Be Soft in the Creator's Hands
Keep Your Eyes on the LORD
Fulfill the Law of Christ
6/13/2021
Treasure Faith
6/6/2021
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Enjoying God Glorifies Him
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Faith: Clinging to Jesus and His Promises
4/25/2021
A Tale of Two Goats: Christ's Perfect Sacrifice,
4/18/2021
Overcome the Flesh by the Word of Christ, 3/28/2021
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Overcome Testing by the Presence of Christ, 3/7/2021
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How To Overcome Apathy, 2/28/2021
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Overcome Apathy By The Spirit of Christ, 2/21/2021 |
Revelation 3:1-6. Message to the Church at Sardis
Overcome apathy by the Spirit of Christ.
vs. 1…Jesus addresses Himself as “He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars…” That is, He is the one who has placed His Spirit and His messenger in each of the seven Churches. He is reminding this church that they are to be living according to that Spirit, sharing the message of Christ.
—the second half of the verse indicates they may not have been doing that. They “have a name that they are alive, but they are dead.” In other words, they are called “Christians,” but they are not living accordingly.
vs. 2… —This church needs to wake up.
—They need to “strengthen the things that remain, which were about to die”
—Their deeds have not been found complete in the sight of God
These three exhortations seem to indicate this church is lacking resolve.
vs. 3…They must remember what they received and heard, keep it and repent. If they do not wake up, Christ’s coming will be like the coming of a thief—they will be caught unaware and unprepared.
vs. 4…Those few in Sardis who are awake are prepared because their “garments” have not been soiled. Jesus promises that these people will walk with Him in white because they are worthy.
vs. 5…Jesus promises that those who overcome will be clothed in white and their names will not be erased from the book of life. (This seems to imply that one’s name could be erased from the book of life!)
vs. 6…He who has an ear hear what the Spirit says!
What was this church to overcome? In a word, APATHY. This church had lost its passion for being called “children of God.” That is the name which they had been given. They were always called to be alert and diligent (Matthew 24:42-51). Jesus is not condemning them, but giving them time to repent! Their deeds were not complete…they needed to continue on to maturity (Hebrews 6:1). They also needed to keep themselves PURE, which some indeed were doing. There is a strong exhortation here for those who do not keep themselves pure—their names will be erased from the book of life and will not get to “walk with the Lord.” In Jesus’ words in Matthew 24, those people will be in the same place of “hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” That is, HELL (Matthew 25:41-46). Just doing good for people is not enough--need sanctification (Hebrews 12:14).
How were they to overcome apathy? Again, as with the other churches, the manner in which the church is to overcome their problem is consistent with the way Jesus describes Himself. In this case, it is “the one with the Seven Spirits.”
Overcome apathy by the Spirit of Christ.
Roman's 2:4, “Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and restraint and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?” This is how our journey with Christ started. We must "bear fruit in keeping with repentance,” (Matthew 3:8). This verse in Matthew is addressed to the apathetic Pharisees and Scribes, who think they are justified being called “Abraham’s sons.” That is the same dynamic going on with this church in Sardis. The Jewish religious leaders “had a name that they were alive,” but they were actually dead. (See John 5:39-40 where Jesus addresses the Jews unwilling to come to Him for life).
1 Peter 1:17-23…Born of imperishable seed, the fruit of that LIFE—Christ—is fervent love for that which is eternal: Christ, His Word, and those who would believe to the glory of God forever.
We need to take being a child of God seriously. If we call ourselves Christians, let us submit to the Holy Spirit who works to conform us to Christ’s image. That's what it means to “strengthen the things that remain.” Only the Spirit can complete our deeds, making us pure, worthy of walking with the Lord in His kingdom, dressed in white. How are we apathetic? Does following Jesus consume us, as it should? Do we have fervent love for Christ and His Word? Do we think lightly of what He has done for us?
Overcome apathy by the Spirit of Christ.
vs. 1…Jesus addresses Himself as “He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars…” That is, He is the one who has placed His Spirit and His messenger in each of the seven Churches. He is reminding this church that they are to be living according to that Spirit, sharing the message of Christ.
—the second half of the verse indicates they may not have been doing that. They “have a name that they are alive, but they are dead.” In other words, they are called “Christians,” but they are not living accordingly.
vs. 2… —This church needs to wake up.
—They need to “strengthen the things that remain, which were about to die”
—Their deeds have not been found complete in the sight of God
These three exhortations seem to indicate this church is lacking resolve.
vs. 3…They must remember what they received and heard, keep it and repent. If they do not wake up, Christ’s coming will be like the coming of a thief—they will be caught unaware and unprepared.
vs. 4…Those few in Sardis who are awake are prepared because their “garments” have not been soiled. Jesus promises that these people will walk with Him in white because they are worthy.
vs. 5…Jesus promises that those who overcome will be clothed in white and their names will not be erased from the book of life. (This seems to imply that one’s name could be erased from the book of life!)
vs. 6…He who has an ear hear what the Spirit says!
What was this church to overcome? In a word, APATHY. This church had lost its passion for being called “children of God.” That is the name which they had been given. They were always called to be alert and diligent (Matthew 24:42-51). Jesus is not condemning them, but giving them time to repent! Their deeds were not complete…they needed to continue on to maturity (Hebrews 6:1). They also needed to keep themselves PURE, which some indeed were doing. There is a strong exhortation here for those who do not keep themselves pure—their names will be erased from the book of life and will not get to “walk with the Lord.” In Jesus’ words in Matthew 24, those people will be in the same place of “hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” That is, HELL (Matthew 25:41-46). Just doing good for people is not enough--need sanctification (Hebrews 12:14).
How were they to overcome apathy? Again, as with the other churches, the manner in which the church is to overcome their problem is consistent with the way Jesus describes Himself. In this case, it is “the one with the Seven Spirits.”
Overcome apathy by the Spirit of Christ.
Roman's 2:4, “Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and restraint and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?” This is how our journey with Christ started. We must "bear fruit in keeping with repentance,” (Matthew 3:8). This verse in Matthew is addressed to the apathetic Pharisees and Scribes, who think they are justified being called “Abraham’s sons.” That is the same dynamic going on with this church in Sardis. The Jewish religious leaders “had a name that they were alive,” but they were actually dead. (See John 5:39-40 where Jesus addresses the Jews unwilling to come to Him for life).
1 Peter 1:17-23…Born of imperishable seed, the fruit of that LIFE—Christ—is fervent love for that which is eternal: Christ, His Word, and those who would believe to the glory of God forever.
We need to take being a child of God seriously. If we call ourselves Christians, let us submit to the Holy Spirit who works to conform us to Christ’s image. That's what it means to “strengthen the things that remain.” Only the Spirit can complete our deeds, making us pure, worthy of walking with the Lord in His kingdom, dressed in white. How are we apathetic? Does following Jesus consume us, as it should? Do we have fervent love for Christ and His Word? Do we think lightly of what He has done for us?
Life is Knowing Jesus,
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SERMON: Luke 15:11-32…Life is Knowing Jesus
Introduction: Setting the Scene
Today is Valentine’s Day. Growing up, I remember being excited for Valentine’s day because of all the candy I would get from the party at school. Every kid would make a box and bring in a “valentine” with candy for each of their classmates. Looking back, I am realizing the gifts did not mean that much. After the candy was gone, the excitement was over. I got more excited about valentines from my closer friends because I knew they cared about me. What I enjoyed the most was getting valentines from my parents. I am realizing it was not the stuff I got which meant a lot—it was the RELATIONSHIP with my mother and father. In the giving and receiving of gifts, we can miss the point of what is important: deep, caring relationships. I would say we can sometimes experience this as the family of God. There can be a lot of “gift-giving,” lip-service and surface level commitment, but we can miss the point of having a relationship with God our Father. Thereby, we miss the mark in relationship to each other—centered around God’s love.
At the beginning of Luke 15, Jesus is accused of wrongdoing by the Pharisees and scribes—Jewish religious leaders—because He eats with tax collectors and, in their words, “sinners.” In response, Jesus tells three parables which illustrate things that were lost then found. Once these things were found, there was much rejoicing.
The first parable is a parable about a lost sheep. The shepherd leaves the ninety-nine, finds the one and celebrates with his friends. Jesus says this represents how “there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.” We can see right away Jesus is drawing a metaphor: the lost sheep represents the sinners and tax collectors and the ninety-nine represent the self-righteous Pharisees and scribes.
The second parable is about a lost coin. The woman who lost it doesn’t stop searching until she finds it. When she does, she celebrates with her friends. Jesus says, “there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” This emphasizes God’s love and desire for sinners to repent.
Jesus is clearly connecting the lost things that were found to sinners who repent--Repentance is to turn back to God in sincere relationship, seeing our need of Jesus HIMSELF.
As we observe the parable we are about to read, we need to keep in mind this flow of thought. (Read Luke 15:11-32)
Summarizing the parable
Let’s walk through the action of this parable briefly: A wealthy man has two sons. The younger son asks for his inheritance, then goes and squanders it with frivolous living. When hard times come, he tries his hardest to make it work. Eventually he comes to his senses and humbly asks his father for forgiveness. The father is so happy to see him and welcomes him back. The older son does not share in his father’s joy over and love for the younger brother. Rather, he is indignant, not wanting to be part of the celebration. The father takes time to come to the older brother, pleading with him to join the celebration. The older brother responds in a way which indicates his wrong understanding about the father and wrong attitude toward his younger brother—which the father corrects. Jesus then leaves His listeners hanging, unlike the previous two parables. What is the significance of all the action? Let’s look at each scene.
Opening Scene (verses 11-12)
The younger son asks for his inheritance. Normally, he would have received this upon the father’s death. The younger son is not interested in a relationship with the father. He would rather his father be dead! He just wants his father’s stuff so he can live life the way he wants. Yet the father is gracious and grants him his wish.
Distant Country Scene (verses 13-19)
The younger son ventures off, spends everything and falls on hard times. Then he tries everything he can to sustain his life in that distant country. In the lowest of the low, he finally realizes that LIFE IS WITH THE FATHER. He decides to humble himself and see if his father will even take him back as a servant. He realizes how unworthy he was and still is of living with his father, but he will do what he needs to do to have a right relationship again. (Repentance)
The Return of the Prodigal Son Scene (verses 20-24)
The younger son comes to the father and while he is still far off, the father sees him, throws off restraint and meets him—embracing him and kissing him. This shows me something very important about the father. If he saw him a long way off, then that shows me he had always been looking for his son’s return. He does not care about how hurt and worried he was while his son was lost. He is so overjoyed at his son’s return, he spares no expense in celebrating. He also is not interested in his son’s apology, as he cuts him off mid-thought! The son’s words do not speak as well as his actions, which show true repentance. The father is overjoyed with the son’s true repentance.
The Older Son Scene (verses 25-32)
When the older son finds out about the younger son’s return and the father’s celebration he is more than indifferent—he is angry. He does not even want to go near. When the father, in his love for the older son, comes out, the older son reveals what is in his heart. The older son never had a relationship with his father. He, like the younger brother was at the beginning, is only interested in the father’s stuff. If he had a relationship with the father, he would have shared in his father’s joy and love for the younger brother. He did not realize that life is not in the father’s stuff or in simply keeping his commands. (valentines at school: meaningless without relationship) Rather, LIFE IS WITH THE FATHER HIMSELF. The father corrects this son’s thinking in two ways. First, he reminds the son that he has never held anything back from him. Second, he implores his son to realize the truth that apart from him, his sons are as good as dead. The parable ends with “But we had to celebrate and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found.” The father says something similar when the younger son first returns, “…this son of mine was dead and has come to life again…” (vs 24).
THE POINT OF THE PARABLE: Life is with the father.
Interpreting the Parable
Given the context of Jesus speaking to the Pharisees and scribes regarding Him eating with sinners, we can correlate each of the three characters in the parable as such:
The father is Jesus, the younger son is the tax collectors and sinners with whom Jesus is eating, and the older brother is the self-righteous Pharisees and scribes.
Jesus Himself does not interpret this parable because He is bringing His listeners to a choice. The implied question is “Will you respond to my offer of a relationship with the Heavenly Father like the younger son, in repentance, or like the older son, who was self-righteous?”
Jesus is not condemning the self righteous, but pleading with them to turn to Him for life.
Life is knowing with Jesus. Relationship with heavenly Father through Christ.
Applying the Parable
Do we realize that true life is knowing our Heavenly Father through a relationship with Jesus?
The outflow of that relationship is that He will show us how to live. I was seeing three life applications we need to consider with this parable.
1. We may have made mistakes in the past, but He is receiving us back. God has given us grace to change—to transform into Christ’s image. Let us no longer live loosely like the younger brother. Honor God in everything we do, free from selfish ambition. For me thinking about a career change, I know I am going to have to be careful, especially if I might literally move to a distant country like the younger brother. Let every step we take be ordered by the Lord.
2. Let us share in Jesus’ love for those who are lost. Like the father in the parable, let’s constantly scan the horizon, making the most of every opportunity. This starts with our attitudes—we are no better than anybody! Everything with the election, COVID-19, social injustice, and much more is bringing the wickedness of humankind to light in new ways. Will we focus our energy like the Father or like the older son? In the midst of our daily interactions with family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers, let us speak and act graciously in a way that reveals Jesus. Every person is a person who needs Jesus, no matter how far-gone they may seem. Let us pray for our leaders—people we may never meet—knowing that God has set them in authority for a reason. Let us not just look at people on the surface: look deeper. Let us love like Christ loves.
3. Let us love one another as brothers and sisters in Christ, rejoicing with each other when we see progress in our relationship with God and striving against sin. Let’s not be outside the house like the older brother, unwilling to associate with another because of past hurts or mistakes. None of us are deserving of God’s love, yet He has freely given us every spiritual blessing in Christ (Eph. 1:3-4). Let us not only speak love to one another, but truly love one another from the heart, evidenced by our every action. Let us not be the self-righteous, but humbly seek God’s will for us in Christ. (1 John 3:13-18–Pharisees “loved” in word only! Just giving a “valentine” going through the motions is not enough)
CONCLUSION…Nothing can give us life apart from Christ. Let’s stop trying to attain life elsewhere—whether in earthly or spiritual things. Accept God’s grace to change, share God’s love for the lost, and actively seek God’s will as we love each other.
Introduction: Setting the Scene
Today is Valentine’s Day. Growing up, I remember being excited for Valentine’s day because of all the candy I would get from the party at school. Every kid would make a box and bring in a “valentine” with candy for each of their classmates. Looking back, I am realizing the gifts did not mean that much. After the candy was gone, the excitement was over. I got more excited about valentines from my closer friends because I knew they cared about me. What I enjoyed the most was getting valentines from my parents. I am realizing it was not the stuff I got which meant a lot—it was the RELATIONSHIP with my mother and father. In the giving and receiving of gifts, we can miss the point of what is important: deep, caring relationships. I would say we can sometimes experience this as the family of God. There can be a lot of “gift-giving,” lip-service and surface level commitment, but we can miss the point of having a relationship with God our Father. Thereby, we miss the mark in relationship to each other—centered around God’s love.
At the beginning of Luke 15, Jesus is accused of wrongdoing by the Pharisees and scribes—Jewish religious leaders—because He eats with tax collectors and, in their words, “sinners.” In response, Jesus tells three parables which illustrate things that were lost then found. Once these things were found, there was much rejoicing.
The first parable is a parable about a lost sheep. The shepherd leaves the ninety-nine, finds the one and celebrates with his friends. Jesus says this represents how “there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.” We can see right away Jesus is drawing a metaphor: the lost sheep represents the sinners and tax collectors and the ninety-nine represent the self-righteous Pharisees and scribes.
The second parable is about a lost coin. The woman who lost it doesn’t stop searching until she finds it. When she does, she celebrates with her friends. Jesus says, “there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” This emphasizes God’s love and desire for sinners to repent.
Jesus is clearly connecting the lost things that were found to sinners who repent--Repentance is to turn back to God in sincere relationship, seeing our need of Jesus HIMSELF.
As we observe the parable we are about to read, we need to keep in mind this flow of thought. (Read Luke 15:11-32)
Summarizing the parable
Let’s walk through the action of this parable briefly: A wealthy man has two sons. The younger son asks for his inheritance, then goes and squanders it with frivolous living. When hard times come, he tries his hardest to make it work. Eventually he comes to his senses and humbly asks his father for forgiveness. The father is so happy to see him and welcomes him back. The older son does not share in his father’s joy over and love for the younger brother. Rather, he is indignant, not wanting to be part of the celebration. The father takes time to come to the older brother, pleading with him to join the celebration. The older brother responds in a way which indicates his wrong understanding about the father and wrong attitude toward his younger brother—which the father corrects. Jesus then leaves His listeners hanging, unlike the previous two parables. What is the significance of all the action? Let’s look at each scene.
Opening Scene (verses 11-12)
The younger son asks for his inheritance. Normally, he would have received this upon the father’s death. The younger son is not interested in a relationship with the father. He would rather his father be dead! He just wants his father’s stuff so he can live life the way he wants. Yet the father is gracious and grants him his wish.
Distant Country Scene (verses 13-19)
The younger son ventures off, spends everything and falls on hard times. Then he tries everything he can to sustain his life in that distant country. In the lowest of the low, he finally realizes that LIFE IS WITH THE FATHER. He decides to humble himself and see if his father will even take him back as a servant. He realizes how unworthy he was and still is of living with his father, but he will do what he needs to do to have a right relationship again. (Repentance)
The Return of the Prodigal Son Scene (verses 20-24)
The younger son comes to the father and while he is still far off, the father sees him, throws off restraint and meets him—embracing him and kissing him. This shows me something very important about the father. If he saw him a long way off, then that shows me he had always been looking for his son’s return. He does not care about how hurt and worried he was while his son was lost. He is so overjoyed at his son’s return, he spares no expense in celebrating. He also is not interested in his son’s apology, as he cuts him off mid-thought! The son’s words do not speak as well as his actions, which show true repentance. The father is overjoyed with the son’s true repentance.
The Older Son Scene (verses 25-32)
When the older son finds out about the younger son’s return and the father’s celebration he is more than indifferent—he is angry. He does not even want to go near. When the father, in his love for the older son, comes out, the older son reveals what is in his heart. The older son never had a relationship with his father. He, like the younger brother was at the beginning, is only interested in the father’s stuff. If he had a relationship with the father, he would have shared in his father’s joy and love for the younger brother. He did not realize that life is not in the father’s stuff or in simply keeping his commands. (valentines at school: meaningless without relationship) Rather, LIFE IS WITH THE FATHER HIMSELF. The father corrects this son’s thinking in two ways. First, he reminds the son that he has never held anything back from him. Second, he implores his son to realize the truth that apart from him, his sons are as good as dead. The parable ends with “But we had to celebrate and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found.” The father says something similar when the younger son first returns, “…this son of mine was dead and has come to life again…” (vs 24).
THE POINT OF THE PARABLE: Life is with the father.
Interpreting the Parable
Given the context of Jesus speaking to the Pharisees and scribes regarding Him eating with sinners, we can correlate each of the three characters in the parable as such:
The father is Jesus, the younger son is the tax collectors and sinners with whom Jesus is eating, and the older brother is the self-righteous Pharisees and scribes.
Jesus Himself does not interpret this parable because He is bringing His listeners to a choice. The implied question is “Will you respond to my offer of a relationship with the Heavenly Father like the younger son, in repentance, or like the older son, who was self-righteous?”
Jesus is not condemning the self righteous, but pleading with them to turn to Him for life.
Life is knowing with Jesus. Relationship with heavenly Father through Christ.
Applying the Parable
Do we realize that true life is knowing our Heavenly Father through a relationship with Jesus?
The outflow of that relationship is that He will show us how to live. I was seeing three life applications we need to consider with this parable.
1. We may have made mistakes in the past, but He is receiving us back. God has given us grace to change—to transform into Christ’s image. Let us no longer live loosely like the younger brother. Honor God in everything we do, free from selfish ambition. For me thinking about a career change, I know I am going to have to be careful, especially if I might literally move to a distant country like the younger brother. Let every step we take be ordered by the Lord.
2. Let us share in Jesus’ love for those who are lost. Like the father in the parable, let’s constantly scan the horizon, making the most of every opportunity. This starts with our attitudes—we are no better than anybody! Everything with the election, COVID-19, social injustice, and much more is bringing the wickedness of humankind to light in new ways. Will we focus our energy like the Father or like the older son? In the midst of our daily interactions with family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers, let us speak and act graciously in a way that reveals Jesus. Every person is a person who needs Jesus, no matter how far-gone they may seem. Let us pray for our leaders—people we may never meet—knowing that God has set them in authority for a reason. Let us not just look at people on the surface: look deeper. Let us love like Christ loves.
3. Let us love one another as brothers and sisters in Christ, rejoicing with each other when we see progress in our relationship with God and striving against sin. Let’s not be outside the house like the older brother, unwilling to associate with another because of past hurts or mistakes. None of us are deserving of God’s love, yet He has freely given us every spiritual blessing in Christ (Eph. 1:3-4). Let us not only speak love to one another, but truly love one another from the heart, evidenced by our every action. Let us not be the self-righteous, but humbly seek God’s will for us in Christ. (1 John 3:13-18–Pharisees “loved” in word only! Just giving a “valentine” going through the motions is not enough)
CONCLUSION…Nothing can give us life apart from Christ. Let’s stop trying to attain life elsewhere—whether in earthly or spiritual things. Accept God’s grace to change, share God’s love for the lost, and actively seek God’s will as we love each other.
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God's Intention For His Creation, 2/7/2021 |
Introduction
By summarizing Revelation 21-22, keeping in mind texts from Genesis and Isaiah, one can more fully grasp God’s intention for His creation. What follows is a summary of these last two chapters of Revelation with some observations regarding apparent themes. The second section of this discussion deals with intertextual connections between these two chapters, Genesis 1-3, Isaiah 65-66, and a few others. The last part includes a personal reflection on how these connections may help one share the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Summarizing the Last Two Chapters of Revelation
In Revelation 21:1-4, John sees a new heaven and earth, and a new Jerusalem comes down out of heaven. This new Jerusalem is a place for God to dwell with His people in perfect peace. In Revelation 21:5—9, God—the Alpha and the Omega—is making all things new. People who overcome will inherit this new home, complete with the water of life. Those who do not overcome will be cast into the lake of fire—the second death. In Revelation 21:10-21, an angel shows John the New Jerusalem in more detail, outlining specific measurements and types of materials of various parts of the city. Of note are the twelve foundation stones which have the names of the twelve apostles on them. Revelation 21:22-27 shows that God the Father and the Lamb are the temple of the city, which is illumined by the glory of God. The gates will always be open as kings and nations bring their glory and honor into it. Only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life, who are perfectly pure, may enter. In Revelation 22:1-5, John is given a vision of the river of life flowing from the throne of God. There is a tree of life on either side of the river. God’s bondservants who have His name written on their foreheads will serve Him and reign forever, as God illumines them. In Revelation 22:6-9, Jesus affirms with John that He is coming quickly and that those who heed the words of this book will be blessed—which is why John wrote in chapter 1 verse 3, “Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near.” Worshipping God alone is the proper response. In Revelation 22:10-15, there is one last reminder that what is to come includes a judgment from God. Only those who “wash their robes”—turning away from the behavior and attitudes described—can eat from the tree of life and enter the city. In Revelation 22:16, Jesus says He is “the root and descendent of David, the bright morning star.” Revelation 22:17-22…The word is “COME;” however, this invitation is only for those who will hold fast to God’s Word and only God’s Word.
Some general observations we can make include the themes of God’s glory and God being the source of life and the concept of a “name.” God’s glory is the light of the city of God, and those who have the privilege to enter the city will bring their “glory” into the city. This idea seems to be directly linked to the idea of God and the Lamb being the source of life. It is a shared glory for those who have shared in God’s life—those who have the honor of reflecting God’s glory. Everything in the city is made of precious metals and stones—reflective materials! Everything centers around God glorified, and those who have their names written in the book of life get to be a part of the experience. Further, these people have the name of the Lamb on their foreheads. This could be symbolic for how He is always on their minds—their sole focus.
God’s intention for the new creation is Him being glorified through our worship.
Intertextual Connections
One could spend years meditating on the imagery of just Revelation 21:1-4. “A new heaven and a new earth” right away should take readers to Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” The reference to the holy city prepared as a bride echoes a lot of language from the biblical canon, but the first reference to marriage is the creation of Adam and Eve in Genesis 2, when they were in the Garden of Eden “naked and unashamed” (Gen. 2:25). They were unashamed because sin had not yet entered the world. This new, holy city is just that—completely, perfectly holy. Revelation 21:3 points out God’s desire to dwell with His people. In Genesis chapter 3, Adam and Eve hear God walking in the Garden. It can be inferred that God created man in His “image and likeness” (Genesis 1:26) so that they could share in His life in perfect communion and fellowship—an undefiled relationship until Adam and Eve’s sin. In Revelation, now God is completing His restoring of that relationship. With that restoration comes a promise of no more death, mourning, crying or pain (Rev. 21:4), which were effects of Adam and Eve’s fall, felt by every person since then and until this day that Revelation describes. This promise echoes the same promise God spoke through Isaiah, seen in chapter 65, verses 17-23. Isaiah 65:23 even alludes to the curse on Adam from Genesis 3, essentially that his labor would be “in vain.” It is safe to conclude, though not explicitly stated, that in this New Jerusalem, all work—which is only serving the Lord at all times—will not be in vain!
Picking up in Revelation 21:5, we see God refer to Himself as “the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end.” The first four words of the Bible, at least in English, are “in the beginning, God….’ God was at the beginning, existing from eternity past, and He is completely distinct from His creation. Right after this, He promises to “give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost.” He is the source of life as the Creator. This imagery also echoes the Garden of Eden, where God did place a river. Right after this, He reminds us that there is certain judgment coming and eternal punishment for those who reject God. This echoes God casting Adam and Eve out of the Garden, with their respective curses.
John’s more detailed vision of the “holy city, Jerusalem” is wrought with imagery of extravagance and unsurpassed beauty. This “wife of the Lamb” (21:9) both “[has] the glory of God” (21:11) being “illumined” by the glory of God (21:23). The city is made of precious metals and stones for the purpose of reflecting God’s glory. This is why mankind was made. “God said, ‘Let us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness’ “ (Genesis 1:26). They were also meant to have an intimate relationship with their Creator, reflecting and recognizing His character. In the new Jerusalem there will be no need for a temple because we will be in God’s very presence, face-to-face! When Jesus says He is the “root and descendent of David,” He is affirming that He is the promised Messiah-King for whom the earthly temple was built as a dim shadow of these things to come. Even more than the earthly temple, this is a most holy place where only those who are in Christ may enter: “those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life’ (21:27).
Conclusion: Sharing the Gospel
Are you in Christ? From this study so far, we can observe that He is the source of this heavenly kingdom, and He is the one for whom it will be made. Our part is to serve and worship Him for eternity—such a blessed existence were there will be no more pain, mourning or death! However, to reject this offer is to suffer God’s wrath for eternity. God is a jealous God who desires holiness and is doing everything to display His glory through His creation. This is an awesome purpose, and it is one in which we benefit more than anything we could live for on earth. To see Almighty God and somehow share in His glory—at least by reflecting it—will be such an honor. We cannot by our own merit or effort enter. Just like Adam and Eve, we have all sinned and are therefore separated from God and His glory. Romans 1:18-23 says, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures.” You have exchanged the glory of God, just like Adam and Eve did. If you think there is life apart from Christ, then you are badly mistaken.
We can thank God that He is making all things new! God made a way for us to be reconciled to Him through sending His Son in the person of Jesus Christ. God desires holiness and He also desires to dwell with us. Just like God created light in the beginning and will be the everlasting source of light as seen in the vision of the holy city in Revelation, Jesus came as the Light of the World. God, by His Word, created everything and “In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men” (John 1:4). “This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. For everyone does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed” (John 3:19-20). Do you hate the Light—Jesus? Jesus says if you do not come to Him, you hate Him, and the reason for that is because you love your sin—which is darkness and death, leading to an everlasting experience of torment by God’s wrath. It does not have to be that way.
Simply come to Jesus. Do not be like the nation Israel of whom Isaiah speaks, “I have spread out My hands all day long to a rebellious people, who walk in the way which is not good, following their own thoughts” (Isa. 65:2). The offer of life is for all who will forsake their ways. These people have the name of the Lamb on their foreheads, as they are always thinking of Him. “The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who hears say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost” (Rev. 22:17). Simply come. You will experience the glory of God, eternal life, and get a new name: “HIS.”
By summarizing Revelation 21-22, keeping in mind texts from Genesis and Isaiah, one can more fully grasp God’s intention for His creation. What follows is a summary of these last two chapters of Revelation with some observations regarding apparent themes. The second section of this discussion deals with intertextual connections between these two chapters, Genesis 1-3, Isaiah 65-66, and a few others. The last part includes a personal reflection on how these connections may help one share the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Summarizing the Last Two Chapters of Revelation
In Revelation 21:1-4, John sees a new heaven and earth, and a new Jerusalem comes down out of heaven. This new Jerusalem is a place for God to dwell with His people in perfect peace. In Revelation 21:5—9, God—the Alpha and the Omega—is making all things new. People who overcome will inherit this new home, complete with the water of life. Those who do not overcome will be cast into the lake of fire—the second death. In Revelation 21:10-21, an angel shows John the New Jerusalem in more detail, outlining specific measurements and types of materials of various parts of the city. Of note are the twelve foundation stones which have the names of the twelve apostles on them. Revelation 21:22-27 shows that God the Father and the Lamb are the temple of the city, which is illumined by the glory of God. The gates will always be open as kings and nations bring their glory and honor into it. Only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life, who are perfectly pure, may enter. In Revelation 22:1-5, John is given a vision of the river of life flowing from the throne of God. There is a tree of life on either side of the river. God’s bondservants who have His name written on their foreheads will serve Him and reign forever, as God illumines them. In Revelation 22:6-9, Jesus affirms with John that He is coming quickly and that those who heed the words of this book will be blessed—which is why John wrote in chapter 1 verse 3, “Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near.” Worshipping God alone is the proper response. In Revelation 22:10-15, there is one last reminder that what is to come includes a judgment from God. Only those who “wash their robes”—turning away from the behavior and attitudes described—can eat from the tree of life and enter the city. In Revelation 22:16, Jesus says He is “the root and descendent of David, the bright morning star.” Revelation 22:17-22…The word is “COME;” however, this invitation is only for those who will hold fast to God’s Word and only God’s Word.
