We have a love/hate relationship with the concept of authority. We love it when we have it; we hate it when we have to submit to someone else’s. We don’t like to submit to someone’s else’s authority, we’d rather call our own shots. Biblically speaking God makes it clear that growth in Christian character comes through learning to submit, like it says in Heb. 13:17 "Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will give an account."; and we are encouraged to mutual submission in Eph. 5:21 "submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ." So this is something very important to understand, and we’ll see in the people’s response both what to avoid as well as a path forward for us.
In Matthew 7:28-29 we see the people respond to Jesus’ words. "When Jesus was finished with all these words, the people were astonished at His teaching, for He was teaching them as one having authority and not as their scribes". They were awestruck with amazement, wonder, astonishment. Lenski says they were 'dumbfounded'. Even panicked. The Greek word is Ekplesso comes from 2 words: Ek, from, from out of; and plesso, strike, struck. It literally means to strike out, to expel by a blow, to forcefully drive out or away. What is being pushed away or expelled? Our self-sufficiency, our self-absorption, our self-determination. They were struck with panic, shock, overwhelmed to the point of focusing on what Jesus said and did, and coming to a point of decision – what would they do about it? Jesus said what they would be likened to if they heard and obeyed. The wise, who fear God.
We do not know who believed and who rejected Jesus right then and there. It doesn’t say that anybody believed, though it is entirely possible and most-likely probable.
When am I, or have I been, really amazed? Whenever I watch Kobe dunk or make some amazing shot. When I see or hear something that is out of the ordinary. When I see the breathtaking beauty of God's creation.
When have I been truly amazed at what God has done? When I saw our five children being born; blown away by the wonder of God’s creative power. When I have seen someone come to faith in Christ. When I became a believer, amazed that God would choose to save me, forgive me, give me His undeserved favor. When I have seen others come to faith in Christ. Like our eldest daughter Alexandra, at age 4 telling me to stop the car so I could pray with her as she acknowledged to God her desire to be saved. Our son Michael, when he was 6 years old, the light beginning to go on a little brighter, in McLean, Va as were all sitting on a bed together in a friend’s home and his then 9 year-old older sister was explaining to him the gospel once again.
Amazement, astonishment, being shaken from my complacency or self-centeredness to focus on the greatness and goodness of God. I want to live in the realm, in the context of, being continually amazed at who God is and what He does.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Are You Rock Solid?
Matt. 7:24-27 is timely, what with the torrential rains we experienced in the past week in SoCal. We’ve had rain like we’ve haven’t seen in years, flooding, wind, even a tornado! We can definitely relate. But Jesus wasn’t talking about literal rain, wind and floods, He was speaking of people’s lives and what they choose to build their lives on. When tough times come, and judgment day arrives, the quality of their life will be seen for what it is.
Jesus gives a parable about 2 builders: the 1st is wise (builds his house on the rock) and the 2nd is foolish (builds his house on the sand). Jesus says “like a wise man who built his house upon a rock is everyone who hears these words of Mine and does them”. Rain falls, floods come, winds blow and beat on the house but it does not fall – it is strong because of where it is built and upon what it is built.
Jesus also says “like a foolish man who built his house upon the sand is everyone who hears and does not do them”. Rain falls, floods come, winds blow and beat on the house and it does fall – it is weak because of where it is built and upon what it is built. Palestine is known for torrential storms, rains that can turn dry river beds into flood channels. It is the storms that reveal the true quality of each house. Each house looks secure in good weather. Only storms reveal the quality or lack thereof of the work of the 2 builders.
Jesus says that people should listen to what He has to say. Jesus wants us to not only hear & listen, but then to do & act on what He says. According to Jesus there are 2 foundations: one that the wise builds on: Rock; and one that the foolish builds on: Sand. Jesus, as God, knew and knows everything about life, since He created it; here He demonstrated familiarity with building techniques; maybe a reflection of His training in His father’s trade as a carpenter.
In those days, the sand on the shores of the Sea of Galilee would often get hard on the surface in the hot summer months. Unwise builders, maybe those who knew no better or that just didn’t care would build there. But no good builder would do that. Wise builders would not be fooled by surface conditions; sometimes digging as far as 10 feet down to get good footing for their home. They would go down to bedrock to anchor their foundation.
When winter rains would come, overflowing the banks of the Jordan River which flowed into the Sea of Galilee, houses built on surface sand would have an unstable foundation. But the houses built on bedrock would withstand the floods. Gordon Franz, in his book Archeology in the Biblical World, tells of excavations in that region in the early 1970s that uncovered basalt stone bedrock that was apparently used for the foundations of buildings back then.
What is the rock and what is the sand? According to these verses, the rock is Jesus’ words and the sand is anything other than Jesus’ Words. The rock is Christ’s Words heard & obeyed; exclusive allegiance to Jesus. The sand is Christ’s words heard and not obeyed; following self delusion, or the world, or Satan.
That does not mean that the only part of the Bible we are to listen to is Jesus’ actual words; Jesus is the living Word and He is in agreement with everything in the written Word. In fact, He fulfills everything in it, as He said in Matt. 5:17 “do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them”. This is not merely a matter of giving our hearts to Jesus, it is a matter of building according to what Jesus says.
Everyone is building a house, a life, a career, a family. Everyone builds on some foundation. Everyone believes something is true, strong & stable. Jesus’ words are the most stable foundation in the universe. Jesus’ words about the 2 houses applies to everything in life, present & future. And the greatest storm is the judgment day.
It is not difficult to make the connection that Jesus is trying to get us to see, the wise man builds to last; what he builds can withstand anything. The foolish builds what is weak; can’t withstand tough times & ultimately judgment.
Jesus wants us to be like the wise builder. Wisdom is all about hearing, understanding, & doing. Prov. 24:3-4 “by wisdom a house is built, by understanding it is established, by knowledge its rooms are filled with all pleasant riches”. You need to know what to do, how to do it, and then actually do it. The sermon ends with what has been clear all along, the call for radical submission to the exclusive lordship of Jesus, who fulfills all righteousness.
There are 2 simple questions: that these last words of the Sermon on the Mount lead us to:
1. Are you hearing Christ’s Words?
2. Are you doing Christ’s Words?
Basically, are you rock solid because you are building on the Rock? We are to abide in Christ’s words, stake our lives upon them, dwell in them, let them dwell in us, base our every decision upon them. We must be rooted in Christ and His Word for our sakes & that of present & future generations. Jesus wants us to hear and do what He says.
Jesus gives a parable about 2 builders: the 1st is wise (builds his house on the rock) and the 2nd is foolish (builds his house on the sand). Jesus says “like a wise man who built his house upon a rock is everyone who hears these words of Mine and does them”. Rain falls, floods come, winds blow and beat on the house but it does not fall – it is strong because of where it is built and upon what it is built.
Jesus also says “like a foolish man who built his house upon the sand is everyone who hears and does not do them”. Rain falls, floods come, winds blow and beat on the house and it does fall – it is weak because of where it is built and upon what it is built. Palestine is known for torrential storms, rains that can turn dry river beds into flood channels. It is the storms that reveal the true quality of each house. Each house looks secure in good weather. Only storms reveal the quality or lack thereof of the work of the 2 builders.
Jesus says that people should listen to what He has to say. Jesus wants us to not only hear & listen, but then to do & act on what He says. According to Jesus there are 2 foundations: one that the wise builds on: Rock; and one that the foolish builds on: Sand. Jesus, as God, knew and knows everything about life, since He created it; here He demonstrated familiarity with building techniques; maybe a reflection of His training in His father’s trade as a carpenter.
In those days, the sand on the shores of the Sea of Galilee would often get hard on the surface in the hot summer months. Unwise builders, maybe those who knew no better or that just didn’t care would build there. But no good builder would do that. Wise builders would not be fooled by surface conditions; sometimes digging as far as 10 feet down to get good footing for their home. They would go down to bedrock to anchor their foundation.
When winter rains would come, overflowing the banks of the Jordan River which flowed into the Sea of Galilee, houses built on surface sand would have an unstable foundation. But the houses built on bedrock would withstand the floods. Gordon Franz, in his book Archeology in the Biblical World, tells of excavations in that region in the early 1970s that uncovered basalt stone bedrock that was apparently used for the foundations of buildings back then.
What is the rock and what is the sand? According to these verses, the rock is Jesus’ words and the sand is anything other than Jesus’ Words. The rock is Christ’s Words heard & obeyed; exclusive allegiance to Jesus. The sand is Christ’s words heard and not obeyed; following self delusion, or the world, or Satan.
That does not mean that the only part of the Bible we are to listen to is Jesus’ actual words; Jesus is the living Word and He is in agreement with everything in the written Word. In fact, He fulfills everything in it, as He said in Matt. 5:17 “do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them”. This is not merely a matter of giving our hearts to Jesus, it is a matter of building according to what Jesus says.
