Waterford House Sermons

A good attitude

2008-03-09T21:58:00.001Z

1 Peter 5:5 to 9

These are practical exhortations – how we are to live as Christians. What we have here is a series of imperatives that come one right after the other to remind of us of the basic attitude for our maturity. Not so much how we act but our motives.

ATTITUDE NUMBER ONE IS THAT OF SUBMISSION
We could be young in years or in the faith. Why is this addressed to young men in part? They often challenge authority. Experience in life under the Holy Spirit gives us maturity, wisdom and balance. They have known perseverance. The generation gap was not invented in our century, and the church has not been immune to it in any century. Today the young have grown up with computers. Older ones who have not can feel left behind. The young should benefit from the wisdom of the old. Submission is primarily an attitude of respect and recognition of rank. The young can be wiser than the old, when the older ones have not grown in maturity. The can have a clearer light on the word. They can have a clearer grasp of the word in relation to their own generation. The young should always respect the older ones but it is the truth that matters. We need to put the old truth in new suits for each generation. This is broadened out to include everyone so we follow the leadership bestowed on the church. The leader’s responsibility is to God.
ATTITUDE NUMBER TWO IS THAT IF HUMILITY
Submission opposes pride, humility attacks self love.
a) Peter says be humble to each other so that you can know the grace of God. That word ‘clothe’ means to tie something on like a work apron such as that used by a slave. Philippians 2:3 to 5. You are going to do humble service. You are not above doing an unskilled menial task. He was alluding to the Lord Jesus who washed the disciples feet and put a towel around his waist. Nothing is too unpleasant for us to do for the Lord. Think others are more important than you are. Moody said ‘Lord make me humble but do not let me know it.’ We should be careful that it is not false humility – we have been redeemed by God. Humility means not thinking of ourselves at all or conscious of ourselves.
b) Peter says be humble toward God if you want His blessing.
(i) Humility recognises what we are is by the grace of God. What have we to be proud about? 1 Corinthians 4:7 Luke 18:9 to 14. We need to admit to God that we are unworthy and He will lift us up. Pride is the root sin of all sin. Humility is the first precept of the Christian faith – so said Augustine and Calvin. Humility recognises what we are – we are believers because of what Christ has done.
(ii) Humility is not a false humility that thinks too lowly. It is not humility to pretend to be less than God has redeemed, commissioned and equipped us to be. Micah 6:8
(iii) Humility submits to God because the same hand will lift up. God brings trials to teach us lessons, when we have humbled ourselves under God’s hand he will lift us up in due time.
ATTITUDE NUMBER THREE IS THAT OF TRUST – verse 7.
In stressful days cast your cares on Him and trust Him.
a) What we have is anxiety – worries distract us from the productive things God wants us to do and consume us by diverting all our thoughts into these channels of fear. These anxieties often come from a spirit of independence like being on a ship when the storm hits the ship and we start to become anxious. When we cast our cares on Christ we can rest from anxieties.
b) What we are to do – Meyer ‘Treat cares as you treat sins. Hand them over to Jesus one by one as the occur’. It is like putting a blanket on a horse. We unload our load on Jesus. We take it to Him and leave it on Him. We hand over anxieties as we hand over our sins to the Lord Jesus. It can be hard to do this but it is the only solution.
c) Why we should do this. Here is the genius of biblical Christianity: God cares for me. He proved it by sending his own Son. Any God who would sacrifice his own Son must care for me. If he cares that much everything else is mine. He will hear my prayers and answer them. We can place our load on Him. Jesus tells us to cast our burdens on Him. He was given freely for his people so we can cast our cares freely on him.
ATTITUDE NUMBER FOUR IS WATCHFULNESS. Verses 8 to 9
We are to cast our cares on the Lord but we are not to be careless. We cannot become careless because Satan prowls around trying to get to Christians who are fallible and weak. We are vulnerable to Satan’s attacks – he is not omnipresent, resist him and he will flee. There is a tow fold strategy for defeating Satan’s attacks: we must resist him by standing firm in the faith. We must remember our brothers and sisters who at this very moment are standing firm in the face of satanic attack around the world. Some are having a lot harder time than we are in China and the Islamic world. We need to learn lessons form the difficulties of our lives. Stand firm and be alert.

Jesus at Jerusalem

2008-02-17T23:24:00.001Z

John 5:16-30 Luke 2:41-52
This sermon is part of the places and events in the life of Jesus. 1/3 of the Gospel is concerned with the last 7 days before the crucifixion. Only ten verses deal with the first 30 years.
WHAT WAS IMPORTANT TO JESUS’ PARENTS? – verse 41
Joseph and Mary belonged to the people of God. They sought to follow the law of God. Jewish men were commanded to go to three feasts: The Feast of Unleavened bread (Passover), The Feast of Weeks (Pentecost) and the Feast of Booths. By the time of Jesus, after the return from exile, the men only had to go up to Jerusalem for the Passover. They came from all over Israel and the Roman world. It was important that they obeyed God’s commands, for their spiritual good. That Mary came showed that was very devoted. It was tiring and costly and needed careful organisation to be away for two weeks. They knew there was blessing in obedience. As a family they sought to please God together. Cousins and other relations gathered together, for the only time in the year. We are commanded to gather together regularly and on the Lord’s day. There is great blessing in coming together. We are keeping a command by doing this today. To Joseph and Mary this really mattered. It is good to get together and there is great reward in doing this. Do we encourage our children and other family members to come? We should want to join in and not miss out. It trains us for eternity and what is after death.
WHAT WAS IMPORTANT TO JESUS? – verses 43 to 48
He was only twelve years old, a child, very young. He went willingly with his mum and dad. He stayed longer than anyone else because he so loved the Bible. He may have undergone his Bar Mitzvah as he was twelve, an initiation, a coming of age, the age of responsibility. You could not make excuses – I do not know or understand. People travelled in groups called caravans, people often gathered in age groups. At the end of the first day his parents could not find him. They had to go back to Jerusalem to find him. That they had not looked in the day showed they had absolute trust in him, that he would not do anything wrong. When they could not find him they probably felt panic. After 3 days they found him in the temple courts discussing things with the teachers. They told him they were out of their minds with worry. He was showing a maturity far beyond his years. These men spent all their lives studying God’s word. It was important for Jesus to go to the temple in a thirst for truth, to learn from the Word and engage in spiritual discussions with other believers. He chose not to go to the market or seek out entertainment.
WHAT WAS IMPORTANT TO GOD THE FATHER? Verse 49
Jesus was not being insubordinate but asking them why they did not come straight to the temple. Often parents underestimate their children’s spiritual growth. He was not being careless or disrespectful. We all need a relationship with God. Jesus draw a distinction between Joseph, his earthly father and God, his heavenly father and his heavenly father’s will was most important. He wanted to serve God.
a) It is important His child learns of Him. Jesus’ motive in staying behind was not carelessness or disrespect but love of God.
b) It is important His child relates to Him. Jesus’ answer reveals his sense of self-identity, Jesus draws a gentle, but distinct, line between Joseph as His earthly father and God as His true father. He shows that the latter relationship has priority over the former.
c) It is important His child obeys Him. Jesus understands his unique calling requires devotion that takes precedence over all.
d) It is important His people understand. His parents do not comprehend what God is doing. We can forget God’s promises, time can dull the memory of what God has said to us. We need to please God but we do need to be dutiful to our earthly parents in all that we do. His parents needed to remember Jesus’ divine calling – they had forgotten what the angels had told them about Jesus.
WE LEARN WHAT IS IMPORTANT FOR US – verse 51
a) Jesus the Son of God, set us an example in dutifulness. His heavenly sonship didn’t excuse him from his earthly sonship. He fulfilled in learning from the teachers at the temple. You would think he had wanted to stay there but he has to go back to Nazareth. He bided God’s time, the God who might also make us wait. Joseph and Mary were humble but faithful in following God. We may have a lowly calling in life but we need to be faithful and excel in our ordinary life and please God.
b) Jesus reminds us that if Mary could lose him then we must all face the possibility that we might lose touch with the Lord Jesus Christ. In a place with believers, singing, the reading of scripture and things to remind them of God, they were unaware that Jesus was not with them. It is possible for you to go worship, come from a Christian home, have Christian friends and not be with the Saviour. They assumed all was well but there was no contact. They forgot that every relationship is two way. They did a lot of right things but lost closeness to Him. Eventually they found him in God’s house. That’s the most likely place you will meet him. Here He will speak to you as you reach out to Him.
We can know all about him and yet not know him. We can take it for granted all is well but we are responsible for making sure that we keep in touch. Yesterday’s blessings are past blessings. We can grow cold very easily. Joseph and Mary renewed their contact by getting worried and seeking out the Lord Jesus as we should if we have lost contact with him.

The Servants of the Church - deacons

2008-02-17T23:22:00.000Z

Acts 6:1-7 1 Timothy 3:8-13

Deacons and elders are the only two permanent offices in the church. The names signify what their office. Elders guide the Church and exercise oversight. Elders delegate to deacons the office of serving the people. They both develop the character of the Church.
THE NATURE OF THE DEACON’S OFFICE
The term diakonos signifies in general ‘one who serves.’ The work of a deacon is serving. Deacons can be seen as like waiters. Acts 6:1-7. They served food to poor people. They visited them. They were appointed to assist the elders in serving the church. In the early church many new converts were very poor. The apostles were overwhelmed by their needs. Moses likewise felt overwhelmed by the needs of the people, elders were appointed to assist. Today we may not have such social needs but we do have many single parents who need care, Practically, food needed buying and carrying to people. They administered money and prepared the communion feast as well as the ‘love feasts’ in 1 Corinthians. The people were asked to look out suitable men in Acts 6. They were chosen by the people under the auspices of the elders. It is not clear how long they were chosen for. Voting for 1-3 years allows for a rotation of officers, it allows for the effects of sickness and for electing younger men, as people can be reluctant to stand down. We can get proud about our officers. Both officers overlap – deacons and elders, there is a cross over., some deacons preach the word of God.
THE QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE DEACON 1 Timothy 3:8-13
a) The deacons spiritual qualifications. Acts 6:3.
(i) ‘Full of the Holy Spirit’. Every Christian has the Spirit. The first deacons were radiant as the result of being full of the Spirit. They think spiritually. Seen in prayer meetings and in holiness. They take meetings and give book reviews.
(ii) ‘Full of wisdom’. Seen in meetings and balanced attitudes.
(iii) ‘Full of faith’. Seen in undying hope and loyalty. They shared the Gospel in the early church – see Phillip and Stephen.
b) The deacon’s moral qualifications - 1 Timothy 3:8.
(i) The deacon is to have a seriousness of mind. They should be joyful but not shallow
(ii) The deacon is to be transparently open and honest. He must not say things just to suit the occasion. He must not resort to smooth talking.
(iii) The deacon must not have an addiction to wine. In the early church water was often polluted. He must avoid dependency on wine.
(iv) The deacon must not be covetous. He must resist the temptation to embezzle money.
c) The deacon’s doctrinal qualifications 3:9
(i) The deacons must also possess a sound spiritual understanding. Romans16:25-26. He need not be apt to teach, he does need to understand and grasp the fundamentals of the revealed Gospel. The mystery of the Gospel has been revealed to us. These are at the heart of our faith. At the centre is that the Bible is infallible and inerrant. If there is the slightest suspicion that he is not clear in his grasp of the fundamentals, such a person has no place in office. He must wait if he does show lack of clarity. Deacons must have this because they are so influential.
(ii) Deacons are to believe with utter sincerity without reservation.
(iii) Deacons are to be tested or proved. They should be seen to be suitable – verse 10. He should be seen to live a gracious life. The Bible does not set a test but we must use discernment in our choice. Men should not be unduly disappointed if they are not proposed or elected.
d) The deacon’s personal qualifications. 3:12
(i) He is to be a man of one woman and manage his family well. He had to be a faithful husband and this ruled out polygamy. He is to be a good husband to his wife. If he is single he should demonstrate a faithful attitude to other men’s wives and single women
(ii) He is to manage his household in an excellent manner. He should be a good family man.
THE QUALIFICATIONS OF A DEACON’S WIFE 1 Timothy
Wives of deacons are a big factor in their husband’s usefulness. She will share in his sharing and caring work. She should not have a loose tongue and be temperate and trustworthy. They are a real asset to the deacon and the church.
THE INCENTIVES FOR A DEACON’S WORK 1 Timothy 3:13
It is often demanding and time consuming. Much is done after a long day’s work. Much is done in private but seen by God.
a) He obtains a good standing. He wins respect and gratitude from the entire congregation. He is loved and appreciated by all as well as the elders. Deacons can be the rock and foundation of the stability of the Church.
b) He obtains confidence in the faith and boldness in prayer. When you serve the Lord Jesus you gain deeper and fuller assurance in your faith. There is boldness in prayer. People who are not deacons or are women are still serving the church as indicated here by visiting and serving people. Finally we can see it is a guide for churches when seeking nominations for deacons. In this church we have many men qualified to serve. It also shows candidates what is expected of them. Not perfection but willingness.
Finally, these qualifications show us that the diaconate is the office which most closely resembles the servant-hood of Jesus Christ. Matthew 20: 26. Happy the church that has godly deacons for that church will be filled with the servant-spirit of Jesus. Let us pray that God will continue to raise up a succession of such men.

