Philippians 4:4-7, "rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your heart and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Traditionally the concept taught from this section would zero in on verse 4 “rejoice in the Lord always…,” and verse 6-7, do not be anxious about anything, pray, and the God of peace will sustain you. However there is this small phrase that is often neglected yet is SO important in the context of God’s peace guarding your hearts. It is the concept of a) our reasonableness and b) the knowledge of the Lord being at hand. Today we are simply going to look at the concept of our reasonableness being known.
Our reasonableness, what does that even mean? How does that apply or fit into the context of anxiety? What could God possibly mean by putting the phrase sandwiched between these two phrases we use without a second thought every time something negative occurs in our lives? Insight into these questions I would argue is given by starting at verse 2 of the same chapter. Paul writes to the “true companion” to work with two women and laborers in the church to agree. But that agreement must be centered on and glorifying to the name of God. It is not a trite mentality that states we will merely “agree to disagree” rather he is saying find your agreement and the solution to your argument in the Lord. Seek His guidance and direction in the process of the decision being made, and by all means be willing to sacrifice your thoughts, feelings and devotions to a false notion at the altar of the Lord rather than to stubbornly and foolishly sacrifice your reputation and Christian testimony over something that is not God honoring.
What we see is because of a misplaced devotion, because of misplaced thoughts, praises, and rejoicing we quarrel and fight doing more harm to the mission and the work of God than helping it. Because of our selfish pride and in reality our unreasonable attitudes the ministry is hindered, the work is stalled and the task that God has appointed is going neglected. Paul’s encouragement is this…
1) Agree in the Lord: Submit to God and His word and direction over your own personal stake that you have claimed. God has shown repeatedly that He is not pleased with a quarrelsome, contentious people. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians that the church of God is not to be known for its contentiousness amongst each other but rather its agreement in the Lord. The church is not to be characterized by divisions that are in the end dishonoring to the name of Christ but are to be perfectly unified in the Spirit of God and in the bond of peace. The people of God ought to agree in the Lord.
2) Rejoice: The rejoicing is however in the Lord once again, it is a mind-frame shift that we must accomplish. It is a focus on God and His will rather than our will. When we focus our thoughts and attentions on the Lord rejoicing ought to be a natural outpouring. If God is chiefly concerned with His glory and His name then our focusing on Him will automatically cause rejoicing. It will cause us to rejoice in the Lord at the difficulties we face as well as the pleasantries that we experience. This is why Ecclesiastes warns us, in the day of prosperity take joy but in the day of adversity consider. Has not God made both (paraphrase mine). God wants us coming to Him and finding our utmost joy and rejoicing in Him and His work and plan.
3) Let your reasonableness be known to everyone: Reasonableness, being in accordance with reason, not extreme or excessive. Reasonableness is what ought to define the Christian. We are not to be those who are riddled with concerns and worries about things like judgment day (May 21st or October 21st), anxieties, stubbornness on things that are not of God and not glorifying to God. We are not to be those who cannot even be spoken to because of our excessive behavior; we are to be reasonable in our decision making,in our discussions, in our actions. We are not those who have lost control of themselves and have been given over to every fleeting emotion or passing fad that comes across our path. We are to be those who in the context of the body of Christ can communicate and be reasonable with one another, who can take into account the thoughts and concerns of others, those who seek to maintain the Unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. We are to be reasonable people, competent and focused on the task that God has assigned.
So as we approach the throne and mind of God in our desire to walk with Him and serve Him, ask yourself, am I being reasonable? Is God directing me to do this task that seems to go against His orderly character? Why do I desire to be excessive in my actions that are not bringing glory to God or magnifying His holy name? Am I offering “sacrifice” to God that in the end is nothing more than a selfish, self-centered view of extreme devotion to anything or anyone but God? Christians are to be reasonable people, approachable, and competent…this is the Spirit that God has imparted to us, this shows whether we are truly rejoicing in and focusing on God.
Showing posts with label By Michael Dick. Show all posts
Showing posts with label By Michael Dick. Show all posts
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Friday, July 9, 2010
Persecution That Cuases Us to Blaspheme
Acts 26:11 “And I punished them [Saints] often in all the synagogues and tried to make them blaspheme, and in raging fury against them I persecuted them even to foreign cities.”
Paul, before he was saved, gives light as to the reason why he so vehemently persecuted the church. In his own words, “I persecuted them that they might blaspheme.” I think this is an important concept for us to focus on as we look to serve the Lord and fulfill all that He has called us to do. Primarily because persecution has not ceased, nor will it until the return of Christ and our response to it will determine whether or not it actually accomplishes the purpose of the persecutor. Secondly, as we seek to understand the work of God in calling us to boldness, are we prepared for and equipped to deal with persecution in a God honoring, and God glorifying way?
Persecution or the fear of persecution still exists today. It was promised to exist by Christ Himself when he said, “If the world hated me, it will hate you also.” Persecution will come in many different forms, and at many different times. There is nothing that says WHEN and HOW frequent persecution will occur in our lives; we just know that it will. The problem then is: have we strengthened ourselves BEFORE the time comes? The concept is whether or not we have begun to blaspheme the name of God or the power of God in our lives. First have we actually reviled or blasphemed the name of God and His power as persecution arises, or even in the face of possible persecution? Are we so afraid to stand for what is right that we shrink back from speaking the truth of Christ? Have we lost our confidence in the power and work of God in the lives of all believers that when faced with the opportunity to speak the good news we don’t simply because we are afraid of the consequences…the possibility of persecution? Have we actually spoken out against God in the extreme circumstances where we are being persecuted and verbally blasphemed Him? Paul makes it clear that he used to persecute them with that goal to “make them blaspheme.” The truth of the matter is that we, who are of faith, have no reason to shrink back in fear, we have no reason to remain silent in shame, and we have no reason to act cowardly in the midst of a perverse generation. Rather on the contrary, God encourages us through the Scriptures that we have no need to be shameful when we are following His word, that we have received grace and power to live lives of godliness, and righteousness in the midst of the present age. In Hebrews it says it like this, “But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.” We have no need to shrink back, we have faith, and power and authority bestowed on us by the maker of heaven and earth. This is also why the Psalmist can say, “The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” Christ teaches the same lesson when He teaches us not to fear the one who can merely harm the body, but fear the one who can send both body and soul to hell. So what are we afraid of? Why are we silent? This generation needs to hear, understand and see the power and victory that the blood of Christ and grace of God working in us sounds like and looks like!
Second, we need to be equipped and strengthened for the day of persecution, but more importantly for the Day of Christ. Throughout scripture we are encouraged to equip ourselves, to mature, to grow, to be effective, and fruitful. Wisdom teaches that we ought to be prepared BEFORE the time of difficulty comes. We are told to walk worthy of our calling. We are encouraged to live and approve of what is excellent so that we may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ. Maturing and growing will allow us to know how to better handle persecution as it arises. It will make us able to give reason for the hope that is in us. It will give us the opportunity to show that God truly is good to His saints and that He does continue to care and watch over us.
All this being said, it is fitting when Peter encourages the believers to grow in grace. Be prepared. Continue to be reformed and remade into a people that are after the heart and life of those who walk worthy of their calling. Do not fear, do not shrink back, and do not remain silent in the midst of a perverse generation that will potentially persecute you. Be aware why persecution comes and continue to strengthen yourselves in the Lord. Speak the good news, be ready in season and out of season and continue to be equipped, maturing, and abounding in the grace and goodness of God. For we are not like those who shrink back to destruction, but those who have faith to the preservation of the soul.
Paul, before he was saved, gives light as to the reason why he so vehemently persecuted the church. In his own words, “I persecuted them that they might blaspheme.” I think this is an important concept for us to focus on as we look to serve the Lord and fulfill all that He has called us to do. Primarily because persecution has not ceased, nor will it until the return of Christ and our response to it will determine whether or not it actually accomplishes the purpose of the persecutor. Secondly, as we seek to understand the work of God in calling us to boldness, are we prepared for and equipped to deal with persecution in a God honoring, and God glorifying way?
Persecution or the fear of persecution still exists today. It was promised to exist by Christ Himself when he said, “If the world hated me, it will hate you also.” Persecution will come in many different forms, and at many different times. There is nothing that says WHEN and HOW frequent persecution will occur in our lives; we just know that it will. The problem then is: have we strengthened ourselves BEFORE the time comes? The concept is whether or not we have begun to blaspheme the name of God or the power of God in our lives. First have we actually reviled or blasphemed the name of God and His power as persecution arises, or even in the face of possible persecution? Are we so afraid to stand for what is right that we shrink back from speaking the truth of Christ? Have we lost our confidence in the power and work of God in the lives of all believers that when faced with the opportunity to speak the good news we don’t simply because we are afraid of the consequences…the possibility of persecution? Have we actually spoken out against God in the extreme circumstances where we are being persecuted and verbally blasphemed Him? Paul makes it clear that he used to persecute them with that goal to “make them blaspheme.” The truth of the matter is that we, who are of faith, have no reason to shrink back in fear, we have no reason to remain silent in shame, and we have no reason to act cowardly in the midst of a perverse generation. Rather on the contrary, God encourages us through the Scriptures that we have no need to be shameful when we are following His word, that we have received grace and power to live lives of godliness, and righteousness in the midst of the present age. In Hebrews it says it like this, “But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.” We have no need to shrink back, we have faith, and power and authority bestowed on us by the maker of heaven and earth. This is also why the Psalmist can say, “The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” Christ teaches the same lesson when He teaches us not to fear the one who can merely harm the body, but fear the one who can send both body and soul to hell. So what are we afraid of? Why are we silent? This generation needs to hear, understand and see the power and victory that the blood of Christ and grace of God working in us sounds like and looks like!
Second, we need to be equipped and strengthened for the day of persecution, but more importantly for the Day of Christ. Throughout scripture we are encouraged to equip ourselves, to mature, to grow, to be effective, and fruitful. Wisdom teaches that we ought to be prepared BEFORE the time of difficulty comes. We are told to walk worthy of our calling. We are encouraged to live and approve of what is excellent so that we may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ. Maturing and growing will allow us to know how to better handle persecution as it arises. It will make us able to give reason for the hope that is in us. It will give us the opportunity to show that God truly is good to His saints and that He does continue to care and watch over us.
All this being said, it is fitting when Peter encourages the believers to grow in grace. Be prepared. Continue to be reformed and remade into a people that are after the heart and life of those who walk worthy of their calling. Do not fear, do not shrink back, and do not remain silent in the midst of a perverse generation that will potentially persecute you. Be aware why persecution comes and continue to strengthen yourselves in the Lord. Speak the good news, be ready in season and out of season and continue to be equipped, maturing, and abounding in the grace and goodness of God. For we are not like those who shrink back to destruction, but those who have faith to the preservation of the soul.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Motives of Evangelism- Conclusion
Part 4- Love of obedience to God
The reason why obedience to God is the final aspect of our motives for evangelism is not because it is the last important but rather because it is often times stressed beyond the other three. Obedience to God is key and it is what shows a clear distinction between those who are serving the world with its desires and those who are serving God. However, at worst we seek to serve God simply for obedience sake, at best we are working through and for Him out of love for the sacrifice of our Savior on the cross. Ritualism is not the goal of evangelism, and evangelism ought not be elevated to a doctrine as and end in itself, it is an all encompassing obedience. It is obedience from a heart of worship, form a desire to see Gods name glorified, from a desire to grow, and a desire to see other people lifting up the name of God and Jesus.
The key passage that shows evangelism as a command comes form Matthew 28:18-19 where it states, “And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. GO therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…’” There is no question as to the meaning of the command, or to the calling to which we as believers have been called. However, some encouragement along the way as we seek to have a motive of obedience to God in the realm of evangelism is as follows.
First, Christ has been given all authority to command and expect our obedience, in the same way He has given us authority to speak and to live in obedience. This is a powerful concept if viewed in the means that God has or us. We have authority in this given world as sons and heirs of the kingdom of God to instruct and teach people about their savior Jesus Christ. We have authority to speak forth truth that does not change with cultural movements and is not bound by cultural view points. We have the authority and the competence to instruct people away form worthless and dead idols and works into a vibrant and living relationship with their Savior, and that is something worth being obedient to! We are sons not slaves and therefore it is not sinful to use the authority God has given us, or even to speak with the authority that God has given us when we take the gospel out. Two individuals who we see in the scripture using God’s authority rightly are Peter and Paul.
Peter in the instance with Simon the magician realizes the wickedness of his [Simon’s] desire to buy the power of God and says this, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you…” This kind of reaction can only be accomplished by obedience to God and the speaking by the authority and truth that He has given.
Paul is another example of the authority of God when he speaks to Elymas. Paul had been preaching to the proconsul but Elymas was poisoning the ear of the proconsul. Paul’s response is this, “But Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him and said, ‘You son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord? And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and unable to see the sun for a time.” One cannot speak and give an intent glare such as Paul without the authority and power of God behind them. This is not, however, to say that every time we enter into evangelism that we must speak as forcefully as Paul; rather it is to show the authority by which we are able to speak. We are sons of the maker of the universe, we have all authority to speak the truth of our Father and Creator God to all people, and God is pleased when we do!