Everyone is building a house, a life, a career, a family. Everyone builds on some foundation. Everyone believes something is true, strong & stable. Jesus’ words are the most stable foundation in the universe. Jesus’ words about the 2 houses applies to everything in life, present & future. And the greatest storm is the judgment day.
It is not difficult to make the connection that Jesus is trying to get us to see, the wise man builds to last; what he builds can withstand anything. The foolish builds what is weak; can’t withstand tough times & ultimately judgment.
Jesus wants us to be like the wise builder. Wisdom is all about hearing, understanding, & doing. Prov. 24:3-4 “by wisdom a house is built, by understanding it is established, by knowledge its rooms are filled with all pleasant riches”. You need to know what to do, how to do it, and then actually do it. The sermon ends with what has been clear all along, the call for radical submission to the exclusive lordship of Jesus, who fulfills all righteousness.
There are 2 simple questions: that these last words of the Sermon on the Mount lead us to:
1. Are you hearing Christ’s Words?
2. Are you doing Christ’s Words?
Basically, are you rock solid because you are building on the Rock? We are to abide in Christ’s words, stake our lives upon them, dwell in them, let them dwell in us, base our every decision upon them. We must be rooted in Christ and His Word for our sakes & that of present & future generations. Jesus wants us to hear and do what He says.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
On Polarizing, Harmonizing and Leaving Things Better than we Found Them
Ever smell a really bad smell and wonder where it came from and who was responsible? Isn't it always better to bask in the fragrant aroma of a beautiful smell - be it garlic cooking, a rose or fresh bread baking?
I sometimes wonder why some people have so much time on their hands that they can find whatever is wrong with whatever they don't like. It's like they have this embedded sensor that is able to pick up the error in whatever they don't gravitate towards. My answer to them and me when I am in that mode? Fall in love with Jesus so deeply that everything else, like the things you are fixated on, gets appropriately unfocused and hazy in the background and Jesus takes His rightful center stage.
If you are mad at me right now I might just be talking about you. Actually I have no one in particular in mind right now, just the heaviness of heart that comes when you run across multiple situations where people seem more intent on polarizing than bringing people together, more interested in contention that reconciliation. It can happen to anyone and sometimes it is just a warped perspective that self-corrects as God gives fresh insight.
It seems to me that a balanced view of life, a life based on a Biblical worldview and a gospel-centered way of living that has Jesus Christ as it's goal and aim would, should, could somehow bear the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness and the like. When you get sour grapes you have to wonder what ingredients were mixed in to produce such a caustic mix.
When I take the low road of complaining and faultfinding it often just infects others with the same and leaves the stench of negativity. When I take the high road of praise and fair and balanced assessment it brings people together and leaves the place looking and smelling better than I found it.
There is a place for appropriate discernment, for weighing ideas and worldviews and other points of view. There is a place for growth and progress and change. God brings all these about in the lives of those who have been saved by grace through faith in Christ.
I am most encouraged by people who seem to find the best in whatever they encounter. They don't feel the need to correct everything, they can rest content with the knowledge that God is the Judge and He will someday right all wrongs. They are grace-filled and able to co-exist with those they do not always agree with. They can rest in the knowledge that God knows everything and He is sovereign over all. That kind of person rarely polarizes, primarily harmonizes and seems to leave places better than they found them.
They seem to be living out the truth of James 5:7-9.
That's the kind of person I want to be.
I sometimes wonder why some people have so much time on their hands that they can find whatever is wrong with whatever they don't like. It's like they have this embedded sensor that is able to pick up the error in whatever they don't gravitate towards. My answer to them and me when I am in that mode? Fall in love with Jesus so deeply that everything else, like the things you are fixated on, gets appropriately unfocused and hazy in the background and Jesus takes His rightful center stage.
If you are mad at me right now I might just be talking about you. Actually I have no one in particular in mind right now, just the heaviness of heart that comes when you run across multiple situations where people seem more intent on polarizing than bringing people together, more interested in contention that reconciliation. It can happen to anyone and sometimes it is just a warped perspective that self-corrects as God gives fresh insight.
It seems to me that a balanced view of life, a life based on a Biblical worldview and a gospel-centered way of living that has Jesus Christ as it's goal and aim would, should, could somehow bear the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness and the like. When you get sour grapes you have to wonder what ingredients were mixed in to produce such a caustic mix.
When I take the low road of complaining and faultfinding it often just infects others with the same and leaves the stench of negativity. When I take the high road of praise and fair and balanced assessment it brings people together and leaves the place looking and smelling better than I found it.
There is a place for appropriate discernment, for weighing ideas and worldviews and other points of view. There is a place for growth and progress and change. God brings all these about in the lives of those who have been saved by grace through faith in Christ.
I am most encouraged by people who seem to find the best in whatever they encounter. They don't feel the need to correct everything, they can rest content with the knowledge that God is the Judge and He will someday right all wrongs. They are grace-filled and able to co-exist with those they do not always agree with. They can rest in the knowledge that God knows everything and He is sovereign over all. That kind of person rarely polarizes, primarily harmonizes and seems to leave places better than they found them.
They seem to be living out the truth of James 5:7-9.
That's the kind of person I want to be.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Hearing and Doing the Words of Jesus
The last words of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount are found in Matthew 7:24-27.
There are 2 simple questions that these final words lead us to:
1. Are you hearing Christ’s Words? Have you heard Christ’s words? Are you listening?
2. Are you doing Christ’s Words? What have you done and what are you doing with them?
The will of the Father (Matthew 7:21) comes into clear focus now: defined by Jesus words, it is what Jesus calls these words of Mine. We are to abide in Christ’s words, stake our lives upon them, dwell in them, let them dwell in us, base our every decision upon them.
One issue for many today is that they do not know Jesus’ words and they do not know the teachings of the church to which we belong. What happens then is worse, they guess or assume about the content of Jesus’ teachings and the teachings of their church! You need to know God’s Word and what your church believes and teaches regarding it. You have a Bible. Check out your church's statement of faith.
This knowledge and practice or lack thereof affects present and future generations. Parents have the privilege and responsibility of teaching their children the Bible. A high calling from God, one that God takes seriously. But we cannot pass on what we ourselves do not have; we cannot teach what we ourselves do not believe and sincerely desire and try to live.
I believe there is a tie-in to what Jesus said in John 14. In My Father’s house (oikos) there are many rooms/dwelling places (mone, from meno, abide). John 14:2 mone – means 'dwelling places', 'rooms' – John 14:23 says If anyone loves Me, he will keep My Word, and My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home/abode (mone) with him. In John 15:4 the greek word is once again meno – abide - we are to abide in Christ. He wants us to abide, remain, dwell, in His teaching. God has and is building a house His household. The household of faith, the house of God – Christ’s Church, which consists of all who dwell in Him (and His Word) because He dwells in them.
God wants us to hear and do what He says. The Sermon on the Mount is full of grace. Yes, God is holy and requires His people to be holy. What He requires He provides the strength to be and do. Like in Christ, He has graciously provided atonement for sin, payment for our sin in the person of Jesus Christ who came as our substitute, dying our death on the cross as He shed His blood. May He give us grace to both hear and obey.
There are 2 simple questions that these final words lead us to:
1. Are you hearing Christ’s Words? Have you heard Christ’s words? Are you listening?
2. Are you doing Christ’s Words? What have you done and what are you doing with them?
The will of the Father (Matthew 7:21) comes into clear focus now: defined by Jesus words, it is what Jesus calls these words of Mine. We are to abide in Christ’s words, stake our lives upon them, dwell in them, let them dwell in us, base our every decision upon them.
One issue for many today is that they do not know Jesus’ words and they do not know the teachings of the church to which we belong. What happens then is worse, they guess or assume about the content of Jesus’ teachings and the teachings of their church! You need to know God’s Word and what your church believes and teaches regarding it. You have a Bible. Check out your church's statement of faith.
This knowledge and practice or lack thereof affects present and future generations. Parents have the privilege and responsibility of teaching their children the Bible. A high calling from God, one that God takes seriously. But we cannot pass on what we ourselves do not have; we cannot teach what we ourselves do not believe and sincerely desire and try to live.
I believe there is a tie-in to what Jesus said in John 14. In My Father’s house (oikos) there are many rooms/dwelling places (mone, from meno, abide). John 14:2 mone – means 'dwelling places', 'rooms' – John 14:23 says If anyone loves Me, he will keep My Word, and My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home/abode (mone) with him. In John 15:4 the greek word is once again meno – abide - we are to abide in Christ. He wants us to abide, remain, dwell, in His teaching. God has and is building a house His household. The household of faith, the house of God – Christ’s Church, which consists of all who dwell in Him (and His Word) because He dwells in them.
God wants us to hear and do what He says. The Sermon on the Mount is full of grace. Yes, God is holy and requires His people to be holy. What He requires He provides the strength to be and do. Like in Christ, He has graciously provided atonement for sin, payment for our sin in the person of Jesus Christ who came as our substitute, dying our death on the cross as He shed His blood. May He give us grace to both hear and obey.