Jesus in Nazareth

2008-02-10T17:54:00.000Z

Luke 4:14-30 2:49-52
THE BACKGROUND OF JESUS – 2:39
These are all the verses we have from his birth to his public baptism. We might wish for more detail, but there is little related of him to gratify our curiosity, but enough to regulate our conduct.
a) This tells us about the village, he was not cloistered. We know it was called Nazareth and was held in contempt – ‘can anything good come out of Nazareth?’ said Nathanael. It had a bad name, possibly due to laxed morals. In chapter 4 people rejected him and tried to kill him by throwing him down a hill. He was not cloistered, some people who knew him well loved him. He was surrounded by unbelieving neighbours. It can be very tough for us now when we conduct ourselves in God’s ways when others reject it.
b) This tells us about the family, Jesus was a member of a large family. Mark 6:l3 tells us Jesus’ family had at least 8 children. He grew up with younger brothers and sisters. He knew of having to share, setting a good example to younger siblings and his siblings arguing. The passages do not speak of his earthly father, he had probably passed away. At his death on the cross, Jesus committed his mother Mary to John. He was the responsible leader of the family, he probably also ran the family business. He knew what it was to care for people.
c) This tells us about the humanity of the Lord Jesus. Jesus was the God man. He was fully God and fully man. Two distinct natures united in the Lord Jesus. This shows us he grew as a human. He was fully human save for our sin. Jesus cried as a baby, not as a tantrum but to signal hunger. He was a perfect child, adolescent and adult. If Jesus was not fully human, then we do not have a Saviour, nor do we have a Saviour who can identify with our weaknesses. It needed someone truly human to take our place.
d) This tells us about the perfection of the Lord Jesus. Why did he come into the world? To be the perfect sacrifice for sin. He lived a perfect life pleasing to God. He was yielding to all authority – his parents, scripture and tutors. In his humanity, Jesus had the same limitations as all humans except He was without sin. He was the perfect mediator. God was well pleased with him at his baptism. We get an insight into his true humanity and absolute sinlessness of the Lord Jesus.
JESUS INCREASED IN STATURE – verse 39.
His boyhood was an actual normal boyhood. His development was like that of all children. He came amongst men to learn all the features of our development, learnt from his family.
a) His development came from a healthy life style. Childhood needs respect for the body God has given so it will be useful. He would have ran and played with children of his age but without sin. We should keep our bodies fit and healthy.
b) His development came from using hands to get proficiency. Every Jewish child learned a trade. Saul learnt to use his hands to make tents to support himself so he would not depend on others Jesus learnt the trade of a carpenter. He was fit and healthy, he needed the physical stamina during those years of his ministry. Jesus walked for miles and spoke publicly for hours. He needed to be physically fit. Today we have lost the benefits of manual skills. It is important to develop manual skills in those who best suited for them.
JESUS GREW IN WISDOM – verse 39 and 52
Jesus’ mind grew. He learned about his family and country, about God, about languages – he spoke Greek, Aramaic and Hebrew. Nazareth was a back water. He was home taught, this is why people were amazed at him. He questioned, his parents explained, he retained and he applied it. He absorbed much from hearing people at the synagogue. Jesus was wise in the sight of God.
JESUS GREW IN HIS SOCIAL SKILL.
He grew in favour with men. Our Lord got on with people; he was interested in them; he had a good attitude to people. He was a sociable person. People liked him, his kindness. We often overlook this. Many Christians lack these skills. Jesus was in complete contrast to his cousin John who was stern and harsh. Joyless and stern faces have no place in our dealings with people. Jesus was a well rounded person. Why did people hate him? Why did they want to crucify him? Because they hated the way he exposed sin. We need to help our children to develop social skills - to be kind and generous without compromising with sin..
JESUS INCREASED IN FAVOUR WITH GOD – verse 52
Jesus was fully God, yet as a man he had to grow spiritually. As his wisdom grew, so his life became more lovely in the sight of God and man. Our Lord as man, increased in understanding what his father required, how he should live, what he should behave. The great difference between Jesus and ourselves, is that he never had to say ‘Sorry father for the sins pf today. Forgive me through the Lord Jesus.’ This is where we begin, knowing our need of being right with God. We need to remember that a child has a child’s faith, and that they need to grow in faith as the Lord Jesus did.
CONCLUSION
He went through every stage of life that we do. He’s been a baby, in the classroom, in the work shop, he’s seen siblings disagree, he’s seen lies and unkindness and it hurt his holy soul and grieved his holy heart. He is now our saviour in Heaven, an understanding and powerful friend who is still with us if we belong to him.
He still loved children who the disciples tried to drive them away in Luke l8. He wants us to bring little children to him. Children need to come to him and put their faith in him. Jesus never had to say sorry to God as we have to, to begin our relationship with him.

A word for Shepherds

2008-02-03T23:10:00.000Z

1 Timothy 3 and Ezekiel 34 1 Peter
Peter moves towards the end of his letter by sharing a personal word with those in positions of leadership in the churches. In the light of the pressure the church will face, it must be right at the top and so he humbly addresses the leaders. A nation needs good leadership like Churchill in the war. In any human organisation you need wise heads and steady hands. Some church leaders play a national role like Martin Lloyd Jones and Spurgeon who were greatly respected by all. The future of the church depends on Biblically qualified leaders being raised. This passage is addressed to elders and the led – what to expect of them and ourselves in relation to them. Peter had had a hard time getting to grips with leadership of a Biblical kind.
WHO ARE ELDERS – verse 1
Elder focuses on that he is a mature man of God. Under Moses elders were selected for each tribe, they were mature men. In the 400 years between the Old Testament and New Testament church synagogues were led by elders. When the early New Testament began, the church was led by elders – see Acts 14. Paul and Barnabas appointed elders in each church. In Acts 21 he called the elders of Ephesus and gave them a charge. There are 3 interchangeable terms. Elders – understand the truth and apply it. Overseer or bishop, exercise oversight, their function is to superintend matters. Pastor, this means shepherd, focuses on the tasks of providing care and feeding. They give leadership to and provide food for the flock. This office is constant. They are called bishop, minister, elder etc. The congregation needs leadership. It is a mark of a true Christian church. It is led by faithful men. A strong church needs committed leadership. It needs a continual supply of men being raised. Unless the leadership is strong, the church will crumble when it is under pressure. In the New Testament, there is always a plurality of elders, and some elders were financially supported by their members. Paul and Barnabas appointed elders. Paul told Titus to appoint elders in every city. 1 Timothy 5:17 – some were paid. The leadership is reserved for men. This matters today, there are various types of church government such as the catholic church that has pope-cardinal-bishop-priest, this is unbiblical. The New Testament model is one of local churches led by elders, it is not a democracy run by a committee.
WHY DOES PETER APPEAL TO ELDERS?
a) Peter appeals as a fellow elder. Notice the sensitive address. He does not pull rank by saying ‘I am speaking as an apostle’, no, he is speaking as one of them, under pressure as they are, in partnership with them.
b) Peter is also a witness of Christ’s sufferings. He had heard and seen Jesus. He had seen miracles, but he speaks of his suffering because he knows the believers were suffering, especially the elders. As Christ suffered serving others, so will they. Peter wrote out of experience, and as a student of the apostolic witness in Scripture.
c) Peter is looking forward to the Christian’s blessed hope. Peter shared in sufferings so he will share in Christ’s glory.
d) Peter’s exhortations are related to his teaching on suffering. He knew how slow he had been to learn from the Lord. He knows people often backslid and elders’ decisions were sometimes rejected. God chose ordinary mortals to be elders, we should not expect perfection. They have a burden. The corrective actions of elders need privacy, which means that all facts are not public knowledge. People do not understand why they have acted as they did, misunderstandings may result. Peter understands all of that and knows there is a sufficiency of grace to help.
WHAT IS THE CALLING OF ELDERS?
He interchanges the 3 words. He shepherds the flock, bears them on his heart, seeks them when they stray, defends from harm, comforts them in pain, and feeds them with the truth. His first charge is to shepherd the flock – when Peter was restored this was Jesus’ first charge ‘take care of my sheep’. He gave him a heart fir it and a willingness to do it. It is not learnt in a seminary. The pastor/shepherd looks out for the needs of the people and gets to know them. In a large congregation, a plurality of elders are needed.
WHAT SHOULD CHARACTERISE THE ELDERS WORK?
Each of them begins with a negative. Elders are respected and trusted by people but it opens up a minefield.
a) Their oversight must be willing service as a true expression of Christian love. They must have a good attitude to their work. He does this because he wants to not because he has got to. Who wants a reluctant leader? 1 Timothy 3:5 – men should aspire to the work so it can grow and be blessed. It should never be done grudgingly.
b) Their oversight must exhibit a good attitude towards compensation. God’s servant should never be covetous. Temptation of money has been the downfall of many. Those who do it for money are called hirelings – this means it is a wrong motive.
c) Their oversight must demonstrate a good attitude towards people’ ‘Elders are to be ‘overseers’ not ‘over-lords,’ – says Wiersbe. Elders must not be bossy but show people the way. Some pastors/ministers have become petty tyrants. ‘Heavy shepherding’ is a form of this where a heavy hand goes onto those who are unconventional. People end up being driven away. In the church there is room for differences of conscience. All sheep are different as are all Christians.
d) Their oversight must exhibit a good example to people. Nothing will ever affect people more than example. Nothing inspires confidence more than a Christ like example. ‘Like pastor, like people.’ The flock will follow the example – listen and follow. Elders command respect rather than demand it.
WHAT IS THE ELDERS REWARD? Verse 4.
There is an earthly reward, to be able to devote yourself full time to the ministry. The greatest reward will come when the Great Shepherd returns and rewards leaders. Leaders are often unappreciated but the slightest deed done in Jesus’ name in the remotest corner of the earth will be remembered because God writes it down in His book. This is preached to the elders and what they should do, they are flawed men, all of them. They need the prayers, support and encouragement of their people. This will lead to the congregation being blessed. We need to pray that churches – small and large – will have the leadership that they need.

