The favored ones are...
Matthew 5:3
When you listen to someone preach or when you sit down to read the Bible, what are you expecting? I remember being taught as a child that the Bible was God’s ‘instruction book.’ So when I would read or listen, I would look for commands to obey - what should I do? How should I live? What are the habits I should develop so that life can be better?
Is that how you’re thinking about Jesus’ teaching now? It would be completely normal to expect a to-do list, complete with rewards and penalties. After all, we can clearly observe cause and effect in the universe. And most of us have a developed sense of justice - if I do right, good things should happen to me.
It would have been normal for Jesus’ disciples to expect this as well. Remember, when Jesus went up the mountain, he was sending the message that God was about to relate to people again, just like he did with Moses. And when Moses ascended the mountain to deliver God’s covenant, God began almost immediately with commands about how his people were to live.
Consider the way that Moses introduced God’s covenant: “And now, Israel, listen to the decrees and laws which I am teaching you, so that you’ll live and go in and take possession of the land...”(Deuteronomy 4:1). Listen and obey and you’ll be rewarded.
So the disciples probably expected an obedience/reward system, and to some degree we probably expect it. And we probably want it. We want to be told, at the end of the day, ‘Good job.’ We want to have the pride of getting something we earned. We want to be able to view ourselves, and have others view us, as doing what’s right. And we want to have control over making sure we can immediately get what we think will make us happy.
But we, and the disciples, would’ve been completely ignoring what Jesus had been doing before this sermon. Remember: God’s Kingdom was on the verge of arriving. And how did one enter it? By ‘repenting.’ And repenting includes the admission that I have broken God’s laws and deserve punishment, not reward. And to push it a little further, it includes the admission that, at the heart level, my desires are rebellious, and my inner-most soul needs to be transformed by God.
There’s one other reason that our expectations of an obedience/reward system would indicate we’ve not been paying attention to Jesus. Remember, Jesus started his ministry by giving out some of the gifts of the Kingdom of God - curing sickness and pain. He didn’t demand that people go live a completely good life out of pure devotion to God, and that then He’d pay them back by healing them. He just healed them, while commanding them to turn the course of their lives Godward.
Still, if we’re honest, we’re asking, “What’s the catch?” We still want to earn rewards. We’re still, like Jesus’ disciples, probably expecting to hear what we’ve got to do.
So when Jesus starts his sermon by saying, “The favored ones are...,” or “Blessed are...,” our world and our expectations get turned on their heads.
Jesus wasn’t giving a list of do’s and don’ts with rewards and penalties, which is what we’d expect. He was simply saying that, since God’s Kingdom via Christ was bursting on the scene, he was about to give gifts to certain people. He’s not saying ‘this is how to get rewarded’; rather, He’s declaring that particular people, particular sinners, are already favored by God.
Now, honestly, there is a catch. God doesn’t give favor to everyone; these gifts aren’t for every individual in the world. God is about to give descriptions of those who he has already chosen to favor.
This shouldn’t come as a surprise, either. After all, God ended the first covenant by declaring Israel - and only Israel - as favored by God. “You are favored, Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the LORD!”(Deuteronomy 33:29). They were favored by God not because they’d done anything good, but simply because God chose to love those who didn’t care about him.
God had favored Israel - they got God’s word, and for a time, would get a homeland. But God’s first declaration of favor did not give them God’s Kingdom. It gave them a temporary picture of it.
Jesus’ declarations here are about something far greater: eternal, happy, relationship with God in his presence. And who are these ‘favored ones’? Jesus is about to describe what their lives will look like; but he’s already told us who they are: those who repent. Perhaps at this point, it would be helpful to define repentance. We’ll look at it from multiple angles to get a good picture of the whole.
Those who repent...
- admit that God exists, and that He determines, and has verbally defined in the Bible, what things are right and wrong. We don’t get to decide what right and wrong is.
- admit that we have broken God’s laws, and experience a sorrow that points us to cry out for the mercy that's only found in Christ.
- admit that our breaking of God’s laws deserves punishment, and that the only way out is God, graciously, not exercising justice against us, but against someone else - namely, Jesus, through the punishment he received.
- admit that not only does our record of sin need to be done away with, but that our hearts are wicked - and that we want God to change our very desires, regardless of how that will change our lives.
- commit themselves to learning what God has commanded us to think, feel, and do - and begin to, though imperfectly, pursue learning and keeping those commands... why because a part of the gift of salvation given to us is a new heart that has this overwhelming desire to love Him.
Now I don't want you to go off thinking that everyone must do exactly what this list says in order to experience true biblical repentance. These are principles based off of Scripture pertaining to those who experience godly sorrow that produces a repentance that leads to salvation... a salvation that's without regret of all that was lost upon receiving it.
Everyone who repents is favored by God, and is receiving His Kingdom - yes they're rewarded for good things done (Rev 19:7-9) - but all as a part of the Gift. He not only grants us the penalty paid for our sins but also grants us righteous deeds that are done through the Holy Spirit in us of which is summed up in the perfect work of Christ. The beauty of this is that we are treated as if we actually did the righteous deeds ourselves (even though we wouldn't and couldn't), and this is all simply based on God’s loving favor and His desire for relationship with us. He loves us, and He favors every sinner who repents. He has already given a particular people favor - it is not something we can earn.
Things you may want to pray about:
- Praise God for loving sinners!
- Praise God for the fact that he gives eternal life.
- If you are ‘repentant,’ praise God for giving repentance to you.
- Praise God for forgiving your sins and putting the judgment you deserve on Christ.
Think about people you know who are not repenting and places in the world where people are not repenting. Those people are not under God’s favor. Ask God to give them the gift of His Kingdom.
Consider things that you need to admit to God in which you’ve not obeyed Him. Ask Him for forgiveness and for help to obey Him. Thank Him that forgiveness and eternal life are gifts.
Consider the ways that you try to earn God’s favor. Or if you don’t try to get happiness in life by religious means, consider the ways that you try to get happiness and hope apart from God (i.e. entertainment, food, sex, friendship). Confess these strivings to earn rewards or joy as sins against God. Thank him for forgiveness. Ask Him to help you enjoy the fact that His Kingdom is truly, completely, an unearned gift that we don’t pay for, because He already did.
Onesimus & James Miles III
Showing posts with label The Kingdom of God. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Kingdom of God. Show all posts
Monday, June 17, 2013
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
The God Who Introduces Himself
And because he saw the crowds, he went up a mountain. And after he sat down, his students came to him. Then, he opened his mouth and began to teach them, saying...
Matthew 5:1-2
What are you thinking about as you sit down to read this today? Maybe you’re thinking, “I really need to feel connected to God.” Maybe you’re thinking, “Well, here we go - I’m going to be disciplined and read some spiritual stuff now.” Maybe you’re a naturally disciplined person, and you’re doing this out of habit - a very good habit - but thinking about other things that you’ve got lined up for the day.
Whatever it is you’re thinking about, I think you’d agree that what we think about is a result of what we long for, and the action of longing comes from an underlying belief that if we get what we long for, we’ll be happier and avoid pain. And that’s normal. As people, we all are on a pursuit to find lasting happiness and avoid pain.
The people who heard and saw Jesus were no different. They heard the promises of a perfect, happy Kingdom which would be given as a gift to everyone who submitted to God’s commands. And they saw the preacher reverse the effects of sin in the world - stopping sickness, pain, and even death. Word spread, and people gathered. Like us, these people wanted to be happy. And this guy looked like a good candidate to give them what they wanted.
He went up the mountain...
Jesus responded to the gathered crowds by going up a mountain. Now, Matthew, who was one of Jesus’ students who was there, and who wrote this book, isn’t trying to be a good storyteller in telling us that Jesus went up a mountain. He’s not trying to simply give us a setting for this sermon; there are no other setting elements. Further, Jesus intentionally went up the mountain. He was sending a message by his actions along with his words that would shock the crowds (7:29).
This is why Jesus’ ascending the mountain would’ve been surprising. The most important prophet in Israel’s history was Moses. That’s because God established his relationship, technically ‘covenant,’ with Israel, through Moses. Moses was commanded to ascend a mountain to get the terms of the covenant from God to deliver them to the people. And when he did, God, accompanied by darkness, thunder and lightning, from the mountain, verbally announced his Law to the whole nation. They were, understandably, terrified. (See Exodus 19-20.)
God’s covenant with Israel included laws, and it also included promises - promises that were ultimately for the forgiveness of sins and eternal joyful life in God’s presence. The God who had announced himself to all of Israel was certainly scary, but he was also certainly good and loving - and could be trusted. God had introduced himself to Israel way back then - and it was an act of favor to people who had no real, lasting hope.
So when Jesus, the herald of God’s coming Kingdom, went up a mountain he was sending a message. God was about to speak again. God was about to introduce himself. God was about to initiate relationship with man.
Humans were about to see the glory and hear the voice of the God who loves.
He sat down...
When Jesus sat down, he was taking the cultural posture of a preacher in that day. It was as if he was getting behind a pulpit. His students, or disciples, came to him. They were committed to his teaching before this point; but now their attention was really grabbed. And why wouldn’t it be? What experience would be more momentous than God relating to you?
He opened His mouth and taught...
Matthew then tells us that Jesus opened his mouth and taught. On a quick reading, one might pass over that phrase ‘opened his mouth’ as just a strange manner of speaking of ancient people. But it wasn’t. Matthew, reflecting back on this sermon years later, purposefully said ‘Jesus opened his mouth.’
The reason for this is that in the past God is said to have opened the prophets’ mouths - particularly Moses’. That’s an idiom for saying that he gave them the words to say. They were acting as prophets - speaking God’s words. Matthew wrote this to clue us in on this startling fact: Jesus was speaking about the eternal Kingdom of God based on his own authority over it. He opened his own mouth.
Matthew didn’t understand that at this point. But it would just be a short time after this that Jesus would be publicly and brutally murdered. Matthew and the others were scared out of their minds. For a couple days, anyway. Then Jesus rose from the dead and came back to his students. They went up the same mountain together, probably recalling the first time they’d ascended it; and then, Jesus told them clearly: “All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me”(28:20).
In that sentence, Jesus claimed to have sovereignty over everything that exists. And when he did, the disciples probably thought back to the first time he ascended this mountain - and remembered with awe - they were not just hearing God’s words given to them by a prophet like Moses, though that would in itself be amazing. No - they sat in the presence of God himself, as God himself spoke to them, based on his own authority as creator of everything they could see, everything they couldn’t see, and every event that would ever take place in space and time.
They weren’t just hearing from a prophet of God. They were actually with God. Or, to be a little more precise, God had come down to be with them.
After rising from the dead, Jesus also told them to announce his teachings to every culture on earth, because he would grant some people entry into his Kingdom. And he promised that he would be with his students always, until the end of the world (28:19-20).
But how would he be with his disciples? Because it certainly doesn’t look or feel like he is here sometimes. Simple - the same way he had done so with the disciples before. By his word. By his teaching... as he governs and controls everything that exists.
Jesus’ disciples didn’t see a cloud of darkness and fire descend on a mountain, with thunder and lightning, and the terror-inducing voice of God like Moses and the ancient Israelites did. They saw a man who they liked, who was righteous, who did miracles - and they sat with him. And they would look back on that moment and be in awe: “We sat with God!”
But that God - Jesus - is still the one who is in charge of everything. And he still comes to relate to people by the words that Matthew and the other disciples recorded. When we come to these words of Jesus, we are coming to more than a religious document, a self-help manual, a list of rules, or a historical writing. We are coming to God himself, just as Jesus’ students were.