Some general observations we can make include the themes of God’s glory and God being the source of life and the concept of a “name.” God’s glory is the light of the city of God, and those who have the privilege to enter the city will bring their “glory” into the city. This idea seems to be directly linked to the idea of God and the Lamb being the source of life. It is a shared glory for those who have shared in God’s life—those who have the honor of reflecting God’s glory. Everything in the city is made of precious metals and stones—reflective materials! Everything centers around God glorified, and those who have their names written in the book of life get to be a part of the experience. Further, these people have the name of the Lamb on their foreheads. This could be symbolic for how He is always on their minds—their sole focus.
God’s intention for the new creation is Him being glorified through our worship.
Intertextual Connections
One could spend years meditating on the imagery of just Revelation 21:1-4. “A new heaven and a new earth” right away should take readers to Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” The reference to the holy city prepared as a bride echoes a lot of language from the biblical canon, but the first reference to marriage is the creation of Adam and Eve in Genesis 2, when they were in the Garden of Eden “naked and unashamed” (Gen. 2:25). They were unashamed because sin had not yet entered the world. This new, holy city is just that—completely, perfectly holy. Revelation 21:3 points out God’s desire to dwell with His people. In Genesis chapter 3, Adam and Eve hear God walking in the Garden. It can be inferred that God created man in His “image and likeness” (Genesis 1:26) so that they could share in His life in perfect communion and fellowship—an undefiled relationship until Adam and Eve’s sin. In Revelation, now God is completing His restoring of that relationship. With that restoration comes a promise of no more death, mourning, crying or pain (Rev. 21:4), which were effects of Adam and Eve’s fall, felt by every person since then and until this day that Revelation describes. This promise echoes the same promise God spoke through Isaiah, seen in chapter 65, verses 17-23. Isaiah 65:23 even alludes to the curse on Adam from Genesis 3, essentially that his labor would be “in vain.” It is safe to conclude, though not explicitly stated, that in this New Jerusalem, all work—which is only serving the Lord at all times—will not be in vain!
Picking up in Revelation 21:5, we see God refer to Himself as “the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end.” The first four words of the Bible, at least in English, are “in the beginning, God….’ God was at the beginning, existing from eternity past, and He is completely distinct from His creation. Right after this, He promises to “give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost.” He is the source of life as the Creator. This imagery also echoes the Garden of Eden, where God did place a river. Right after this, He reminds us that there is certain judgment coming and eternal punishment for those who reject God. This echoes God casting Adam and Eve out of the Garden, with their respective curses.
John’s more detailed vision of the “holy city, Jerusalem” is wrought with imagery of extravagance and unsurpassed beauty. This “wife of the Lamb” (21:9) both “[has] the glory of God” (21:11) being “illumined” by the glory of God (21:23). The city is made of precious metals and stones for the purpose of reflecting God’s glory. This is why mankind was made. “God said, ‘Let us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness’ “ (Genesis 1:26). They were also meant to have an intimate relationship with their Creator, reflecting and recognizing His character. In the new Jerusalem there will be no need for a temple because we will be in God’s very presence, face-to-face! When Jesus says He is the “root and descendent of David,” He is affirming that He is the promised Messiah-King for whom the earthly temple was built as a dim shadow of these things to come. Even more than the earthly temple, this is a most holy place where only those who are in Christ may enter: “those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life’ (21:27).
Conclusion: Sharing the Gospel
Are you in Christ? From this study so far, we can observe that He is the source of this heavenly kingdom, and He is the one for whom it will be made. Our part is to serve and worship Him for eternity—such a blessed existence were there will be no more pain, mourning or death! However, to reject this offer is to suffer God’s wrath for eternity. God is a jealous God who desires holiness and is doing everything to display His glory through His creation. This is an awesome purpose, and it is one in which we benefit more than anything we could live for on earth. To see Almighty God and somehow share in His glory—at least by reflecting it—will be such an honor. We cannot by our own merit or effort enter. Just like Adam and Eve, we have all sinned and are therefore separated from God and His glory. Romans 1:18-23 says, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures.” You have exchanged the glory of God, just like Adam and Eve did. If you think there is life apart from Christ, then you are badly mistaken.
We can thank God that He is making all things new! God made a way for us to be reconciled to Him through sending His Son in the person of Jesus Christ. God desires holiness and He also desires to dwell with us. Just like God created light in the beginning and will be the everlasting source of light as seen in the vision of the holy city in Revelation, Jesus came as the Light of the World. God, by His Word, created everything and “In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men” (John 1:4). “This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. For everyone does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed” (John 3:19-20). Do you hate the Light—Jesus? Jesus says if you do not come to Him, you hate Him, and the reason for that is because you love your sin—which is darkness and death, leading to an everlasting experience of torment by God’s wrath. It does not have to be that way.
Simply come to Jesus. Do not be like the nation Israel of whom Isaiah speaks, “I have spread out My hands all day long to a rebellious people, who walk in the way which is not good, following their own thoughts” (Isa. 65:2). The offer of life is for all who will forsake their ways. These people have the name of the Lamb on their foreheads, as they are always thinking of Him. “The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who hears say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost” (Rev. 22:17). Simply come. You will experience the glory of God, eternal life, and get a new name: “HIS.”
Overcome the World by the Authority of Christ,
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Revelation 2:18-28
Message to the Church at Thyatira
As we continue our study of the messages to the 7 churches in Revelation, let’s continue to keep in mind the grand storyline of the Bible. Revelation serves as the bookend of the Biblical canon, and the last two chapters echo the first chapters in Genesis. As seen in Genesis, God created the heavens and the earth. After Adam and Eve sinned and were cast out from God’s presence, God has worked all things together for the purpose of renewing the place of perfect peace with His creation where He can be honored, adored and worshipped for eternity for all He is. In Revelation, John is given a vision from Jesus of this renewed Eden, where there is a river of life, a tree of life, and everything is measured by its proximity to the throne of God, where the Lord Jesus is seated. In the kingdom of heaven, all God’s servants and children will worship Him forever in perfect peace, surely in awe of how unfathomably awesome He is. This was the expectation for Adam and Eve which they failed at. The Hebrew word used in Genesis which is translated in reference to them cultivating the garden to “keep” is the same word used in reference to the temple service by the priests and the keeping of God’s commandments by the people. Keeping the garden was supposed to be an act of worship by Adam and Eve—one they were made to enjoy and rest in as they experience communion with God. But they failed—as did God’s people through the ages.
The letters to these churches were given specifically for these churches to get them ready for the day Christ returns. They are for us today just as much as they were for these historic churches. For every church Jesus promises something for those who OVERCOME, usually with a warning for those who do not. What these messages are asking us is “are we going to keep what God has entrusted to us?” He has given us everything we need to do so.
So far, the messages have been:
Overcome the love of self by the Love of Christ. The Church at Ephesus had left their first love.
Overcome death by the life of Christ. The Church in Smyrna were going to face persecution.
Overcome Satan by the word of Christ. Church in Pergamum was warned not to believe lies.
Let’s look at the message to the Church in Thyatira. (Read Rev. 2:18-28)
Just observing the verses, we can see the same formula as with the other churches: 1) Jesus identifies Himself, 2) He then commends and corrects the church, 3) Then He exhorts them to overcome, with a promise for those who do. With the other churches the promise for those who overcome is always connected with Jesus’ highlighted attribute.
For this message, Jesus identifies Himself as “The Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet are like burnished bronze…” (verse 18). The promise to those who overcome is “authority over the nations” and “the morning star.” Jesus is highlighting His authority as the Son of God to bring judgment and to impart that same authority to those who will be faithful with it. The ultimate reward is Jesus Himself, who identifies Himself as the “bright morning star” in Revelation 22:16. Peter also refers to Jesus as the morning star in 2 Peter. We will look at that a little later.
To summarize the message to Thyatira in a point: Overcome the World by the Authority of Christ.
As we walk through verse-by-verse we are going to see that Jesus is warning them not just about the world around them but also worldliness in the Church.
-verse 18…Jesus is the Son of God. That is pretty clear—there is no higher authority. His specific attribute as it relates to Thyatira is the one with “eyes like a flame of fire” with “feet like burnished bronze.” Burnished bronze is that which has just come out of a furnace, hot and glowing. Jesus is bringing fire to this church—He is ready with His judgment and He is coming.
-verse 19…This church seems to be doing well. They are doing greater deeds than they ever have before, have love, faith, service and perseverance! What do they lack???
-verse 20…Jesus has one thing against them: they “tolerate the woman Jezebel.” It is possible Jesus is referring to a specific person in that church, but it is more likely He is referencing the historic person from the book of Kings, much like He referenced Balaam’s teaching to the church in Pergamum and Satan’s teaching to the church in Smyrna. In the verse, it says she calls herself a prophetess and leads the church astray to commit acts of immorality.
The historic person Jezebel was a princess of the nation Sidon who was married by King Ahab of Israel. Ok, let’s stop there. Sidon was a nation who worshipped Baal—a pagan god—and were among those dwelling in the promised land which the Israelites were commanded by the LORD to drive out. It says in 1 Kings 17:30 that “Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the LORD more than all who were before him.” That must have been very bad, as there were some pretty wicked kings before Ahab! The next verse says that after Ahab married Jezebel, he “went to serve Baal and worshipped him. The leader of God’s chose people has completely turned his back on the LORD—the Creator of the universe who has made this unbreakable covenant with His people—to worship a Baal and set up an altar for this pagan god. This was actually just a side-effect of his new wife’s influence. Through the narrative that follows we see that Jezebel has a wicked influence on Ahab. Jezebel threatens Elijah the prophet (chapter 19). Elijah was fervently serving the Lord speaking out against the Baals and King Ahab’s sin. In chapter 21 of 1 Kings, Jezebel orders some of the king’s men to kill a man so Ahab can take possession of the man’s vineyard. 1 Kings 21:25-29 summarizes Ahab’s evil, but also gives us a picture of God’s mercy and judgment, echoed in the message to Thyatira in Revelation. Ahab, incited by Jezebel, did evil, but then he repented. God did show him mercy after all, but Ahab’s descendants would still be affected by Ahab’s sin.
Back to Revelation 2, we can see this at work in Christ’s message. Jezebel represents those who assert a WORLDLY authority while rejecting God’s authority. Sometimes idolatry looks “spiritual.” Let’s be sure we are not worshipping a Christ of our imagination…
verse 21…repentance is always offered by God. There is a spirit in this World that says you don’t need repentance. It says, “Come as you are;” and “God is actually FOR you, not AGAINST you;” while denying the truth that God wants to make us like Christ, forsaking this world. “Has worldliness permeated the church? Is there anyone holding onto or hiding sin?
verse 22…There is certain judgment coming for those in the Church who do not repent of worldliness. Having a mind set on the world is adultery. WE BELONG TO CHRIST. A covenant which cannot be broken. Here, “sickness” and “tribulation” may have been very literal to the church in Thyatira, but the principle at work is that if we let ourselves be ruled by this world and its influences we will have trouble. God loves and wants us to repent, but will discipline us if we don’t.
verse 23…Points to how the work of the church being ruled by worldly authority will come to nothing. The “children” represents the outcome of the work of the church—not necessarily people. It is not just the outcome of the work, though. Christ also “searches the minds and the hearts.” What do we think about the most? What do we hold most dear? Jesus?
Let’s not tolerate worldly thinking, desires or deeds in the Body of Christ.
Verses 24-27 speak to how Christ has given us authority to call out worldliness in the Church. This quotes Psalm 2, which foreshadows the coming Messiah-King. He is sharing His kingly authority. If we think there is more merit in any other authority, we are thinking like Satan. “Deep things of Satan” means the devil wants us to flaunt worldly authority as if it is actually from God! It could be that some want power without submission to the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit. Examples of this are the Prosperity Gospel teaching. Some say, “God has an awesome plan for your life.” God suits your purposes?! No, it is the other way around. We were made in His image and likeness. Another example of this is the Emergent Church movement. Some churches will do whatever the can to attract people, often forgetting TRUTH. The problem with this is that in order to keep people you have to maintain whatever it is you used to attract them, rather than focusing on the Word of God and submission to the Lordship of Christ. Let’s attract people to God’s Word: eternal life.
Verse 28 contains an awesome promise in a concise statement: “I will give him the morning star.” That is Christ Himself. Read Revelation 22:16-17. COME. Taste and see. You will not be disappointed. There is nothing better than to worship God—the Creator of the Universe, and maker of a new, righteous, perfect heavenly kingdom where we will reign with Him—forever.
Do we desire this world or Christ?
Message to the Church at Thyatira
As we continue our study of the messages to the 7 churches in Revelation, let’s continue to keep in mind the grand storyline of the Bible. Revelation serves as the bookend of the Biblical canon, and the last two chapters echo the first chapters in Genesis. As seen in Genesis, God created the heavens and the earth. After Adam and Eve sinned and were cast out from God’s presence, God has worked all things together for the purpose of renewing the place of perfect peace with His creation where He can be honored, adored and worshipped for eternity for all He is. In Revelation, John is given a vision from Jesus of this renewed Eden, where there is a river of life, a tree of life, and everything is measured by its proximity to the throne of God, where the Lord Jesus is seated. In the kingdom of heaven, all God’s servants and children will worship Him forever in perfect peace, surely in awe of how unfathomably awesome He is. This was the expectation for Adam and Eve which they failed at. The Hebrew word used in Genesis which is translated in reference to them cultivating the garden to “keep” is the same word used in reference to the temple service by the priests and the keeping of God’s commandments by the people. Keeping the garden was supposed to be an act of worship by Adam and Eve—one they were made to enjoy and rest in as they experience communion with God. But they failed—as did God’s people through the ages.
The letters to these churches were given specifically for these churches to get them ready for the day Christ returns. They are for us today just as much as they were for these historic churches. For every church Jesus promises something for those who OVERCOME, usually with a warning for those who do not. What these messages are asking us is “are we going to keep what God has entrusted to us?” He has given us everything we need to do so.
So far, the messages have been:
Overcome the love of self by the Love of Christ. The Church at Ephesus had left their first love.
Overcome death by the life of Christ. The Church in Smyrna were going to face persecution.
Overcome Satan by the word of Christ. Church in Pergamum was warned not to believe lies.
Let’s look at the message to the Church in Thyatira. (Read Rev. 2:18-28)
Just observing the verses, we can see the same formula as with the other churches: 1) Jesus identifies Himself, 2) He then commends and corrects the church, 3) Then He exhorts them to overcome, with a promise for those who do. With the other churches the promise for those who overcome is always connected with Jesus’ highlighted attribute.
For this message, Jesus identifies Himself as “The Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet are like burnished bronze…” (verse 18). The promise to those who overcome is “authority over the nations” and “the morning star.” Jesus is highlighting His authority as the Son of God to bring judgment and to impart that same authority to those who will be faithful with it. The ultimate reward is Jesus Himself, who identifies Himself as the “bright morning star” in Revelation 22:16. Peter also refers to Jesus as the morning star in 2 Peter. We will look at that a little later.
To summarize the message to Thyatira in a point: Overcome the World by the Authority of Christ.
As we walk through verse-by-verse we are going to see that Jesus is warning them not just about the world around them but also worldliness in the Church.
-verse 18…Jesus is the Son of God. That is pretty clear—there is no higher authority. His specific attribute as it relates to Thyatira is the one with “eyes like a flame of fire” with “feet like burnished bronze.” Burnished bronze is that which has just come out of a furnace, hot and glowing. Jesus is bringing fire to this church—He is ready with His judgment and He is coming.
-verse 19…This church seems to be doing well. They are doing greater deeds than they ever have before, have love, faith, service and perseverance! What do they lack???
-verse 20…Jesus has one thing against them: they “tolerate the woman Jezebel.” It is possible Jesus is referring to a specific person in that church, but it is more likely He is referencing the historic person from the book of Kings, much like He referenced Balaam’s teaching to the church in Pergamum and Satan’s teaching to the church in Smyrna. In the verse, it says she calls herself a prophetess and leads the church astray to commit acts of immorality.
The historic person Jezebel was a princess of the nation Sidon who was married by King Ahab of Israel. Ok, let’s stop there. Sidon was a nation who worshipped Baal—a pagan god—and were among those dwelling in the promised land which the Israelites were commanded by the LORD to drive out. It says in 1 Kings 17:30 that “Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the LORD more than all who were before him.” That must have been very bad, as there were some pretty wicked kings before Ahab! The next verse says that after Ahab married Jezebel, he “went to serve Baal and worshipped him. The leader of God’s chose people has completely turned his back on the LORD—the Creator of the universe who has made this unbreakable covenant with His people—to worship a Baal and set up an altar for this pagan god. This was actually just a side-effect of his new wife’s influence. Through the narrative that follows we see that Jezebel has a wicked influence on Ahab. Jezebel threatens Elijah the prophet (chapter 19). Elijah was fervently serving the Lord speaking out against the Baals and King Ahab’s sin. In chapter 21 of 1 Kings, Jezebel orders some of the king’s men to kill a man so Ahab can take possession of the man’s vineyard. 1 Kings 21:25-29 summarizes Ahab’s evil, but also gives us a picture of God’s mercy and judgment, echoed in the message to Thyatira in Revelation. Ahab, incited by Jezebel, did evil, but then he repented. God did show him mercy after all, but Ahab’s descendants would still be affected by Ahab’s sin.
Back to Revelation 2, we can see this at work in Christ’s message. Jezebel represents those who assert a WORLDLY authority while rejecting God’s authority. Sometimes idolatry looks “spiritual.” Let’s be sure we are not worshipping a Christ of our imagination…
verse 21…repentance is always offered by God. There is a spirit in this World that says you don’t need repentance. It says, “Come as you are;” and “God is actually FOR you, not AGAINST you;” while denying the truth that God wants to make us like Christ, forsaking this world. “Has worldliness permeated the church? Is there anyone holding onto or hiding sin?
verse 22…There is certain judgment coming for those in the Church who do not repent of worldliness. Having a mind set on the world is adultery. WE BELONG TO CHRIST. A covenant which cannot be broken. Here, “sickness” and “tribulation” may have been very literal to the church in Thyatira, but the principle at work is that if we let ourselves be ruled by this world and its influences we will have trouble. God loves and wants us to repent, but will discipline us if we don’t.
verse 23…Points to how the work of the church being ruled by worldly authority will come to nothing. The “children” represents the outcome of the work of the church—not necessarily people. It is not just the outcome of the work, though. Christ also “searches the minds and the hearts.” What do we think about the most? What do we hold most dear? Jesus?
Let’s not tolerate worldly thinking, desires or deeds in the Body of Christ.
Verses 24-27 speak to how Christ has given us authority to call out worldliness in the Church. This quotes Psalm 2, which foreshadows the coming Messiah-King. He is sharing His kingly authority. If we think there is more merit in any other authority, we are thinking like Satan. “Deep things of Satan” means the devil wants us to flaunt worldly authority as if it is actually from God! It could be that some want power without submission to the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit. Examples of this are the Prosperity Gospel teaching. Some say, “God has an awesome plan for your life.” God suits your purposes?! No, it is the other way around. We were made in His image and likeness. Another example of this is the Emergent Church movement. Some churches will do whatever the can to attract people, often forgetting TRUTH. The problem with this is that in order to keep people you have to maintain whatever it is you used to attract them, rather than focusing on the Word of God and submission to the Lordship of Christ. Let’s attract people to God’s Word: eternal life.
Verse 28 contains an awesome promise in a concise statement: “I will give him the morning star.” That is Christ Himself. Read Revelation 22:16-17. COME. Taste and see. You will not be disappointed. There is nothing better than to worship God—the Creator of the Universe, and maker of a new, righteous, perfect heavenly kingdom where we will reign with Him—forever.
Do we desire this world or Christ?
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Overcome By The Word of Christ, 1/24/2021 |
Message to the Church at Pergamum (Revelation 2:12-17)
Overcome Satan by the Word of Christ.
—Turn to Revelation chapter 2
—Some thoughts on Revelation. **Review previous week's point here.
—Jesus gives some specific feedback to the 7 churches in chapters 2-3. Let's look at the message to the church in Pergamum.
—Read Revelation 2:12-17
-This is the 3rd message to one of the seven churches. If you look at each of the 7 messages, they all contain similar elements: 1) Jesus identifies Himself uniquely to each of the seven churches. How He describes Himself directly relates to His encouragement or correction of them. Then at the end of this correction or encouragement He usually says "he who overcomes..." and those people get some sort of reward. For the church at Ephesus, they had left their first love—Christ himself. The message to them was overcome the love of self by Christ’s love.
The church in Smyrna had persevered and Jesus had an encouraging message to them: even when faced with death, they should not fear because He was raised from the dead. Overcome death by the life of Christ.
The church in Pergamum is situated where “satan’s throne is.” Jesus is described as the one with a sharp two-edged sword, later described as “the sword of [His] mouth” (vs. 16). Jesus’ WORD is His sword. The message to this church is OVERCOME SATAN BY THE WORD OF CHRIST. Let’s walk through verse-by-verse to see how this plays out specifically.
vs. 12—Greeting the church, Jesus says He has a sharp two-edged sword. This could be a foreboding greeting! There is definitely judgment coming for some. We have to read on to find out for whom.
vs. 13—Pergamum is situated “where Satan’s throne is.” Historically, the city of Pergamum was the location of a temple dedicated to a pagan “god” in serpent form. How does Satan first appear in the Bible? As a serpent in Genesis 3! These people were literally worshipping satan. Satan is the father of lies (John 8:44—anyone who does not have faith in Christ are children of the devil in this sense). In the Garden of Eden, the serpent lied to Adam and Eve to get them to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The lie was that they could be like God but not be subject to Him (Gen. 3:4, “The serpent said to the woman, ‘You surely will not die!’ For God knows that in the day you eat form it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.’ “ They thought they could establish a life for themselves apart from God, but apart from God all they could experience was death! It is not as though God was withholding anything from them. The point is that they would have a relationship with their Creator—the source of all knowledge, goodness, and life itself.
It sounds like the church in Pergamum was not succumbing to the lies of the devil which many people around them were. It says they were “holding fast [Christ’s] name, and did not deny [His] faith even in the days of Antipas…” Antipas was apparently a high profile martyr in that time. Some legends have arisen over the centuries which may or may not be true, but the point just given the text is clear. Even in the face of martyrdom, these Christians were holding onto their faith—the truth of God’s Word.
vs. 14—Jesus says He has some things against the church in Pergamum. Some hold to the teaching of Balaam, who kept teaching Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit acts of immorality. Balaam was a prophet who was hired out by Balak, the king of the nation Moab, to curse Israel. It turns out Balaam was restrained from doing so, but succeeded in taking a back door approach, advising the king to seduce the people of Israel into immorality and pagan rituals. Balaam did at one point say, “Though Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not do anything, either small or great, contrary to the command of the LORD my God” (Numbers 22:18). Balaam knew God’s words, as God had just spoken to him, but he did not obey them. His heart was not with God. He compromised. Those who hold to the teaching of Balaam are those who are willing to compromise the integrity of God's Word—the sanctity of being His people—to suit their own needs or desires. Again, if we are doing this, we are believing the lies of Satan—that somehow God's word is not complete or does not apply to us. Satan is still lying to all of us trying to get us see that we need something more than Christ to sustain us.
vs. 15—Jesus mentions the Nicolaitans again, as He did for the church at Ephesus. Most scholars agree that this group of people were Christians who held onto some of their former pagan beliefs or rituals. Applying to modern day, do we hold onto some of our former ways?
vs. 16—Repent! Christ is going to make war against those people with His Word—the “sword of His mouth.” Satan will be cast down, as will those who follow his lies (Revelation 12:7-11—but those who are faithful will overcome by the word of their testimony, not loving our life even when faced with death.)
Verse 17 contains an awesome, tender promise to juxtapose the imagery of war. Jesus is promising something to those who overcome. Jesus’ Promise is synonymous with His Word. He promises two things: 1) He will give some of the hidden manna; 2) He will give each person a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it. This promise comes to the heart of why one would be tempted to believe Satan’s lies
—When Israel was being led in the wilderness after God delivered them from slavery, they were given manna as sustenance. Bread from heaven, which they did not earn, nor could they make on their own. The hidden manna Jesus is referring to here is the Holy Spirit. God will sustain us in ways we cannot perceive with our senses. He will provide for us in ways we cannot think or fathom. So let’s not believe the devil’s lies that we lack anything. If we do believe that, we will compromise, like Balaam did.
—In the Bible, stones are a symbol of strength and permanence. Jesus promises a white stone with a name on it. We don’t need to establish ourselves in any way. No need to make a name for ourselves, thinking we will make ourselves and our progeny secure. Jesus makes an awesome promise that He will establish each of us in purity to one day fully know Him and all the work which He did in us leading up to the day of eternity. What an awesome promise. It is not something we can see yet—that is why we need to overcome. This encourages me, as we just said goodbye to our van. It was a nice vehicle, and it is hard to let go. God will provide. Let’s not let anything distract us from the Holy Spirit’s sanctifying work—the devil hates that. We lack nothing.
Will we as the church listen to God's word, or will we doubt, listening to Satan?
Overcome Satan by the Word of Christ.
—Turn to Revelation chapter 2
—Some thoughts on Revelation. **Review previous week's point here.
—Jesus gives some specific feedback to the 7 churches in chapters 2-3. Let's look at the message to the church in Pergamum.
—Read Revelation 2:12-17
-This is the 3rd message to one of the seven churches. If you look at each of the 7 messages, they all contain similar elements: 1) Jesus identifies Himself uniquely to each of the seven churches. How He describes Himself directly relates to His encouragement or correction of them. Then at the end of this correction or encouragement He usually says "he who overcomes..." and those people get some sort of reward. For the church at Ephesus, they had left their first love—Christ himself. The message to them was overcome the love of self by Christ’s love.
The church in Smyrna had persevered and Jesus had an encouraging message to them: even when faced with death, they should not fear because He was raised from the dead. Overcome death by the life of Christ.
The church in Pergamum is situated where “satan’s throne is.” Jesus is described as the one with a sharp two-edged sword, later described as “the sword of [His] mouth” (vs. 16). Jesus’ WORD is His sword. The message to this church is OVERCOME SATAN BY THE WORD OF CHRIST. Let’s walk through verse-by-verse to see how this plays out specifically.
vs. 12—Greeting the church, Jesus says He has a sharp two-edged sword. This could be a foreboding greeting! There is definitely judgment coming for some. We have to read on to find out for whom.
vs. 13—Pergamum is situated “where Satan’s throne is.” Historically, the city of Pergamum was the location of a temple dedicated to a pagan “god” in serpent form. How does Satan first appear in the Bible? As a serpent in Genesis 3! These people were literally worshipping satan. Satan is the father of lies (John 8:44—anyone who does not have faith in Christ are children of the devil in this sense). In the Garden of Eden, the serpent lied to Adam and Eve to get them to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The lie was that they could be like God but not be subject to Him (Gen. 3:4, “The serpent said to the woman, ‘You surely will not die!’ For God knows that in the day you eat form it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.’ “ They thought they could establish a life for themselves apart from God, but apart from God all they could experience was death! It is not as though God was withholding anything from them. The point is that they would have a relationship with their Creator—the source of all knowledge, goodness, and life itself.
It sounds like the church in Pergamum was not succumbing to the lies of the devil which many people around them were. It says they were “holding fast [Christ’s] name, and did not deny [His] faith even in the days of Antipas…” Antipas was apparently a high profile martyr in that time. Some legends have arisen over the centuries which may or may not be true, but the point just given the text is clear. Even in the face of martyrdom, these Christians were holding onto their faith—the truth of God’s Word.
vs. 14—Jesus says He has some things against the church in Pergamum. Some hold to the teaching of Balaam, who kept teaching Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit acts of immorality. Balaam was a prophet who was hired out by Balak, the king of the nation Moab, to curse Israel. It turns out Balaam was restrained from doing so, but succeeded in taking a back door approach, advising the king to seduce the people of Israel into immorality and pagan rituals. Balaam did at one point say, “Though Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not do anything, either small or great, contrary to the command of the LORD my God” (Numbers 22:18). Balaam knew God’s words, as God had just spoken to him, but he did not obey them. His heart was not with God. He compromised. Those who hold to the teaching of Balaam are those who are willing to compromise the integrity of God's Word—the sanctity of being His people—to suit their own needs or desires. Again, if we are doing this, we are believing the lies of Satan—that somehow God's word is not complete or does not apply to us. Satan is still lying to all of us trying to get us see that we need something more than Christ to sustain us.
vs. 15—Jesus mentions the Nicolaitans again, as He did for the church at Ephesus. Most scholars agree that this group of people were Christians who held onto some of their former pagan beliefs or rituals. Applying to modern day, do we hold onto some of our former ways?
vs. 16—Repent! Christ is going to make war against those people with His Word—the “sword of His mouth.” Satan will be cast down, as will those who follow his lies (Revelation 12:7-11—but those who are faithful will overcome by the word of their testimony, not loving our life even when faced with death.)