Why Babel had to stop

2008-02-03T17:32:00.000Z

Acts 2:1-18 Genesis 11:1-9
THE CONDITIONS PRIOR TO THE BUILDING OF BABEL
Genesis is a book of beginnings. The world is being repopulated after the flood. Men have a common language. There are over 3000 languages and dialects now, they have a common root, a common language, linguistic experts agree on this. A common language is a cause of unity before God A common language helped life but can also promote disobedience. It was misused before God.
THE CONCERTED EFFORTS OF MAN
Nimrod was a leader of this. A ziggurat or temple was at the centre of it. It was a technological marvel – all such pyramids are. Ziggurats were built of brick because there was no stone. They used tar because of a lack of mortar. Archaeologists have uncovered these, the base of one was 90 square metres. When humanity works together great goals can be achieved. Great good can arise but great evil also. What was wrong with it?
a) Settling in the valley of Shinar was an act of disobedience. They had been commanded to spread out not collect in cities. They would be blessed as they scattered. Babel would become Babylon. They thought collected life together was safest, life on their own terms. It was a settlement of disobedience. You won’t find security in people and buildings but in the Lord Jesus Christ. There is no short cut to security.
b) Starting to build a monument to themselves was without God. The world is filled with people who wish to achieve something. It was for themselves not God. People still mark out achievements with high buildings – people are trying to build higher and higher buildings. There is nothing wrong with high buildings but Babel was for themselves. People have a deep seated desire to achieve for themselves. God wants us to achieve for Him.
c) Central to this was the aim to create a religious centre. Nimrod knew people needed religious motivation to overcome the scattering of people. The Bible traces all false religions to Babylon. Revelation sees it as the parent of all false religion. ‘The tower that reaches to the heavens’. It was a symbol of religions. The project was presented as true spirituality, whilst really directing away from the true God. Astrology and the signs of the zodiac come from here, it replaces submission to the living God with submission to chance. Today people believe in this idea of fate, it is satanic, it is false, it is a dead end and it brings people to despair. From this arose a whole system of idolatry based on astrology and occultism.
THE CONTROL OF GOD – verses 5 to 8
The tower was but a dot on the ground to God. God was going to destroy it. God performed a miracle in the minds and vocal cords of the builders. He confused their language so that now, and brought confusion and an inevitable scattering. It was a catastrophe for the world overnight. It was impossible for people to work together. People called it Babel (later Babylon) – confusion city. God’s will came to pass, we cannot defy God’s will. Men lose because God’s will will be done.
THE CONCERNS OF GOD – verse 9.
a) Mankind needs God to intervene and expose human folly. Resistance ends in frustration. If God did not, rebellion would become confusion. Man wants to achieve independently of God. We try to fix problems such as AIDS without reference to God. We have the philosophy of Babel today, unbelief and godlessness. The law of God is proved by the misery that eventuates when it is disobeyed. See the misery that comes from permissive sexuality. We need to be right with God.
b) Mankind would have great potential for evil if they finished this. If they went ahead with their plans for one world government, one man-made religion and one centralized system of information and technology, they would be capable of anything no matter how terrible. To limit human power, language was confused and people scattered. People have been kept in tribes and nations. God limits technological progress to limit damage. Centralised power has done great harm in the hands of Mao, Stalin and Hitler. Louis XIV (‘Louis the Great’) believed in one king, one law and one church and he inflicted great harm on the evangelical church.
c) Mankind needs to see religious unity without truth is dangerous. Unity is not the highest good, but purity and obedience to the Word. You cannot have a false imposed unity in the name of making peace. Biblical religion is based on obedience to Biblical truth.
d) Mankind will face the same danger that faced the early world. Revelation describes the final Babylon as in opposition to God. Human power is kept in check, it will be given free reign in the last days under the one called the Anti-Christ. it will collapse under the weight of its own sin and God’s power.
e) Mankind’s only hope is to find the Enduring City. Feddes says: ‘Only God can rescue us from ourselves. Our hope for transformation is in Christ not human effort. Only God’s city can save the world or transform a human soul forever. That city draws people together in Christ. God sent his Spirit on Pentecost, and a spiritual reversal of Babel began. Since then God’s kingdom has continued to unite people in Jesus. One day every tribe will be united in speech. Build your life on Christ and never be disappointed. The blunders of history are valuable only if we learn from them. Do we put our trust in each other and human progress as the men of Shinar did? Or do we put our faith in the Lord Jesus as God commands. Acts 2 describes a true unity based on the work of the Lord Jesus. Trust in this.

Our reconcilliation

2008-02-03T16:41:00.000Z

Colossians 1:1-23
Sometimes there is a general focus in the Bible and we can use this to hide from its implications. Sometimes it is very personal and the words ‘you’ and ‘yours’ are used. In verses 15 to 20 the focus is general, how Christians are reconciled to God. Verses 21 to 23 focus this in a very personal way to the individual so it could not be avoided. No one in Colosse could avoid it and no here today can either. Everyone is covered in these 3 verses.
People have a personal problem – verse 21. No punches are pulled, it is not soft pedalled. It is bold and forthright. Every single one of us began here – alienated from God. Everyone of us was it that state as unbelievers – young or old. It is a total breakdown, there is no effective relationship. In Ephesians 2: 12 he expands upon this. We were excluded from Heaven, without hope in the world. God excluded you from a proper relationship with Him. We are excluded from God’s house until we are in a fit state to go into it. In our natural state we do not deserve God’s blessing, we are not worthy to go in because of the state we are in, it is a very serious state to be, it is the most serious state to be in. we are without hope and without God in the world. This is not a wish, this hope in the Bible is the certainty of Heaven. We know when we have Heaven. We may enjoy what the world has to offer – entertainment and pleasures, but it does not last or ultimately satisfy. In this state we do not understand what we are missing. They know nothing of the joys of Heaven, they are barred from these blessings as they are for God’s people only.
They are enemies in their minds of God. They are hostile to God and their desire is to do evil. People do not do the most evil deeds such as we see in the press, but everyone who is not a Christian is a state of hostility towards God. People do not want to obey God. People’s judgement and standards and not ours. We are naturally disposed to reject God. We enjoy doing what God says is wrong. It may seem harsh, but as non-Christians we are not just sinners but we wilfully reject his standards. It is not apathy, but it is wilful.
We are not just hostile to God but God is hostile and angry with us. He has every right to be angry with us. This describes God as actively hostile. It is not just bad news, we do not have to stay this way, we can (verse 22) be personally reconciled to God by the death of Christ. in Colosse false teachers had said that believers needed more but they did not. Paul explained the fullness of the personal reconciliation enjoyed by every Christian. It is true of Christians now. Relationships break down in human society and we can move so far apart that we can see how we can’t see how we can be reconciled. The problem with God is far more extreme. It is all the more amazing that we have been reconciled to God. When we try to restore a broken human relationship we may use a human mediator, this does not work with God.
a) He has reconciled you – God brings it about. On our own we could not do it. God has the desire. It is due to his great love, he will not leave us in that state.
b) It is achieved by Christ’s physical body in death. He acquired a human body as a man. It could not be achieved by a sinless angel, they are perfect, but he could not be a representative as if he had been just God. It had to be God and man – see verse 20. In verse 22 it is done for you, individually and personally, not mankind in general. If we are a Christian.
c) What is the outcome? We are presented without blemish and free from accusation. We are pure, holy and blameless. We have been transformed. We may sin but we will be perfected in Heaven. There will be no lingering trace of sin when we enter glory. We will not smell of sin or corruption. This is wonderful. We will be utterly pure, holy and blameless. No one will be able to accuse us ever again. This reconciliation is far beyond anything than any human being can ever do. It can never be broken. All traces of sin will be removed and we are clothed in the righteousness of Christ – it belongs to us forever.
What of the present? Jesus does not have to do anything else. We do not have to come before Christ again. We must not be careless about how we live, we should learn to hate sin as God hates sin. We must battle to overcome sin as we anticipate our future lives. We have a personal responsibility .
a) We must continue in our faith and not throw it back in God’s face. God will not let us reject what he has given us – see John 6:39, Jesus will lose not of those God has given him. John 10: 28-9, no one can snatch them out of the Father’s hands. Jesus had borne the punishment for our sin, God will not allow this to be wasted. No true believer will be lost. No true believer will reject it because they wouldn’t want to give it up. We will do all we can to persevere to the end. We had God’s preservation and our perseverance – they are two sides of the same coin. We need to continue in our faith. A response is needed from us, we need to cling to it. In verses 3 to 5 Paul expresses confidence in the faith they had. Faith is a not a one off event, it is a continuous activity, it needed to be established, built on solid ground. Jesus Christ, our rock. Without Jesus we are on sand which crumbles and fails. We must remain founded in Christ and rooted in the Gospel.
b) We can be taken deeper into the mysteries of what Christ has done but if it adds to what the gospel has said we need to reject it and anything that adds to it. Hebrews 10:12 – the sacrifice is complete, Christ sat down. It is a personal gospel but it is not unique, every true Christian comes to faith the same way. It is not a different gospel for each person or country, it is the same gospel for each and every country. We can only know this reconciliation if we come to this gospel which is for all mankind to hear.
Paul is a servant to it. As every true Christian is. Not all of us are called to be a preacher but we are to be obedient to it and share it with others. We have an obligation to use opportunities to share it as they arise.
Conclusions. It needs to be personal because we will be judged personally as to how we have responded to it and how we live our lives here on earth right now. We have our certain hope that cannot be taken away. We will give priority to our spiritual life. If we are not Christians we still have this personal problem that we began with. We must repent now. It can happen, that is the wonder of what Christ did. The Bible speaks to us right now.

