March 7
One of the most profound and yet least known verses found in the entire word of God is located in the little known and less read Lamentations of Jeremiah. In chapter 3 and verse 37 we read, “Who is there who speaks and it comes to pass, unless the Lord has commanded it.” For decades it seems I have always gone against the traditional grain of Christianity speaking out against preaching that is in direct and unveiled violation of God's word. I have spoken boldly and without wavering those things God has told me to speak. When I got saved, nearly 38 years ago, I was so intent on knowing His will that I read, reread, and continue to reread his entire word several times each year. His word is buried so deeply and so indelibly on my heart and in my soul that I immediately recognize when someone misuses or misquotes any part of it; and when I hear a preacher do that, I am compelled to tell him (James 3:1).
Every single one of the ancient prophets were outcasts to the religious system of their day. They continually stood against what the religious leaders were preaching. They spoke things few were willing to speak. They spoke the truth, no matter what the personal consequences were. In most cases, the bible doesn’t tell us much about the consequences of their behavior on their wives, so it's a little difficult to know how they responded to the ministry of their husbands. If they had to suffer the kinds of things my wife has had to suffer for over 30 years as a result of my actions, I’m sure their reward in heaven will be great. We don’t know all of them were married, but we do know some were. I recently wrote a blog discussing how important it is to speak the truth, even when people don't want to hear it. I also suggested the one who speaks the truth is the one who truly loves those to whom he speaks. I noted that love does not allow a friend to jump off a cliff believing a magic parachute will open and save him. One who truly loves warns a friend when it's obvious the stick in his hand is dynamite, not a carrot. Proverbs 27:6 tells us, “Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but deceitful are the kisses of an enemy.”
I have recently said things that have temporarily alienated over a dozen brothers and sisters in Christ from my wife and me. They are angry with me and have called me everything but a friend,; but, I can no more stop saying and writing the things God has told me than a sheep could stop following his master. I write these blogs so anyone interested in reading the things God has told me from His word can read them and become informed and biblically literate.
Perhaps one day, when I have gone to be with Jesus, someone will actually read them and get saved. If that happens, it will all have been worth the pain and agony that accompanies losing friends who find the truth so unpalatable. A verse from Amos comes to mind, "A lion has roared! Who will not fear? The Lord GOD has spoken! Who can but prophesy?" (Amos 3:8) I know I am even less of a man than was Amos. He was a poor shepherd. I am a really poor retired cop, school teacher, and truck driver. I haven’t a donkey’s clue in a stable why God would choose to allow me the privilege of speaking His word to anyone. But when He tells me to speak, I am compelled to do so. If that offends someone, so be it. Jesus warned his followers men would be offended with the truth. Paul warned Timothy in the last days people would only want to have their ears tickled (II Tim. 3:1-7; 4:3). Jeremiah sent Baruch with God's word into the temple to read it to the Jews because he (Jeremiah) was restricted form entering the temple anymore (Jer. 36:5-8). When Paul was arrested, many of his closest confidants deserted him (II Tim. 4:10-16). Jesus' closest followers deserted Him in His greatest hour of need. He knew what was in the heart of man, but he went to the most agonizing death on the cross in our place anyway (Rom. 5:8).
Human beings are frail creatures, prone to do evil. It is a fact we would be well served to recognize. They are also very much like pack animals at times. Most can't stand up for anything if it means standing alone. God made us to enjoy the company of those with whom we are likeminded. But He also told us we will sometimes only have His assurance that we have done that which is pleasing to Him; and He will always cause it to work out for good (Rom. 8:28). Now go and tell someone what great things He has done for you today.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Saturday, March 6, 2010
All He Did Pleased Israel (II Sam. 3:36)
March 6
John 2:24, 25 are two verses I have pondered hundreds of times in the past 38 years, “But Jesus, on His part, was not entrusting Himself to them, for He knew all men, and because He did not need anyone to testify concerning man, for He Himself knew what was in man.” II Samuel 3:36 tells us everything King David did pleased Israel. All one has to do is read carefully, all of the chapters concerning David to discover he was deserted by his closest confidants, and one of his children temporarily took over his kingdom and committed incest with ten of his concubines during the takeover. One of his sons committed incest with one of his daughters. His first wife, Michal was given to another man while he was in exile. And his father-in-law tried to kill him on several occasions.
King David’s life is filled with problems that, if studied and analyzed critically, will help us know how to deal with similar kinds of challenges. Mankind is plagued with the propensity to throw his closest friend under the proverbial bus if we perceive it must be done to preserve our own status quo. Barack Obama is a master at it. It is a survival instinct. It’s like the backup system on Microsoft Works that automatically moves in to stop any virus that attempts to invade it. John 2 tells us Jesus knew this principle, and of course we have no problem believing that. Jesus knew everything. But we miss the point if we fail to recognize this characteristic is crucial for us to understand if we are to get along with our fellow aliens on this planet.
