heads. Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights. No one said a word to him, because they saw how great his suffering was. (2:11-13) That my friends is friendship. Sometimes just showing up is enough. Sometimes words just get in the way (and they do in the next few chapters). His friends come and sit with him, hurt with him and cry with him.
After a while, Job speaks and what he says makes sense to me. He questions why he was born and why he lived. When tragedy strikes, isn't that always the question... why. Why me? Why did this happen to me? I wish I had never been born! I wish I was dead! Job goes through all of those thoughts. He is human and humans ask those questions (and that is ok). He closes his thoughts in Chapter 3 with these words...
"Why is life given to a man whose way is hidden, whom God has hedged in? For sighing has become my daily food; my groans pour out like water. What I feared has come upon me; what I dreaded has happened to me. I have no peace, no quietness; I have no rest, but only turmoil." (3:23-26)
I am thankful that our Bibles are filled with stories of real people, who have real problems and make real mistakes and suffer real consequences. For Job to react the way he did helps me to understand the human condition. Each of us will have days filled with joy and each of us will have days filled with pain. When wonderful days come, may we praise God and remember that He gives us just such days. When painful days come, may we remember that our lives are a gift from Him and that even in difficult situations His love is present and we can be enriched by our suffering. What kind of person would you be if you only experienced good days? Would you be of any value to those around you if you could not sympathize because of your experiences?
I am reminded of a scene in the movie Jeremiah Johnson. He has become a true mountain man. He has lost his wife and son. His home has been burned to the ground. Just watch...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95ND_fwX2fM
Trouble, what trouble? May each of us determine to have just that attitude in our lives. "You've come far pilgrim... Feels like far... Were it worth the trouble?... Ah, what trouble?"
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) Jesus told his disciples that trouble would come. Life isn't lived without it! But He tells us, you and me, that in Him we may have peace. In Him we can say... "ah, what trouble". Job takes us there if we will let him. In all his trouble, his love for God and God's love for him is never in question. Let us learn from him. Amen.
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Can I Get a Witness
(Today's Reading - Acts 3, Neh 7-8)
When someone changes in a big way, people notice... and they want to know why. If a man who constantly drank and beat his wife suddenly quits drinking and begins to treat his wife with respect, people notice. If a woman is addicted to drugs and ignores her children becomes a loving mother who would never touch a drug, people notice. And so it is with our reading today. A man lame from his mother's womb, that is born that way is healed through a miracle... Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.
And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. (Acts 3:6-7) (on a side note, the miracles in the Bible are always complete and total healing... the lame walk, the sick are cured, the dead rise, the blind see and so on)
Obviously, when a man that has been unable to walk his entire life is suddenly standing, walking, leaping and dancing people take note. This was not a daily occurrence and the people were amazed. Put yourself in their place. How would you react to something like that? How do you react when you read about the miracles that were done by Jesus, His apostles and those that they placed their hands on? (Acts 8:18)
The purpose of the event is clearly seen. Peter uses the attention that the miracle produced to preach Jesus. He tells the people that gather to see the man that it is not through his power that this is done, rather he tells them about Jesus. He uses the obvious change in the man to tell the people that it is Jesus that produces the change. Peter uses the miracle as the jumping off point to lead those that will listen to Him.
“And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled. Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago. Moses said, ‘The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you. And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people.’ And all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those who came after him, also proclaimed these days. You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant that God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed.’ God, having raised up his servant, sent him to you first, to bless you by turning every one of you from your wickedness.” (3:17-26)
When change comes through faith in Jesus, we must use that as a witness for Him. I must tell people why I quit drinking. You must tell your friends why you no longer frequent bars. We must tell them why we have stepped us as parents. We must tell our coworkers why we no longer cheat our employers. Clearly, God's plan is for us to remain in the world for a purpose! Otherwise, when we become Christians he could go ahead and take us home to be with Him. Instead, He wants us to show the world what it looks like to be His child. As Mahatma Gandhi said... "We must be the change that we wish to see in the world". Use the change that Jesus brings to your life to tell others about Him. Can I get a witness?
