"Parents, if you fail to teach your children to fear God, the devil will teach them to hate God. If you fail to teach them to guard their minds, the devil will teach them to have a corrupt mind. If you fail to teach them to obey their parents, the devil will teach them to rebel and break their parents' hearts. If you fail to teach them to select carefully their companions, the devil will choose companions for them. If you fail to teach them to control their lusts, the devil will teach them how to fulfill their lusts. If you fail to teach them to enjoy their own spouses, the devil will teach them to destroy their marriages. If you fail to teach them to watch their words, the devil will fill their mouths with filth. If you fail to teach them to pursue their work, the devil will make their laziness a tool of hell. If you fail to teach them to manage their money, the devil will teach them to squander it on riotous living. And if you fail to teach them to love their neighbors, the devil will teach them to love only themselves. We have a great responsibility to this generation and the next."
From John MacArthur's book "What the Bible Says About Parenting"
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Crushed for Christ
Revelation 2:8-11- And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: 'The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life. I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.'
I wonder what the church in Smyrna would have thought of modern day American Christianity. I wonder how they would have responded to the message that God wants you happy, healthy, and wealthy. I wonder what they would have thought of the promises of American pastors that if people would just come to Christ, then all of their problems would instantly be solved. I wonder what they would think of the many professing American Christians whose lifestyles seem identical to non-Christians.
I'll tell you what I think they would have said. They would have said it was hogwash. They would have said it was heresy. They would have said that America could keep there Christianity-lite. They would settle for the true Gospel that calls us to REPENTANT faith in Christ as our only hope of salvation. They would hold on to the demand of the Gospel that they should deny themselves, pick up their crosses daily, and follow Christ.
Why would they choose such a hard and demanding lifestyle over the possibility of having their "best life now"? Maybe because they actually believed the Word of God. They had the audacity to believe verses like 2 Timothy 3:12. "Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." Did you notice a striking phrase in that verse? It says that ALL who desire to live a godly life in Christ WILL be persecuted. Notice it didn't say some might. It said that all will. They had the nerve to believe Matthew 5:10-12. "Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." They even had the gall to believe John 15:18-21. "If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, 'A slave is not greater than his master ' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also. But all these things they will do to you for My name's sake, because they do not know the One who sent Me." They understood that Christians are not called to a life of leisure. We are called to follow Christ no matter the cost.
I'll tell something very fascinating about the church in Smyrna. Smyrna means "myrrh". Myrrh was a spice used for perfume and anointing dead bodies. Myrrh had to be crushed before the aroma would really come out. It is the same way with Christians. It is the hard times that prove who the genuine followers of Christ are. Anybody can "follow" Christ during the easy and happy times. Persecution and trials separate the true from the false. Hard times actually make the true Christians stronger, while it makes the fake believers jump ship.
Romans 5:3-5 tells us, "More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us."
John MacArthur told a story that illustrates how the persecuted church may seem poor, but it is actually rich beyond measure (just like Christ said about the church in Smyrna).
"They had holiness, they had power, they had love, they had joy, they had grace, they had peace, they had true friends. They had a divine resource. They had a sympathetic Savior. They had grace upon grace. They were rich. That's how it is with a persecuted church. Don't you ever feel sorry for the persecuted church. I will never forget standing down here in front of this row after a service and having a pastor come to me when the Soviet Union was still under communist rule and shaking my hand and saying, "I have read your material in Russian and I come here and I have experienced your church today and I just want to tell you I don't know how you can possibly endure being a pastor in the United States."
And I said, "What do you mean?"
He said, "I could never be a pastor here. It's so much easier in the Soviet Union."
I said, "Why do you say that?"
He said, "Because your people are caught up in the world and material things and comfort and how can you find true commitment?" He said, "I would far rather pastor in the Soviet Union." John MacArthur
In closing, I'm going to let Scripture speak for itself.
1 Peter 1:3-9- Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.
I wonder what the church in Smyrna would have thought of modern day American Christianity. I wonder how they would have responded to the message that God wants you happy, healthy, and wealthy. I wonder what they would have thought of the promises of American pastors that if people would just come to Christ, then all of their problems would instantly be solved. I wonder what they would think of the many professing American Christians whose lifestyles seem identical to non-Christians.