Man is flawed. One of his major flaws is this propensity to protect himself from public embarrassment. He will lie, cheat, and steal to do it. And, lo, even regenerated followers of our Lord will often revert to this very human tactic when backed up against the wall. Please believe me. I know. I have been the object of hatred and violent aggression time and again for backing people up against that wall. Like Jesus, because John told us, I know what is in the heart of man; and I simply move on with my life when those I once considered friends become ravenous wolves. What you do today might please everyone. Tomorrow is another story. Now go and tell someone what great things God has done for you today.
John 2:24, 25 are two verses I have pondered hundreds of times in the past 38 years, “But Jesus, on His part, was not entrusting Himself to them, for He knew all men, and because He did not need anyone to testify concerning man, for He Himself knew what was in man.” II Samuel 3:36 tells us everything King David did pleased Israel. All one has to do is read carefully, all of the chapters concerning David to discover he was deserted by his closest confidants, and one of his children temporarily took over his kingdom and committed incest with ten of his concubines during the takeover. One of his sons committed incest with one of his daughters. His first wife, Michal was given to another man while he was in exile. And his father-in-law tried to kill him on several occasions.
King David’s life is filled with problems that, if studied and analyzed critically, will help us know how to deal with similar kinds of challenges. Mankind is plagued with the propensity to throw his closest friend under the proverbial bus if we perceive it must be done to preserve our own status quo. Barack Obama is a master at it. It is a survival instinct. It’s like the backup system on Microsoft Works that automatically moves in to stop any virus that attempts to invade it. John 2 tells us Jesus knew this principle, and of course we have no problem believing that. Jesus knew everything. But we miss the point if we fail to recognize this characteristic is crucial for us to understand if we are to get along with our fellow aliens on this planet.
Man is flawed. One of his major flaws is this propensity to protect himself from public embarrassment. He will lie, cheat, and steal to do it. And, lo, even regenerated followers of our Lord will often revert to this very human tactic when backed up against the wall. Please believe me. I know. I have been the object of hatred and violent aggression time and again for backing people up against that wall. Like Jesus, because John told us, I know what is in the heart of man; and I simply move on with my life when those I once considered friends become ravenous wolves. What you do today might please everyone. Tomorrow is another story. Now go and tell someone what great things God has done for you today.
Folly is with Him (I Samuel 25)
March 5
Nabal was his name and folly was his game. My wife once asked me about the situation with Abigail and Nabal, if Abigail had dishonored her husband by going against his known wishes in the incident he had just had with David. Two things we need to consider when analyzing stories like this one: 1. The bible records every story it records for a specific purpose (Rom. 15:4). 2. God never makes any attempt to suggest every person in every story handled situations that confronted them correctly. In this story, for example, we are never told God approved of Abigail’s actions. We can draw some sound moral conclusions based on the evidence presented in the story however. There is a saying with which I happen to agree when it comes to issues of morality. “The end justifies the means.” Of course, as usual, I haven’t met many who agree with me about that, so what’s new? But, allow me to explain. God’s word tell us a wife is supposed to be in subjection to the will and admonitions of her husband. In most situations, even when the wife thinks her husband is wrong, she is told to be in subjection to his will (I Peter 3). The biblical exception would be if her husband asked her to do something she truly believed evil (based on some specific biblical guidelines), illegal, or immoral.
The situation with David and Nabal did not fit any of those categories. Abigail’s husband was a drunken fool. The bible does tell us that. All one has to do is read the story carefully to realize Abigail’s actions were taken to save the lives of her entire household, her husband included. She had been informed by one of her servants that David was coming to destroy her and her entire house and take what Nabal had refused to give him (v. 17). Her quick thinking prevented that from happening. In this case, going against the wishes of her husband was the situation where the end justified the means. We can speculate until the cows come home about whether or not God could have resolved the situation some other way. Of course He could have. But this is not a story about what God is able to do. It is a story about how a woman of God dealt with an extremely tense and lethal situation. Abigail’s actions not only protected her household, but they also prevented David from committing the heinous act of slaughtering an entire household of innocent people out of anger and for personal revenge (vv 32, 33). David’s men weren’t starving. They wanted to celebrate a Jewish festive day (v. 8). It was the act of a fool to deny them a few crumbs for their celebration considering they were probably one of the most feared armies in the region. David’s reputation as a man of war was well established. Nabal wasn’t just a rich man; he was a filthy rich man. He was likely the Bill Gates of Maon. David’s request was not only reasonable, the protection he had provided to Nabal’s shepherds was probably worth a great deal more than the paltry festive goods they were requesting.