But unlike the disciples we can know it now. Jesus came and announced a new Kingdom. He announced the forgiveness of our apathy towards God and the breaking of his laws. He showed what that kingdom would be like by reversing suffering in the world. And he promised to be with us forever.
If you have turned to him as God, away from yourself, he is with you. When you sit down with his word, depending on him to hear from him, God himself, is sitting down with you, to talk to you. And one day, you will be in the physical presence of Jesus. You’ll actually hear his voice, and you’ll actually see his kindness as he listens to you.
Things you may want to pray about:
1. It’s very easy to forget that the greatest gift God gives to people is the experience of knowing him... so thank him for stooping down in love to us so that we could know him, because of Christ.
2. Think of people in your life: friends, family, people in your church, people around the world. Think of places in the world where God isn’t known. Ask God to make himself known to those people and in those places so that they can know him.
3. Think about the things on earth that you trust in to make you happy that aren’t God. Tell God you’re sorry for turning to those things instead of trusting him for joy. Ask him for help.
4. Ask God to deepen your knowledge of him and your love for him. He’ll do this by showing you more and more of his own glory.
Grace and Peace,
Onesimus
Matthew 5:1-2
What are you thinking about as you sit down to read this today? Maybe you’re thinking, “I really need to feel connected to God.” Maybe you’re thinking, “Well, here we go - I’m going to be disciplined and read some spiritual stuff now.” Maybe you’re a naturally disciplined person, and you’re doing this out of habit - a very good habit - but thinking about other things that you’ve got lined up for the day.
Whatever it is you’re thinking about, I think you’d agree that what we think about is a result of what we long for, and the action of longing comes from an underlying belief that if we get what we long for, we’ll be happier and avoid pain. And that’s normal. As people, we all are on a pursuit to find lasting happiness and avoid pain.
The people who heard and saw Jesus were no different. They heard the promises of a perfect, happy Kingdom which would be given as a gift to everyone who submitted to God’s commands. And they saw the preacher reverse the effects of sin in the world - stopping sickness, pain, and even death. Word spread, and people gathered. Like us, these people wanted to be happy. And this guy looked like a good candidate to give them what they wanted.
He went up the mountain...
Jesus responded to the gathered crowds by going up a mountain. Now, Matthew, who was one of Jesus’ students who was there, and who wrote this book, isn’t trying to be a good storyteller in telling us that Jesus went up a mountain. He’s not trying to simply give us a setting for this sermon; there are no other setting elements. Further, Jesus intentionally went up the mountain. He was sending a message by his actions along with his words that would shock the crowds (7:29).
This is why Jesus’ ascending the mountain would’ve been surprising. The most important prophet in Israel’s history was Moses. That’s because God established his relationship, technically ‘covenant,’ with Israel, through Moses. Moses was commanded to ascend a mountain to get the terms of the covenant from God to deliver them to the people. And when he did, God, accompanied by darkness, thunder and lightning, from the mountain, verbally announced his Law to the whole nation. They were, understandably, terrified. (See Exodus 19-20.)
God’s covenant with Israel included laws, and it also included promises - promises that were ultimately for the forgiveness of sins and eternal joyful life in God’s presence. The God who had announced himself to all of Israel was certainly scary, but he was also certainly good and loving - and could be trusted. God had introduced himself to Israel way back then - and it was an act of favor to people who had no real, lasting hope.
So when Jesus, the herald of God’s coming Kingdom, went up a mountain he was sending a message. God was about to speak again. God was about to introduce himself. God was about to initiate relationship with man.
Humans were about to see the glory and hear the voice of the God who loves.
He sat down...
When Jesus sat down, he was taking the cultural posture of a preacher in that day. It was as if he was getting behind a pulpit. His students, or disciples, came to him. They were committed to his teaching before this point; but now their attention was really grabbed. And why wouldn’t it be? What experience would be more momentous than God relating to you?
He opened His mouth and taught...
Matthew then tells us that Jesus opened his mouth and taught. On a quick reading, one might pass over that phrase ‘opened his mouth’ as just a strange manner of speaking of ancient people. But it wasn’t. Matthew, reflecting back on this sermon years later, purposefully said ‘Jesus opened his mouth.’
The reason for this is that in the past God is said to have opened the prophets’ mouths - particularly Moses’. That’s an idiom for saying that he gave them the words to say. They were acting as prophets - speaking God’s words. Matthew wrote this to clue us in on this startling fact: Jesus was speaking about the eternal Kingdom of God based on his own authority over it. He opened his own mouth.
Matthew didn’t understand that at this point. But it would just be a short time after this that Jesus would be publicly and brutally murdered. Matthew and the others were scared out of their minds. For a couple days, anyway. Then Jesus rose from the dead and came back to his students. They went up the same mountain together, probably recalling the first time they’d ascended it; and then, Jesus told them clearly: “All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me”(28:20).
In that sentence, Jesus claimed to have sovereignty over everything that exists. And when he did, the disciples probably thought back to the first time he ascended this mountain - and remembered with awe - they were not just hearing God’s words given to them by a prophet like Moses, though that would in itself be amazing. No - they sat in the presence of God himself, as God himself spoke to them, based on his own authority as creator of everything they could see, everything they couldn’t see, and every event that would ever take place in space and time.
They weren’t just hearing from a prophet of God. They were actually with God. Or, to be a little more precise, God had come down to be with them.
After rising from the dead, Jesus also told them to announce his teachings to every culture on earth, because he would grant some people entry into his Kingdom. And he promised that he would be with his students always, until the end of the world (28:19-20).
But how would he be with his disciples? Because it certainly doesn’t look or feel like he is here sometimes. Simple - the same way he had done so with the disciples before. By his word. By his teaching... as he governs and controls everything that exists.
Jesus’ disciples didn’t see a cloud of darkness and fire descend on a mountain, with thunder and lightning, and the terror-inducing voice of God like Moses and the ancient Israelites did. They saw a man who they liked, who was righteous, who did miracles - and they sat with him. And they would look back on that moment and be in awe: “We sat with God!”
But that God - Jesus - is still the one who is in charge of everything. And he still comes to relate to people by the words that Matthew and the other disciples recorded. When we come to these words of Jesus, we are coming to more than a religious document, a self-help manual, a list of rules, or a historical writing. We are coming to God himself, just as Jesus’ students were.
But unlike the disciples we can know it now. Jesus came and announced a new Kingdom. He announced the forgiveness of our apathy towards God and the breaking of his laws. He showed what that kingdom would be like by reversing suffering in the world. And he promised to be with us forever.
If you have turned to him as God, away from yourself, he is with you. When you sit down with his word, depending on him to hear from him, God himself, is sitting down with you, to talk to you. And one day, you will be in the physical presence of Jesus. You’ll actually hear his voice, and you’ll actually see his kindness as he listens to you.
Things you may want to pray about:
1. It’s very easy to forget that the greatest gift God gives to people is the experience of knowing him... so thank him for stooping down in love to us so that we could know him, because of Christ.
2. Think of people in your life: friends, family, people in your church, people around the world. Think of places in the world where God isn’t known. Ask God to make himself known to those people and in those places so that they can know him.
3. Think about the things on earth that you trust in to make you happy that aren’t God. Tell God you’re sorry for turning to those things instead of trusting him for joy. Ask him for help.
4. Ask God to deepen your knowledge of him and your love for him. He’ll do this by showing you more and more of his own glory.
Grace and Peace,
Onesimus
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Tornados are God's kindness
If you've been following the news, you saw the massive destruction that a tornado wrought in southern Indiana.
Now, I admit it. I wrote the title of this article to get your attention. Tornados aren't perfectly kind; they're, in fact, partially God judging the world.
That said, there are at least two reasons why tornados are in fact, God's being kind to the world.
1) We deserve, for our treason against our Holy Creator, the eternal hell of torment. Anything less is kind. I don't plan on defending that here, but if that's an issue for you, write, and we will address it.
2) Natural disasters are a reminder that the end of the world is near. Jesus and his apostles taught that the end of the world would be preceded by natural disasters, financial ruin, and other calamities. It is kind for God to remind us that Jesus is returning to judge the world. That's an event for which we should be prepared.
As I worshiped God this morning, I read this verse: The end of all things is at hand; therefore, be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. (1 Peter 4:7)
The phrase 'the end of all things is at hand' should jar us. Everything we know is about to come to an end. The next major event in human history doesn't involve politics or nations or teachers or people who will be made popular in the media. The next major event in human history is the revelation of Jesus Christ in all of the glory that he has possessed since eternity past.
At that time, he will judge, destroy, and re-create the world. At that time those who have obeyed him will enter into his new world in joy! And those who have not obeyed him will begin to be tormented for their rebellion.
That is the next major event in human history. As a result, God instructs us to be self-controlled and sober-minded. Those are very 'spiritual' words. People usually don't use them unless they're citing Scripture.
Self-controlled means that we're to do everything we do in life with purpose. We are never to do things by default. We are to make decisions about our activities based on the fact that the world, and everything and everyone we know and love, is coming to an end very, very soon.
Sober-minded means that we are to think in terms of reality. Reality means that the most important things aren't what we're having for dinner. Or what kind of education your kids will have. Or what promotion you're shooting for at work. Or what friends you'll spend time with tonight. Those things aren't bad - but they are of no importance unless they are seen in light of the return of God incarnate to his world. In other words, 'sober-minded' means "Wake up, and snap out of stupid!" It is stupid to be mentally involved in things without a serious eye to why everything exists and towards what end it is careening.
So, as a result of the end being very soon, we're to be self-controlled and sober-minded. God tells us that there's a particular purpose that he wants us thinking seriously, though. That is, our prayers.
This is probably inclusive of both prayers as a local church body, gathered, and prayers as individuals on their own. We are to pray in light of the end of all things. And indeed, it's sort of intuitive that if our mind is towards the end, we will pray!
Let me end with a few application questions.
1) How much do you pray?
2) What practically can you do to increase both your private and public practices of prayer?
3) What do you pray about? Do your prayers reflect the fact that the end is near?
4) Can you make a list of things you ought to pray about and discipline yourself to pray for regularly?
5) What do you spend time thinking about? What practices would be helpful for you to keep 'sober-minded' and to remember that 'the end is at hand'?
Onesimus
Now, I admit it. I wrote the title of this article to get your attention. Tornados aren't perfectly kind; they're, in fact, partially God judging the world.
That said, there are at least two reasons why tornados are in fact, God's being kind to the world.
1) We deserve, for our treason against our Holy Creator, the eternal hell of torment. Anything less is kind. I don't plan on defending that here, but if that's an issue for you, write, and we will address it.
2) Natural disasters are a reminder that the end of the world is near. Jesus and his apostles taught that the end of the world would be preceded by natural disasters, financial ruin, and other calamities. It is kind for God to remind us that Jesus is returning to judge the world. That's an event for which we should be prepared.
As I worshiped God this morning, I read this verse: The end of all things is at hand; therefore, be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. (1 Peter 4:7)
The phrase 'the end of all things is at hand' should jar us. Everything we know is about to come to an end. The next major event in human history doesn't involve politics or nations or teachers or people who will be made popular in the media. The next major event in human history is the revelation of Jesus Christ in all of the glory that he has possessed since eternity past.
At that time, he will judge, destroy, and re-create the world. At that time those who have obeyed him will enter into his new world in joy! And those who have not obeyed him will begin to be tormented for their rebellion.