I'll tell you what I think they would have said. They would have said it was hogwash. They would have said it was heresy. They would have said that America could keep there Christianity-lite. They would settle for the true Gospel that calls us to REPENTANT faith in Christ as our only hope of salvation. They would hold on to the demand of the Gospel that they should deny themselves, pick up their crosses daily, and follow Christ.
Why would they choose such a hard and demanding lifestyle over the possibility of having their "best life now"? Maybe because they actually believed the Word of God. They had the audacity to believe verses like 2 Timothy 3:12. "Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." Did you notice a striking phrase in that verse? It says that ALL who desire to live a godly life in Christ WILL be persecuted. Notice it didn't say some might. It said that all will. They had the nerve to believe Matthew 5:10-12. "Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." They even had the gall to believe John 15:18-21. "If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, 'A slave is not greater than his master ' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also. But all these things they will do to you for My name's sake, because they do not know the One who sent Me." They understood that Christians are not called to a life of leisure. We are called to follow Christ no matter the cost.
I'll tell something very fascinating about the church in Smyrna. Smyrna means "myrrh". Myrrh was a spice used for perfume and anointing dead bodies. Myrrh had to be crushed before the aroma would really come out. It is the same way with Christians. It is the hard times that prove who the genuine followers of Christ are. Anybody can "follow" Christ during the easy and happy times. Persecution and trials separate the true from the false. Hard times actually make the true Christians stronger, while it makes the fake believers jump ship.
Romans 5:3-5 tells us, "More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us."
John MacArthur told a story that illustrates how the persecuted church may seem poor, but it is actually rich beyond measure (just like Christ said about the church in Smyrna).
"They had holiness, they had power, they had love, they had joy, they had grace, they had peace, they had true friends. They had a divine resource. They had a sympathetic Savior. They had grace upon grace. They were rich. That's how it is with a persecuted church. Don't you ever feel sorry for the persecuted church. I will never forget standing down here in front of this row after a service and having a pastor come to me when the Soviet Union was still under communist rule and shaking my hand and saying, "I have read your material in Russian and I come here and I have experienced your church today and I just want to tell you I don't know how you can possibly endure being a pastor in the United States."
And I said, "What do you mean?"
He said, "I could never be a pastor here. It's so much easier in the Soviet Union."
I said, "Why do you say that?"
He said, "Because your people are caught up in the world and material things and comfort and how can you find true commitment?" He said, "I would far rather pastor in the Soviet Union." John MacArthur
In closing, I'm going to let Scripture speak for itself.
1 Peter 1:3-9- Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Advice to Teachers
The following is an excerpt from "The Soul Winner" by Charles Spurgeon.
"Let every teacher weigh these words of Paul, "But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children: so, being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us." The genuine soul-winner knows what this means. For my own part, when the Lord helps me to preach, after I have delivered all my matter, and have fired off my shot so fast that my gun has grown hot, I have often rammed my soul into the gun, and fired my heart at the congregation, and this discharge has, under God, won the victory. God will bless by His Spirit our hearty sympathy with His own truth, and make it do that which the truth alone, coldly spoken, would not accomplish. Here, then, is the secret. You must, dear teacher, impart to the young your own soul; you must feel as if the ruin of that child would be your own ruin. You must feel that, if the child remains under the wrath of God, it is to you as true a grief as if you were under that wrath yourself. You must confess the child's sins before God as if they were your own, and stand as a priest before the Lord pleading on its behalf."
"Let every teacher weigh these words of Paul, "But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children: so, being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us." The genuine soul-winner knows what this means. For my own part, when the Lord helps me to preach, after I have delivered all my matter, and have fired off my shot so fast that my gun has grown hot, I have often rammed my soul into the gun, and fired my heart at the congregation, and this discharge has, under God, won the victory. God will bless by His Spirit our hearty sympathy with His own truth, and make it do that which the truth alone, coldly spoken, would not accomplish. Here, then, is the secret. You must, dear teacher, impart to the young your own soul; you must feel as if the ruin of that child would be your own ruin. You must feel that, if the child remains under the wrath of God, it is to you as true a grief as if you were under that wrath yourself. You must confess the child's sins before God as if they were your own, and stand as a priest before the Lord pleading on its behalf."
