I was home last Sunday because I was ill. During my time of prayer, meditation, and study at home I was reading Dr. Robert E. Webber’s Ancient – Future Evangelism: Making Your Church A Faith-Forming Community . As I was reading, I came across a passage that in my opinion summarizes a great deal of our current struggle to get clarity on the purpose and mission of the Church. This is what I read:
“If the mission of God through Jesus Christ is to rescue creation from the presence and power of evil, then what is the mission of the church? If the church is the context for Christian formation, we must then have a biblical view of the purpose of the church. There seems to be some confusion about the purpose of the church in both the mainline and evangelical communities. Let me explain.
Back in 1979 a church leader sent a letter to evangelical leaders declaring, “God is calling us to march into the halls of Congress and clean up America for God.” His concerns were certainly appropriate: the rise of the permissive society, the breakdown of marriage, violence in the streets, pornography, abortion, and drugs to name a few issues that pointed to the breakdown of American society. Rev. Jerry Falwell’s answer was to found the Moral Majority and through this organization mobilize churches throughout America to vote Christians into office. These Christians were to act as responsible moral citizens in places of power. The idea was that through them a reforming and stable influence would be established to stem the eroding values of a godless American culture. The particular arm of the government through which evangelicals were to fulfill their calling to be salt and light to the world was the Republican Party.
In the meantime the mainline church was also mobilizing to assert an influence on another set of political problems. --- poverty, racism, the crumbling of the inner city, gangs, and the meaninglessness found among the jobless, single mothers, and aging dependents. For mainliners these matters of raising humanity to a more humane level were the goal of the church and the arm of the government through which this task was to be accomplished was the Democratic Party.
What’s wrong with this picture then and now? The church was being politicized. That is, this view says the agenda of the church is accomplished by teaming with a political power of the world. This view compromises the purpose of the church. It results in a distortion of the church’s mission to the world. Yet this view persists. Consequently we must ask: What is the purpose and mission of the church? ….
The mission of the church is to be about the politics of Jesus. Jesus is Lord. He has won a victory over the powers of evil and is now and shall be forever be the reigning Lord over everything God has created. The Church is called to live this truth, proclaim it, enact it, and call people to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and to a life of obedient discipleship under His reign in their lives. “ (pgs 153 & 154)
I believe Dr. Webber has done a very good job in summarizing a significant part of what has been happening in the church over the last thirty years. I was part of that process in which there was an attempt to stand and war against the evil in society through the politics of the Republican Party. Christians struggled to move from an isolated cultural ghetto to become a dominant political voice. All of these movements were impacted by many factors such as views on prophecy, economic back grounds, cultural environments, and existing political beliefs. Christians sincerely want to respond to the problems of our society and influence it for good.
Yet, how do we do this without having the church simply absorbed into the secular purpose and plans of the existing political powers? How do we keep the church from just becoming a pawn in an elaborate game that is being played by other institutions, movements, and powers? How do we maintain the independence and integrity of the church as God’s embassy upon the earth? How do we avoid being taken over by the spirit of the age in which we live? How ought we to live in this post-Christian society?
As I thought about these issues, I remembered an old mentor of mine; Dr Francis Schaeffer. One of the first books I read by Dr. Schaeffer was Death in the City which is a group of meditations on Jeremiah and Lamentations. In that book Dr. Schaeffer said:
“The church in our generation needs reformation, revival, and constructive revolution. At times men think of the two words reformation and revival as standing in contrast one to the other, but this is a mistake. Both words are related to the word restore. Reformation refers to a restoration to pure doctrine; revival refers to a restoration in the Christian’s life. Reformation speaks of a return to the teachings of Scripture; revival speaks of a life brought into its proper relationship to the Holy Spirit. The great moments of church history have come when these two restorations have simultaneously come into action so that the church has returned to pure doctrine and the lives of the Christians in the church have known the power of the Holy Spirit. There cannot be true revival unless there has been reformation; and reformation is not complete without revival. Such a combination of reformation and revival would be revolutionary in our day -- revolutionary in our individual lives as Christians, revolutionary not only in reference to the liberal church but constructively revolutionary in the evangelical, orthodox church as well. May we be those who know the reality of both reformation and revival, so that this poor dark world may have an exhibition of a portion of the church returned to both pure doctrine and Spirit-filled life.” (Francis A. Schaeffer, Death In The City, Ch. 1)
This is actually a great summary of what I have prayed for and worked to see happen at First Church West over the last fourteen years. To goals is to have First Church West be a “portion of the church” which has returned to both pure doctrine and Spirit-filled life?” As a community of believers beginning a new year it would be good for us to refocus our attention upon revival and reformation.
So what do you think about these issues? What is the purpose and mission of the church from your perspective? How can we seek revival and reformation? May the Lord help us experience these realities and transform us more and more into what He desires us to become both as a local church and as individuals.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas!
I remember presents under the tree, long tables of food, and getting into trouble with my cousins. Most of the time my family lived in tension, fighting, shouting, hurting, and hitting. But at Christmas we knew how to lay aside all of our dysfunction and celebrate the birth of Jesus the Messiah.
Christmas was the safest time of the year. Somehow all of the insanity that normally ruled our lives would be forgotten and we would pretend that all was well. I loved to see Christmas come and hated to see it go.
Many people this year are struggling with having a big Christmas. Fear of the economy, concern about new taxes, and being unemployed have demanded we buy less. Credit card companies increasing interest rates and lowering line of credits have ended the normal way many people financed Christmas. Christmas this year instead of feeling safe can for many people be forcing them into facing the hard economic times that they will have to live with in 2010.
But Christmas is more than presents. It is suppose to be a time of remembering an eternal love that came to us in a baby boy. It is a reminder that even during economic crisis, nothing can separate us from the love of God that is found in Messiah Jesus. It is to remind us that we are always safe in God's love and in God's plan for our lives. We may suffer but all suffering has purpose.
So this Christmas take time to open your heart to feeling the embrace of God that is found in the Messiah Jesus who became fully human that He might die for our sins and take us to the kingdom of heaven forever. Messiah Jesus came that we might know God and be free of our sin. That really is the best news we will ever hear for all eternity.
I remember presents under the tree, long tables of food, and getting into trouble with my cousins. Most of the time my family lived in tension, fighting, shouting, hurting, and hitting. But at Christmas we knew how to lay aside all of our dysfunction and celebrate the birth of Jesus the Messiah.
Christmas was the safest time of the year. Somehow all of the insanity that normally ruled our lives would be forgotten and we would pretend that all was well. I loved to see Christmas come and hated to see it go.
Many people this year are struggling with having a big Christmas. Fear of the economy, concern about new taxes, and being unemployed have demanded we buy less. Credit card companies increasing interest rates and lowering line of credits have ended the normal way many people financed Christmas. Christmas this year instead of feeling safe can for many people be forcing them into facing the hard economic times that they will have to live with in 2010.
But Christmas is more than presents. It is suppose to be a time of remembering an eternal love that came to us in a baby boy. It is a reminder that even during economic crisis, nothing can separate us from the love of God that is found in Messiah Jesus. It is to remind us that we are always safe in God's love and in God's plan for our lives. We may suffer but all suffering has purpose.
So this Christmas take time to open your heart to feeling the embrace of God that is found in the Messiah Jesus who became fully human that He might die for our sins and take us to the kingdom of heaven forever. Messiah Jesus came that we might know God and be free of our sin. That really is the best news we will ever hear for all eternity.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Christmas in Revelation
Christmas in Revelation - Revelation 12:1-17
I. Signs in heaven: Vs.1: And a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. Vs. 2: She was pregnant and was crying out in birth pains and the agony of giving birth. Vs. 3: And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads seven diadems.
II. The Dragon and the Woman at Work: Vs. 4: His tail swept down a third of the stars of heaven and cast them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she bore her child he might devour it. Vs. 5: She gave birth to a male child, one who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron, but her child was caught up to God and to his throne, Vs. 6: and the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, in which she is to be nourished for 1,260 days.
III. The Cosmic War: Vs. 7: Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, Vs. 8: but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. Vs. 9: And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world--he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.
IV. Victorious proclamation: Vs. 10: And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, "Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. Vs. 11 And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. Vs. 12: Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!"
V. Deliverance of the Woman: Vs. 13: And when the dragon saw that he had been thrown down to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child. Vs. 14: But the woman was given the two wings of the great eagle so that she might fly from the serpent into the wilderness, to the place where she is to be nourished for a time, and times, and half a time. Vs. 15: The serpent poured water like a river out of his mouth after the woman, to sweep her away with a flood. Vs. 16: But the earth came to the help of the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed the river that the dragon had poured from his mouth.
VI. Persecution of the Woman’s offspring: Vs. 17: Then the dragon became furious with the woman and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus. And he stood on the sand of the sea.
This vision begins in heaven. There is a naked pregnant woman, in the crisis of child birth, clothed by the sun and crowned with twelve stars and with the moon at her feet. Into this heavenly delivery room comes a red dragon with seven heads crowned with jewels and having ten horns. Red in scriptures is related to sin, war, and destruction (Isa 63:2; Zec 1:8; Rev 6:4). The purpose of the dragon is to devour the male child when He is born. In a sweeping motion of his tail the dragon empties the heavens of one-third of their stars and they fall to the earth. This is to show the greatness of the dragon.
Who is the woman? M. Eugene Boring says: "The woman is not Mary, or Israel, nor the church but less and more than all of these. John's imagery pulls together elements from the pagan myth of the queen of heaven; from the Genesis story of Eve, mother of all living, whose 'seed' shall bruise the head of the primeval serpent (Gen 3:1-16); from Israel who escapes from the dragon/Pharaoh into the wilderness on wings of an eagle (Exod. 19:4, cf. Ps 74:12-15); and Zion, 'mother' of the People of God through the ages, Israel and the church" (Commentary on Revelation; p. 152).
God inspires John to combine images from both the Old Testament and pagan myths to portray a universal Savior who will deliver the world from the devil’s power. God was working in History to bring about His Messianic Kingdom by the birth of this chosen male child. The promises of God would all find their “YES” in Jesus of Nazareth.
The dragon is identified as the devil, Satan, and the deceiver of the nations. These names mean that he is prone to slander, blaspheme and the one who opposes God, and strives to lead the nations of the earth astray. He is the revolutionary leader against the kingdom of God.
The male child that is born is the promised and prophesied Davidic Messianic heir who will bring God’s kingdom to the earth and rule with a “rod of iron” over all the nations (Psalm 2). This promised “seed of the woman” was predicted to come and crush the dragon’s head even as He is wounded in the conflict (Gen 3:15). This child is the chosen one of God who has been destined to take the curse from God’s creation which came with the first Adam joining the dragon in his rebellion against God.
The devil attempted to “devour” Messiah Jesus by having Herod kill the babies in Bethlehem at his birth, tempt Him in the wilderness, resisting Him by possessing multitudes in Israel during His first advent, and finally by inspiring the people to crucify Him. However, God used this blood sacrifice to actually defeat the devil and create a group of faithful witnessing martyrs to God’s kingdom. The death of Jesus the Messiah and His resurrection were the greatest defeat of the devil (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11; Colossians 2:15; Hebrews 2:14). With the ascension of Messiah Jesus, the sins of God’s people had been paid for and the legal justification for the establishment of the kingdom of God had been laid.
The result of this victory Messiah is exalted from earth to heaven and the heavenly dragon is banned from heaven and quarantined to the earth. Michael, one of the chief angelic princes who is connected to the nation of Israel, led the heavenly charge in banning Satan from heaven and ending his accusations against God’s people armed with the blood of the lamb and the faith of the apostolic Church (Dan 10:13; 10:21; 12:1; Jud 1:9). The heavenly woman has also become incarnated upon the earth and represents some faithful remnant which suffers persecution by Satan who brings the war of the heavens to the earth. This action is one of desperation because the devil knows that the final day of reckoning is now approaching.
The two message of Revelation are clearly seen here. First, God is victorious in the Messiah Jesus and salvation has come through Him. Second, the disciples of Messiah Jesus will suffer persecution, but will ultimately be saved. The purpose of the book seems to be for “strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.” Act 14:22
This Christmas let us remember that Jesus the Messiah coming was a vital part God’s work of redemption and bringing His kingdom to the earth. Christmas has guaranteed Easter. God has made His move and checkmated the dragon through the birth of His Son. May this faith give us joy this
Christmas.
I. Signs in heaven: Vs.1: And a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. Vs. 2: She was pregnant and was crying out in birth pains and the agony of giving birth. Vs. 3: And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads seven diadems.
II. The Dragon and the Woman at Work: Vs. 4: His tail swept down a third of the stars of heaven and cast them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she bore her child he might devour it. Vs. 5: She gave birth to a male child, one who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron, but her child was caught up to God and to his throne, Vs. 6: and the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, in which she is to be nourished for 1,260 days.
III. The Cosmic War: Vs. 7: Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, Vs. 8: but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. Vs. 9: And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world--he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.
IV. Victorious proclamation: Vs. 10: And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, "Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. Vs. 11 And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. Vs. 12: Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!"
V. Deliverance of the Woman: Vs. 13: And when the dragon saw that he had been thrown down to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child. Vs. 14: But the woman was given the two wings of the great eagle so that she might fly from the serpent into the wilderness, to the place where she is to be nourished for a time, and times, and half a time. Vs. 15: The serpent poured water like a river out of his mouth after the woman, to sweep her away with a flood. Vs. 16: But the earth came to the help of the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed the river that the dragon had poured from his mouth.
VI. Persecution of the Woman’s offspring: Vs. 17: Then the dragon became furious with the woman and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus. And he stood on the sand of the sea.
This vision begins in heaven. There is a naked pregnant woman, in the crisis of child birth, clothed by the sun and crowned with twelve stars and with the moon at her feet. Into this heavenly delivery room comes a red dragon with seven heads crowned with jewels and having ten horns. Red in scriptures is related to sin, war, and destruction (Isa 63:2; Zec 1:8; Rev 6:4). The purpose of the dragon is to devour the male child when He is born. In a sweeping motion of his tail the dragon empties the heavens of one-third of their stars and they fall to the earth. This is to show the greatness of the dragon.
