Category: From the Preacher’s Pen

I believe the Bible is the inspired word of God. I believe every part of the Bible comes ultimately from God, not man. I know there were multiple human authors, but ultimately these authors penned the words given them from God Himself.

It is important to note that this is the Bible’s claim for itself. We have Paul’s words in 2 Timothy 3:16-17. The verse starts, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God.” The word inspiration is a bit different than how we use it in modern times. The etymology of the Greek word shows this, theopnuestos: theo – God; pneustos – breathed. Every indication both in scripture, and in the reception of scripture in early times show this to be the case. Remember Peter’s words in 2 Peter 3:16 in talking about Paul’s writings: “which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.”

Peter’s earlier words, “knowing this first, that 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).

I don’t expect all to agree. However, it is not possible for a man to legitimately claim to be a follower of Jesus Christ, and at the same deny the plenary (complete) and verbal (every jot and tittle) nature of Biblical inspiration.

That is the question asked in Malachi 3:8a, “Will a man rob God?” Who can imagine such a thing? It makes no sense at all. God has given us “all things that pertain to life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3). To seek to rob God is both foolish given His power and place as our Creator and Judge, and ungrateful as we seek to take advantage of our benevolent and grace giving Father in heaven. Who would do such a thing?

And yet, God proclaimed, “You have robbed Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ IN TITHES AND OFFERINGS.” (3:8b, emphasis mine).

Do you offer up your contribution (tithe) to the works of God on the first day of the week, as instructed in 1 Corinthians 16:1-2? Are you consistent in so doing? Do you give willingly and cheerfully, (2 Corinthians 9:7)? Do you give sacrificially (2 Corinthians 8:1-5)?

Remember this phrase in the word’s Paul used, “let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper” (1 Corinthians 16:2).

This how we can rob God. It is God who has brought us our prosperity! What we have, first belongs to Him. He doesn’t require all of it back, only a generous, sacrificial portion that shows our devotion to Him. Don’t rob God!

The apostle Paul greatly loved his brethren! In his first letter to the Thessalonians he had this to say, “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? For you are our glory and joy” (1Thessalonians 2:19-20).

I am especially enamored with the phrase “crown of rejoicing.” Paul was not repeating himself. He had already said they were his “joy.” The great zeal and character that the Thessalonians had shown made him very happy. He was eager to see their faces, because their fellowship as brethren was so pleasant to him. He said he “endeavored more eagerly to see your face with great desire” (17).

This phrase, however is perhaps a bit more appropriately translated, “crown of pride.” The word crown (stephanos) is indicates a crown of victory! Reserved for Olympic winners, or emperors who had won a war. The word translated rejoicing (kauchesis) is used to indicate boasting (in a good sense) or glorying. Paul was proud of these brethren because of their “work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father” (1:3). He said, “so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe. For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth” (1:7-8). Consider: would the great apostle be as proud of you and me?

The applications for the call to steadfastness are myriad. As we live our lives here on earth, we are challenged. There are tests of our faith that come through temptation, trial, even success. The devil is quite willing and capable to use anything in our existence to seek our spiritual demise. The loss of a loved one can cause despair. Difficulties with health or age can cause severe depression. The elation of financial or professional success can change our priorities to self rather than God. We could go on and on.

All of these can impact a Christian’s faith. The Lord calls upon each man to “deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it” (Luke 9:23-24). But each of us can supply personal anecdotes relating how Jesus’ call is often unheeded. Those personal anecdotes from time to time may be extremely personal – we ourselves may be the one’s who falter.

The Lord’s advice is to consider the value of steadfastness. When we recognize our preeminent purpose in life is to prepare ourselves for eternity, it makes our commitment seem worthy of any sacrifice. Paul put it this way: “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58).

Q: What has an outside that you cook and eat, and an inside that you throw away? A: An ear of corn! Maybe kind of lame, but just one of the riddles we read and tried to answer with our grandkids early this week. We had a lot of fun! There was laughter and ribbing, and a good time had by all. I asked my grandson what was his favorite riddle, and he said the one that his sister had challenged us with. Q: What has hair but is not human? A: MY GRANDSON!

I am often reminded of Proverbs 17:6, “Children’s children are the crown of old men, And the glory of children is their father.” Those of us who have grandchildren, whether one or a dozen, are truly blessed by our God. They bring us so much joy with their vitality, purity and loving nature.

We are also to consider their vulnerability, and the importance of being a godly influence to all who are young. The Psalmist wrote, “But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children’s children, to such as keep His covenant, and to those who remember His commandments to do them” (Psalms 103:17-18).

May all who read this be on guard for the spiritual welfare of our children and grandchildren! They are the next generation of soldiers in the army of the Lord!

