Rescue from Sin - Part 2

 

Continuing Michael's "Rescue" message, Jesus said, "Zacchaeus, come down out of that tree for I'm coming over to your house today." Many people turn away in shame and guilt when Jesus calls them. However, a man or woman who is desperate runs to the Lord and not from Him, for He alone is the Savior, God’s only plan of atonement for sin and salvation from Hell. For by grace are you saved through faith and that not of yourselves, it is a gift of God. “Not of works lest any man should boast.” To approach a Just and Holy God, we must forsake our pride and run to the Lord Jesus Christ with the heart of an innocent child’s trust. A child runs to his father when they’re desperate and in need of rescuing. Like an earthly father, our loving Heavenly Father will embrace us in His arms. Jesus said, "Come to me all you who are weary and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.”

It's not the miracles, great and mighty works, or swelling words of mankind's vanity that calls a person to repentance. Rather it is the love, mercy, grace and goodness of the Lord that calls us. This is the gospel message. It’s a ministry of care and compassion with the purpose and goal of turning from sin to Christ in repentance, thus a “born again” rescue. The lost in sin don't care that we know until they know that we care.

Then, they may see that casting all your care upon Him for He cares for you. That's why the Word of God says recompense to no man evil, provide all things honest in the sight of all men for the Lord is at hand.  

Zacchaeus was desperate and in need of a Savior. He ran to his Lord Jesus Christ. He was joyful to make restitution to those whom he had wronged. He wanted to come clean before his lord and before the people. Zacchaeus said, "I'll go beyond the requirements of the law and give half of everything I have to the poor. I'll also return back to those I've defrauded four times over.”  Zacchaeus had a transformation of heart. Like King David said when he repented of his sin, "create in me a new heart O Lord."  

When we repent by running to our Lord, and from our sin, He is faithful and just to forgive our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Jesus Christ is our peace, he is the One who reconciles our hearts back to our Loving Heavenly Father. There is no peace with God without the Prince of Peace. When we turn from ourselves in desperation, He will rescue us from our sin and iniquity. For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. He is the resurrection and the life. Jesus said in John 14:27: “My peace I leave with you.  My peace I give unto you, not as the world giveth give I unto you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” No Jesus, no peace. Know Jesus, know peace.   

May we ever live to the praise of the glory of His grace!

Your brother in Christ, Michael

Rescue from Sin - Part 1

This week, Michael asks: What's the cost of not following our Lord Jesus Christ? What's the value of God's saving grace? Do people realize that they are lost in sin on the highway to Hell? The Gospel message of salvation is a rescue mission for desperate men and women. Rescue means to save from danger, to deliver from a desperate condition by force if necessary. The spiritual battle is to rescue the hearts, minds souls of desperate people who have come to the realization that, "I have found the enemy and it is me and my sin."

In the book of Mark, a rich young ruler had asked Jesus, "What must I do to inherit eternal life?"  Jesus said, "Go sell all of your possessions, give the proceeds to the poor and come follow me". The man left sorrowful and grieving because he had many riches.  He had forgotten the first commandment: “You shall have no other Gods before me.”  Like many Americans, this rich young ruler worshipped another God...  His God was the almighty dollar. The message of the gospel of the good news of salvation is a message of deliverance from the bondage of sin and death. Desperate men and women are ready to turn from the darkness of our fallen sinful nature and unto the glorious light of the gospel of Truth. To be desperate means to be moved by extreme anxiety and motivated by hopelessness and frustration. God will humble those He has called. He will bring us to our knees to the point that we realize that "in my flesh dwells no good thing."

Luke 19:1-10is the story of Jesus' encounter with another rich man. His name was Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector, who received a cut from the other tax collectors in his district. He was desperate to see Jesus but he was "vertically challenged", so he ran ahead of the crowd as Jesus approached and climbed up into a sycamore tree. Even though Zacchaeus had many riches and lacked nothing in this world, he was desperate for the Way, the Truth and the Life. He was desperate to see Jesus. God had prepared Zacchaeus' heart. The beatitudes say that "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness for they shall be filled."  Zacchaeus was full of material blessings, but he knew Jesus had something he lacked. He was hungry for the things of the spirit of God. Zacchaeus threw dignity to the wind and climbed up into a tree to see Jesus.

The word Zacchaeus means "righteous one." However, he was despised and hated by the Jews. As the chief tax collector in his district, the people considered him a "turncoat." He worked for the Roman government and taxed his own people. In the process, he impoverished them while enriching himself. Finally, he came to the realization that he did not live up to his namesake. Zacchaeus had heard of Jesus, whose reputation had proceeded him. He was desperate to follow the true righteous One.

Let's continue Michael's "Rescue" message in the next post.