When someone changes in a big way, people notice... and they want to know why. If a man who constantly drank and beat his wife suddenly quits drinking and begins to treat his wife with respect, people notice. If a woman is addicted to drugs and ignores her children becomes a loving mother who would never touch a drug, people notice. And so it is with our reading today. A man lame from his mother's womb, that is born that way is healed through a miracle... Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.
And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. (Acts 3:6-7) (on a side note, the miracles in the Bible are always complete and total healing... the lame walk, the sick are cured, the dead rise, the blind see and so on)
Obviously, when a man that has been unable to walk his entire life is suddenly standing, walking, leaping and dancing people take note. This was not a daily occurrence and the people were amazed. Put yourself in their place. How would you react to something like that? How do you react when you read about the miracles that were done by Jesus, His apostles and those that they placed their hands on? (Acts 8:18)
The purpose of the event is clearly seen. Peter uses the attention that the miracle produced to preach Jesus. He tells the people that gather to see the man that it is not through his power that this is done, rather he tells them about Jesus. He uses the obvious change in the man to tell the people that it is Jesus that produces the change. Peter uses the miracle as the jumping off point to lead those that will listen to Him.
“And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled. Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago. Moses said, ‘The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you. And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people.’ And all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those who came after him, also proclaimed these days. You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant that God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed.’ God, having raised up his servant, sent him to you first, to bless you by turning every one of you from your wickedness.” (3:17-26)
When change comes through faith in Jesus, we must use that as a witness for Him. I must tell people why I quit drinking. You must tell your friends why you no longer frequent bars. We must tell them why we have stepped us as parents. We must tell our coworkers why we no longer cheat our employers. Clearly, God's plan is for us to remain in the world for a purpose! Otherwise, when we become Christians he could go ahead and take us home to be with Him. Instead, He wants us to show the world what it looks like to be His child. As Mahatma Gandhi said... "We must be the change that we wish to see in the world". Use the change that Jesus brings to your life to tell others about Him. Can I get a witness?
Monday, June 17, 2013
The Day That Changed Everything
There have been many such days in human history... from Creation to Revelation, the LORD has given many days that have changed our world. But in our reading today, Acts 2:1-13, a day came to pass that ushered in the kingdom of God, the church of Jesus Christ and opened the door for you and me to enter in.
Jesus had returned to the Father after His resurrection and the disciples were waiting in Jerusalem for what would happen next. I imagine the ten days between the ascension and Pentecost were filled with anticipation and lots of prayer. Jesus left and they were told to wait... "he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now." (Acts 1:4,5)
Ten days later, on the day of Pentecost, (fifty days after Passover and in this case fifty days after Jesus' resurrection) something occurred that changed history for you, me and millions of others. When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. (2:1-4) Ten days of waiting and then... the Holy Spirit fills them and they begin to speak in languages that they had never spoken before. This happened twice in all of scripture... never before and never since. This time the Spirit is poured out on the Jew (Acts 2) and on the Gentiles in Acts 10:44.
Peter tells us that this is to fulfill a prophecy that is given by the prophet Joel (Joel 2:28-32). In the last days, God would pour out His Spirit on all flesh, i.e. both Jew and Gentile and He does. The disciples are waiting in Jerusalem and on the day of Pentecost, when people from all around the world would be gathered there, God sends His Spirit and the church began. The doors flew open and people began to enter in to it. On that day alone, we are told that over 3000 people made the decision to be part of the kingdom and millions have done the same since then.
God doesn't do things by accident... His plans are sure! Pentecost was the day that the Jew celebrated the giving of the Law on Mt. Sinai and on this day nearly 2000 years ago the new law would be given and Gods' new covenant would be established. No longer was the kingdom the nation of Israel. No longer would people have to offer animal sacrifices to deal with their sins. No longer was a relationship with God determined by the physical family you were born into. Now, the "once and for all" sacrifice of His Son would forever provide the payment for the penalty of sin. Now, anyone, anywhere, anytime can respond to the gospel message of His Son and be added to the family of God and receive the eternal-life giving citizenship that is only available through Jesus.
