May the PCUSA presbyteries and their members remember that some things do not need reforming -- the church does need reform, yes, but "According to the Word of God." Just as in Luther and Calvin's time, the Word continually calls us to re-form back to the basics of the faith, and away from traditions and doctrines made by humans without Biblical basis. The Word of God does not need to be, and should not be, re-formed. It is the church that needs to be always reformed, according to the Word of God, not vice versa.
The old saying of the church that so many quote is usually only half-quoted -- It is ecclesia reformata, semper reformanda secundum verbum Dei : the church reformed, always reforming, according to the Word of God. We must hold fast to that key tenet: according to the Word of God.
Sisters and brothers in Christ, we must continue to be faithful witnesses to the Gospel and to the Scripture based truths found in our confessions. We cannot be ostriches, with our heads in the ground, pretending the conflict will just take care of itself. We must fight the good fight of faith. (1 Timothy 6:12)
But we must also continue to do the important work of the church beyond these issues -- caring for the sick, helping the poor, loving our neighbors, spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ in our communities and overseas, doing acts of kindness in Jesus' Name wherever we can, whenever we can.
We must act justly and love mercy. and walk humbly with our God. We must do what we can do, whenever we can do it, in Jesus' Name, following Him in Word and deed. We must walk the walk, not just major in talk. As Christians, we have vital work to do in partnering in the mission of God in this time and in the places God has given us.
A pastor friend of mine led me to consider two great pieces of wisdom as we all continue to pray about the issues that will come before us at presbytery meetings and in session and ongregational study sessions over the next year.
he first is the great prayer by theologian Reinhold Neibuhr:
SERENITY PRAYER
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change;
the courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.
The second is the wisdom we find in Proverbs:
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths.
Proverbs 3, 5-6
Yes, O Lord, please direct our paths! Amen. Amen.
And may God bless our presbytery, our churches, the PCUSA and the church universal!
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Reflections on the General Assembly, Part Three, Section A -- Being Faithful Witnesses to God's Unchanging Word!
These are my final meditations on the 219th General Assembly, of which I was and am a minister/commissioner representing the Presbytery of North Central Iowa. In the aftermath of the monumental meeting, I have been thinking and praying for almost two weeks now, and I wish to share just a few more thoughts for you to pray about.
While the PC(USA) is in the process of re-thinking its position on ordination standards, with the General Assembly having recently recommended deleting the current paragraph concerning fidelity in marriage and celibacy in singleness, it is interesting to note reaction from other parts of the church around the world.
Our mission partners in the global south, Africa and South America, where the universal church is growing the fastest at this moment in time, have decidedly different ideas about morality – ideas based on traditional Biblical views of morality, many taught to them by Presbyterian missionaries over the years. One young woman, an observer from Ghana, told me she was appalled at the PCUSA's seeming lack of morality. And she told me she thought she spoke for the great majority of African Christians. They, too, will be saddened by the GA's actions. So it seems to be true also of some Eastern European partners in the Orthodox church. They are standing firm on the traditional view of the Bible as seen in the historic confessions of the PCUSA.
One of the most remarkable moments in the general assembly came when the Orthodox Church’s stance on the sexual ethics controversy was made by clear by the Archpriest of Belarus, Rev. Siarhei Hardun of Belarus, who was invited to address the General Assembly.
When the Ecumenical Advisory Delegate from the Orthodox Church in Belarus, brought greetings, he also brought a tremendous moral authority that is found in the Bible, the PCUSA historic confessions, and in the heritage of the church universal.
Archpriest Siarhei Hardun of Belarus thanked the PCUSA for its mission work in his country, but also questioned some of the moral issues decided at the 219th General Assembly.
After thanking the moderator and GA participants for including him in the Assembly, Hardun shared from his heart. “I represent here the Orthodox Church of Christ – the church that has an unbroken, unchanged and unreformed tradition. And our theology has never been changed or reformed for almost 2,000 years."
“But the last century our church suffered severe persecution. Many bishops, priests and lay people were killed or imprisoned. Most of the church buildings were destroyed by the communists. Theological seminaries were closed. Any social work of the church was forbidden by law. And now our church is recovering after these long trials.
“In my country – Republic of Belarus, where I come from – 20 years ago we had 370 Orthodox congregations and now we have over 1,500 congregations. New churches are being built everywhere. We also try to organize the social work of the Church and in this we find support and assistance from the Presbyterian Church (USA). That’s why I am obliged to convey sincere gratitude on behalf of the Orthodox Church of Belarus to your church for its long standing support of our common projects in helping disabled people, lonely aged people, families with many children and other categories of those who are in need.”
The Belarusian cleric spoke words of gratitude for PCUSA mission workers in the region and then turned to his evaluation of the week in Minneapolis. “I am for the first time with Presbyterians, and now I want to say a few words about my impressions that I feel visiting this General Assembly,” he said.
Hardun’s first impression was related to the use of the 11th century version of the Nicene Creed instead of the 4th century version preferred by ecumenical councils. He then said, “And another thing. I was really struck while listening to your discussion about homosexuality, same-sex marriage, civil unions and other moral issues. Christian morality is as old as Christianity itself. It doesn’t need to be invented now. Those attempts to invent new morality look for me like attempts to invent a new religion – a sort of modern paganism.
“When people say that they are led and guided by the Holy Spirit to do it, I wonder if it is the same Spirit that inspired the Bible, if it is the same Holy Spirit that inspires the Holy Orthodox Church not to change anything doctrinal or moral standards? It is really the same Spirit or perhaps there are different spirits acting in different denominations and inspiring them to develop in different directions and create different theologies and different morals?
“My desire is that all Christians should contend earnestly for the faith, which was once for all delivered to the saints, as St. Jude calls us to do (Jude 1:3). And my advice as an Ecumenical Advisory Delegate is the following: 'Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.’” (Romans 12:2).
Hardun spoke of the very Word of God as the only advice worthy of commissioners’ attention. The subsequent actions of the Assembly indicate that the Biblical counsel fell on a huge room where the majority of folks did not heed his time-honored, tradition rich, Scripture infused advice.
However, Hardun bore faithful witness to the reality that indeed, a faithful remnant can survive persecution and the efforts of the Enemy to destroy the witness of Christ. The revival of the Orthodox Church of Belarus from the ashes of communism is a hopeful witness to American denominations in rapid decline who are beset by a cultural tsunami of situational "psuedo-therapeutic" ethics.
Here is a link to the 8 minute segment of the GA where Hardun spoke:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVOEeQYhX7k
While the PC(USA) is in the process of re-thinking its position on ordination standards, with the General Assembly having recently recommended deleting the current paragraph concerning fidelity in marriage and celibacy in singleness, it is interesting to note reaction from other parts of the church around the world.
Our mission partners in the global south, Africa and South America, where the universal church is growing the fastest at this moment in time, have decidedly different ideas about morality – ideas based on traditional Biblical views of morality, many taught to them by Presbyterian missionaries over the years. One young woman, an observer from Ghana, told me she was appalled at the PCUSA's seeming lack of morality. And she told me she thought she spoke for the great majority of African Christians. They, too, will be saddened by the GA's actions. So it seems to be true also of some Eastern European partners in the Orthodox church. They are standing firm on the traditional view of the Bible as seen in the historic confessions of the PCUSA.
One of the most remarkable moments in the general assembly came when the Orthodox Church’s stance on the sexual ethics controversy was made by clear by the Archpriest of Belarus, Rev. Siarhei Hardun of Belarus, who was invited to address the General Assembly.
When the Ecumenical Advisory Delegate from the Orthodox Church in Belarus, brought greetings, he also brought a tremendous moral authority that is found in the Bible, the PCUSA historic confessions, and in the heritage of the church universal.
Archpriest Siarhei Hardun of Belarus thanked the PCUSA for its mission work in his country, but also questioned some of the moral issues decided at the 219th General Assembly.
After thanking the moderator and GA participants for including him in the Assembly, Hardun shared from his heart. “I represent here the Orthodox Church of Christ – the church that has an unbroken, unchanged and unreformed tradition. And our theology has never been changed or reformed for almost 2,000 years."
“But the last century our church suffered severe persecution. Many bishops, priests and lay people were killed or imprisoned. Most of the church buildings were destroyed by the communists. Theological seminaries were closed. Any social work of the church was forbidden by law. And now our church is recovering after these long trials.
“In my country – Republic of Belarus, where I come from – 20 years ago we had 370 Orthodox congregations and now we have over 1,500 congregations. New churches are being built everywhere. We also try to organize the social work of the Church and in this we find support and assistance from the Presbyterian Church (USA). That’s why I am obliged to convey sincere gratitude on behalf of the Orthodox Church of Belarus to your church for its long standing support of our common projects in helping disabled people, lonely aged people, families with many children and other categories of those who are in need.”
The Belarusian cleric spoke words of gratitude for PCUSA mission workers in the region and then turned to his evaluation of the week in Minneapolis. “I am for the first time with Presbyterians, and now I want to say a few words about my impressions that I feel visiting this General Assembly,” he said.
Hardun’s first impression was related to the use of the 11th century version of the Nicene Creed instead of the 4th century version preferred by ecumenical councils. He then said, “And another thing. I was really struck while listening to your discussion about homosexuality, same-sex marriage, civil unions and other moral issues. Christian morality is as old as Christianity itself. It doesn’t need to be invented now. Those attempts to invent new morality look for me like attempts to invent a new religion – a sort of modern paganism.
“When people say that they are led and guided by the Holy Spirit to do it, I wonder if it is the same Spirit that inspired the Bible, if it is the same Holy Spirit that inspires the Holy Orthodox Church not to change anything doctrinal or moral standards? It is really the same Spirit or perhaps there are different spirits acting in different denominations and inspiring them to develop in different directions and create different theologies and different morals?
“My desire is that all Christians should contend earnestly for the faith, which was once for all delivered to the saints, as St. Jude calls us to do (Jude 1:3). And my advice as an Ecumenical Advisory Delegate is the following: 'Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.’” (Romans 12:2).
Hardun spoke of the very Word of God as the only advice worthy of commissioners’ attention. The subsequent actions of the Assembly indicate that the Biblical counsel fell on a huge room where the majority of folks did not heed his time-honored, tradition rich, Scripture infused advice.
However, Hardun bore faithful witness to the reality that indeed, a faithful remnant can survive persecution and the efforts of the Enemy to destroy the witness of Christ. The revival of the Orthodox Church of Belarus from the ashes of communism is a hopeful witness to American denominations in rapid decline who are beset by a cultural tsunami of situational "psuedo-therapeutic" ethics.
Here is a link to the 8 minute segment of the GA where Hardun spoke:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVOEeQYhX7k
General Assembly Reflections, Part Two -- Staying the Course
As I continue to reflect on the actions of the 219th General Assembly, of which I was a minister-commissioner, i am heartened by memories of all the good folks I met. I am still troubled by some of the decisions, but I am encouraged by individuals Imet from all over the country, who love the Lord and serve diligentlyin their churches. They share many of my concerns, but we alsoseek to be faithful to God's call in the midst of the turmoil and social upheavals of our times. We live in a challenging era. How will we respond? How does God want us to respond? We must prayerfully discern God's will for us.
One of my new church friends, a Hispanic pastor from New Mexico, who was also disappointed with some of the actions of the GA, sent me an email note with this encouraging Scripture from Hebrews. I pass it on to you:
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.
"Consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that you may not grow weary or lose heart. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood….Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed. Pursue peace with everyone, and the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springs up and causes trouble, and through it many become defiled."
Hebrews 12: 1-4, 12-15 (NRSV)
Another friend of mine in the Renewal network of PCUSA, a minister-commissioner from Pittsburgh, wrote to mr that several of his elders told him they did NOT WANT to leave the PCUSA, but "felt like the church was leaving them."
I surely do not want to leave the PCUSA either, but I understand where these elders are coming from. Many good people who have been nurtured by the Scripture and the traditional viewpoints of our PCUSA confessions and such foundational theologians and Calvin and Bullinger, for years and years, and then to be told that these statements of faith no longer matter "for our times", find it a hard pill to swallow. But I feel God is calling for those of us who stand for the historic traditional viewpoints of the church to continue to stand firm, in love and compassion, for the good of the church today and for the promise of the generations yet to come.
What do you think? Where will you stand? As a young man from West Virginia, who I sat with at dinner on Friday night at the GA said to me, "I want to stand on the Solid Rock, not the shifting sands of cultural accomodation, How about you?"
Another friend, a young woman from California, sent me a link to a website of Presbyterian Church in America blogger Adam Parker. The column is interesting, not because my friend is recommending a switch of individual members to PCA or EPA or anything like that, but because it shows another point of view from the Presbyterian family of Reformed churches. There is also a video featuring John Calvin scholar and author, John Piper, who I have enjoyed reading through the years, commenting on the recent trends of churches attempting to accommodate the culture (nothing new to this, just read the epistles to the Corinthians). Take a listen to his powerful comments. Here is the link --
http://www.bringthebooks.org/2010/07/pcusa-decisions-warning-for-pca.html
In conclusion, let us pray for the universal church, our denomination, our presbyteries, out particular local churches, and for each other. May God bless the Presbyterian Church, USA and the North Central Iowa Presbytery. May God guide our steps in the days and months to come.
One of my new church friends, a Hispanic pastor from New Mexico, who was also disappointed with some of the actions of the GA, sent me an email note with this encouraging Scripture from Hebrews. I pass it on to you:
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.
"Consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that you may not grow weary or lose heart. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood….Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed. Pursue peace with everyone, and the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springs up and causes trouble, and through it many become defiled."
Hebrews 12: 1-4, 12-15 (NRSV)
Another friend of mine in the Renewal network of PCUSA, a minister-commissioner from Pittsburgh, wrote to mr that several of his elders told him they did NOT WANT to leave the PCUSA, but "felt like the church was leaving them."
I surely do not want to leave the PCUSA either, but I understand where these elders are coming from. Many good people who have been nurtured by the Scripture and the traditional viewpoints of our PCUSA confessions and such foundational theologians and Calvin and Bullinger, for years and years, and then to be told that these statements of faith no longer matter "for our times", find it a hard pill to swallow. But I feel God is calling for those of us who stand for the historic traditional viewpoints of the church to continue to stand firm, in love and compassion, for the good of the church today and for the promise of the generations yet to come.
What do you think? Where will you stand? As a young man from West Virginia, who I sat with at dinner on Friday night at the GA said to me, "I want to stand on the Solid Rock, not the shifting sands of cultural accomodation, How about you?"
