Church Leaders (1 Corinthians 3)

Now comes that chapter that many congregations would not want to hear. Let’s not be like rebellious people, “Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits” (Isaiah 30:10 KJV). Let’s listen to what God’s minister has to preach to the Corinthians. Could it apply to us too?

1 Cor 3:1-4 Carnal Babes

1 Corinthians 3:1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.

An excellent modern translation is the following: “And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to infants in Christ.” (NASB) Now those are meaty words for any church to swallow. Are we ready for meat, or can we only handle milk, spiritual baby food?

1 Corinthians 3:2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.

Pastors often have to hold back from delivering meatier sermons because the congregation is not yet spiritually mature enough to receive it. That is a judgment call that must be approached with prayer and wisdom, knowing that to preach only “smooth things” (Isaiah 30:10) is also not right. Paul certainly cannot be accused of that here. What did he have to say?

1 Corinthians 3:3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

This church is still “fleshly” (NASB), that is, “not yet spiritual” (CEV). Why? It is because of envying, strife and divisions. Is there this kind of “jealousy and quarreling” (NIV) in our church? What were some of its causes in Corinth?

1 Corinthians 3:4 For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?

Partisanship is frequent in worldly politics, but ought not be found in churches except in separating ourselves from heresy. God’s people ought to be unified in the truth. The word translated as carnal here was culturally a hint of human weakness, meaning “aren't you acting just like people of the world?” (NLT), and more literally, “aren't you fleshly?” (WEB). What can we learn from different leadership personalities?

1 Cor 3:5-17 The Increase

1 Corinthians 3:5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?

Each of our human leaders can teach us different lessons, but orthodox church leaders are unified in one most important function: “Servants [ministers] through whom you believed” (ESV, NASB). What are some of the different gifts of our leaders?

1 Corinthians 3:6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.

Church planters and waterers of churches often fall into the trap of thinking that growth is by human effort, even writing many books detailing human efforts that they claim will make a church grow.

The truth is that some churches have become very large preaching “smooth things” (Isaiah 30:10), using fleshly techniques and personality cults. Some churches may be the proverbial mile wide and only an inch deep, with large attendance and an impoverished spiritual diet. Some of the largest churches sadly teach a weak, watered-down gospel.

True spiritual increase in size and maturity comes from heaven. How might Paul summarize many bookshelves filled with worldly-minded church growth techniques?

1 Corinthians 3:7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.

We need to get back to simple Christian humility, that we are not the great gurus of church growth that we pretend to be. Rather, it is God who gives the increase. What does the Bible say about humility?

“The Lord mocks the mockers but is gracious to the humble.” (Proverbs 3:34 NLT) “Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:4 NKJV)

Does this mean that churches should have ignored Paul and Apollos? “Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.” (1 Peter 5:5 KJV) Humility involves working with those over us in the Lord. Are Church leaders with different gifts to be united?

1 Corinthians 3:8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.

In the vegetable garden the planter and waterer are working for the same purpose. Likewise in the church. We need not be disappointed believing that God has no reward for us. If we welcome those who work for God, we receive the same reward as them.

“He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward. And he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward.” (Matthew 10:41 NKJV) What wonderful thing does this mean?

1 Corinthians 3:9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.

True ministers work together as laborers with God. When the church welcomes the true ministers of God, we all become laborers together with God. We are God’s tilled field, His building. How do we build?

1 Corinthians 3:10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.

Those who have gone on before have built our churches. Let us be wise in building upon their work. In today’s church some believe that our foundation is faulty, calling it patriarchalism, the word of men apart from God, or that Jesus was just a good man and not God in the flesh. If we don’t build on the foundation laid, we are building an entirely different structure and not the church of God.

1 Corinthians 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

Yes, Jesus Christ IS our foundation. If we are building heresy, apostasy, or false gospels, we are building wood, hay and stubble, which will burn up. What are we building on the foundation?

1 Corinthians 3:12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;

Are some of these too ostentatious for the church of God? Are some too inferior? Do we have a test that our building materials must pass?

1 Corinthians 3:13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.

What day is a day of fire? Days of trial are pictured as days of fire, and to a lesser extent, truth is revealed in trials. However, the ultimate revelation of our works will be on the day of judgment, the day of the Lord. Time and trial will reveal what we build, whether it is good or bad. In the end, we will all be judged on that day for how we built upon what Jesus and the Apostles laid down. Are we building what is temporary or eternal?