Who is the woman? M. Eugene Boring says: "The woman is not Mary, or Israel, nor the church but less and more than all of these. John's imagery pulls together elements from the pagan myth of the queen of heaven; from the Genesis story of Eve, mother of all living, whose 'seed' shall bruise the head of the primeval serpent (Gen 3:1-16); from Israel who escapes from the dragon/Pharaoh into the wilderness on wings of an eagle (Exod. 19:4, cf. Ps 74:12-15); and Zion, 'mother' of the People of God through the ages, Israel and the church" (Commentary on Revelation; p. 152).
God inspires John to combine images from both the Old Testament and pagan myths to portray a universal Savior who will deliver the world from the devil’s power. God was working in History to bring about His Messianic Kingdom by the birth of this chosen male child. The promises of God would all find their “YES” in Jesus of Nazareth.
The dragon is identified as the devil, Satan, and the deceiver of the nations. These names mean that he is prone to slander, blaspheme and the one who opposes God, and strives to lead the nations of the earth astray. He is the revolutionary leader against the kingdom of God.
The male child that is born is the promised and prophesied Davidic Messianic heir who will bring God’s kingdom to the earth and rule with a “rod of iron” over all the nations (Psalm 2). This promised “seed of the woman” was predicted to come and crush the dragon’s head even as He is wounded in the conflict (Gen 3:15). This child is the chosen one of God who has been destined to take the curse from God’s creation which came with the first Adam joining the dragon in his rebellion against God.
The devil attempted to “devour” Messiah Jesus by having Herod kill the babies in Bethlehem at his birth, tempt Him in the wilderness, resisting Him by possessing multitudes in Israel during His first advent, and finally by inspiring the people to crucify Him. However, God used this blood sacrifice to actually defeat the devil and create a group of faithful witnessing martyrs to God’s kingdom. The death of Jesus the Messiah and His resurrection were the greatest defeat of the devil (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11; Colossians 2:15; Hebrews 2:14). With the ascension of Messiah Jesus, the sins of God’s people had been paid for and the legal justification for the establishment of the kingdom of God had been laid.
The result of this victory Messiah is exalted from earth to heaven and the heavenly dragon is banned from heaven and quarantined to the earth. Michael, one of the chief angelic princes who is connected to the nation of Israel, led the heavenly charge in banning Satan from heaven and ending his accusations against God’s people armed with the blood of the lamb and the faith of the apostolic Church (Dan 10:13; 10:21; 12:1; Jud 1:9). The heavenly woman has also become incarnated upon the earth and represents some faithful remnant which suffers persecution by Satan who brings the war of the heavens to the earth. This action is one of desperation because the devil knows that the final day of reckoning is now approaching.
The two message of Revelation are clearly seen here. First, God is victorious in the Messiah Jesus and salvation has come through Him. Second, the disciples of Messiah Jesus will suffer persecution, but will ultimately be saved. The purpose of the book seems to be for “strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.” Act 14:22
This Christmas let us remember that Jesus the Messiah coming was a vital part God’s work of redemption and bringing His kingdom to the earth. Christmas has guaranteed Easter. God has made His move and checkmated the dragon through the birth of His Son. May this faith give us joy this
Christmas.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Dealing with Holidays
It is hard at times to not feel bad during the holidays.
This year I had a friend die a week before Christmas. He had been sick for a long time. But I had gotten use to the idea that he was sick and that he was still there. I did not visit or write him as often as I should have. I felt bad as I said goodbye to him this week. I should have been a better friend. His death made me recognize my failure to express my love for him.
I know that my friend's family will have a sad Christmas. There will be an empty chair at the table. That is always hard.
Yet, my friend had given us a wonderful Christmas gift. It was the gift of a life of faith. He left a legacy which spoke of his faith in Jesus the Messiah as his Savior and Lord. He left a testimony of love for people and for sharing the gospel. There is no doubt my friend is fully filled with Jesus' joy. By the grace of God his sins are forgiven and he has total peace. The gospel brings joy even into sad times.
The complexity of life makes it hard at times to enter into a time of celebration. The holidays sometimes make us face what we have loss. Some of the emptiness of life is pushed before us.
Yet, if we allow ourselves to hear it; there is also the wonderful story of Christmas. The story of God's unending love. The reality of God's embrace in the person of Messiah Jesus. The hope of forgiveness and eternal life in the joy of God. The hope of the gospel.
This Christmas I am feeling many different things. But the comfort of my heart comes from the good news that God so loved the world that He gave His only Son....
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Eternal Ruler Of God's People
Mic 5:2 But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.
Mic 5:3 Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has given birth; then the rest of his brothers shall return to the people of Israel.
Mic 5:4 And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth.
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Literal - Beth-lehem Ephratah — (Gen_48:7), or, Beth-lehem Judah; so called to distinguish it from Beth-lehem in Zebulun. It is a few miles southwest of Jerusalem. Beth-lehem means “the house of bread”; Ephratah means “fruitful”: both names referring to the fertility of the region. It was from this insignificant town that the most significant of all the Kings of Israel was born. Here was the town of David. God delights to take what appears to be insignificant and exalt it to greatness. This demonstrates that it is God's power and not anything found in the creation that has the power to save.
This town was so small that in Jos_15:21, it is not enumerated among the cities of Judah; nor in the list in Neh_11:25. Yet from this town of less than a thousand people the great king David was born and the Messiah would come. From this town the ruler or "Shiloh" will come (Genesis 49:10). This great son of David who will born who will become the ultimate ruler of Israel who will bring in ultimate peace.
This ruler who will come out of Bethlehem is described as coming forth from of old and from ancient of days. As Jamieson, Fausset and Brown explain in their commentary:
"goings forth ... from everlasting — The plain antithesis of this clause, to “come forth out of thee” (from Beth-lehem), shows that the eternal generation of the Son is meant. The terms convey the strongest assertion of infinite duration of which the Hebrew language is capable (compare Psa_90:2; Pro_8:22, Pro_8:23; Joh_1:1). Messiah’s generation as man coming forth unto God to do His will on earth is from Beth-lehem; but as Son of God, His goings forth are from everlasting. "
The women in labor is most likely Israel as a people and not only Mary. It is a picture of the nation that is pregnant with God's promise and is in labor to give birth to the Messiah (see Revelation 12). Once this Messiah has been born then their will be a gathering of all the people and they will be regathered into one nation. He will bring the perfect Kingdom of God to the people of God and give to them complete security and peace. One day all Israel will be saved.
This passage like many of the prophecies of Messiah can seem to be saying that his appearing will be sudden and that the Kingdom will be coming in the immediate context. If one reads this passage in the context it seems like the Messiah will come to deliver the people of God from the Assyrians. This did not happen. In fact it is clear from the context of Micah that this is not going to happen for the judgement from Assyria is set.
Some future retribution upon the enemies of God will come with Messiah comes and then they will be safe from all their enemies. Assyria will fall. Its houses, chariots, and idols will perish. Under the preaching of the gospel over the first 400 years of the Christian Church the soceries, carved images, and pillars to idols will all perish. Jesus the Messiah by the preaching of the Word defeated the spiritual forces that fueled the spirit of pagan Assyria.
Because God revealed to the prophets only in a mirror darkly their reflection of what is happening has in a degree of mystery as well as revelation. The long wait between the first and second advent was not clearly seen in the Hebrew Bible. The exact means by which the Messiah would rule was not clearly seen.
As we remember God's keeping of his promise this Christmas by sending Jesus to be the ruler whose coming forth is from old, form ancient of days, let us remember that the Lord of heaven and earth will keep all of the promises that have been given. The end of the story is when the Messiah Jesus will bring to His people security and peace. Messiah Jesus rule over all the earth will be seen and acknowledged. All nations will be discipled and the Kingdom will be seen in all its glory. This should be our joy at Christmas time.
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Christological - Mat 2:1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem,
Mat 2:2 saying, "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him."
Mat 2:3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him;
Mat 2:4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.
Mat 2:5 They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:
Mat 2:6 "'And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.'"
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Moral: We must not doubt God's promises even in the darkest of times.
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Eternal: We are going to experience the perfect kingdom of God manifested in a new heaven and a new earth!
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Prayer: Lord, let me submit my heart to your rule. Rule over me Messiah this day!
________________________
Contemplation: Lord, help me see more clearly your promises and trust in your triumph over all evil.
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Action: What could I do to live more consistently under the rulership of Messiah Jesus today?
Mic 5:3 Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has given birth; then the rest of his brothers shall return to the people of Israel.
Mic 5:4 And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Literal - Beth-lehem Ephratah — (Gen_48:7), or, Beth-lehem Judah; so called to distinguish it from Beth-lehem in Zebulun. It is a few miles southwest of Jerusalem. Beth-lehem means “the house of bread”; Ephratah means “fruitful”: both names referring to the fertility of the region. It was from this insignificant town that the most significant of all the Kings of Israel was born. Here was the town of David. God delights to take what appears to be insignificant and exalt it to greatness. This demonstrates that it is God's power and not anything found in the creation that has the power to save.
This town was so small that in Jos_15:21, it is not enumerated among the cities of Judah; nor in the list in Neh_11:25. Yet from this town of less than a thousand people the great king David was born and the Messiah would come. From this town the ruler or "Shiloh" will come (Genesis 49:10). This great son of David who will born who will become the ultimate ruler of Israel who will bring in ultimate peace.
This ruler who will come out of Bethlehem is described as coming forth from of old and from ancient of days. As Jamieson, Fausset and Brown explain in their commentary:
"goings forth ... from everlasting — The plain antithesis of this clause, to “come forth out of thee” (from Beth-lehem), shows that the eternal generation of the Son is meant. The terms convey the strongest assertion of infinite duration of which the Hebrew language is capable (compare Psa_90:2; Pro_8:22, Pro_8:23; Joh_1:1). Messiah’s generation as man coming forth unto God to do His will on earth is from Beth-lehem; but as Son of God, His goings forth are from everlasting. "
The women in labor is most likely Israel as a people and not only Mary. It is a picture of the nation that is pregnant with God's promise and is in labor to give birth to the Messiah (see Revelation 12). Once this Messiah has been born then their will be a gathering of all the people and they will be regathered into one nation. He will bring the perfect Kingdom of God to the people of God and give to them complete security and peace. One day all Israel will be saved.
This passage like many of the prophecies of Messiah can seem to be saying that his appearing will be sudden and that the Kingdom will be coming in the immediate context. If one reads this passage in the context it seems like the Messiah will come to deliver the people of God from the Assyrians. This did not happen. In fact it is clear from the context of Micah that this is not going to happen for the judgement from Assyria is set.
Some future retribution upon the enemies of God will come with Messiah comes and then they will be safe from all their enemies. Assyria will fall. Its houses, chariots, and idols will perish. Under the preaching of the gospel over the first 400 years of the Christian Church the soceries, carved images, and pillars to idols will all perish. Jesus the Messiah by the preaching of the Word defeated the spiritual forces that fueled the spirit of pagan Assyria.
Because God revealed to the prophets only in a mirror darkly their reflection of what is happening has in a degree of mystery as well as revelation. The long wait between the first and second advent was not clearly seen in the Hebrew Bible. The exact means by which the Messiah would rule was not clearly seen.
As we remember God's keeping of his promise this Christmas by sending Jesus to be the ruler whose coming forth is from old, form ancient of days, let us remember that the Lord of heaven and earth will keep all of the promises that have been given. The end of the story is when the Messiah Jesus will bring to His people security and peace. Messiah Jesus rule over all the earth will be seen and acknowledged. All nations will be discipled and the Kingdom will be seen in all its glory. This should be our joy at Christmas time.
------------------
Christological - Mat 2:1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem,
Mat 2:2 saying, "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him."
Mat 2:3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him;
Mat 2:4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.
Mat 2:5 They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:
Mat 2:6 "'And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.'"
---------------------------------------------
Moral: We must not doubt God's promises even in the darkest of times.
--------------------------------------------
Eternal: We are going to experience the perfect kingdom of God manifested in a new heaven and a new earth!
------------------------------------------
Prayer: Lord, let me submit my heart to your rule. Rule over me Messiah this day!
________________________
Contemplation: Lord, help me see more clearly your promises and trust in your triumph over all evil.
---------------------------------------
Action: What could I do to live more consistently under the rulership of Messiah Jesus today?
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Drinking of God's Joy
Isa 12:1 You will say in that day: "I will give thanks to you, O LORD, for though you were angry with me, your anger turned away, that you might comfort me.
Isa 12:2 "Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation."
Isa 12:3 With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.
Isa 12:4 And you will say in that day: "Give thanks to the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the peoples, proclaim that his name is exalted.
Isa 12:5 "Sing praises to the LORD, for he has done gloriously; let this be made known in all the earth.
Isa 12:6 Shout, and sing for joy, O inhabitant of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel."
---------------------------------------------------------
Literal - This chapter is designed for worship. The first two verses have one person, most likely Isaiah, proclaiming to a congregation his personal faith in Yahweh, LORD, of heaven and earth, and his trust that the LORD has had mercy on him and now has turned to be the prophet's power, harmony, and deliverer. God instead of standing as just judge is come to be the one who will embrace and comfort in the middle of difficult times. Even as the Assyrians have devastated the Northern Kingdom and its ten tribes so now there is little in the news that is good. God has judged Israel. Will not Judah me next? What hope could we have? It is the LORD who saves!
Verse 3 is a call by the prophet to the congregation to drink of the joy of the good news of the LORD's amazing grace. The call of God is to drink in joy from the deep wells of God's rich salvation. Imagine, God calls us during worship to drink deeply of His salvation and to experience the joy, happiness, and thrill of being delivered from our sins.
In response to this call the people are told to respond. They are to sing together a song of thanksgiving, to seek the Lord in prayer, and to give witness to the great actions of the LORD so that His reputation will be known by all nations. The people's praise is to be loud, shouting, victorious, and filled with true admiration towards Yahweh. The only thing we have like it would be when a crowd of footballs fans see a 70 yard pass that brings victory to their beloved team. The fans stand spontaneously and wildly screaming praise for the quarterback. So the people of God are to see the just anger of God pass over them and be filled with wild praise for their graceful salvation.
Rarely, do we get in touch with such wild passion in our worship. Rarely do the salvation events of Christ dying for our sins impact us emotionally at this level. Perhaps if it was reported that lightening stuck Osama bin Laden dead and we saw it on national television then we would feel a moment of praise for God like what is outlined here. We need to ask the LORD to help us to see that He has come to save us in Messiah Jesus in wild ways beyond our wildest dreams. We need to seek to become a people of deep praise in light of God's grace that has come to us in Messiah Jesus!
----------------------------------------------------------------
Christological: Luke 2:8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
Luke 2:9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear.