Second, we are able to do the commands of God. This may not at the outset seem to be an encouragement. But for those who are serving God’s purpose and will it is. 1 John 5:3 states, “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.” There is a unique aspect to Christian service in which we enjoy and love doing the commands of God. At times it may seem difficult and our flesh may seek to hinder our serving Him but those are the times when we come to God all the more fervently in prayer seeking a right heart and mind towards obedience to Him. Our desire is to accomplish ALL that God has commanded and calls, so that we might walk worthy of the calling to which we have been called. We seek to accomplish His will and work in every aspect of our lives, which is precisely why we cannot make evangelism an end in itself, as if once we are evangelizing our obedience to God is complete. It is not, for obedience to God is seen in doing all that is right and pure and true and continuing steadfastly in His grace and power. Evangelism is just one more opportunity for Christians to walk in obedience to Him, and for that we ought to be thankful! For the Christian to think God’s thoughts, live God’s actions, and pursue holiness and godliness in the grace of God, we MUST incorporate into our lives some types of speaking of the Gospel of God. We must seek to align our motives and desires to God’s and in so doing complete and fulfill ALL that He has called us to. Be encouraged, and continue to pray that God might work in you a heart to be obedient to Him in seeking His glory, in seeking individuals faithfully serving Him, in seeking growth and effectiveness in every area of our lives, and in living obediently for Him. As we do this, we will have more of a heart for people and for the spreading of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
The reason why obedience to God is the final aspect of our motives for evangelism is not because it is the last important but rather because it is often times stressed beyond the other three. Obedience to God is key and it is what shows a clear distinction between those who are serving the world with its desires and those who are serving God. However, at worst we seek to serve God simply for obedience sake, at best we are working through and for Him out of love for the sacrifice of our Savior on the cross. Ritualism is not the goal of evangelism, and evangelism ought not be elevated to a doctrine as and end in itself, it is an all encompassing obedience. It is obedience from a heart of worship, form a desire to see Gods name glorified, from a desire to grow, and a desire to see other people lifting up the name of God and Jesus.
The key passage that shows evangelism as a command comes form Matthew 28:18-19 where it states, “And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. GO therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…’” There is no question as to the meaning of the command, or to the calling to which we as believers have been called. However, some encouragement along the way as we seek to have a motive of obedience to God in the realm of evangelism is as follows.
First, Christ has been given all authority to command and expect our obedience, in the same way He has given us authority to speak and to live in obedience. This is a powerful concept if viewed in the means that God has or us. We have authority in this given world as sons and heirs of the kingdom of God to instruct and teach people about their savior Jesus Christ. We have authority to speak forth truth that does not change with cultural movements and is not bound by cultural view points. We have the authority and the competence to instruct people away form worthless and dead idols and works into a vibrant and living relationship with their Savior, and that is something worth being obedient to! We are sons not slaves and therefore it is not sinful to use the authority God has given us, or even to speak with the authority that God has given us when we take the gospel out. Two individuals who we see in the scripture using God’s authority rightly are Peter and Paul.
Peter in the instance with Simon the magician realizes the wickedness of his [Simon’s] desire to buy the power of God and says this, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you…” This kind of reaction can only be accomplished by obedience to God and the speaking by the authority and truth that He has given.
Paul is another example of the authority of God when he speaks to Elymas. Paul had been preaching to the proconsul but Elymas was poisoning the ear of the proconsul. Paul’s response is this, “But Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him and said, ‘You son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord? And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and unable to see the sun for a time.” One cannot speak and give an intent glare such as Paul without the authority and power of God behind them. This is not, however, to say that every time we enter into evangelism that we must speak as forcefully as Paul; rather it is to show the authority by which we are able to speak. We are sons of the maker of the universe, we have all authority to speak the truth of our Father and Creator God to all people, and God is pleased when we do!
Second, we are able to do the commands of God. This may not at the outset seem to be an encouragement. But for those who are serving God’s purpose and will it is. 1 John 5:3 states, “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.” There is a unique aspect to Christian service in which we enjoy and love doing the commands of God. At times it may seem difficult and our flesh may seek to hinder our serving Him but those are the times when we come to God all the more fervently in prayer seeking a right heart and mind towards obedience to Him. Our desire is to accomplish ALL that God has commanded and calls, so that we might walk worthy of the calling to which we have been called. We seek to accomplish His will and work in every aspect of our lives, which is precisely why we cannot make evangelism an end in itself, as if once we are evangelizing our obedience to God is complete. It is not, for obedience to God is seen in doing all that is right and pure and true and continuing steadfastly in His grace and power. Evangelism is just one more opportunity for Christians to walk in obedience to Him, and for that we ought to be thankful! For the Christian to think God’s thoughts, live God’s actions, and pursue holiness and godliness in the grace of God, we MUST incorporate into our lives some types of speaking of the Gospel of God. We must seek to align our motives and desires to God’s and in so doing complete and fulfill ALL that He has called us to. Be encouraged, and continue to pray that God might work in you a heart to be obedient to Him in seeking His glory, in seeking individuals faithfully serving Him, in seeking growth and effectiveness in every area of our lives, and in living obediently for Him. As we do this, we will have more of a heart for people and for the spreading of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Motives for Evangelism- Part 3
Part 3- Love for being effective and growing
Continuing the discussion about the motives of evangelism we need to continue to keep in mind that Christians love the glory of God and that we are seeking to love people the way that God does. The third motive for our consideration is the love to grow and be effective in the work of God.
Colossians 1:28 shows this well when it states, “Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.”
We speak and proclaim the truth of Christ to all people. To those who are saved we speak the truth of God and teach them the mystery of the gospel and how it applies to every aspect of life. We encourage deeper growth and obedience to the word and work of God in the life of the Christian. We desire to see people serving the Lord and walking worthy of the calling to which we are called. This is an important concept for we speak and proclaim the truth of God’s word to ALL people we come in contact with, even with those who ARE believers. There is no reason that when we come in contact with individuals who are believers that we cannot encourage and teach the truth even to them.
The second group of individuals that we seek to speak to is those whom we proclaim the truth of Christ to and WARN. We warn those who claim salvation yet are not walking in the truth and power of Gods word, in the victorious Christian life that Christ’s death and resurrection has made possible for us, in the grace of God and the Righteousness placed on us in Christ. We warn those who are unbelievers of the impending judgment of God on their souls, in their being deserving of hell fire and of their being completely under the wrath of God.
Either way however there is a desire to be effective and to speak the way that God would have us to speak. We are motivated by the opportunity to speak the truth and to grow in our ability to speak the truth! Paul puts it best in 1 Corinthians 16:8-9 where it states, “But I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost, for a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.” Paul had a vision for doing effective work, so when the opportunity presented itself he knew that remaining in Ephesus would produce in him growth, would produce growth in the kingdom and would be effective and according to the calling of God in his life. This is the passion of Paul, doing the work of God in every way that God has called and at every opportunity. It is something that Christians LOVE, the work of God and effective ministry!
The benefits or ways that we are able to grow and effective is through a deeper appreciation for 4 key things. The first is a deeper appreciation for the Sovereignty of God. We are able to accept and see the work of God and the truthfulness in God when he says that His wrath rests upon those who have seared their conscience and will not bear with the truth. We are able to appreciate His great mercy towards us since we too were once that way as well. The mercy of God leads us into the second thing which we are able to grow in appreciation for and that is the grace of God and his love for his chosen ones. Just as in Ephesians it states that we have been chosen before the foundation of the earth, seeing the work of God in the lives of those whom He is calling to Himself is always one that will amazing and create awe in our lives! We are able to see His divine hand working in the lives of those whom He has chosen, and we are able to appreciate that He has chosen us as well.
The third thing that we are able to appreciate within the concept of our being effective and growing in maturity in God is that we are able to enter into His work. The truth of the matter is that God does not need any of us to accomplish His purposes but He has graciously chosen us and given us the task of doing His work. This is an amazing and weighty responsibility. We are able to do the work of God in two key ways. The first is through prayer to God on behalf of others, we are able to seek His intervention in their lives, we are able to pray that He would work in their lives and open the truth of Jesus Christ to them, and empower them to believe in Him. We are also able to speak the truth of the Gospel. In Romans 10:11-15 it speaks of the gospel needing to be spoken, for how will people hear the truth if there is no one to speak it, and it ends with this phrase, “how beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news.” So the appreciation and ability to be effective in our speaking and praying are two huge ways that we are able to grow in the work of God, and it is continually a privilege to be allowed to do so.
The final way in we are able to grow in our appreciation for the work of God is that we are able to grow in a deeper awe for the work and sacrifice of Christ on the cross. Of all the other things that are able to be taken awe in, we ought to continue to awed and amazed by the work of Christ on the cross continually. As we continue to speak the gospel and seek motivation for the speaking of the gospel, we cannot move away from the cross and the pain and punishment Christ suffered on it. The goal would be to be able to continually speak as Peter does when he states in 1 Peter 1:3, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ form the dead…” to be able to continually burst into praise as Peter does only comes as we grow in greater and greater appreciation for the Work of Christ, we seek to have an AWE for the sacrifice of Christ on the cross that will lead us into instant praise…”Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!”
Continuing the discussion about the motives of evangelism we need to continue to keep in mind that Christians love the glory of God and that we are seeking to love people the way that God does. The third motive for our consideration is the love to grow and be effective in the work of God.
Colossians 1:28 shows this well when it states, “Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.”
We speak and proclaim the truth of Christ to all people. To those who are saved we speak the truth of God and teach them the mystery of the gospel and how it applies to every aspect of life. We encourage deeper growth and obedience to the word and work of God in the life of the Christian. We desire to see people serving the Lord and walking worthy of the calling to which we are called. This is an important concept for we speak and proclaim the truth of God’s word to ALL people we come in contact with, even with those who ARE believers. There is no reason that when we come in contact with individuals who are believers that we cannot encourage and teach the truth even to them.
The second group of individuals that we seek to speak to is those whom we proclaim the truth of Christ to and WARN. We warn those who claim salvation yet are not walking in the truth and power of Gods word, in the victorious Christian life that Christ’s death and resurrection has made possible for us, in the grace of God and the Righteousness placed on us in Christ. We warn those who are unbelievers of the impending judgment of God on their souls, in their being deserving of hell fire and of their being completely under the wrath of God.
Either way however there is a desire to be effective and to speak the way that God would have us to speak. We are motivated by the opportunity to speak the truth and to grow in our ability to speak the truth! Paul puts it best in 1 Corinthians 16:8-9 where it states, “But I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost, for a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.” Paul had a vision for doing effective work, so when the opportunity presented itself he knew that remaining in Ephesus would produce in him growth, would produce growth in the kingdom and would be effective and according to the calling of God in his life. This is the passion of Paul, doing the work of God in every way that God has called and at every opportunity. It is something that Christians LOVE, the work of God and effective ministry!
The benefits or ways that we are able to grow and effective is through a deeper appreciation for 4 key things. The first is a deeper appreciation for the Sovereignty of God. We are able to accept and see the work of God and the truthfulness in God when he says that His wrath rests upon those who have seared their conscience and will not bear with the truth. We are able to appreciate His great mercy towards us since we too were once that way as well. The mercy of God leads us into the second thing which we are able to grow in appreciation for and that is the grace of God and his love for his chosen ones. Just as in Ephesians it states that we have been chosen before the foundation of the earth, seeing the work of God in the lives of those whom He is calling to Himself is always one that will amazing and create awe in our lives! We are able to see His divine hand working in the lives of those whom He has chosen, and we are able to appreciate that He has chosen us as well.
The third thing that we are able to appreciate within the concept of our being effective and growing in maturity in God is that we are able to enter into His work. The truth of the matter is that God does not need any of us to accomplish His purposes but He has graciously chosen us and given us the task of doing His work. This is an amazing and weighty responsibility. We are able to do the work of God in two key ways. The first is through prayer to God on behalf of others, we are able to seek His intervention in their lives, we are able to pray that He would work in their lives and open the truth of Jesus Christ to them, and empower them to believe in Him. We are also able to speak the truth of the Gospel. In Romans 10:11-15 it speaks of the gospel needing to be spoken, for how will people hear the truth if there is no one to speak it, and it ends with this phrase, “how beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news.” So the appreciation and ability to be effective in our speaking and praying are two huge ways that we are able to grow in the work of God, and it is continually a privilege to be allowed to do so.
The final way in we are able to grow in our appreciation for the work of God is that we are able to grow in a deeper awe for the work and sacrifice of Christ on the cross. Of all the other things that are able to be taken awe in, we ought to continue to awed and amazed by the work of Christ on the cross continually. As we continue to speak the gospel and seek motivation for the speaking of the gospel, we cannot move away from the cross and the pain and punishment Christ suffered on it. The goal would be to be able to continually speak as Peter does when he states in 1 Peter 1:3, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ form the dead…” to be able to continually burst into praise as Peter does only comes as we grow in greater and greater appreciation for the Work of Christ, we seek to have an AWE for the sacrifice of Christ on the cross that will lead us into instant praise…”Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!”
Friday, June 18, 2010
Motives for Evangelism- Part 2
Part 2- Love seeing individuals devoted to faithful service to God!
The individual who seeks to share the gospel from the right motives MUST begin to adopt a vision for people the way that God would envision those who are believers. God desires for His people to be faithfully committed and serving Him in all areas of their lives. We see devotion from new believers as a tell tale sign of the work of God in their lives and are able to rejoice as we see their devotion to the things of God. The question when it comes to our motives is whether or not we truly rejoice at the addition of individuals into faithful service.
In Acts 2:40-42 states, “And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, ‘Save yourselves from this crooked generation.’ So those who received his word were baptized and there were added that day about three thousand souls. And they [the souls that were added] devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.”
We see in this passage the exhortation brought about by Peter’s teaching, resulting in the salvation of soul and the immediate inclusion of these new individuals into faithful service to God. They devoted themselves, there was a drive and a desire to accomplish God’s purpose and the place the God ordained for that to occur is within the local church! We see the same truth bearing witness of itself in the great commission passage in Matthew 28:19, where it states to “make disciples.” The sharing of our faith is not an end in itself. We share our faith because we love to glorify God and we love to see people faithfully serving Him. The faithful service of individuals gives glory to God in ways that we cannot do purely as an individual.
An interesting place that we see the desire for people shining forth is in the prayer of Paul for the Thessalonians. In 2 Thessalonians 3:1-3 it states, “Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you, and that we may be delivered form wicked and evil men. For not all have faith. Bu the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you in against the evil one…” The interesting thing about this passage is NOT its evangelistic overtones. Instead it shows the heart of the man of God for PEOPLE. Paul begins the passage seeking their prayer for him and ends the passage praying for them. It is as if Paul cannot help but continue to turn his attention to the work of God in other people’s lives, as well as their faithful service. The question that must continue to arise within each of us is where does the work of God that I am specifically called to accomplish include the people God is seeking to work in?
