15 Pentecost – Sunday
Posted August 24, 2008;
Jeremiah 15:15-21 -- Personal Lament;
Psalm 26 -- Prayer for Deliverance;
Romans 12:1-8 -- Consecrated Life;
Matthew 16:21-26 -- Crucifixion
Foretold;
Jeremiah:
Jeremiah believed that the Lord knew his circumstances. Jeremiah asked
the Lord to remember and visit him, and take vengeance upon those who
were persecuting Jeremiah. God knows that Jeremiah bore reproach for
God’s sake, and Jeremiah asked him to be tolerant of Jeremiah and not
sweep him away (to eternal destruction).
God revealed his Word, and Jeremiah partook and consumed it (Ezekiel
2:8-10; John 4:32-34; Matthew 4:4; Revelation 10:8-11) and God’s Word
became a joy to Jeremiah and a delight to Jeremiah’s heart. Jeremiah
was called (known) by God’s name. Jeremiah did not join merrymakers,
nor did he rejoice; instead he sat alone, upset because of the burden
the Lord had given him. Jeremiah’s pain was constant and his “wound”
incurable. Would the Lord fail Jeremiah, like a stream, or a well that
runs dry?
The Word of the Lord came to Jeremiah: The Lord promised to restore
Jeremiah if he returned to obedient trust in the Lord and Jeremiah
would stand firm in the Lord’s presence. Jeremiah would be the Lord’s
spokesperson, if he spoke the precious Word of God rather than what is
worthless. God’s people will turn to God’s prophet, but the prophet
shall not conform to worldly ways. God will give his prophet strength
like a fortified bronze wall. People will fight against God’s prophet,
but will not prevail over him, because God promises to be with his
prophet to save and deliver him, saying “I will deliver you out of the
hand of the wicked, and redeem you from the grasp of the ruthless”
(Jeremiah 15:21).
Psalm:
This psalm is attributed to David, the great shepherd-king of Israel.
David had lived a life of integrity and unwavering trust in the Lord.
He asked the Lord to examine him, and test his heart and mind. David
constantly recalled the steadfast love of the Lord, and he was
committed to live in faithfulness to the Lord. David refused to associate
with liars and deceivers; he hated evil and wickedness.
David had a clean conscience as he approached the Lord’s altar. He sang
praise and thanksgiving to the Lord and testified to the wonderful
deeds God has done.
David loved the presence and glory of the Lord in God’s house. David
prayed that the Lord would keep David from being swept away to
destruction with sinners and bloodthirsty people who practice evil and
pervert justice.
David asked the Lord to redeem him and be gracious, because David had
conducted his life with integrity. David stood upon the solid ground of
God’s Word, and would praise the Lord publicly in the assembled
congregation of God’s people.
Romans:
Paul urged Christians to live their lives as a “living” sacrifice in
holiness in a manner which is acceptable to God and our reasonable
obligation of worship to God. Christians are not to live according to
the standard of the world but to be “transformed by the renewal of
[our] minds” (Romans 12:2) so that we know with certainty what is God’s
will, which is good, reasonable and our best interest.
We should examine ourselves honestly and fairly, according to the
guidance of the Spirit we have been given, so that we will not deceive
ourselves, thinking we’re better than we are. Christians are members of
one body united in Christ, and individually joined to one another, the
way the members of our physical bodies are joined and work together,
although the individual members have different functions. Like the
physical members, we have different functions according to the gifts
given to us by the Holy Spirit within us. Examples of the various
spiritual gifts are prophecy, service, teaching, exhortation,
leadership, material contribution, and humanitarian aid (see 1
Corinthians 12:4-31. We should use whatever spiritual gift and calling
we have been given to the best of our ability.
Matthew:
Jesus had just asked his disciples who they understood Jesus to be
(Matthew 16:13-20). Once he was certain that they understood, he began
to prepare them for the crucifixion and resurrection Jesus knew was
coming. He told them that he would have to go to Jerusalem, where he
would suffer abuse from the Jewish religious leaders and be killed and
would be raised again from death on the third day. Peter rebuked Jesus
saying, “God forbid, Lord. This shall never happen to you” (Matthew
16:22). But Jesus rebuked Peter, saying that Peter was aiding Satan and
worldly people and hindering Jesus, rather than serving God.
Jesus told his disciples that anyone who wanted to follow Jesus must
accept suffering for the Gospel. Those who want to preserve their
physical, earthly life will lose it. Whoever loses his life for Jesus
and the Gospel will find true, eternal life. What good would it do to
own all the riches of the world, if it cost us our eternal life in
paradise with the Lord? What shall we give in order to obtain eternal
life?
Commentary:
Jeremiah answered the call of God to proclaim God’s Word. As a result
Jeremiah was bearing reproach for God’s sake. Jeremiah trusted that God
knew his circumstances, and left vengeance on his persecutors to the
Lord.
Jeremiah had “tasted” the God’s Word and realized that it was a joy and
a delight to his heart, but proclaiming it to others was painful and
upsetting. But he trusted the Lord not to fail or forsake him.
The Lord told Jeremiah that if Jeremiah returned to obedient trust in
the Lord, the Lord would restore Jeremiah. If Jeremiah faithfully and
accurately spoke God’s Word he would be God’s prophet and the people
would follow Jeremiah and Jeremiah was not to follow them. God will
strengthen his prophet so that his persecutors would not prevail over
the prophet. God promised to save and deliver his prophet from ruthless
and wicked people.