Luke 2:10 And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.
Luke 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
Luke 2:12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger."
Luke 2:13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
Luke 2:14 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!"
-------------------------------------------------------------
Moral: We should drink deeply of the message of God's salvation so that we will be filled with holy joy
---------------------
Eternal: The final manifestation of the Kingdom of Heaven will be where we for all eternity are filled from head to toe with passionate worship that spontaneously springs from our hearts. \
------------------------------------------
Prayer: Give me a thirst to drink from your well of salvation. Fill me with your joy!
-----------------------------------
Contemplation: Open my eyes that I might see the greatness of your salvation
----------------------
Action: Go to the front of the church this week and decide to give the Lord the loudest praise you can. Ask the Lord to make the passion of your heart match the loudest of your voice.
Isa 12:2 "Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation."
Isa 12:3 With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.
Isa 12:4 And you will say in that day: "Give thanks to the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the peoples, proclaim that his name is exalted.
Isa 12:5 "Sing praises to the LORD, for he has done gloriously; let this be made known in all the earth.
Isa 12:6 Shout, and sing for joy, O inhabitant of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel."
---------------------------------------------------------
Literal - This chapter is designed for worship. The first two verses have one person, most likely Isaiah, proclaiming to a congregation his personal faith in Yahweh, LORD, of heaven and earth, and his trust that the LORD has had mercy on him and now has turned to be the prophet's power, harmony, and deliverer. God instead of standing as just judge is come to be the one who will embrace and comfort in the middle of difficult times. Even as the Assyrians have devastated the Northern Kingdom and its ten tribes so now there is little in the news that is good. God has judged Israel. Will not Judah me next? What hope could we have? It is the LORD who saves!
Verse 3 is a call by the prophet to the congregation to drink of the joy of the good news of the LORD's amazing grace. The call of God is to drink in joy from the deep wells of God's rich salvation. Imagine, God calls us during worship to drink deeply of His salvation and to experience the joy, happiness, and thrill of being delivered from our sins.
In response to this call the people are told to respond. They are to sing together a song of thanksgiving, to seek the Lord in prayer, and to give witness to the great actions of the LORD so that His reputation will be known by all nations. The people's praise is to be loud, shouting, victorious, and filled with true admiration towards Yahweh. The only thing we have like it would be when a crowd of footballs fans see a 70 yard pass that brings victory to their beloved team. The fans stand spontaneously and wildly screaming praise for the quarterback. So the people of God are to see the just anger of God pass over them and be filled with wild praise for their graceful salvation.
Rarely, do we get in touch with such wild passion in our worship. Rarely do the salvation events of Christ dying for our sins impact us emotionally at this level. Perhaps if it was reported that lightening stuck Osama bin Laden dead and we saw it on national television then we would feel a moment of praise for God like what is outlined here. We need to ask the LORD to help us to see that He has come to save us in Messiah Jesus in wild ways beyond our wildest dreams. We need to seek to become a people of deep praise in light of God's grace that has come to us in Messiah Jesus!
----------------------------------------------------------------
Christological: Luke 2:8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
Luke 2:9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear.
Luke 2:10 And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.
Luke 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
Luke 2:12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger."
Luke 2:13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
Luke 2:14 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!"
-------------------------------------------------------------
Moral: We should drink deeply of the message of God's salvation so that we will be filled with holy joy
---------------------
Eternal: The final manifestation of the Kingdom of Heaven will be where we for all eternity are filled from head to toe with passionate worship that spontaneously springs from our hearts. \
------------------------------------------
Prayer: Give me a thirst to drink from your well of salvation. Fill me with your joy!
-----------------------------------
Contemplation: Open my eyes that I might see the greatness of your salvation
----------------------
Action: Go to the front of the church this week and decide to give the Lord the loudest praise you can. Ask the Lord to make the passion of your heart match the loudest of your voice.
Wednesday, December 09, 2009
Trusting During Trouble
Isa 30:18 -19 Therefore the LORD waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the LORD is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him. For a people shall dwell in Zion, in Jerusalem; you shall weep no more. He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry. As soon as he hears it, he answers you.
The people had not been willing to rely on God. Israel had come to rely on themselves, on Egypt, and on idols. It appears at times we trust in anything and anyone except for the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Due to this the LORD had delayed giving them grace. The planned redemption of Israel was delayed. Their sin and rebellion will only demonstrate more clearly how wildly merciful God is in forgiving His people. Some believe that the Hebrew here should be interpreted to means that God is silent in order to show greater mercy upon them in the end.
The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is a just God who keeps His promises. Therefore, those who trust in those promises even when all the circumstances speak against those promises being fulfilled have received grace from God to endure in faith in the midst of the most difficult times. One of the signs that we are true believers is that we rely on God’s promises even when all seems lost. This does not mean we may not struggle with moments of doubts and have questions. It does mean that in the end we are committed to reliance upon God’s goodness and mercy. It is the character of God and His competence in accomplishing what He in intends that gives us hope.
For a holy people will dwell in Zion. The additional adjective “holy” is supplied by the Septuagint version of the Old Testament and seems to fit well into this context. This seems to be a picture of the final redemption of God’s people. No more tears of sorrow. The people of God will know the full experience of God’s great grace and mercy.
On the one had we are to patiently wait. On the other we are to know that the LORD hears the cry for help the moment it is spoken. He has decided to act from the moment He hears it. From our perspective it seems like it takes a long time for God to keep His redemptive promises, but from His perspective He is not slow in keeping His promises but only allowing more time for more grace to be displayed. As we wait we are to know that He has heard us.
There are times in our lives when it seems that God is waiting to demonstrate grace to us. We can be seeking some new experience in prayer only to feel like our prayers hit the ceiling. Our desire can be to grow in faith and to do this we read the Bible only to have our reading create more questions than answers for our faith. We desire to develop Christian friends only to be hurt and rejected by them. We have been seeking God’s help to minister to people but can feel like there is no divine wind at our back. God seems to be waiting and at times the LORD seems silent to our cries for help and direction.
What are we do to when this happens? This passage would urge us to wait upon the Lord, depending upon his commitment to help and save us. It would remind us that God is fully committed to His plan of redemption and that He does hear the cries of His people. We must not despair. We must not give up faith in prayer. We must remain trusting in His amazing grace knowing that Christ/Messiah has died for our sins and been raised again. All the promises of God are “YES” in Messiah Jesus. He is the incarnation of God’s mercy and grace.
Tuesday, December 08, 2009
Manna From Heaven
Exo 16:17 And the people of Israel did so. They gathered, some more, some less.
Exo 16:18 But when they measured it with an omer, whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack. Each of them gathered as much as he could eat.
2Co 8:13 For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness
2Co 8:14 your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness.
2Co 8:15 As it is written, "Whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack."
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The people of Israel had complained and the Lord had heard their complaint. He had provided for them bread from heaven. In response to "Give us this day our daily bread" the Lord provided manna. But to get this bread it had to be gathered. So the people of Israel went out as a community to gather the bread of heaven. Some were able to gather more and some were able to gather less. Yet all gathered since without the bread they would die. They were in a wilderness that had no means to support them. They were totally dependent upon God providing manna. They had to gather or they would die.
But the manna as it was gathered was brought into a central place. There at that central place, what was gathered was measured into a "OMER” which was about 7 1/2 pints. Each family was given about two quarts for every person their family so that none would go hungry.
The process here was clear. God provided the manna, all worked to get the manna, and everyone received from the community effort the food they needed. No one went hungry regardless of how little manna they were able to bring in that day. Some gathered more and some gathered less, but all benefited the same.
Now these were unique circumstances. Without the manna, people would die. God would not allow the manna to be stored so there was no way to get a surplus of manna. God literally supplied day by day and only on the day before the Sabbath did God allow more to be gathered and stored. There was no other source of economy or food. Survival depended on God providing and on the manna being gathered. God had also dictated the means of distribution. None would go hungry and none would be a glutton. Every aspect of their economy was being dictated for the common good and reflected total dependence upon the LORD of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
People were motivated out of fear of starvation to work to bring in the manna. Most of us have never had supper and then not one morsel of food in the house for the next day. That creates a unique sense of need in a person.
The people of Israel did not do well under these restrictions. There was an attempt to create a manna savings account but God made the food stink and become infested with worms. There was an attempt to work seven days a week to increase security and productivity but God refused to provide the manna on the Sabbath. The people eventually had to accept God's economy and provision. They had to rest in the process that God had set up for them by which He would provide for their needs.
Paul uses this passage to reinforce his urging the Corinth Church to provide for the Jerusalem Church during a famine. The Christians in Corinth lived in physical abundance and the Christians in Jerusalem were suffering from a famine. The Corinthians had pledged support to help them and now they had to gather to a central place what they were giving so that the Christians in Jerusalem would be fed.
From Paul's perspective the Church is the new people of God. We are now spiritual Israel. Everything that every Christian has is God's manna from heaven. Today the Corinthian Church has been able to gather more and the Jerusalem Church less, but to be "fair", the Corinthians need to make sure that none of the Jerusalem Christians go hungry. Perhaps next year they will have a famine and then the Jerusalem Church will have to meet their needs. Or perhaps the Jerusalem Church being more mature spiritually may send teachers to share the spiritual bread of the Word of God while the Corinthian Church provides the physical bread that is needed to survive. The idea was that God wants His people to divide what He provides to make sure that none goes hungry. That is how Paul applied this passage in the New Testament.
A modern day example of a person with this type of perspective is found in the book God Owns My Business by Stanley Tam. Dr. R. Stanley Tam, founder of United States Plastic Corp. Dr. Tam and his wife decided that they would be content to live on $50,000 a year regardless of how successful his business became. Regardless of how much money the company earned they took only what was needed to live a modest middle class life and the rest they gave to charity. Dr. Tam actually made God the owner of his business legally. Stanley and Juanita have been able due to this decision to give $100 of millions for the work of the Lord. As Stanley likes to put it: "I like to think of having been a student in the University of Experience....with a minor in business and a major in soul winning.
It is not God's desire for any Christians to go hungry. God has provided enough to make sure all the needs of His children will be met. However, God has also made it that some will gather more and some less. God's desire is to make sure that everyone's family is feed.
Now our circumstances are much more complex. We have credit cards and mortgage loans. We need to remember that the scripture also says that if any refuse to work they should not eat. Laziness is not to be rewarded. The fear of starvation is a powerful motivator to work. All of these factors need to be put into the equation.
Yet, at the end of the day we need to seek God's wisdom about how we might use that which He has given us to help those who have less. It was only because Jesus the Messiah was willing to give up the richness of heaven and become poor for us that we now share in His kingdom. So for us who have received everything we have by grace how can we not be moved to be merciful in how we use our physical wealth. Let us remember that all we have is God's manna. Let us remember ultimately that Jesus the Messiah is God’s manna to us (John 6). Let the gospel guide our giving.
Exo 16:18 But when they measured it with an omer, whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack. Each of them gathered as much as he could eat.
2Co 8:13 For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness
2Co 8:14 your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness.
2Co 8:15 As it is written, "Whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack."
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The people of Israel had complained and the Lord had heard their complaint. He had provided for them bread from heaven. In response to "Give us this day our daily bread" the Lord provided manna. But to get this bread it had to be gathered. So the people of Israel went out as a community to gather the bread of heaven. Some were able to gather more and some were able to gather less. Yet all gathered since without the bread they would die. They were in a wilderness that had no means to support them. They were totally dependent upon God providing manna. They had to gather or they would die.
But the manna as it was gathered was brought into a central place. There at that central place, what was gathered was measured into a "OMER” which was about 7 1/2 pints. Each family was given about two quarts for every person their family so that none would go hungry.
The process here was clear. God provided the manna, all worked to get the manna, and everyone received from the community effort the food they needed. No one went hungry regardless of how little manna they were able to bring in that day. Some gathered more and some gathered less, but all benefited the same.
Now these were unique circumstances. Without the manna, people would die. God would not allow the manna to be stored so there was no way to get a surplus of manna. God literally supplied day by day and only on the day before the Sabbath did God allow more to be gathered and stored. There was no other source of economy or food. Survival depended on God providing and on the manna being gathered. God had also dictated the means of distribution. None would go hungry and none would be a glutton. Every aspect of their economy was being dictated for the common good and reflected total dependence upon the LORD of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
People were motivated out of fear of starvation to work to bring in the manna. Most of us have never had supper and then not one morsel of food in the house for the next day. That creates a unique sense of need in a person.
The people of Israel did not do well under these restrictions. There was an attempt to create a manna savings account but God made the food stink and become infested with worms. There was an attempt to work seven days a week to increase security and productivity but God refused to provide the manna on the Sabbath. The people eventually had to accept God's economy and provision. They had to rest in the process that God had set up for them by which He would provide for their needs.
Paul uses this passage to reinforce his urging the Corinth Church to provide for the Jerusalem Church during a famine. The Christians in Corinth lived in physical abundance and the Christians in Jerusalem were suffering from a famine. The Corinthians had pledged support to help them and now they had to gather to a central place what they were giving so that the Christians in Jerusalem would be fed.
From Paul's perspective the Church is the new people of God. We are now spiritual Israel. Everything that every Christian has is God's manna from heaven. Today the Corinthian Church has been able to gather more and the Jerusalem Church less, but to be "fair", the Corinthians need to make sure that none of the Jerusalem Christians go hungry. Perhaps next year they will have a famine and then the Jerusalem Church will have to meet their needs. Or perhaps the Jerusalem Church being more mature spiritually may send teachers to share the spiritual bread of the Word of God while the Corinthian Church provides the physical bread that is needed to survive. The idea was that God wants His people to divide what He provides to make sure that none goes hungry. That is how Paul applied this passage in the New Testament.
A modern day example of a person with this type of perspective is found in the book God Owns My Business by Stanley Tam. Dr. R. Stanley Tam, founder of United States Plastic Corp. Dr. Tam and his wife decided that they would be content to live on $50,000 a year regardless of how successful his business became. Regardless of how much money the company earned they took only what was needed to live a modest middle class life and the rest they gave to charity. Dr. Tam actually made God the owner of his business legally. Stanley and Juanita have been able due to this decision to give $100 of millions for the work of the Lord. As Stanley likes to put it: "I like to think of having been a student in the University of Experience....with a minor in business and a major in soul winning.