In regards once again to evangelism we see this. That the gospel is for people and people alone. The gospel is NOT for animals or for the earth, or even for the heavenly beings. It is purely for people. This is why it is so profound to consider the passage, “What is man that you are mindful of him.” We really don’t know. But we do know this, God IS mindful of us, He does bestow on us His steadfast love and mercy, and He continues to work in the lives of believers as well as those who previously hated God. The gospel is for people, therefore if our motives for sharing the gospel is not for the seeing of people entering into faithful service to God, then we have missed the mark to a large
What does this concept begin to require of us? It requires a changing of our focus and whom we interact with. We must begin to leave our Christian bubbles, where everyone we know in that bubble knows Christ. We must lose the satisfaction and justification we have given ourselves in thinking that we have reached the entirety of our “Co-worker Bubble” (those individuals who we work with), and our “Family Bubble” (extended and immediate family) with the gospel of Christ. We must in a sense seek our new turf, seek our new battle grounds in which victory will ensue. We must seek to spread the outpost of heaven on this earth, and see more lands and more people serving God, than those that are directly interacting with us daily. Do we have eyes to see the bigger picture of God’s work in those outside of our “bubbles?” Do we have a heart to see people serving God faithfully in the local church? If this is the case and we are seeking the glorification of God in the process then we are well on our way to having the right motives for our evangelism!
The individual who seeks to share the gospel from the right motives MUST begin to adopt a vision for people the way that God would envision those who are believers. God desires for His people to be faithfully committed and serving Him in all areas of their lives. We see devotion from new believers as a tell tale sign of the work of God in their lives and are able to rejoice as we see their devotion to the things of God. The question when it comes to our motives is whether or not we truly rejoice at the addition of individuals into faithful service.
In Acts 2:40-42 states, “And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, ‘Save yourselves from this crooked generation.’ So those who received his word were baptized and there were added that day about three thousand souls. And they [the souls that were added] devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.”
We see in this passage the exhortation brought about by Peter’s teaching, resulting in the salvation of soul and the immediate inclusion of these new individuals into faithful service to God. They devoted themselves, there was a drive and a desire to accomplish God’s purpose and the place the God ordained for that to occur is within the local church! We see the same truth bearing witness of itself in the great commission passage in Matthew 28:19, where it states to “make disciples.” The sharing of our faith is not an end in itself. We share our faith because we love to glorify God and we love to see people faithfully serving Him. The faithful service of individuals gives glory to God in ways that we cannot do purely as an individual.
An interesting place that we see the desire for people shining forth is in the prayer of Paul for the Thessalonians. In 2 Thessalonians 3:1-3 it states, “Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you, and that we may be delivered form wicked and evil men. For not all have faith. Bu the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you in against the evil one…” The interesting thing about this passage is NOT its evangelistic overtones. Instead it shows the heart of the man of God for PEOPLE. Paul begins the passage seeking their prayer for him and ends the passage praying for them. It is as if Paul cannot help but continue to turn his attention to the work of God in other people’s lives, as well as their faithful service. The question that must continue to arise within each of us is where does the work of God that I am specifically called to accomplish include the people God is seeking to work in?
In regards once again to evangelism we see this. That the gospel is for people and people alone. The gospel is NOT for animals or for the earth, or even for the heavenly beings. It is purely for people. This is why it is so profound to consider the passage, “What is man that you are mindful of him.” We really don’t know. But we do know this, God IS mindful of us, He does bestow on us His steadfast love and mercy, and He continues to work in the lives of believers as well as those who previously hated God. The gospel is for people, therefore if our motives for sharing the gospel is not for the seeing of people entering into faithful service to God, then we have missed the mark to a large
What does this concept begin to require of us? It requires a changing of our focus and whom we interact with. We must begin to leave our Christian bubbles, where everyone we know in that bubble knows Christ. We must lose the satisfaction and justification we have given ourselves in thinking that we have reached the entirety of our “Co-worker Bubble” (those individuals who we work with), and our “Family Bubble” (extended and immediate family) with the gospel of Christ. We must in a sense seek our new turf, seek our new battle grounds in which victory will ensue. We must seek to spread the outpost of heaven on this earth, and see more lands and more people serving God, than those that are directly interacting with us daily. Do we have eyes to see the bigger picture of God’s work in those outside of our “bubbles?” Do we have a heart to see people serving God faithfully in the local church? If this is the case and we are seeking the glorification of God in the process then we are well on our way to having the right motives for our evangelism!
Motives for Evangelism- Introduction/ Part 1
This is in a sense a prequel to the series entitled the Methods of Evangelism. I say prequel for the reason that our motives will either drive or hinder our right service to God in the various ways that we are seeking to work for Him. Our Methods, if based on poor or incorrect motives will make our work unfruitful or ineffective and we will not be accomplishing the work that God has called and commanded us to!
The first motive for our evangelistic efforts ought to be the love for the glorification of God. This was written about previously and is worth the time it takes to read it, you can access the webpage at the bottom of this post. As we embark on the motivations we have for the work of evangelism there will be 4 key categories, the first has been discussed, the Love for the Glory of God. The second category is that the believer loves seeing individuals devoted to faithful service to God! The third is that believers love being effective and growing, and the final one is that believers love obedience to God.
All four of these if characterized in our motives will make our methods fruitful in some way. The first is the love for the glorification of God. A brief synopsis of that is this, that we love hearing the name of God glorified on the lips of those whom God has and is working in. We love to hear his truth proclaimed by believer and unbeliever alike, which is why Paul can say whether out of pretense or truth the name of Christ is still preached. We love hearing people use God’s name in its proper context, and we love hearing the truth of the message of Christ being spoken continually.
Love for the glorification of God (Part 1)
http://sweetcommunionbaptistchurch.blogspot.com/2010/06/do-we-love-glory-of-god.html
The first motive for our evangelistic efforts ought to be the love for the glorification of God. This was written about previously and is worth the time it takes to read it, you can access the webpage at the bottom of this post. As we embark on the motivations we have for the work of evangelism there will be 4 key categories, the first has been discussed, the Love for the Glory of God. The second category is that the believer loves seeing individuals devoted to faithful service to God! The third is that believers love being effective and growing, and the final one is that believers love obedience to God.
All four of these if characterized in our motives will make our methods fruitful in some way. The first is the love for the glorification of God. A brief synopsis of that is this, that we love hearing the name of God glorified on the lips of those whom God has and is working in. We love to hear his truth proclaimed by believer and unbeliever alike, which is why Paul can say whether out of pretense or truth the name of Christ is still preached. We love hearing people use God’s name in its proper context, and we love hearing the truth of the message of Christ being spoken continually.
Love for the glorification of God (Part 1)
http://sweetcommunionbaptistchurch.blogspot.com/2010/06/do-we-love-glory-of-god.html
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Revelation or Education- How God reveals Truth
Yesterday was discussed the concept that we do in fact still receive revelation from God today. We see it through the active teaching done by the Holy Spirit which is indwelling us, through the word being in our hearts and in our minds. The second question that was not answered yesterday was HOW or in what ways do we receive revelation from God. It is important, however, to stress once again before we move on the fact that God's revelation to us today NEVER supersedes what we know to be Biblical truth, and will NOT contradict what is revealed in His word already.
We MUST understand that the primary means of revelation from God has been and always will be His spoken and inspired word. The Bible with all of its “stories” and accounts of all that occurred is continually referred to and mentioned as God’s inspired word. Therefore as we seek God’s revelation of truth in our lives we must continue to start where He would have us to start and that is daily in the Scriptures, reading His word, seeking it and thirsting for it. As the Psalmist states, “O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.” This should be the way that we seek God’s revelation to us in the Scriptures. He has spoken and He has revealed all that we need to know in order to serve and follow Him. All that we need for Him to speak to us and through us is originated and contained in the Scriptures. This continues to validate and encourage our study of Christ and His words as well, since He is the Word, all that He did and sought after was according to God’s revelation. We cannot claim to pursue the mind and thoughts of God without actually reading what He has given us already. God is seeking to build upon the foundation of truth that we have, but if we are not working and understanding the foundation how can we continue to claim that we desire to have more revelation of God’s word? What this means is that those seeking and thirsting for God will continue to seek and read the Bible…it is a necessity if we desire God the way we ought.
Another means by which God continues to reveal Himself is through the faithful teaching and preaching of Gods word. This does not mean that every individual will have the gift or opportunity to teach. But the faithful teaching and preaching of God’s word is to be done by those whom God has gifted in that manner, whether by firm Bible teachers or by Pastors on Sunday mornings. We seek to hear what God is speaking to us through them. God has gifted them to teach for the benefit of the church, for the building up of the body of Christ in love, and for the maturing of the saints. They do not teach purely for their own benefit, God is using them for the encouraging and revealing of His truth to the people of God. This is why Paul gives the exhortation to Timothy to “Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.” The teaching is for the benefit of those who hear
A third way in which the revelation of God is made known is by the words of those faithfully serving God. In Psalms 101 the writer asks for those who are blameless to minister to him. Do we have the same desire? Do we have the desire to hear what God has spoken or is speaking to those who are faithfully serving Him? God reveals truth to us in many ways and one way that we see continually occurring is through other people, other saints who are faithful in the first two instances as well! A good example of this is Apollos, “He [Apollos] began to speak bolding in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him and explained to him the way of God more accurately.” We see the speaking of truth and revelation of God’s word to others by those who were serving faithfully. Apollos later goes on to refute the Jews in public and to continue to show through the scriptures that the Christ was Jesus. We see the revelation of God’s word having the same impact that it had in the lives of Peter, John, and Stephen mentioned yesterday. This powerful truth which cannot be denied, the type of knowledge and understanding that only God can give is now actively working in another.
The question that each of us must continue to wrestle with is, am I seeking and willing to serve and understand the truth of God’s word. Those who seek after the truth will find it and will continue in it, for they hear God’s calling and direction and they follow it. They will walk in the way of God, they will ponder the way of blamelessness, they will not search after worthless things, and they will be open to the guidance of God by the work of the Holy Spirit. Are we thirsting and panting for the word of God and His revelation of truth in our lives? Are we continuing to sacrifice cherished sin in order to walk more closely with God, in order to seek Him more purely? Can we say as the Psalmist does in Psalm 69:3, “I am weary with my crying out, my throat is parched. My eyes grow dim with waiting for my God.” Seek to have a heart that is open to the direction and guidance of God.
By no means is this the only way that God reveals truth to us. He can use any of His creation to make known His character, truth, and the work done through Christ, even if He must speak to us through a donkey as He did with Balaam. These three however are the key ways we see God having chosen to reveal truth to us.
We MUST understand that the primary means of revelation from God has been and always will be His spoken and inspired word. The Bible with all of its “stories” and accounts of all that occurred is continually referred to and mentioned as God’s inspired word. Therefore as we seek God’s revelation of truth in our lives we must continue to start where He would have us to start and that is daily in the Scriptures, reading His word, seeking it and thirsting for it. As the Psalmist states, “O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.” This should be the way that we seek God’s revelation to us in the Scriptures. He has spoken and He has revealed all that we need to know in order to serve and follow Him. All that we need for Him to speak to us and through us is originated and contained in the Scriptures. This continues to validate and encourage our study of Christ and His words as well, since He is the Word, all that He did and sought after was according to God’s revelation. We cannot claim to pursue the mind and thoughts of God without actually reading what He has given us already. God is seeking to build upon the foundation of truth that we have, but if we are not working and understanding the foundation how can we continue to claim that we desire to have more revelation of God’s word? What this means is that those seeking and thirsting for God will continue to seek and read the Bible…it is a necessity if we desire God the way we ought.
Another means by which God continues to reveal Himself is through the faithful teaching and preaching of Gods word. This does not mean that every individual will have the gift or opportunity to teach. But the faithful teaching and preaching of God’s word is to be done by those whom God has gifted in that manner, whether by firm Bible teachers or by Pastors on Sunday mornings. We seek to hear what God is speaking to us through them. God has gifted them to teach for the benefit of the church, for the building up of the body of Christ in love, and for the maturing of the saints. They do not teach purely for their own benefit, God is using them for the encouraging and revealing of His truth to the people of God. This is why Paul gives the exhortation to Timothy to “Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.” The teaching is for the benefit of those who hear
A third way in which the revelation of God is made known is by the words of those faithfully serving God. In Psalms 101 the writer asks for those who are blameless to minister to him. Do we have the same desire? Do we have the desire to hear what God has spoken or is speaking to those who are faithfully serving Him? God reveals truth to us in many ways and one way that we see continually occurring is through other people, other saints who are faithful in the first two instances as well! A good example of this is Apollos, “He [Apollos] began to speak bolding in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him and explained to him the way of God more accurately.” We see the speaking of truth and revelation of God’s word to others by those who were serving faithfully. Apollos later goes on to refute the Jews in public and to continue to show through the scriptures that the Christ was Jesus. We see the revelation of God’s word having the same impact that it had in the lives of Peter, John, and Stephen mentioned yesterday. This powerful truth which cannot be denied, the type of knowledge and understanding that only God can give is now actively working in another.
The question that each of us must continue to wrestle with is, am I seeking and willing to serve and understand the truth of God’s word. Those who seek after the truth will find it and will continue in it, for they hear God’s calling and direction and they follow it. They will walk in the way of God, they will ponder the way of blamelessness, they will not search after worthless things, and they will be open to the guidance of God by the work of the Holy Spirit. Are we thirsting and panting for the word of God and His revelation of truth in our lives? Are we continuing to sacrifice cherished sin in order to walk more closely with God, in order to seek Him more purely? Can we say as the Psalmist does in Psalm 69:3, “I am weary with my crying out, my throat is parched. My eyes grow dim with waiting for my God.” Seek to have a heart that is open to the direction and guidance of God.
By no means is this the only way that God reveals truth to us. He can use any of His creation to make known His character, truth, and the work done through Christ, even if He must speak to us through a donkey as He did with Balaam. These three however are the key ways we see God having chosen to reveal truth to us.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Revelation or education?