Verse 17 contains an awesome, tender promise to juxtapose the imagery of war. Jesus is promising something to those who overcome. Jesus’ Promise is synonymous with His Word. He promises two things: 1) He will give some of the hidden manna; 2) He will give each person a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it. This promise comes to the heart of why one would be tempted to believe Satan’s lies
—When Israel was being led in the wilderness after God delivered them from slavery, they were given manna as sustenance. Bread from heaven, which they did not earn, nor could they make on their own. The hidden manna Jesus is referring to here is the Holy Spirit. God will sustain us in ways we cannot perceive with our senses. He will provide for us in ways we cannot think or fathom. So let’s not believe the devil’s lies that we lack anything. If we do believe that, we will compromise, like Balaam did.
—In the Bible, stones are a symbol of strength and permanence. Jesus promises a white stone with a name on it. We don’t need to establish ourselves in any way. No need to make a name for ourselves, thinking we will make ourselves and our progeny secure. Jesus makes an awesome promise that He will establish each of us in purity to one day fully know Him and all the work which He did in us leading up to the day of eternity. What an awesome promise. It is not something we can see yet—that is why we need to overcome. This encourages me, as we just said goodbye to our van. It was a nice vehicle, and it is hard to let go. God will provide. Let’s not let anything distract us from the Holy Spirit’s sanctifying work—the devil hates that. We lack nothing.
Will we as the church listen to God's word, or will we doubt, listening to Satan?
Overcome By The Life of Christ, 1/17/2021
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Overcome by the Life of Christ
-Turn to Revelation chapter 2
-Some thoughts on Revelation. Revelation is what we call apocalyptic literature, meaning it is a prophetic book about the last days of earth. I admit I do not understand most of the pictures, metaphors, and visions John has. There are many theories on a lot of them. Some people point to events in history that may indicate some of the things have already taken place. That may or may not be true. I CAN speak definitely on two themes that are certain based on just what is written. JESUS IS COMING BACK. He speaks explicitly about that. Jesus is coming to establish a kingdom without end where He will sit on His throne and be honored and adored forever. The meaning of all the images which describe this future event are still mysterious to me and I would say most people admit that, too. But based on the FACT that Christ is returning, we have a decision to make: WILL WE PREPARE FOR HIM PROPERLY? THAT is why this Revelation was given to John. He says this at the beginning: Revelation 1:3, "Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near." The time for Christ's return is near. This was written in 96 AD, almost 2,000 years ago. Do you think the time is still near? Ok. This writing pertains to us, too! That is why he makes the point to "read, hear, and keep (heed)." In other words, we need to seek understanding of God's Word so we can live accordingly.
-Jesus gives some specific feedback to the 7 churches in chapters 2-3. Let's look at the message to the church in Smyrna.
-Read Revelation 2:8-11
-This is the 2nd message to one of the seven churches. If you look at each of the 7 messages, they all contain similar elements: 1) Jesus identifies Himself uniquely to each of the seven churches. How He describes Himself directly relates to His encouragement or correction of them. Then at the end of this correction or encouragement He usually says "he who overcomes..." and those people get some sort of reward.
-Message to the Church in Smyrna: Overcome by the life of Christ. "He who has an ear let Him hear." He wants us to understand! Let's walk through verse-by-verse keeping in mind how we are to overcome by the life of Christ.
vs. 8...Jesus is the "First" and "Last." Some other places in Scripture shed light to this fact.
-"In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God...all things came into being through Him." (John 1) Christ made us and everything else.
-"He gives to all life and breath and all things...in Him we live and move and have our being" (Acts 17:25, 28) Christ is actively sustaining us and everything.
-"Firstborn over all creation...that in all things He may have the preeminence." (Colossians 1:15-18) Everything is for Jesus, including us. It is not the other way around! God does not exist to serve our purposes! This is really important for a suffering church to keep in mind. We are suffering so that He would have preeminence--that He would be glorified. Everything was made for Him--that includes us. Genesis 1:26 says that God made man according to His image and likeness. God did not do this for us, though we are definitely beneficiaries of His creative work. I must confess...until recently I had a man-centered--and self-centered view of God and the gospel. Jesus not only died for my sins so I can go to heaven, but more importantly He died for all our sins so His creation can be reconciled to Him and He be glorified forever in perfect peace in a kingdom without end. Hallelujah! That is the message of Revelation...what God's work from the beginning of creation has been leading to.
When all else passes away, God and His purpose will stand. Implied in verse 8 alone is this question: "Are we living for God's purposes?"
--He was dead and has come to life. The choice He is bringing us to--are we going to share in that new life? Consider the old--utterly selfish, driven by natural desires, and sin--as dead. We should no longer live for ourselves. This is Jesus' exhortation but also encouragement for the Church in Smyrna because of what they were experiencing..
vs. 9a...It sounds like they were living for God's purposes. They were working hard for the kingdom of God. Because of that they were experiencing persecution; specifically, they were experiencing poverty. Smyrna was a port city which relied on trade and sea commerce. This is conjecture on my part, but I am imagining a group of people living completely different lives than those around them. They are refusing to do shady business. They are actively sharing their faith and the way of Christ--repentance from dead works into true life. People don't like hearing that their way of life is not true life. The Church at Smyrna likely did not fit in, so others were not doing business with them. Part of Jesus' encouragement to overcome by His life is to not compromise in the face of adversity. He reminds them that actually they are rich! Why? BECAUSE THEY HAVE TRUE LIFE.
**vs. 9b...There are some claiming to be God's people, but have not turned to Jesus Christ. This verse says they are "a synagogue of Satan." A synagogue is a place where Jews go to learn the Scriptures and how to live a life pleasing to God. What a "synagogue of Satan" means is that they were allowing themselves to be taught by satan. They were refusing Christ. So what does Satan teach? Genesis 3 shows us exactly what Satan teaches: lies. Specifically, that we can have life and be like God apart from Him. Satan teaches us that we can be the master of our own lives. If I am the master of my own life, I will definitely not overcome when faced with suffering. I will despair and be defeated.
-vs. 10...Jesus says do not fear what they are about to suffer. I think they probably were physically thrown into prison. I think some of them were literally put to physical death. Jesus is encouraging them to be faithful. In other words, hold onto His life--his word, his promise. And they will be given a reward: THE CROWN OF LIFE. The true life we can presently experience in Christ will one day fully be revealed and consummated. That is the overarching encouragement of Revelation for the Church. There is also an exhortation in verse 11.
-vs. 11...we have to overcome in order to survive the second death. This is referring to Christ's coming again, when the faithful will receive the crown of life; and the faithless, unbelieving will be cast into eternal torment in the lake of fire, deservedly experiencing God's wrath forever.
-WE CAN OVERCOME BY THE LIFE OF CHRIST. It is not on our own strength or merit by which we will overcome and stand before God blameless on the day of judgment. It is because of Him who overcame death, conquering sin and the works of the devil. He has made it possible for us to live this new life now--a life no longer driven by our natural desires. This is the good news as the apostle Paul presents in Ephesians chapter 2:1-7.
We had a former manner of life which was actually death. But God made us alive with Christ. In the ages to come, we will experience the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us. WHAT HOPE WE HAVE!
The life of Christ is true treasure. That is why the Church in Smyrna was actually rich, thought they were poor. We are rich despite what this world and the devil may tell us. Let's overcome by the power of Him who overcame death. Some questions to reflect on as we take this message to heart:
What are we hoping in outside of Christ? These may be things the Lord is asking us to let go, or at least not attach our identity to. Let’s not forget the Lord who bought us with His death and resurrection.
Do we ever turn back to that former life, which was actually death?
Are we submitting all our fears to the truth that He who dwells in us has defeated death? We don't have to be people driven by fear--only fear the Lord.
Christ in us will overcome. Let us live accordingly.
-Turn to Revelation chapter 2
-Some thoughts on Revelation. Revelation is what we call apocalyptic literature, meaning it is a prophetic book about the last days of earth. I admit I do not understand most of the pictures, metaphors, and visions John has. There are many theories on a lot of them. Some people point to events in history that may indicate some of the things have already taken place. That may or may not be true. I CAN speak definitely on two themes that are certain based on just what is written. JESUS IS COMING BACK. He speaks explicitly about that. Jesus is coming to establish a kingdom without end where He will sit on His throne and be honored and adored forever. The meaning of all the images which describe this future event are still mysterious to me and I would say most people admit that, too. But based on the FACT that Christ is returning, we have a decision to make: WILL WE PREPARE FOR HIM PROPERLY? THAT is why this Revelation was given to John. He says this at the beginning: Revelation 1:3, "Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near." The time for Christ's return is near. This was written in 96 AD, almost 2,000 years ago. Do you think the time is still near? Ok. This writing pertains to us, too! That is why he makes the point to "read, hear, and keep (heed)." In other words, we need to seek understanding of God's Word so we can live accordingly.
-Jesus gives some specific feedback to the 7 churches in chapters 2-3. Let's look at the message to the church in Smyrna.
-Read Revelation 2:8-11
-This is the 2nd message to one of the seven churches. If you look at each of the 7 messages, they all contain similar elements: 1) Jesus identifies Himself uniquely to each of the seven churches. How He describes Himself directly relates to His encouragement or correction of them. Then at the end of this correction or encouragement He usually says "he who overcomes..." and those people get some sort of reward.
-Message to the Church in Smyrna: Overcome by the life of Christ. "He who has an ear let Him hear." He wants us to understand! Let's walk through verse-by-verse keeping in mind how we are to overcome by the life of Christ.
vs. 8...Jesus is the "First" and "Last." Some other places in Scripture shed light to this fact.
-"In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God...all things came into being through Him." (John 1) Christ made us and everything else.
-"He gives to all life and breath and all things...in Him we live and move and have our being" (Acts 17:25, 28) Christ is actively sustaining us and everything.
-"Firstborn over all creation...that in all things He may have the preeminence." (Colossians 1:15-18) Everything is for Jesus, including us. It is not the other way around! God does not exist to serve our purposes! This is really important for a suffering church to keep in mind. We are suffering so that He would have preeminence--that He would be glorified. Everything was made for Him--that includes us. Genesis 1:26 says that God made man according to His image and likeness. God did not do this for us, though we are definitely beneficiaries of His creative work. I must confess...until recently I had a man-centered--and self-centered view of God and the gospel. Jesus not only died for my sins so I can go to heaven, but more importantly He died for all our sins so His creation can be reconciled to Him and He be glorified forever in perfect peace in a kingdom without end. Hallelujah! That is the message of Revelation...what God's work from the beginning of creation has been leading to.
When all else passes away, God and His purpose will stand. Implied in verse 8 alone is this question: "Are we living for God's purposes?"
--He was dead and has come to life. The choice He is bringing us to--are we going to share in that new life? Consider the old--utterly selfish, driven by natural desires, and sin--as dead. We should no longer live for ourselves. This is Jesus' exhortation but also encouragement for the Church in Smyrna because of what they were experiencing..
vs. 9a...It sounds like they were living for God's purposes. They were working hard for the kingdom of God. Because of that they were experiencing persecution; specifically, they were experiencing poverty. Smyrna was a port city which relied on trade and sea commerce. This is conjecture on my part, but I am imagining a group of people living completely different lives than those around them. They are refusing to do shady business. They are actively sharing their faith and the way of Christ--repentance from dead works into true life. People don't like hearing that their way of life is not true life. The Church at Smyrna likely did not fit in, so others were not doing business with them. Part of Jesus' encouragement to overcome by His life is to not compromise in the face of adversity. He reminds them that actually they are rich! Why? BECAUSE THEY HAVE TRUE LIFE.
**vs. 9b...There are some claiming to be God's people, but have not turned to Jesus Christ. This verse says they are "a synagogue of Satan." A synagogue is a place where Jews go to learn the Scriptures and how to live a life pleasing to God. What a "synagogue of Satan" means is that they were allowing themselves to be taught by satan. They were refusing Christ. So what does Satan teach? Genesis 3 shows us exactly what Satan teaches: lies. Specifically, that we can have life and be like God apart from Him. Satan teaches us that we can be the master of our own lives. If I am the master of my own life, I will definitely not overcome when faced with suffering. I will despair and be defeated.
-vs. 10...Jesus says do not fear what they are about to suffer. I think they probably were physically thrown into prison. I think some of them were literally put to physical death. Jesus is encouraging them to be faithful. In other words, hold onto His life--his word, his promise. And they will be given a reward: THE CROWN OF LIFE. The true life we can presently experience in Christ will one day fully be revealed and consummated. That is the overarching encouragement of Revelation for the Church. There is also an exhortation in verse 11.
-vs. 11...we have to overcome in order to survive the second death. This is referring to Christ's coming again, when the faithful will receive the crown of life; and the faithless, unbelieving will be cast into eternal torment in the lake of fire, deservedly experiencing God's wrath forever.
-WE CAN OVERCOME BY THE LIFE OF CHRIST. It is not on our own strength or merit by which we will overcome and stand before God blameless on the day of judgment. It is because of Him who overcame death, conquering sin and the works of the devil. He has made it possible for us to live this new life now--a life no longer driven by our natural desires. This is the good news as the apostle Paul presents in Ephesians chapter 2:1-7.
We had a former manner of life which was actually death. But God made us alive with Christ. In the ages to come, we will experience the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us. WHAT HOPE WE HAVE!
The life of Christ is true treasure. That is why the Church in Smyrna was actually rich, thought they were poor. We are rich despite what this world and the devil may tell us. Let's overcome by the power of Him who overcame death. Some questions to reflect on as we take this message to heart:
What are we hoping in outside of Christ? These may be things the Lord is asking us to let go, or at least not attach our identity to. Let’s not forget the Lord who bought us with His death and resurrection.
Do we ever turn back to that former life, which was actually death?
Are we submitting all our fears to the truth that He who dwells in us has defeated death? We don't have to be people driven by fear--only fear the Lord.
Christ in us will overcome. Let us live accordingly.
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Message to The Church at Smyrna, 1/10/2021 |
Message to the Church in Smyrna: Revelation 2:8-11
Jesus has an encouraging message to this church.
vs. 8…Jesus refers to Himself as “The first and the last, who was dead, and has come to life”
He is reminding this church about this aspect of who He is to make a point.
vs. 9…they have tribulation/suffering. They are also experiencing physical “poverty.” However, Jesus is reminding them that they are truly rich.
—blasphemy by those who say they are Jews—actually a synagogue of Satan.
vs. 10…they are about to suffer more: DO NOT FEAR.
—the devil is going to cast some into prison, they will be tested, and there will be tribulation for 10 days.
—The exhortation: BE FAITHFUL UNTIL DEATH
—The encouragement: “I WILL GIVE YOU THE CROWN OF LIFE.”
vs. 11…”He who has an ear let him hear”—seek understanding of this!
—He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death
Their trials may look like death, but Jesus is reminding them that He overcame death!
The risen Christ says this: Don’t trust your eyes and despair! Though you die, you will live with me if you hold onto that promise.
The exhortation is to overcome and be faithful, so what does this mean?
Christ is reminding the Church in Smyrna that they have been given life: HIS LIFE. This is their treasure—why they are rich.
The “second death,” when Christ returns in judgment will not hurt those who are faithful—in fact it will fully reveal what they have been living for all along! Revelation 20:11—21:4.
God’s ultimate plan is to dwell with His redeemed people. That is why He is giving this message to the churches: it is getting them ready to live in His presence in His kingdom. God is holy, and He will only dwell with a holy people.
To be faithful is to submit to God making us holy, entrusting ourselves to Him through our suffering. Those who truly treasure Christ will have this attitude.
We can overcome every test/temptation. Jesus is warning the church at Smyrna that they will experience testing, and He has given them a way to overcome. Again—through HIS LIFE in them.
The point: We can overcome all suffering and temptation through Christ’s life in us. He will bring us through this life to present us to Himself holy! That does take faith, not succumbing to fear, on our part. This Almighty God who is dwelling in us is coming to make all things right one day. The question is—are we right with Him?
To illustrate this: Hebrews 2:18—3:6. We are the Lord’s house—HOLD FAST OUR HOPE.
**Application for today: Jesus warned the Church in Smyrna about “false Jews”—those who claim to be God’s people but are actually being taught by Satan! The only thing of true, lasting value is Christ Himself. Don’t believe the lies that we need anything else, as poor as we may seem. This was the temptation from the beginning, starting in the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve believed satan’s lie that they could have life apart from God—to actually be like God but not subject to Him. They thought they actually lacked something. God Himself was walking with them in the Garden of Eden. They could freely eat from the tree of life. They had eternal life and an opportunity for relationship with their Creator. But they gave it up. If we think we need anything more than Jesus Christ Himself, we are falling into their same error.
Ephesians 2:1-7 gives us some very good news. We had a former manner of life which was actually death. But God made us alive with Christ. In the ages to come, we can experience the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us. WHAT HOPE WE HAVE!
Walk in a manner worthy of this: Ephesians 4:1.
What are we hoping in outside of Christ?
Do we ever turn back to that former life, which was actually death?
Are we submitting all our fears to the truth that He who dwells in us has defeated death?
The life of Christ is true treasure. We are rich despite what this world and the devil may tell us. Let’s overcome by the power of Him who overcame death.
Jesus has an encouraging message to this church.
vs. 8…Jesus refers to Himself as “The first and the last, who was dead, and has come to life”
He is reminding this church about this aspect of who He is to make a point.
vs. 9…they have tribulation/suffering. They are also experiencing physical “poverty.” However, Jesus is reminding them that they are truly rich.
—blasphemy by those who say they are Jews—actually a synagogue of Satan.
vs. 10…they are about to suffer more: DO NOT FEAR.
—the devil is going to cast some into prison, they will be tested, and there will be tribulation for 10 days.
—The exhortation: BE FAITHFUL UNTIL DEATH
—The encouragement: “I WILL GIVE YOU THE CROWN OF LIFE.”
vs. 11…”He who has an ear let him hear”—seek understanding of this!
—He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death
Their trials may look like death, but Jesus is reminding them that He overcame death!
The risen Christ says this: Don’t trust your eyes and despair! Though you die, you will live with me if you hold onto that promise.
The exhortation is to overcome and be faithful, so what does this mean?
Christ is reminding the Church in Smyrna that they have been given life: HIS LIFE. This is their treasure—why they are rich.
The “second death,” when Christ returns in judgment will not hurt those who are faithful—in fact it will fully reveal what they have been living for all along! Revelation 20:11—21:4.
God’s ultimate plan is to dwell with His redeemed people. That is why He is giving this message to the churches: it is getting them ready to live in His presence in His kingdom. God is holy, and He will only dwell with a holy people.
To be faithful is to submit to God making us holy, entrusting ourselves to Him through our suffering. Those who truly treasure Christ will have this attitude.
We can overcome every test/temptation. Jesus is warning the church at Smyrna that they will experience testing, and He has given them a way to overcome. Again—through HIS LIFE in them.
The point: We can overcome all suffering and temptation through Christ’s life in us. He will bring us through this life to present us to Himself holy! That does take faith, not succumbing to fear, on our part. This Almighty God who is dwelling in us is coming to make all things right one day. The question is—are we right with Him?
To illustrate this: Hebrews 2:18—3:6. We are the Lord’s house—HOLD FAST OUR HOPE.
**Application for today: Jesus warned the Church in Smyrna about “false Jews”—those who claim to be God’s people but are actually being taught by Satan! The only thing of true, lasting value is Christ Himself. Don’t believe the lies that we need anything else, as poor as we may seem. This was the temptation from the beginning, starting in the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve believed satan’s lie that they could have life apart from God—to actually be like God but not subject to Him. They thought they actually lacked something. God Himself was walking with them in the Garden of Eden. They could freely eat from the tree of life. They had eternal life and an opportunity for relationship with their Creator. But they gave it up. If we think we need anything more than Jesus Christ Himself, we are falling into their same error.
Ephesians 2:1-7 gives us some very good news. We had a former manner of life which was actually death. But God made us alive with Christ. In the ages to come, we can experience the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us. WHAT HOPE WE HAVE!
Walk in a manner worthy of this: Ephesians 4:1.
What are we hoping in outside of Christ?
Do we ever turn back to that former life, which was actually death?
Are we submitting all our fears to the truth that He who dwells in us has defeated death?
The life of Christ is true treasure. We are rich despite what this world and the devil may tell us. Let’s overcome by the power of Him who overcame death.
Message to the Church at Ephesus, 1/3/2021 |
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Message to Church at Ephesus (Revelation 2:1-7)
vs 2-3. It sounds like they are strong in their faith—working hard with perseverance, not tolerating evil and testing those who claim to have authority from God. They have endured and not grown weary. They also hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans (vs. 6). Most scholars think the Nicolaitans were Christians who held onto some pagan practices which would have corrupted pure faith in Christ.
vs. 4-5. Yet they have left their first love. The Spirit is encouraging them to repent; otherwise, a serious judgment awaits—their lampstand will be removed. In other words, the church at Ephesus will be removed! Christ would rather there be no witness at Ephesus than their false witness! Yet, we can see Christ’s love for His Church. He wants them to repent and restore them. He wants them all to overcome—and those who hear this message—so we can all eat of the tree of life in “the Paradise of God.” That is, Christ’s kingdom which He is coming to establish—perhaps THE central theme of Revelation. So what was the Ephesians “first love?” It is evident that we should learn their same lesson so we can overcome and share in eternal life in Christ’s kingdom. Did the Ephesians overcome?
The Ephesian church was in danger of getting complacent in their faith. In the beginning, they had a fervent love for hearing God's word, as they would have a large gathering in a central location in the city. However, we read in Revelation chapter 2, that at that point they had left their first love. They stopped gathering. The warning is that their "lampstand" would be removed. Ephesus is now a ruin, so there is no church there. Nobody knows for sure what happened to the church that was there. We need to keep in mind how important it is we gather around the preaching and teaching of God's Word. We are not meant to go about the Christian life as a lone wolf or solo soldier. We need to seek out, hear, and heed God’s word so we can overcome this life. (Revelation 1:3)
I think it is important to note some things about the Ephesian church which can be instructive for us today. Paul lays out some spiritual truths in chapters 1-3 of his letter to the Ephesians, then gets practical starting in 4:1, "Therefore, I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called…" The rest of the letter outlines how they are to experience unity and contribute to the building up of Christ’s Body, which is the Church. In order to carry out that calling, they need instruction—both theological and practical. They need to know who God is first. That will then teach them their rightful place—completely at the mercy of this awesome, might, loving God! Ephesians 2:1-7. Then they need to know how to live their lives based on those truths, prepared for the “ages to come” in which God will show us His “surpassing riches.”
There is power in God's Word...let's submit to it, cooperating with God's transforming work. They had lost their appetite for God’s word. They forgot to seek true understanding of God’s Word—His will for them—through prayer. Look at Ephesians 1:13-18.
Paul also writes this to Timothy, "As I urged you upon my departure for Macedonia, remain on at Ephesus so that you may instruct certain men not to teach strange doctrines, nor to pay attention to myths and endless geneologies, which give rise to mere speculation rather than furthering the administration of God which is by faith. But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a pure faith." So the reason of our study, preaching and teaching should be those latter things. It is not just so we can gain knowledge and prove something to people...it is all about devotion to Christ! The outflow of devotion to Christ is love from a pure heart, a good conscience and a pure faith. Have we left our first love? The only way to truly know Christ is to gather around the preaching and teaching of Scripture, seeking an understanding from God through prayer. Otherwise, we run the risk of sharing a false witness, like the Ephesians.
vs 2-3. It sounds like they are strong in their faith—working hard with perseverance, not tolerating evil and testing those who claim to have authority from God. They have endured and not grown weary. They also hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans (vs. 6). Most scholars think the Nicolaitans were Christians who held onto some pagan practices which would have corrupted pure faith in Christ.
vs. 4-5. Yet they have left their first love. The Spirit is encouraging them to repent; otherwise, a serious judgment awaits—their lampstand will be removed. In other words, the church at Ephesus will be removed! Christ would rather there be no witness at Ephesus than their false witness! Yet, we can see Christ’s love for His Church. He wants them to repent and restore them. He wants them all to overcome—and those who hear this message—so we can all eat of the tree of life in “the Paradise of God.” That is, Christ’s kingdom which He is coming to establish—perhaps THE central theme of Revelation. So what was the Ephesians “first love?” It is evident that we should learn their same lesson so we can overcome and share in eternal life in Christ’s kingdom. Did the Ephesians overcome?
The Ephesian church was in danger of getting complacent in their faith. In the beginning, they had a fervent love for hearing God's word, as they would have a large gathering in a central location in the city. However, we read in Revelation chapter 2, that at that point they had left their first love. They stopped gathering. The warning is that their "lampstand" would be removed. Ephesus is now a ruin, so there is no church there. Nobody knows for sure what happened to the church that was there. We need to keep in mind how important it is we gather around the preaching and teaching of God's Word. We are not meant to go about the Christian life as a lone wolf or solo soldier. We need to seek out, hear, and heed God’s word so we can overcome this life. (Revelation 1:3)
I think it is important to note some things about the Ephesian church which can be instructive for us today. Paul lays out some spiritual truths in chapters 1-3 of his letter to the Ephesians, then gets practical starting in 4:1, "Therefore, I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called…" The rest of the letter outlines how they are to experience unity and contribute to the building up of Christ’s Body, which is the Church. In order to carry out that calling, they need instruction—both theological and practical. They need to know who God is first. That will then teach them their rightful place—completely at the mercy of this awesome, might, loving God! Ephesians 2:1-7. Then they need to know how to live their lives based on those truths, prepared for the “ages to come” in which God will show us His “surpassing riches.”
There is power in God's Word...let's submit to it, cooperating with God's transforming work. They had lost their appetite for God’s word. They forgot to seek true understanding of God’s Word—His will for them—through prayer. Look at Ephesians 1:13-18.
Paul also writes this to Timothy, "As I urged you upon my departure for Macedonia, remain on at Ephesus so that you may instruct certain men not to teach strange doctrines, nor to pay attention to myths and endless geneologies, which give rise to mere speculation rather than furthering the administration of God which is by faith. But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a pure faith." So the reason of our study, preaching and teaching should be those latter things. It is not just so we can gain knowledge and prove something to people...it is all about devotion to Christ! The outflow of devotion to Christ is love from a pure heart, a good conscience and a pure faith. Have we left our first love? The only way to truly know Christ is to gather around the preaching and teaching of Scripture, seeking an understanding from God through prayer. Otherwise, we run the risk of sharing a false witness, like the Ephesians.
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Miraculous Victory for a Rebellious People, 12/27/2020 |
Isaiah 9:1-7, "But there will be no more gloom for her who was in anguish; in earlier times He treated the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali with contempt, but later on He shall make it glorious, by the way of the sea, on the other side of Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles.
The people who walk in darkness
Will see a great light;
Those who live in a dark land,
The light will shine on them.
You shall multiply the nation,
You shall increase their gladness;
They will be glad in Your presence
As with the gladness of harvest,
As men rejoice when they divide the spoil.
For You shall break the yoke of their burden and the staff on their shoulders,
The rod of their oppressor, as at the battle of Midian.
For every boot of the booted warrior in the battle tumult,
And cloak rolled in blood, will be for burning, fuel for the fire.
For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us;
And the government will rest on His shoulders;
And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace,
On the throne of David and over his kingdom,
To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness
From then on and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this."
This prophecy speaks to some things about how the Messiah will come but speaks mostly to what He will accomplish. A child will come into the land of Galilee—we see this fulfilled in Jesus’ first coming. His hometown was Nazareth in the region of Galilee. Who is He coming to? He will come to those who walk in darkness and to those who live in a dark land. This speaks to both their manner of life and their physical circumstances—locally, globally, geopolitically, socially—everything is in darkness. Jesus came as the Light of the World to people who walk in darkness and live in a dark land.
What will His coming accomplish?
Jesus’ coming will make people glad—as with the gladness of harvest. (“Those who sow in tears will reap with joyful shouting.”—Ps. 126) There were some who were eagerly waiting for the coming of Messiah. The fruit of their faith was soon to be seen. That has now been accomplished in Christ…His coming again will see this same gladness of harvest. They will now be rewarded for what they were laboring for—for that in which they put their faith and trust.
How will He accomplish this?
He will break the yoke of their burden “as at the battle of Midian.” This historical reference is key to understanding this prophecy.
The Midianites, descendants of Abraham, of Moses’ wife Zipporah, were enemies of Israel oppressing them, coming against them in battle. It looks as if the Israelites are hopelessly outnumbered. God reminds them of how He delivered their forefathers, yet they have not obeyed Him. then the angel of the Lord appears to Gideon, as seen in Judges 6:11-24. God reminds Gideon that they will be victorious because the LORD is with them. Gideon offers a young goat and unleavened bread, remembering the covenant, ultimately foreshadowing Christ. “The LORD is Peace.” In other words, he will make all striving and wars cease. All His enemies will be vanquished. Gideon then destroys the altar of Baal which angers the Amelikites and Midianites who then assemble for battle against Israel (verses 25-35). God gives Gideon a supernatural sign that He is indeed with them (verses 36-40).
In Judges chapter 7, we see God’s miraculous deliverance of His people. God whittles down Gideon’s forces in such a way that it is clear the victory belongs to the LORD. 300 men in three companies of 100, armed with only trumpets and torches in clay pitchers surround the Midianite forces which were “as numerous as the sand on the seashore.” (Judges 7:12) God once again affirms His presence with Gideon through a dream (Judges 7:13-18).