That is the next major event in human history. As a result, God instructs us to be self-controlled and sober-minded. Those are very 'spiritual' words. People usually don't use them unless they're citing Scripture.
Self-controlled means that we're to do everything we do in life with purpose. We are never to do things by default. We are to make decisions about our activities based on the fact that the world, and everything and everyone we know and love, is coming to an end very, very soon.
Sober-minded means that we are to think in terms of reality. Reality means that the most important things aren't what we're having for dinner. Or what kind of education your kids will have. Or what promotion you're shooting for at work. Or what friends you'll spend time with tonight. Those things aren't bad - but they are of no importance unless they are seen in light of the return of God incarnate to his world. In other words, 'sober-minded' means "Wake up, and snap out of stupid!" It is stupid to be mentally involved in things without a serious eye to why everything exists and towards what end it is careening.
So, as a result of the end being very soon, we're to be self-controlled and sober-minded. God tells us that there's a particular purpose that he wants us thinking seriously, though. That is, our prayers.
This is probably inclusive of both prayers as a local church body, gathered, and prayers as individuals on their own. We are to pray in light of the end of all things. And indeed, it's sort of intuitive that if our mind is towards the end, we will pray!
Let me end with a few application questions.
1) How much do you pray?
2) What practically can you do to increase both your private and public practices of prayer?
3) What do you pray about? Do your prayers reflect the fact that the end is near?
4) Can you make a list of things you ought to pray about and discipline yourself to pray for regularly?
5) What do you spend time thinking about? What practices would be helpful for you to keep 'sober-minded' and to remember that 'the end is at hand'?
Onesimus
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
The Bible speaks on inflation?
As I sit here thinking about what just happened in my house I see God answering my prayer to help my wife & I react supernaturally instead of fleshly when “bad” things happen. Just after praying before laying it down for the night my wife noticed a dripping sound but couldn’t find where it originated. We eventually found that the ceiling of the lower level of our house had water spots that we had never noticed any other time. Upon further inspection we found that the ceiling was wet & that the water was coming from our furnace & water heater closet on the upper level. We came to see that the overflow pan & pipe going from it to the drain wasn’t sealed properly so the water had made a puddle & was seeping through the floor down to the ceiling of the lower level. You may be wondering how this has anything to do with inflation in the Bible right.
When this first happened my mind went reeling about the fact that due to the economic troubles in our nation my company hasn’t given management a raise in more than four years… & you guessed it I’m in lower management. So in essence I’ve received a pay cut because the cost of benefits has more than doubled & that has nothing to do with the cost of living pertaining to groceries, fuel, utilities, insurance, living expenses… etc. I began to think how difficult it is to save money & the issues we have that constantly arise.
Rev. 6 is about the seals being broken on the scroll that Christ took from the right hand (right hand symbolic of having all dominion, power & authority) of the One who is seated on the throne in heaven. Once read we see that each of the first four seals has to do with judgments authorized by the Lamb (Christ) upon those who dwell on the earth that DO NOT worship the Lamb. These earth dwellers are in stark contrast to those who live on earth & worship the Lamb. Everything in the book of Rev. is black & white, bad vs. good, light vs. darkness, the righteous kingdom of the Lamb vs. the wicked kingdom of the dragon… etc. (I think you get the picture). What is of major significance is what’s said in Rev 6:5-6…
When he opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come!” And I looked, and behold, a black horse! And its rider had a pair of scales in his hand. And I heard what seemed to be a voice in the midst of the four living creatures, saying, “A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius, and do not harm the oil and wine!” (Revelation 6:5-6 ESV)
And its rider had a pair of scales in his hand…
What we notice here is the rider on the black horse having a pair of scales in his hand. These scales would be likened to a pair of scales used in biblical times during a season of scarcity/famine. These scales are not to be confused with the scales of justice. The point here is that a source of measurement is needed to ration out resources due to shortages. Shortages cause inflation & that goes for perceived shortages as well.
And I heard what seemed to be a voice in the midst of the four living creatures, saying…
The voice coming from the midst of the four living creatures would be none other than the voice of the Lamb that just appeared there in Rev. 5:6. According to the text this Lamb is now ruling over all inhabitants of heaven & earth... He has all glory & dominion. (Rev. 1:5-6; Rev. 5)
And I heard what seemed to be a voice in the midst of the four living creatures, saying, “A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius,
So the Lamb states that a quart of wheat will be sold for a denarius. A person would work one day’s labor to receive one denarius (our equivalent to an eight hour shift). One quart of wheat was our equivalent to one meal. In normal circumstances it would cost 1/8 to 1/10 of a denarius to purchase one meal. What the voice from the midst of the four living creatures stated drove the price of one meal to a whole day’s wage. This is the price of one meal (one quart of wheat) inflated 800 to 1000%!! The same concept applies to the three quarts of barley. So we see inflation is used by the Lamb as an act of preliminary judgment on the inhabitants of the earth.
and do not harm the oil and wine!”
Now we see that this judgment of famine and or inflation (that can actually be triggered by any one of the first three “seal” judgments) is limited by the Lamb as well. These are preliminary judgments that keep reoccurring at different times & places on the earth until the 6th seal/final judgment is executed. These judgments aren’t comprehensive because of the following reasons:
1. It’s not all of the earth being conquered by military conquest (seal #1)
2. It’s not all of the people on the earth slaying (killing) one another (seal #2)
3. It’s not all resources/places (foods, fuels, countries, classes) effected simultaneously (seal #3)
4. It’s not all people that will die by being violently killed, famine, disease & killed by wild beast... it’s just a fourth of the earth (seal # 4)
We also see in Rev. 6:9-11 & chapter 7 the reason why these judgments are limited (subject to parameters) & are set as precursors to the final wrath to come. It’s for the sake of those who are and will become followers of Christ. We see that while these preliminary judgments are being executed by the Lamb the people that were purchased by Him for God (Rev. 5) are living on the earth as well. So Christ holds back the severity of His wrath for the sake of His people who are still on earth. This is why Peter says:
This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both of them I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles, knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.” For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God, and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.
But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.
Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
(2 Peter 3:1-13 ESV)
Christ hasn’t come back to execute the full wrath of God because the number of those set apart to be martyred for the Faith (Rev 6:9-11) & also the number of those who will come to repentance have yet to do so.
So why is it important to understand & live according to what's just been covered? It’s all about the implications for our lives in this present age. The implications are many but here’s a few:
1. There’s a blessing for those that understand & keep/live according to what’s written in Rev… Rev. 1:3
2. Christ is in complete control of everything that is happening in our lives from the grandest to the minutest of details. He’s actually authorizing it.
3. Christ tells us that we are no longer considered slaves because slaves don’t know what the master’s doing. (John 15:15) The book of the Rev. of Jesus Christ is just that… it reveals what our Master is doing & through that it prepares us for all the things we’ll experience before His return.
4. Not only does this prepare us for what we’ll go through but it gives us a hope that unbelievers don’t have while we go through it. That all things work together for the good of those that love Him & are called according to His purpose. (Rom 8:28) The Rev. keeps emphasizing persevering to the end while giving us a beautiful picture of the end found nowhere else in Scripture. This picture causes us to fix our hope completely on the grace that’s to be given to us at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (1 Pet 1:13)
5. We as believers experience all of the same trauma in life that unbelievers do… we get robbed, have cancer, experience death, accidents, birth mentally handicapped children & the list goes on & on… the difference between us & them is that we SHOULD (based off of Who we know & what we know of Him) react & live through it in a way that brings attention to the hope that we have in Christ therefore causing unbelievers to question what it is we have that they don’t.
So how did knowing that Christ from His throne is authorizing lack/inflation as a judgment help me not to jump into a self-indulged pity party?
1. It caused me to be thankful for the test because it made me to see that this is God keeping His promise to conform me to His image. My pastor has said that Honda doesn’t put their cars through rigorous testing to prove that they fail, Honda does it to prove that they don’t fail (Mark Vroegop; www.yourchurch.com)… in the same way God puts us through testing to prove to us He doesn’t fail therefore giving us a barometer for where we’re at spiritually. It helps me keep in mind that testing points out where my heart is in proximity to the heart of Christ. It helps me realign my focus back on the things that matter.
2. It helps me see the fruit of the Spirit at work in me in that He’s changing me & working out His will & Word in my life… causing me to trust that even though I can't physically see what I need He has already set aside all that I will need for what He knew was going to happen. (1 Pet 1:5-7)
3. That this trial is actually Him being faithful to me. (Ps 119:75)
4. That the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials & to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the Day of Judgment. (2 Pet 2:6-10)… all that to show how He takes care of His. (Matt 6:25-33)
Grace & Peace,
James Miles
When this first happened my mind went reeling about the fact that due to the economic troubles in our nation my company hasn’t given management a raise in more than four years… & you guessed it I’m in lower management. So in essence I’ve received a pay cut because the cost of benefits has more than doubled & that has nothing to do with the cost of living pertaining to groceries, fuel, utilities, insurance, living expenses… etc. I began to think how difficult it is to save money & the issues we have that constantly arise.
Rev. 6 is about the seals being broken on the scroll that Christ took from the right hand (right hand symbolic of having all dominion, power & authority) of the One who is seated on the throne in heaven. Once read we see that each of the first four seals has to do with judgments authorized by the Lamb (Christ) upon those who dwell on the earth that DO NOT worship the Lamb. These earth dwellers are in stark contrast to those who live on earth & worship the Lamb. Everything in the book of Rev. is black & white, bad vs. good, light vs. darkness, the righteous kingdom of the Lamb vs. the wicked kingdom of the dragon… etc. (I think you get the picture). What is of major significance is what’s said in Rev 6:5-6…
When he opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come!” And I looked, and behold, a black horse! And its rider had a pair of scales in his hand. And I heard what seemed to be a voice in the midst of the four living creatures, saying, “A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius, and do not harm the oil and wine!” (Revelation 6:5-6 ESV)
And its rider had a pair of scales in his hand…
What we notice here is the rider on the black horse having a pair of scales in his hand. These scales would be likened to a pair of scales used in biblical times during a season of scarcity/famine. These scales are not to be confused with the scales of justice. The point here is that a source of measurement is needed to ration out resources due to shortages. Shortages cause inflation & that goes for perceived shortages as well.
And I heard what seemed to be a voice in the midst of the four living creatures, saying…
The voice coming from the midst of the four living creatures would be none other than the voice of the Lamb that just appeared there in Rev. 5:6. According to the text this Lamb is now ruling over all inhabitants of heaven & earth... He has all glory & dominion. (Rev. 1:5-6; Rev. 5)
And I heard what seemed to be a voice in the midst of the four living creatures, saying, “A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius,
So the Lamb states that a quart of wheat will be sold for a denarius. A person would work one day’s labor to receive one denarius (our equivalent to an eight hour shift). One quart of wheat was our equivalent to one meal. In normal circumstances it would cost 1/8 to 1/10 of a denarius to purchase one meal. What the voice from the midst of the four living creatures stated drove the price of one meal to a whole day’s wage. This is the price of one meal (one quart of wheat) inflated 800 to 1000%!! The same concept applies to the three quarts of barley. So we see inflation is used by the Lamb as an act of preliminary judgment on the inhabitants of the earth.
and do not harm the oil and wine!”
