The Perfect Church

Does the sinlessly perfect church exist? If not, are there some ingredients which make even a very imperfect church the perfect church to be in? Let’s look at Paul’s God-inspired recommendations in Colossians 3:12-17.

Colossians 3:12 “So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience” The elect or favorites (eklectoi) are chosen because of their faith. Faith saves but we must also grow in goodness as evidence of faith.

Colossians 3:13 “bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.” Verses 13-14 are the key verses in the whole passage. No church will ever be perfect and so forbearing and forgiving must exist.

Colossians 3:14 “Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.” This is the source of forbearing and forgiving, love. We are not unified in our preferences, but love unifies and overcomes all differences. The “perfect” church is not ornate or talent-filled but loving.

Colossians 3:15 “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.” The peace from Christ rules in our hearts, as the kingdom of God rules our lives. Let’s have gratitude for each other, rather than bellyaching ingratitude.

Colossians 3:16 “Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” - three types of church music. The word richly dwells in those who know their Bibles.

Colossians 3:17 “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.” What are the consequences of our words and deeds? Is our intent in all we say and do, to honor and thank God?

Are Jesus’ commands to go three times when someone sins against us normal everyday practice? Imagine being confronted over every picky infraction, constantly walking nervously on eggshells. It would not be a pleasant church. Going to a brother alone is for major offenses. For everyday offenses, Paul tells us to forbear and forgive.

A sinlessly perfect church does not exist and is not the perfect church for spiritual growth. An im-perfect church helps us learn two aspects of the love of God, forbearing and forgiving. It is God’s Plan and therefore the most Perfect Church for spiritual growth, the place to be.

Colossians 3:12-17

New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation

The Ode of Mary

What do mercy, helping the poor and feeding the hungry have to do with celebrating the birth of Jesus? Let’s discuss the Ode of Mary, the Latin Magificat, the Greek Megalynalion in Luke 1:39-55.

Luke includes three canticles or songs, written like Psalms, Mary’s Song, Zechariah’s Song, and Simeon’s Song. In Latin: the Magnificat (“magnifies”, often sung at Vespers or evening prayer), the Benedictus (“blessed”, often sung at Lauds or morning prayer), and the Nunc Dimittis (“now you dismiss”, often sung right after Communion).

Elizabeth

Luke 1:39-41 “Now at this time Mary arose and went in a hurry to the hill country, to a city of Judah, and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.”

Biblical descriptions of evidence of being spirit-filled varies. Elizabeth prophesied in her own language (Luke 1:39-56). Others were given craftsmanship skills (Exodus 31:3; 35:31), or leapt in a mother’s womb (Luke 1:15), uttered a prophecy (Luke 1:67-68), were led into the wilderness (Luke 4:1).

Others spoke in known tongues (Acts 2:4), received wisdom (Acts 6:3-5), saw visions (Acts 7:55), had healing (Acts 9:17-20), did missionary feats (Acts 11:24), experienced insight (Acts 13:9-10) and joy (Acts 13:52). Non-Christian religions experience tongues. It’s not always evidence of being spirit-filled.

Luke 1:42-43 And she cried out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And how has it happened to me, that the mother of my Lord would come to me?”

Mary’s long journey to Elizabeth in the hill country was dangerous for a bride-to-be. Once there, John the Baptist filled with the Holy Spirit before birth leaped in his mother’s womb, and Elizabeth filled with the Holy Spirit prophesied. Elizabeth the older of them, humbly addressing Mary in deferential terms.

Elizabeth’s husband, Zechariah the high priest, doubted Gabriel and was speechless until his son, John the Baptist was born. Mary believed Gabriel about Christ’s birth. She said, let it be according to your word. She believed and was blessed. The message of Christmas includes mercy, humility and feeding the hungry.

Mary

Luke 1:44-48 “For behold, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord. And Mary said: ‘My soul exalts the Lord, And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. For He has had regard for the humble state of His bondslave; For behold, from this time on all generations will count me blessed.’”

Although Luke says nothing about Mary speaking this by the Holy Spirit, almost everything she said was from the Scriptures. It is heartfelt public praise to “the Lord”, a common Greek Septuagint translation of the Hebrew word for God, YHWH. In this context, soul and spirit mean the same thing.

Mary’s outrageous faith dares to believe that the poor will be saved, a message of hope in continuing oppression by the world’s powerful. Riches are empty but humility brings us good things. Our Savior born in a stable to poor people continually reminds us that God turns things upside down.

Luke 1:49-51 “For the Mighty One has done great things for me; And holy is His name. And His mercy is upon generation after generation Toward those who fear Him. He has done mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their heart.”

The immaculate deception presumes Mary was born without sin. The truth is God did great things through an ordinary human being. Only one human being has ever been described in the Bible as sinless (Ecclesiastes 7:20; Romans 3:23; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:22; 1 John 3:5), Jesus.

Luke 1:52-55 “He has brought down rulers from their thrones, And has exalted those who were humble. He has filled the hungry with good things; And sent away the rich empty-handed. He has given help to Israel His servant, In remembrance of His mercy, As He spoke to our fathers, To Abraham and his descendants forever.”

There is a hunger that physical food cannot satisfy, but Jesus can. There is a wealth that Christmas commercialism cannot satisfy, but God can. Let’s go against the culture and teach our children the excitement of giving, not just getting. Let’s not teach our children to become spiritually empty materialists.

Jesus was not born among the wealthy and powerful but in humble circumstances. Mary was not a celebrity, but a modest peasant girl. Mary’s ode praises God for his acts of mercy, lifting up the humble and filling the hungry with good things. This is a real theme of Christmas.

Luke 1:39-55; Luke 1:39-56; Exodus 31:3; 35:31; Luke 1:15; Luke 1:67-68; Luke 4:1; Acts 2:4; Acts 6:3-5; Acts 7:55; Acts 9:17-20; Acts 11:24; Acts 13:9-10; Acts 13:52; Ecclesiastes 7:20; Romans 3:23; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:22; 1 John 3:5

New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation

Change for the Better

Amidst commercial hype, do we forget the meaning of Christmas? What are some of the most important things that a human being can do at Christmas, things we don’t want to neglect? Let’s look at Luke 3:7-18 and see what profound changes John expected with preparation for Christ’s coming.

Luke 3:7 “So he began saying to the crowds who were going out to be baptized by him, ‘You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?’” Was John unconcerned about being liked? Do John and Jesus show that public correction is sometimes warranted?

When a preacher gets cranked up and preaches what we call hellfire and brimstone, why are we offended? Is God trying to tell us something? Is such a preacher’s correction God’s love? Is religious dedication without repentance worthless? Such strong preaching was not Jesus’ everyday mode, but it was occasionally.

Luke 3:8 “Therefore bear fruits in keeping with repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our father,’ for I say to you that from these stones God is able to raise up children to Abraham.” What fruits might evidence repentance (Matthew 5:16)?

Luke 3:9 “Indeed the axe is already laid at the root of the trees; so every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” Like apostolic succession, is physical descent from Abraham irrelevant to the fruit of repentance? Can God use stones?

Luke 3:10-11 And the crowds were questioning him, saying, “Then what shall we do?” And he would answer and say to them, “The man who has two tunics is to share with him who has none; and he who has food is to do likewise.” A fruit, good deeds?

Luke 3:12-13 And some tax collectors also came to be baptized, and they said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Collect no more than what you have been ordered to.” Do nothing, just have faith? Do we prove our repentance by good deeds?

Luke 3:14 “Some soldiers were questioning him, saying, ‘And what about us, what shall we do?’ And he said to them, ‘Do not take money from anyone by force, or accuse anyone falsely, and be content with your wages.’” Is fruit or evidence of repentance doing good deeds, works?

Luke 3:15 “Now while the people were in a state of expectation and all were wondering in their hearts about John, as to whether he was the Christ” Christ means literally, the anointed One, the Messiah, anointed with oil, chosen by God for a special purpose, usually a king.