I once had a pastor tell me it is irresponsible to ever suggest the end justifies the means. His next statement was what really threw me for a loop. He then replied, “That leaves everyone free, in some cases, to decide what is moral and what is immoral.” Duh! I guess this isn’t really planet earth. I have always believed there are a lot of cases when a man or woman has to decide on a moral issue that isn’t clearly revealed in scripture. For example, is it sinful for an adult to go to an “R” rated movie? Some would immediately reply in the affirmative. Some would qualify their statement by asking why it is rated “R”. The point is there are lots of simple and some not so simple choices we have to make daily; and we can only make the right decisions by living lives that are filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, and seeking to please Him in all respects. When we are in sync with Him, we are able to make correct value judgments on such things without any fear we are being sucked into sin through deception. That’s what Proverbs 3:5, 6 are all about.
I Samuel 25:3 tells us Abigail was an intelligent and beautiful woman. In the case cited, the end did indeed justify the means. The fact that her husband literally fell over dead when he heard she had averted a massacre is a story for another day. And likewise the ending to the tale where we discover Abigail becomes one of David’s wives is an interesting development all by itself. Maybe one day I’ll address both of those situations. For today it is enough to say we must be careful not to conclude God’s people are too stupid to make good decisions in difficult situations. When we walk with God, we can depend on promises like James 1:5, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” Abigail claimed that promise long before it was penned by James. When one walks with God, he is able to make quick decisions when quick decisions are necessary; and he will be able to discern when they are simply not necessary. To reiterate, when the end is less heinous than the means by which we achieve it, I would suggest the means is both justified and honoring to God. Now go and tell someone what great things God has done for you today.
Nabal was his name and folly was his game. My wife once asked me about the situation with Abigail and Nabal, if Abigail had dishonored her husband by going against his known wishes in the incident he had just had with David. Two things we need to consider when analyzing stories like this one: 1. The bible records every story it records for a specific purpose (Rom. 15:4). 2. God never makes any attempt to suggest every person in every story handled situations that confronted them correctly. In this story, for example, we are never told God approved of Abigail’s actions. We can draw some sound moral conclusions based on the evidence presented in the story however. There is a saying with which I happen to agree when it comes to issues of morality. “The end justifies the means.” Of course, as usual, I haven’t met many who agree with me about that, so what’s new? But, allow me to explain. God’s word tell us a wife is supposed to be in subjection to the will and admonitions of her husband. In most situations, even when the wife thinks her husband is wrong, she is told to be in subjection to his will (I Peter 3). The biblical exception would be if her husband asked her to do something she truly believed evil (based on some specific biblical guidelines), illegal, or immoral.
The situation with David and Nabal did not fit any of those categories. Abigail’s husband was a drunken fool. The bible does tell us that. All one has to do is read the story carefully to realize Abigail’s actions were taken to save the lives of her entire household, her husband included. She had been informed by one of her servants that David was coming to destroy her and her entire house and take what Nabal had refused to give him (v. 17). Her quick thinking prevented that from happening. In this case, going against the wishes of her husband was the situation where the end justified the means. We can speculate until the cows come home about whether or not God could have resolved the situation some other way. Of course He could have. But this is not a story about what God is able to do. It is a story about how a woman of God dealt with an extremely tense and lethal situation. Abigail’s actions not only protected her household, but they also prevented David from committing the heinous act of slaughtering an entire household of innocent people out of anger and for personal revenge (vv 32, 33). David’s men weren’t starving. They wanted to celebrate a Jewish festive day (v. 8). It was the act of a fool to deny them a few crumbs for their celebration considering they were probably one of the most feared armies in the region. David’s reputation as a man of war was well established. Nabal wasn’t just a rich man; he was a filthy rich man. He was likely the Bill Gates of Maon. David’s request was not only reasonable, the protection he had provided to Nabal’s shepherds was probably worth a great deal more than the paltry festive goods they were requesting.
I once had a pastor tell me it is irresponsible to ever suggest the end justifies the means. His next statement was what really threw me for a loop. He then replied, “That leaves everyone free, in some cases, to decide what is moral and what is immoral.” Duh! I guess this isn’t really planet earth. I have always believed there are a lot of cases when a man or woman has to decide on a moral issue that isn’t clearly revealed in scripture. For example, is it sinful for an adult to go to an “R” rated movie? Some would immediately reply in the affirmative. Some would qualify their statement by asking why it is rated “R”. The point is there are lots of simple and some not so simple choices we have to make daily; and we can only make the right decisions by living lives that are filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, and seeking to please Him in all respects. When we are in sync with Him, we are able to make correct value judgments on such things without any fear we are being sucked into sin through deception. That’s what Proverbs 3:5, 6 are all about.