Now we see that this judgment of famine and or inflation (that can actually be triggered by any one of the first three “seal” judgments) is limited by the Lamb as well. These are preliminary judgments that keep reoccurring at different times & places on the earth until the 6th seal/final judgment is executed. These judgments aren’t comprehensive because of the following reasons:
1. It’s not all of the earth being conquered by military conquest (seal #1)
2. It’s not all of the people on the earth slaying (killing) one another (seal #2)
3. It’s not all resources/places (foods, fuels, countries, classes) effected simultaneously (seal #3)
4. It’s not all people that will die by being violently killed, famine, disease & killed by wild beast... it’s just a fourth of the earth (seal # 4)
We also see in Rev. 6:9-11 & chapter 7 the reason why these judgments are limited (subject to parameters) & are set as precursors to the final wrath to come. It’s for the sake of those who are and will become followers of Christ. We see that while these preliminary judgments are being executed by the Lamb the people that were purchased by Him for God (Rev. 5) are living on the earth as well. So Christ holds back the severity of His wrath for the sake of His people who are still on earth. This is why Peter says:
This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both of them I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles, knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.” For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God, and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.
But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.
Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
(2 Peter 3:1-13 ESV)
Christ hasn’t come back to execute the full wrath of God because the number of those set apart to be martyred for the Faith (Rev 6:9-11) & also the number of those who will come to repentance have yet to do so.
So why is it important to understand & live according to what's just been covered? It’s all about the implications for our lives in this present age. The implications are many but here’s a few:
1. There’s a blessing for those that understand & keep/live according to what’s written in Rev… Rev. 1:3
2. Christ is in complete control of everything that is happening in our lives from the grandest to the minutest of details. He’s actually authorizing it.
3. Christ tells us that we are no longer considered slaves because slaves don’t know what the master’s doing. (John 15:15) The book of the Rev. of Jesus Christ is just that… it reveals what our Master is doing & through that it prepares us for all the things we’ll experience before His return.
4. Not only does this prepare us for what we’ll go through but it gives us a hope that unbelievers don’t have while we go through it. That all things work together for the good of those that love Him & are called according to His purpose. (Rom 8:28) The Rev. keeps emphasizing persevering to the end while giving us a beautiful picture of the end found nowhere else in Scripture. This picture causes us to fix our hope completely on the grace that’s to be given to us at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (1 Pet 1:13)
5. We as believers experience all of the same trauma in life that unbelievers do… we get robbed, have cancer, experience death, accidents, birth mentally handicapped children & the list goes on & on… the difference between us & them is that we SHOULD (based off of Who we know & what we know of Him) react & live through it in a way that brings attention to the hope that we have in Christ therefore causing unbelievers to question what it is we have that they don’t.
So how did knowing that Christ from His throne is authorizing lack/inflation as a judgment help me not to jump into a self-indulged pity party?
1. It caused me to be thankful for the test because it made me to see that this is God keeping His promise to conform me to His image. My pastor has said that Honda doesn’t put their cars through rigorous testing to prove that they fail, Honda does it to prove that they don’t fail (Mark Vroegop; www.yourchurch.com)… in the same way God puts us through testing to prove to us He doesn’t fail therefore giving us a barometer for where we’re at spiritually. It helps me keep in mind that testing points out where my heart is in proximity to the heart of Christ. It helps me realign my focus back on the things that matter.
2. It helps me see the fruit of the Spirit at work in me in that He’s changing me & working out His will & Word in my life… causing me to trust that even though I can't physically see what I need He has already set aside all that I will need for what He knew was going to happen. (1 Pet 1:5-7)
3. That this trial is actually Him being faithful to me. (Ps 119:75)
4. That the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials & to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the Day of Judgment. (2 Pet 2:6-10)… all that to show how He takes care of His. (Matt 6:25-33)
Grace & Peace,
James Miles
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Teach Us, Lord, to Pray The Lord’s Prayer
Introduction
If we’re honest, most of us would admit that we need help in the area of prayer. Thankfully we’re not alone. One of Jesus’ disciples, after watching him pray, asked, “Lord, teach us to pray”(Luke 11:1).
Jesus responded with the prayer that came to be known as “The Lord’s Prayer.” He provided us with this pattern of prayer to teach us what our prayers should include. Praying through the Lord’s Prayer is an excellent way to improve the content of your prayers and your communion with God. It’s also an excellent way to learn to pray with others. Notice that there’s no ‘I,’ ‘me,’ or ‘my’ in the prayer!
As you approach the first station, ask God to teach you to pray and to draw near to you.
Station 1 - Our Father
Jesus taught us to begin our prayers ‘our Father,’ because it shows us that we are not praying to earn God’s favor. We already have his favor because of what Christ did for us in his life, death, and resurrection.
Here are some specific ways to pray:
1. Praise God for the fact that he loved us, his people from every tongue, tribe, people and nation, and gave his Son to die in our place.
...but God shows his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)
2. Praise God that he raised Christ from the dead, and through Jesus’ resurrection, he has birthed us into his family.
He gave us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead (1 Peter 1:3)
3. Praise God that one day all of his people, from every corner of the globe, will see Christ face to face and enter into glory forever.
Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared, but we know that when he appears, we will be like him, because we will see him as he is (1 John 3:2)
Station 2 - in heaven
Jesus taught us to approach God not only as our Father, but our Father who is in heaven. He did this to remind us that God not only loves us dearly, but is holy. That is to say, he is separate from all of his creation, not only in his moral perfection, but also in his being. He alone is God over all, from whom, through whom, and for whom are all things.
Here are some specific ways to pray:
1. Praise God for the fact that he has created all things, and that all things exist by his will.
Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, since you created all things... (Revelation 4:11)
2. Praise God for the fact that everything that happens is according to his will and ultimately, for him.
...from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be glory forever! Amen. (Romans 11:36)
3. Praise God for his holiness: he alone is God and worthy of praise!
...you alone, whose name is Yahweh, are the Most High over all the earth. (Psalm 83:18)
Station 3 - Sanctify Your name!
The first request Jesus taught us to make of the Father is that he set his name apart from every other name, or in other words, that he glorify himself. Some have said that this request is the controlling request for all prayer - that God would help us to pray for the things that would honor him. This is part of what it means to pray ‘in Jesus’ name’ - namely, to pray for the things that would honor Jesus.
In this request, we admit our inability to glorify God as he deserves, and ask him to glorify himself in our prayers and in the world.
Here are some specific ways to pray:
1. Pray that the requests that you are about to make would be honoring to God.
O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. (Psalm 51:15)
If you abide in me and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit (John 15:7)
Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son (John 14:13)
1. Pray that God would be worshipped by every tongue, tribe, people and nation.
Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you! (Psalm 67:3)
2. Pray that God would remove idolatry and lusts from the earth and replace those longings with a desire for him.
God said, “I am Yahweh! That is my name! I will not share my glory with anyone else, or the praise due me with idols!” (Isaiah 42:8)
Station 4 - May your kingdom come
When Jesus taught us to pray for the Kingdom of God to come, he was teaching us to pray two things, because the Kingdom of God is coming in two stages.
First, the Kingdom of God comes when the Gospel is preached and the Holy Spirit makes it effective by bringing a sinner to a love of Jesus. “He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (Col 1:13-14)
Second, the Kingdom of God will come when Jesus returns to this world and sets the world to rights, bringing justice to the world. “Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, ‘the Kingdom of this world has become the Kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever!’” (Rev 11:15)
So, in this request, we are asking both for the advance of the Gospel in the world and expressing our desire for Jesus to return to gather us to himself.
Here are some specific ways to pray:
1. Pray for boldness, love and opportunities for yourself and others you know to tell the Gospel to unbelievers. (Acts 4:31)
2. Pray for missionaries that you know of, for their closeness to God and boldness in speaking the Gospel. (Colossians 4:3-4)
3. Pray that God would grant repentance unto eternal life to people you know and to people to whom missionaries are evangelizing. (1 Timothy 2:1)
4. Pray that God would raise up missionaries and send them to places and ethnic groups among whom Christ is not being proclaimed. (Matthew 9:37-38)
5. Pray that the Lord would come quickly. (Revelation 22:20)
Station 5 - May your will be done on earth as it is in heaven
Jesus taught us to pray that the Father would have his will done on this earth. God’s will, in the Gospel of Matthew, means obedience to Jesus’ commands. So when we pray ‘may your will be done,’ we’re admitting our inability to obey God while also acknowledging God’s ability to cause us to obey his laws.
And not only are we praying for ourselves, but all disciples of Christ among every ethnic group throughout the world.
Consider some of the ways our Lord described the ethics of his Kingdom, and pray for help in obeying his commandments, not only for yourself, but for all God’s children.
Here are some of the commandments our Lord gave his Church. Pray that God would grant us all help in obeying them.
1. Rejoice in the midst of persecution, because our reward is in heaven (Matt 5:12)
2. Emulate Christ’s character in the world so that people will come to know and worship him (Matt 5:16)
3. Don’t be angry with fellow-Christian; rather, make sure that there is harmony and love in Christian relationships (Matt 5:22-24)
4. Don’t long for someone who’s not your spouse; rather, take drastic action to escape temptation and sin (Matt 5:28-29)
5. Always keep your word, since every word we speak is spoken in the presence of God (Matt 5:37)
6. Love, be kind to, and pray for the ones who hurt you (Matt 5:44-48)
7. Do righteous deeds for the glory of God - not to receive glory from people (Matt 6:1-6)
8. Set your longings and work on treasures in heaven, not for things on earth (Matt 6:19-24)
9. Don’t be anxious; rather, trust our loving and sovereign God (Matt 6:25-34)
10. Don’t be condemning towards other believers; rather, focus on repenting of your own sins and lovingly help them do the same (Matt 7:1-5)
11. Value the glory of the Gospel more than even people (Matt 7:6)
12. Ask God for the good things pertaining to his Kingdom (Matt 7:7-11)
13. Consider how we’d like to be treated, and then treat others that way (Matt 7:12)
14. Watch out for false teachers. Their lives and doctrine do not accord with Jesus’ teaching (Matt 7:15)
Station 6 - Give us this day our daily bread
When Jesus taught us to ask the Father for our daily bread, he spoke against two tendencies we have. Those two tendencies are, first, the belief that we are independent and capable of supporting ourselves, and second, the belief that our focus should be our distant, earthly future.
The fact is this: we depend on God’s holy pleasure for our continued existence, even in this very moment. Much more, we depend on his good pleasure for our doing his will and sanctifying his name.
Here are some steps to follow in praying this request:
1. Take a minute to think about what you need to live in this world for God’s glory.
2. Admit your complete dependence on God, and ask him to provide to you what you need.
3. Take a moment to thank God for the things he’s given you in the last day.
4. Take a moment to think about the needs of others in Christ’s global Church, including even emotional needs.
5. Pray that God would give his people what they need to serve him well.
Station 7 - Forgive us our debts
Our actions, every day, come infinitely short of what we owe to God. When we pray ‘forgive us our debts,’ we admit that God is worthy of glory, and we have not honored him as he deserves. We also confess that he can and will give us entry into his Kingdom despite our lawlessness, based on Jesus’ obedience to God, not ours.
Here are some steps to follow in asking God for forgiveness:
1. Think about the past day and what God deserved from your efforts, emotions, and time this past day.
2. Confess the ways that you have fallen short in word, deed, and affection.
3. Ask God to forgive you for your breaking of his commandments - for him to treat you with kindness rather than discipline. Ask him to do the same for all of his people worldwide.
