Give Thanks In All Circumstances
This video helps us see the true meaning of “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you“ (1Thessalonians 5:16-18).
Give God thanks today, it’s what He wants you to do.
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Idol Worship
The Skit Guys challenge us guys on idol worship.
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Caleb: A Man Favored By God (prt. 1 of 3)
Does God have favorites? Oh I know He loves everybody. John 3:16 settles that argument. We also know that He does not show partiality toward men but calls all of every nation (Acts 10:34). And yet, when we survey the annuls of scripture, we clearly see that God was drawn to certain individuals more than He was to others. And for those who God was drawn to He showed them favor by granting them certain blessings that were not given to others.
For example, who would argue that God wasn’t drawn to Noah and his family, favoring them more than all others during his time (Genesis 6:17-18)? Or what about Abraham? Didn’t he and God have a special friendship (James 2:23) that was not shared with others? Consider Joseph, is there any doubt that God was specifically working in his life (Genesis 39:2)? And, who would deny that God had special plans for an obscure shepherd boy named David (1 Samuel 16:12-13). Or that He didn’t favor Mary over all the young Jewish girls in Judea (Luke 1:26-28)?[i] So we see God has favored certain people above others. So what does it take to be one of God’s special people, to be favored by Him? To answer that question let’s look at another of God’s favored people, Caleb and learn from Him the traits that God looks for in a person with whom He will favor.
The key to understanding why God favored Caleb can be found in Numbers 14:24, where God said:
“But my servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land into which he went, and his descendants shall possess it.” (ESV)
Embedded within this one statement is the three keys for being favored by God. Let’s learn them together so that we too may be one of God’s special people.
Caleb was a Servant
The first reason God favored Caleb was because he was a servant. We’re first introduced to Caleb in Numbers 13. There in verse 2 we learn that God commanded Moses to “send men to spy out the land of Canaan… From each tribe… you shall send one man, everyone a chief among them.” A few verses down in verse 6 we find that the chief that was selected from the tribe of Judah was Caleb. At the very outset of meeting Caleb we see his servant heart.
Not only was Caleb a member of an elite spy organization, (for kicks let’s call it the CIIA, Children of Israel Intelligence Agency) he was also a leader among the tribe of Judah. That’s enough to give anybody the big head is it not? Yet when God looked down and examined the heart of this man He said there’s “my servant.” Caleb was one of those special people who understood the power of a position didn’t come from lording over others; instead it came by serving others. He, unlike other leaders in the Old Testament (i.e. 1 Samuel 12:12-21), knew that being a leader first meant humbling yourself to serve those whom you lead.
Do you want God’s favor then be a servant leader. From Ephesians 5:23 we learn that the “Husband is head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church.” Husbands, do you want to be favored by God? Then be like Jesus and be a servant leader of your wife and family (Ephesians 5:25-27). Fathers, do you want to be favored by God? Then be a servant leader for your children humbly teaching them God’s word both verbally and by your actions (Ephesians 6:4). Elders, deacons, and preachers, do you want to be favored by God? Then be servant leaders to those the Spirit has entrusted you with, not lording over them but humbling yourself and serving as if you were their slave (Matthew 20:25-28). Ladies, do you want to be favored by God? Then be a servant leader in to your family (Proverbs 31:10-31; 1 Timothy 5:14). I think I have expressed this before, but women are to be the heads of the house (“keepers of home” (NKJV) “work at home” (ESV) literally means rule the house[ii]), or in the context of our lesson, servant leaders of the house. She is not to lord over her husband or children but serves them while she leads the house. (Men are head of the family, Ephesians 5:25-27; 6:4, while women are heads of the house affairs.) What do we seen? A servant leader is the kind of leader that is favored by God.
What’s the key then to being a servant leader? That can be found in Philippians 2:3-7. Here the apostle Paul said:
“Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look no only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”
What’s the key to be a servant leader that is favored by God? Paul said humbly put others and their interest before yours, serving them like Christ has served us. How much better would our homes be if husbands and fathers, wives and mothers had this spirit of leadership? How much better would our congregations be if elders, deacons and preachers possessed this spirit of as the heart of their leadership? How much better off would our children be if we as parents lead them in this fashion? The answer is, it all would be so much better because it would receive God’s favor.
We see that Caleb was favored by God because he humbly served others as God’s servant leader.
Be sure to continue our study on Caleb with part 2 (Caleb was different) and part 3 (Caleb remained loyal).
[i] Atteberry, Mark. The Caleb Quest: What You Can Learn From The Boldest Dreamer In The Bible. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, Inc. 1996. Print Page 36-37.
[ii] Thayer – G3616 (1)to be master (or head) of a house. (2) to rule a household, manage family affairs.
Caleb: A Man Favored By God (prt. 2 of 3)
From part 1 we learned the God favored Caleb because he was a servant. From our text Numbers 14:24, let’s learn the second reason God favored Caleb and if we have this God-favoring quality as well, His favor will be upon us.
“But my servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land into which he went, and his descendants shall possess it.” (ESV)
Caleb was Different
A second quality of Caleb that brought about God’s favor was that he had a “different spirit.” Flash-forward from where we started in Numbers 13:2, 6 to Numbers 14:5-9. The spies have already gone through the land and have come back to give their report. You’ll remember that ten of the spies disheartened the people by giving them a bad report (Numbers 13:30-33). Following the “bad report” the Children of Israel wept all night, grumbling against Moses and Aaron, ready to select new leaders and return to Egypt (Numbers 14:1-4). In an effort to stop the people from sinning, Caleb stood up and said to the people:
“The land, which we passed through to spy it out, is an exceedingly good land. If the Lord delights in us, He will bring us into this land and give it to us, a land that flows with milk and honey. Only do not fear the people of the land, for they are bread to us. Their protection is removed from them, and the Lord is with us; do not fear them.” (Numbers 14:7-10)
It was with this statement that Caleb exhibited his God favoring trait of being different. What is it about this statement that’s so special? Let’s compare him to the 10 spies who gave the bad report. They were all chief’s from their tribes. They had all gone on the mission together and all it entailed. And they both started their speeches talking about how great the land was (compare Numbers 13:27 to 14:7b). What separated him from the rest? What was it that made Caleb different? It was that he brought God into the conversation of taking the Land. Aside from Joshua, Caleb is the only person in this whole scene who is talking about God. Because God was in Caleb’s heart, God was on Caleb’s lips. This is what made him different from the rest.
There’s no doubt we as Christian are to be different people. Our outlook on life is to be different from the rest of the world. Because our outlook is different, our priorities are to be different. Since our priorities are different then our activities are to be different. These differences lead to our moral and ethical standards being different from the world as well. This is nothing new. If you’ve been in a church for any length of time you have heard countless sermons on these subjects, especially about how we’re to be different by refraining from the doing the things the world does. But may I submit to you that if we are to be favored by God then we need to be different, not by merely refraining from certain behaviors, but also by engaging in God-favoring behaviors. That’s why Caleb was different. He was different because he was engaging in a God-favoring behavior that was different from those around him. And if we’re going to be people who are favored by God then we need to be different like Caleb by doing something different, and that is bring God into the conversation of our lives.
How do we bring God into the conversation of our lives? First, talk about Him at home. God’s words in Deuteronomy 6:6-9 are quite clear. God wants to be a part of the conversation of our lives at home. Hear what He said:
“And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and you shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and your gates.” Deuteronomy 6:6-9
I was talking to a good friend of mine the other day. He was lamenting a remark made by one of his students in Bible class. My friend said, “One of my students told me that his parents don’t talk about God at home. They are just too busy.” That’s sad. That’s sad that God is not spoken of in this supposed Christian home. Will God favor this home? He won’t unless they begin to be different and bring God into the conversation of their home.
The second area we need to bring God into is the conversation of our plans. That’s what James is teaching in James 4:15 where he said, “Say, ‘If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.’” Bring God into the conversation of our plans. Recognizing that “in Him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 18:28). Do you want to be favored by God? Recognize that you live for His will, and at His good pleasure He allows you to do this or that. But just don’t think it in your heart, express it with your lips to God, to yourself and to others. Let everyone know that you’re different, that you freely submit to the will of the God for your life.
Finally, we need to bring God into the conversation of our thanksgiving. We recognize that God’s will for us is to be people who “give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thessalonians 5:18) and “[give] thanks always and for everything to God the Father” (Ephesians 5:20). We do a good job with that when it comes to thanking God in private but what about in front of others? Caleb wasn’t different because he kept God in his heart. He was different because God was on his lips. We need to bring God into the conversation of our lives by giving thanks in front of others. Let me give you two passages to consider. The first is Psalm 35:18, “I will thank You in the great congregation; in the mighty throng I will praise you.” Here David says I will thank You in the assembly of Your people. Friends it is so very important that we thank God in the assembly, it will go a long way in stirring up love and good works (cf. Hebrews 10:24-25). The second is Psalm 18:49 (NKJV), “I will give thanks to You, O LORD, among the Gentiles.” Again David is giving God thanks but not in front of believers, but in front of Gentiles, those who were outside the fellowship of God. If we would do the same, if we would give thanks to God, bring Him into the conversation of our lives and do it in front of non-Christians, then it would go a long way in prompting them to ask “for a reason for the hope that is in” us (1 Peter 3:15).
It takes courage to be different from a world that worships conformity. But if we are to be people who are favored by God, we’re going to have to be different by bringing God into the conversation of our lives. And if we have the courage to do that, His favor will be upon us.
If you missed it you’ll want to read part 1 (Caleb, my servant) and be sure to continue the study with part 3 (Caleb remained loyal).
Caleb: A Man Favored By God (prt. 3 of 3)
So far we have considered two God-favoring qualities that Caleb possessed, first, he was a servant (part 1) and second, he was different part 2). From our text Numbers 14:24, let’s learn the third reason God favored Caleb and if we have this God-favoring quality as well, His favor will be upon us.
“But my servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land into which he went, and his descendants shall possess it.” (ESV)
Caleb Remained Loyal
So far we have considered two God-favoring qualities that Caleb possessed, first, he was a servant, and second, he was different. The third God-faoving quality that Caleb possessed was that he remained loyal. You’ll recall from our original text, Numbers 14:24 that God said of Caleb, “He… had followed Me fully.” That’s another way of saying, “He has remained loyal.” For Caleb being loyal to God, following Him fully would have been easy in the camp of the Israelites. It would have been easy to be loyal when he spied out Canaan with his “band of brothers.” But God didn’t favor Caleb because he was loyal, or because he followed Him. He favored Caleb because he remained loyal, because he fully followed God. He remained loyal despite the fortified cities, in the face of the giants, even with the strong nations they would have to fight and he remained loyal even when his fellow Israelites were ready to stone him (Numbers 14:10). God favored Caleb because Caleb stood out from the rest, while their loyalty was failing, his loyalty to God remained intact.
The real challenge of this lesson is to remain loyal. For the vast majority of the time, being loyal to God is no problem. We all know too well that the moment we think life’s going good, then Murphy moves in and everything crumbles. All of us from time to time will face our proverbial strong cities, our towering giants, and our mobs rock wielding brethren. For you it might be financial woes that you’re fighting against. Do you want to be favored by God in that struggle? Then don’t waver, remain loyal. It might be sickness and the consequences of old age that you’re facing. Don’t give in embrace God’s favor by remaining loyal. It might be the temptations of Satan that you’re fighting against. Don’t budge, instead resist him, remaining loyal to God and He will give you His favor to overcome. You can do it friends you can remain loyal. Will be hard at times? Sure but just like Caleb you can do it.
