3 Pentecost Odd

3 Pentecost - Sunday

first posted 06/04/05

Deuteronomy 11:1-12, What the Lord Requires
Revelation 10:1-11, The Little Scroll
Matthew 13:44-58 Parables of the Kingdom

God’s people are to love the Lord, acknowledging him as our God, and keeping his commandments always. We are to remember in our time what the Lord has done in the past so that we might learn his greatness and power to deliver his people from Pharaoh, king of Egypt and from the army of Egypt when they were destroyed by waters of the Red Sea as they pursued Israel. Remember all that the Lord did in leading his people through the wilderness until Israel came to the Promised Land. Remember how the Lord destroyed by an earthquake the households of Dathan and Abiram of the tribe of Reuben because they rejected the authority of Moses (Numbers 16:12-14, 25-34).

Obedience to the Covenant is God’s requirement for Israel to possess and live long in the Promised Land. The Promised Land is different from the land of Egypt; in Egypt the land was watered by the labor of man, but the Promised Land is dependent upon the Lord to provide rain at the proper times.

John had a vision of an angel coming down from heaven holding a little scroll. The angel stood with one foot on the land and one on the sea, and called out in a loud voice with the sound of seven thunders (seven is a symbol for completeness; totality). John was about to write down what the seven thunders had said, but the voice of God from heaven commanded that what the seven thunders had said was to be sealed and not written down. The angel lifted up his right hand and swore by the eternal God, the Creator of heaven and earth and sea and all that is in them, that there would be no further delay.

During the days of the seventh trumpet call the mystery of God’s purpose, which had been revealed to his servants the prophets, would be fulfilled. The voice from heaven told John to take, from the hand of the angel, the little scroll and eat it. John was told that it would taste sweet, but would be bitter in his stomach. Then John was commanded to prophesy again about many races, nations, languages and kings.

Jesus taught about the kingdom of God in a series of parables. The kingdom of heaven is like a buried treasure hidden in a field. When a person found the treasure, he covered it back up and then in great joy sold everything he had and bought the field.

The kingdom of heaven is like a pearl of great value. A merchant in search of fine pearls, on seeing it, sold everything he had to purchase it.

The kingdom of heaven is like a fishing net thrown into the sea. Then the fishermen pulled the net in, full of fish of every kind, and began to separate the good fish to keep, and threw away the bad. So the angels will likewise separate the wicked from the righteous on the Day of Judgment. The righteous will be gathered in to God’s eternal kingdom, but the wicked will be thrown into the fire of Hell where they will spend eternity in grief and agony.

Jesus asked the audience if they had understood what he was saying, and they replied that they had. So Jesus continued, saying that scribes (teachers of the Law of Moses) who have been trained for God’s kingdom are like a householder who selects valuables which include things that are old and things that are new.

When Jesus finished teaching these parables he returned to his own community (Nazareth) and taught in the synagogue. The people were astonished at Jesus’ teaching and his miracles. They wondered where Jesus had gotten his teaching and authority. They knew his earthly father was a carpenter, and they knew his mother, sisters and brothers, so they were offended by him. Jesus replied that a prophet is honored and respected everywhere but in his own community and household. Jesus did not do many miracles there because of the people’s unbelief.

Moses and the prophets (the Old Testament scriptures) have not been made irrelevant by the coming of Jesus Christ. The history of God’s dealings with Israel has been written down for our instruction (1 Corinthians 10:11). Israel’s history is an illustration of what God has done for us in Jesus Christ, freeing us from the “Egypt” of bondage to sin and death, through the “Sea” of baptism into Jesus Christ, leading us through the wilderness of this world by Jesus Christ, our “Moses,” and by the Holy Spirit, the “pillar of fire,” through the “River” of physical death and into the “Promised Land” of God’s eternal kingdom. We are to remember God’s saving acts for his people, and also God’s judgment and punishment of his enemies. God’s people need to learn to trust and obey the Lord in the wilderness of this life so that they will be prepared for eternal life in the Promised Land of God’s kingdom in heaven.

The mystery of God’s eternal purpose has been revealed in God’s Word and by his prophets, and it will be fulfilled at Christ’s return on the Day of Judgment. God’s purpose has always been to create an eternal kingdom of his people who trust and obey him. This life is an opportunity to seek and come to personal knowledge and fellowship with God (Acts 17:26-27) which is possible only by obedient trust in Jesus Christ, through the gift of his indwelling Holy Spirit (John 14:15-17, 21, 23). This life is a selection process for eternal life in God’s kingdom.

God’s Word contains both promises and warnings. If we don’t seek to claim and possess the promises we will receive the consequences of the warnings. Jesus is the one chosen and sent by God to be our “Moses.” Jesus didn’t come to abolish God’s laws but to fulfill them (Matthew 5:17-20). Jesus came to establish a new covenant based on grace (unmerited favor) through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9; see God’s Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right). We are no longer under condemnation by the law, provided that we are filled with and guided by the Holy Spirit. (Romans 8:1-11).

What would eternal life in Paradise with the Lord Jesus Christ be worth? What treasure in this present world would be worth spending eternity in grief and agony in Hell? If we truly recognize the value of eternal life, it is worth far more than everything we possess in this world, and whatever price we pay for it will be a tremendous bargain and great investment. God’s Word promises that this present age is going to come to an end and there is going to be a Day of Judgment where our eternal destiny will be fixed and unalterable. The cost of life in God’s eternal kingdom is obedient trust in Jesus Christ.

Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?

3 Pentecost - Monday

first posted 06/05/05

Deuteronomy 11:13-19, Obey God’s Commandments
2 Corinthians 5:11-6:2, Ministry of Reconciliation
Luke 17:1-10 Forgiveness and Faith

The Lord promised that if his people would obey his commandments, loving and serving God with all their heart and soul, he would give rain in its proper season so that the harvest would not be damaged, and they and their cattle would be well-fed. The Lord warned them to be careful not to be deceived into turning from obedience to the Lord to worship and serve false gods, so that God would not punish them by withholding rain or hindering the fertility of the land and that they might live long in the good land God is giving them. God’s Word is to be stored up in their hearts and their souls, and constantly recalled by them as if written on their hands and between their eyes. God’s Word is to be taught by God’s people to their children at every opportunity; at table, while going to and fro, in the mornings on arising and at night before bed.

Knowing the fear (respect for the power and authority) of the Lord, believers persuade others to fear the Lord also. Paul entrusted judgment of his ministry to God, and hoped that the Corinthians would also judge him fairly with a good conscience. Paul was not trying to enhance his reputation among them, but hoped that they would have reason for confidence in him, so that they could refute those who judge people on outward, worldly criteria, rather than inward spiritual conditions.

Paul endured worldly criticism that he was crazy (a charge made also against Jesus; compare Mark 3:21) for the sake of God’s glory and tried to publicly establish his rationality in order to save the lost. The love of Christ, who died to give us real life, motivates his disciples to share in Christ’s sacrificial death, dying to self-interest so we can live to serve Jesus and share in his resurrection. Christians no longer regard anyone, including Jesus, from a worldly human perspective. Jesus is no longer regarded as simply a good teacher crucified by religious rivals. Anyone who is in Christ (through the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit; Romans 8:9) is a new creation (“born again;” John 3:3, 5-8). The old sinful nature has passed away and the new spiritual nature has come.

Forgiveness, rebirth and reconciliation with God are his free gift, to be claimed and received by faith (obedient trust) in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9), and we have been saved so that we can join in Christ’s ministry of salvation and reconciliation. In Jesus, God offered reconciliation to the world, forgiving us of all our sins (disobedience of God’s Word) and entrusting the good news of reconciliation to us.

We are to be God’s ambassadors, offering God’s peace treaty to the world in Jesus Christ on his behalf, urging the world to accept his offer of peace through obedient trust in Jesus Christ. For our benefit God allowed his guiltless son, Jesus, to bear the guilt of all our sins, so that in Christ we might become the righteousness of God. So cooperating with God’s plan of reconciliation in Jesus Christ we urge you not to allow the unmerited forgiveness and reconciliation with God through faith in Jesus Christ to be wasted in your case. In the perfect timing of God he has seen our need and has provided for it in Jesus Christ. Now is the day and the time to receive that provision in order to benefit from it; today is the day to be saved from eternal destruction and eternal death.

Jesus told his disciples that temptations are an inevitable part of life in this world, but that we should avoid causing temptation for others if we want to avoid the penalty (the penalty for sin is eternal death; Romans 3:23). It would be better to die the worst imaginable physical death than to experience eternal destruction in Hell by causing spiritually young believers to sin. We will be held responsible for our own eternal souls, but we are also to care for our brothers’ (and sisters') souls, rebuking sin and offering forgiveness to the penitent. Forgiveness is abundantly sufficient to meet all our needs without limitation.

The apostles (the 12 original disciples designated by Jesus to be missionaries of his gospel) asked Jesus to increase their faith, and Jesus replied that only the tiny “mustard seed,” the “yes,” of faith (obedient trust) was necessary to accomplish the greatest of spiritual works. The servant is to serve the master; not the other way around. The servant should not expect to be commended for merely doing his duty.

God is God, whether we acknowledge and serve him or not. God has the power to bless us or punish us. It is in our best interest to know God’s Word and obey it and teach our children to know and obey it. Obedience to God’s Word is the condition for life in the good land of his eternal kingdom that God has promised to give us.

If we have experienced forgiveness, reconciliation and rebirth through faith in Jesus Christ we are called to join in his ministry of reconciliation. We will be accountable to God for our stewardship of his gift of forgiveness and salvation for ourselves and for others. Paul is an example of a “born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) disciple of Jesus Christ, who knows and obeys God's Word and is an ambassador of the gospel to others. Paul was not using the gospel ministry to receive worldly acclaim but to serve others for the sake of the gospel of Christ.

Christians are called to be disciples of Jesus Christ, to be re-born by the gift of the Holy Spirit and then to join Jesus’ ministry of forgiveness and reconciliation. God has provided for every need. He provided our forgiveness and salvation from eternal death, before we recognized our need. Through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus Christ he provides the gift of the Holy Spirit to open our minds to understand the scriptures (Luke 24:45), to store his Word in our hearts (John 16:13), and to recall it to our minds (John 14:26).

The Holy Spirit guides and empowers us to know God’s will and to do God’s ministry of forgiveness and reconciliation in the world. All we need to do to accomplish his will is the simple “yes” of obedient trust. We will be accountable for what we have done with God’s gift of forgiveness for ourselves and for others.

Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?

3 Pentecost - Tuesday

first posted 06/06/05

Deuteronomy 12:1-12, Sanctuary of the Lord’s Choosing
2 Corinthians 6:3-13 (14-7:1), Christian Character
Luke 17:11-19 Ten Lepers Cleansed

The law given by God to Moses included statutes and ordinances concerning worship and sacrifices to be obeyed when the people entered the Promised Land. They were a requirement for life in the Promised Land.

Israel

was to destroy all the idols and places of idolatrous worship created and used by the native inhabitants of the land. Heathen altars, statues and pillars set up to memorialize idols were to be destroyed.

Israel

was forbidden to set up local altars and shrines to the Lord, but was to establish a central place of worship which the Lord would designate to manifest his name (nature and character, and through which the people would have access to the Lord).

Sacrifices and offerings were to be offered to the Lord only at his central sanctuary. Certain offerings were to be eaten at the sanctuary. The sanctuary was also where people were to rejoice and give thanks for God’s blessings on all their activities. They were expressly forbidden to continue their former practice of worshiping the Lord according to their own judgment of what was appropriate. Once they entered the Promised Land and had taken possession of it, after driving out the native people, and had rest and safety in the land they were to rejoice and give thanks to the Lord

Paul was careful not to cause any obstacles to faith by his own example, but instead to behave in every way in a manner which would encourage “seekers” and new converts to follow his example. Christians are to bear all sorts of afflictions, persecutions and hardships with great endurance, demonstrating “purity, knowledge, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love, truthful speech, and the power of God’ (2 Corinthians 6:6-7), whether treated with honor or dishonor.

We are to be true although regarded as impostors, unrecognized by the world but acknowledged by God, dying but having life, punished but not destroyed, rejoicing even in sorrow, considered poor but spiritually rich and giving spiritual wealth to others. Paul had been honest and sincere out of his love for the Corinthians. Any estrangement by the Corinthians indicates that they need to grow spiritually to become more loving.

Paul taught that Christians are not to be mismated with unbelievers. There can be no fellowship or cooperation between righteousness and wickedness, spiritual enlightenment and ignorance, or belief and unbelief. There is no accord between Christ and Satan, or the temple of God and idolatry. (“Born-again;” John 3:3, 5-8) Christians are (individually and collectively) the temple of the living God.

The Holy Spirit is the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promise to dwell among and in his people, and that as “earthen vessels” (2 Corinthians 4:7) we must be separated from the world, cleansed and dedicated to the Lord’s service (Isaiah 52:11). So Paul urges Christians to claim the promise of personal fellowship with the Lord through his indwelling Holy Spirit by being cleansed and growing to spiritual maturity as we trust and obey Jesus, turning from every sin of body and spirit and growing to complete sanctification and dedication in the fear (awe and respect for the power and authority) of the Lord.

Jesus was at the border between Galilee and Samaria, on his way to Jerusalem. As he entered a village, ten lepers stood at a distance and called to Jesus, addressing him as Master, and asking him to have mercy on them. Jesus responded by telling them to go and show themselves to the priests. “And as they went they were cleansed” (Luke 17:14b). One of the lepers, a Samaritan (regarded as racially and religiously corrupt), when he saw that he had been healed, turned back, praising God and worshiped and gave thanks to Jesus. Jesus asked why the other nine (who presumably were Jews, "God’s chosen people") had not also returned to give praise to God, and told the Samaritan that his faith had healed him.

Israel

was being prepared to enter the Promised Land. They were admonished that obedience to God’s Word is the condition for possession, occupation, blessing and life in the Promised Land. God commanded them to destroy all the idols and idolatrous places and objects from the land (and to drive out all the pagans). They were expressly forbidden to worship God in whatever way they felt was appropriate, but were to let the Lord determine and command where and how he was to be worshiped (compare John 4:21-24). They were to cleanse themselves and their land through obedient trust in the Lord.

Paul is an example of a “born-again” disciple of Jesus Christ. The Lord confronted Paul (then known as “Saul of Tarsus”) on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-20), and convicted him of spiritual blindness. Paul repented and began to trust and obey the risen Jesus and his (spiritual and physical) sight was restored. Paul became an example of spiritual maturity. He’s an example of spiritual cleansing and complete sanctification (consecration and dedication to God’s service). Christians are to follow Paul’s example of living according to Christ’s teaching and example, instead of seeking the world’s approval and conforming to the world’s values.

Believers who follow the example of Christ and of Paul can expect to be opposed by worldly people. That opposition indicates spiritual deficiency on the part of the people who oppose Christian disciples. Christians need to grow in discipleship and seek and receive the gift, guidance and empowerment of the Holy Spirit before going out into the world in ministry of the gospel (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-5, 8). “Born-again” Christians are to demonstrate and proclaim the gospel to the world but not to adopt the ways of the world; it is the world that needs to change to adopt Christian discipleship.

