Judging

Judging is a hot topic, both in and out of the church. It is one of the Bible themes that, like a coin, has two sides. Some judging is sinful, yet judging is commanded. Jesus Is Against Speck Inspecting It is wrong to unfairly judge others. The Master plainly said, “Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again” (Matthew 7:1-2). His younger brother added, “Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou are not a doer of the law, but a judge” (James 4:11). It is wrong to judge others if we are guilty of the same things (Romans 2:1-2). We sometimes give ourselves a free pass but collect a heavy toll of another for the same action. Longfellow said, “We judge ourselves by what we feel capable of doing, while others judge us by what we have already done.” Bertrand Russell capsulized this hypocrisy when he said, “I am firm. You are obstinate. He’s pig-headed. I have reconsidered. You have changed your mind. He’s gone back on his word.” It is wrong to prematurely judge others (1 Corinthians 4:5). It is sinful to judge others in matters of opinion. Paul made this clear. “Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? …

What Does God Expect from Me, Anyway?

Modern religion has attempted to make Christianity “user-friendly” by taking a marketing approach to recruiting new members. Popular TV preachers make it a matter of policy to never use the “S” word—sin. Churches openly trumpet a “come as you are” approach (and they mean both casual lifestyle and casual dress). Today’s pulpit mutes repentance and trumpets self-esteem. Hell is old-fashioned. Feel-good is in; life-change is out. God is remade in man’s image. Jesus took a different approach. His religion is high stakes. “…whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple” (Luke 14:33). We risk everything to gain everything. Christ was up front with people. He put nothing in the fine print—hid no “gotcha clauses” to be discovered later. He said simply, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it” (Luke 9:23-24). At the same time, He gave us an incredible offer. He promised to help us! We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13). The good news is not that if we straighten ourselves up we will be saved, because that would be bad news, since we cannot do it (Ephesians 2:9). The good news is that Jesus enables us to become like Him (Philippians 2:12-13). His power, manifested through His Word, works in us …

Master, Master

Jesus was a worker. We do not find Him idling away the hours He spent on earth. Those He chose to be apostles were industrious men. They tackled their tasks with fervor and energy. Christ calls us to be workers. He does not have time for shirkers. He explained that it is not the talkers but the doers He will reward at the Judgment. “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 7:21). If there is any truth He emphasized, it is this: “To the work, to the work, we are servants of God” (as the songwriter put it), or as Jesus Himself said, “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work” (John 9:4). Choose Your Employer A long time ago, a man named Joshua said, “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD” (Joshua 24:15). The Lord pictured the church as a man hiring laborers for his vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16). He continuously looked for new workers, and he hired as many as he …

Bio: Saul of Tarsus

One could make a case that Saul of Tarsus (Paul) was the most remarkable follower Jesus ever had. He is mentioned more often than any other Christian in the New Testament (202 times1). He got a late start (1 Corinthians 15:8), but he made up for it by laboring more diligently (1 Corinthians 15:10). Before or since, no other person ever came so far and did so much. Background Facts Name: In Hebrew Saul means “desired.” His Roman name was Paul, which means “little.” Because one of the ancients called him Homo tricubitalis2, tradition says he was but four and a half feet in height. If this is true, he was as remarkably little in stature as his namesake King Saul was remarkably tall. King Saul stood physically head and shoulders above the soldiers of Israel (1 Samuel 9:2); the apostle Saul stands spiritually head and shoulders above the soldiers of the Lord’s army. Birthplace/Family: Saul was born in Tarsus, a city of Cilicia, a free city of the Romans. He was a free man in that city (Acts 22:28), which was not usual for Jews in Roman provinces. In the Roman Empire, citizenship outside of Italy was reserved for those who made significant contributions to the Empire; so it is thought that perhaps Saul’s family was wealthy and philanthropic. We can say with certainty that Saul’s father and mother were native Jews; therefore, Paul calls himself a “Hebrew of the Hebrews” (Philippians 3:5). He was of the tribe of Benjamin (the kingly tribe), which …

Who Is Missing Out?

Students are told by sin-loving peers that they are missing out by not getting drunk, attending wild parties, dancing, frequenting public beaches and having sex. Young adults are made to feel that they are missing out if they don’t barhop and bed-hop. Sinners just can’t see how a Christian could enjoy life without imbibing deeply at sin’s fountain. On the other hand, Christians see that sinners are the ones who are missing out. The best life and the most enjoyable times come to those who have learned God’s secret to abundant living (John 10:10; 1 Peter 3:11). Paul wrote of the prior sinful lives of some Christians, contrasting their present state with their former one. The contrast was significant and all in favor of their new world. Paul said, “At that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: but now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace” (Ephesians 2:12-14). From Ephesians 2:12, what is a sinner missing out on? A sinner is without Christ. He is a sheep without the Shepherd (Luke 15:1-7), a traveler without a way (John 14:6) and a hungry man without bread (John 6:41). He is a weary pilgrim without a place to rest (Matthew 11:28-30), a soldier without a captain (Hebrews 2:10), a branch without a vine (John 15:1-7) and …

Paternity Determined in Bethlehem Case

An unwed mother in a conservative town. A fiancé who is not the father. Whispers. Handwringing. Innuendo. Scandal. Red faces among the bluebloods. Just who is the father? Forty weeks of rumors; nine long months and finally a baby boy is born. But the usual congratulations are muted, reserved, cut short. A mother’s joy is mixed with pain. It didn’t end there. The rumors persisted into adult years. Since illegitimate children in those days were identified by town instead of by father, He was called “Jesus of Nazareth” most of the time instead of “Jesus ben Joseph.” Who is the father? Where paternity of a child is in question, a court determines paternity based initially upon sworn statements and then upon testimony or other evidence. In the Bethlehem Case, the Father finally came forward. A definitive answer was reached in a bizarre case. Joseph and Mary had been telling the truth after all. A virgin had conceived (Isaiah 7:14). “I am the Father.” A voice from heaven claimed the Son. The eternal God shook the earth around the Jordan River with a declarative pronouncement of paternity (Matthew 3:17). He later interrupted Peter’s speech with the same acknowledgement (Matthew 17:5). On both occasions, Jehovah said, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.” So at a crowded river one day and on an isolated mountain one night, God twice signed the birth certificate. These are words of affirmation: “This is my beloved Son.” On the Mount of Transfiguration (Matthew …

Is the Church Jesus Built on the Earth Today?

We are not interested in a church that is like the church Jesus built any more than we are interested in a Savior like the Son of God. He either is or He isn’t; it either is or it isn’t. A cow is like a horse in that it has four legs and a tail, but a cow is not a horse. A monkey is like a man in that it is a mammal that walks on two legs, but a man is no monkey. The worship of Cain and Abel was similar (both worshipped the same God, at the same time, in response to blessings), but Cain’s was rejected and Abel’s was accepted (Genesis 4:4-5; Hebrews 11:4). Tares and wheat were close in appearance, but one was edible and desirable, and the other was poisonous and hated (Matthew 13:24-30). We are interested in finding the same church Jesus promised Peter He would build (Matthew 16:18). On that occasion Peter did not say that Jesus was “like” the Son of God. He called Him “the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16). Since it is not possible for any church to prove historically that it has existed from the time of the New Testament, is it even possible that the New Testament church still exists today? Yes, because it is not necessary to trace a line of succession back two thousand years. That possibility is easily proved by considering three simple principles. Come, “let us reason together” (Isaiah 1:18). Consider …

Simon Says

Please Read Luke 7:36-50 Jesus had an unusual lunch one day with a Pharisee named Simon (Luke 7:36-50). During the course of the meal, a prostitute1 came into the courtyard and approached Jesus. Since their custom was to remove sandals and recline on pillows while eating, when she came up behind him, she stood over his bare feet. She noticed that they had not been washed by the host (a common custom), so she knelt beside him and began to wipe his feet clean with the hairs of her head (picture this!), expressing gratitude for what he had done.2 All this, as you might imagine, was quite embarrassing to Simon! Under normal circumstances, he would not even walk on the same street with this woman. Now she’s on his property, affectionately greeting his Guest. What should he do? How can he graciously handle this situation? Why was Jesus letting her do this? Simon used the circumstances to form an opinion about the validity of Jesus’ claim to be a prophet. He figures no true prophet would allow such a woman to touch him, so he either did not know what kind of woman she was (thus lacking a prophet’s discernment) or knew and did not care (thus lacking a prophet’s holiness). Simon’s conclusion: Either way, Jesus was no prophet. Of course Simon did not verbalize these thoughts to his Guest, but the whole time Simon was reasoning this out, Jesus was reading his mind. Simon “said” more than he meant to that day. …

