Category: From the Preacher’s Pen

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!

In Ephesians 5:15-16, the Apostle Paul wrote, “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” We are to walk as the wise, which calls for circumspection. What is that? Well, the Greek word is akrib?s and means exactly, accurately, diligently (Thayer).

The word is translated in several ways in the Greek New Testament, but always indicates a need for accuracy or perfection. So, how does this apply to our walk?

Simply, we are to walk in exactly the way God expects us to walk. Consider the words of Jesus to the Samaritan woman in John 4, “You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews” (22). The difference between the Jews at that time and the Samaritans, is the Jews knew and were following God’s will by worshipping Him where He wished to be worshiped.

In our context, Paul gave some specifics. We are not to get drunk. We are to sing songs of praise to God. We are to constantly give thanks to God for His blessings. This is to be done in the name of Jesus. We are to submit to one another as we respect God and His will for us.

These are not exhaustive, but show us we are “not to be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (17).

In Galatians 5:9 Paul expressed a simple truth that reveals a very significant spiritual application. “A little leaven leavens the whole lump.”

It brings to mind the time Debbie and I purchased a bread making machine. It made great tasting bread so easy to make, I decided to try it a time or two myself. I remember opening the refrigerator to get a small amount of leaven as prescribed by the recipe I was using, dropping the pittance into a full loaf of bread, and waiting for the change. The cover was clear glass, and with a small amount of time the rising of the bread was evident. Any baker (and most others of us) recognize the lesson Paul was sharing with the Galatians.

Leaven corrupts, it changes the nature. If leaven is used to illustrated evil influences, then we understand the Holy Spirit to say that evil influences will corrupt us. It can corrupt all of us! Paul uses that truth to note the leavening influence of the Judaizing teachers who had come into the region of Galatia. Their corrupting influence led him to write, “I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel…” (1:6).

We too must be aware of the leavening influence of sin. Consider Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 15:33, “Do not be deceived: ‘Evil company corrupts good habits.’” Wise words!

An interesting phrase is found in Amos 2:4 regarding the punishment the Lord was to bring against His people. “Thus says the Lord: For three transgressions of Judah and for four, I will not turn away its punishment, because they have despised the law of the Lord, and have not kept His commandments.”

This passage indicates an important point about the longsuffering of God. One that has an application to us today. God is gracious and loves us very much. As such He is always willing to forgive transgressions that we commit against Him and His law for us. This forgiveness is contingent upon our repentance, but is available to us even after multiple transgressions. This is an aspect of God that we His children are to emulate, (cf. Luke 17:3-4).

However, at some point God’s longsuffering comes to and end with regard to persistent, unrepented sin. Thus our expression, “for three transgressions, and for four…” As it applies to us, we have no way of knowing when His longsuffering will be spent, but we know that is the day we are to experience God’s final judgment. “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up” (2 Peter 3:10).

In Paul’s personal letter to Philemon, he referenced his brother in a very favorable light. Let’s look at some of the words he used.

In verse 1 he called Philemon a “beloved friend and fellow laborer.” He noted the faithfulness of Philemon as a child of God in verses 5 and 6, and let Philemon know he prayed for him continually (4). He talked of the great joy and consolation he received from Philemon’s love (7), and noted his positive influence toward other Christians (7).

As he made his request to Philemon on Onesimus’ behalf, his positive expressions continued. He said he had “confidence” saying that he knew “you will do even more than I say” (21).

From these words we can see that Philemon was a righteous and good man, who was quick to express love to his brethren. While Onesimus had wronged him by running away, Paul was confident because he knew Philemon’s character that Philemon would receive him back with love rather than censure.

It also says something about Paul. He was not a flatterer, he was an encourager who was always willing to show what God desires His children to be. May we emulate the love these men had for each other in our relationships.

I have decided to write what I hope to be a daily, short article, to help everyone at West Side (another others who read it) during this time of isolation from one another. I will at least do the weekdays, though I can’t promise which time of day it will be posted. (I’m not that organized!)

The 77th Psalm, a psalm of Asaph, begins as follows:

“I cried out to God with my voice— to God my voice;
And He gave ear to me.
In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord;
My hand was stretched out in the night without ceasing;
My soul refused to be comforted.
I remembered God, and was troubled;
I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed” (1-3).

Today is a day of trouble for our nation, and brethren everywhere. We are concerned and anxious, and there is a tendency in times such as these to question. We appeal to God and we ask why? We complain, we feel overwhelmed. It is hard for us to focus on the blessings of God; to trust in His providential care; to see the possibility of an end to our suffering. We ask with the Psalmist, “Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has He in anger shut up His tender mercies?” (9).

Continue reading “COVID-19 (1) Remember the Works of the Lord” →

“But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.”