It is not God's desire for any Christians to go hungry. God has provided enough to make sure all the needs of His children will be met. However, God has also made it that some will gather more and some less. God's desire is to make sure that everyone's family is feed.
Now our circumstances are much more complex. We have credit cards and mortgage loans. We need to remember that the scripture also says that if any refuse to work they should not eat. Laziness is not to be rewarded. The fear of starvation is a powerful motivator to work. All of these factors need to be put into the equation.
Yet, at the end of the day we need to seek God's wisdom about how we might use that which He has given us to help those who have less. It was only because Jesus the Messiah was willing to give up the richness of heaven and become poor for us that we now share in His kingdom. So for us who have received everything we have by grace how can we not be moved to be merciful in how we use our physical wealth. Let us remember that all we have is God's manna. Let us remember ultimately that Jesus the Messiah is God’s manna to us (John 6). Let the gospel guide our giving.
Saturday, December 05, 2009
What hinders faith?
As I wake up this morning in New York City visiting my son and his wife, I find my dreams have raised up a question in my soul.
What hinders faith?
or
What motivates faith?
I was reading in Exodus 6:1-9 about the testing of faith that came when Moses began his ministry. All that the Word of God created was persecution and oppression. There was no deliverance or salvation. Life only became harder instead of better because of God's prophet and presence. In response God speaks to Moses and by means of Moses the promises of His love and purpose. He assures them that they will be saved and delivered from their slavery in Egypt.
They did not listen to the good news that day. Why? I was struck by the text. They did not listen because of their broken spirit and harsh slavery. They were absorbed by their misery and the were literally "out of breath" or "out of spirit". We all know what it is like to run until we are "out of breath" and then we stop. We simply cannot take another step in that condition. We cannot be motivated to run when we are "out of breath."
What had caused this "shortness of spirit"? They had just had their hopes of being delivered by Moses crushed and this feeling of disappointment was not moved by the Word of God. They also lived day in and day out in a very hard circumstances. They were slaves. That reality made it hard for them to be motivated to believe in the Word of God that spoke of freedom. They also feared the king. To believe in what God was saying would anger the king of Egypt and bring on them more woe. To believe put them at practical risk. I think we can all understand why it was hard for them to listen that day.
How about today for you and me? When the Holy Spirit comes to us and sings to us about the love of God in Christ Jesus today what causes us to not respond in faith. Are we suffering from "shortness of spirit" ? Do our circumstances enslave us? Are we afraid of what faith might cost us?
What hinders our faith?
and
What motivates us to believe?
I think it is important we ask these questions. I think it is important we start finding answers to these questions. What do you think? What are your answers to these questions?
Please leave a comment, I would love to know your ideas and feelings on these questions.
What hinders faith?
or
What motivates faith?
I was reading in Exodus 6:1-9 about the testing of faith that came when Moses began his ministry. All that the Word of God created was persecution and oppression. There was no deliverance or salvation. Life only became harder instead of better because of God's prophet and presence. In response God speaks to Moses and by means of Moses the promises of His love and purpose. He assures them that they will be saved and delivered from their slavery in Egypt.
They did not listen to the good news that day. Why? I was struck by the text. They did not listen because of their broken spirit and harsh slavery. They were absorbed by their misery and the were literally "out of breath" or "out of spirit". We all know what it is like to run until we are "out of breath" and then we stop. We simply cannot take another step in that condition. We cannot be motivated to run when we are "out of breath."
What had caused this "shortness of spirit"? They had just had their hopes of being delivered by Moses crushed and this feeling of disappointment was not moved by the Word of God. They also lived day in and day out in a very hard circumstances. They were slaves. That reality made it hard for them to be motivated to believe in the Word of God that spoke of freedom. They also feared the king. To believe in what God was saying would anger the king of Egypt and bring on them more woe. To believe put them at practical risk. I think we can all understand why it was hard for them to listen that day.
How about today for you and me? When the Holy Spirit comes to us and sings to us about the love of God in Christ Jesus today what causes us to not respond in faith. Are we suffering from "shortness of spirit" ? Do our circumstances enslave us? Are we afraid of what faith might cost us?
What hinders our faith?
and
What motivates us to believe?
I think it is important we ask these questions. I think it is important we start finding answers to these questions. What do you think? What are your answers to these questions?
Please leave a comment, I would love to know your ideas and feelings on these questions.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Devotions on Grace
Rom 3:21-28 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it-- the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.
God desire to establish a righteous kingdom is now going to be seen, not in a moral code, but by people having faith in Jesus as the Messiah who died for their sins and was raised. This right relationship with God under the Divine rule will come to both Jew and Gentile who believe in Jesus as their personal prophet, priest, and king. There is no prejudice towards any ethnic group or color of skin. All who believe will be made right with God through the work of the Messiah Jesus.
Both the Jew and the Gentile have fallen away from God and have either become lost in lawless deeds of depravity or legalistic systems of self righteousness and pride. The end result, they have all failed to reach the glorious reflection of being made in God’s image and living in accord with the divine reflection made within them. They have not become the incarnation of righteous love.
As Dr. Moule says: "The harlot, the liar, the murderer, are short of it; but so are you. Perhaps they stand at the bottom of a mine, and you on the crest of an Alp; but you are as little able to touch the stars as they." Every human being has failed to obey God. Every human being has failed to love God. Every human being has failed to love other people as they should have loved them.
All who have a true faith in the Messiah Jesus as the ultimate revelation of truth, the sacrifice for their sins on the cross, and the desired ruler of their lives are declared righteous before God by his unconditional mercy and as a gift. Even their faith is a work of God’s grace in their hearts. Faith comes from hearing the word of Christ and having this word empowered by the Holy Spirit to produce faith (Romans 10:17). Those who are declared righteous due to their union and communion with the Lord Jesus the Messiah are made right with God as a free gift entirely unrelated to their obedience to the law.
Justification was a legal term in the Greek culture and was used to describe a judge declaring an accused person not guilty and therefore innocent before the law. The importance of this is found in this quote by Pastor John McArthur.
“Justification is God’s declaration that all the demands of the law are fulfilled on behalf of the believing sinner through the righteousness of Jesus Christ. Justification is a wholly forensic, or legal, transaction. It changes the judicial standing of the sinner before God. In justification, God imputes (credits) the perfect righteousness of Christ to the believer’s account, then declares the redeemed one fully righteous. Justification must be distinguished from sanctification, in which God actually imparts Christ’s righteousness to the sinner. While the two must be distinguished, justification and sanctification can never be separated. God does not justify whom He does not sanctify.” (MacArthur, J: Romans 1-8. Chicago: Moody Press)
Pastor John McArhur’s concern about using the idea of grace to justify a life of lawless living is a needed reminder which Paul will make in Romans 6. However the main point here is that apart from any works God has declared us righteous as a free gift which is in Jesus the Messiah.
Paul develops his teaching about justification around three themes. The death of the Messiah Jesus and his resurrection from the dead has accomplished three divine acts.
Justification: an image from the court of law
Redemption: an image from the slave market)
Propitiation: an image from the world of religion, appeasing God through sacrifice
Justification solves the problem of man's guilt before a righteous Judge. Redemption solves the problem of man's slavery to sin, the world, and the devil. Propitiation solves the problem of offending God our Creator. We have been declared righteous in the divine court, freed from slavery and declared a Son of God, and cleansed from the filth of our sins.
God’s sacrifice of Jesus the Messiah on the cross for sins also demonstrated that forgiveness was not being done at the expense of justice. Grace did not mean we could just forget the right demands of the law. No, grace meant that the full price of the justice would be paid by another and the guilty would go free without any violation of the moral code of God. There is no cheap grace only infinitely expensive grace given by God.
It should be noted that the most popular New Testament scholar of the 21st century, Dr. N.T. Wright and his “New Perspective on Paul” would disagree with this view of justification. Within conservative reformed circles this new approach is called “The Federal Vision”. There are many complicated and complex issues related to both movements.
However, what they both seem to have in common is that ultimately being justified is based on the spirit-inspired works in/through them and not on the objective work of Christ on the cross outside of them. . In other words, Dr. Wright is saying that justification is not in Christ alone. Justification in this view involves the work of Christ (forgiveness of sin in the present) and the Spirit (being made righteous in our lives which will be judged in the future). This new perspective while lacking the rituals of the Roman Catholic Church is teaching the same basic view that was held to by the medieval church before the reformation. I do not believe that Dr. N.T. Wright’s perspective or that of the “Federal Vision” provides for us a right understanding of justification and my view is that the traditional protestant perspective of objective justification in Christ alone is the right interpretation of scripture.
Why is this important? This is important because legalism can corrupt the church just as easily as lawlessness. It takes very little for us to begin to think we are the best and the brightest. Feelings of being elite and superior need little encouragement. Nothing feels better to our brokenness than a baptized pride and self righteousness gained in “humility” before God.
However in the end only those who know they have been forgiven much will love much. Everything that takes away from grace also deadens our love for the LORD. Only a vision of pure grace will lead to a pure love for God. May we see God’s grace today! Amen
God desire to establish a righteous kingdom is now going to be seen, not in a moral code, but by people having faith in Jesus as the Messiah who died for their sins and was raised. This right relationship with God under the Divine rule will come to both Jew and Gentile who believe in Jesus as their personal prophet, priest, and king. There is no prejudice towards any ethnic group or color of skin. All who believe will be made right with God through the work of the Messiah Jesus.
Both the Jew and the Gentile have fallen away from God and have either become lost in lawless deeds of depravity or legalistic systems of self righteousness and pride. The end result, they have all failed to reach the glorious reflection of being made in God’s image and living in accord with the divine reflection made within them. They have not become the incarnation of righteous love.
As Dr. Moule says: "The harlot, the liar, the murderer, are short of it; but so are you. Perhaps they stand at the bottom of a mine, and you on the crest of an Alp; but you are as little able to touch the stars as they." Every human being has failed to obey God. Every human being has failed to love God. Every human being has failed to love other people as they should have loved them.
All who have a true faith in the Messiah Jesus as the ultimate revelation of truth, the sacrifice for their sins on the cross, and the desired ruler of their lives are declared righteous before God by his unconditional mercy and as a gift. Even their faith is a work of God’s grace in their hearts. Faith comes from hearing the word of Christ and having this word empowered by the Holy Spirit to produce faith (Romans 10:17). Those who are declared righteous due to their union and communion with the Lord Jesus the Messiah are made right with God as a free gift entirely unrelated to their obedience to the law.
Justification was a legal term in the Greek culture and was used to describe a judge declaring an accused person not guilty and therefore innocent before the law. The importance of this is found in this quote by Pastor John McArthur.
“Justification is God’s declaration that all the demands of the law are fulfilled on behalf of the believing sinner through the righteousness of Jesus Christ. Justification is a wholly forensic, or legal, transaction. It changes the judicial standing of the sinner before God. In justification, God imputes (credits) the perfect righteousness of Christ to the believer’s account, then declares the redeemed one fully righteous. Justification must be distinguished from sanctification, in which God actually imparts Christ’s righteousness to the sinner. While the two must be distinguished, justification and sanctification can never be separated. God does not justify whom He does not sanctify.” (MacArthur, J: Romans 1-8. Chicago: Moody Press)
Pastor John McArhur’s concern about using the idea of grace to justify a life of lawless living is a needed reminder which Paul will make in Romans 6. However the main point here is that apart from any works God has declared us righteous as a free gift which is in Jesus the Messiah.
Paul develops his teaching about justification around three themes. The death of the Messiah Jesus and his resurrection from the dead has accomplished three divine acts.
Justification: an image from the court of law
Redemption: an image from the slave market)
Propitiation: an image from the world of religion, appeasing God through sacrifice
Justification solves the problem of man's guilt before a righteous Judge. Redemption solves the problem of man's slavery to sin, the world, and the devil. Propitiation solves the problem of offending God our Creator. We have been declared righteous in the divine court, freed from slavery and declared a Son of God, and cleansed from the filth of our sins.
God’s sacrifice of Jesus the Messiah on the cross for sins also demonstrated that forgiveness was not being done at the expense of justice. Grace did not mean we could just forget the right demands of the law. No, grace meant that the full price of the justice would be paid by another and the guilty would go free without any violation of the moral code of God. There is no cheap grace only infinitely expensive grace given by God.
It should be noted that the most popular New Testament scholar of the 21st century, Dr. N.T. Wright and his “New Perspective on Paul” would disagree with this view of justification. Within conservative reformed circles this new approach is called “The Federal Vision”. There are many complicated and complex issues related to both movements.
However, what they both seem to have in common is that ultimately being justified is based on the spirit-inspired works in/through them and not on the objective work of Christ on the cross outside of them. . In other words, Dr. Wright is saying that justification is not in Christ alone. Justification in this view involves the work of Christ (forgiveness of sin in the present) and the Spirit (being made righteous in our lives which will be judged in the future). This new perspective while lacking the rituals of the Roman Catholic Church is teaching the same basic view that was held to by the medieval church before the reformation. I do not believe that Dr. N.T. Wright’s perspective or that of the “Federal Vision” provides for us a right understanding of justification and my view is that the traditional protestant perspective of objective justification in Christ alone is the right interpretation of scripture.
Why is this important? This is important because legalism can corrupt the church just as easily as lawlessness. It takes very little for us to begin to think we are the best and the brightest. Feelings of being elite and superior need little encouragement. Nothing feels better to our brokenness than a baptized pride and self righteousness gained in “humility” before God.
However in the end only those who know they have been forgiven much will love much. Everything that takes away from grace also deadens our love for the LORD. Only a vision of pure grace will lead to a pure love for God. May we see God’s grace today! Amen
Monday, October 12, 2009
Not Judging the Heart
1Ki 8:39 then hear in heaven your dwelling place and forgive and act and render to each whose heart you know, according to all his ways (for you, you only, know the hearts of all the children of mankind),
2Ch 6:30 then hear from heaven your dwelling place and forgive and render to each whose heart you know, according to all his ways, for you, you only, know the hearts of the children of mankind,
Jer 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? "I the LORD search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds."
Mat 7:1-5 "Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.
Act 1:24 And they prayed and said, "You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen
1Co 2:11 For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.
1Co 4:5 Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.
Eph 4:29-32 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Jas 4:11 Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?
1Pe 2:17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
God alone knows the hearts of human beings. Because our hearts are deceitful our own self knowledge may be imperfect. Next to God, each of us has the greatest ability to know our own hearts and what motivates us in our words and actions. It is impossible however for anyone else to know what the thoughts and intentions of the heart of another person are unless they are self pronounced. When we judge the motives of people we take the place of God.