Finally, in Joshua 14:6-15 we have the last scene of Caleb’s life. By this time he’s eighty-five years old. And what is he doing? He’s getting ready to take the land that God promised him when they came back from their spy mission (Numbers 14:24). What do we see here? We see a man who in the twilight of his life of who has remained loyal to God. The text goes on to say that he conquer Hebron in Judah and from there he conquered Debir (Joshua 15:13-19). Why was he able to accomplish this feat at such an age? Because God favored him. Why did God favor Caleb? Because he was a servant, he was different and because he remained loyal. And therein lies the true incentive for possessing these God-favoring qualities; if we will be servants, be different and remain loyal then God will give us our promised land in His time, just like He did for Caleb.
I have no doubt that you want to do great things for the Lord as well; that you want to receive His favor just as He has bestowed on others throughout the scriptures. I’m here to tell today that you can. You can be favored by God when you’ll be like Caleb and possess the God-favoring qualities that we have discussed. Will it be hard? Sure, but I know you’re up for the challenge because God wouldn’t call you to it accept it if He first hadn’t empowered you to accomplish it.
Thank you for taking this journey with me into the life of Caleb. I hope that you’ll give consideration to the lessons we have discussed that you too will work to possess the God-favoring qualities that Caleb had.
If you missed it, you’ll want to read part 1 (Caleb, my servant) and part 2 (Caleb was different).
Who Killed Jesus?
Who killed Jesus?[i] It seems to be an innocuous enough question doesn’t it? And yet it’s one of those questions that have perplexed Christendom for more than two millennia. In today’s socio-political environment to even attempt to answer this question requires one to wade into the treacherous waters of political correctness. We want worry with that today because we’re simple going to open our Bibles and learn that truth behind the killing of Jesus.
The Jews Killed Jesus
Many would answer our question by saying the Jews killed Jesus. Let’s examine the evidence.
A superficial reading of the gospels clearly reveals the tension that existed between Jesus and the religious rulers of His day. Early in His ministry, Jesus’ clashes with the Pharisees prompted them to seek how they might destroy Him (Mark 3:6). This lead them to repeatedly question Jesus, attempting to discredit Him by entangling Him in His own words (Luke 11:54). Finally, after Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, the Jewish leadership decided that death was the only solution to rid themselves of Jesus once and for all (John 11:47-54, 57).
The Pharisees were so consumed with killing Jesus that they put out word that if anyone saw Him they should inform the authorities at once so He could be arrested (John 11:57). Judas, one of Jesus’ chosen disciples, decided to take the Jewish leaders up on their offer, and for the bounty of thirty pieces of silver He would lead them to Jesus (Matthew 26:14-16). And this he did, leading the chief priest, elders and a band of soldiers to the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus was praying (Matthew 26:47-56).
Immediately upon His arrest, the Council (Sanhedrin) was assembled for the purpose of trying Jesus for crimes against the Jewish Law. The trial was a farce. Matthew gives us an insight into the Council’s intentions when He records, “Now the chief priest and the whole Council were seeking false testimony against Jesus that they might put him to death” (Matthew 26:59). Finally Jesus was condemned to death on the bases that He claimed He was the “Son of God” (Matthew 26:63-66).
Following His mock trial before the Council, Jesus was bound and delivered to the Roman governor Pontius Pilate (Matthew 27:2). Pilate listened to the chief priest’s complaint but under his own examination found Jesus to be innocent of any crimes (Luke 23:4). He knew the Jewish leaders wanted Him killed because they were envious of Him (Matthew 27:18). However, Pilate gave into their demands to kill Jesus when the chief priest and elders stirred up the people of the city to demand that Jesus be crucified, shouting to the top of their lungs, “Let Him be crucified, let Him be crucified” (Matthew 27:22-24). Pilate literally washed his hands of the matter to which the people replied, “His blood be on us and on our children!” in essence they were saying let us and our children be responsible for His death (Matthew 27:24-25). And so Jesus was lead away and crucified.
One last piece of evidence to consider is the testimony of Peter. In Acts 2:23, 36 he squarely says that the Jews killed Jesus. And again in Acts 3:13-15 Peter says, “You [Jews] killed the Author of Life [Jesus], whom God raised from the dead.”
So it seems from this evidence that the Jews killed Jesus. But there’s more…
The Romans Killed Jesus
The Romans were involved in the killing of Jesus from the very beginning. When Judas agreed to betray Jesus (remember nobody knew where He was staying except His inner circle of disciples John 11:53-57) he was given the use of a band of Roman soldiers (John 18:3[ii]). It is with this band of soldiers that Judas marched into Gethsemane and had Jesus apprehended. But the involvement of the Romans doesn’t stop there.
As Jesus stood before Pilate, he reminded the Savior that he had the authority to release Jesus and the “authority to crucify” Him (John 19:10). Even though Pilate attempted to avail himself of the blame for killing Jesus, the facts are plain as day; because of the pressure he received from the crowd, it was Pilate, Roman governor, who had Jesus scourged and delivered up to be crucified (Mark 15:15).
From this point forward, it is the Romans who are controlling the situation. It was the Roman band of soldiers that lead Him away. It was the Roman soldiers who mocked Him with the purple clock, the crown of thorns, and the profane salute. It was the Roman soldiers who struck Him on the head and who spit in His face (Mark 15:16-20). It was the same Roman soldiers who paraded Him through the streets of Jerusalem on the way to Golgotha (John 17:16-17; Matthew 27:32). Once they arrived at Golgotha it was the Roman soldiers who affixed Jesus to the cross and set watch over Him there (Matthew 27:35-36).
One last piece of evidence to consider in determining if the Romans killed Jesus is the disciples prayer for boldness in Acts 4:24-30. In verse 27 they make Herod, Pilate and the Gentiles willing accomplices of the Jews in the killing of Jesus.
So it seems from this evidence that the Romans killed Jesus. But there’s some more…
We Killed Jesus
We have seen evidence that would seem to point us to believe that the Jews and the Romans were solely responsible for the killing of Jesus. But there’s one more group that we must consider before we make our final decision, and that’s us. Is there evidence that we killed Jesus? Let’s consider a few passages.
The prophet Isaiah, in his great passage that depicts the suffering Savior said:
“Surely He has borne our grief and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities; upon Him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with His stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:4-5)
Isaiah says that Jesus carried our grief and our sorrows. That He was wounded for our transgressions and iniquities. Only through His stripes are we healed.
The apostle Peter echoes this same theme when he said, “He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, that we might die to sins and live to righteousness” (1 Peter 2:24) Couple this with Paul’s words in Romans 3:23, 6:23, “for all have sinned,” and “the wages of sin death.” With these verses as a backdrop to the killing of Jesus, a picture begins to form that we are responsible for Jesus’ death – that we should be lumped in with the Jews and Romans as being guilty parties to His death.
We express this sentiments in the song, “I’m the One.[iii]”
I was not in the garden when He knelt to God and prayed,
I did not kiss Him on the cheek when Jesus was betrayed;
I was not at the trial when the crowd jeered at His name,
I did not make Him bear a cross or walk a road of shame;
I was not on the hillside when He gave His life that day,
I did not nail His precious hands or take His robe away;
I could not do a single thing to hurt God’s only Son,
But every time I sin on earth I feel that I’m the one.
[Chorus]
I’m the one who shouted ‘crucify,’
I’m the one who made that cross so high,
I’m the one who stood and watched him die,
What have I done I’m the one.
And so it would seem that we too killed Jesus. The evidence seems to support it, we even sing about it. But may I suggest one more thing?
As we have sought to answer the question, “Who killed Jesus?” We have considered that it was the Jews, the Romans, and that we too are responsible for the killing of Jesus. May I suggest to you that all those answers are wrong? It seems somewhat absurd to me, and I suspect to you as well, that the all powerful God of the universe would allow Himself to be killed. That being the case then maybe we should look at our evidence again.
First, we said the Jews killed Jesus but from John 18:31 we know that the Jews did not have the power to put anyone to death. Then we said the Romans killed Jesus but Jesus Himself told Pilate that ultimately he didn’t have any power over Jesus (John 19:11). Finally, we said we killed Jesus because of our sins. Sometimes we can be so self-centered and arrogant without even knowing. There was nothing about our sins that forced Jesus to go to the cross. He didn’t owe it to us. He wasn’t obligated to die for us. And so it is that these three answers fall short woefully short in helping us sufficiently answer our question, “Who killed Jesus?” So where does that leave us then? I would submit to you that it only leaves us with one answer, with one solution. Jesus freely laid down His life for us.
Jesus Freely Laid Down His Life For Us
While it may have been the Jews who arrested Him; while it may have been the Romans that nailed Him to the cross; while it may have been our sins that put Him there, Jesus’ life was not taken from Him; instead He freely laid down His life for all of humanity because He loves us. That’s the force behind the words of Jesus in John 10:17-18:
“For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of My own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from My Father.”
No one took Jesus life, no one forcibly killed Jesus; He freely laid His life down for us. At any moment while He was on the cross Jesus could have called 12 legions of angels to come and fight for Him (Matthew 26:53). Do you realize that’s 72,000 angels? Jesus could have called 72,000 angels and they would have taken Him off the cross and fight for Him, no one took Jesus life by force, He freely gave His life for us. And while He hung there on the cross the text says, “When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, ‘It is finished,’ and He bowed His head and gave up His spirit” (John 19:30). He was in control of His life until the end when He freely gave up His spirit.
Why did He lay down His life? Because He loves us. That’s the theme of John 3:16 is it not? “For God so loved the world, that He gave his only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” Paul repeats that same theme in Romans 5:6, 8 where he says, “For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. But God shows His love for us in that while we were sinners, Christ died for us.” I guess the old saying then is true, “It wasn’t the nails that held Him to the cross… it was His love.”
What did we see? Jesus’ life wasn’t taken from Him. While the Jews, the Romans, and we had a part to play in His killing it was all part of God’s eternal plan and purpose so that those who would believe on Him would be saved. The saddest part of it all is that for too many Jesus’ death will be in vain. They’re not willing to love Him like He loved us. They’re not willing to dedicate their lives to serving Him. Is that you? Are you going to let your Savior die in vain for you? Or would you look up at the cross and see His great love for you and allow it to move your heart to die with Him in baptism (Romans 6:1-11) so that God can raise you up to walk a new life, just like He did for Jesus? I beg you, by the mercies of God, obey Him today.
If there’s any way I can help you please don’t hesitate to contact me at clay@claygentry.com. God bless.
[i] This lesson is adapted from “Who Killed Jesus: The Shocking Truth!” By Edwin Crozier. http://franklinchurchofchrist.com/?page_id=434
[ii] The Greek word translated “band of men” (KJV, ESV), “detachment of soldiers” (NKJV) and “Roman cohort” (NASB) is G4686 which means “a military cohort, or a band, company or detachment of soldiers.” A close examination of G4686’s usage in the New Testament reveals that Judas was given a Roman detachment. G4686 occurs in Matthew 27:27; Mark 15:16; John 18:3, 18:12; Acts 10:1, 21:31, 27:1. In all these passages Roman soldiers are under consideration.
[iii] I’m the One. Written by Roy Overholt. Copyright 1963 by Singspiration, Inc. From Hymns for Worship (Revised)
The Promises of an Empty Tomb
On the day that Jesus died on the cross, it seems that the hopes and dreams of His disciples were crushed. Their teacher had been killed. Judas, one of their own, had betrayed Him and now he was also dead. The crowds that once had flocked to Jesus were no longer around. The events of the last few days had been traumatic, perplexing, and trying for the disciples. And yet on the first day of the week following His death, word began to circulate among the faithful few that certain women had gone to Jesus’ tomb and had found the stone rolled away, an empty tomb, and the burial clothes lying on the floor (Luke 24:22-23). Most the disciples felt that the words of the women were nothing more than nonsense (Luke 24:11). But two of the disciples wanted to see for themselves and so they ran the tomb and there they found it to be just as the women had said it would be… empty (John 20:1-10).