When the Great Physician Got Sick

Evidently, Jesus had a healthy body from birth. There is no record of him ever being sick or injured before the terrible scene that started in Gethsemane and culminated at Golgotha. He may have been sickened by some virus or by something he ate as a child, but we have no record of it. The only time we know he ever got sick was after he want back to heaven. Jesus told John about it, and John passed it along to some churches he knew in Asia Minor (by inspiration, of course, 2 Timothy 3:16). We can still read the letter for it is found in the Bible’s last book. The emotion here ascribed to our Lord is, so far as I know, not ascribed to him anywhere else in God’s Word. At times Christ was represented as being grieved (Mark 3:5), angry (Mark 3:5) and disappointed (John 6:67), but John pictures him as disgusted, even to the point of nausea. He felt like he would “spue…of out His mouth” (Revelation 3:16, literally, “I am about to vomit”). What made the Lord sick? Or, rather, who are those with whom he was so thoroughly displeased? It was not Nero and his court officials. It was not a brothel or bar. It was not homosexuals marching down main street or bootleggers selling on back streets. It was not an “Atheists’ Association” or a local chapter of the Ku Klux Klan. It was not some group of pagan worshippers — not even …

The Curse of Jericho

“And Joshua adjured them at that time, saying, Cursed be the man before the LORD, that riseth up and buildeth this city Jericho: he shall lay the foundation thereof in his firstborn, and in his youngest son shall he set up the gates of it” (Joshua 6:26). There they stood in the smoking ruins of what’s left of Jericho. The Israelites had marched, shouted, blew, slaughtered and burned. What does God want them to do now? It is what he does not want them to do. He commands them to never rebuild the city that he had destroyed.1 The situation of Jericho was very pleasant; its nearness to Jordan was an advantage, which would tempt someone to build on the same spot. Nonetheless, they are warned of what would happen to the man who decided to rebuild the city. His oldest son would die when he began the work, and if he persisted in building, he would attend the funeral of his youngest son when he finished it.2 About five hundred and thirty years later (ca. 850 B.C.), during the reign of King Ahab, a man named Hiel3 of Bethel rebuilt Jericho. Just as God had said, when he laid the foundation, he lost his firstborn son (Abiram); and when he set up the gates, he lost his youngest son (Segub) (1 Kings 16:34). What a sacrifice to make for a city! It is interesting and instructive to place ourselves mentally in the position of this man from Bethel. What possibly could have been …

Sweat the Small Stuff

Some religious people feel that as long as one has a sincere heart, the “little” details do not make much difference. Yet, we don’t think this way about other matters which are not of eternal consequences. Consider: If 99.9 percent is good enough, then … Two million documents will be lost by the IRS this year. 811,000 faulty rolls of 35 mm film will be sold this year. 22,000 checks will be deducted from the wrong bank accounts in the next 60 minutes. 1,314 phone calls will be misplaced by telecommunication services every minute. 12 babies will be given to the wrong parents each day. 268,500 defective tires and 14,208 defective personal computers will be shipped this year. 403,260 tax returns will be returned incorrectly this year. 2,488,200 books will go out every 12 months with the wrong cover. 5,517,200 cases of soft drinks produced in the next 12 months will be flatter than a bad tire. Two plane landings daily at O’Hare Airport will be unsafe. 3,056 copies of tomorrow’s Wall Street Journal will be missing one of three sections. 18,322 pieces of mail will be mishandled next hour.  880,000 credit cards in circulation will turn out to have incorrect cardholder information on their magnetic strips. $9,690 will be spent today, next Thursday, and every day in the future on defective, often unsafe sporting equipment. 55 malfunctioning automatic teller machines will be installed in the next 12 months. 20,000 incorrect prescriptions will be written this year. 114,500 mismatched shoes will be …

What Will We Leave Behind?

If the Lord delays his coming, none of us will get out of this world alive. We have an appointment with death (Hebrews 9:27), when we hope to meet our angelic guide to Abraham’s bosom (Luke 16:22). Tear-dimmed eyes will last view our casket, and lonely mourners will follow the trail of tears to the silent city of the dead where our bodies will wait for the resurrection morn (1 Corinthians 15:42-44). All desire to leave something worthwhile behind. We want our families left financially secure and to be remembered for making some contribution to society. From Methuselah, who, though he lived the longest he accomplished the least (Genesis 5:26-27), we learn that it is not the length of our lives that counts, but what we do with them. Jesus, though he lived only 33 years, made the most of them. So should we. A Record Of Good Deeds: When they visit the funeral home, will our friends reminiscence about the good that we have done like Dorcas’ friends did (Acts 9:36, 39)? Will the preacher’s eulogy be long and full? Hopefully, they can remember our kindness to widows and orphans (James 1:27), the food we gave the hungry (Matthew 25:35), the clothes given to those cold, visits to the sick (Matthew 25:36), flowers to the bereaved (John 11:19), comfort for the hurting (Philemon 7) and encouragement we gave the downtrodden (Acts 9:27). When the Herods died, people must have cheered (Matthew 2:16; Acts 12:1). They were not remembered for their good …

Offering

When Al Kaline finished high school, he walked off Baltimore’s sandlots to play right field for the Detroit Tigers. Without playing a day of minor league or college ball, he played right field for the Tigers like no one before. He once turned down a $100,000 contract saying it was too much. (He signed for $90,000.) At thirty-four, Kaline batted .379 in the 1968 World Series. Near his career’s end, he was asked how he wanted to be remembered. He replied, “As a man who gave his best every day.” When we come to the end of our “Christian careers,” we hope that Jehovah might say, “He did his best worship for me each Sunday.” God deserves the best we can offer him (cf. Genesis 4:4; 22:16). What Is Worship Offering? “What did you get out of worship?” is the wrong question. “What did you give in worship?” is the question. Worship has always involved giving. Elhanah “…went up out of his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice unto the LORD of hosts in Shiloh” (1 Samuel 1:3). It was called a “sacrifice” because that was what it was — sacrifice.1 Who paid for the animal that was killed? The worshiper. The average person in those days did not lose a sheep, goat or heifer without feeling it in the pocketbook. (Remember the story of the man who left his ninety-nine sheep to search for one that was lost?) An animal sacrifice was a meaningful offering of something of value …

Closet Christians

There is a difference between a secret religion and a religion in secret. Some in Jesus’ day were secret disciples for fear of the Jews (John 7:13), including (at one point) Nicodemus (John 19:38). Some today are secretive about where their affections lie, not wanting classmates, co-workers or comrades to know they are Christians. They should “come out of the closet” (Romans 1:16; Mark 8:38) and take a stand for Christ (Philippians 1:17; Jude 3). Others claim to be Christians, but only in public. They are outwardly devoted, attend worship assemblies and try to keep good reputations. But that is about as much “religion” as they can muster. Christ is not mentioned around their dinner tables or invited into their inner chambers. When private lives become public record at Judgment, they will be red-faced. Jesus gave some indication at how he will handle this when he confronted some while still on earth whose lips did not match their hearts (Matthew 15:8-9; 23:1-39). They did not leave smiling! God intends for Christians to have religion in secret, though not secret religion! He wants us to practice “closet Christianity.” CLOSET CHRISTIANS PRAY IN PRIVATE. Jesus said, “…when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly” (Matthew 6:6). “Closets” may be taken literally, of course, but the word (tameion) simply refers to, “a chamber on the ground-floor or interior of …

What’s On Your Mind?

1 Timothy 4:13-16 In our fast-paced, gotta-be-there-in-a-hurry, should-have-been-done-yesterday world, few take time to think deeply about spiritual things. Life goes by in a blur and we just try to hold on without getting run over. It makes for shallow, superficial lives. The Bible commands us to meditate upon the Word (1 Timothy 4:15). What is meditation? In Eastern mysticism, Yoga and Transcendental Meditation, meditation refers to a passive state of “emptying the mind.” In the Bible, meditation is active. It involves concentration, alertness and energy. The Old Testament word muse is a synonym for “meditate.” It literally means to “mutter” as when working on a problem (cf. Hannah, 1 Samuel 1:12-16). The word meditate is used only twice in the New Testament (here; Luke 21:14). The verb (meletao1) means, “to attend to” (A-S) or “imagine” (Strong). A more vivid definition is “to revolve in the mind” (like a display in a jewelry store). In 4:14, Paul says to Timothy, “Don’t be careless about the gift2 you received.” In 4:15 he says, “Be constantly careful about these things.” The English word meditation literally means, “to be in the midst of something” (just the opposite of mystic withdrawal). The second clause of 4:15, “Give thyself wholly to them,” literally reads, “Be in these things” (Acts 6:4; 1 Corinthians 16:15; 2 Corinthians 8:5; Titus 2:14), and could be paraphrased “be absorbed in them.” Upon what should Christians meditate? Our thoughts will be filled with something (cf. sports, boy/girlfriend, spouse, making money, grandchildren). What are my free-time (daydreaming) thoughts about during an average …

What Will We Leave Behind?