Friday, January 23, 2009
My Boys are Living Up to Their Names
Kelli and I often joke about how our boys are living up to the names we gave them. After the boys and Kelli went to bed tonight, I began to think about how true that is. Allow me to illustrate.
Nathaniel Jacob is our oldest. It took us a little while to decide on his name, but when we came up with it, we knew it was the one. Nathaniel means "gift of God". Nathaniel has no doubt been a gift from God. Kelli and I got married in June of 1996. That December we found out she was pregnant. I think we had tried for only a month or so before we found out she was pregnant. We were ecstatic to put it mildly. Nathaniel has been a blessing in countless ways. From the beginning he has been a Momma's boy. To this day, he fiercely takes up for his Mom (whether she is right or wrong! lol). He loves his dear old Dad, but Mom will always hold a special place in his heart. I was working very long hours on night shift when he was little, so Kelli spent a lot of one on one time with him. Jacob means "supplanter or deceiver". Nathaniel really takes after his namesake in this category. Jacob was a good guy in Scripture, but he sure could be sneaky when he needed to be! That's my Nathaniel. I could tell story after story about the sneaky things he has done. He has definitely given us our share of laughs.
Next came Benjamin Isaac. Remember how I said that Nathaniel was a major Momma's boy? Well, Benjamin went to the other extreme. When he was a baby, it would break Kelli's heart because he didn't want her to get him to sleep. He only wanted his Dad! She could try to get him to sleep for 2 hours. I could snuggle him and 5 minutes later he was sound asleep. It's no wonder that Benjamin means "son of my right hand". Benjamin and I still cut up about how he is the son of my right hand since he is such a Daddy's boy. Nathaniel might take up for Kelli, but Benjamin always takes up for me (even whey I'm wrong). Isaac means "he will laugh". Wouldn't you know that Benjamin would be our little comedian. We knew from the beginning that he would be the class clown. He loves to make people laugh. And when he laughs, he brightens up a whole room. He is always trying to find a funny joke to tell or come up with some kind of practical joke. There is never a dull moment with Benjamin.
And last but not least, Samuel Joseph. I had always dreamed of having 3 boys. After we had 2 we decided that was enough, though. God had another plan for us! Samuel was our little surprise. I'm glad that God does what He thinks is best for us instead of what we think is best. Nathaniel is the Momma's boy. Benjamin is the Daddy's boy. And Samuel is right in the middle. He tries his best to be equal to both of us. Samuel means "His name is God". In the Bible, Hannah named Samuel that because God was the one who answered her prayer for a child. You have to put both of his names together to get the full effect of how he is living up to his name. Joseph means "He will enlarge". In the Bible, Rachel named Joseph that because God had enlarged her family (and would continue to enlarge it). So you've got "His name is God" and "He will enlarge". We thought we were done with children, but God reminded us that we are not God. He is God and He decided to enlarge our family by giving us Samuel. I sure am glad He did. Samuel is one of a kind to put it mildly.
Oh, here is one more interesting thing about the names in our family. Mark means "warrior" and Kelli means "warrior woman". Yet another example of how we are made for each other.
Until next time, blessings and peace to you...
Nathaniel Jacob is our oldest. It took us a little while to decide on his name, but when we came up with it, we knew it was the one. Nathaniel means "gift of God". Nathaniel has no doubt been a gift from God. Kelli and I got married in June of 1996. That December we found out she was pregnant. I think we had tried for only a month or so before we found out she was pregnant. We were ecstatic to put it mildly. Nathaniel has been a blessing in countless ways. From the beginning he has been a Momma's boy. To this day, he fiercely takes up for his Mom (whether she is right or wrong! lol). He loves his dear old Dad, but Mom will always hold a special place in his heart. I was working very long hours on night shift when he was little, so Kelli spent a lot of one on one time with him. Jacob means "supplanter or deceiver". Nathaniel really takes after his namesake in this category. Jacob was a good guy in Scripture, but he sure could be sneaky when he needed to be! That's my Nathaniel. I could tell story after story about the sneaky things he has done. He has definitely given us our share of laughs.