In Christ, Brian

Beyond Suffering - Part 2

Romans 5:1-5 “Having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Continuing from the last post, Pastor Herk gave us the third “C”-element of the Christian church, that being “Command” to the church. The Lord Jesus said in John 16:33,

 “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” Do not fear. Satan casts doubt through the world and make no mistake, hard times are not over and this side of eternity will have testing and opposition. But, the will of God is good, just and holy all the time, and His will is eternal. Perseverance and character are producers of disciple. Tribulation can be punitive, preventative, teaching and always educating for experience, testimony and bearing witness. 

Philippians 2:6-8 “Who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross."

The fourth element of the Christian church, that being “Commitment” to the church. Nobody prays for it to happen, but are we willing to die for Christ? What does it mean to be truly “alive and well” in Christ? That means that we must trust in Christ alone to be trustworthy. We must rely on Christ completely to be reliable. We must depend on Christ wholly to be dependable. We must have absolute faith in Christ to be faithful. 

Revelation 20:11-15 Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.”

Due to sin, the first death is inevitable; we all physically die one day, but Hebrews 9:27 tells us, “it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment”. The second death comes on Judgment Day, where those not “born again” and saved by Christ bear the wrath of God on their sins and are cast into Hell’s lake of fire with eternal separation from God. We send ourselves to Hell and that is the reality of the second death. Repent, accept the Savior’s salvation, follow and keep your eyes on Jesus for victory over the grave and life abundant. Sure, it costs something to follow Jesus, but know that our trials allow us to escape the Evil One (the devil). 

Be faithful to the end. Stay in God will. There is glory beyond suffering. 

In Christ, Brian

Beyond Suffering – Part 1

Revelation 2:8-11 

 “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write, ‘These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life: “I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.”’

This last Sunday, I had the privilege to worship with my father’s congregation at Bass Lake again. Pastor Herk pointed out how, even though God is with us always, we miss our church and our church family because of the true love connection. He urged everyone to get involved in ministries inside and outside of the local church to help others with the love of Christ. The Little Church in the Pines is going through a sermon series on the messages to the seven churches in Revelation. This Sunday was Smyma.

In Matthew 5:11-13a,the Lords tells us, “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. You are the salt of the earth.”

Pastor Herk used four “C’s” to give us four elements of the Christian church and showed from Holy Scripture that being willing to suffer for our faith is the evidence of our love. The first element is the Characteristics of the Church. We should find it worthy to suffer for the name of Christ, our Lord, because Jesus is the first and the last (eternal); the only One worthy of worship. We should anticipate the same ultimate victory that He experienced. Christ blazed the trail to follow and His Word is truth. We need to walk in His footsteps on the “right” path, trusting on Him, knowing that our lives have been designed and calculated by our good, just and holy God. It is not a matter of “if”, but a matter of “when” the storms of life come against the Christian, but trials and tribulation will soon be over. What can be greater than the Lord and His reward? Waiting for us is the “crown of life”. 

Hebrews 5:8 “Although He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.”

The second element of the Christian church is “Commendation”. The God-rejecting world system doubts reality. Every church goes through testing, but it is comforting to know that nothing is hid from God and He is both aware and takes notice of our situation. Jesus reminds us that we are spiritually rich, even when economically or situationally poor. We are rich in faith and love as we store up treasures in Heaven (Matthew 6:19-20). We need to invest in the Kingdom of God, not earthly things, because there the faithful have an inheritance. Many forsake Jesus; slanderers with false religions that poison minds. They forget about the judgment, wrath and fire to come. Stand strong in faith and serve the Lord. 

Let's continue Pastor Herk's message of "suffering in Christ's name" in the next post.

In Christ, Brian

Be Faithful

Faith in God

Hebrews 11:1“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

I read an article on the marvelous Hebrews 11, is an amazing chapter. That here, faith is defined not as some intangible wish, but as “substance” and “evidence.” Let us look closely.

The 1828 Webster’s dictionary defines the word “faith” as: (1) In theology, the assent of the mind or understanding to the truth of what God has revealed. Simple belief of the scriptures, of the being and perfections of God, and of the existence, character and doctrines of Christ, founded on the testimony of the sacred writers, is called historical or speculative faith; a faith little distinguished from the belief of the existence and achievements of Alexander or of Cesar. (2) Evangelical, justifying, or saving faith, is the assent of the mind to the truth of divine revelation, on the authority of God's testimony, accompanied with a cordial assent of the will or approbation of the heart; an entire confidence or trust in God's character and declarations, and in the character and doctrines of Christ, with an unreserved surrender of the will to His guidance, and dependence on His merits for salvation. In other words, that firm belief of God's testimony, and of the truth of the gospel, which influences the will, and leads to an entire reliance on Christ for salvation. The faith of the gospel is that emotion of the mind, which is called trust or confidence, exercised towards the moral character of God, and particularly of the Savior. Faith is an affectionate practical confidence in the testimony of God. Faith is a firm, cordial belief in the veracity of God, in all the declarations of his word; or a full and affectionate confidence in the certainty of those things which God has declared, and because he has declared them. (3) The object of belief; a doctrine or system of doctrines believed; a system of revealed truths received by Christians. (4) The promises of God, or his truth and faithfulness.

