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“But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts” (1 Thessalonians 2:4).

What a blessed privilege enjoyed by Paul and the rest of the apostles! These men were not famous or important people. They were tax collectors and fishermen. When the gospel was first sounded forth from Jerusalem, the Jews who heard the apostles speaking in tongues were shocked! “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born?…. Whatever could this mean?” (Acts 2:7,12).

What it meant was that these men were chosen by God to bring the “power of God to salvation” – the gospel – to the world. Paul, as one born out of due time, joined that group of men with this important task. He took it seriously. He determined to please God, not men. He determined to rest in the power of the gospel, rather than seeking approval by flattering words (2:5). He determined to never seek glory, though it would have easy for him to abuse his position of authority (2:6). In short, he accepted the gravity and weight of his appointment, and acted in keeping with that responsibility. “So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us” (2:8).

It is our work to continue that proclamation of the gospel of Christ. Are we exhibiting that same integrity, determination and zeal present among the apostles? If not, why not?

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“If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God” (Colossians 3:1).

This passage is rightly understood as an exhortation to focus on spiritual matters to the saving of the soul. Our interest in this article, however, is to the first half of the “if, then” construction in the passage. “If then you were raised with Christ…” Notice also verse 3, “For you died…”

The reference is to baptism. In chapter 2, verse 12 Paul wrote, “buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.” Paul wrote a similar passage to the Romans, “Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:3-4).

The logical conclusion to be found in these words is that baptism plays a part in one being born again. It is not merely a sign of what has been accomplished. It is a step taken to begin a new life, being “raised with Christ.”

Baptism is necessary to salvation. When one is saved, it is then necessary, as a new creature, to “seek those things which are above.” In this short verse, the false doctrines of “faith only” and “once saved always saved” are denied.

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What is it about a son or daughter that makes a father happy? I’m not talking about the day of their birth (everyone rejoices at that). I’m not talking about the fact that they are healthy. I am talking about their character, their behavior, their actions, their accomplishments.

For some fathers it might be that they are competitive. They are successful at sports or some other challenging endeavor. For some it may be aggression. They never back down. Other fathers may rejoice that their child is intelligent, getting good grades, going to college, getting a high paying job. Some are most interested in their physical beauty or stature. They are proud of their beauty queen or good looking son.

For the wise man of Proverbs, it was wisdom and righteousness that made his heart rejoice.

“My son, if your heart is wise, my heart will rejoice—indeed, I myself; Yes, my inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak right things” (Proverbs 23:15-16).

Some things are good things to rejoice in, some not so good. Nothing should bring more joy than for a child to show wisdom when it comes to spiritual matters.

When your child shows such wisdom, when he or she speaks right things, do you show them how happy you are? Do they know your heart rejoices?

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“The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God.’ They are corrupt, and have done abominable iniquity; there is none who does good” (Psalm 53:1).

The infidel is a fool. He is wicked, living his life without the one thing that can bring good action — faith in God.

“Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever” (Romans 1:24-25).

There is a philosophical question that is often asked. Can atheism account for morality? In other words, without God, can there be true right and wrong, good and evil?

Accepting the reality of God, the point is moot. If God exists, and created us for His purpose, then one can’t be “good” unless one is doing God’s will. This is what the Bible affirms. Left to our own devices, we are incapable of serving God acceptably. “But we are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; we all fade as a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away” (Isaiah 64:6). And, it is required of us, if we are to be good, to obey Him. “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all” (Ecclesiastes 12:13).

Don’t be a fool! Believe in God, and do His will!

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In 1 Corinthians 12, the apostle Paul expressed the importance of every single Christian doing his or her part to bring growth to the local congregation. He noted that each individual member is unique, “And the eye cannot say to the hand, ’I have no need of you’; nor again the head to the feet, ’I have no need of you’” (21). He concluded that even those members who seem to be weaker “are necessary” (22).

Do we have the same view of our participation in congregational activities and duties? Do we consider our part to be necessary? Or even important?

Paul clearly states that “God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased” (18). “But God composed the body…” (24).

Never underestimate your importance to God and His people. Never underestimate what God expects of you, and how much His people need you to do your part.

Paul wrote, “Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually” (27). We need you to be an active member of the West Side congregation. We need to grow spiritually every day, and diligently perform the duties our Lord expects of our congregation. We can’t do that unless each and every one of us are doing our part. You are special! God knows it, and so do we. Do you?