Only Jesus can cure spiritual blindness, and only Jesus can cleanse and heal us spiritually. That healing only begins when we hear his commands and begin to trust and obey them. It was as the lepers acted in faith on Jesus’ command that they were healed. Nine of the ten, who regarded themselves as God’s chosen people, received physical healing, which is only temporary, but missed eternal spiritual healing. They called Jesus Master, but they didn’t turn to him and worship him as Lord and make themselves available to his further service; they had received all they wanted from him. In contrast, the Samaritan leper, who Jews regarded as spiritually corrupt and inferior, received spiritual sight and spiritual cleansing.

The Church and Christians, particularly in

America

, need to examine ourselves and honestly consider whether we have cleansed ourselves, our churches and our land of idolatry or whether we have adopted and allowed the pagan practices of the “natives” to infiltrate our lives and our churches. Have we allowed pagans to have fellowship in our churches? Have our churches entered into fellowship with false "churches"?

We must honestly examine whether we haven’t chosen to worship God according to our own personal desires and standards rather than by the guidance of God’s Word and his Holy Spirit. If we want to influence our culture and our nation for the gospel we have to begin to cleanse ourselves and our churches by obedient trust in Jesus Christ and the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciple of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?

3 Pentecost - Wednesday

first posted 06/07/05

Deuteronomy 13:1-11, Warning Against False Prophets
2 Corinthians 7:2-16, Godly Grief and Repentance
Luke 17:20-37 The End of the Age

Prophets who lead people to worship and serve other gods are false prophets, regardless of what signs and wonders they may perform. The Lord may allow false prophets to test our faith and discernment. God’s people must follow the Lord in fear (awe and respect for his power and authority) in obedience to his Word and in commitment to serve him and trust him.

False prophets are to be destroyed and purged from among the people of God. If the false prophet is a close relative or a beloved friend who advocates another god one must not yield to him or conceal his wickedness. Any attempt to induce the members of God’s people to turn from obedient trust in the Lord and to encourage them to serve other gods is to be dealt with severely to remove such wickedness from among God's people.

Paul had dealt honestly and sincerely with the Corinthian Christians out of love for them. He had rebuked the congregation for issues which needed repentance and correction, but his love for them was apparent and unchanged, and he asked them to continue to love him. Paul had not wronged, corrupted or taken advantage of anyone. Paul would continue to love them, sharing with them in life and in death. Paul had great confidence, comfort and joy in them, in the midst of Paul’s suffering and imprisonment for the gospel.

God comforts the downcast, and God comforted Paul through Titus, who himself had been comforted by the Corinthian congregation, and who returned to Paul with a report of the congregation’s longing, mourning, and ardor for Paul. Paul didn’t want to permanently hurt the congregation’s feelings by his reprimand, but only to cause them godly grief so that they would be moved to repent and be restored.

Godly grief leads to repentance and salvation (eternal life), in contrast to worldly grief which produces death. Godly grief had produced earnestness and eagerness to correct the situation, applying discipline and punishment, and revealing their blamelessness.

Instead of merely affecting the guilty person or the one who had been wronged, Paul’s letter had benefited the entire congregation by stirring up renewed commitment to the Lord and to Paul. Paul had expressed pride and confidence in the Corinthians to Titus, and he and Paul were both relieved and pleased that that pride and confidence had been fulfilled. The congregation was commended for their obedience and godly fear (respect) for the authority of Paul and Titus.

The Pharisees asked Jesus when the kingdom of God was coming, and Jesus replied that the coming of the kingdom would not be with outward signs showing its approach, nor will it come in a specific location. The kingdom of God is in our midst (and within us). Jesus told his disciples that the time is coming when they will be eager to see the coming of the kingdom of God, but that they are not to be misled by those who will claim that the kingdom can be found in a certain location. When Jesus returns it will be sudden and visible to all as a flash of lightning which lights up the whole sky.

Jesus said that before his return he had to suffer and be rejected. Christ’s return will be like the time of Noah; the people of earth will be living worldly lives unprepared and not seriously believing God’s warning until the moment it happens, and will be swept away like the wicked in the flood. The Day of Judgment will be like the example of Sodom. Lot heeded (heard and obeyed) God’s Word and was saved, but the wicked in Sodom continued living their wicked lives until fire and brimstone fell from heaven and destroyed them.

So it will be on the Day of Christ’s return. As Lot’s wife was destroyed as she turned to look back, so we must not look back with longing for our worldly lives, or try to hang on to our worldly possessions. Those who try to save their worldly lives will loose them, but those who are willing to loose their worldly lives will live eternally in God’s kingdom.

The separation of the saved from the lost will be extremely precise; of two people sleeping in the same bed, one will be taken and the other left. People asked Jesus where those who were taken were going. In reply, Jesus said, “Where the body is, there the eagles will be gathered together” (i.e. “where the carcass is, the vultures will be gathered;” Luke 17:37).

God is very serious about the sin of idolatry. God’s people are not to listen to false prophets who advocate idolatry in any form. Idolatry is the love of anything which interferes with our complete obedient trust in God. Today money, career, political power, nationalism, success, family, pleasure, and humanism are some of the prevalent idols.

There are many false prophets in society and within churches. Church robes, clerical garb or seminary diplomas are not reliable indicators or authenticators of God’s prophets, nor are miraculous claims. The only reliable basis for discerning false doctrine and false prophets is the Bible, with an understanding of the Old Testament from the New Testament perspective.