Another friend, a young woman from California, sent me a link to a website of Presbyterian Church in America blogger Adam Parker. The column is interesting, not because my friend is recommending a switch of individual members to PCA or EPA or anything like that, but because it shows another point of view from the Presbyterian family of Reformed churches. There is also a video featuring John Calvin scholar and author, John Piper, who I have enjoyed reading through the years, commenting on the recent trends of churches attempting to accommodate the culture (nothing new to this, just read the epistles to the Corinthians). Take a listen to his powerful comments. Here is the link --
http://www.bringthebooks.org/2010/07/pcusa-decisions-warning-for-pca.html
In conclusion, let us pray for the universal church, our denomination, our presbyteries, out particular local churches, and for each other. May God bless the Presbyterian Church, USA and the North Central Iowa Presbytery. May God guide our steps in the days and months to come.
Reflections from the General Assembly, Part One: Staying Faithful in the Midst of Strong Opposition
Thanks for your dear prayers while I was representing the Presbytery of North Central Iowa as a minister-commissioner at the 219th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, USA, in Minneapolis the last ten days. I surely needed your prayers, as it was a physically and mentally and spiritually taxing time. I found a great number of people who saw the Bible as our guide, who were committed to following God's Word as the primary way the Spirit leads us -- in accordance with God's Word.
Unfortunately, from our viewpoint, there was a larger number who saw things differently from us, and that was emotionally draining at times, as I found myself several times in a sea of rainbow scarves, deluged with posters and pamphlets calling for "justice now!"
Try as the Renewal network, which included myself, attempted to put forward the traditional view God's Word as a guide, as reflected in our Confessions, the folks on the other side seemed to turn a deaf ear to our pleas. claiming that their way of interpreting the Scripture was equally viable and had "more light" for our times. I strive to love these folks in Christ, and I tried to show them the greatest measure of respect at the assembly, but, after continued prayer and meditation. I cannot agree with that view of Scripture.
In my opinion, the best thing the Renewal network was able to do was to help keep the definition of marriage at "one man, one woman," which is the traditional view and what is now in the Book of Order of PCUSA. Sadly. the Committee on Civil Union and Marriage Issues launched toward plenary four difficult items, each propelled by the momentum of large committee affirmative votes:
A special committee report on same-sex unions and marriage that confessed an inability to agree on Biblical standards for sexual expression, but just wanted everyone to get along.
A set of amendments to the Directory for Worship that would substitute “two people” where “couple” or “a man and a woman” are now used in marriage services.
An Authoritative Interpretation that would immediately permit Christian marriage for “two people” rather than a man and a woman.
Recommendations to disapprove overtures that simply affirmed the Biblical marriage morality Presbyterians have always considered as bedrock teaching.
All was bleak for Biblical traditionalists at the weary hour when the General Assembly finally turned its attention to these matters. But a tortured 90 minutes later, things looked much brighter, thanks to a remarkable bit of parliamentary wrangling that the Renewal network fully supported:
The potentially troublesome report on same-sex unions got itself married to a rock-solid minority report that traditionalists, including myself, consider to be quite well done.. Both reports will be “commended” to the churches and sessions to read and study. Let us hope this study will be fruitful for the PCUSA.
The “two people” constitutional amendments were never even discussed, much less approved.
The “two people” Authoritative Interpretation likewise never got considered and never was approved.
While affirmations of Biblical marriage were disapproved—by a 2:1 margin, the current definition of marriage was NOT CHANGED.
The motion to let the action on the reports stand in answer to all proposed action passed by a narrow margin and then withstood a motion to reconsider the next day. Later on that day there was protest against the assembly's action on this issue, as a number of people blocked the platform and refused to leave until police arrested them and took them away from the meeting hall. The assembly sang a hymn as the moderator and stated clerk asked the protestors to leave, but the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) protestors apparently wanted to be arrested so the sight of it all could be placed on the evening news. Yes, they came into the hall with television cameras following. Such is the politics of our day.
Still, the bottom line is that the traditional view of marriage remains our standard. That radical transformation of the "two persons" language never happened. Pastors and sessions will not have to manage the crisis of explaining to their congregations the immediate introduction of same-sex marriage.
Church leaders will receive a dual set of study papers and recommendations to sort out. But half of the material will be nearly guaranteed to be to the liking of one side or another. Still, I hope all sessions will read both documents and much time in prayer. I sincerely hope that the Minority Report, a remarkable, Bible-based document, will be read by both sides,as well as the majority report. I feel that the Minority Report may put forth the Biblical point of view in a new way and vibrant way for those who may have never heard it, or meditated upon it.
There were other things that were passed that I had problems with, but we can deal with them in the presbyteries. We could not have changed the Authoritative Interpretation, so this was a great victory for the traditionalists. Still there is much to consider and much to pray about. This issue WILL return in two years, you can be certain of that.
I will write more later, when I have had time to ruminate upon all the happenings. It was not all bad news -- this is still a great church in many ways -- I was assigned to the committee on Mission Coordination and we expanded the mission outreach and budget to $82 million and much good is being done in missions. We also reinstated the Office of Collegiate Ministries, putting youth work at a high priority (this measure originated in our Presbytery). We also had some amazing worship services and great speakers like Dr. Steven Hayner, President of Columbia Seminary, amd Message author Dr. Eugene Peterson.
There was a lot of good in Minneapolis. But there were also things that will trouble many of us for some time to come.
On the joyous side, I saw Rev. Matt Glasgow, son of the Burt church and son of Dick and Nancy, who was a minister-commissioner from his presbytery. After my image was shown forty feet high on the big screens of the giant auditorium on the first night of the assembly business meetings, Matt came over and gave me a hug and introduced himself! His two little girls made the GA paper with a very cute picture of them on an escalator. I am sure grandpa and grandma will be proud!\
I also found that Chelsea Mills, a young woman of 17 from Kake, Alaska, was a Youth Advisory Delegate (YAD). Chelsea was in the Sunday School when we were in Kake. Her late father Rick and her mother Judy were outstanding elders and friends in Kake, so it was a delight to see her and to witness the wonderful young woman Chelsea has become!
Thanks again for your prayers. Keep Praying! I will write more later.
Unfortunately, from our viewpoint, there was a larger number who saw things differently from us, and that was emotionally draining at times, as I found myself several times in a sea of rainbow scarves, deluged with posters and pamphlets calling for "justice now!"
Try as the Renewal network, which included myself, attempted to put forward the traditional view God's Word as a guide, as reflected in our Confessions, the folks on the other side seemed to turn a deaf ear to our pleas. claiming that their way of interpreting the Scripture was equally viable and had "more light" for our times. I strive to love these folks in Christ, and I tried to show them the greatest measure of respect at the assembly, but, after continued prayer and meditation. I cannot agree with that view of Scripture.
In my opinion, the best thing the Renewal network was able to do was to help keep the definition of marriage at "one man, one woman," which is the traditional view and what is now in the Book of Order of PCUSA. Sadly. the Committee on Civil Union and Marriage Issues launched toward plenary four difficult items, each propelled by the momentum of large committee affirmative votes:
A special committee report on same-sex unions and marriage that confessed an inability to agree on Biblical standards for sexual expression, but just wanted everyone to get along.
A set of amendments to the Directory for Worship that would substitute “two people” where “couple” or “a man and a woman” are now used in marriage services.
An Authoritative Interpretation that would immediately permit Christian marriage for “two people” rather than a man and a woman.
Recommendations to disapprove overtures that simply affirmed the Biblical marriage morality Presbyterians have always considered as bedrock teaching.
All was bleak for Biblical traditionalists at the weary hour when the General Assembly finally turned its attention to these matters. But a tortured 90 minutes later, things looked much brighter, thanks to a remarkable bit of parliamentary wrangling that the Renewal network fully supported:
The potentially troublesome report on same-sex unions got itself married to a rock-solid minority report that traditionalists, including myself, consider to be quite well done.. Both reports will be “commended” to the churches and sessions to read and study. Let us hope this study will be fruitful for the PCUSA.
The “two people” constitutional amendments were never even discussed, much less approved.
The “two people” Authoritative Interpretation likewise never got considered and never was approved.
While affirmations of Biblical marriage were disapproved—by a 2:1 margin, the current definition of marriage was NOT CHANGED.
The motion to let the action on the reports stand in answer to all proposed action passed by a narrow margin and then withstood a motion to reconsider the next day. Later on that day there was protest against the assembly's action on this issue, as a number of people blocked the platform and refused to leave until police arrested them and took them away from the meeting hall. The assembly sang a hymn as the moderator and stated clerk asked the protestors to leave, but the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) protestors apparently wanted to be arrested so the sight of it all could be placed on the evening news. Yes, they came into the hall with television cameras following. Such is the politics of our day.
Still, the bottom line is that the traditional view of marriage remains our standard. That radical transformation of the "two persons" language never happened. Pastors and sessions will not have to manage the crisis of explaining to their congregations the immediate introduction of same-sex marriage.
Church leaders will receive a dual set of study papers and recommendations to sort out. But half of the material will be nearly guaranteed to be to the liking of one side or another. Still, I hope all sessions will read both documents and much time in prayer. I sincerely hope that the Minority Report, a remarkable, Bible-based document, will be read by both sides,as well as the majority report. I feel that the Minority Report may put forth the Biblical point of view in a new way and vibrant way for those who may have never heard it, or meditated upon it.
There were other things that were passed that I had problems with, but we can deal with them in the presbyteries. We could not have changed the Authoritative Interpretation, so this was a great victory for the traditionalists. Still there is much to consider and much to pray about. This issue WILL return in two years, you can be certain of that.
I will write more later, when I have had time to ruminate upon all the happenings. It was not all bad news -- this is still a great church in many ways -- I was assigned to the committee on Mission Coordination and we expanded the mission outreach and budget to $82 million and much good is being done in missions. We also reinstated the Office of Collegiate Ministries, putting youth work at a high priority (this measure originated in our Presbytery). We also had some amazing worship services and great speakers like Dr. Steven Hayner, President of Columbia Seminary, amd Message author Dr. Eugene Peterson.
There was a lot of good in Minneapolis. But there were also things that will trouble many of us for some time to come.
On the joyous side, I saw Rev. Matt Glasgow, son of the Burt church and son of Dick and Nancy, who was a minister-commissioner from his presbytery. After my image was shown forty feet high on the big screens of the giant auditorium on the first night of the assembly business meetings, Matt came over and gave me a hug and introduced himself! His two little girls made the GA paper with a very cute picture of them on an escalator. I am sure grandpa and grandma will be proud!\
I also found that Chelsea Mills, a young woman of 17 from Kake, Alaska, was a Youth Advisory Delegate (YAD). Chelsea was in the Sunday School when we were in Kake. Her late father Rick and her mother Judy were outstanding elders and friends in Kake, so it was a delight to see her and to witness the wonderful young woman Chelsea has become!
Thanks again for your prayers. Keep Praying! I will write more later.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Expecting Miracles -- Jesus and the Miracle at the Wedding, Part Three
Jesus brought a new way of life -- the Jesus Way. The old system of having to live up to an impossible legal code has been replaced by the wine of God’s grace which washes our sins away. We are cleansed on the inside. This is not just symbol; it is substance. Our sins are not just taken away, we have a changed heart that desires to love God and live for him. He places within us holy desire. There is no limit to his grace. What Jesus gives is never just enough, it is always more than enough, with more left over. Just take a look at a flower. Many are blooming this summer. The blossoms are so intricate and beautiful that it could take your breath away.
Think of the miracles of creation itself. You are a miracle! The human body is miraculous. What it does without your conscious thinking is totally awesome. Think of this -- In the depths of the ocean where no one has ever been, God paints his creatures with exotic color and beauty. Below the ground, where no one has yet gone, God places gold and precious stones. He is extravagant.
In very ordinary places He creates extraordinary beauty. Let Jesus touch you, and see if your life is not filled with new beauty and wonder — new flavor and fragrance. See if it is not like wine that gladdens the heart of man (Psalm 104:15). Jesus is in the business of turning water into wine, sinners into saints, fear into courage, sorrow into joy, defeat into victory, despair into hope and death into life.
The third point I would like to make concerning this story is that: Miracles happen when we understand that Jesus extravagantly provides for our everyday requests. There were six jars containing between 20 and 30 gallons apiece. So, at the very least, the jars contained 120 gallons of wine, and as much as 180 gallons. That is a lot of wine. There is no way the guests could have consumed that much wine. Why did Jesus give so much wine? Because he is an extravagant giver. He never gives just enough; he always gives superabundantly.
What the guests had tasted cautiously before, they ... now drank in abundance. This is the same thing Jesus did when he fed the multitude. He multiplied five loaves and two fish so that 5,000 men and their families were fed. And when everyone had eaten their fill, there were twelve baskets of bread and fish left over. He gave them more than they could possibly eat. But that is the way God gives.
Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it more abundantly, to the full” (John 10:10). We may be poor according to this world’s standards, but we are rich toward God. We may have nothing, but have everything. For we have an extravagant God who lavishes us with his blessings. I like the way The Message translates Psalm 145:16. It says, “Generous to us all, you lavish your favor on all creatures.”
God’s grace means that h is generous to us. The Bible says H gives “immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us” (Ephesians 3:20). He loves to bless, or as the hymn says, “He comes to make his blessings flow.” To a dying thief on a cross he gave the gift of paradise. To a woman caught in an immoral act he gave the gift of God’s amazing grace and forgiveness. To a grieving father he gave back a child from the grip of death. To the one who denied him he gave the keys of the kingdom. He is lavish with his gifts. And to you who come with your requests, he gives the promise of abundant life here and now, and beyond this world, eternal life.
You remember in the story that when they filled the jars, they filled them to the brim. And when the master of the banquet tasted the wine his eyes lit up. He could not believe what he was tasting. He said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now” (John 2:10). Jesus always saves the best till last. The world puts its best up front and things go downhill from there. But when God shows up things go from good to best. John wrote: “From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another” (John 1:16).
We have been filled to the brim with the blessings of God. One day as we enter his kingdom we will be treated to sights we never dreamed possible. Absent will be everything we have feared, and present there will be the best of everything here and much, much more. Heaven is where the deepest longings of our lives will be met. We will hear him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant. . . enter thou into the joy of thy lord” (Matthew 25:23). Rapturous joy will overtake us and we will say, “You have saved the best till now!” The Bible assures us, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9). The best that the world has to offer now is only a hint of what is yet to be. The difference will be as different as water is to wine.