Friday, January 22, 2010
We are Not Alone
If you are a Christian you are never alone. But Christians often 'feel' all alone.
Jesus is with You. "Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Col. 1:27). The Holy Spirit also indwells you (Rom. 8:9-11). God is with you. You are full of God and therefore secure, protected, and sustained in Christ. You are not alone. It may feel at times like you are, as winds, storms and floods come at you; but it is merely an illusion of aloneness because the truth is you are indwelt. God possesses your soul and no foe can barge in and take over (John 10:27-29). You can know this for sure (1 John 5:11-13), so tell yourself the truth about that.
There is another sense in which Christians sometimes feel alone, and on this front, sometimes they have a point, sort of. It is kind of like the Elijah syndrome, where you tell God no one else believes, no one else is faithful but you, no one else cares like you do, no one wants God like you. Of course, like God reminded Elijah in 1 Kings 19, he was wrong, God had 7,000 who had not bowed their knee to a false god, but Elijah wasn't aware of them for some reason.
Christians need other Christians but sometimes Christians repel or reject other Christians. They do it knowingly and unknowingly but do it nonetheless. How sad that family members would do that to one another, but it has happened since the Church was born. Remember Paul trying to associate with fellow believers after his conversion to Christ? No one believed he was for real (Acts 9:26-27).
We are never alone in Christ. We have God, and we have our brothers and sisters in Christ who also believe, and are there for our up building. It is a mutual pursuit, that of finding 'kindred spirits' with which to navigate the treacherous waters of this world. Everyone should have a band of brothers and sisters who they call 'friend'. When you find someone like that you consider them a gift from God. When you are that to someone else you are cherished.
May all who name the Name of Jesus have a deep awareness of their position in Christ; of being indwelt and may they know the sweet fellowship of God and His continual presence. May they also know the beautiful comfort of having many fellow travellers with which they have a common bond in Christ, mutually supporting one another to the glory of God.
Jesus is with You. "Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Col. 1:27). The Holy Spirit also indwells you (Rom. 8:9-11). God is with you. You are full of God and therefore secure, protected, and sustained in Christ. You are not alone. It may feel at times like you are, as winds, storms and floods come at you; but it is merely an illusion of aloneness because the truth is you are indwelt. God possesses your soul and no foe can barge in and take over (John 10:27-29). You can know this for sure (1 John 5:11-13), so tell yourself the truth about that.
There is another sense in which Christians sometimes feel alone, and on this front, sometimes they have a point, sort of. It is kind of like the Elijah syndrome, where you tell God no one else believes, no one else is faithful but you, no one else cares like you do, no one wants God like you. Of course, like God reminded Elijah in 1 Kings 19, he was wrong, God had 7,000 who had not bowed their knee to a false god, but Elijah wasn't aware of them for some reason.
Christians need other Christians but sometimes Christians repel or reject other Christians. They do it knowingly and unknowingly but do it nonetheless. How sad that family members would do that to one another, but it has happened since the Church was born. Remember Paul trying to associate with fellow believers after his conversion to Christ? No one believed he was for real (Acts 9:26-27).
We are never alone in Christ. We have God, and we have our brothers and sisters in Christ who also believe, and are there for our up building. It is a mutual pursuit, that of finding 'kindred spirits' with which to navigate the treacherous waters of this world. Everyone should have a band of brothers and sisters who they call 'friend'. When you find someone like that you consider them a gift from God. When you are that to someone else you are cherished.
May all who name the Name of Jesus have a deep awareness of their position in Christ; of being indwelt and may they know the sweet fellowship of God and His continual presence. May they also know the beautiful comfort of having many fellow travellers with which they have a common bond in Christ, mutually supporting one another to the glory of God.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Living the Jesus Life in a Wasteland
Imagine a world where God’s Word isn’t known. Where God is not acknowledged, where everyone does what is right in their own eyes. A godless place; a wasteland, where people kill for things that once were taken for granted, where people are merely trying to survive. Can you imagine a world where no one knows God’s Word, where no one but the oldest and wisest have ever heard of the Bible? There are forces in this desolate place that want the Bible not to know God, but to control people.
Now imagine being injected into a world like that, and being the only one in your sphere of influence at times who loves God's Word. Imagine being a God-centered, Jesus-loving, gospel-preaching person who is passionate about worshipping and serving God Almighty in such a setting. Imagine the light you would be in such a dark place. Imagine the opposition that would come against you but also the amazing strength you would have from God. You would know Him as your lifeline, your sufficiency, your adequacy, your peace. Imagine how things would get so tough at times you’d feel like giving up, but you wouldn’t because God was with you every step of the way. And He was working in you, willing His good, acceptable and perfect plan for your good and His ultimate glory.
You really don’t have to imagine it. You live in that world.
Jesus Christ is Lord of all and life is tough and you, if you are a born-again believer in Jesus, have every weapon of God at your disposal. He is at work in you to will and do His good pleasure (Phil. 2:13). He has called you, chosen you from before the foundation of the world to live in such a time as this.
Take heart, He has overcome the world.
Now imagine being injected into a world like that, and being the only one in your sphere of influence at times who loves God's Word. Imagine being a God-centered, Jesus-loving, gospel-preaching person who is passionate about worshipping and serving God Almighty in such a setting. Imagine the light you would be in such a dark place. Imagine the opposition that would come against you but also the amazing strength you would have from God. You would know Him as your lifeline, your sufficiency, your adequacy, your peace. Imagine how things would get so tough at times you’d feel like giving up, but you wouldn’t because God was with you every step of the way. And He was working in you, willing His good, acceptable and perfect plan for your good and His ultimate glory.
You really don’t have to imagine it. You live in that world.
Jesus Christ is Lord of all and life is tough and you, if you are a born-again believer in Jesus, have every weapon of God at your disposal. He is at work in you to will and do His good pleasure (Phil. 2:13). He has called you, chosen you from before the foundation of the world to live in such a time as this.
Take heart, He has overcome the world.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Is Your Name in the Book?
One of the greatest assurances is knowing that if you are saved by Jesus your name is in the Book of Life of the Lamb who was slain (Rev 13:8).
There are some key Scriptures that point to this truth. Rev. 17:8 refers to "those whose names have not been written in the book of life from before the foundation of the world". Rev. 20:12, 15 says "if anyone’s name was not found written in the Book of Life, he was thrown into the lake of fire". Rev. 21:22-27 is a picture of heaven. When Jesus sent out the 72, in Luke 10:20 they returned rejoicing because even demons were subject to them in Jesus’ name, and Jesus said to not rejoice in the fact that spirits are subject to you, rejoice that your names are written in heaven. In Phil. 4:3 Paul refers to his "fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life".
Basically, God has a book, and it was written before the world was, and it contains all the names of those who He will save. Only God knows whose names are in there. That is up to God. How you and I live doesn’t make it true, it reveals the reality.
There are some key Scriptures that point to this truth. Rev. 17:8 refers to "those whose names have not been written in the book of life from before the foundation of the world". Rev. 20:12, 15 says "if anyone’s name was not found written in the Book of Life, he was thrown into the lake of fire". Rev. 21:22-27 is a picture of heaven. When Jesus sent out the 72, in Luke 10:20 they returned rejoicing because even demons were subject to them in Jesus’ name, and Jesus said to not rejoice in the fact that spirits are subject to you, rejoice that your names are written in heaven. In Phil. 4:3 Paul refers to his "fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life".
Basically, God has a book, and it was written before the world was, and it contains all the names of those who He will save. Only God knows whose names are in there. That is up to God. How you and I live doesn’t make it true, it reveals the reality.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Two Kinds of People: Are You Genuine?
In Matt. 7:21-23 Jesus shows the difference between the real and fake, the genuine and counterfeit. He reveals 3 important truths.
1st, Not everyone who claims to know Christ is going to heaven. Matt. 7:21 says people say things to Jesus; good things. "Lord" is a good orthodox confession of Christ. A confession of Christ’s deity, that He is God; an expression of worship. But not everyone who says they are a Christian is. Some are false followers. They call Him Lord; true, Biblical, appropriate, orthodox…but if they do not know Him it is false profession. Only those who do the will of the Father [1st use of My Father in Matt.] will enter. Jesus is the sole, authoritative revealer of the Father’s will and the determining factor is whether a person obeys God’s will. So it important to know what the will of the Father is with regard to Jesus as it relates to us. What is the 'will of God' here?
Believe in Jesus. John 5:36-40; 6:28-19 God wants us to believe in the One He has sent. You cannot ‘do’ God’s will unless you know Jesus.
Obey Jesus. John 14:15 Jesus said, if you love Me, you will do what I say.
Bear fruit. John 15:8 by this is My Father glorified, if you bear much fruit and so prove to be My disciples.