Paul in Miletus

2008-01-27T16:16:00.000Z

Acts 20:13-38
Paul is travelling from Greece to Jerusalem. He stopped at Troas, now he has stopped at Miletus where he meets the Ephesian elders for the last time, they will never meet him again. What he says is important, there are no trivialities, it is of the utmost importance. It is addressed to the elders but it is important for all Christians and non-Christians.
It is prophetic – revealing the future via the Holy Spirit. This is not common in the New Testament. No one likes to be a prophet, they lived miserable lives because what they said was usually hard to hear. What Paul says is very sad. In verse 22 he says he was compelled by the Spirit to go to Jerusalem, prison and hardship awaited him – see verse 25. He knows none of them will ever see him again. They had come to rely on him, his preaching and healing, sorting them out and teaching them, it was a great blow to them. In verses 29 and 30 he said the future held trouble for the church. On the one hand savage wolves would come among them – there would be physical persecution which would spare none and come from Jews and Romans alike. There would also be trouble from within the church. Men would arise who would distort the truth, false apostles and leader of sects and cults. They would draw away disciples after themselves. Paul served the Lord with great humility, these men put themselves first. They did this by distorting the truth, the Bible. This still happens today. Man call people after themselves. The elders were expected to discern this, men who preached themselves. They had to avoid such people.
Paul’s example. How he had lived among them, they knew this and this is what they had to follow. He served them with great humility and with tears. Generally, we should not believe men who speak of their own humility – unless they are inspired like Paul.
a) He served the Lord – his first motivation was not himself or the people but God. He never held himself up. He was intelligent, educated and brilliant, but he spoke to everyone from the lowest to the highest.
b) He spoke with tears. For 3 years he spoke with tears, this meant sincerity. He really desired the best for them. He felt for people in their sin who were heading for eternal death. This challenges in the 21st century. How many of us are moved to tears because of spiritual things – our own sin and the fate of the lost – hell. Is anyone moved to tears by spiritual things today? No.
c) He persevered in serving God and men.
d) His work was thorough. He went from house to house. He preached anything that was helpful. He preached publicly every day, then in people’s homes. He told everyone who would listen. This was centred on a central truth, people must turn in repentance to God through the Lord Jesus. This recognises that we are in rebellion to God and we must turn to God and walk in his ways and obey his will.
e) He did not care whether he lived or died. He was set on serving God. We must be single minded in our service of God.
f) He was innocent of the blood of all men – see Ezekiel. The image is of a watch man who sees the enemies coming, if he does nothing and people are killed he is guilty of their blood. If he gives a warning and they do nothing and they die he is not guilty. Paul told everyone everything he could, if they rejected it then their blood was on their own heads. If we come to church Sunday by Sunday and do not act on what we hear then we will have no excuse on Judgement day.
g) Paul was not a lover of money – verses 33 to 35. False apostles love money and tend to become very rich. We should question such people. Spurgeon earned vast sums of money from his writing but he gave most it away to the work of God. He left his wife £2,000. Paul gave away his money.
Paul instructed the elders.
a) Keep watch over themselves – their lives and doctrines. Also over one another.
b) Keep watch over the flock of God. To shepherd and care for them, preach and teach with all care, the Holy Spirit who calls them. Some are false elders, however, most are called by the Holy Spirit. It is not for their church but God’s, bought with the blood of Christ. In God’s eyes every believer is vastly precious.
Paul was leaving – verse 32
He committed them to God. We get over reliant on men, it is why cult leaders get a following. When churches get an outstanding leader, like Spurgeon, they are very blessed, but when the church loses them it often experiences great problems. Paul knew this, he committed them to God. They had their Bible and this was better than Paul. They did not need miracles or signs or wonders as they had God and His word. It was all they needed.
Applying all of this.How does our life and our ways compare to this? Do we trust God, do we persevere, have we given up our love of money, do we strive to serve others? Do we truly want to serve God with feeling and passion? How do we measure up to this?

Hard times lead to examination

2008-01-27T15:17:00.000Z

Acts 27: 21-44 1 Peter 4:12-19
Nobody likes hard times, especially when you’ve done right. You may lead a healthy life style, but become ill, you may do the right thing at work but get blamed for failure. Hard times are not out of the will of God. He forewarns of persecution that comes by God’s will. Persevering can be costly. We must persevere in the face of hardship and suffering. It is relevant for us today.
HARD TIMES DEVELOP OUR CHARACTER – verse 12.
We are in a spiritual battle and Satan is our foe. Our principles are different from unbelievers. We must deal with the sin in our lives. Peter calls his readers ‘dear friends’, he has affection for them. We may say ‘why does he allow this to happen if he loves us?’ Adversity is the diamond dust that shapes character. Those who dive into the sea of affliction bring up rare pearls says Spurgeon. If we wish to grow in grace we will pass through affliction and difficulties. Swindoll says ‘if we view life as a school and God as the instructor, it should be no surprise when we face examinations. Faith knows in its trials that character is built, why should we escape this?
HARD TIMES BRING US CLOSER TO GOD – verse 13
It is very hard to rejoice in trials but good comes out of it.
a) Participation. We share in the sufferings of Christ. Nothing moves us closer to Christ. Think of footprints in the sand. If we are believers we love fellowship with Christ. Suffering draws us closer to Christ if it is for his sake. Christ suffered emotionally and physically, as we grow closer to him, so shall we. Our union with him is closer. We share in his suffering when we suffer. Suffering leads to patience, patience leads to perseverance etc. Seed Romans 5.
b) We experience the inpouring of the Holy Spirit. It takes God’s Spirit to make us shine and cope with our trials. When they stoned Stephen, they saw that his face shone. This is God shining through him.
c) We will rejoice more when we see Christ. Trials will lead us to a deeper level of joy at his coming.
HARD TIMES SHOULD LEAD TO EXAMINATION – verse 14
When things are going badly we often ask why? Are we going astray or have we done wrong?
a) If you do wrong, you should expect to suffer. If I’m reaping the consequences, I need to repent for making Christ unpopular. A father disciplines his children when they go astray. God will not allow us to continue to dishonour him. Crimes invite retribution from the state. Also we may suffer because we meddle in the affairs of others. These people bring disgrace on God’s name, this should not be known among us.
b) Some suffering is worthwhile. It glorifies Christ. We should not be ashamed if our lives are more difficult than those of unbelievers. We should see it as an honour to be associated with Christ..
c) Consider the depth of sin and the eternal perspective in trials. Let the examination begin with us.
(i) Jeremiah 25:29 If the righteous need disciplinary judgement, how much more will the unrighteous need eternal judgement? So we will not be judged with the world.
(ii) If it starts with us, it won’t end with us. Unbelievers are in big trouble. This life is the only Hell God’s people will know. Hell is 10,000 times worse than this life.
It’s hard to be saved because you are misunderstood, people may give you a hard time for being a sincere Christian, Matthew 7:14. We don’t like being different.
It’s hard because people don’t like the Gospel message itself. People are told they are not good enough for Heaven. People have to be humble to come to God for salvation.
It’s hard for people to see conversion as the only way – Romans 10:9. People are very proud.
It’s hard to accept that a true Christian must pray – Acts 2:21. Paul was seen to be a believer because he prayed. This is a sign we have lost our independence and need to rely upon God.
HARD TIMES TEACH US TO TRUST GOD IN NEW WAYS.
We entrust ourselves to God in trials, verse 19. ‘Entrust’ means to deposit one’s valuables to another for safe keeping. 2 Timothy 1:12. It was the word Jesus uttered from the cross when he died – Luke 23:46. Jesus said ‘I commit myself into your hands.’ Have we committed ourselves to our creator? If you are discouraged and distressed, put your life in God’s hands. He is a good banker. He will take care of his own. He will sustain you. He will see you through. It is God’s desire that we deposit our trials to His care and charge, Isaiah 43:2. The occupants of the ship in Acts 27 had to commit themselves into God’s hands as we do spiritually, if we want to land safely on the shores of Heaven. We must grasp the Lord Jesus and never let him go. Have you done that?

Noah and his family

2008-01-27T15:15:00.000Z

Ephesians 2 Genesis 9: 20-29
We have already discussed alcohol and its effects on people. We should not be filled with wine but with the Holy Spirit, we should turn to God. The Bible is relevant for all time and it is there to instruct us. There are basic lessons and warnings for our lives. The basic building block for human society is the family. Our world needs a structured life and authority. Today we have a lack of structure and authority in the home.
A FATHER’S SHAME – verse 22
Alcohol makes us feel ‘warm’, it doesn’t really, but Noah stripped off and lay naked. It makes us lose our inhibitions. Nakedness leads us to vice of all kinds. Naturism purports to be natural and innocent, it is not, for hearts are sinful. The Lord warns against exposing our nakedness in worship. We should wear a covering over our lower bodies. Noah, who had set a good example was found in a shameful condition, out of character. It was done privately not publicly which would have been even worse. We need to be consistent, especially in our own homes. Christian parents are often ashamed of what they have said and done. Children can be very forgiving, Noah was a forgiven man. He was good man, this action was out of character. Noah was covered eternally by the righteousness of God.
A SON’S SHAMEFUL RESPONSE – verse 22
Noah dishonours himself, and then he is dishonoured by his son. Why was he condemned?
a) The sin was in the way he reacted, no grief but gossip. He may have leered and made fun of his father. The text suggests this. It was an unnecessary sharing of shame. It we point a finger at someone else, three still point back at us. He had probably been affected by the sexual sin of the old world that had been destroyed. A prisoner gets used to the stench of a prison. We get used to the stench of sin. The popular press thrives on reporting sin, especially those of fallen preachers. We need to avoid needless exposure to the world.
b) There was a lack of proper respect. He did not protect his father. Ham took advantage of his father’s weakness. He did not honour his father, see the 5th commandment. It was the first command with a promise. Respect for parents undergirds society. It is a command of God, if we cross that line there will be consequences – curses. There are consequences in our society. Society is under a curse and it suffers for it. It is hard, especially when parents have been neglectful or abusive. Jesus honoured and obeyed his flawed, sinful parents, he was the perfect child. He is called the everlasting father and we can show respect for him.
c) He did not value his father’s religion. He mocked Noah when he saw he had fallen. If it hadn’t been for Noah, Ham would have drowned. Ham helped build the ark, and outwardly he went along with his father’s faith. But in his heart he was really with the world, not with his father’s God. He had seen the horrors of God’s judgement but he was smug when he saw his father’s sin. Children need to know the Lord personally and not rely on someone else’s faith.
TWO SONS RESPECTFUL RESPONSE – verse 23.
They were shocked and amazed at their father had done. They took the garment, possibly a treasured robe. They did not want to look. They honoured him, they grieved over his fall. They knew that it was not typical. We must turn away from sin and turn away and cover the failings of those who are our parents. God covered Adam and Eve’s nakedness – i.e., shame.
A FATHER’S RESPONSE – verse 24
a) A curse for Canaan – verse 25.
(i) Maybe he was involved in sinful disrespect. Maybe the son was a party to Ham’s disrespect.
(ii) It showed the mercy of God. He sinned as a son, he was punished as a son.
(iii) Ham reaped as he sowed.
(iv) It was more of prophecy than a curse. Israel conquered Canaan and made slaved of the Canaanites.
(v) The sins of parents affect their children sometimes for Generations – see Exodus 20:5. It went into Sodom and Gomorra. Also see Exodus 20:5, families are affected by the sins of parents. Families are hurt by the sins of their parents. Children suffer because of parents’ self-centred, sinful lives. Some children are loved, some abused. Only when you put God in the picture do children have a chance. If Canaan and his family continue in sexual deviancy, they will suffer.
This was used to justify slavery and apartheid, enslaving humans is wrong and never justified in the Bible.
b) A blessing for Shem – verse 26. He has a personal relationship with the Lord and God is going to make his line a special race – see Luke 3:35. Abraham was one of his descendants as was David, Joseph and Mary who gave birth to Jesus. The God of Shem is the God of the Lord Jesus.
c) A blessing for Japheth – verse 27. His descendants will be numerous and dominant in the World, Indo-European people. Japheth will come under Shem’s shelter, they will be brought into God’s family, as in the Day of Pentecost. If we are Christians today, it is because of Shem’s blessing and belief in his God. One day people of all races will know the God of Shem and become his offspring in a spiritual sense. Is this true for you today?
CONCLUSIONS
a) Always be careful not to allow other’s sin to trigger sin in you. It is easier to copy others than to follow God.
b) Always remember sin has consequences. Shouldn’t Noah have been punished? He was, he suffered shame for the rest of his life. It is the last thing we know of Noah.
c) Always remember the important thing is not background. Rahab was a Canaanite who was saved. The Canaanite woman in Matthew l5 found her great faith was rewarded.
d) Always remember we experience blessing in obedience. We must obey and pay the price.
e) Always remember every sin can be forgiven, if you repent. Henry says ‘we never read that Noah was drunk again.’ Even if we lapse, the grace of God covers, restores, teaches and renews. If we fail God will forgive us and set us on the road again – see Peter and David who were restored. We need to heed the warnings and encouragements of the Word.