Luke 3:16 “John answered and said to them all, “As for me, I baptize you with water; but One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to untie the thong of His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”

Luke 3:17 His winnowing fork is in His hand to thoroughly clear His threshing floor, and to gather the wheat into His barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” Winnowing is the process of separating a grain from its hulls or chaff using moving air.

Preaching is like winnowing. Some repent. Some will burn. Do we share our clothing and food? Do we collect more than is honest? Do we take money by force, with false accusations? Are we content with our wages? On judgment day, will we be among the wheat or the chaff?

Luke 3:18 “So with many other exhortations he preached the gospel to the people.” Preaching calls us near to hear. How do we react to the appeals made in our churches? Do we dismiss the urging? Is the most important instruction on the planet, the Bible, boring to us?

Are we lost in commercial glitz, forgetting what’s really important? Does remembering the coming of the Christ lead us to repentance? Do we share? Are we honest? Do we forcefully take? Do we falsely accuse? Are we content? Are we among wheat or chaff? Christmas is about Jesus the Christ.

New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation

Preparation

What does building a highway have to do with preparation for celebrating Christ’s first coming? What does it have to do with preparing for Christ’s Second Coming? Let’s understand the preparation Christ expects. Let’s discuss preparing the way for Christ in Luke 3:1-6.

Caesar

Luke 3:1 “Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip was tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene.” This is the historical setting.

The 15th year of Tiberius Caesar’s reign was around 29 AD. A tetrarch is like a monarch, but one of four joint rulers. Judea was around Jerusalem, Galilee in the north, Iturea and Trachonitis in the northeast, and Abilene north of that around Damascus. These were Roman provinces under Caesar.

Wilderness

Luke 3:2 “in the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John, the son of Zacharias, in the wilderness.” Tiberius was cruel and depraved. Annas and Caiaphas were puppet high priests appointed by Roman authority. Unlike great and corrupt politics, God’s work seems insignificant.

Do not despise the day of small things (Zechariah 4:9-10), because God’s great works often begin small yet are of far greater significance than what’s currently in the news headlines. John’s ministry began in the wilderness, picturing a new Exodus and a new beginning preparing the way for Christ.

Repentance

Luke 3:3 “And he came into all the district around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” John the Baptist traveled the wilderness region both sides of the Jordan with a message containing essentially the same two concepts that Jesus preached, repentance and forgiveness.

John’s baptism was a repentance-baptism, connecting physical Old Testament ritual washings with the spiritual idea of repentance. Repentance presupposes that we lack something and need to change, to turn to God. Human sins cause great harm around the world, but God’s forgiveness provides healing and restores unity in the community.

Human sins bring so much heartache. John prepared the way for true the Savior of the world. Many things crowd out the Christmas message like incompetent politics and incessant commercialism. The message of Christ’s coming is far more important. It was announced with a baptism of repentance in a wilderness.

Luke 3:4 “as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make ready the way of the Lord, Make His paths straight.” Is an announcement in the barren spiritual waste of modern society a hopeless message?

Luke 3:5 “Every ravine will be filled, And every mountain and hill will be brought low; The crooked will become straight, And the rough roads smooth; And all flesh will see the salvation of God.” This message is not a waste. It is preparing the way for Christ’s coming.

John fulfilled Isaiah 40:3-5. Basic principles of highway construction are making things straight, level and smooth. Paved streets dating back before Abraham have been found in Ur. The Roman Empire built roads covering almost 80,000 kilometers (50,000 miles). The world now copies the great German-American freeway system.

To create a modern highway, surveyors calculate the best route, civil engineers design and regional authorities give approval, land is purchased, rock and earth are removed, depressions are filled, and embankments, bridges and tunnels must be constructed. Drainage and water courses are integrated. Prescribed maximum gradients help improve fuel efficiency.

All this preparation takes place before the first level of road bed is put down. Road layers may consist of subgrade, sub base, base, intermediate and surface layers. The thickness of these layers varies widely around the world. John’s use of Isaiah’s road building metaphor pictures preparation to receive Christ.

Luke 3:6 “And all flesh will see the salvation of God.” Preparation for Christ’s coming is in turning to God with a changed heart. Jesus died rejected by the world. He comes to a people prepared to receive him. Straight, level and smooth describes lives prepared to receive Jesus.

God is often involved in small things, far away from the power and wealth that this world seeks, in an insignificant wilderness. The big things of this world are really insignificant. The seemingly small things of God are more important than all the power, wealth and celebrity of the world.

Do Christ’s teachings find a fast freeway into our hearts, or rocky access? We are preparing for an observance of the Incarnation, the Word made flesh. As our season of joy approaches, let us remember that most important preparation is turning stoney hearts into smooth roads to welcome Christ’s coming.

New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation

The Second Coming

How do we react to signs of the end of the age? How would Jesus encourage us to proceed. Let’s examine Jesus’ prophecy in Luke 21:25-36.

Lift

Luke 21:25 “There will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth dismay among nations, in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves” Only figuratively, partially fulfilled in the Destruction of Jerusalem, this will be completely fulfilled at Jesus Christ’s Second Coming.

Luke 21:26 “men fainting from fear and the expectation of the things which are coming upon the world; for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.” Ancient prophecies foretold Christ’s Second Coming. Darkness (Isaiah 13:9-10) under cloud (Ezekiel 32:7-8), blood, fire and smoke (Joel 2:30-31).

Luke 21:27 “Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.” This refers to His Second Coming (Daniel 7:13). He will return as He went (Acts 1:9-11; Matthew 26:64), and every eye will see Him (Revelation 1:7).

Luke 21:28 “But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” Redemption from Jewish persecution in 70 AD was partial fulfillment of the redemption that Christians will experience at Christ’s return. Look up! He is coming soon!

Behold

Luke 21:29-31 “Then He told them a parable: “Behold the fig tree and all the trees; as soon as they put forth leaves, you see it and know for yourselves that summer is now near. So you also, when you see these things happening, recognize that the kingdom of God is near.”

Deciduous trees sprout leaves indicating an upcoming change of seasons. So too will world events will indicate that “these things BEGIN to take place.” These things? What things? Signs in the sky way beyond normal, and people fainting in fear, precede what? Look up! He is coming in the clouds!

Luke 21:32 “Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all things take place.” This generation applies two ways. That generation did not pass until partial fulfilment of this prophecy in Jerusalem. But “all things” can take place within a single generation before Christ returns.

Luke 21:33 “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.” Prophecies confirms that there will be a new heaven and earth (Isaiah 65:17; Isaiah 66:22; 2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:1), and the word of God stands forever (Isaiah 40:8).

Pray

Luke 21:34-35 “Be on guard, so that your hearts will not be weighted down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life, and that day will not come on you suddenly like a trap; for it will come upon all those who dwell on the face of all the earth.”

The Greek for “dissipation” or “surfeiting” is literally a drunk headache, and implies debauchery. Faith in God’s care displaces worry. The snare or trap suddenly springs, picturing the speed of these events unfolding. If our focus is constantly on the things of God, we will be ready for His return.

Luke 21:36 “But keep on the alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.” As faith wins against worry, prayer wins the escape and we stand before Christ.

As these things begin to take place, let’s straighten up and lift up our heads looking to the clouds. The kingdom of God is near. Be on guard! Let’s not be weighed down with excess and worry. Let’s stay alert! Pray for strength to escape, and to stand before our coming king.

Luke 21:25-36; Isaiah 13:9-10; Ezekiel 32:7-8; Joel 2:30-31; Daniel 7:13; Acts 1:9-11; Matthew 26:64; Revelation 1:7; Isaiah 65:17; Isaiah 66:22; 2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:1; Isaiah 40:8

New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation

A Kingdom not from Here

Is God’s kingdom meant to just rule in our hearts or is there more to it? Is Jesus a king? How does Jesus compare to government leaders of this world? What is the truth of Jesus’ reign? Let’s examine Pilate’s questioning of Jesus in John 18:33-37 and what Jesus had to say about His kingdom.