One last big thought to share with you today -- It is interesting that Jesus waited until their resources had run dry before he performed the miracle. Only when the people came to the end of their supply were they ready to receive what Jesus had to give. John Piper, in an article entitled “The Present Power of a Future Possession,” said, “The cost of food in the kingdom is hunger for the bread of heaven, instead of the white bread of the world. Do you want it? Are you hungry? Or are you satisfied with yourself and your television and your computer and your job and your family?”
Likewise, the cost of the new wine that Jesus is offering is thirst. Are you thirsty? Do you want something more? If so, when you come to Jesus you have come to the right place, for he is the God of abundance and life. He gives extravagantly. To receive this wine you have to come to him with your thirst. As you stand there with your empty life, follow the instructions of Jesus’ mother when she says, “Do whatever he tells you.” If you do, something wonderful is about to happen — a miracle. Expect a miracle. God makes miracles happen! Amen. Amen.
Think of the miracles of creation itself. You are a miracle! The human body is miraculous. What it does without your conscious thinking is totally awesome. Think of this -- In the depths of the ocean where no one has ever been, God paints his creatures with exotic color and beauty. Below the ground, where no one has yet gone, God places gold and precious stones. He is extravagant.
In very ordinary places He creates extraordinary beauty. Let Jesus touch you, and see if your life is not filled with new beauty and wonder — new flavor and fragrance. See if it is not like wine that gladdens the heart of man (Psalm 104:15). Jesus is in the business of turning water into wine, sinners into saints, fear into courage, sorrow into joy, defeat into victory, despair into hope and death into life.
The third point I would like to make concerning this story is that: Miracles happen when we understand that Jesus extravagantly provides for our everyday requests. There were six jars containing between 20 and 30 gallons apiece. So, at the very least, the jars contained 120 gallons of wine, and as much as 180 gallons. That is a lot of wine. There is no way the guests could have consumed that much wine. Why did Jesus give so much wine? Because he is an extravagant giver. He never gives just enough; he always gives superabundantly.
What the guests had tasted cautiously before, they ... now drank in abundance. This is the same thing Jesus did when he fed the multitude. He multiplied five loaves and two fish so that 5,000 men and their families were fed. And when everyone had eaten their fill, there were twelve baskets of bread and fish left over. He gave them more than they could possibly eat. But that is the way God gives.
Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it more abundantly, to the full” (John 10:10). We may be poor according to this world’s standards, but we are rich toward God. We may have nothing, but have everything. For we have an extravagant God who lavishes us with his blessings. I like the way The Message translates Psalm 145:16. It says, “Generous to us all, you lavish your favor on all creatures.”
God’s grace means that h is generous to us. The Bible says H gives “immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us” (Ephesians 3:20). He loves to bless, or as the hymn says, “He comes to make his blessings flow.” To a dying thief on a cross he gave the gift of paradise. To a woman caught in an immoral act he gave the gift of God’s amazing grace and forgiveness. To a grieving father he gave back a child from the grip of death. To the one who denied him he gave the keys of the kingdom. He is lavish with his gifts. And to you who come with your requests, he gives the promise of abundant life here and now, and beyond this world, eternal life.
You remember in the story that when they filled the jars, they filled them to the brim. And when the master of the banquet tasted the wine his eyes lit up. He could not believe what he was tasting. He said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now” (John 2:10). Jesus always saves the best till last. The world puts its best up front and things go downhill from there. But when God shows up things go from good to best. John wrote: “From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another” (John 1:16).
We have been filled to the brim with the blessings of God. One day as we enter his kingdom we will be treated to sights we never dreamed possible. Absent will be everything we have feared, and present there will be the best of everything here and much, much more. Heaven is where the deepest longings of our lives will be met. We will hear him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant. . . enter thou into the joy of thy lord” (Matthew 25:23). Rapturous joy will overtake us and we will say, “You have saved the best till now!” The Bible assures us, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9). The best that the world has to offer now is only a hint of what is yet to be. The difference will be as different as water is to wine.
One last big thought to share with you today -- It is interesting that Jesus waited until their resources had run dry before he performed the miracle. Only when the people came to the end of their supply were they ready to receive what Jesus had to give. John Piper, in an article entitled “The Present Power of a Future Possession,” said, “The cost of food in the kingdom is hunger for the bread of heaven, instead of the white bread of the world. Do you want it? Are you hungry? Or are you satisfied with yourself and your television and your computer and your job and your family?”
Likewise, the cost of the new wine that Jesus is offering is thirst. Are you thirsty? Do you want something more? If so, when you come to Jesus you have come to the right place, for he is the God of abundance and life. He gives extravagantly. To receive this wine you have to come to him with your thirst. As you stand there with your empty life, follow the instructions of Jesus’ mother when she says, “Do whatever he tells you.” If you do, something wonderful is about to happen — a miracle. Expect a miracle. God makes miracles happen! Amen. Amen.
Expecting Miracles -- Jesus and the Miracle at Cana, Part Two
There was a popular religious movement around the time of the founding of our country called Deism. Deism was opposed to Christianity’s personal idea of God. They believed that God created the world, but that he wound it up like a clock and then left it to attend to other things. But that is a god who is too small to be God.
Our God lives and he reigns. He is so personal he promises to live within us if we only ask him. He is so great he is involved in every detail of the ongoing process of life upon the earth. He designs every snowflake. He calls for the storm and then commands it to be still. He whistles to the birds, calling them to their winter home. He holds the world together with his loving and powerful hands. He knows your name and he knows your need. This is the mighty God we serve.
The second point I would like to make about this story is that: Miracles happen when we understand that Jesus transforms our everyday experiences. Jesus did not come to give us information; he came to give us a transformation. He changes things. He has a way of taking the ordinary and making it extraordinary. He did not come to bring new ideas; he came to make new people. The water did not just appear to be wine; it was transformed into wine — the best of wine at that. Some people have trouble believing this kind of miracle, but it is only because they do not understand the kind of God we have.
Actually, turning water into wine is something that God does every day. As I was traveling in Minnesota recently, I passed several vineyards. I could literally look out the window and see God changing water into wine. The rain falls on the ground, and as the vine draws the water up to the branches, it is transformed into the juice of the grape. When that juice goes through the natural process of fermentation it will become some of the finest wine anyone ever tasted. All because of God’s great creation!
Our God is in the transformation business. The world wants us to get a new hairdo or a new wardrobe. Society wants us to get a better job or learn a new skill. People want to lose weight or get a face lift. But Jesus does not want to change your looks, he wants to change your heart. He doesn’t want to give you a new suit; he wants to make you a new person. He does not want to rearrange you; he wants to transform you. You may want to look better on the outside, and he wants to make you new on the inside. And when that transformation takes place, it will show on the outside.
When Jesus changed the water into wine, he did not just change the color and fool the people’s taste buds — he actually changed the water into wine. When the water was turned to wine, the shame of the bridal family was turned to joy. The mood of the party was transformed.
And Jesus’ disciples were transformed. The Bible says, “He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him.”
Here is what Jesus really came to do. He came to transform people. Jewish custom was focused on the importance of being ceremonially clean. The water jars were mostly empty because each guest had been given water to wash their feet and hands as they arrived, but this was not so much for cleanliness as it was for ritual purity. The jars of water were there in order to fulfill the Old Testament requirements for ceremonial washing. In John’s way of mixing events with metaphor, the jars represented the Old Testament law and its inability to make a person truly clean. When Jesus came into contact with these jars used in ritual cleansing, he transformed their contents. He filled the jars with his new wine. The deadness of the Old Testament law was made alive with the wine of the new covenant that Jesus came to bring. Wine is the symbol of God’s grace that comes into our lives undeserved, and transforms us from the inside out. He says, “I am making everything new!” (Revelation 21:5).
Our God lives and he reigns. He is so personal he promises to live within us if we only ask him. He is so great he is involved in every detail of the ongoing process of life upon the earth. He designs every snowflake. He calls for the storm and then commands it to be still. He whistles to the birds, calling them to their winter home. He holds the world together with his loving and powerful hands. He knows your name and he knows your need. This is the mighty God we serve.
The second point I would like to make about this story is that: Miracles happen when we understand that Jesus transforms our everyday experiences. Jesus did not come to give us information; he came to give us a transformation. He changes things. He has a way of taking the ordinary and making it extraordinary. He did not come to bring new ideas; he came to make new people. The water did not just appear to be wine; it was transformed into wine — the best of wine at that. Some people have trouble believing this kind of miracle, but it is only because they do not understand the kind of God we have.
Actually, turning water into wine is something that God does every day. As I was traveling in Minnesota recently, I passed several vineyards. I could literally look out the window and see God changing water into wine. The rain falls on the ground, and as the vine draws the water up to the branches, it is transformed into the juice of the grape. When that juice goes through the natural process of fermentation it will become some of the finest wine anyone ever tasted. All because of God’s great creation!
Our God is in the transformation business. The world wants us to get a new hairdo or a new wardrobe. Society wants us to get a better job or learn a new skill. People want to lose weight or get a face lift. But Jesus does not want to change your looks, he wants to change your heart. He doesn’t want to give you a new suit; he wants to make you a new person. He does not want to rearrange you; he wants to transform you. You may want to look better on the outside, and he wants to make you new on the inside. And when that transformation takes place, it will show on the outside.
When Jesus changed the water into wine, he did not just change the color and fool the people’s taste buds — he actually changed the water into wine. When the water was turned to wine, the shame of the bridal family was turned to joy. The mood of the party was transformed.
And Jesus’ disciples were transformed. The Bible says, “He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him.”
Here is what Jesus really came to do. He came to transform people. Jewish custom was focused on the importance of being ceremonially clean. The water jars were mostly empty because each guest had been given water to wash their feet and hands as they arrived, but this was not so much for cleanliness as it was for ritual purity. The jars of water were there in order to fulfill the Old Testament requirements for ceremonial washing. In John’s way of mixing events with metaphor, the jars represented the Old Testament law and its inability to make a person truly clean. When Jesus came into contact with these jars used in ritual cleansing, he transformed their contents. He filled the jars with his new wine. The deadness of the Old Testament law was made alive with the wine of the new covenant that Jesus came to bring. Wine is the symbol of God’s grace that comes into our lives undeserved, and transforms us from the inside out. He says, “I am making everything new!” (Revelation 21:5).
Expecting Miracles -- Got WIne? Jesus' Miracle at the Wedding in Cana, Part One
You have seen the commercials showing someone with a mouth full of cookies, as the question was asked: “Got milk?” Well, the question in the story we have read today was: “Got wine?” And the answer was: “No!” The wine was gone. A miracle was needed to save the family, and the new couple, the ultimate embarrassment of not being able to provide enough for their friends.
They would be forever remembered in this small village as the ones who failed to take care of the needs of their guests. The supply of wine was already running low when Jesus and his five new disciples showed up. They had been invited, but it was putting an added strain on the diminishing supply of wine.
The Gospel of John is full of symbolism and allegory. The story opens with the words: “On the third day. . . .” The story here is heavy with allegory in which John may have been alluding to Jesus’ resurrection after three days. John is preparing us for what he is building up to throughout his Gospel: that Jesus Christ would be buried, and on the third day he would show up, having risen from the dead.
He would then make preparations for the great wedding feast of the Lamb of God, when he would gather together all who would be his guests into the Kingdom of God. Jesus’ first sign would point to his final sign by which he would show his glory.
After Jesus and his disciples arrive at the wedding, Jesus’ mother approached him and said, “They have no more wine.” Some believe that the bridal family may have been his relatives, or perhaps it was even the wedding of one of his younger sisters. They believe she was not asking for, or expecting, a miracle, but was saying, in effect, “The arrival of you and your disciples has caused a problem. Please send some of them to purchase more wine.”
But I believe the more likely scenario is that Jesus’ mother has known all along who he was and what he was capable of. She understands that his public ministry began with his baptism and the calling of the first of his disciples. She expects that he will do something wonderful. And so, even over his reluctance to start his ministry before its time, she tells the servants: “Do whatever he tells you.”
The first point I would like to make regarding this story is that: Miracles happen when we understand that Jesus cares about our everyday needs. Jesus’ mother knows that he cares about people. He cares about all our needs, not just our spiritual needs. He cares about people being unnecessarily embarrassed. He cares about people enjoying themselves.
In fact, in the New Testament, we often see him at parties and dinners to which he has been invited, and he is always the center of the party. He enjoyed himself so much that his detractors called him a “glutton and drunkard” (Matthew 11:19). No one ever accused Jesus of promoting a dour, rigid, emotion-stifling religion — just the opposite.
Wherever Jesus went there was life and joy. He stated that his life mission was, as he said, that his joy might be in us and that our joy might be complete (John 15:11). He has come to bring his joy, and there is joy everywhere in our world. He is the God of irrepressible joy, and he has come to share it. He offers the spiritual wine of joy to all those who are thirsty for life — for those who will come and drink. He takes care of our needs both great and small.
There is nothing too ordinary to pray about. He is just as concerned about the little problems of your life as he is the big problems. If he was a little god he would be able to take care of only the major things, but since he is the great God he is, he is able to take care of all the things in our lives. He sees every sparrow each time they land on the ground. He keeps track of the number of hairs on your head. He calls the stars by name. He is a great God who is too big not to be concerned about the everyday things of your life.
They would be forever remembered in this small village as the ones who failed to take care of the needs of their guests. The supply of wine was already running low when Jesus and his five new disciples showed up. They had been invited, but it was putting an added strain on the diminishing supply of wine.
The Gospel of John is full of symbolism and allegory. The story opens with the words: “On the third day. . . .” The story here is heavy with allegory in which John may have been alluding to Jesus’ resurrection after three days. John is preparing us for what he is building up to throughout his Gospel: that Jesus Christ would be buried, and on the third day he would show up, having risen from the dead.
He would then make preparations for the great wedding feast of the Lamb of God, when he would gather together all who would be his guests into the Kingdom of God. Jesus’ first sign would point to his final sign by which he would show his glory.
After Jesus and his disciples arrive at the wedding, Jesus’ mother approached him and said, “They have no more wine.” Some believe that the bridal family may have been his relatives, or perhaps it was even the wedding of one of his younger sisters. They believe she was not asking for, or expecting, a miracle, but was saying, in effect, “The arrival of you and your disciples has caused a problem. Please send some of them to purchase more wine.”
But I believe the more likely scenario is that Jesus’ mother has known all along who he was and what he was capable of. She understands that his public ministry began with his baptism and the calling of the first of his disciples. She expects that he will do something wonderful. And so, even over his reluctance to start his ministry before its time, she tells the servants: “Do whatever he tells you.”