God’s Word is eternal and is fulfilled over and over again as the
conditions for its fulfillment are met. What God promised Jeremiah
applies to all people who respond to God’s call and proclaim God’s Word
faithfully and accurately.
David also responded to God’s call, and lived in accordance with God’s
Word. David found joy and delight in God’s Word. David trusted that the
Lord would deliver him from God’s condemnation and destruction of all
evil.
David was a man after God’s heart (Acts 13:22; Psalm 89:20), but David
was not perfect or blameless in God’s judgment. David was guilty of
adultery and murder in his affair with Bathsheba. David had certainly
been dishonest and wicked in that affair. But he confessed his sin and
asked God’s forgiveness. Psalm 51, a penitential Psalm, is an example
(although not specifically attributed to David) of David’s confession
and repentance.
Paul was “discipling” new Christians, telling them to be willing to
sacrifice their worldly lives as an appropriate offering to the Lord.
Paul himself endured great physical suffering for proclaiming the
Gospel fully and accurately (2 Corinthians 11:23- 27).
Christians are to live according to God’s Word, rather than in
conformity to the standards of society. Through obedient trust in God’s
Word, the Bible, fulfilled, embodied and exemplified, and interpreted
in Jesus Christ, the “living Word” (John 1:1-5, 14) we are filled with
the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit, which only Jesus gives (John
1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John
14:15-17).
The gift (“anointing; “baptism”) of the Holy Spirit transforms and
renews our minds. The indwelling Holy Spirit, the Spirit of [the risen]
Christ (Romans 8:9) opens our minds to understand the scriptures (Luke
24:45) teaches us all things and recalls to memory all that Jesus has
taught (John 14:26).
“Born-again” (John 3:3, 5-8) Christians are to take the Word of God
into the World (Luke 24:49, Acts 1:4-5, 8), rather than bringing
worldly values and standards into the Church. Born-again Christians are
to make disciples, teaching them to obey all that Jesus teaches
(Matthew 28:19:20). It is by the indwelling Holy Spirit that we know
with certainty God’s will for us personally and individually. The Holy
Spirit guides and empowers us to do the work to which he calls us.
We should examine ourselves by the guidance of the Holy Spirit in order
to recognize the areas of our life which are not in submission to
Christ and in need of change. In my experience, the Lord will help us
focus and work on one area at a time.
Discipleship is a process that takes place over time, with experience.
Remember that the original Twelve were with Jesus day and night for
about three years, and still were not ready to go out into the world
with the Gospel until they were filled with the indwelling Holy Spirit
(Acts 2:1-13).
There is no certain minimum amount of faith that is necessary. Faith
begins with the simple “yes” to the Lord. As we begin to trust and obey
God’s Word he will show us that his Word is absolutely true and
reliable, and will cause our faith to grow.
The initial call is simply to know and trust in God’s Word. As we do so
we will learn to be guided by daily reading and meditation on God’s
Word, and by the guidance of the indwelling Holy Spirit.
The Lord will help us identify our gifts, and call us to use them. Over
the course of my more than thirty years of discipleship, the Lord
has led me to a number of different ministries, according to the level
of my spiritual maturity at the time. I first began in Social Ministry,
as a participant in Adult Sunday School, and in weekly small group
Bible study. As I grew spiritually I was led into evangelism, first in my congregation, then in
one-to-one friendship evangelism, and now my online Bible study.
I had used the previous two-year Bible study as my own personal daily
devotional, and before I finished the first two-year cycle I realized
that it should be published online. I prayed about it, and the Lord
approved and helped me set it up. I know that I began this ministry at
the earliest possible moment that I was spiritually ready. I have grown
spiritually so much in the more than five years I have been publishing it online!
The Twelve of Jesus’ original disciples had to be convinced that Jesus
was the Son of God, the promised Messiah and eternal heir to the throne
of David. Then Jesus needed to prepare them for the crucifixion and
resurrection which was coming.
Peter, in spiritual ignorance, was hearing Jesus from a worldly
perspective. From the spiritual perspective he was neither loving nor
helpful. Peter was actually helping evil and hindering Jesus. If Jesus
were prevented from becoming the “sacrificial lamb,” God’s plan of
spiritual salvation (which see, sidebar, top right) would not have been
fulfilled. Jesus was struggling with his own human desire for physical
survival, and Peter increased the temptation Jesus experienced.
Jesus is the example of the world’s reaction to the Gospel. If the
world hated Jesus, it will hate his disciples more. Those who seek a
comfortable life now in this world will not be able to keep it for
eternity. Those who are willing to suffer for the Gospel now, will
experience what is truly and eternally life in paradise.
Who would be so foolish as to give up true, eternal life in paradise
for a few brief years of delight and luxury now? Everything we possess
in this world would not be enough to buy eternal life in paradise, and
who would be unwilling to pay it?
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)?