The empty tomb of Jesus holds great promises for us. A promise is simply an assurance that statements that have been made are sure and true. By faith we are assured of the promises of an empty tomb:
1. An Empty Tomb Promises Fulfilled Prophesy – An empty tomb promises to compel us to trust Jesus’ claim that He is the Messiah (Luke 24:44; Psalms 16:8-11). No other person can make this claim. Mohammad’s tomb in Medina is not empty. Buddha’s ashes are still in various temples thought Asia. Lenin’s body is still in Red Square. And Madelyn O’Hair is still somewhere in Austin, TX. And yet the tomb of God’s chosen is empty because He is the Messiah, the Christ.
2. An Empty Tomb Promises Jesus Is Deity – An empty tomb promises that Jesus is deity. Only deity can raise themselves from the dead. In John 10:17-18 Jesus says that He had the power to raise Himself from the dead. Beginning with Acts 2:32 the apostles (15 times throughout the epistles[i]) said that God raised Jesus from the dead. When we couple these two passages together we see that the empty tomb promises us that Jesus is deity.
3. An Empty Tomb Promises Hope Of Being With God – An empty tomb promises to comfort us with the hope of being with the Lord. In John 13:31-35, Jesus tells His disciples that He will be leaving them soon. You can imagine how this troubled them. But He comforted them with these words, “I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” (John 14:3) In his letter to the Thessalonians (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18), Paul urged them to comfort one another with the hope of the resurrection of the dead and the ascension of the living to meet Jesus in the air. Even today it brings us great comfort that the promise of the resurrection remains because of the empty tomb.
4. An Empty Tomb Promises Death Has Lost Its Sting – An empty tomb promises to relieve our fears of death because death has lost its sting. “The sting of death is sin” (1 Corinthians 15:56). Without sin there would be no death. Without death we would not feel the sting that comes with dying. When I think about the sting of death I think about the fear that people have of dying. I think about the anxiety that comes with separation from loved ones and the panic of crossing the bar into the unknown depths of eternity. But Paul says that death has lost its sting because Jesus was raised from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:55) and if Jesus was raised from the dead then we will be raised also. Because we are raised in the same manner as He was (1 Corinthians 15:15-19) then the Christian has nothing to fear because of the empty tomb.
5. An Empty Tomb Promises Victory Over The Grave – An empty tomb promises to give us victory over the grave. Paul reminds us that “Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.” (Romans 8:11) My friends the grave could not contain the Savior, and it cannot contain us. The power that raised Jesus from the grave is the same power that will raise us from the grave at the last trumpet call (1 Corinthians 6:14, 15:52).
The promises of an empty tomb are only for those who by faith partake of the grace of God through baptism. Paul teaches us in Romans 6:3-5 that through baptism we unite ourselves in His death and as we arise from that water grave we unite ourselves in His resurrection. And in Romans 6:13 he says that we should “present ourselves to God as being alive from the dead…” as being resurrected to walk in the ways of righteousness, not in lives of sin. Let’s do that together starting today that we all may enjoy the promises of an empty tomb.
[i] Acts 2:24, 2:32, 3:15, 3:26, 4:10, 5:30, 10:40, 13:30, 13:37; Romans 10:9; 1 Corinthians 6:14, 15:15; Galatians 1:1; Colossians 2:12; 1 Peter 1:21
For Such A Time As This
God’s hand of providence and protection on behalf of His people is evident throughout the book of Esther, though His name does not appear even once in this great book. Hamman’s plot to annihilate God’s people brings grave danger to the Jews and is countered by the courage of beautiful Esther and the counsel of her wise cousin Mordecai, resulting in a great deliverance of God’s people. The pivotal passage in the book of Esther comes when Mordecai challenges Esther to see the possibilities of why she might have been blessed with her position of queenship:
“Then Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, ‘Do not think to yourself that in the king’s palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews. For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?’” Esther 4:13-14
This passage offers five suggestions to bear in mind as we consider the phrase “such a time as this…”
God’s Providential Working
Mordecai correctly recognized that perhaps God’s hand had brought Esther to the king’s palace. He said “Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom…” He is motivating her to understand the broader blessings that were involved in her being raised from relative obscurity to being the king’s wife. Mordecai wanted Esther to see that God had a plan and a purpose for her. Her coming into the kingdom was no accident nor was it any fluke, but she was an instrument for bringing about God’s divine purposes.
This same principle can be found in the words of Joseph when he said to his brothers:
“But now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life.” Genesis 45:5 (also note 45:7-8)
How much more effective would we be in our lives if we would be willing to recognize that perhaps we have been brought to this place for such a time as this?
Opportunity to do Good
Esther had been presented with an opportunity to do good for God and His people. She could choose to act or to turn a blind eye but she could never say that she did not have opportunity. Many times people will only seize upon opportunity when it benefits them but that should not be the case for God’s people. Just like Esther when we are presented with opportunity to do good we should take hold of these occasions remember the words of Paul to the Galatians:
“Therefore, as you have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.” Galatians 6:10
As opportunity to do good presents itself we are to act upon it, giving thanks to God for blessing us with the privilege of serving Him and His people through the opportunities He provides.
Responsibility to do Good
Opportunity + Ability = Responsibility. Someone had to act and Mordecai urged Esther to go before king on behalf of the Jews and plead their case. Mordecai knew that the Jews would be delivered from death whether it was by the hand Esther or from another place but this did not excuse Esther from the responsibility to do good. We should remember the words of Paul as he wrote to Titus:
“The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devout themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.” Titus 3:8 (ESV)
To devote one’s self to good works means to “take the lead” in doing good works. Paul wants Titus and all of us to recognize that we, as those who “have believed in God”, have an overwhelming responsibility to do good.
Courage to do What Was Required
If Esther was going to seize upon the opportunity to save the Jews she was going to have to muster all the courage she had to go before the king uninvited. She recognized that her life was would be on the line (Esther 4:11) but Mordecai was not willing to allow her fear of dying to keep her from doing what was required. The Psalmist recognized that our courage comes from the Lord when he said:
“Wait on the LORD; Be of good cheer, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD!” Psalm 27:14
Sometimes the hardest thing to do is to wait. We must learn to trust in God, rely on Him, and to come to God in time of weakness. He will give us the courage and the strength that is needed to act upon the opportunities that he has blessed us with.
Faith to Carry Out Her Work
Esther sees the providential hand of God in her life; she recognizes the blessed opportunity the lies before her; the responsibility to act weighs heavy on her heart; the courage to act will be come from the Lord by waiting on Him and she will act in faith. But she will not act alone. Esther calls for a three day fast (traditionally coupled with prayer) before she goes before the king. She surmised that if she perished, she perished but she would faithfully carryout her work. We too must be willing to faithfully carryout the work of the Lord. Jesus spoke of one who valued his life more than his faithful work when He said:
“For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” Luke 9:24
We may not live in a time when people seek to take our lives because we faithfully carryout the Lord’s work. But one of the principles that we can take away from this verse is that if we seek to keep not only our lives but the lives that we have built we will lose it in the end. But if our lives are built around Jesus Christ our lives will be saved in the end.
Let us recognize that these five suggestions also apply to all of us; perhaps we have been brought into this moment “for such a time as this.” Let this phrase spur us to action recognizing God’s providence, His opportunities, your responsibility, and the courage and faith that will be needed.
To the Praise of His Glory
There is no doubt about, our God is a great God. Need proof of that? Let’s take a quick look through Ephesians 1-3 and learn how He has “blessed us with every spiritual blessing” through Jesus Christ (1:3):
- God has blessed us by adopting us as His children (1:5, 2:19)
- God has blessed us by accepting us in the Beloved (1:6)
- God has blessed us by redeeming and forgiving us through Christ’s blood (1:7)
- God has blessed us by lavishly giving us wisdom and understanding (1:8-9)
- God has blessed us by willing us an inheritance in heaven (1:11)
- God has blessed us by sealing us with the Holy Spirit as a promise of our salvation (1:13)
- God has blessed us by raising us up, making us alive when we were dead in our sins (2:1-7)
- God has blessed us by gifting salvation to us through His grace (2:4-9)
- God has blessed us by building us up as citizens of the Heavenly Kingdom (2:19)
- God has blessed us by making us heirs and partakers of the promise of Christ (3:6)
- God has blessed us by allowing us to boldly access Him through Jesus Christ (3:12)
What was God’s goal in giving us all of these spiritual blessings? So often our answer, so we could be saved and go to heaven. While this might be the outcome of all that God has done for us it is not God’s goal.
The answer is repeated three times in Ephesians 1.
“Having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.” (Ephesians 1:5-6)
“In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory.” (Ephesians 1:11-12)
“In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.” (Ephesians 1:13-14)
Did you catch that? God’s goal in accomplishing all of these spiritual blessings for us was so that we would be to the praise of His glory. Don’t miss that. God’s goal in blessing us with all of these spiritual blessings is not accomplished when we are forgiven instead it is accomplished when we glorify Him because of the spiritual blessings He has given us. That’s a shift from our normal way of thinking about but it’s a shift that we need to take. Let’s focus less on ourselves as recipients of God’s blessings and let’s focus more in God as the giver a all things and praise His glory.
With that through firmly planted in our minds we then can understand better why we are too:
- “Continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name” (Hebrews 13:15)
- Be “filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” (Philippians 1:11)
- Be God’s special people so that we “may proclaim the praises of Him who called [us] out of darkness into His marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:9)
- In all that we do, we do it so that “God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.” (1 Peter 4:11)
We must not take God’s glorious blessings for granted. Instead let us glorify Him in praising His name for all that He has done. Let us give Him thanks for all the blessings He has given us. And let His glorious grace motivate us to live our lives to the glory and honor of His name.
Remember, it’s not about us, it’s all about Him.
How To Be a Christian @ Work
On your first day of orientation for your new job what was the first thing the HR rep gave you? That’s right, it was an employee hand book. Let me ask you this, when was the last time you looked at your employee handbook? Well if you are like most folks, the last time you looked at it was your first day of orientation. While the information it contained was value, it really did not get down to the nuts and bolts of how to interact with your co-workers, or deal with the stresses of work, or how to be a success in the workplace.
However, in Romans 12:9-21 the apostle Paul gives us seven practical insights into how a Christian should conduct him/herself in the workplace. We might think of this passage as the Christian’s Employee Handbook for success in the workplace. Listen to what Paul had to say:
Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord. Therefore ‘If you enemy is hungry feed him, if he is thirst give him something to drink and in so doing you will heap fires of coal upon his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:9-21)
Be Kind (vv. 10-11) – The demands of the pressure-cooker workplace have a way of stripping us of the decencies we would normally possess such as being kind to and considerate of others. It’s the rare jewel of a person, who can rise above burdensome production schedules, over flowing in/out boxes and harsh customer complaints, and still be kind and considerate to others. But this is the type of person Paul wants Christians to be in the workplace. Christians who rise above their circumstances and treat others the way they want to be treated by being kind and considerate. Do you want to be successful at work? Then be kind to others, no matter what.
Be Prayerful (vv. 12, 14) – The workplace has a way of trying our patience, our integrity and our faith like nowhere else. What is Paul’s answer then to the pressures of work? Be prayerful. Whether it is the stress brought on from a heavy workload, or the hurtful actions of a co-worker, or the blessing of a new account, Paul wants us to be workers who are constantly praying to God. Praying that God would bless our companies with continued business and good leadership. Praying that co-workers will be safe during the workday and taking their concerns to God through prayer. Praying for blessings on the co-workers or supervisors who are mean and rude. And also Paul desires us to be prayerful that God will help us do our work with joy and with thanksgiving. Work is a busy, hectic place, but let’s slow down and pray. Remember this; no Christian has ever been successful at any endeavor without first being prayerful.