The people Jesus is referring to give a verbal confession, but no moral commitment; their lips moved, their heart didn’t. They called Jesus Lord but never submitted to His Lordship or obeyed the Father’s will. Luke said it like this 6:46 why do you call Me Lord, but do not do what I say?
2nd, Many will try to justify themselves to God. 7:22 They will give it their best shot; their closing argument at the judgment: Lord did we not (inferring God had overlooked their qualifications?). People claim to do things in Jesus’ Name – big things, prophecy, healing & miracles – but if they do them without the right motivation it is false. They make the fruit the root. It becomes a matter of God’s work vs. Man’s work. Titus 3:5-6; Eph. 2:8-10. Christ’s finished work is effective. Heb. 4:10 Rest from our works and rest in His. Justification is God’s work. Our works are the fruit, not the basis of justification. False Christians may do some amazing things in Jesus’ name but it is meaningless because they are deceived and they deceive others. They do it to attract attention to themselves, not God. Miraculous works are not proof of the will of God. They can come from entities other than God, including demons and people Acts 19:13-16; 2 Thess. 2:9-12; Rev. 13:13-14.
3rd, Nevertheless, God’s verdict stands. God will pronounce a verdict regarding their eternal destiny, and no matter what they say, no matter how much they protest, no matter how many things they can claim to have done that they think qualify them to enter. In the final analysis, it is what God has to say that is the last word. He alone says who does or doesn’t enter the kingdom. Jesus has strong, exclusionary words for those who do wrong. 7:23 But I will say to them [bear witness in a legal sense; an official proclamation where the relationship between a person and Jesus is stated in a binding way]. I never knew you, is a phrase used by Jewish rabbis when banishing someone. 1 day Jesus will exercise the right that only He as God has, that of ultimately sending people to hell. It is something only God can do. John 5:22 the Father has given all judgment to the Son. Some people look like they belong to Jesus, but they never truly were born again, saved, regenerated.
There are 2 responses that this passage of Scripture requires of us:
1st it has to do with our own lives. Be sure about where you stand with God. 2 Cor. 13:5 says: Examine yourself to see if you are in the faith. The spiritual exam that needs to take place is between you and God. In the final moments of your life on earth no other question will matter but do you know Jesus? How do you know if you are really a Christian?
Do you have Jesus? John 17:1-3; 1 John 5:11-12. Do you believe the gospel? The Bible says that prior to coming to faith in Christ we are spiritually dead. God makes us alive in Christ. By nature we do not seek after God; our hearts are not inclined to seek, love or worship God. We are at odds with Him until we realize that we are desperately in need of His grace; that we like all, have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. We need to recognize our need and His solution: the all-sufficient sacrifice of Christ on the cross, in our place, as our substitute, to pay the penalty our sins deserved. When we turn from our sin to God in humility, by the free gift of faith God gives, we receive the free gift of eternal life in Jesus Christ, Whom we acknowledge as Lord. Then we experience peace with God though our Lord Jesus Christ. We have a new identity in Christ.
Is the Holy Spirit at work in your life? 1 Cor. 12:3; Rom. 8:9-17. Is there any observable, recognizable fruit? What do you desire most? Is there a hunger for God, and God’s Word, and to be with God’s people, and to share the life-changing message of the Gospel? Is there a spiritual pulse?
What about security & assurance? 7:21 false followers have false assurance. They are self-deluded. But many true followers lack assurance of salvation. They are worried that they might lose their salvation or they wonder if they truly are saved. So many believers struggle with this. They are not aware of the security they have in Christ. They live insecure when they are in reality very secure. It is like living at Ft. Knox and being afraid someone might break in; like having the best home security system in the world AND 500 marines protecting your house and cowering in fear inside. If that is you He wants you to be sure. John 10:27-29. God wants you to be confident in His eternal, amazing, life-transforming truth; live in light of it – freedom to serve Him. [It’s not the ones who are concerned that are usually in any danger. It’s not the ones with the tender conscience that should be worried]. True believers are secure in Christ. God wants you to be sure of that fact. In this day of identity theft it is comforting to know that you are spiritually safe and secure in Jesus. When your identity is in Christ you are safe.
2nd it has to do with our response to other people. What should our response to unbelievers be? We need to Look with Eyes of Hope on All. Love those Jesus loves, realize that we once were lost and have been found. Our response to the lost should be: Jesus loves you, so repent (turn from your sin) and believe (turn to Jesus, find your hope in Jesus). Share, show, live the Gospel. God knows the hearts of all 1 Sam. 16:7. Sometimes I write people off. I think they have no interest in spiritual things or they do not care about Jesus. So I assign them a place, I put them in the hopeless category. Only God knows those He has chosen and called and marked out for eternal life in heaven with Him. The only thing I know is what I see and hear and think. What God wants of me is trust and obedience. He will grow the produce.
We think ‘they are a lost cause’ but should think ‘if they are still breathing there is hope’. He knows who will be saved; we are called to faithfully & unashamedly live & speak the Gospel truth. Jesus change lives. He changed mine. Has He changed yours?
1st, Not everyone who claims to know Christ is going to heaven. Matt. 7:21 says people say things to Jesus; good things. "Lord" is a good orthodox confession of Christ. A confession of Christ’s deity, that He is God; an expression of worship. But not everyone who says they are a Christian is. Some are false followers. They call Him Lord; true, Biblical, appropriate, orthodox…but if they do not know Him it is false profession. Only those who do the will of the Father [1st use of My Father in Matt.] will enter. Jesus is the sole, authoritative revealer of the Father’s will and the determining factor is whether a person obeys God’s will. So it important to know what the will of the Father is with regard to Jesus as it relates to us. What is the 'will of God' here?
Believe in Jesus. John 5:36-40; 6:28-19 God wants us to believe in the One He has sent. You cannot ‘do’ God’s will unless you know Jesus.
Obey Jesus. John 14:15 Jesus said, if you love Me, you will do what I say.
Bear fruit. John 15:8 by this is My Father glorified, if you bear much fruit and so prove to be My disciples.
The people Jesus is referring to give a verbal confession, but no moral commitment; their lips moved, their heart didn’t. They called Jesus Lord but never submitted to His Lordship or obeyed the Father’s will. Luke said it like this 6:46 why do you call Me Lord, but do not do what I say?
2nd, Many will try to justify themselves to God. 7:22 They will give it their best shot; their closing argument at the judgment: Lord did we not (inferring God had overlooked their qualifications?). People claim to do things in Jesus’ Name – big things, prophecy, healing & miracles – but if they do them without the right motivation it is false. They make the fruit the root. It becomes a matter of God’s work vs. Man’s work. Titus 3:5-6; Eph. 2:8-10. Christ’s finished work is effective. Heb. 4:10 Rest from our works and rest in His. Justification is God’s work. Our works are the fruit, not the basis of justification. False Christians may do some amazing things in Jesus’ name but it is meaningless because they are deceived and they deceive others. They do it to attract attention to themselves, not God. Miraculous works are not proof of the will of God. They can come from entities other than God, including demons and people Acts 19:13-16; 2 Thess. 2:9-12; Rev. 13:13-14.
3rd, Nevertheless, God’s verdict stands. God will pronounce a verdict regarding their eternal destiny, and no matter what they say, no matter how much they protest, no matter how many things they can claim to have done that they think qualify them to enter. In the final analysis, it is what God has to say that is the last word. He alone says who does or doesn’t enter the kingdom. Jesus has strong, exclusionary words for those who do wrong. 7:23 But I will say to them [bear witness in a legal sense; an official proclamation where the relationship between a person and Jesus is stated in a binding way]. I never knew you, is a phrase used by Jewish rabbis when banishing someone. 1 day Jesus will exercise the right that only He as God has, that of ultimately sending people to hell. It is something only God can do. John 5:22 the Father has given all judgment to the Son. Some people look like they belong to Jesus, but they never truly were born again, saved, regenerated.
There are 2 responses that this passage of Scripture requires of us:
1st it has to do with our own lives. Be sure about where you stand with God. 2 Cor. 13:5 says: Examine yourself to see if you are in the faith. The spiritual exam that needs to take place is between you and God. In the final moments of your life on earth no other question will matter but do you know Jesus? How do you know if you are really a Christian?
Do you have Jesus? John 17:1-3; 1 John 5:11-12. Do you believe the gospel? The Bible says that prior to coming to faith in Christ we are spiritually dead. God makes us alive in Christ. By nature we do not seek after God; our hearts are not inclined to seek, love or worship God. We are at odds with Him until we realize that we are desperately in need of His grace; that we like all, have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. We need to recognize our need and His solution: the all-sufficient sacrifice of Christ on the cross, in our place, as our substitute, to pay the penalty our sins deserved. When we turn from our sin to God in humility, by the free gift of faith God gives, we receive the free gift of eternal life in Jesus Christ, Whom we acknowledge as Lord. Then we experience peace with God though our Lord Jesus Christ. We have a new identity in Christ.