If the Lord delays his coming, none of us will get out of this world alive. We have an appointment with death (Hebrews 9:27), when we hope to meet our angelic guide to Abraham’s bosom (Luke 16:22). Tear-dimmed eyes will last view our casket, and lonely mourners will follow the trail of tears to the silent city of the dead where our bodies will wait for the resurrection morn (1 Corinthians 15:42-44). All desire to leave something worthwhile behind. We want our families left financially secure and to be remembered for making some contribution to society. From Methuselah, who, though he lived the longest, accomplished the least (Genesis 5:26-27), we learn that it is not the length of our lives that counts, but what we do with them. Jesus, though he lived only 33 years, made the most of them. So should we. A Record Of Good Deeds: When they visit the funeral home, will our friends reminiscence about the good that we have done, like Dorcas’ friends did (Acts 9:36, 39)? Will the preacher’s eulogy be long and full? Hopefully, they can remember our kindness to widows and orphans (James 1:27), the food we gave the hungry (Matthew 25:35), the clothes given to those cold, visits to the sick (Matthew 25:36), flowers to the bereaved (John 11:19), comfort for the hurting (Philemon 7) and encouragement we gave the downtrodden (Acts 9:27). When the Herods died, they must have cheered (Matthew 2:16; Acts 12:1). They were not remembered for their good …

The Weaknesses of a Strong Man

Samson is called the strongest man in the Bible. He would also be in the running for the weakest man in the Bible. AS STRONG AS SAMSON WAS, HE WAS NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO …OVERCOME BAD COMAPNIONS. “Samson went down…” (Judges 14:1) is true both geographically and spiritually. We begin here to notice the reckless attitude that will dominate his adult years. Instead of staying within Israel’s borders, he went into enemy territory to find friends. He deliberately chose evil associates — the woman of Timnath, a harlot in Gaza, and Delilah of Sorek (14:1-3, 7; 16:1-20; cf. Proverbs 1:10-15; 4:14) — and these relationships eventually destroyed him. As Christians, we are not to see how close we can come to evil and not be tainted. The words put off in Colossians 3:8 mean, “to move out of and away from.” As Israel had to get out of Egypt and then move away from its borders, so Christians leaving worldly evil must put some distance between it and themselves. We should be careful about our associates for four reasons. (1) We will be judged by those with whom we associate. Most people know the old saying is true, “Birds of a feather flock together.” We tend to gravitate to people who are most like us (cf. Amos 3:3). The Bible teaches that Christians are the “salt of the earth,” “light of the world” and “a city which is set on a hill” (Matthew 5:13-14). As such, Christians cannot be friends of the world …

Big Boys Don’t Cry

So we tell little boys when they fall. Then they read in their Bibles that Jesus wept. Does this mean he was a “sissy?” No. One has to consider the reason for the tears. Are they tears of weakness or strength? Of fear or compassion? Jesus was a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief (Isaiah 53:3) and he wept on three occasions. Each time he left us the right example. JESUS WEPT AT LAZARUS’ TOMB (John 11:35). The shortest verse of the Bible says a lot! It says the Great Physician has good “bedside manners.” Jesus could overturn moneychanger tables when necessary, but also knew how to show he cared. Mary said the same thing to Jesus her sister had earlier said (11:1, 32), but Jesus reacted differently. With practical Martha, he discussed reasonable facts and helped her heart through her head. With emotional Mary (she was crying), he groaned in spirit,1 was troubled and wept. He helped her through commiseration. As we help people grieve, we should deal with different personalities in different ways. Jesus knew Mary needed somebody to care about her pain. She had lost a brother and her heart was breaking, so, even though he was about to resurrect Lazarus, he “wept2 with those that wept” (Romans 12:15; Job 30:25). He illustrated the Jewish proverb: Among those who stand, do not sit;Among those who sit, do not stand;Among those who laugh, do not weep;Among those who weep, do not laugh. Experience brings sympathy. Wandering disguised one night in London, …

Baptism Doesn’t Do Any Good If…

You’ve heard it. And discussed it. And argued about it — until you ran out of words and patience. But, you know, they may be on to something. Baptism does not do any good — in some cases. For centuries, unbelievers and denominationalists have argued against the necessity of baptism. Many see it as a useless ritual or a superstitious relic from a dark past. Others divorce it from any saving power. On the other hand, some see baptism as a “cure all.” To them, baptism is a magic action through which one passes which immunizes him against any danger of future spiritual disease. The truth lies somewhere in between. Baptism Does Not Do Any Good If …if it is not preceded by correct understanding. “And many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized” (Acts 18:8b). Scriptural baptism requires that one hear and understand that Jesus, the Son of God, died for all (John 3:16; 8:24) and that all sinners must obey him in order to be saved (Hebrews 5:8-9). It is possible to be immersed without understanding the reasons for it. For instance, many babies are “baptized,” but do not have a correct understanding, so their “baptism” does no good. …if it is not preceded by proper faith. “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be” (Mark 16:16). One must believe that Jesus is Divine before his baptism is Scriptural. Further, one must believe that he is lost without baptism for it …

Life’s Remote Control

One young girl was asked to recite the fruit of the Spirit. She answered, “Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and remote control…” (cf. Galatians 5:22, 23). It might be easier if there was an omnipotent hand pressing the buttons to direct our lives, but it does not work that way — we must have self-control. The Bible says to add “temperance” to faith (1 Peter 1:6). Temperance is “self-control.” WE MUST CONTROL OUR TONGUES. Speech is a powerful tool — either for good or for evil. With it we can praise God, or we can curse Him. With it we can teach others the Good News, or we can teach false doctrine. With it we can encourage a brother, or we can discourage him. The tongue can say, “I hate you” to an enemy. James addressed these possible discrepancies: “…the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be” (3:8-10). We must not use our tongues to constantly complain. It’s easy to find something to criticize; it takes a mature person to find something to compliment. Two kids sat down for lunch, and one opened his lunchbox and began to gripe. “Baloney again? This is the fourth day in a row! I’m sick and tired of baloney.” His …

Tell Me More About Jesus

JESUS TOOK AFTER HISFATHER — AND HIS MOTHER We may say of a baby, “He looks like his mother.” As he gets a little older and develops a personality, we may say, “He took after his father.” Jesus was God’s Son (divine) (John 3:16), yet He was Mary’s Son (human) (Matthew 1:18-25). So, which was it — human or divine? Did Jesus take after His father or His mother? Both! A baby is completely his father’s son and completely his mother’s son. We can see traits of both in any child. And we see some of both His Father and mother in Jesus. Jesus often showed His “human side” of compassion, physical weakness, and spiritual struggle (Luke 4:1-11). Jesus also showed His “divine side” of miraculous power, remarkable wisdom, and insight into the secrets of men’s hearts (cf. John 2:25). Consider a few examples: It was the mother’s Son who was so tired that He slept in the back of the boat during a storm (Matthew 8:24), but it was the Father’s Son who awoke to say, “Peace be still,” and the wind hushed at the sound of His voice (8:26). It was the mother’s Son who wept for Lazarus’ grieving sisters (John 11:35), but it was the Father’s Son who offered the Samaritan woman the water of life (4:14) and knew all her personal history (4:17). It was the mother’s Son who wept for Lazarus’ grieving sisters (John 11:35), but it was the Father’s Son who said, “Roll away …

Death Hurts, But Jesus Helps

Death hurts. We see this in Martha’s words and Mary’s tears. When the Visitor welcome above all others finally arrived at Martha’s house, he did not find a party. He found tear-blurred eyes, faces red and swollen from crying, and emotions on edge. Death had charged a high toll and left poverty in its wake. Death hurts because of the initial shock. Mary and Martha’s grief was doubtless intensified by the fact that Lazarus was cut off in the midst of this life. We never know when death will come. The clock of life is wound but once, and no man has the power,To tell just when the hands will stop, at late or early hour.Now is the only time you own, live, love, toil with a willPlace no faith in tomorrow, for the hands may then be still. Often death comes unexpectedly — as in an accident or an emergency surgery that failed. Even if it comes expected — after several hard months dealing with a terminal illness, it still leaves a shock in its wake. If you’ve been to a funeral, then you know that death still hurts. If you’ve lost a parent, child, spouse, grandparent, friend or someone else dear to you, then you know about the pain you feel deep down. You had time to tally the loss that continues long after everyone has gone home. Death hurts because it leaves us lonely. These sisters missed their brother. When death leaves an empty chair at the table, an …