Be Hospitable (v. 13) – For most people the workplace is their second home and if that’s true then we need to be hospitable at work. We might think of it as being inviting or welcoming to others. Paul said to “seek” to be hospitable and by extension, “seek” to meet the needs of others. He is saying look for hidden opportunities to be hospitable and to do good for others. It might be that you invite someone to lunch with you, or contribute to someone’s fund raiser, or have someone to your home. Being hospitable at work is a great way to open doors of opportunity to share Jesus with someone. Paul said, the successful Christian seeks out hidden opportunities to be hospitable to others at work.
Be Humble (vv. 15-16) – Humility can be rare commodity in the workplace. But you can change that. Paul’s desire for all Christians is that they be humble, and especially at work. He wants Christians to be humble by “Rejoicing with those who rejoice and weeping with those who weep.” In addition he says be humble by associating with humble people and by not thinking you have all the answers all the time. The truly successful Christian knows that in order to rise up one must be humble.
Be Peaceable (vv. 17-20) – Let’s just face it, office politics is just a way of life in most workplaces. It is amazing that anybody can get any work done for all the bickering, jockeying, and infighting that goes along with office politics. What is Paul’s advice for avoiding office politics? Be peaceable. The workplace is a place to work not war. This is why Paul said, “Repay no one evil for evil,” and “as much as depends on you, [work] peaceably with all men.” While we are not responsible for other’s actions, we are responsible for our own. And if we are going to be successful Christians at work we will need to seek to be peaceable with those we work with.
Be Vigilant (v. 21) – The workplace is fraught with dangers for the Christian to be overcome by evil. It could come in the form of material success which chokes out the Word. It could come in the form of a forbidden relationship that steals not only the heart but the soul as well. It could be something as simple as pilfering the supply closet, or as serious as embezzlement. Around every corner is a trap that Satan has set to try to overtake us. Paul wants us to know that the successful Christian will be vigilant in the workplace. Always watchful for her soul. Ever mindful of temptations. Constantly seeking to overcome Satan’s evil with God’s goodness.
Paul’s seven insights, if taken to heart, will make us not only better employee but also successful Christians who serves as a shining light for God in our workplaces.
Roadblocks On The Road To Hell
How does one keep from going to hell? Jesus answers that question for us in Mark 9:43-48. In a nutshell Jesus is saying that we must do whatever it takes to keep from going to hell. But too often we leave the impression that that the road to hell is a slippery slope, a steep grade, and once you are on it there nothing to stop you from sliding right on into hell. But we must understand that hell was never prepared for humanity and because it was not prepared for us God does not want any of to go to there. Is that not what Matthew 25:41 and 2 Peter 3:9 teach? And since God does not want us to go to hell He has placed roadblocks on the road to hell to stop us, to arrest our attention, to get us to turn around. This morning I would like to look at four of those roadblocks that God had put in the road that leads to hell:
His Love:
The first roadblock is His love. In the scriptures, God presents Himself as a loving Father (Luke 11:2) who cares for His children (Hosea 11:3-4). He demonstrated His love for us in that while we were still sinners He sent His son to die for us (Romans 5:8). My friend, in the middle of the road to hell stands a roadblock in the form of a cross. It is the testament of God’s love for you designed to keep you from going to hell.
But, as with all roadblocks there are times when we try to get around them. The same is true with the cross of Christ. Paul talks about people who reject God’s love because of the hardness of their own hearts (Romans 2:4-10). And the Hebrew writer (who was writing to a group of people who were not heeding God’s roadblocks) says that some Christians will crucify Christ again in the way they try and go around God’s roadblock of love (Hebrews 6:4-6). Additionally he says they will be punished for profaning the blood of Christ, the symbol of His love (Hebrews 10:29-31).
His Word:
The second roadblock for us to consider is the roadblock of His word. Paul told Timothy that “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16) Best kind of test I ever took in school was an open book test. I could pass an open book test. Do you realize that life is an open book test? In the last day we will be judged (receive our grade) based on the words of this book (John 12:48). He has told us how to live so as to receive a heavenly reward. His word is a roadblock.
But some people have tried to remove the roadblock of His word. People like Jehoiakim tried to burn the words of God (Jeremiah 36:21-25). Others have just cutout of their bibles the passages they do not want to believe. Such as the time a preacher tried to teach baptism to a person who had cut out Acts 2:38 from their bible so they wouldn’t have to believe it.
His People:
The third roadblock for us to consider is the roadblock of His people. God places His people in the way of the sinner as a roadblock to turn them from the error of their way (James 5:20). Everybody here is the product of some Christian taking an interest in them and showing them the way. For some it was their parent(s) or a family member (2 Timothy 1:5; Acts 16:32-33). For others it was a preacher (Acts 17:1-4). Or maybe it was some special friends who more accurately explained God to you (Acts 18:26-28). And certainly God uses His church, the collection of His people, to stir up love and good works that we might remain faithful (Hebrews 10:24-25). God uses His people as roadblocks.
While we are on this point I need to ask you something. Are you allowing God to use you as a roadblock for someone else? It should be a haunting thought that on the Day of Judgment someone we know could turn to us and say, “You never mentioned Him to me. You met me day by day and knew I was astray, Yet you never mentioned Him to me.” We need to let God use us as a roadblock to those on the road to hell.
But people can get around the roadblock of His people can they not? Let’s go back to Acts 17:32 did you notice how some people got around the roadblock of Paul, “some mocked, while others said, “We will hear you again on this matter.” People still do that today don’t they? You are going to stand in the way of some folks and they’ll just shove you aside in mocking fashion. While others will politely put you off with a “let’s talk about that later.”
His Image:
The fourth roadblock that God has placed in the road to hell is His image. Let me remind you that in Genesis 1:27 we learn that God created man in His image. Since man is created in the image of God we have an innate desire to what is right, to do good. We usually call that a conscience. But whatever label you put on it, it’s designed to be a roadblock that says to us, “hold up buddy, something doesn’t feel right about this.” David experienced this when he said, “For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me.” (Psalms 32:4) And again we see his conscience weigh on him when he said, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.” (Psalms 51:10) God uses the roadblock of His image within, our consciences, to keep us from going farther down the road to hell.
But we can even get around that roadblock can we not? Paul told Timothy that in the later days men will depart from the truth “having their consciences seared with a hot iron.” (1 Timothy 4:1-2) Can you image having a conscience that is impervious to God’s roadblocks? It can happen.
Four roadblocks on the road to hell: His Love, His Word, His People, and His Image within us. It almost seems that it is hard to go to hell. Have you ever thought about that? You have got to want to go to hell to get around all the roadblocks in your way. It has been said that you have to choose to go to hell. In hell will be people who chose self over God; sin over the Savior; and who chose hell over heaven. Friends if you are on the road to hell, please heed the roadblocks, be a roadblock, and let’s do whatever we can to keep from going to hell.
This lesson inspired by Jeff May’s lesson It’s Hard To Go To Hell
Life In The Vine
In John 15:1, the Lord makes His seventh and final “I am” statement (John 6:35; 8:12; 10:7, 11; 11:25; 14:6). As the moment of Jesus betrayal approaches, the Savior takes a few moments before He and His disciples leave the upper room to give them some last instructions. Before the chaos of the garden overwhelms them; before their faiths are nearly shipwrecked on the rocks of desertion, the Savior tells them that there is Life in the Vine, the true vine of the Son of God. There are four lessons that I would like to share with you today from John 15:1-8 as we consider our lesson, Life in the Vine.
Life in the Vine means… Abiding In Christ
Five times in this short passage the Lord says to His disciples “Abide in Me.” (John 15:4-7) He adds “As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in Me.” (John 15:4) Abiding in Christ is fundamental to having Life in the Vine.
But what does it mean to abide in Christ? Our understanding of this great text can be helped by considering other English words used for abide or menō; remain (John 15:11); continue (Hebrews 13:1) and dwelt (Acts 28:30). Couple these words with what the prophet Isaiah says in Isaiah 8:14, “He is our sanctuary”, and with what the Psalmist says in Psalms 91:6, “He is our refuge”, we see that the Spirit is painting us a picture that says when you abide in Christ you are making Him your “dwelling place” (Psalms 90:1), you are making Him your home. But why do we make Christ our home? Well, home is where the heart is (Matthew 6:21). Home is where we wish to remain and continue we rarely want to leave. Home is our sanctuary and refuge from the trails and burdens of life. And so is Christ, He is to be our dwelling place, our home.
How do we abide in Christ? We abide in Christ by:
- By taking the Lord’s Supper (John 6:56)
- By putting Him on in baptism (Galatians 3:27)
- By loving the brethren (1 John 2:10, 4:16)
- By confessing His name (1 John 4:15-16)
- By living in the word (John 8:31)
- By allowing the word to live in us (Colossians 3:16)
- By keeping His commandments (1 John 3:24)
Therefore my friends, we have Life in the Vine when we abide in Christ and He in us.
Life in the Vine means… We Must Bear Fruit
On the third day of creation, God created the plants and said that each would “bear fruit according to its kind.” (Genesis 1:9-13) The Savior taught that “For every tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush. A good man brings forth good fruit.” (Luke 6:44) And again He said of men “Therefore by their fruits you will know them.” (Matthew 7:20). In our passage this morning (John 15:1-8) Jesus says that we, as branches, as extensions of the vine are expected to bear the identifiable fruit of our Vine Jesus Christ. Six times He refers to us as being fruit bearers (John 15:2, 5, 8) even going so far as to say that branches who abide in Him would “bear much fruit” (John 15:5, 8). My friends, if we are to maintain Life in the Vine it means we must Bear Fruit.
How do we bear fruit? We can bear fruit by:
- By leading others to Christ (Romans 1:13; 1 Corinthians 3:6)
- By sharing our goods with others (Romans 15:28; Philippians 1:22, 4:17)
- By praising and glorifying God (Hebrews 13:15)
- By producing the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23; Ephesians 5:9)
Why is there an expectation that we will bear fruit? Notice John 15:8, “By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciple.” Our fruit brings glory to God by showing this dark world the excellencies of His ways, the greatness of His power and the purity of the gospel (Matthew 5:16; Philippians 1:11). It is only through the bearing the identifiable fruit can the world know we are disciples of Christ.
Therefore my friends, we have Life in the Vine when we bear the identifiable fruit of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Life in the Vine means… We Will Be Pruned In Order To Bear More Fruit
The goal of any vinedresser is to produce the maximum amount of fruit from his vines in any given growing season. In order to do this the vinedresser must prune his vines to encourage fuller growth. When a vine is regularly pruned it will redirect energy from leaf and branch production to fruit production. Also when a vine is regularly pruned it will live longer, much longer than a vine that is not pruned. And so the Jesus says that “any branch that bears fruit the Father prunes, that it may bear more fruit.” (John 15:2) We must understand that pruning is essential for those would have Life in the Vine if we are to bear more fruit.
How does the Lord prune us? This is a difficult question to give an exact answer for. But I think we see in this passage that indeed the Father as the vinedresser does in fact prune us in certain ways:
- By the testing of our faith (James 1:3; 1 Peter 1:3-9)
- Persecutions (Acts 8:4-8; Romans 5:3)
- By admonishments from others and the word (2 Timothy 3:16-17; Romans 15:14; 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13)
- Godly sorrow (1 Corinthians 7:9-11)
- Chastisements from God (Hebrews 12:3-11)
Why does the Father prune us then? As we have said before pruning is so that we will “bear more fruit.” (John 15:2) The Spirit, through the Hebrew writer, recognized the frailty of our minds in understanding the need for pruning when He said “For the moment all discipline [pruning cg] seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” (Hebrews 12:11 ESV) The training we receive in this life; the testing, the persecutions, the admonishments, the sorrow we feel when we sin, the chastisements we receive they are all tools in the vinedressers hand, tools He uses to prune from our lives the unnecessary leaves and branches that keep us from bearing more fruit.