1 Corinthians 3:14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

Biblical orthodoxy which follows the teachings of Jesus, the prophets and apostles are precious metals and true gems. But heresy and worldly apostasy are hay and stubble that will perish in the fire. Which are we building?

1 Corinthians 3:15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

Can a foolish workman be saved? Perhaps so, because we are not saved by perfect theology but by faith.

Apostasy in the church will eventually come to nothing, burned up. But, gold, silver and precious stones will survive.

1 Corinthians 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

What is the temple being built with precious metals and jewelry? It is us, “ye” is plural. The wood, hay and stubble are an attempt to build the temporary works of this world on the foundation of Christ. The precious materials are building the Temple using the precious materials of heaven on the foundation.

We are not saved by good works, but for good works (Ephesians 2:9-10). This is the harmony of Catholic and Protestant theology on the topic of works. If the Holy Spirit lives in us, our faith is alive with good works.

1 Corinthians 3:17 If any man defile [destroy] the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

To destroy the church, the people of God, is to destroy where God dwells. How do people destroy the church? Through false doctrine and sin. We are tempted, because every church is so imperfect, but must be careful how we treat each other, because God dwells among us.

1 Cor 3:18-23 Worldly Wisdom

1 Corinthians 3:18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.

Worldly wisdom calls godly wisdom foolish, but is really empty foolishness. So, Paul speaks ironically here, saying to the worldly wise to become a fool in the world’s eyes and gain the true wisdom of God.

1 Corinthians 3:19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.

The world is run by highly intelligent, well educated people who cannot solve humanity's problems. The best wisdom of the world is, in God’s eyes, foolishness.

1 Corinthians 3:20 And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.

The best wisdom of the world is, in God’s eyes, useless. The wisdom of great philosophers, poets, scientists, educators, and statesmen is useless and ineffective compared to the wisdom of heaven.

1 Corinthians 3:21 Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are your's;

Let’s not brag about following great church leaders like Augustine, Chrysostom, Francis, Luther, Wesley or any other. “So don't boast about following a particular human leader. For everything belongs to you” (NLT)

1 Corinthians 3:22 Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are your's;

Sometimes a different translation makes things clearer: “whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or things present or things to come; all things belong to you” (NASB). We are all partakers together of the benefits of God’s kingdom. We even own death, because for us, "to live is Christ, and to die is gain" (Philippians 1:21 NIV, ESV, NASB, KJV).

1 Corinthians 3:23 And ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's.

While we learn much from great Christian leaders, rather than unbalanced loyalty to one, mature Christians will begin to broaden their faith, tapping great Christian teachers across the spectrum, especially those whose focus is obeying Jesus.

Next, Paul will encourage us to love some as spiritual fathers, yet in concluding this chapter, he reminds us that all faithful teachers point us to Christ, and Jesus points us to the Father.

Clear the Building

Prelude

What kind of worship do we have here? Is it just a cabaret with Christian songs? Is it easy worship without self-sacrifice, or is it real worship from the heart?

Purpose

Let’s look at the most important purpose for our church building.

Plan

Let’s learn Jesus’ reason for driving the merchants out of the temple court in John 2:13-25.

Human Authority

John 2:13 Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

The Passover of the Christians was celebrated either at the same time as that of the Jews or a different time. The Christian feast has a different meaning than the Passover of the Jews, because Jesus has become our Passover Lamb. Christian Passover is called Easter in English.

John 2:14 And He found in the temple those who sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers doing business.

Like many human ideas, this possibly seemed like a genuine service, but it had many problems. The commotion disturbed worship. Profit motives corrupted it. Heartfelt personal sacrifice of an animal loved since birth, cared for and transported all the way to the temple, was cheapened by the easy sacrifice of an unknown animal bought at the market. Such corruption caused the temple to be despised.

John 2:15 When He had made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen, and poured out the changers’ money and overturned the tables.

Was this an ancient fundraiser similar to Catholic indulgences that was a main cause of the Protestant Reformation? How would God react to some of our church practices? Would He also be angry with some things that we take for granted?

John 2:16 And He said to those who sold doves, “Take these things away! Do not make My Father’s house a house of merchandise!”