Refuge

“Rock of Ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in thee.” In the Hawaiian Islands, on the Kona coast of the Big Island, there is a tourist attraction known as the City of Refuge. In the old days when tribes constantly fought each other and even offered human sacrifices, it was the one place a person could flee and avoid molestation. The idea did not originate with the Hawaiians, though, but in the mind of God. He had six cities of refuge in the Old Testament for His people. In the New Testament, he has a world-wide city of refuge he calls the “church.” In the Old Testament, each family had an “avenger1 of blood.” It could be any blood relative — a brother, uncle, cousin (Leviticus 25:48-49). His job was to take the life of one who killed a family member (Numbers 35:12), to receive restitution for crimes against a deceased relative (Numbers 5:7-8), buy back property lost to the family (Leviticus 25:25), redeem a relative who sold himself into slavery (Leviticus 25:48-49) or marry the widow of a relative without sons and perpetuate the family (Deuteronomy 25:5-10). In Old Testament times, if you killed someone, then that family’s avenger could hunt you down and kill you. (This sounds like the “wild west days” of our country.) The avenger did not take into consideration the motive for the killing. Suppose, for instance, you were cutting wood with a fellow Israelite and the axe slipped from the handle and fatally …

Somebody’s Lying to the Old People

If we live, we’ll get there. Our hair will either turn gray, or it will turn loose. Our step will falter, our eyes will dim, our strength will fail. It is the way of all the earth (Ecclesiastes 12:3-7). This stage of life reminds us that this old world is not a good place to set up permanent residence. It was never intended to be man’s retirement home. It’s just a training ground for the soul, a parade field for the spectacle of those who inhabit heavenly places (Hebrews 12:1); it’s a prep school for the final exam, a planning session for the business of eternity (Hebrews 9:27). This life is a trial run for the one that really counts (2 Timothy 4:6-8). The devil is busy preaching to the senior generation. He’s lying, of course (he always does, John 8:44). Nonetheless, sometimes his messages take root in minds that should be aware of his tricks (2 Corinthians 2:11; 11:14). What lies does Satan peddle among senior saints? “You’re all washed up and useless.” Age does take its toll. When Mickey Mantle was sixty-one, he was approached by an autograph-seeking middle-aged man and his little boy. The man had tears in his eyes when he said, “Son, it took me thirty years to get here to shake this man’s hand. This is the greatest baseball player who ever lived.” The boy looked at Mantle, then turned to his dad and said, “Daddy, that’s an old man.” No one can stop the aging …

A Good Fisherman

Jesus used the “Fish Miracle” to tell the disciples that they would become “fishers of men” (Luke 5:1-11; cf. Matthew 4:18; Mark 1:16). They liked fishing, and Jesus wanted them to continue, but to change the species. He says, in effect, “You have been catching minnows; I call you to catch men.” “Catching people” seems a strange term for evangelism. We catch fish for our good (to sell or eat), not the good of the fish. But the word Jesus used means “to bring life to people” (Jeremiah 16:16-18; Amos 4:2). Christians fish for souls, not to hurt them by removing them from their element, but to save them by bringing them into a different element. It is like transferring fish from a contaminated lake where they are sure to die soon, to a lake of clear, fresh water where they will never die. We rescue people from the world’s deep waters of guilt and despair. We help them find God’s “water of life” (Revelation 21:6), including peace and contentment. Our motivation for “fishing” is not personal gain but love of souls (Hebrews 13:17; 2 Corinthians 12:14, 16). We want them to be in heaven with us. A good fisherman possesses qualities that make him a good soul winner. Consider these: A fisherman must go where the fish are. He cannot stay at home and watch fishing shows on the Sports Channel. He can’t just read magazines about fishing or spend his time looking at Wal-Mart fishing tackle. If he wants a “fish fry,” he …

The Cracked Pot

A water bearer in India had two large pots, each hung on opposite ends of a pole he carried across his neck. One pot had a crack in it; the other was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water at the end of the long walk from the stream to the master’s house. The cracked pot arrived only half full. For two years the bearer delivered one and a half pots full of water to his master’s house daily. Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments. The cracked pot was ashamed of its imperfection, and miserable that it was only able to accomplish half of what it had been made to do. After two years of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, it spoke to the water bearer one day by the stream. “I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you.” “Why?” asked the bearer. “What are you ashamed of?” “I have been able, for these past two years, to deliver only half my load because this crack in my side allows water to leak out all the way back to your master’s house. Because of my flaws, you have to do all this work, and you don’t get full value from your efforts,” the pot said. The water bearer said noting to the old cracked pot, except, seeming to change the subject, replied, “As we return to the master’s house, I want you to notice the beautiful flowers …

Who Is A Good Candidate?

Since this an election year, we are hearing the word “candidate” more than usual. We’re being urged to vote for this man or that woman and this party or that position. The point of this article has nothing to do with American politics. It’s about another “election.” The New Testament uses the words elect, elected and election twenty times as synonyms for salvation. Peter was no politician, but he taught us the importance of elections — our own! He wrote, “Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for it ye do these things, ye shall never fall” (2 Peter 1:10). Jesus said only a few will ‘get elected’ (make it to heaven) (Matthew 7:13-14). More than 70% of Americans believe they will go to heaven, according to one poll, but who is actually on the invitation list to the Lamb’s marriage feast? The disciples once marveled when Jesus explained how hard it is to make it to heaven (Matthew 19:23-26; cf. Luke 13:24). They asked, “Who then can be saved?” — a good question. He said it would be impossible for any to be saved by man, but with God all things are possible. Let us look at several ‘elections’ in the Bible’s book of conversions (Acts) to find what people made good candidates. (The answers may surprise you!) Those Devout in False Religion (Acts 2:1-47). Those gathered in Jerusalem for the A.D. 33 Feast of Pentecost were devout men from every nation under heaven (2:5). Many had traveled quite a distance and sacrificed a great deal to be …

Make a New Friend Out of an Old Enemy

The Bible calls death “the last enemy” (1 Corinthians 15:26), and most people view death as the enemy. They don’t like to talk about it; they don’t even like to think about it. They go to expensive extremes to postpone it — even for a few months. But Jesus came so we can make a friend out of this old enemy. Jesus told Martha that “. . . whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die . . .,” then asked if she believed it (John 11:11-15). He did not mean believers never die physically. A Christian’s body dies like everybody else’s. Jesus was inviting her to see the old enemy, death, as a new friend that opened the door for the spirit to eternal life. Paul looked forward to dying because he knew he would then be with God (Philippians 1:22). Jesus wants us to look at death from God’s perspective. “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints” (Psalms 116:15; Revelation 14:13). Why? God Sees Deathas Just Going to Sleep To Jesus, Lazarus had just “gone to sleep” (John 11:11). Parents do not fear their children going to sleep; rather they plan for it. They work family schedules so there will be plenty of hours for naps and sleeping. Jesus saw raising a dead man as no more difficult than for us to wake someone from sleep (cf. Matthew 9:24). On resurrection morning, Jesus will wake all those in the grave with the angel’s “alarm clock” …

Building a House of Prayer, Part 2

A praying church begins in a single closet in a single home. We can make the church a house of prayer by making our houses “churches” of prayer. No one can keep us from praying. The devil can’t. The atheists and evolutionists can’t. The ACLU can’t. A hypocrite or a hypercritic can’t. The liberals and the radicals can’t. Do you remember how Daniel responded when “all the king’s men” told him he could not pray for thirty days? “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime. Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God” (Daniel 6:10-11). Nobody could stop Daniel from praying, and his prayers were powerful enough to shut the mouths of the king of beasts. Our prayers can keep another “lion” at bay (cf. 1 Peter 5:8). The Church of Christ MustPray to be Like Its Ancestors. The Bible’s history book, Acts of Apostles, tells us why the Jerusalem church of Christ was great,1  a growing church. Even a casual reading of Acts reveals that the early church relied heavily upon prayer. They “continued steadfastly . . . in prayers” (2:42). This phrase (proskartereo) means, “to be earnest towards, to attend assiduously, be instant in.” This they did! Prayer, prayers, prayed, praying and pray are …

Building a House of Prayer, Part 1

Is the congregation you attend a “praying church?” “We always have an opening and closing prayer,” you say. That’s good, but is it enough to qualify us as a “praying church?” Do we have special periods of prayer set aside for members to get together and pray? Does anyone go to them? Are there opportunities for members to make prayer requests and lists kept and distributed to them? How many Bible classes, sermons and bulletin articles in the past twelve months emphasized prayer? What percentage of the membership prays daily beyond offering thanksgiving for meals? God’s house is many things, but it is nothing if it is not a house of prayer. Many congregations would benefit from giving more emphasis to prayer. One said, “To pray without action is hypocrisy. To act without prayer is pagan.” It’s easy for a Christian to be guilty of both. Do you remember what the Lord said the day he cleaned house at the Temple (Matthew 21:12-13)? Try to picture him standing to one side of the Court of the Gentiles and watching the Jews buying and selling sacrificial animals. His anger grew as their profits amassed. One historian tries to paint the scene: Money was changed from foreign currency into the half shekel used to pay the Temple tax. These actions were seldom quiet and not always honest. As He watched the buying and selling, the haggling and cheating, His displeasure grew. If those who passed Him by had noticed, they might have …

A Decent Devil?