I Samuel 25:3 tells us Abigail was an intelligent and beautiful woman. In the case cited, the end did indeed justify the means. The fact that her husband literally fell over dead when he heard she had averted a massacre is a story for another day. And likewise the ending to the tale where we discover Abigail becomes one of David’s wives is an interesting development all by itself. Maybe one day I’ll address both of those situations. For today it is enough to say we must be careful not to conclude God’s people are too stupid to make good decisions in difficult situations. When we walk with God, we can depend on promises like James 1:5, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” Abigail claimed that promise long before it was penned by James. When one walks with God, he is able to make quick decisions when quick decisions are necessary; and he will be able to discern when they are simply not necessary. To reiterate, when the end is less heinous than the means by which we achieve it, I would suggest the means is both justified and honoring to God. Now go and tell someone what great things God has done for you today.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
The Deity of Christ (Luke 7:40-50; John 1:1-5; 14:1-15)
March 4
There are literally hundreds of verses that verify the deity of Jesus Christ. The Mormon teaching that he is "a" god, that he is the brother of Satan, that we will one day be like him in the sense of possessing any kind of personal deity is preposterous, so I won’t make any attempt here to refute it. I gladly engage any of them if they come to my home to try teaching me their false doctrine, but for today I want to focus on a few key verses and ideas that guarantee for us He is divine, He is the second person of the trinity, and that he is God’s only provision for man’s sin.
He is divine. That means he is all God. He possesses all the attributes of God: immutability (unchangeable as to His character), omniscience (possesses all knowledge Jn. 2:24), omnipotence (all powerful), and omnipresence (is everywhere at one time). To understand how all of these things are true about Jesus, we must grasp a concept called hypostatic union. It is a concept that means the following. Jesus always existed with God the Father. At the appointed time, He came to earth and took up the body of a child, which grew into a man, and lived a sinless life. During that earthly life in a human body, He always depended entirely on the indwelling Holy Spirit for the ability to do the things He did that demonstrated His deity (Luke 3:21, 22). Hypostatic union is the union between God and man. He was entirely human as a physical being and entirely God in nature as a spiritual being at the same time. He is the unique Son of God. There was nor will there ever be another like Him. He is currently seated at the right hand of God interceding for the saints (Heb. 7:25).
He is the second person of the trinity. God is one being who manifests himself in three distinct persons. If we fail to believe this we haven’t a snowballs chance in hell of being saved (Rom. 10:9). Matthew, Luke, and John testify countless times that He is the Son of God. His followers testified that He was the Son of God. His enemies believed He claimed to be the Son of God. And the countless miraculous healings, calming of the storm, walking on water, and resurrection from the dead verify He was and is the Son of God. It’s interesting to note that He appeared many times in the Old Testament. Those appearances are called Christophanies. He appeared to Abraham (Gen. 17), to Hagar (Gen. 16), to Jacob (Gen. 32:24-30), Gideon (Judges 6), and Samson’s parents (Judges 13). Usually when He did so the reaction of those to whom He spoke verify who he was when they responded, “We have seen God face to face!” He was called “The” Angel of the Lord.
He is God’s only provision of man’s sin. In John 14:6 Jesus claims no man can come to the Father but through Him. In Acts 4:12 Peter declared, having just preached a sermon on the death and resurrection of Jesus to the religious leaders of his time, “. . . there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.” It is not great men of great faith who get saved. It is those who humbly come to the foot of the cross and confess their complete inability to do anything for themselves, admit they are lost sinners on their way to hell for all eternity, believe He has come in the flesh, that He resurrected from the dead (Rom. 10:9), confess Him as Lord, and crucify the flesh daily (take up their personal cross and follow in His footsteps). Jesus is God, the Son; He is God's only provisiion for man's sin, If you are a born-again, regenerated, God loving, bible thumping, disciple of Christ, go and tell someone what great things He has done for you today. If not, you're broken; I urge you to get on your knees before Him and ask Him to fix you.
There are literally hundreds of verses that verify the deity of Jesus Christ. The Mormon teaching that he is "a" god, that he is the brother of Satan, that we will one day be like him in the sense of possessing any kind of personal deity is preposterous, so I won’t make any attempt here to refute it. I gladly engage any of them if they come to my home to try teaching me their false doctrine, but for today I want to focus on a few key verses and ideas that guarantee for us He is divine, He is the second person of the trinity, and that he is God’s only provision for man’s sin.
He is divine. That means he is all God. He possesses all the attributes of God: immutability (unchangeable as to His character), omniscience (possesses all knowledge Jn. 2:24), omnipotence (all powerful), and omnipresence (is everywhere at one time). To understand how all of these things are true about Jesus, we must grasp a concept called hypostatic union. It is a concept that means the following. Jesus always existed with God the Father. At the appointed time, He came to earth and took up the body of a child, which grew into a man, and lived a sinless life. During that earthly life in a human body, He always depended entirely on the indwelling Holy Spirit for the ability to do the things He did that demonstrated His deity (Luke 3:21, 22). Hypostatic union is the union between God and man. He was entirely human as a physical being and entirely God in nature as a spiritual being at the same time. He is the unique Son of God. There was nor will there ever be another like Him. He is currently seated at the right hand of God interceding for the saints (Heb. 7:25).