Judges 7:19-23. The people are victorious as they yell “a sword for the LORD and for Gideon!” They blow the trumpets in victory, smashing the clay pitchers, revealing the torches. What a picture: A sudden burst of light in a dark place amidst trumpets sounding and shouts of victory. The LORD once again proves Himself mighty and victorious for a rebellious people! Those who are submitted to the LORD may walk in His miraculous victory. What does this mean for the Christian?
What the Israelites saw in the day of Gideon was merely a foreshadowing of the eternal peace and rule to be brought about by the coming Messiah—we now know as the Lord Jesus Christ.
He was the Light which came into the world, to show everyone God’s truth, power, and love : John 3:16-21. The Eternal Father is offering us adoption as His sons. The choice is given to all: will you receive this gift or continue to love darkness?
The invitation is there for all, but we first need to recognize our need for this Savior who offers escape from death and darkness. Ephesians 2:1-7 defines what our enemy is whom Christ has delivered us from: ourselves! The Prince of Peace has made peace between us and God. Only by His grace—not our works—are we saved.
2 Corinthians 4:1-11. Now we are ministers of the truth of God’s power and love. Like Gideon and his 300 men demonstrated, we similarly just need to submit to the LORD to walk in His victory. Only when the clay pitchers were smashed were the fire-lit torches revealed. The Wonderful Counselor will give us wisdom on how to walk in this newness of life. Let’s not lose heart in our striving to submit to God’s Word by the power of the Spirit—the LORD is with us!
Making It Personal
Am I willing to obey Christ, even when the odds are not in my favor? Am I willing to sacrifice my life—possessions, goals, status, etc.? Will I give up on my calling when it looks like I am left alone?
I will admit I tend to shy away when I feel exposed—unsheltered or unsupported. There have been times where I have stepped out in faith and the Lord has helped me in miraculous ways. Why can’t this be the way I live every day? Everything God has brought us to is so that He would be glorified, so I have to let go of my pride and be willing to seem foolish to others. God has called us to a life in which it is impossible to obtain any eternal glory for ourselves. “HE made us alive” (Ephesians 2) “HE shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ” (2 Cor. 4) “HE GAVE His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”
God has done it all. We no longer have to walk in darkness. Let’s renounce everything which is not pleasing to Him. This takes a lifestyle of prayer and seeking the Lord’s will for each of our lives. As we do that, we will walk in victory with our awesome, Mighty God. We have a Wonderful Counselor to help us everyday. We have an Eternal Father who will always protect and provide for us. We have a Prince of Peace who will make all things right. We can simply rest in that.
The people who walk in darkness
Will see a great light;
Those who live in a dark land,
The light will shine on them.
You shall multiply the nation,
You shall increase their gladness;
They will be glad in Your presence
As with the gladness of harvest,
As men rejoice when they divide the spoil.
For You shall break the yoke of their burden and the staff on their shoulders,
The rod of their oppressor, as at the battle of Midian.
For every boot of the booted warrior in the battle tumult,
And cloak rolled in blood, will be for burning, fuel for the fire.
For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us;
And the government will rest on His shoulders;
And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace,
On the throne of David and over his kingdom,
To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness
From then on and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this."
This prophecy speaks to some things about how the Messiah will come but speaks mostly to what He will accomplish. A child will come into the land of Galilee—we see this fulfilled in Jesus’ first coming. His hometown was Nazareth in the region of Galilee. Who is He coming to? He will come to those who walk in darkness and to those who live in a dark land. This speaks to both their manner of life and their physical circumstances—locally, globally, geopolitically, socially—everything is in darkness. Jesus came as the Light of the World to people who walk in darkness and live in a dark land.
What will His coming accomplish?
Jesus’ coming will make people glad—as with the gladness of harvest. (“Those who sow in tears will reap with joyful shouting.”—Ps. 126) There were some who were eagerly waiting for the coming of Messiah. The fruit of their faith was soon to be seen. That has now been accomplished in Christ…His coming again will see this same gladness of harvest. They will now be rewarded for what they were laboring for—for that in which they put their faith and trust.
How will He accomplish this?
He will break the yoke of their burden “as at the battle of Midian.” This historical reference is key to understanding this prophecy.
The Midianites, descendants of Abraham, of Moses’ wife Zipporah, were enemies of Israel oppressing them, coming against them in battle. It looks as if the Israelites are hopelessly outnumbered. God reminds them of how He delivered their forefathers, yet they have not obeyed Him. then the angel of the Lord appears to Gideon, as seen in Judges 6:11-24. God reminds Gideon that they will be victorious because the LORD is with them. Gideon offers a young goat and unleavened bread, remembering the covenant, ultimately foreshadowing Christ. “The LORD is Peace.” In other words, he will make all striving and wars cease. All His enemies will be vanquished. Gideon then destroys the altar of Baal which angers the Amelikites and Midianites who then assemble for battle against Israel (verses 25-35). God gives Gideon a supernatural sign that He is indeed with them (verses 36-40).
In Judges chapter 7, we see God’s miraculous deliverance of His people. God whittles down Gideon’s forces in such a way that it is clear the victory belongs to the LORD. 300 men in three companies of 100, armed with only trumpets and torches in clay pitchers surround the Midianite forces which were “as numerous as the sand on the seashore.” (Judges 7:12) God once again affirms His presence with Gideon through a dream (Judges 7:13-18).
Judges 7:19-23. The people are victorious as they yell “a sword for the LORD and for Gideon!” They blow the trumpets in victory, smashing the clay pitchers, revealing the torches. What a picture: A sudden burst of light in a dark place amidst trumpets sounding and shouts of victory. The LORD once again proves Himself mighty and victorious for a rebellious people! Those who are submitted to the LORD may walk in His miraculous victory. What does this mean for the Christian?
What the Israelites saw in the day of Gideon was merely a foreshadowing of the eternal peace and rule to be brought about by the coming Messiah—we now know as the Lord Jesus Christ.
He was the Light which came into the world, to show everyone God’s truth, power, and love : John 3:16-21. The Eternal Father is offering us adoption as His sons. The choice is given to all: will you receive this gift or continue to love darkness?
The invitation is there for all, but we first need to recognize our need for this Savior who offers escape from death and darkness. Ephesians 2:1-7 defines what our enemy is whom Christ has delivered us from: ourselves! The Prince of Peace has made peace between us and God. Only by His grace—not our works—are we saved.
2 Corinthians 4:1-11. Now we are ministers of the truth of God’s power and love. Like Gideon and his 300 men demonstrated, we similarly just need to submit to the LORD to walk in His victory. Only when the clay pitchers were smashed were the fire-lit torches revealed. The Wonderful Counselor will give us wisdom on how to walk in this newness of life. Let’s not lose heart in our striving to submit to God’s Word by the power of the Spirit—the LORD is with us!
Making It Personal
Am I willing to obey Christ, even when the odds are not in my favor? Am I willing to sacrifice my life—possessions, goals, status, etc.? Will I give up on my calling when it looks like I am left alone?
I will admit I tend to shy away when I feel exposed—unsheltered or unsupported. There have been times where I have stepped out in faith and the Lord has helped me in miraculous ways. Why can’t this be the way I live every day? Everything God has brought us to is so that He would be glorified, so I have to let go of my pride and be willing to seem foolish to others. God has called us to a life in which it is impossible to obtain any eternal glory for ourselves. “HE made us alive” (Ephesians 2) “HE shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ” (2 Cor. 4) “HE GAVE His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”
God has done it all. We no longer have to walk in darkness. Let’s renounce everything which is not pleasing to Him. This takes a lifestyle of prayer and seeking the Lord’s will for each of our lives. As we do that, we will walk in victory with our awesome, Mighty God. We have a Wonderful Counselor to help us everyday. We have an Eternal Father who will always protect and provide for us. We have a Prince of Peace who will make all things right. We can simply rest in that.
Advent: Waiting for Our Redeemer,
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Advent: Waiting for our Redeemer
Story/Illustration: In a deep, dark canyon there is a small town. The people are celebrating, living their lives, but they are not aware that a flood is coming. The only way out is narrow staircase on the side of the canyon. One can only see the staircase during daylight when the sun rises. There is a man with a map who is imploring people to follow him to the staircase to escape impending doom, but many chide and refuse him, not wanting their lives interrupted. Others want to come, and they gather all their valuables. “Wait!” says the man, “The way is narrow and all you can bring is yourselves…leave it and follow me.” But they refuse. Yet some do come, the road to the staircase is rough and they sometimes despair, but they have each other and the promise which the map holds. Then they see it. A ray of light shining over the rim of the canyon, and suddenly the staircase is illumined. As they climb, they hear the crash of waves washing away their little town. There is no turning back for them now, yet they have hope as they enter into the most glorious, beautiful light they have ever seen.
Luke 1:67-80…Zacharias prophesies over his son, John, who served as the forerunner of the Messiah, Jesus
—God has accomplished redemption for His people.
—he speaks of the promised Messiah who will accomplish salvation from enemies
—this fulfills God’s covenant with His people through His promise to Abraham
—rescued from enemies to serve God without fear, in holiness and righteousness.
—John will preach “salvation by forgiveness of sins”—to be fully realized in Jesus
Message: A Redeemer is coming who will rescue His people from their sinful way of life..
(Christ is the Sun, His Word is map, held by John, and other prophets of God, showing the way out—a very narrow way). Will I try to gather as much as I can or just follow the map, the light, to the narrow way out? I will have to leave behind much, but will escape safe and sound.
Jeremiah 31:31-34; 32:36-44…God’s people have always been waiting on redemption. He has always been promising a new heart, but they have always wanted rescue from earthly, physical enemies. They want to establish themselves on earth.
Isaiah 63:7-19…God has always been Israel’s Redeemer, yet they have always rebelled. That is because their hearts were hard.
In contrast:
Job 19:21-29…Job feared the Lord; knew his Redeemer would come mete out judgement. Job accepted loss of possessions and health, knowing God would make things right.
NT Christianity:
1 Peter 1:17-22…Redeemed from futile way of life by precious blood of Christ. We have faith that God raised Jesus from the dead and hope that we will be raised and share in the glory of God. Proof of that faith and hope should be purifying my soul, becoming a more loving person. The question this study poses for me is “What do I consider precious: my Redeemer or a futile—sinful— way of life?” Staying in the canyon was futile for the townspeople! So is living life my way…—**Making this personal…I LIKE COMFORT. To follow the Lord, I need to be okay with not being comfortable. That may look like giving of my time and other resources to show Christ’s love. Maybe a job or location change. Giving up my dreams and goals. I LIKE TO BE LIKE BY PEOPLE, as it helps me get ahead in various ways. I enjoy the Lord’s blessings, but will I have Job’s attitude? Ultimately, this place is not my home.
2 Peter 3:3-13…We are now waiting on our Redeemer to take us home for good. Are you in the town? Are you on your way to the staircase? Take heart—the Sun will rise to take us home
Story/Illustration: In a deep, dark canyon there is a small town. The people are celebrating, living their lives, but they are not aware that a flood is coming. The only way out is narrow staircase on the side of the canyon. One can only see the staircase during daylight when the sun rises. There is a man with a map who is imploring people to follow him to the staircase to escape impending doom, but many chide and refuse him, not wanting their lives interrupted. Others want to come, and they gather all their valuables. “Wait!” says the man, “The way is narrow and all you can bring is yourselves…leave it and follow me.” But they refuse. Yet some do come, the road to the staircase is rough and they sometimes despair, but they have each other and the promise which the map holds. Then they see it. A ray of light shining over the rim of the canyon, and suddenly the staircase is illumined. As they climb, they hear the crash of waves washing away their little town. There is no turning back for them now, yet they have hope as they enter into the most glorious, beautiful light they have ever seen.
Luke 1:67-80…Zacharias prophesies over his son, John, who served as the forerunner of the Messiah, Jesus
—God has accomplished redemption for His people.
—he speaks of the promised Messiah who will accomplish salvation from enemies
—this fulfills God’s covenant with His people through His promise to Abraham
—rescued from enemies to serve God without fear, in holiness and righteousness.
—John will preach “salvation by forgiveness of sins”—to be fully realized in Jesus
Message: A Redeemer is coming who will rescue His people from their sinful way of life..
(Christ is the Sun, His Word is map, held by John, and other prophets of God, showing the way out—a very narrow way). Will I try to gather as much as I can or just follow the map, the light, to the narrow way out? I will have to leave behind much, but will escape safe and sound.
Jeremiah 31:31-34; 32:36-44…God’s people have always been waiting on redemption. He has always been promising a new heart, but they have always wanted rescue from earthly, physical enemies. They want to establish themselves on earth.
Isaiah 63:7-19…God has always been Israel’s Redeemer, yet they have always rebelled. That is because their hearts were hard.
In contrast:
Job 19:21-29…Job feared the Lord; knew his Redeemer would come mete out judgement. Job accepted loss of possessions and health, knowing God would make things right.
NT Christianity:
1 Peter 1:17-22…Redeemed from futile way of life by precious blood of Christ. We have faith that God raised Jesus from the dead and hope that we will be raised and share in the glory of God. Proof of that faith and hope should be purifying my soul, becoming a more loving person. The question this study poses for me is “What do I consider precious: my Redeemer or a futile—sinful— way of life?” Staying in the canyon was futile for the townspeople! So is living life my way…—**Making this personal…I LIKE COMFORT. To follow the Lord, I need to be okay with not being comfortable. That may look like giving of my time and other resources to show Christ’s love. Maybe a job or location change. Giving up my dreams and goals. I LIKE TO BE LIKE BY PEOPLE, as it helps me get ahead in various ways. I enjoy the Lord’s blessings, but will I have Job’s attitude? Ultimately, this place is not my home.
2 Peter 3:3-13…We are now waiting on our Redeemer to take us home for good. Are you in the town? Are you on your way to the staircase? Take heart—the Sun will rise to take us home
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Parable of the Prodigal Son,
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Introduction: Setting the Scene
We’ve all been there. At a large family gathering, there are people we rarely see or keep in contact with. We are sharing a meal, making small talk but often we really do not have much in common with some of our own family. I remember growing up going to Christmas parties with extended family where we would exchange gifts. Those gifts never meant much to me because I did not have a relationship with those extended family members. We shared some stuff but it did not have much meaning. I would say we can sometimes experience this as the family of God. There can be a lot of “gift-giving,” lip-service and surface level commitment, but we can miss the point of having a relationship with God our Father. Thereby, we miss the mark in relationship to each other—centered around God’s love.
At the beginning of Luke 15, Jesus is accused of wrongdoing by the Pharisees and scribes—Jewish religious leaders—because He eats with tax collectors and, in their words, “sinners.” In response, Jesus tells three parables which illustrate things that were lost then found. Once these things were found, there was much rejoicing.
The first parable is a parable about a lost sheep. The shepherd leaves the ninety-nine, finds the one and celebrates with his friends. Jesus says this represents how “there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.” We can see right away Jesus is drawing a metaphor: the lost sheep represents the sinners and tax collectors and the ninety-nine represent the self-righteous Pharisees and scribes.
The second parable is about a lost coin. The woman who lost it doesn’t stop searching until she finds it. When she does, she celebrates with her friends. Jesus says, “there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” This emphasizes God’s love and desire for sinners to repent.
Jesus is clearly connecting the lost things that were found to sinners who repent--Repentance is to turn back to God in sincere relationship.
As we observe the parable we are about to read, we need to keep in mind this flow of thought. (Read Luke 15:11-32)
Summarizing the parable
Let’s walk through the action of this parable briefly: A wealthy man has two sons. The younger son asks for his inheritance, then goes and squanders it with frivolous living. When hard times come, he tries his hardest to make it work. Eventually he comes to his senses and humbly asks his father for forgiveness. The father is so happy to see him and welcomes him back. The older son does not share in his father’s joy over and love for the younger brother. Rather, he is indignant, not wanting to be part of the celebration. The father takes time to come to the older brother, pleading with him to join the celebration. The older brother responds in a way which indicates his wrong understanding about the father and wrong attitude toward his younger brother—which the father corrects. Jesus then leaves His listeners hanging, unlike the previous two parables. What is the significance of all the action? Let’s look at each scene.
Opening Scene (verses 11-12)
The younger son asks for his inheritance. Normally, he would have received this upon the father’s death. The younger son is not interested in a relationship with the father. He would rather his father be dead! He just wants his father’s stuff so he can live life the way he wants. Yet the father is gracious and grants him his wish.
Distant Country Scene (verses 13-19)
The younger son ventures off, spends everything and falls on hard times. Then he tries everything he can to sustain his life in that distant country. In the lowest of the low, he finally realizes that LIFE IS WITH THE FATHER. He decides to humble himself and see if his father will even take him back as a servant. He realizes how unworthy he was and still is of living with his father, but he will do what he needs to do to have a right relationship again.
The Return of the Prodigal Son Scene (verses 20-24)
The younger son comes to the father and while he is still far off, the father sees him, throws off restraint and meets him—embracing him and kissing him. This shows me something very important about the father. If he saw him a long way off, then that shows me he had always been looking for his son’s return. He does not care about how hurt and worried he was while his son was lost. He is so overjoyed at his son’s return, he spares no expense in celebrating. He also is not interested in his son’s apology, as he cuts him off mid-thought! The son’s words do not speak as well as his actions, which show true repentance. The father is overjoyed with the son’s true repentance.
The Older Son Scene (verses 25-32)
When the older son finds out about the younger son’s return and the father’s celebration he is more than indifferent—he is angry. He does not even want to go near. When the father, in his love for the older son, comes out, the older son reveals what is in his heart. The older son never had a relationship with his father. He, like the younger brother was at the beginning, is only interested in the father’s stuff. If he had a relationship with the father, he would have shared in his father’s joy and love for the younger brother. He did not realize that life is not in the father’s stuff or in simply keeping his commands. Rather, LIFE IS WITH THE FATHER HIMSELF. The father corrects this son’s thinking in two ways. First, he reminds the son that he has never held anything back from him. Second, he implores his son to realize the truth that apart from him, his sons are as good as dead. The parable ends with “But we had to celebrate and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found.” The father says something similar when the younger son first returns, “…this son of mine was dead and has come to life again…” (vs 24).
THE POINT OF THE PARABLE: Life is with the father.
Interpreting the Parable
Given the context of Jesus speaking to the Pharisees and scribes regarding Him eating with sinners, we can correlate each of the three characters in the parable as such:
The father is Jesus, the younger son is the tax collectors and sinners with whom Jesus is eating, and the older brother is the self-righteous Pharisees and scribes.
Jesus Himself does not interpret this parable because He is bringing His listeners to a choice. The implied question is “Will you respond to my offer of a relationship with the Heavenly Father like the younger son, in repentance, or like the older son, who was self-righteous?”
Jesus is not condemning the self righteous, but pleading with them to turn to Him for life.
Life is knowing with Jesus.
Applying the Parable
Do we realize that true life is knowing our Heavenly Father through a relationship with Jesus?
The outflow of that relationship is that He will show us how to live. I was seeing three life applications we need to consider with this parable.
1. We may have made mistakes in the past, but He is receiving us back. God has given us grace to change—to transform into Christ’s image. Let us no longer live loosely like the younger brother. Honor God in everything we do, free from selfish ambition. For me thinking about a career change, I know I am going to have to be careful, especially if I might literally move to a distant country like the younger brother. Let every step we take be ordered by the Lord.
2. Let us share in Jesus’ love for those who are lost. Like the father in the parable, let’s constantly scan the horizon, making the most of every opportunity. This starts with our attitudes—we are no better than anybody! Everything with the election, COVID-19, social injustice, and much more is bringing the wickedness of humankind to light in new ways. Will we focus our energy like the Father or like the older son? In the midst of our daily interactions with family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers, let us speak and act graciously in a way that reveals Jesus. Every person is a person who needs Jesus, no matter how far-gone they may seem. Let us pray for our leaders—people we may never meet—knowing that God has set them in authority for a reason. Let us love like Christ loves.
3. Let us love one another as brothers and sisters in Christ, rejoicing with each other when we see progress in our relationship with God and striving against sin. Let’s not be outside the house like the older brother, unwilling to associate with another because of past hurts or mistakes. None of us are deserving of God’s love, yet He has freely given us every spiritual blessing in Christ (Eph. 1:3-4). Let us not only speak love to one another, but truly love one another from the heart, evidenced by our every action (1 John 3:13-18). Let us not be the self-righteous, but humbly seek God’s will for us in Christ.
CONCLUSION
Nothing can give us life apart from Christ. Let’s stop trying to attain life elsewhere—whether in earthly or spiritual things. Accept God’s grace to change, share God’s love for the lost, and actively seek God’s will as we love each other.
We’ve all been there. At a large family gathering, there are people we rarely see or keep in contact with. We are sharing a meal, making small talk but often we really do not have much in common with some of our own family. I remember growing up going to Christmas parties with extended family where we would exchange gifts. Those gifts never meant much to me because I did not have a relationship with those extended family members. We shared some stuff but it did not have much meaning. I would say we can sometimes experience this as the family of God. There can be a lot of “gift-giving,” lip-service and surface level commitment, but we can miss the point of having a relationship with God our Father. Thereby, we miss the mark in relationship to each other—centered around God’s love.
At the beginning of Luke 15, Jesus is accused of wrongdoing by the Pharisees and scribes—Jewish religious leaders—because He eats with tax collectors and, in their words, “sinners.” In response, Jesus tells three parables which illustrate things that were lost then found. Once these things were found, there was much rejoicing.
The first parable is a parable about a lost sheep. The shepherd leaves the ninety-nine, finds the one and celebrates with his friends. Jesus says this represents how “there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.” We can see right away Jesus is drawing a metaphor: the lost sheep represents the sinners and tax collectors and the ninety-nine represent the self-righteous Pharisees and scribes.
The second parable is about a lost coin. The woman who lost it doesn’t stop searching until she finds it. When she does, she celebrates with her friends. Jesus says, “there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” This emphasizes God’s love and desire for sinners to repent.
Jesus is clearly connecting the lost things that were found to sinners who repent--Repentance is to turn back to God in sincere relationship.
As we observe the parable we are about to read, we need to keep in mind this flow of thought. (Read Luke 15:11-32)
Summarizing the parable
Let’s walk through the action of this parable briefly: A wealthy man has two sons. The younger son asks for his inheritance, then goes and squanders it with frivolous living. When hard times come, he tries his hardest to make it work. Eventually he comes to his senses and humbly asks his father for forgiveness. The father is so happy to see him and welcomes him back. The older son does not share in his father’s joy over and love for the younger brother. Rather, he is indignant, not wanting to be part of the celebration. The father takes time to come to the older brother, pleading with him to join the celebration. The older brother responds in a way which indicates his wrong understanding about the father and wrong attitude toward his younger brother—which the father corrects. Jesus then leaves His listeners hanging, unlike the previous two parables. What is the significance of all the action? Let’s look at each scene.
Opening Scene (verses 11-12)
The younger son asks for his inheritance. Normally, he would have received this upon the father’s death. The younger son is not interested in a relationship with the father. He would rather his father be dead! He just wants his father’s stuff so he can live life the way he wants. Yet the father is gracious and grants him his wish.
Distant Country Scene (verses 13-19)
The younger son ventures off, spends everything and falls on hard times. Then he tries everything he can to sustain his life in that distant country. In the lowest of the low, he finally realizes that LIFE IS WITH THE FATHER. He decides to humble himself and see if his father will even take him back as a servant. He realizes how unworthy he was and still is of living with his father, but he will do what he needs to do to have a right relationship again.
The Return of the Prodigal Son Scene (verses 20-24)
The younger son comes to the father and while he is still far off, the father sees him, throws off restraint and meets him—embracing him and kissing him. This shows me something very important about the father. If he saw him a long way off, then that shows me he had always been looking for his son’s return. He does not care about how hurt and worried he was while his son was lost. He is so overjoyed at his son’s return, he spares no expense in celebrating. He also is not interested in his son’s apology, as he cuts him off mid-thought! The son’s words do not speak as well as his actions, which show true repentance. The father is overjoyed with the son’s true repentance.
The Older Son Scene (verses 25-32)
When the older son finds out about the younger son’s return and the father’s celebration he is more than indifferent—he is angry. He does not even want to go near. When the father, in his love for the older son, comes out, the older son reveals what is in his heart. The older son never had a relationship with his father. He, like the younger brother was at the beginning, is only interested in the father’s stuff. If he had a relationship with the father, he would have shared in his father’s joy and love for the younger brother. He did not realize that life is not in the father’s stuff or in simply keeping his commands. Rather, LIFE IS WITH THE FATHER HIMSELF. The father corrects this son’s thinking in two ways. First, he reminds the son that he has never held anything back from him. Second, he implores his son to realize the truth that apart from him, his sons are as good as dead. The parable ends with “But we had to celebrate and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found.” The father says something similar when the younger son first returns, “…this son of mine was dead and has come to life again…” (vs 24).
THE POINT OF THE PARABLE: Life is with the father.
Interpreting the Parable
Given the context of Jesus speaking to the Pharisees and scribes regarding Him eating with sinners, we can correlate each of the three characters in the parable as such:
The father is Jesus, the younger son is the tax collectors and sinners with whom Jesus is eating, and the older brother is the self-righteous Pharisees and scribes.
Jesus Himself does not interpret this parable because He is bringing His listeners to a choice. The implied question is “Will you respond to my offer of a relationship with the Heavenly Father like the younger son, in repentance, or like the older son, who was self-righteous?”
Jesus is not condemning the self righteous, but pleading with them to turn to Him for life.
Life is knowing with Jesus.
Applying the Parable
Do we realize that true life is knowing our Heavenly Father through a relationship with Jesus?
The outflow of that relationship is that He will show us how to live. I was seeing three life applications we need to consider with this parable.
1. We may have made mistakes in the past, but He is receiving us back. God has given us grace to change—to transform into Christ’s image. Let us no longer live loosely like the younger brother. Honor God in everything we do, free from selfish ambition. For me thinking about a career change, I know I am going to have to be careful, especially if I might literally move to a distant country like the younger brother. Let every step we take be ordered by the Lord.
2. Let us share in Jesus’ love for those who are lost. Like the father in the parable, let’s constantly scan the horizon, making the most of every opportunity. This starts with our attitudes—we are no better than anybody! Everything with the election, COVID-19, social injustice, and much more is bringing the wickedness of humankind to light in new ways. Will we focus our energy like the Father or like the older son? In the midst of our daily interactions with family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers, let us speak and act graciously in a way that reveals Jesus. Every person is a person who needs Jesus, no matter how far-gone they may seem. Let us pray for our leaders—people we may never meet—knowing that God has set them in authority for a reason. Let us love like Christ loves.
3. Let us love one another as brothers and sisters in Christ, rejoicing with each other when we see progress in our relationship with God and striving against sin. Let’s not be outside the house like the older brother, unwilling to associate with another because of past hurts or mistakes. None of us are deserving of God’s love, yet He has freely given us every spiritual blessing in Christ (Eph. 1:3-4). Let us not only speak love to one another, but truly love one another from the heart, evidenced by our every action (1 John 3:13-18). Let us not be the self-righteous, but humbly seek God’s will for us in Christ.
CONCLUSION
Nothing can give us life apart from Christ. Let’s stop trying to attain life elsewhere—whether in earthly or spiritual things. Accept God’s grace to change, share God’s love for the lost, and actively seek God’s will as we love each other.
"God Keeps His Promises" --To Dwell With His People,
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God Fulfills His Promises, #1
To Dwell With His People
Jeremiah 29:1-14, “Now these are the words of the letter which Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem to the rest of the elders of the exile, the priests, the prophets and all the people whom Nebuchadnezzar had taken into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon. 2 (This was after King Jeconiah and the queen mother, the court officials, the princes of Judah and Jerusalem, the craftsmen and the smiths had departed from Jerusalem.) 3 The letter was sent by the hand of Elasah the son of Shaphan, and Gemariah the son of Hilkiah, whom Zedekiah king of Judah sent to Babylon to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, saying, 4 “Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon, 5 ‘Build houses and live in them; and plant gardens and eat their produce. 6 Take wives and become the fathers of sons and daughters, and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters; and multiply there and do not decrease. 7 Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf; for in its welfare you will have welfare.’ 8 For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, ‘Do not let your prophets who are in your midst and your diviners deceive you, and do not listen to the dreams which they dream. 9 For they prophesy falsely to you in My name; I have not sent them,’ declares the Lord.
10 “For thus says the Lord, ‘When seventy years have been completed for Babylon, I will visit you and fulfill My good word to you, to bring you back to this place. 11 For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,’ declares the Lord, ‘and I will restore your fortunes and will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you,’ declares the Lord, ‘and I will bring you back to the place from where I sent you into exile.’ “
—God promised to bring back His people from exile. The people still had to be patient, have faith, and trust in God. Many of them wouldn’t see that day, but they could have hope for their children.
THIS PROPHECY WAS FULFILLED JUST AS THE LORD PROMISED…
Nehemiah 8:1-18…The people worship in Jerusalem after listening to the book of Moses (Pentateuch—Law). They are gathered to share in everything—a festival. This is a revival in which they are seeking God.
The Feast of Booths (Tabernacles) was reinstated. This festival was to remember how they wandered in the wilderness, which they had not done when they entered the promised land (“Days of Joshua”). This is more evidence of their rebellion, why God sent them to exile.