John 7:15, “The Jews therefore marveled, saying, “How is it that this man [Jesus] has learning, when he has never studied?”
The concept of divine revelation compared to education is one that deserves a small amount of defining. By revelation we are referring to that knowledge, understanding or wisdom that is directly inspired by, and given by God; it is not a type of knowledge that can be gained by constant study, it is purely a gift given the individual from the Almighty Creator and Holder of all knowledge, wisdom, and understanding. Education on the other hand is that bit of knowledge with can be gained by memorization, study of books, articles, etc… It is what our minds are purely able to comprehend in the most base sense, it is the “wisdom of the world” if you will, yet it lacks that direct influencing of God. We do understand however that all knowledge and ability comes from God’s gracious hand, however revelation is that special knowledge that God gives to people.
Examples of this are seen throughout the scriptures. We see the individual text above where the Jews marvel at Christ and see how He is able to teach despite not receiving any “earthly” education. They could not comprehend his ability due to their lack of faith, how could He teach when he has never learned? Jesus answer is key, He states, “ My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me.” He teaches the direct knowledge of God…this is divine revelation.
The apostles received the same kind of questioning in Acts 4:13 where it states, “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.” The interesting aspect is that they knew they were uneducated, yet they spoke and taught with boldness. Only by the knowledge imparted by God were they able to accomplish this task.
Another disciple who we see the same example is Stephen in Acts 6:6-10 states, “And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people. Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and disputed with Stephen. But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking.” Once again we see a supernatural empowering, and a supernatural understanding that regular worldly knowledge and understanding cannot combat… This is revelation from God!
The important question then arises as to whether God still reveals truth to us today? Do we have the ability to receive revelation from God and in what ways do we receive it? These are both valid and important questions. The first, however, I would answer YES God does still give revelation today. And the second aside from a brief discussion with be elaborated on at a different time.
God does still give revelation today. We see the chief examples being those listed above where the Apostles and Disciples had a supernatural understanding which was able to supersede any of the thinkers of their day. But looking at various other passages we are able to see the same truth for believers TODAY. Back in John 6 it states, “It is written in the Prophets, ‘And they will all be taught by God.’” Jesus is stating both the truth of His earthly ministry, the Truth of Gods revelation as well as the truth of the Holy Spirit indwelling us! In 1 John it says this about the Spirit, “ But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge…But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointed teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.” And again in Hebrews 10: 15-16, “An the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying, ‘This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts and write them on their minds.” We see that the New Testament believer as well as the believer living in the 20th century STILL receives revelation from God. Knowing that we are able to receive revelation from God we therefore ought to seek and ask for it more and more. It is an important caution however, to not seek a “new” truth at the expense of what is actually truth, sometimes revelation is simply understanding a previous truth in a slightly different and more meaningful way!
Finally we see in 2 Corinthians 3:5-6, “ Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is form God, who has made us competent to be ministers of a new covenant…” We have been made competent, individuals who are able to think and reason and understand the ministry of Jesus Christ, of all that He has done and given and of all that He brings as far as hope and excitement for the future! The question is, are we seeking God’s revelation or are we purely seeking an education? Do we desire the truth of God or a truth that fits our own perception or desires? Are we willing to sacrifice sin in our lives in order to pursue more closely the revelation from God or do we desire to remain in our sin and ignorance? The concept of divine revelation is a truthful one, but are we willing to seek and thirst for it and find it resting solely in the person of Christ?
The concept of divine revelation compared to education is one that deserves a small amount of defining. By revelation we are referring to that knowledge, understanding or wisdom that is directly inspired by, and given by God; it is not a type of knowledge that can be gained by constant study, it is purely a gift given the individual from the Almighty Creator and Holder of all knowledge, wisdom, and understanding. Education on the other hand is that bit of knowledge with can be gained by memorization, study of books, articles, etc… It is what our minds are purely able to comprehend in the most base sense, it is the “wisdom of the world” if you will, yet it lacks that direct influencing of God. We do understand however that all knowledge and ability comes from God’s gracious hand, however revelation is that special knowledge that God gives to people.
Examples of this are seen throughout the scriptures. We see the individual text above where the Jews marvel at Christ and see how He is able to teach despite not receiving any “earthly” education. They could not comprehend his ability due to their lack of faith, how could He teach when he has never learned? Jesus answer is key, He states, “ My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me.” He teaches the direct knowledge of God…this is divine revelation.
The apostles received the same kind of questioning in Acts 4:13 where it states, “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.” The interesting aspect is that they knew they were uneducated, yet they spoke and taught with boldness. Only by the knowledge imparted by God were they able to accomplish this task.
Another disciple who we see the same example is Stephen in Acts 6:6-10 states, “And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people. Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and disputed with Stephen. But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking.” Once again we see a supernatural empowering, and a supernatural understanding that regular worldly knowledge and understanding cannot combat… This is revelation from God!
The important question then arises as to whether God still reveals truth to us today? Do we have the ability to receive revelation from God and in what ways do we receive it? These are both valid and important questions. The first, however, I would answer YES God does still give revelation today. And the second aside from a brief discussion with be elaborated on at a different time.
God does still give revelation today. We see the chief examples being those listed above where the Apostles and Disciples had a supernatural understanding which was able to supersede any of the thinkers of their day. But looking at various other passages we are able to see the same truth for believers TODAY. Back in John 6 it states, “It is written in the Prophets, ‘And they will all be taught by God.’” Jesus is stating both the truth of His earthly ministry, the Truth of Gods revelation as well as the truth of the Holy Spirit indwelling us! In 1 John it says this about the Spirit, “ But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge…But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointed teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.” And again in Hebrews 10: 15-16, “An the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying, ‘This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts and write them on their minds.” We see that the New Testament believer as well as the believer living in the 20th century STILL receives revelation from God. Knowing that we are able to receive revelation from God we therefore ought to seek and ask for it more and more. It is an important caution however, to not seek a “new” truth at the expense of what is actually truth, sometimes revelation is simply understanding a previous truth in a slightly different and more meaningful way!
Finally we see in 2 Corinthians 3:5-6, “ Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is form God, who has made us competent to be ministers of a new covenant…” We have been made competent, individuals who are able to think and reason and understand the ministry of Jesus Christ, of all that He has done and given and of all that He brings as far as hope and excitement for the future! The question is, are we seeking God’s revelation or are we purely seeking an education? Do we desire the truth of God or a truth that fits our own perception or desires? Are we willing to sacrifice sin in our lives in order to pursue more closely the revelation from God or do we desire to remain in our sin and ignorance? The concept of divine revelation is a truthful one, but are we willing to seek and thirst for it and find it resting solely in the person of Christ?
Friday, June 11, 2010
Do we love the Glory of God?
Psalm 96:7-8, “Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the Lord Glory and strength! Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering and come into His courts.”
Ascribing glory to the Lord is really this umbrella type concept which Christians seek to implement in all that they do. As Christians we work for the glory of God, we seek to praise the glory of God, we seek to accomplish His purposes to His glory, and we seek to see His name glorified among others. However, if left at purely that often the concept of the glory of God will be come a cliché phrase, a “wise saying”, a “right word”, but have not true depth of meaning.
The question do we love the glory of God will lead into a short discussion on The Motives of Evangelism from the Evangelism conference last week. However, the first concept that we seek is to understand what is meant by a love for the glory of God. I propose this, we love to hear the name of God praised and worshiped, spoken and trusted, loved and adored not only in our lives but in the lives of those who are recently saved, or who we witness God’s amazing work of salvation in their lives at that moment. The love the glory of God is to love hearing His name spoken and worshiped! This truly is an amazing concept when we look at it in light of various daily activities.
In evangelism we see this worked out in the hearing of people who at one point were haters of God and men begin to praise God for pulling them out of darkness and into the light. We love to hear God’s name glorified, and we ascribe all the glory that we have in this life to Him for he truly is the only one who makes it possible to live a life worthy of Him. After all it is God who works in us both to will and to do for His good pleasure. So when we hear the unbeliever praise God because God has performed a work in their lives, we also praise God with them… For the love of the glory of God requires our loving hearing His name praised!
Jesus put it like this when he was speaking of His [Jesus’] teaching in John 7, “The one who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him (this would be God sending Jesus) is true, and in him there is no falsehood.” We see the mind of Christ in this moment; He seeks glory being given to God. He seeks God receiving all the praise and honor in what He does, which brings more light even to the concept of His being crucified. He died for our sins…this is true, but he also died to show in one fell swoop the great glory and majesty of the God who created the universe and all that is in it, and the God who is still actively working in His creation to this day.
The same can be true in our daily lives. We truly can work for the glory of God at our jobs, at our marriages, at being parents, at serving the purpose of God in this generation. The question is where our mind is and where is our love. 1 John puts it like this, “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world the love of the Father is not in him.” What do we love? Do we love hearing God’s name praised among unbelievers? Or do we love hearing about our own work ethic and our own name spoken of? Do we seek and love the glory of God in our lives or do we love the glory of self?
Paul puts this concept best in Philippians when he says, “Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will…What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.” Paul could say that he rejoiced in the name of Christ being preached even if it was done out of rivalry and envy…why? Because he loved hearing the name of Christ and the gospel of Christ going forth, whether people are preaching it for the right or the wrong reasons the gospel will ALWAYS give glory to God and will place focus on the work of Christ. This is a love for the glory of God! It rejoices in the praise and the speaking of God’s Holy name and work continually! So lets continue to ascribe glory to God, lets seek His name being praised!
Ascribing glory to the Lord is really this umbrella type concept which Christians seek to implement in all that they do. As Christians we work for the glory of God, we seek to praise the glory of God, we seek to accomplish His purposes to His glory, and we seek to see His name glorified among others. However, if left at purely that often the concept of the glory of God will be come a cliché phrase, a “wise saying”, a “right word”, but have not true depth of meaning.
The question do we love the glory of God will lead into a short discussion on The Motives of Evangelism from the Evangelism conference last week. However, the first concept that we seek is to understand what is meant by a love for the glory of God. I propose this, we love to hear the name of God praised and worshiped, spoken and trusted, loved and adored not only in our lives but in the lives of those who are recently saved, or who we witness God’s amazing work of salvation in their lives at that moment. The love the glory of God is to love hearing His name spoken and worshiped! This truly is an amazing concept when we look at it in light of various daily activities.
In evangelism we see this worked out in the hearing of people who at one point were haters of God and men begin to praise God for pulling them out of darkness and into the light. We love to hear God’s name glorified, and we ascribe all the glory that we have in this life to Him for he truly is the only one who makes it possible to live a life worthy of Him. After all it is God who works in us both to will and to do for His good pleasure. So when we hear the unbeliever praise God because God has performed a work in their lives, we also praise God with them… For the love of the glory of God requires our loving hearing His name praised!
Jesus put it like this when he was speaking of His [Jesus’] teaching in John 7, “The one who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him (this would be God sending Jesus) is true, and in him there is no falsehood.” We see the mind of Christ in this moment; He seeks glory being given to God. He seeks God receiving all the praise and honor in what He does, which brings more light even to the concept of His being crucified. He died for our sins…this is true, but he also died to show in one fell swoop the great glory and majesty of the God who created the universe and all that is in it, and the God who is still actively working in His creation to this day.
The same can be true in our daily lives. We truly can work for the glory of God at our jobs, at our marriages, at being parents, at serving the purpose of God in this generation. The question is where our mind is and where is our love. 1 John puts it like this, “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world the love of the Father is not in him.” What do we love? Do we love hearing God’s name praised among unbelievers? Or do we love hearing about our own work ethic and our own name spoken of? Do we seek and love the glory of God in our lives or do we love the glory of self?
Paul puts this concept best in Philippians when he says, “Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will…What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.” Paul could say that he rejoiced in the name of Christ being preached even if it was done out of rivalry and envy…why? Because he loved hearing the name of Christ and the gospel of Christ going forth, whether people are preaching it for the right or the wrong reasons the gospel will ALWAYS give glory to God and will place focus on the work of Christ. This is a love for the glory of God! It rejoices in the praise and the speaking of God’s Holy name and work continually! So lets continue to ascribe glory to God, lets seek His name being praised!
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
A doorkeeper in the house of God
Psalm 84:10 “For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.”
The concept of serving God rather than the world is one that runs its course through the entirety of scripture. Of chief concern through all of this is true belief in the Son of God, Jesus Christ. In John 6 the people ask Jesus what they must do in order to be doing the works of God; his response is “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” So before we start the concept of serving God we need to maintain our belief in Christ and our continued devotion to Him. We must continue to be sustained by him and to walk with Him. We see those who believed in God battling worldly desires and temptations from the time of Lot (who we know was saved only by what the New Testament tells us, not his individual life since he stayed in Sodom and Gamorrah) to David who struggled with having too many wives and his sin with Bathsheba. We see people like Rahab who was previously a prostitute, and Jonah who disobeyed the voice of God. We see individuals who overcame their worldly desires and continued in the grace of God for His glory, such as Abraham, Joseph, Samuel, Nathan, Paul, Barnabas; they were wholly devoted to the work of the Lord.
Psalm 84 focuses on the truth that it is better to be in the house of God than anywhere else, it is better to be in the presence of God than among the people who do not serve God. That’s why initially at verse 1-2 it states, “How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts! My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God.” To know and understand that beauty and majesty of the courts of the Lord is one that can only come through continual meditation and focus on God and His goodness. A focus through prayer and obedience to His word and seeking to understand and think His thoughts and words towards the various situations we find ourselves in. As we continue to draw near to the presence of God we are able to repeat after the Psalmist, “How lovely is your dwelling place…my soul longs and faints for the courts of the Lord.” As we seek the presence of God in our daily living we will more and more realize the strength and power, the grace and love of God and that will drive us to pursue and desire Him even more. We will see how in verse 4-5 that those who seek after God are blessed, those who receive their strength from God are blessed and it will produce in us praise and glorification of the Most High God, the only living and glorious King of Kings and Lord of Lords. It will cause us to worship and praise His Son Jesus Christ, to follow Him alone and to serve the purposes of God in our everyday life.