As “God with us” Jesus’ authority to do this is absolute. The buying and selling of goods and services is not sinful, as long as everything is done honestly. However, it is not for the worship space.

John 2:17 Then His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for Your house has eaten Me up.”

Who does our church building belong to? Is our church just a money-making business or a place of worship from the heart? Would Jesus just talk to us calmly about church reformation, or use a whip and drive the money-changers out from among us? Do we have similar zeal for our house of worship?

Divine Authority

John 2:18 So the Jews answered and said to Him, “What sign do You show to us, since You do these things?”

Ours is an age of skepticism. A hallmark of Protestantism is to be skeptical of church authorities? Do we likewise demand a sign before we will believe? What sign do we demand to know that we are not just playing church, but that this is real, that Jesus is the Messiah come to save the whole world?

John 2:19 Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”

Jesus gave an answer which would later prove His authority by His self resurrection after 3 days. Did they understand?

John 2:20 Then the Jews said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?”

As is so often the case with Bible readers not led by the Holy Spirit, these people completely miss the hidden, spiritual meaning. What was it?

John 2:21 But He was speaking of the temple of His body.

Like many who read prophecy from a literal standpoint, they were lost in the incongruity of their literal understanding of His words, raising the temple in 3 days after destroying it. For instance, some believe that a literal third temple must be built in Jerusalem; others believe that Jesus and the church fulfill most prophecies of the temple and the tabernacle (Isaiah 8:14; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19; 2 Corinthians 6:16; Hebrews 8:2; Colossians 2:9).

John 2:22 Therefore, when He had risen from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this to them; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had said.

They now understood and believed a new spiritual depth to Old Testament scriptures and the words of Jesus.

John 2:23-25 Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did. 24 But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men, 25 and had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man.

Do we know what is in us? Do we know that we in the church are capable of the same tendency to spoil the worship of God? What are we going to do about it?

Postlude

This is all about how we do church today. Are we the one buying a cheap substitute sacrifice? Are we the one selling easy worship without self-sacrifice? Are we the priests defending vain traditions? Do we stand with Jesus to return God’s house to a house of prayer? What is our purpose as a church gathering, preservation of human ideas, Protestant forms of Catholic indulgences, or worship of the one true God?

Exodus 20:1-17 the Ten Commandments

Psalm 19 The heavens declare the glory of God

1 Corinthians 1:18-31 God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty

Take up your Cross

Prelude

As people run headlong into a world going nowhere, escaping reality in their hedonistic lifestyles, are we ashamed of Jesus and His words? Are we ashamed of suffering as Christians?

Purpose

Let’s see the value of taking up our cross and denying ourselves.

Plan

Let’s look at Jesus’ countercultural instructions in Mark 8:31-38.

Background

Mark 8:18 Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear? And do you not remember?

We too can be like the disciples, blind to some things. The next encounter is relevant.

Mark 8:22-26 Then He came to Bethsaida; and they brought a blind man to Him, and begged Him to touch him. 23 So He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the town. And when He had spit on his eyes and put His hands on him, He asked him if he saw anything. 24 And he looked up and said, “I see men like trees, walking.” 25 Then He put His hands on his eyes again and made him look up. And he was restored and saw everyone clearly. 26 Then He sent him away to his house, saying, “Neither go into the town, nor tell anyone in the town.”

The partial healing can be symbolic that we like the disciples may only see in part. Do we need Jesus’ touch a second time? Peter’s confession revealed that he partially understood, but his rebuke of Jesus revealed his blindness. Many Christians believe that Jesus is the Christ, but don’t fully understand that the cross is our way of life.

Mark 8:27-30 Now Jesus and His disciples went out to the towns of Caesarea Philippi; and on the road He asked His disciples, saying to them, “Who do men say that I am?” 28 So they answered, “John the Baptist; but some say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.” 29 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered and said to Him, “You are the Christ.” 30 Then He strictly warned them that they should tell no one about Him.

Just like many Christians, we may confess that Jesus is the Christ, but do we follow Him and take up our cross?

Today's Text

Mark 8:31 And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.

Time to see something better. Jesus teaches about His suffering and rejection. Nobody relishes bad news. Pastors comfort but prophets discomfort. Are we much different than Israel? ‘They tell the seers, "Stop seeing visions!" They tell the prophets, "Don't tell us what is right. Tell us nice things. Tell us lies.’ (Isaiah 30:10 NLT) And the most popular preachers today do just that, because we still can’t handle the truth.