THIS FEAST WAS ALSO TO POINT THEM TO A PERMANENT HOME YET TO COME, WHERE THEY WOULD DWELL WITH GOD FOREVER…BUT THEY HAD FORGOTTEN
John 7:14-39—Jesus teaches at the Feast. He promises the Holy Spirit (“living water”) who will dwell in those who believe. John 14:16-21—full communion with God (Eph. 1:13-14…Holy Spirit is deposit guaranteeing our inheritance).
THIS IS TRUE AND HAS ONE DAY TO BE FULLY CONSUMMATED…
Revelation 21:1-8—NEW CREATION…”It is done.” God has already accomplished it!
GOD HAS PROMISED AND HE WILL DO IT.
What is expected of us?
1) Seek Him with our whole heart (Jer. 29), 2) Worship Him as we remember what He has done (Neh. 8), 3) Seek His will for us and believe He will give us what we need (John, Revelation)
To Dwell With His People
Jeremiah 29:1-14, “Now these are the words of the letter which Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem to the rest of the elders of the exile, the priests, the prophets and all the people whom Nebuchadnezzar had taken into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon. 2 (This was after King Jeconiah and the queen mother, the court officials, the princes of Judah and Jerusalem, the craftsmen and the smiths had departed from Jerusalem.) 3 The letter was sent by the hand of Elasah the son of Shaphan, and Gemariah the son of Hilkiah, whom Zedekiah king of Judah sent to Babylon to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, saying, 4 “Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon, 5 ‘Build houses and live in them; and plant gardens and eat their produce. 6 Take wives and become the fathers of sons and daughters, and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters; and multiply there and do not decrease. 7 Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf; for in its welfare you will have welfare.’ 8 For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, ‘Do not let your prophets who are in your midst and your diviners deceive you, and do not listen to the dreams which they dream. 9 For they prophesy falsely to you in My name; I have not sent them,’ declares the Lord.
10 “For thus says the Lord, ‘When seventy years have been completed for Babylon, I will visit you and fulfill My good word to you, to bring you back to this place. 11 For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,’ declares the Lord, ‘and I will restore your fortunes and will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you,’ declares the Lord, ‘and I will bring you back to the place from where I sent you into exile.’ “
—God promised to bring back His people from exile. The people still had to be patient, have faith, and trust in God. Many of them wouldn’t see that day, but they could have hope for their children.
THIS PROPHECY WAS FULFILLED JUST AS THE LORD PROMISED…
Nehemiah 8:1-18…The people worship in Jerusalem after listening to the book of Moses (Pentateuch—Law). They are gathered to share in everything—a festival. This is a revival in which they are seeking God.
The Feast of Booths (Tabernacles) was reinstated. This festival was to remember how they wandered in the wilderness, which they had not done when they entered the promised land (“Days of Joshua”). This is more evidence of their rebellion, why God sent them to exile.
THIS FEAST WAS ALSO TO POINT THEM TO A PERMANENT HOME YET TO COME, WHERE THEY WOULD DWELL WITH GOD FOREVER…BUT THEY HAD FORGOTTEN
John 7:14-39—Jesus teaches at the Feast. He promises the Holy Spirit (“living water”) who will dwell in those who believe. John 14:16-21—full communion with God (Eph. 1:13-14…Holy Spirit is deposit guaranteeing our inheritance).
THIS IS TRUE AND HAS ONE DAY TO BE FULLY CONSUMMATED…
Revelation 21:1-8—NEW CREATION…”It is done.” God has already accomplished it!
GOD HAS PROMISED AND HE WILL DO IT.
What is expected of us?
1) Seek Him with our whole heart (Jer. 29), 2) Worship Him as we remember what He has done (Neh. 8), 3) Seek His will for us and believe He will give us what we need (John, Revelation)
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Parable of the Dragnet -- End of the Age, 11/22/2020 |
A Modern Parable: A successful businessman decided he would retire and plant a new forest—a sanctuary where he could enjoy the rest of his life in peace. He decided on the type of trees he wanted to plant and scoured every corner of the earth, sparing no expense in buying the trees with just the right type of fruit. On the plot of land he bought, there were many trees already planted. Many he had to uproot because they were not the right type of tree. Many he marked for reservation so they would be able to continue to grow, being even more fruitful. The day came for planting, and all the trees marked for preservation were kept. The others were uprooted and turned into firewood. The fruit trees from around the world were then planted and the man enjoyed fruit from all of them for the rest of his long life.
The businessman represents God, who is looking for a certain type of life in us, who are represented by the various types of trees. The “fruit” God is looking for in us is His righteousness—sharing in His life by faith. This is a modern illustration for a parable of Jesus.
Matthew 13:47-50—Parable of the Dragnet…End of the Age
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet cast into the sea, and gathering fish of every kind; and when it was filled, they drew it up on the beach; and they sat down and gathered the good fish into containers, but the bad they threw away. So it will be at the end of the age; the angels will come forth and take out the wicked from among the righteous, and will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
Jesus interprets this parable pretty clearly for us: good fish are the righteous people, and bad fish are the wicked people, who will go into the “furnace of fire.”
What I was struck by, having just studied the two previous parables, is what makes “fish” good or bad. In short, the message of the two parables—of the treasure in the field and the pearl of great price—together was this: Christ has given everything so we can share in His eternal life. If this is my desire, I will be willing to give up everything for Him. These parables of the kingdom of heaven are about sharing in Christ’s eternal life. The treasure in a field was a picture of what Christ has done, and the pearl of great price is a picture of what our proper response should be. The “merchant” gave up all the rest of his fine pearls to gain the one. The one pearl of great price is eternal life. He sold everything, giving up any potential life he could have had with his other possessions. The other pearls—mighty fine-looking—represent other “lives” which a person can chase or dream up for themselves. However, “there is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death” (Proverbs 14:12).
So the good fish in the parable of the dragnet represent those who are participating in the eternal life already—the righteous. The “bad” fish are those living life the way they see fit—they are actually dead in their wickedness.
After coming to this conclusion, I checked the Greek word translated “bad” in Matthew 13:48. The word, pronounced “sapra,” literally means “rotten.” Something rotten is something that has been dead for a while!
The only way to escape the furnace of fire is to be found righteous when Christ comes. According to these parables, that looks like me giving up my life and clinging to the eternal life of Christ. Imagine owning the one pearl of great price. I would never let it out of my sight, and always have it within grasp! Is that how I see eternal life in Christ?
-I should be controlled by His love, not living selfishly. …2 Cor. 5:14-15
-He is at the forefront of my mind constantly. “Taking every thought captive…” 2 Cor. 10:5
-1 Peter 3:8-16 describes the type of life we should be living now; characterizes the eternal life
—Peter’s second letter describes Christ’s second coming and exhorts us to get ready:
2 Peter 3:3-13
vs. 3-4…mockers will arise, “Nothing has changed recently, why believe He is even coming?”
vs. 5-7…God’s word is reserving current heavens and earth for destruction, just like in Noah’s time. There is a perfect timing for it.
vs. 8-9…The point is, “repent while there is still time!”
vs. 10…The day of the Lord’s return will come “like a thief” (Jesus uses this language speaking of this exact thing: Matthew 24:42-44. Peter is remembering this analogy). We don’t know when it will happen, but it will be sudden and terrifying.
vs. 11-13…WHAT SORT OF PEOPLE OUGHT YOU TO BE…because we are looking forward to the day of his return, when he brings a new heavens and earth IN WHICH RIGHTEOUSNESS DWELLS, we should then be participating in the type of life—the eternal life—which the righteous do. -“Holy conduct and godliness.” This is becoming like Christ—never doing things my way or seeking my own desires. LORD, help me to live this way!
The businessman represents God, who is looking for a certain type of life in us, who are represented by the various types of trees. The “fruit” God is looking for in us is His righteousness—sharing in His life by faith. This is a modern illustration for a parable of Jesus.
Matthew 13:47-50—Parable of the Dragnet…End of the Age
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet cast into the sea, and gathering fish of every kind; and when it was filled, they drew it up on the beach; and they sat down and gathered the good fish into containers, but the bad they threw away. So it will be at the end of the age; the angels will come forth and take out the wicked from among the righteous, and will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
Jesus interprets this parable pretty clearly for us: good fish are the righteous people, and bad fish are the wicked people, who will go into the “furnace of fire.”
What I was struck by, having just studied the two previous parables, is what makes “fish” good or bad. In short, the message of the two parables—of the treasure in the field and the pearl of great price—together was this: Christ has given everything so we can share in His eternal life. If this is my desire, I will be willing to give up everything for Him. These parables of the kingdom of heaven are about sharing in Christ’s eternal life. The treasure in a field was a picture of what Christ has done, and the pearl of great price is a picture of what our proper response should be. The “merchant” gave up all the rest of his fine pearls to gain the one. The one pearl of great price is eternal life. He sold everything, giving up any potential life he could have had with his other possessions. The other pearls—mighty fine-looking—represent other “lives” which a person can chase or dream up for themselves. However, “there is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death” (Proverbs 14:12).
So the good fish in the parable of the dragnet represent those who are participating in the eternal life already—the righteous. The “bad” fish are those living life the way they see fit—they are actually dead in their wickedness.
After coming to this conclusion, I checked the Greek word translated “bad” in Matthew 13:48. The word, pronounced “sapra,” literally means “rotten.” Something rotten is something that has been dead for a while!
The only way to escape the furnace of fire is to be found righteous when Christ comes. According to these parables, that looks like me giving up my life and clinging to the eternal life of Christ. Imagine owning the one pearl of great price. I would never let it out of my sight, and always have it within grasp! Is that how I see eternal life in Christ?
-I should be controlled by His love, not living selfishly. …2 Cor. 5:14-15
-He is at the forefront of my mind constantly. “Taking every thought captive…” 2 Cor. 10:5
-1 Peter 3:8-16 describes the type of life we should be living now; characterizes the eternal life
—Peter’s second letter describes Christ’s second coming and exhorts us to get ready:
2 Peter 3:3-13
vs. 3-4…mockers will arise, “Nothing has changed recently, why believe He is even coming?”
vs. 5-7…God’s word is reserving current heavens and earth for destruction, just like in Noah’s time. There is a perfect timing for it.
vs. 8-9…The point is, “repent while there is still time!”
vs. 10…The day of the Lord’s return will come “like a thief” (Jesus uses this language speaking of this exact thing: Matthew 24:42-44. Peter is remembering this analogy). We don’t know when it will happen, but it will be sudden and terrifying.
vs. 11-13…WHAT SORT OF PEOPLE OUGHT YOU TO BE…because we are looking forward to the day of his return, when he brings a new heavens and earth IN WHICH RIGHTEOUSNESS DWELLS, we should then be participating in the type of life—the eternal life—which the righteous do. -“Holy conduct and godliness.” This is becoming like Christ—never doing things my way or seeking my own desires. LORD, help me to live this way!
Mark of the Beast--No Longer Our Nature,
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Homeward Bound,
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“Homeward Bound”
Yesterday we watched the film “Homeward Bound” for the first time as a family. It is a story about three pets who get lost and journey through the wilderness to eventually find a way home. At one point, Sassy, the cat, says, "I would give anything to have Hope scoop me up in her arms right now." That spoke to me.
We are each on a journey, and we are all hoping in something whether or not we realize it.
Romans 5:1-6 says, "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.”
The hope we have is "the glory of God." That is, witnessing God's glory in His eternal kingdom, sharing in His life in perfect unity with Him. In the context, Romans is speaking to the righteousness that comes by faith, with Abraham as the example—see Romans 4:19-25. “Christ was raised because of our justification…” God is now justified in giving us life. We have a future hope.
We also have a present experience of this hope, as we are able to love God more than anything through the power of the Holy Spirit. We can experience thankfulness for Christ redeeming us from our sinful, ungodly state. This is what gets us through even the most perilous trials on the journey that is this life on Earth.
We were helpless. We were ungodly—completely opposed to God. As Paul wrote earlier in Romans 3:23, “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” The glory of God is the measure of true life, and we were separated from it by our sinful state. Now we have hope, but our hope is not in this life.
If we are hoping in something in this life, perhaps we are not honoring God as God. See Romans 1:21-23. If we are not honoring God as God, we are essentially making us a god unto ourselves. We get to define “good,” “wisdom,” etc. They will make up their own life…No thanks—they have not accepted life on God’s terms. Speculating is coming up with something fake. Result: their foolish heart is darkened.
Now that we are justified by faith, having turned away from the former life, let us walk in it. This is a process which we participate in by the power of the Holy Spirit. As we fix our hope on God’s glory, we will gain confidence in the one who has justified us.
Hebrews 4:14-16 speaks to how we can have confidence in Christ who has overcome sin, death and temptation to help us do the same!
Our home is not just a place—it is a person. This is one of the greatest themes in Scripture. Romans 5:10…we will be saved by His life. Romans 6:8-11…alive to God IN CHRIST JESUS. We are sharing in Christ’s life—the very life of God. Let us honor Him as God and give thanks!
Yesterday we watched the film “Homeward Bound” for the first time as a family. It is a story about three pets who get lost and journey through the wilderness to eventually find a way home. At one point, Sassy, the cat, says, "I would give anything to have Hope scoop me up in her arms right now." That spoke to me.
We are each on a journey, and we are all hoping in something whether or not we realize it.
Romans 5:1-6 says, "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.”
The hope we have is "the glory of God." That is, witnessing God's glory in His eternal kingdom, sharing in His life in perfect unity with Him. In the context, Romans is speaking to the righteousness that comes by faith, with Abraham as the example—see Romans 4:19-25. “Christ was raised because of our justification…” God is now justified in giving us life. We have a future hope.
We also have a present experience of this hope, as we are able to love God more than anything through the power of the Holy Spirit. We can experience thankfulness for Christ redeeming us from our sinful, ungodly state. This is what gets us through even the most perilous trials on the journey that is this life on Earth.
We were helpless. We were ungodly—completely opposed to God. As Paul wrote earlier in Romans 3:23, “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” The glory of God is the measure of true life, and we were separated from it by our sinful state. Now we have hope, but our hope is not in this life.
If we are hoping in something in this life, perhaps we are not honoring God as God. See Romans 1:21-23. If we are not honoring God as God, we are essentially making us a god unto ourselves. We get to define “good,” “wisdom,” etc. They will make up their own life…No thanks—they have not accepted life on God’s terms. Speculating is coming up with something fake. Result: their foolish heart is darkened.
Now that we are justified by faith, having turned away from the former life, let us walk in it. This is a process which we participate in by the power of the Holy Spirit. As we fix our hope on God’s glory, we will gain confidence in the one who has justified us.
Hebrews 4:14-16 speaks to how we can have confidence in Christ who has overcome sin, death and temptation to help us do the same!
Our home is not just a place—it is a person. This is one of the greatest themes in Scripture. Romans 5:10…we will be saved by His life. Romans 6:8-11…alive to God IN CHRIST JESUS. We are sharing in Christ’s life—the very life of God. Let us honor Him as God and give thanks!
Worship: A Whole Person Devotion to That Which We Adore,
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Worship—Why and How we Worship God
Romans 11:33-12:2,
“Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who became His counselor? Or who has first given to Him that it might be paid back to Him again? For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen. Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”
In chapter 11, Paul is addressing how Israel are still God’s people, yet He has rejected them for a time so that the rest of the world would have a chance to be “grafted in” to the “tree” that is God’s family. In some ways, this is still a mystery…there is a time yet to come when “all the fullness of the Gentiles” will have come into God’s family, and the sins of Israel will be removed (11:25-27).
Now, because of Israel’s disobedience, God is able to show mercy to all! In other words, they were a picture to us of God’s discipline of His children. Will we accept the discipline of Almighty God our Father and receive His mercy? (Being grafted into His family)
Paul points out how much we should value God’s wisdom and being able to know Him! (12:33). All of this is “unsearchable” and “unfathomable.” We should just be in awe of this mighty God who does what He wants. (11:20-22…stand by your faith and fear God; if He did not spare the “natural branches” He won’t spare those who were grafted in, who must “continue in His kindness.”)
We just have to accept that God is God and He does everything for His glory—how loving He is that we could know Him! This is true riches. Keep in mind God owes us nothing (vs. 35). Everything He does suits His purposes The ultimate end and purpose of everything is that God would be glorified and honored for all He is! (vs. 36). This is why we worship Him.
THEREFORE (our proper response follows…)
—“by the mercies of God” …what great mercy that we could be in God’s Family, knowing Him.
—“present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.” A living sacrifice implies something that is ongoing. Holy means exclusively set apart for God. We are not conformed to the world, but transformed into something new by the renewing of our minds. “Worship” is not simply acts we do at certain times or a service we attend, but a lifestyle of presenting our whole selves to God, having our minds fixed on knowing Him. God has sovereignly acted by making us His children, and our proper response is worship: loving Him as our Father and seeking to please Him in everything.
So what pleases Him?
Scripture speaks a lot to what pleases God. We have to have a personal relationship with Him, too, as there is not a formulaic answer. Remember, the “living and holy sacrifice” is “acceptable to God.” That will look different for each of our lives.
1 John 2:25-29 speaks to God’s sovereign work in making us His children with a hope to one day be with Him. “The anointing” is the Holy Spirit—“abide" means to obey His teaching by the power He provides (2 Peter 1:3-4). Because we have been born of God, we practice righteousness. 1 John 3:1-3 continues…because of the hope of one day being perfectly like Christ, we purify ourselves now. No longer practice sin, but love one another! This is a laying down of our lives, or presenting ourselves to God for His exclusive use.
Mark 8:34-38…there will be pressure inside and out to be ashamed of Jesus—that is adulterous and sinful! We are made to be set apart exclusively for Him.
Are we ashamed of this Almighty God who has loved us, or do we love Him more than everything else?
Romans 11:33-12:2,
“Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who became His counselor? Or who has first given to Him that it might be paid back to Him again? For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen. Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”
In chapter 11, Paul is addressing how Israel are still God’s people, yet He has rejected them for a time so that the rest of the world would have a chance to be “grafted in” to the “tree” that is God’s family. In some ways, this is still a mystery…there is a time yet to come when “all the fullness of the Gentiles” will have come into God’s family, and the sins of Israel will be removed (11:25-27).
Now, because of Israel’s disobedience, God is able to show mercy to all! In other words, they were a picture to us of God’s discipline of His children. Will we accept the discipline of Almighty God our Father and receive His mercy? (Being grafted into His family)
Paul points out how much we should value God’s wisdom and being able to know Him! (12:33). All of this is “unsearchable” and “unfathomable.” We should just be in awe of this mighty God who does what He wants. (11:20-22…stand by your faith and fear God; if He did not spare the “natural branches” He won’t spare those who were grafted in, who must “continue in His kindness.”)
We just have to accept that God is God and He does everything for His glory—how loving He is that we could know Him! This is true riches. Keep in mind God owes us nothing (vs. 35). Everything He does suits His purposes The ultimate end and purpose of everything is that God would be glorified and honored for all He is! (vs. 36). This is why we worship Him.
THEREFORE (our proper response follows…)
—“by the mercies of God” …what great mercy that we could be in God’s Family, knowing Him.
—“present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.” A living sacrifice implies something that is ongoing. Holy means exclusively set apart for God. We are not conformed to the world, but transformed into something new by the renewing of our minds. “Worship” is not simply acts we do at certain times or a service we attend, but a lifestyle of presenting our whole selves to God, having our minds fixed on knowing Him. God has sovereignly acted by making us His children, and our proper response is worship: loving Him as our Father and seeking to please Him in everything.
So what pleases Him?
Scripture speaks a lot to what pleases God. We have to have a personal relationship with Him, too, as there is not a formulaic answer. Remember, the “living and holy sacrifice” is “acceptable to God.” That will look different for each of our lives.
1 John 2:25-29 speaks to God’s sovereign work in making us His children with a hope to one day be with Him. “The anointing” is the Holy Spirit—“abide" means to obey His teaching by the power He provides (2 Peter 1:3-4). Because we have been born of God, we practice righteousness. 1 John 3:1-3 continues…because of the hope of one day being perfectly like Christ, we purify ourselves now. No longer practice sin, but love one another! This is a laying down of our lives, or presenting ourselves to God for His exclusive use.
Mark 8:34-38…there will be pressure inside and out to be ashamed of Jesus—that is adulterous and sinful! We are made to be set apart exclusively for Him.
Are we ashamed of this Almighty God who has loved us, or do we love Him more than everything else?
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Abiding in God's Truth,
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Abiding in God's Truth Helps us Obey Without Fear
John 13:37-14:27. Jesus is "the Way, the Truth and the Life," and he is also promising His followers the "Spirit of truth" who will help us to keep His words, thereby experiencing peace. Peter denied Jesus because he feared man more than He feared God. The difference between him and Judas was that Peter was repentant.
Knowing that Scripture is true and we have correct counsel from the Holy Spirit should empower us to obey Christ without fear! This is abiding in God’s truth.
Truths to apply:
--“Abiding” means there is the life of another inside who is sufficient for us.
— We have the promise of abiding with Christ in His Father’s house (14:1-4)
—JESUS IS THE ONLY WAY, TRUTH, and LIFE—God Himself (vs. 5-7).
—Jesus abiding in the Father and the Father in Jesus is doing His works (14:8-11)
—The Holy Spirit is abiding in us doing His works (14:16-21). He will help us and teach us to keep Jesus’ words. He will empower us to keep Jesus’ commandments and do “greater works” (vs. 12-15; vs. 22-24…the “greater works” consist of making Him known to the world! Jesus is telling Judas)
—The Holy Spirit will help me in all situations. Whatever we ask in Jesus’ name will be done! (vs. 25-26, 13-14)
—There is nothing to add to God’s truth.
We can have boldness, unlike Peter when he denied Christ, to say “yes, I know the man—Jesus, who is the only Truth.”
In moments of testing, we will only stand firm if we have practiced abiding in Christ.
—John 15:1-5… Jesus gives a metaphor to illustrate this: vine and branches.
—Abiding in Christ means abiding in His love (15:8-9), which proves we are His disciples, making Him known to the world. This is a love FROM and FOR Jesus.
Am I focused on loving Christ, experiencing His abiding with me, or am I worried about what other people think of me?
We can be certain God will accomplish His work, as He has given us this new life! We have received and can share Isaiah’s message: Isaiah 55:6-13…Abiding in God’s truth means we are forsaking our own “truth” (ways and thoughts). Our own “truth,” or life, was like a thorn bush or nettle…God has made us something new, beautiful, full of life.
John 13:37-14:27. Jesus is "the Way, the Truth and the Life," and he is also promising His followers the "Spirit of truth" who will help us to keep His words, thereby experiencing peace. Peter denied Jesus because he feared man more than He feared God. The difference between him and Judas was that Peter was repentant.
Knowing that Scripture is true and we have correct counsel from the Holy Spirit should empower us to obey Christ without fear! This is abiding in God’s truth.
Truths to apply:
--“Abiding” means there is the life of another inside who is sufficient for us.
— We have the promise of abiding with Christ in His Father’s house (14:1-4)
—JESUS IS THE ONLY WAY, TRUTH, and LIFE—God Himself (vs. 5-7).
—Jesus abiding in the Father and the Father in Jesus is doing His works (14:8-11)
—The Holy Spirit is abiding in us doing His works (14:16-21). He will help us and teach us to keep Jesus’ words. He will empower us to keep Jesus’ commandments and do “greater works” (vs. 12-15; vs. 22-24…the “greater works” consist of making Him known to the world! Jesus is telling Judas)
—The Holy Spirit will help me in all situations. Whatever we ask in Jesus’ name will be done! (vs. 25-26, 13-14)
—There is nothing to add to God’s truth.
We can have boldness, unlike Peter when he denied Christ, to say “yes, I know the man—Jesus, who is the only Truth.”
In moments of testing, we will only stand firm if we have practiced abiding in Christ.
—John 15:1-5… Jesus gives a metaphor to illustrate this: vine and branches.
—Abiding in Christ means abiding in His love (15:8-9), which proves we are His disciples, making Him known to the world. This is a love FROM and FOR Jesus.
Am I focused on loving Christ, experiencing His abiding with me, or am I worried about what other people think of me?
We can be certain God will accomplish His work, as He has given us this new life! We have received and can share Isaiah’s message: Isaiah 55:6-13…Abiding in God’s truth means we are forsaking our own “truth” (ways and thoughts). Our own “truth,” or life, was like a thorn bush or nettle…God has made us something new, beautiful, full of life.
The Christian Life: "Being," not "Doing",
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The Christian Life is First About “Being,” Not “Doing.”
Two scriptures informed my reflection in particular: 2 Corinthians 2:15-16 and Matthew 5:13-14. Both of these scriptures speak to being something in particular: an aroma, salt, and light. Aromas, salt and light fulfill their purposes by just being what they are, with no extra effort required. First, I am the aroma of Christ, as His life is in me, then I find myself as a husband, a father, a house church pastor, a neighbor/friend, and a music teacher/colleague—in that order.
“For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to the one and aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life.” Being a “fragrance of Christ to God” means that only Christ in me pleases God. Nothing of my efforts can improve my standing with God. I just need to exult in the fact that I can please God just by being His child. I seek to share this first with my wife, as raising kids and working while doing ministry is hard work! We can rest in Him. I affirm with my kids every night that they are God's children, and that they are in need of a Savior. In time, I believe they will have a sincere faith and relationship with the Lord. At the school where I work, everyone knows I am a Christian, and I have had some good opportunities to talk with people, pray for people, and encourage people, such as one of our coaches who has just started a Fellowship of Christian Athletes. I cannot legally proselytize in a formal sense, working in a public institution, but God is not bound. It is all about building relationships, while being open, honest, and transparent in everything. I do not have anything to gain from sharing Christ at work—in fact I would only have everything to lose—so my hope is that people would see me, as Paul says in 2 Corinthians 2:17, “not peddling the word of God, but as from sincerity, but as form God, [speaking] in Christ in the sight of God.”
“You are the salt of the earth.” Salt has two functions: bringing out the flavor of something, and preservation. As I live my life in Christ, people will be affected. Some of my extended family are offended by the message of the Cross, and balk at even an invitation to come to a church service. When people see my convictions and how I carry myself on a daily basis, I witnesses Christ to them. Because I know my wife better than any person, I can lovingly call her out on things. She does the same for me, too! As I get to know other people, more opportunities for this arise. When people see their need for Christ, the message becomes one of preservation—preservation of the soul. Knowing this helps me endure in the face of opposition by the State-run institutions, defiance from my kids, or apathy from neighbors. Proverbs 11:30 says, “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who is wise wins souls.”
Jesus uses the metaphor of light in close proximity with the statement “a city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.” A city is a place where people gather and live together. One on a hill can be seen from great distances, and offers to many a place of refuge and safety. As we persevere, faithful to the message, God will add to our number. I do not need to figure out how to attract people to Jesus. Those who are truly thirsty for real life will hear the message and believe. They will realize how dark their ways are and come to the light. God is making it so His Family will get used to living together, engrossed in each others’ concerns, triumphs, and struggles, experiencing as the basis of their unity an undivided devotion to Jesus our King.
Ultimately, all I have is Jesus. He is all I have to offer anybody. He is just asking me to be His, and He will do the rest. I recognize the truth in King Solomon’s sentiment, “I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine, he who pastures his flock among the lilies.
Two scriptures informed my reflection in particular: 2 Corinthians 2:15-16 and Matthew 5:13-14. Both of these scriptures speak to being something in particular: an aroma, salt, and light. Aromas, salt and light fulfill their purposes by just being what they are, with no extra effort required. First, I am the aroma of Christ, as His life is in me, then I find myself as a husband, a father, a house church pastor, a neighbor/friend, and a music teacher/colleague—in that order.
“For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to the one and aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life.” Being a “fragrance of Christ to God” means that only Christ in me pleases God. Nothing of my efforts can improve my standing with God. I just need to exult in the fact that I can please God just by being His child. I seek to share this first with my wife, as raising kids and working while doing ministry is hard work! We can rest in Him. I affirm with my kids every night that they are God's children, and that they are in need of a Savior. In time, I believe they will have a sincere faith and relationship with the Lord. At the school where I work, everyone knows I am a Christian, and I have had some good opportunities to talk with people, pray for people, and encourage people, such as one of our coaches who has just started a Fellowship of Christian Athletes. I cannot legally proselytize in a formal sense, working in a public institution, but God is not bound. It is all about building relationships, while being open, honest, and transparent in everything. I do not have anything to gain from sharing Christ at work—in fact I would only have everything to lose—so my hope is that people would see me, as Paul says in 2 Corinthians 2:17, “not peddling the word of God, but as from sincerity, but as form God, [speaking] in Christ in the sight of God.”
“You are the salt of the earth.” Salt has two functions: bringing out the flavor of something, and preservation. As I live my life in Christ, people will be affected. Some of my extended family are offended by the message of the Cross, and balk at even an invitation to come to a church service. When people see my convictions and how I carry myself on a daily basis, I witnesses Christ to them. Because I know my wife better than any person, I can lovingly call her out on things. She does the same for me, too! As I get to know other people, more opportunities for this arise. When people see their need for Christ, the message becomes one of preservation—preservation of the soul. Knowing this helps me endure in the face of opposition by the State-run institutions, defiance from my kids, or apathy from neighbors. Proverbs 11:30 says, “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who is wise wins souls.”
Jesus uses the metaphor of light in close proximity with the statement “a city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.” A city is a place where people gather and live together. One on a hill can be seen from great distances, and offers to many a place of refuge and safety. As we persevere, faithful to the message, God will add to our number. I do not need to figure out how to attract people to Jesus. Those who are truly thirsty for real life will hear the message and believe. They will realize how dark their ways are and come to the light. God is making it so His Family will get used to living together, engrossed in each others’ concerns, triumphs, and struggles, experiencing as the basis of their unity an undivided devotion to Jesus our King.