King of the Jews

John 18:33 “Therefore Pilate entered again into the Praetorium, and summoned Jesus and said to Him, ‘Are You the King of the Jews?’” Nathanael (John 1:49) and a large crowd called Him king (John 12:13). The military governor of Judea was worried about political threats to Rome.

Pilate governed the Roman province of Judea from 26-36 AD. The Roman province of Judea existed from 6-135 AD. Its capital was Caesarea on the northwest coast and not Jerusalem. Pontius Pilate was the 5th Roman Prefect of Judea. Archaeology and history record him as being an equestrian (a knight). 

What Have You Done

John 18:34-35 “Jesus answered, ‘Are you saying this on your own initiative, or did others tell you about Me?’ Pilate answered, ‘I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests delivered You to me; what have You done?’” Selfish politics of this world destroys.

Jesus gave his life for others. Pilate caused terror. Jesus brings peace. Pilate led in violence. Jesus led in love. Pilate governed by the fickle will of Caesar. Jesus rules by the unchanging will of God. Are we blinded by worldly politics, or do we see Jesus’ reign of love?

Not from Here

John 18:36 “Jesus answered, ‘My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm [not from here].’”

The politics of this world is not the politics of heaven. Jesus emphatically states that His kingdom is not “of” or “from” this world. Like a lawyer bulldozing a case, Pilate only heard Jesus admitting He was a king. Like worldly partisan politics, Pilate only hears facts that support his position.

Did Jesus mean that He rules in the hearts of men or that He is from above rather than from earth? Jesus’ kingdom is not “from here.” Coming from heaven, Jesus’ kingdom ultimately overrules all human authority. If His kingdom was from here, His servants would have fought for Him.

I am a King

John 18:37 “Therefore Pilate said to Him, “So You are a king?” Jesus answered, ‘You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.’”

Truth is elusive. Did Alexander Bell or Antonio Meucci invent the telephone? Was the first European to discover America Christopher Columbus or Leif Erikson? Did Henry Ford or Karl Benz invent the automobile? Did Pocahontas marry John Smith? Were the Wright Brothers or Gustav Whitehead the first in powered flight?

Do we want the truth, even when the truth is not what we want to hear? Do we recognize what Jesus says as true? Do we believe the Bible, or do we believe what the world around us says? Jesus’ rule is one of truth. He spins no political lies.

Jesus’ government is unlike any earthly governments; it comes from heaven. He is a king that gives what no human government in the entirety of human history has been able to give, salvation from all our problems. We enter His kingdom when we submit to His rule in our lives.

John 18:33-37; John 1:49; John 12:13

New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation

The Thanksgiving List

Are we anxious? Are we worried about tomorrow? Let’s see how writing a long, long, long thanksgiving list can help. Let’s see what God has to say about fretful thoughts in Matthew 6:25-33.

Matthew 6:25 “For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?”

While the love of money traps the rich, worries trap the poor. Being anxious about the future is quite common. Planning for the future makes good sense, considering different contingencies, but God does not want us living in anxiety, being overly anxious. Take “no anxious thought” is the intended meaning.

Matthew 6:26 “Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?” Have you ever wondered how the birds survive? God provides for them and us.

There are about 9,000 species of birds. All lay eggs, perfectly designed for structural strength, loaded with protein, and rich in nutrition. Birds were designed to build a wide diversity of nests that are artistic and complexly engineered. Birds eat rodents, suet, nectar, fruit, insects, berries, nuts, and seeds.

During long, cold winter nights, feathers are excellent insulation, especially down feathers. Feathers are designed to trap heat when fluffed, keep birds warm and repel water. While some birds migrate to warmer areas, many species will crowd together among evergreens, in a cavity, or in a birdhouse and stay warm.

Matthew 6:27 “And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?” This means adding a cubit to our stature or single step to the length of our lifespan. Longevity is big business. But worrying about something that is in God’s hands is futile.

Matthew 6:28-29 “And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these.” God provides clothes we need.

We would call these wildflowers or native species today. Wildflowers are particularly relevant to Jesus’ point, because usually no human was involved in intentionally planting them. They are not cultivated or hybrids but naturally occuring and are more beautiful than the most expensive clothing. Don’t worry about inconsequential, pointless fashion.

Matthew 6:30 “But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith!” Wildflowers growing among the grass were burned with it in ovens using straw for fuel.

Matthew 6:31 “Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’” The poor worry that they may not have these things at all. The rich worry about having the best of these things. Take no anxious thought.

Matthew 6:32 “For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.” Clearly the nations eagerly seek food and clothing. Food among the nations is a $2.4 trillion industry. Fashion among the nations is a $1.2 trillion industry.

Matthew 6:33 “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” We seek the kingdom in prayer, knowing God will provide for our earthly needs. We are a becoming mature Christians when the things of earth grow strangely dim.

A cure for anxiety and worry is giving thanks for God’s love and care for us. Try to regularly give thanks for a long, long, long list of blessings. We seek first His kingdom, not this world. We give thanks for what we have and learn to be satisfied. We ignore a culture that deceives us into being dissatisfied so we will buy, buy, buy. We pray for our daily bread, not tomorrow’s bread, because faith says, Today’s bread is enough! God grant us the faith to live in blessed assurance that He will supply all our needs!



New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation

Two Kinds of Religion

In the midst of church scandals, can we look beyond human sins and see God at work? We religious leaders are the object of Jesus’ greatest criticisms; will we listen? Let’s discuss the two ways of being, the takers and givers in the context of Mark 12:38-44.

Outward Show

Mark 12:38-39 In His teaching He was saying: “Beware of the scribes who like to walk around in long robes, and like respectful greetings in the market places, and chief seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets” Are distinctive clothing, public greetings and special seating wrong?

Why did Jesus warn about the scribes? They continually preached against Him. The same caution would apply today to anyone who considers Jesus’ teachings to be irrelevant or out of date, or who wears distinctive clothing with wrong motives, so people will give them special public greetings and privileged seating.

Is there anything wrong with wearing distinctive religious clothing and being greeted in public? Of course not. God instructed high priests to wear special clothing, the Urim and Thummim (Exodus 28:20). The problem Jesus addressed was the scribes’ motives, wanting praise from men rather than encouraging praise for God.

Scribes wore distinctive white, got in line before the elderly and their own parents, loved titles and people rising as they walked by. Yet, their job was to give glory to God, and they failed miserably. Should we dress plainly and avoid titles? No, it’s a matter of our motives.

Greater Condemnation

Mark 12:40 “who devour widows’ houses, and for appearance’s sake offer long prayers; these will receive greater condemnation.” God describes Himself as a defender or judge for the widows (Psalm 68:5). Taking advantage of the helpless, the poor and needy is going to receive greater condemnation from Him.

Because of their writing skills, Scribes were also engaged in writing property deeds, where corruption was always a temptation. Financial corruption is not unique to the Scribes. Christian history contains financial scandals and confiscation of property. Preachers must preach Christ’s message and not be bribed into proclaiming what is popular.

A Poor Widow

Mark 12:41-42 “And He sat down opposite the treasury, and began observing how the people were putting money into the treasury; and many rich people were putting in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins [a widow’s mites], which amount to a cent.”

Despite the sins of religious leaders, despite being among the people who they robbed, she still gave generously in the offering plate. It takes faith to see God amidst sinful men who lead the Church. It is not men that we worship, but the Head of the Church, Jesus Christ.

All She Owned

Mark 12:43-44 Calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury; for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on.”

Contrast the widow’s mites with the expensive perfume used to anoint Jesus. They picture the same thing, generous, self-sacrificing love. A day will come when those who misuse the Church for selfish gain, and ignore or suppress the Bible’s message, will be exposed and selfless widows will receive great rewards.