Is the Holy Spirit at work in your life? 1 Cor. 12:3; Rom. 8:9-17. Is there any observable, recognizable fruit? What do you desire most? Is there a hunger for God, and God’s Word, and to be with God’s people, and to share the life-changing message of the Gospel? Is there a spiritual pulse?
What about security & assurance? 7:21 false followers have false assurance. They are self-deluded. But many true followers lack assurance of salvation. They are worried that they might lose their salvation or they wonder if they truly are saved. So many believers struggle with this. They are not aware of the security they have in Christ. They live insecure when they are in reality very secure. It is like living at Ft. Knox and being afraid someone might break in; like having the best home security system in the world AND 500 marines protecting your house and cowering in fear inside. If that is you He wants you to be sure. John 10:27-29. God wants you to be confident in His eternal, amazing, life-transforming truth; live in light of it – freedom to serve Him. [It’s not the ones who are concerned that are usually in any danger. It’s not the ones with the tender conscience that should be worried]. True believers are secure in Christ. God wants you to be sure of that fact. In this day of identity theft it is comforting to know that you are spiritually safe and secure in Jesus. When your identity is in Christ you are safe.
2nd it has to do with our response to other people. What should our response to unbelievers be? We need to Look with Eyes of Hope on All. Love those Jesus loves, realize that we once were lost and have been found. Our response to the lost should be: Jesus loves you, so repent (turn from your sin) and believe (turn to Jesus, find your hope in Jesus). Share, show, live the Gospel. God knows the hearts of all 1 Sam. 16:7. Sometimes I write people off. I think they have no interest in spiritual things or they do not care about Jesus. So I assign them a place, I put them in the hopeless category. Only God knows those He has chosen and called and marked out for eternal life in heaven with Him. The only thing I know is what I see and hear and think. What God wants of me is trust and obedience. He will grow the produce.
We think ‘they are a lost cause’ but should think ‘if they are still breathing there is hope’. He knows who will be saved; we are called to faithfully & unashamedly live & speak the Gospel truth. Jesus change lives. He changed mine. Has He changed yours?
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Blessed Assurance, We are Christ's Possession Forever
So many believers in Christ struggle with whether or not they are truly saved. They think they can lose their salvation, that they might do something to disqualify themselves and be thrown out of God's family.
The Bible teaches the eternal security of every true believer in Jesus Christ. Those who have been saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone apart from anything they could do on their own are eternally secure. The security comes from God who chose them before the foundation of the world and predestined them to adoption as sons, and is in the process of sanctifying them and will someday glorify them (Eph. 1:5-14, notice there is a "guarantee", Rom. 8:28-30, notice "called", "Justified", "Glorified" are in the past tense - it is as good as done and God is in process of fulfilling His promise).
Take heart, you who love Jesus but waver and doubt. Jesus says in John 10:27-29 that no one (including you) can snatch you out of His and the Father's hand (He and the Father are One, in perfect unity, He says).
Sing it, say it, live it, believe it, for in Scripture it is clear: Blessed Assurance, We are Christ's possession forever
The Bible teaches the eternal security of every true believer in Jesus Christ. Those who have been saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone apart from anything they could do on their own are eternally secure. The security comes from God who chose them before the foundation of the world and predestined them to adoption as sons, and is in the process of sanctifying them and will someday glorify them (Eph. 1:5-14, notice there is a "guarantee", Rom. 8:28-30, notice "called", "Justified", "Glorified" are in the past tense - it is as good as done and God is in process of fulfilling His promise).
Take heart, you who love Jesus but waver and doubt. Jesus says in John 10:27-29 that no one (including you) can snatch you out of His and the Father's hand (He and the Father are One, in perfect unity, He says).
Sing it, say it, live it, believe it, for in Scripture it is clear: Blessed Assurance, We are Christ's possession forever
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Why Godly Leadership in the Church and Home is so Crucial
Studies are showing that 1 reason many students leave the faith is because they weren’t taught the Bible at home or church. Their parents were taught to drop them off at church. They heard moral lessons about the Bible, had their felt needs addressed rather than hearing the living and abiding Word of God which does its work in those who believe and meets our deepest needs.
What is needed is home and church ministry that faithfully and systematically teaches the whole counsel of God. Families need to enageg in daily family worship times (having a daily time at home reading God’s Word, praying, praising God together); which is so foreign to many but so necessary to building godly generations. All ages need to worship together instead of sending kids out – because kids need to see their parents respond to God and be under His Word. The Holy Spirit can use any setting to reach any age; God knows best how to reach people at their developmental level; He is the best age-appropriate Teacher .
Christ-centered things done together with parents bears much more fruit long-term than do those same activities done with someone else. It is not just what we do that matters – God’s Word, prayer, fellowship, outreach – but how we do what we do – integrating ages vs. segregating them. There is ample room for both – but the primary input needs to come from the home, on a daily basis, and be supported and strengthened by teaching from other godly adults in other settings such as children’s, youth and adult gatherings.
But we are not to exclude the age-integrated context that is so prominent in Scripture. Children need to hear the Word of God spoken in their parent’s voice on a daily basios - God designed it that way (Deut. 6:4-9), for a deep connection about what is important to be made. God wants us engaged in Christ-centered pursuits and there is a God-ordered design for His purposes.
Leadership in the home and church matters. Leaders (pastors, elders, parents), your role is crucial. There is no room for abdication of our roles, but rather active engagement on a daily basis; doing our God-given responsibilities in God’s strength.
What is needed is home and church ministry that faithfully and systematically teaches the whole counsel of God. Families need to enageg in daily family worship times (having a daily time at home reading God’s Word, praying, praising God together); which is so foreign to many but so necessary to building godly generations. All ages need to worship together instead of sending kids out – because kids need to see their parents respond to God and be under His Word. The Holy Spirit can use any setting to reach any age; God knows best how to reach people at their developmental level; He is the best age-appropriate Teacher .
Christ-centered things done together with parents bears much more fruit long-term than do those same activities done with someone else. It is not just what we do that matters – God’s Word, prayer, fellowship, outreach – but how we do what we do – integrating ages vs. segregating them. There is ample room for both – but the primary input needs to come from the home, on a daily basis, and be supported and strengthened by teaching from other godly adults in other settings such as children’s, youth and adult gatherings.
But we are not to exclude the age-integrated context that is so prominent in Scripture. Children need to hear the Word of God spoken in their parent’s voice on a daily basios - God designed it that way (Deut. 6:4-9), for a deep connection about what is important to be made. God wants us engaged in Christ-centered pursuits and there is a God-ordered design for His purposes.
Leadership in the home and church matters. Leaders (pastors, elders, parents), your role is crucial. There is no room for abdication of our roles, but rather active engagement on a daily basis; doing our God-given responsibilities in God’s strength.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Some Groups have Another Jesus, not the Jesus of the Bible
I realized recently I need to moderate comments on my blog. I realized that I needed to when a group who doesn't believe in the Jesus Christ of the Bible - He who is God the Son, the 2nd member of the trinity, the only Savior - posted a comment. They tried to direct me and others to a website full of lies. Let me be very clear: any testimony of Jesus Christ that does not accept the full revelation of God's Word and God's Word alone, that adds any other testimony, is false and they are giving false testimony. They are from Satan not God. They are deceived and they are trying to deceive.
The Jesus of the Bible is God, He is the only mediator between God and man, He is Lord, He is sinless (impeccable, not able to sin), He lived a perfect life, He died a substitutionary death on the cross, He was buried, He was raised the third day, He ascended to the Father and is coming back one day. There is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, apart from anything we can do on our own.
Any group that puts another writing above or even alongside the 66 books of the Bible is false. Any group that says there is another testimony of Jesus Christ is false.
We must listen to God's holy Word. Galatians 1:6-9 says it very clearly:
"I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel - not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even is we, or an angel from heaven shuld preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyoneis preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed."
The Jesus of the Bible is God, He is the only mediator between God and man, He is Lord, He is sinless (impeccable, not able to sin), He lived a perfect life, He died a substitutionary death on the cross, He was buried, He was raised the third day, He ascended to the Father and is coming back one day. There is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, apart from anything we can do on our own.
Any group that puts another writing above or even alongside the 66 books of the Bible is false. Any group that says there is another testimony of Jesus Christ is false.
We must listen to God's holy Word. Galatians 1:6-9 says it very clearly:
"I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel - not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even is we, or an angel from heaven shuld preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyoneis preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed."
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Looking with Eyes of Hope on All
Sometimes I write people off. I think "they have no interest in spiritual things" or "they do not care about Jesus at all". While that may be true, what I do next is not fair or right. I assign them a "place" that may not be the place God has or intends for them. I put them in the "hopeless" category.
Only God knows those He has chosen and called and marked out for eternal life in heaven with Him. The only thing i know is what I see and hear and think. What God wants of me is trust and obedience. He will grow the produce.