People are made in the image of God and therefore have dignity and deserve respect (1 Peter 2:17). Those in authority have been put in that position of authority by God and therefore deserve honor for being the one chosen by God to hold that position (Romans 13:1-5). We are to love other people even our enemies (Matthew 5:44). Part of loving another person is not to judge their motives but to give them the judgment of charity which is that we should believe the best motives for whatever they have done.
We live in a time when we do not know how to honor other people. We are not well trained in showing honor to authorities. We do not know how to disagree in an agreeable manner. We find it hard to season every word with grace, mercy, longsuffering, and patience. It is easy for our words to do great harm (James 3).
There is also the need of humility. We do need to judge ourselves and our own motives. We need to think more highly of others then we think of ourselves (Phil 2:3). We should be able to admit our own need to change and improve. We may even come to believe that others have something positive to teach us. It is possible that in the dialogue of ideas that we may actually grow if we do not assume we have all the answers before we begin.
We live in very polarized times. We see those who disagree with us as being “worthless” and “empty headed”, not recognizing that such judgments make us guilty of the sin of murder (Matthew 522). It is one thing to say we disagree with what a person says or does. We can and should judge an idea or action as wrong. But it is entirely different to curse one who is made is the image of God and fail to give them the respect and honor due them from God. When we do this we open up a dark door of vengeance and self righteousness which normally only leads to a growing escalation of abuse and eventually violence.
So let each of us each evaluate what we say and do in judging the motives of others. Let us strive to be peace makers in a world who has lost its taste for peace. Let us guard against gossip and speech which is cynical and belittling. Let us pray for those we disagree with and treat them with the respect that God has ordained we give to them. Then we will be salt and light in the world and a source of healing.
2Ch 6:30 then hear from heaven your dwelling place and forgive and render to each whose heart you know, according to all his ways, for you, you only, know the hearts of the children of mankind,
Jer 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? "I the LORD search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds."
Mat 7:1-5 "Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.
Act 1:24 And they prayed and said, "You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen
1Co 2:11 For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.
1Co 4:5 Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.
Eph 4:29-32 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Jas 4:11 Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?
1Pe 2:17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
God alone knows the hearts of human beings. Because our hearts are deceitful our own self knowledge may be imperfect. Next to God, each of us has the greatest ability to know our own hearts and what motivates us in our words and actions. It is impossible however for anyone else to know what the thoughts and intentions of the heart of another person are unless they are self pronounced. When we judge the motives of people we take the place of God.
People are made in the image of God and therefore have dignity and deserve respect (1 Peter 2:17). Those in authority have been put in that position of authority by God and therefore deserve honor for being the one chosen by God to hold that position (Romans 13:1-5). We are to love other people even our enemies (Matthew 5:44). Part of loving another person is not to judge their motives but to give them the judgment of charity which is that we should believe the best motives for whatever they have done.
We live in a time when we do not know how to honor other people. We are not well trained in showing honor to authorities. We do not know how to disagree in an agreeable manner. We find it hard to season every word with grace, mercy, longsuffering, and patience. It is easy for our words to do great harm (James 3).
There is also the need of humility. We do need to judge ourselves and our own motives. We need to think more highly of others then we think of ourselves (Phil 2:3). We should be able to admit our own need to change and improve. We may even come to believe that others have something positive to teach us. It is possible that in the dialogue of ideas that we may actually grow if we do not assume we have all the answers before we begin.
We live in very polarized times. We see those who disagree with us as being “worthless” and “empty headed”, not recognizing that such judgments make us guilty of the sin of murder (Matthew 522). It is one thing to say we disagree with what a person says or does. We can and should judge an idea or action as wrong. But it is entirely different to curse one who is made is the image of God and fail to give them the respect and honor due them from God. When we do this we open up a dark door of vengeance and self righteousness which normally only leads to a growing escalation of abuse and eventually violence.
So let each of us each evaluate what we say and do in judging the motives of others. Let us strive to be peace makers in a world who has lost its taste for peace. Let us guard against gossip and speech which is cynical and belittling. Let us pray for those we disagree with and treat them with the respect that God has ordained we give to them. Then we will be salt and light in the world and a source of healing.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Nominations for Office
On Oct 18th the congregation of First Church West will vote to either elect or not elect the following men.
For Elder - Worship Leader Rick Orsini
For Deacon - Dave Anderson and Donald Dresson
Please pray for God'w will to be done.
The congregational meeting will begin immediately after the second service.
For Elder - Worship Leader Rick Orsini
For Deacon - Dave Anderson and Donald Dresson
Please pray for God'w will to be done.
The congregational meeting will begin immediately after the second service.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Empowering Leadership - Sermon Notes for Oct 11, 2009
Empowering Leadership
The Vision of Empowering Leadership
Eph 4:11-13 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, ….
The purpose of leadership
Equipping is katartismos from katartizo which means to mend, repair, make whole or healthy, of setting bones, mending nets in turn from
katá = with + artízo = adjust, fit, finish related to means to make something or someone (in this case the people of God) completely adequate or sufficient for service to the Lord and His kingdom.
The basic idea is that of putting a thing into the condition in which it ought to be. In politics it is used for bringing together opposing factions so that government can go on.
A Word Centered Leadership
2Ti 3:16-17 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.
A Prayer Centered Leadership
Act 6:4 “But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.“
The Elders are the office that strives to lead by teaching the word of God and prayer.
Deacons provide leadership by compassion & help
Jas 1:26 If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
Healthy Relationships Between Leaders and Followers
Heb 13:17-18 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you. Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things.
Lawlessness & Legalism in Leadership
1Pe 5:1-3 So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.
Legalism would have a worldly spirit of domination over the people of God. This is when leaders try to have power and control over the flock in an abuse manner. The idea of the priesthood of believers is denied practically.
Lawlessness is when the idea of the priesthood of believers is used to deny the need of leaders. Here those called to be leaders are abused by a spirit of dishonor and rebellion.
Servant Leadership
Mar 10:42 -45 And Jesus called them to him and said to them, "You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
So What?
Leaders are you doing what God has called you to do in teaching, praying for, and serving others?
Followers are you getting equipped with the Word so that you will be able to do God’s will in your life?
The Vision of Empowering Leadership
Eph 4:11-13 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, ….
The purpose of leadership
Equipping is katartismos from katartizo which means to mend, repair, make whole or healthy, of setting bones, mending nets in turn from
katá = with + artízo = adjust, fit, finish related to means to make something or someone (in this case the people of God) completely adequate or sufficient for service to the Lord and His kingdom.
The basic idea is that of putting a thing into the condition in which it ought to be. In politics it is used for bringing together opposing factions so that government can go on.
A Word Centered Leadership
2Ti 3:16-17 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.
A Prayer Centered Leadership
Act 6:4 “But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.“
The Elders are the office that strives to lead by teaching the word of God and prayer.
Deacons provide leadership by compassion & help
Jas 1:26 If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
Healthy Relationships Between Leaders and Followers
Heb 13:17-18 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you. Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things.
Lawlessness & Legalism in Leadership
1Pe 5:1-3 So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.
Legalism would have a worldly spirit of domination over the people of God. This is when leaders try to have power and control over the flock in an abuse manner. The idea of the priesthood of believers is denied practically.
Lawlessness is when the idea of the priesthood of believers is used to deny the need of leaders. Here those called to be leaders are abused by a spirit of dishonor and rebellion.
Servant Leadership
Mar 10:42 -45 And Jesus called them to him and said to them, "You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
So What?
Leaders are you doing what God has called you to do in teaching, praying for, and serving others?
Followers are you getting equipped with the Word so that you will be able to do God’s will in your life?
Thursday, October 08, 2009
Pray for Justice
Amos 5:6-7, 10-15
6 Seek the Lord and live, or he will break out against the house of Joseph like fire, and it will devour Bethel, with no one to quench it. 7 Ah, you that turn justice to wormwood, and bring righteousness to the ground!
10 They hate the one who reproves in the gate, and they abhor the one who speaks the truth. 11 Therefore because you trample on the poor and take from them levies of grain, you have built houses of hewn stone, but you shall not live in them; you have planted pleasant vineyards, but you shall not drink their wine. 12 For I know how many are your transgressions, and how great are your sins— you who afflict the righteous, who take a bribe, and push aside the needy in the gate. 13 Therefore the prudent will keep silent in such a time; for it is an evil time. 14 Seek good and not evil, that you may live; and so the Lord, the God of hosts, will be with you, just as you have said. 15 Hate evil and love good, and establish justice in the gate; it may be that the Lord, the God of hosts, will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.
Literal - This chapter is part of a “funeral Dirge” a song of lament for the nation of Israel (Amos 5:1-2). This is a strong statement because the nation has not actually “died “yet. This piece of “prophetic drama” was purposely done to awaken the nation to its serious spiritual plight even as it enjoyed political and economic prosperity.
Amos was a contemporary of Isaiah, Micah, Jonah and Hosea. Under Jeroboam II (around 781 B.C.) the kingdom of Israel reached the zenith of its prosperity. The gap between rich and poor widened at this time and the rich were becoming richer by oppressing the poor, taking their land, and bribing the judicial system. Amos was called by God from his rural home in the Southern Kingdom to remind the rich and powerful of God's requirement for social and political justice (2:6-16). He claimed that religion that is not accompanied by right action is cursed by God (5:21ff.), and prophesied that the kingdom of Israel would be destroyed which occurred about sixty years after these prophecies were given (e.g. 5:1-2; 8:2).
Amos instead of saying “God bless Israel” actually said “God damn Israel unless she repent”. Perhaps Amos is called because Jonah has a hard time warning Israel of God’s condemnation due to her sins because of his love of Israel as a nation which leads to his desire to see her enemies destroyed even when God may have a redemptive plan.
This “funeral Dirge” was done at one of the centers of worship in Israel located at Bethel. It was the place where the king loved to worship and thank God for all the prosperity that had come upon the nations. It was where the state paid prophets would declare how God would prosper Israel and defeat her enemies. In the midst of this optimistic and positive environment comes Amos singing a song of death and mourning over a nation that has died, but simply does not know it yet.
Amos says that Israel must repent or die. They have turned “justice” into poison. Justice is to be the source of nourishment and life to a society. But here it has been turned into wormwood a bitter poison that only brings sickness and health. Righteousness has been knocked down and pushed out of the way. All of this has happened in the gate of the city where people where people were to go to find justice.
The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob was very concerned in what happened "in the gate" because it was the primary public arena for finding fairness, compassion, and social order in accord with the principles, personality and history of Yahweh and Yahweh’s people. The book of Moses reminded Israel that God "takes no bribe," "executes justice for the orphan and the widow," and "loves the strangers." Israel was to be a reflection of God's justice in its own life and social relationships (Deuteronomy 10:17-18). Their failure to do this was now bringing God’s judgment upon them.
The key problem here is that the poor have not been given equal justice. Their rights have not been upheld in the public square. The rich have been able to win in court and avoid punishment for their crimes while the poor have not been given fair trials. The rich have been able to manipulate the system to keep the poor from keeping their land and the truly impoverished have not been cared for with compassion. God is condemning Israel for her lack of social and political justice. The eternal creator of the universe cares that we demonstrate love for our neighbor by the establishment of a just social system. Failure to do this will bring about the end of that society and divine judgment upon them.
For believers our concern must be to know and define the nature of social and political justice. God is for justice. We are to be for justice. What is justice? What does it mean to have a just society? What actions in a society are seen as unjust and a failure to love our neighbor? How can the poor be oppressed by the rich in our society? How could the poor be protected? These are critical concerns for God. They need to also be critical concerns for us.
Christological: One of our hopes to see Christ return is that with that return perfect justice will reign over all the earth. Jesus the Messiah will bring an end to all oppression and unjust rule. He will establish perfect fairness in the governing of the earth.
Moral: We should hunger and thirst after righteousness and social justice. It should be a deep desire and need in our lives to see this fulfilled in our lives and our community.
Eternal: Rev 21:3-4 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away."
Prayer: Help me to hate evil and love good. Grant me a heart and mind that understands and desires justice for the weak, poor, and oppressed.
Contemplation: Seek justice and love righteousness
Action: List areas of injustice in our community. What could you do to help restore justice? What are you doing that encourages injustice? What would Amos say to us today? How should you and I change?
6 Seek the Lord and live, or he will break out against the house of Joseph like fire, and it will devour Bethel, with no one to quench it. 7 Ah, you that turn justice to wormwood, and bring righteousness to the ground!
10 They hate the one who reproves in the gate, and they abhor the one who speaks the truth. 11 Therefore because you trample on the poor and take from them levies of grain, you have built houses of hewn stone, but you shall not live in them; you have planted pleasant vineyards, but you shall not drink their wine. 12 For I know how many are your transgressions, and how great are your sins— you who afflict the righteous, who take a bribe, and push aside the needy in the gate. 13 Therefore the prudent will keep silent in such a time; for it is an evil time. 14 Seek good and not evil, that you may live; and so the Lord, the God of hosts, will be with you, just as you have said. 15 Hate evil and love good, and establish justice in the gate; it may be that the Lord, the God of hosts, will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.
Literal - This chapter is part of a “funeral Dirge” a song of lament for the nation of Israel (Amos 5:1-2). This is a strong statement because the nation has not actually “died “yet. This piece of “prophetic drama” was purposely done to awaken the nation to its serious spiritual plight even as it enjoyed political and economic prosperity.
Amos was a contemporary of Isaiah, Micah, Jonah and Hosea. Under Jeroboam II (around 781 B.C.) the kingdom of Israel reached the zenith of its prosperity. The gap between rich and poor widened at this time and the rich were becoming richer by oppressing the poor, taking their land, and bribing the judicial system. Amos was called by God from his rural home in the Southern Kingdom to remind the rich and powerful of God's requirement for social and political justice (2:6-16). He claimed that religion that is not accompanied by right action is cursed by God (5:21ff.), and prophesied that the kingdom of Israel would be destroyed which occurred about sixty years after these prophecies were given (e.g. 5:1-2; 8:2).
Amos instead of saying “God bless Israel” actually said “God damn Israel unless she repent”. Perhaps Amos is called because Jonah has a hard time warning Israel of God’s condemnation due to her sins because of his love of Israel as a nation which leads to his desire to see her enemies destroyed even when God may have a redemptive plan.