When we come to the end of the psalm we see the initial phrase, “…I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.” This is not a plea for mediocrity or for low standards for our lives, but rather a remarkable truth. The lowest position of service in the presence of God is far better and greater than ever dwelling in the tents of wickedness. Those who have experienced the grace of God can continually raise their Amen to this as we see where God has taken us from, how He has answered our prayers continually, how He has done good to us, and taken us out of darkness, malice, discontentment, depression, anger, and every sin that seeks to ensnare us. He has brought freedom and life, power and grace, love to His saints, as well as, faith for Him and His Son, and we are continually thankful. We see that it truly is better to serve the lowest position in His courts and house than to serve the highest position among the wicked living according to their desires and the desires of the flesh. This is exactly why Paul can say that we should walk by the Spirit and not fulfill the desires of the flesh. This is why we seek to put off the old man enslaved to wickedness and evil desires and to put on the new man renewed in the power and image of Jesus Christ, saved, sustained, and promised a life hereafter in His courts for all eternity.
As we seek to continue in our daily walk with God, let us make this our prayer, that we might dwell in Gods presence, that we might be in tune with His leading us by His Spirit that we might remain in His courts and walk in His ways. This is not a mystical concept where we simply do not know how to grasp; we know it is by prayer, obedience to His word and work, a willingness to listen to His word. Let it be our prayer to serve God in whatever capacity He desires, for to serve even as lowly a position as a doorkeeper is far better than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. Let us have the mind of the apostles as they responded to Jesus difficult teaching and the leaving of many disciples. Jesus says, “Do you want to go away as well?” Peter responds, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life…” To whom shall we go, where can we possibly desire to be as believers outside of the presence and the will of God.
The concept of serving God rather than the world is one that runs its course through the entirety of scripture. Of chief concern through all of this is true belief in the Son of God, Jesus Christ. In John 6 the people ask Jesus what they must do in order to be doing the works of God; his response is “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” So before we start the concept of serving God we need to maintain our belief in Christ and our continued devotion to Him. We must continue to be sustained by him and to walk with Him. We see those who believed in God battling worldly desires and temptations from the time of Lot (who we know was saved only by what the New Testament tells us, not his individual life since he stayed in Sodom and Gamorrah) to David who struggled with having too many wives and his sin with Bathsheba. We see people like Rahab who was previously a prostitute, and Jonah who disobeyed the voice of God. We see individuals who overcame their worldly desires and continued in the grace of God for His glory, such as Abraham, Joseph, Samuel, Nathan, Paul, Barnabas; they were wholly devoted to the work of the Lord.
Psalm 84 focuses on the truth that it is better to be in the house of God than anywhere else, it is better to be in the presence of God than among the people who do not serve God. That’s why initially at verse 1-2 it states, “How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts! My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God.” To know and understand that beauty and majesty of the courts of the Lord is one that can only come through continual meditation and focus on God and His goodness. A focus through prayer and obedience to His word and seeking to understand and think His thoughts and words towards the various situations we find ourselves in. As we continue to draw near to the presence of God we are able to repeat after the Psalmist, “How lovely is your dwelling place…my soul longs and faints for the courts of the Lord.” As we seek the presence of God in our daily living we will more and more realize the strength and power, the grace and love of God and that will drive us to pursue and desire Him even more. We will see how in verse 4-5 that those who seek after God are blessed, those who receive their strength from God are blessed and it will produce in us praise and glorification of the Most High God, the only living and glorious King of Kings and Lord of Lords. It will cause us to worship and praise His Son Jesus Christ, to follow Him alone and to serve the purposes of God in our everyday life.
When we come to the end of the psalm we see the initial phrase, “…I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.” This is not a plea for mediocrity or for low standards for our lives, but rather a remarkable truth. The lowest position of service in the presence of God is far better and greater than ever dwelling in the tents of wickedness. Those who have experienced the grace of God can continually raise their Amen to this as we see where God has taken us from, how He has answered our prayers continually, how He has done good to us, and taken us out of darkness, malice, discontentment, depression, anger, and every sin that seeks to ensnare us. He has brought freedom and life, power and grace, love to His saints, as well as, faith for Him and His Son, and we are continually thankful. We see that it truly is better to serve the lowest position in His courts and house than to serve the highest position among the wicked living according to their desires and the desires of the flesh. This is exactly why Paul can say that we should walk by the Spirit and not fulfill the desires of the flesh. This is why we seek to put off the old man enslaved to wickedness and evil desires and to put on the new man renewed in the power and image of Jesus Christ, saved, sustained, and promised a life hereafter in His courts for all eternity.
As we seek to continue in our daily walk with God, let us make this our prayer, that we might dwell in Gods presence, that we might be in tune with His leading us by His Spirit that we might remain in His courts and walk in His ways. This is not a mystical concept where we simply do not know how to grasp; we know it is by prayer, obedience to His word and work, a willingness to listen to His word. Let it be our prayer to serve God in whatever capacity He desires, for to serve even as lowly a position as a doorkeeper is far better than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. Let us have the mind of the apostles as they responded to Jesus difficult teaching and the leaving of many disciples. Jesus says, “Do you want to go away as well?” Peter responds, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life…” To whom shall we go, where can we possibly desire to be as believers outside of the presence and the will of God.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Entering into the Work of God
Acts 10:7-8,20 “When the angel who spoke to him had departed, he called two of his servants and a devout soldier from among those who attended him, and having related everything to them, he sent them to Joppa…[The Holy Spirit said…] Rise and go down and accompany them without hesitation, for I [The Holy Spirit] have sent them.”
It is an amazing concept to think that we can enter into the actual work of God. To see God as Sovereign and actively working in His creation daily is awe inspiring in itself. To see His providence for His saints, His protecting and healing hands, His encouraging and strengthening through difficulties and His comforting us when we are downtrodden is grand and wonderful in itself, but to think that we are actually able to be a part of this work is truly amazing. That He would use us as people who are fallen and imperfect to bring about His mighty and wonderful plans is one that will astound and dumbfound us continually.
It is interesting to see in the work of God in speaking to Cornelius and to Paul in order to bring about His great purposes. Cornelius is seen as a man who is devout, who prayed continually, who feared God and served people, however he had not been presented with the truth of Jesus Christ and salvation through Him alone. Peter is also a man who knows God, who serves Him faithfully. Both are found to be in prayer and both are shown the action they ought to take. Cornelius is to send for Peter and Peter is to go to Cornelius. Out of a prayerful obedience they both act in accord with the will of God. One sends, the other accompanies and an entire household of people is saved in the process. We see this chiefly in the way that the Holy Spirit explains to Peter that HE has sent the messengers, even though they were sent by the hand of Cornelius. Cornelius is simply instructed to send, but the Holy Spirit takes the credit for it being part of His working. Through prayer and guidance by the Spirit and faithfulness to the work of God, His purposes and will is accomplished.
We can also see this in the person of Jesus Christ. Although He was God he is also the means by which God has ordained to bring about all of His purposes in salvation, in work to God, in relationship with God, in worship and honor of God as the Living and True God of the world. Christ submitted Himself to the will of God and devotes His time on earth to accomplishing God’s purposes exactly as He is directed. We also see Jesus being devoted to God in prayer and spending quality time speaking with His Father and seeking Him and His direction!
A third example of this is seen in the person of David. Although we do not see always the ways that God used him specifically we do have some insight to what he did and how he accomplished and entered into the will and work of God. In Acts 13 Paul in giving his “word of encouragement” to the people says this about David, “And when He removed him [Saul], he raised up David to be their king, of whom he testified and said, ‘I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.(v. 22)’” and then in verse 36 he states “For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep…” The language here is interesting, to see that he served the purpose of God. He did the work of God, he was able to fit into the will of God for what God had purposed him to do.
To see that it is God who works in us to will and to do for His good pleasure, but also that in our doing what He desires we are fitting into His sovereign work and will is one that should inspire and drive us to understand more and more what He desires, where He is leading, how He is guiding, and how to better follow Him. Are we devoting ourselves to prayer so that we might better understand what He desires and where He is leading? Are we willing and available to accomplish His purposes and be instruments to be used for His purposes? Can it be said of us that we are serving the purpose of God to our generation? I suppose we can never know until we begin to learn and be lead into what His divine purposes are.
It is an amazing concept to think that we can enter into the actual work of God. To see God as Sovereign and actively working in His creation daily is awe inspiring in itself. To see His providence for His saints, His protecting and healing hands, His encouraging and strengthening through difficulties and His comforting us when we are downtrodden is grand and wonderful in itself, but to think that we are actually able to be a part of this work is truly amazing. That He would use us as people who are fallen and imperfect to bring about His mighty and wonderful plans is one that will astound and dumbfound us continually.
It is interesting to see in the work of God in speaking to Cornelius and to Paul in order to bring about His great purposes. Cornelius is seen as a man who is devout, who prayed continually, who feared God and served people, however he had not been presented with the truth of Jesus Christ and salvation through Him alone. Peter is also a man who knows God, who serves Him faithfully. Both are found to be in prayer and both are shown the action they ought to take. Cornelius is to send for Peter and Peter is to go to Cornelius. Out of a prayerful obedience they both act in accord with the will of God. One sends, the other accompanies and an entire household of people is saved in the process. We see this chiefly in the way that the Holy Spirit explains to Peter that HE has sent the messengers, even though they were sent by the hand of Cornelius. Cornelius is simply instructed to send, but the Holy Spirit takes the credit for it being part of His working. Through prayer and guidance by the Spirit and faithfulness to the work of God, His purposes and will is accomplished.
We can also see this in the person of Jesus Christ. Although He was God he is also the means by which God has ordained to bring about all of His purposes in salvation, in work to God, in relationship with God, in worship and honor of God as the Living and True God of the world. Christ submitted Himself to the will of God and devotes His time on earth to accomplishing God’s purposes exactly as He is directed. We also see Jesus being devoted to God in prayer and spending quality time speaking with His Father and seeking Him and His direction!
A third example of this is seen in the person of David. Although we do not see always the ways that God used him specifically we do have some insight to what he did and how he accomplished and entered into the will and work of God. In Acts 13 Paul in giving his “word of encouragement” to the people says this about David, “And when He removed him [Saul], he raised up David to be their king, of whom he testified and said, ‘I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.(v. 22)’” and then in verse 36 he states “For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep…” The language here is interesting, to see that he served the purpose of God. He did the work of God, he was able to fit into the will of God for what God had purposed him to do.
To see that it is God who works in us to will and to do for His good pleasure, but also that in our doing what He desires we are fitting into His sovereign work and will is one that should inspire and drive us to understand more and more what He desires, where He is leading, how He is guiding, and how to better follow Him. Are we devoting ourselves to prayer so that we might better understand what He desires and where He is leading? Are we willing and available to accomplish His purposes and be instruments to be used for His purposes? Can it be said of us that we are serving the purpose of God to our generation? I suppose we can never know until we begin to learn and be lead into what His divine purposes are.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Celebration
Psalm 84:1-2,12 “How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts! My soul longs, yes, faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh sing for joy the living God… O Lord of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in you!
Being the time of year for commencements of all different types I find it fitting to focus on the concept of the idea of celebration. This weekend was marked with several different occasions in which to celebrate, from individuals making small milestones with graduation from college and looking forward to where God is directing their future, to the anniversary of two individuals celebrating 50 long years of marriage and how God has continued to sustain and keep their marriage for this time in order to allow them to be a testimony to His grace and work in their lives, to the celebration of a woman’s life as she nears the end of a battle with cancer. All these opportunities give us the ability to both praise God and consider: What are we doing with the life we have been given, how are we continuing to serve God through all of the ups and down in our lives?
As I sat at a high school graduation and looked on as 54 individuals received their diplomas and are being turned out into the “real” world if you will, it was remarked by one of the speakers that, although corny, “On a tomb stone it is not the date at the beginning that matters most or the date at the end that matters most but the dash in between.” Another author put it this way, “if we view eternity as a line, our lives are like a dot on that line.” As I looked at two individuals who have lived full and lengthy lives together as they celebrated their anniversary of 50 years and as I talked with a woman who is dying of cancer this truth could not have been more apparent. We see individuals live their lives for or against the will of God and that dot is defined by a love for God and a desire to serve Him or a disobedience and hatred (whether apparent or not) towards God. It really is true that it matters how we live our lives in relation to God that matters. We see this mentioned continually within Paul’s prayers for others as he prays, “that they would walk in a manner worthy of their calling.”
Albert Mohler, president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, recently spoke in his commencement address about the “eschatology of the Christian mission.” All that is is a fancy way of speaking about the end of the Christian mission. He spoke about how the work of the Lord is not one that is ever completed while on this earth. How many people have lived and died and have that “dash” to account for the work they have done on the earth. We know the final completion of the work of God IS coming and WILL be summed up in the coming of the Lord and the end of the age…but until then we are a people called out to live lives that bring glory and honor and praise to God. We as Christians are not given the luxury of neglecting our calling or disregarding the work God has gifted us to complete. The work is at times difficult and brings ridicule and misunderstanding but perseverance in the grace and work of God will always be a rewarding and gratifying one. As we continue to enter into the work of God we continue to be a part of His will and work. As we continue can it be said of us that our soul longs and faints for the courts and the presence of God?
As we come to various times of celebration and joy we see this continual truth held within Psalm 84…How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts! To dwell in and continue in the presence of God is one that is to be pursued and sought after in all of the various areas and times of our lives. We seek to remain with and walk with God, to commune with him in prayer and to walk in obedience, grace and righteousness that comes through Christ. As the psalmist says ‘at Your right hand is fullness of joy and at Your right hand are pleasures forever more’. Seek to walk and dwell in the courts of the Lord, place your trust in Him; for as Psalms 84 says… “Blessed is the man who puts his trust in the Lord.”