1 Peter 5:10

Peter’s letter acknowledged the existence of persecution at that time. He noted that his readers had been “grieved by various trials” (1:6). He told them, “do not think it strange concerning the fiery trail which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you” (4:12). His words in (5:10) summarize the truth regarding persecution. It is inevitable that we will suffer for our faith, (“all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution,” 2 Timothy 3:12); but, that persecution is momentary. In the end, we will be called to “eternal glory”!

So, as we accept the inevitable, but temporary nature of our suffering on earth, how should we handle these efforts to destroy us and our faith? Consider Peter’s admonitions…

“Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1:13).

“…But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God” (2:20).

Considering how our response should mirror that of our Lord, Peter wrote, “when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten” (2:23).

Truly, it is “better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil” (3:15). If we suffer for the cause of Christ, it is reason to rejoice, for we “are blessed” (3:14).

Paul wrote in Romans 1:16, “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.”

His words are an interesting contrast to those of Jesus in John 5:39-40, “You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.”

There is no contradiction here. The gospel is powerful in that it is the means by which a sinner comes to Christ. We are saved by grace through faith (cf. Ephesians 2:8-9). There is no magic in the incantation of words. The Bible is not to be confused with the magician’s abracadabra.

Paul wrote, “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). The purpose of messianic prophecy, and the four gospels of the New Testament is to bring us to a knowledge of, and acceptance of Jesus as our Lord and Savior. We must be noble as the Bereans (cf. Acts 17:11), and accept the truths that are contained in scripture. As Jesus notes, the scripture testifies of Him, and we must be willing to come to Him that we “may have life.”

Belief in Jesus requires belief in his virgin birth, sinless life, sacrificial death, resurrection from the dead, and His ascension to God’s right hand. Will you come to Him?

In Matthew 10, Jesus sent His disciples to preach to the lost sheep of the House of Israel. In verse 40, He said to them, “He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent me.”

This is an interesting truth as it relates to hospitality. By being hospitable to those who belong to Christ, it is as if we are receiving the Lord Himself (and by extension, His Father). Our Lord will appreciate and deal kindly with those who care for His own.

Going further, Jesus then said, “He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward. And he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward” (vs. 41). In order to understand this sentence, the phrase “in the name of” must be explained. Albert Barnes wrote,

“To receive in the “name” of a prophet is to receive “as” a prophet; to do proper honour to his character, and to evince attachment to the cause in which he was engaged.”

So, both with a righteous man, and with a prophet (or preacher), when you receive them because they are righteous or because they preach the truth, you please God just as they do!

Hospitality is important. Hospitality expressed because of our common faith and love for our brethren is a selfless act that pleases God, and elicits His favor!

When an obstacle impedes progress, one of two possibilities emerge. The obstacle either prevents success, or the obstacle is defeated, with success realized despite its challenge.

Many serious spiritual obstacles can be defeated through determination and persistent effort. Josiah, the young king of Judah serves as a wonderful example in this. His challenge was to overcome the evil influences of his father and grandfather. Those men were evil idolaters, who led Judah in rebellion against God. Josiah ascended to the throne at the age of 8 years. Scripture reveals that he “did what was right in the sight of the Lord, and walked in all the ways of his father David; he did not turn aside to the right hand or to the left” (2 Kings 22:2). He removed the idols his predecessors had put into the Temple, and restored true worship to the Lord. And, as ruler of Judah, he “made all who were present in Israel diligently serve the Lord their God. All his days they did not depart from following the Lord God of their fathers” (2 Chronicles 34:33).

Josiah was a unique king. “Now before him there was no king like him, who turned to the Lord with all his heart, with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the Law of Moses; nor after him did any arise like him” (2 Kings 23:25). However, we too can overcome any spiritual obstacle that may beset us, if we “turn to the Lord” with all our heart, soul and might.

In Jeremiah 51, Jehovah proclaimed the ultimate destruction of the kingdom of Babylon. Though it was yet to happen, that judgment of God was sure. “‘Therefore behold, the days are coming,’ says the Lord, ‘That I will bring judgment on her carved images,
And throughout all her land the wounded shall groan. Though Babylon were to mount up to heaven, and though she were to fortify the height of her strength, yet from Me plunderers would come to her,’ says the Lord” (vs 52-53).

It does not matter how powerful the nation may be, how large the army, how explosive the arsenal, God’s will is done. In every age and in every place, when men trust in their own might to stand against the righteous God of heaven, they are doomed to destruction. Paul said, “And He [God] has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings” (Acts 17:26).

“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people” (Proverbs 14:34). God judged Babylon because she was an idolatrous and evil kingdom. “Thus Babylon shall sink and not rise from the catastrophe that I will bring upon her. And they shall be weary” (Jeremiah 51:64). This is an important lesson that our own nation needs to hear and learn to avoid the same fate.