Therefore my friends, we have Life in the Vine when we submit to the pruning of the Father in order to bear much fruit.
Life in the Vine means… Being Cutoff If We Don’t Bear Fruit
We have already established that the Father expects us, as the branches of the true vine, to bear fruit. Sadly there are those who fail to fulfill their purpose of bearing fruit. Just as a vinedresser cuts off diseased, withered and unproductive branches so the Father will cut from the true vine any diseased, withered and unproductive Christian who have made shipwreck of their faith (John 15:2, 6; 1 Timothy 1:18-20).
But our Lord “is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9) And from Psalms 86:15 we learn that the Lord is compassionate, gracious and abundant in mercy. He does not want to sever any branch from the vine, but He does because He is just. We must all tremble at the thought that one day the Lord’s patience with us will run out, our sins will be complete; it could be us who is cut from vine and thrown into the fire pits of hell.
Therefore my friends, we can have Life in the Vine if we abide in Christ, bear the identifiable fruit of Jesus Christ and receive the Father’s pruning so that we can bear more fruit. If these things are ours and abound in our lives we will neither be barren nor unfruitful (2 Peter 1:8) and neither will we be cut off.
True Repentance
Beginning with the first sin of Adam and Eve (Genesis 3), God has been calling for all of humanity to repent of their sins. Repentance was the message that the prophets of old preached to the world (Isaiah 55:7; Jeremiah 8:6; Ezra 14:6; Hosea 11:5; Amos 5:4-6; John 3:2-10). Men like Isaiah called for “the wicked [man] to forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return to the Lord.” As God moved toward the age of the New Covenant His message of repentance did not change. John the Baptizer the lone voice in the wilderness, cried out those of his day to “Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand.” (Matthew 3:2) When Jesus went from village to village preaching the Good News, His message was, “Repent, and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1:15) And when the Savior dispatched his chosen disciples to preach the Kingdom of God He instructed them to preach “repentance and remission of sins” (Luke 24:47). And this they did, beginning on the day of Pentecost, Peter and the other apostles called for all people to “Repent and be baptized for the remission of sins.” (Acts 2:38). And through the work of the apostles, God’s message of repentance spread through the world. Not only that, but it has spanned the ages so that we today know God’s will toward us. My friends, with God placing such a heavy emphasis on the necessity of repentance would we not do well to learn what the Bible says true repentance? Would it not be in our best interest to understand the principles of repentance? Because if we are to be well pleasing toward God then we must know what He expects of us when we repent.
Let’s first start by asking the question… What does it mean to repent? Often times the way we answer that question is by simply saying, “Well it means to change your ways.” And that’s an okay answer but it’s an answer that is lacking because it doesn’t capture the full essence of what the bible says repentance is. Yes, repentance is change but so much more than changing one’s ways.
True repentance first involves changing one’s emotions, and then one’s mind, and finally changing one’s actions.
This is how the New Testament writers described repentance. In fact the New Testament writers used three different Greek words to describe how one repents. It’s these three words that will serve as the bases for our lesson so that we can learn the principles of True Repentance.
True Repentance is a change in Emotions: The first principle in understanding True Repentance is to realize that we must change our emotions. Jesus and the New Testament writers used the Greek word metamélomai (G3338) to describe this type of repentance. Literally it means to care afterward. Note some of its usages[i]:
Jesus uses this word in the parable of the Two Sons (Matthew 21:28-32) in describing the son who at first said he would not go work in his father’s vineyard but later “But afterward he regretted it and went.” (Matthew 21:29) and again in Matthew 21:32. We see that the son felt sorry for not doing what his father commanded him to do. It was this sorry that lead him to change his mind, then his actions.
The apostle Paul uses this word, and explains the principle of True Repentance is a change in Emotions, in his second letter to the Corinthians (2 Corinthians 7:8-10). Note that he says “Now I rejoice not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation.” (2 Corinthians 7:9, 10) Remember the state of the Corinthians in Paul’s first letter? They were “puffed up” with pride over the acceptance of a man who had his father’s wife (1 Corinthians 5:2). Because of Paul’s rebuke the congregation had changed their emotions toward their own sins and the sins of the adulterer and they both mourned and were sorry for what they had done.
We live in a time when people want to medicate their sorrow. But as God’s children, we must recognize that if we have sinned and are in need of repentance, then God wants us to mourn and weep over our sins (Luke 6:21). He wants sorrow to enter our lives because we are suffering the consequences of what we have done. He wants us to be depressed because of our sins so that we will draw closer to Him. When we seek True Repentance by first changing our emotions, going from a state of joy to a state of mourning, then the Lord promises that we “shall be comforted” (Matthew 5:4) and our tears turned to laughter (Luke 6:21). Only when we change our emotions toward our sins can we begin to experience True Repentance. But there’s more than being sorry for what we have done, our sorrow must lead to a change of mind…
True Repentance is a change of Mind: The second principle in understanding True Repentance is to understand that we must not only change our emotions but we must also change our minds. Jesus and the New Testament writers used the Greek word metanoéō (G3340) to describe this type of repentance. This is the general word for repent (and its different tenses) and it literally means to think differently. The reason God is longsuffering with us, is because He wants us to change our minds, to think differently, He wants us to repent (2 Peter 3:9).
Jesus conveys the principle that True Repentance necessitates a changed mind in:
- Luke 5:32 – Jesus did not come to “call the righteous but sinners to repentance.” The sinner is the one in need of a changing their mind, turning their thoughts to God.
- Luke 13:1-5 – The Galileans needed to change their thinking about those who died being worse than them.
- In the parable of The Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31), the Rich Man tells Abraham that his brothers would not “repent” (change their minds) unless one went back from the dead (Luke 16:30). Change their minds toward God, or change their minds toward riches, or change their minds about righteousness, or perhaps about the afterlife.
- But when Jesus came preaching repentance He wanted people to change their minds, He wanted them to repent.
Perhaps the principle that True Repentance means a change of mind can best be seen in the church at Corinth. Notice what is said in 2 Corinthians 7:9-10: First they changed their emotions. They went from puffed up to sorrow. Their sorrow was godly sorrows that lead to repentance; that lead to a change of mind. Second they changed their minds. This is seen in the use of the word metanoéō in 2 Corinthians 7:9-10. No longer did they think that it was acceptable to allow the man who had his father’s wife fellowship with the church.
If we are to truly repent of our sins then first we must have a change in emotion toward our sins and the change in emotion must lead us to have a changed mind. As the apostle Paul said in Romans 12:2, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…” The CEV renders it this way, “Don’t be like the people of this world, but let God change the way you think.” Friends we need to let God change the way we think by:
- By being mindful of the things of God (Matthew 16:23). Let’s care for the things that God cares for. (KJV-savourest)
- By setting our minds on the things above (Colossians 3:2). Let’s be people who have a mind that has a love for heavenly things. (KJV-set your affection on)
- By being spiritually minded which leads to life (Romans 8:6). Because if we are spiritually minded then we will have life.
Once we come to Christ. Once we repent of our sins, we can’t be the same old person anymore. We have to change the way we think.
True Repentance is a change in Actions: The third and final principle in understanding True Repentance is to understand that we must not only change our emotions, and our minds but we must also change our actions. The New Testament writers used the Greek word epistréphō (G1994) to describe this type of repentance. This is the word that is generally translated convert or turn (including their tenses) and our English words capture the true meaning of the Greek.
- Peter called for his audience to “Repent (change mind) therefore and be converted (change actions), that your sins may be blotted out.” (Acts 3:19)
- Luke records that when the people of Lydda and Sharon saw the healed Aeneas they “turned to the Lord” (Acts 9:35)
- When the saints were scattered from Jerusalem “the hand of the Lord was with them and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord” in Antioch (Acts 11:21).
- Paul says that the Savior told him to “open the eyes [of the Gentiles], in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.” (Acts 26:16)
- The world tells us that we can do whatever we want. They tell us that we can follow any course, any philosophy, any path that suits our understanding. If True Repentance is to take place; if our sins are to be blotted out and forgiven by God; and an inheritance with the Him then we must change our ways. Instead of “walking after the flesh” we should change our ways and walk according to the spirit. (Romans 8:3)
Perhaps no better passage ties all three of these principles together than the parable of the Prodigal Son. (Luke 15:11-32) Here is a child of the father, someone not much different than we. He took His father’s wealth and went to a far away country and spent all that he had on sinful living. Notice how the Prodigal Truly Repented:
- A change in emotions (Luke 15:18-19). He’s gone from brash and prideful to humble and penitent.
- A change of mind (Luke 15:17). He came to himself.
- A change of action (Luke 15:18-20). He went back to his father. No longer was he trying to go away from his father he changed and went back home.
God is calling for us to come to Him in True Repentance. If we would be received by Him then we must change our emotions, our minds and our actions and then we will be forgiven.
[i] Metamélomai is also the word used in Matthew 27:3 to describe Judas’ “remorse” that he felt after betraying Jesus. Even though we may repent with our emotions we must also repent with our will and actions in order to have True Repentance.
Lord teach us to… Pray Everyday, Every Way
In the Bible, whether the prayer involved kneeling, standing or prostration, whether it was composed of quoting scripture, or was the singing of a song, the prayer was always a response from a believer’s heart to God. Let’s learn to pray everyday, every way.
PPT | Listening Guide | MP3
Lord teach us to… Give Thanks
What sins would make most people’s top 10 list of major sins? I suspect that murder would be on there, adultery? Stealing? Idolatry? I am positive that all of those would also be on our list. But what about not giving thanks? Would that make your list? Would you be surprised to know that it makes God’s list?
PPT | Listening Guide | MP3
Lord teach us to… Confess Our Sins
We can be grateful God is faithful to forgive us our sins when we confess them (1 John 1:8-9).The promise of forgiveness is based on us confessing our sins; that is being specific about our sin, not the mere confessing that we have sinned in a general. Let’s learn how to confess the way God want us to.
PPT | Listening Guide | MP3
Lord teach us to… Pray for Others
Let’s learn to following the advice of Paul from Philippians 2:3-4, and pray prayers that are not composed of our own interest but also the interest of others, praying with the same zeal, and fever as if they were are own interest.
PPT | Listening Guide | MP3
Lord teach us to… Pray to You
Using Luke 11:1-12 Jesus taught His disciples to pray (action), not how-to pray (knowledge). Jesus desires that we learn to pray. Using Luke 11:1-12 we learn from Jesus to pray.
PPT | Listening Guide | MP3
God’s Past Performance… His Future Results
With God, past performance IS indicative of future results.
Restore the Overtaken
“Brethren, if anyone is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.” Galatians 6:1
There is no doubt that the greatest joy of being a Christian is seeing those who had wonder far from God come back home. What a joy it is to see those who were once overtaken by sin break free of the chains of Satan by the power supplied to them by Jesus Christ. If the heavens could be peeled back they would reveal the angelic host rejoicing that one of God’s lambs had been saved.
As Christians we have many responsibilities and one of those responsibilities is to restore those who have been overtaken in sin. For our lesson today I would like for use to consider the words of the apostle Paul in Galatians 6:1. Since it is our responsibility to restore those overtaken in sin then we would do well to learn more about our responsibility to those who have been overtaken in sin so that we can better fulfill our God given duty.
“If anyone is overtaken in any trespass…”
First, Paul doesn’t want Christians to show partiality. He teaches this by saying, “If anyone is overtaken in any trespass…” Paul wants us to see that it doesn’t matter who the person is or what they have done, since they have a soul we are to seek to restore them to the Lord.