Next came Benjamin Isaac. Remember how I said that Nathaniel was a major Momma's boy? Well, Benjamin went to the other extreme. When he was a baby, it would break Kelli's heart because he didn't want her to get him to sleep. He only wanted his Dad! She could try to get him to sleep for 2 hours. I could snuggle him and 5 minutes later he was sound asleep. It's no wonder that Benjamin means "son of my right hand". Benjamin and I still cut up about how he is the son of my right hand since he is such a Daddy's boy. Nathaniel might take up for Kelli, but Benjamin always takes up for me (even whey I'm wrong). Isaac means "he will laugh". Wouldn't you know that Benjamin would be our little comedian. We knew from the beginning that he would be the class clown. He loves to make people laugh. And when he laughs, he brightens up a whole room. He is always trying to find a funny joke to tell or come up with some kind of practical joke. There is never a dull moment with Benjamin.
And last but not least, Samuel Joseph. I had always dreamed of having 3 boys. After we had 2 we decided that was enough, though. God had another plan for us! Samuel was our little surprise. I'm glad that God does what He thinks is best for us instead of what we think is best. Nathaniel is the Momma's boy. Benjamin is the Daddy's boy. And Samuel is right in the middle. He tries his best to be equal to both of us. Samuel means "His name is God". In the Bible, Hannah named Samuel that because God was the one who answered her prayer for a child. You have to put both of his names together to get the full effect of how he is living up to his name. Joseph means "He will enlarge". In the Bible, Rachel named Joseph that because God had enlarged her family (and would continue to enlarge it). So you've got "His name is God" and "He will enlarge". We thought we were done with children, but God reminded us that we are not God. He is God and He decided to enlarge our family by giving us Samuel. I sure am glad He did. Samuel is one of a kind to put it mildly.
Oh, here is one more interesting thing about the names in our family. Mark means "warrior" and Kelli means "warrior woman". Yet another example of how we are made for each other.
Until next time, blessings and peace to you...
Thursday, January 22, 2009
The Path to Insanity???
We are several weeks into a new Bible study with our youth group. In this study, we are looking at the "The Path to True Happiness". We have been looking at our tendencies to seek stuff to make us happy instead of seeking God. We love to elevate gifts over Giver. We seek pleasure from everything under the sun except for the only One who gives lasting joy. In this particular blog, I just want to give you a few things to chew on that God has been convicting me (and hopefully our youth group) about lately.
First, I want us to look at the story of a guy in Scripture who literally tried everything under the sun he could think of to bring himself happiness. Let's see what Solomon said about his relentless pursuit of happiness.
Ecclesiastes 2:1-11 says, "I said in my heart, "Come now, I will test you with pleasure; enjoy yourself." But behold, this also was vanity. I said of laughter, "It is mad," and of pleasure, "What use is it?" I searched with my heart how to cheer my body with wine—my heart still guiding me with wisdom—and how to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was good for the children of man to do under heaven during the few days of their life. I made great works. I built houses and planted vineyards for myself. I made myself gardens and parks, and planted in them all kinds of fruit trees. I made myself pools from which to water the forest of growing trees. I bought male and female slaves, and had slaves who were born in my house. I had also great possessions of herds and flocks, more than any who had been before me in Jerusalem. I also gathered for myself silver and gold and the treasure of kings and provinces. I got singers, both men and women, and many concubines, the delight of the children of man. So I became great and surpassed all who were before me in Jerusalem. Also my wisdom remained with me. And whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I kept my heart from no pleasure, for my heart found pleasure in all my toil, and this was my reward for all my toil. The I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun."