2 Kinds of Religion

Throughout the Bible we see two kinds of religion: taking and giving. Among those who give everything for others are this widow and our veterans. The selfish steal from the poor, while others give generously in self-sacrifice. God honors all who live selflessly. Which way are we seeking to live?
Mark 12:38-44; Exodus 28:20; Psalm 68:5

New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation

The Inheritance of the Saints

What is the inheritance of the saints, those made holy by God? What is awaiting us in eternity because of our faith in Jesus? Let’s look at several passages that reveal our wonderful future.

Psalms 2:7-8 “...the decree of the Lord: He said to Me, ‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You. ‘Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance, And the very ends of the earth as Your possession.” Are we begotten as God’s children?

Psalm 16:5-6 “The Lord is the portion of my inheritance and my cup… Indeed, my heritage is beautiful to me.” Someone is spiritually mature when the rent from a thousand apartments, or the cattle on a thousand hills is less important to them than the privilege of knowing God.

Proverbs 13:22 “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, And the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous.” God will ultimately give property acquired or used immorally to the righteous. Look around at wealthy liars and scam artists and see your future inheritance.

Matthew 5:5 “Blessed are the gentle [meek], for they shall inherit the earth.” This is both a life’s principle and millennial promise. The humble are more likely to succeed than the arrogant. And when Christ returns, He will only give authority over the earth to those who will rule humbly.

John 14:1-3 “In My Father’s house are many dwelling places... for I go to prepare a place for you… I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.” Many “resting places” implies more to come - new heaven and new earth?

Romans 8:14-17 “... The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him”. We are fellow heirs with Christ.

Romans 8:32 “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?” Words used when Abraham did not spare Isaac. Never forget the price that was paid so that we could inherit.

1 Corinthians 15:50-52 “... Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.” A changed body.

Hebrews 11:9-10 “By faith he [Abraham] lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise; for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.”

Hebrews 11:16 “But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them.” The Patriarchs’ desire, heavenly Jerusalem will someday descend to earth and be our new home.

Revelation 21:3 “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell [tabernacle] among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them.” In the Feast of Tabernacles and the tabernacle of Christ’s flesh is pictured our wonderful future in New Jerusalem.

The inheritance of the saints is the culmination of all God’s plans, New Jerusalem and a new earth where God and humanity can live together, making all our earthly time of testing pale into insignificance, “and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain” (Revelation 21:4)

New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation

Do We See God

Do we see God’s power in the Church and the world or just problems? Do we complain to God but not worship Him? All that can change the moment we see God for who He is. Let’s look at Job 42 and what happened after Job saw who God is.

Job’s final chapter must be seen in light of the first chapters. They introduce the purpose of Job’s suffering, not punishment, but a test. Job’s friends’ arguments are discredited from the beginning. That all suffering is the result of our personal sin, is heartless, and a false accusation against God.

Seeing God’s Power

Job 42:2 “I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.” Job said this earlier, but did not submit to God, complained but did not worship God. He knew of God’s power but did not really see God and His love.

Job 42:3 “‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore I have declared that which I did not understand, Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.” Job reflects on God’s question from Job 38:2 “Who is this that darkens counsel By words without knowledge?”

Job 42:4 “‘Hear, now, and I will speak; I will ask You, and You instruct me.’” Job likewise repeats God’s demand in Job 38:3 “I will ask you, and you instruct Me!” This is someone who has had a humble reality check. He is a mere human being.

Seeing God

Job 42:5 “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear; But now my eye sees You”. The Bible is supposed to lead us somewhere, to God’s presence. We all need to come to a clear vision of God, not stop with the words of the Bible.

Job 42:6 “Therefore I retract, And I repent in dust and ashes.” Job abhors his previous arrogant words. A clearer insight into who God is, gives us a reality check that makes it easy to see our true powerless state, leaving no room for the delusion of human arrogance.

Falsely Accusing God

Job 42:7-9 God explains His anger at Job’s three friends. They had not spoken truthfully about God. We ought not falsely accuse God. They falsely assumed that prosperity comes from righteousness, and suffering comes from personal sins. That is sometimes true, but not in most cases in this world.

Praying for Others

Job 42:10-17 Intercessory prayer, prayer for others, is a powerful responsibility. Sometimes, God will answer our prayers, but not those of our friends in the world, until they repent, because He wants us to know that we are His representatives in the world, and that He hears our prayers.

Also notice, “The Lord restored the fortunes of Job WHEN he prayed for his friends, AND the Lord increased all that Job had twofold.” Will this always happen? Obviously no, many faithful have died not having received the promises in this life, but with full assurance of blessings in eternity.

If we have worshiped God without complaint, May the Lord bless us double like He did Job. If we are not yet there, where we see God more than the problems all around us, may He be ever so gentle as He opens our eyes to see a clear vision of Him.

New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation

Who Commands the Morning

When bad things happen, and we accuse God of being unjust, are we ready for His answer? Job had suffered terribly and demanded an audience with God to question His fairness. God now begins to challenge Job in Job 38. Let’s listen in.

Words without Knowledge

Job 38:2 “Who is this that darkens counsel By words without knowledge?” Words without knowledge could also describe many modern know-it-alls. What do we humans really know of the universe? Politicians, biologists, economists, sometimes even church leaders espouse arrogant, puffed-up theories as fact, when we really know so little.

Job 38:3 The Lord speaks to us through Job, “Now gird up your loins like a man, And I will ask you, and you instruct Me!” Gird up your loins? We might say, tighten your belt, get ready! Dare WE enter a debate with God? We are seriously outgunned.

Earth

Job 38:4 “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding”? The earth’s continental crust is 5-25 miles (8-40 kilometers) thick, and the oceanic crust is 3-5 miles (5-8 kilometers) thick. The earth’s crust floats on a mantle of molten rock.

Job 38:5 “Who set its measurements? Since you know. Or who stretched the line on it?” Our planet is just the right distance from the sun for life to exist. It is just the right mass to retain an atmosphere with the perfect percentage of oxygen to sustain life.

Job 38:6-7 “On what were its bases sunk? Or who laid its cornerstone When the morning stars sang together And all the sons of God shouted for joy?” Job understood God, “hangs the earth on nothing” (Job 26:7). It orbits one of 200-400 billion stars in our Galaxy.

Sea

Job 38:8 “Or who enclosed the sea with doors When, bursting forth, it went out from the womb”? 71% of earth’s surface is ocean. The world’s highest mountain is Mauna Kea, Hawaii, over 33,000 feet (10,000 m) above the ocean floor, a mile higher than Mt Everest.

Job 38:9-10 “When I made a cloud its garment And thick darkness its swaddling band, And I placed boundaries on it And set a bolt and doors.” Oceans control the weather, as they bring rain and wind, and moderate the world’s temperature. Oceans are a major source of food.

Morning

Job 38:12- “Have you ever in your life commanded the morning, And caused the dawn to know its place…”? God created earth to rotate, giving us day and night, seasons and beneficial wind patterns. The speed of rotation gives temperature differences between day and night that make life possible.

Job 38:16- “Have you entered into the springs of the sea Or walked in the recesses of the deep…” The average ocean depth is over 12,000 feet (3,700 m). The deepest point is over 36,000 feet (11,000 m) in the Mariana Trench in the Pacific.

Stars

Job 38:31- “Can you bind the chains of the Pleiades, Or loose the cords of Orion…” Pleiades (Greek: plee-AH-daiss), the seven sisters, found on a Subaru. The Pleiades are a star cluster bound together in Taurus, and are relatively close to earth. Which of us chained these stars together?

Next time we see the sunrise, let’s remember who commands the morning. Next time we follow Orion’s belt to the Pleiades, remember who binds that star cluster together. When God sometimes allows bad things to happen, remember that the One who made earth, sea and stars knows what He’s doing. Life on earth involves suffering and death, but God’s plan is resurrection and salvation. The path to life eternal and salvation from sin sometimes takes us through the valley of the shadow of death. Let’s never forget that God is there too with us every step of the way, and at the other end is life and joy forever more.

New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation

Rest from our Burdens

Where do we find true rest in a world gone crazy? Like Israel do we find true rest in a Sabbath or a land? Is there a land anywhere in this world where we can find true rest from all our problems and worries? Let’s find out what our true rest is, by looking at Hebrews 4.