First of all, faith must have a legitimate object, nothing less than the Almighty Creator by whom “the worlds were framed” (v. 3) out of nothing but His omnipotent Word. Beyond this, faith is further defined not by what it is, but by what it does! The man or woman of faith comes to God by “a more excellent sacrifice,” like that of Abel (v. 4), typifying the sacrifice of Christ. Faith will, like Enoch, live to please God (v. 5), and will, like Noah, prepare an Ark (i.e., do whatever necessary out of obedience to God) “to the saving of his house” (v. 7). True faith will, like Abraham, go out as God leads, “not knowing whither he went,” even “dwelling in tabernacles” (literally “tents”) (vv. 8-9) if need be, as he looks for that city with sure “foundations, whose builder and maker is God” (v. 10). Such faith will even, like Abraham, offer up to God the greatest love and joy of his life, knowing that God will keep His Word (vv. 17-19).

Like Moses, the man of genuine faith will choose rather “to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season” (v. 25). Faith is even willing to be “stoned . . . sawn asunder . . . slain with the sword,” if need be, for the promises of God (vv. 37, 39). We are saved by grace through faith, not of works (Ephesians 2:8-9), but since we are “created in Christ Jesus unto good works” (Ephesians 2:10), our faith should motivate us to action. “You see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only” (James 2:24). 

The True, Sure & Lasting Foundation

1 Corinthians 3:11“For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid,

which is Jesus Christ.”

One commentary on this critical Bible verse above reinforces that the only sure and lasting foundation for either a Christian institution or an individual Christian life is the Lord Jesus Christ. No other foundation will endure in that coming day when “the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is”. Life in the jungle of this “fallen” world is no bowl full of cherries for sure.

They state that it is vital, therefore, to build on the foundation that Christ Himself has laid. This is laid in three courses, each of which is essential for its permanence. First of all, we must acknowledge that “You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands.” (Hebrews 1:10). He is the Creator of all things, and therefore Lord over all. John 1:3-4 agrees, “All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.”

Second, we must acknowledge that we have been “redeemed with the precious blood of Christ who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world”, for 1 Peter 1:17-20 says, “If you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear; knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct

received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you.”His foreordained work of redemption thus was foundational even to the foundation of the world! 

Revelation 1:4-6 confirms, “Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. Salvation is ours in Christ!

Luke 6:47-48 “Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock.”

Then there is the Word of God, which is foundational to everything beyond creation and redemption. “Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock.” (Luke 6:47-48). Hebrews 4:12 says, “The word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

The Lord Jesus Christ is the true foundation, for He has Himself laid every sure foundation. He created all things, His shed blood is the price to redeem all things, and His written Word, by His Holy Spirit, reveals all things needed to build a beautiful, fruitful Christian life or ministry. No other foundation will last, and “if the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?” (Psalm 11:3). 

Humility & Grace – Part Two

Continuing Michael’s message on “humility”, he writes that grace is caught and not taught. Jesus Christ was grace personified. The 1828 Webster’s dictionary defines the word “grace” as: (1) Appropriately, the free unmerited love and favor of God, the spring and source of all the benefits men receive from him. The application of Christ's righteousness to the sinner producing a state of reconciliation to God, and (2) The favorable influence of God; divine influence or the influence of the spirit, in renewing the heart and restraining from sin.We cannot know grace unless we know our Lord Jesus Christ. Even though He was God's only begotten Son, He humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even to the death of the cross. Therefore, let this attitude be in you which was also in Christ. Let nothing be done in strife or vain glory but let each esteem others better than themselves.  

The world's standard of success is the opposite of God's definition of success. According to the Word of God, meekness and humility are the hallmarks of God's success. The 1828 Webster’s dictionary defines the word “meekness’ as: In an evangelical sense means humility; resignation; submission to the divine will, without murmuring or peevishness; opposed to pride, arrogance and refractoriness. As the Apostle Paul said, "in my flesh dwelleth no good thing." However, He who was without sin became the perfect sacrifice for sin on our behalf that we may be made the righteousness of God in him.

In Luke 18, Jesus confronted the Pharisees about their pride and arrogance. He told them a parable about a Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector.  I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess’; meaning, I keep the Ten Commandments and all of the Old Testament laws. And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Jesus Christ showed us what it means to "humble thyself under the mighty hand of God." He humbled Himself and became obedient, even unto death. Therefore, God exalted and lifted him up. That at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord to the glory of God the Father. Our responsibility is our response to God's ability. For I was crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live, yet not I but Christ lives in me.

Victory in Christ is that despite the troubles of this world, we will glorify the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Our joy and rejoicing are in the attitude of our spirit. According to Psalm 1, Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord and in his law. He meditates day and night.  Philippians 2says “For it is God who works in you to will and to do of His good pleasure.”