But, too often we’re only willing to help those we are closest to; or whose sins we are the most comfortable with; or whose sin was the most public; or those who we personally regard as important to us and to the work of the congregation. Friends these things ought not to be. Rather, let us have the mind of Christ and see every soul as precious and worthy of salvation and seek to restore them no matter what they have done to be overtaken.
“You who are spiritual should…”
Second, Paul calls for mature, spiritually-minded Christians to take action and lead the effort to restore the overtaken. For this very reason, there is a real need for mature, spiritually-minded Christians in every congregation.
Let me take this opportunity to say a word about the need for Christians to be shepherded by elders. One of the main roles of elders is to “keeping watch” over the souls of those in their congregation (Hebrews 13:17). Christians, who purposefully do not attend congregations with elders, are missing out on one of God’s great gifts for them (Ephesians 4:11-16), the gift of someone to “keep watch” over their soul and to restore them when they are overtaken.
“Restore such a one in gentleness…”
Third, Paul wanted the spiritual Christian to “restore” the overtaken in a spirit of “gentleness.” The goal of our going to the overtaken is to “restore” them or put in another way “mend” them as the word is translated in Matthew 4:21. That which is torn is not mended with harshness but with “gentleness” less it tear even further. So it is with one overtaken in sin, if they are to be mended it will require “gentleness” so that they their separation from God is not further torn.
“Considering yourselves lest you also be tempted.”
Finally Paul concludes the verse by saying, “Consider yourselves lest you also be tempted.” Two thoughts come to mind here:
The first is the golden rule, “Whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them.” (Matthew 7:12) Why does the spiritual Christian approach the overtaken with gentleness? Because he is considering his own weaknesses to sin and he is treating his brother the way he would want to be treated.
Second is, “A little leaven leavens the whole lump.” (1 Corinthians 5:6; Galatians 5:9) Why was there a need to restore the overtaken? So that others, including the spiritual Christian, would not be tempted to follow the same sins as the one who was overtaken. Paul desired that the leaven of sin be purged from the whole by restoring the lost.
We have many responsibilities as Christians but none as important as restoring the overtaken that are among us. Let us with all love and gentleness seek them out, and kindly bring them back to God. This is our sacred responsibility. May God bless you in your endeavors to seek and save the lost.
The Realities of Hell
We live in a time when so many things about our society have succumb to the forces of capitalism and have become commercialized. No longer do families look forward to sitting down together for a Thanksgiving meal but they look forward to the early sales for Christmas. Even the sacred day of rememberance we call Memorial Day is overshawdowed by three day blowout mega sales at the local furniture stores and car dealerships. It seems everthing sacred has become commercialized, even Christianity itself.
Now more than ever churches are more market-conscious when it comes to what aspects of the Bible they present. In the commercialization of Christianity teachings on sin and its eternal consequences, damnation in hell, and Satan are left to the wayside for softer, more audience friendly messages on how Christian living will solve your problems by making your prosperous, or Jesus will solve all your problems, or how you can be a success with God as your CEO. As with anything that is commercialized the goal is numbers and dollars.
What this has done is lead people down a path of denying the reality of something they hear very little about and that is hell. In a 2001 Pew research poll 71% of Amercians said they believed there was a hell[i]. By 2009, that number had fallen to just 59% of Americians believe in hell[ii]. Though it may not be commercially popular, though it may not fit into the persepective of many Americans the reality of the matter the Bible say there really is a hell.
Let’s explore the realities of hell with the purpose of stirring our souls to repentance so that we will not awaken in eternity and find ourselves there.
Hell is a Real Place
While some would think of Hell as just a myth, some place contrived to scare people into submission, the Bible speaks of Hell as a real place. Notice some of the passages with me:
- Jesus warned in Matthew 10:28 “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Jesus believed hell was a real place.
- In His condemnation of the Pharisees Jesus expressed His belief in a hell when He said, “Serpents, brood of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell?” (Matthew 23:33)
- Jesus believed hell was real place when He exhorted the multitudes to take extreme measures not to go there when he said, “If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched— where ‘Their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.’ And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame, rather than having two feet, to be cast into hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched— where ‘Their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.’ And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire— where ‘Their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.’” (Mark 9:43-48)
- The apostle Peter certainly believed hell was real place when he said, “For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment…” (2 Peter 2:4)
- Even Jude believed hell was a real place when he taught, “And on some have compassion, making a distinction; but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire [hell], hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.” (Jude 1:22-23)
In these passages, there is an assumption by the speaker that hell is a real place. To them hell was not a myth. It was not contrived place to keep folks in line. To Jesus, Peter, and Jude hell is a real place. If it’s not… Then Jesus, Peter and Jude at best are mistaken, at worst their misleading. And if they’re either mistaken or misleading then they and the Bible are suspect and we can’t believe any of it. But I choose to believe them.
With Real Punishment
And it’s a real place with real punishment. Think with me about how beautiful and wonderful heaven is. No matter how grand your imagination might be, you can’t begin to scratch the surface of heaven’s beauty. Our human minds can’t comprehend its greatness. The same is true with hell. Even with our collective ability to imagine the horrors of hell we would only scratch its surface. Our human minds can’t comprehend the awfulness of such a place. So the Bible presents hell and its terrors in terms we can understand. Notice some passages with me:
- In hell there will be “darkness” and the “weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Matthew 8:11-12, 22:13)
- In the parable of the Wheat and Tares, Jesus taught that those in hell will be punished by being “burned in the fire” in hell’s “furnace of fire.” (Matthew 13:30, 40-42)
- Jesus warned it was better to limp into heaven than to dance into “everlasting fire” of hell. In hell, those who refused to amputate those things, which caused them to sin, will be eternally punished for their negligence. (Matthew 18:8-9)
- Everyone in hell, from the least of sinners to the greatest, Satan himself, will suffer the same punishment of “everlasting fire.” (Matthew 25:41)
- Those in hell will be punished by being tormented. First, the eternal fires of hell will torment them. Second, they will be tormented by the anguish of knowing what they should have done and the fate of their loved ones (Luke 16:19-31). Moreover, this torment will last “forever and ever.” (Revelation 20:10)
The imagery used by Jesus, Paul and John paints a picture of hell as being a place with an unquenchable fire, eternal torment, enveloping darkness, with weeping and gnashing of teeth. When God wanted to describe hell to us in human terms He chose the things that we fear the most. Our bodies being burned and the pain and horrors associated with the burning of our flesh. He chose the concept of torture and pain that never ends, that never offers relief. He chose darkness that is so dark in envelopes you; that is so dark it clings to you; that is so dark it makes grow men weep and gnash their teeth. My friends hell is a real place, with real punishment, for real people.
For Real People
I’m afraid that many people have the concept that hell and its punishments are reserved for just the worst of the worst. I’m afraid they believe that hell is reserved for history’s megalomaniacs, for its worst criminals, for its greediest businessmen, and for its vilest politicians. The problem with that line of thinking is that it makes those who are punished in hell larger than life, and the problem with people who are larger than life is that we don’t perceive them as real people. To us real people are normal folks; they’re people who look like us, talk like us, act like us. They’re people we can identify with. But friends notice with me that the Bible says there will be real people in hell:
- Common People – It was the common people that Jesus told to take extreme measures to stay out of hell. Why? Because common people will be in hell. (Matthew 5:1 cf. 5:29-30)
- Churchgoing People – In the Parable of the Dragnet (Matthew 13:47-50) Jesus taught that even some churchgoing people are going to go to hell. Notice what he said, “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind, which, when it was full, they drew to shore; and they sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but threw the bad away. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.”
- Lazy People – In the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30; cf. James 4:17) Jesus taught that, lazy people would be in hell. Lazy people, being those who refused to use the gifts He has given them.
- Inattentive People – Jesus taught that those who were inattentive to the needs of others, those who did not maintain good works, will be damned to “everlasting punishment” in hell (Matthew 25:45-46).
- Selfish People – In the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus, Jesus taught that hell would be populated with selfish people like the rich man. Those who were too busy to be bothered by the needs of others because they had their own problems. Selfish people, who were too busy to learn God’s word for themselves because they knew better how to live their lives. Selfish people, who were too busy to share God with their family because they had more important things to do (Luke 16:19-31).
- Unbelieving People – Unbelievers will be in hell. According to 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9, unbelievers are those who “do not know God” by not having a relationship with Him and those “who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.” They might be salt of the earth, upstanding good citizens, give the shirt off their back sort of folk but if they will not know God, nor believe Jesus’ gospel they will go to hell.
- Sinful People – We know sinners will be in hell but look at what sins will get you sent there… How many of these are you guilty of committing? “But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” (Revelation 21:8)
Don’t think that you will escape the torments of hell because you’re some no name person who hasn’t killed anybody, or cheated on your spouse, or worshipped an idol, or whatever you would classify a big sin. Hell, my friends, is for real people like you and me who sin and refuse to serve God with our all of our hearts, our souls and our minds. Will there great sinners of history be there? Yes. But for every one great sinner there’ll be 1000 real people like me and you in hell.
What’s the conclusion of the matter? Hell is a real place, with real punishment, for real people. And if you don’t want to go there there’s one thing you need to do and that is to love Jesus. Why? Because Jesus said, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” (John 14:15) If you love Jesus, and stay true to Him, He will say to you, “Well done good a faithful servant… Enter into the joy of your Master.” (Matthew 25:21)
[i] http://pewforum.org/Religion-News/Belief-in-hell-dips-but-some-say-theyve-already-been-there.aspx
[ii] http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2009-08-01-hell-damnation_N.htm#uslPageReturn
Make Room For Jesus
There is no doubt that we are busy people. Between careers and work, families and friends, gardens and yard work, hobbies and recreation, and school it’s any wonder that we have time to do anything. I want to challenge the notion that we’re too busy with some thoughts from a lesson entitled Make Room for Jesus.
You remember the birth story of Jesus well. Joseph and Mary have traveled back to Bethlehem for the census and when they arrive there is no room in the guest room. The reason there was no room in the guest room is because the people who were occupying it wouldn’t make room for Jesus. John records in John 1:11 that Jesus “went to His own and His own didn’t receive Him.” We must recognize that we are Jesus’ own and He’s coming to us this very day asking if we will make room for Him in our lives. I want to equip you with five ways you can make room for Jesus in your lives today…
Praying on Purpose - Making room means we are people who pray on purpose.
If you could use one of two words to describe your prayer life, purposeful or haphazard, which one would you choose? I dare say that many of us, me included, would say that more times than not our prayer lives are characterized as being haphazard. We pray whenever it’s convenient, we pray wherever it’s, and we pray shotgun prayers that have no real sense of purpose.
But we’re wanting make room for Jesus by not just merely praying but praying more effectively, we would say by praying on purpose. The way we make room for Jesus by praying on purpose is to:
- Have a set time for prayer (Daniel 6:10; Act 3:1).
- Getting away from it all to pray (Mark 1:35; 6:46; Matthew 6:6; 1 Corinthians 7:5).
- Targeting our prayers to specific needs (Luke 22:21-23; 1 Kings 3:7-9; Psalms 28, 51, 148)
Reading for Relevance - Making room for Jesus means we are people who read for relevance.
How do you view the bible? You need to realize that way we view the Bible predisposes you to read it in a certain way. If you view the Bible as a book that is too hard to understand then you’re going to be predisposed to not read it and if you do read it you’re going to look for reason why you can’t understand it. If you view the Bible as something that’s just for church then you’ll leave it, rarely use and you’ll find no real use for it in your life. Those attitudes about the Bible don’t make room for Jesus in our lives because those views of scripture actually don’t see Jesus’ words as having any relevance in our lives.