4. Thank God for providing forgiveness through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ for us.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us, in Christ, with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places... In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses...” (Ephesians 1:3, 7)
Station 8 - as we also have forgiven our debtors
Christ values love as the supreme trait of those who would claim to be his disciples. We cannot legitimately ask God to treat us with mercy rather than justice when we desire others to be punished for hurting us. Such desires betray an underlying belief that we are more worthy of blessing than God himself.
So this is worth asking: are you holding something against a brother or sister in Christ? Are you treating someone in a such a way so as to, in a sense, punish them, rather than treating them as someone Christ loves and died for?
If you are, you cannot seriously ask God to treat all the disciples of Christ with love and kindness - after all, you’d be asking God to forgive sins that you’re wanting to punish people for!
Is there someone with whom you need to be reconciled?
Here are some steps to follow towards reconciliation, as well as some items for which to pray:
1. Ask God for forgiveness for your anger.
2. Make a decision to reconcile with the other person. Today. Decide what time you will contact them.
3. Ask God to treat that other person with grace.
4. Ask God to cause his Church to be known in the world as a group of people who love each other.
Jesus prayed this for us: “that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me”(John 17:21).
5. Ask God to give us the strength to love those who persecute us for our obedience to Christ.
Station 9 - And lead us not into temptation
If we are to sanctify God’s name in our lives, we must avoid things in this world that would take our attention from him and divert our affections away from him. Jesus taught us in this request, though, that God is in control of not only our souls and desires but also our circumstances.
Take a moment to consider the things that divert your affections from Christ. Here are a few helpful questions to ask yourself (from Tim Keller):
1. What are you most afraid of?
2. What do you run to for comfort?
3. What do you complain about?
4. What makes you most angry?
5. What makes you happiest?
6. How do you define yourself to people?
7. What do you talk about most?
8. What do you give up other things for?
9. Whose approval do you seek, other than Christ’s?
10. What do you want to control or master?
11. What comfort do you treasure the most?
These questions do a great job uncovering the things in our lives that compete with God for our affections. Ask God to lead you away from these things and give you the power to flee them.
Your idols are probably not unique to you, but are good things that the people of God worldwide need to flee as well. Take a few moments praying for others, that God would guide them away from temptation as well.
Station 10 - but deliver us from the evil one.
This final request has traditionally been translated ‘deliver us from evil’; however, most commentators agree that a better translation is ‘deliver us from the evil one,’ namely, the devil.
The devil’s goal has always been fairly simple: he desires the condemnation of souls, the suffering of God’s people, and the perversion of the truth which saves. Our Lord said of the devil, “He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” (John 8:44)
Satan attacks the people of God now with persecution and false doctrines. He keeps the world blinded from salvation with idolatry and rebellious worldviews.
Jesus is teaching us to pray for the deliverance of the Church here. We do desire that unbelievers receive Christ and join his Church, but what we are mainly praying for in this request is for the power to withstand persecution and for the wisdom to discern false beliefs that do not accord with God’s word.
So, pray these things for not only yourself, but for all of Christ’s Church:
1. Pray for the power to testify to Christ without wavering, despite persecution.
“Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, always being ready to give an answer for the hope that is within you, yet do it with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:14-15)
2. Thank God that he will vindicate his persecuted people.
“And they have conquered him (the devil) by the blood of the lamb and their witnessing message, because they loved not their lives even unto death” (Revelation 12:11)
3. Pray that God would set his Church apart with the truth of the Scriptures and give us the power to discern false teaching.
“Now the Spirit expressly says that in the latter times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons.” (1 Timothy 4:1)
“In Jesus’ name” means that Jesus’ work in dying and rising has secured our entry into God’s throne room to make requests of him. It also means that we are making our requests for the glory of Christ.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
If we’re honest, most of us would admit that we need help in the area of prayer. Thankfully we’re not alone. One of Jesus’ disciples, after watching him pray, asked, “Lord, teach us to pray”(Luke 11:1).
Jesus responded with the prayer that came to be known as “The Lord’s Prayer.” He provided us with this pattern of prayer to teach us what our prayers should include. Praying through the Lord’s Prayer is an excellent way to improve the content of your prayers and your communion with God. It’s also an excellent way to learn to pray with others. Notice that there’s no ‘I,’ ‘me,’ or ‘my’ in the prayer!
As you approach the first station, ask God to teach you to pray and to draw near to you.
Station 1 - Our Father
Jesus taught us to begin our prayers ‘our Father,’ because it shows us that we are not praying to earn God’s favor. We already have his favor because of what Christ did for us in his life, death, and resurrection.
Here are some specific ways to pray:
1. Praise God for the fact that he loved us, his people from every tongue, tribe, people and nation, and gave his Son to die in our place.
...but God shows his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)
2. Praise God that he raised Christ from the dead, and through Jesus’ resurrection, he has birthed us into his family.
He gave us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead (1 Peter 1:3)
3. Praise God that one day all of his people, from every corner of the globe, will see Christ face to face and enter into glory forever.
Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared, but we know that when he appears, we will be like him, because we will see him as he is (1 John 3:2)
Station 2 - in heaven
Jesus taught us to approach God not only as our Father, but our Father who is in heaven. He did this to remind us that God not only loves us dearly, but is holy. That is to say, he is separate from all of his creation, not only in his moral perfection, but also in his being. He alone is God over all, from whom, through whom, and for whom are all things.
Here are some specific ways to pray:
1. Praise God for the fact that he has created all things, and that all things exist by his will.
Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, since you created all things... (Revelation 4:11)
2. Praise God for the fact that everything that happens is according to his will and ultimately, for him.
...from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be glory forever! Amen. (Romans 11:36)
3. Praise God for his holiness: he alone is God and worthy of praise!
...you alone, whose name is Yahweh, are the Most High over all the earth. (Psalm 83:18)
Station 3 - Sanctify Your name!
The first request Jesus taught us to make of the Father is that he set his name apart from every other name, or in other words, that he glorify himself. Some have said that this request is the controlling request for all prayer - that God would help us to pray for the things that would honor him. This is part of what it means to pray ‘in Jesus’ name’ - namely, to pray for the things that would honor Jesus.
In this request, we admit our inability to glorify God as he deserves, and ask him to glorify himself in our prayers and in the world.
Here are some specific ways to pray:
1. Pray that the requests that you are about to make would be honoring to God.
O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. (Psalm 51:15)
If you abide in me and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit (John 15:7)
Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son (John 14:13)
1. Pray that God would be worshipped by every tongue, tribe, people and nation.
Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you! (Psalm 67:3)
2. Pray that God would remove idolatry and lusts from the earth and replace those longings with a desire for him.
God said, “I am Yahweh! That is my name! I will not share my glory with anyone else, or the praise due me with idols!” (Isaiah 42:8)
Station 4 - May your kingdom come
When Jesus taught us to pray for the Kingdom of God to come, he was teaching us to pray two things, because the Kingdom of God is coming in two stages.
First, the Kingdom of God comes when the Gospel is preached and the Holy Spirit makes it effective by bringing a sinner to a love of Jesus. “He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (Col 1:13-14)
Second, the Kingdom of God will come when Jesus returns to this world and sets the world to rights, bringing justice to the world. “Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, ‘the Kingdom of this world has become the Kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever!’” (Rev 11:15)
So, in this request, we are asking both for the advance of the Gospel in the world and expressing our desire for Jesus to return to gather us to himself.
Here are some specific ways to pray:
1. Pray for boldness, love and opportunities for yourself and others you know to tell the Gospel to unbelievers. (Acts 4:31)
2. Pray for missionaries that you know of, for their closeness to God and boldness in speaking the Gospel. (Colossians 4:3-4)
3. Pray that God would grant repentance unto eternal life to people you know and to people to whom missionaries are evangelizing. (1 Timothy 2:1)
4. Pray that God would raise up missionaries and send them to places and ethnic groups among whom Christ is not being proclaimed. (Matthew 9:37-38)
5. Pray that the Lord would come quickly. (Revelation 22:20)
Station 5 - May your will be done on earth as it is in heaven
Jesus taught us to pray that the Father would have his will done on this earth. God’s will, in the Gospel of Matthew, means obedience to Jesus’ commands. So when we pray ‘may your will be done,’ we’re admitting our inability to obey God while also acknowledging God’s ability to cause us to obey his laws.
And not only are we praying for ourselves, but all disciples of Christ among every ethnic group throughout the world.
Consider some of the ways our Lord described the ethics of his Kingdom, and pray for help in obeying his commandments, not only for yourself, but for all God’s children.
Here are some of the commandments our Lord gave his Church. Pray that God would grant us all help in obeying them.
1. Rejoice in the midst of persecution, because our reward is in heaven (Matt 5:12)
2. Emulate Christ’s character in the world so that people will come to know and worship him (Matt 5:16)
3. Don’t be angry with fellow-Christian; rather, make sure that there is harmony and love in Christian relationships (Matt 5:22-24)
4. Don’t long for someone who’s not your spouse; rather, take drastic action to escape temptation and sin (Matt 5:28-29)
5. Always keep your word, since every word we speak is spoken in the presence of God (Matt 5:37)
6. Love, be kind to, and pray for the ones who hurt you (Matt 5:44-48)
7. Do righteous deeds for the glory of God - not to receive glory from people (Matt 6:1-6)
8. Set your longings and work on treasures in heaven, not for things on earth (Matt 6:19-24)
9. Don’t be anxious; rather, trust our loving and sovereign God (Matt 6:25-34)
10. Don’t be condemning towards other believers; rather, focus on repenting of your own sins and lovingly help them do the same (Matt 7:1-5)
11. Value the glory of the Gospel more than even people (Matt 7:6)
12. Ask God for the good things pertaining to his Kingdom (Matt 7:7-11)
13. Consider how we’d like to be treated, and then treat others that way (Matt 7:12)
14. Watch out for false teachers. Their lives and doctrine do not accord with Jesus’ teaching (Matt 7:15)
Station 6 - Give us this day our daily bread
When Jesus taught us to ask the Father for our daily bread, he spoke against two tendencies we have. Those two tendencies are, first, the belief that we are independent and capable of supporting ourselves, and second, the belief that our focus should be our distant, earthly future.
The fact is this: we depend on God’s holy pleasure for our continued existence, even in this very moment. Much more, we depend on his good pleasure for our doing his will and sanctifying his name.
Here are some steps to follow in praying this request:
1. Take a minute to think about what you need to live in this world for God’s glory.
2. Admit your complete dependence on God, and ask him to provide to you what you need.
3. Take a moment to thank God for the things he’s given you in the last day.
4. Take a moment to think about the needs of others in Christ’s global Church, including even emotional needs.
5. Pray that God would give his people what they need to serve him well.
Station 7 - Forgive us our debts
Our actions, every day, come infinitely short of what we owe to God. When we pray ‘forgive us our debts,’ we admit that God is worthy of glory, and we have not honored him as he deserves. We also confess that he can and will give us entry into his Kingdom despite our lawlessness, based on Jesus’ obedience to God, not ours.
Here are some steps to follow in asking God for forgiveness:
1. Think about the past day and what God deserved from your efforts, emotions, and time this past day.
2. Confess the ways that you have fallen short in word, deed, and affection.
3. Ask God to forgive you for your breaking of his commandments - for him to treat you with kindness rather than discipline. Ask him to do the same for all of his people worldwide.
4. Thank God for providing forgiveness through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ for us.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us, in Christ, with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places... In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses...” (Ephesians 1:3, 7)
Station 8 - as we also have forgiven our debtors
Christ values love as the supreme trait of those who would claim to be his disciples. We cannot legitimately ask God to treat us with mercy rather than justice when we desire others to be punished for hurting us. Such desires betray an underlying belief that we are more worthy of blessing than God himself.