He is the second person of the trinity. God is one being who manifests himself in three distinct persons. If we fail to believe this we haven’t a snowballs chance in hell of being saved (Rom. 10:9). Matthew, Luke, and John testify countless times that He is the Son of God. His followers testified that He was the Son of God. His enemies believed He claimed to be the Son of God. And the countless miraculous healings, calming of the storm, walking on water, and resurrection from the dead verify He was and is the Son of God. It’s interesting to note that He appeared many times in the Old Testament. Those appearances are called Christophanies. He appeared to Abraham (Gen. 17), to Hagar (Gen. 16), to Jacob (Gen. 32:24-30), Gideon (Judges 6), and Samson’s parents (Judges 13). Usually when He did so the reaction of those to whom He spoke verify who he was when they responded, “We have seen God face to face!” He was called “The” Angel of the Lord.
He is God’s only provision of man’s sin. In John 14:6 Jesus claims no man can come to the Father but through Him. In Acts 4:12 Peter declared, having just preached a sermon on the death and resurrection of Jesus to the religious leaders of his time, “. . . there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.” It is not great men of great faith who get saved. It is those who humbly come to the foot of the cross and confess their complete inability to do anything for themselves, admit they are lost sinners on their way to hell for all eternity, believe He has come in the flesh, that He resurrected from the dead (Rom. 10:9), confess Him as Lord, and crucify the flesh daily (take up their personal cross and follow in His footsteps). Jesus is God, the Son; He is God's only provisiion for man's sin, If you are a born-again, regenerated, God loving, bible thumping, disciple of Christ, go and tell someone what great things He has done for you today. If not, you're broken; I urge you to get on your knees before Him and ask Him to fix you.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Thinking Outside the Box
February 18
I readily admit, one is bucking the odds in America when he makes any move to get back to the grass roots of the church. Not many have the ability to think outside the box. I’ve been in and out of traditional local churches for decades, and I can only conclude after observing the millions of dollars I have personally seen them wasting on maintaining mega-structures, multiple six digit salaries for pastors, programs that do little or nothing to grow believers to maturity, and the entire absence of street preaching ministries, they’re duping millions of sheep and goats into supporting ministries that are not, being blessed by the God of creation. I will even go so far as to suggest most of the programs of these churches probably weren’t God’s idea to begin with.
Three of the best church groups I ever joined or led were based in homes. In bible college I led a home church that met in our apartments. Evangelism was a priority. Bible study was intense. Monologues (aka sermons) were non-existent. Of course, for first century churches monologues were the exception, not the rule (I Corinthians 14:26-39). And people were getting saved as each of the members was making sure they preached the gospel to those with whom they worked and dealt each day. Paul referred to the “church in your house” in several of his letters (Acts 8; Rom. 16:5; I Cor. 16:9; Col. 4:15; Phil. 1:2). The historical record indicates churches met in houses most of the time until around 386 A.D. when Constantine, the emperor of Rome (apparently a false convert), declared Christianity the national religion of the empire.
While I admit it is not inherently evil or mismanagement of God’s funds to build a large place for Christians to meet, I have written a book on the topic that argues from scripture they are seldom necessary. Traditional church leaders always argue with me their mega-organizations do much more for the kingdom of God than do itsy, bitsy little home churches. Of course, such argument just indicates they have no idea Who is doing the real work in ministry; and they know even less how the first century home churches were structured. Certainly, godly men must be leading any established church ministry. I Timothy 3, Titus 1, and Ephesians 4 make it clear all churches must be guided and get their bible instruction from men who are called to be evangelists, prophets, apostles, and pastor/teachers. I’ve written a systematic (exhaustive) bible study on church leadership for anyone interested in studying that issue further.
For the sake of brevity, I will close today’s instruction with the following. Before you assume the traditional local church is the best way to see the gospel ministered in your community, find out how many members in those churches are actually preaching the gospel in the streets, their homes, to the merchants with whom they deal daily, and where they work. I believe you’ll be shocked at the number who don’t even know what the gospel is. It’s an incredibly sad testimony to local churches throughout the land that so few have any idea what one must do to join the army of God in bringing the gospel to a lost word. I have written a blog where I clearly present my personal testimony. It demonstrates what things must be contained in any presentation that attempts to help a lost soul get found. It’s titled “My Personal Testimony.” Now, go and tell someone what great things God has done for you.
I readily admit, one is bucking the odds in America when he makes any move to get back to the grass roots of the church. Not many have the ability to think outside the box. I’ve been in and out of traditional local churches for decades, and I can only conclude after observing the millions of dollars I have personally seen them wasting on maintaining mega-structures, multiple six digit salaries for pastors, programs that do little or nothing to grow believers to maturity, and the entire absence of street preaching ministries, they’re duping millions of sheep and goats into supporting ministries that are not, being blessed by the God of creation. I will even go so far as to suggest most of the programs of these churches probably weren’t God’s idea to begin with.