Two examples of false doctrine today within the “Church” (the “nominal,” self-defined church), which began in the first-century Church and which were refuted in the New Testament are the doctrine of “salvation by works” (the “circumcision party;” “legalism;” salvation earned by keeping Jewish law or doing good deeds) and the doctrine called “Cheap Grace”* (salvation by grace (free gift) without the requirement of discipleship or obedience to Jesus’ teachings). In each of these “heresies” the advocates are encouraging followers to rely on something other than obedient trust in the Lord (see False Teachings. sidebar, top right).

Other examples of false doctrine are the deification of Mary, the mother of Jesus, or the worship of “Saints,” or teaching that Jesus wasn’t fully human and also fully God, or that Jesus was a man who became a god and that we can become “gods,” or that Jesus was just a man. Another is that there is some book other than the Bible necessary for salvation, or that there is “another gospel.”

In many cases, the “Church” has failed its commission from the Lord Jesus Christ to make disciples of Jesus Christ and teach them to know and obey Jesus’ commands (Matthew 28:18-20), and has instead been merely making “members,” “fair-weather Christians,” who worship the Lord as they think appropriate in their own judgment (Deuteronomy 12:13-14; see entry for yesterday, Tuesday, 3 Pentecost, odd year).

Paul is an example of a “born-again” (John 3:3-5, 8) Christian disciple who carried on the ministry of making disciples and teaching them to know and obey the scriptural apostolic gospel (as taught by the apostles, including Paul, and recorded in the New Testament). Paul proclaimed the truth, the full gospel, not just the parts that make us feel good. Paul didn’t rebuke the Corinthian congregation because of meanness or to manipulate them for his own glory and power, but because he loved them and wanted them to repent and accept correction so that they could experience the fulfillment of the promise and hope of the Gospel. Paul commended the congregation for their obedience and for their respect for his scriptural authority.

Jesus warns that the kingdom of God is coming subtly, gradually and individually, as each individual hears Jesus and begins to follow him in obedient trust. Jesus has promised to give the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit to his disciples who trust and obey him (John 14:15-17).

The kingdom of God begins now and is present now in “born-again” disciples of Jesus Christ. The gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit is the seal and guarantee that one is in Christ and has eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16). It is possible for one to know with certainty whether one has received the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit (Acts 19:2).

But the kingdom of God is also coming suddenly, unexpectedly and universally. Those who have believed and acted in obedient trust on God’s Word will be gathered into God’s kingdom, and those who have refused to hear, trust and obey will be swept away to eternal destruction. Jesus is God’s only provision for our salvation from eternal death (Acts 4:12; John 14:6; see God’s Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right).

Jesus is the embodiment and fulfillment of God’s Word (and God’s only begotten Son; John 1:1-5; 14). Jesus warns not to believe false prophets and not to be deceived by false “messiahs” (false “christs”). The question is not where we can go to be saved, or how long before we need to prepare. Now is the time to prepare by becoming Jesus’ disciple, learning to trust and obey Jesus, and seeking the new life through the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?

*See: The Cost of Discipleship, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Collier Books, Macmillan Publishing Co., NY 1963 ISBN 0-02-083850-6

3 Pentecost - Thursday

first posted 06/08/05

Deuteronomy 16:18-20, 17:14-20, Administration of Justice
2 Corinthians 8:1-16, Offering for the Jerusalem Church
Luke 18:1-8 The Parable of the Unjust Judge

Israel was to appoint judges and administrators in their towns who would judge righteously. They were forbidden to pervert justice by taking bribes or showing partiality. Justice for all was a requirement for life in the Promised Land. The Lord allowed Israel to have a king to rule over them because they desired to be like the surrounding nations, but the king was to be appointed according to God’s choice, and must be one of the Israelites and not a foreigner. The king was not to use his position to multiply his wealth by acquiring horses, wives, silver and gold. He was also commanded to read the Bible every day so that he would know and obey God’s Word in all his doings, as a condition of his reign, and his life, and the lives of his descendants in the kingdom.

Paul had been collecting an offering from among his congregations to help the financially needy Christians in Jerusalem who were experiencing persecution. The Macedonian congregations, who were themselves experiencing affliction and poverty, had contributed generously beyond their financial ability, out of their joy and thanksgiving for God’s grace (free gift of salvation and God’s providence). Their generosity was the result of them having first given themselves in obedience to the Lord and to Paul by God’s will.

Titus was in charge of collecting the offering from among the churches and Paul urged the Corinthian church to demonstrate their faith, love and excellence in spiritual gifts through their contribution to this offering, not by his command but by their love and sincerity, following Christ’s example. Christ left the spiritual riches of heaven and became poor among us so that we could receive his spiritual riches.

The Corinthian church had agreed, the previous year, to contribute, but the collection had been interrupted by dissention within the congregation, which had now been resolved. The Corinthian congregation was apparently financially better-off than the Macedonian Church, and Paul reminded them that good intentions alone are not sufficient, but must be fulfilled by action.

Paul wasn’t asking the Corinthians to be unfairly burdened, but reminded them that their abundance in this situation should be used to alleviate the needs of others, and that in some other situation the roles might be reversed. The goal was that there should be equality.

Paul mentioned the example of God’s justice in distributing the manna in the wilderness so that everyone received no more or less than they needed. In the same way Titus was redistributing resources for the benefit of each member of the Church and for the wellbeing of the Church as a whole.