A view of scripture that makes room for Jesus can be found 2 Timothy 3:16-17. If we approach our reading of the Bible with the thought in mind that these words will teach us godly living, correct our faults, instruct us in the way of righteousness and equip us for every good work then we will see the relevance of the scriptures in our lives. Our readings of the Bible will come alive because they will no longer stories of ancient people who lived in faraway lands, they’ll be stores that relate to you today and the circumstances that you live in today.
Let’s be people of the book. Let’s read for relevance seeking to learn the lessons preserved for us. Let’s make room for Jesus and His words in our lives.
Fellowshipping with Friends - Making room for Jesus means we are people who fellowship with friends.
In our day and age the word fellowship is associated with socializing. It encompasses eating together, meeting together, playing together, etc. That’s a correct way of using the word fellowship. I dare say that many of you have been taught that the Bible does not use the word fellowship in connection with social activities. And that’s correct it doesn’t. But we must understand that the word koinōnia, which is translated fellowship, does include those things (socializing events) by virtue of the other English words translated for koinōnia, mainly the word share[i] (Hebrews 13:16; 1 Timothy 6:18; Galatians 6:6).
But sharing and fellowship with people in general doesn’t help us make room for Jesus does it? Making room for Jesus through fellowship means that fellowship with friends. Do you realize that Christians (disciples of Christ) were also called friends in the bible? Note the usage of friends in 3 John 14, John 15:14-15. If we are going to be people who make room for Jesus then we are to be people who fellowship with His friends. Because when we fellowship His friends we fellowship with Him (Matthew 25:40).
Why don’t you make room for Jesus by fellowshipping with friends this week? Go ahead and before you leave the building make plans to fellowship with friends, and especially friends that you have never fellowshipped with before.
Assembling with Affection - Making room for Jesus means we are people who assemble with affection.
I don’t know when or where the term worship service originated. But what we have done by using this phrase and accepting it into our consciousness is that we have turned our assemblies into a time of vertical worship to the exclusion of horizontal edification through affection. How many times have you heard the phrase “we have come to worship God this morning?” I’m submitting to you this morning that when we come together as an assembly you can’t worship God to the exclusion of not seeking to stir up your brethren. Let me illustrate it for you this way. James says in James 2:20 “faith without works is dead.” So it is with worship in our assembly, worship offered to God without an effort to stir up your brethren is dead. Just as worship intended to stir up your brethren without the foundation of glorifying God is dead.
The Spirit didn’t lay down some arbitrary rule for church attendance. What He did though was to help us understand that our attendance and actions are about stirring each other up so that together we may hold fast our confession of hope and that requires affection for one another.
It’s affection that seeks to consider how best to stir one another’s faith (Hebrews 10:24-25). It’s affection for one another that lifts the voice in sweet harmony to build up and teach one another (Colossians 3:16). It’s affection for one another that brings forth AMENS! that encourage the speaker to keep speaking, prayers to keep praying, the song leaders keep singing.
Can we make room for Jesus in our assemblies by coming with affection for one another, considering how we might stir each other up to love and good works?
Speaking of the Savior - Making room for Jesus means that we are people who speak of the savior.
How often do you talk about the Savior? Often? Every now and then? Perhaps Never? What does that have to do with anything anyway? Well Jesus said Luke 6:45 that “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” If we’re not talking about Jesus with our mouths then we need to check and make sure He’s in our hearts.
Making room for Jesus by speaking of the Savior means that Jesus and His words, His ways, His church, His salvation, His love, His mercy are on our lips continually not just three times a week when we come to the assembly. Remember Jesus also said, “If you confess Me before men I will also confess you before My Father in Heaven.” (Matthew 10:32) What better way to confess the Jesus than to make speaking of the Savior a part of our normal conversation.
Conclusion if we make room for Jesus today, He will make room for us at His table in Heaven.
[i] Other English words used for koinōnia (and its tenses koinōneō, koinōnikos) Fellowship – (Acts 2:42; 1 Corinthians 1:9; 2 Corinthians 8:4; Ephesians 3:9; Philippians 1:5, 2:1, 3:10; 1 Jhn 1:3, 6-7). Contribution – (Romans 15:26). Partaker(s) – (Romans 15:27, Hebrews 2:14; 1 Peter 4:13; 1 Timothy 5:22; 2 John 1:11). Share(d) – (Philippians 4:15; 1 Timothy 6:18, Galatians 6:6). Distributing – (Romans 12:13) Communion – (1 Corinthians 10:16).
Beginning To Sink
There are two sights in human life which fill the heart with profound sorrow. The first sight is that of a person who has sank amid the troubled waters of life. It is the one whose once youthful face is no more because of rough, hard living. It is the person who had a good raising, who wore good name but now they have sank to the depths of moral degradation. The sight of a person who has sank is one of the most pitiful scenes of this play we call human life. But to our human eyes there is another sight which is no less tragic than that first and that is the sight of a person who is beginning to sink. More often than not, beginnings are small and insignificant but the events they set in motion can produce monumental results. Such as the innocent drink that was the beginning of a life of addiction; or the telling of a little white lie that was the beginning of a life of deceitfulness. So much of what we know and understand about life comes from the study of beginnings. And in our text this morning we have an instance, not of a man who has sank into the depths, but of a man who is beginning to sink. Shall we look at Peter in that light for a little while this morning? I want to share with you five lessons we can learn from Peter and when he was beginning to sink.
Our Best Qualities Could Lead To Our Ruin - The first lesson that comes to mine is that it was Peter’s personality that put him in this danger. He began to sink because he was Simon Peter. The other disciples were all safe. It never occurred to them to leave the vessel. They were men of common sense and they knew the difference between land and water. But Peter was reckless, headstrong and impulsive. Peter followed the dictates of his heart, and it made him do what no one else would do. But those very qualities that in the hand of Christ were to be used to build up the church sometimes brought him to the verge of ruin. It was only Peter who would begin to walk on water, and it was only Peter who would begin to sink.
This same lesson can be seen in other bible characters. Take Martha for instance. In Luk 10:38-42, Martha is displaying her best quality, hospitality, and yet she is beginning to sink in a sea of worry and troubles. Or take the Pharisees as another example. Their best qualities were that they were the strictest sect of the Jews in keeping the Law of Moses (Act 26:5) and that they were zealous in making proselytes (Mat 23:15). And yet their best qualities grew into hypocrisy and deep seeded traditionalism which was their ruin.
We too must understand that our best qualities could also so be our ruin and lead us to point where we begin to sink. For instance our best quality might be a good work ethic (Pro 22:29) but left unchecked we might begin to sink in a sea of self reliance (Luk 12:16-21). Or perhaps education/learning is our best quality (Pro 1:5-6, Pro 23:12) but with more learning comes more questions and we begin to sink into the waters of idle babblings (2 Tim 2:16; Tit 3:9). But let us go the opposite extreme of Peter. Perhaps our best quality is that we never let our emotions get the best of us; but a cold calculated behavior is rarely moved with compassion (Luk 10:33) or is rarely provoked (Act 17:16-34) and will begin to sink into the chilly waters of apathy. The remedy is to discipline our bodies (emotions, talents, desires, etc.) and bring it into subjection (1 Cor 9:24-27) so that we do not become disqualified by allowing our best qualities to sink us.
We Can Sink In Familiar Waters - The next thing to arrest my attention about Peter beginning to sink is that he began to sink in very familiar waters. I suppose if you would have asked him if he knew the waters of the Sea of Galilee, he would have replied that he knew them, like the back of his hand. He knew every square inch of that lake and it was there, in these familiar waters that he began to sink. It is a very sad thing when a person begins to sink away from home. We almost understand those instances better. We understand why the Prodigal began to sink because he was in a far country (Luk 15:13). We can almost empathize with Peter when he was in the court of the High Priest and he denied Jesus because he was in an unfamiliar place, surrounded by strange, hostile people (Mat 26:69-75). But here on the Sea of Galilee it was different. Here on the waters of the lake he loved he was at home. Here this night he was among those who knew him best and who loved him and here he began to sink.
We see this principle in the life of David when he allowed his eyes to stray while in the familiar surroundings of his home (2 Sam 11:1-4). My friends, if two of the greats of the bible; Peter and David can begin to sink while in familiar settings is it any wonder that we too can begin to sink in the familiar settings of our own lives. Take for instance the home. Can we not begin to sink while in the familiar settings of our homes by watching sinful material on TV, by the music we listen to, by the websites we might visit, or the video games we play (Eph 5:3-7). Take the assembly as another example. We become familiar with our settings here and before long we are sinking and may not even know it. We sing our songs but we are too familiar with them and the words then become meaningless. We pray but really we do not give any thought to the majority of our words their just phrases we use. We become too familiar with the preacher so we tune him out. And before long we are no better than the Pharisees who would draw near to God with their mouths… but their hearts were far from Him (Mat 15:8-9). The remedy is to never let down our guard, to remember that Satan is a roaring lion looking for whom he may devour and he will attack us when/where/form we expect him to and he will attack us where we least expect it, the sanctuary of familiar places.
Peter Began to Sink When He Took His Eyes Off Jesus - We would be amiss if we did not take note of the fact that Peter began to sink when he began to fear by taking his eyes off Jesus (Mat 14:30). There is not a trace in the scriptures that the wind had grown fiercer while Peter was walking on the water. There is no hint that the wind was more boisterous than when he left the boat. But when Peter took his eyes off the Lord he began to fear his surroundings and that is when he began to sink.
We also see this principle in the church at Ephesus. According to the words of Jesus (Rev 2:1-7) the church at Ephesus was a congregation that was faithfully engaged in the work of the Lord. The Lord acknowledges their work, their patient endurance, their contempt for false teaching and they were a church who had not grown weary in serving the Lord (Rev 2:2-3). But they were a church that was beginning to sink. The charge against them was that they had “left their first love” (Rev 2:4); they had taken their eyes of the Lord.
The lesson for us is that the winds of worry and the waves of despair have no effect on us so long as we keep our eyes of Jesus. The remedy is simple, “look unto to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith” (Heb 12:2). So long as our eyes are affixed to him the sea of life will be as pavement and we will walk and not sink.
Christ Is Never Far Away - Are you beginning to sink? Have you let the best qualities of your life get the better of you? Have you let your guard down in familiar places and that has caused you to sink? Have you taken your eyes off of Jesus?
And so we close by saying that when Peter began to sink, his Savior was not far away. Immediately He put out His hand and grasped him. My dear friends, let us never forget that Christ is at your side. All human help may seem very far away; but we must remember that He is not very far away. He is near you now; near you where you sit. You need Him because you are sinking and He is there for you. Cry out now, “Lord, save me!” and He will do it to the uttermost for you.
“Lord I believe; help my unbelief!” Mar 9:24
The Pharisee in Me
As I continue to grow and understand the gospel of Jesus Christ and learn more of God’s grace, I have become more conscious of a struggle that rages within me. It’s a struggle between the man I so desperately want to be and the man I have the tendency to be.
I struggle, because I know that on the inside, there lurks a darker spirit that, from time to time rears its ugly head and when it does, I am more akin to the Pharisees of Jesus’ day than I care to admit. This morning I want to use the story of Jesus’ interaction with Simon the Pharisee and the sinful woman, from Luke 7:36-50, as a way to give you some insight into three areas of phariseeism that I struggle with and how, through God’s word, I’m working to overcome them. It’s my hope that as you look through the window of my soul you will reflect upon your own and if there is a Pharisee lurking inside of you, I pray that you will take heed this lesson and implement the remedy of how to overcome your own pharisaical tendencies.