So this is worth asking: are you holding something against a brother or sister in Christ? Are you treating someone in a such a way so as to, in a sense, punish them, rather than treating them as someone Christ loves and died for?
If you are, you cannot seriously ask God to treat all the disciples of Christ with love and kindness - after all, you’d be asking God to forgive sins that you’re wanting to punish people for!
Is there someone with whom you need to be reconciled?
Here are some steps to follow towards reconciliation, as well as some items for which to pray:
1. Ask God for forgiveness for your anger.
2. Make a decision to reconcile with the other person. Today. Decide what time you will contact them.
3. Ask God to treat that other person with grace.
4. Ask God to cause his Church to be known in the world as a group of people who love each other.
Jesus prayed this for us: “that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me”(John 17:21).
5. Ask God to give us the strength to love those who persecute us for our obedience to Christ.
Station 9 - And lead us not into temptation
If we are to sanctify God’s name in our lives, we must avoid things in this world that would take our attention from him and divert our affections away from him. Jesus taught us in this request, though, that God is in control of not only our souls and desires but also our circumstances.
Take a moment to consider the things that divert your affections from Christ. Here are a few helpful questions to ask yourself (from Tim Keller):
1. What are you most afraid of?
2. What do you run to for comfort?
3. What do you complain about?
4. What makes you most angry?
5. What makes you happiest?
6. How do you define yourself to people?
7. What do you talk about most?
8. What do you give up other things for?
9. Whose approval do you seek, other than Christ’s?
10. What do you want to control or master?
11. What comfort do you treasure the most?
These questions do a great job uncovering the things in our lives that compete with God for our affections. Ask God to lead you away from these things and give you the power to flee them.
Your idols are probably not unique to you, but are good things that the people of God worldwide need to flee as well. Take a few moments praying for others, that God would guide them away from temptation as well.
Station 10 - but deliver us from the evil one.
This final request has traditionally been translated ‘deliver us from evil’; however, most commentators agree that a better translation is ‘deliver us from the evil one,’ namely, the devil.
The devil’s goal has always been fairly simple: he desires the condemnation of souls, the suffering of God’s people, and the perversion of the truth which saves. Our Lord said of the devil, “He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” (John 8:44)
Satan attacks the people of God now with persecution and false doctrines. He keeps the world blinded from salvation with idolatry and rebellious worldviews.
Jesus is teaching us to pray for the deliverance of the Church here. We do desire that unbelievers receive Christ and join his Church, but what we are mainly praying for in this request is for the power to withstand persecution and for the wisdom to discern false beliefs that do not accord with God’s word.
So, pray these things for not only yourself, but for all of Christ’s Church:
1. Pray for the power to testify to Christ without wavering, despite persecution.
“Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, always being ready to give an answer for the hope that is within you, yet do it with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:14-15)
2. Thank God that he will vindicate his persecuted people.
“And they have conquered him (the devil) by the blood of the lamb and their witnessing message, because they loved not their lives even unto death” (Revelation 12:11)
3. Pray that God would set his Church apart with the truth of the Scriptures and give us the power to discern false teaching.
“Now the Spirit expressly says that in the latter times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons.” (1 Timothy 4:1)
“In Jesus’ name” means that Jesus’ work in dying and rising has secured our entry into God’s throne room to make requests of him. It also means that we are making our requests for the glory of Christ.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Church Government is about Worship, Part II - 1 Timothy 3:16
(16d) …(he was) seen by angels…
We must remind ourselves that this hymn exists in a context about how the pastors are to govern the church of God. And so we see that the foundation and goal of church government – of teaching, of offices, of correction, of everything – is worship of Jesus the Messiah.
And if you don’t remember the first two phrases, go back and read them and remind yourself of the glory of Christ in his incarnation and resurrection.
And now we see that Jesus, risen from the dead, was seen by the angels.
Why is this significant? Angels spend their time in the presence of God. They do his will. They belong to a whole other realm; one that we can’t see. They behold glory unhindered, and so they cover their faces – see Isaiah 6.
Furthermore, when Jesus rose from the dead, he was granted all authority. 1 Peter 3:22 says that through his resurrection, Christ is “at the right hand of God (the place of authority), with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.”
Speaking of the spiritual realm – though particularly fallen angels, Paul says in Colossians 2 that by Jesus’ death and resurrection, “He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame…”
1 Peter 3:19 says that Jesus, after his resurrection, made proclamation of his victory to fallen angels as well.
And more, we see that through Jesus’ humiliation and resurrection, he inherited a position much greater than the angels – who are in God’s presence forever, doing his will – see Hebrews 1.
And so we must be careful lest we make a mistake – and behold Jesus as a mere resurrected human. He is certainly a resurrected human. But he is not merely that. He is very God, exercising all authority in the universe – everywhere – eternally. The angels have beheld him. And though much more powerful than us, more wise than us, and certainly seeing God in a way that we don’t yet see him – they have seen the resurrected Son of God – who reigns from heaven over all things forever.
And now, according to Hebrews 2, they serve us at Jesus’ command – since he has perfectly rescued all who are his out of this world.
Summary:
1) The resurrected Jesus was seen by angels – they experienced firsthand his crowning as Ruler of EVERYTHING.
2) Angels are in the presence of God, and are smarter and stronger than us.
3) Jesus reigns over all things now. He is God, reigning forever – and with that authority, rescuing us.
Prayer:
Father, you have exalted Christ by raising him from the dead. He was righteous, and you have rewarded him for it. And because of that righteousness, you will one day reward us, who in your love, you have joined to your Son. You have magnified Christ in the spiritual realms – in realms we can’t see – but you’ve told us about it so we’d know just how great Jesus is. Cause us to have eyes that see how glorious he is, ears that hear with joy, hearts that give thanks, and an undying zeal to honor him who saved us by his blood.
And in that blood we ask, amen.
We must remind ourselves that this hymn exists in a context about how the pastors are to govern the church of God. And so we see that the foundation and goal of church government – of teaching, of offices, of correction, of everything – is worship of Jesus the Messiah.
And if you don’t remember the first two phrases, go back and read them and remind yourself of the glory of Christ in his incarnation and resurrection.
And now we see that Jesus, risen from the dead, was seen by the angels.
Why is this significant? Angels spend their time in the presence of God. They do his will. They belong to a whole other realm; one that we can’t see. They behold glory unhindered, and so they cover their faces – see Isaiah 6.
Furthermore, when Jesus rose from the dead, he was granted all authority. 1 Peter 3:22 says that through his resurrection, Christ is “at the right hand of God (the place of authority), with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.”
Speaking of the spiritual realm – though particularly fallen angels, Paul says in Colossians 2 that by Jesus’ death and resurrection, “He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame…”
1 Peter 3:19 says that Jesus, after his resurrection, made proclamation of his victory to fallen angels as well.
And more, we see that through Jesus’ humiliation and resurrection, he inherited a position much greater than the angels – who are in God’s presence forever, doing his will – see Hebrews 1.
And so we must be careful lest we make a mistake – and behold Jesus as a mere resurrected human. He is certainly a resurrected human. But he is not merely that. He is very God, exercising all authority in the universe – everywhere – eternally. The angels have beheld him. And though much more powerful than us, more wise than us, and certainly seeing God in a way that we don’t yet see him – they have seen the resurrected Son of God – who reigns from heaven over all things forever.
And now, according to Hebrews 2, they serve us at Jesus’ command – since he has perfectly rescued all who are his out of this world.
Summary:
1) The resurrected Jesus was seen by angels – they experienced firsthand his crowning as Ruler of EVERYTHING.
2) Angels are in the presence of God, and are smarter and stronger than us.
3) Jesus reigns over all things now. He is God, reigning forever – and with that authority, rescuing us.
Prayer:
Father, you have exalted Christ by raising him from the dead. He was righteous, and you have rewarded him for it. And because of that righteousness, you will one day reward us, who in your love, you have joined to your Son. You have magnified Christ in the spiritual realms – in realms we can’t see – but you’ve told us about it so we’d know just how great Jesus is. Cause us to have eyes that see how glorious he is, ears that hear with joy, hearts that give thanks, and an undying zeal to honor him who saved us by his blood.
And in that blood we ask, amen.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Notes from Tonight's Talk at Butler Cru/The Well
Theme tonight: Jesus reigns, those in whom he reigns have their hearts/souls changed by him, and he makes them into missionaries for the world. Scripture: Matt. 5:1-15 – open there, be ready…
-read Matt:5-1,2
-mistaught!
-‘how to get to heaven when I die’
-rules (moralism, how to be a good person, religious); or just good advice
-prob: taken out of context
-Notice v. 1- Mt.. Mouintains in the Bible: covenants –examples
-describe (not define) covenant - marriage example
-in cov., God is enforcer; big change in THIS covenant
- how is God enforcer? Jesus and his Kingdom (explain Kingdom/reign)
à forgiveness (we CAN’T obey this stuff – anger, purity in heart, be perfect…)
à life change (we will begin to obey, and one day will perfectly)
-here’s where we’re going
1 – back up and look at the Kingdom of God in Matthew
2 – inner change that results from Jesus’ reign
3 – how Jesus’ reign in us makes us missionaries to the world
-1st, let’s look at the Kingdom of God/bg on the Sermon on the Mount: Jesus has begun to reign is the point; good news because he’s fixing the world (hearts, forgiveness, justice)
-firehose – purpose – to show you how glorious the reign of Jesus IS.
-Matt 1:1 – book of Genesis – Is. 65:17a -2Cor 5:17; of Jesus Christ - Ps. 18:50 (ref. to 2 Sam 7); Ps. 45:6-7 (reign!)
-Genealogy – point – but what’s unexpected is v. 21
-NOT fixing the whole world BEFORE fixing our sin problem
-what are we expecting? (health, wealth, fixed families…?)
-are we doing spirituality as therapy? Or Jesus for salvation?
-the cross!
-1:18 – Holy Spirit! (in the OT – creation/Is. 42:1 –re-creation/kingdom - explain justice)
-Matt 2:6 – explain
-John the Baptist’s preaching: Matt. 3:11, 12 – explain
-Jesus baptism 3:16-17–
-where do we see water and a dove in the OT? Explain
-why did God note that he was pleased with Jesus? (union & death/life)
-and by the way, this is a good time to note that Matthew is showing how Jesus is living as a new Kingdom of Israel – except he’s obedient – explain – incl how Adam, Noah, Israel, & WE disobey
-after water ordeal/wilderness temptation – mountain to give cov. Lifestyle
-Let’s look at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry: 4:12-16
-Look at Is. 9:2-3; 6-7 – explain and exult Christ!
-And so here is the good news! The King has come to reign!
-and this demands a response: v. 17
-explain Kingdom near – at the door; the KING is here
-response: repent! -explain repentance
-and then Jesus is seen healing a bunch of people (v. 23) – why healings?