Stewarding gifts

2008-01-20T17:27:00.001Z

Romans 12:1-13 1 Peter 4:10-11
In the last 30 to 40 years there has been much confusion and discussion about spiritual gifts. A church is only healthy when its members exercise their gifts.
SPIRITUAL GIFTS MEAN STEWARDSHIP
Paul speaks the most about gifts, Peter takes it up. God’s grace and gifts are multicoloured. Nothing is too small for God to use. God will ask: how have you used the gift I gave you?
a) Some gifts all have and some have particular ones. To be a real Christian you must have received the Holy Spirit – the gift of grace.
b) All gifts, whether continuing or temporary are spiritual gifts. All the gifts that God gives come from the same source – the Holy Spirit. Some were temporary –signs and wonders. Others continue.
c) The lists of gifts found are not exhaustive or perfectly organised. Paul lists by authority.
d) Some of the gifts overlap in function with other gifts mentioned. The gift of service embraces many activities as does showing mercy, do not put gifts into air tight containers.
e) Not every gift is supernaturally bestowed in a moment of time. Some are given like that, some develop over time as the believer exercises them. People are prepared for a life of service before they are converted. Pastors and elders have often been leaders in business.
f) Spiritual gifts empower saints to perform spiritual ministry. They are not natural abilities, they are supernatural given to each believer.
g) Spiritual gifts are given to every Christian 1 Corinthians 12:7. Each one should use whatever gift he has received. No believer has been excluded. We all have at least one.
h) Spiritual gifts are ‘gracious’ in nature. 1 Corinthians 4:7. They are undeserved and unasked for. What do we have that we have not received? It is a donation of God himself.
i) Spiritual gifts are given to Christians as a stewardship. They are entrusted to us. We need to discern what gift he has given to us.
j) Spiritual gifts are given to us as the means of edifying others. Edifying means to build others up.
k) Spiritual gifts are to be exercised in love – see 1 Corinthians 13. It is placed between the other two chapters on gifts, acts have no value without love.
l) Spiritual gifts should be exercised to the glory of God 1 Corinthians 10:31. Do all to the glory of God, not for recognition or reward but for God’s glory, there are two basic divisions – speaking and serving.
SPIRITUAL GIFTS ARE SOMETIMES SPEAKING GIFTS.
Verse ll – these are verbal – privately and publicly.
a) Peter is urging those who teach to speak scripturally – see verse 11. No diluting or adulterating the word of God. God will help us to remember what he has said.
b) Peter is urging those who speak to communicate authority. It is God’s authority – the prophets said ‘this is what God has said - we bring people face to face with God’s authority – see Mark 7:28. The rabbis often had opinions and did not speak what God had said – see Deuteronomy 29:29.
c) Peter recognizes different speaking gifts – see Romans 12:6. God has always had someone speaking his word, sometimes people foretold, usually they forth told. Prophets usually told what was in God’s word as did the apostles. When the Bible was completed, so was God’s word. This is not given to many who proclaim.
(i) Prophecy - Romans 12:6. It is the gift of proclaiming publicly.
(ii) Teaching - Romans 12:6. The ability to pass on the truth in a systematic way. It is like a choir director, so the music proceeds in an orderly way. The teacher should be organised.
(iii) Exhortation - Romans 12:8. The ability to motivate others to respond to the truth, the ability to get alongside , build and encourage. See Acts 4:36. It can be private or public. It is good to have people who can do this.
(iv) Knowledge - 1 Corinthians 12:8, the ability to discover and understand biblically. To observe Biblical facts and conclusions. Knowledge of the original languages and the background of the Bible – ie Biblical commentators.
(v) Wisdom - 1 Corinthians 12:8, the ability to apply principles practically. It is applying knowledge, to use well what has been learnt. An experienced Christian counsellor does this.
SPIRITUAL GIFTS ARE SOMETIMES SERVING GIFTS
a) Leadership – the ability to make decisions and determine direction. They will be good at delegating and steering the ship. Some are good leaders and are well fitted for this.
b) Service - Romans 12:7 – the ability to identify and care for needs and helps. The word ‘deacon’ and ‘ministry’ come from it. It is practical and designed to help people to take a burden off someone and bear it yourself. It is perhaps the most common gift and it is often unsung – nothing gets done without it.
c) Mercy - Romans 12:7 – the ability to empathize and show compassion. It is a heart that cares for physical and emotional and mental distress. God cares for us in the mess we are in. Proverbs 14:31, also see the parable of the Good Samaritan. The Samaritan got nothing back – he did it out of compassion. Sometimes we have nothing to give but a merciful and compassionate heart. To cry with the bereaved is to give all we can sometimes.
d) Giving - Romans 12:7 – the ability to be super givers, beyond the normal. Down the years there have been remarkable givers, they give away their fortunes.
e) Faith - 1 Corinthians 12:8, this gift was the watchdog of the church. It was often connected to remarkable events such as Hudson Taylor, George Muller and other who acted in the face of great obstacles.
f) Discernment - this was especially so before the written word was given. Today we still need people to discern impure doctrine and false teachers, who can see dangers. We need to ask for this gift.
Let’s use the gifts as good stewards, ask for wisdom to know how best to serve, and then do so in the strength God supplies. As a church we need to discern our gift so we can be part of a believing community.

Life in the New World

2008-01-13T17:33:00.000Z

Proverbs 23:29-35 Ephesians 5:15-21 Genesis 9:18-21

IT’S A WORLD WHERE GOD KEEPS HIS PROMISE
Seedtime and harvest are not failing; God is keeping his word.He did as he said to Noah. Noah was a farmer or gardener. The soil and climate were good for growing grapes. Humanity to this day prove God’s faithfulness. Crops flourish today and poverty and malnourishment have dropped from 84% to 20% in the last 200 years. This coincides with the spread of the Gospel. Life expectancy has gone up from 22 in medieval times to 36 in the 18th century to 78 now. This has come about because of the spread of the gospel and its transference of medical care. As the gospel declines, so hope declines.
IT’S A WORLD WHERE WINE CAN BE MADE Genesis 14:14
God gave us fruit, and any fruit juice has the capacity for fermentation. There is no harm in this. Wine means fermented fruit juice. God gave fermentation, the word is used 135 times. Wine gives us feelings of relaxation. Rich alcohol drinks were unknown in Biblical times, they are made by distilling. They arrived in medieval times.
IT’S A WORLD WHERE TEMPTATION ABOUNDS Hebrews 2:15
God gave every encouragement to obey him. He warned about the dangers of sin. Like many of God’s gifts, wine has potential to bring cheer or ruin. This incident probably occurred 5 years after the flood. He drank too much and was badly affected.
a) A mature believer sinned against God. Noah had walked with God for over 600 years amid wickedness. He had been saved from destruction. He had seen God’s justice against sin. You would think he would be so careful to avoid sin. We expect people to grow in grace and to mature. How could he fall into such shameful outer sin? Was it a sudden lapse or a gradual slide? He adjusted to the new world. He was not a young man, he grew tired more quickly. It is not easy to be old, he battled against new sins of old age. He may have had more time on his hands and an easier life as he sampled the fruits of the vine.in2 Chronicles 32:25 Hezekiah sinned in old age. In 2 Chronicles 16 so did Asa who would not seek God. Sin crouches at the door and Satan wants to trap us. No one is immune from temptation until we reach glory.
b) A knowledgeable believer sinned. He knew the strength and danger of too much wine and he sinned knowing the danger. 1 Corinthians 8:1. He sinned when he knew the danger. Knowledge of the truth does not keep us from sin. Knowledge can puff us up. It does not guarantee holiness of life.
c) A blessed believer sinned. When he had to be determined, he kept going building the ark. When the pressure is off, the guard come down. This happened to King David and when he became king he sinned. When life becomes easy we become careless, there is no immunity from sin. We all stumble in many ways, even the best of us. We fail in our lips and in our lives. God is faithful and just to forgive us when we repent. There is forgiveness and cleansing when we fail. Constant vigilance is the price of victory over sin.
IT’S A WORLD WHERE DRUNKENESS IS COMMON
At the very beginning of the life after the flood we have this record of drunkenness. The Bible hides nothing – good or bad. This was not an unknown result of drunkenness. The Bible condemns drunkenness and drinking to excess. Excessive drinking has become almost fashionable among the young.
a) The health consequences of excessive drinking are dreadful. Long term damage of the liver and heart grow from excessive drinking. It impairs judgement and is addictive and ruinous. The first result is a lightened mood. Next comes reduced inhibition, then impaired vision etc. Then comes vomiting and a lapse into a coma. Finally can come death due to alcohol poisoning.
b) The moral consequences of excessive drinking are horrendous. It is disgusting, shameful and sinful. This is sad and embarrassing. In the Bible drunkenness is associated with sexual sin and immorality. Proverbs 25. It is an expensive and serious social disorder. Costs to society run to £20 billion per year. We are told in 1 Timothy 3 that no drunkard can be a church officer or inherit the kingdom of God.
IT’S A WORLD WHERE BELIEVERS EXCHEW IT
There are two reactions to this problem of excessive drinking.
a) The response of total abstinence. Total abstinence is the preferred route of many believers. Scripture warns it does untold damage. God’s woes are pronounced on those who indulge. The Bible supports drinking grape juice, not wine. Priests were forbidden to drink alcohol in Leviticus 10:9. It helps prevent hindrances in our spiritual life – Romans 14:21. It is best to abstain. We must never press a drink on a weaker brother or sister. We can get through life without alcohol.
b) The response of strict moderation. Excess is clearly prohibited but the use of alcohol is not in itself a sin.
(i) Wine is represented as a blessing from God – Genesis 27:28 Deuteronomy 14:26 Psalm104:13. These scriptures tell us wine in moderation is a blessing.
(ii) Wine is used to prefigure spiritual blessings – Isaiah 25:6. Can it be inherently evil? No.
(iii) Wine has beneficial properties – Proverbs 31:6 1 Timothy 5:23. Before modern medicine, wine had medicinal benefit. It can purify water.
(iv) Our Lord himself drank wine on occasions – Luke 7:33. He drank wine, he turned water into wine and instituted the Lord’s supper with wine as part of it. It is a matter of individual conscience. We must settle the matter in the face of God. Why do many people drink heavily? It makes them feel good. Many drink to dull sorrow, to dull the pain and get a temporary lift. It is no cure. They need the God of all comfort, peace with God and the joy of the Lord. To be filled with the Spirit is the real answer, not to be filled with alcohol – Ephesians 5:18. We can get peace from God alone when we turn to him through the Lord Jesus Christ.