Three of the best church groups I ever joined or led were based in homes. In bible college I led a home church that met in our apartments. Evangelism was a priority. Bible study was intense. Monologues (aka sermons) were non-existent. Of course, for first century churches monologues were the exception, not the rule (I Corinthians 14:26-39). And people were getting saved as each of the members was making sure they preached the gospel to those with whom they worked and dealt each day. Paul referred to the “church in your house” in several of his letters (Acts 8; Rom. 16:5; I Cor. 16:9; Col. 4:15; Phil. 1:2). The historical record indicates churches met in houses most of the time until around 386 A.D. when Constantine, the emperor of Rome (apparently a false convert), declared Christianity the national religion of the empire.
While I admit it is not inherently evil or mismanagement of God’s funds to build a large place for Christians to meet, I have written a book on the topic that argues from scripture they are seldom necessary. Traditional church leaders always argue with me their mega-organizations do much more for the kingdom of God than do itsy, bitsy little home churches. Of course, such argument just indicates they have no idea Who is doing the real work in ministry; and they know even less how the first century home churches were structured. Certainly, godly men must be leading any established church ministry. I Timothy 3, Titus 1, and Ephesians 4 make it clear all churches must be guided and get their bible instruction from men who are called to be evangelists, prophets, apostles, and pastor/teachers. I’ve written a systematic (exhaustive) bible study on church leadership for anyone interested in studying that issue further.
For the sake of brevity, I will close today’s instruction with the following. Before you assume the traditional local church is the best way to see the gospel ministered in your community, find out how many members in those churches are actually preaching the gospel in the streets, their homes, to the merchants with whom they deal daily, and where they work. I believe you’ll be shocked at the number who don’t even know what the gospel is. It’s an incredibly sad testimony to local churches throughout the land that so few have any idea what one must do to join the army of God in bringing the gospel to a lost word. I have written a blog where I clearly present my personal testimony. It demonstrates what things must be contained in any presentation that attempts to help a lost soul get found. It’s titled “My Personal Testimony.” Now, go and tell someone what great things God has done for you.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
What is the Sabbath?
March 2
Recently, I was discussing the issue of whether or not Jesus’ followers should be worshipping on the seventh day (Saturday, the real Sabbath) or on the first day of the week (Sunday), the traditional day the early church began meeting in honor of Jesus’ resurrection (Jn. 20:19; Acts 20:7; I Cor. 16:2). The first thing we should consider when arguing for one or the other is that the bible does not demand either. As a matter of fact, what it demands is that no one be judged one way or another for his choice (Romans 14:5, 6; Col. 2:16, 17). The second thing we must consider is the biblical evidence that the first century churches met every day of the week (Acts 2:46, 47; 5:42). It seems when the church moved from the home church structure to meeting in huge buildings (about A.D. 386), it decided to establish the first day of the week as the traditional time to meet together corporately. As it moved further from its Jewish roots, it lost contact with the need to honor the Sabbath in any way.
Probably the strongest argument against any need to honor the Sabbath today comes from Hebrews 3 and 4. On the one hand, Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:18 not an iota of the law shall pass away except it be fulfilled, on the other hand it seems His death on the cross fulfilled the requirement of resting on the Sabbath. The writer of Hebrews tells us the Sabbath day of rest was a figurative reference to the rest we enter when we are regenerated by the Holy Spirit and become part of the New Covenant with Jesus as Lord.
Next we need to consider the Abrahamic Covenant. The requirement to observe the Sabbath was specifically part of the covenant between God and the Jews (Ex. 31:13-17). It was the way they specifically and uniquely honored the God of Creation who had called them to be different. It is important to also understand the Hebrews had several days a year besides the Sabbaths when they were required cease from any kind of work. We would be remiss, however, if we ignored Isaiah 56:6, 7; 58:13, 14 where we read that God promised blessing for anyone of any generation who honors the Sabbath.
Finally, I believe the fact that the council at Jerusalem did not mention anything to the early churches that indicated they were expected to honor the Sabbath kind of puts the proverbial nail in the coffin (Acts 15:19-21; 28, 29). That instruction was meant to correct some suggestions brought to the new churches by false representatives of the Jews at Jerusalem who were trying to insist they had to observe Jewish traditions to be saved. It’s inconceivable the issue of the Sabbath would have been left out incidentally.