May we ever live to the praise of the glory of His grace!

Your brother in Christ, Michael

Childlike Humility - Part One

This week, Michael writes that the best is yet to come. The afflictions of this present world are not to be compared with the glory that shall follow.

Matthew 18:1-5 At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.”

The prerequisite for receiving the gospel message is meekness and humility. Jesus taught this lesson to his disciples. In order to approach a holy and just God, we must forsake our pride. Like a little child who is not ashamed to run to his father for help, we must approach our Heavenly Father with childlike humility. Unless we're converted (born again), turn from our pride (repent), and become as a little child (trust and obey God, abide in Christ and walk in the Spirit), we cannot enter the kingdom of heaven.  

Jesus Christ himself is our example of humility.  Philippians 2:3-11says, “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

To serve our Lord Jesus Christ, we must serve His way and not our way. Jesus said after He had healed a person, "do not tell anyone about this."  He wasn't looking for vain glory, but for the praise of His Heavenly Father.  Philippians 2: 5says, "let this mind, this attitude be in you which was also in Christ."  His was an attitude of humility. Humility seeks to serve God by serving others. We cannot choose the circumstances of our lives. However, we can choose our attitude. Joy is not the absence of pain, rather joy is the presence of the Lord. Mother Theresa said, "accept what God has given us." Therefore, in all things give thanks. All God requires is that we keep a heart of awe and an attitude of gratitude.

Each moment in time is an opportunity to demonstrate "the praise of the glory of His grace." The purpose for which He created us is to praise Him, no matter the trials and tribulations of life; glory be to God. The test of life is that tribulation works patience and patience experience, and experience hope, and hope makes not ashamed because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit which is given to us. Jesus Christ is our example of humility.  He, 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. As He was hanging on the cross Jesus said, "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do."  In that while we were yet sinners Christ died for the ungodly.

Let's continue Michael's message on "Humility" in the next post.

In Christ, Brian

The Way

 

John 14:6“Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes to the Father, but by me.” 

Read this excellent little devotional on our blessed Savior today that I'd love to share. This is surely one of the best-known, best-loved, most important, clearest, yet most profound verses in the Bible. There is no other way to come to God except through Christ, no other truth than that which is founded and centered on Christ, and no other eternal life except the life of Christ imparted to the believer—through faith in Christ.

All who teach otherwise are “thieves and robbers” of the soul, for Jesus said in John 10,8-9, “Iam the door”. There is no other door to heaven and no other Good Shepherd of the sheep. John 8:12 exclaims that He is the only “light of theworld” (to illumine a world otherwise blackened by sin. 

2 Corinthians 4:6“For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ”.

Jesus Christ is “that bread of life . . . the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever” (John 6:48, 51), and there is no other such life-sustaining eternal food for the hungry soul. Likewise, He is the “living water.” “If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink”(John 7:37-38). Spiritually speaking, no other water satisfies. He is also the one “true vine” in whom we must abide for fruit-producing life. He said, “For without me ye can do nothing” (John 15:1, 5).

The Scriptures have made it abundantly plain that there is “none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). There is no other way; the Lord Jesus Christ is the all-sufficient way to God. It is not that He shows the way; He is the way, and all who want to come can come to God through Him. 

Eternally Satisfying

John 4:10 Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.”

I remember driving along Interstate Highway 99 through central California and seeing a billboard next to an aqueduct that read: “Where water flow life grows”. Of course, in the agricultural regional of central California, the emphasis of the sign was on crops, but water is accentual for all plant and animal life. The amount of water in the human body ranges from 50-75%, averaging around 57-60%. On average, a person can survive without water for about 3 days. Liquid water is one of the necessary elements for life on earth. But, what is “living water”?

In John 4:1-6, on the way to Galilee from Judea, Jesus stopped at the town of Sychar and sat by a well there at the sixth hour (noon). Our Lord was weary and thirsty. Jesus was not by Himself too long before a Samaritan woman came out to draw water. Commentaries state that, in those days, women ordinarily traveled in groups to get water for their households, and they would early in the morning or later in the day in order to avoid the intense heat of the noonday sun. That the Samaritan woman came to the well without the company of any other women and she came at a time when she was likely to be the only one at the well indicates that something of her status as an outcast in society. The Samaritan woman was rejected by her community for her sexual immorality. Jesus did not press her on her reluctance to serve Him water; rather, He took the opportunity to teach her something about Himself.

The point is that (just like you and I) what the woman needed was spiritual rebirth. Living water is nothing less than spirit regeneration unto eternal life through the Holy Spirit. He was offering the water of eternal life, the abundant, never-ending sustenance from God Himself that ensures we will live forever. She understood that Jesus was claiming to give her better water than she had ever drawn, hence her unbelief. She could not understand the spiritual nature of the water Jesus offered unless she first saw her desperate need of soul renewal. Sin enslaves; Jesus redeems and saves.

