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Short articles for the church page on Facebook

What Defiles a Man

After his disciples were criticized by Pharisees for eating with unwashed hands, Jesus told a multitude, “Hear and understand: Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man” (Matthew 15:11). This offended the Pharisees, who were bound by the traditions of the elders, and even was confusing to His own disciples. Peter asked Jesus, “Explain this parable to us” (15).

The explanation is simple. Jesus was using the process of digestion to show that what we eat is eliminated, but the things that defile a man are what come from the heart, come from within. Things like, “evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies” (19).

Today, under Christ’s covenant, defilement is not physical, it is spiritual. Defilement is defined by our Lord as sin itself. Holiness is determined by the proper practice of our faith! “Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world(James 1:27).

So disregard man-made traditions, restrictions, requirements. “These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh(Colossians 2:23).

Take sin seriously. This is what affects our relationship with God. Ask yourself, “Have I defiled myself with sin?”

Continue Earnestly in Prayer

Paul wrote to the Colossians about prayer, asking for their prayers personally, “that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak” (Colossians 4:3-4).

However, his thoughts on prayer teach us a few important things, that are worth examining beyond Paul’s personal benefits from such intercessions.  First, there is the phrase, “Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it…” (4:2).  The idea of continuing in prayer, and the idea of vigilance is important when making petitions to God.  He loves us!  The parable of the persistent widow in Luke 18:1-8 teaches us this. “And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them?”  We need to understand the importance and efficacy of prayer, and not to be discouraged if our petitions are not answered by Him immediately. It comes in His time.

Second, we can’t emphasis too greatly the importance of offering thanks to God. “…being vigilant in it with thanksgiving” (4:2). Christ illustrated the importance of thanksgiving in his words about the lepers He healed.  “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” (Luke 17:17-18).

God deserves vigilant prayer with thanksgiving!  Heed Paul’s words!

 

Wait Quietly

As Jeremiah lamented the rebellion of Judah, and the chastisement of his God, he nevertheless acknowledged God’s judgement was righteous and that His nature was merciful and good. And so he wrote, “The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD. It is good for a man to bear the yoke in his youth” (Lamentations 3:25-27).

There are a couple of truths in this passage that are worthy of examination. Taking the last words first, we should acknowledge that it “is good for a man to bear the yoke in his youth.” While burdens, chastisements and distress are never easy, they do build character. The prophet knew that the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians and God’s judgment of the people was, though harsh, very much deserved. To live through this would help the young know of the consequences of rebellion, and cause a turn to righteousness and steadfastness as the lesson was learned.

The second truth is that God does His own will in His own time. It is not appropriate for us to complain about these things. Job did , and even to the degree of his suffering, the answer of God was basically, “How dare you?” So, when things are going bad with us, little or big, and we chafe at trouble, let us not murmur and complain. Instead, let us “wait quietly for the LORD.” He is the preeminent Creator. As His people, let us not be presumptuous!

Our Basis for Unity

In Ephesians 4:4-6 Paul expresses a series of unique things that constitute the basis of our faith. Unfortunately these truths are often challenged by those who do not understand them. It is our basis for unity, a worthy walk as disciples of Jesus Christ.

  • One body. The church (Ephesians 1:22-23). Not many churches. Denominationalism is sinful (cf. 1 Corinthians 1:10-ff).
  • One Spirit. The Holy Spirit, one of the three persons that are God (cf. John 14:26).
  • One hope. The hope of heaven, available through Jesus Christ. (Hebrews 6:19-20).
  • One Lord. Jesus Christ, the Son of God (Acts 2:36).
  • One faith. While various truths and messages from God preceded Christ’s covenant, today it is the sole means of approaching God. The Christian’s faith in Christ, its particulars revealed in the New Covenant (Jude 3).
  • One baptism. Several baptisms are mentioned in the Bible. However, only one is universally commanded and applicable to every man. Baptism in water for the remission of sins! (Acts 2:38).
  • One God and Father. Not polygamy.  Only Jehovah exists! (Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 44:6). Paganism is a lie.

Those who do not accept these truths are heretics. (Much of the religious world included). However, those who accept it are derided by most. Accept it regardless!

“These have I counted loss”

Do you have anything that is dear to you? Something that would be hard for you to give up for the Lord?  Paul certainly did. He told the Philippians in chapter 3 of the text that his position as a zealous Jew — circumcised, from Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews, a zealous Pharisee, blameless in his attempts to keep the law of Moses — was reason for him to have confidence in the flesh. And yet upon his witness of the resurrected Christ, leading to his conversion, he wrote, “But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish that I may gain Christ” (Philippians 3:7-8).