-What’s the point? Jesus has begun to reign! His reign means that he has begun to change hearts, to forgive sinners, to fix what’s wrong with the world – and that the world’s response must be to repent – or face judgment when his reign is fulfilled
-for us – this means that the sermon on the mount is:
-impossible standards that we are forgiven, in Christ, for breaking
-the way things will eventually be when Jesus comes back to fulfill his Kingdom
-the way things have begun to be, as Jesus recreates souls
2nd – let’s look at the inner change that the Kingdom of God produces: 5:2-9 (read)
-Jesus describing life in his Kingdom – presupposes entry! (already-not yet)
-two errors: religion saves, 1
2 – I can be ‘saved’ and not change at all
-this describes ONE type of person – a son of the Kingdom –
-describes the ones God favors (blessed) –describe first, then look at promises
-specific beatitudes
-poor in spirit=realize own need for a savior
-Ps. 14:6
-vs. not trying to save themselves – knowing their sin! (suck at Christianity)
-vs. not trying to get rich here; not living for pleasure in this world
-mourn = mourning over sin – Is. 57:18; Ps. 119:136
-vs. dispassionate-ness; laughing at sin
-mourning because God’s glory is loved – Jesus has been seen
-not mourning because of consequences
-meek =
-easier to define by looking at it’s opposite
-trying to get all the pleasure you can now – being a taker
-stepping on people to get what you want
-living for now vs. living for the next world
-reacting to bad things in this world with gentleness and joy – because it’s not our home (Heb. 10:34)
-hunger and thirst for righteousness
-desire personal righteousness (vs. apathy towards obeying God)
-desire WORLD rightesouness
-people to be holy
-people to be taken care of – social justice
-merciful
-show compassion on the hurting
-forgive when sinned against
-vs. getting angry; ignoring peoples’ plights
-pure in heart
-heart isn’t emotions – it’s like saying ‘soul’ – inner person
-means purity of soul, undivided attention to Kingdom purpose
-vs. being divided – longing for things of this world, vs. an unchanged soul
-peacemakers
-God is the ultimate peacemaker (Is. 9:6 – Prince of Peace)
-he makes peace with us, and restores peace in relationships
-we carry that peace with us and restore relational peace, harmony
-vs. instigation, anger, retaliation,
-Promises!
-already possess the Kingdom
-will receive comfort from God
-HS now
-comfort from all worldly stain of sin in the future
-inherit the earth
-will be satisfied w/ righteousness when Jesus returns – fixes us and society
-God in the final day mercifully removes us from pain and suffering
-mercy: we are already forgiven/justified!
-see God!!!!
-imagine seeing something that makes everything else fade away out of your mind
-called sons of God - they get noticed as those doing what God does
-That’s how Jesus reigns in us now…
3rd – Jesus’ reign in us makes us missionaries to the world
-Jesus begins to transition – v. 10 (read)
-explain – how’s this work?
-being different, pointing to righteousness/sin -> persecution
-vs. conforming. Talking like everyone else, about the same stuff. Doing the same things everyone else is doing. Living seeing what you can get away with as opposed to living for righteousness
-excludes us from conversations, activities, places
-not because we’re good – because we’re not and Jesus is
-people feel convicted and hate
-but those who are persecuted HAVE the Kingdom.
-we endure by it – Jesus reigns!
-we will enter into it – Jesus’ presence
-and Jesus continues and makes it more personal here: read vv. 11-12
-publicly identified with Jesus – his person and teaching– prophetic function!
-talk about Jesus freely
-talk about activities following Jesus freely
-engaging the world with the reality of the gospel
- -> insults, persecuted (treated unfairly economically, in school, in relationships, in positions/employment)
-first command – rejoice! Reward is great in heaven – last time thing!
-Jesus goes on – v. 13
-YOU – the Church – is the salt of the earth, collectively/individually
-salt = good. Flavor, preservative, whatever. Saying we are the good/redemptive stuff in the earth
-if we cease to be disciples of Jesus, we’re useless (impure salt thing)
-he continues – vv. 14-15
-we’re the light of the world! What’s that mean?
-what does ‘light’ mean? It’s that glory, that change that Jesus has made in us – the evidence of his reign!!!
-but most of all – look back at 4:16
-who is the Light? Jesus – connection to him
-doing his deeds, speaking his words, showing his glory
-how? Transformed BY him – we ARE light
-why do we show him off? V. 16!
-people will see Jesus and worship God!
-that’s what we long for – if we hunger/thirst…
-if Jesus has transformed us…. Forgiven us…
-that is the end of history and the goal of our lives – and so a fitting place to end.
Let’s recap:
-Jesus has begun to reign (changing hearts, justification for those who repent)
-Jesus will complete his reign when he returns and fix/judge the world
-Jesus reigns in his people by changing our souls
-Jesus’ reign in us results in us being witnesses to Christ in this world
àpersecution
à seeking others to worship God
Sunday, May 31, 2009
I Like Democracy.
20 years ago, on June 4th, thousands of Chinese died in Tiananmen Square in protest of Communism's suppression of freedom of speech, and in promotion of Democracy.
In a BBC article, a man named Steve Chan is quoted: "June 4 was a time when a group of people sacrificed their lives for democracy. We need to remember their efforts."
We should be so very thankful about our very free lives. God has given us a political system that allows us much more peace and tranquility than so many have on this earth.
On the other hand - democracy will not transform the world. Democracy will not stop the spread of evil. Democracy cannot stop death. Democracy cannot forgive our sins. Democracy cannot satisfy our souls.
Democracy for now is probably as good as it gets, and let's thank God for it. But let's thank God more that it will be replaced by a Kingdom which already exists - as Jesus reigns in our hearts through the Holy Spirit.
In a BBC article, a man named Steve Chan is quoted: "June 4 was a time when a group of people sacrificed their lives for democracy. We need to remember their efforts."
We should be so very thankful about our very free lives. God has given us a political system that allows us much more peace and tranquility than so many have on this earth.
On the other hand - democracy will not transform the world. Democracy will not stop the spread of evil. Democracy cannot stop death. Democracy cannot forgive our sins. Democracy cannot satisfy our souls.
Democracy for now is probably as good as it gets, and let's thank God for it. But let's thank God more that it will be replaced by a Kingdom which already exists - as Jesus reigns in our hearts through the Holy Spirit.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
He is risen! And I'm bored...
I don't know if you grew up in church, but I did, and so we celebrated Easter every year. And that's appropriate. But it wasn't a fun time of year for me: our family wasn't characterized by the character of Christ - his love - but by fear and dysfunction. So, to be honest, I don't really have good memories of Easter.
There's a huge upside to that, though. The cultural hang-ups of holidays - gifts, certain songs, food, family - were never in competition with my focus being on Christ. Those things are good, for sure, but our idols are very seldom intrinsically evil - it's that we, in our evil, replace God as the object of our delight with them.
And what was nice for me growing up - I didn't have those things to distract me from Jesus.
Unfortunately, that vacuum wasn't really filled with God and what he said about Easter when I was a child. I mean, I knew Jesus had risen. But so what? Maybe it was because I wasn't paying attention, but I had no idea why it was significant that Jesus had come back to life after dying.
Maybe you can connect with some of this. Maybe things you associate with the Easter holiday distract you from what the Bible says about it. Maybe bad experiences with family have left you emotionless in the face of the holiday. Maybe you just don't know what the Bible says about Jesus' resurrection.
But we should be happy about it, and we should worship God as a result.
Let me summarize a few reasons - then we'll look at some Scripture to really hammer them home.
1) Has your love for God got... emotionless? The resurrection shows off Jesus' glory.
2) Do you feel like your world - your family, relationships, finances - our out of control? The resurrection shows off Jesus' position and role and activity as Ruler.
3) Are you just living day to day? Maybe not really enjoying life? Hoping for things that may or may not happen - and that ultimately won't result in lasting happiness? The resurrection guarantees a future for us where we'll enjoy Jesus forever without hindrance.
4) Do you feel like you just can't live for Jesus at all? The resurrection has resulted in our having a new nature which obeys Jesus.
5) Do you feel guilty before God? Condemned? Like he's angry at you? The resurrection secures all of this previously mentioned goodness - because it shows that our rebellion has already been punished and can never be punished again.
Let's delve into this stuff about the resurrection.
1) It demonstrated the glory of Jesus' authority. He told Martha, "I am the resurrection"(John 11:25) - meaning that resurrection from the dead for all people was completely tied to himself. He also said, "I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again"(John 10:18).
Jesus is he who has authority over life and death - and he deserves to be worshiped for it. We don't, governments don't, armies don't, doctors don't - Jesus does.
2) Jesus' right to govern the universe for his pleasure was sealed by his resurrection. In other words, Jesus got a new title - a new position. He didn't 'become a god' or something weird like that - but his actions and role changed. God had this written: "[Jesus] was declared to be THE SON OF GOD IN POWER, according to the Spirit of holiness, by his resurrection from the dead."
His new title is 'The Son of God in Power.' That means that he has begun to reign - to do all his will. That's why the Scriptures make such a big deal about Jesus sitting down at God's 'right hand' after he rose.
But Jesus has a new role as of his resurrection - and he has begun a new era - remaking the world into what it's supposed to be.
Look around. The world's broken. Heck, your world is broken. Jesus has begun to fix this broken world by his resurrection. We need to credit him as such. He's the sovereign fixer - both in title and action. And he'll finish the job.
3) Not only is Jesus the Divine Fixer of the world - but his resurrection itself is what is fixing the world. God has it written: "He (Jesus) is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead"(Col. 1:18).
'Firstborn' indicates the happening that secures the rest. Or in other words, if there's a 'firstborn,' the couple isn't infertile. They can have more kids. Here, that means that Jesus was the one whose resurrection from the dead secured the resurrection from the dead of those who are connected to him through trusting him.
This might seem a little bit vague. Let me get specific. Jesus' resurrection did two things. First, it secured the physical resurrection of all who obey him. Death is certainly not the end. When Jesus comes back, every Christian will physically rise from the dead in a new, immortal body.
Second, when that happens, this world will be released from its bondage to sin and resulting suffering.
In sum - new bodies without any remnant or iota of rebellion against God or its effects. New universe that bears no stain of the effects of our sins.
No suffering, no pain, no sin - but all creation governed by the glorious love of God. Christ's resurrection secured that. See Romans 8 and 1 Corinthians 15.
And by the way, don't skim Scripture. It's God's words. Every last one. Treat it as such.
4) Now that's all future, right? Seems like it in a way - but it's really not all future. Jesus' bringing new life has already begun. He's given us new hearts and minds and souls - a new nature. God said through the Apostle Peter, "[God] has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead"(1 Peter 1:3).
And in Ephesians 2:5, Paul speaks from God, writing that He "made us alive together with Christ."
What's the result of that? He tells us a few verses later in v. 10: "For we are his workmanship, created (catch that! we're new creations! we're part of the new world!) in Christ Jesus for good works..."
A lot of times people read that and say, "Aha! See! You're forgiven as a gift - but now you should do works!" That is completely missing the point - and actually, contradicting the point. The point is that God recreated us - resurrected us - so that we'd do good works. Or in other words, he had an end in mind when he raised us spiritually - obedience to him.
He's not sitting up in heaven, wringing his hands, just HOPING that we'll actually obey for once. No. He's reprogrammed us TO obey. Yeah, our obedience isn't perfect. But it's present. And it's present because Jesus rose from the dead and brought our souls from the grave with him. He gave us faith and gave us the desire and ability to obey him. And so we do, imperfectly now, perfectly when he returns.
We need to thank him for that and grab a hold of the fact that he's the one at work in our lives. We obey because he's at work. If we obey because we think it depends on us - we're acting like Jesus didn't rise. But he did. And so did we. And so we do obey. So let's obey.
5) Jesus' resurrection shows that he's dealt with our guilt - and we'll never have to. Romans 4:25 says this: "[Jesus] was delivered up (killed) on account of our trespasses and raised for our justification."