Now here was a guy who tried to find happiness in every way imaginable. Let's summarize some different things he tried to find happiness in, according to this passage. He tried all kinds of pleasure, enjoyment, laughter, drinking, partying, goofing off, work, career, houses, countless possessions, servants, unlimited money, entertainment, relationships, as much sex as he wanted, and everything his heart desired. This was astounding!!! But even more astounding than all of the things he tried is his assessment of his life after experiencing all of this pleasure. He said that all of it was vanity. It was all pointless. It was all useless. It might have brought temporary pleasure, but it never brought lasting happiness.
If his approach to life doesn't resemble the American dream, then I don't know what does. If you want it, do it. If it makes you happy, go for it. Just follow your heart and you will find happiness. Yet Scripture teaches and life confirms that stuff and relationships, as much temporary pleasure as they might bring, cannot give us lasting joy. It's no surprise that even though America is the most prosperous nation in the history of the world, depression is at an all-time high.
If only I had that job, I would be happy. If only I had that car, I would be happy. If only I had that house, I would be happy. If only I had that spouse, I would be happy. If only I had a different spouse, I would be happy. If only I had kids, I would be happy. Do you see the endless cycle? We are seeking lasting joy from temporary experiences. Meanwhile, we are ignoring the only Source of true and lasting joy. We are treasuring gifts instead of treasuring Giver. And as long as we do that, we will never experience true happiness.
I want to close out this blog by looking at Jesus' teaching on the path to true happiness. It is a familiar passage, but I'm afraid we usually just skim over it instead of really considering the implications of what is said.
Matthew 5:3-12 says, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven... Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted..... Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth..... Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied..... Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy..... Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God..... Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. .... Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven..... Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account... ..Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you."
In this passage, blessed literally means "happy, fortunate, or blissful". Is it just me, or does this seem like complete insanity at first glance? Happy are the poor in spirit. Happy are those who mourn. Happy are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. Happy are those who are persecuted for the sake of Christ. This sounds like lunacy! How can those things bring happiness? How can all of the desirable things we seek be unable to bring happiness, while this crazy list is a guarantee to bring lasting happiness?
I hope you will be considering how this passage relates to the way you are living your life. We are going to consider some implications of this passage next week. Until next time, blessings and peace.
First, I want us to look at the story of a guy in Scripture who literally tried everything under the sun he could think of to bring himself happiness. Let's see what Solomon said about his relentless pursuit of happiness.
Ecclesiastes 2:1-11 says, "I said in my heart, "Come now, I will test you with pleasure; enjoy yourself." But behold, this also was vanity. I said of laughter, "It is mad," and of pleasure, "What use is it?" I searched with my heart how to cheer my body with wine—my heart still guiding me with wisdom—and how to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was good for the children of man to do under heaven during the few days of their life. I made great works. I built houses and planted vineyards for myself. I made myself gardens and parks, and planted in them all kinds of fruit trees. I made myself pools from which to water the forest of growing trees. I bought male and female slaves, and had slaves who were born in my house. I had also great possessions of herds and flocks, more than any who had been before me in Jerusalem. I also gathered for myself silver and gold and the treasure of kings and provinces. I got singers, both men and women, and many concubines, the delight of the children of man. So I became great and surpassed all who were before me in Jerusalem. Also my wisdom remained with me. And whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I kept my heart from no pleasure, for my heart found pleasure in all my toil, and this was my reward for all my toil. The I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun."
Now here was a guy who tried to find happiness in every way imaginable. Let's summarize some different things he tried to find happiness in, according to this passage. He tried all kinds of pleasure, enjoyment, laughter, drinking, partying, goofing off, work, career, houses, countless possessions, servants, unlimited money, entertainment, relationships, as much sex as he wanted, and everything his heart desired. This was astounding!!! But even more astounding than all of the things he tried is his assessment of his life after experiencing all of this pleasure. He said that all of it was vanity. It was all pointless. It was all useless. It might have brought temporary pleasure, but it never brought lasting happiness.
If his approach to life doesn't resemble the American dream, then I don't know what does. If you want it, do it. If it makes you happy, go for it. Just follow your heart and you will find happiness. Yet Scripture teaches and life confirms that stuff and relationships, as much temporary pleasure as they might bring, cannot give us lasting joy. It's no surprise that even though America is the most prosperous nation in the history of the world, depression is at an all-time high.