Everything is coming to an end …so….

2008-01-12T19:39:00.000Z

Hebrews 13
1Peter 4:7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.
[1] KEEP YOURSELF IN MIND OF THE END OF ALL THINGS - 7 The end of all things is near. Peter has encouraged and counselled in several different ways. Now he takes up a new thought.
The suffering they are now experiencing is limited for everyone, because it will soon be ended by death or by the return of Christ. However we do not know when either of these things will happen. We are all living on the edge of eternity.
A]The first fact is that Jesus Christ is coming again one day. 7 The end of all things is near. Most people associate such a statement with a man holding a placard. They view such a person with amusement thinking he is slightly nutty or eccentric. Few today take such a person or their message seriously. However that message is lifted straight out of the NT and is a word to Christians of all times.
Today many will say, it’s been almost 2,000 years and life goes on. How can anyone say that the end of all things has come near? Peter answers that charge in 2 Peter 3:3-10. What such scoffers don’t realize is that God’s view of time and ours are significantly different. A thousand years with the Lord is as one day.
We must understand the difference between saying “the end of all things is near,” and “the end of all things is here.” Peter is speaking of the consummation of all of God’s plans. The end is not just one event but the converging of all things to draw to a close the eternal purposes of God. The prophets spoke of future events relating to the first and second coming of our Lord as though they were one event. It is all a part of one big plan, a plan God is bringing to a close.
Our Lord taught that He was going to return to the earth one day visibly and powerfully, the angels confirmed it, the apostles affirmed it, we are called to live expecting it. Matt 25:31 "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. Acts 1:11 "Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven." 1Thess 4:16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Every now and again a religious group will become convinced that the Lord’s coming is imminent an will try and persuade others this is the case, some even have sold up and gone out to sit on a hilltop and await His coming. Lots of Pseudo-Christian cults have made the same mistake, the JW’s have and then smothered their failed prophesies with lies.
In 1988, thousands of pastors in America received a booklet sent by a man who claimed to have 88 reasons why he knew Christ was returning in 1988. Other booklets saying the same followed.
Such attempts at dating the return of the Lord are doomed to failure. However in some ways they are good because they keep us on our toes, and remind us that our Lord is coming. That does not hurt us because a great danger is that we get sleepy and stop living in the expectancy of the end of all things.
Peter uses a word translated “at hand” or “approaching.” In other words we are to be in a state of readiness. We don’t have the date, we do have the instruction to be ready, we do know that it gets nearer every moment, we “The night is nearly over; the day is almost here” Romans 13:12. “The Lord is at hand” Philippians 4:5. “The Lord's coming is near” James 5:8.
Let me illustrate. Some years ago we took our young family on a train from Ashford to London for the first time. Every time the train stopped, one of them asked, are we there yet, or do we get off here? The answer was the same each time: “No, we’re not there yet, but we’re on the way, and it’s not far now.” You aren’t there yet, you’re on the way, and it’s not that far. And every moment you spend in travelling brings you closer to your destination.
So we all need to live in light of the fact that the end of all things is near. Lu 12:36 be like men waiting for their master to return. Does that mean that we make no plans for the future? No, of course not! Reader’s Digest 5/82 had an article that said this – “The art of living successfully consists of being able to hold two opposite ideas in tension at the same time: first, to make long-term plans as if we were going to live forever; and second, to conduct ourselves daily as if we were going to die tomorrow”.
B] The second fact is that our own time on earth is limited.
Death will eventually touch our circle of friends and family.
In days when life expectancy was very short and illness could strike suddenly and irreversibly parents would often teach their children to say this prayer … “Now I lay me down to sleep. I pray thee, Lord, my soul to keep. If I should die before I wake, I pray thee, Lord, my soul to take.” Children grew up knowing premature death was very possible and this prayer helped them be prepared for it.
What if that bedtime prayer finally came true? What if you knew that this would be your final day on earth? What would you do? How would you live?
Knowing that eternity is just around the corner should affect the way we live.
Some want to shut such thoughts out - A pastor was asked by a friend to visit his dying relative, when he arrived her husband opened the door just far enough to say that his wife was “not up to a visit” at the time. Through the opening in the door, the pastor could see the wife sitting up in bed reading magazines. Here was a woman who knew she was dying but rather than deal with eternal issues, she chose to live in the make believe world of Hollywood.
Others face up to it and are ready - Certain monks of the Middle Ages had human skulls in their cells, inscribed with the Latin expression, "memento mon" (remember your death). It was a morbid practice not the sort of thing likely to catch on today - but it served a useful purpose at that time. It was to remind these people of the transiency of life and the need to establish the right priorities.
How would we change, if we knew we had only a brief time to live? A young person in the prime of life might try to crowd an entire lifetime into a few months. An older person hopefully would ensure the family is properly provided for. What about a believer? A young Christian might be ready but first want to get married and have children. A mature believer might feel they need to prepare those around them? Many of us might have things we need to share or do!
However, there are other priorities which are far more important in God's sight, and these are what Peter calls to our attention here. He singles out things that are important knowing our days are numbered. We must bear in mind what awaits believers is far better than the best this life can offer. We must make sure our relationship with God is right and our relationship to others is healthy as well.
We can’t take the world with us, the Pharaohs toys are still in their tombs after thousands of years. What we can take with us, and what is lasting and satisfying is what is in our heart.
[2] KEEP YOUR EMOTIONS UNDER CONTROL SO YOU CAN PRAY. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.
Prayer acknowledges our weakness and dependence on God. Not to pray is to assert our own sufficiency. As we recognize our own inadequacy and God’s total sufficiency, we should be driven to prayer.
Peter mentions two somewhat synonymous qualities which will help us to be people of prayer: clear minded and self-controlled.
Clear minded is to think sanely, realistically, to make judgments based upon truth and reality rather than on distorted perception. It is the same word used for the man with the legion of demons in Mark 5:1-20 after Christ had healed him he was literally in his “right mind.” The same word is used as a qualification for elders and means level-headed, not impulsive, not swayed by fluctuating emotions. Sound judgment concerning ourselves will move us to prayer as we recognize our own weakness, but also, God’s strength.
Self-controlled also deals with a sober state of mind capable of perceiving and reasoning accurately and in accordance with reality. The term describes a state of emotional control so that under pressure, you don’t give in to anger or fear or depression or otherwise lose your composure. Peter slept in the garden with Jesus when he should have been alert, sober, and in prayer. As a result he fell into temptation and sin.
Peter is not saying we have got to calculating and clinical to be fit to pray. He is warning against becoming distracted, bothered, and controlled totally by your circumstances. When that happens you can’t pray. When we are wound up, we can’t slow down or focus long enough to pray.
The pressures and emotional turmoil that often comes into our lives is very powerful, and for Christians to survive they need to be clear-minded so they can see things in their proper perspective
The Christian can also get so controlled by the spirit of the world and with the things of the present and they fail to make heavenly things their priority and the prayer life becomes negligible.
How can you pray without thinking? Prayer is not a mindless utterance of a meaningless noise, nor is it the mindless repetition of memorised phrases. Prayer involves heart and mind. How can you pray without thinking?
Maintaining a healthy prayer life is one of the hardest things for the Christian. It is much easier to be activists.
Pritchard- the only advice I can add is to start praying early in the day—as soon as you wake up—before the pressure of the day wraps its arms around you. Start the day with prayer and you’re likely to remain cool, calm and collected all day long.
As we begin this New Year let us seek to be more prayerful. Listen to Paul - 1Th 5:17 pray continually; 1Th 5:25 Brothers, pray for us.
Prayer is the forerunner of blessing. It is the God-ordained means for our spiritual development and the progress of His church.
[3] KEEP YOURSELF FULL OF FORGIVING LOVE 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
“Above all” does not pit love against prayer; rather, Peter is calling our attention to the priority of love for fellow Christians as a central part of the Christian faith. Jesus said that love for one another is His new commandment, the mark by which the world will know that we are His followers. Loving our neighbour is second only to loving God, and is a tangible evidence that we do love God. Paul told the Corinthians that without love he would be nothing.
Peter didn’t doubt that his readers were practicing love, but he knew that in hard times it’s easy to start taking out our frustrations on those closest to us.
So he writes, love each other deeply. This word was used of an athlete straining his muscles, or a horse running at full gallop. It means “stretched-out love.” It’s love that goes on and on and on.
This implies that love is not a warm, fuzzy feeling, it takes sustained, strenuous effort. The fact that love can be commanded shows that it is primarily an action, not an emotion, although often there will be an emotional element involved.
Often biblical love is more sweat than sweet. It involves effort! It costs something. In his book ‘The Four Loves’, C. S. Lewis describes it this way:
‘To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly be broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one. Wrap it carefully with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements; lock it up safe in a casket of your own selfishness. There it will not be broken.’
It’s fairly easy to love people who don’t sin against you. Biblical love extends even to those who wrong you. The phrase comes from Proverbs 10:12 Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers over all wrongs. Similarly Proverbs 17:9 He who covers over an offence promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends. Peter seems to have in mind the fact that love is ready to forgive and careful to protect the offender from needless exposure. The fact is people do offend, they can speak hastily, unpleasantly, they can accuse, and bully to get their own way, they can make unwarranted insinuations, and allegations.
What do we do them? One hopes they will be humble and gracious and confess their faults, but if there is no confession and repentance? R. T. K. says that if you wait for some people to repent, most of the time you’ll wait forever. Sometimes people who hurt you don’t know it. If you try to convince them they did wrong, you’ll start an argument. So forgive and pray for them.
Every time someone wrongs me I have two choices. I can forgive it, and move on, or I can stir up conflict. Deep love expects others to fail, expects to be hurt and expects to be used unfairly. Love has a short memory.
SC - The meaning is—love tries to find a way to treat a sinner discreetly. It is exactly the opposite of hatred that exposes weakness and humiliates someone else, love deals with sin publicly only as a last resort.
We need to hear this word because others will fail us a “multitude” of times. Love isn’t surprised when close friends fail, isn’t surprised when promises aren’t kept, isn’t surprised when others write unkind letters, and isn’t surprised when we are criticized unfairly.
If your marriage is going to succeed, love will have to cover a multitude of sins. The same is true where you work and where you live. No church can survive very long unless love covers a multitude of sins. Because sin is everywhere, love must stretch out to cover sin. Without that we will never be able to live together. Someone once said there are too many touchy people in the church.
That love covers sin does not mean that love condones sin. Scripture is clear that love often confronts sin. Church discipline, which is sometimes necessary as an expression of love, exposes rather than covers sin. So how do we know whether to cover someone’s sin or to confront it?
There is no easy formula other than study how Jesus dealt with the disciples and how God deals with His people and seek to do likewise.
The sin of the unruly and belligerent need confrontation, not covering, but others are weak and need encouragement so cover their sin.
Most offenses are too trivial to confront but if it is creating a barrier to relationships, then it needs to be cleared up in a way that will bring healing.
If a person has a sin that is hindering God’s glory in his life or that may result in his falling into worse sin, it needs to be confronted, not covered.
So lets begin the Year with this principle love each other deeply, embedded in us.
[4] KEEP YOURSELF SHARING WITHOUT GRUMBLING -9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.
The word hospitality means kindness shown to strangers. It was vitally important in the early church because travelling speakers or the displaced or those who had suffered a misfortune had nowhere else to go. Plato called innkeepers--"pirates who held their guests to ransom." The early Christian church depended on open homes. In those days, to welcome other believers into the home was an honour.
By being hospitable, they gave evidence of their own faith, and did what was pleasing to their Lord. The may even have entertained an angel!
The bad news is that they drew attention to themselves and may have been arrested and even put to death for “harbouring a criminal.”
So it was a test of faith to be seen entertaining other believers. Since then believers today in China, Islamic countries and other places are marked out when they show hospitality to Christians.
Peter does not mention the repercussions or the blessings from showing hospitality. Instead, he exhorts us to be hospitable, without grumbling. He was a realist. He had experienced hospitality but knew from experience it doesn’t always remain easy after an extended period of time. When we tell people, make yourself at home, that's exactly what they may do and we may regret saying that.
But let us be careful to see that hospitality is no less important in the church today. We still have visiting missionaries. We have newcomers to our church who would greatly profit from hospitality.
Hospitality does not come naturally these days; our culture holds privacy so dear. Our high fences isolate us from our neighbours. But the kind of hospitality Jesus and the apostles spoke of is not natural—it is supernatural it is but one more way in which servant-hood is expressed. Open homes, of course, are a result of open hearts, for example the home of Lydia and the home of Gaius.
The early Christians understood that God had given them a place to live not just to get away from the world but also a means for ministering to others.
Home may be a refuge and a castle but can be a tool for evangelism and ministry. When you read the NT notice how often Christians were in homes. Jesus spent three years in someone else’s house. And He had twelve men with Him!
What is striking about these instructions is that they are the sort of things any believer can engage in - alertness, prayerfulness, forgiving love, sharing. God wants us to venture ourselves and start with what we have - as humble as it may be. Lets us look forward to another year of joyful, fruitful service.