In conclusion, as members of the body of Christ, we are actually supposed to be honoring every day alike, making sure we meet together corporately as often as we can for fellowship, prayer, breaking of bread (meaning both communion and eating meals together), and studying the apostles’ doctrine. If one church insists on meeting corporately on Saturday, that’s okay. If another decides it wants to meet on Sunday, that’s okay. If another church decides it wants to meet on Tuesday, that’s okay too. That’s the whole point of Paul’s teaching in Romans 14. The issue is certainly not one that should divide any one follower of Jesus from another. And the really sad things is, that most believers today should be meeting two or three times a week for two or three hours of intense bible instruction each time they meet from one who is called to teach God’s word to His flock. That’s what first century churches did because they realized one can’t be a vital part of the church and witness powerfully to the resurrection of Christ unless he thoroughly knows His word. And one cannot ever come to a thorough knowledge of His word hearing a half hour sermon once a week. Now, go and tell someone today what great things God has done for you.
Recently, I was discussing the issue of whether or not Jesus’ followers should be worshipping on the seventh day (Saturday, the real Sabbath) or on the first day of the week (Sunday), the traditional day the early church began meeting in honor of Jesus’ resurrection (Jn. 20:19; Acts 20:7; I Cor. 16:2). The first thing we should consider when arguing for one or the other is that the bible does not demand either. As a matter of fact, what it demands is that no one be judged one way or another for his choice (Romans 14:5, 6; Col. 2:16, 17). The second thing we must consider is the biblical evidence that the first century churches met every day of the week (Acts 2:46, 47; 5:42). It seems when the church moved from the home church structure to meeting in huge buildings (about A.D. 386), it decided to establish the first day of the week as the traditional time to meet together corporately. As it moved further from its Jewish roots, it lost contact with the need to honor the Sabbath in any way.
Probably the strongest argument against any need to honor the Sabbath today comes from Hebrews 3 and 4. On the one hand, Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:18 not an iota of the law shall pass away except it be fulfilled, on the other hand it seems His death on the cross fulfilled the requirement of resting on the Sabbath. The writer of Hebrews tells us the Sabbath day of rest was a figurative reference to the rest we enter when we are regenerated by the Holy Spirit and become part of the New Covenant with Jesus as Lord.
Next we need to consider the Abrahamic Covenant. The requirement to observe the Sabbath was specifically part of the covenant between God and the Jews (Ex. 31:13-17). It was the way they specifically and uniquely honored the God of Creation who had called them to be different. It is important to also understand the Hebrews had several days a year besides the Sabbaths when they were required cease from any kind of work. We would be remiss, however, if we ignored Isaiah 56:6, 7; 58:13, 14 where we read that God promised blessing for anyone of any generation who honors the Sabbath.
Finally, I believe the fact that the council at Jerusalem did not mention anything to the early churches that indicated they were expected to honor the Sabbath kind of puts the proverbial nail in the coffin (Acts 15:19-21; 28, 29). That instruction was meant to correct some suggestions brought to the new churches by false representatives of the Jews at Jerusalem who were trying to insist they had to observe Jewish traditions to be saved. It’s inconceivable the issue of the Sabbath would have been left out incidentally.
In conclusion, as members of the body of Christ, we are actually supposed to be honoring every day alike, making sure we meet together corporately as often as we can for fellowship, prayer, breaking of bread (meaning both communion and eating meals together), and studying the apostles’ doctrine. If one church insists on meeting corporately on Saturday, that’s okay. If another decides it wants to meet on Sunday, that’s okay. If another church decides it wants to meet on Tuesday, that’s okay too. That’s the whole point of Paul’s teaching in Romans 14. The issue is certainly not one that should divide any one follower of Jesus from another. And the really sad things is, that most believers today should be meeting two or three times a week for two or three hours of intense bible instruction each time they meet from one who is called to teach God’s word to His flock. That’s what first century churches did because they realized one can’t be a vital part of the church and witness powerfully to the resurrection of Christ unless he thoroughly knows His word. And one cannot ever come to a thorough knowledge of His word hearing a half hour sermon once a week. Now, go and tell someone today what great things God has done for you.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Who’s the Greatest! (Matt. 20:25-28; 23:11)
March 1
Anyone over twenty years of age probably remembers Mohammed Ali. His infamous line was “I’m the Greatest.” In Matthew 20 we read about the mother of the two sons of Zebedee, James and John, bringing them to Jesus and asking for special dispensation from Him for their future in His kingdom. All she asked was that they be allowed to sit on His right and left side for eternity. To the uneducated, non Jewish, unwise, un-Holy Spirit enlightened mind, the request seemed harmless. Of course, Jesus knew exactly what the mother was asking before the words were out of her mouth. The request was wrong on several levels, but I will only deal with two here: 1. her request was for her sons to be in the most important positions of authority under Jesus in the kingdom of God; 2. her request, if granted, would have had one of her sons sitting on the throne that is already occupied by God the Father (Lk. 22:69; Eph. 1:20; Col. 3:1).