John 7:37-39 On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.”

It is the ministry of the Spirit, flowing out of a heart redeemed by God, that blesses believers and, through them, brings life and light to the world. Living water is eternally satisfying.

Firstfruit

Proverbs 3:9 “Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the firstfruits of all your increase.”

Looking at a biblical word study on “firstfruits”, I found that there are seven New Testament references to “firstfruits,” all of which are metaphorical applications of the Old Testament commandment to offer the firstfruits of one’s increase to the Lord. This study stated that the New Testament references are all beautiful spiritual applications of this concept. At His resurrection, Christ Himself has “become the firstfruits of them that slept” (1 Corinthians 15:20). When we receive Christ, we receive our eternal salvation first of all in terms of “the firstfruits of the Spirit” (Romans 8:23). Furthermore, we ourselves are, to Him, a sort of firstfruits pledge of future growth. James 1:18 says, “Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.”

This thought is also applied to the first converts of a new mission field. Paul speaks of “the firstfruits of Asia” (the western part of Asia Minor) and “the firstfruits of Achaia” (southern Greece) in Romans 16:5 and 1 Corinthians 16:15, respectively. He also speaks of believing Jews as having preceded Gentiles into the kingdom as a holy firstfruit (Romans 11:16) to the Lord.

The last of the New Testament references to firstfruits relates to the 144,000 Israelite witnesses in the coming great tribulation. “These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb” (Revelation 14:4). The study concluded that as beautiful and pointed though these metaphors may be, however, they in no wise lessen our responsibility to honor God with our own firstfruits.

Blessed Assurance

2 Timothy 4:8 “Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.”

The lyrics of the classic hymn 'Blessed Assurance' goes: “Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine! Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine! Heir of salvation, purchase of God, Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.”  Of course, this blessed assurance is that we have redemption and salvation, as our sins against God are paid for and forgiven through the atoning sacrifice of our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ on the Cross in our place, the regeneration of our spirit with the transformation of our heart reconciled to our heavenly Father, along with a rescue from Hell bound damnation forever to the Kingdom of Heaven for eternity. But having a “false assurance” of salvation – believing that you are in the right with God and yet being outside of the kingdom - is a real problem in our world, needing the reality of gospel truth. As a friend of mine says, “Do you have a ticket to get in?”

An article on the subject that I read while on vacation states that it probably would not be an overreach to say that most people today go about their lives thinking that all will be OK because they are “good people”. After all, we might surmise, they do way more good than bad, take care of our families and have not killed anyone, so why would they not be saved? I used to think this way. The 1828 Webster’s dictionary defines the word “good” as: Having moral qualities best adapted to its design and use, or the qualities which God's law requires; virtuous; pious; religious; applied to persons, and opposed to bad, vitious, wicked, evil. Goodness is such a high standard that the Lord Jesus said in Mark 10:18 “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God.” By itself, the presence of good works does not prove anything. One does not have to be saved in order to physically refrain from murder, to love one’s family or to show respectful kindness and be a productive citizen.

Ephesians 2:5-10 New “Even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”

The article explains that external conformity to the commandments and laws of God is possible for people who do not know Christ as their blessed Savior, although non-believers cannot do what is fully pleasing to God. The Lord Jesus said in John 3:3 “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” This is because apart from grace, people are dead in trespasses/sin and thus cannot be motivated to do their good works by true love for God. If good works are to be in any way evidence that we are truly saved, we must couple their with the gospel of Jesus Christ, knowing that believing in the biblical plan of Salvation through Christ alone saves us.

John 3:16-17 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”

The article clarifies that those who are “saved” (spared from the lake of fire in the pit of Hell) fall into two classes. First, there are those whoa re truly saved and know that they are saved. They are assured of their salvation because they believe in the biblical Christ (the Blessed Redeemer and Savior of the world) and see evidence of the faith in good works of service to God and their neighbor. James 2:26 says, “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” Yet, it is possible that for someone to be truly saved and to believe that they are not saved.

The devil loves to bring up our sins and use them to make us doubt our salvation. Satan accuses us, encouraging us to call into question the state of our salvation, and our sin can make it hard to believe that Christ really loves us and has redeemed us. We can accept Jesus as our Savior and still feel that we need to pay for our past sins or think that those sins are too bad for God to forgive us of them. So, the second class of saved people consist of those who are saved but have no personal assurance of their salvation. But they can know that they that they are truly saved. The indwelling Holy Spirit convicts us of sin, but does not do so in a way that makes us despair of ever finding assurance of salvation. Doubt is from the devil, not from the Lord. In John 10:10, the Lord Jesus said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” Be assure of that!

The Bread of life

John 6:35 “Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst’”.