Being the time of year for commencements of all different types I find it fitting to focus on the concept of the idea of celebration. This weekend was marked with several different occasions in which to celebrate, from individuals making small milestones with graduation from college and looking forward to where God is directing their future, to the anniversary of two individuals celebrating 50 long years of marriage and how God has continued to sustain and keep their marriage for this time in order to allow them to be a testimony to His grace and work in their lives, to the celebration of a woman’s life as she nears the end of a battle with cancer. All these opportunities give us the ability to both praise God and consider: What are we doing with the life we have been given, how are we continuing to serve God through all of the ups and down in our lives?
As I sat at a high school graduation and looked on as 54 individuals received their diplomas and are being turned out into the “real” world if you will, it was remarked by one of the speakers that, although corny, “On a tomb stone it is not the date at the beginning that matters most or the date at the end that matters most but the dash in between.” Another author put it this way, “if we view eternity as a line, our lives are like a dot on that line.” As I looked at two individuals who have lived full and lengthy lives together as they celebrated their anniversary of 50 years and as I talked with a woman who is dying of cancer this truth could not have been more apparent. We see individuals live their lives for or against the will of God and that dot is defined by a love for God and a desire to serve Him or a disobedience and hatred (whether apparent or not) towards God. It really is true that it matters how we live our lives in relation to God that matters. We see this mentioned continually within Paul’s prayers for others as he prays, “that they would walk in a manner worthy of their calling.”
Albert Mohler, president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, recently spoke in his commencement address about the “eschatology of the Christian mission.” All that is is a fancy way of speaking about the end of the Christian mission. He spoke about how the work of the Lord is not one that is ever completed while on this earth. How many people have lived and died and have that “dash” to account for the work they have done on the earth. We know the final completion of the work of God IS coming and WILL be summed up in the coming of the Lord and the end of the age…but until then we are a people called out to live lives that bring glory and honor and praise to God. We as Christians are not given the luxury of neglecting our calling or disregarding the work God has gifted us to complete. The work is at times difficult and brings ridicule and misunderstanding but perseverance in the grace and work of God will always be a rewarding and gratifying one. As we continue to enter into the work of God we continue to be a part of His will and work. As we continue can it be said of us that our soul longs and faints for the courts and the presence of God?
As we come to various times of celebration and joy we see this continual truth held within Psalm 84…How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts! To dwell in and continue in the presence of God is one that is to be pursued and sought after in all of the various areas and times of our lives. We seek to remain with and walk with God, to commune with him in prayer and to walk in obedience, grace and righteousness that comes through Christ. As the psalmist says ‘at Your right hand is fullness of joy and at Your right hand are pleasures forever more’. Seek to walk and dwell in the courts of the Lord, place your trust in Him; for as Psalms 84 says… “Blessed is the man who puts his trust in the Lord.”
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Discernment
Psalm 37:37 “Mark the blameless and behold the upright, for there is a future for the man of peace.”
Discernment, the ability to distinguish good from evil or even wise and unwise actions, is one that is a difficult practice as well as a much needed practice especially in this current age of the Christian Church. In a time where the validity of the message of Christ is challenged over every major form of communication, from T.V., to newspaper, to Movie the Christian Gospel and the Christian worldview are constantly under attack. With Christians desiring to live godly our wise and unwise decisions are continually being weighed upon, and discernment is a MUST for our continual walk with God.
Hebrews mentions important truths when it comes to Discernment, in verse 14 of chapter 5 it states, “But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.” We see a few key truths in this section. The first is that discernment comes both to the mature and those who PRACTICE it. The maturing process of a believer involves the conforming of our minds to the Word of God as well as our actions; for maturing to be accomplished we must continue to add to our faith that which will produce works glorifying to God. As we discern more and more what is excellent and praiseworthy we also need to grow in the applying and living out of that truth. The practicing of discernment is seen in the recognizing and acting on our understanding of what is evil. Romans 12:9 states, “Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.” This is the practicing of our discernment. Seeing and understanding what actions, thoughts and desires are evil and which are good. Once we know what they are the practice comes in DOING and SPEAKING that which is in accord with godliness and Gods commands and desires.
Distinguishing good and evil is also applicable in the sense of wise and unwise actions. Discernment seeks to establish a framework from which to analyze all decisions that we make. We seek to have our discernment trained so that when situations arise that may not be directly spoken of in the Scriptures we can still make informed godly decisions. Wise and unwise decisions are rarely spoken about due to the influence of legalism in our churches, for legalism seeks to destroy wise decision making as well as discernment as well as seeking to establish a new rule and order which will take away all questions of good and evil, right and wrong, wise and unwise. So as the church seeks a direction out of legalism, our old frame of mind must be trained in discernment! Wisdom is also influenced by our faith in our actions. Romans says also that whatever does not proceed from faith is sin, in the circumstance of doing things which are not directly prohibited in the scriptures. Are the decisions that we are making in line with the Scriptural commands, in line with the Wisdom of God and the Direction of the Holy Spirit, or are we seeking our own methods, thoughts, and desires separate from God…Discernment will only help in these situations, not hinder.
A Biblical example of discernment can be seen in the story of Ananias and Sapphira. Peter was able to discern, although more acutely than most people, the hearts, motives, and truth of the situation when they brought to him the offering from their sale of land. He was able to see that they sought to lie, not only to the Apostles and the other believers but also to the Holy Spirit. Peter was able to see directly what was good and what was evil, to discern the thoughts and intentions of their hearts. He was not only able to discern that they were not upright and blameless but he was willing to call it out for the what the truth was also. We as Christians ought to seek more of this type of speaking truth in our churches and lives for then we will continue to sharpen one another as iron sharpens iron.
Are we willing to label what is good and right and pure as opposed to what is bad, and evil and perverted. Are we willing to as Psalms 37:37 states to “Mark the blameless and behold the upright.” We must be able to discern who is upright and blameless in order to “mark” them and walk with them. Discernment is a must in our society today, are we willing to mature to use it, or do we prefer the easier route of not searching and seeking the direction of God? Begin to discern the world around you and you will undoubtedly be surprised at just how much Christ, the Christian Faith, and the Christian Worldview are truly under attack.
Discernment, the ability to distinguish good from evil or even wise and unwise actions, is one that is a difficult practice as well as a much needed practice especially in this current age of the Christian Church. In a time where the validity of the message of Christ is challenged over every major form of communication, from T.V., to newspaper, to Movie the Christian Gospel and the Christian worldview are constantly under attack. With Christians desiring to live godly our wise and unwise decisions are continually being weighed upon, and discernment is a MUST for our continual walk with God.
Hebrews mentions important truths when it comes to Discernment, in verse 14 of chapter 5 it states, “But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.” We see a few key truths in this section. The first is that discernment comes both to the mature and those who PRACTICE it. The maturing process of a believer involves the conforming of our minds to the Word of God as well as our actions; for maturing to be accomplished we must continue to add to our faith that which will produce works glorifying to God. As we discern more and more what is excellent and praiseworthy we also need to grow in the applying and living out of that truth. The practicing of discernment is seen in the recognizing and acting on our understanding of what is evil. Romans 12:9 states, “Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.” This is the practicing of our discernment. Seeing and understanding what actions, thoughts and desires are evil and which are good. Once we know what they are the practice comes in DOING and SPEAKING that which is in accord with godliness and Gods commands and desires.
Distinguishing good and evil is also applicable in the sense of wise and unwise actions. Discernment seeks to establish a framework from which to analyze all decisions that we make. We seek to have our discernment trained so that when situations arise that may not be directly spoken of in the Scriptures we can still make informed godly decisions. Wise and unwise decisions are rarely spoken about due to the influence of legalism in our churches, for legalism seeks to destroy wise decision making as well as discernment as well as seeking to establish a new rule and order which will take away all questions of good and evil, right and wrong, wise and unwise. So as the church seeks a direction out of legalism, our old frame of mind must be trained in discernment! Wisdom is also influenced by our faith in our actions. Romans says also that whatever does not proceed from faith is sin, in the circumstance of doing things which are not directly prohibited in the scriptures. Are the decisions that we are making in line with the Scriptural commands, in line with the Wisdom of God and the Direction of the Holy Spirit, or are we seeking our own methods, thoughts, and desires separate from God…Discernment will only help in these situations, not hinder.
A Biblical example of discernment can be seen in the story of Ananias and Sapphira. Peter was able to discern, although more acutely than most people, the hearts, motives, and truth of the situation when they brought to him the offering from their sale of land. He was able to see that they sought to lie, not only to the Apostles and the other believers but also to the Holy Spirit. Peter was able to see directly what was good and what was evil, to discern the thoughts and intentions of their hearts. He was not only able to discern that they were not upright and blameless but he was willing to call it out for the what the truth was also. We as Christians ought to seek more of this type of speaking truth in our churches and lives for then we will continue to sharpen one another as iron sharpens iron.
Are we willing to label what is good and right and pure as opposed to what is bad, and evil and perverted. Are we willing to as Psalms 37:37 states to “Mark the blameless and behold the upright.” We must be able to discern who is upright and blameless in order to “mark” them and walk with them. Discernment is a must in our society today, are we willing to mature to use it, or do we prefer the easier route of not searching and seeking the direction of God? Begin to discern the world around you and you will undoubtedly be surprised at just how much Christ, the Christian Faith, and the Christian Worldview are truly under attack.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Son of Encouragement
Acts 4:36-37 “Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostle’s feet.”
Barnabas as a son of encouragement is an interesting and yet encouraging example to us of our ability to encourage and the necessity to encourage. The new converts in Acts 4 were all selling what they had and giving to the apostles and to others who have needs, among these people is Barnabas who also sells a field and gives the money to the apostles. Barnabas is a good example to us of what it looks like to trust God and what it looks like to encourage the brothers.
Barnabas as an individual who trusts God is probably not something that we attribute to him directly from his reference in Acts 4 but when we look at what was being done we can see that he is an individual who trusts God both to provide and to protect. Barnabas as an individual who trusts God to provide is seen in the concept that he is willing to sell of his possessions to help those in greater need than himself and to give to the apostles. It seems as though this might be a foreign concept because in our culture to sell and give of our property to the needy of the church is ok when it is “extra,” and by no means does this not include myself. We are good at giving out of the abundance of what God has given us but we have a difficult time considering selling what God has given us for the benefit of others…especially if it is NOT out of the abundance of what we have. Barnabas trusted God in the midst of selling a field he owned…he trusted God to provide for him similar to the church in 2 Corinthians 8 which gave according to their means and even beyond their means. This is not to say we must live in a destitute state but it is asking…what we are cherishing above the benefit of the believers who are in need, and are we willing to trust God to provide for ALL of our needs and to sustain us?
Barnabas also trusted in God for protection due to fact that he was willing to meet with the newly converted Saul when no one else would. Acts 9:26-27 states, “And when he [Paul] had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples. And they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus.” We see a different mentality that Barnabas had toward Paul than the rest of the disciples, he was willing to meet with and talk with Paul even before the church in Jerusalem believed that he was truly a convert…this is a type of trust and boldness which we rarely have to deal with. The concept that earlier the same man who was partially responsible for the death of a faithful member of their ministry [Stephen] as well as seeking to persecute and throw in prison other faithful members is now claiming salvation and seeking to join into fellowship is foreign to most of us, however, Barnabas still meets him, talks with him and then defends his claim of salvation to the other apostles.
Barnabas is an excellent example of encouraging other believers. Not only does he seek to benefit and give to the apostles whose sole work was for the proclaiming of God’s word. They received support from some of the people of God and Barnabas is seen laying his proceeds down at their feet. We see Barnabas also encouraging the other believers since he was part of the group that would sell what he had and give it to those in need. He was refreshing to the people of God and was dubbed by the apostles, the son of encouragement, almost as if his nick name was to remind people of the encouragement that he is in real life.
We can continue to look to individuals and see their unique ability to encourage people. Encouragement is necessary among the believers especially as we go through different difficulties. Seek to encourage one another, to trust God the way that Barnabas trusted Him, with both, our possessions as well as our safety and protection. We are in His care and provision continually even when it seems as though nothing good can come from the situation. Remain faithful, continue in fellowship, encourage one another to be strong in the Lord.
Barnabas as a son of encouragement is an interesting and yet encouraging example to us of our ability to encourage and the necessity to encourage. The new converts in Acts 4 were all selling what they had and giving to the apostles and to others who have needs, among these people is Barnabas who also sells a field and gives the money to the apostles. Barnabas is a good example to us of what it looks like to trust God and what it looks like to encourage the brothers.
Barnabas as an individual who trusts God is probably not something that we attribute to him directly from his reference in Acts 4 but when we look at what was being done we can see that he is an individual who trusts God both to provide and to protect. Barnabas as an individual who trusts God to provide is seen in the concept that he is willing to sell of his possessions to help those in greater need than himself and to give to the apostles. It seems as though this might be a foreign concept because in our culture to sell and give of our property to the needy of the church is ok when it is “extra,” and by no means does this not include myself. We are good at giving out of the abundance of what God has given us but we have a difficult time considering selling what God has given us for the benefit of others…especially if it is NOT out of the abundance of what we have. Barnabas trusted God in the midst of selling a field he owned…he trusted God to provide for him similar to the church in 2 Corinthians 8 which gave according to their means and even beyond their means. This is not to say we must live in a destitute state but it is asking…what we are cherishing above the benefit of the believers who are in need, and are we willing to trust God to provide for ALL of our needs and to sustain us?
Barnabas also trusted in God for protection due to fact that he was willing to meet with the newly converted Saul when no one else would. Acts 9:26-27 states, “And when he [Paul] had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples. And they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus.” We see a different mentality that Barnabas had toward Paul than the rest of the disciples, he was willing to meet with and talk with Paul even before the church in Jerusalem believed that he was truly a convert…this is a type of trust and boldness which we rarely have to deal with. The concept that earlier the same man who was partially responsible for the death of a faithful member of their ministry [Stephen] as well as seeking to persecute and throw in prison other faithful members is now claiming salvation and seeking to join into fellowship is foreign to most of us, however, Barnabas still meets him, talks with him and then defends his claim of salvation to the other apostles.