Is His Rest the Sabbath

Hebrews 3:8, 11 “Do not harden your hearts as when they provoked Me, As in the day of trial in the wilderness… As I swore in My wrath, ‘They shall not enter My rest.’” They rested each Sabbath, but did not enter rest? Is His rest the promised land?

Hebrews 3:18-19 “And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who were disobedient? So we see that they were not able to enter because of unbelief.” Disobedience is here directly linked to unbelief. Is entry into His rest by faith?

Is His Rest the Land

Hebrews 4:1 “Therefore, let us fear if, while a promise remains of entering His rest, any one of you may seem to have come short of it.” Keeping Sabbath and entering the land did not give rest. They only picture His real rest. What is it?

Hebrews 4:6 “Therefore, since it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly had good news preached to them failed to enter because of disobedience” They kept Sabbath. So, the Sabbath is not the rest. There is something deeper. Why did they not enter His rest? Disobedience.

Another Day

Hebrews 4:7 “He again fixes a certain day, “Today,” saying through David after so long a time just as has been said before, “Today if you hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts.” Sabbath and land did NOT give Israel His rest. It is available today, any weekday.

Hebrews 4:8-9 “For if Joshua had given them rest, He would not have spoken of another day after that. So there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God.” Joshua led Israel into the land but not to rest, there remains another rest and another Joshua, (Yeshua) Jesus.

Hebrews 4:10 “For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His.” Salvation’s gift is not of works (Ephesians 2:8-9). “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28-30)


Neither Moses nor Joshua gave Israel rest. Sabbath and promised land were only a foretaste of the true rest God promises. Otherwise in Psalm 95 David would not have said that today, if we would hear His voice, we can enter the rest that neither Sabbath-keeping, nor Promised-Land-inheriting Israel entered.

Enter that Rest

Hebrews 4:11 “Therefore let us be diligent to enter that rest, so that no one will fall, through following the same example of disobedience.” A greater rest than mere cessation of labor is intended, a rest from sin. We enter that rest because Jesus has already accomplished the work.

Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” God sees our sin weariness.

The written, spoken and personal Word of God is alive and powerful. The Word of God cuts right through all pretense to perform spiritual exploratory surgery, discovering our innermost thoughts and intentions. “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

Hebrews 4:13 “And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.” Nothing is hidden and nothing is secret with God (Luke 8:17). God knows our thoughts (Psalm 139:2).

Hebrews 4:14 “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.” Jesus, our high priest, passed through the heavens, to enter heaven’s Holy of Holies. Hold fast; don’t fall away from this truth.

Hebrews 4:15 “For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.” Jesus was not a cold and aloof high priest. He fellowshipped and suffered with sinners, but without sin.

Hebrews 4:16 “Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” This is His rest, not a day or a land in this world, but rest in His mercy and grace.

Conclusion

“She [Mary] will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21) One way to think of salvation is as a rest from all our mistakes and the consequences of our wrongdoings. Jesus said, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28-30) Let us come!

Hebrews 4; Matthew 11:28-30; Luke 8:17; Psalm 139:2; Matthew 1:21

New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation

Communion Confusion

Is Communion a sacrament, an ordinance, or a memorial? Are bread and wine mere symbols or is there something deeper? Let’s look at what Jesus said in Luke 22:14-27.

Passover

Luke 22:14 “When the hour had come, He reclined at the table, and the apostles with Him.” The appointed hour that the Passover was to be killed was culturally from three to six p-m (Exodus 12:6), and eaten shortly thereafter. Jesus reclined rather than stand (Exodus 12:11).

Luke 22:15 “And He said to them, ‘I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer’” The letter-of-the-law time of Passover was actually 24 hours later. It is clear that Jesus was not legalistic. Christians understood this freedom and later changed the time of Easter.

Until

Luke 22:16 “for I say to you, I shall never again eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” Passover is not fulfilled by looking back to the Exodus but forward from the cross. “I will… dine with him, and he with Me.” (Revelation 3:20)

Luke 22:17 “And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He said, ‘Take this and share it among yourselves’” Jesus gave thanks (eucharisteo) for wine, not grape-juice, 6 months after the grape harvest, with neither refrigeration nor pasteurization. Wine is not forbidden, only drunkenness (Ephesians 5:18).

Luke 22:18 “for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine from now on until the kingdom of God comes.” Culturally, this meant fruit of the GRAPE-vine. These verses show that Jesus will eat lamb and drink wine again when God’s Kingdom comes.

This Is

Luke 22:19 “And when He had taken some bread and given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, ‘This IS My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.’” How IS the Bread Jesus’ Body? Eastern Christians rightly call this a “mystery.”

The new covenant, is also the New Testament, because a testament involves the death of the testator. In this case, the death of Jesus. Communion is a sacrament[1] (“this IS” not “this symbolizes”, but also not “this transubstantiates”), an ordinance (“do this”), and also a remembrance (“in remembrance of me”.

[1] The most ancient Christian definition of sacrament is a mystery now revealed to the Church (Mark 4:11, Colossians 1:26, Colossians 2:2, 1 Timothy 3:16). It is also a visible expression of an invisible grace. Ancient Christians believed that all of life was a sacrament and thus it could not be limited in number.

Luke 22:20 “And in the same way He took the cup after they had eaten, saying, ‘This cup which is poured out for you IS the new covenant in My blood.’” The early church knew this was more than mere symbol because of Jesus’ teaching in John 6:53–55:

“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in yourselves. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. For My flesh is true food, and My blood is true drink.”

Betrayed

Luke 22:21-22 “But behold, the hand of the one betraying Me is with Mine on the table. For indeed, the Son of Man is going as it has been determined; but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed!” Another of over 300 prophecies fulfilled (Psalm 41:9).

Luke 22:23 “And they began to discuss among themselves which one of them it might be who was going to do this thing.” What innocence of character must they have had, to not even suspect Judas? They probably already deeply understood that none of them was of perfect character.

Greatest

Luke 22:24 “And there arose also a dispute among them as to which one of them was regarded to be greatest.” No shocks here; we still witness this between Christians from different nations, regions, and denominations. Ancient writers often ignored chronology, focusing on lesson structure, an appropriate communion lesson!

Luke 22:25 “And He said to them, ‘The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who have authority over them are called Benefactors.’” A fault of Church history, lording it over people’s faith, forcing meat down the throats of those only ready for milk, bossy brutality.

One Who Serves

Luke 22:26 “But it is not this way with you, but the one who is the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like the servant.” Humility is not fake, but a simple realization that a leader’s job is not to boss, but to serve.

Luke 22:27 “For who is greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at the table? But I am among you as the one who serves.” Arrogance is NOT godly leadership. God have mercy on our failures.

Conclusion

As we partake of the bread and wine, we partake of a mystery, eating and drinking eternal life, Christ who IS the Bread from heaven, we obey His ordinance to eat and drink, and we remember the sacrifice of one who came to serve all humanity.

Luke 22:14-27; Exodus 12:6; Exodus 12:11; Revelation 3:20; Ephesians 5:18; John 6:53–55; Psalm 41:9; Mystery Mark 4:11; Colossians 1:26; Colossians 2:2; 1 Timothy 3:16
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation

God Cares for the Little Guy

Have you ever felt like you were unimportant? How do we treat those weak in the faith, the little ones? Let’s understand Jesus’ attitude towards believers whose faith is still small in Mark 9:38-50.

Do Not Hinder

Mark 9:38-39 John said to Him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we tried to prevent him because he was not following us.” But Jesus said, “Do not hinder him, for there is no one who will perform a miracle in My name, and be able soon afterward to speak evil of Me.

How many of us have had friends come to our side despite belonging to a different church? How many of us have had others hinder us because we did not have the “right” opinion? Why would we hinder those who are different from us? Doesn’t it a contradict Jesus’ instructions?

For Us

Mark 9:40 For he who is not against us is for us.