Why did he make such a sacrifice? For the same reason we will, if we have his wisdom! That he might “know Him [Christ] and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings… if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead” (3:10-11).

Do you want access to the power of Christ, and the hope of the resurrection? Then it is simple. Just like Paul you must be ready to give up all that is precious in your life and give yourself totally in service to the Master. There is absolutely nothing that this world offers you that is worth sacrificing your soul! (cf. Matthew 16:26). Something sobering to think about, isn’t it?!

 

One of the Chosen

Saul of Tarsus was chosen by God. Ananias told him, “The God of our fathers has chosen you that you should know His will, and see the Just One, and hear the voice of His mouth. For you will be His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard” (Acts 22:14-15). This choosing was for Saul’s apostleship. This was a point of emphasis for Saul throughout his life and ministry as an apostle of Jesus Christ. It headed almost every letter he wrote. For example, “Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead)…” (Galatians 1:1).

In truth, God has chosen all who are Christians. Before the world began, God determined to select all and only those who answered the call of the gospel of Jesus Christ. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek” (Romans 1:16). Paul wrote of this to the Thessalonians, giving thanks to God for the them, “…because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thessalonians 2:13-14).

Do you want to be one of the chosen?  The group has an open membership. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:16).

 

Rebuke With All Authority

In Titus 2:15, after revealing things that Titus should concern himself with at Crete, he wrote, “Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.”

Who was Titus?  Well, he was a Greek man that Paul had converted. It seems that he was younger than Paul, because he is often put into the same category by the apostle and others as the young man Timothy. Paul’s words here seem to echo his admonition to Timothy in  1 Timothy 4:12, and he calls himself a spiritual father to both men because of his influence in having them converted. (cf. 1 Timothy 1:2; Titus 1:4). Regardless, Paul had confidence in Titus as he did the work of an evangelist on the isle of Crete.

The phrase “rebuke with all authority” brings the question, who is Titus to speak to others in this way, and why should he not be despised for doing so? Well, the authority of Titus did not exist in his person or age, but in his work. The rebukes ultimately came from the Holy Spirit! In effect, Titus was merely the mouthpiece, a servant doing the Master’s bidding. His words had authority because what he was repeating in his exhortations and rebuke had their genesis with the Lord.

The phrase, “Let no one despise you” seems to be within the power of Titus. And so it is less about the unfair scorn of others, and more about Titus conducting himself so as to not be taken advantage of by evil men. He had to be diligent to refute error and deal with sophistry.

Daily Bible Reading

“How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word” (Psalms 119:9).

Our encouragements to read and study God’s word are constant.  That is because they are important. It only takes a few minutes to consider why:

  1. God is in control.
  2. God requires us to do His will in order to please Him.
  3. His will is wholly contained in scripture which is readily available to all, and we are encouraged to use it!

It is like being able to take an open book test in school.  Even the smart kids are going to take advantage of the open book.  However, religiously many feel free to guess, to assume, to opine, to invent—all when God’s word is easily opened, and God’s will is easily found.

So, consider these truths while thinking about whether you are interested in reading the Bible through in this next year. It only take a few moments a day.  It shouldn’t be the sum total of your Bible study in the new year, but it is a good place to start.

 

Why We Don’t Observe Christmas Religiously

I get this question just about every year, and I know that some Christians do not understand it either. So, here is a simple, concise explanation.

We rejoice at the birth of our Lord. We think of it often, but do not set aside a special day of remembrance because Jesus did not tell us to.

Jesus did establish a memorial for His death, as recorded in Matthew 26, and we remember His death each first day of the week, following the example of the Christians in the first century (cf. Acts 2:42; Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 11:17-34).

But to do something that has not been explicitly authorized by God is to presume to know His will when He has not revealed it to us. No one can rightfully do so. “…Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God” (1 Corinthians 11:2). In fact, we are told, “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Colossians 3:17).

So, to be clear, we do not in any way object to the birth of Jesus. It was a wonderful event, bringing joy to mankind (cf. Luke 2:13-14). However, we respect the mind of our God, and as a church (congregation) we refuse to speak or authorize a practice that He has not spoken on.

Christmas is a religious holiday started by men. It is not found in scripture. So, we pass.

Not That I Have Already Attained

One simple passage that shows the error of the Calvinistic doctrine of the Perseverance of the Saints, and speaks to the need for continued diligence is Philippians 3:12.  “Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.”

Of any Christian in the first century who had the right (if it existed) to state he was guaranteed a place in heaven for what had already been done, it was Paul. He was both saved by the Grace of God, and amply demonstrated his faith in the “finished work of Jesus Christ.”  However, he did not conduct himself as one whose fate was guaranteed, but as one who had to “remain faithful until death” (cf. Revelation 2:10).