This “funeral Dirge” was done at one of the centers of worship in Israel located at Bethel. It was the place where the king loved to worship and thank God for all the prosperity that had come upon the nations. It was where the state paid prophets would declare how God would prosper Israel and defeat her enemies. In the midst of this optimistic and positive environment comes Amos singing a song of death and mourning over a nation that has died, but simply does not know it yet.
Amos says that Israel must repent or die. They have turned “justice” into poison. Justice is to be the source of nourishment and life to a society. But here it has been turned into wormwood a bitter poison that only brings sickness and health. Righteousness has been knocked down and pushed out of the way. All of this has happened in the gate of the city where people where people were to go to find justice.
The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob was very concerned in what happened "in the gate" because it was the primary public arena for finding fairness, compassion, and social order in accord with the principles, personality and history of Yahweh and Yahweh’s people. The book of Moses reminded Israel that God "takes no bribe," "executes justice for the orphan and the widow," and "loves the strangers." Israel was to be a reflection of God's justice in its own life and social relationships (Deuteronomy 10:17-18). Their failure to do this was now bringing God’s judgment upon them.
The key problem here is that the poor have not been given equal justice. Their rights have not been upheld in the public square. The rich have been able to win in court and avoid punishment for their crimes while the poor have not been given fair trials. The rich have been able to manipulate the system to keep the poor from keeping their land and the truly impoverished have not been cared for with compassion. God is condemning Israel for her lack of social and political justice. The eternal creator of the universe cares that we demonstrate love for our neighbor by the establishment of a just social system. Failure to do this will bring about the end of that society and divine judgment upon them.
For believers our concern must be to know and define the nature of social and political justice. God is for justice. We are to be for justice. What is justice? What does it mean to have a just society? What actions in a society are seen as unjust and a failure to love our neighbor? How can the poor be oppressed by the rich in our society? How could the poor be protected? These are critical concerns for God. They need to also be critical concerns for us.
Christological: One of our hopes to see Christ return is that with that return perfect justice will reign over all the earth. Jesus the Messiah will bring an end to all oppression and unjust rule. He will establish perfect fairness in the governing of the earth.
Moral: We should hunger and thirst after righteousness and social justice. It should be a deep desire and need in our lives to see this fulfilled in our lives and our community.
Eternal: Rev 21:3-4 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away."
Prayer: Help me to hate evil and love good. Grant me a heart and mind that understands and desires justice for the weak, poor, and oppressed.
Contemplation: Seek justice and love righteousness
Action: List areas of injustice in our community. What could you do to help restore justice? What are you doing that encourages injustice? What would Amos say to us today? How should you and I change?
Wednesday, October 07, 2009
Planning & Prayer Meeting on Oct 17th
We are having our annual meetng for praying for our ministry and developing a plan on Saturday Oct 17th. We will begin with a community breakfast, have a season of prayer and then begin developing our plans for every aspect of our ministry.
Some of the areas we will discuss and pray about are how to improve our worhip, increase our evangelism, deepen our small group experience, explore passionate spirituality, develop our spiritual gifts, improve our structures, and give more focus to our leadership. We will be attempting to develop better ministry to singles, married, men, women, childen, and teens. We want to hear your prayerful ideas.
Please call the office at 954-452-4404 if you plan to attend.
The meeting begins at 8:30 AM with breakfast and will end about 3 PM.
Some of the areas we will discuss and pray about are how to improve our worhip, increase our evangelism, deepen our small group experience, explore passionate spirituality, develop our spiritual gifts, improve our structures, and give more focus to our leadership. We will be attempting to develop better ministry to singles, married, men, women, childen, and teens. We want to hear your prayerful ideas.
Please call the office at 954-452-4404 if you plan to attend.
The meeting begins at 8:30 AM with breakfast and will end about 3 PM.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Why believe the gospel?
Acts 3:12-19
12 When Peter saw it, he addressed the people, "You Israelites, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we had made him walk? 13 The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our ancestors has glorified his servant Jesus, whom you handed over and rejected in the presence of Pilate, though he had decided to release him. 14 But you rejected the Holy and Righteous One and asked to have a murderer given to you, 15 and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. 16 And by faith in his name, his name itself has made this man strong, whom you see and know; and the faith that is through Jesus has given him this perfect health in the presence of all of you. 17 "And now, friends, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. 18 In this way God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, that his Messiah would suffer. 19 Repent therefore, and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out.
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Meditation
In the book of Acts we find that the early church was able to support their witness of Jesus being the Messiah in four ways.
Apologetics – There was good reason to believe the gospel. The resurrection of Jesus from the dead was proof that he was the Messiah of Israel and chosen by God to be the Lord and Savior.
A dynamic community of love – The early church began caring for the poor like no other community before them. They began breaking down the barriers of human society. Eventually Jews of all different stripes, Samaritans, Gentiles, rich, poor, weak, powerful, young, old, men, and women would be in a loving community and worshiping together in a way that the world had never seen. The unity and love of the church was evidence that Jesus was alive and His life was manifested in this new community of love.
Miracles – As we see in this text here God allowed the Apostles and others to do miracles done in the name and authority of Jesus the Messiah to demonstrate that the powers of the age to come were now appearing in this age. In the age to come the sick will be healed and now in Jesus the Messiah the powers of the coming age are being released into the current age. The miracles were not just acts of power they were confirmation that Jesus the Messiah had in some way restored the Kingdom of God that the first Adam had lost.
Martyrdom – The witnesses to the resurrection were willing to die to demonstrate the amount of conviction they have that Jesus was the Messiah and had been raised from the dead. This willingness to die over the truthfulness of their testimony and the change of life they experienced after the resurrection still remain witnesses of the reality of the resurrected Jesus the Messiah even to this day.
The crippled man who begged had been healed by Peter focusing on him. Now the crowd is focused on Peter and John. They are not even focused on the healed man. Instead they are looking with awe and wonder at the apostles. The Greek word for this staring is atenizō, (3:12, 3:4). The term is commonly used in Acts for an almost trance-like encounter with transcendent glory (see 1:10; 3:4, 12; 6:15; 7:55).
Peter wants them to turn this worshipful gaze from them to Jesus the Son/servant, the holy one, the righteous one, and the author of life. This man was healed not because of the power or piety of Peter and John but because of the power and piety of Jesus the Messiah who they had crucified and declared a blasphemer. They must repent of this lie and turn to now surrender to Jesus as the true Messiah of Israel and the God given Savior to bring to them the forgiveness of their sins. They can have all of their failure to love God and others as they should wiped clean, even their rejection of the author of life, the Messiah Jesus.
Christological - This particular miracle was very much in line with the promises of Messiah coming and bringing in the Kingdom of glory to earth. The prophet had predicted
Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees.
Say to those who are of a fearful heart, 'Be strong, do not fear!
Here is your God. ...He will come and save you.'
Then the lame shall leap like deer...
For waters shall break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert" (Isaiah 35:3-6).
The lame were now leaping. The Kingdom of God had been restored in Jesus the resurrected Messiah. Now it was time to believe and repent that our sins might be wiped out.
Moral – Don’t worship the messenger, worship God.
Eternal – When we see our Lord Jesus the Messiah in heaven we will be focused (atenizō) on him forever. We will be in an encounter with Him in His transcendent glory and filled with joy and peace
Prayer – Lord, support the witness of your church today with your power that we might see people believe and repent. Give me boldness to witness! Amen
Contemplation – The Kingdom of God is at hand!
Action - Who do I know that has not yet believed and repented? How could I be the body of Christ to them today? Could I pray for them today? Could I say a word, do a deed, or express an attitude that would give witness of Jesus being the Messiah to them today? How could I bear witness that Jesus is the resurrected Messiah today? Could I make real the love of Christ today to some one in a real and deliberate manner?
12 When Peter saw it, he addressed the people, "You Israelites, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we had made him walk? 13 The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our ancestors has glorified his servant Jesus, whom you handed over and rejected in the presence of Pilate, though he had decided to release him. 14 But you rejected the Holy and Righteous One and asked to have a murderer given to you, 15 and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. 16 And by faith in his name, his name itself has made this man strong, whom you see and know; and the faith that is through Jesus has given him this perfect health in the presence of all of you. 17 "And now, friends, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. 18 In this way God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, that his Messiah would suffer. 19 Repent therefore, and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Meditation
In the book of Acts we find that the early church was able to support their witness of Jesus being the Messiah in four ways.
Apologetics – There was good reason to believe the gospel. The resurrection of Jesus from the dead was proof that he was the Messiah of Israel and chosen by God to be the Lord and Savior.
A dynamic community of love – The early church began caring for the poor like no other community before them. They began breaking down the barriers of human society. Eventually Jews of all different stripes, Samaritans, Gentiles, rich, poor, weak, powerful, young, old, men, and women would be in a loving community and worshiping together in a way that the world had never seen. The unity and love of the church was evidence that Jesus was alive and His life was manifested in this new community of love.
Miracles – As we see in this text here God allowed the Apostles and others to do miracles done in the name and authority of Jesus the Messiah to demonstrate that the powers of the age to come were now appearing in this age. In the age to come the sick will be healed and now in Jesus the Messiah the powers of the coming age are being released into the current age. The miracles were not just acts of power they were confirmation that Jesus the Messiah had in some way restored the Kingdom of God that the first Adam had lost.
Martyrdom – The witnesses to the resurrection were willing to die to demonstrate the amount of conviction they have that Jesus was the Messiah and had been raised from the dead. This willingness to die over the truthfulness of their testimony and the change of life they experienced after the resurrection still remain witnesses of the reality of the resurrected Jesus the Messiah even to this day.
The crippled man who begged had been healed by Peter focusing on him. Now the crowd is focused on Peter and John. They are not even focused on the healed man. Instead they are looking with awe and wonder at the apostles. The Greek word for this staring is atenizō, (3:12, 3:4). The term is commonly used in Acts for an almost trance-like encounter with transcendent glory (see 1:10; 3:4, 12; 6:15; 7:55).
Peter wants them to turn this worshipful gaze from them to Jesus the Son/servant, the holy one, the righteous one, and the author of life. This man was healed not because of the power or piety of Peter and John but because of the power and piety of Jesus the Messiah who they had crucified and declared a blasphemer. They must repent of this lie and turn to now surrender to Jesus as the true Messiah of Israel and the God given Savior to bring to them the forgiveness of their sins. They can have all of their failure to love God and others as they should wiped clean, even their rejection of the author of life, the Messiah Jesus.
Christological - This particular miracle was very much in line with the promises of Messiah coming and bringing in the Kingdom of glory to earth. The prophet had predicted
Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees.
Say to those who are of a fearful heart, 'Be strong, do not fear!
Here is your God. ...He will come and save you.'
Then the lame shall leap like deer...
For waters shall break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert" (Isaiah 35:3-6).
The lame were now leaping. The Kingdom of God had been restored in Jesus the resurrected Messiah. Now it was time to believe and repent that our sins might be wiped out.
Moral – Don’t worship the messenger, worship God.
Eternal – When we see our Lord Jesus the Messiah in heaven we will be focused (atenizō) on him forever. We will be in an encounter with Him in His transcendent glory and filled with joy and peace
Prayer – Lord, support the witness of your church today with your power that we might see people believe and repent. Give me boldness to witness! Amen
Contemplation – The Kingdom of God is at hand!
Action - Who do I know that has not yet believed and repented? How could I be the body of Christ to them today? Could I pray for them today? Could I say a word, do a deed, or express an attitude that would give witness of Jesus being the Messiah to them today? How could I bear witness that Jesus is the resurrected Messiah today? Could I make real the love of Christ today to some one in a real and deliberate manner?
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
SPRING FLING - APRIL 26TH - NOON TO 2
SUNDAY APRIL 26TH - SPRING FLING!
AT FIRST CHURCH WEST
12700 WEST BROWARD BLVD
PLANTATION, FLORIDA 33325
STARTING AT NOON
GET A FREE CAR WASH
FREE HOT DOG WITH CHIPS
GIVE BLOOD TO SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY
A FREE BOUNCE HOUSE FOR THE KIDS
START THE SPRING WITH A CLEAN CAR
NO DONATIONS ACCEPTED!
WE HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Psalm 30 - God saves a proud man
The Reading
NLT Psalm 30:1 A psalm of David, sung at the dedication of the Temple. I will praise you, LORD, for you have rescued me. You refused to let my enemies triumph over me. 2 O LORD my God, I cried out to you for help, and you restored my health. 3 You brought me up from the grave, O LORD. You kept me from falling into the pit of death. 4 Sing to the LORD, all you godly ones! Praise his holy name. 5 His anger lasts for a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime! Weeping may go on all night, but joy comes with the morning. 6 When I was prosperous I said, "Nothing can stop me now!" 7 Your favor, O LORD, made me as secure as a mountain. Then you turned away from me, and I was shattered. 8 I cried out to you, O LORD. I begged the Lord for mercy, saying, 9 "What will you gain if I die, if I sink down into the grave? Can my dust praise you from the grave? Can it tell the world of your faithfulness? 10 Hear me, LORD, and have mercy on me. Help me, O LORD." 11 You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy, 12 that I might sing praises to you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever!
In this psalm we find a simple pattern. The psalmist is in trouble, he prayed about it, and got a dramatic answer from God that saved him from his trouble, and now he is dedicated to praise and worship of God. This type of psalm can be found in several psalms such as 18, 34,,40,50,66,116, and 130. This psalm is very personal. It apparently is a psalm of David that was sung after his death at the dedication of the Temple under Solomon.
We find here a parallel structure that is the characteristic of Hebrew poetry. This type of poetic structure is called chiasm. Chiasm is a literary structure used in the Torah, the Bible, as well as in other works. Concepts or ideas are placed in a special symmetric order or pattern to emphasize them.
Vs. 1. I will praise you, LORD, for you have rescued me. You refused to let my enemies triumph over me
Vs. 11 & 12 11 You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy, 12 that I might sing praises to you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever!
This psalm is one of thanksgiving and praise. The reason for that there was a time of loss and mourning only which God amazingly turned into a time of blessing and joy. It would be what we would feel if suddenly we found the stock market at 40,000 and our income doubled. It would be as if the war in Iraq was over and all terrorists had laid down their weapons. Or perhaps if every person in our family that was sick was suddenly made physically whole and also all our lost relatives trusted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. We would have reason to be thankful. We all have enemies. Either people or events can be opposed to our plans, hopes, and dreams. Imagine how you would feel if all your “enemies” were defeated and you had total victory over everything that was not as you desired in your life. Would that give you joy?