This apothegm teaches us that we should rejoice in good done by believers in Jesus of any denomination. Jesus did not tell his disciples to then go and follow the other fellow, but that they should not hinder him. We can be loyal to our denomination, and not hinder others.

A Cup of Water

Mark 9:41 For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because of your name as followers of Christ, truly I say to you, he will not lose his reward.

Even the poorest can give a cup of water. A charitable act done because someone follows Jesus, shows a love of Christ as well. Even the smallest act done because of Jesus, is recognized by Him and rewarded. What small acts have you done for a stranger who followed Jesus?

Little Ones Who Believe

Mark 9:42 “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe to stumble, it would be better for him if, with a heavy millstone hung around his neck, he had been cast into the sea.”

The phrase “little ones” refers to those weak in faith, even some leaders. In context, it can also be those who believe in Jesus but belong to a different church. Unwise discussions can causes little ones to stumble. Better NOT to feed meat to those who can only handle milk.

Hands, Feet and Eyes

Mark 9:44-48 If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life crippled, than, having your two hands, to go into hell, into the unquenchable fire” If your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life lame, than, having your two feet, to be cast into hell, [where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.] If your eye causes you to stumble, throw it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, than, having two eyes, to be cast into hell, where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.

Using a hand, foot or eye to cause the weakest believers to stumble, puts one in danger of Gehenna’s unquenchable fire (Isaiah 66:24). Gehenna, Jerusalem’s garbage dump in the valley of Hinnom, where Canaanites sacrificed children to Molech and Chemosh, pictures the miserable end of unrepentant sinners. Let’s repent!

Be at Peace

Mark 9:49-50 “For everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good; but if the salt becomes unsalty, with what will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”

Christianity has a very wide diversity of faith, but one Christ. We have little ones in the faith and giants in faith. Laity and leaders can be strong or weak. How should we treat those who may believe but are not strong? Would Jesus expect us to treat them kindly?

The church grew large in the Greek and Latin-speaking worlds. They eventually divided, each vilifying the other because they were “not following us.” Protestants are no different. We too have sinned against other Christians in similar ways. Let’s not offend or hinder each other. Be at peace with one another.

Outro

At some time or other we will all be the little guy, in feebleness of old age, in sickness, in financial ruin, in divorce, in unemployment, in business failure, in a flood or other calamity. It’s such a blessing, when we go through our own valley of the shadow of death, that someone keeps us company and walks through with us. Jesus is with us! Little ones are all around us. Let’s not hinder them. Let’s not use our hands, feet or eyes to make them stumble. Let’s be at peace with one another.

Mark 9:38-50, Isaiah 66:24

New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation

True Greatness

Who are the true greats? You may be surprised who they are because you know many of them by name. They live in your neighborhood. Let’s find out what the basic ingredient of true greatness is. Let’s look at Mark 9:30-37, what Jesus has to say.

Jesus

Mark 9:31 “The Son of Man is to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill Him; and when He has been killed, He will rise three days later.” Into the hands of men (anthropos), more completely understood, into the hands of the whole human race.

Isaiah 53:6, 12 “the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all To fall on Him… Therefore, I will allot Him a portion with the great… Because He poured out Himself to death… He Himself bore the sin of many.” Jesus continually taught this, the heart of the Gospel.

True Greatness

Mark 9:35 “If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.” At Jesus’ words the disciples were ashamed and did not answer, because on the road, they had been disputing over their own greatness, while Jesus had been talking about giving himself.

Mark 9:36 “Taking a child, He set him before them.” Many people stifle children at church, or send them out from the main sermon so they will not disturb it. Jesus never did that. He welcomed children, noise and all and taught us to receive children, not banish them.

Mark 9:37 “Whoever receives one child like this in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me does not receive Me, but Him who sent Me.” A child teaches us humility. Worldly greats are demanding and arrogant. Look around at our own community. See those who serve, true greats.

Receiving

Philippians 2:5-8 Jesus “emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant.” Mark 9:37 uses receiving four times. The disciples thought about personal glory, missing the point of the cross. In Aramaic, child and servant are the same word. True greatness is giving, self-sacrifice. Service is always a sacrifice.

Our Neighborhood

A truly great person is a father who may work at a job he hates because he loves those at home, who gives himself in self-sacrifice to one woman and avoids anything that might ruin that marriage, who spends time with his family as his most important people on earth.

A truly great person is a mother who gives life to a child that many may not want, spends 20 years putting on diapers, feeding, clothing and educating that child in life’s important basics, then spends the rest of her life praying for and thinking about her child every day.

A truly great person is also a single, who because they have the freedom and time may dedicate themselves to military, civil or other service to humanity. This truly great person is loyal to God and country and is ready at a moment’s notice to defend us against all enemies.

A truly great person is a police officer who takes no bribe and shows no bigotry or favoritism. A great person is a nurse who cleans up after grumpy patients with a smile. A great person is a teacher who instructs our children faithfully even when they are too tired.

Most of history is written by bullies, not the brave soldiers who defended us against them. Yet, those mostly anonymous soldiers have a legacy of pure self-sacrifice and a great reward in heaven. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

Outro

Many of you are among the truly great and I count it a privilege to have journeyed with you for a time. True greatness comes in all shapes and sizes but always contains one essential ingredient: selfless service to others.

Mark 9:30-37; Isaiah 53:6, 12; Philippians 2:5-8

New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation

Jesus, Lamb of God

How is God’s purpose hinted at from earliest human history? What does it have to do with a lamb? Let’s look at how Jesus, the Lamb of God was slain from the beginning and how it culminates in Revelation 22.

Genesis 4:4 “Abel also brought a gift—the best portions of the firstborn lambs from his flock. The Lord accepted Abel and his gift”[1] Why do you think that Abel’s gift to God was accepted and Cain’s not? Some people give God their leftovers and others give Him their best.

Genesis 22:13 “Abraham raised his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him a ram caught in the thicket by his horns; and Abraham went and took the ram and offered him up for a burnt offering in the place of his son.”[2] Jesus is our substitute ram offering.

Exodus 12:3 “Speak to all the congregation of Israel, saying, ‘On the tenth of this month they are each one to take a lamb for themselves, according to their fathers’ households, a lamb for each household.”[2] We are introduced to the Passover lamb, a symbol of our Passover, Jesus.

Why does God say in Isaiah 1:11 “I take no pleasure in the blood of bulls, lambs or goats”? It’s no use offering without a change of heart, “Cease to do evil, Learn to do good; Seek justice, Reprove the ruthless, Defend the orphan, Plead for the widow.”[2]

Isaiah 53:7 “Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, So He did not open His mouth.”[2] This detailed prophecy of the Messiah’s suffering has made it obvious to many Jews who their Messiah is. (Acts 8:32)

John 1:29 John the Baptist knew who Jesus was, because he said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”[2] John prophetically spoke of the purpose of Jesus’ mission, from the prophecies of Messiah coming as a sacrificial lamb to atone for sins.

Luke 22:8 Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, so that we may eat it.”[2] What did Jesus think as He sat there eating with His disciples, knowing that all the Passovers were going to culminate in His death on the following day?

1 Corinthians 5:7-8 It was not necessary to keep the letter of the old festival, but its spirit in the purging of “the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth” Why? Because “Christ, our Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed for us.”[1]

1 Peter 1:18-19 “you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.”[2] Jesus died to atone for sins once for all.

Revelation 5:6 “I saw a Lamb that looked as if it had been slaughtered, but it was now standing between the throne and the four living beings and among the twenty-four elders.”[2] This literally means “a little lamb” and also highlights His resurrection because He is “now standing.”

Revelation 5:8-14 “the four living beings and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb.” This is amazing. The purchased “from every tribe and tongue and people and nation… will reign upon the earth.” Angels will say with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain".[2]

Revelation 7:9 “and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands”.[2] Finally, what God planned from the beginning, happens.