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“But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection” (Colossians 3:12).

Paul, in this passage is discussing the character of the elect of God. He calls upon them to be holy, humble, kind, longsuffering, and willing to forgive. The overriding command is to put on love.

It is observed that the call to love is the overriding commandment of God. It encapsulates the law and the prophets (cf. Matthew 22:37-40). It is the characteristic that will preeminently identify a man or woman as a disciple of Jesus. “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35).

In our text, this love is referred to as “the bond of perfection.” This word indicates a measure of completeness, or maturity to which the child of God strives. One who is capable of loving as God expects is a mature, complete Christian. Without love, regardless of the good works done, it is of no real profit (cf. 1 Corinthians 13:1-3). True Christian charity, or love, is indispensable. It serves to bind the other Christian graces together.

Do you want to be perfect, complete, whole? Put on love!

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There are some who claim that Jesus was a good man whose moral teachings are worthy of discipleship, despite denying His claims to be God’s Son.

There is no logical reason for this. Jesus did not merely teach (as any other rabbi), He claimed to be the Messiah. As such, if His claims are not so, it can’t be said that He was a good man, worthy of being followed. In fact, only two possibilities emerge. If Jesus is not God, the Son, He is either self-deluded, or a charlatan.

Consider the occasion related in Matthew 15:21-28. A Gentile woman, knowing the prophecies concerning the Messiah, referred to Jesus as “Son of David” (vs. 22). This was a title that many of the Jews refused to give Him, despite all of miracles Jesus did which attested to His claims. Further, the woman, “came and worshiped Him” (25).

The apostles of the Lord, when efforts to worship them occurred, quickly demurred (cf. Acts 10:25-26). “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men with the same nature as you…” (Acts 14:15).

And yet, Jesus accepted the worship. This clearly reveals a man who believed Himself to be the anointed of God.
Jesus is worthy of our discipleship, not because He is a good man, but because He is God’s son!

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“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will drink; nor about your body, what will you put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?” (Matthew 6:25).

The world looks at money as the means of escaping the cares of the world. The rich can better handle the difficulties of life, or so it is believed.

In reality, the rich have their own baggage. Anecdotally, you read and hear of the unhappiness and discontent of the rich, powerful and famous every day.

It is not money that brings happiness. Rather, it is a trust in God. When our focus is on serving God, and the hope He has given us, our perspective changes. And, perspective is the key.

The Christian says, “I know that God will take care of me. He is sufficiently powerful and He loves me. I may not be rich, but if I serve Him I will have what I need.” He goes through his life laying up treasures in heaven. That is the focus of his heart (cf. Matthew 6:19-21).

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these (needful things) will be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (Matthew 6:33-34).

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“Listen to counsel and receive instruction, that you may be wise in your latter days. There are many plans in a man’s heart, nevertheless the Lord’s counsel—that will stand” (Proverbs 19:20-21).

In these two verses is a concise explanation regarding the origin of wisdom. There are three aspects to gaining wisdom. Young people consider this carefully!

“Listen to counsel and receive instruction”

Wisdom is gained by listening to the wise. The wise have either themselves listened to others, or they have learned from their own mistakes. The problem with learning from your own mistakes is that those errors may have consequences. To avoid sadness and heartache, listen to those who have already obtained wisdom!

“that you may be wise in your latter days”

Wisdom is gained with time. The young person who recognizes his relative inexperience and ignorance is ahead of the game. Rather than embarking on any endeavor with a fool’s confidence, he seeks counsel.

“nevertheless the Lord’s counsel—that will stand”

It doesn’t matter a man’s age or experience, if he departs from God’s will, he is a fool. True wisdom has its origin with God, not man. Never depart from it!

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2 Kings 25:9-10, describes the fall of Jerusalem at the hands of the Babylonian general Nebuchadnezzar. “He burned the house of the Lord and the king’s house; all the houses of Jerusalem, that is, all the houses of the great, he burned with fire. And all the army of the Chaldeans who were with the captain of the guard broke down the walls of Jerusalem all around.”

The defeat of Judah was not because of God’s impotence. Nebuchadnezzar was God’s instrument of judgment, because of the sins of the Jewish people. Jeremiah had previously predicted Jerusalem’s fall. “Therefore thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘Because you have not heard My words, … this whole land shall be a desolation and an astonishment, and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years’” (Jeremiah 25:8, 11).