Barnabas is an excellent example of encouraging other believers. Not only does he seek to benefit and give to the apostles whose sole work was for the proclaiming of God’s word. They received support from some of the people of God and Barnabas is seen laying his proceeds down at their feet. We see Barnabas also encouraging the other believers since he was part of the group that would sell what he had and give it to those in need. He was refreshing to the people of God and was dubbed by the apostles, the son of encouragement, almost as if his nick name was to remind people of the encouragement that he is in real life.
We can continue to look to individuals and see their unique ability to encourage people. Encouragement is necessary among the believers especially as we go through different difficulties. Seek to encourage one another, to trust God the way that Barnabas trusted Him, with both, our possessions as well as our safety and protection. We are in His care and provision continually even when it seems as though nothing good can come from the situation. Remain faithful, continue in fellowship, encourage one another to be strong in the Lord.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Praying for authorities
1 Timothy 2: 1-2, “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life.”
The concept of praying for the governing bodies that rule over one, or even others is one that is a truth and of importance among the believers. This is not to say that we place our salvation in government or in the laws passed by government but rather that we pray that God would be working in the lives of them to direct them in ways that will allow Christians to perform their reasonable service to God free from persecutions at times. This is also not to say that one will never face persecutions and therefore we should cease to pray when they come. Rather Paul tells Timothy and actually urges him that the practice is good and profitable, and pleasing in the sight of God (v. 3).
Personally I think it is often times difficult to know how to guide ones prayer for a government one might agree with yet often makes decisions against our conscience or even to pray for a government one does not agree with altogether. The same can be said about our governing authorities at our jobs, our various forms of recreation, or even in the homes that we live in.
In Psalms 72 we see the psalmist writing a psalm or even a prayer to God for the king of the land. We see a starting point by which we can begin to see HOW to pray for our governing bodies, our authorities, our leaders, and our “heads” of various organizations. In this psalm we see the prayer being that they would have the justice and their progeny would practice righteousness. The prayer is for a righteous government continually, that would be God-honoring and of good benefit. There is a prayer for the authority judging righteously, an aspect that asks for prosperity for the people, and righteousness to exist among the people. A prayer that the authority would protect the poor, give deliverance, that they would fear God, that peace would abound. These are things that we can pray for earnestly and seek God to instill and bring about… “that we may lead a peaceable and quiet life.” It is not wrong to pray for this and to pray for the righteousness of our authorities…but it is not in keeping with the urging of Paul and the Scriptures to not pray for them at all. Even Psalm 72:15 it states, “…May prayer be made for him continually, and blessing invoked for him all the day!”
The Psalm in a more serious sense gives a good picture to Christians of what the Reign of Christ will look like. He will encompass all of this, will bless the righteous, will prosper the saints, and will bless those who serve and worship the Lamb of God. It is a beautiful picture of what we can hope and pray for in the rule and leadership of Christ over His church and over His creation and in that sense should encourage prayer in 2 ways. The first is praying that the leaders would in essence lead and govern in a way that resembles Christ’s true leadership. The other is to pray that Christ would enact HIS leadership and to look forward to the coming kingdom of Christ!
As we continue or even start to pray for government it will begin to focus our attention to the work of God in various other areas of our lives and world that we might not otherwise notice. It will encourage us to trust God and His sovereign appointment of all who are in authority (Romans 13) and will continue to allow us to say as Psalm 75:18-19 state, “Blessed be the Lord, The God of Israel, who alone does wondrous things. Blessed be His glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory!...”
Let’s begin to practice the encouragement of Paul to Timothy, begin to pray for our leaders, our governing authorities, both in the church and in the various other areas of our daily living. Seek to serve God even in our prayer life that we might continue to say…Blessed be the Lord, who alone does wondrous things. Continue to submit and align our thoughts to His thoughts, and look forward to the coming kingdom of the Lamb of God!
The concept of praying for the governing bodies that rule over one, or even others is one that is a truth and of importance among the believers. This is not to say that we place our salvation in government or in the laws passed by government but rather that we pray that God would be working in the lives of them to direct them in ways that will allow Christians to perform their reasonable service to God free from persecutions at times. This is also not to say that one will never face persecutions and therefore we should cease to pray when they come. Rather Paul tells Timothy and actually urges him that the practice is good and profitable, and pleasing in the sight of God (v. 3).
Personally I think it is often times difficult to know how to guide ones prayer for a government one might agree with yet often makes decisions against our conscience or even to pray for a government one does not agree with altogether. The same can be said about our governing authorities at our jobs, our various forms of recreation, or even in the homes that we live in.
In Psalms 72 we see the psalmist writing a psalm or even a prayer to God for the king of the land. We see a starting point by which we can begin to see HOW to pray for our governing bodies, our authorities, our leaders, and our “heads” of various organizations. In this psalm we see the prayer being that they would have the justice and their progeny would practice righteousness. The prayer is for a righteous government continually, that would be God-honoring and of good benefit. There is a prayer for the authority judging righteously, an aspect that asks for prosperity for the people, and righteousness to exist among the people. A prayer that the authority would protect the poor, give deliverance, that they would fear God, that peace would abound. These are things that we can pray for earnestly and seek God to instill and bring about… “that we may lead a peaceable and quiet life.” It is not wrong to pray for this and to pray for the righteousness of our authorities…but it is not in keeping with the urging of Paul and the Scriptures to not pray for them at all. Even Psalm 72:15 it states, “…May prayer be made for him continually, and blessing invoked for him all the day!”
The Psalm in a more serious sense gives a good picture to Christians of what the Reign of Christ will look like. He will encompass all of this, will bless the righteous, will prosper the saints, and will bless those who serve and worship the Lamb of God. It is a beautiful picture of what we can hope and pray for in the rule and leadership of Christ over His church and over His creation and in that sense should encourage prayer in 2 ways. The first is praying that the leaders would in essence lead and govern in a way that resembles Christ’s true leadership. The other is to pray that Christ would enact HIS leadership and to look forward to the coming kingdom of Christ!
As we continue or even start to pray for government it will begin to focus our attention to the work of God in various other areas of our lives and world that we might not otherwise notice. It will encourage us to trust God and His sovereign appointment of all who are in authority (Romans 13) and will continue to allow us to say as Psalm 75:18-19 state, “Blessed be the Lord, The God of Israel, who alone does wondrous things. Blessed be His glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory!...”
Let’s begin to practice the encouragement of Paul to Timothy, begin to pray for our leaders, our governing authorities, both in the church and in the various other areas of our daily living. Seek to serve God even in our prayer life that we might continue to say…Blessed be the Lord, who alone does wondrous things. Continue to submit and align our thoughts to His thoughts, and look forward to the coming kingdom of the Lamb of God!
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Christian Empiricism
John 20:25 “But he [Thomas] said to them, ‘Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.'”
Empiricism is the philosophy (way of thinking) that we can only know by what we have experienced or can feel. Although there may be some truth to this in certain areas, the biblical method and view point is contradictory to empiricism. In our culture empiricism combined with relativism (truth is dependent on the individual) is becoming one of the leading philosophies and it is working its way into the church gradually more and more. As our society moves away from Biblical truth and revelation and towards other philosophies we will be losing our source of belief in “things unseen” to a degree. Biblical revelation does not continually need to be “proven” in the sense of a scientific fact, it does not need to be validated by the feeling of an individual, it simply IS truth because it comes from the God of ALL truth!
The Christian church needs to continually reevaluate what is necessary for salvation and where the foundation of our faith IS. Is it in the feeling we receive when we hear a positive message, do we lose our way when we hear a negative message simply because it does not make us feel joyful. Is the depth of our walk with God one that is swayed by the tides of our emotion or do we seek stability, sufficiency, and strength in Christ our cornerstone and firm foundation. The Christians life although influenced by feeling and experience is NOT determined by things such as this. Truth does not always need a definite experience for it to be true; it does not need to be validated by feelings of pleasure or pain in order for it to be valid. If it were, miracles would be out of the question, the working of God unexpectedly would be unexplainable and then written off, due to the inability to actually scientifically/experimentally prove it as happening. If truth and knowledge MUST be attributed to feeling and experience then some truths we would never know without partaking in them ourselves. Science would prevail over Biblical truth, for “science” is the only thing that is actually proven, right?
Thomas is a key example of an individual who relayed purely on empirical data to believe in Christ. He said he would not believe until he could see, touch, and feel that Christ had risen from the dead…this was NOT what was encompassed in believing the testimony of those who have seen him, even though positive testimony does add more confidence to our strength and trust in the mighty works of God! The beautiful thing about Christ is that He does allow Thomas this sign that he seeks in order to believe, yet proclaims, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” There is something good to believing in the truth without ALWAYS have to feel something, see it, or be able to explain it. That good is attributed to a deep confidence and assurance in the work of God and the Character of God regardless of our instantaneous feelings or desires. He is good whether we feel it or not. We see the work of God in the hearts of men all the time without being able to explain how that work occurred or the length and breadth of the work that God had been doing all along. We see the effects of the wind without seeing the Wind, and so also we see the effects of the Spirit of God at work in the hearts of men without always seeing HIM specifically. We do exercise faith without always having to feel something in the midst of it.
As we continue to draw near to Christ and God who is our source of Truth we must continue to shirk the notion that the way that I feel is the determining factor to the depth of my relationship. If we have been saved by the powerful grace and work of God, then we can proclaim Blessed be God in the midst of our feeling happy or sad, tired or energized, whether we are seeing the nails in His hands or believing the testimony of the work and word of God itself…we do not have to conform to society that teaches if you don’t feel it, see it, empirically test it, it cannot be true. Let God be true and every man a liar!
Empiricism is the philosophy (way of thinking) that we can only know by what we have experienced or can feel. Although there may be some truth to this in certain areas, the biblical method and view point is contradictory to empiricism. In our culture empiricism combined with relativism (truth is dependent on the individual) is becoming one of the leading philosophies and it is working its way into the church gradually more and more. As our society moves away from Biblical truth and revelation and towards other philosophies we will be losing our source of belief in “things unseen” to a degree. Biblical revelation does not continually need to be “proven” in the sense of a scientific fact, it does not need to be validated by the feeling of an individual, it simply IS truth because it comes from the God of ALL truth!
The Christian church needs to continually reevaluate what is necessary for salvation and where the foundation of our faith IS. Is it in the feeling we receive when we hear a positive message, do we lose our way when we hear a negative message simply because it does not make us feel joyful. Is the depth of our walk with God one that is swayed by the tides of our emotion or do we seek stability, sufficiency, and strength in Christ our cornerstone and firm foundation. The Christians life although influenced by feeling and experience is NOT determined by things such as this. Truth does not always need a definite experience for it to be true; it does not need to be validated by feelings of pleasure or pain in order for it to be valid. If it were, miracles would be out of the question, the working of God unexpectedly would be unexplainable and then written off, due to the inability to actually scientifically/experimentally prove it as happening. If truth and knowledge MUST be attributed to feeling and experience then some truths we would never know without partaking in them ourselves. Science would prevail over Biblical truth, for “science” is the only thing that is actually proven, right?
Thomas is a key example of an individual who relayed purely on empirical data to believe in Christ. He said he would not believe until he could see, touch, and feel that Christ had risen from the dead…this was NOT what was encompassed in believing the testimony of those who have seen him, even though positive testimony does add more confidence to our strength and trust in the mighty works of God! The beautiful thing about Christ is that He does allow Thomas this sign that he seeks in order to believe, yet proclaims, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” There is something good to believing in the truth without ALWAYS have to feel something, see it, or be able to explain it. That good is attributed to a deep confidence and assurance in the work of God and the Character of God regardless of our instantaneous feelings or desires. He is good whether we feel it or not. We see the work of God in the hearts of men all the time without being able to explain how that work occurred or the length and breadth of the work that God had been doing all along. We see the effects of the wind without seeing the Wind, and so also we see the effects of the Spirit of God at work in the hearts of men without always seeing HIM specifically. We do exercise faith without always having to feel something in the midst of it.
As we continue to draw near to Christ and God who is our source of Truth we must continue to shirk the notion that the way that I feel is the determining factor to the depth of my relationship. If we have been saved by the powerful grace and work of God, then we can proclaim Blessed be God in the midst of our feeling happy or sad, tired or energized, whether we are seeing the nails in His hands or believing the testimony of the work and word of God itself…we do not have to conform to society that teaches if you don’t feel it, see it, empirically test it, it cannot be true. Let God be true and every man a liar!
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
The Steadfast Love of God
The Steadfast Love of God
Psalm 48:9 “We have thought on your steadfast love, O God, in the midst of your temple.”
The concept of meditating on the steadfast love of God is a practice that Christians can rely on and can continue to do in the midst of struggles, in the times of joy, and in the times of wondering what God might be doing with you at the point that you are in. Although it is often viewed in an ambiguous and frail it is quite contrary to this thinking. The steadfast love of God is one that is of great depth and meaning especially in the life of the believer. It is chiefly manifested in Christ, in the sending of Christ to the earth, in the demonstrating of God’s love for us while we were yet sinners sending Christ to die on the cross for us. The focal point of Gods love rests on His Son Jesus Christ.
To meditate on the steadfast love of God is one that keeps Christ in the picture continually. It encompasses the salvation we have received by God, it is something that we are able “put before our eyes” (Psalm 26:3). We are able to walk in it, to practice it, to show it to others who are believers and unbelievers; however, it is not possible to show what one has not encountered themselves. The love of God is only shown in those who understand and have experienced God’s love through salvation and therefore the people who are able to call God Blessed!
Meditation on the love of God takes into account the sacrifice given by God in sending His son. The love of God in providing Salvation, as well as the condemnation of God on those who do not and will not receive the testimony of His Son! These people are referred to as individuals who have loved darkness rather than light, who desire evil rather than good, who love evil and hate God. These are the type of people that cannot and will not focus on or take part in the steadfast love of God!