We see the parallel structure also work out as we compare vs. 2 with vs. 10.
. 2 O LORD my God, I cried out to you for help, and you restored my health.
10 Hear me, LORD, and have mercy on me. Help me, O LORD."
Here we find the simple, direct, and passionate prayer that brought about this great deliverance. It was a “cry for help”. The Hebrew suggests it was loud “shout” to the heavens for help. There was no incantation or magic here. This prayer was simply a desperate man of faith in desperate need.
The comparison of thought continues in verses 3 &9
. 3 You brought me up from the grave, O LORD. You kept me from falling into the pit of death8 4 Sing to the LORD, all you godly ones! Praise his holy name.
8 I cried out to you, O LORD. I begged the Lord for mercy, saying,, 9 "What will you gain if I die, if I sink down into the grave? Can my dust praise you from the grave? Can it tell the world of your faithfulness?
The Old Testament people of God had less revelation about the after life than we have in the New Testament. The term “grave” here is SHEOL in which it appears that the person who died was in a shadowy existence in the inner parts of the earth. It appears the psalmist may have feared that he was lost and would be cut of from God forever. In SHEOL the psalmist would be cut off from God and unable to praise God for his faithfulness. What profit did God gain from having the psalmist die in sin and defeat? Compare this with Psalm 23 in which an afterlife of great joy is envisioned.
Here the psalmist is recalling his prayer for deliverance and how it came about. It reflects the fear of being lost and the joy of being saved.
The structured comparison of thought continues in verses 5 and 7.
5 His anger lasts for a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime! Weeping may go on all night, but joy comes with the morning
7 Your favor, O LORD, made me as secure as a mountain. Then you turned away from me, and I was shattered
These verses point out how fragile we are. Today we have the favor of God in what we do. We become proud and look at our success as coming from our own hands. God who gave us success can remove it in a moment. Our lives can be shattered because we stand by grace alone. Yet, when we humble ourselves in prayer the LORD is able to bring back our joy as quickly as it was taken away.
In the movie “God of War” which portrays the beginning of the civil war they have Stone Wall Jackson who had been victorious and unstoppable be humbled at the death of a little girl with whom he had made friends. Despite the best efforts of his personal surgeons the young girl died. As he reflects on her death he says “Everything is so fragile”. This is the insight that the psalmist is sharing as well.
The focal point and center of this psalm is verse 6.
6. When I was prosperous I said, "Nothing can stop me now!"
Here was the fault of the psalmist. The LORD’s favor had made him wildly successful. He seemed to be an unstoppable force. In the midst of his success he lost his daily humble dependence on the LORD and felt that he had things under control. The LORD resists the proud and helps the humble. We are all fragile, only dust, and need the breathe of God upon us to give us life and fruitfulness. Without the LORD we can do nothing.
What do we do when we cry out to the LORD in our defeat and desperation and the LORD does not deliver us or our loved ones from destruction and defeat? Can we trust the LORD in the dark of defeat, disease, and death? Can we wait for the victory of eternity to give us joy? This is yet another dimension of faith that has to be faced.
Christological - NLT Romans 5:6 When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners.
Moral - Never take success as something you are “due” or have “earned” it is by grace alone. It was given by grace and will only be maintained by grace. Run from pride and turn to the LORD in humble and needy faith.
Eternal - The promise of eternal life in Jesus Christ has allowed us who believe to never have to fear being cut off from God in SHEOL. Praise be the LORD.
Prayer - LORD HELP!
Contemplation - I resist the proud; but give grace to the humble.
Action: Pray for help and pray to be humble. Look inward to see if you have pride.
NLT Psalm 30:1 A psalm of David, sung at the dedication of the Temple. I will praise you, LORD, for you have rescued me. You refused to let my enemies triumph over me. 2 O LORD my God, I cried out to you for help, and you restored my health. 3 You brought me up from the grave, O LORD. You kept me from falling into the pit of death. 4 Sing to the LORD, all you godly ones! Praise his holy name. 5 His anger lasts for a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime! Weeping may go on all night, but joy comes with the morning. 6 When I was prosperous I said, "Nothing can stop me now!" 7 Your favor, O LORD, made me as secure as a mountain. Then you turned away from me, and I was shattered. 8 I cried out to you, O LORD. I begged the Lord for mercy, saying, 9 "What will you gain if I die, if I sink down into the grave? Can my dust praise you from the grave? Can it tell the world of your faithfulness? 10 Hear me, LORD, and have mercy on me. Help me, O LORD." 11 You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy, 12 that I might sing praises to you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever!
In this psalm we find a simple pattern. The psalmist is in trouble, he prayed about it, and got a dramatic answer from God that saved him from his trouble, and now he is dedicated to praise and worship of God. This type of psalm can be found in several psalms such as 18, 34,,40,50,66,116, and 130. This psalm is very personal. It apparently is a psalm of David that was sung after his death at the dedication of the Temple under Solomon.
We find here a parallel structure that is the characteristic of Hebrew poetry. This type of poetic structure is called chiasm. Chiasm is a literary structure used in the Torah, the Bible, as well as in other works. Concepts or ideas are placed in a special symmetric order or pattern to emphasize them.
Vs. 1. I will praise you, LORD, for you have rescued me. You refused to let my enemies triumph over me
Vs. 11 & 12 11 You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy, 12 that I might sing praises to you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever!
This psalm is one of thanksgiving and praise. The reason for that there was a time of loss and mourning only which God amazingly turned into a time of blessing and joy. It would be what we would feel if suddenly we found the stock market at 40,000 and our income doubled. It would be as if the war in Iraq was over and all terrorists had laid down their weapons. Or perhaps if every person in our family that was sick was suddenly made physically whole and also all our lost relatives trusted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. We would have reason to be thankful. We all have enemies. Either people or events can be opposed to our plans, hopes, and dreams. Imagine how you would feel if all your “enemies” were defeated and you had total victory over everything that was not as you desired in your life. Would that give you joy?
We see the parallel structure also work out as we compare vs. 2 with vs. 10.
. 2 O LORD my God, I cried out to you for help, and you restored my health.
10 Hear me, LORD, and have mercy on me. Help me, O LORD."
Here we find the simple, direct, and passionate prayer that brought about this great deliverance. It was a “cry for help”. The Hebrew suggests it was loud “shout” to the heavens for help. There was no incantation or magic here. This prayer was simply a desperate man of faith in desperate need.
The comparison of thought continues in verses 3 &9
. 3 You brought me up from the grave, O LORD. You kept me from falling into the pit of death8 4 Sing to the LORD, all you godly ones! Praise his holy name.
8 I cried out to you, O LORD. I begged the Lord for mercy, saying,, 9 "What will you gain if I die, if I sink down into the grave? Can my dust praise you from the grave? Can it tell the world of your faithfulness?
The Old Testament people of God had less revelation about the after life than we have in the New Testament. The term “grave” here is SHEOL in which it appears that the person who died was in a shadowy existence in the inner parts of the earth. It appears the psalmist may have feared that he was lost and would be cut of from God forever. In SHEOL the psalmist would be cut off from God and unable to praise God for his faithfulness. What profit did God gain from having the psalmist die in sin and defeat? Compare this with Psalm 23 in which an afterlife of great joy is envisioned.
Here the psalmist is recalling his prayer for deliverance and how it came about. It reflects the fear of being lost and the joy of being saved.
The structured comparison of thought continues in verses 5 and 7.
5 His anger lasts for a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime! Weeping may go on all night, but joy comes with the morning
7 Your favor, O LORD, made me as secure as a mountain. Then you turned away from me, and I was shattered
These verses point out how fragile we are. Today we have the favor of God in what we do. We become proud and look at our success as coming from our own hands. God who gave us success can remove it in a moment. Our lives can be shattered because we stand by grace alone. Yet, when we humble ourselves in prayer the LORD is able to bring back our joy as quickly as it was taken away.
In the movie “God of War” which portrays the beginning of the civil war they have Stone Wall Jackson who had been victorious and unstoppable be humbled at the death of a little girl with whom he had made friends. Despite the best efforts of his personal surgeons the young girl died. As he reflects on her death he says “Everything is so fragile”. This is the insight that the psalmist is sharing as well.
The focal point and center of this psalm is verse 6.
6. When I was prosperous I said, "Nothing can stop me now!"
Here was the fault of the psalmist. The LORD’s favor had made him wildly successful. He seemed to be an unstoppable force. In the midst of his success he lost his daily humble dependence on the LORD and felt that he had things under control. The LORD resists the proud and helps the humble. We are all fragile, only dust, and need the breathe of God upon us to give us life and fruitfulness. Without the LORD we can do nothing.
What do we do when we cry out to the LORD in our defeat and desperation and the LORD does not deliver us or our loved ones from destruction and defeat? Can we trust the LORD in the dark of defeat, disease, and death? Can we wait for the victory of eternity to give us joy? This is yet another dimension of faith that has to be faced.
Christological - NLT Romans 5:6 When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners.
Moral - Never take success as something you are “due” or have “earned” it is by grace alone. It was given by grace and will only be maintained by grace. Run from pride and turn to the LORD in humble and needy faith.
Eternal - The promise of eternal life in Jesus Christ has allowed us who believe to never have to fear being cut off from God in SHEOL. Praise be the LORD.
Prayer - LORD HELP!
Contemplation - I resist the proud; but give grace to the humble.
Action: Pray for help and pray to be humble. Look inward to see if you have pride.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Silent Before God
Psalm 62:5-12
5 For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is from him. 6 He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. 7 On God rests my deliverance and my honor; my mighty rock, my refuge is in God. 8 Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. (Selah)
9 Those of low estate are but a breath, those of high estate are a delusion; in the balances they go up; they are together lighter than a breath. 10 Put no confidence in extortion, and set no vain hopes on robbery; if riches increase, do not set your heart on them. 11 Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this: that power belongs to God, 12 and steadfast love belongs to you, O Lord. For you repay to all according to their work
We live in a noisy age. We have T.V. radio, ipods, and mobile phone. Rarely do we stop hearing or talking. We most likely have more noise in our lives than any other generation or culture before us.
There comes a time to tell our soul to be quiet. One of the spiritual disciplines or exercises that have been traditionally practiced is that of silence. This is a time in which we do not speak in an effort to get our soul to “wait in silence” before the LORD. To learn to be silent is part of our spirituality.
Habakkuk: the earth should be silent in the presence of God in the temple (Habakkuk 2:20)
Job reduced to silence at the end, aware of his foolishness in the sight of God (Job 40:1-3)
Revelation 8:1: silence in heaven from human awe in the presence of God
Arthur Michael Ramsey (1904-88), Archbishop of Canterbury said about silence:
“Silence enable us to be aware of God, to let mind and imagination dwell upon his truth, to let prayer to be listening before it is talking, and to discover our own selves in a way that is not always possible when we are making or listening to noise. There comes sometimes an inner silence in which the soul discovers itself in a new dimension of energy and peace, a dimension which the restless life can miss. . . Into the Christian’s use of silence there may flow the wonder of God the creator, the recollection of the life and death and resurrection of Jesus, the recalling of scenes in his life, often a passage of the Bible, the glories of nature in which the finger of God is present, gratitude for personal blessings or the words of poets who tell of wonder and beauty”
In his silence the psalmist here comes to trust God as his one true hope, his rock, his salvation, his fortress, his firm foundation, his deliverer, the protector of his honor, his mighty rock, his refuge, the source of all power, the one who always loves him, and the judge of all human beings. This vision of God causes the Psalmist to want to proclaim to all humanity that they should trust in the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as well. The LORD is trustworthy, caring, secure, and unchanging.
The other reality that comes to him in his silence is; do not put any ultimate trust in human beings. We are frail, broken, and inconsistent. Both rich and poor can be deceitful. Therefore, be on guard towards other human beings but fully release yourself into the loving care of God alone.
What if you fasted from noise for a day? No electronic noise. No unnecessary talking. What if you were totally in silence for one full hour and simply sat before God and your own soul? What might you see and know in that silence? This psalmist gained a lot from being silent before God.
Christological :NAU Matthew 14:13 Now when Jesus heard about John, He withdrew from there in a boat to a secluded place by Himself; ….
ESV Mark 1:35 And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.
ESV Mark 6:31 And he said to them, "Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while." For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.
ESV Luke 4:42 And when it was day, he departed and went into a desolate place…
Moral: NAU Psalm 56:11 In God I have put my trust, I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me?
NLT Psalm 146:3 Don't put your confidence in powerful people; there is no help for you there.
Eternal: ESV Ezekiel 44:4 Then he brought me by way of the north gate to the front of the temple, and I looked, and behold, the glory of the LORD filled the temple of the LORD. And I fell on my face.
NLT Isaiah 41:1 "Listen in silence before me, you lands beyond the sea…..
Prayer: Help me to quiet my soul like a baby is made quiet by drinking from the breast of its mother. But I have stilled and quieted myself, just as a small child is quiet with its mother. Yes, like a small child is my soul within me. Allow me to know that quiet of being with you in love.
Contemplation: Psalm 46:10: “Be still and know that I am God”
Action: Plan one hour of total silence before God. Put it in your calendar. Go to a lonely place. This could be an empty church. It could be an empty beach. For an hour just “be” before God. Center yourself in his love, promises, and commitment to you in Jesus Christ. Gently turn from any “inner noise” and come back to seeing yourself simply before God as a little child. After this then write down what came to you during this time.
5 For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is from him. 6 He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. 7 On God rests my deliverance and my honor; my mighty rock, my refuge is in God. 8 Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. (Selah)
9 Those of low estate are but a breath, those of high estate are a delusion; in the balances they go up; they are together lighter than a breath. 10 Put no confidence in extortion, and set no vain hopes on robbery; if riches increase, do not set your heart on them. 11 Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this: that power belongs to God, 12 and steadfast love belongs to you, O Lord. For you repay to all according to their work
We live in a noisy age. We have T.V. radio, ipods, and mobile phone. Rarely do we stop hearing or talking. We most likely have more noise in our lives than any other generation or culture before us.
There comes a time to tell our soul to be quiet. One of the spiritual disciplines or exercises that have been traditionally practiced is that of silence. This is a time in which we do not speak in an effort to get our soul to “wait in silence” before the LORD. To learn to be silent is part of our spirituality.