Revelation 22:1 After peace reigns on earth, a renewed heaven and earth will be made, and in that new place will be a river. “Then he showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb”.[2]

We all fail and need a Savior. Jesus became our Passover Lamb to take away our failures, the sins of the world. He will return to bring world peace and the heavens and the earth will be renewed and come together. God’s purpose from the beginning has been life forevermore, a the River of Life flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb.
Genesis 4:4; Genesis 22:13; Exodus 12:3; Isaiah 1:11; Isaiah 53:7; Acts 8:32; John 1:29; Luke 22:8; 1 Corinthians 5:7-8; 1 Peter 1:18-19; Revelation 5:6; Revelation 5:8-14; Revelation 7:9; Revelation 22:1

[1]Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

[2]New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation

Abraham, the Rest of the Story

Why was Abram who became Abraham called the father of the faithful? What can we learn about faith today by looking back at Abraham? Let’s look at his early life and ten tests of Abraham’s faith and how he dealt with them in Genesis 12-22 (Genesis 12:1, 10, 15; 14:14; 15:13; 16:3; 17:24, 20:2; 21:12; 22:2).

Family Stories of Abram

Today, we might be blessed enough to have four generations alive at one time. In those days, people lived much longer. Noah was ten generations older and died when Abram was 58. Abram got his faith initially from his mother, but also from years with Noah and Noah’s son Shem.

Noah and Shem were faithful believers in the one true God. Abram’s father Terah, was a high priest for Nimrod and made idols for his false religion, a way to control people. Dictators like the power to make the rules, including license to murder those who get in their way.

Astrologers told Nimrod of a baby who was to become father of a great nation. Like Herod, Nimrod wanted the threat killed. Terah took a servant’s child instead, and Nimrod thus deceived, killed the baby with his own bare hands. Abram’s mother hid him in a cave for ten years.

Abram’s mother told him stories of Noah and Shem and the one true God. When he was ten years old, Abram left the cave to go to Kedem in the mountains of Ararat to visit Noah and Shem. They welcomed him and taught him God’s ways for about 39 years.

Then, Abram heard the news about the tower of Babel, where God had divided people into seventy languages and people groups. So, Abram went out to teach them about the one true God. He was risking his life, because Nimrod had proclaimed himself god and forced people to worship him.

At age fifty, Abram returned to his father's house. Terah had an idol workshop in his house. Idols were made from wood, stone and precious metals. It was big money. People came from all over to worship and buy the idols. Terah wanted Abram to be in charge of sales.

With an axe Abram destroyed all the idols except one. He placed the axe in the last one’s hands and claimed that it had killed the rest. Terah said that was impossible. Abram had tricked him into admitting that the idols were powerless, and in anger betrayed him to Nimrod.

Nimrod threw Abram into a furnace, but he came out unharmed and Nimrod was afraid to touch him. Nimrod then gave Abram many presents and sent him back to his father’s house. With him went two hundred noble men, including Eliezer who was later to become Abram’s most trusted servant.

A large crowd rejected Nimrod and his opulent lifestyle to go with Abram and learn more about the one true God. Two years later, Nimrod had decided once more to try and kill Abram. Eliezer warned Abram and they left for Haran, where God was about to make a promise.

Bible Stories of Abraham

1. Genesis 12:1-3 Leave (Success)

The people of Haran were as much idolaters as those in Babylon. Abram and his followers were the only ones who worshipped God. So, God intervened and said, “Go forth from your country, And from your relatives And from your father’s house, To the land which I will show you”.

This was bigger than Abram could imagine, “in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.” The Messiah came from Abram. Would we be willing to move to an unknown country, at age 75, if God offered us an inheritance we would not even receive in this life?

2. Genesis 12:10 Famine (Trial)

The first thing Abram encountered in the promised land, was famine. “Now there was a famine in the land; so Abram went down to Egypt to sojourn there, for the famine was severe in the land.” How often when we start to do God’s will, are there strings of obstacles?

3. Genesis 12:15 Pharaoh (Failure)

The next obstacle on Abram’s faith journey was Egypt’s king. “Pharaoh’s officials saw her and praised her to Pharaoh; and the woman was taken into Pharaoh’s house.” Even faithful believers fail some of life’s obstacles. When have we lied like Abram to try and get out of a difficult situation?

4. Genesis 14:14 Battle (Trial)

Abram was probably not wanting a fight, but “When Abram heard that his relative had been taken captive, he led out his trained men, born in his house, three hundred and eighteen, and went in pursuit as far as Dan.” How often in doing God’s will must we fight battles?

5. Genesis 15:13 Enslaved (Discouraged)

God said to Abram, “Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, where they will be enslaved and oppressed four hundred years.” This is a prophecy of Egyptian slavery. Do we believe that even such bad news will be for our good?

6. Genesis 16:3 Hagar (Failure)

“After Abram had lived ten years in the land of Canaan, Abram’s wife Sarai took Hagar the Egyptian, her maid, and gave her to her husband Abram as his wife.” Abram neglected to ask God’s advice. Can faithful followers of God make unwise decisions, and still be people of faith?

7. Genesis 17:24 Circumcised (Success)

“Now Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.” If our faith journey revealed that God required something causing some short-term pain, would we believe God? Do we have faith that what we do not yet know about God’s ways will be good?

8. Genesis 20:2 Gerar (Failure)

“Abraham said of Sarah his wife, ‘She is my sister.’ So Abimelech king of Gerar sent and took Sarah.” Abraham lied because he was afraid. How many times have we done the same thing, lied to protect ourselves from embarrassment, from a perceived threat, to be polite, or cover sin?

9. Genesis 21:12 Hagar (Failure)

But God said to Abraham, “Do not be distressed because of the lad and your maid; whatever Sarah tells you, listen to her, for through Isaac your descendants shall be named.” For the sake of family peace, someone had to leave. God promised to bless them and provided for them.

10. Genesis 22:2 Isaac (Success)

He said, “Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you.” Unlike God, Abraham did not have to give up his son.

Hebrews 11:8-13

By faith Abraham… went out, not knowing where he was going… lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs… for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.

Romans 4:16

…it is by faith, in order that it may be in accordance with grace, so that the promise will be guaranteed to all the descendants, not only to those who are of the Law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all

Conclusion

If you have ever followed God not knowing where you are going, you might have the faith of Abraham. If you feel like a foreigner in this land, looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God, then you might have the faith of Abraham. Like Abraham, none of us is perfect, but then salvation does not depend on our perfection, but our faith in the mercy of the One who is perfect.

Genesis 12:1, 10, 15; 14:14; 15:13; 16:3; 17:24, 20:2; 21:12; 22:2; Hebrews 11:8-13; Romans 4:16

https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/112063/jewish/Abrahams-Early-Life.htm

https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/246612/jewish/Abraham.htm

Secure in God's Hand

What makes us Christ’s sheep? Are we in danger of being lost for eternity? Are we secure in His hands? Let’s examine John 10:22-30 and see.

The Setting

John 10:22-23 “At that time the Feast of the Dedication took place at Jerusalem; it was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple in the portico of Solomon.” Jesus showed his approval of Hanukkah by attending it. It’s a winter celebration remembering the miraculous restoration of the Temple.

John 10:24 “The Jews then gathered around Him, and were saying to Him, ‘How long will You keep us in suspense? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.’” Literally, they encircled Him. Some were perhaps sincere, others with deceitful hearts, men who sought to denounce and sabotage Jesus.

The Believers

John 10:25 Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe; the works that I do in My Father’s name, these testify of Me.” Why did these learned men not believe Jesus’ works? Why did they not believe over 300 prophecies from the Bible? What was missing?

John 10:26-27 “But you do not believe because you are not of My sheep [as I said to you]. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me”. This logic is followed by a series of “and’s” which explain why some believe and others don’t.

The Promises

John 10:28 “And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.” Notice that eternal life is already given to them. They will not perish, be lost to eternity, based on continued belief. Jesus, on His part, holds them tightly.

John 10:29-30 “My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one.” Though they are one, the Father is greater, and the final guarantor of this “blessed assurance.”