In 1 Corinthians 14:36-37, the apostle Paul had an interesting question he asked the Christians there, “Or did the word of God come originally from you? Or was it you only that it reached? If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord.”

The Corinthians were altering their worship. The church had begun in Jerusalem, and spread outward. A model of worship had been established. And now they were changing it. And Paul was letting them know it was wrong for them to do so. His pen had a real bite!

In effect, by changing the worship, with the confusion it was causing, and the arrogance they were showing, they were sinning. They were doing something of their own invention. So, Paul asked, Do you really think that you are the originators of God’s word? Or did God only send His messages to you? The answer of course, is no!

So, Paul wanted them to realize their ignorance! They were practicing their own desires rather than acknowledging, as Paul wrote, that his epistles contained, “the commandments of the Lord.” May we all study God’s word, and submit to God’s commandments in scripture. Jesus is our Lord. We have no business changing His will!

In Deuteronomy 17:9-10, the Lord told the children of Israel, “And you shall come to the priests, the Levites, and to the judge there in those days, and inquire of them; they shall pronounce upon you the sentence of judgment. You shall do according to the sentence which they pronounce upon you in that place which the Lord chooses. And you shall be careful to do according to all that they order you.”

The problem in Israel was the man “who acts presumptuously and will not heed the priest who stands to minister there before the Lord you God, or the judge, that man shall die” (12). The Hebrew word here translated presumptuously, (z??ôn) is tied to the concept of pride or arrogance. An insolent man.

Here is the problem of our time (as with any other) – men who pridefully determine to do their own will. To do as they please, rejecting and/or ignoring God’s will for them. God says that man would die. He told the Jews, “So you shall put away the evil from Israel. And all the people shall hear and fear, and no longer act presumptuously” (12-13).

We are told in the new covenant, “But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: ‘God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble’” (James 4:6). Each us must humble ourselves to the will of the Almighty!

Paul began his second letter to the Corinthians with words of blessing to the Almighty. He wrote:

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).

In the Greek, the phrase “Blessed be…” is basically identical to the thought “Let us give thanks…” We are truly to be thankful to God for all of the comfort and mercy He shows to us in our lives. David wrote, “As a father pities his children, so the LORD pities those who fear Him” (Psalm 103:13). In fact, we need to be fully aware of dependence upon our Father.

The interesting aspect of this passage is how Paul reveals that God’s mercy enables us in our ministry to others! Paul had been delivered from many troubles in his ministry as an apostle. His message was, God has comforted me in my tribulations, therefore I bring comfort to you in turn.

This is something that all of us should strive for. We should seek to look outside of our own suffering. Such selflessness strengthens us, and will help us both to sympathize and to help others in their tribulation. We learn from our trials. They help us to be helpful!

In Peter’s second letter he refers to his purpose in writing both epistles, “in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder” (2 Peter 3:1).

Two things in this phrase are worth mentioning. Peter first considered the minds of his readers as “pure.” This is from the Greek word eilikrin?s. This word is a compound word taken from one which means judge, and another which means sun-ray. I love the imagery, judged by the sun! In effect, something that is unsullied, it is seen to be pure when it is seen by the light of day. God’s examination of Peter’s readers show them to be among the faithful, true servants of the Almighty.

And yet there was danger. They needed what we all need, for our minds to be stirred up! This means we need active minds, those which are stimulated or aroused, in this context by reminding them of things they already knew. In his first epistle it was a call to holy living and an adherence to God’s will (cf. 1 Peter 1:13-17, 22-25; 2:9-24; 3:8-22; 4:3-7, 12-19; 5:4, 8-11). In this second epistle, the entire second chapter consists of the warning to avoid false teachers and their error!

It’s good whenever we are reminded of the things of God. It is important to review, to be stirred up and be mindful of God’s word!

The period of the judges, revealed in the book by the same name was by and large a time of darkness in Israel. The land was only partially subjugated by the Jews, and there were uprisings and battles throughout the period. One of the primary purposes of any judge was to deliver Israel during times of conflict. A verse in chapter 17 indicates how ignorance and anarchy was often present, “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (17:6).

This verse occurs in the specific context of a man named Micah, who was practicing idolatry. “The man Micah had a shrine, and made an ephod and household idols; and he consecrated one of his sons, who became his priest” (5).

This shows that at that time, the laws of Israel were not being kept. No king was there to enforce the law. Further, as the law was the law of God, men were only doing their will, not God’s.

The same is often true today. Especially regarding obedience to God. Rather than following His will exclusively, too many are doing “what is right in [their] own eyes.”  This is not, nor ever has been acceptable. God has revealed His complete will for us, (James 1:25). That will is to submitted to and followed by every man. No exceptions!