The Message of the Rainbow

2008-01-06T18:32:00.000Z

Genesis 9:8 to 17 and Isaiah 54
It is good to begin a new year with the message of the rainbow. They are seen as symbolic of the flood, a bridge to heaven, a symbol of love. Its real meaning is that it is a sign of a faithful God. Faith is depending on what God has promised. We can build our faith on his promises. To grow in faith we must believe in his promises.
WHEN DID THE RAINBOW FIRST APPEAR?
Everything was lost, friends, homes all gone. It was all the start of a new and uncertain one. Noah knew little of what would grow, what animals would prosper etc. The rainbow was a sign that God still cared. This year may bring challenges, we have no idea of what is to come. A new year brings new challenges – we do not know what lies ahead for us, family etc. It is kindly and wisely hidden from us. Like Noah we face lots of unknowns. We do not know what is to come.
WHAT WAS THE COVENANT OF THE RAINBOW?
It was a sign of a covenant that promises. The flood had lasted for a year and ten days. God had disrupted the natural cycle of seasons. The world had become chaotic again. God promises never again to interrupt the seasons. Now we know the seasons will come. There may be localised floods and natural disasters but with planning and care they can be overcome. In the Old Testament and New Testament we read of famines. We may have catastrophes, even nuclear ones, but God will limit them. God will not allow man to destroy the world. He will protect the world until the end of time. God promise was made a covenant with Noah and creation. The big things of life are governed by contracts such as mortgages, insurances etc. They are time limited. A covenant is more binding than a contract, it is binding and solemn.
a) It is a unilateral covenant. God is the initiator ‘God said’. He imposes it on Noah and the world.
b) It is an unconditional covenant. It is not dependent upon men. There were no conditions to be met such as obedience, sacrifices etc. It was despite anything – any sin people committed. It is the same between a parent and child. It still matters no matter what the child does.
c) It is a universal covenant. It’s for everybody in the world. It is between God and every creature no matter where they are – desert, arctic or the depths of the sea. All benefit. We can depend on God to send the seasons in their designated order. It does not mean everyone is safe or saved or that they recognise God’s goodness but people still experience it.
d) It is an unending covenant. Perpetual generations will benefit. Even our 21st century with its global warning.
THE SIGN OF THE COVENANT WAS THE RAINBOW
God placed a rainbow in the sky. Before the flood it had not rained. Rain was a sign that God was angry. When it rained again it would cause a new anxiety, it came against a background of judgement. Rainbows are caused by light being bent and refracted. Rainbows are beautiful and occur all over the world, thus making the sign available to the same extent as the flood itself. Did you notice, God says ‘I want you to look at that rainbow in the cloud and I want you to remember that I remember my covenant. God says he sees it and remembers Noah. Noah is being told when you see a rainbow remember that God remembers. God has given many signs – the blood on the doorposts at Passover, circumcision and the breaking of bread. These are signs of Christ’s love to us.
WHAT DID THE RAINBOW TELL US ABOUT GOD?
The things somebody does ‘shows their true colours’. What are God’s true colours? Ezekiel described God’s beauty in Ezekiel 1:28 and Revelation 4:3. The Rainbow represents God’s glorious nature. His multiple attributes, his faithfulness, love etc. it demonstrates God’s glory breaking into the views of nature. Dark clouds of judgement breaking into love and compassion. We have a God who is just, pure and holy, yes. But a God who is full of grace and mercy towards those he loves.
THE RAINBOW GAVE HOPE FOR THE FUTURE
In the mind of Noah and his family rain meant judgement. God comforted Noah with the rainbow. Need came first, then God gave evidence of his mercy and grace. It was not a compensation package to restore the world. It was a harsher world. God reassured Noah of his love and care. God is always there. Clouds can overshadow us at times. All that the world can say is that there is a silver lining in every cloud. But we need God’s rainbow of promise – the knowledge that whatever darkness covers our sky, God is able to keep us safe within the embrace of his eternal purposes of grace. God’s way is to reassure people of the reality of his love and care. God’s way is to give a sign of hope – a bright reminder of better things to come, a promise that reaffirms a relationship of covenant. Hope and reassurance are things we all need. May we be people of the rainbow covenant, under the multi coloured grace of God, reflecting God’s hues.
God is always merciful even when he chastens us. In wrath he remembers mercy. We live in days of clouds and darkness. Society rejects the Bible and its teachings. Under Noah’s covenant we have no need to fear the future if we trust in the Lord Jesus. God has reached down to us in the Lord Jesus Christ so we can know how to live. The rainbow cries out that he can be trusted. Are we a believer under a cloud, have they drawn our hearts away from his love? We need to look to the rainbow and now be troubled by our fears.

The New Year

2008-01-06T17:10:00.000Z

John 10:1 to 21 and Psalm 23

The scriptures encourage us to reflect on the passing of time – to number our days aright as Moses says in Psalm 90. Psalm 23 is appropriate for this. It used to be very well known, it was learnt in schools, this is not so now. Some people say that there are problems with it – it is too bright and cheerful. It is not the only one of David’s psalms that is cheerful. Often he is crying for help or for forgiveness because of sin, was he rejecting what he wrote in Psalm 23 then? No, Psalm 23 is about the life of a child of God, in the end that is cheerful, bright and glorious. It is an overview. It is an overview. It is a picture of a shepherd and his sheep. David had been a shepherd. This was natural.
1. God is his shepherd. It is natural for us. The Lord Jesus accepted and applied it to himself – see John 10. We think of the Lord Jesus in Psalm 23 and accept it as David did. It delights us for this reason. He was also saying ‘I am one of the Lord’s sheep. He knew they were not bright animals, David accepted that there was a lot wrong with him as there is with us. In those days they had to be taken out to find food and water. They needed leading and protecting from wolves, lions and thieves. This only worked if the sheep followed the shepherd. This applies to us or we get into trouble – if we do not follow God’s word and commands. The picture applies to us all.
2. The shepherd provides for the sheep – verse 2. The shepherd provides rest and plenty. David knew this – he began as a shepherd and God showered him with plenty. He had much to thank God for. God has lavished much on us. God has given us an abundance of food, medicine, education and much more which our forefathers and poor nations do not have. Our shepherd has given us rest – peace and freedom.
3. He restores us and guides – verse 3. as in the parable of the lost sheep, he seeks out the lost sheep who has strayed from the fold. He restores our souls when we are born again and he took us from death to eternal life. He guides us in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. His name and character and honour are at stake here. If he had lost sheep David would have been in trouble. If Jesus fails to bring his sheep home for their eternal rest he would be blameworthy. David knows his shepherd will never fail. David says this for our encouragement. Jesus will never abandon us. He is the good shepherd who gives his life for the sheep. Our salvation is certain.
4. We are kept in troubles – verse 4a. The sheep had to be moved about, there was travelling to do in what was often deep, narrow valleys and ravines where wild animals and robbers could hide. This led to doubts and could end in death. It was not always death, but all Christians know difficulties, trials and tribulations. We will have to through the final valley – death. We shall fear no evil because God is with us. It is the only sure help in time of trouble and trial. The shepherd use his weapons – the rod and staff to protect his sheep. God has infinite power to do this.
5. the shepherd has guests – verse 5. the shepherd treats the guests abundantly and lavishly. He anoints and cools his guests and he fills their cups to overflowing. He does this in the face of our enemies. David had many – Goliath, Saul, nations and even his own family. God treats us generously.
6. He is good to us all the days of our lives – verse 6a. This is based on the character of the good shepherd. We know he us good to us. All good things come from our loving father.
7. We have something more – Heaven – verse 6b. The house of the Lord is the shepherd’s house where we shall spend eternity. In 1 Corinthians 15 Paul says we have hope for eternity, not just for this life. Thomas Charmers was a minister even before he was converted, it was only the deaths in his family and his own illness that kept him confined for 5 months in bed that led to this. He wrote of the magnitude of eternity – how life without eternity was nothing. It was meaningless and futile. Even having billions without the hope of eternal life was a sorry farce. Psalm 23 tells us our life leads to eternal life if we know the Lord Jesus. The world and its pleasures wither away when we die. David says we shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever if we trust in Him. We live now in the house of Adam. God only visited the house of Adam and then went, it was secured on the righteousness of Adam. When he fell, it was ruined. God’s house is based on God’s righteousness and will stand forever. We are saved by Christ’s righteousness forever if we trust in him. We are secure for all eternity.