Ultimately, all I have is Jesus. He is all I have to offer anybody. He is just asking me to be His, and He will do the rest. I recognize the truth in King Solomon’s sentiment, “I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine, he who pastures his flock among the lilies.
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Victory in Surrender to Jesus, 9/27/2020 |
There is Victory in Surrender to God
This life is hard, full of suffering and disappointment. We as Christians have been called out of this world, but it often seems hopeless with every struggle—both external and internal. However, God’s Word has some awesome promises concerning the already accomplished victory of Christ.
“It is finished.” Jesus said on the cross
“For I am confident of this very thiing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6)…”work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:12-13).
The “good work” is the work of God’s salvation! He is actively working so that we would will and work in ways that please Him. Actually, He is doing this with the rebellious too. God always gets His way (Philippians 1:15-18).
Will i surrender to this God who always gets His way? There is certain victory if I do.
Exodus 14:14, "The LORD will fight for you while you keep silent."
Zephaniah 3:17, "The LORD your God is in your midst, a victorious warrior. He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy."
What of those who refuse to surrender?
Jeremiah 9:23-24, ”Thus says the LORD, 'Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises loving kindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,' declares the LORD."
My reflection on the Jeremiah verse...Those who boast in their own wisdom, strength, or riches don't actually have true wisdom, strength or riches. God is the only one with true wisdom (lovingkindness--love expressed); strength (justice--ability and authority to carry it out); and riches (His righteousness). Those who actually have something to boast about give all glory to God as they surrender to Him!
God’s coming kingdom…Revelation 19:5b-16; …Satan bound…God’s judgment of living and dead…New heavens and New Earth: Rev. 21:1-8. Those who overcome are those who will have surrendered to the Lord and will have not insisted on their own way.
This life is hard, full of suffering and disappointment. We as Christians have been called out of this world, but it often seems hopeless with every struggle—both external and internal. However, God’s Word has some awesome promises concerning the already accomplished victory of Christ.
“It is finished.” Jesus said on the cross
“For I am confident of this very thiing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6)…”work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:12-13).
The “good work” is the work of God’s salvation! He is actively working so that we would will and work in ways that please Him. Actually, He is doing this with the rebellious too. God always gets His way (Philippians 1:15-18).
Will i surrender to this God who always gets His way? There is certain victory if I do.
Exodus 14:14, "The LORD will fight for you while you keep silent."
Zephaniah 3:17, "The LORD your God is in your midst, a victorious warrior. He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy."
What of those who refuse to surrender?
Jeremiah 9:23-24, ”Thus says the LORD, 'Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises loving kindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,' declares the LORD."
My reflection on the Jeremiah verse...Those who boast in their own wisdom, strength, or riches don't actually have true wisdom, strength or riches. God is the only one with true wisdom (lovingkindness--love expressed); strength (justice--ability and authority to carry it out); and riches (His righteousness). Those who actually have something to boast about give all glory to God as they surrender to Him!
God’s coming kingdom…Revelation 19:5b-16; …Satan bound…God’s judgment of living and dead…New heavens and New Earth: Rev. 21:1-8. Those who overcome are those who will have surrendered to the Lord and will have not insisted on their own way.
"Taking Every Thought Captive"
9/20/2020
2 Corinthians 10:1-5…Take Every Thought Captive
-vs 1-2…Paul describes himself. He is meek when in person, but bold when writing to them. Some in the church see this as inauthentic or inconsistent character, but Paul defends himself, saying they are regarding him in the wrong way—from a fleshly perspective
-vs. 3-5…There is a spiritual dimension to life which should take precedence. We are at war. We have weapons that are “divinely powerful,” which we need to be actively using to destroy fortresses. These “fortresses” are “speculations” and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God.
—We are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ
Paul is making it clear what our goal should be: Knowing God and Obeying Christ.
The problem: We have a distorted view of reality, which comes out in speculations and lofty ideas (which are followed by disobedience). Speculations, over time, build, compounded by our emotions and experiences, through which we interpret reality. Then we construct an idea of what life truly is—it may even include God! The problem is that my constructed, false reality is self-serving and I essentially can be my own god, even making the God of the Universe into some genie in a bottle which serves my purposes.
We have to take every thought captive because we have a distorted view of reality.
We can see an example of this in Numbers 11, which recounts when Israel was in the wilderness.
Israel had a distorted view of reality:
—The Past (vs. 4-5). As if their life of slavery was better!
—The present (manna was a trial?! ) God was testing them to see if they would recognize His love and care. They were bored and tired with the same thing every day. They complained, blamed Moses, and rejected the Lord, WHO FAITHFULLY, MIRACULOUSLY PROVIDED FOR THEM.
—The self (vs. 10-15)…Moses thought that it was actually his job to carry Israel, and he despaired! **Side note: up to that point, he thought it was possible, and he was doing it! Passing through the wilderness safely was only possible for God, as if the manna and the pillar of cloud/fire were not enough to show that! God affirms that His Spirit is upon Moses (vs. 17)
—About God (vs. 21-23)…Moses did not recognize God’s power through the Spirit. He thought God’s power was limited. God’s spirit rests on the elders, and they prophesy (vs. 25)
—The future (Num. 14:1-2)…it looks impossible to take the land! They did not understand that God will carry out His purpose despite their lack of faith.
The trial was made worse by the response to it. They should not have allowed themselves to take the path of despair, looking at things outwardly with a fleshly mind. God wanted them to see that life was about knowing Him as their Heavenly Father and obeying Him as their Lord, so that HE WOULD BE GLORIFIED AS GOD.
******For us, then…
—Do we prefer our former manner of life where we work to get things our way—actually slavery to sin?
—Do we see our present hardships and blessings as trials, in which God is helping us to see His miraculous provision—His love and care?
—Do we think, like Moses did, that God’s working is dependent on us—that He is actually laying any burden on each of us?
—Do we see God as distant? Deny His Power given now in the Holy Spirit?
—Do we doubt that God will bring about our faith to completion, that we will be perfect?
Let’s trust and obey Jesus Christ who has made it possible to know our Heavenly Father.
-vs 1-2…Paul describes himself. He is meek when in person, but bold when writing to them. Some in the church see this as inauthentic or inconsistent character, but Paul defends himself, saying they are regarding him in the wrong way—from a fleshly perspective
-vs. 3-5…There is a spiritual dimension to life which should take precedence. We are at war. We have weapons that are “divinely powerful,” which we need to be actively using to destroy fortresses. These “fortresses” are “speculations” and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God.
—We are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ
Paul is making it clear what our goal should be: Knowing God and Obeying Christ.
The problem: We have a distorted view of reality, which comes out in speculations and lofty ideas (which are followed by disobedience). Speculations, over time, build, compounded by our emotions and experiences, through which we interpret reality. Then we construct an idea of what life truly is—it may even include God! The problem is that my constructed, false reality is self-serving and I essentially can be my own god, even making the God of the Universe into some genie in a bottle which serves my purposes.
We have to take every thought captive because we have a distorted view of reality.
We can see an example of this in Numbers 11, which recounts when Israel was in the wilderness.
Israel had a distorted view of reality:
—The Past (vs. 4-5). As if their life of slavery was better!
—The present (manna was a trial?! ) God was testing them to see if they would recognize His love and care. They were bored and tired with the same thing every day. They complained, blamed Moses, and rejected the Lord, WHO FAITHFULLY, MIRACULOUSLY PROVIDED FOR THEM.
—The self (vs. 10-15)…Moses thought that it was actually his job to carry Israel, and he despaired! **Side note: up to that point, he thought it was possible, and he was doing it! Passing through the wilderness safely was only possible for God, as if the manna and the pillar of cloud/fire were not enough to show that! God affirms that His Spirit is upon Moses (vs. 17)
—About God (vs. 21-23)…Moses did not recognize God’s power through the Spirit. He thought God’s power was limited. God’s spirit rests on the elders, and they prophesy (vs. 25)
—The future (Num. 14:1-2)…it looks impossible to take the land! They did not understand that God will carry out His purpose despite their lack of faith.
The trial was made worse by the response to it. They should not have allowed themselves to take the path of despair, looking at things outwardly with a fleshly mind. God wanted them to see that life was about knowing Him as their Heavenly Father and obeying Him as their Lord, so that HE WOULD BE GLORIFIED AS GOD.
******For us, then…
—Do we prefer our former manner of life where we work to get things our way—actually slavery to sin?
—Do we see our present hardships and blessings as trials, in which God is helping us to see His miraculous provision—His love and care?
—Do we think, like Moses did, that God’s working is dependent on us—that He is actually laying any burden on each of us?
—Do we see God as distant? Deny His Power given now in the Holy Spirit?
—Do we doubt that God will bring about our faith to completion, that we will be perfect?
Let’s trust and obey Jesus Christ who has made it possible to know our Heavenly Father.
God's Great Love: Psalm 103, The Exodus and Christ
9/13/2020
Read Psalm 103:6-14.
If I had to summarize this in a point I would say this: We have a loving Father who has met EVERY past, present and future need (by giving us His Life.)
This is illustrated through the Exodus account
—vs. 6-7. God’s righteous judgments/deeds done for the oppressed: His people were enslaved
—vs. 8. The LORD is compassionate and gracious. He heard His peoples’ cries, answered and promised to stay with them (Exodus 2:23-25…remembered His covenant with the Fathers. Exodus13:21-22…pillar of fire and pillar of cloud—His presence)
-Slow to anger. God sent 10 plagues on Egypt during the time of Moses. He gave Pharaoh multiple warnings and chances over time to release His people. Similarly, through the course of time, He has given His people many second chances to turn back to Him.
—vs. 9. God will not always strive with us…some Egyptians went with Israel. God allowed this
-nor will He keep His anger forever. Those Egyptians were allowed to live among God’s people.
—vs. 10. not dealt with us according to our sins…freedom from slavery. We, like Israel were so helpless. All mankind has been held captive—deceived and deluded—by sin.
-not rewarded us according to our iniquities…Exodus 12:35-36. Israel plundered the Egyptians—God’s reward for their faith and surrender to Him.
—vs. 11. As high as the heavens, so great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him.
-think of the end of our universe. That is unfathomable and unsearchable! That’s how great God’s love is.
—vs. 12. As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions. East and west are opposite directions. God’s people turned around, leaving behind their old life. Israel crossed the Red Sea going East. When the waters came back down when they were done crossing, there was no turning back! They left their life of slavery—completely forgotten (or should have been). HE HAS GIVEN US A NEW HEART—NEW LIFE BY POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
—vs. 13. Fathers compassion on those who fear Him. To learn, to grow and have a relationship with God is His desire. There will be discipline for the rebellious (like Moses scattering gold dust from the idol over the water—>Exodus 32). God led Israel out of Egypt miraculously. He then provided for them in the wilderness for 40 years miraculously. Exodus 16:8-21—God gave them manna and quail, and they were to gather just enough for each day. There was a daily faithfulness on their part. God was trying to teach them about how to have a relationship with Him.
—vs. 14. He has compassion as He is mindful that we are “dust.” In other words, apart from Him, we are just a collection of matter/dirt—no meaning. In the beginning, God breathed life in Adam. God is still breathing life into those who see their need of Him. (Jesus himself—Col. 1:13-17).
INVENTORY: How do I stack up against God’s character illustrated in the psalm? How much do I need Him? If I am honest with myself, I have to see that I am in utter need of Him. This is what it means to “fear Him.” Apart from HIm, I have no real life being a slave to sin. By His love and compassion, He has made it possible for me to turn from that life and turn to Him. As a loving Father, He promises to take care of my every need now and forever.
If I had to summarize this in a point I would say this: We have a loving Father who has met EVERY past, present and future need (by giving us His Life.)
This is illustrated through the Exodus account
—vs. 6-7. God’s righteous judgments/deeds done for the oppressed: His people were enslaved
—vs. 8. The LORD is compassionate and gracious. He heard His peoples’ cries, answered and promised to stay with them (Exodus 2:23-25…remembered His covenant with the Fathers. Exodus13:21-22…pillar of fire and pillar of cloud—His presence)
-Slow to anger. God sent 10 plagues on Egypt during the time of Moses. He gave Pharaoh multiple warnings and chances over time to release His people. Similarly, through the course of time, He has given His people many second chances to turn back to Him.
—vs. 9. God will not always strive with us…some Egyptians went with Israel. God allowed this
-nor will He keep His anger forever. Those Egyptians were allowed to live among God’s people.
—vs. 10. not dealt with us according to our sins…freedom from slavery. We, like Israel were so helpless. All mankind has been held captive—deceived and deluded—by sin.
-not rewarded us according to our iniquities…Exodus 12:35-36. Israel plundered the Egyptians—God’s reward for their faith and surrender to Him.
—vs. 11. As high as the heavens, so great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him.
-think of the end of our universe. That is unfathomable and unsearchable! That’s how great God’s love is.
—vs. 12. As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions. East and west are opposite directions. God’s people turned around, leaving behind their old life. Israel crossed the Red Sea going East. When the waters came back down when they were done crossing, there was no turning back! They left their life of slavery—completely forgotten (or should have been). HE HAS GIVEN US A NEW HEART—NEW LIFE BY POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
—vs. 13. Fathers compassion on those who fear Him. To learn, to grow and have a relationship with God is His desire. There will be discipline for the rebellious (like Moses scattering gold dust from the idol over the water—>Exodus 32). God led Israel out of Egypt miraculously. He then provided for them in the wilderness for 40 years miraculously. Exodus 16:8-21—God gave them manna and quail, and they were to gather just enough for each day. There was a daily faithfulness on their part. God was trying to teach them about how to have a relationship with Him.
—vs. 14. He has compassion as He is mindful that we are “dust.” In other words, apart from Him, we are just a collection of matter/dirt—no meaning. In the beginning, God breathed life in Adam. God is still breathing life into those who see their need of Him. (Jesus himself—Col. 1:13-17).
INVENTORY: How do I stack up against God’s character illustrated in the psalm? How much do I need Him? If I am honest with myself, I have to see that I am in utter need of Him. This is what it means to “fear Him.” Apart from HIm, I have no real life being a slave to sin. By His love and compassion, He has made it possible for me to turn from that life and turn to Him. As a loving Father, He promises to take care of my every need now and forever.
The Gospel's Power, 9/6/2020 |
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The Gospel: Power to Overcome Sin
Romans 3:23, “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.”
—The glory of God is the ultimate good. Humans were created in God’s image and likeness, sharing in His life (Genesis 1). Then sin entered, and humankind fell from glory.
Romans 1:16-17 says there is good news. God is offering power for salvation by sharing in His righteousness through faith. It is not just that Christ died for my sins so I can be with Him in heaven. That is true, but not the whole picture. These verse mean we have the power to overcome sin and all its effects—a transformed life in Christ!
Romans 3:23, “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.”
—The glory of God is the ultimate good. Humans were created in God’s image and likeness, sharing in His life (Genesis 1). Then sin entered, and humankind fell from glory.
Romans 1:16-17 says there is good news. God is offering power for salvation by sharing in His righteousness through faith. It is not just that Christ died for my sins so I can be with Him in heaven. That is true, but not the whole picture. These verse mean we have the power to overcome sin and all its effects—a transformed life in Christ!
- Nature of sin—describes who we are as wicked people—a disposition from which flows sinful desires and behavior. “Total depravity” means sin touches every aspect of who we are as humans. The principle of representation shows that Adam’s sin affects us all. There are several implications of sinfulness on the human race. All of these point out our separation from God—and His life.
- The effects of sin on our standing before God. We have no relationship with God, who is Holy (Romans 1:18-21 points this out, yet we are without excuse)
- The effects of sin on our thinking. (Rom. 1:22-23; Col. 1:21-; Eph. 4:17-24)
- Take every thought captive to obedience to Christ (2 Cor. 10:5)
- The effects of sin on our motivations. (Romans 1:24-25…we only want what is evil—a “lie.” We are going after what is not truly life.) (James 1:14-15)
- The effects of sin on our emotions (soul’s ability to feel). We can experience wrong emotions for the occasion, misplaced emotions, and emotions that are out of proportion to an occasion. Certain emotions, such as sorrow, we never would have felt without sin. (Revelation 21:4—no more death pain or sorrow)
- The effects of sin on our bodies. Our outer man is wasting away (1 Cor. 15:42-44). Inwardly, we are being renewed!
- The effects of sin on our relationships. Malice, wishing bad things on others, and envy, wanting the good things others have, abound. We are predisposed to hate others. (Titus 3:3) “Blessed are the peacemakers…”(Matthew 5)
- The effects of sin on our world. (Romans 8:20-22–creation subjected to futility). We live in a broken world full of problems because of original sin. “…New heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells” (2 Peter 3:13)
God's Love in the Book of Jonah (8/9/2020) |
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God’s Love in the Book of Jonah
Read Chapter 1:1-3…God calls Jonah to warn Ninevah of judgment concerning wickedness.
God loves these wicked people, but Jonah responds in fear, flees in disobedience.
Read Chapter 1:4-17…God sends a storm, and all the sailors are scared to death. They start praying to their “gods.” Jonah confesses that it is his God—the Creator of everything—who has caused the storm because of his disobedience. Jonah’s disobedience and their failed attempts at getting back to shore cause the other sailors to turn to God and repent. They are saved. God will use anything in creation—including disobedient sons—to turn people to Him so they can be saved from their sinful way of life. God even has mercy on Jonah by sending the fish. He doesn’t want Jonah to die, and still has a plan for him.
Read Chapter 2…Jonah thanks God and repents inside the belly of the fish. He renews his vows to God, and God has the fish spit him out on dry land. God heard a disobedient son’s cry and answered. God disciplined Jonah in a very demonstrative way so Jonah would turn back to obedience.
Read Chapter 3…Jonah goes to Ninevah and they repent. He was a walking sign—his God is one who can raise a man from the dead, and He always gets His way. God had mercy on everyone in Ninevah who repented.
Read Chapter 4…It is evident that Jonah’s heart still was not in the work he had just done in the name of God. In fact it “greatly displeased” him that God relented from calamity on Ninevah. Even so, God had His way.
Now, God approaches Jonah, still trying to teach Him about His love. Jonah knows God is loving: “…I knew that You are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, and one who relents concerning calamity” (vs. 2). Yet, he still valued his own comfort over seeing others know the LORD. God, speaking to Jonah outside the city, says, “You had compassion on the plant for which you did not work and which you did not cause to grow, which came up overnight and perished overnight. Should I not have compassion on Ninevah, the great city in which there are more than 120,000 persons who do not know the difference between their right and left hand, as well as many animals?”
In other words, Jonah cared about that which made him comfortable more than he cared for living souls who God had made. When God says they don’t know their right from their left hand, it means they did not understand their wickedness until Jonah came with the word fo the LORD as a sign to them of God’s judgment and love. He is also reminding Jonah that they need someone to teach them. The book ends with this question from the LORD.
Did Jonah go back to the city and instruct people in the fear of the LORD? It doesn’t say.
If I were in his position, would I?
Like He did for Jonah, God is pleading with us as His sons and daughters to walk in obedience. There is great work to be done, as there is much wickedness in this world. WE SERVE A GREAT GOD WHO WILL HAVE HIS WAY.
He “will never leave us or forsake us,” but we have to be willing to not get our way all the time.
Read Chapter 1:1-3…God calls Jonah to warn Ninevah of judgment concerning wickedness.
God loves these wicked people, but Jonah responds in fear, flees in disobedience.
Read Chapter 1:4-17…God sends a storm, and all the sailors are scared to death. They start praying to their “gods.” Jonah confesses that it is his God—the Creator of everything—who has caused the storm because of his disobedience. Jonah’s disobedience and their failed attempts at getting back to shore cause the other sailors to turn to God and repent. They are saved. God will use anything in creation—including disobedient sons—to turn people to Him so they can be saved from their sinful way of life. God even has mercy on Jonah by sending the fish. He doesn’t want Jonah to die, and still has a plan for him.
Read Chapter 2…Jonah thanks God and repents inside the belly of the fish. He renews his vows to God, and God has the fish spit him out on dry land. God heard a disobedient son’s cry and answered. God disciplined Jonah in a very demonstrative way so Jonah would turn back to obedience.
Read Chapter 3…Jonah goes to Ninevah and they repent. He was a walking sign—his God is one who can raise a man from the dead, and He always gets His way. God had mercy on everyone in Ninevah who repented.
Read Chapter 4…It is evident that Jonah’s heart still was not in the work he had just done in the name of God. In fact it “greatly displeased” him that God relented from calamity on Ninevah. Even so, God had His way.
Now, God approaches Jonah, still trying to teach Him about His love. Jonah knows God is loving: “…I knew that You are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, and one who relents concerning calamity” (vs. 2). Yet, he still valued his own comfort over seeing others know the LORD. God, speaking to Jonah outside the city, says, “You had compassion on the plant for which you did not work and which you did not cause to grow, which came up overnight and perished overnight. Should I not have compassion on Ninevah, the great city in which there are more than 120,000 persons who do not know the difference between their right and left hand, as well as many animals?”
In other words, Jonah cared about that which made him comfortable more than he cared for living souls who God had made. When God says they don’t know their right from their left hand, it means they did not understand their wickedness until Jonah came with the word fo the LORD as a sign to them of God’s judgment and love. He is also reminding Jonah that they need someone to teach them. The book ends with this question from the LORD.
Did Jonah go back to the city and instruct people in the fear of the LORD? It doesn’t say.
If I were in his position, would I?
Like He did for Jonah, God is pleading with us as His sons and daughters to walk in obedience. There is great work to be done, as there is much wickedness in this world. WE SERVE A GREAT GOD WHO WILL HAVE HIS WAY.
He “will never leave us or forsake us,” but we have to be willing to not get our way all the time.
God’s Great Love For All Who Fear Him, (8/2/2020)
Psalm 103:6-14.
—vs. 6-7. God’s righteous judgments/deeds done for the oppressed: Example of the Exodus
—vs. 8. The LORD is compassionate and gracious. He heard His peoples’ cries, answered and promised to stay with them (Exodus 2:23-25…remembered His covenant with the Fathers. Exodus13:21-22…pillar of fire and pillar of cloud—His presence)
-Slow to anger. God sent 10 plagues on Egypt during the time of Moses. He gave Pharaoh multiple warnings and chances over time to release His people. Similarly, through the course of time, He has given His people many second chances to turn back to Him.
—vs. 9. God will not always strive with us…some Egyptians went with Israel. God allowed this
-nor will He keep His anger forever. Those Egyptians were allowed to live among God’s people.
—vs. 10. not dealt with us according to our sins…freedom from slavery. We, like Israel were so helpless. All mankind has been held captive—deceived and deluded—by sin.
-not reward us according to our iniquities…Exodus 12:35-36. Israel plundered the Egyptians—God’s reward for their faith and surrender to Him.
—vs. 11. As high as the heavens, so great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him.
-think of the end of our universe. That is unfathomable and unsearchable! That’s how great God’s love is.
—vs. 12. As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions. East and west are opposite directions. God’s people turned around, leaving behind their old life. Israel crossed the Red Sea going East. When the waters came back down when they were done crossing, there was no turning back! They left their life of slavery—completely forgotten (or should have been).
—vs. 13. Fathers compassion on those who fear Him. To learn, to grow and have a relationship with God is His desire. There will be discipline for the rebellious (like Moses scattering gold dust from the idol over the water—>Exodus 32). God led Israel out of Egypt miraculously. He then provided for them in the wilderness for 40 years miraculously. Exodus 16:8-21—God gave them manna and quail, and they were to gather just enough for each day. There was a daily faithfulness on their part. God was trying to teach them about how to have a relationship with Him.
—vs. 14. He has compassion as He is mindful that we are “dust.” In other words, apart from Him, we are just a collection of matter/dirt—no meaning. In the beginning, God breathed life in Adam. God is still breathing life into those who see their need of Him. (Jesus himself—Col. 1:13-17).
INVENTORY: How do I stack up against God’s character illustrated in the psalm? How much do I need Him? If I am honest with myself, I have to see that I am in utter need of Him. This is what it means to “fear Him.” Apart from HIm, I have no real life being a slave to sin. By His love and compassion, He has made it possible for me to turn from that life and turn to Him. As a loving Father, He promises to take care of my every need now and forever.
God is Faithful, Despite our Indifference (7/17/20)
The message of Hosea the prophet--God’s betrothal to His people. He is faithful and loving despite their indifference and rebellion.
Read Hosea chapter 1.
vs 2…God calls Hosea the prophet to take a wife of harlotry as a sign to God’s people.
vs 3-5…God speaks against Israel—He will bring an end to the kingdom.
vs. 6-7…He will not have compassion on Israel, but will have compassion on Judah.
vs. 8-11…”You are not my people and I am not your God” is God’s message to His people. Yet, as they multiply, they are telling themselves “You are sons of the living God.” Israel and Judah join together in this.
Hosea 2:14-23…God wants to restore His people, though. He will remind them of His faithfulness and they will turn back to Him. Chapter 2:19-20, “I will betroth you to Me forever; Yes, I will betroth you to Me in righteousness and in justice, In lovingkindness and in compassion, and I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness. Then you will know the LORD.”
—verse 23, “I will sow her for Myself in the land. I will also have compassion on her who had not obtained compassion, and I will say to those who were not My people, ‘You are My people!’ and they will say, ‘You are my God!’ “
—God will “sow her in the land.” He is patient, waiting for His people to respond. Some did more quickly than others. Some never turned to Him.
—Some respond this way: Hosea 6:1-3, “Come, let us return to the LORD. For He has torn us, but He will heal us; He has wounded us, but He will bandage us. He will revive us after two days; He will raise us up on the third day, That we may live before Him. So let us know, let us press on to know the LORD. His going forth is as certain as the dawn; And He will come to us like the rain, like the spring rain watering the earth.”
--Some realize God’s faithfulness—as sure as spring rain. He has disciplined them severely, but they know if they repent He will make them whole again.
Some don’t see their need to turn to the LORD. Hosea 10:1-2…the more prosperous they were, the more they turned to idolatry. verses 11-13…trusted in their own ways—wickedness— instead of God’s ways—righteousness.
Hosea 11…God desperately wants those rebellious to turn to Him. He is a father yearning over his lost child who has turned away from him. He is fiercely compassionate, able to restrain His anger and wrath—“I am God and not man, the Holy One in your midst” (verse 9) He never left them, despite their rebellion.
In all this, they still think they are God’s children, yet they are as good as dead! “Ephraim surrounds Me with lies and the house of Israel with deceit; Judah is also unruly against God, Even against the Holy One who is faithful” (verse 12).
God’s final word in Hosea is one of blessing and promise from a truly loving Father. All that He wants from them is to return to Him, saying, “Take away all iniquity and receive us graciously, that we may present the fruit of our lips” (Hosea 14:2). They will turn away from earthly kingdoms and manmade objects for salvation/life (verse 3). They will recognize His blessings and give Him all renown and praise (verses 4-8). The final warning: listen and heed. Walk in the ways of the Lord. Transgressors will stumble (verse 9).
The choice for us is the same as Israel. God is pleading with us to turn to Him and walk in His ways. Romans 2:4, ”do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness, tolerance and patience, not knowing that it is the kindness of God which leads you to repentance?"
Read Hosea chapter 1.
vs 2…God calls Hosea the prophet to take a wife of harlotry as a sign to God’s people.
vs 3-5…God speaks against Israel—He will bring an end to the kingdom.
vs. 6-7…He will not have compassion on Israel, but will have compassion on Judah.
vs. 8-11…”You are not my people and I am not your God” is God’s message to His people. Yet, as they multiply, they are telling themselves “You are sons of the living God.” Israel and Judah join together in this.
Hosea 2:14-23…God wants to restore His people, though. He will remind them of His faithfulness and they will turn back to Him. Chapter 2:19-20, “I will betroth you to Me forever; Yes, I will betroth you to Me in righteousness and in justice, In lovingkindness and in compassion, and I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness. Then you will know the LORD.”
—verse 23, “I will sow her for Myself in the land. I will also have compassion on her who had not obtained compassion, and I will say to those who were not My people, ‘You are My people!’ and they will say, ‘You are my God!’ “
—God will “sow her in the land.” He is patient, waiting for His people to respond. Some did more quickly than others. Some never turned to Him.
—Some respond this way: Hosea 6:1-3, “Come, let us return to the LORD. For He has torn us, but He will heal us; He has wounded us, but He will bandage us. He will revive us after two days; He will raise us up on the third day, That we may live before Him. So let us know, let us press on to know the LORD. His going forth is as certain as the dawn; And He will come to us like the rain, like the spring rain watering the earth.”
--Some realize God’s faithfulness—as sure as spring rain. He has disciplined them severely, but they know if they repent He will make them whole again.
Some don’t see their need to turn to the LORD. Hosea 10:1-2…the more prosperous they were, the more they turned to idolatry. verses 11-13…trusted in their own ways—wickedness— instead of God’s ways—righteousness.
Hosea 11…God desperately wants those rebellious to turn to Him. He is a father yearning over his lost child who has turned away from him. He is fiercely compassionate, able to restrain His anger and wrath—“I am God and not man, the Holy One in your midst” (verse 9) He never left them, despite their rebellion.
In all this, they still think they are God’s children, yet they are as good as dead! “Ephraim surrounds Me with lies and the house of Israel with deceit; Judah is also unruly against God, Even against the Holy One who is faithful” (verse 12).