15 Pentecost – Sunday - Alternate Entry
Posted August 24, 2008;
Jeremiah
15:15-21 -- Personal Lament;
Psalm 26 -- Prayer for Deliverance;
Romans 12:1-8 -- Consecrated Life;
Matthew 16:21-26 -- Crucifixion
Foretold;
Jeremiah:
Jeremiah believed that the Lord knew
his circumstances. Jeremiah asked the Lord to remember and visit him,
and take vengeance upon those who were persecuting Jeremiah. God
knows that Jeremiah bore reproach for God’s sake, and Jeremiah
asked him to be tolerant of Jeremiah and not sweep him away (with the
wicked).
God revealed his Word, and Jeremiah
partook and consumed it (Ezekiel 2:8-10; John 4:32-34; Matthew 4:4;
Revelation 10:8-11) and God’s Word became a joy to Jeremiah and a
delight to Jeremiah’s heart. Jeremiah was called (known) by God’s
name. Jeremiah did not join merrymakers, nor did he rejoice; instead
he sat alone, upset with the burden the Lord had given him.
Jeremiah’s pain was constant and his “wound” incurable. Would
the Lord fail Jeremiah like a stream or a well that runs dry?
The Word of the Lord came to Jeremiah:
The Lord promised to restore Jeremiah if he returned to obedient
trust in the Lord, and Jeremiah would stand firm in the Lord’s
presence. Jeremiah would be the Lord’s spokesperson, if he spoke
the precious Word of God rather than what is worthless.
God’s people will turn to God’s
prophet, but the prophet shall not
conform to worldly ways. God will give his prophet
strength like a fortified bronze wall. People will fight against
God’s prophet, but will not prevail over him, because God promises
to be with his prophet to save and deliver him, saying “I will
deliver you out of the hand of the wicked, and redeem you from the
grasp of the ruthless” (Jeremiah 15:21).
Psalm:
This psalm is attributed to David, the
great shepherd-king of Israel. David had lived a life of integrity
and unwavering trust in the Lord. He asked the Lord to
examine him, and test his heart and mind. David constantly recalled
the steadfast love of the Lord, and he was committed to live in
faithfulness to the Lord.
David refused to associate with liars and
deceivers; he hated evil and wickedness.
David had a clean conscience as he
approached the Lord’s altar. He sang praise and thanksgiving to the
Lord and testified to the wonderful deeds God has done.
David loved the presence and glory of
the Lord in God’s house. David prayed that the Lord would keep
David from being swept away to destruction with sinners and
bloodthirsty people who practice evil and pervert justice.
David asked the Lord to redeem him and
be gracious to David, because he has conducted his life with
integrity. David stood upon the solid ground of God’s Word, and
will praise the Lord publicly in the assembled congregation of God’s
people.
Romans:
Paul urged Christians to live
their lives as a “living” sacrifice in holiness in a manner which
is acceptable to God and our reasonable obligation of worship to God.
Christians are not to live according to the standard of the world but
to be “transformed by the renewal of [our] minds” (Romans 12:2)
so that we know with certainty what is God’s will, which is good,
reasonable and our best interest.
We should examine ourselves honestly
and fairly, according to the guidance of the Spirit we have been
given, so that we will not deceive ourselves, thinking we’re better
than we are. Christians are members of one body united in Christ, and
individually joined to one another, the way the members of our
physical bodies are joined and work together, although the individual
members have different functions. Like the physical members, we have
different functions according to the gifts given to us by the Holy
Spirit within us. Examples of the various spiritual gifts are
prophecy, service, teaching, exhortation, leadership, material
contribution, and humanitarian aid (see 1 Corinthians 12:4-31. We
should use whatever spiritual gift and calling we have been given to
the best of our ability.
Matthew:
Jesus had just asked his disciples who
they understood Jesus to be (Matthew 16:13-20). Once he was certain
that they understood, he began to prepare them for the crucifixion
and resurrection Jesus knew was coming. He told them that he would
have to go to Jerusalem, where he would suffer abuse from the Jewish
religious leaders and be killed and would be raised again from death
on the third day. Peter rebuked Jesus saying, “God forbid, Lord.
This shall never happen to you” (Matthew 16:22). But Jesus rebuked
Peter, saying that Peter was aiding Satan and worldly people and
hindering Jesus, rather than serving God.
Jesus told his disciples that anyone
who wanted to follow Jesus must accept suffering for the Gospel.
Those who want to preserve their physical, earthly life will lose it.
Whoever loses his life for Jesus and the Gospel will find true,
eternal life. What good would it do to own all the riches of the
world, if it cost us our eternal life in paradise with the Lord? What
shall we give in order to obtain eternal life?
Commentary:
Jeremiah is an example of a servant of
the Lord. He endured suffering for God's Word, and he trusted in God
to vindicate him. Jeremiah had a personal relationship with the Lord
in a time when that was uncommon.
The Lord allows us to experience the
joy of his presence and the goodness of his Word. We must choose
whether to live according to the Lord, or according to the ways of
the world and our fleshly desires. Those who choose to follow God's
Word will experience opposition from the world, but we can be
confident that we will not be overcome by evil.
David is an example of a servant of the
Lord who chose to trust and obey God's Word. He had a personal
relationship with the Lord, when that was uncommon. David experienced
the joy of the Lord's presence and his way. David stood upon the
solid rock of God's Word.