“It is notable that nearly all the poisonous fungi are scarlet or speckled and the wholesome ones brown or grey, as if to show us that things rising out of darkness and decay are always most deadly when they are well dressed.” ~ Ruskin Some people think that if you believe in the devil, you never really graduated from childhood. Or as one put it, “Belief in a personal Satan is part of mankind’s nursery furniture.” Others believe in a quasi-devil who is really not as bad as everybody makes him out to be. He’s pictured as a red-suited, pointed-horned, long-tailed, fun-loving cartoon character in Hollywood films and Saturday Night Live skits. The Bible, however, is not unclear about his existence or evil intentions. It should be enough to say that Jesus acknowledged Satan and talked often of him (e.g., Matthew 25:41; John 8:44). Satan is found in the Bible 55 times (19 times in the Old Testament; 36 in the New Testament). Devil is found 59 times (all in the New Testament). Analyzing these texts gives us much detail about our enemy. Nature: What is Satan like? He is a slanderer (Job 1:7-8; Psalms 109:6). Devil means “slanderer” or “accuser.” He slandered Job, but take heart, God defended him. When Satan accuses us as Christians before God (or to ourselves), we should remember that Jesus defends us as our Advocate in heaven. A faithful Christian’s case is in good hands (1 John 2:1-2; Romans 8:31-39; Revelation 12:10)! He is a counterfeiter of God (Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43; 2 Corinthians …

A Study of Satan, 2 of 2

Works: What Does Satan Do? Ø    He deceives (Genesis 3:1ff; Matthew 16:21-23; 2 Corinthians 2:11; 11:3, 14; 2 Thessalonians 2:9; Revelation 2:9). Think! Ø    He insinuates doubt (Genesis 3:1). Does God really mean what he says? Surely not, he says. Believe! Ø    He snatches away God’s Word (Matthew 13:19; Mark 4:15) and turns men from the Truth (1 Timothy 5:15). He often does this by misusing Scripture (Matthew 4:6). He is present whenever the Word is being preached and is ready to turn our attention from it by the crying of a baby or the color of the preacher’s tie. Concentrate! Ø    He traps (1 Timothy 3:7). Paul speaks of his snare (pagis) which literally is a “trap fastened by a noose or notch” (2 Timothy 2:26). Metaphorically, it refers to “a trick or stratagem.” An alcoholic is a classic example of one snared and held in one of his traps. Watch! Ø    He wants to control the mind (1 Chronicles 21:1ff; Acts 5:3). Books, magazines, radio, television, the internet and conversation are all used as tools. Discern! Ø    He attacks bodies. He did Job’s (2:4-7). In the New Testament, Paul called his “thorn in the flesh” a “messenger of Satan to buffet me” (2 Corinthians 12:7; cf. Matthew 17:5-18; Luke 13:16; Acts 10:38). At least we may safely say that he uses normal body afflictions to tempt us. Interestingly, Satan disputed with Michael over Moses’ body (Jude 9). What he wanted with it we cannot tell, but we can be assured that it was not just to give it a decent burial! Endure! …

A Study of Satan, 1 of 2

Some people think that if you believe in the devil, you never really graduated from childhood.  Or as one put it, “belief in a personal Satan is part of mankind’s nursery furniture.”  The Bible, however, is not unclear about the existence or work of our adversary.  It should be enough to say that Jesus believed in Satan and talked often of him (e.g., Matthew 25:41; John 8:44).  Satan is found in the Bible 55 times (19 times in the Old Testament; 36 in the New Testament).  Devil is found 59 times (all in the New Testament).  An analysis of these texts gives us much detail about our enemy. Origin: From wheredid the devil come?   Satan was on the scene as early as the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:1).  But since he is not introduced and no account of his birth or creation is given, how are we to know his origin?  Consider that there are only three kinds of beings: Deity, angels and human.  Satan is not divine since he is obviously subject to God (cf. Job 1).  He is not human because he possesses powers superior to humans (cf. Matthew 4).  Therefore, he must belong to the class of angels.  God does not create evil (James 1:17[1]), so he must have been created good and became evil (like man).  It follows then that Satan is a rebellious angel who was judged by God and fell from holiness to wickedness.  Jesus indicated this when he said, “I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven” (Luke 10:18).  Peter adds to our understanding when he wrote, “For if God …

Some Things You’ll Never Do in Heaven

You probably did not realize it, but likely today you’ve been involved in activities that would be inappropriate in heaven. Not sinful things (hopefully), but little things that remind us we are not at home in this world. What are some of these things? You’ll never go to the medicine cabinet. Here we have to deal with headaches, arthritis and a million other pains. There are no drug stores in heaven! John wrote, “. . . neither shall there be any more pain . . .” (Revelation 21:4). You’ll never attend a funeral. Thee are no hillsides dotted with the markers of loved ones “across Jordan.” You won’t find silent cities of the dead in heaven, for no one ever dies there! John wrote, “. . . there shall be no more death . . .” (Revelation 21:4). You’ll never turn on a light switch. There is no darkness there “. . . for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof” (Revelation 21:23). “There shall be no night there” (Revelation 21:25b), so there will be no street lamps, no nightlights and no light switches. You’ll never face a temptation. We face temptations daily in this life because the devil and his workers are very busy (1 Peter 5:8). Oh how we wish we could lay our armor aside and just rest from the constant battle of faith (Ephesians 6:13-18). That day is coming! In the land where we are staking our claim, the devil has no passport! In fact, he will have been cast down into the …

The Treasurer Finds the Treasure

Dr. Williamson, a Canadian geologist, had been slipping along a rain-soaked road that led through Tanzania’s backcountry when suddenly his Land Rover sunk to its axles in sticky mire. Pulling out a shovel, he began to dig his four-wheel drive out. After some time he uncovered some sort of pink-like stone. Being a geologist and naturally curious about rock formations, he picked it up. The more mud he removed, the more excited he became, but hardly believed what he saw. At last the stone was clean, and Dr. Williamson had found a diamond! Any diamond would be a surprise in that situation, but he had found the now famous giant pink diamond of Tanzania. That muddy stone sparkles today in the royal scepter of Britain, and Williamson is world renowned for this find – accidental though it was. Interestingly, the geologist found the diamond. Similarly, the Bible tells of a treasurer who found treasure. Jesus compared a sinner who learns the Gospel to one who finds great treasure (Matthew 13:44-46). This is illustrated by an Ethiopian treasurer who found the Gospel treasure on a lonely road leading back to Africa from Jerusalem (Acts 8:26-40). Why did he – of all the people in the world – find the treasure that day? The treasurer was willing to look for something more. This Ethiopian had traveled fifteen hundred miles to worship (one way), but was still reading his Bible (Isaiah 53) on the way home! Because he was an eunuch, he had not even been allowed into the temple proper during the ceremonies (cf. Deuteronomy 23:1). He rode 3,000 miles to sit …

Do You Still Believe in God?

Some imply it subtly.  A few come right out and say it.  You won’t get through your freshman year of college without noticing it in some class.  Belief in God is for the back-woodsy, uneducated – though perhaps well-meaning – folks back home.  It belongs to those who still use typewriters and think CDs are something you put in a bank.  It is not for a person worthy of a college degree.  Is this the case?  Don’t be intimidated by unbelieving philosophers, professors or scientists.  An intelligent, educated, up-to-date person can believe in God and in the Bible as his Word.  Some of the world’s greatest men – whose intelligence is indisputable – were believers.  Consider these quotations: Sir Isaac Newton:  This most beautiful system of the sun, planets and comets could only proceed from the counsel and dominion of an intelligent and powerful Being.  This Being governs all things, not as the soul of the world, but as Lord God . . . I find more sure marks of authenticity in the Bible than in any profane history whatever. George Washington:  It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible . . . He is worse than an infidel who does not read his Bible and acknowledge his obligation to God. John Adams:  The Bible is the best Book in the world. Thomas Jefferson:  I have always said and always will say that the studious perusal of the Scared Volume will make better citizens, better fathers, …