If only I had that job, I would be happy. If only I had that car, I would be happy. If only I had that house, I would be happy. If only I had that spouse, I would be happy. If only I had a different spouse, I would be happy. If only I had kids, I would be happy. Do you see the endless cycle? We are seeking lasting joy from temporary experiences. Meanwhile, we are ignoring the only Source of true and lasting joy. We are treasuring gifts instead of treasuring Giver. And as long as we do that, we will never experience true happiness.
I want to close out this blog by looking at Jesus' teaching on the path to true happiness. It is a familiar passage, but I'm afraid we usually just skim over it instead of really considering the implications of what is said.
Matthew 5:3-12 says, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven... Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted..... Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth..... Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied..... Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy..... Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God..... Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. .... Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven..... Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account... ..Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you."
In this passage, blessed literally means "happy, fortunate, or blissful". Is it just me, or does this seem like complete insanity at first glance? Happy are the poor in spirit. Happy are those who mourn. Happy are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. Happy are those who are persecuted for the sake of Christ. This sounds like lunacy! How can those things bring happiness? How can all of the desirable things we seek be unable to bring happiness, while this crazy list is a guarantee to bring lasting happiness?
I hope you will be considering how this passage relates to the way you are living your life. We are going to consider some implications of this passage next week. Until next time, blessings and peace.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
What's the Big Deal With Repentance???
Repentance..... Now there is a word that we don't hear very much any more. It seems the most common teachings that are going around these days are: God wants you healthy, wealthy, and happy. Just come to Christ and all of your problems will go away. Do you want a new car, job, or a problem free life? Just name it and claim it! We don't hear words like sin, hell, and repentance. It reminds me of 2 Timothy 4:3-4. It says, "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance with their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths." If that is not an accurate description of the modern church, I don't know what is. This ear tickling has also seaped into teachings on salvation. Just repeat this prayer, come to the altar and pray, and raise your hand are a few that come to mind. How does this line up with what Scripture teaches about salvation? Is that all we have to do? Do we just repeat a prayer or raise our hand during an invitation? In the words of the Philippian jailer, "What must I do to be saved?". I want us to take a look at the role of faith and repentance in salvation.
Is repentance really that important? Is it necessary for salvation? We are going to see that repentance and faith are different sides of the same coin. They are inseparable when it comes to salvation. Throughout all of the New Testament, repentance is taught as being essential for salvation. Don't believe me? John the Baptist taught it. Matthew 3:2 says, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Jesus taught it. Luke 13:3 says, "I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish." The disciples taught it. Mark 6:12 says, "They went out and preached that men should repent." Peter preached it at Pentecost (Acts 2:38) and Paul taught it as well (Acts 17:30-31). It sounds like repentance is vital to the Gospel. That is why Jesus told His disciples in Luke 24:47 that we are supposed to preach repentance to all the nations. Jesus said if you don't repent you will perish. If repentance is that important, I think we need to understand exactly what it is.
2 Corinthians 7:10 says, "For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death." What exactly do we feel sorrow for? What is this sorrow that leads to repentance? We feel sorrow because of our sin. We come to understand our condition. We realize that we have sinned (Romans 3:23). We realize that the best we have to offer is filthy in God's sight (Isaiah 64:6). We realize that we have no hope of pleasing God on our own. We are sinners (Rom. 5:8), enemies (Rom. 5:10), helpless (Rom. 5:6), alienated (Col. 1:21), blind (2 Cor. 4:4), fools (Rom. 1:22) depraved (Rom. 1:28), children of wrath (Eph. 2:3), and dead in trespasses and sins (Eph 2:1). Because of our sin, we are worthy of death (Romans 6:23) and eternal punishment (2 Thess. 1:9). When we really understand our condition, it should produce a disgust for our sin. It should produce a desire to get rid of the filth in our life. It should produce a terror that we have offended a holy God. Notice I said it SHOULD. Before we come to Christ, we are spiritually dead, though (Eph. 2:1). Left to our own, nobody would ever seek God's forgiveness. Romans 3:11 tells us that nobody seeks after God. God seeks us (Luke 19:10). God Himself must convict us and open our eyes to our true condition. Romans 2:4 tells us that, "the kindness of God leads us to repentance." 2 Timothy 2:25-26 tell us that God is the One who grants repentance. So, repentance is loathing our sin. You go from loving and being okay with your sin to being disgusted by it. We can't stand our sin and we want to be rid of it. That is the part repentance plays in salvation. Repentance strips away all of our pride and self-righteousness. Then it creates a hunger for the true righteousness that can only come from God. Where does faith come into all of this, though. If you were to stop with repentance, you would have an incomplete Gospel. Let's see how faith plays it's part in salvation.