For you and me (if you are Gentile), this day marked the beginning of our opportunity to be a part of His kingdom. This day, the day of Pentecost is a day that we should view as the start of something that changed our world... forever! John the baptizer said the kingdom was at hand (Matthew 3:2) and John the apostle said that we are his partners in the kingdom (Revelation 1:9). Somewhere in between, on the day of Pentecost the kingdom, the church arrived in all its' glory and the world has never been the same. Praise God!
Jesus had returned to the Father after His resurrection and the disciples were waiting in Jerusalem for what would happen next. I imagine the ten days between the ascension and Pentecost were filled with anticipation and lots of prayer. Jesus left and they were told to wait... "he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now." (Acts 1:4,5)
Ten days later, on the day of Pentecost, (fifty days after Passover and in this case fifty days after Jesus' resurrection) something occurred that changed history for you, me and millions of others. When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. (2:1-4) Ten days of waiting and then... the Holy Spirit fills them and they begin to speak in languages that they had never spoken before. This happened twice in all of scripture... never before and never since. This time the Spirit is poured out on the Jew (Acts 2) and on the Gentiles in Acts 10:44.
Peter tells us that this is to fulfill a prophecy that is given by the prophet Joel (Joel 2:28-32). In the last days, God would pour out His Spirit on all flesh, i.e. both Jew and Gentile and He does. The disciples are waiting in Jerusalem and on the day of Pentecost, when people from all around the world would be gathered there, God sends His Spirit and the church began. The doors flew open and people began to enter in to it. On that day alone, we are told that over 3000 people made the decision to be part of the kingdom and millions have done the same since then.
God doesn't do things by accident... His plans are sure! Pentecost was the day that the Jew celebrated the giving of the Law on Mt. Sinai and on this day nearly 2000 years ago the new law would be given and Gods' new covenant would be established. No longer was the kingdom the nation of Israel. No longer would people have to offer animal sacrifices to deal with their sins. No longer was a relationship with God determined by the physical family you were born into. Now, the "once and for all" sacrifice of His Son would forever provide the payment for the penalty of sin. Now, anyone, anywhere, anytime can respond to the gospel message of His Son and be added to the family of God and receive the eternal-life giving citizenship that is only available through Jesus.
For you and me (if you are Gentile), this day marked the beginning of our opportunity to be a part of His kingdom. This day, the day of Pentecost is a day that we should view as the start of something that changed our world... forever! John the baptizer said the kingdom was at hand (Matthew 3:2) and John the apostle said that we are his partners in the kingdom (Revelation 1:9). Somewhere in between, on the day of Pentecost the kingdom, the church arrived in all its' glory and the world has never been the same. Praise God!
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
God's Plan For Making Disciples
When we take the time to read and consider the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18ff), we understand that we are part of His plan. His plan is to change the world; redeem it. He worked through people in the Old Testament and His plan remains the same in the New. He had His "chosen" in the Old and He has His "chosen" in the New; Physical Israel in the Old and Spiritual Israel in the New.
His people were to be His presence, His representatives on the earth. His people are to be His presence on the earth. His people are to be His representatives on earth. God could have chosen any number of ways to accomplish His will here, but the way He chose was to change people, give them the responsibility to tell others and then change them and they are tell others and on and on.
Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we try to persuade others; but we ourselves are well known to God, and I hope that we are also well known to your consciences. We are not commending ourselves to you again, but giving you an opportunity to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast in outward appearance and not in the heart. For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. For the love of Christ urges us on, because we are convinced that one has died for all; therefore all have died. And he died for all, so that those who live might live no longer for themselves, but for him who died and was raised for them.
From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer in that way. So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us. So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:11-21)
Paul reminds the church in Corinth that once they accept Jesus, once they commit to being His disciples, they were to no longer regard others from a human point of view; now they were to have His point of view. We are no longer our old selves... now we are a "new creation". The old has passed away and everything (everything) has become new. I like that! And this new self, this new life is to be a life of ministry. We are to be busy telling others about Him. That is His plan. If we don't tell it, it won't be told. Paul puts it this way...entrusting the message of reconciliation to us. God chose and chooses to reach the world through those that have been reached with His message.