An article on the "I am" verses in the New Testament that I read recently states that it is no surprise that Paul and the other New Testament authors had such a high Christology — a doctrine of Christ that identifies Him with the one true God —  because they merely reflect what Jesus said about Himself. The gospel of John contains our Lord’s most direct affirmations of His divine self-identity, especially in the various “I Am” sayings found in the beloved disciple’s account of the life and ministry of our Savior. So that we might have a greater understanding of what Jesus said about Himself, we will be looking at these “I Am” sayings in John’s gospel.

The first “I Am” saying of Jesus recorded in the fourth gospel is “I am the bread of life” in John 6:35. First of all, let us note that there is a significance to the Greek construction that is translated “I am.” This construction, egō eimi, is used in the New Testament to place emphasis on the subject — the “I” of the above saying. The meaning is seen more clearly if we translate egō eimi as “I, I myself, am,” and though it is a rare construction used in the New Testament, it appears in the gospel of John each time Jesus says “I am.” It is the same construction found in the Greek version of Exodus 3:14, where God declares of Himself: “I am who I am.” No first-century Jew would have missed such a clear self-reference from Jesus to His own deity.

Additionally, Jesus’ use of “the bread of life” in John 6:35 gives us other information about Him. Just like He gave bread or manna to the Israelites during the exodus, the Father sent Jesus to grant and sustain life. Yet Jesus is far better than the manna of the exodus because Israel’s hunger was satisfied temporarily, but those who partake of Christ will never be hungry again. The Bread of Life grants and sustains "eternal life" — no one who comes to Christ in faith can ever be cast out. We are confident of this because the Father has given to His Son a people who cannot be lost, since the Father compels them to put their fate in the hands of Jesus, and He will raise His people from the dead on the last day.

We also see the purpose for Jesus’ coming in this statement. Christ came down from heaven to grant and sustain eternal life, and Jesus accomplishes this feat through His redemptive death whereby He gives His life for the world.

The first time we (figuratively) feed on Christ by faith, putting our trust in Him alone for salvation, we are brought out of the kingdom of sin and darkness into the light. We are sustained in the faith that saves us as we continue to feed on the Savior, learning from Him as we read God’s Word and hear it preached, and as we experience His presence among His people through the sacraments. If we regularly taste and savor Jesus, we can be assured of our salvation.

 Blessings

Awe and Gratitude – Part 2

Continuing Michael’s message from the last post: God calls the foolish things of this world to shame the wise and the weak things of the world to show his strength. The world will think we’re foolish for following the truth of the Word and for following our Lord Jesus Christ, the word made flesh. Jesus, before his crucifixion, wept over the city of Jerusalem. God had called the people of the city to worship him, but they rejected God’s word of truth and the gospel… his son, Jesus the Christ, the son of the living God. Philippians 3 says “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ.” He willingly laid aside his credentials as the promised Messiah and became a bondservant to serve God’s people in love. Jesus by His example taught His followers how to be servant-leaders. For the servant of the Lord must not strive, but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, and patient, in meekness serving those who oppose themselves.

David’s prayer of repentance is in Psalm 51:7-10: “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.”

It’s by God’s provision and by His mercy and grace that we can walk according to the good pleasure of his will. For in Christ, He has made unto us wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and redemption. Our strength and wisdom is in Him alone. We become more like Jesus as we follow in His footsteps. God will put in our hearts to make our desire His desire. As Psalm 37:4 says, “Delight thyself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.” When our heart’s desire is God’s desire, when His will is our will, then our hearts are aligned with God’s heart….then it is God who works in you to will and to do of His good pleasure.

God has chosen us, appointed us and invited us to walk in fellowship with Him. His calling is to sanctification and holiness … to set us apart according to His purpose … that we should be to the praise of the glory of His grace.

For what are you thankful? When we’re thankful for our Lord Jesus Christ we can rejoice as Paul did … in everything give thanks. All God requires is that we keep a heart of awe and gratitude. For the Lord is good, His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations.

May we ever live to the praise of the glory of His grace!
Your brother in Christ, Michael

Awe and Gratitude – Part 1

This week, Michael writes: Our concept of God and our attitude toward him will determine whether or not we make the right decisions in life. Regardless of the trials of life, all God requires is that we keep a heart of awe and gratitude. We need to dwell in the Lord’s presence to “taste and see that the Lord is good.” In His presence, we allow Him to speak. Only in His presence can we hear his “still small voice.” Time in prayer alone with God dwelling in the presence of our Heavenly Father is where we come to know and understand His peace, His mercy, His grace, and His blessing. Then when the crisis comes and courage is required, we who have waited upon the Lord will have such confidence in Him that we will be His reliable ones.

The wisdom of God is antithetical to the wisdom of men and women. The first shall be last and the last shall be first. He who thinks he is wise becomes a fool. The ultimate freedom is the ultimate captivity …You are slaves to whom you obey. Therefore, make me a captive Lord, and then I shall be free. The church in Corinth dealt with issues that are common to all men and women. Paul’s letters to the Corinthian church are epistles of “reproof and correction.” Reproof is for conviction. Correction is for restoration to an upright position.