Then one of the Pharisees asked Him to eat with him. And He went to the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to eat. (37) And behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at the table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil, (38) and stood at His feet behind Him weeping; and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil. (39) Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he spoke to himself, saying, “This Man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner.” (40) And Jesus answered and said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” So he said, “Teacher, say it.” (41) “There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. (42) And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?” (43) Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more.” And He said to him, “You have rightly judged.” (44) Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. (45) You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in. (46) You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil. (47) Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.” (48) Then He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” (49) And those who sat at the table with Him began to say to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” (50) Then He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.” (Luk 7:36-50)
The Pharisee in me is Apathetical (Luke 7:44-46)
When Jesus entered Simon’s house he did not receive the customary acts of greeting and hospitality. Simon did not go out of his way to make sure that Jesus was comfortable. In fact he didn’t even give Jesus the basics of what was expected in the relationship between a host and a guest. Simon did not provide Jesus with water to wash His feet with (a necessity in that day). Simon did not greet Jesus by giving Him a kiss (sign of affection and greeting). And, Simon did not even give Jesus any oil to anoint his head with (refreshment both in smell and looks). Simon failed to provide the basics elements of what was considered reasonable hospitality.
We’re left to wonder why Simon ignored Jesus. Perhaps he thought someone else would take care of Jesus needs, maybe a slave or another guest. Perhaps he thought Jesus would find the water and oil and take care of Himself. I don’t know the specifics but this I do know, Simon acted in a apathetical way. There is no hint in the text that he cared for Jesus. We don’t find him trying to greet Jesus and then instructing someone to provided and perform the necessary task of washing and anointing. We don’t hear him telling Jesus where to find the water and oil is so He could, “clean Himself up” so-to-speak. At least if Simon would have done those things we would not peg him as apathetic. In the action of doing nothing, Simon clearly demonstrated he didn’t really care about Jesus he was apathetic to Jesus’ needs.
Was apathy not a hallmark of the Pharisees? It’s seen in their treatment of widows and how they would devour their possessions and left them penniless (Matthew 23:14). They were apathetical toward their parents in that they would pledge all their possessions to the Lord so as to not have “waste” their finances on supporting their parents (Matthew 15:5-6). Their lack of care for the infirmed (John 9:1-41) and the social outcast (Luke 7:39) is well documented. And Jesus condemned them for being apathetic toward the burdens they placed upon men in general (Matthew 23:4). It was a hallmark of the Pharisee to care for no one but themselves.
If I allow the Pharisee in me to take over, if I give up on the struggle, if I lose the fight, then the Pharisee in me takes charge and then my attitude toward my fellowman can become one of apathy:
- The Pharisee in me is apathetic and doesn’t want to “weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15). Instead of “bearing the burdens of others” (Galatians 6:2) the Pharisee in me want me to say, “Suck it up. There’s no reason to cry” or worst yet he wants me to just ignore their pain, and say and do nothing.
- The Pharisee in me is apathetic and doesn’t want to “share” the things I’ve worked so hard to get (1 John 3:16-18). Instead of sharing my goods and helping those in need, the Pharisee in me wants to say, “May the Lord bless you with what you need. Now depart in peace, be warmed and filled.” (James 2:15-16)
- The Pharisee in me is apathetic and doesn’t want to “bear the scruples of the weak” (Romans 15:1), he doesn’t want to “help the [spiritually] weak.” (1 Thessalonians 5:14 ESV). Instead of caring for the conscience of the weak, the Pharisee in me wants me to say, “It’s not my fault their spiritually weak. They need try harder at being more spiritual.”
- The Pharisee in me is apathetic and doesn’t want to “look out for the interest of others” (Philippians 2:3-4). Instead of praying for others as fervently, as I would pray for my family, or myself the Pharisee in me wants me to say, “Focus on yourself and your needs. If you don’t pray for yourself, nobody else will.”
Woe to me if I allow the apathetical Pharisee in me to have his way; then I would be nothing more than a viper whose heart is poisoned with apathy (Mat thew 12:34, 23:33).
The Pharisee in me is Hypocritical (Luke 7:36-40)
Soon after Simon, Jesus and the other guest sat down to eat a woman of questionable reputation, a sinner in the eyes of all, made her way into the dining area. Simon had not invited this woman but she had come anyway because she knew Jesus was there. She knew Jesus would forgive her of her sins. In an outward demonstration of her faith and love, the woman humbly washed Jesus’ feet with her tears; she meekly anointed them with fragrant oil; and she respectfully kissed them with her lips. As Simon watched in disgust, he thought within himself that Jesus was no prophet worthy of honor because “if Jesus were a prophet” Simon reasoned “he would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner.” (Luke 7:39) Jesus, knowing Simon was having these thoughts, answered Him by saying, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” (Luke 7:40) In the classic style of the Pharisees, Simon replied with words of honor. He replied with words that veiled the true nature of his heart, “Teacher, say it.” (Luke 7:40)
What one word best describes the Pharisees? It’s hypocrite. Fifteen times, in the book of Matthew, Jesus refers to the Pharisees as hypocrites[i]. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus instructed His disciples to not “sound the trumpet” like the hypocrites when they performed their charitable deed (Matthew 6:1-4). He also taught His disciples to not “pray to be seen of men” like the hypocrites did when they prayed in synagogues or on street corners (Matthew 6:5). Additionally, He directed His disciples to not fast like the hypocrites who only fasted to be seen of men (Mathew 6:16-18). Three times Jesus said, “they have their reward” (Matthew 6:2, 5, 16). Because of their hypocrisy they have a reward of damnation fore “God resist the proud and give grace to the humble.” (James 4:6).
If I allow the Pharisee in me to rule, if I give up on the struggle, if I let up in the fight, then the Pharisee in me takes charge and then my focus turns from what God thinks of me and my service to what men think of me and my service:
- The Pharisee in me is a hypocrite and doesn’t pray often (1 Thessalonians 5:17). So when it comes time to pray publically, the Pharisee in me says, “Use eloquent words, pray longer and pray for things that others neglect so everyone will think you’re more spiritual than them.”
- The Pharisee in me is a hypocrite and doesn’t want to confess my sins but has no problem pointing out other people’s sins (Luke 18:9-14; James 5:16). The Pharisee in me says, “Everybody knows this other guy has problems. But I have a reputation to uphold. What would people think of me if they knew my problems?”
- The Pharisee in me is a hypocrite and doesn’t want to live like a Christian seven days a week. The Pharisee in me says, “I’ll give God Sunday but the rest of the week is mine.” See Matthew 23:23-24
Woe to me if I allow the hypocritical Pharisee in me to have his way; then I would be nothing more than a whitewash tomb whose heart is dead with hypocrisy (Matthew 23:27).
The Pharisee in me is Judgmental (Luke 7:40-48)
After Simon granted Jesus permission to speak, Jesus delivered a parable that allegorically represented the situation between Simon, Jesus and the sinful woman. In Jesus’ parable there was a creditor (God) who had two debtors. The first debtor owed five hundred denarii, in Simon’s judgment this would have represented the sinful woman. The second debtor only owed fifty denarii, in Simon’s judgment this would have represented him. He would have judged himself to be 10x less sinful, if sinful at all, than the sinful woman. In Simon’s eyes he judged himself more righteous than the sinful woman, because he thought he had committed fewer sins than she had.
If there was a group of people who were good and judging others it was the Pharisees. They judged Jesus as being a “glutton and drunkard” because his mingling with “tax collectors and sinners” in order to teach them the gospel (Matthew 9:11-13; Luke 7:34). They judged Jesus and the blind man of John 9 as being a “sinners” because Jesus healed on the Sabbath (9:16) and the blind man was born blind (9:34).
If I allow the Pharisee in me to rule, if I give up on the struggle, if I let up in the fight, then the Pharisee in me takes charge and then I begin to pass judgment on others:
- The Pharisee in me is judgmental and doesn’t want to admit that other people’s actions can be pure, even when they’re doing something that I personally wouldn’t do (James 4:11-12). The Pharisee in me says, “He has to be up to no good, I know it. I would never do anything like that. We need to tell some others and then go confront him about this.”
- The Pharisee in me is judgmental and doesn’t want to acknowledge that a weaker brother could be just as spiritual as I am, even when he believes things I wouldn’t believe (Romans 14:1-13). The Pharisee in me says, “Go set him straight and tell him he needs to believe what I believe.”
- The Pharisee in me is judgmental and doesn’t want to reach out to people who don’t fit the profile of what I think a Christian should look like (Matthew 9:11-13). The Pharisee in me says, “Don’t bother talking to that person, look at them, they don’t look like they care about religious things.”
Woe to me if I allow the judgmental Pharisee in me to have his way; then I would be nothing more than a blind fool whose heart is blinded with self righteousness (Matthew 23:16).
How then do I keep the Pharisee in me at bay, how do I fight against him… learned three important lessons from an ex-Pharisee, the apostle Paul:
Be Honest with God
The first step in overcoming the Pharisee in me is to be honest with God, I need to confess to Him my sins and my weaknesses. After Paul received his, Damascus Road Calling, he spent three days in prayer and fasting (Acts 9:9, 11). What do you think he praying for? All sorts of things but especially during this time I see him being honest with God about who he was, a sinner. In 1 Timothy 1:12-14 we see him offer a quick prayer of honesty to God, I doubt this was the first time he had prayed that same prayer.
To combat the Pharisee in me I must be like the Paul and the Publican and confess that I am a sinner Luke 18:10-14. I must bring myself to a state of humility saying “God be merciful to me a sinner.” Is it hard? Sure, it’s amazingly hard to be honest with God about my sins. But let me let you in on a little secret… He already knows about my sins, He just wants me to see them the way He does.
I can be honest with God through Christ who strengthens me. And by God’s grace I can overcome the Pharisee in me.
Be Open with Others
The second step in overcoming the Pharisee in me is to be open with others, I need to confess my sins and weaknesses to others. No more putting up a front; no more trying to maintain an image; no more double-lives; just pure honest openness with others. Paul was open an honest with others about his life as a Pharisee (Acts 22:4-5, 26:9-11; Galatians 1:13, 23; 1 Timothy 1:12-15; 1 Corinthians 15:9). He didn’t try to hide anything. He was always quick to say, “This is what I was… But by the grace of God… This is what I am today.”
In my fight against the Pharisee in me I have to be open with others about my sins and weaknesses. Because only way to destroy the temptation to be a hypocrite is to be willing make known what’s on the inside. And let me tell that’s humbling. It’s humbling to tell people you failures against sin. It’s humbling to I messed up. It’s humbling to say I still struggle. How can we ever receive the help to “bear the burden of sin” if I’m not first willing to say to be open with others and say, “I need help.”
I can be open with others through Christ who strengthens me. And by God’s grace I can overcome the Pharisee in me.
Be Willing to Change
The third step in overcoming the Pharisee in me is to change. Paul changed. He changed from a persecutor of the Way to a proclaimer of the Way. He changed from an arrogant man to a humble man. He changed from a blasphemer to one of pure speech. He was an ex-Pharisee and I can be one too. But I have to be willing to change.
In my war against the Pharisee in me I must be honest with God, open to others, and willing to change. It does no good to be honest with God but not repent. It does no good to be open with others and not let them hold me accountable. I have to be willing to let the old man die and I have to put on Christ and His qualities (Colossians 3:5-14). I have to be willing to change by putting my trust in Him, not in myself. Is it hard? Sure, change is always hard, especially when it comes to change myself.
I can change through Christ who strengthens me. And by God’s grace, I can overcome the Pharisee in me.
I’m not a perfect a man. There is a Pharisee inside of me that must be put to death. Through Christ, I will overcome.
[i] Mat 6:2, 6:5, 6:16, 7:5, 15:7, 16:3, 22:18, 23:13, 23:14, 23:15, 23:23, 23:25, 23:27, 23:29, and 24:51.
