Sound Teaching

The prophet Obadiah declared the coming of judgment against Edom because of her sins against “your brother Jacob.” Edom thought herself safe. “The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who dwell in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; you who say in your heart, ‘Who will bring me down to the ground?”’ (3). But, this judgment was inexorable, “‘From there I will bring you down,’ says the Lord” (4).

Why was Edom guilty?  Notice the following phrases used in the text.  “But you should not have” (12); “Nor should you have” (12); “You should not have” (13); etc., etc., etc.

These phrases indicate the concept of consequence.  You should not have… because this is the result! A result they did not desire, and would not appreciate. As Obadiah wrote, “As you have done, it shall be done to you; your reprisal shall return upon your own head” (15).

In conclusion, Obadiah wrote, “Then saviors shall come to Mount Zion to judge the mountains of Esau, and the kingdom shall be the Lord’s” (21).

There is much to be learned here. God’s will is inexorable. What He desires to occur on earth will happen. God’s people will be blessed, and the ungodly will suffer the consequences (cf. 2 Thessalonians 1:3-10). Sin always has unpleasant ramifications. From Adam to eternity, God has and will deal with the transgressions of men. To avoid judgment, we “should not” sin against God.

Many have the idea that as long as you attain a goal, the means of obtaining it is unimportant. This is not true with God. Both the method as well as the result must be sanctioned by the Lord.

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Aaron Collier, in this short lesson, explains that women, and in fact everyone, should define their purpose in life in accord with God’s will.

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Early in Jesus’ Galilean ministry, he went up on a mountain where he taught His disciples. The first section of the discourse, which covers chapters 5 through 7 of Matthew, is referred to as the Beatitudes.

The word “beatitude” is defined as “supreme blessedness.” It is an appropriate description of the blessings that Jesus pronounced upon the righteous in these first 11 verses of Matthew 5. I appreciate the words of McGarvey about these righteous characteristics listed in the text: Continue reading “The Beatitudes of Christ” →

This Jesus, who was crowned with glory following his death (9) is a fitting sacrifice, and a fitting high priest for mankind. The word “fitting” indicates that which is proper or as it should be. In fact, the etymology “to be conspicuous” properly gives the essence, Jesus was the obvious choice to be the “captain of our salvation” (10).

This is shown in His suffering. Remember, the Jews at this time for the most part rejected the idea of a suffering Savior. As Paul wrote, the preaching of the gospel was a “stumbling block to Jews” (1 Corinthians 2:2). They were looking for a triumphant rebellion bringing a restoration of David’s physical throne. What they got was a man who was executed as a criminal.

But, the Hebrew writer says that Jesus was “of one” with those who accepted His redemptive act. “For both He who sanctified and those who are being sanctified are all of one” (11).

Jesus is our elder Brother, and we are so thankful that “He is not ashamed to call [us] brethren” (11).

Paul’s final farewell to the Ephesian elders reveals much about his goals and values as an apostle of Jesus Christ. As we seek to imitate him (cf. 1 Corinthians 11:1), we would do well to examine them and adapt them to our own lives and efforts as Christians.

First, he “served the Lord with all humility” (19). Humble service is a requisite to the Lord’s approval. The Lord “resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6). It is when we humbly submit to God that we are assured of His acceptance. Continue reading “Paul’s Mission Statement” →

“Dead flies putrefy the perfumer’s ointment, and cause it to give off a foul odor; so does a little folly to one respected for wisdom and honor” (Ecclesiastes 10:1).

Odor is something to which we all can relate. All of us have some smell that is extremely unpleasant. Some are universal. Some perhaps personal. But, the idea of something that smells bad serves as a very good, visceral illustration of a damaged reputation.

As the wise man notes,  it doesn’t take much to cause the stink. We know this to be true. Consider our politicians. Newspaper reports that Edmund Muskie broke down and cried during a speech in 1972 led to his campaign defeat, as voters took it as instability. Politicians Gary Hart (1987), Gary Condit (2002), John Edwards (2008), John Ensign (2009), are examples from long list of men who have lost their campaigns or offices as a result of sexual immorality. When marijuana was an issue, almost every candidate denied smoking. Bill Clinton wasn’t able to deny it, so he decided to say he “didn’t inhale.” We could go on and on.

Some might say that it isn’t fair for “a little folly” to ruin the reputation of one “respected for wisdom and honor.” But, that’s the way it is in our world. Know this, that the world looks at your life as a Christian, and is sniffing for that foul odor that a little folly brings. Remember Christ’s words, “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden … Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14,16).

Just as a tornado leaves a path of destruction in its wake, the sinner leaves destruction to himself and others, everywhere he goes.

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The apostle Paul, even while in prison, was positive in outlook, and in his determination to minister to others.We can learn from his example.

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Several weeks ago I made a bit of a big thing with the grandkids, showing them Venus and Jupiter in the western sky. Sawyer and I actually went on the roof to use her telescope (didn’t work, too windy), but they got a kick out of seeing and identifying the planets.

A week from Tuesday, I have read, there will actually be five planets that will be viewable shortly after sunset in the western sky (at least if you have a flat horizon and are away from city lights, and maybe have binoculars). Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Mars and Uranus will all be visible. How do we know that? Well, because of the predictable nature of the planets orbits, combined with a healthy knowledge of physics and higher math. (That means I have no idea where they will be, but others have figured it out and told me). Continue reading “Viewing the Planets” →

In verses 5-9, Paul instructed Timothy to find qualified men to serve as elders in the churches of Crete. This was especially needed at that time because of false teaches described in verses 10-14.

Our text continues this theme, describing the hypocrisy of these evil men, especially the Jews who were seeking to bind the Law upon the brethren.  First, Paul noted that those who are “pure” have liberty in “all things.”  (Context is important here, as Paul is referring to the limitations regarding diet, etc., that were given to the Jews, but were removed when the law was nailed to the cross, cf. Colossians 2:14-17).

In contrast, these evil men claimed to be religious, “They profess to know God”, but their evil hearts brought defilement to them, even as they imbibed in things that otherwise were pure (cf. Romans 14).  Paul was able to discern their hypocrisy (claiming purity, but being defiled) by their actions.  They deny Him, being characterized by disobedience. Thus, qualified elders were needed to deal with them.

“Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away” (James 4:13-14).

It takes a bit of arrogance (or ignorance) to actually believe that you have power over tomorrow. So often we see lives cut short by disease or accident, always with expressed shock and dismay. This is understandable, but the  truth is such events happen often. Continue reading “You Do Not Know What Will Happen Tomorrow!” →