In the first three chapters of 1 Corinthians, the early church was divided in whom they followed. Some said “I am of Paul.” Others said, “I am of Apollos, or of Peter, or of Christ.” The antidote to division is to reconcile our hearts through Jesus Christ at the foot of the cross. For there is one God and one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus.

Paul wrote to the Corinthians, “consider your calling.” Receiving the Word of God starts with humility … for in my flesh dwells no good thing. Unless we “humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God,” we cannot receive the truth of the Word of God. Paul said, there are not many mighty and not many noble who are called. God has chosen the weak things of the world to confound the wise. Jesus said, “you haven’t chosen me, rather I have chosen you.” We who are chosen are the result of God’s election.

Jonathan Edwards, who was considered the greatest preacher in America, changed the lives of thousands. In meekness and humility, he would lay on the floor in front of his fireplace until he was convicted that the words he would speak were God’s words and not his own words. He understood that his calling was to give glory to God.

Let's continue Michael's message on gratitude in the next post.

In Christ, Brian

Proclaim Christ

Colossians 1:28 “Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ”.

Finishing up this short Bible Study in the book of Colossians, This lesson points out that addressing a congregation that struggled with false teachers who promoted elitism, the apostle Paul has been unafraid to stress that the gospel is for everyone. Instead of a message that bears fruit only among the most educated or most spiritual, the true gospel finds adherents the world over. It will achieve a cosmic restoration, for nothing can go untouched by the Savior’s work. Furthermore, if these statements of the universality of the gospel and the sufficiency of the Savior are not enough, Paul tells us that his ministry is to proclaim Christ, “warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom.” Jesus is not to be proclaimed to a mere few — He must be preached to everyone.

The lesson goes on to say that warning and teaching are the two sides to the apostle’s work. The warning aspect of Christian proclamation entails admonishing professing believers who are tempted to stray from the faith. Following the apostolic model, we exhort others, whether or not we are ordained pastors, to hold fast to the biblical Jesus in all circumstances. Teaching sets forth Christian truth to edify the body of Christ. All believers have a share in the teaching ministry. Some may be ordained to the teaching office, but all believers, in whom Christ’s Word dwells richly, teach and admonish one another in all wisdom, at least informally. Likewise, we must readily hear instruction in the Word of God at all times and throughout our entire lives. No one is so eminent in respect of wisdom as to be entitled to exempt himself from instruction.

Paul — indeed all Christians — work to present “everyone mature in Christ” — equipped and ready to fulfill the specific work that the Father has given to each of us. This can be a toil and a struggle, as any full-time preacher would readily confess. But the work of Christian instruction is indeed difficult for us all, for even if our children are our only students, it can be discouraging to instruct them again and again when it seems that they are just not understanding Jesus and who they are to be in Him. Thankfully, like Paul, we have been empowered by the Spirit and will receive the strength necessary to endure in teaching His truth as we rely on Him.

God calls all of us to take part in the teaching ministry of the church, though not all of us have the same role. Some will be ordained teachers. Others will help their children memorize Scripture. There are a variety of ways to advance the proclamation of the gospel. What are you doing to further the church’s teaching ministry and proclaim Christ?

The Riches of Christ in You

Colossians 1:27 “To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”

Continuing though this short Bible Study through the first chapter of the Apostle’s Epistle to the Colossians, we learned that Paul uses the term mystery to refer to a truth that was partially and dimly revealed under the old covenant but is now displayed in all its fullness to the new covenant people of God. This lesson states that the apostle speaks of mysteries in several places in his epistles and having spoken of his call to make clear “the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints”, Paul now identifies the mystery of which he is speaking. This mystery, made known among the Gentiles, is “Christ in you, the hope of glory”.

We take it largely for granted today that the gospel is for all people and that those who believe it become full citizens of the kingdom of God, heirs of all the promises that the Lord has made to His people throughout history. In the first century, however, this was a radical idea. Strict interpretations of the purity laws in the Torah — Genesis through Deuteronomy — made it difficult indeed for the earliest Jewish Christians to believe Gentiles could remain Gentiles and become faithful servants of Yahweh, the covenant Lord of Israel. It took both the intervention of God Himself and constant admonition from the apostles to convince the earliest Jewish believers that Jews and Gentiles could be full members of the same Abrahamic family in Christ. To be fair to the ancient Jewish Christians, it is hard to find this idea of full citizenship for the Gentiles revealed in the old covenant. It is not entirely absent, as seen in the story of the Gentile woman Ruth, who became the great-grandmother of David, the greatest king of the old covenant. Still, Ruth was the exception rather than the rule, so it is not surprising that the Jewish Christians had trouble accepting Gentile believers as full-fledged brothers and sisters at first.