Why Caleb Lived On A Mountain, Part 2

Some live on mountains to be isolated.  Others like the view.  A few (who moved from lower elevations) like it because “the basement never floods.”  In Old Testament times, mountain property was popular for a reason that might escape our modern notice.  Living for the most part in what we could call a “military state” in days of hand-to-hand fighting, they found that the high ground was much easier to defend than a valley.  Jerusalem, for instance, made an ideal capital for David because it is located on top of a mountain (cf., Isaiah 2:2-3).  Caleb received one of the mountains of Canaan as his family’s inheritance.  Why, of all the Israelites, did Caleb receive such a choice location? Caleb Lived On A Mountain Because He Refused To Hedge.  In a time when it was popular to diversify, Caleb put all his eggs in the same basket.  He wholly followed the Lord (Deuteronomy 1:36; Joshua 14:8-10).  Every ounce, every inch, every nerve, every fiber belonged to God (Psalms 119:145).  Jesus did not pour out his blood at Calvary so we could be half-hearted (John 6:27; Philippians 2:12-13; Hebrews 2:3; 4:11; 2 Peter 1:101) or lukewarm (Revelation 3:16).  The house of Stephanas “addicted2  themselves to the ministry of the saints” (1 Corinthians 16:15) and the Macedonians “first gave their own selves to the Lord” (2 Corinthians 8:5).  Paul wrote, “Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. Take heed unto thyself, and unto the …

Why Caleb Lived On A Mountain

Mountaintop property brings a premium price on the current market. Real estate in Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge or Blue Ridge always has, but now people want a lot overlooking town no matter what town it is. Caleb was ahead of the curve and picked a mountain lot years ago. His Realtor was God – who just happened to own a thousand hills (Psalms 50:10). His friends wanted pastureland in the valley or a ready-made house on a city street, but Caleb looked up to see his future. A little background helps us appreciate the scene. The twelve spies Moses sent on a forty-day mission to infiltrate Canaan came back with a report of a rich, prosperous land. They even brought back fruit samples – clusters of grapes so large it took two men to carry them. But ten of them did not think Israel could get over the walls of the cities or oust the giants who lived within them. The other two, Joshua and Caleb, were men of faith “. . .Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it” (13:30). How did God’s people reward such faith? They decided to silence them with stones (but God intervened, 14:10). The faithless people were doomed to wander for forty years where all over age twenty died except Moses, Joshua, Caleb and some Levites. Joshua eventually led the new generation across Jordan, where they won …

When “Doing Good” Is Bad

Thesis:  There is a time for serving others in material tasks, and a time when we shouldn’t. Once Martha became aggravated at Mary and said to the Lord, “. . . dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone?” (Luke 10:40).  Jesus reprimanded her for serving!  He said, “. . . Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her” (10:41-42).  It was good to fix a meal for the Lord; it was better to listen to him teach.  This applies today to someone who misses the Bible class to fix a dish for the noon fellowship meal or to someone who forsakes worshipping the Lord to mow a widow’s lawn.  It’s good to fix a dish or mow a lawn, but it should be done at a different time.  Families who have to sit with the sick should schedule the shifts during church services to family members who do not attend (if you can’t get them to go) so all God’s saints can join in worship.  It is also overkill for a whole family to stay home with one sick person.  Let all those who can, go.  (Incidentally, on another occasion Martha’s service was appropriate, John 12:2.) The elder brother shows that reward for service can be cancelled out by a bad attitude.  He answered his father, “Lo, these many years do I …

Communion on Sunday Night

Most, if not all, congregations give those who are “providentially hindered” on Sunday mornings an opportunity to partake of the communion and give of their means at the evening service.  “Providentially hindered” refers to: The practice has an Old Testament precedent.  Eating the Lord’s Supper is the New Testament equivalent of eating the Passover in the Old Testament.  Israel was commanded to eat the Passover on the fourteenth day of the first month, but God made arrangements for them to “make it up” on the fourteenth day of the second month under certain circumstances.  He commanded, “If any man of you or of your posterity shall be unclean by reason of a dead body, or be in a journey afar off, yet he shall keep the Passover unto the Lord.  The fourteenth day of the second month at even they shall keep it, and eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs . . .” (Numbers 9:10-11).  So under these special circumstances, God still wanted them to eat the Passover.  This is parallel to being unable to be at the morning service and then partaking of it on Sunday night (since the communion is a weekly occurrence rather than an annual feast). This practice places the proper emphasis on the importance of taking the communion.  In many modern churches the Lord’s Supper has not been emphasized as it was in the days of the apostles.  Some groups only take it once or twice a year.  In a recent conversation, one …

The World’s Greatest Monument

Honest Abe sits on his stone throne; Washington mans a silent portal; Vietnam’s heroes are etched in stone; JFK’s flame is eternal; MLK’s birthday is a holiday; MJ’s jersey is retired. Statues are raised to honor great men; calendars date the world’s important events; scenes of outstanding battles are forever marked.  Colleges and hospitals name buildings in honor of beneficiaries; streets are called after the famous who travel them.  Everybody who is anybody has a biography lining a library shelf.  How could one choose the greatest monument?  Is it the tallest?  Most read?  Widest known?  Most expensive? The world’s greatest monument neither originated in man’s mind nor was designed by a renowned artist.  It is not even recognized by most historians.  Its picture is not regularly taken nor is it mentioned in travel magazines.  It originated in the mind of God and was set up in honor of his crucified Son.  For about ten minutes each first day of the week, Christians keep a feast in honor of the One who lived and died for them.  They remember his life, lessons and especially his death.  Consider what makes the Lord’s Supper so unique. It Is Indestructible Though Destroyed. Marble slowly crumbles, bronze defaces, dates drop from calendars, biographies go out-of-print; streets are renamed after new heroes.  Men’s monuments do not last, but God’s memorial remains.  It is two thousand years old now and will last until the Lord returns.  At the same time, its component parts deteriorate with a few …

Make Today Count!

A plaque marking Abraham Lincoln’s birthplace near Hodgenville, Kentucky, records this scrap of conversation:“Any news down t’ the village, Ezry?”  “Well, Squire McLain’s gone t’ Washington t’ see Madison swore in, and ol’ Spellman tells me this Bonaparte fella has captured most o’ Spain.  What’s new out here, neighbor?”  “Nuthin,’ nuthin’ a’tall, ‘cept fer a new baby born t’ Tom Lincoln’s.  Nuthin’ ever happens out here.”Life’s great moments rarely receive a glance from the world.  Positive things go unnoticed by the masses while negative events make the news.  If you want to make the most of life, try this: Aim High George Bernard Shaw once said, “Some men see things as they are and ask why.  I dream things that never were and say, why not?”  Paul strove to preach the Gospel where Christ was not named (Romans 15:20) – and he did!  Caleb heard them talk about giants and walls, but though of God and winning.  When he finally got them to stop whining long enough for him to speak, he said, “Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it” (Numbers 13:30).  Oscar Wilde’s last words were, “I am dying as I’ve lived, beyond my means.”  When God is in a thing, we can do more than we thought possible – Gideon’s three hundred should have never defeated the 135,000, but they did (Judges 6).  Lord Chesterfield (1694-1773) said, “Aim at perfection in everything, though in most things it is …

A Day in the Life of a Sluggard, Part 2

A lazy man’s life is more complicated than a working man’s. The harder he tries to escape difficulty, the more it chases him. The problems he avoids are replaced by bigger ones. A Sluggard Has Problems With “Lions” “The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets” (Proverbs 22:13). He is as good at making excuses as the high school sophomore who was assigned a term paper. When due day came the teacher went to collect it, he said, “My dog ate it.” The teacher, who knew he had not worked much on his paper, still at least expected a better excuse. She gave him a hard stare. He persisted, “It’s true. I had to force him, but he ate it.” “The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain” (Proverbs 15:19). This is saying that to those who do not want to work, the work always looks too hard (thorns), but once a man gets into it, it sorts itself out and was not as hard as it looked (plain). It is foolish to frighten ourselves from real duties by fancied difficulties. The French say, “With enough ‘ifs’ we could put Paris into a bottle.” A farmer sat in front of his shack in July. A friend asked, “How’s your cotton coming?” “Ain’t got none,” he answered. “Didn’t plant none. ‘Fraid of the boll weevil.” Well, how’s your corn?” “Didn’t …

Stops on the Way to Calvary

Few of us know which of our days will be our last, but when one does, it changes the complexity of that day and those leading up to it.  To a man on death row, for instance, every event leading up to his last breath takes on new significance.  The last meal, the last visit with loved ones, the last change of clothes, the last words—are all more significant than they would be under any other circumstances. Death did not sneak up on Jesus.  He laid down his life at the time appointed (John 10:18).  In light of this, it is interesting to note the stops he made as he walked toward a hill called Calvary. Across the River.  “When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron . . .” (John 18:1).  As Jesus and the disciples left the upper room and proceeded to the eastern gate, they doubtlessly had to negotiate their way through crowds of pilgrims who were preparing to celebrate the Passover the following day, according to the prevailing custom in Judah.  They went down the steep valley and crossed the channel of the brook Cedron (Kidron), which was located east of Jerusalem between the city wall and the Mount of Olives.  (Though it dries up at certain times of the year, it was still flowing at this season from the late winter rains.) The name Kidron means “murky” or “dark” and refers to the type water that flowed in it.  …