Jesus is the Messiah, the eternal
Savior and King promised in God's Word. Jesus is the "living
Word" of God, fulfilled, embodied and demonstrated in human
flesh in this fallen, sinful world (John 1:1-5, 14). Jesus is the
solid rock on which we must build for eternal life (Matthew 7:21-27).
Paul (Saul of Tarsus) is the prototype
and example of a "modern," "post-resurrection,"
"born-again" (John 3:3, 5-8) disciple (student) and apostle
(messenger; of the Gospel) of Jesus Christ (Acts 9:1-21. Paul was
fulfilling the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20), which Jesus gave
to his disciples, including Paul, to be carried out after they had
received the promised gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit (Luke 24:49;
Acts 1:4-5, 8).
Paul was "discipling" the
Christians at Rome by letter. Paul warned the Roman Christians that
they would be subjected to persecution for the Word of God, as had
Paul. We are to be guided by the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit,
so that we can fulfill God's individual and personal purpose for us,
in perfect harmony with the work of other believers. We must be
filled with the indwelling Holy Spirit, and we must seek and learn to
be guided by the Holy Spirit.
Once we understand who Jesus is, he can
begin to teach us how to follow his example and teaching. We must
begin with understanding that Jesus' crucifixion was necessary for
our salvation, and for the world's.
We will be persecuted for the same
Gospel for which Jesus suffered crucifixion. We cannot expect the
world to treat us better than it treated Jesus. The wonderful thing
is that when we are spiritually reborn (John 3:3, 5-8), we have the
indwelling presence of Jesus within us, to encourage us, and to
assure us that we belong to Jesus and have eternal life (2
Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9b, 11, 15-16).
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)?
15 Pentecost – Monday
Posted August 25, 2008;
Psalm
119:33-40 -- Prayer for Understanding;
Lord teach me to live in accordance with your Word and I will keep it
always. Help me to understand your Word that I may keep it and obey it
with my whole heart. Lead me in the path of your commandments because I
delight in them. Help me to strive for obedience to your Word, rather
than material gain. Help me turn my eyes from futile worldly desires,
and give me what is truly life in your ways. "Confirm in thy servant
thy promise, which is for those who fear (have proper awe and respect
for the power and authority of) thee" (Psalm 119:38 RSV). Your reproach
is what I dread, because your commandments are good. I long to know and
obey your will; give me life in your righteousness.
Commentary:
God has given us his Word in the Bible, and in Jesus Christ, the
"living Word," the fulfillment, example and demonstration of God's Word
(John 1:1-5, 14) lived in human flesh in this world. God's Word
contains both wonderful promises and ominous warnings. If we live
according to God's Word we receive the promises; if we live contrary to
God's Word we will suffer the consequences the warnings in God's
Word are intended to help us avoid.
This lifetime is our opportunity to learn to live according to God's
Word. As we begin to trust and obey God's Word we will learn that it is
entirely true and trustworthy. We will discover that God's will is
good, reasonable, and our very best interest. We will find that God's
Word is a delight
We need to read the entire Bible, and we need to read portions daily,
seeking guidance, one day at a time (Matthew 6:11, 34). We need to pray
for guidance and understanding for what we are reading, and the Lord
will provide it (Luke 24:45; James 1:5). We need to interpret the Old
Testament from the understanding of the New Testament.
This lifetime is our opportunity to seek and find God, our Creator
(Acts 17:26-27). God has been progressively revealing himself to us,
first in the goodness of Creation, then in his Word, the Bible. Through
the Bible we can come to know that Jesus is the fulfillment of God's
Word, the one and only Savior and Lord (Acts 4:12), who has been
designed into Creation from the very beginning (John 1:1-5, 14), who
came in the flesh to die once for all time and all people who are
willing to receive it by faith (obedient trust), for the forgiveness of
sin (disobedience of God's Word), to restore us to fellowship with God
broken by sin, and to eternal life which was lost through sin (John
14:6; see God's Plan of Salvation, sidebar, top right).
Jesus Christ is God's fullest revelation of himself to the world. Jesus
is God in human flesh (Colossians 2:8-9; John 14:8-11; 20:28).
As we begin to trust and obey Jesus, he will reveal himself to us (John
14:21), and will give us the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit, which
only Jesus gives (John 1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and
obey Jesus (John 14:15-17). The Holy Spirit is the fullest revelation
of God the Father and Jesus Christ to us personally and individually
(John 14:23; Romans 8:9).
The 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). The indwelling Holy Spirit is the confirmation of the promise
of God of salvation from eternal condemnation and destruction, and of
eternal life in God's heavenly kingdom, restored to paradise (Psalm
119:38).
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).
15 Pentecost – Tuesday
Posted August 26, 2008;
Ezekiel 33:7-9
Ezekiel was a priest of Judah, the remnant of Israel, whose ministry
extended from 593 B.C.,
just before the fall of Jerusalem and the exile of Judah to Babylon (in
587 B.C.), to about 563 B.C. (the thirtieth year of his call; Ezekiel
1:1).*
The Lord appointed Ezekiel to be a watchman over Israel. Whenever the
Lord gave Ezekiel a word of warning, Ezekiel was to proclaim it to
Israel. When the Lord warns that the wicked will die, the watchman must
warn the wicked to turn from wickedness. If the watchman fails to warn
the wicked, the wicked will die, but the Lord will hold the watchman
accountable for their death. But if the watchman warns the wicked and
they do not repent and turn from their wickedness, they will die, but
the watchman's life will be spared; he will not be held responsible for
the death of the wicked.