The lesson’s point is that Jesus, by His Spirit, dwelling in all believers, no matter their background, makes Jews and Gentiles full citizens in the kingdom of God. We are all so identified with Christ that it is impossible for any Christian to be a second-class citizen. And we can add to this grace the fact that our hope of glory in Jesus has present and future aspects. In the present, we are assured that we belong to Him and will persevere so that in the future we will enjoy the full benefits of redemption — life in a resurrected body before the presence of God in the new heaven and earth.

John 10:14-16 “I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.”

This lesson concludes that it is all too easy for us to think of other people as lesser Christians than we are because of the way they dress, what they eat and drink, how knowledgeable they are about the finer points of theological arguments, and a host of other factors. We should always strive against this temptation to look down upon others, for Christ dwells in all who truly love Him, and He has given us all the same rights in His kingdom.

Go All Out Because You are All In

1 Samuel 16:7 “But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

Last Sunday was the National Football League Super Bowl Championship game.  Sports teams go all out each season because they are all in with dedication, devotion and desire for preparing and competing to be the best that they individually and collectively can be to play at the top of their game, execute with the highest percentage during every competition, to successfully reach the goal of champion. This concept, principle and practice holds true for individuals and groups in society, and each child of God in the Christian community. Good hard work with enthusiasm pays off. 

Ephesians 2:10 “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”

In a speech on April 23, 1910, President Theodore Roosevelt said: “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat”.

You may have messed up your life. What you are doing is not working. Get in the game and go all out! We may have those “Where are you God?” moments in life, but know that God invites in the middle of a life that doesn’t make sense in order for us to trust Him for our now and our future. God is in control. See the Lord’s hand guiding. We are not “players in the game of life” who happen to be a Christian, but a Christian who happens to be players in the game of life. Big difference! Nobody is perfect, but work towards the shift. Look at the Word of God in the Holy Bible. Luke 6:43 says, “For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit.” This verse is talking about your heart. Jesus died for our sins to give us a new heart that produces good fruit.  

Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”

God has a purpose and plan for your life, so don’t focus on the inabilities and difficult challenges. Do not be silent and isolated on the sidelines. Foundationally, do everything for Christ’s glory. Trust God and thank Him daily. Follow Him obediently in a relentless, “all out” pursuit because you are “all in”. People often look everywhere for fulfillment except to God. This is sin and sin separates us from the fulfillment in relationship with our heavenly Creator God. If you have not done so yet, repent and turn away from sin and accept the free gift of Jesus Christ’s forgiveness, redemption and salvation. Go all out, because you are all in!

In Christ, Brian

A Mystery Revealed

Colossians 1:25-26 “I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God, the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints.”

Continuing in this short Bible Study on the first chapter of Colossians that I found, the lesson states that mystery religions that promised salvation to a select group of initiates who received the mysteries — top-secret teachings — of certain religious figures were common in the ancient Greco-Roman world. During the early part of the twentieth century, many historians claimed that Christianity merely co-opted the beliefs of these mystery religions for its own purposes, eventually winning more adherents than any other group. Such theories were proposed largely on account of Paul’s use of the term “mystery” in Colossians 1:25–26 and many other passages.

Though these theories are still found in many popular-level attacks on the Christian faith, such ideas were debunked long ago. Better historical research proves that the mystery religions borrowed from Christianity, perverting its rituals and teachings to make them compatible with rank paganism (i.e. Holy Easter/Spring fertility, All Hallow Eve/Halloween). Moreover, it is astounding that anyone could think that the other apostles simply adopted the mystery religions for their own purposes, for the meaning of the term mystery is far different in the New Testament than it was in the surrounding society. Instead of a secret truth that only the “truly spiritual” can understand, mystery in the Bible refers to something that was once unclear under the old covenant but is now seen plainly under the new covenant. Such mysteries are given to all the saints of God, as we see in today’s passage.

We will look at the specific mystery Paul introduces in Colossians 1:25–26 more, but for now note that it has to do with the full citizenship of Gentiles alongside faithful Israelites in the kingdom of God. What we want to stress today is that this mystery, along with every other so-called “mystery” in Scripture, can be grasped by all believers. To be sure, it will take an eternity to plumb the depths of God’s revelation; however, there is no secret teaching that is the possession of merely a few believers. In the body of Christ there are no racial, gender, or economic distinctions before God when it comes to the truth — all have a share in learning and understanding what has been given to us in His Word through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Undeniably, some people are more gifted teachers of these mysteries than others, just as was true under the old covenant. But there is no hidden truth in Scripture that belongs to only a few.

The lesson concludes that throughout history, there have been many groups and individuals who have claimed that God has revealed truths only to them and that only they can understand the will of the Lord. The true God, however, has revealed Himself in His inscripturated Word, which is available to all people. We should not think that it will be forever impossible for us to understand any part of the Scriptures, for we trust the Spirit to illumine our understanding for our growth as a child of God.