Nebuchadnezzar’s mistake was that he did not give God credit for his victory and his kingdom. Instead, he exalted himself and his own power. “Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty?” (Daniel 4:30). For his pride, idolatry, and rejection of God’s sovereignty, Nebuchadnezzar was humiliated (cf. Daniel 4:31-33); and his own kingdom was destroyed and made “perpetual desolation” (cf. Jeremiah 25:12).

The lesson? God is sovereign in the universe! As Jeremiah prayed, “Ah, Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You” (Jeremiah 32:17).

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“…My tongue shall speak of Your righteousness And of Your praise all the day long” (Psalm 35:28).

This Psalm of David speaks of Jehovah as the deliverer and avenger of the righteous. In verse 10, he writes, “All my bones shall say, ‘Lord, who is like You, Delivering the poor from him who is too strong for him, Yes, the poor and the needy from him who plunders him?’” David asked for God to vindicate him against those who sought his harm. Of course, God did just that, and so showed Himself worthy of the praise promised in our text.

We too have reason to speak of God’s righteousness and praise Him all day long. As He did with David, God promises to deliver and avenge us. He must do this because He is a righteous and loving God. For this we are grateful.

“…It is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels” (2 Thessalonians 1:6-7).

The righteous are promised rest, but God will take “vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ” (verse 8). We pray that all who read these words are warned, and are among the saints who glorify Him.

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Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.
In God (I will praise His word),
In God I have put my trust; I will not fear.
What can flesh do to me?
(Psalm 56:3-4)

Fear is an understandable and common emotion. Men fear the unknown, the strange, the violent, the painful. We do not here refer to phobias, which are unreasonable fears that have no basis in reality. There is much in life that would instill a natural and appropriate fear response in men.

However, the Christian has a perspective that can help him cope with fear. In fact, our relationship with God can allow us even to overcome fear in our lives.

There are numerous examples throughout history of Christians proclaiming with joy their faith in Christ even as they suffer martyrdom. The most horrendous tortures — boiling oil, fire, the sword — were unable to quell the joy and courage of God’s people.

With God on our side, eternal victory is secured. “The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:56-57).

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“Does not wisdom cry out, and understanding lift up her voice? She takes her stand on the top of the high hill, beside the way, where the paths meet. She cries out by the gates, at the entry of the city, at the entrance of the doors: ‘To you, O men, I call, and my voice is to the sons of men’” (Proverbs 8:1-4).

The call of wisdom sounds forth in our time as well. This text does not mean that wisdom predominates, but that wisdom is desperately needed in our time. She calls out to bring peace, union and reconciliation where none presently exists. The question is, does anyone hear her?

“O you simple ones, understand prudence, and you fools, be of an understanding heart. Listen, for I will speak of excellent things, and from the opening of my lips will come right things; For my mouth will speak truth; wickedness is an abomination to my lips. All the words of my mouth are with righteousness; nothing crooked or perverse is in them. They are all plain to him who understands, and right to those who find knowledge. Receive my instruction, and not silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold; For wisdom is better than rubies, and all the things one may desire cannot be compared with her” (Proverbs 8:5-11).

Wisdom cries out … are you listening?

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In preparation for this morning’s sermon, I came across some information about a favorite song of praise, How Great Thou Art.

The song is taken from a poem written by Swedish poet Carl Boberg in 1885, titled “O Store Gud”. The poem has a total of nine verses.

Continue reading “O Mighty God!” →

“Wealth makes many friends, but the poor is separated from his friend” (Proverbs 19:4).

It is an unfortunate reality in life that wealth brings popularity. Not that someone might actually become wealthy, but that it can bring out inappropriate reactions from others. For example, the newly rich has a difficult time knowing who is a friend because of genuine affection, and who is a “friend” because they hope to benefit from the wealth, influence or opportunities of the friendship.

The same thing is true with the poor man, whether newly minted or habitually bereft. He has no money, no influence, no opportunity to help anyone who wants to graft onto his friendship. So, he has a hard time making friends.

Wealth has nothing to do either with character or success as defined by God. It does not make a man more spiritual, and it can actually bring challenges to faith. Remember the Lord’s words in Galatians 3:28, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Add to it, “there is neither poor or rich”, and you get the idea.

So, as Christians, we should be “wealth blind.” Our relationships should be based entirely upon genuine affection, not upon a hope for personal gain. (Read James 2:1-9).

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