The first point I would like to make regarding this story is that: Miracles happen when we understand that Jesus cares about our everyday needs. Jesus’ mother knows that he cares about people. He cares about all our needs, not just our spiritual needs. He cares about people being unnecessarily embarrassed. He cares about people enjoying themselves.
In fact, in the New Testament, we often see him at parties and dinners to which he has been invited, and he is always the center of the party. He enjoyed himself so much that his detractors called him a “glutton and drunkard” (Matthew 11:19). No one ever accused Jesus of promoting a dour, rigid, emotion-stifling religion — just the opposite.
Wherever Jesus went there was life and joy. He stated that his life mission was, as he said, that his joy might be in us and that our joy might be complete (John 15:11). He has come to bring his joy, and there is joy everywhere in our world. He is the God of irrepressible joy, and he has come to share it. He offers the spiritual wine of joy to all those who are thirsty for life — for those who will come and drink. He takes care of our needs both great and small.
There is nothing too ordinary to pray about. He is just as concerned about the little problems of your life as he is the big problems. If he was a little god he would be able to take care of only the major things, but since he is the great God he is, he is able to take care of all the things in our lives. He sees every sparrow each time they land on the ground. He keeps track of the number of hairs on your head. He calls the stars by name. He is a great God who is too big not to be concerned about the everyday things of your life.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Marriage Part Two: Pray for Christian Marriage and Those Men and Women Who Are Married
Psychologists say that human beings have a fundamental need for "stable primary bondings" with other people. Yet that merely confirms the Genesis account, in which God says simply, "It is not good for the man to be alone" (Genesis 2:18). It is to provide "a helper suitable for him" that God creates the woman. And the two becoming "one flesh" is in part a spiritual event reflecting the emotional bonding of the two. The woman is someone who, by being of the opposite sex, serves to complement the man, not merely mirror him. Marriage unites opposites, each of whom has what the other lacks, completing the other.
Marriage calls on couples to save themselves only for each other. To do so is essential, because even the most private sexual acts can have destructive public consequences outside of marriage (see 1 Corinthians 6:12-20).
To cite only the most obvious examples, sex outside of marriage results in the birth of children who are deprived of the benefits of growing up with both a mother and a father, while sex with multiple partners results in the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. Ironically, both of these problems have increased, not decreased, in recent years.
That reproduction of the human race is one of the central purposes of marriage is clear from God's mandate to Adam and Eve in Genesis 1:
27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.28 God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it.
For the human race to "be fruitful and increase in number," it was clearly necessary that man and woman come together in a procreative act, notwithstanding test tube babies adopted by famous homosexuals, it still takes sperm and egg (from a man and a woman) to create a baby. That is God's way.
Here are some steps that you can take personally to protect marriage:
•Work on the quality of your own marriage. Take time to be alone together and enjoy one another. Talk to your spouse openly and lovingly about any problems in your marriage. Seek counseling if you are having serious difficulties. Help others with their marriages by attending church and joining in couple fellowship activities, Sunday School and Youth Fellowship, supporting families in your church.
•Teach your children to honor marriage. Teach them to abstain from sexual relations before marriage. Be a good model for them of the proper relationship between man and woman, husband and wife, and mother and father.
*Pray for marriage and all the married couples you know, especially the younger ones. Hold marriage of others in the highest honor. Pray for the couples and their children each day.
Marriage calls on couples to save themselves only for each other. To do so is essential, because even the most private sexual acts can have destructive public consequences outside of marriage (see 1 Corinthians 6:12-20).
To cite only the most obvious examples, sex outside of marriage results in the birth of children who are deprived of the benefits of growing up with both a mother and a father, while sex with multiple partners results in the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. Ironically, both of these problems have increased, not decreased, in recent years.
That reproduction of the human race is one of the central purposes of marriage is clear from God's mandate to Adam and Eve in Genesis 1:
27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.28 God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it.
For the human race to "be fruitful and increase in number," it was clearly necessary that man and woman come together in a procreative act, notwithstanding test tube babies adopted by famous homosexuals, it still takes sperm and egg (from a man and a woman) to create a baby. That is God's way.
Here are some steps that you can take personally to protect marriage:
•Work on the quality of your own marriage. Take time to be alone together and enjoy one another. Talk to your spouse openly and lovingly about any problems in your marriage. Seek counseling if you are having serious difficulties. Help others with their marriages by attending church and joining in couple fellowship activities, Sunday School and Youth Fellowship, supporting families in your church.
•Teach your children to honor marriage. Teach them to abstain from sexual relations before marriage. Be a good model for them of the proper relationship between man and woman, husband and wife, and mother and father.
*Pray for marriage and all the married couples you know, especially the younger ones. Hold marriage of others in the highest honor. Pray for the couples and their children each day.
Marriage Part One: Pray for Christian Marriage and the Men and Women Who Have Come Together in Marriage
What is Marriage For? What is the traditional Christian view of marriage? Marriage between a man and a woman is the keystone of our civilization and a gift from our God.
Marriage is an institution created by God. That much is clear from Genesis 2:18-24 (NIV):
18 The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him."
19 Now the LORD God had formed out of the ground all the beasts of the field and all the birds of the air. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. 20 So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds of the air and all the beasts of the field. But for Adam no suitable helper was found. 21 So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man's ribs and closed up the place with flesh. 22 Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. 23 The man said, "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called 'woman,' for she was taken out of man." 24 For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.
Jesus later quotes this verse 24 in affirming marriage in the New Testament in Matthew 19:5. Because it was included as a part of the original creation, it is clear that God's fundamental intention for marriage applies to all human beings. However, a look at the whole of Scripture reveals that marriage has special meanings for the people of God.
Marriage of man and woman reflects the diversity of God's creation and the diversity within the oneness of the Trinity itself. This combination of "sameness" and "difference" also characterizes humanity. Indeed, it may be this combination that reflects "the image of God" (Gen. 1:26). In Genesis 2, Adam names the animals, but they are not "suitable" companions for him, because they are not the same as him - they are not human. To create a "suitable helper" for Adam, God takes a part of Adam's body to fashion one the same as Adam - another human being. Yet the person God creates is also different from Adam - a woman, not a man. The human race is incomplete without both male and female. Yet when they unite to become "one flesh" (Gen. 2:24), their oneness - despite their difference - reflects the oneness of God, despite the plurality of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
In the Old Testament, the covenant of marriage serves as a metaphor for the relationship between God and the people of Israel. The worship of other gods (idolatry) is viewed as the equivalent of adultery, with Israel as the unfaithful spouse. (see Jeremiah 3:6, 8)
In the New Testament, marriage is seen as a metaphor of the relationship between Christ and the Church. (Ephesians 5:21-33; Revelation 19:7-9). Marriage advances God's purpose in salvation
Marriage is an institution created by God. That much is clear from Genesis 2:18-24 (NIV):
18 The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him."
19 Now the LORD God had formed out of the ground all the beasts of the field and all the birds of the air. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. 20 So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds of the air and all the beasts of the field. But for Adam no suitable helper was found. 21 So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man's ribs and closed up the place with flesh. 22 Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. 23 The man said, "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called 'woman,' for she was taken out of man." 24 For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.
Jesus later quotes this verse 24 in affirming marriage in the New Testament in Matthew 19:5. Because it was included as a part of the original creation, it is clear that God's fundamental intention for marriage applies to all human beings. However, a look at the whole of Scripture reveals that marriage has special meanings for the people of God.
Marriage of man and woman reflects the diversity of God's creation and the diversity within the oneness of the Trinity itself. This combination of "sameness" and "difference" also characterizes humanity. Indeed, it may be this combination that reflects "the image of God" (Gen. 1:26). In Genesis 2, Adam names the animals, but they are not "suitable" companions for him, because they are not the same as him - they are not human. To create a "suitable helper" for Adam, God takes a part of Adam's body to fashion one the same as Adam - another human being. Yet the person God creates is also different from Adam - a woman, not a man. The human race is incomplete without both male and female. Yet when they unite to become "one flesh" (Gen. 2:24), their oneness - despite their difference - reflects the oneness of God, despite the plurality of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
In the Old Testament, the covenant of marriage serves as a metaphor for the relationship between God and the people of Israel. The worship of other gods (idolatry) is viewed as the equivalent of adultery, with Israel as the unfaithful spouse. (see Jeremiah 3:6, 8)
In the New Testament, marriage is seen as a metaphor of the relationship between Christ and the Church. (Ephesians 5:21-33; Revelation 19:7-9). Marriage advances God's purpose in salvation
Monday, June 14, 2010
Basic Spiritual Exercises That Will Profit You a Great Deal!
"...exercise yourself toward godliness. For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come." - 1Ti 4:7-8
Basic Spiritual Exercises Will Benfit You a Great Deal!
I. READ THE WORD OF GOD -- 1. The means by which we grow spiritually - 1Pe 2:2. 2. It was by the Word of God that Jesus resisted the devil - Mt 4:4,7,10 3. It is by God's Word in our hearts that we can resist sin - Psa 119:11-- The Word of God is therefore foundational to our spiritual fitness
1. Develop the habit of reading the Word daily 2. Start slow; perhaps with the NT, a chapter a day
3. Progress to reading the Bible through each year 4. Read devotionally, meditating on what you read
-- The Word of God will help you to grow in grace and knowledge
II. SPEND TIME IN PRAYER --A. THE POWER OF PRAYER...1. . There is forgiveness from God - Ac 8:22; 1Jn 1:7-10 2. There is peace from God - Php 4:6-7 3. There is strength from God - Ep 3:14-16,20 4. There is opportunity from God - Col 4:3 5. There is boldness from God - Ep 6:19-20 6. There is wisdom from God - Jm 1:5-8 7. There is healing from God - Jm 5:14-16 8. There is tranquility from God - 1Ti 2:1-4 -- Together with the Word, prayer is foundational to spiritual fitness
B. PRAYING FERVENTLY...1. As you read the Word of God, pray for wisdom 2. Pray daily for forgiveness, strength, opportunity, boldness 3. As needed, pray for peace, healing, tranquility
4. Continue earnestly in prayer, vigilant in with thanksgiving - Col 4:2 - Consistent, fervent prayer will strengthen your relationship with God
III. SING PRAISES 1. One purpose of singing is to praise God - Ac 16:25 2. It is a type of spiritual sacrifice that we offer to God - He 13:15 3. A way to be filled with grace and melody in our hearts - Col 3:16; Ep 5:19 4. A way to respond to the goodness of God - Jm 5:13 -- Singing praises is foundational to our spiritual well-being -- Singing enriches our souls and fortifies our relationship with
God
IV. FELLOWSHIP WITH OTHER CHRISTIANS AND LOVING THOSE WHO ARE NOT CHRISTIANS -- BEING PERSONS OF LOVE AND MERCY -- LOVE THE LOST
A. THE IMPORTANCE OF FELLOWSHIP... 1. The church is the body of Christ which is built up when each part does its share - Ep 4:15-16 2. Our assembling is designed to stir one another to love and good
works - He 10:24-25 3. Our fellowship is a source of comfort and edification - 1Th 5:11 4. A way to avoid becoming hardened by the deceitfulness of sin - He 3:12-14 -- Frequent fellowship is crucial to remaining faithful and steadfast
B. EXPERIENCING FELLOWSHIP...
1. Assemble together with Christians every opportunity you can Heb. 10:24-25
2. Take advantage of the assemblies offered by the local congregation
3. Not just one time on Sunday, but every time the door is open
4. Look for ways to be with Christians daily - by phone, Biblestudies, social activities
-- Fellowship with other Christians strengthens one's faith in God and Christ
V. DO GOOD WORKS A. THE ROLE OF GOOD WORKS...1. We are not saved by good works - Ep 2:8-9; Tit 3:4-5 2. But we are created in Christ for good works, to glorify God - Ep 2:10; Mt 5:16
3. Thus we are to be fruitful in every good work - Col 1:10 4. We are not to grow weary in doing good - 1Co 15:58; Ga 6:9-10 -- Good works are essential if we are going reap spiritual benefits
B. EXAMPLES OF GOOD WORKS... 1. Share the gospel with the lost 2. Minister to brethren and to the lost in need, whether physical or spiriutal. 3. Utilize your resources (time, money, talents) to help the poor or sick 4. Each day try to do something that blesses another person SHARE A CUP OF COLD WATER1-- Good works, done systematically, builds spiritual endurance.
Basic Spiritual Exercises Will Benfit You a Great Deal!
I. READ THE WORD OF GOD -- 1. The means by which we grow spiritually - 1Pe 2:2. 2. It was by the Word of God that Jesus resisted the devil - Mt 4:4,7,10 3. It is by God's Word in our hearts that we can resist sin - Psa 119:11-- The Word of God is therefore foundational to our spiritual fitness
1. Develop the habit of reading the Word daily 2. Start slow; perhaps with the NT, a chapter a day
3. Progress to reading the Bible through each year 4. Read devotionally, meditating on what you read
-- The Word of God will help you to grow in grace and knowledge
II. SPEND TIME IN PRAYER --A. THE POWER OF PRAYER...1. . There is forgiveness from God - Ac 8:22; 1Jn 1:7-10 2. There is peace from God - Php 4:6-7 3. There is strength from God - Ep 3:14-16,20 4. There is opportunity from God - Col 4:3 5. There is boldness from God - Ep 6:19-20 6. There is wisdom from God - Jm 1:5-8 7. There is healing from God - Jm 5:14-16 8. There is tranquility from God - 1Ti 2:1-4 -- Together with the Word, prayer is foundational to spiritual fitness
B. PRAYING FERVENTLY...1. As you read the Word of God, pray for wisdom 2. Pray daily for forgiveness, strength, opportunity, boldness 3. As needed, pray for peace, healing, tranquility
4. Continue earnestly in prayer, vigilant in with thanksgiving - Col 4:2 - Consistent, fervent prayer will strengthen your relationship with God
III. SING PRAISES 1. One purpose of singing is to praise God - Ac 16:25 2. It is a type of spiritual sacrifice that we offer to God - He 13:15 3. A way to be filled with grace and melody in our hearts - Col 3:16; Ep 5:19 4. A way to respond to the goodness of God - Jm 5:13 -- Singing praises is foundational to our spiritual well-being -- Singing enriches our souls and fortifies our relationship with
God
IV. FELLOWSHIP WITH OTHER CHRISTIANS AND LOVING THOSE WHO ARE NOT CHRISTIANS -- BEING PERSONS OF LOVE AND MERCY -- LOVE THE LOST
A. THE IMPORTANCE OF FELLOWSHIP... 1. The church is the body of Christ which is built up when each part does its share - Ep 4:15-16 2. Our assembling is designed to stir one another to love and good
works - He 10:24-25 3. Our fellowship is a source of comfort and edification - 1Th 5:11 4. A way to avoid becoming hardened by the deceitfulness of sin - He 3:12-14 -- Frequent fellowship is crucial to remaining faithful and steadfast
B. EXPERIENCING FELLOWSHIP...
1. Assemble together with Christians every opportunity you can Heb. 10:24-25
2. Take advantage of the assemblies offered by the local congregation
3. Not just one time on Sunday, but every time the door is open
4. Look for ways to be with Christians daily - by phone, Biblestudies, social activities
-- Fellowship with other Christians strengthens one's faith in God and Christ
V. DO GOOD WORKS A. THE ROLE OF GOOD WORKS...1. We are not saved by good works - Ep 2:8-9; Tit 3:4-5 2. But we are created in Christ for good works, to glorify God - Ep 2:10; Mt 5:16
3. Thus we are to be fruitful in every good work - Col 1:10 4. We are not to grow weary in doing good - 1Co 15:58; Ga 6:9-10 -- Good works are essential if we are going reap spiritual benefits
B. EXAMPLES OF GOOD WORKS... 1. Share the gospel with the lost 2. Minister to brethren and to the lost in need, whether physical or spiriutal. 3. Utilize your resources (time, money, talents) to help the poor or sick 4. Each day try to do something that blesses another person SHARE A CUP OF COLD WATER1-- Good works, done systematically, builds spiritual endurance.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Being a Disciple of Jesus - Love God, Love Other Christians, Love the Lost!