What an honor. We get to participate in God's plan of redemption. No, that's not right, we are God's plan. Sure He sent His Son. Sure His Son died on the cross to pay the penalty of my sin. Sure all that is true... but His plan is now in our hands. Paul puts it this was... we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us. God has selected us to be His representatives here. Our citizenship is in Heaven and we are His emissaries to planet earth. (Eph 2:18-20) We speak for Him. What an amazing privilege God has bestowed upon us.
Is that how we see it? Do I get up each day and say... "I am His ambassador, today I speak for Him"? Do we see it as an honor to be able to speak on His behalf? Am I willing to tell my neighbor that God has dealt with his sin problem? Am I will to say to him, without Jesus, he is without hope? Am I willing to teach him about the Savior? Will I tell him how to accept God's precious gift of His Son? Peter told it this way... "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (Acts 2:38ff) If you are His ambassador, get busy telling the great news of eternal life that is available to everyone (John 3:16).
His people were to be His presence, His representatives on the earth. His people are to be His presence on the earth. His people are to be His representatives on earth. God could have chosen any number of ways to accomplish His will here, but the way He chose was to change people, give them the responsibility to tell others and then change them and they are tell others and on and on.
Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we try to persuade others; but we ourselves are well known to God, and I hope that we are also well known to your consciences. We are not commending ourselves to you again, but giving you an opportunity to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast in outward appearance and not in the heart. For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. For the love of Christ urges us on, because we are convinced that one has died for all; therefore all have died. And he died for all, so that those who live might live no longer for themselves, but for him who died and was raised for them.
From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer in that way. So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us. So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:11-21)
Paul reminds the church in Corinth that once they accept Jesus, once they commit to being His disciples, they were to no longer regard others from a human point of view; now they were to have His point of view. We are no longer our old selves... now we are a "new creation". The old has passed away and everything (everything) has become new. I like that! And this new self, this new life is to be a life of ministry. We are to be busy telling others about Him. That is His plan. If we don't tell it, it won't be told. Paul puts it this way...entrusting the message of reconciliation to us. God chose and chooses to reach the world through those that have been reached with His message.
What an honor. We get to participate in God's plan of redemption. No, that's not right, we are God's plan. Sure He sent His Son. Sure His Son died on the cross to pay the penalty of my sin. Sure all that is true... but His plan is now in our hands. Paul puts it this was... we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us. God has selected us to be His representatives here. Our citizenship is in Heaven and we are His emissaries to planet earth. (Eph 2:18-20) We speak for Him. What an amazing privilege God has bestowed upon us.
Is that how we see it? Do I get up each day and say... "I am His ambassador, today I speak for Him"? Do we see it as an honor to be able to speak on His behalf? Am I willing to tell my neighbor that God has dealt with his sin problem? Am I will to say to him, without Jesus, he is without hope? Am I willing to teach him about the Savior? Will I tell him how to accept God's precious gift of His Son? Peter told it this way... "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (Acts 2:38ff) If you are His ambassador, get busy telling the great news of eternal life that is available to everyone (John 3:16).
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Teach Them to Obey....
I have heard of obedience school... usually for our dog friends. In Matthew 28, Jesus calls on His disciples to teach new disciples obedience to His commands. He tells them (and us) that in order to make true disciples, they must be taught His commands and that obedience to those commands is necessary. I know, I know... you are already thinking that I am teaching a works based salvation, but I am not! Let's read His words and see if we can make sense of all of this...
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18ff)
As I stated in my last blog, ( http://www.dalesdailybible.blogspot.com/2013/05/obey.html) our teaching must be Biblical. When we begin to teach others and make them disciples of Jesus, time must be spent in the four Gospels and the 21 Letters learning what Jesus had to say. A friend of mine told me this week that he had been going through the four Gospels and underlining all the commands of Jesus. I commend him for that... what better way to get fully acquainted with His commands than to read and study His Word with that as your goal?
Once we begin to understand His commands, I believe the natural response is to begin to place those commands in our lives. This is a very personal thing. My response to His command may well look different than your response. How I choose to live out my obedience is between me and God. How I choose to live it out today might well be different than how I do it at another time in my life. For example... I might chose to "love my neighbor as myself" by baby sitting for them so that they can have a date night. You might choose to bring them soup when they are sick. I might choose to live out "acknowledge Me before men" by wearing a shirt that says "I believe in Jesus", you might choose to stand on a street corner and preach. You get the idea. God gives us that ability to respond to His commands based on our gifts, but as His disciples our response must be obedience.