In Psalm 32:5, King David wrote the following words, “I acknowledged my sin to You [God], and my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,’ and You forgave the iniquity of my sin.” What a blessing and joy to know that if we are willing to confess and repent of our sins, God is always just to forgive us!

The apostle John in his first letter stated the same sentiment with the same exact confidence, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

Toward the end of David’s psalm he wrote, “Many sorrows shall be to the wicked; but he who trusts in the LORD, mercy shall surround him. Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you righteous; and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!” (10-11).

The way of wickedness leads to perdition and sorrow. Anecdotal examples are all around us. It is a lie to think that happiness and value can be seen in a live lived for self rather than God. Only eternal sorrow is the end of those who reject God.

But, as Christians, we have every reason to rejoice! You note that David instructs, “Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous.” O how wonderful is our God! How worthy of praise is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

The apostle Paul had a strained relationship with the Corinthian church. Because of their immaturity and disobedient behavior, he had to compose a letter to them (1 Corinthians) that was full of admonition and correction. In 2 Corinthians 6 he deals with this reality in verses 11-13:

“O Corinthians! We have spoken openly to you, our heart is wide open. You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections. Now in return for the same (I speak as to children), you also be open.”

You may notice that the problem was not caused by Paul. He loved the church there dearly, and expresses this love and care for them by saying “our heart is wide open.” The same could not be said of the Corinthians. It is hard to be thankful and open when you are being criticized. The problem is the attitude that we typically have toward correction. The wise man of Proverbs explained it very plainly, “Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid” (Proverbs 12:1).

Paul rightly desired reciprocation on the part of the Corinthians. “Now in return for the same…you also be open” (13). When you receive correction for any foolishness or any sin you commit, remember Paul’s words. When someone shows concern for your soul, open your heart to them. They are showing their love to you!

In Romans 7:4, Paul wrote, “Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another – to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God.”

Paul’s point was that the law of Moses was superceded by faith in Christ. The new law of faith began at the death of Jesus, a new covenant, ratified by His blood. With this the Hebrew writer agreed, say that Jesus “is the Mediator of a new covenant, by means of death” (9:15). “For where there is a testament, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator” (16).

Paul used the analogy of marriage to establish the point. Marriage is a lifetime commitment. If a woman marries another man when her husband is alive, she is guilty of adultery. “But if the husband dies, she is released from the law of her husband” (7:2). The way analogies work is they illustrate or lend credence to a truth. This is possible only if the analogy itself is true. It would make no sense otherwise.

What does that teach us? Marriage is a lifetime commitment! The phrase “till death do us part” has great import in the mind of God. The question is, does it to us as well? The institution is not well respected in our time. But the Christian should know marriage is for life!

John’s account of Jesus walking on the sea in John 6:15-21 is much more condensed than that of Matthew (14) or Mark (6). As such it does not contain information that the other passages do.

First, Jesus encouraged the disciples to go on ahead of him (Matthew 14:22). Second, John says nothing of Peter’s request for Jesus to allow him to come to the Lord on the water.

Instead, John focuses on the sign itself. One that men can not in any way replicate. Yes, illusions can fake walking on water. But, the physical reality of Jesus walking on water to the disciples in a storm is something that undeniably shows Him to be the Son of God!

Consider the response of His disciples. First, they were afraid seeing someone walking toward them on the sea in the dead of night, and not knowing it was their Master. They thought Him to be a ghost! (Mark 6:49). If you put yourself in their place on a stormy night, you can understand that fear.

Then, when Jesus revealed Himself, they joyfully received Him into their boat. John said that “immediately the boat was at the land where they were going” (21). And Matthew and Mark both reveal the wind ceased blowing when he entered the boat.

We rejoice! Signs such as these show beyond contradiction Jesus is our Savior and King!

A simple examination of the book of Hebrews shows it to be a comparison and contrast between what went before, and what is now present in the kingdom of Christ. A simple way to think about the book is that it is about the better things in Jesus. A better covenant, a better Lawgiver, a better rest, a better High Priest, a better Sacrifice, a better sanctuary.

The book was written to a Jewish group that was faltering in their faith in Christ. They were pulled by the past to embrace their previous relationship to God through the old law, and were questioning their commitment to Jesus. This was in part because they had not grown as Christians, and needed “someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food” (5:12).

They had faltered in their growth disappointing the writer, but he had not lost all his trust in them. After his admonition he said, “But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation” (9). Here we have an important truth revealed. Since what Jesus has brought is better, better things are required of us as well! “How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, what at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him” (2:3).