We are called to be disciples! The disciple of Jesus Christ is one who believes the Good News of Jesus the Messiah with all his heart and knows for sure that all his sins have been forgiven, as God has promised in His Word. God adopts such a believer as His child. Thus it is written in the Gospel: To all who receive Jesus the Messiah and believe in His name is given "the right to become children of God-children not born of natural descent…but born of God." (John 1:12,13) Dear friend, God wants you to know that if you become a child of God through faith in Christ and His sacrifice, you will never perish, and He will give you the right to live forever in His presence!
he person whom God saves and forgives has a changed heart. God washes his heart and makes it clean. The person for whom God has done this will avoid all uncleanness. That is what the Scriptures declare, saying: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" (2 Cor. 5:17)
Since the Lord God has forgiven you your great debt of sin and saved you from eternal punishment, we should live for jesus and thank him and honor Him in thought and word and deed all your life long!
Listen to what the Gospel declares concerning those who belong to the Lord Jesus. It says:
(Titus 3) 3At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.
(1 Pet. 1) 14 [Therefore] As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."
How can we summarize the way of life of a disciple of Christ? Perhaps like this: God wants His children to show forth His character in their behavior here on earth. Simply put, God wants His children to be like Him. Well then, what is God like? In our studies in the Holy Scriptures we have seen that two prominent characteristics of God are holiness and love. God is the Holy One. He is also the God of Love. So what is His will for those of us who belong to Him? He wants us to be holy as He is holy, and to love one another as He loves us.
A holy life and a loving heart are what differentiates those who belong to God from those who do not. Concerning this, God's Word says:
(1 John 3) 10This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother.
(Titus 2) 11For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. 12It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13while we wait for the blessed hope-the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.
(Eph. 4) 25Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26"In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27and do not give the devil a foothold. 28He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need. 29Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
(Eph. 5) 1Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. 3But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. 4Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person-such a man is an idolater-has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 8For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light. (1 John 4) 7[Therefore] dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 20If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. 21And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.
That is what the Scriptures say concerning the way of life for those who follow Jesus Christ. Does all this mean that the disciple of Christ can no longer sin, or that he always loves his neighbor as he loves himself? No! He still commits sin, but he no longer lingers in it. When he sins, he can put to use the promise in the Word of God that says:
(1 John 1) 7…The blood of Jesus…purifies us from all sin. 8If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. Amen.
Belonging to Jesus Christ is not just a religion--it is a relationship. When a person belongs to Christ, he is brought into fellowship with the holy God of love. That close relationship with God, which Adam and Eve lost because of their sin is restored to us through the blood which Jesus shed on the cross. God will no longer remember our transgressions because Jesus paid for us our debt of sin. Through our relationship with Christ, God is our heavenly Father, and we are His children. That is what the Scriptures speak of when they say: "For through [Christ] we…have access to the Father by one Spirit. Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow-citizens with God's people and members of God's household." (Eph. 2:18,19)
The Disciple of Christ has three loves -- LOVE GOD, LOVE YOUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CHRIST, and LOVE THE LOST! LIVE FOR JESUS AND BE A PERSON WHO LOVES!
he person whom God saves and forgives has a changed heart. God washes his heart and makes it clean. The person for whom God has done this will avoid all uncleanness. That is what the Scriptures declare, saying: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" (2 Cor. 5:17)
Since the Lord God has forgiven you your great debt of sin and saved you from eternal punishment, we should live for jesus and thank him and honor Him in thought and word and deed all your life long!
Listen to what the Gospel declares concerning those who belong to the Lord Jesus. It says:
(Titus 3) 3At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.
(1 Pet. 1) 14 [Therefore] As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."
How can we summarize the way of life of a disciple of Christ? Perhaps like this: God wants His children to show forth His character in their behavior here on earth. Simply put, God wants His children to be like Him. Well then, what is God like? In our studies in the Holy Scriptures we have seen that two prominent characteristics of God are holiness and love. God is the Holy One. He is also the God of Love. So what is His will for those of us who belong to Him? He wants us to be holy as He is holy, and to love one another as He loves us.
A holy life and a loving heart are what differentiates those who belong to God from those who do not. Concerning this, God's Word says:
(1 John 3) 10This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother.
(Titus 2) 11For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. 12It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13while we wait for the blessed hope-the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.
(Eph. 4) 25Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26"In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27and do not give the devil a foothold. 28He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need. 29Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
(Eph. 5) 1Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. 3But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. 4Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person-such a man is an idolater-has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 8For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light. (1 John 4) 7[Therefore] dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 20If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. 21And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.
That is what the Scriptures say concerning the way of life for those who follow Jesus Christ. Does all this mean that the disciple of Christ can no longer sin, or that he always loves his neighbor as he loves himself? No! He still commits sin, but he no longer lingers in it. When he sins, he can put to use the promise in the Word of God that says:
(1 John 1) 7…The blood of Jesus…purifies us from all sin. 8If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. Amen.
Belonging to Jesus Christ is not just a religion--it is a relationship. When a person belongs to Christ, he is brought into fellowship with the holy God of love. That close relationship with God, which Adam and Eve lost because of their sin is restored to us through the blood which Jesus shed on the cross. God will no longer remember our transgressions because Jesus paid for us our debt of sin. Through our relationship with Christ, God is our heavenly Father, and we are His children. That is what the Scriptures speak of when they say: "For through [Christ] we…have access to the Father by one Spirit. Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow-citizens with God's people and members of God's household." (Eph. 2:18,19)
The Disciple of Christ has three loves -- LOVE GOD, LOVE YOUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CHRIST, and LOVE THE LOST! LIVE FOR JESUS AND BE A PERSON WHO LOVES!
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Come Holy Spirit (Part Three)
Now, what does the Spirit do when He comes? Theologians often divide the work of the Trinity this way:
God the Father is the Source of all things.
God the Son is the Channel of all things.
God the Spirit is the Agent of all things.
As the Source, all things flow from the Father’s will. As the Channel, all of God’s blessing flow to us through Jesus Christ the Son. But it is the Holy Spirit who acts as the Agent of the Almighty, who actually carries out the directives of the Father.
A. In History
In almost every interview I’ve been asked what I have learned about the Holy Spirit from writing my book. I always say that I’ve been amazed to discover that the Holy Spirit is everywhere in the Bible. The first mention is in Genesis 1:2 and the last mention of the Spirit is in Revelation 22:17. He’s present at the moment of creation and he’s there at the very end of the Bible. In the Old Testament you see the Holy Spirit coming with great power upon kings, priests, judges and military leaders. He is also the one who inspired the poets to sing and gave the prophets a message to proclaim. He is the cloud by day and the fiery pillar by night that led Israel through the wilderness. He was the spirit that lifted Ezekiel when the people were in captivity. He was also the one who enabled Zerubbabel to rebuild the temple.
When you come to the New Testament, you see him at work especially in the life of Christ. Our Lord was conceived by the Holy Spirit, who came upon him at his baptism, who led him into the wilderness, who filled him with power to work miracles, who bore witness that he was the Son of God, who was with him in the crucifixion and who raised him from the dead. All that Jesus did, he did in the power of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit was there at Pentecost when the church was born. He was there when Peter and Paul preached across the Roman Empire. It was the Holy Spirit who gave the apostles boldness to preach in the face of persecution and indifference. It was the Holy Spirit who brought unity to the early church and caused it to grow in spite of fierce opposition.
Everywhere you turn in the Bible, you see the Holy Spirit at work. He is the Unseen Hand of God moving through human history to accomplish God’s purposes on the earth.
And the Spirit is active in our world today! We can answer that from the words of Jesus in John 16:8, “When he (the Holy Spirit) comes, he will convict the world of sin, righteousness and judgment.” The word “convict” comes from the drama of a courtroom trial. It refers to what the prosecuting attorney does when he argues his case.
He puts the defendant on the witness stand and begins to pile up the evidence. Fact upon fact, witness upon witness, truth upon truth, slowly, inexorably, irresistably building his case until finally the enormity of the evidence is so overwhelming that the judge is forced to say to the defendant, “I find you guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.” Not only that, this word means to present the evidence in such an overwhelming fashion that even the defendant is compelled at the end of the trial to step up and say, “I admit it. I confess. I am guilty.”
Therefore, I conclude that the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the world today is primarily the ministry of bringing men and women to the place of personal conviction concerning their own moral guilt before God. These words of Jesus are literally true today. The Holy Spirit works through us so that as we share the gospel with men and women, they are convicted of their true moral guilt before God. As we share the gospel they come to the conclusion, “Yes, I am guilty. Yes, I need a savior.”
Here are some of the things the Spirit does for us as beleivers:
He baptizes believers in the body of Christ (I Corinthians 12:13).
He seals every believer, thus assuring their salvation (Ephesians 1:13).
He indwells every believer with his personal presence (I Corinthians 6:19-20)
He gives spiritual gifts to every believer (I Corinthians 12:11). This empowers the church!
He produces the fruit of a godly life in us (Galatians 5:22-23).
He enables us to put to death the deeds of the flesh (Romans 8:13).
He Fills us when we ask, as we are commanded to Be Continually Filled
Ephesians 5:18 says, “Be filled with the Spirit.” In the Greek that phrase is a present passive imperative. An imperative is a command–Be filled. The passive voice means that we are not commanded to fill ourselves but rather to be filled with the Holy Spirit. The present tense describes something that happens continually. You could legitimately translate this verse “Be continually filled with the Holy Spirit.”
Let us step out and open ourselves up to the stirrings of the Holy Spirit, to renewal, to invigoration, to new life for our churches. Pray that the mighty shaking Wind will come upon us and renew us, and let us face this powerful and renewing wind that is the Holy Spirit together, to stir our Church afresh with divine deeds of power. Like the disciples on that day in the upper room, let us too expect the miraculous filling of the Holy Spirit.
What better way to move into the future together than by asking God for a fresh outpouring of the Spirit. What wonderful things could happen if only the Spirit of God would come in great power. May God grant it! Amen.
God the Father is the Source of all things.
God the Son is the Channel of all things.
God the Spirit is the Agent of all things.
As the Source, all things flow from the Father’s will. As the Channel, all of God’s blessing flow to us through Jesus Christ the Son. But it is the Holy Spirit who acts as the Agent of the Almighty, who actually carries out the directives of the Father.
A. In History
In almost every interview I’ve been asked what I have learned about the Holy Spirit from writing my book. I always say that I’ve been amazed to discover that the Holy Spirit is everywhere in the Bible. The first mention is in Genesis 1:2 and the last mention of the Spirit is in Revelation 22:17. He’s present at the moment of creation and he’s there at the very end of the Bible. In the Old Testament you see the Holy Spirit coming with great power upon kings, priests, judges and military leaders. He is also the one who inspired the poets to sing and gave the prophets a message to proclaim. He is the cloud by day and the fiery pillar by night that led Israel through the wilderness. He was the spirit that lifted Ezekiel when the people were in captivity. He was also the one who enabled Zerubbabel to rebuild the temple.
When you come to the New Testament, you see him at work especially in the life of Christ. Our Lord was conceived by the Holy Spirit, who came upon him at his baptism, who led him into the wilderness, who filled him with power to work miracles, who bore witness that he was the Son of God, who was with him in the crucifixion and who raised him from the dead. All that Jesus did, he did in the power of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit was there at Pentecost when the church was born. He was there when Peter and Paul preached across the Roman Empire. It was the Holy Spirit who gave the apostles boldness to preach in the face of persecution and indifference. It was the Holy Spirit who brought unity to the early church and caused it to grow in spite of fierce opposition.
Everywhere you turn in the Bible, you see the Holy Spirit at work. He is the Unseen Hand of God moving through human history to accomplish God’s purposes on the earth.
And the Spirit is active in our world today! We can answer that from the words of Jesus in John 16:8, “When he (the Holy Spirit) comes, he will convict the world of sin, righteousness and judgment.” The word “convict” comes from the drama of a courtroom trial. It refers to what the prosecuting attorney does when he argues his case.
He puts the defendant on the witness stand and begins to pile up the evidence. Fact upon fact, witness upon witness, truth upon truth, slowly, inexorably, irresistably building his case until finally the enormity of the evidence is so overwhelming that the judge is forced to say to the defendant, “I find you guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.” Not only that, this word means to present the evidence in such an overwhelming fashion that even the defendant is compelled at the end of the trial to step up and say, “I admit it. I confess. I am guilty.”
Therefore, I conclude that the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the world today is primarily the ministry of bringing men and women to the place of personal conviction concerning their own moral guilt before God. These words of Jesus are literally true today. The Holy Spirit works through us so that as we share the gospel with men and women, they are convicted of their true moral guilt before God. As we share the gospel they come to the conclusion, “Yes, I am guilty. Yes, I need a savior.”
Here are some of the things the Spirit does for us as beleivers:
He baptizes believers in the body of Christ (I Corinthians 12:13).
He seals every believer, thus assuring their salvation (Ephesians 1:13).
He indwells every believer with his personal presence (I Corinthians 6:19-20)
He gives spiritual gifts to every believer (I Corinthians 12:11). This empowers the church!