Because we disobeyed - and continue to disobey - what God's commanded - Jesus took our death penalty. He stood in for us. He died in our places. He was punished instead of us. You deserve to suffer the infinite wrath, anger, fury of your Creator; and Jesus, who never sinned, did it in your stead.
But if he'd stayed dead, he'd have continued to bear the penalty for your sins. It wouldn't have been finished. But it was - and so death backfired. Death died. Death happened completely, and so its existence was completed - and over. And Jesus rose.
His resurrection shows that the punishment for sin is over. None awaits us. None. The entirety of your guilt, if you are a Christian, is GONE. Jesus lived a perfect life in your place - he died by God's wrath in your place - and he lives because your justification - your acquittal in his law court - has been completely, unalterably, unchangeably, irrevocably, permanently, eternally, gloriously secured.
And so because Jesus rose from the dead - you stand in God's sight - as if you'd obeyed. As if you'd lived Jesus' life and earned Jesus' reward.
When you feel guilty - and if you can't believe any of this stuff - look to the resurrected Jesus. All of this is yours - because he rose from the dead.
There's a huge upside to that, though. The cultural hang-ups of holidays - gifts, certain songs, food, family - were never in competition with my focus being on Christ. Those things are good, for sure, but our idols are very seldom intrinsically evil - it's that we, in our evil, replace God as the object of our delight with them.
And what was nice for me growing up - I didn't have those things to distract me from Jesus.
Unfortunately, that vacuum wasn't really filled with God and what he said about Easter when I was a child. I mean, I knew Jesus had risen. But so what? Maybe it was because I wasn't paying attention, but I had no idea why it was significant that Jesus had come back to life after dying.
Maybe you can connect with some of this. Maybe things you associate with the Easter holiday distract you from what the Bible says about it. Maybe bad experiences with family have left you emotionless in the face of the holiday. Maybe you just don't know what the Bible says about Jesus' resurrection.
But we should be happy about it, and we should worship God as a result.
Let me summarize a few reasons - then we'll look at some Scripture to really hammer them home.
1) Has your love for God got... emotionless? The resurrection shows off Jesus' glory.
2) Do you feel like your world - your family, relationships, finances - our out of control? The resurrection shows off Jesus' position and role and activity as Ruler.
3) Are you just living day to day? Maybe not really enjoying life? Hoping for things that may or may not happen - and that ultimately won't result in lasting happiness? The resurrection guarantees a future for us where we'll enjoy Jesus forever without hindrance.
4) Do you feel like you just can't live for Jesus at all? The resurrection has resulted in our having a new nature which obeys Jesus.
5) Do you feel guilty before God? Condemned? Like he's angry at you? The resurrection secures all of this previously mentioned goodness - because it shows that our rebellion has already been punished and can never be punished again.
Let's delve into this stuff about the resurrection.
1) It demonstrated the glory of Jesus' authority. He told Martha, "I am the resurrection"(John 11:25) - meaning that resurrection from the dead for all people was completely tied to himself. He also said, "I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again"(John 10:18).
Jesus is he who has authority over life and death - and he deserves to be worshiped for it. We don't, governments don't, armies don't, doctors don't - Jesus does.
2) Jesus' right to govern the universe for his pleasure was sealed by his resurrection. In other words, Jesus got a new title - a new position. He didn't 'become a god' or something weird like that - but his actions and role changed. God had this written: "[Jesus] was declared to be THE SON OF GOD IN POWER, according to the Spirit of holiness, by his resurrection from the dead."
His new title is 'The Son of God in Power.' That means that he has begun to reign - to do all his will. That's why the Scriptures make such a big deal about Jesus sitting down at God's 'right hand' after he rose.
But Jesus has a new role as of his resurrection - and he has begun a new era - remaking the world into what it's supposed to be.
Look around. The world's broken. Heck, your world is broken. Jesus has begun to fix this broken world by his resurrection. We need to credit him as such. He's the sovereign fixer - both in title and action. And he'll finish the job.
3) Not only is Jesus the Divine Fixer of the world - but his resurrection itself is what is fixing the world. God has it written: "He (Jesus) is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead"(Col. 1:18).
'Firstborn' indicates the happening that secures the rest. Or in other words, if there's a 'firstborn,' the couple isn't infertile. They can have more kids. Here, that means that Jesus was the one whose resurrection from the dead secured the resurrection from the dead of those who are connected to him through trusting him.
This might seem a little bit vague. Let me get specific. Jesus' resurrection did two things. First, it secured the physical resurrection of all who obey him. Death is certainly not the end. When Jesus comes back, every Christian will physically rise from the dead in a new, immortal body.
Second, when that happens, this world will be released from its bondage to sin and resulting suffering.
In sum - new bodies without any remnant or iota of rebellion against God or its effects. New universe that bears no stain of the effects of our sins.
No suffering, no pain, no sin - but all creation governed by the glorious love of God. Christ's resurrection secured that. See Romans 8 and 1 Corinthians 15.
And by the way, don't skim Scripture. It's God's words. Every last one. Treat it as such.
4) Now that's all future, right? Seems like it in a way - but it's really not all future. Jesus' bringing new life has already begun. He's given us new hearts and minds and souls - a new nature. God said through the Apostle Peter, "[God] has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead"(1 Peter 1:3).
And in Ephesians 2:5, Paul speaks from God, writing that He "made us alive together with Christ."
What's the result of that? He tells us a few verses later in v. 10: "For we are his workmanship, created (catch that! we're new creations! we're part of the new world!) in Christ Jesus for good works..."
A lot of times people read that and say, "Aha! See! You're forgiven as a gift - but now you should do works!" That is completely missing the point - and actually, contradicting the point. The point is that God recreated us - resurrected us - so that we'd do good works. Or in other words, he had an end in mind when he raised us spiritually - obedience to him.
He's not sitting up in heaven, wringing his hands, just HOPING that we'll actually obey for once. No. He's reprogrammed us TO obey. Yeah, our obedience isn't perfect. But it's present. And it's present because Jesus rose from the dead and brought our souls from the grave with him. He gave us faith and gave us the desire and ability to obey him. And so we do, imperfectly now, perfectly when he returns.
We need to thank him for that and grab a hold of the fact that he's the one at work in our lives. We obey because he's at work. If we obey because we think it depends on us - we're acting like Jesus didn't rise. But he did. And so did we. And so we do obey. So let's obey.
5) Jesus' resurrection shows that he's dealt with our guilt - and we'll never have to. Romans 4:25 says this: "[Jesus] was delivered up (killed) on account of our trespasses and raised for our justification."
Because we disobeyed - and continue to disobey - what God's commanded - Jesus took our death penalty. He stood in for us. He died in our places. He was punished instead of us. You deserve to suffer the infinite wrath, anger, fury of your Creator; and Jesus, who never sinned, did it in your stead.
But if he'd stayed dead, he'd have continued to bear the penalty for your sins. It wouldn't have been finished. But it was - and so death backfired. Death died. Death happened completely, and so its existence was completed - and over. And Jesus rose.
His resurrection shows that the punishment for sin is over. None awaits us. None. The entirety of your guilt, if you are a Christian, is GONE. Jesus lived a perfect life in your place - he died by God's wrath in your place - and he lives because your justification - your acquittal in his law court - has been completely, unalterably, unchangeably, irrevocably, permanently, eternally, gloriously secured.
And so because Jesus rose from the dead - you stand in God's sight - as if you'd obeyed. As if you'd lived Jesus' life and earned Jesus' reward.
When you feel guilty - and if you can't believe any of this stuff - look to the resurrected Jesus. All of this is yours - because he rose from the dead.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Wrong Beliefs about the Kingdom of God
DA Carson, or as my friends call him, 'The Don,' has a wonderful little article about this subject here.
He hits on the 'red letter Christians' movement as well.
And, in very nice British fashion, uses the word 'rubbish.'
He hits on the 'red letter Christians' movement as well.
And, in very nice British fashion, uses the word 'rubbish.'
Friday, February 13, 2009
What IS the Kingdom of God, anyway?
I've addressed this a few times already. But Jesus talked about it a lot, so I figure I can do so without apology.
But what IS the Kingdom of God? Of what does it consist?
You remember the parable of the Sower and the seed, right? Click here for it.
Now, the way that parable is usually preached draws our attention to this question: "What kind of soil... are YOU???"
I submit that that is not a bad nor inappropriate question, but not Jesus' focus. In verse 11, he calls this teaching a secret of the Kingdom of Heaven. So this parable is about the Kingdom of Heaven - Jesus' Kingdom - Jesus' reign.
Now here's the absolute shock - Jesus says his reign will be invisible until the end, have varying effects, and will consist in a message!
It will be invisible 'til the end: people's reaction to Jesus' reign will be different. Even those who 'bear fruit' will do so as a result of the reign of Jesus, our Savior and God. The emphasis isn't on differing quantities of fruit - it's on Jesus' reign being invisible until the end.
It has different effects: not only does Jesus cause fruitbearing of differing amounts - all within a normal range - but he also governs a world in which his Kingdom is beset by his enemies - and his reign is not yet made visible.
Now here's my point: Jesus' reign now consists in a message - HIS message. After all, did the Lord not say, " Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away"(Matt. 24:25)? Is the future effect of eternal salvation not governed by the message which he was sent by the Father to deliver?
It is. True Christianity is therefore about words - specifically - about God's words. And in these words, Jesus' reigns and changes the world - indeed, the eternities of people.
This should give us occasion for two things -
1) Wonder. Let us wonder and worship at Jesus' sovereign power in reigning through his word!
2) Speak the truth. Jesus delivered a word for us. How is it that we might not pay attention? And if we do pay attention, how is it that we might not speak his words? If we say we care and don't speak - we don't care.
But thank God that he reigns through his words - and he transforms us by them! Pay attention!
But what IS the Kingdom of God? Of what does it consist?
You remember the parable of the Sower and the seed, right? Click here for it.
Now, the way that parable is usually preached draws our attention to this question: "What kind of soil... are YOU???"
I submit that that is not a bad nor inappropriate question, but not Jesus' focus. In verse 11, he calls this teaching a secret of the Kingdom of Heaven. So this parable is about the Kingdom of Heaven - Jesus' Kingdom - Jesus' reign.
Now here's the absolute shock - Jesus says his reign will be invisible until the end, have varying effects, and will consist in a message!
It will be invisible 'til the end: people's reaction to Jesus' reign will be different. Even those who 'bear fruit' will do so as a result of the reign of Jesus, our Savior and God. The emphasis isn't on differing quantities of fruit - it's on Jesus' reign being invisible until the end.
It has different effects: not only does Jesus cause fruitbearing of differing amounts - all within a normal range - but he also governs a world in which his Kingdom is beset by his enemies - and his reign is not yet made visible.
Now here's my point: Jesus' reign now consists in a message - HIS message. After all, did the Lord not say, " Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away"(Matt. 24:25)? Is the future effect of eternal salvation not governed by the message which he was sent by the Father to deliver?
It is. True Christianity is therefore about words - specifically - about God's words. And in these words, Jesus' reigns and changes the world - indeed, the eternities of people.
This should give us occasion for two things -
1) Wonder. Let us wonder and worship at Jesus' sovereign power in reigning through his word!
2) Speak the truth. Jesus delivered a word for us. How is it that we might not pay attention? And if we do pay attention, how is it that we might not speak his words? If we say we care and don't speak - we don't care.
But thank God that he reigns through his words - and he transforms us by them! Pay attention!
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