Of course, Jesus was never going to grant such a request. But His answer was quite revealing. He begins by asking them a rather telling question. They responded immediately and without a clue what their response meant. His question, “Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?” They immediately replied, “We are able.” Of course, as devoted as they were to Him, I doubt seriously they would have thus replied had they known he was speaking of His crucifixion.
Jesus made it clear over and again during His earthly teachings that those who are going to be the greatest in the coming kingdom (eternity) are those who live as servants to the rest of His church during this phase of His kingdom (the church age). In other words, one’s life from dusk to dawn and everything in between must be a life of self-sacrifice and service to those around him if he wishes to be great in the coming eternal kingdom. It seems there are very few who find that invitation very inviting. Power struggles are the norm in modern churches around the world today. Jesus’ words in Matthew 23:1-12 reiterate this problem. He condemned the Pharisees for their ceaseless striving to be the most respected and honored leaders of their time. They were like the pastor who can’t stand to go to conferences if he’s not the guest speaker. They were like the pastor who leads small groups where input from everyone is encouraged, but he talks so much no one else ever gets to comment. Jesus ends his admonishing of those kinds of spiritual leaders with these rather pointed disclaimers,
“but do not be called Rabbi; for One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers. Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. Do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader, that is, Christ. But the greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted."
I am a pastor/teacher, an evangelist, and a preacher. That is my calling. My title among the brethren is brother. No greater title or way of addressing our earthly leaders is biblical. And frankly, any pastor/teacher, elder, apostle, or prophet who desires to be called anything but brother is plainly and simply acting like the Pharisees about whom Jesus was speaking in Matthew 23. The biblical answer to the question posed as the title of this instruction is, the greatest is the servant. He is the one who humbles himself daily under the mighty hand of God and says, “Allow me O Lord, this day, to bring glory and honor to your Holy Name.” The greatest is the one who lives to serve others. He is not necessarily the one who lives to preach. Sometimes the one who lives to preach only does so because he’d rather hear himself speak than hear God speak. Now, go and tell someone what great things God has done for you today.
Anyone over twenty years of age probably remembers Mohammed Ali. His infamous line was “I’m the Greatest.” In Matthew 20 we read about the mother of the two sons of Zebedee, James and John, bringing them to Jesus and asking for special dispensation from Him for their future in His kingdom. All she asked was that they be allowed to sit on His right and left side for eternity. To the uneducated, non Jewish, unwise, un-Holy Spirit enlightened mind, the request seemed harmless. Of course, Jesus knew exactly what the mother was asking before the words were out of her mouth. The request was wrong on several levels, but I will only deal with two here: 1. her request was for her sons to be in the most important positions of authority under Jesus in the kingdom of God; 2. her request, if granted, would have had one of her sons sitting on the throne that is already occupied by God the Father (Lk. 22:69; Eph. 1:20; Col. 3:1).
Of course, Jesus was never going to grant such a request. But His answer was quite revealing. He begins by asking them a rather telling question. They responded immediately and without a clue what their response meant. His question, “Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?” They immediately replied, “We are able.” Of course, as devoted as they were to Him, I doubt seriously they would have thus replied had they known he was speaking of His crucifixion.
Jesus made it clear over and again during His earthly teachings that those who are going to be the greatest in the coming kingdom (eternity) are those who live as servants to the rest of His church during this phase of His kingdom (the church age). In other words, one’s life from dusk to dawn and everything in between must be a life of self-sacrifice and service to those around him if he wishes to be great in the coming eternal kingdom. It seems there are very few who find that invitation very inviting. Power struggles are the norm in modern churches around the world today. Jesus’ words in Matthew 23:1-12 reiterate this problem. He condemned the Pharisees for their ceaseless striving to be the most respected and honored leaders of their time. They were like the pastor who can’t stand to go to conferences if he’s not the guest speaker. They were like the pastor who leads small groups where input from everyone is encouraged, but he talks so much no one else ever gets to comment. Jesus ends his admonishing of those kinds of spiritual leaders with these rather pointed disclaimers,
“but do not be called Rabbi; for One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers. Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. Do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader, that is, Christ. But the greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted."
I am a pastor/teacher, an evangelist, and a preacher. That is my calling. My title among the brethren is brother. No greater title or way of addressing our earthly leaders is biblical. And frankly, any pastor/teacher, elder, apostle, or prophet who desires to be called anything but brother is plainly and simply acting like the Pharisees about whom Jesus was speaking in Matthew 23. The biblical answer to the question posed as the title of this instruction is, the greatest is the servant. He is the one who humbles himself daily under the mighty hand of God and says, “Allow me O Lord, this day, to bring glory and honor to your Holy Name.” The greatest is the one who lives to serve others. He is not necessarily the one who lives to preach. Sometimes the one who lives to preach only does so because he’d rather hear himself speak than hear God speak. Now, go and tell someone what great things God has done for you today.
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