With the ability to focus on, think about, remind ourselves of the love of God we can begin to actually practice thinking about the Love and character of God as a whole. We can meditate on His greatness, on the fact that He is Sovereign, on the concept of Him being the Lord of Peace, the Father to the Fatherless, the protector of widows, the deliverer of the downtrodden and the helpless. He is the one whom we can say “Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation. Our God is a God of salvation and to God, the Lord, belong deliverances from death.” He is the God who has delivered us from death, who has given us salvation…who has redeemed us. The following is an excerpt from the hymn Redeemed; it pictures the praise and glorification that goes to God for our salvation, the Lamb who purchased us with His blood. Think on the steadfast love of God today.
Redeemed--how I love to proclaim it!
Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;
Redeemed through His infinite mercy,
His child, and forever, I am.
Redeemed, redeemed,
Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;
Redeemed, redeemed,
His child, and forever, I am.
Redeemed and so happy in Jesus,
No language my rapture can tell;
I know that the light of His presence
With me doth continually dwell.
I think of my blessed Redeemer,
I think of Him all the day long;
I sing, for I cannot be silent;
His love is the theme of my song.
I know I shall see in His beauty
The King in whose way I delight;
Who lovingly guardeth my footsteps,
And giveth me songs in the night.
Psalm 48:9 “We have thought on your steadfast love, O God, in the midst of your temple.”
The concept of meditating on the steadfast love of God is a practice that Christians can rely on and can continue to do in the midst of struggles, in the times of joy, and in the times of wondering what God might be doing with you at the point that you are in. Although it is often viewed in an ambiguous and frail it is quite contrary to this thinking. The steadfast love of God is one that is of great depth and meaning especially in the life of the believer. It is chiefly manifested in Christ, in the sending of Christ to the earth, in the demonstrating of God’s love for us while we were yet sinners sending Christ to die on the cross for us. The focal point of Gods love rests on His Son Jesus Christ.
To meditate on the steadfast love of God is one that keeps Christ in the picture continually. It encompasses the salvation we have received by God, it is something that we are able “put before our eyes” (Psalm 26:3). We are able to walk in it, to practice it, to show it to others who are believers and unbelievers; however, it is not possible to show what one has not encountered themselves. The love of God is only shown in those who understand and have experienced God’s love through salvation and therefore the people who are able to call God Blessed!
Meditation on the love of God takes into account the sacrifice given by God in sending His son. The love of God in providing Salvation, as well as the condemnation of God on those who do not and will not receive the testimony of His Son! These people are referred to as individuals who have loved darkness rather than light, who desire evil rather than good, who love evil and hate God. These are the type of people that cannot and will not focus on or take part in the steadfast love of God!
With the ability to focus on, think about, remind ourselves of the love of God we can begin to actually practice thinking about the Love and character of God as a whole. We can meditate on His greatness, on the fact that He is Sovereign, on the concept of Him being the Lord of Peace, the Father to the Fatherless, the protector of widows, the deliverer of the downtrodden and the helpless. He is the one whom we can say “Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation. Our God is a God of salvation and to God, the Lord, belong deliverances from death.” He is the God who has delivered us from death, who has given us salvation…who has redeemed us. The following is an excerpt from the hymn Redeemed; it pictures the praise and glorification that goes to God for our salvation, the Lamb who purchased us with His blood. Think on the steadfast love of God today.
Redeemed--how I love to proclaim it!
Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;
Redeemed through His infinite mercy,
His child, and forever, I am.
Redeemed, redeemed,
Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;
Redeemed, redeemed,
His child, and forever, I am.
Redeemed and so happy in Jesus,
No language my rapture can tell;
I know that the light of His presence
With me doth continually dwell.
I think of my blessed Redeemer,
I think of Him all the day long;
I sing, for I cannot be silent;
His love is the theme of my song.
I know I shall see in His beauty
The King in whose way I delight;
Who lovingly guardeth my footsteps,
And giveth me songs in the night.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Commitment
Matthew 28:19-20: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always to the end of the age.”
This verse has MANY different applications and lessons to be drawn from it. However, the concept of “teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” is probably one of the broadest aspects of the whole command and therefore has the most possible applications.
The concept of commitment is one that applies to many different facets of the Christian life, from our individual commitment to Christ, to the church as a whole and its commitment to Christ. The commitment between the individual person and Christ is one that is seen as a pivotal one in the concept of an individual and their “walk” with God. It is one that is seen throughout the entirety of Scripture, the idea that man is meant to commune with God, to walk with him, just as Adam did in the garden…however, the concept of communing and walking has no impact if we do not view the relationship as one that deserves commitment. Christ put it best in his description of those who follow him…they must “deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me [Jesus].” The commitment between an individual and their savior is an all or nothing commitment. It is a desire to serve and follow Him, to seek His face and His desires, to do all that he commands us to do. To discuss further commitment would be futile if it is not first based on a right relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore we see the continual exhortation to “follow me.” Are we truly following the Lord? Are we seeking repentance daily to better serve Him? Do we desire to be vessels which He can use for His purposes to the effective ministry and proclamation of His name? Or do we cherish sin so that we are ineffective, and unfruitful?
Commitment within the scriptures, however, does not stop at the concept of the individual and Christ. It involves more than that, but is vanity without it. The commitment of an individual to a local body of believers is encompassed in the notion of “teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” This is clearly seen in the book of Acts when the church is being added to on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2). The Scriptures say in verse 42, following their conversion and baptism, they “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and prayers…and day by day attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes…” We see a tie between the individuals relationship with Christ and the individuals relationship with others who are ALSO Christ’s. There is a devotion to the teachings of the apostles which were in line with the teachings of Christ. The believers sought a unity between themselves and the church of God and sought to continue in that unity. Hebrews 10:25 states, “ not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” We see the Scriptural exhortation, the desire of the Apostles, and the desire of Christ is a unity, a fellowship, a commitment to a local body of believers. In this there is the opportunity for great accountability, encouragement, fellowship, help, prayer, and service. Are we seeking a deep commitment between ourselves and the church? How does this look to commit oneself to a body of believers? How can we encourage, exhort, hold accountable, pray for, and help our brothers and sisters in Christ in the local body?
The final way that commitment is seen in the Scriptures is between the church and Christ. It is one of the more vivid examples and explanations of commitment. It is seen as a marriage relationship, the union of two individuals for life. This is the way that the Church is viewed in Ephesians 5 and it gives us deep insight into various other passages that refer to Christ as Head of the church, to Christ as ruling over His church. The idea of obedience and submission to Christ is mirrored in the obedience and submission of a wife to her husband. The love that Christ showed the church is seen in the love that a husband is to give his wife. The leadership shown by Christ is to be mirrored or seen in the leadership of His church and in individual families. Marriage from the beginning of time was meant to be life long, and lasting, and the same view is seen in the relationship of the Church to Christ. Is the church as a whole seeking obedience to our Lord and Master Jesus Christ? Is the church seeking His guidance and direction for our tasks? Do we desire to see Him glorified in the local body of believers looking to Him as our head?
Continue to seek the deeper relationship and commitment that God desires for you, through your individual commitment to Him. In your commitment to a local body are you seeking to use the gifts of God to the benefit, edification, and encouragement of the other believers? Is the church that you attend seeking the praise and glorification of God and Christ over their own glorification is the church seeking the way, the truth, and the life? Ask yourself, am I willing to “take up my cross and follow.”
This verse has MANY different applications and lessons to be drawn from it. However, the concept of “teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” is probably one of the broadest aspects of the whole command and therefore has the most possible applications.
The concept of commitment is one that applies to many different facets of the Christian life, from our individual commitment to Christ, to the church as a whole and its commitment to Christ. The commitment between the individual person and Christ is one that is seen as a pivotal one in the concept of an individual and their “walk” with God. It is one that is seen throughout the entirety of Scripture, the idea that man is meant to commune with God, to walk with him, just as Adam did in the garden…however, the concept of communing and walking has no impact if we do not view the relationship as one that deserves commitment. Christ put it best in his description of those who follow him…they must “deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me [Jesus].” The commitment between an individual and their savior is an all or nothing commitment. It is a desire to serve and follow Him, to seek His face and His desires, to do all that he commands us to do. To discuss further commitment would be futile if it is not first based on a right relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore we see the continual exhortation to “follow me.” Are we truly following the Lord? Are we seeking repentance daily to better serve Him? Do we desire to be vessels which He can use for His purposes to the effective ministry and proclamation of His name? Or do we cherish sin so that we are ineffective, and unfruitful?
Commitment within the scriptures, however, does not stop at the concept of the individual and Christ. It involves more than that, but is vanity without it. The commitment of an individual to a local body of believers is encompassed in the notion of “teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” This is clearly seen in the book of Acts when the church is being added to on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2). The Scriptures say in verse 42, following their conversion and baptism, they “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and prayers…and day by day attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes…” We see a tie between the individuals relationship with Christ and the individuals relationship with others who are ALSO Christ’s. There is a devotion to the teachings of the apostles which were in line with the teachings of Christ. The believers sought a unity between themselves and the church of God and sought to continue in that unity. Hebrews 10:25 states, “ not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” We see the Scriptural exhortation, the desire of the Apostles, and the desire of Christ is a unity, a fellowship, a commitment to a local body of believers. In this there is the opportunity for great accountability, encouragement, fellowship, help, prayer, and service. Are we seeking a deep commitment between ourselves and the church? How does this look to commit oneself to a body of believers? How can we encourage, exhort, hold accountable, pray for, and help our brothers and sisters in Christ in the local body?
The final way that commitment is seen in the Scriptures is between the church and Christ. It is one of the more vivid examples and explanations of commitment. It is seen as a marriage relationship, the union of two individuals for life. This is the way that the Church is viewed in Ephesians 5 and it gives us deep insight into various other passages that refer to Christ as Head of the church, to Christ as ruling over His church. The idea of obedience and submission to Christ is mirrored in the obedience and submission of a wife to her husband. The love that Christ showed the church is seen in the love that a husband is to give his wife. The leadership shown by Christ is to be mirrored or seen in the leadership of His church and in individual families. Marriage from the beginning of time was meant to be life long, and lasting, and the same view is seen in the relationship of the Church to Christ. Is the church as a whole seeking obedience to our Lord and Master Jesus Christ? Is the church seeking His guidance and direction for our tasks? Do we desire to see Him glorified in the local body of believers looking to Him as our head?
Continue to seek the deeper relationship and commitment that God desires for you, through your individual commitment to Him. In your commitment to a local body are you seeking to use the gifts of God to the benefit, edification, and encouragement of the other believers? Is the church that you attend seeking the praise and glorification of God and Christ over their own glorification is the church seeking the way, the truth, and the life? Ask yourself, am I willing to “take up my cross and follow.”
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Proven Faithful
2 Timothy 2:2 "...and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also."
Matthias the individual who was appointed to "fill the position of Judas" after his death is not mentioned within the Scriptures other than one time in Acts 1:21-26. Although little is known about him we do have three key characteristics by which he is considered for the position. One of these is not directly spoken of while the other two are directly referenced. He is a believer, faithful/enduring, and will bear witness to the work of Christ.
First, Matthias is referenced as an individual who met the qualification of "accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us..." It is interesting to see the faithfulness of Matthias, for to be amongst the teaching of Jesus Christ from the beginning of His earthly ministry until his ascension meant persevering through all that Christ also dealt with while he was with the apostles. Matthias' faithfulness is seen even when the large amount of followers left at the difficult teaching of Jesus' when He taught that He was the bread of life in John 6:22-66. He also remained faithful after the death of Christ and was among them at his ascension in Acts 1. This type of faithfulness that is seen among the apostles is beneficial and one that should be spoken highly of. It is a faithfulness to the teachings and life of Christ that can be followed in a similar manner today!
Second, Matthias is a believer who sought after and continued in the teachings of Christ. Although this is not specifically denoted it must follow that he is a believer, if they are seeking an individual who will, "become with us [the Apostles] a witness of his resurrection." His belief in the Lord Jesus Christ is a prerequisite to his being appointed to this position.
The third characteristic is associated with this in that he is appointed to actually speak and proclaim, to be a witness with the apostles of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ Himself. He is expected to live it and proclaim it!
Some Questions for reflection. Do we continue to seek to exhibit this type of devotion and commitment to the things of God? To the proclamation of the work of God in the lives of individuals? To the faithful service even if it is apparently unnoticed? Can we be considered worthy of our calling to preach and proclaim and live the gospel that has saved us from sin?
Matthias the individual who was appointed to "fill the position of Judas" after his death is not mentioned within the Scriptures other than one time in Acts 1:21-26. Although little is known about him we do have three key characteristics by which he is considered for the position. One of these is not directly spoken of while the other two are directly referenced. He is a believer, faithful/enduring, and will bear witness to the work of Christ.
First, Matthias is referenced as an individual who met the qualification of "accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us..." It is interesting to see the faithfulness of Matthias, for to be amongst the teaching of Jesus Christ from the beginning of His earthly ministry until his ascension meant persevering through all that Christ also dealt with while he was with the apostles. Matthias' faithfulness is seen even when the large amount of followers left at the difficult teaching of Jesus' when He taught that He was the bread of life in John 6:22-66. He also remained faithful after the death of Christ and was among them at his ascension in Acts 1. This type of faithfulness that is seen among the apostles is beneficial and one that should be spoken highly of. It is a faithfulness to the teachings and life of Christ that can be followed in a similar manner today!
Second, Matthias is a believer who sought after and continued in the teachings of Christ. Although this is not specifically denoted it must follow that he is a believer, if they are seeking an individual who will, "become with us [the Apostles] a witness of his resurrection." His belief in the Lord Jesus Christ is a prerequisite to his being appointed to this position.
The third characteristic is associated with this in that he is appointed to actually speak and proclaim, to be a witness with the apostles of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ Himself. He is expected to live it and proclaim it!
Some Questions for reflection. Do we continue to seek to exhibit this type of devotion and commitment to the things of God? To the proclamation of the work of God in the lives of individuals? To the faithful service even if it is apparently unnoticed? Can we be considered worthy of our calling to preach and proclaim and live the gospel that has saved us from sin?
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