Voluntry Inertia

One father told his little son that he couldn’t go to worship because he was suffering from a severe case of voluntary inertia. “I bet you ain’t,” the little boy answered, “I bet you’re just lazy.” Jesus, the Lord of the Harvest, always has positions available for workers. No one has an excuse to stand “idle in the marketplace” (Matthew 20:3), for there is “work to do, work on every hand.” As long as there is a lost soul on earth (Luke 19:10; Mark 16:15-16), as long as there is one needy person (James 1:27), as long as there is breath in our lungs to praise the Father (Isaiah 38:18; 1 Peter 2:5, 9), our work is not done. To cut away the nice verbiage and get to the truth, some Christians are going to be lost on Judgment Day because they are lazy. Some are standing on the promises, others only sitting on the premises. No Christian should be satisfied to just be a name on a roll. Each should be a hand in the work. Fill a place–not just a space. The Book says, “Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord” (Romans 12:11; Hebrews 6:12). Martin Luther said, “If I rest, I rust.” Leonardo da Vinci observed, “Iron rust from disuse, stagnant water loses its purity and in cold weather becomes frozen; even so inaction saps the vigor of the mind.” George Whitefield quipped, “It is better to wear out than to rust out.” [Editor’s …

A Day in the Life of a Sluggard, Part 1

We’re all against laziness, in theory, but how can we tell if we fit the category? A Sluggard . . . Has Problems With His Alarm Clock A Danish proverb says, “A lazy boy and a warm bed are difficult to part.” The Bible says, “How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep . . .” (Proverbs 6:9-11). How much sleep is enough? the comedian quipped, “For the average person–about an hour more.” The Italians say, “Five hours of sleep a traveler, seven a scholar, eight a merchant, and eleven every knave.” Truthfully, it varies from person to person. Children need more sleep than adults; young adults often more than older adults. Some on medication or with health problems require nine or ten hours. Others with strong constitutions require only four to five. Each can experiment for a week at a time at different amounts (it takes time to adjust) to find where he or she feels best and is most productive. Once this is determined, don’t spend more time between the sheets than needed. . . . Eats the Wrong Kind of Toast The worthy woman “. . . looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness” (Proverbs 31:27). You may like Flowers, Merita, Sunbeam, Peppridge Farm or Dixie Darling, but don’t eat the bread called, “Idleness.” Parents should not feed …

Can You Sleep at Night?

It takes more than a soft pillow to insure sound sleep. Americans live in gated communities, under radar surveillance, with patrolmen circling at all hours and still can’t sleep for fear. Ancient cities were encircled with impenetrable walls. The pioneers circled their wagons to protect themselves from surprise, dawn Indian attacks. Modern countries line their borders with nuclear arms. Today’s homes are equipped with alarms, motion sensors and sprinkler systems, but we still fear the worst. We are covered by life insurance, health insurance, disability insurance and fire insurance, but are still not too sure of the future. Even our pets reflect our fears. In 1975, cuddly poodles were the most popular purebred dog in America, with 139,750 registered. There were only 952 registered Rottweilers, a fierce breed often used as a guard dog. By 1994, the poodle population was cut in half to 61,775, while Rottweilers had increased 100 times to 102,596. (American Kennel Club. “To Verify,” Leadership Magazine.) A Christian’s best defense is none of these things. It’s a child-like trust in a Father-like God. “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God” (Psalm 20:7; cf. Isaiah 31:1). “And Asa cried unto the Lord his God, and said, Lord, it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O Lord our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude. O Lord, …

“. . . and scourged him . . .”

“Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows; yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:4-5).Just three words . . . the mind absorbs them in a second and passes to the next sentence. The Bible gives no further explanation. There is no parenthetical statement or footnote explaining what it means. Most of us read over it for years without really contemplating that word . . . scourged. It was somehow a part of the crucifixion. Maybe we heard a preacher say it was some sort of a whipping. Oh, but it was so much more. Governor Pilate knew the Jews delivered Jesus out of envy (Matthew 27:18), and that He had committed no real crime, certainly not one worthy of death (Luke 23:15). This cagey politician also knew that something had to be done. These folks were too worked up to go home without any action, so he decided a scourging might satisfy their lust for vengeance (John 19:1, cf. 19:5). DEFINITION AND LIMITATIONS. These were not civilized people by modern standards. Today’s Humane Society would not allow a dog to be treated the way our Lord was. Scourging (or “examination by scourging,” Acts 22:24, 29) was a legal preliminary to every Roman Execution. It was a brutal flogging or whipping. It was called the “little death” and …

The Biggest Word In The English Language Only Has Two Letters

Do you find certain words hard to pronounce? Sometimes the funny names in the Bible give us a hard time.  The longest name in the Bible is Mahershalalhashbaz (Isaiah 8:1) (try to say that three times fast!). But that’s not the hardest word to say. The hardest word in the English language has only two letters? NO! It is especially hard to pronounce when everyone is looking at us and wanting us to say “Yes.” It is tough to face temptation (something that would, admittedly, be fun to do), and give a firm “no.” The word seems to get stuck. The lips won’t cooperate. The tongue is suddenly, strangely, rendered mute. This is not a new disease. It is a sickness as old as man. Adam and Eve had it! They were too weak to say “no” to the forbidden fruit (Genesis 3:1-14). Many teenagers are too weak to say “no” to forbidden “fruit juice” (wine coolers, beer). In contrast, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah (Shadrach, Meshech, Abednego) refused the forbidden food and drink of the Babylonians (Daniel 1:11). The Israelites were too weak to say “no” to the lust of the flesh in the wilderness (2 Corinthians 11:1-3). Many teenagers find it hard to say “no” to the lust of immodest dress and dancing. Vashti, though, had courage enough to refuse both (Esther 1:1-22) and there are thousands of your brothers and sisters who have not given in to the world’s pressures. David couldn’t “pronounce” this tough little word when …

Asleep In The Storm

Some people can sleep through anything. Others wake up at the sound of a bird. The Bible records only one instance when Jesus was asleep–and it was in a storm. “And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was full. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?” (Mark 4:37-38). The apostles were not novices at traveling the Sea of Galilee. Some had previously earned their living fishing on it and the Bible mentions numerous occasions when they traveled across it. But something happened this night that scared seasoned fisherman. The word for storm here (lailaps) means “whirlwind, hurricane” (Arndt/Gingrich, p. 462). The boat filled with water and they were in danger of drowning. It is at this point that they decided to wake Jesus. That’s right, He is still asleep! How could Jesus sleep in a storm? This May Indicate Mental Peace. Often insomnia is caused by mental distress. When the mind is agitated, the body finds little rest. Jesus did not have this problem. His mind was at ease. This incident is a living example of “peace passing understanding.” Paul wrote, “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7). Asleep in a boat in such a storm is a little hard to believe, but the peace of God ruled …

A Chronological Outline Of The Crucifixion

There were ten major events the night that Jesus died. It is very enlightening to piece the four accounts together for no one record includes all the events. Please take the time in your personal devotions to look up these Scriptures and mediate on what Jeus did for you and me. Last Supper (Matthew 26:17-29).Disciples had an argument (Luke 22:24). Mt. of Olives (Matthew 26:30-35).Predicted denial. Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:31-46; Luke 22:39-46).Prayed on face (26:39) Betrayal & Arrest (Matthew 26:47-56; John 18:1-14).Bound (John 18:12). Jewish Trials (Matthew 26:57-75).First to Annas (John 18:13). Next to Caiphas (John 18:24).Taunted, spit upon, buffeted, slapped (margin: hit with rods) (Matthew 26:67-68). Struck (perhaps in mouth) (John 18:22). Servants join in (Mark 14:65). Kept up all night (Matthew 27:1) (no food or drink since last supper) Convicted of blasphemy (punishable by death) Roman Trials (Matthew 27:1-26).Jews changed charge to revolt (Luke 28:2).Judas tried to stop (Matthew 27:3-10–hypocrisy of Jews, 27:6; John 18:28!). Pilate tried to stop by releasing Barabbas [Matthew 27:16; guilty of insurrection/sedition (Mark 15:7; Luke 23:18), robbery (John 18:40), murder (Mark 15:7)]. Pilate’s wife tried to stop (Matthew 27:19). Denied by Peter (Matthew 26:69-75; looked at him, Luke 22:61). Herod (Luke 23:6-12). Mocked. Pilate (Luke 23:22-23). Washed hands (Matthew 27:24). Scourged (Matthew 27:26; John 19:1).Stripped (It was cold, John 18:18).Beaten. Reclothed (Matthew 27:28). Soldiers at Praetorium (Matthew 27:27-31).Stripped (re-open wounds?), clothed in purple robe, crown of thorns, hit with reed on hiead, spit upon, smote with hands.Pilate presented Him to the people …