To illustrate the effectiveness of persistent prayer, Jesus told a parable of an unrighteous judge. The judge didn’t fear God or care for other people, but there was a widow who kept coming to him asking him to give her justice in a legal dispute. The judge at first refused, but because she kept bothering him, he finally did what she asked only to be rid of the nuisance.

God is the ultimate righteous judge who cares for his people, so we can be assured that, if we are in the right and obeying his Word, he will not delay long in vindicating us. “Nevertheless, when the Son of man comes (on the Day of Judgment) will he find faith” (Luke 18:8)?

It is God’s intention for his people to be governed by leaders they choose who will govern righteously according to God’s Word. God’s intention is that Jesus Christ is the king of God’s people, and the leaders of the people are to be the stewards of Christ’s reign on earth. The leaders are to know, trust and obey God’s Word, the Bible.

America today is far from God’s will. We have politicians who claim to be “Christians” but who don’t live according to Christ’s teachings. Instead of a government of the people by the people for the people we have government of the people by the rich for the rich. Influence and special interest for sale is the daily operating reality in our society. There’s vastly different “justice” for the rich than the poor.

There are examples of economic and social injustice all around us. The gap between the rich and the poor has grown wider. According to one editorial* the ratio between what a CEO earns compared to workers pay was 43 to 1 in 1973 and rose to 531 to 1 in 2000. In the wake of 9/11 it declined to 301-1 in 2003. The real ratio is even greater if compared to the wages paid for “outsourced” jobs. If the minimum wage had kept up with CEO pay increases, the minimum wage would have to be $15.76 an hour instead of the current $5.15.

The rich who benefit most from our economy and government are unwilling to pay their fair share of taxes, and they are happy to pass off responsibility for the poor to the Church. It is the political and economic sectors which have caused the problem of economic injustice, but the Church also bears responsibility for not requiring discipleship and obedience of God's Word from their members, and economic, social and legal justice from their government. The “middle class” continues to vote contrary to their economic interest because they continue to hope and believe that they can move up into the rich ruling class and benefit from preferential treatment.

“America, America, God shed his grace on thee.”** But do those who benefit most feel any obligation to provide employment at a fair living wage for its own sons and daughters? Do we feel any obligation to redistribute God-given resources and to work to reduce economic, social and legal injustice?

Our obedience to God’s Word and our appreciation of God’s grace are demonstrated by our concern for the poor and the marginalized, and our commitment to economic, social and legal justice for all. The Macedonian congregation contributed generously even beyond their economic ability because they had first given themselves to the Lord. But the Corinthian congregation was hindered by dissention and by the inclination to substitute good intentions for practical action.

God’s judgment will be just and impartial. We need to pray persistently in faith (obedient trust) for God’s justice and equity in our nation, for genuine Christian leadership, and we must be willing to contribute what we can in time, effort and resources to make that happen (see Conditions for Answered Prayer, sidebar, top right).

Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?

* Jackson, Derrick Z., Boston Globe, “Ladder of success growing steeper,” The Sun, San Bernardino, Ca. Thursday, May 19, 2005, A15.

**Bates, Katherine Lee, “America The Beautiful,” 1893.

3 Pentecost - Friday

first posted 06/09/05

Deuteronomy 26:1-11, Offering of First Fruits
2 Corinthians 8:16-24, Offering for the Poor
Luke 18:9-14 Pharisee and Tax Collector

Through Moses, the Lord instructed Israel that they were to make an offering of first fruits when they had entered and received possession of the Promised Land. The occasion was the grain harvest, seven weeks after the harvest began, called the feast of weeks (“Pentecost;” the fiftieth day). The worshiper was to present a basket containing the first fruits of the harvest at the central sanctuary. The worshipers were to give the offering to the priest and declare that they had come into the Land which the Lord had sworn to their fathers to give them.

The priest then would take the basket and set it down in front of the altar. Then the worshipers were to recite a liturgy (rite; formal recitation spoken by the congregation in worship), recalling that the patriarchs were “wandering Arameans” (nomads from Aram, now called Syria), that Jacob (Israel; the patriarch) sojourned in Egypt where his descendants became a nation (in multitude) and became enslaved by the Egyptians. Then Israel cried to the Lord and the Lord heard and delivered them from the Egyptians (by Moses) and brought them through the wilderness and into the land, “a land of milk and honey” (a paradise, compared to the wilderness), which he had promised the patriarchs to give to their descendants. Now the Israelites were presenting the first fruits of the Lord’s deliverance and fulfillment of that promise. Israel was to celebrate and rejoice in the blessings the Lord had given them.

Paul was sending Titus, who cared deeply for the Corinthian congregation, and two other unnamed individuals, one of whom was an evangelist who was well-known among the churches. They had been appointed by the churches to help administer the offering being collected for the relief of the poor Christians in Jerusalem.

Paul was committed to see that the offering would be to the glory of God and for the upbuilding of the church, honorable not only in God’s judgment, but also in the judgment of the public. He was being careful that it be properly supervised and audited by honest and faithful people. Paul urged the Corinthian congregation to demonstrate their faith and love in their contribution to this offering.