The words of Matthew 28:18-20 are the marching orders for Christ's church, given by Christ Himself.
Christ's call to go and make disciples holds many crucial implications for our living and our leading. Among them is this thought:
I should not won't write anybody off as "hopeless". God knows the hearts of all men (1 Sam. 16:7). We should think "if they are still breathing there is hope". He knows who will be saved; we are just called to faithfully live and unashamedly proclaim the Gospel truth (Romans 1:16).
Jesus can and does change lives. He changed mine.
Only God knows those He has chosen and called and marked out for eternal life in heaven with Him. The only thing i know is what I see and hear and think. What God wants of me is trust and obedience. He will grow the produce.
The words of Matthew 28:18-20 are the marching orders for Christ's church, given by Christ Himself.
Christ's call to go and make disciples holds many crucial implications for our living and our leading. Among them is this thought:
I should not won't write anybody off as "hopeless". God knows the hearts of all men (1 Sam. 16:7). We should think "if they are still breathing there is hope". He knows who will be saved; we are just called to faithfully live and unashamedly proclaim the Gospel truth (Romans 1:16).
Jesus can and does change lives. He changed mine.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
A Vision to Simply be Christians Following Jesus
We make things so complicated sometimes don;t we? God makes it so simple. We make big plans; God does great things. We muddy the waters with our schemes; God transforms by His Spirit through His Word.
I want to be a Biblical Christian. Someone who lives and serves and leads by God's grace; worshipping, learning and serving Jesus with His people. I do this, because I see it in God's Word, by beginning in my own home and then branching out to whatever realms He leads - pastoring Grace Church, getting involved in the community, going wherever He leads.
I love it when life amongst the Body of Christ is simple: we gather to worship, we gather to learn, we go out to the world to gather more followers of Christ. I believe that is the Biblical ideal that God is wanting to work in and through us for His glory.
I want to be a Biblical Christian. Someone who lives and serves and leads by God's grace; worshipping, learning and serving Jesus with His people. I do this, because I see it in God's Word, by beginning in my own home and then branching out to whatever realms He leads - pastoring Grace Church, getting involved in the community, going wherever He leads.
I love it when life amongst the Body of Christ is simple: we gather to worship, we gather to learn, we go out to the world to gather more followers of Christ. I believe that is the Biblical ideal that God is wanting to work in and through us for His glory.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Two Kinds of Fruit: Can You Identify?
In Matt. 7:15-20 Jesus is speaking of how we need to watch out for and be able to identify false prophets, those who claim to speak God’s truth but really hold to falsehood; and actually want to harm God’s people rather than help them. After giving the invite to enter by the narrow gate, to come to God by the only way He has provided, Jesus now says that just because someone may claim to belong to God and speak for Him doesn’t mean they really do.
We will look at the assumptions Jesus was working off of, the warnings and tests He gives as well as some lessons for us today.
Assumptions. There are two things Jesus believed that in this context are very significant:
1st, There is an objective standard of truth that exists.
2nd, False teachers that deviate from objective truth exist.
There is knowable, objective, real truth about God that we need to know vs. what is untrue and false about God. Much in the Bible is simple enough for a child to understand; much is far more complex and deserves diligent study and examination. 2 Tim. 2:15 says “study to show yourself approved to God, a workman that does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth”. It is hard work to dig deep and understand difficult concepts. Expose yourself to God’s Word, be immersed in it; let your heart and mind and soul be saturated with Scripture and God will give you understanding. But truth seems to be up for grabs in our culture. In World magazine's year-in-review issue, the top 3 religion news items of 2009 were 3 formerly Biblically faithful protestant groups that caved this year, going the way of other apostate groups who have given up on the fundamental beliefs of the faith in favor of the low road of moral compromise all wrapped up in intellectual jargon and appeals to be "open-minded". Truth took a back seat to falsehood.
Warnings. What should we watch out for? Matt. 7:15 begins "Beware", which always warns of danger. We need to watch out for deceptive and destructive influences. A wolf in sheep’s clothing is someone who looks like a Christian; someone who tries to fake discipleship by outward deeds. But inwardly they are ravenous wolves. They are out to destroy. Jesus had a name for them. "Blind guides of the blind". Those who lead people down the road that leads to destruction are destructive. Jesus said before the end of time 2 things would happen: the worldwide spread of the gospel and the rise of false teachers who would lead many astray (Matt. 24:11-14). 1 John 4:1 says "test the spirits, see whether they are from God…many false prophets have gone out into the world". It’s hard to tell the true from the false because the false dress up like the true. How can we know which is which?
Tests (how we can identify the false). In Matt. 7:16-20 Jesus said we will recognize them by their fruits. There is encouragement in the Jesus’ explanation; comfort knowing He’s in control, that we don’t have to be left at the mercy of false teachers. They will be found out, exposed. We will know exactly what they are by the the outcome of their life and teaching, their character and conduct. We first see the conduct which reveals the character. They profess to know God but by their deeds they deny Him. You will know them by what they do.
It is helpful to ask "what is the Fruit of the good tree? (so we know what we are aiming for). It is all the good things God produces in the lives of true believers. Specifically, there is obedience, wanting to please God. There is the Fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23); love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, (active) goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control which marks the true. Also, submission to leadership; being under the authority of another. There are to be no unilateral leaders, no unaccountable teachers. Also, interdependence is necessary (not going independent, mutual submission our of reverence for Christ).
What lessons are in here for us today? What really matters?
1st, Truth (& our response to it) matters. (John 17:17; 2 Tim. 3:16-17) It is refreshing to see people who are genuinely 'under' the Word of God. In an atmosphere of mistrust they believe. They have received the gift of faith and they exercise it as God gives them strength. They grab hold of truth and don’t let go because they know it is their lifeline. Our response to God’s infallible, inerrant Word is significant: We need the Holy Spirit. Unaided human reason cannot “get” God’s Word; at the same time, thinking and deciding are essential to grasp God’s truth. Jesus said, My sheep hear My voice. We recognize what we are accustomed to. We do not recognize what is foreign to us. God’s Word must be so familiar to you that you recognize falsehood and twisted interpretations of Scripture when they arise, even in the Church. Are you reading and studying it consistently, alone, with your spouse, household, and others? Your life will be either changed by the Word of God, or conformed to the world. Choose to find daily spiritual nourishment in God’s Word. Once a week won’t cut it.
2nd, Leadership matters. There are 3 primary leadership roles that are often eliminated, forgotten or ignored by Christ’s followers. Christ has appointed Pastors and Teachers (Eph. 4:11-14). Equip believers to serve God. The Holy Spirit raises up Elders (Titus 1:5, 9-11; 1 Peter 5:1-4). Shepherd, feed, protect, guide. Our elders at Grace are committed to shepherding the flock, willing to spend and be spent for the sake of your souls. That is their calling and they take it seriously. God also has designed it for Christian parents (Eph. 6:1-4) to be the primary teachers and disciplers of their children. It is the way God meant for the faith to be passed on and nurtured. We have circumvented that process with our institutionalization and segregation of church life; but Biblically speaking Christian nurture is meant to be so much more organic and integrated. (see Ps. 78:1-8; 2 Tim. 3:13-17, 1:5; Deut. 6:6-9)
3rd, Identity matters. Who are you and who are you following? Are they a true believer? Are you? We are known by what we do and what we say. Sometimes, our good intentions collide with our unwise choices. Sometimes we build ourselves a bad reputation, or the good Name of Jesus is spoken against due to our sin. Your greatest fear should be of not being faithful in time of trial or misrepresenting Christ. Most important, is not what you are known for, but who you know; not your reputation, but whether you have come to know, worship and follow the One who has the Name above all names. Do you know Jesus? Are you one of His chosen ones, one of His called out ones, one who has been saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ? Jesus says you will know the false (& true) by their fruits.
May God will it & work it that we live to the praise of His glorious grace; that we would be identified as His followers & be able to identify those who would do harm to Christ’s church.
We will look at the assumptions Jesus was working off of, the warnings and tests He gives as well as some lessons for us today.
Assumptions. There are two things Jesus believed that in this context are very significant:
1st, There is an objective standard of truth that exists.
2nd, False teachers that deviate from objective truth exist.
There is knowable, objective, real truth about God that we need to know vs. what is untrue and false about God. Much in the Bible is simple enough for a child to understand; much is far more complex and deserves diligent study and examination. 2 Tim. 2:15 says “study to show yourself approved to God, a workman that does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth”. It is hard work to dig deep and understand difficult concepts. Expose yourself to God’s Word, be immersed in it; let your heart and mind and soul be saturated with Scripture and God will give you understanding. But truth seems to be up for grabs in our culture. In World magazine's year-in-review issue, the top 3 religion news items of 2009 were 3 formerly Biblically faithful protestant groups that caved this year, going the way of other apostate groups who have given up on the fundamental beliefs of the faith in favor of the low road of moral compromise all wrapped up in intellectual jargon and appeals to be "open-minded". Truth took a back seat to falsehood.