Habakkuk: the earth should be silent in the presence of God in the temple (Habakkuk 2:20)
Job reduced to silence at the end, aware of his foolishness in the sight of God (Job 40:1-3)
Revelation 8:1: silence in heaven from human awe in the presence of God
Arthur Michael Ramsey (1904-88), Archbishop of Canterbury said about silence:
“Silence enable us to be aware of God, to let mind and imagination dwell upon his truth, to let prayer to be listening before it is talking, and to discover our own selves in a way that is not always possible when we are making or listening to noise. There comes sometimes an inner silence in which the soul discovers itself in a new dimension of energy and peace, a dimension which the restless life can miss. . . Into the Christian’s use of silence there may flow the wonder of God the creator, the recollection of the life and death and resurrection of Jesus, the recalling of scenes in his life, often a passage of the Bible, the glories of nature in which the finger of God is present, gratitude for personal blessings or the words of poets who tell of wonder and beauty”
In his silence the psalmist here comes to trust God as his one true hope, his rock, his salvation, his fortress, his firm foundation, his deliverer, the protector of his honor, his mighty rock, his refuge, the source of all power, the one who always loves him, and the judge of all human beings. This vision of God causes the Psalmist to want to proclaim to all humanity that they should trust in the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as well. The LORD is trustworthy, caring, secure, and unchanging.
The other reality that comes to him in his silence is; do not put any ultimate trust in human beings. We are frail, broken, and inconsistent. Both rich and poor can be deceitful. Therefore, be on guard towards other human beings but fully release yourself into the loving care of God alone.
What if you fasted from noise for a day? No electronic noise. No unnecessary talking. What if you were totally in silence for one full hour and simply sat before God and your own soul? What might you see and know in that silence? This psalmist gained a lot from being silent before God.
Christological :NAU Matthew 14:13 Now when Jesus heard about John, He withdrew from there in a boat to a secluded place by Himself; ….
ESV Mark 1:35 And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.
ESV Mark 6:31 And he said to them, "Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while." For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.
ESV Luke 4:42 And when it was day, he departed and went into a desolate place…
Moral: NAU Psalm 56:11 In God I have put my trust, I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me?
NLT Psalm 146:3 Don't put your confidence in powerful people; there is no help for you there.
Eternal: ESV Ezekiel 44:4 Then he brought me by way of the north gate to the front of the temple, and I looked, and behold, the glory of the LORD filled the temple of the LORD. And I fell on my face.
NLT Isaiah 41:1 "Listen in silence before me, you lands beyond the sea…..
Prayer: Help me to quiet my soul like a baby is made quiet by drinking from the breast of its mother. But I have stilled and quieted myself, just as a small child is quiet with its mother. Yes, like a small child is my soul within me. Allow me to know that quiet of being with you in love.
Contemplation: Psalm 46:10: “Be still and know that I am God”
Action: Plan one hour of total silence before God. Put it in your calendar. Go to a lonely place. This could be an empty church. It could be an empty beach. For an hour just “be” before God. Center yourself in his love, promises, and commitment to you in Jesus Christ. Gently turn from any “inner noise” and come back to seeing yourself simply before God as a little child. After this then write down what came to you during this time.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
How A Skeptic Became A Believer
John 1:43-51
43 The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, "Follow me." 44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, "We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth." 46 Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see." 47 When Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him, he said of him, "Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!" 48 Nathanael asked him, "Where did you get to know me?" Jesus answered, "I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you." 49 Nathanael replied, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!" 50 Jesus answered, "Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these." 51 And he said to him, "Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man."
Meditation
1/16/2009
Literal - Jesus made a decision to go to Galilee. There he looked for and found Philip. He then told him to come and “follow me”.
Who is Philip? Philip’s name means lover of horses and some believe that the name means “war like” because of the uses of horses in battle. In this encounter with Jesus; Philip becomes an “apostle”, one chosen to be sent on a mission. The apostle Philip, was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter, (John 1:44) and apparently was among the Galilean peasants of that district who flocked to hear the preaching of John the Baptist.
The manner in which the Apostle John speaks of him indicates a previous friendship with the sons of Jona and Zebedee, and a consequent participation in their messianic hopes. The close union of the two in John 6 and 12 suggests that he may have owed to Andrew his first knowledge that the hope of Messiah coming had been fulfilled. Since in this encounter with Jesus it seems Philip is already convinced that Jesus is the Messiah. The statement that Jesus found him (John 1:43) perhaps implies a previous seeking or at the very least a very intentional effort on Jesus’ part to find him.
In the lists of the twelve apostles, in the Synoptic Gospel, his name is as uniformly at the head of the second group of four as the name of Peter is at that of the first, (Matthew 10:3; Mark 5:18; Luke 6:14). This indicates that Phillip provided a degree of group leadership among the Apostles. The facts recorded by St. John give the reason of this priority and position of leadership.
Philip apparently was among the first company of disciples who were with the Lord at the commencement of his ministry at the marriage at Cana, on his first appearance as a prophet in Jerusalem, John 2. The first three Gospels tell us nothing more of him individually. The Apostle John, with his characteristic fullness of personal reminiscences, records a few significant utterances. (John 6:5-9; 12:20-22; 14:8) No other fact connected with the name of Philip is recorded in the Gospels. He is among the company of disciples at Jerusalem after the ascension (Acts 1:13) and on the day of Pentecost. According to tradition Philip was sent with his sister Mariamme and Bartolomew to preach in Greece, Phrygia, and Syria and died at Hierapolis as a martyr being crucified upside down.
Now Philip comes to share his conviction that Jesus is the Messiah with Nathanael. Nathanael name means “a gift of God. Due to Philip’s witness, Nathanael meets Jesus and becomes a disciple of Jesus Christ.
What else do we know about Nathanael? Under that name at least, we learn from Scripture little more than his birthplace, Cana of Galilee, (John 21:2) and his simple, truthful character. (John 1:47) The name does not occur in the first three Gospels; but it is commonly believed that Nathanael and Bartholomew are the same person. The evidence for that belief is as follows: St, John who twice mentions Nathanael, never introduces the name of Bartholomew at all. St. Matthew, (Matthew 10:3) St. Mark, (Mark 3:18) and St. Luke, (Luke 8:14) all speak of Bartholomew but never of Nathanael. If this is correct then he was on of the twelve apostles and according to tradition preached in India.
Here we have the encounter of Jesus with a skeptic. His doubt is due to prejudice about any good thing coming from Nazareth. Nazareth in Christ's time was a city of 15,000 to 20,000 inhabitants, of some importance. The reason for Nathanael’s poor view of Nazareth, (John 1:47) is not known. All the inhabitants of Galilee were looked upon with contempt by the people of Judea because they spoke a ruder dialect, were less cultivated and were more exposed by their position to contact with the heathen. But it is clear here that Nathanael holds Nazareth in special contempt for some reason. Perhaps this is related to the Messiah coming from Bethlehem and not Nazareth and indicates a theological objection and not pure prejudice against the city (John 7:42).
The idea that Nathanael’s objection was theological seems more in line with Jesus’ evaluation that he is an honest man. Prejudice and honesty rarely are in the same person. When Jesus demonstrates knowledge of Nathanael and relates his honesty to some event under a fig tree that only Nathanael knew about, this demonstration of prophetic knowledge and insight provided for Nathanael a reason to believe. He seems in fact to go from doubt to firm faith very quickly proclaiming Jesus both Son of God (Psalm 2) and Messianic King.
Jesus seems almost amused at how little it took for Nathanael to move from skeptic to believer. He assures him that he will see far greater things. For after the resurrection he will see Jesus ascending with angels surrounding Him as He goes to sit at God’s right hand (Gen 28:12). Here is an example of one man’s doubts being overcome with an encounter with Jesus.
Many doubters today need an encounter with Jesus. Here we do not see all the intellectual and theological questions answered. But we see Jesus coming to the man and “pushing the right buttons” to create in him faith. Jesus knew exactly what Nathanael would need to believe and provides it. So today Jesus can do the same thing for those He has chosen to become followers of His way. Jesus is the creator of or our faith.
Christocentric - NAU Mark 16:6 And he said to them, "Do not be amazed; you are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who has been crucified. He has risen; He is not here; behold, here is the place where they laid Him.
Moral - Honesty of heart places us in a good place to encounter truth in Jesus the Nazarene.
Eternal - Every believer will see greater things than they have seen in this life. The glory of God in heaven and the vision of Jesus Christ upon the throne will be far greater than our wildest imaginations of it. Our faith will turn to seeing. We will then reach a level of conviction we have never felt before as we see the wonder of the eternal spiritual reality before our eyes.
Prayer - Lord, give me an honest heart and let me have encounters with you that will increase my faith.
Contemplation - I will show you greater things
Action: Make a list of your questions, struggles, and doubts. Set this before the Lord. Ask Him to give you encounters of faith that will help you see beyond these questions to Him as the truth.
43 The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, "Follow me." 44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, "We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth." 46 Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see." 47 When Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him, he said of him, "Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!" 48 Nathanael asked him, "Where did you get to know me?" Jesus answered, "I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you." 49 Nathanael replied, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!" 50 Jesus answered, "Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these." 51 And he said to him, "Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man."
Meditation
1/16/2009
Literal - Jesus made a decision to go to Galilee. There he looked for and found Philip. He then told him to come and “follow me”.
Who is Philip? Philip’s name means lover of horses and some believe that the name means “war like” because of the uses of horses in battle. In this encounter with Jesus; Philip becomes an “apostle”, one chosen to be sent on a mission. The apostle Philip, was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter, (John 1:44) and apparently was among the Galilean peasants of that district who flocked to hear the preaching of John the Baptist.
The manner in which the Apostle John speaks of him indicates a previous friendship with the sons of Jona and Zebedee, and a consequent participation in their messianic hopes. The close union of the two in John 6 and 12 suggests that he may have owed to Andrew his first knowledge that the hope of Messiah coming had been fulfilled. Since in this encounter with Jesus it seems Philip is already convinced that Jesus is the Messiah. The statement that Jesus found him (John 1:43) perhaps implies a previous seeking or at the very least a very intentional effort on Jesus’ part to find him.
In the lists of the twelve apostles, in the Synoptic Gospel, his name is as uniformly at the head of the second group of four as the name of Peter is at that of the first, (Matthew 10:3; Mark 5:18; Luke 6:14). This indicates that Phillip provided a degree of group leadership among the Apostles. The facts recorded by St. John give the reason of this priority and position of leadership.
Philip apparently was among the first company of disciples who were with the Lord at the commencement of his ministry at the marriage at Cana, on his first appearance as a prophet in Jerusalem, John 2. The first three Gospels tell us nothing more of him individually. The Apostle John, with his characteristic fullness of personal reminiscences, records a few significant utterances. (John 6:5-9; 12:20-22; 14:8) No other fact connected with the name of Philip is recorded in the Gospels. He is among the company of disciples at Jerusalem after the ascension (Acts 1:13) and on the day of Pentecost. According to tradition Philip was sent with his sister Mariamme and Bartolomew to preach in Greece, Phrygia, and Syria and died at Hierapolis as a martyr being crucified upside down.
Now Philip comes to share his conviction that Jesus is the Messiah with Nathanael. Nathanael name means “a gift of God. Due to Philip’s witness, Nathanael meets Jesus and becomes a disciple of Jesus Christ.
What else do we know about Nathanael? Under that name at least, we learn from Scripture little more than his birthplace, Cana of Galilee, (John 21:2) and his simple, truthful character. (John 1:47) The name does not occur in the first three Gospels; but it is commonly believed that Nathanael and Bartholomew are the same person. The evidence for that belief is as follows: St, John who twice mentions Nathanael, never introduces the name of Bartholomew at all. St. Matthew, (Matthew 10:3) St. Mark, (Mark 3:18) and St. Luke, (Luke 8:14) all speak of Bartholomew but never of Nathanael. If this is correct then he was on of the twelve apostles and according to tradition preached in India.
Here we have the encounter of Jesus with a skeptic. His doubt is due to prejudice about any good thing coming from Nazareth. Nazareth in Christ's time was a city of 15,000 to 20,000 inhabitants, of some importance. The reason for Nathanael’s poor view of Nazareth, (John 1:47) is not known. All the inhabitants of Galilee were looked upon with contempt by the people of Judea because they spoke a ruder dialect, were less cultivated and were more exposed by their position to contact with the heathen. But it is clear here that Nathanael holds Nazareth in special contempt for some reason. Perhaps this is related to the Messiah coming from Bethlehem and not Nazareth and indicates a theological objection and not pure prejudice against the city (John 7:42).
The idea that Nathanael’s objection was theological seems more in line with Jesus’ evaluation that he is an honest man. Prejudice and honesty rarely are in the same person. When Jesus demonstrates knowledge of Nathanael and relates his honesty to some event under a fig tree that only Nathanael knew about, this demonstration of prophetic knowledge and insight provided for Nathanael a reason to believe. He seems in fact to go from doubt to firm faith very quickly proclaiming Jesus both Son of God (Psalm 2) and Messianic King.
Jesus seems almost amused at how little it took for Nathanael to move from skeptic to believer. He assures him that he will see far greater things. For after the resurrection he will see Jesus ascending with angels surrounding Him as He goes to sit at God’s right hand (Gen 28:12). Here is an example of one man’s doubts being overcome with an encounter with Jesus.
Many doubters today need an encounter with Jesus. Here we do not see all the intellectual and theological questions answered. But we see Jesus coming to the man and “pushing the right buttons” to create in him faith. Jesus knew exactly what Nathanael would need to believe and provides it. So today Jesus can do the same thing for those He has chosen to become followers of His way. Jesus is the creator of or our faith.
Christocentric - NAU Mark 16:6 And he said to them, "Do not be amazed; you are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who has been crucified. He has risen; He is not here; behold, here is the place where they laid Him.
Moral - Honesty of heart places us in a good place to encounter truth in Jesus the Nazarene.
Eternal - Every believer will see greater things than they have seen in this life. The glory of God in heaven and the vision of Jesus Christ upon the throne will be far greater than our wildest imaginations of it. Our faith will turn to seeing. We will then reach a level of conviction we have never felt before as we see the wonder of the eternal spiritual reality before our eyes.
Prayer - Lord, give me an honest heart and let me have encounters with you that will increase my faith.
Contemplation - I will show you greater things
Action: Make a list of your questions, struggles, and doubts. Set this before the Lord. Ask Him to give you encounters of faith that will help you see beyond these questions to Him as the truth.
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