Commentary:
The Word of God, the Bible, contains both precious promises and ominous
warnings. Those who apply God's Word in their daily lives will receive
the promises, but those who don't will receive the consequences the
warnings were intended to help us avoid.
All believers are to be "discipled" within the Church (the New
Jerusalem) by "born-again" (John 3:3, 5-8) disciples until they have
also been "reborn" by the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit, before
going into the world with the Gospel message (Luke 24:49, Acts 1:4-5,
8). Once they have been filled with the indwelling Holy Spirit they are
guided and empowered to carry on Christ's mission to offer forgiveness
of sin (disobedience of God's Word) and salvation (from eternal
condemnation) to a lost and eternally dying world. Christ's mission
cannot be accomplished in our own human abilities; it must be
accomplished by the indwelling Holy Spirit within his disciples
(Zechariah 4:6). All "born-again" Christians are to be "watchmen" in
our communities and among our contacts. Pastors are to be "watchmen"
over their congregations.
Many people, even within the Church today, don't want to hear God's
Word of warning. They don't want to hear about sin, hell and
eternal damnation. The "watchmen" have an obligation to our Lord to
proclaim the full Gospel, not just the parts that make us feel good.
Paul warned Timothy, who had been "born-again" under Paul's
"discipling" (2 Timothy 1:6) and had become a pastor of a congregation,
that the time was coming when people would not tolerate sound teaching,
but having "itching ears," would turn from truth and get teachers who would teach them what they
wanted to hear, and would wander into myths (2 Timothy 4:3-4). That day
has fully come.
Pastors and all "born-again" Christians have an obligation to proclaim
the full Gospel. We would be doing a disservice to our hearers to omit
the parts of God's Word which convict sinners and make us
uncomfortable. The reason people don't want to hear the warnings is
because they are confronted with their sin and shortcomings.
There are several major false teachings in the Church today, which were
present from the beginning of the Church and are dealt with in the New
Testament. One is "Cheap Grace,"** the teaching that salvation is by
grace (a free gift; unmerited favor), without the obligation of
discipleship and obedience to God's Word (Ephesians 2:8-9; see False
Teachings, sidebar, top right). Jesus warns that it is not those who
call themselves "Christians" and who call Jesus "Lord" who will be
saved, but those who do God's will according to God's Word (Matthew
7:21-27; Luke 6:46).
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)?
*The Oxford Annotated Bible, Revised Standard
Version, Ed. by Herbert G. May and Bruce M. Metzger, Introduction to
Ezekiel, pg. 1000, New York, Oxford University Press, 1962.
**See: The Cost of Discipleship, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Collier Books,
Macmillan Publishing Co., NY 1963 ISBN 0-02-083850-6
15 Pentecost – Wednesday
Posted August 27, 2008;
Romans
13:1-10 -- Christian Duty;
Let everyone submit to civil authority. The Lord is the source of all
authority, and he has instituted civil authority. If anyone resists the
authority of civil government, he is resisting God, and will incur
judgment. Those who do what is right have no reason to fear the
authority of the state, but those who do should, so if we want to have
the approval of civil government we should do what is right. The state
has the authority from God to execute God's wrath upon wrongdoers. So
we must obey civil authority, in order to have a clear conscience and
to avoid God's wrath.
For these reasons, we should pay taxes, because God has given the state
authority, as his agents, to collect money to fund the cost of
government. So we should pay taxes, revenue, respect and honor to civil
authorities to whom it is due.
Let us owe no one anything except the duty to love one another. Whoever
truly loves others has fulfilled the requirements of the law. The
commandments to not commit adultery, kill, steal, covet, and every
other commandment, are summed up by the commandment to love others the
same way as we love ourselves. Love does no wrong to others, so love is
the fulfillment of God's law.
Commentary:
God's Word, the Bible, is the source and standard of all laws. Jesus is
the fulfillment, embodiment and demonstration of God's Word, lived out
in this world in human flesh (John 1:1-5, 14). Jesus taught that all
God's commandments can be reduced to just two: to love God with our
entire being and abilities, and to love others as we love ourselves
(Matthew 22:37-39).
God gave the law to restrain the wicked. Jesus came not to abolish the
law but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17-19), and to make it possible for us
to fulfill it by faith (obedient trust) in Jesus (Romans 8:1-9).
Those who trust and obey Jesus receive the gift of the indwelling Holy
Spirit, which only Jesus gives (John 1:31-34), only to his disciples
who trust and obey Jesus John 14:15-17). If we live in obedience to the
indwelling Holy Spirit, we will fulfill the requirements of the
law by love, rather than by fear of punishment. We experience the
love God has for us, and we demonstrate our love for God by our
obedient trust in his Word (John 14:21, 23-24).
God is the source of the law, and he is also the source of judgment.
There is a Day of Judgment coming when everyone who has ever lived will
be accountable to God for what we have done in this lifetime. God has
appointed Jesus to be the judge and the standard by which we will be
judged. Those who have trusted and obeyed Jesus will receive eternal
life in God's heavenly kingdom, the perfect paradise. Those who have
rejected Jesus and have refused or failed to trust and obey him will receive
eternal condemnation and destruction in hell with all evil (Matthew
25:31-46; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10).