In the Shadow of the Cross

Jesus lived a lifetime in the looming shadow of the cross. He was conceived for Calvary, born to die, begotten for burial and reared for the resurrection. He spent three decades on death row. He was aware of the agony that awaited His body and the anguish that would tear His heart. We are largely left in the dark concerning His early years. At what point He knew who He was, we do not know, but it must have been early. Mary pondered the things concerning His remarkable birth and early days in her heart (Luke 2:19) and, without doubt, shared them with Him (cf. Luke 2:40). By the age twelve He was “about his father’s business” (Luke 12:49). He grew up reading the prophecies about Himself. He saw His sacrifice implied (Genesis 4:3-5), prophesied (Genesis 22:8), typified (Exodus 12:5) and personified (Isaiah 53:7). On earth, He was identified by John (John 1:29) and verified by the apostles (Acts 8:30-35). Presently He is glorified in heaven (Revelation 5:12-13). What was it like to grow up in the shadow of the cross? He was not isolated or sheltered from events that depicted His own future. Imagine Jesus As A BoySeeing His First CrucifixionGary Stanley has recreated what might have happened in “An Imaginary Conversation Between a Boy and Centurion Soldier” (edited). The legionnaire leaned against his spear to study the boy standing at the base of the cross. The old soldier had handled hundreds of crucifixions, and this one was no …

Jesus’ Unwilling Helper

Jesus has been sentenced to death. In company with two rough outlaws He makes His way to that skull-shaped hill called Calvary. (This paragraph is roughly based on the imagination of Clarence chapel in Faces About the Cross (c. 1925).) Evidently about the same time this procession was marching from Herod’s palace, a man named Simon started toward the feast at Jerusalem. He must have encountered the large crowd going out of the city, and perhaps even heard someone say, “We’re going to Calvary to execute some prisoners!” His curiosity must have gotten the best of him as he elbowed his way through the crowd till he had a ring-side seat. As he watched, one Prisoner staggered and fell. He must have grimaced as the cross crushed the battered Man into the cobblestone street. At that sight, perhaps, having satisfied his curiosity, he decided to lose himself in the crowd and continue toward the festivities. But it was not to be. Though he did not know it, he had a part to play in the world’s history. The centurion’s eye had already lighted on him as a replacement back on which to put the cross. Having been drafted, he carried the cross the rest of the way to Calvary. Life did not go according to script. As Simon went his carefree way, suddenly his day’s plans were knocked to pieces. He was forced to go the opposite direction from what he had chosen. He was on his way into the city to enjoy the …

He Is My Everything

What is there that could be written about Jesus that has not been written about Him? As we sing, “He is my everything!” When it comes to our atonement, He is our High Priest, our Sacrificial Lamb, and, even the Altar on which sacrifices are made. Jesus, my High Priest, makes intercession to God for me (Heb. 7:25). A priest is one who is duly authorized to minister in sacred things, particularly to offer sacrifices at the altar, and who acts as mediator between men and God (Exod. 28:29) (ISB). More specifically, a priest’s job consisted in offering gifts and sacrifices (Heb. 5:1), making atonement (Lev. 16:1-34), inquiring of God (1 Sam. 23:9-12), leading in the selection and ordaining of religious and civil leaders (Num. 8:11-21; 1 Kings 1:34), blessing the people (Num. 6:22-27), and teaching the law (Neh. 8:1-8). Jesus offered a sacrifice to God, made atonement for sinners, revealed God to men (John 14:7), selected the apostles who still serve as leaders in His church (Eph. 2:20), blessed mankind with an opportunity of salvation (Matt. 11:28-30), and taught men the Law of God (John 6:44-45). There were two priesthoods in the Old Testament: Melchisedec’s and Aaron’s. Jesus is a Priest after the order of Melchisedec because he will never be replaced (Heb. 6:20). Jesus is a compassionate High Priest. “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without …

A Dark Night And A Darker Day

Of all the nights in the world’s history, the night they arrested Jesus was the darkest. Treachery, intrigue, betrayal, deceit, hypocrisy, and disappointment followed one on the heels of the other. Think again of the dark night that led up to the afternoon the sun refused to shine. Betrayal and Arrest (Matt. 26:47-56; John 18:1-14) After some private time with His disciples, and prayer time with His Father, Jesus was arrested, probably sometime after midnight (Matt. 26:47-57). Of all the faces about the cross, none is quite so tragic as Judas’. Having heard all Jesus’ sermons, seen as many miracles as any man alive (except maybe the inner circle), having been privy to personal talks with God’s Son, and having carefully watched the life of the world’s only sinless human, he still was able to sell out his Master for the price of a wounded slave (Zech. 11:12)! Remarkable! Better to have never been born than to have betrayed the Son of God into the hands of sinners (Matt. 26:24). Beating and Trials Jewish Trials (Matt. 26:57-75). Following arrest, Jesus was taken first to Annas (John 18:13). He in turn sent Him to Caiphas (18:24), his son-in-law. Between 1 a.m. and daybreak, Jesus endured hours of cross-examination before the political Sanhedrin. He was lied about, threatened, abused, and eventually, condemned. Further, He was kept up all night (Matt. 27:1), deprived of food (nothing since supper), taunted (Luke 22:63), spit upon (Matt. 26:67), buffeted (bruised), slapped (margin, “hit with rods”) (Matt. …

A Trial of Grief And A Trail of Tears, Part 2 of 2

Jesus endured a merciless emotional and physical ordeal as He made His way from Pilate’s courtroom to God’s throne room via a gate marked death. He faced a trial of grief before Pilate and a trail of tears as He was led through the city gates to the place of the skull where worthless men were disposed of. It is interesting to contrast Jesus’ divine strength and perfect character with what He put Himself through for us on His last day. Christ, whose yoke is easy, struggled beneath the weight of the cross. It was customary for the condemned man to carry his own cross to the site of crucifixion outside the city walls. Since the weight of the entire cross was probably well over three hundred pounds, only the cross bar (patibulum) of perhaps one hundred pounds was carried. (The vertical part, called stipes, was kept on site at Golgotha.) Jesus evidently carried His cross for a time, but under its weight, and in His weakened condition, His strength gave out and He fell beneath the load (John 19:17; Luke 23:26). It is interesting that Jesus struggled with that weight. He who made the world (John 1:10) and keeps it together by “the word of his power” (Heb. 1:3) struggled to carry a tiny part of it. He whose curse could wither a live fig tree (Matt. 21:19, withered beneath Calvary’s dead tree. This simply points to His humanity–He set aside His divine strength to die as a man. Consider …

Jesus: The Good Shepherd

“. . . We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture” (Psa. 100:3).  “For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand . . .” (Psa. 95:7). Jesus, as the Good Shepherd, cares for the sheep individually.  “To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out” (John 10:3). Jesus, as the Good Shepherd, leads his sheep in the right way.  “And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice” (John 10:4). Jesus, as the Good Shepherd, saves the sheep.  “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out and find pasture” (John 10:9). Jesus, as the Good Shepherd, gave his life for the sheep.  “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep” (John 10:11).  “As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: an I lay down my life for the sheep” (John 10:15). Jesus, as the Good Shepherd, protects the sheep.  “But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose won the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, an scattereth the sheep” (John 10:12). Jesus, as the Good Shepherd, unifies the sheep.  “And other sheep I …

A Trial of Grief And A Trail of Tears, Part 1

More has been written about Jesus’ life than any man who has ever lived.  More has been written about His death than His life, yet the material is not exhausted. Writers can find no more appealing story and readers never tire of the theme.  He faced a trial of grief before Pilate when justice was executed before He was.  Then there was a trail of tears as Jesus was led to Calvary as the women followed weeping over His eminent demise.  A fascinating angle to explore is the different functions of Jesus in light of those who interacted with Him on the way to Golgotha. Christ, judge of all men, stood in front of Pilate, a judge.  He who will judge all men (Rom. 14:10), knows what if feels like to be judged.  The Prosecutor knows what it feels like to be the defendant.  Jesus promises to be fair, and merciful (to His own, 2 Tim. 4:8), something that was foreign at His trial.  He will say to many imperfect and undeserving children on that day, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord” (Matt. 25:21).  Though perfect and deserving, He heard no such words.  The words He heard went something like this, Illum duci ad crucem placet.  We learn this  from Barclay, who writes: “The Roman ritual of condemnation and routine of crucifixion were fixed.  They did …