Ephesians 2:8-9 says, "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast." We simply cannot earn our salvation. We have nothing to offer. It is only by God's grace (undeserved favor) that we can be saved. It is a gift. You don't earn a gift. It is freely given. Romans 5:8 says, "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Christ paid the price for our sin when He died on the cross. Romans 3:25 says, "He who was delivered over because of our transgressions, and was raised because our justification." He died for our sins and arose three days later so we can be declared innocent. 2 Corinthians 5:21 tells us, "He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." When we believe in Christ, He takes our sin and gives us His righteousness. It must be repentant faith, though. Simply believing Christ exists, or even that he died for our sins is not enough. James 2:19 says that even the demons believe and they tremble. Remember the people in Matthew 7? Verses 21-23 say, "Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophecy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles? And then I will declare to them, I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness." Those people believed Christ was real and even did great works in His name. Their faith was in their works, though. It wasn't a repentant faith. Many, many people are in that same situation today. They believe Christ is real, but they aren't trusting in Him as their only hope of salvation. They believe in Christ, but trust in their own works. Somebody who has truly repented knows that they have nothing to offer. They are spiritually bankrupt and have no hope of paying the debt themselves. Repentance takes all of the confidence out of yourself and faith puts it in Christ. That is why I said that they were two sides of the same coin.
Leaving repentance out of our teaching on salvation has had disastrous results. It is no wonder that most people who claim to be Christians show no evidence of it. They have repeated a prayer, walked an isle, or raised their hand, but they have never repented. Repentant faith produces a change. That is why John the Baptist said in Matthew 3:8, "Therefore bear fruit, in keeping with repentance." James 2:14,17-18 says, "What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him? Even so faith, if it has now works, is dead, being by itself. But someone may well say, "You have faith and I have works": show me your faith without works, and I will show you my faith by my works." Works do not save us, but they are the product of true faith. Matthew 7:20 says you will know a tree by it's fruit. In the words of Paul in Romans 6:2, "How shall we who died to sin still live in it?" True believers can't live the same way they used to. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come." If we will start teaching repentance and faith, we will see transformed lives; lives that are transformed by the power of the Gospel. My prayer is that you have repentant faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. I pray that God will grant you repentance to make you loathe your sin and to strip you of all confidence in yourself. Then I pray you will trust Christ as your only hope of salvation. Until next time.......
Is repentance really that important? Is it necessary for salvation? We are going to see that repentance and faith are different sides of the same coin. They are inseparable when it comes to salvation. Throughout all of the New Testament, repentance is taught as being essential for salvation. Don't believe me? John the Baptist taught it. Matthew 3:2 says, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Jesus taught it. Luke 13:3 says, "I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish." The disciples taught it. Mark 6:12 says, "They went out and preached that men should repent." Peter preached it at Pentecost (Acts 2:38) and Paul taught it as well (Acts 17:30-31). It sounds like repentance is vital to the Gospel. That is why Jesus told His disciples in Luke 24:47 that we are supposed to preach repentance to all the nations. Jesus said if you don't repent you will perish. If repentance is that important, I think we need to understand exactly what it is.