Human laws and human justice are imperfect, because they are
administered by humans. There are times when human laws are in conflict
with God's Word. Peter and John were arrested and brought before the
Jewish religious court for preaching the Gospel. The court ordered them
not to preach or teach in Jesus' name, and Peter and John replied that
they had to be obedient to God's commands rather than men's (Acts
4:18-20).
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)?
15 Pentecost – Thursday
Posted August 28, 2008;
Matthew 18:15-20
Jesus was teaching his disciples to be leaders of his Church. Regarding
Church discipline, if a member sins against another, that individual
should go to the member and tell him his fault. If the member listens,
the relationship between the two is restored. If the member refuses to
listen, the aggrieved should take two or three other members with him
so that what is said can be confirmed by the witnesses. If the member
still does not listen, he should be brought before the whole
congregation. If the member refuses to listen to the church, he should
be regarded as a Gentile (heathen) and a tax collector (a Jewish
collaborator with the pagan Roman government).
Jesus warned his
disciples that what they allow or forbid in the church on earth will
have eternal consequences. Jesus also told them that where two or three
are gathered in Jesus' name he will be present among them, and that
whatever two or three agree upon to ask of God will be done for them.
Commentary:
The Church is intended to be a disciple-making organization. Jesus came
to fulfill God's Word and proclaim the Gospel of forgiveness and
salvation. He picked twelve individuals to become leaders of the
Church, whose responsibility was to carry on the mission of Christ,
making disciples and proclaiming the Gospel. Jesus demonstrated the
process with his Twelve and designated them to be apostles (messengers;
of the Gospel).
After his resurrection, Jesus told his disciples to go into the whole
world and make disciples, teaching them to obey all Jesus' teachings
(Matthew 28:19-20), but only after they had been filled with the
indwelling Holy Spirit (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-5, 8). The Church is the
"New Jerusalem," where new disciples are to be trained by mature,
"born-again" (John 3:3, 5-8) disciples until the new disciples have
been spiritually "reborn" by the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit.
Only Jesus gives the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit (John 1:31-34),
only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17). The
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 for oneself,
whether or not one has received the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit
(Acts 19:2). If one is uncertain, one hasn't been "reborn."
It is the responsibility of the Church to teach and require obedience
of its members to Jesus' teachings. Jesus established the method of
dealing with conflict and sin within the Church. Three opportunities
for repentance and restoration are to be provided, but if the member
remains unrepentant he is to be removed from fellowship;
excommunicated.
The hope is that having been removed from the Church will stimulate the
ex-member to repent and be restored. Allowing an unrepentant sinner to
remain in the Church allows him to continue in sin while erroneously
thinking he is "saved" from eternal condemnation and destruction in
hell.
Paul (Saul of Tarsus) is intended by God to be the prototype and
example of a modern, "born-again" disciple and apostle of Jesus Christ.
Paul hadn't known Jesus until after Jesus' resurrection and ascension
into heaven. The Spirit of Jesus confronted Paul (Saul) on the road to
Damascus. Paul repented, accepted Jesus as Lord, was discipled by a
"born-again" disciple, Ananias, until Paul was "reborn," and then Paul
began fulfilling the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) which Jesus
had given to his disciples (Acts 9:1-20).
Timothy is an example of Paul's carrying out of the Great Commission.
Timothy was apparently already a Christian (Acts 16:1), who Paul
further "discipled" until Timothy received the indwelling Holy Spirit
(2 Timothy 1:6).
Paul dealt with unrepentant sin in the congregation at Corinth (1
Corinthians 5:1-5), illustrating the application of Jesus' teaching on
church discipline. Two or three witnesses are required in cases of
church discipline, so that the charges were substantiated, and it isn't
just a disagreement between two individuals. For the same reason,
agreement by two or three individual members are necessary for
effective prayer on behalf of the congregation. That assumes that the
two or three is not a minority opposed by the other members, and that
the prayer is in accord with God's Word (see Conditions for Answered
Prayer, sidebar, top right).
In too many instances, the Church, particularly in America today, has
failed to make "disciples" and has settled for making "members,"
"fair-weather" "Christians," who participate in Church when it serves
their own interests. Paul demonstrated the disciple-making process in
his own conversion and his "discipling" of Timothy. Paul was
"discipled" by Ananias until Paul received the infilling of the Holy
Spirit. Later Paul "discipled" Timothy until Timothy had been "reborn,"
and Paul taught Timothy to repeat the process with other faithful
people, who would then repeat the process (2 Timothy 2:2).
It takes "born-again" disciples to make "born-again" disciples. If the
Church fails to make "born-again" disciples there will be no
"born-again" apostles, teachers and leaders.
Many members erroneously think they're "saved" because they're
"members" of a church, or have participated in some church rite, or
because they sing in the choir or teach Sunday School. Too many
churches teach that the indwelling Holy Spirit is automatically
conferred by some church rite such as baptism or "confirmation." Jesus
said that one must be "born-again" (John 3:3) in order to see or enter
the kingdom of heaven. God's Word says that to those who believe in
Jesus' name receive the power to become children of God (John 1:12),
but they must claim and receive the promise by obedient trust in Jesus.