He produces the fruit of a godly life in us (Galatians 5:22-23).
He enables us to put to death the deeds of the flesh (Romans 8:13).
He Fills us when we ask, as we are commanded to Be Continually Filled
Ephesians 5:18 says, “Be filled with the Spirit.” In the Greek that phrase is a present passive imperative. An imperative is a command–Be filled. The passive voice means that we are not commanded to fill ourselves but rather to be filled with the Holy Spirit. The present tense describes something that happens continually. You could legitimately translate this verse “Be continually filled with the Holy Spirit.”
Let us step out and open ourselves up to the stirrings of the Holy Spirit, to renewal, to invigoration, to new life for our churches. Pray that the mighty shaking Wind will come upon us and renew us, and let us face this powerful and renewing wind that is the Holy Spirit together, to stir our Church afresh with divine deeds of power. Like the disciples on that day in the upper room, let us too expect the miraculous filling of the Holy Spirit.
What better way to move into the future together than by asking God for a fresh outpouring of the Spirit. What wonderful things could happen if only the Spirit of God would come in great power. May God grant it! Amen.
Come Holy Spirit (Part Two)
God fills every believer with the Holy Spirit and each in a different way. Young and old. Rich and poor. Men and women. Slave and free. God fills each one of us with his Spirit in a unique way. ALL people are filled with the Spirit, not just the religious big shots of the Old Testament nor the religious heros of the New Testament and each one of us in our day. All people, including you and me in our ordinariness, are filled with the Spirit of Christ.
But notice they were praying for the Spirit to come in the Upper Room. We need to pray, “come Holy Spirit!” We need to open ourselves to the Spirit’s power.
One of the great purposse of the Holy Spirit is to make the church alive. The Spirit of God will shake a church, move a church, renew a church. The Spirit of God blows us off the front porch, blows us out of our pews, blows us out of our institutions and safe communities and into the world.
Who is the Holy Spirit? There are two fundamental facts about the Spirit that you need to know.
A. The Holy Spirit Is a Person --This may seem obvious to you, but it is not obvious to everyone. Some people speak of the Holy Spirit as a impersonal power or influence. They speak of the Holy Spirit as an “it.” If you saw the Star Wars movies, you’ll remember the phrase, “May the force be with you.” That’s how many people think of the Spirit–as a mysterious force from heaven that somehow helps us on the earth.
Te Bible clearly refers to the Holy Spirit in terms that can only apply to a person. For instance, the Holy Spirit possesses a mind (Romans 8:27), he speaks (Acts 13:2), he commands (Acts 8:29), he has a will (I Corinthians 12:11). Ephesians 4:30 says, “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit.” But you can’t grieve a force or a power. You can only grieve another person.
In John 16:13 Jesus says of the Holy Spirit, that “he will only speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.” That passage is important because Jesus clearly calls the Holy Spirit a “he.”
All the attributes of personality are given to the Holy Spirit in the New Testament. Therefore, we may say that the He is a person, not a mere force or an impersonal power.
B. The Holy Spirit is God
The second truth is that the Holy Spirit is not only a person, he is a Divine Person. That is to say, he is God. In the famous story of Ananias and Sapphira in Act 5, Peter says in verse 3 that they had sinned against the Holy Spirit, but in verse 4 he says they sinned against God. Which is correct? Both, because the Holy Spirit is God. That’s why when Jesus gave the Great Commission (Matthew 29:19-20), he commanded the disciples to baptize “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” One name, three Persons. That’s the doctrine of the Trinity clearly stated. The Father is God, the Son is God, the Holy Spirit is God.
Now if you put these two truths together, what do you get? Since the Holy Spirit is a person, you can have a personal relationship with him. And since he is God, his power is God’s power. Therefore, in relating to the Holy Spirit, you are coming into personal contact with the God of the universe.
This week I ran across a powerful quote from J. B. Phillips: “Every time we say, ‘I believe in the Holy Spirit,’ we mean that there is a loving God able and willing to enter human personality and change it.” What a tremendous truth this is.
But notice they were praying for the Spirit to come in the Upper Room. We need to pray, “come Holy Spirit!” We need to open ourselves to the Spirit’s power.
One of the great purposse of the Holy Spirit is to make the church alive. The Spirit of God will shake a church, move a church, renew a church. The Spirit of God blows us off the front porch, blows us out of our pews, blows us out of our institutions and safe communities and into the world.
Who is the Holy Spirit? There are two fundamental facts about the Spirit that you need to know.
A. The Holy Spirit Is a Person --This may seem obvious to you, but it is not obvious to everyone. Some people speak of the Holy Spirit as a impersonal power or influence. They speak of the Holy Spirit as an “it.” If you saw the Star Wars movies, you’ll remember the phrase, “May the force be with you.” That’s how many people think of the Spirit–as a mysterious force from heaven that somehow helps us on the earth.
Te Bible clearly refers to the Holy Spirit in terms that can only apply to a person. For instance, the Holy Spirit possesses a mind (Romans 8:27), he speaks (Acts 13:2), he commands (Acts 8:29), he has a will (I Corinthians 12:11). Ephesians 4:30 says, “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit.” But you can’t grieve a force or a power. You can only grieve another person.
In John 16:13 Jesus says of the Holy Spirit, that “he will only speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.” That passage is important because Jesus clearly calls the Holy Spirit a “he.”
All the attributes of personality are given to the Holy Spirit in the New Testament. Therefore, we may say that the He is a person, not a mere force or an impersonal power.
B. The Holy Spirit is God
The second truth is that the Holy Spirit is not only a person, he is a Divine Person. That is to say, he is God. In the famous story of Ananias and Sapphira in Act 5, Peter says in verse 3 that they had sinned against the Holy Spirit, but in verse 4 he says they sinned against God. Which is correct? Both, because the Holy Spirit is God. That’s why when Jesus gave the Great Commission (Matthew 29:19-20), he commanded the disciples to baptize “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” One name, three Persons. That’s the doctrine of the Trinity clearly stated. The Father is God, the Son is God, the Holy Spirit is God.
Now if you put these two truths together, what do you get? Since the Holy Spirit is a person, you can have a personal relationship with him. And since he is God, his power is God’s power. Therefore, in relating to the Holy Spirit, you are coming into personal contact with the God of the universe.
This week I ran across a powerful quote from J. B. Phillips: “Every time we say, ‘I believe in the Holy Spirit,’ we mean that there is a loving God able and willing to enter human personality and change it.” What a tremendous truth this is.
Come, Holy Spirit -- The Power of Pentecost Propels the Church! (Part One)
Ten days after Jesus ascended into heaven, the twelve apostles, Jesus' mother and family, and many other of His disciples, 120 in all, were gathered together in Jerusalem for the Jewish harvest festival that was celebrated on the fiftieth day of Passover. While they were indoors praying, a sound like that of a rushing wind filled the house and tongues of fire descended and rested over each of their heads.
This was the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on human flesh promised by God through the prophet Joel in Joel 2nd chapter. The disciples were suddenly empowered to proclaim the gospel of the risen Christ. They went out into the streets of Jerusalem and began preaching to the crowds gathered for the festival. Not only did the disciples preach with boldness and vigor, but by a miracle of the Holy Spirit they spoke in the native languages of the people present, many who had come from all corners of the Roman Empire.
This created a sensation. The apostle Peter seized the moment and addressed the crowd, preaching to them about Jesus' death and resurrection for the forgiveness of sins. The result was that about three thousand converts were baptized that day. PRAISE THE LORD!
Red is the liturgical color for this day. Red recalls the tongues of flame in which the Holy Spirit descended on the first Pentecost. The color red also reminds us of the blood of Jesus, and also the blood of the martyrs. These are the believers of every generation who by the power of the Holy Spirit hold firm to the true faith even at the cost of their lives. Red reminds us that the Spirit testifies of Jesus, and empowers those who live for Jesus and follow His commands.
The most powerful force in the world is the love of Christ, and the Spirit rekindles that fire within us! The purpose of the Spirit is to energize the love of Christ within us.
The Spirit makes the teachings and words of Jesus alive in us. His words about forgiveness, eternal life, eternal love, that God is our loving Father. The Spirit makes the words and teachings of Jesus to become living realities in our lives.
This was the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on human flesh promised by God through the prophet Joel in Joel 2nd chapter. The disciples were suddenly empowered to proclaim the gospel of the risen Christ. They went out into the streets of Jerusalem and began preaching to the crowds gathered for the festival. Not only did the disciples preach with boldness and vigor, but by a miracle of the Holy Spirit they spoke in the native languages of the people present, many who had come from all corners of the Roman Empire.
This created a sensation. The apostle Peter seized the moment and addressed the crowd, preaching to them about Jesus' death and resurrection for the forgiveness of sins. The result was that about three thousand converts were baptized that day. PRAISE THE LORD!
Red is the liturgical color for this day. Red recalls the tongues of flame in which the Holy Spirit descended on the first Pentecost. The color red also reminds us of the blood of Jesus, and also the blood of the martyrs. These are the believers of every generation who by the power of the Holy Spirit hold firm to the true faith even at the cost of their lives. Red reminds us that the Spirit testifies of Jesus, and empowers those who live for Jesus and follow His commands.
The most powerful force in the world is the love of Christ, and the Spirit rekindles that fire within us! The purpose of the Spirit is to energize the love of Christ within us.
The Spirit makes the teachings and words of Jesus alive in us. His words about forgiveness, eternal life, eternal love, that God is our loving Father. The Spirit makes the words and teachings of Jesus to become living realities in our lives.
Monday, May 17, 2010
How Goes Your Race?
The Book of Hebrews, from start to finish, is an inspired admonition to perseverance. It is an inspired motivation to faith, constantly holding before us both the example of Christ as our guide and the accomplishments of Christ as our motive. In the face of trails and temptations on every hand, we are called upon to endure unto the end and persevere in the faith, to go on following Christ. We must not quit. We must not give up. We must not go back, though…
* Temptations of every kind allure us away from our Savior
The believer’s life is compared to many things that picture the absolute necessity of perseverance in faith. We are in a warfare that will not end until we have left this world and entered into heavenly glory with Christ. We are engaged in a work, a labor, a cause from which there is no rest until our work is done. In Hebrews 12 it is compared to a race.
Our life in this world is a race, a race with a starting point, a finish line, and a prize.
(1 Corinthians 9:24) "Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain."
(Philippians 3:14) "I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."
Contrary to what most seem to think, the prize is obtained not when the race is begun, but when it is done (Phil. 3:3-14). It is not he who begins the race and runs well for a season that wins the prize, but he who finishes the race. It is not he who runs fast, or even he who runs well, but he who runs to the end who wins the prize. "The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong" (Ecc. 9:11).
* We are sealed by God the Holy Spirit unto the day of redemption.
The Word of God is crystal clear. We must persevere unto the end.
(Hebrews 3:14) "For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end."
The purpose, the intent of the Holy Spirit in Hebrews 12:1-2 is to show us the necessity of perseverance in faith.
(Hebrews 12:1-4) "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
* Temptations of every kind allure us away from our Savior
The believer’s life is compared to many things that picture the absolute necessity of perseverance in faith. We are in a warfare that will not end until we have left this world and entered into heavenly glory with Christ. We are engaged in a work, a labor, a cause from which there is no rest until our work is done. In Hebrews 12 it is compared to a race.
Our life in this world is a race, a race with a starting point, a finish line, and a prize.
(1 Corinthians 9:24) "Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain."
(Philippians 3:14) "I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."
Contrary to what most seem to think, the prize is obtained not when the race is begun, but when it is done (Phil. 3:3-14). It is not he who begins the race and runs well for a season that wins the prize, but he who finishes the race. It is not he who runs fast, or even he who runs well, but he who runs to the end who wins the prize. "The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong" (Ecc. 9:11).
* We are sealed by God the Holy Spirit unto the day of redemption.
The Word of God is crystal clear. We must persevere unto the end.
(Hebrews 3:14) "For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end."
The purpose, the intent of the Holy Spirit in Hebrews 12:1-2 is to show us the necessity of perseverance in faith.
(Hebrews 12:1-4) "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Tuesday, April 06, 2010
Christ Arose, Part Two -- Rejoice, Rejoice, O Christian!
The good news of Easter is, not only can you know Jesus, but he can be close to you all the time, through every situation. The risen Lord offers to share his victory with you, to take you through whatever you must face as your close and competent Companion who will never, never leave you.
Some of you have to face very serious problems this week. Some confront what looks like the end of their hopes and dreams. Fears and anxieties, loneliness, emptiness, heartache and sorrow are before them. But the good news of Easter is, you don't have to face any of that alone.
Listen to Jesus' exact words, from Revelation 3:20:
"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If any one hear my voice, and open the door, I will come into him and will live with him and he with me."
That is the promise that millions have trusted. They have asked Jesus to enter their lives, to come and dwell with them, to go with them through life, not only through death. To their joy they found that every word was true. They can face tomorrow because He lives. And that strength is available to each one of us today. That is what makes this day a celebration of the resurrection, and a time for the greatest rejoicing.
Do you love God? Is Jesus Christ Your Lord and Savior? Is He the Lord of your life, not just on Sunday morning but on every day and night of the week? Is so, then enjoy this beautiful bright festival of the Resurrection of our Lord!
Are you His grateful servant?
Then rejoice and enter into the joy of their Lord!
Have you worked hard in the fields of our Lord doing good deeds, helping the poor, the hurting, the lonely? Then rejoice and receive you’re the blessing He won for you on the cross! Praise His Holy Name!
Some of you have to face very serious problems this week. Some confront what looks like the end of their hopes and dreams. Fears and anxieties, loneliness, emptiness, heartache and sorrow are before them. But the good news of Easter is, you don't have to face any of that alone.
Listen to Jesus' exact words, from Revelation 3:20:
"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If any one hear my voice, and open the door, I will come into him and will live with him and he with me."
That is the promise that millions have trusted. They have asked Jesus to enter their lives, to come and dwell with them, to go with them through life, not only through death. To their joy they found that every word was true. They can face tomorrow because He lives. And that strength is available to each one of us today. That is what makes this day a celebration of the resurrection, and a time for the greatest rejoicing.
Do you love God? Is Jesus Christ Your Lord and Savior? Is He the Lord of your life, not just on Sunday morning but on every day and night of the week? Is so, then enjoy this beautiful bright festival of the Resurrection of our Lord!
Are you His grateful servant?
Then rejoice and enter into the joy of their Lord!
Have you worked hard in the fields of our Lord doing good deeds, helping the poor, the hurting, the lonely? Then rejoice and receive you’re the blessing He won for you on the cross! Praise His Holy Name!