Here is truth: We believe because we are His sheep. Here are promises: believers in Jesus will never perish and no one can snatch them from God the Son’s hand, nor God the Father’s hand.

New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation

Prayer for Hard Times

What kind of prayer is appropriate in hard times? Let’s review Matthew 21:12-22 and Habakkuk 3 and see how prayer includes trust in God’s answer, especially during hard times.

House of Prayer

Matthew 21:13 “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer’; but you are making it a robbers’ den.” Jesus’ anger was justified because a house dedicated to God was being used for commercialism. Prayer is one of the most important purposes for our church buildings.

Believing Prayer

Matthew 21:21-22 “Truly I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ it will happen. And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”

What if we pray and God says, No? Can we learn something from Habakkuk’s prayer? Habakkuk the prophet was possibly a temple musician, a Levite. Tradition records that he was the Shunammite woman's son, whose life Elisha saved. He wrote in the 7th century BC, just before the Babylonian captivity.

Habakkuk’s Prayer

Habakkuk expresses his doubt to God about His plans to punish Judah via an unjust Babylon. God reminded Habakkuk that He will punish evil, and Habakkuk learns to faithfully trust God’s decision. Habakkuk 2:4 “the righteous will live by his faith” is quoted several times in the New Testament.

Habakkuk 3:1 “A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet, according to Shigionoth.” This is the plural of Shiggaion, only used in one other place, Psalm 7. This possibly implies a wildly passionate prayer, which certainly describes the chapter. This indicates the prayer, like the Psalms, was probably set to music.

Habakkuk 3:2 “Lord, I have heard the report about You and I fear. O Lord, revive Your work in the midst of the years, In the midst of the years make it known; In wrath remember mercy.” Rebellious people create a passive, cuddly God they don’t have to fear.

Habakkuk 3:3 “God comes from Teman, And the Holy One from Mount Paran. Selah. His splendor covers the heavens, And the earth is full of His praise.” God was present with them at Sinai, and the creation provides evidence of His existence, figuratively proclaiming His praise every single day.

Habakkuk 3:4 “His radiance is like the sunlight; He has rays flashing from His hand, And there is the hiding of His power.” To those with insight, the brilliant light and radiance of the sun reveals a hidden secret, the incredible power that created everything in the entire universe.

Habakkuk 3:5 “Before Him goes pestilence, And plague comes after Him.” God did reveal Himself in this way to Israel’s enemies after the Exodus, including the armies of Sennacherib (2 Kings 19:35). When necessary, God comes to avenge and judge. As Creator of everything, He has that right.

Habakkuk 3:6 “He stood and surveyed the earth; He looked and startled the nations. Yes, the perpetual mountains were shattered, The ancient hills collapsed. His ways are everlasting.” The mountains and hills may seem permanent, but when God intervenes, a vain and arrogant humanity sees who really is everlasting.

Habakkuk 3:7 “I saw the tents of Cushan under distress, The tent curtains of the land of Midian were trembling.” This imagery is probably from the Exodus. Cushan may be Cush, Ethiopia. Midian was to the east. At the Exodus, surrounding nations took notice and trembled at God’s deeds.

Habakkuk 3:8 “Did the Lord rage against the rivers, Or was Your anger against the rivers, Or was Your wrath against the sea, That You rode on Your horses, On Your chariots of salvation?” God wasn’t angry with sea and horses, but revealed His power over creation, freeing Israel.

In Habakkuk 3:9-17 we are reminded of God’s power over the earth, mountains, sun, moon, nations, armies, trees, fruit, fields, and flocks. In this context, verses 16-17, is a lament about prophecies in Habakkuk 1-2 of a future foreign invasion of a rebellious Judah and captivity by Babylon.

Rejoice in God

Habakkuk 3:18 “Yet I will exult in the Lord, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.” Despite the prophesied Babylonian invasion of Judah, Habakkuk hopes in God because of His track record of saving Israel from Egyptian slavery. Perhaps he even has faith in a second Exodus.

The Lord God is My Strength

Habakkuk 3:19 “The Lord God is my strength, And He has made my feet like hinds’ feet, And makes me walk on my high places.” Though Babylon takes us prisoner, or life takes us through calamity, God helps us be as surefooted as deer and walk on high places.

Conclusion

Habakkuk teaches us that, though we don’t always understand God’s answers to our prayers, Bible history teaches us that we have every reason to rejoice in God, because He will save us from the consequences of our wrongdoings. Habakkuk also teaches us that singing songs of faith is itself an act of faith.

Matthew 21:12-22; Habakkuk 3; 2 Kings 19:35

New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation

Woes to Unfaithful Church Leaders

It is such a privilege to be a church leader, especially in kind and loving churches. It is a grave responsibility to feed God’s sheep and guide people that we are privileged to call our friends, on their journey to eternity. Overseers of churches are far from perfect, but some mistakes are worse than others. Jesus’ stern warning to the Pharisees in Matthew 23:13-39 is also important for us today.

Though this is a stern rebuke of the Pharisees, it is also a lesson for the listening disciples who would replace the Pharisees in authority, and also a severe warning to all future overseers of the churches.

1. Teaching Against Christ

Matthew 23:13 “woe… because you shut off the kingdom of heaven from people…” These religious leaders had the keys to the kingdom, but locked the door literally “in their faces.” Those who believed in the One who the law pointed to, were being locked out of the synagogues. Bringing themselves misery, Pharisees did everything they could to turn the people from their Messiah. Do we turn people to Jesus?

2. Teaching to be Sons of Hell

Matthew 23:15 “Woe… because you… make one proselyte… twice as much a son of hell as yourselves.” Before we try to convert someone to our church, or our denomination, perhaps we had better be sure they are going to be in an orthodox place, where they will be encouraged to follow Jesus instead of some stupid legalistic man-made rules or watered-down heresies. Will we faithfully teach what Jesus taught?

3. Teaching Blindness

Matthew 23:16 “Woe… blind guides…” The religious leaders had made the offering more sacred than the Temple. This is like those who see church relics as more sacred than the Gospel, or those Church swindlers who saw the collection of indulgences as more important than telling the truth. The Pharisees were greedy for the offerings. Do we church leaders care more for the people than the offering plate?

4. Teaching Pickiness not Principles

Matthew 23:23 “Woe… you tithe… and… neglected… justice and mercy and faithfulness…” Tithing is important, but without justice, mercy and faithfulness it’s useless. Do we get stuck in picky details and forget what’s most important? Any of us can focus on lesser important things and neglect what’s most important. Do we “strain out a gnat and swallow a camel”? Do we love people more than getting lost in details?

5. Character: Extortion and Self-Indulgence

Matthew 23:25 “Woe… you clean the outside… but inside… are full of robbery and self-indulgence.” From the historic extortion of indulgences to modern televangelists who extort millions and spend it on self-indulgent lifestyles living in lavish mansions, the Church is not immune to looking pretty on the outside but filled with extortion and excess on the inside. Jesus warns Church leaders not to soil the Gospel by such corruption.

6. Character: Hypocrisy and Lawlessness

Matthew 23:27-28 “Woe… you… on the outside appear beautiful, but inside… full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness… full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.” Church buildings can be beautiful, but if they are filled with hypocrisy and abominations, they are just tombs for the spiritually dead. Church leaders must be sure that they spend enough time in prayers of repentance for God to clean us up on the inside.

7. Character: Murderous Hearts

Matthew 23:29-36 “Woe… you build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the monuments of the righteous… I am sending you prophets and wise men and scribes; some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues, and persecute…” In “whining hypocrisy”[1] they deluded themselves not to have the murderous spirit of their ancestors. Do we give life to Christ?

Conclusion

Local churches have a number of overseers. The responsibility is grave and not to be treated flippantly. We want to lead people to Christ not ourselves, to heaven not hell, for God not money, to what’s important not pickiness, with clean hearts on the inside not what just looks good, living God’s way of life not the world’s way of death.

New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation

[1] A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments. Jamieson, Fausset and Brown. 1882.