There are two major false teachings in the nominal "Church" today which
were present in the first- century Church and are refuted in the New
Testament. One is "Cheap Grace,"* teaching salvation by grace (a free
gift; unmerited favor), which is true, but without requiring
discipleship and obedience to Jesus' teachings, which is false. The
other is teaching that salvation is by doing good works (like singing
in the choir or teaching Sunday School; see False Teachings, sidebar,
top right).
In too many instances the nominal "Church" is accepting, as members,
people who are living lifestyles which are contrary to God's Word.
Homosexuality is a current example, and homosexuality is not only
tolerated among the membership but in the clergy and church leadership
of some nominal "churches."**
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
**Homosexuality: See 1 Timothy 1:10 RSV; 1 Corinthians 6:9 RSV; Romans
1:24-27 RSV; from two Greek words meaning “men bedding (or conceiving)
with men” (Strong’s #730 & 2845; see Strong’s #733); i.e.,
“sodomites,” after the city of Sodom, destroyed by God for its
homosexual practice (Genesis 19:4-5 (24-25); men who have unnatural
sexual relations with men (and, by extension, women who have unnatural
sexual relations with women). The KJV translates as: “men defiling
themselves with men.”
15
Pentecost – Friday
Posted August 29, 2008;
Deuteronomy 6:4-7 -- The First
Commandment;
Acts 8:26-39 -- Philip and the
Ethiopian;
Deuteronomy:
Listen, people of God: "The Lord our God is Lord alone"
(Deuteronomy 6:4 note "e" RSV). We are to love God with all our heart,
soul and might. His people are to hear and remember God's Word. We are
to teach God's Word to our children. God's Word is to be recalled
throughout our daily lives, from the time we get up until we go to bed.
It is to be part of our conversation.
Acts:
The Holy Spirit told Philip to get up and go south on the road from
Jerusalem to Gaza. That road was not much traveled and the area was not
populated.
Philip did as the Lord commanded, and he encountered an Ethiopian
(Nubian) eunuch who administered the treasury of Candace, queen of
Ethiopia. He had come to worship in Jerusalem, and was returning home.
He was in a chariot, reading aloud (the common practice at the time)
from Isaiah. The Spirit told Philip to run and catch up with the
chariot, and Philip did so.
Philip heard the man reading and asked if the man understood what he
was reading, and the man replied that he couldn't, unless someone would
guide him. He invited Philip to join him in the chariot and Philip did
so. The passage (from Isaiah 53:7-8) was: "As a sheep led to the
slaughter or a lamb before its shearer is dumb, so he opens not his
mouth. In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who can describe his
generation? For his life is taken up from the earth." The Ethiopian
asked who the prophet was speaking of, and Philip, starting with that
text, told him the good news (Gospel; meaning "good news") of Jesus.
As they traveled that came to some water, and the Ethiopian asked if
there was any reason for the Ethiopian not to be baptized. The man
stopped the chariot and he and Philip went down into the water, and
Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water Philip was
caught up by the Holy Spirit and disappeared from the man's sight, but
the man continued his journey, rejoicing. Philip was found in Azotus
(north of Gaza on the Mediterranean coast, and he continued traveling
north proclaiming the Gospel in each town until he came to Caesarea, a
major sea port.
Commentary:
In a sense we are all God's people, because he is our Creator. God is
the only true God; all other "gods" are idols, the creation of human
imagination and craftsmanship. God is one God in three persons (or
expressions): God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit; the
"trinity," in unity: not three "Gods," but one. (Romans 8:9; Matthew
28:19-20; John 14:8-11).
God has been progressively revealing himself, first through Creation
itself. Then through his Word, the Bible which is the record of God's
dealing with Israel. Then through Jesus, who is the fulfillment,
embodiment and demonstration of God's Word lived in this world in human
flesh (John 1:1-5, 14). Jesus is God's fullest revelation of himself to
the world (Colossians 2:8-9; John 20:28). Then through the gift of the
indwelling Holy Spirit, who is the fullest revelation of God the Father
and Jesus Christ to us personally and individually (John 14:8-11,
15-17, 23).
God is Lord whether we accept him as our Lord or not, but God has no
obligation to be all that an all-knowing, all-powerful, loving God
implies, to people who do not trust and obey his Word. If we don't do
what he says, why should he do what we say (see Conditions for Answered
Prayer)?
God has given us his Word in the Bible so that we can learn by trial
and error that obedient trust in God's Word is the way to find true,
eternal life and to live in harmony with God's will and purpose for our
lives. The Bible is our "owners' manual" for life now and eternally.
Jesus is the [only] way to know divine, eternal truth (1 Corinthians
1:17-25), the [only] way to be restored to fellowship with God,
which was broken by sin (disobedience of God's Word; see God's Plan of
Salvation, sidebar, top right), the [only] way to have eternal life in
God's kingdom in Creation restored to paradise in heaven John 14:6).
Only Jesus "baptizes" with ("anoints," gives the gift of) the
indwelling Holy Spirit (John 1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust
and obey Jesus (John 14:15-17).
We must be spiritually "born-again" (John 3:3, 5-8) by the gift of the
indwelling Holy Spirit in order to see and enter eternal life in God's
heavenly kingdom. The 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).