2 Corinthians 7:10 says, "For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death." What exactly do we feel sorrow for? What is this sorrow that leads to repentance? We feel sorrow because of our sin. We come to understand our condition. We realize that we have sinned (Romans 3:23). We realize that the best we have to offer is filthy in God's sight (Isaiah 64:6). We realize that we have no hope of pleasing God on our own. We are sinners (Rom. 5:8), enemies (Rom. 5:10), helpless (Rom. 5:6), alienated (Col. 1:21), blind (2 Cor. 4:4), fools (Rom. 1:22) depraved (Rom. 1:28), children of wrath (Eph. 2:3), and dead in trespasses and sins (Eph 2:1). Because of our sin, we are worthy of death (Romans 6:23) and eternal punishment (2 Thess. 1:9). When we really understand our condition, it should produce a disgust for our sin. It should produce a desire to get rid of the filth in our life. It should produce a terror that we have offended a holy God. Notice I said it SHOULD. Before we come to Christ, we are spiritually dead, though (Eph. 2:1). Left to our own, nobody would ever seek God's forgiveness. Romans 3:11 tells us that nobody seeks after God. God seeks us (Luke 19:10). God Himself must convict us and open our eyes to our true condition. Romans 2:4 tells us that, "the kindness of God leads us to repentance." 2 Timothy 2:25-26 tell us that God is the One who grants repentance. So, repentance is loathing our sin. You go from loving and being okay with your sin to being disgusted by it. We can't stand our sin and we want to be rid of it. That is the part repentance plays in salvation. Repentance strips away all of our pride and self-righteousness. Then it creates a hunger for the true righteousness that can only come from God. Where does faith come into all of this, though. If you were to stop with repentance, you would have an incomplete Gospel. Let's see how faith plays it's part in salvation.
Ephesians 2:8-9 says, "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast." We simply cannot earn our salvation. We have nothing to offer. It is only by God's grace (undeserved favor) that we can be saved. It is a gift. You don't earn a gift. It is freely given. Romans 5:8 says, "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Christ paid the price for our sin when He died on the cross. Romans 3:25 says, "He who was delivered over because of our transgressions, and was raised because our justification." He died for our sins and arose three days later so we can be declared innocent. 2 Corinthians 5:21 tells us, "He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." When we believe in Christ, He takes our sin and gives us His righteousness. It must be repentant faith, though. Simply believing Christ exists, or even that he died for our sins is not enough. James 2:19 says that even the demons believe and they tremble. Remember the people in Matthew 7? Verses 21-23 say, "Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophecy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles? And then I will declare to them, I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness." Those people believed Christ was real and even did great works in His name. Their faith was in their works, though. It wasn't a repentant faith. Many, many people are in that same situation today. They believe Christ is real, but they aren't trusting in Him as their only hope of salvation. They believe in Christ, but trust in their own works. Somebody who has truly repented knows that they have nothing to offer. They are spiritually bankrupt and have no hope of paying the debt themselves. Repentance takes all of the confidence out of yourself and faith puts it in Christ. That is why I said that they were two sides of the same coin.
Leaving repentance out of our teaching on salvation has had disastrous results. It is no wonder that most people who claim to be Christians show no evidence of it. They have repeated a prayer, walked an isle, or raised their hand, but they have never repented. Repentant faith produces a change. That is why John the Baptist said in Matthew 3:8, "Therefore bear fruit, in keeping with repentance." James 2:14,17-18 says, "What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him? Even so faith, if it has now works, is dead, being by itself. But someone may well say, "You have faith and I have works": show me your faith without works, and I will show you my faith by my works." Works do not save us, but they are the product of true faith. Matthew 7:20 says you will know a tree by it's fruit. In the words of Paul in Romans 6:2, "How shall we who died to sin still live in it?" True believers can't live the same way they used to. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come." If we will start teaching repentance and faith, we will see transformed lives; lives that are transformed by the power of the Gospel. My prayer is that you have repentant faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. I pray that God will grant you repentance to make you loathe your sin and to strip you of all confidence in yourself. Then I pray you will trust Christ as your only hope of salvation. Until next time.......
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Great is Thy Faithfulness
GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS
Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.
Refrain
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.
Refrain
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!
Refrain
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