Mark 8:32 He spoke this word openly. Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him.

Many of us would also rebuke Jesus, because we want to protect Him or perhaps naively don’t think that real Christianity ought to include suffering. It’s natural for us to hear God’s will and complain like ancient Israel. Peter was no different and neither are we.

Mark 8:33 But when He had turned around and looked at His disciples, He rebuked Peter, saying, “Get behind Me, Satan! For you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.”

Jesus’ rebuke was sometimes quite blunt. Let’s remember the instruction: “My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; For whom the LORD loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.” (Hebrews 12:5-6 NKJV // Proverbs 3:11-12; Revelation 3:19)

Mark 8:34 When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.”

How many would become Christians if they were told to deny self rather than experience “your best life now?” Selfishness sells; self-denial does not. In a moment of weakness, Peter later denied Jesus utterly, but he eventually learned to deny himself. Taking up our cross means to accept the will of God for our lives, no matter how painful.

Mark 8:35 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it.

A blessed eternity after losing our lives for Christ is far better than all the riches that a sinful world can only offer for a very short lifespan.

Mark 8:36 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul [breath of life]?

Literally this refers to forfeiting our own life (psyche), that is, for eternity. Gaining the whole world would only last a short lifetime, but eternal life in heavenly bliss is priceless.

Mark 8:37 Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul [life’s breath]?

Better said, “Is anything worth more than your soul?” (NLT) Short-sighted as we are, we too often choose the temporary pleasure of sin, damaging our souls and risking our eternity.

Mark 8:38 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”

How many times in everyday conversation, do we hide the fact that we are Christians, because we are ashamed? Let us never be ashamed of our faith in Jesus. Like Paul, let us say, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel” (Romans 1:16).

Postlude

We live in a hedonistic world where people live without any other purpose in life than eat-work-play-sleep-repeat. Are we ashamed of Jesus? Are we embarrassed to mention Him, knowing that whatever we suffer now, will be transformed into a wonderful eternity?

New King James Version (NKJV) Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16 “I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and your descendants after you.”

Psalm 22:23-31 “My praise shall be of You in the great assembly; I will pay My vows before those who fear Him.”

Romans 4:13-25 “For the promise that he would be the heir of the world was not to Abraham or to his seed through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.”

Lent, Time Apart

Prelude

Why should we take time apart before Easter? What is the purpose of Lent?

Purpose

Let’s see the value of quiet times apart for prayer, fasting, meditation and reflection.

Plan

Let’s look briefly at Jesus’ wilderness experience before beginning His ministry, in Mark 1:9-15.

The Dove

Mark 1:9-11 It came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 And immediately, coming up from the water, He saw the heavens parting and the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove. 11 Then a voice came from heaven, “You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

Why is the Holy Spirit pictured as a dove? It could mean any columbine, a dove or pigeon. Noah sent a dove to see if it was safe (Genesis 8:8-12). Similarly the Holy Spirit tells us if things are safe for us. Spiritually, we fly away on the wings of a dove to find rest (Psalm 55:6). Marital love is undefiled like a dove (Song 5:2; 6:9) and God sends His love to us in the Holy Spirit. A dove is harmless (Matthew 10:16) and the Holy Spirit brings us no harm. Where will He lead us?

Wilderness Experiences

Mark 1:12 Immediately the Spirit drove Him into the wilderness.

Are wilderness times good? The Holy Spirit leads us into solitary places to rest and prepare us for greater events to come. Does Jesus’ wilderness experience in the Judean outback teach us about down times? It’s time to slow down and wait for the mighty hand of God. As God was with the Patriarchs and Jesus let’s relax and await His revelation for the next step. What did Jesus do in His wilderness experience?

Mark 1:13 And He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan, and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered to Him.

Compare this to Noah’s forty days of rain, Israel’s forty years of wandering, Moses’ forty days on Sinai, forty days of scouting the Land, forty years of peace under several righteous judges, forty days of mocking by Goliath, Elijah’s forty days in the wilderness, and forty days between Jesus’ Resurrection and Ascension. Many Christians follow Isaiah’s admonitions during Lent (Isaiah 58).