Jesus told a parable about a Pharisee and a tax collector, as a warning to correct those who trusted in their own righteousness and despised others. The Pharisee (a legalistic Jew) and the tax collector (a sinner; a collaborator with the Roman occupying government) both went into the temple to pray. The Pharisee stood (rather than bowing in reverence and humility) and “prayed… with himself” (Luke 18:11; see Conditions for Answered Prayer, sidebar, top right), saying that he thanked God that he was better than other people, because he was not an extortioner, adulterer, unjust or even the tax collector. He was proud that he fasted twice a week and tithed (gave ten percent to God) of all he received. But the tax collector bowed and beat his breast (an act of ritual mourning and repentance), and prayed, acknowledging that he was a sinner and requesting God’s mercy. Jesus declared that the tax collector returned home forgiven, but the Pharisee was not forgiven. Jesus declared, “...everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Luke 18:14).

It is no coincidence that the Church was “born” on the Day of Pentecost, with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples of Jesus Christ (Acts 2:1-21). It is the climax of a plan which God has been developing since the beginning of this creation. The Lord keeps his promises. Even before Abraham (formerly called “Abram”) trusted and obeyed God’s command to leave his native land (Aram) to go to a new land that the Lord would show him and give to his descendants (Genesis 12:1-9)

God has been working toward this purpose. According to Matthew 1:17, it was forty-two generations from Abraham to Christ. According to Exodus 12:40 Israel was in Egypt for four hundred and thirty years. They wandered for forty years in the wilderness. It was a long time between the giving of the promise and the fulfillment (partly because Israel didn’t act in obedient trust the first time God told them to enter and possess the Promised Land).

Israel was now about to enter the Promised Land and was given instructions for commemorating the first fruits of the fulfillment of God’s promise. Through Jesus Christ, Pentecost became the occasion of God’s gift to disciples of Christ of the first fruits of God’s eternal kingdom, and the beginning of the spiritual harvest which had been sown so long before. It is the Holy Spirit who guides and empowers the Church to continue the spiritual harvest of making disciples, teaching them to grow in obedient trust in Jesus teachings (Matthew 28:18-20) to spiritual maturity through the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit.

Forgiveness of sin, salvation (from eternal death), and the gift of the Holy Spirit, the first fruits, the “security deposit” on eternal life in God’s kingdom (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16) are God’s gift to those who trust and obey Jesus Christ. If we’re saved and we know it, we are to testify to that fact by using our lives and our resources to carry on Christ’s ministry of healing and reconciliation. Are we using our lives to glorify God, to build up the Church and help with the spiritual harvest by discipling others to spiritual maturity? Are we working to alleviate human need; poverty, hunger, homelessness, joblessness?

The Pharisee and the tax collector were both sinners, like all of us, but only one of the two was forgiven. We have all sinned against God and have fallen short of God’s righteousness (Romans 3:23). The Pharisee thought he didn’t need God’s forgiveness because he hadn’t committed any blatantly obvious sins. But the other acknowledged and confessed his sin and asked for God’s forgiveness and salvation. Jesus is God’s only provision for the forgiveness of our sins and our salvation from eternal death (Acts 4:12; John 14:6; see God’s Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right).

Regular attendance at church won’t save us; tithing won’t save us; only a personal relationship with the risen Lord Jesus Christ through his indwelling Holy Spirit will save us. The Pharisee thought he was righteous, and he considered himself “just” in his dealings with others (Luke 18:11), but was he “just” in his assessment and treatment of himself and others? Did he care about the spiritual (or even the physical) condition of others?

Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?

3 Pentecost - Saturday

first posted 06/10/05

Deuteronomy 29:2-15, The Covenant in Moab
2 Corinthians 9:1-15, The Duty of Giving
Luke 18:15-30 The Rich Ruler

Israel was in Moab, about to cross the Jordan River to enter and possess the Promised Land. Moses directed the people to renew their covenant vows with the Lord. Moses reminded the congregation of the great signs and wonders the Lord had done in Egypt for their deliverance, which they had witnessed. Despite all the great things they had witnessed they still didn’t use the eyes, ears and minds God had given them to see, hear and understand.

Moses had led them for forty years in the wilderness, and during all that time their clothing and their shoes had not worn out. They hadn’t eaten bread nor drunk wine or alcohol. The wilderness experience was to teach them to trust and obey the Lord their God. When they came to Moab the Lord gave them victory over Sihon, king of Heshbon, and Og, king of Bashan, and their land was given to the tribes of Reuben, Gad and Manasseh of Israel. Moses warned them to be careful to obey all the requirements of the covenant.

The covenant includes everyone from the greatest to the least in the congregation of Israel, every man, woman and child, including sojourners, servants and slaves. The covenant was renewed that day by the congregation as of that day; it wasn’t just something their ancestors had agreed to, but it applied to all the descendants of Israel, even those not yet born (Deuteronomy 29:14-15). That very day of covenant renewal Israel committed to be God’s people by God’s power, and God promised to be their God, fulfilling the promise he made to their ancestors.

Paul had told the Macedonian churches that the churches in Achaia (a region in Greece), including the Corinthian congregation had, the previous year, committed to contribute to the offering for the poor Christians in Jerusalem. Now he was sending Titus and two Macedonian Christians to supervise and audit the collection of the offering, sending them ahead of Paul who intended to bring some Macedonians with him. Paul urged the Corinthians to be ready to fulfill their commitment willingly, so that neither they nor Paul would be humiliated.