Our best example of how to teach obedience is through examining how Jesus did it. He did it perfectly, so if we use His way it will be the best and right way. For three years, he walked with His disciples and taught them His commands. As He taught verbally, He also lived out that command in front of them. When He told His disciples that they were to be His witnesses throughout the world, they had seen Him reach out to the woman at the well. When Peter asked Him how many times he should forgive his brother who sins against him, Jesus told him seventy times seven. And then, when Peter denied Him three times, he got to see His forgiveness in action. Jesus taught His disciples His commands, then He lived the commands out in front of them and then He sent them out to live them. That was His way of doing it and that should be our way.
In closing let me say that I fully understand that our hope of salvation is not because of our works, but because of what Jesus did for us. However, He requires that we are to be obedient if we are to be His disciples. Can we stray so far from obedience to Him that we are no longer His disciples? Common sense and Bible teaching would indicate that not only is that a possibility, but that it is a reality. How can someone say they are His disciples and not do what He commands? Jesus put it this way... "If you love me, you will keep my commands" (John 14:15) and "Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?" (Luke 6:46). Our obedience to His commands is a clear indication of our love for Him and whether His is Lord of our lives or not.
What about it... are you His disciple? Is He Lord of your life? Do you love Him? How you live your life is the real indication of who or what is in control. Who or what you submit to is Lord of your life. Making obedient disciples takes time and effort. Being His disciple takes obedience to His will. Anything else is a poor substitute for His perfect plan.
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18ff)
As I stated in my last blog, ( http://www.dalesdailybible.blogspot.com/2013/05/obey.html) our teaching must be Biblical. When we begin to teach others and make them disciples of Jesus, time must be spent in the four Gospels and the 21 Letters learning what Jesus had to say. A friend of mine told me this week that he had been going through the four Gospels and underlining all the commands of Jesus. I commend him for that... what better way to get fully acquainted with His commands than to read and study His Word with that as your goal?
Once we begin to understand His commands, I believe the natural response is to begin to place those commands in our lives. This is a very personal thing. My response to His command may well look different than your response. How I choose to live out my obedience is between me and God. How I choose to live it out today might well be different than how I do it at another time in my life. For example... I might chose to "love my neighbor as myself" by baby sitting for them so that they can have a date night. You might choose to bring them soup when they are sick. I might choose to live out "acknowledge Me before men" by wearing a shirt that says "I believe in Jesus", you might choose to stand on a street corner and preach. You get the idea. God gives us that ability to respond to His commands based on our gifts, but as His disciples our response must be obedience.
Our best example of how to teach obedience is through examining how Jesus did it. He did it perfectly, so if we use His way it will be the best and right way. For three years, he walked with His disciples and taught them His commands. As He taught verbally, He also lived out that command in front of them. When He told His disciples that they were to be His witnesses throughout the world, they had seen Him reach out to the woman at the well. When Peter asked Him how many times he should forgive his brother who sins against him, Jesus told him seventy times seven. And then, when Peter denied Him three times, he got to see His forgiveness in action. Jesus taught His disciples His commands, then He lived the commands out in front of them and then He sent them out to live them. That was His way of doing it and that should be our way.
In closing let me say that I fully understand that our hope of salvation is not because of our works, but because of what Jesus did for us. However, He requires that we are to be obedient if we are to be His disciples. Can we stray so far from obedience to Him that we are no longer His disciples? Common sense and Bible teaching would indicate that not only is that a possibility, but that it is a reality. How can someone say they are His disciples and not do what He commands? Jesus put it this way... "If you love me, you will keep my commands" (John 14:15) and "Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?" (Luke 6:46). Our obedience to His commands is a clear indication of our love for Him and whether His is Lord of our lives or not.
What about it... are you His disciple? Is He Lord of your life? Do you love Him? How you live your life is the real indication of who or what is in control. Who or what you submit to is Lord of your life. Making obedient disciples takes time and effort. Being His disciple takes obedience to His will. Anything else is a poor substitute for His perfect plan.
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