At Hand

Mark 1:14 Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”

What does “at hand” mean? The kingdom of God is both future and now, both here and almost here. We allow God to change our hearts and trust His sovereignty. We become citizens of heaven before we get there, as we submit to His loving authority. How do we complete the journey home? Jesus is the way. When entering a new country of this world, we go through an immigration gate. Jesus is our gateway.

Repent

What did Jesus mean by repentance? Repent of immorality (Revelation 2:21), repent of impurity (2 Corinthians 12:21), repent and be baptized (Acts 2:38), repent and turn to God (Acts 3:19), repent of wickedness (Acts 8:22), be zealous and repent (Revelation 3:19), demonstrate repentance by our deeds (Acts 26:20), repent and believe (Mark 1:15), repent at the preaching (Matthew 12:41; Luke 11:32), repent of our deeds (Revelation 16:11), repent and give God glory (Revelation 16:9).

Believe

Laws cannot make us free. They make us slaves (Galatians 4:21-31). Moses' law makes us sinners (Romans 5:20-21). Human law controls evil (1 Timothy 1:8-11) but fails to change hearts. Laws cannot cover every loophole. Where law fails, only a change of heart (repentance) and a belief in the Gospel of Jesus Christ can grant us freedom.

Postlude

As Jesus took 40 days for time apart to prepare for His earthly mission, let us take the forty days of Lent to rededicate our lives to God. Let quiet times apart for meditation, fasting and reflection bring us closer to God preparing us for the mission set before us this year.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Why Ash Wednesday

Prelude

Ash Wednesday begins Lent, 40 days of fasting before Easter. Does Lent serve any purpose for a Protestant?

Purpose

Let’s look at several reasons for a Christian to fast and pray.

Plan

We’ll look at the topic of fasting in Joel 2, Psalm 51, 2 Corinthians 5-6 and Matthew 6.

Joel 2:1-2, 12-17

Joel 2:1 Blow the trumpet in Zion, And sound an alarm in My holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble; For the day of the Lord is coming, For it is at hand:

In ancient times trumpets were blown as a warning that war was coming. This time the warning is of God’s judgment coming. For them it meant a day when God would punish a rebellious nation. For us it pictures the final judgment day.

Joel 2:2 A day of darkness and gloominess, A day of clouds and thick darkness, Like the morning clouds spread over the mountains. A people come, great and strong, The like of whom has never been; Nor will there ever be any such after them, Even for many successive generations.

For them this signifies the approaching Chaldaean army. For us this pictures the final battle when Jesus returns.

Joel 2:12 “Now, therefore,” says the Lord, “Turn to Me with all your heart, With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.”

“Turn to me” is the positive side of repentance. A genuine change of heart is pictured here in fasting and genuine grief.

Joel 2:13 So rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the Lord your God, For He is gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, and of great kindness; And He relents from doing harm.

Outward expressions such as ashes at Lent and the ancient custom of tearing the clothing are okay, but the most important thing is a positive change of heart. God’s great desire is to be kind to us, but like any loving parent, He will not do so in a manner that encourages continued harm to ourselves and others.

Joel 2:14 Who knows if He will turn and relent, And leave a blessing behind Him—A grain offering and a drink offering For the Lord your God?

Of the five major classifications of offering (Deuteronomy 1-5), these were a communal meal shared by God and man, also pictured in Christian communion.

Joel 2:15 Blow the trumpet in Zion, Consecrate a fast, Call a sacred assembly;

Another purpose of trumpets was to announce a holy day. Atonement was such a fast day, but this seems to be a special fast day, including a sacred assembly. The word “church” comes from a Greek community assembly, a gathering of citizens called out from their homes into a public place. For Christians it means that we are called out from the world to a heavenly assembly.

Joel 2:16 Gather the people, Sanctify the congregation, Assemble the elders, Gather the children and nursing babes; Let the bridegroom go out from his chamber, And the bride from her dressing room.

This is an urgent assembly. Even weddings must be put on hold.

Joel 2:17 Let the priests, who minister to the Lord, Weep between the porch and the altar; Let them say, “Spare Your people, O Lord, And do not give Your heritage to reproach, That the nations should rule over them. Why should they say among the peoples, ‘Where is their God?’ ”

Today’s church is in the same position as ancient Israel. We have sinned against God and should likewise weep and repent.