Christ Arose -- The Exulatation of the Resurrection! Part One
It was Paul who included the great Christ Hymn of Philippians 2:5-11, stating that there is coming a time when, at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. That is our future. Our Lord will come again and set all things right.
Remarkably, however, the very first news of Easter was not good news at all. It was terrible news that Mary Magdalene brought to the Apostles Peter and John when she came running with the announcement that the body of Jesus had disappeared. What a shock that must have been.
When the body of Abraham Lincoln was almost stolen back in 1876, some years after his death, to be held for ransom, our entire nation was shocked and dismayed. Thankfully, the plot to steal the body was uncovered at the last minute. But it caused his son Robert Lincoln to make sure his father’s body was put in a permanent tomb, buried ten feet deep under 4000 pounds of cement in 1901, so that no future plots could disturb his dad’s remains..
We can only imagine the shock of these disciples of Jesus, smitten and numbed as they already were at the unexpected death of their Lord, when they heard Mary's hysterical announcement.
On hearing this, both Peter and John immediately left for the tomb, running through the streets of Jerusalem and through the Damascus Gate to the tomb. John, the younger of the two, outran Peter and, stooping down, he looked into the tomb. They both saw that Jesus was not there. And they did not understand the full meaning of it all. The New International Version renders that verse: "They still did not understand from the Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead." That suggests that Peter and John did not believe that Jesus had risen.
That brief account focuses first upon the sobbing of Mary, standing outside the tomb, still convinced that her Lord was dead and his body had been stolen. Then, looking in, she saw two young men, "angels" we read, sitting inside. "Woman, why are you weeping?" they asked her. In the early light of dawn they seemed to be looking not at her, but at someone behind her. Turning, she saw a man standing there whom she took to be the gardener, who asked her the same question, "Woman, why are you weeping?"
There is a gentle rebuke inherent in that twice-asked question. It is saying, "This is no time for weeping, but for rejoicing, praise and thanksgiving." It implies that she could and should have known that. Jesus had clearly said several times, as the Gospels record, that he would rise again on the third day. One of the striking phenomena of the Gospels is the deafness of the disciples to the consistent revelations of Jesus concerning his resurrection. He had great difficulty convincing them that he was going to die in the first place. It was only as they saw the opposition closing in on him that they realized his words were true. But even then none of them seemed to grasp that every time he mentioned his death he also added that he would rise again on the third day.
This is a legitimate part of the message of Easter. It does indeed give us a glorious hope when we face death's door. You know, there are three questions we all ask of ourselves at one time or another, "Where do I come from?" "Why am I here?" and “what happens when we die/” We Christians have the answer to that, but still we often ask the question. "Is it really necessary to leave?"
Most of us wish we didn't have to say "Yes" to the third. But that is not what comforted Mary or any of the disciples at this point. It never crossed their minds that this event would give them a hope in the hour of death. What brought them deliri But Mary was just like us! Have you ever found yourself in a distressing circumstance, when the sky seemed to come crashing down on you, and Christian that you are, sometimes you temporarily forget all the promises of God? You felt sorry for yourself, you became anxious and upset. I have. We so quickly forget the promises of God.
Martin Luther once spent three days in a black depression over something that had gone wrong. And he had lots of things go wrong. On the third day his wife Katie came downstairs dressed in mourning clothes, all dressed in black. "Who's dead?" he asked her. "God," she replied. Luther rebuked her, saying, "What do you mean, God is dead? God cannot die." "Well," she replied, "the way you've been acting I was sure He had!"
Many of us have been caught in that trap. We forget who is in charge. We forget whose children we really are. This is also what had happened to Mary.
But Jesus has to speak but one word to her to open her eyes. With indescribable tenderness he simply uttered her name -- not Mary, which is what the account here says, but "Miriam," as he reverted to their native Aramaic. Mary instantly recognized his voice, just as any one of us would recognize a loved one's voice on the telephone. Responding in Aramaic, Mary flung herself at his feet and cried, "Rabboni!" (which means "Teacher"). She seized him by the feet and began to weep tears of joy.
Jesus said, "Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, 'I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'"
And Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: "I have seen the Lord!" And she told them that he had said these things to her. She was the Apostle to the Apostles. She told them that Jesus Lives. He lives!
I believe this is the first and the chief "good news" of Easter. Most celebrate Easter as a reminder that there is hope on the day when they have to leave this earth -- that Easter means because he lives we shall live also. The hymn says,
Jesus lives, and so shall I,
Death, thy sting is gone forever.
ous gladness of heart was the realization, "Jesus is back again! We haven't lost him! He is here with us, and he will always be with us!"
That is the truly good news of Easter. Through two thousand years of Christian witness what has sustained the hearts of millions is the realization that Jesus can enter one's life and go with you through the trials, pressures, tears and joys of life right here on earth. He will be with you at the hour of death, yes, but not as a stranger just then entering your experience. He will already long have been a trusted Friend, not merely a comforting Companion, but as Lord, Sovereign, authoritative and able to work through the difficulties you face. No one wants to face pressures all alone; it helps to have someone with you. And not only someone like yourself, one who can understand how you feel, but if it can also be someone who has authority and power, one who can work out solutions to your seemingly insoluble problems, what a comfort that is!
Remarkably, however, the very first news of Easter was not good news at all. It was terrible news that Mary Magdalene brought to the Apostles Peter and John when she came running with the announcement that the body of Jesus had disappeared. What a shock that must have been.
When the body of Abraham Lincoln was almost stolen back in 1876, some years after his death, to be held for ransom, our entire nation was shocked and dismayed. Thankfully, the plot to steal the body was uncovered at the last minute. But it caused his son Robert Lincoln to make sure his father’s body was put in a permanent tomb, buried ten feet deep under 4000 pounds of cement in 1901, so that no future plots could disturb his dad’s remains..
We can only imagine the shock of these disciples of Jesus, smitten and numbed as they already were at the unexpected death of their Lord, when they heard Mary's hysterical announcement.
On hearing this, both Peter and John immediately left for the tomb, running through the streets of Jerusalem and through the Damascus Gate to the tomb. John, the younger of the two, outran Peter and, stooping down, he looked into the tomb. They both saw that Jesus was not there. And they did not understand the full meaning of it all. The New International Version renders that verse: "They still did not understand from the Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead." That suggests that Peter and John did not believe that Jesus had risen.
That brief account focuses first upon the sobbing of Mary, standing outside the tomb, still convinced that her Lord was dead and his body had been stolen. Then, looking in, she saw two young men, "angels" we read, sitting inside. "Woman, why are you weeping?" they asked her. In the early light of dawn they seemed to be looking not at her, but at someone behind her. Turning, she saw a man standing there whom she took to be the gardener, who asked her the same question, "Woman, why are you weeping?"
There is a gentle rebuke inherent in that twice-asked question. It is saying, "This is no time for weeping, but for rejoicing, praise and thanksgiving." It implies that she could and should have known that. Jesus had clearly said several times, as the Gospels record, that he would rise again on the third day. One of the striking phenomena of the Gospels is the deafness of the disciples to the consistent revelations of Jesus concerning his resurrection. He had great difficulty convincing them that he was going to die in the first place. It was only as they saw the opposition closing in on him that they realized his words were true. But even then none of them seemed to grasp that every time he mentioned his death he also added that he would rise again on the third day.
This is a legitimate part of the message of Easter. It does indeed give us a glorious hope when we face death's door. You know, there are three questions we all ask of ourselves at one time or another, "Where do I come from?" "Why am I here?" and “what happens when we die/” We Christians have the answer to that, but still we often ask the question. "Is it really necessary to leave?"
Most of us wish we didn't have to say "Yes" to the third. But that is not what comforted Mary or any of the disciples at this point. It never crossed their minds that this event would give them a hope in the hour of death. What brought them deliri But Mary was just like us! Have you ever found yourself in a distressing circumstance, when the sky seemed to come crashing down on you, and Christian that you are, sometimes you temporarily forget all the promises of God? You felt sorry for yourself, you became anxious and upset. I have. We so quickly forget the promises of God.
Martin Luther once spent three days in a black depression over something that had gone wrong. And he had lots of things go wrong. On the third day his wife Katie came downstairs dressed in mourning clothes, all dressed in black. "Who's dead?" he asked her. "God," she replied. Luther rebuked her, saying, "What do you mean, God is dead? God cannot die." "Well," she replied, "the way you've been acting I was sure He had!"
Many of us have been caught in that trap. We forget who is in charge. We forget whose children we really are. This is also what had happened to Mary.
But Jesus has to speak but one word to her to open her eyes. With indescribable tenderness he simply uttered her name -- not Mary, which is what the account here says, but "Miriam," as he reverted to their native Aramaic. Mary instantly recognized his voice, just as any one of us would recognize a loved one's voice on the telephone. Responding in Aramaic, Mary flung herself at his feet and cried, "Rabboni!" (which means "Teacher"). She seized him by the feet and began to weep tears of joy.
Jesus said, "Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, 'I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'"
And Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: "I have seen the Lord!" And she told them that he had said these things to her. She was the Apostle to the Apostles. She told them that Jesus Lives. He lives!
I believe this is the first and the chief "good news" of Easter. Most celebrate Easter as a reminder that there is hope on the day when they have to leave this earth -- that Easter means because he lives we shall live also. The hymn says,
Jesus lives, and so shall I,
Death, thy sting is gone forever.
ous gladness of heart was the realization, "Jesus is back again! We haven't lost him! He is here with us, and he will always be with us!"
That is the truly good news of Easter. Through two thousand years of Christian witness what has sustained the hearts of millions is the realization that Jesus can enter one's life and go with you through the trials, pressures, tears and joys of life right here on earth. He will be with you at the hour of death, yes, but not as a stranger just then entering your experience. He will already long have been a trusted Friend, not merely a comforting Companion, but as Lord, Sovereign, authoritative and able to work through the difficulties you face. No one wants to face pressures all alone; it helps to have someone with you. And not only someone like yourself, one who can understand how you feel, but if it can also be someone who has authority and power, one who can work out solutions to your seemingly insoluble problems, what a comfort that is!
At the Cross Where I First Saw the Light!
In Sequoia National Park in California, There is a big tree that stands 275 feet high and is 36 feet in diameter. It is called the Christ – General Sherman. It is known as the biggest tree in the world. Today I want to talk to you about a tree that reaches from earth all the way to heaven and reaches all away around the world! And extends itself throughout all eternity!
I speak of the Tree - The Cross of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Calvary’s Tree!
You see the devil had made a road for man to travel that led straight to a place called Hell But Praise God - God did not want man to go to hell – So God slammed a Cross right in the middle of the road and said to man I love you and don’t want you to go to hell and if man goes to hell – He has to go around the Cross!
Just think God created the tree that He knew His Son would be crucified on!
There was a Savior before Sin – There was Grace before Guilt – There was Promise of Life before Death – There was a Heaven before there was a Hell.
Where sin did abound – Grace did much more abound! Adam sold us out – But Praise the Lord Jesus bought us back! HALLELUJAH FOR THE CROSS – IT IS THE POWER OF GOD UNTO SALVATION!
THE CROSS IS A CONSTANT REMINDER OF GOD’S LOVE
Every time you see the cross – it should remind you of the marvelous Love of God!
John 3:16 – For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life! Romans 5:8 – But God commendeth His love towards us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. Romans 8:32 – He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all.
The love of God is greater far than tongue or pen can ever tell; it goes beyond the highest star and reaches to the lowest hell
WHEN THE DEVIL COMES AND TRIES TO TELL YOU GOD DOES NOT LOVE YOU – TAKE HIM TO THE CROSS!
THE CROSS IS A CONSTANT REMINDER OF GOD’S GRACE
Eph. 2:8,9 – For by Grace are you saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God: Not of works lest any man should boast.
GRACE – The Unmerited Favor of God --- G.R.A.C.E – God’s Riches At Christ Expense!
Grace is free but it is not cheap – It cost Jesus His life on the cruel cross of Calvary!
THE CROSS REMINDS US OF THE PAYMENT FOR SIN!
When the devil comes –Jesus paid it all – All to him I owe – Sin has left a crimson flow – He washed it white as snow!
At the cross – At the cross – Where I first saw the light – and the burdened of my heart rolled away –
What does the cross mean to the church? What does the cross mean to you?
Galatians 6:14 contains an important answer: “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” The Apostles Creed declares, “I believe in Jesus Christ who was crucified.” When we say those words, we mean that the Son of God was murdered on a Roman cross at a place called Skull Hill outside the city walls of Jerusalem. We believe it literally happened — that if you and I had been there, we would have seen with our own eyes the slow, agonizing death of Jesus of Nazareth. We would have witnessed the humiliation of Christ as he died between two thieves, we would have seen the blood drip from his wounds, we would have heard him cry out, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” He did it all for us -- AT THE CROSS -- Praise His Holy Name!
I speak of the Tree - The Cross of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Calvary’s Tree!
You see the devil had made a road for man to travel that led straight to a place called Hell But Praise God - God did not want man to go to hell – So God slammed a Cross right in the middle of the road and said to man I love you and don’t want you to go to hell and if man goes to hell – He has to go around the Cross!
Just think God created the tree that He knew His Son would be crucified on!
There was a Savior before Sin – There was Grace before Guilt – There was Promise of Life before Death – There was a Heaven before there was a Hell.
Where sin did abound – Grace did much more abound! Adam sold us out – But Praise the Lord Jesus bought us back! HALLELUJAH FOR THE CROSS – IT IS THE POWER OF GOD UNTO SALVATION!
THE CROSS IS A CONSTANT REMINDER OF GOD’S LOVE
Every time you see the cross – it should remind you of the marvelous Love of God!
John 3:16 – For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life! Romans 5:8 – But God commendeth His love towards us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. Romans 8:32 – He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all.
The love of God is greater far than tongue or pen can ever tell; it goes beyond the highest star and reaches to the lowest hell
WHEN THE DEVIL COMES AND TRIES TO TELL YOU GOD DOES NOT LOVE YOU – TAKE HIM TO THE CROSS!
THE CROSS IS A CONSTANT REMINDER OF GOD’S GRACE
Eph. 2:8,9 – For by Grace are you saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God: Not of works lest any man should boast.
GRACE – The Unmerited Favor of God --- G.R.A.C.E – God’s Riches At Christ Expense!
Grace is free but it is not cheap – It cost Jesus His life on the cruel cross of Calvary!
THE CROSS REMINDS US OF THE PAYMENT FOR SIN!
When the devil comes –Jesus paid it all – All to him I owe – Sin has left a crimson flow – He washed it white as snow!
