Category: From the Preacher’s Pen

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).

We are called by God. We have been chosen for salvation. We are the elect. Ephesians 1 tells us this choosing took place before the world was founded.

We are creatures with free will. God calls us to believe and obey the gospel. “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:16).

These two truths must be resolved for us to have a proper understanding of scripture. Paul does this in 2 Thessalonians. The explanation is a that we are predestined as a collective or a group, not individually. God chose those who responded positively to the gospel of Christ. Our free will allows us to determine whether we will be in that group or not. Also, it determines whether we will stay in that group once we begin our Christian walk. Consider Paul’s words:

“…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 2:13b-3:1)

The chosen, the sanctified, the elect are those who believe the truth. They are called by the gospel of Jesus Christ. So we must ask, when the gospel calls will you listen and obey?

In Ephesians 4, the apostle Paul described the characteristic walk of worldly people. He refers to them here as “the rest of the Gentiles” (17). For the Jew, Gentiles were considered to be unclean (cf. Acts 10:16). God declared that under the new covenant the important thing was not your nationality, but whether you have faith in Jesus Christ. “For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God” (Romans 2:28-29). Therefore Paul’s reference here to the Gentiles is not to the physical Gentile but the man who has not been washed or sanctified before Him.

His description of them? They were futile in their thinking, with darkened understanding. They had given themselves over to lewdness, uncleanness and greediness.

This type of behavior is antithetical to being a Christian, an inward Jew. This is why in verse 20 of Ephesians 4, Paul wrote, “But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus.” Christ teaches us that when we are separated to God through faith, we are to live our lives as a “new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness” (24). Learn from Him!

“Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, And let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth; walk in the ways of your heart, and in the sight of your eyes; but know that for all these God will bring you into judgment. Therefore remove sorrow from your heart, and put away evil from your flesh, for childhood and youth are vanity” ( Ecclesiastes 11:9-10).

This text clearly indicates God’s expectation and desire that we enjoy our time here on the earth. He does not require on principle for us to suffer. In this particular context, He shows that the times of our youth are to be greatly treasured. Follow your passions and interests, and have fun!

However, consider this one statement of warning. “But know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.” This establishes two important truths. First, God expects faithfulness to Him above all things. Second, you don’t have to be worldly to enjoy your life on the earth. This is the devil’s lie. The end of sin is destruction and death, not fun and frolic!

There is no value in sowing your wild oats, or following your own heart into sin. A life lived without God is a life of vanity and ruin. God does not want that for you in this life or in eternity! Serving God both brings joy and is “man’s all” (12:13).

“And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all” (Ephesians 1:22-23).

Our text is an important one in establishing the authority of Jesus Christ. The idea of headship indicates that in all things Christ reigns supreme over His church. This position of authority was given Him by His heavenly Father.

Christ’s authority is not found only in the church. As verse 21 indicates, He is preeminent over all. “Far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.”

Finally, as we take the beginning at the end, Christ is reigning on His throne over His kingdom. That is the nature of His authority. God “raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places” (20).

I say it often, but too many show themselves willing to accept Jesus as their Savior, but not as their Lord! Paul called Him the “blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords” (1 Timothy 6:15). May we all respect the headship of Christ both as His church collectively, and individually as His subjects in His kingdom!