God’s final word in Hosea is one of blessing and promise from a truly loving Father. All that He wants from them is to return to Him, saying, “Take away all iniquity and receive us graciously, that we may present the fruit of our lips” (Hosea 14:2). They will turn away from earthly kingdoms and manmade objects for salvation/life (verse 3). They will recognize His blessings and give Him all renown and praise (verses 4-8). The final warning: listen and heed. Walk in the ways of the Lord. Transgressors will stumble (verse 9).
The choice for us is the same as Israel. God is pleading with us to turn to Him and walk in His ways. Romans 2:4, ”do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness, tolerance and patience, not knowing that it is the kindness of God which leads you to repentance?"
7/10/2020, Life is Knowing Our Heavenly Father
Luke 15—Parables of the Lost sheep, lost coin, and Prodigal Son
vs. 1-3…Jesus associates with sinners and some Jewish leaders chide him for it.
Lost Sheep (vs. 4-7)—joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, more than 99 “righteous.” Jesus is speaking this against the Jewish leaders, the so-called “righteous.” The sheep is as good as dead lost, separate from the master.
Lost coin (vs. 8-10)—joy over one sinner who repents. The coin loses its value if it is lost. It is meant to be in the owner’s hands
Parable of the Prodigal Son
Observations about the three men in this parable:
Father
-gave sons what they wanted—generous
-was looking for younger son’s return and received him back, no questions asked—loving.
—pleads with older brother—wants complete reconciliation and harmonious family
Younger Son
-asked for his share of the estate…he was ready for the father to die! Did not value a relationship with his father.
-he went on with selfish, loose living. He came to poverty, his lowest point, then he comes to realize that LIFE IS WITH THE FATHER. He is then repentant.
Older Son
-never left the father, but did not have a relationship with the father. If he did, he would have shared his father’s joy when his brother returned. He is also selfish. He still didn’t realize that LIFE IS HAVING A RELATIONSHIP WITH HIS FATHER.
**Do we realize that true life is knowing our Heavenly Father?
-the outflow of that relationship: He will show us how to live, work and love each other
-no room for “loose living” or rivalry…we don’t actually deserve anything!
-we should share the father’s heart for reconciling the lost—more important than our “own” lives
We don’t actually have a life of our own. (1 Cor. 6:19-20…bought with a price; therefore glorify God with your bodies)
-We also share in our Father’s mission (2 Cor. 5:17-20…ministry of reconciliation to God our Creator—message to all regardless of how sinful, social status, color of skin, etc.)
vs. 1-3…Jesus associates with sinners and some Jewish leaders chide him for it.
Lost Sheep (vs. 4-7)—joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, more than 99 “righteous.” Jesus is speaking this against the Jewish leaders, the so-called “righteous.” The sheep is as good as dead lost, separate from the master.
Lost coin (vs. 8-10)—joy over one sinner who repents. The coin loses its value if it is lost. It is meant to be in the owner’s hands
Parable of the Prodigal Son
Observations about the three men in this parable:
Father
-gave sons what they wanted—generous
-was looking for younger son’s return and received him back, no questions asked—loving.
—pleads with older brother—wants complete reconciliation and harmonious family
Younger Son
-asked for his share of the estate…he was ready for the father to die! Did not value a relationship with his father.
-he went on with selfish, loose living. He came to poverty, his lowest point, then he comes to realize that LIFE IS WITH THE FATHER. He is then repentant.
Older Son
-never left the father, but did not have a relationship with the father. If he did, he would have shared his father’s joy when his brother returned. He is also selfish. He still didn’t realize that LIFE IS HAVING A RELATIONSHIP WITH HIS FATHER.
**Do we realize that true life is knowing our Heavenly Father?
-the outflow of that relationship: He will show us how to live, work and love each other
-no room for “loose living” or rivalry…we don’t actually deserve anything!
-we should share the father’s heart for reconciling the lost—more important than our “own” lives
We don’t actually have a life of our own. (1 Cor. 6:19-20…bought with a price; therefore glorify God with your bodies)
-We also share in our Father’s mission (2 Cor. 5:17-20…ministry of reconciliation to God our Creator—message to all regardless of how sinful, social status, color of skin, etc.)
6/28/2020, "Certain Hope Leads to Purity"
*Picture of an egg. Egg shells are fragile, protective, opaque (can't see through), and carry life temporarily. After the organism inside is matured, the egg is cracked open and the shell discarded.** God was showing me this metaphor to better understand 1 John 3:2-3, "Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. 3 And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure."
Just like an egg, we have a certain life, one day to fully be revealed. These verses are telling us that we don't even fully understand ourselves, let alone God. But "when He appears," that is when He returns for His people, we will see Him and fully understand. This is the hope we should be fixing ourselves on--seeing the Lord and fully understanding Him and who we are as God's children. The question is, "What does God expect of us right now?" Verse 3 and beyond give instructions.
"And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies Himself, just as He is pure."
In the light of the hope we have of being fully like Jesus, we should be purifying ourselves.
Everything not of eternal value, which God has given us for a time, is one day going to be discarded. He is giving me everything I need to become like Him. One day I will see Him fully when I am “hatched” into His eternal kingdom. I have heard His voice, felt His warmth and been protected in ways I don’t understand, but one day I get to see Him face to face.
How do we purify ourselves? -No Longer Practice Sin, but practice righteousness (1 John 3:4-10,"Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness. 5 You know that He appeared in order to take away sins; and in Him there is no sin. 6 No one who abides in Him sins; no one who sins has seen Him or knows Him. 7 Little children, make sure no one deceives you; the one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous; 8 the one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil. 9 No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is [e]born of God. 10 By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother.")
Romans 6:12-18–slaves/instruments of righteousness
Rom. 7:9-13…do we consider sin “utterly sinful?”
Are we an instrument (tool/weapon) in the hands of the devil or in the hands of God?
Ephesians 6:10-12—Armor of God…need to submit to Him. Struggle is not merely a fleshly/earthly struggle. STAND FIRM with the Spiritual weapons God has given us. (verses 13-18). PRAY AT ALL TIMES IN THE SPIRIT.
Are we people of prayer? If I really believed God’s word that I do not yet fully know the Lord and who I am in Him, I would be praying more! I would seek Him and His will for my life. I would truly seek His counsel regarding everything. “Flaming arrows of the evil one” may come in less obvious ways. Sometimes spiritual attacks can come through earthly temptations. Look at Jesus as an example: Luke 4:1-13…after passing the test, He began His ministry. Trials and temptations are opportunities for us to become stronger and sharper in the hands of our Heavenly Father. The devil wants to crush us and get us to focus on the weak “shell” of this temporary life. God wants to strengthen us in the Spirit and to focus on that life—one day to fully be revealed.
-Do not be selfish, but rather love others (1 John 3:11-16) Laying down my life means I am not holding onto anything—freely giving and letting go of things. Jesus said to be His disciples, we have to deny ourselves, pick up our cross daily and follow Him. Are we doing that?
Only as we pray in the Spirit and seek to stop pleasing ourselves will we know God's will. He will show us how we need to change to prepare for the day we see Him face to face.
Just like an egg, we have a certain life, one day to fully be revealed. These verses are telling us that we don't even fully understand ourselves, let alone God. But "when He appears," that is when He returns for His people, we will see Him and fully understand. This is the hope we should be fixing ourselves on--seeing the Lord and fully understanding Him and who we are as God's children. The question is, "What does God expect of us right now?" Verse 3 and beyond give instructions.
"And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies Himself, just as He is pure."
In the light of the hope we have of being fully like Jesus, we should be purifying ourselves.
Everything not of eternal value, which God has given us for a time, is one day going to be discarded. He is giving me everything I need to become like Him. One day I will see Him fully when I am “hatched” into His eternal kingdom. I have heard His voice, felt His warmth and been protected in ways I don’t understand, but one day I get to see Him face to face.
How do we purify ourselves? -No Longer Practice Sin, but practice righteousness (1 John 3:4-10,"Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness. 5 You know that He appeared in order to take away sins; and in Him there is no sin. 6 No one who abides in Him sins; no one who sins has seen Him or knows Him. 7 Little children, make sure no one deceives you; the one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous; 8 the one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil. 9 No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is [e]born of God. 10 By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother.")
Romans 6:12-18–slaves/instruments of righteousness
Rom. 7:9-13…do we consider sin “utterly sinful?”
Are we an instrument (tool/weapon) in the hands of the devil or in the hands of God?
Ephesians 6:10-12—Armor of God…need to submit to Him. Struggle is not merely a fleshly/earthly struggle. STAND FIRM with the Spiritual weapons God has given us. (verses 13-18). PRAY AT ALL TIMES IN THE SPIRIT.
Are we people of prayer? If I really believed God’s word that I do not yet fully know the Lord and who I am in Him, I would be praying more! I would seek Him and His will for my life. I would truly seek His counsel regarding everything. “Flaming arrows of the evil one” may come in less obvious ways. Sometimes spiritual attacks can come through earthly temptations. Look at Jesus as an example: Luke 4:1-13…after passing the test, He began His ministry. Trials and temptations are opportunities for us to become stronger and sharper in the hands of our Heavenly Father. The devil wants to crush us and get us to focus on the weak “shell” of this temporary life. God wants to strengthen us in the Spirit and to focus on that life—one day to fully be revealed.
-Do not be selfish, but rather love others (1 John 3:11-16) Laying down my life means I am not holding onto anything—freely giving and letting go of things. Jesus said to be His disciples, we have to deny ourselves, pick up our cross daily and follow Him. Are we doing that?
Only as we pray in the Spirit and seek to stop pleasing ourselves will we know God's will. He will show us how we need to change to prepare for the day we see Him face to face.
6/21/2020, "Shared Life"
Ephesians 3:14-21, "For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom [a]every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the [b]saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.
20 Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, 21 to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations [c]forever and ever. Amen."
God, Through Christ, Is Sharing His Life With Us.
—Every family “derives its name” from God the Father. In other words, families are supposed to be a picture for us of God. In the beginning, He wanted a family. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit worked to create everything (Genesis 1:1-3). He created humans in His image and likeness (shared life) and it was very good (Genesis 1:26-31).
Genesis 2:4-7…God breathed life. He shared His life, the Spirit
Genesis 3:1-10…Adam and Eve wanted life apart from God. That resulted in the curse. They died a spiritual death, separation from God, and were cursed to a mere natural existence. Still, God showed mercy (Genesis 3:21-24…clothed with animal and allowed to live). Now, however, all they can produce are natural children—not spiritual.
Now, through God’s gift of grace—Jesus Christ—we can be filled once again with God’s life. God has been showing people this from the beginning. Everyone has had an invitation to share in God’s glory, His life. (Romans 1:18-23…they exchanged the glory of God)
God sent Jesus to redeem His creation. John 1:1-5, 9-13…”In the beginning was the Word…” Just receive Him and you can be born again into God’s family.
-Jesus says this: John 3:1-5...Need to be born again to see the kingdom of heaven.
-John 3:16-21. The Father’s family is eternal. Turn from darkness—evil, natural life—and be saved.
What person can keep us alive forever?
Only God can do this for people submitted to His love. Ephesians 2:1-7…all are naturally dead and separated from God. According to His great love, he has raised up to life those who receive Him. God gave me the picture of a rocket ship to understand this. The world is going to be destroyed so He has sent a way for me to be saved—Christ. Like a rocket ship about to blast off, the life of Christ has to be entered, abided in, relied upon, and completely trusted in. He is the only life. We are naturally deserving of God’s wrath and His coming judgement when He destroys the world by fire. Only in Christ are we safe now and only by abiding in Him will we be safe when God’s judgment comes.
(A good visual for teaching God’s intention for shared life from the beginning: a family tree. God —F, S, HS—at the top—and a line of descent down to Adam and Eve. When they sinned, they cut that line, no longer connected to the shared spiritual life of God. They had many sons and daughters but they were only natural offspring still separated from God (see Eph 2:1-2). Enter new line of descent: redemption in Christ and a new spiritual branch of the tree. All the descendants of A+E can be grafted in by a new birth in the Spirit.)
20 Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, 21 to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations [c]forever and ever. Amen."
God, Through Christ, Is Sharing His Life With Us.
—Every family “derives its name” from God the Father. In other words, families are supposed to be a picture for us of God. In the beginning, He wanted a family. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit worked to create everything (Genesis 1:1-3). He created humans in His image and likeness (shared life) and it was very good (Genesis 1:26-31).
Genesis 2:4-7…God breathed life. He shared His life, the Spirit
Genesis 3:1-10…Adam and Eve wanted life apart from God. That resulted in the curse. They died a spiritual death, separation from God, and were cursed to a mere natural existence. Still, God showed mercy (Genesis 3:21-24…clothed with animal and allowed to live). Now, however, all they can produce are natural children—not spiritual.
Now, through God’s gift of grace—Jesus Christ—we can be filled once again with God’s life. God has been showing people this from the beginning. Everyone has had an invitation to share in God’s glory, His life. (Romans 1:18-23…they exchanged the glory of God)
God sent Jesus to redeem His creation. John 1:1-5, 9-13…”In the beginning was the Word…” Just receive Him and you can be born again into God’s family.
-Jesus says this: John 3:1-5...Need to be born again to see the kingdom of heaven.
-John 3:16-21. The Father’s family is eternal. Turn from darkness—evil, natural life—and be saved.
What person can keep us alive forever?
Only God can do this for people submitted to His love. Ephesians 2:1-7…all are naturally dead and separated from God. According to His great love, he has raised up to life those who receive Him. God gave me the picture of a rocket ship to understand this. The world is going to be destroyed so He has sent a way for me to be saved—Christ. Like a rocket ship about to blast off, the life of Christ has to be entered, abided in, relied upon, and completely trusted in. He is the only life. We are naturally deserving of God’s wrath and His coming judgement when He destroys the world by fire. Only in Christ are we safe now and only by abiding in Him will we be safe when God’s judgment comes.
(A good visual for teaching God’s intention for shared life from the beginning: a family tree. God —F, S, HS—at the top—and a line of descent down to Adam and Eve. When they sinned, they cut that line, no longer connected to the shared spiritual life of God. They had many sons and daughters but they were only natural offspring still separated from God (see Eph 2:1-2). Enter new line of descent: redemption in Christ and a new spiritual branch of the tree. All the descendants of A+E can be grafted in by a new birth in the Spirit.)
6/14/2020, "Participating in God's Works"
Ephesians 2:1-7
vs1-2—Used to be Dead in sins / trespasses
—“Formerly walked”—a way of life, though not true life b/c we were dead
—Lived like the world and the devil, with a disobedient spirit (“flesh”, perhaps?)
vs 3 —Indulged lusts of flesh and mind, making us children of wrath
vs 4-5 —God, rich in mercy and great in love
—He loved us even in our transgressions
—Because of this great love, He made us all alive with/in Christ
—this is by God’s grace
vs 6—raised us up with Christ
—He seated us with Him in the heavenly places (where exactly is He sitting in the “heavenly places”)
vs 7 —He made us alive and seated us in the heavenly places with Jesus so He would show surpassing riches of His grace by an experience of His kindness in “the ages to come” (is this speaking of eternity forward?)
God, who is rich in mercy, love, and grace, took us from the lowest of low—our way of life which was actually death, under God’s wrath—to the highest of high—seated in heaven with Jesus, where we will experience His kindness now and forever.
He has shown us how we are set free from former life (past) with a promise to experience his riches in the ages to come (future—not that we can’t experience His riches now to a certain extent). What about the present time? The rest of chapter 2 addresses this.
Ephesians 2:8-10
vs. 8…Salvation from death, this world, fleshly lusts, and ultimately God’s wrath is through faith in God’s grace. That we can have faith in Christ is a gift from God.
vs. 9…we cannot earn or merit God’s grace (works), and therefore cannot boast
vs. 10…We are God’s workmanship—created new in Christ for good works prepared beforehand. Workmanship implies that we are the object of God’s work, whom He is preparing to become useful for participation in His works. (not our works, which are in accordance with death, worldliness, fleshly lusts, leading to God’s wrath!)
Because of how we have been set free from former life and promise to experience God’s riches in the future, we should be participating in God’s works now.
Example: Matthew 19:27-20:16,,,the reward is the same for all who leave behind old life to follow Christ: ETERNAL LIFE
**So what are God’s works?**
Ephesians 4:1-6…show tolerance in love, preserve unity
vs. 7-13…exercise spiritual gifts for building up of of Body of Christ
vs. 14-16…maturing as the Body of Christ
Ephesians 4:17-5:10…Lay aside old self (falsehood, sinning in anger, stealing, unwholesome words, bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, slander, malice)
Put on new self (reconcile with others sooner, work and share, edifying words, kindness, tender-hearted, forgiving)
FURTHER: Imitate Christ—trying to learn what is pleasing to Him.
vs1-2—Used to be Dead in sins / trespasses
—“Formerly walked”—a way of life, though not true life b/c we were dead
—Lived like the world and the devil, with a disobedient spirit (“flesh”, perhaps?)
vs 3 —Indulged lusts of flesh and mind, making us children of wrath
vs 4-5 —God, rich in mercy and great in love
—He loved us even in our transgressions
—Because of this great love, He made us all alive with/in Christ
—this is by God’s grace
vs 6—raised us up with Christ
—He seated us with Him in the heavenly places (where exactly is He sitting in the “heavenly places”)
vs 7 —He made us alive and seated us in the heavenly places with Jesus so He would show surpassing riches of His grace by an experience of His kindness in “the ages to come” (is this speaking of eternity forward?)
God, who is rich in mercy, love, and grace, took us from the lowest of low—our way of life which was actually death, under God’s wrath—to the highest of high—seated in heaven with Jesus, where we will experience His kindness now and forever.
He has shown us how we are set free from former life (past) with a promise to experience his riches in the ages to come (future—not that we can’t experience His riches now to a certain extent). What about the present time? The rest of chapter 2 addresses this.
Ephesians 2:8-10
vs. 8…Salvation from death, this world, fleshly lusts, and ultimately God’s wrath is through faith in God’s grace. That we can have faith in Christ is a gift from God.
vs. 9…we cannot earn or merit God’s grace (works), and therefore cannot boast
vs. 10…We are God’s workmanship—created new in Christ for good works prepared beforehand. Workmanship implies that we are the object of God’s work, whom He is preparing to become useful for participation in His works. (not our works, which are in accordance with death, worldliness, fleshly lusts, leading to God’s wrath!)
Because of how we have been set free from former life and promise to experience God’s riches in the future, we should be participating in God’s works now.
Example: Matthew 19:27-20:16,,,the reward is the same for all who leave behind old life to follow Christ: ETERNAL LIFE
**So what are God’s works?**
Ephesians 4:1-6…show tolerance in love, preserve unity
vs. 7-13…exercise spiritual gifts for building up of of Body of Christ
vs. 14-16…maturing as the Body of Christ
Ephesians 4:17-5:10…Lay aside old self (falsehood, sinning in anger, stealing, unwholesome words, bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, slander, malice)
Put on new self (reconcile with others sooner, work and share, edifying words, kindness, tender-hearted, forgiving)
FURTHER: Imitate Christ—trying to learn what is pleasing to Him.
5/31/2020, "Aliens and Strangers"
Aliens and Strangers…This place is not our home. We are just passing through
1 Peter 2:11-12, “Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul. Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation.”
—“Aliens.” Someone who does not belong—they have yet to get to their country.
John 3:8, The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
—Just like the wind, those who live by the Holy Spirit are just passing through—to a permanent home
—People will not understand us as we are living by the power of the Spirit. I need to be okay with being misunderstood. My focus needs to be on pleasing the Lord.
We Have a Spiritual Home. 2 Corinthians 5:1…our earthly tent will one day be torn down, but we have a home made by God! —-a spiritual body in heaven
—While we are here, we do have a mission—ambassadors (someone sent from a foreign country for diplomatic reasons) --2 Cor. 5:18-21
--“Strangers.” I am not known, nor do I know anybody or anything. He is encouraging me to not know “fleshly lusts.” I am not going to be known, or understood, by anybody living that way.
Deuteronomy 7:6-8…KJV reads “peculiar people.” Just as He brought Israel out of ”the house of slavery,” He has brought us out of our sinful life.
We have a Spiritual life…2 Cor. 5:14-16…recognize no one according to the flesh anymore
We Belong to the Lord…1 Peter 2:9-10. He has called us out to proclaim His excellencies.
—“Excellent behavior” and “good deeds” will cause those who find us strange to eventually glorify God. Since we have a spiritual home and a spiritual life, let’s be sprititual people. Because we have displayed God’s character, they will recognize Him when He Himself comes. What does the Lord consider “excellent behavior” and “good deeds?”
1 Corinthians 12:27-13:7…excellent behavior is anything done in love.
Hebrews 11:35-12:2…They endured. so can we. We have the same hope which they had—a "better resurrection!” God’s promise to give us an eternal home. What God sees as excellent is keeping faith no matter what we go through for it. Good deeds are those done by faith.
—“Glorify God in the day of visitation” …He gets the credit for all things excellent and good seen in and through my life. Example of Shadrach, Meshack, and Abed-nego in Daniel chapter 3—Nebuchudnezzer recognizes that their God is almighty. Revelation 7—those who have relied on the Lord in this life will continue to do so forevermore!
1 Peter 2:11-12, “Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul. Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation.”
—“Aliens.” Someone who does not belong—they have yet to get to their country.
John 3:8, The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
—Just like the wind, those who live by the Holy Spirit are just passing through—to a permanent home
—People will not understand us as we are living by the power of the Spirit. I need to be okay with being misunderstood. My focus needs to be on pleasing the Lord.
We Have a Spiritual Home. 2 Corinthians 5:1…our earthly tent will one day be torn down, but we have a home made by God! —-a spiritual body in heaven
—While we are here, we do have a mission—ambassadors (someone sent from a foreign country for diplomatic reasons) --2 Cor. 5:18-21
--“Strangers.” I am not known, nor do I know anybody or anything. He is encouraging me to not know “fleshly lusts.” I am not going to be known, or understood, by anybody living that way.
Deuteronomy 7:6-8…KJV reads “peculiar people.” Just as He brought Israel out of ”the house of slavery,” He has brought us out of our sinful life.
We have a Spiritual life…2 Cor. 5:14-16…recognize no one according to the flesh anymore
We Belong to the Lord…1 Peter 2:9-10. He has called us out to proclaim His excellencies.
—“Excellent behavior” and “good deeds” will cause those who find us strange to eventually glorify God. Since we have a spiritual home and a spiritual life, let’s be sprititual people. Because we have displayed God’s character, they will recognize Him when He Himself comes. What does the Lord consider “excellent behavior” and “good deeds?”
1 Corinthians 12:27-13:7…excellent behavior is anything done in love.
Hebrews 11:35-12:2…They endured. so can we. We have the same hope which they had—a "better resurrection!” God’s promise to give us an eternal home. What God sees as excellent is keeping faith no matter what we go through for it. Good deeds are those done by faith.
—“Glorify God in the day of visitation” …He gets the credit for all things excellent and good seen in and through my life. Example of Shadrach, Meshack, and Abed-nego in Daniel chapter 3—Nebuchudnezzer recognizes that their God is almighty. Revelation 7—those who have relied on the Lord in this life will continue to do so forevermore!
5/24/2020, "The Narrow Gate"
5/17/2020, Parables of the Tares, Mustard Seed, and Leaven
Matthew 13:24-43—Parables of tares, mustard seed and leaven
It is important to note that parables of the mustard seed and leaven are bookended by parable of the tares and Jesus’ explanation of it. It is all one continuous thought.
vs. 24—kingdom of heaven compared to a man who sows good seed
vs. 25—he has an enemy who sows tares, and others are unaware of it
vs. 26-27—both sprout and become evident
vs. 28-30—both grow together until harvest, when wheat is ready. Then the tares are burnt up.
vs 31-32…Kingdom of heaven like a mustard seed. Smaller than any other seeds, but when fully grown bigger than all garden plants, giving birds a place to live.
vs 33-35…Kingdom of heaven is like leaven. Worked into flour until it is raised.
Jesus’ explanation of Parable of Tares
vs. 36-43. Man who sows good seed: Jesus.
Field: World
Good seed: Sons of the kingdom
enemy: devil
tares: sons of the evil one
—these people are described by Jesus in vs. 41 as “stumbling blocks and those who commit lawlessness.” These are people in the church! (2 Timothy 3:1-9…”holding to a form of godliness). You are sons to whom you obey, and that will become evident someday.
Let’s be good seed—those who obey our King Jesus, with the outcome of eternal life with the Father in heaven.
Parable of the mustard seed (vs. 31-32)
—“Garden plants” have to be re-planted year after year—much work to maintain. The mustard seed may grow slowly, but it is more lasting. Jesus is contrasting two lives: one on earth (temporary, cyclical, fleeting); and one in heaven (eternal, lasting).
--the kingdom of heaven might not look/sound like much now, but it is the best home we can hope for. Let’s live accordingly. (John 14:1-6, 12-19)
Parable of the leaven (vs. 33)
—leaven is like yeast—a bacteria, or living organism. When the kingdom of God comes, sons of the kingdom will be evident by His life having grown in them. Those who were not fruitful by obeying Christ will not experience His life, but will be under His wrath.
—“Leaven of the Pharisees” (Matthew 16:6-12)…their TEACHING.
—What will I let permeate me…God’s word or something else? Only God’s word will make me fit for the kingdom of God.
It is important to note that parables of the mustard seed and leaven are bookended by parable of the tares and Jesus’ explanation of it. It is all one continuous thought.
vs. 24—kingdom of heaven compared to a man who sows good seed
vs. 25—he has an enemy who sows tares, and others are unaware of it
vs. 26-27—both sprout and become evident
vs. 28-30—both grow together until harvest, when wheat is ready. Then the tares are burnt up.
vs 31-32…Kingdom of heaven like a mustard seed. Smaller than any other seeds, but when fully grown bigger than all garden plants, giving birds a place to live.
vs 33-35…Kingdom of heaven is like leaven. Worked into flour until it is raised.
Jesus’ explanation of Parable of Tares
vs. 36-43. Man who sows good seed: Jesus.
Field: World
Good seed: Sons of the kingdom
enemy: devil
tares: sons of the evil one
—these people are described by Jesus in vs. 41 as “stumbling blocks and those who commit lawlessness.” These are people in the church! (2 Timothy 3:1-9…”holding to a form of godliness). You are sons to whom you obey, and that will become evident someday.
Let’s be good seed—those who obey our King Jesus, with the outcome of eternal life with the Father in heaven.
Parable of the mustard seed (vs. 31-32)
—“Garden plants” have to be re-planted year after year—much work to maintain. The mustard seed may grow slowly, but it is more lasting. Jesus is contrasting two lives: one on earth (temporary, cyclical, fleeting); and one in heaven (eternal, lasting).
--the kingdom of heaven might not look/sound like much now, but it is the best home we can hope for. Let’s live accordingly. (John 14:1-6, 12-19)
Parable of the leaven (vs. 33)
—leaven is like yeast—a bacteria, or living organism. When the kingdom of God comes, sons of the kingdom will be evident by His life having grown in them. Those who were not fruitful by obeying Christ will not experience His life, but will be under His wrath.
—“Leaven of the Pharisees” (Matthew 16:6-12)…their TEACHING.
—What will I let permeate me…God’s word or something else? Only God’s word will make me fit for the kingdom of God.
5/10/2020, Parable of the Fig Tree
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Matthew 24:32-40…Parable of the Fig Tree
Jesus is helping us to understand His return -“His coming and the end of the age.” (vs. 3)
vs. 32…Fig tree indicates summer is near by tender branches and leaves
vs. 33…Disciples can see Jesus is near when the see “these things” (What things?…Wars, famines, natural disasters, perilous times, Tribulation, false christs, false prophets)
vs. 34…"This generation” will not pass away until these things take place (What generation? Is he referring to a time-bound group of people or something else?)
vs. 35…Heaven and earth will pass away, but Jesus’ words will not pass away
Observation: “This generation” will not pass away, much like Jesus words will not pass away.
Jesus is speaking of the “generation” of people (“the elect” …vs 31) who are sustained by His word, putting it into practice. They will be like a fig tree—life shown more and more in them as the day of Christ’s return draws near. Their love will not grow cold (verse 12). This people group is not bound by space and time, but includes all those through history—past, present, and future—put God’s word into practice by faith.
vs. 36-40…Noah used as an example. Let’s think about Noah: he (and his family) were the only righteous in their time who walked with God. For 120 years, they built the ark and preached righteousness/repentance (2 Peter 2:4-5, 9.GOD preserved Noah)… They were the only ones saved when the flood came. Everyone else was worried about their daily lives—just doing what they want when they want it. Those were the people who were “taken,” as Jesus says. These verses are not speaking of a rapture, as they are often cited. In the context, it is a good thing to be “left”—left alive/preserved like Noah and his family were!
vs. 39…Those swept away by the flood were those who did not seek understanding of God’s word
vs. 40…two men in a field, one taken and one left. The “ark” the one will be in is not a physical ark, like the one Noah built. It is a spiritual ark, which is entered by faith in God’s word—putting it into practice. Much like Noah took many years to build the ark, the certainty of the promise of being preserved for God’s kingdom should be increasingly evident in our lives.
John 15:6-7—Abide in Jesus; let His words abide in me. In other words, there is life in Him, and His words should be alive in me.
Jesus is our ark—our safe place—and to enter is to seek to put His words into practice.