Paul used an analogy of sowing seed to produce a harvest in order to illustrate Christian charitable giving. As one who wants an abundant harvest must sow seed generously, so Christians must be generous with others if they want God to be generous in his blessings to them, and if they care about the salvation of others. Each person must follow his own conscience, giving willingly, not reluctantly or under compulsion. “God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7b). God supplies every blessing abundantly and is able to provide abundantly everything we need, so we will be able to give generously without fear of not having enough.

Paul quoted Psalm 112:9, teaching that a person who is righteous in God’s judgment is one who distributes generously to others and gives to the poor, and his righteousness will be eternal. It is God who provides seed for sowing, and bread for food, and he is able and faithful; “he will supply and multiply your resources and increase the harvest of your righteousness” (2 Corinthians 9:10). God will supply the resources so that our generosity will bring glory and thanksgiving to God and build up the Church.

Charitable giving glorifies God by our obedience to and our demonstration of the truth and power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Our generosity demonstrates our love and concern for others and our thanksgiving to God for the inexpressible greatness of his gift of forgiveness and salvation to us in Jesus Christ, and it increases the love of others for us and their thanksgiving to God.

People were bringing infants and small children to Jesus to be blessed, and the disciples tried to stop them. Jesus told them to let the children come to him without hindrance, because the kingdom of God belongs to those who come to the Lord in innocence and obedient trust as to their father. All who enter God’s kingdom must enter in the same child-like obedient trust.

A rich ruler addressed Jesus as a “Good Teacher,” and asked what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus replied by asking the man why he had called Jesus “good,” since only God is truly good. Jesus told the person that he surely knew the Commandments, and mentioned the ones dealing with a person’s obligations to other people (not memtioning his obligations to God). The ruler said that he had kept the Commandments since his birth. Then Jesus told him he still lacked one thing and that he should sell all of his possessions and give to the poor; he should echange his worldly riches for eternal spiritual treasure, and then come and follow Jesus.

The rich man was sad when he heard this, because he was very wealthy. Jesus, looking at him, said it is very difficult, seemingly impossible, for a rich person to enter God’s kingdom. Those who heard Jesus asked how anyone could be saved, since that was the case. Jesus said that what is impossible for humans can be accomplished by God. Peter remarked that the Disciples had left their homes (and everything) to follow Jesus. Jesus declared that those who have left anything for the sake of God’s kingdom will receive again many times what they have left in this age, and in the coming age of God’s kingdom will receive eternal life.

God led his people for forty years in the wilderness so that they would learn to trust and obey him and so they could learn to depend upon his providence. Their material needs were met supernaturally through God’s power. They learned to live by manna, “the bread from heaven.” The Lord gave them victory over their enemies and those who opposed them, and gave them possession of rich lands, on the condition that they would obey his Word, the Covenant. The people entered into a covenant with God to be his people by God’s help and power, and God agreed to be their God to guide and provide for them.

The history of God’s dealing with Israel is also a parable, a metaphor, for life in this world. We are to learn to trust and obey the Lord as he leads us through the spiritual "wilderness" of this world. Jesus is our “Moses” and our “manna,” the bread from heaven which sustains us and gives us life (John 6:31-35). Jesus is the New Covenant of forgiveness and salvation from eternal death by grace (a free gift; unmerited favor) to be received through faith (obedient trust) in Jesus (Ephesians 2:8-9; see God’s Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right).

Jesus is the embodiment and fulfillment of God’s Word (John 1:1-5, 14). Through obedient trust in Jesus, his disciples receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (John 14:15-17), who is the Word and power of God within us to help us truly be God’s people and fulfill our covenant with God by obedience of Jesus’ commands. It is through the indwelling Holy Spirit that we share in Christ’s victory over the enemy of our souls, which he accomplished for us at the Cross, and enter and possess the Promised Land of God’s eternal kingdom (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16).

If we are truly Christians (disciples of Jesus Christ who trust and obey Jesus) we are parties to a covenant with God through Jesus Christ. We have a commitment to obey God and love others as we love ourselves (Matthew 22:36-40). We have a commitment to carry on Christ’s ministry of healing and reconciliation, not just spiritually but physically and materially (James 2:14-18). What we do with the worldly resources which God has provided for all to share equally demonstrates our faith in the truth and power of God’s Word, and our love and commitment to trust and obey Jesus.

The rich man was right when he called Jesus “good,” but he did not see, hear, understand and acknowledge that Jesus is God in human flesh (Colossians 2:8-9). The rich ruler thought that he was righteous; he thought that he obeyed God’s Commandments, but he had not fulfilled his obligation to love others as he loved himself, and he had not fulfilled his obligation to love God more than worldly riches and to fulfill and demonstrate his love of God by obedient trust in Jesus Christ.

We cannot save ourselves from God’s judgment or enter God’s kingdom except by God’s grace and power through obedient trust in Jesus Christ. Is Jesus your Lord? Are you Jesus’ disciple? Are you trusting and obeying Jesus? Have you received the indwelling Holy Spirit since you first truly believed (Acts 19:2)? Are you making disciples of Jesus Christ and teaching them to obey all that Jesus commands (Matthew 28:18-20)? Do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity (1 John 5:11-13; Ephesians 1:13-14)?