Psalm 51:1-17

Psalm 51:1-2 To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David when Nathan the prophet went to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. Have mercy upon me, O God, According to Your lovingkindness; According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, Blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin.

David mentions three aspects of sin: transgression, iniquity and sin itself or rebellion, guilt and wrong.

Psalm 51:3 For I acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin is always before me.

To acknowledge our wrongs takes a big man. Notice how many in business and politics are just small men, claiming as some have, that they have nothing to repent of.

Psalm 51:4 Against You, You only, have I sinned, And done this evil in Your sight—That You may be found just when You speak, And blameless when You judge.

There seem to be three steps involved: 1) change of heart, the meaning of repentance in Greek, 2) confession to God, and 3) proof/fruits of repentance, a changed life, sanctification, becoming holy.

Psalm 51:5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me.

We are all born into a sinful environment. Whether or not we are born with a sin nature is a disputed topic.

Psalm 51:6 Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, And in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom.

God desires a change of heart more than a mere outward show like ashes and torn clothing.

Psalm 51:7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Hyssop was an ancient plant used as an ingredient in antibacterial soaps.

Psalm 51:8 Make me hear joy and gladness, That the bones You have broken may rejoice.

The crushing weight of sin feels like it will break our bones and pictures the brokenness of spirit that is the only cure.

Psalm 51:9 Hide Your face from my sins, And blot out all my iniquities.

May God look away from our sins and forget that they ever existed.

Psalm 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.

As in the beginning God created all things from nothing, David prays for a new heart using the same word, meaning created out of nothing.

Psalm 51:11 Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.

Living in God’s presence is our happy eternity. To be cast away is a description of hell.

Psalm 51:12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.

Salvation is true joy.

Psalm 51:13 Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners shall be converted to You.

A purpose of being saved is to save others.

Psalm 51:14 Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, The God of my salvation, And my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness.

David had been the cause of Uriah’s death and who knows how many others. But, how many die around the world today because of our use of poisonous chemicals, careless attitude towards goods manufactured by slaves in other nations, cancers caused by bad agricultural practices or other selfish indifference?

Psalm 51:15 O Lord, open my lips, And my mouth shall show forth Your praise.

His mouth is shut with shame. His prayer is that of every faithful preacher or teacher, that God’s Word would fill his mouth and not his own.

Psalm 51:16 For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering.

Offerings are not wrong, but they are not what really counts.

Psalm 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart—These, O God, You will not despise.

A broken spirit and a broken and contrite heart are the exact opposite of what is commonplace in political, celebrity and industry bragging. At their root, the world’s problems are mostly spiritual in nature, and the solutions are spiritual, of the heart.

2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10

2 Corinthians 5:20b … we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.

Even a Christian can go astray and needs to seek reconciliation with God.

2 Corinthians 5:21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

How do we become this righteousness? Not on our own, but in Him.

2 Corinthians 6:1 We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain.

Can we receive the grace of God in vain? Does this go against the idea of once saved always saved? Why begin in the Spirit and end in the flesh?

2 Corinthians 6:2 For He says: “In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

Now is entirely acceptable as the opportunity may never come again. This very day is the day of salvation.

2 Corinthians 6:3 We give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed.

Giving “no offense” here means not cause or temptation for others to sin.

2 Corinthians 6:4 But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, 5 in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings; 6 by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, 7 by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, 8 by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; 9 as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and yet not killed; 10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

True ministry is not an ego trip or a way to get rich, but a life of suffering. It requires a continual running to the comfort of God’s loving embrace.

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

Matthew 6:1 “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

Giving, prayer and fasting are to be done in secret, especially if we have a motive to show off. Jesus gave thanks in public when feeding the 5,000 and the 4,000. He even prayed from the cross for God the Father to forgive them. Yet, Jesus’ prayers even in public were not to show off or be seen by men but that the hearer might believe.

Matthew 6:16-18 “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

One reason that fasting is such a secret in the Christian community is that we are encouraged to keep it a secret when we fast.

Postlude

You may wish to also look at Isaiah 58 for personal study at home. Fasting and prayer have been the habit of the faithful since the beginning. The purpose of this has always been to turn further from the ways of this world, and with a sincere heart turn to God.