Jesus' disciples are to stay within the Church (New Jerusalem on earth;
Luke 24:49, Acts 1:4-5, 8) until they have been "discipled" by
"born-again" disciples of Jesus Christ, and have learned to know, trust
and obey all Jesus' teachings, and then they are to go into the world,
guided and empowered by the Holy Spirit, to proclaim the Gospel. The
Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). cannot be accomplished by only
human abilities, without the guidance and empowerment of the Holy
Spirit (Zechariah 4:6). It takes "born-again" disciples to make
"born-again" disciples.
Philip is an example of a truly "born-again" Christian disciple
(student) and apostle (messenger; of the Gospel) who knew God's Word,
and was guided and empowered by the indwelling Holy Spirit to proclaim
the Gospel. He obeyed the command of the Holy Spirit, and was at a
place and time to share the Gospel with an influential leader of a
foreign nation.
Christians must have read the entire Bible in order for the Holy Spirit
to recall it to their memory at the moment it is needed (John 14:26;
Matthew 10:19; Mark 13:11). Any average reader can easily read the
entire Bible in one year, and there are many reading-plans available
(see Free Bible Study Tools, sidebar, top right). We must also read a
portion of the Bible daily with prayer and meditation, for daily
guidance, one day at a time (Matthew 7:11; 34).
Christians must know the Bible in order to distinguish false teachings
from biblical, apostolic doctrine (the Word of God as received from
Jesus Christ, taught by the Apostles, including Paul, and recorded in
the New Testament). There are many false teachers and false doctrines
in the world and in the nominal "Church" today (see False Teachings,
sidebar top right).
Christian parents need to know the Bible to teach it to their children.
They need to be "born-again" disciples and apostles to "disciple" their
children.
Too often, the Church, particularly in America today, has failed to
make "disciples" and has settled for making "members," "fair-weather
Christians" who participate in church when it suits their
self-interest. Too many "Christian" families are failing to teach God's
Word to, and "disciple," to their children.
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)?
15 Pentecost – Saturday
Posted August 30, 2008;
Luke 10:38-42 -- Mary and Martha;
Mary and Martha lived in Bethany, about two miles from Jerusalem, with
their brother, Lazarus (John 11:1), whom Jesus raised from the dead
(John 11:5-44). Mary was the woman who anointed Jesus' feet with
ointment (John 12:1-3).
Jesus and his disciples entered Bethany and were guests in the home of
Mary, Martha and Lazarus. Mary sat at the feet of Jesus, listening to
his teaching. But Martha was distracted with providing hospitality.
Martha went to Jesus and asked him to tell Mary to help her with
preparation. But Jesus told Martha that Martha was troubled by many
things, but only one thing was important. Mary had chosen that portion,
and it would not be taken from her.
Martha was concerned with being a good hostess and preparing an
elaborate meal, when only a simple meal would have been sufficient to
fulfill the duty of hospitality. What is more important than the food
is Jesus' teaching.
Commentary:
Jesus was only there for a short while and what Martha served would be
soon forgotten, as the lack of a record in the Bible shows. But what
Jesus teaches is eternal truth and spiritually life-giving and eternal
life sustaining.
Jesus is Lord and source of bread, fish, wine, and all the resources of
Creation. He can turn water into wine (John 2:7-10), multiply loaves
(Luke 9:10-17), provide fish (Luke 5:1-11), heal the sick (Luke
4:38-39) and raise the dead, including Lazarus. Jesus doesn't need us
to provide material resources for him. He wants us to hear, trust and
obey his teaching.
Mary, Martha and Lazarus loved Jesus and he loved them (John 11:5).
Martha tried to demonstrate her love by providing a nice meal, but Mary
sat at Jesus' feet and listened to his teaching.
Jesus' teaching provides the spiritual "bread" of eternal life (John
6:35), the "living water" of the indwelling Holy Spirit (which gives us
spiritual rebirth and eternal life (John 7:38-39).
Jesus is the host at the Lord's Supper (Holy Communion; the Eucharist).
His body and blood sacrificed on the cross provided the bread and wine
of the sacrificial meal. The elements of bread and wine are simple, but
the sacrifice and the benefits to us are lavish.
Eating meat with its blood, or drinking blood by God's people was
strictly forbidden by God's Word. It was believed that the blood of the
animal contained and could impart its spirit. The Lord wants us to be
filled with his spirit, not the spirit of animals. The elements of the
Lord's Supper are spiritual, and can be received only by faith
(obedient trust) in Jesus Christ.
Only Jesus gives the gift ("baptism;" "anointing") of the Holy Spirit,
(John 1:31-34), only to his disciples who trust and obey Jesus (John
14:15-17). The 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). Jesus said that one must be (spiritually)
"born-again" (by the indwelling Holy Spirit) in order to see and enter
God's eternal kingdom in heaven (3:3, 5-8).
Are we hearing Jesus' teaching so that we can trust and obey him, or
are we trying to serve him by a lot of worldly "busy-ness," even "good
works" like singing in the choir, teaching Sunday School, without
having learned to know, trust and obey Jesus, and without having received
the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit? The Great Commission (Matthew
28:19-20), which Jesus gave to his disciples, cannot be accomplished by
our own human abilities, but only by the indwelling Holy Spirit
(Zechariah 4:6; Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-5, 8).
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)?