Warnings. What should we watch out for? Matt. 7:15 begins "Beware", which always warns of danger. We need to watch out for deceptive and destructive influences. A wolf in sheep’s clothing is someone who looks like a Christian; someone who tries to fake discipleship by outward deeds. But inwardly they are ravenous wolves. They are out to destroy. Jesus had a name for them. "Blind guides of the blind". Those who lead people down the road that leads to destruction are destructive. Jesus said before the end of time 2 things would happen: the worldwide spread of the gospel and the rise of false teachers who would lead many astray (Matt. 24:11-14). 1 John 4:1 says "test the spirits, see whether they are from God…many false prophets have gone out into the world". It’s hard to tell the true from the false because the false dress up like the true. How can we know which is which?
Tests (how we can identify the false). In Matt. 7:16-20 Jesus said we will recognize them by their fruits. There is encouragement in the Jesus’ explanation; comfort knowing He’s in control, that we don’t have to be left at the mercy of false teachers. They will be found out, exposed. We will know exactly what they are by the the outcome of their life and teaching, their character and conduct. We first see the conduct which reveals the character. They profess to know God but by their deeds they deny Him. You will know them by what they do.
It is helpful to ask "what is the Fruit of the good tree? (so we know what we are aiming for). It is all the good things God produces in the lives of true believers. Specifically, there is obedience, wanting to please God. There is the Fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23); love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, (active) goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control which marks the true. Also, submission to leadership; being under the authority of another. There are to be no unilateral leaders, no unaccountable teachers. Also, interdependence is necessary (not going independent, mutual submission our of reverence for Christ).
What lessons are in here for us today? What really matters?
1st, Truth (& our response to it) matters. (John 17:17; 2 Tim. 3:16-17) It is refreshing to see people who are genuinely 'under' the Word of God. In an atmosphere of mistrust they believe. They have received the gift of faith and they exercise it as God gives them strength. They grab hold of truth and don’t let go because they know it is their lifeline. Our response to God’s infallible, inerrant Word is significant: We need the Holy Spirit. Unaided human reason cannot “get” God’s Word; at the same time, thinking and deciding are essential to grasp God’s truth. Jesus said, My sheep hear My voice. We recognize what we are accustomed to. We do not recognize what is foreign to us. God’s Word must be so familiar to you that you recognize falsehood and twisted interpretations of Scripture when they arise, even in the Church. Are you reading and studying it consistently, alone, with your spouse, household, and others? Your life will be either changed by the Word of God, or conformed to the world. Choose to find daily spiritual nourishment in God’s Word. Once a week won’t cut it.
2nd, Leadership matters. There are 3 primary leadership roles that are often eliminated, forgotten or ignored by Christ’s followers. Christ has appointed Pastors and Teachers (Eph. 4:11-14). Equip believers to serve God. The Holy Spirit raises up Elders (Titus 1:5, 9-11; 1 Peter 5:1-4). Shepherd, feed, protect, guide. Our elders at Grace are committed to shepherding the flock, willing to spend and be spent for the sake of your souls. That is their calling and they take it seriously. God also has designed it for Christian parents (Eph. 6:1-4) to be the primary teachers and disciplers of their children. It is the way God meant for the faith to be passed on and nurtured. We have circumvented that process with our institutionalization and segregation of church life; but Biblically speaking Christian nurture is meant to be so much more organic and integrated. (see Ps. 78:1-8; 2 Tim. 3:13-17, 1:5; Deut. 6:6-9)
3rd, Identity matters. Who are you and who are you following? Are they a true believer? Are you? We are known by what we do and what we say. Sometimes, our good intentions collide with our unwise choices. Sometimes we build ourselves a bad reputation, or the good Name of Jesus is spoken against due to our sin. Your greatest fear should be of not being faithful in time of trial or misrepresenting Christ. Most important, is not what you are known for, but who you know; not your reputation, but whether you have come to know, worship and follow the One who has the Name above all names. Do you know Jesus? Are you one of His chosen ones, one of His called out ones, one who has been saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ? Jesus says you will know the false (& true) by their fruits.
May God will it & work it that we live to the praise of His glorious grace; that we would be identified as His followers & be able to identify those who would do harm to Christ’s church.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Truth Up For Grabs
Truth is up for grabs in our culture. In some quarters there is no room for truth; in others there is some room as long as it doesn't get its elbows on the table and take over too much space. If it is convenient it stays. In World magazine's year-in-review issue, the top three religion news items of 2009 were three formerly Biblically faithful mainline denominations that caved this year, going the way of other apostate groups who have given up on the fundamental beliefs of the faith in favor of the low road of moral compromise couched in intellectual jargon and pressured appeals to be "open-minded". Truth takes a back seat to arrogance.
They already caved on the authority of Scripture, so the most recent caving in on moral standards is not surprising; it was inevitable. In a culture where 'tolerance' is worshipped but Biblical truth is not tolerated, no wonder that so many professed believers now shun the age-old moorings for the wide gate of compromise. They who play fast and loose with the things Christians have died for for centuries have no respect for those who have gone before us or the One who knew us before the foundation fo the world.
Jesus had words for this. "Blind guides of the blind" comes to mind. Those who lead people down the road that leads to destruction are destructive. They bow to gods of their own design. They puff themselves up by the vain imaginings. There seems ot be no room for truth in such a truth-stifling atmosphere. But Jesus said, "Thy Word is truth" (John 17:17). God's objective standard of truth stands no matter what winds may blow and what man might say. "The grass withers and the flower falls, but the Word of our God stands forever" (Isaiah 40:8). Let God be found true and every man a liar. Truth stands but some cannot stand it.
That is why it is so refreshing to see people who genuinely are 'under' the Word of God. They do not tower over it, they bow before it and its Author. They are not swayed by public opinion. They stand on the firm foundation laid before the world was. They trust God's Word, they are not suspicious of it. In an atmosphere of mistrust they rise above it all and believe. They have received the gift of faith and they exercise it as God gives them strength. They grab hold of truth and won't let go, because the love that won't let them go is holding on to them with a fierce tenderness that nothing can or will prevail against.
They already caved on the authority of Scripture, so the most recent caving in on moral standards is not surprising; it was inevitable. In a culture where 'tolerance' is worshipped but Biblical truth is not tolerated, no wonder that so many professed believers now shun the age-old moorings for the wide gate of compromise. They who play fast and loose with the things Christians have died for for centuries have no respect for those who have gone before us or the One who knew us before the foundation fo the world.
Jesus had words for this. "Blind guides of the blind" comes to mind. Those who lead people down the road that leads to destruction are destructive. They bow to gods of their own design. They puff themselves up by the vain imaginings. There seems ot be no room for truth in such a truth-stifling atmosphere. But Jesus said, "Thy Word is truth" (John 17:17). God's objective standard of truth stands no matter what winds may blow and what man might say. "The grass withers and the flower falls, but the Word of our God stands forever" (Isaiah 40:8). Let God be found true and every man a liar. Truth stands but some cannot stand it.
That is why it is so refreshing to see people who genuinely are 'under' the Word of God. They do not tower over it, they bow before it and its Author. They are not swayed by public opinion. They stand on the firm foundation laid before the world was. They trust God's Word, they are not suspicious of it. In an atmosphere of mistrust they rise above it all and believe. They have received the gift of faith and they exercise it as God gives them strength. They grab hold of truth and won't let go, because the love that won't let them go is holding on to them with a fierce tenderness that nothing can or will prevail against.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
We Grieve, Yet with Hope
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 are words of comfort, encouragement and assurance.
Whoever is "in Christ" (Rescued from the power and penalty of sin and saved by God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ) has great comfort knowing that while they grieve and mourn, experiencing human emotions, they do not do so as do those who do not believe, and therefore have no hope in Christ. We believe Jesus died and rose again, so we believe that all who are saved by God's grace through faith in Christ will also live forever with God in heaven.
Whoever is "in Christ" (Rescued from the power and penalty of sin and saved by God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ) has great comfort knowing that while they grieve and mourn, experiencing human emotions, they do not do so as do those who do not believe, and therefore have no hope in Christ. We believe Jesus died and rose again, so we believe that all who are saved by God's grace through faith in Christ will also live forever with God in heaven.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Reputation
Everyone has a reputation. We are known for something. We are known by what we do and what we say. "A Good name", Ecclesiastes 7:1 says, "is better than precious ointment". In Bible times ointment, perfume, was a symbol of wealth. A calming, soothing, beautifying thing. Spiritually, relationally, our "name" (aka our "reputation") is much more significant. Having a good name, not a good-sounding name, not being named Joe instead of Herman, or Betty instead of Matilda, but our name being well-spoken of because of godly actions is far better than any earthly treasure. As Prov. 22:1 says "A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches".