Notice the next two verses, (13-14), “Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

We, like Paul, must live our lives with the same point of view.  “Not that I have already attained”… “I do not count myself to have apprehended.”  We must “press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

We wouldn’t want to miss out on the crown that God has promised to the faithful! (cf. 2 Timothy 4:6-8).

 

We Are Stewards!

Do you ever think of yourself as a steward of Jesus Christ? Paul writes that we are! “Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.” (1 Corinthians 4:1-2).

The Greek word translated steward in the text is oikonomos, and is defined as “the manager of a household or of household affairs; especially a steward, manager, superintendent” (Thayer). It is used figuratively here to indicate a servant, but one who is given authority to accomplish important tasks. In other words, stewardship indicates service to Christ where we accomplish what he has given us to do.

Wayne Fancher said in a recent sermon that even the one talent man was given a lot of responsibility. One talent is a lot of money. When we think of servitude, we tend to think of someone as low as possible on the social ladder.  Not so with a steward.  He was certainly bound, but with responsibility, “it is required in stewards that one be found faithful”

So think of study, prayer, meditation, the practice of pure religion (cf. James 1:27), attendance, evangelism, love, etc. as duties given my God.  Responsibilities for which you will be held accountable.

A sobering thought, isn’t it?

 

The Help of God’s Holy Word

Paul told Timothy, “But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 3:14-15).

This passage succinctly establishes the purpose and holiness of the Old Testament scriptures. Timothy was half Jewish (cf. 2 Timothy 1:5), and had been taught by his grandmother and mother from the Old Testament scriptures. These verses paved the way for the coming of the Christ. They prophesied His coming, described His kingdom, and established what constitutes righteousness before the Father. They were able to make Timothy “wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”

The Old and New Testaments are both God’s word, coming through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Together they make the whole of God’s revelation to man. While we are under the authority of the new covenant, we must learn and familiarize ourselves with the entirety of the Bible.

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

Only God Can Vindicate!

The Psalmist in Psalm 26 asks for a personal examination to be vindicated. He claims to have “walked in my integrity”, “walked in Your truth.” Conversely, he has not slipped, has not “sat with idolatrous mortals”, nor gone “in with hypocrites.”

He recognized that the Lord’s “lovingkindness is before my eyes” and he was eager to “tell of all Your wondrous works” having loved “the place where Your glory dwells.” He prayed that God might, “Redeem me and be merciful to me” (Psalm 26:1-12).

In a more prosaic way, Paul also proclaimed that vindication comes only from the Lord. He wrote, “But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord” (1 Corinthians 4:3-4).

Simply put, it doesn’t matter what others think, or even what we think. We need only to know that our God will examine and vindicate us! It is a good thing that the one who will judge us wants our salvation! “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).

We need not worry about a capricious God. He loves us, and will treat us with mercy.

“Put that on my account”

In his letter to Philemon, the apostle Paul made an appeal to his brother in Christ about an escaped slave, Onesimus, whom Paul had converted. This was a wonderful thing for Onesimus, but it came as a result of his disobedience and treachery toward Philemon. This short missive is not intended to examine the existence of slavery, nor the fact that the Christian Philemon owned at least one.

There had, though been a change. Once, Onesimus had been “unprofitable to” Philemon, and now Paul wrote was “profitable to you and to me” (11). However, Paul was not willing to defraud his brother. By law, Onesimus belonged to Philemon, and Paul wrote, “But without your consent I wanted to do nothing, that your good deed might not be by compulsion, as it were, but voluntary” (14).

As a means of appealing to Philemon, Paul wrote, “But if he has wronged you or owes anything, put that on my account” (18). This is a true case of going above and beyond based on love for another. It is the action of the Lord Himself, who died not for His own sins, but the sins of you and me.

How about you, are you willing to act in such a sacrificial way? It is one thing to say you are willing to help, but quite another to say, “put that on my account.” Typically, this might be something done for our physical families, but what about our brethren?

All Scripture

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

This is, of course, a passage that is close to the heart of every Christian.  It shows how God determined to reveal His will to men, through scripture.  God’s Mosaic covenant was to be followed by the Jews.  It supplied them everything needed to be prepared for the coming of Jesus (cf. Galatians 3:24-25).

In these last days God has spoken to us “by His Son” (Hebrews 1:2).  The words of Jesus, spoken by Him while He was on earth, and given to the disciples (John 16:13) by the Holy Spirit when He departed, constitutes the “faith once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3); the “perfect law of liberty” (James 1:25); and “that which is perfect” (1 Corinthians 13:10).

This is clearly affirmed in Hebrews 2:1-4, and makes the words of Peter true when he stated, “no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:20-21).

God’s word is how we know His will.  We are so thankful for his omniscience and mercy.