Jesus is helping us to understand His return -“His coming and the end of the age.” (vs. 3)
vs. 32…Fig tree indicates summer is near by tender branches and leaves
vs. 33…Disciples can see Jesus is near when the see “these things” (What things?…Wars, famines, natural disasters, perilous times, Tribulation, false christs, false prophets)
vs. 34…"This generation” will not pass away until these things take place (What generation? Is he referring to a time-bound group of people or something else?)
vs. 35…Heaven and earth will pass away, but Jesus’ words will not pass away
Observation: “This generation” will not pass away, much like Jesus words will not pass away.
Jesus is speaking of the “generation” of people (“the elect” …vs 31) who are sustained by His word, putting it into practice. They will be like a fig tree—life shown more and more in them as the day of Christ’s return draws near. Their love will not grow cold (verse 12). This people group is not bound by space and time, but includes all those through history—past, present, and future—put God’s word into practice by faith.
vs. 36-40…Noah used as an example. Let’s think about Noah: he (and his family) were the only righteous in their time who walked with God. For 120 years, they built the ark and preached righteousness/repentance (2 Peter 2:4-5, 9.GOD preserved Noah)… They were the only ones saved when the flood came. Everyone else was worried about their daily lives—just doing what they want when they want it. Those were the people who were “taken,” as Jesus says. These verses are not speaking of a rapture, as they are often cited. In the context, it is a good thing to be “left”—left alive/preserved like Noah and his family were!
vs. 39…Those swept away by the flood were those who did not seek understanding of God’s word
vs. 40…two men in a field, one taken and one left. The “ark” the one will be in is not a physical ark, like the one Noah built. It is a spiritual ark, which is entered by faith in God’s word—putting it into practice. Much like Noah took many years to build the ark, the certainty of the promise of being preserved for God’s kingdom should be increasingly evident in our lives.
John 15:6-7—Abide in Jesus; let His words abide in me. In other words, there is life in Him, and His words should be alive in me.
Jesus is our ark—our safe place—and to enter is to seek to put His words into practice.
Psalm 55:22 “Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you. He will never let the righteous be shaken.” Observations:
-I have a burden
-I am able to give my burden to the Lord (I have to choose to do so)
-The Lord sustains those who give Him their burdens
-The righteous are the ones who give the Lord their burdens
-The Lord protects the righteous from being shaken
Questions:
-What is my burden?
-What does it mean to be shaken?
What is my burden? This question can be answered from the verse. My burden is sustaining my life. It could be said the burden is my life itself.
“Cast your burden…” Cast means to throw something off. This is a letting go of my life and giving it completely to God.
What does it mean to be shaken? The verse implies that there is shaking that takes place or will be taking place—at least for the unrighteous. So it would seem there is something about the righteous that allows them to escape being shaken.
Unshakeable life is complete reliance on the Lord.
What this means for me then is that if I am being shaken by something in this life, then I am not actually completely relying on the Lord.
God gives us opportunities to test His life—and whether we are submitted to Him. The whole thing with my hearing has me at times questioning whether I should be a music teacher, but God has been reminding me that He didn’t call me to be a music teacher—or anything else, whether husband, father, house church pastor—because I was qualified. If I think I am qualified in any of those things, relying on my own strength and wisdom, then I will be shaken when hard times come. James 1:2-4…God uses “trials” to test our faith, produce endurance, perfecting us. Endurance means we keep moving forward, not dwelling on the past or our present difficulty. vs. 5…God gives wisdom for the present time—He is the one getting us through it.
There will be a final “shaking” which God is preparing us for. Only eternal things will remain. Therefore, I need to submit to the eternal life now.
-1 Peter 5:6-11…God is preparing us for eternal glory, let’s participate
-Hebrews 12:25-29…only eternal things are unshakeable. Don’t refuse Him.
-Revelation 21:22—22:3…Jesus is everything to us. IS HE EVERYTHING TO US NOW?
*PICTURE* Man running on a bridge which is collapsing underneath him. Only safe way is forward. At the end, He has to pass through consuming fire to get to safety. Good thing he has a fire-proof suit on! Man represents those running this “race” of faith. The bridge is this current life on earth—it is shakeable and will one day be done away with completely. The consuming fire at the end is God, and represents us entering His unshakeable kingdom. Better have a fire-proof suit. That is the righteousness of Christ—His very life. I better live my life in accordance with His righteousness—a submitted life to Him, in which I no longer seek to please myself.
-I have a burden
-I am able to give my burden to the Lord (I have to choose to do so)
-The Lord sustains those who give Him their burdens
-The righteous are the ones who give the Lord their burdens
-The Lord protects the righteous from being shaken
Questions:
-What is my burden?
-What does it mean to be shaken?
What is my burden? This question can be answered from the verse. My burden is sustaining my life. It could be said the burden is my life itself.
“Cast your burden…” Cast means to throw something off. This is a letting go of my life and giving it completely to God.
What does it mean to be shaken? The verse implies that there is shaking that takes place or will be taking place—at least for the unrighteous. So it would seem there is something about the righteous that allows them to escape being shaken.
Unshakeable life is complete reliance on the Lord.
What this means for me then is that if I am being shaken by something in this life, then I am not actually completely relying on the Lord.
God gives us opportunities to test His life—and whether we are submitted to Him. The whole thing with my hearing has me at times questioning whether I should be a music teacher, but God has been reminding me that He didn’t call me to be a music teacher—or anything else, whether husband, father, house church pastor—because I was qualified. If I think I am qualified in any of those things, relying on my own strength and wisdom, then I will be shaken when hard times come. James 1:2-4…God uses “trials” to test our faith, produce endurance, perfecting us. Endurance means we keep moving forward, not dwelling on the past or our present difficulty. vs. 5…God gives wisdom for the present time—He is the one getting us through it.
There will be a final “shaking” which God is preparing us for. Only eternal things will remain. Therefore, I need to submit to the eternal life now.
-1 Peter 5:6-11…God is preparing us for eternal glory, let’s participate
-Hebrews 12:25-29…only eternal things are unshakeable. Don’t refuse Him.
-Revelation 21:22—22:3…Jesus is everything to us. IS HE EVERYTHING TO US NOW?
*PICTURE* Man running on a bridge which is collapsing underneath him. Only safe way is forward. At the end, He has to pass through consuming fire to get to safety. Good thing he has a fire-proof suit on! Man represents those running this “race” of faith. The bridge is this current life on earth—it is shakeable and will one day be done away with completely. The consuming fire at the end is God, and represents us entering His unshakeable kingdom. Better have a fire-proof suit. That is the righteousness of Christ—His very life. I better live my life in accordance with His righteousness—a submitted life to Him, in which I no longer seek to please myself.
Jesus is the one carrying us.
Today is Good Friday. This is the day we remember Christ’s atoning sacrifice on the cross. What happened on that day and the days that followed is such an amazing mystery and the best gift which has ever been given—eternal life. He carried His own cross, laying down His will, His life, and entrusting Himself to God the Father. He has taken away our sin, is offering to carry our burdens of this life, and empowers us to carry out the mission which He started—all the while carrying us on His back.
Takes away our sins
John 1:29 (Jesus the Lamb of God)—references the Passover in which God delivered His people from slavery; Deuteronomy 1:30-31—God is reminding Israel how He rescued them from slavery and “carried them” through the wilderness. Jesus came to deliver the world from sin and carry them through this life to the next. Ephesians 2:1-7…we were dead in sins and trespasses and have been made alive with Christ, seated in heavenly places, something we will fully see and realize someday. 2 Corinthians 4:14-15…His love controls us—keeps us going in the right direction, which is no longer living for ourselves. Apart from the love of Christ, this is not possible! 1 Peter 2:24…die to sin and live to righteousness.
Carries our burden in this life
Matthew 6:24-33—Just simply sustaining our physical life is a burden. God wants to free us up so we can focus on HIS KINGDOM. Matthew 11:28-30—Jesus yoke is easy and burden is light because He is the one carrying our burdens—my very life! Nothing for me to do except surrender to Him. 1 Peter 5:6-10—God, who is preparing me for “eternal glory,” will do everything necessary to get me there. I just need to cast my anxiety on Him, knowing He cares for me. Matthew 16:24-25…I won’t actually know real life (“find it”) until I lose my life for Jesus’ sake. This means not doing things the way I want. I have to be content in whatever the Lord has for me. God has always wanted to carry His people’s burdens—their very life:
Psalm 28:9, “Save Your people and bless Your inheritance; Be their shepherd also, and carry them forever.”
Psalm 55:22, “Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken."
Psalm 68:19, “Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden. The God who is our salvation.”
Isaiah 40:11, “Like a shepherd He will tend His flock, In His arm He will gather the lambs and carry them in His bosom; He will gently lead the nursing ewes.”
As I cast my whole being on my Savior and Lord, I should see newness of life—less self-focus.
Great Commandment/Great Commission—Jesus empowers us for what He has called us to
John 13:34-35—“Love one another as I have loved you” and this proves we are His disciples.
Galatians 6:2—“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ”—“this rule” (of a new creation—vs14-16) To walk by the new creation—through the Spirit—I will not think of myself. (Gal. 5:17). 1 Corinthians 13:1-7…only the love of Christ will endure. I cannot do anything apart from Him (John 15:5-7…completely worthless apart from Christ, but will see things done that are impossible for me, if I am abiding in Him).
Matthew 28:16-20; Mark 16:14-20; 1 Corinthians 2:1-5…God’s power demonstrated through the power of the Spirit in submitted people. Christ’s death and resurrection called us and empowers us to a new life—one we can’t sustain. (Ephesians 2:8-9…God’s grace!)
Today is Good Friday. This is the day we remember Christ’s atoning sacrifice on the cross. What happened on that day and the days that followed is such an amazing mystery and the best gift which has ever been given—eternal life. He carried His own cross, laying down His will, His life, and entrusting Himself to God the Father. He has taken away our sin, is offering to carry our burdens of this life, and empowers us to carry out the mission which He started—all the while carrying us on His back.
Takes away our sins
John 1:29 (Jesus the Lamb of God)—references the Passover in which God delivered His people from slavery; Deuteronomy 1:30-31—God is reminding Israel how He rescued them from slavery and “carried them” through the wilderness. Jesus came to deliver the world from sin and carry them through this life to the next. Ephesians 2:1-7…we were dead in sins and trespasses and have been made alive with Christ, seated in heavenly places, something we will fully see and realize someday. 2 Corinthians 4:14-15…His love controls us—keeps us going in the right direction, which is no longer living for ourselves. Apart from the love of Christ, this is not possible! 1 Peter 2:24…die to sin and live to righteousness.
Carries our burden in this life
Matthew 6:24-33—Just simply sustaining our physical life is a burden. God wants to free us up so we can focus on HIS KINGDOM. Matthew 11:28-30—Jesus yoke is easy and burden is light because He is the one carrying our burdens—my very life! Nothing for me to do except surrender to Him. 1 Peter 5:6-10—God, who is preparing me for “eternal glory,” will do everything necessary to get me there. I just need to cast my anxiety on Him, knowing He cares for me. Matthew 16:24-25…I won’t actually know real life (“find it”) until I lose my life for Jesus’ sake. This means not doing things the way I want. I have to be content in whatever the Lord has for me. God has always wanted to carry His people’s burdens—their very life:
Psalm 28:9, “Save Your people and bless Your inheritance; Be their shepherd also, and carry them forever.”
Psalm 55:22, “Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken."
Psalm 68:19, “Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden. The God who is our salvation.”
Isaiah 40:11, “Like a shepherd He will tend His flock, In His arm He will gather the lambs and carry them in His bosom; He will gently lead the nursing ewes.”
As I cast my whole being on my Savior and Lord, I should see newness of life—less self-focus.
Great Commandment/Great Commission—Jesus empowers us for what He has called us to
John 13:34-35—“Love one another as I have loved you” and this proves we are His disciples.
Galatians 6:2—“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ”—“this rule” (of a new creation—vs14-16) To walk by the new creation—through the Spirit—I will not think of myself. (Gal. 5:17). 1 Corinthians 13:1-7…only the love of Christ will endure. I cannot do anything apart from Him (John 15:5-7…completely worthless apart from Christ, but will see things done that are impossible for me, if I am abiding in Him).
Matthew 28:16-20; Mark 16:14-20; 1 Corinthians 2:1-5…God’s power demonstrated through the power of the Spirit in submitted people. Christ’s death and resurrection called us and empowers us to a new life—one we can’t sustain. (Ephesians 2:8-9…God’s grace!)
Jesus' Blood Makes Reconciliation and Sanctification Possible
Hebrews 12:18-24,
Starts off with the word “for.” He is building on his previous point. When we went over verses 14-17 last week, the point was If I truly want to see the Lord, I will endure His discipline to be sanctified.
In these verses, he describes how that is possible, contrasting two mountains, which represent two different covenants.
verses 18-21 speak of Mount Sinai, where Moses received God’s commandments for the people and God manifested Himself, which people could not bear. Mount Sinai could be touched—it was a physical place—but anything or anyone unclean (everyone) would be killed if they did so!
verses 22-24 speak of Mount Zion, the heavenly place of God’s dwelling where the church and all God’s angels will be gathered together. He makes a point to describe those who are there, “the righteous made perfect.” Jesus, the mediator of a NEW COVENANT (by which He those righteous were made perfect). The sprinkled blood which speaks better than the blood of Abel.
So there is a contrast between two mountains—also two covenants, two types of blood. The new covenant makes God accessible, whereas the old covenant shrouded God in mystery. The old covenant could not perfect a man, as there was a never-ending cycle of sacrifices, but the new covenant could. Jesus died once for all. (Hebrews 10:11-14)
The key is understanding verse 24—the difference between the “blood of Christ” and “the blood of Abel.” I have read commentaries which in some way speak to how the blood of Abel refers to when Cain killed Abel, but I don’t think that is the full analogy being drawn here.
Look at Genesis 4: 1-15. Cain is a farmer, Abel is a shepherd. Cain brings some crops to offer God, and Abel brings his best animals. God regards Abel’s offering but not Cain’s offering. What was different about Abel’s offering? The attitude of the bringer. Abel brought an offering of blood—a sacrifice, where Cain brought the best work of his hands. Abel was remembering God’s mercy on his parents Adam and Eve. When God warned them about eating the forbidden fruit, He said they would surely die. They did experience separation from God in being cast out from the Garden of Eden—this was spiritual death. God would have been justified to kill them completely then and there. However, what happens is this: “The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife, and clothed them.” God clothes them in animal skin—an animal had to be killed first! God at the very beginning institutes the first animal sacrifice. Mankind, separated from God, became like animals. Yet God shows mercy. This is what Abel was remembering. He wanted to reconcile with his Creator. You can also see he had a heart to reconcile with his brother Cain. God warned Cain; Cain told Abel his brother; they are out in the field (Abel went out to meet Cain in the field—where Cain works). The first man ever killed also had a heart to reconcile man and God and was killed in innocence. Both Abel’s animal sacrifice and his own death were not enough to reconcile God and mankind, though his heart was in the right place. We should remember Abel’s attitude and desire for God’s mercy—and I do believe he died in faith and that I will get to see him someday—but only God Himself can act to reconcile Himself to humankind.
Only Jesus’ blood is what makes it possible for me to be reconciled and sanctified.
2 Corinthians 5:14-19…Christ died for all so we would no longer live for ourselves. Being sanctified doesn’t just mean we no longer commit sins. It means we seek to be and to do everything God wants for us. We should be seeing others as: Children of God or Potential Children of God. Now reconciled, all I have to live for and offer is Jesus. Anything else is vain.
Hebrews 12:18-24,
Starts off with the word “for.” He is building on his previous point. When we went over verses 14-17 last week, the point was If I truly want to see the Lord, I will endure His discipline to be sanctified.
In these verses, he describes how that is possible, contrasting two mountains, which represent two different covenants.
verses 18-21 speak of Mount Sinai, where Moses received God’s commandments for the people and God manifested Himself, which people could not bear. Mount Sinai could be touched—it was a physical place—but anything or anyone unclean (everyone) would be killed if they did so!
verses 22-24 speak of Mount Zion, the heavenly place of God’s dwelling where the church and all God’s angels will be gathered together. He makes a point to describe those who are there, “the righteous made perfect.” Jesus, the mediator of a NEW COVENANT (by which He those righteous were made perfect). The sprinkled blood which speaks better than the blood of Abel.
So there is a contrast between two mountains—also two covenants, two types of blood. The new covenant makes God accessible, whereas the old covenant shrouded God in mystery. The old covenant could not perfect a man, as there was a never-ending cycle of sacrifices, but the new covenant could. Jesus died once for all. (Hebrews 10:11-14)
The key is understanding verse 24—the difference between the “blood of Christ” and “the blood of Abel.” I have read commentaries which in some way speak to how the blood of Abel refers to when Cain killed Abel, but I don’t think that is the full analogy being drawn here.
Look at Genesis 4: 1-15. Cain is a farmer, Abel is a shepherd. Cain brings some crops to offer God, and Abel brings his best animals. God regards Abel’s offering but not Cain’s offering. What was different about Abel’s offering? The attitude of the bringer. Abel brought an offering of blood—a sacrifice, where Cain brought the best work of his hands. Abel was remembering God’s mercy on his parents Adam and Eve. When God warned them about eating the forbidden fruit, He said they would surely die. They did experience separation from God in being cast out from the Garden of Eden—this was spiritual death. God would have been justified to kill them completely then and there. However, what happens is this: “The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife, and clothed them.” God clothes them in animal skin—an animal had to be killed first! God at the very beginning institutes the first animal sacrifice. Mankind, separated from God, became like animals. Yet God shows mercy. This is what Abel was remembering. He wanted to reconcile with his Creator. You can also see he had a heart to reconcile with his brother Cain. God warned Cain; Cain told Abel his brother; they are out in the field (Abel went out to meet Cain in the field—where Cain works). The first man ever killed also had a heart to reconcile man and God and was killed in innocence. Both Abel’s animal sacrifice and his own death were not enough to reconcile God and mankind, though his heart was in the right place. We should remember Abel’s attitude and desire for God’s mercy—and I do believe he died in faith and that I will get to see him someday—but only God Himself can act to reconcile Himself to humankind.
Only Jesus’ blood is what makes it possible for me to be reconciled and sanctified.
2 Corinthians 5:14-19…Christ died for all so we would no longer live for ourselves. Being sanctified doesn’t just mean we no longer commit sins. It means we seek to be and to do everything God wants for us. We should be seeing others as: Children of God or Potential Children of God. Now reconciled, all I have to live for and offer is Jesus. Anything else is vain.
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3/29/2020
Sunday Morning Message The Race We Are Running A continuation of the study of Hebrews 12, it is important to keep in mind the spiritual race we are running. If I truly want to see the Lord, I will endure discipline to be sanctified. We go through the examples of Esau and Jacob, others in Hebrews 11, and the words of Jesus in John chapter 3. For meditation: How is the Lord working to bring about change in me? Am I cooperating? |
3/22/2020, Sunday Morning Message, "Spring Cleaning"
Hebrews 12:11-14, “All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness. Therefore, strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble, and make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed. Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord.”
Restatement: Discipline is hard, but it is worth enduring. The only way to experience peace and be made righteous is to endure God’s discipline. We will all need to be strengthened and focused so we can be healed. We should find ourselves at peace with other people and growing in sanctification—the only way we will see the Lord.
In the context, Paul is describing God’s discipline of His children—it is for our good! He is helping us to get free from sin and to endure hostility from those who do not want anything to do with Christ.
The Point: He is instructing us as Christians to endure discipline together, so we can be sanctified and see the Lord someday.
We need to define our terms: Discipline and Sanctification.
Discipline
Yesterday, we did some spring cleaning together as a family. We sat down around the breakfast table and made a list of everything we wanted to accomplish that day, then we came up with specific tasks for each person. After this, we came up with a plan of attack—starting with certain rooms and types of tasks. Allison and I had to show the kids specifically how to do certain things, like wiping baseboards, running a vacuum cleaner, and using glass cleaner on windows. They were very helpful and focused— largely because they knew they were going to get a reward at the end. They did not know what it was exactly, but they were excited about it! As the day went on, I think it is safe to say we all enjoyed our work and being able to spend time together. We had to have a few chats as people got hungry and tired and at times a little grumpy, but those conflicts were resolved rather quickly.
Our whole day took a lot of discipline as we made a plan, stuck with it, worked as a team, and tried hard on some things which were new to us (I even found some new nooks and crannies!). We stuck with it and we got a reward at the end—I made cookies for everyone! There will be more projects as spring rolls along, but it is helpful to celebrate small victories. What is most important is the character- and team-building that occurred. There is spiritual truth to that.
We are all a work in progress, so when God gains that much more ground in our hearts and minds we should be very thankful and all the more diligent. If we forget to continue in the way of discipline, the devil can lead us astray (1 Peter 5:8).
Sanctification
Sanctification is setting something apart for special use. We need to clean our house so we can live in it, healthy and secure. Especially with all the sicknesses going around, we need to be sure to clean diligently. There is a spiritual dimension to this principle, too. God is setting us apart to belong to Christ for eternity. Cleaning the windows were a picture for me: can’t see through a dirty window. Jesus says “eye is the lamp of the body” (Matthew 6:22-23)
WE ARE CHRIST’S HOUSE—let’s continue to let Him clean us up in preparation for eternity! (Hebrews 3: 1-13…keep a soft heart, hold fast our hope of our heavenly calling, don’t let sin deceive me—every little thing matters.) Let’s not be selfish, but encourage others to love Jesus
Hebrews 12:11-14, “All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness. Therefore, strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble, and make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed. Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord.”
Restatement: Discipline is hard, but it is worth enduring. The only way to experience peace and be made righteous is to endure God’s discipline. We will all need to be strengthened and focused so we can be healed. We should find ourselves at peace with other people and growing in sanctification—the only way we will see the Lord.
In the context, Paul is describing God’s discipline of His children—it is for our good! He is helping us to get free from sin and to endure hostility from those who do not want anything to do with Christ.
The Point: He is instructing us as Christians to endure discipline together, so we can be sanctified and see the Lord someday.
We need to define our terms: Discipline and Sanctification.
Discipline
Yesterday, we did some spring cleaning together as a family. We sat down around the breakfast table and made a list of everything we wanted to accomplish that day, then we came up with specific tasks for each person. After this, we came up with a plan of attack—starting with certain rooms and types of tasks. Allison and I had to show the kids specifically how to do certain things, like wiping baseboards, running a vacuum cleaner, and using glass cleaner on windows. They were very helpful and focused— largely because they knew they were going to get a reward at the end. They did not know what it was exactly, but they were excited about it! As the day went on, I think it is safe to say we all enjoyed our work and being able to spend time together. We had to have a few chats as people got hungry and tired and at times a little grumpy, but those conflicts were resolved rather quickly.
Our whole day took a lot of discipline as we made a plan, stuck with it, worked as a team, and tried hard on some things which were new to us (I even found some new nooks and crannies!). We stuck with it and we got a reward at the end—I made cookies for everyone! There will be more projects as spring rolls along, but it is helpful to celebrate small victories. What is most important is the character- and team-building that occurred. There is spiritual truth to that.
We are all a work in progress, so when God gains that much more ground in our hearts and minds we should be very thankful and all the more diligent. If we forget to continue in the way of discipline, the devil can lead us astray (1 Peter 5:8).
Sanctification
Sanctification is setting something apart for special use. We need to clean our house so we can live in it, healthy and secure. Especially with all the sicknesses going around, we need to be sure to clean diligently. There is a spiritual dimension to this principle, too. God is setting us apart to belong to Christ for eternity. Cleaning the windows were a picture for me: can’t see through a dirty window. Jesus says “eye is the lamp of the body” (Matthew 6:22-23)
WE ARE CHRIST’S HOUSE—let’s continue to let Him clean us up in preparation for eternity! (Hebrews 3: 1-13…keep a soft heart, hold fast our hope of our heavenly calling, don’t let sin deceive me—every little thing matters.) Let’s not be selfish, but encourage others to love Jesus
1 Peter 4:7-13
vs. 7…the end of all things is near; therefore:—Be of sound judgment—Be of sober spirit
For the purpose of prayer.
Restatement: We need to be prayerful people as the end draws near. What that requires is sound judgment and a sober spirit.
—“Sound judgment” implies that I am perceiving things the way they truly are. It also implies a decision being made based on that information. In today’s world that seems like a tall order because of all the misinformation and conflicting information being presented by so many sources. It is a question of where we are getting information which determines how sound our judgment is. Do I really believe the “end of all things is near?” The Word of God is telling us so. If I see this as a reliable source, I should be preparing for the end.
—“Sober spirit” implies I am taking this pursuit seriously, not getting too excited about seemingly positive things, and not getting too upset about seemingly negative things. What I initially perceive about something may not be true. This is where prayer comes in. We need help from someone who has a better perspective than us. The Bible tells us that is God. He is the true source of wisdom, knowledge and life itself.
Point: We need to prayerfully ask God to help us live properly as the end draws near.
**What characterizes prayerful people?
vs. 8 …keep fervent in love for one another because God’s love covers multitude of sins
—God forgave all my sin, I should forgive others’ too!
—Perhaps an act of fervent love will turn someone to Christ!
vs. 9 …hospitality without complaint. What’s mine is yours!
vs. 10 …use our gifts to serve one another. We have these gifts by God’s grace.
vs. 11…Let God speak through me—not my words but His—ALL THE TIME. (Ephesians 4:29). Serve by God’s strength
vs. 12-13…There will be “fiery ordeal”s among us for our testing. What is being tested for is whether we will respond in faith in Christ. God uses conflict to turn us to Him, but once we give our lives back to our Creator, we will still experience conflicts. These are the times in which He is working to strengthen our relationship with Him. He promises if we share in Christ’s suffering we will also share in His glory, seeing Him face to face. What an honor, and what an awesome day that will be! We really need to prayerfully work through our lives in preparation for this. Evidence that we are indeed doing this should be seen when we experience conflict.
There are both external and internal conflicts which we experience in our lives. External conflicts tend to be easier to deal with because they are more apparent. These could be conflicts with other people over personal issues, politics, business, or others; with physical challenges like I have with my hearing disability; with illness like we are experiencing right now with the Covid 19 pandemic; and many others which I don’t even know about. Internal conflicts only become apparent when we seek to be mindful of them. If we all really search our hearts, minds, souls, psyche—whatever you want to say—we will all find a common desire. The desire to live a meaningful/impactful/long—eternal—life. Peter gives a definition of this in the opening of his letter (1 Peter 1:1-9). We can be born again to a living hope of salvation and an imperishable inheritance through faith in Christ’s resurrection. This new life is characterized by obedience to Christ and submission to the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit as we experience “various trials” which prove our faith.
The purpose of everything is that God would be glorified. I need to think less of myself. Instead of being self-centered, complaining, serving myself and propagating false wisdom in the face of adversity, I should have my mind set on God who will give me opportunities to love, share, serve, and speak life.
vs. 7…the end of all things is near; therefore:—Be of sound judgment—Be of sober spirit
For the purpose of prayer.
Restatement: We need to be prayerful people as the end draws near. What that requires is sound judgment and a sober spirit.
—“Sound judgment” implies that I am perceiving things the way they truly are. It also implies a decision being made based on that information. In today’s world that seems like a tall order because of all the misinformation and conflicting information being presented by so many sources. It is a question of where we are getting information which determines how sound our judgment is. Do I really believe the “end of all things is near?” The Word of God is telling us so. If I see this as a reliable source, I should be preparing for the end.
—“Sober spirit” implies I am taking this pursuit seriously, not getting too excited about seemingly positive things, and not getting too upset about seemingly negative things. What I initially perceive about something may not be true. This is where prayer comes in. We need help from someone who has a better perspective than us. The Bible tells us that is God. He is the true source of wisdom, knowledge and life itself.
Point: We need to prayerfully ask God to help us live properly as the end draws near.
**What characterizes prayerful people?
vs. 8 …keep fervent in love for one another because God’s love covers multitude of sins
—God forgave all my sin, I should forgive others’ too!
—Perhaps an act of fervent love will turn someone to Christ!
vs. 9 …hospitality without complaint. What’s mine is yours!
vs. 10 …use our gifts to serve one another. We have these gifts by God’s grace.
vs. 11…Let God speak through me—not my words but His—ALL THE TIME. (Ephesians 4:29). Serve by God’s strength
vs. 12-13…There will be “fiery ordeal”s among us for our testing. What is being tested for is whether we will respond in faith in Christ. God uses conflict to turn us to Him, but once we give our lives back to our Creator, we will still experience conflicts. These are the times in which He is working to strengthen our relationship with Him. He promises if we share in Christ’s suffering we will also share in His glory, seeing Him face to face. What an honor, and what an awesome day that will be! We really need to prayerfully work through our lives in preparation for this. Evidence that we are indeed doing this should be seen when we experience conflict.
There are both external and internal conflicts which we experience in our lives. External conflicts tend to be easier to deal with because they are more apparent. These could be conflicts with other people over personal issues, politics, business, or others; with physical challenges like I have with my hearing disability; with illness like we are experiencing right now with the Covid 19 pandemic; and many others which I don’t even know about. Internal conflicts only become apparent when we seek to be mindful of them. If we all really search our hearts, minds, souls, psyche—whatever you want to say—we will all find a common desire. The desire to live a meaningful/impactful/long—eternal—life. Peter gives a definition of this in the opening of his letter (1 Peter 1:1-9). We can be born again to a living hope of salvation and an imperishable inheritance through faith in Christ’s resurrection. This new life is characterized by obedience to Christ and submission to the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit as we experience “various trials” which prove our faith.
The purpose of everything is that God would be glorified. I need to think less of myself. Instead of being self-centered, complaining, serving myself and propagating false wisdom in the face of adversity, I should have my mind set on God who will give me opportunities to love, share, serve, and speak life.