Whether you realize it our not, you have a reputation. Proverbs 20:11 says "Even a child is known by his actions, whether his conduct is good and right". That means that everyone, including children, is known by their actions. It is an obvious point that must not be overlooked. So simple. So profound. So determining. Our reputation should not be built for our glory or else we will fall (Proverbs 16:18 "Pride goes before destruction"). Our desire should be for a good reputation so that God would be glorified and that His Name would be praised. If you have a bad "name", a negative "reputation", you will have a hard time living it down. We all know that sometimes people get a bad reputation for no good reason. That's unfair and sad. But most of the time it is our doing that earns us what we are known for. Sometimes the good Name of Jesus Christ is spoken against due to our sin.
It matters how we live. As Jesus said in Matthew 7:16, "you will know them by their fruits". The qualifications of leaders in the church have much to do with people's dealing with people, how they conduct themselves (1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9). May we be mindful of this fact, and walk by the Spirit (controlled by God's Spirit, living by the Spirit of God - see Galatians 5:16-26) so that we will not carry out the desires of the flesh. Reputations are fragile. Just ask Tiger Woods or Kobe how fast a good reputation can be sullied and shattered. That's why our decisions are so important. But herein lies the rub: our good intentions often collide with our unwise choices. What can we do?
Take heart, beloved, Jesus has overcome the world.
Take heart, you who, like me, feel the weight of your sinfulness and shortcomings. God is greater than our hearts and knows all things. He knows how you desire to do what is right, good and true. He knows how you want to live differently than your reputation sometimes allows; how you want to rise above the negative things you are sometimes known for. Praise God the blood of Christ cleanses. We who daily feel the burden of our sin will be set free; not just someday, but God wants to do that today in our lives, leading us in victory, triumph in Christ.
Take heart that God has "blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will, to the praise of His glorious grace, with which He has blessed us in the Beloved (Ephesians 1:3-6). May we be known as people of God; the goodness of our lives not stemming from us, but from God in us. May God work it and will it that we would live our lives to the praise of His glorious grace.
Whether you realize it our not, you have a reputation. Proverbs 20:11 says "Even a child is known by his actions, whether his conduct is good and right". That means that everyone, including children, is known by their actions. It is an obvious point that must not be overlooked. So simple. So profound. So determining. Our reputation should not be built for our glory or else we will fall (Proverbs 16:18 "Pride goes before destruction"). Our desire should be for a good reputation so that God would be glorified and that His Name would be praised. If you have a bad "name", a negative "reputation", you will have a hard time living it down. We all know that sometimes people get a bad reputation for no good reason. That's unfair and sad. But most of the time it is our doing that earns us what we are known for. Sometimes the good Name of Jesus Christ is spoken against due to our sin.
It matters how we live. As Jesus said in Matthew 7:16, "you will know them by their fruits". The qualifications of leaders in the church have much to do with people's dealing with people, how they conduct themselves (1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9). May we be mindful of this fact, and walk by the Spirit (controlled by God's Spirit, living by the Spirit of God - see Galatians 5:16-26) so that we will not carry out the desires of the flesh. Reputations are fragile. Just ask Tiger Woods or Kobe how fast a good reputation can be sullied and shattered. That's why our decisions are so important. But herein lies the rub: our good intentions often collide with our unwise choices. What can we do?
Take heart, beloved, Jesus has overcome the world.
Take heart, you who, like me, feel the weight of your sinfulness and shortcomings. God is greater than our hearts and knows all things. He knows how you desire to do what is right, good and true. He knows how you want to live differently than your reputation sometimes allows; how you want to rise above the negative things you are sometimes known for. Praise God the blood of Christ cleanses. We who daily feel the burden of our sin will be set free; not just someday, but God wants to do that today in our lives, leading us in victory, triumph in Christ.
Take heart that God has "blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will, to the praise of His glorious grace, with which He has blessed us in the Beloved (Ephesians 1:3-6). May we be known as people of God; the goodness of our lives not stemming from us, but from God in us. May God work it and will it that we would live our lives to the praise of His glorious grace.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Lord, You Know (aka 24/7)
Lord, You know
I know enough to be dangerous
but I don;t know You near well enough
I presume to know more than I do
Your presence unmistakably confident
blessing all who draw near
Jesus, I say, You're my everything
I say, You're always present
I say, You are all sufficient
my complete advocacy
But Lord, You know how I waver
How I fear
How I flake
Lord, You know
What You are doing
the grand scheme
after so many victories
piled over the other
we get complacent
start thinking we did something
Not knowing the absolute sufficiency
of Who You are and what You do
24/7
Lord, You are magnificent
Sovereign over all
I know enough to be dangerous
but I don;t know You near well enough
I presume to know more than I do
Your presence unmistakably confident
blessing all who draw near
Jesus, I say, You're my everything
I say, You're always present
I say, You are all sufficient
my complete advocacy
But Lord, You know how I waver
How I fear
How I flake
Lord, You know
What You are doing
the grand scheme
after so many victories
piled over the other
we get complacent
start thinking we did something
Not knowing the absolute sufficiency
of Who You are and what You do
24/7
Lord, You are magnificent
Sovereign over all
Sunday, January 3, 2010
One of God's Godly Ones
"Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His godly ones"
A little over an hour ago my friend Dan Barragan went to Jesus after a three plus year battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his wife, kids, grand kids and friends. He went peacefully. His battle is over. He is with Jesus.
Dan was one of God's godly ones. He lived a good life. He loved Jesus; was deeply aware of the grace and mercy of God in Christ and deeply thankful for God's good hand on his life. He loved his wife well; his kids and grand kids honored and adored him. He was a rock to his family. A pillar of strength. A man with a big heart. A model for (comparatively) younger men like me.
Dan was 79 years old. He experienced many things in his life. He carried himself with dignity. He was a man of his word. An honorable man. He will be missed. Heaven is richer.
God is so good. In mercy He saves us; showering us with so many blessings; among which are people like Dan who leave the world a better place than they found it. His godliness was not of his own doing. It was all of Christ. Jesus instigated it, enabled it, gave the strength to be what he was; and Dan cooperated.
He chose what is good and right and true. Often. He left a legacy of Christlike character for future generations. Until Christ comes, we will look to examples like Dan's to pattern our actions upon, to the glory of God.
A little over an hour ago my friend Dan Barragan went to Jesus after a three plus year battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his wife, kids, grand kids and friends. He went peacefully. His battle is over. He is with Jesus.
Dan was one of God's godly ones. He lived a good life. He loved Jesus; was deeply aware of the grace and mercy of God in Christ and deeply thankful for God's good hand on his life. He loved his wife well; his kids and grand kids honored and adored him. He was a rock to his family. A pillar of strength. A man with a big heart. A model for (comparatively) younger men like me.
Dan was 79 years old. He experienced many things in his life. He carried himself with dignity. He was a man of his word. An honorable man. He will be missed. Heaven is richer.
God is so good. In mercy He saves us; showering us with so many blessings; among which are people like Dan who leave the world a better place than they found it. His godliness was not of his own doing. It was all of Christ. Jesus instigated it, enabled it, gave the strength to be what he was; and Dan cooperated.
He chose what is good and right and true. Often. He left a legacy of Christlike character for future generations. Until Christ comes, we will look to examples like Dan's to pattern our actions upon, to the glory of God.
Mercy
Mercy holds back the judgment my sin deserved. Mercy calls me blessed because in mercy God saved my soul in Christ and caused me to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. I am in debt to God's mercy; but it is free so I go free. I stand because of it. I live by it. In His merciful lovingkindness God saw fit to grant me His most precious and eternal promises and due to it I am the richest of the rich though I may possess nothing of real value here on earth. The riches of Christ are mine because I am in Christ. Christ living in me is my hope of glory. My hope of seeing Jesus face to face rests on the predetermined plan of God and His amazing grace which He showered upon me; giving me the gift of faith, in mercy holding back the punishment my sin warranted; giving me unwarranted good standing by His good pleasure in the sight of God. All praise goes to Jesus Christ, from Whom all blessings flow.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Gospel Musings
I want to live full of the gospel. I want to live a thoroughly gospel-centered existence. I am not ashamed of the Gospel for it is the power of God unto salvation (Rom. 1:16). I am not ashamed but overjoyed that by God's good pleasure He saved me. The gospel of the grace of God in Christ has invaded my life and God has caused me to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. I am so grateful God saw fit to draw me to Himself and save me, apart from anything I could do, or earn, or merit. It is all undeserved grace. By grace I stand. The gospel permeating my soul and the outflow must be God-honoring, God-instigated, me-cooperating.
Friday, January 1, 2010
New
A new year, a new day. Full of opportunity. It is unspoiled, untainted by sin yet. It holds promise of redemption, of intervention by the Sovereign God with Whom we have to do. He is awesome and He is Lord. May Jesus Christ have free reign in my life every day that God gives me breath.
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