At the cross – At the cross – Where I first saw the light – and the burdened of my heart rolled away –
What does the cross mean to the church? What does the cross mean to you?
Galatians 6:14 contains an important answer: “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” The Apostles Creed declares, “I believe in Jesus Christ who was crucified.” When we say those words, we mean that the Son of God was murdered on a Roman cross at a place called Skull Hill outside the city walls of Jerusalem. We believe it literally happened — that if you and I had been there, we would have seen with our own eyes the slow, agonizing death of Jesus of Nazareth. We would have witnessed the humiliation of Christ as he died between two thieves, we would have seen the blood drip from his wounds, we would have heard him cry out, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” He did it all for us -- AT THE CROSS -- Praise His Holy Name!
Monday, March 22, 2010
People Get Ready -- Jesus is Coming Again, Part Two
Some Christians in every generation since then have believed the same thing. For instance, Christopher Columbus thought that his voyages were part of God’s ordained plan and that Jesus would return in the year 1650 (or thereabouts). In the 1840s a man named William Miller convinced his followers to sell all their worldly goods because he believed that the Second Coming was at hand. The 20th century has seen many similar predictions: 1914 (connected with World War 1-"The war to end all wars") … 1975 (a date suggested by the Jehovah’s Witnesses) … 1982 (connected with an unusual planetary conjunction) … 1988 (predicted by a Bible teacher who wrote a book that sold hundreds of thousands of copies) … 1994 (suggested by a prominent radio Bible teacher). 2000 – suggested by many. 2012 -- Suggested by the Mayan calendar, and some Christians think God may have revealed it to them so that non-beleivers might eventually come to Christ.
All these dates have this in common: they were all wrong. In fact, every date for the Second Coming that has been suggested over the last 2000 years has been proven wrong. That should tell us something. It is not for us to know the exact date and time. But Jesus told us that fact long ago! Why do not people read the Bible?
Jesus says in Matthew 24:36 "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”
Despite this clear, black and white statement people still continue to examine the details of prophecy to calculate when Jesus will return. It is like well, maybe we cannot know the day or hour but maybe the week or month or year! Verse 36, is very clear “no one knows” means no one can. Not the angels, not even Jesus himself. But this knowledge is only known by God the Father.
But, brothers and sisters, Prophecy has lost its purpose when it merely becomes predicting the future. Prophecy is for warning and a calling to repent. We are all called to repent! We are all called to get right with God through our faith in Jesus Christ and in confessing our sins to Him. People get ready – the Lord is coming. He desires us to be ready for His return!
Though, we do expect that on the day Jesus returns there will be something special happening, some forewarning, some change in the wind, a feeling in our bones, writing in the sky, a spiritual discernment, an announcement in the newsletter, something… but this is the thing, Jesus introduces to us the mundane of advent. Jesus emphasises the monotony, the humdrum of the second coming. Jesus likens the second coming to the times of Noah (v37-39):
37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.
It took Noah quite a long time to build the ark. A lot of planning, a lot of hard work, a lot of mockery. In contrast to the length of time it took the flood was swift, it was sudden. Jesus doesn’t emphasise the sinfulness of the people in Noah’s time instead he emphasises something else to make his point. The people of the time were simply living life. “People were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage...” nothing sinful here, just life. Life was merely rolling along as it usually did. This is what Jesus wants to make clear about his return is that people will still be doing the normal things of life. Back then, you would have been able to see Noah building the ark and back then you would have heard as to why, but as life went on no one cared. Life just rolled on until it was too late.
Jesus gives two other examples to emphasise, in (v40-41): Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.
Do you want to be the one life behind? Like the image of division in the parable of the sheep and the goats (25:31-46) there is a dividing between those who live life without God, who have lived with God as their purpose for living.
We are saved through faith but this faith is not merely a mental ascent or agreement but a living faith; a faith in action, of obeying Christ, of loving Him and loving others. Our life of obedience to Jesus is what gives our faith substance; our love for Jesus flows into an action of love for the people/world around us whom need to know – to taste the sacrificial love of which Jesus is our example. This, then, is how we live a life of expectation and readiness for Jesus’ return. The whole message of advent and our response to the second coming is about “being ready”.Jesus tells us to"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.
44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.
Keep watch or watching and be ready, Jesus says. The purpose of prophecy is to serve as warnings to be ready. They’re not to tell you the exact “when” in the future to get ready for, but to get ready now! I ask you now: Are we ready for that day – that glorious day – that day where Jesus who once came into the world to be judged will be the judge of the world – are we ready for that day – that day when Jesus breaks in as Saviour & King – the last day – that day of His glorious return? Are you friends ready? Is your family ready? Are you ready?
All these dates have this in common: they were all wrong. In fact, every date for the Second Coming that has been suggested over the last 2000 years has been proven wrong. That should tell us something. It is not for us to know the exact date and time. But Jesus told us that fact long ago! Why do not people read the Bible?
Jesus says in Matthew 24:36 "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”
Despite this clear, black and white statement people still continue to examine the details of prophecy to calculate when Jesus will return. It is like well, maybe we cannot know the day or hour but maybe the week or month or year! Verse 36, is very clear “no one knows” means no one can. Not the angels, not even Jesus himself. But this knowledge is only known by God the Father.
But, brothers and sisters, Prophecy has lost its purpose when it merely becomes predicting the future. Prophecy is for warning and a calling to repent. We are all called to repent! We are all called to get right with God through our faith in Jesus Christ and in confessing our sins to Him. People get ready – the Lord is coming. He desires us to be ready for His return!
Though, we do expect that on the day Jesus returns there will be something special happening, some forewarning, some change in the wind, a feeling in our bones, writing in the sky, a spiritual discernment, an announcement in the newsletter, something… but this is the thing, Jesus introduces to us the mundane of advent. Jesus emphasises the monotony, the humdrum of the second coming. Jesus likens the second coming to the times of Noah (v37-39):
37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.
It took Noah quite a long time to build the ark. A lot of planning, a lot of hard work, a lot of mockery. In contrast to the length of time it took the flood was swift, it was sudden. Jesus doesn’t emphasise the sinfulness of the people in Noah’s time instead he emphasises something else to make his point. The people of the time were simply living life. “People were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage...” nothing sinful here, just life. Life was merely rolling along as it usually did. This is what Jesus wants to make clear about his return is that people will still be doing the normal things of life. Back then, you would have been able to see Noah building the ark and back then you would have heard as to why, but as life went on no one cared. Life just rolled on until it was too late.
Jesus gives two other examples to emphasise, in (v40-41): Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.
Do you want to be the one life behind? Like the image of division in the parable of the sheep and the goats (25:31-46) there is a dividing between those who live life without God, who have lived with God as their purpose for living.
We are saved through faith but this faith is not merely a mental ascent or agreement but a living faith; a faith in action, of obeying Christ, of loving Him and loving others. Our life of obedience to Jesus is what gives our faith substance; our love for Jesus flows into an action of love for the people/world around us whom need to know – to taste the sacrificial love of which Jesus is our example. This, then, is how we live a life of expectation and readiness for Jesus’ return. The whole message of advent and our response to the second coming is about “being ready”.Jesus tells us to"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.
44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.
Keep watch or watching and be ready, Jesus says. The purpose of prophecy is to serve as warnings to be ready. They’re not to tell you the exact “when” in the future to get ready for, but to get ready now! I ask you now: Are we ready for that day – that glorious day – that day where Jesus who once came into the world to be judged will be the judge of the world – are we ready for that day – that day when Jesus breaks in as Saviour & King – the last day – that day of His glorious return? Are you friends ready? Is your family ready? Are you ready?
We Must Be Ready -- Jesus is Coming Again! Part One
Let me be straight to you up front. As sure as I have a voice that you can hear or a face that you can see, you can write it down in the book of your heart – Jesus saves! He is the only way to our salvation. If you believe in Him you shall have eternal life. There is a heaven. There is a hell. You want to go to heaven. You do not want to go to hell. But some of you may end up there if you do not repent and embrace the Lord Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savoir. No asbestos suit will save you. No earthly riches wills save you. Only Jesus Christ can save you. Amen?
Yes, people get ready. The Lord Jesus Christ is coming again. The “second” coming of Jesus Christ is the contrast to his first coming in the virgin birth. Through the incarnation Jesus arrives as a helpless, crying, baby; that needs to be fed, changed and entertained. In Christ’s return he comes as a glorious, powerful, authoritative judge over the entire world. And we do not know exactly when that will be, but we know we are closer now than ever before. Every day we get a little bit closer to that blessed day when He shall return and set things right.
This is truly an astounding thought. The same Jesus who was born in Bethlehem is coming again. The same Jesus who grew up in Nazareth is coming again. The same Jesus who turned the water into wine is coming again. The same Jesus who walked on water is coming again. The same Jesus who healed the nobleman’s son is coming again. The same Jesus who raised Lazarus is coming again. The same Jesus who wept over Jerusalem is coming again. The same Jesus who was betrayed by Judas is coming again. The same Jesus who was whipped, beaten, scourged, mocked, and condemned to death is coming again. The same Jesus who died on Mount Calvary is coming again. The same Jesus who rose from the dead on Easter Sunday morning is coming again. The same Jesus who ascended into heaven is coming again.
That’s what we mean when we say that Jesus is coming again. The actual, historical figure who lived 2000 years ago on the other side of the world is returning to the earth one more time.
Kind of blows your mind to think about it, doesn’t it?
Now I must tell you that there is a lot of information out there of an end times nature, and a lot of it is not scriptural, or is just partly scriptural. So beware what you read and here – test it with the Bible before you swallow it hook, line and sinker. Today, apocalyptic imagery is everywhere: in … corner bookstores, where the prophecies of Nostradamus, The Bible Code, and an array of American Indian and New Age books are hot sellers; and in theaters, where movies like Contact and The Seventh Sign of the last decade, and Knowing and 2012 of this past year draw viewers with their apocalyptic themes. Huge disasters like tsunami of a few years back and Haiti and Chile in the past few month make people pause and think.. And on television, glimmerings of Armageddon flicker across the screen – in fictional tv shows and in news footage on the news programs.
None of this should surprise us since Christians have always believed in the Second Coming of Christ. Jesus himself declared, “I will come back” (John 14:3). And when Christ ascended into heaven, the angels promised the disciples that “this same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11). Belief in the Second Coming has always been considered one of the fundamental truths of our faith. Even though we have often argued about the details surrounding his return, Christians of every denomination have agreed on this fact: Jesus Christ is coming again. By that we mean that Jesus himself ("this same Jesus") is coming back to the earth. Physically, visibly, bodily, personally.
Let me prove it to you that this has been a long time Christian belief – stand and recite with me the beliefs of our Christian faith as written in the Apostle’s Creed – no. 8 in your hymnal. The Apostle's Creed clearly states the Christian beleif that "From heaven Jesus will come again to judge the quick (the living) and the dead."
Yes, He is Coming Again! Here’s an interesting corollary to that truth. Because Christians have always believed in the Second Coming, there have always been Christians who believed that Jesus would come back in their own lifetime. It’s clear that the earliest Christians expected Christ to return to the earth in just a few years. That’s why the Apostle Paul could say in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 that “the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.” Paul clearly believed that Jesus would return in his own lifetime. He never expected to have his head chopped off in Rome; he fervently thought that he would live to see the Second Coming.
Yes, people get ready. The Lord Jesus Christ is coming again. The “second” coming of Jesus Christ is the contrast to his first coming in the virgin birth. Through the incarnation Jesus arrives as a helpless, crying, baby; that needs to be fed, changed and entertained. In Christ’s return he comes as a glorious, powerful, authoritative judge over the entire world. And we do not know exactly when that will be, but we know we are closer now than ever before. Every day we get a little bit closer to that blessed day when He shall return and set things right.
This is truly an astounding thought. The same Jesus who was born in Bethlehem is coming again. The same Jesus who grew up in Nazareth is coming again. The same Jesus who turned the water into wine is coming again. The same Jesus who walked on water is coming again. The same Jesus who healed the nobleman’s son is coming again. The same Jesus who raised Lazarus is coming again. The same Jesus who wept over Jerusalem is coming again. The same Jesus who was betrayed by Judas is coming again. The same Jesus who was whipped, beaten, scourged, mocked, and condemned to death is coming again. The same Jesus who died on Mount Calvary is coming again. The same Jesus who rose from the dead on Easter Sunday morning is coming again. The same Jesus who ascended into heaven is coming again.
That’s what we mean when we say that Jesus is coming again. The actual, historical figure who lived 2000 years ago on the other side of the world is returning to the earth one more time.
Kind of blows your mind to think about it, doesn’t it?
Now I must tell you that there is a lot of information out there of an end times nature, and a lot of it is not scriptural, or is just partly scriptural. So beware what you read and here – test it with the Bible before you swallow it hook, line and sinker. Today, apocalyptic imagery is everywhere: in … corner bookstores, where the prophecies of Nostradamus, The Bible Code, and an array of American Indian and New Age books are hot sellers; and in theaters, where movies like Contact and The Seventh Sign of the last decade, and Knowing and 2012 of this past year draw viewers with their apocalyptic themes. Huge disasters like tsunami of a few years back and Haiti and Chile in the past few month make people pause and think.. And on television, glimmerings of Armageddon flicker across the screen – in fictional tv shows and in news footage on the news programs.
None of this should surprise us since Christians have always believed in the Second Coming of Christ. Jesus himself declared, “I will come back” (John 14:3). And when Christ ascended into heaven, the angels promised the disciples that “this same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11). Belief in the Second Coming has always been considered one of the fundamental truths of our faith. Even though we have often argued about the details surrounding his return, Christians of every denomination have agreed on this fact: Jesus Christ is coming again. By that we mean that Jesus himself ("this same Jesus") is coming back to the earth. Physically, visibly, bodily, personally.
Let me prove it to you that this has been a long time Christian belief – stand and recite with me the beliefs of our Christian faith as written in the Apostle’s Creed – no. 8 in your hymnal. The Apostle's Creed clearly states the Christian beleif that "From heaven Jesus will come again to judge the quick (the living) and the dead."
Yes, He is Coming Again! Here’s an interesting corollary to that truth. Because Christians have always believed in the Second Coming, there have always been Christians who believed that Jesus would come back in their own lifetime. It’s clear that the earliest Christians expected Christ to return to the earth in just a few years. That’s why the Apostle Paul could say in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 that “the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.” Paul clearly believed that Jesus would return in his own lifetime. He never expected to have his head chopped off in Rome; he fervently thought that he would live to see the Second Coming.
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