New Year/Old Year

2008-01-06T16:25:00.000Z

2 Timothy 4:6 to 8

Paul was in prison with little chance of release, he knew he was likely to die a martyr’s death. This letter was written to Timothy and the church for all time. He had been a believer for over 30 years since his encounter with Christ on the Damascus road. He was reflecting on 30 years of walking with Christ. Are we look back on life like this? Are we on the same road as Paul, seeking God’s glory? Paul wants Timothy to take up the baton from Paul.
It is good to reflect on the past. We tend to reflect too little. Reflection and meditation is good for us, it keeps us humble.
What do we remember about 2007? Iraq, Pakistan, Global warming, the rise of China as a global superpower, murders, the McCanns? At home there has been bird flu, foot and mouth, murders, a new prime minister, a run on a bank, the woes of youth – binge drinking, drugs, violent attacks, increases in sexually transmitted diseases and abortions, family breakdown.
In the wider Christian scene we have seen Tony Blair convert to Catholicism despite there being no repentance for his support of anti-catholic laws. Catholic attendance now exceeds Anglican. However, William Wilberforce and John Newton were publicly remembered – this is good, but there is a shortage of younger pastors and there aging congregations in many churches. Churches have grown, people have been faithful to Him, new churches have been planted. Our local church, this church, has maintained its numbers, finances have improved, we have seen new faces and spiritual growth. We have seen answered prayers in the face of ongoing problems. We hope and believe that some have come to faith in the Lord Jesus.
What about us as people? Do we remember blessings we have had? New relationships, jobs etc, pains, disappointments, strains and stresses as well?
Paul was able to do all of this when he looked back. He could be practical in his faith. He looked back over a whole life time and what God had done through him.
1. His life was like a sacrificial drink offering – verse 6. Wine would be poured onto an offering. He willingly offered his life to bring glory to God. He was coming to the end of his life. ‘Departure’ means ‘unlocking’ in Greek. It is a prisoner word, being released. His time in the dungeon would soon be over. He would leave the physical body. It is also a farmer’s word – loosing the ox after it was free from the yolk. He has rest to look forward to. It is a soldier’s word – the tent was let down and he could go home. It is a sailor’s word – the ship had been tied up and the ropes were loosed and the ship sails away. It is an athlete’s word – the race is over. Paul is now coming to the end. We do not know how long we have to live. Tragedy strikes at an hour we do not know. We should not fret over how long we have, we should have peace.
2. Paul has fought the good fight of faith – verse 7a. He had many relatives who opposed him in the Jewish faith. He lived in a pagan world of immorality, abortion and family breakdown as we do. He fought for the truth, for the light for those who live in darkness. He showed people the way to God. It is a good fight. Sin debases people, they need the light of the truth, so they come back to the living God. So we uphold the values of the light and truth of God that gives true hope in the world. We should not judge by appearances. We should fight for the gospel, not the things of this world. We should be in the army of the Lord. Are we engaged in the battle or just a bystander? If we do not oppose Islam and other unchristian beliefs we will give in to them and they will triumph. Christianity changed the pagan world which was rife with ungodly beliefs and practices. We are in a good fight.
3. He had finished the race – verse 7b. Noticed, he had not won it, but he had pressed on, he had kept the weight down and he did not think of himself, he was slowed down by some dominant sin but he fixed his eyes on Jesus. An expert athlete ignores the crowd and all its distractions and concentrates on performing to their best.
4. He kept the faith – verse 7c. Paul passed onto others what he received from others. Paul speaks later of Demas who deserted him. Some people’s love grew cold and their love died away. Some turned away to other religions and left the faith. Today we see some people do this including some in our own family who break our hearts. We need to keep the faith. Paul wanted to pass his faith onto Timothy. It is not an artefact, it is a treasure that should not be neglected, it is a truth to share and pass onto others. We must think of how we can share this precious truth. We may value our precious truth but we must pass it on and evangelise others. We MUST engage in evangelistic endeavours.
5. Conclusion. Paul kept the faith, he kept going and there was a prize – verse 8, it was waiting for Paul on the last day. In the ancient Olympics the victor got a crown on the last day. What we work for now is rewarded later, it is a crown for righteous people who had lived righteous lives. Nero was an unrighteous judge who would judge Paul. We will have an unbelievably righteous judge. Who will get the crown? Those who have longed for his appearing and have loved him. Have we loved God?

A CHRISTMAS MESSAGE

2007-12-30T22:49:00.000Z

John 1:1-18

There are many cheerful lights on at this time of year – they relieve the gloom. Jesus us described as the light of the world.

The world needs light.
It needs physical light. People need spiritual light, we do not understand spiritual truth. We do not think we are ignorant, we think we have knowledge and understanding but many basic things elude us, family breakdown and war abound as does terrorism and we cannot solve any of them. This is darkness – fear and misery. Just over 100 years ago missionaries went to Africa and called it Darkest Africa, it was full of superstition. In Darkest England and the way out by William Booth of the Salvation Army, Booth says that the way out of poverty was salvation, not soup or soap.
God is light.
God dwells in unapproachable light. Light stands for wisdom and understanding. Ephesus was a city of ignorance and superstition. People lived in darkness. When saved they lived in light and turned away from ignorance.
There was a witness to the true light – verse 6
John the Baptist told people about the light, he called attention to the Son of God and told people to believe in him.
There is only one true light – verses 8 and 9
People have been enlightened by some religious leaders but Jesus is the only true light. He personified God – see John 8, he said he was the light of the world. Jesus brought kindness and love into the world, he showed us how we can come to God, the only way is by faith in him.
The light was rejected – verses 10 to 11
He came to his own people and he was rejected. He controlled nature, he healed people, he raised people from the dead, he preached to people and defeated the work of Satan. People had been looking for him, when he came they did not recognize him. Jews still look for a messiah but he has come. The light came and they switched it off.
The light was received by some – verses 12 and 13.
Some believed and were changed. We came into the world by being born. We come into God’s family by being born again, by receiving the Lord Jesus and his teaching by faith. He rescues people by calling them out of darkness. If we have believed we have peace with God and grow in faith like a baby does.
The light is wonderful – verse 14.
He was full of grace and truth. John saw the glory of God in the Lord Jesus. When people needed help he helped them, when sick he healed them, when hungry he fed them, when ignorant he taught them. This was the glory of God who cared for them. Do we have cares and needs? we should go to him or are we so proud and ‘wise’ that we turn away from him and reject him or have we found light today and turn to him?

Different reactions to the Lord Jesus

2007-12-30T17:58:00.000Z

Matthew 2:1-18

We would expect unqualified rejoicing when the Lord Jesus came into the world, but like today there are very mixed reactions. Believers greet him with joy, others have lost the message and meaning of Christmas.
One group here was pleased, one was disturbed and displeased by what happened. We enjoy this as a happy time to get together with family.
Those who rejoiced.
a) Joseph and Mary were filled with wonder – the end of 0 months waiting. They may have asked ‘why us?’ We believers can see it is God with us. The Christmas story should provoke joy as we enjoy peace with God.
b) The shepherds rejoiced at being at being the first witnesses called to Bethlehem and confirmed by the chorus of angels. The world was going to be a better place as hope came into it.
c) The magi were thrilled as well, they were the cream of the learned world, they still searched or more when they saw the star, they were overjoyed and they bowed down to worship the baby they knew was worthy of worship. They knew much but yearned to know more. They knew the new born son was special. This was relevant and meaningful to them as they sought him.
It did not bring joy to everyone.
a) When the magi reached Jerusalem Herod was disturbed as was everyone in Jerusalem. They were not full of joy. Herod was a capable ruler – he enlarged the temple and improved public works. But he was full of cunning and cruelty. He put to death his mother, wife, children and heir. He was suspicious of anyone and everyone. When the new king was announced he immediately attempted to destroy the new born king. When he knew he was thwarted he have merciless orders to kill all the baby boys under the age of two, but it was too late, he had fled to Egypt. The elders did not rejoice because they thought that Jesus was a threat. He was no threat to Herod. He grew up as a model citizen. If Herod has known what a blessing Jesus would be, he would not have sought to destroy him. People have many weird misconceptions of Jesus. They see him as a good example or a religious guru or a revolutionary or a kill joy. Why do people have these wrong ideas? They do not listen to Biblical teaching or read it for themselves. They end up jumping to the wrong conclusions like Herod. People’s minds are often closed. Jesus is the light of the world but if you keep the curtains drawn the light is kept out.
b) Ignorance – he thought he was only a political leader. He was actually a shepherd to guide people as they were like lost sheep. Sheep need a shepherd as they need guidance or they get into deep trouble or danger. The Lord Jesus had crowds of people following him, they were the sheep without a shepherd weighed down with guilt and trouble. We are all like sheep who have wandered from God. Herod had gone astray, he had fits of unrestrained anger and brutality, he gave into base instincts and lacked self control. None of us are perfect, we all sin in our lives, only the Lord Jesus has the cure for our hearts. Jesus says ‘I am the good shepherd.’ He lays down his life for them. Herod thought Jesus came to politicize people but he had come to bring peace to people. When we believe in the Lord Jesus we have returned to the shepherd of our souls and we now know his comforting as in Psalm 23 – the Lord is MY shepherd.
c) Herod was too proud to see his need of his Saviour. He did not want a rival but he was a bad man who was guilty before God. He tried to excuse his behaviour and did not want to change his ways. We cannot make ourselves good, we cannot save ourselves. We need a Saviour who can save us from our sins. A ship wrecked sailor is pleased to see the lifeboat, the crashed motorist is glad to see the AA man, the condemned man on death row is glad to be reprieved. Each person knows that they have a need for outside help.
Conclusion.
People find it hard to accept that they need to this Lord Jesus who rebukes wasted lives. We need to accept him into our lives and homes this Christmas. He will bring with hope and peace and joy this Christmas. If we don’t we will not know the way we should live and how we get to heaven.
Jonathan Aitken was disgraced, divorced, bankrupted and imprisoned. He found joy in forgiveness in the Lord Jesus and with it great joy and peace in the Lord Jesus. This is our greatest need.
Our greatest achievement as men is not that men stood on the moon but that God stood on the Earth. If we call on the Lord Jesus in repentance we shall know his peace this Christmas.

The Curiosity of angels

2007-12-30T17:19:00.001Z

Luke 1:26-56 and 1 Peter 10-22

You cannot avoid the presence and power of angels when you read the Christmas story and how God communicates with people through them.
Are we curious? Do we enjoy the challenge of learning new things and information? Do we love going to libraries and finding things out? Children are very curious about the world – especially about presents at Christmas, what is in the parcels. It is wonderful to be curious about the world, about this life and especially about eternity, the world to come. Angels long to look into something, they do not have perfect knowledge. An increasing number of people do not go to church but they are curious about angels.
Angels are creatures that are spirit beings. They appear in human form and they have names that reflect their form. They are very active in the world. They are numerous – see Hebrews 12:1, they are in joyful assembly. They have different ranks. Michael and Gabriel are archangels. Gabriel appears in Luke. Hebrews 1:14 tells us that they serve believers. They are Heaven’s errand boys who carry messages for God and they intervene in human affairs. In the Old Testament the people often had messages via angels.
At the incarnation their role changes, they predicted Jesus’ birth, announced his arrival, comforted and attended him at his agony in Gethsemane. Angels minister to those who will inherit salvation. They are at the flight of the soul at death and they will be at the final judgment. God has they angels at his command.
When we look at the world around us, its wickedness and sin, it is a comfort to know they are protecting us if we are believers. They will bring us home to glory when we die.
Prophets and angels did not understand everything about Christ’s coming and our salvation. Prophets looked into it intently. Peter wrote about how wonderful their salvation was in the face of great opposition and difficulty.
Peter was thinking about the prophets such as Isaiah who predicted the virgin birth. He would have been mystified by this. The prophets such Isaiah, Malachi and Daniel lived years apart and could not understand how it all dovetailed together. Daniel knew it was all sealed up to the end time. Some predicted where he would be born, his suffering, his triumphal entry to Jerusalem, his suffering and his glory. He would be a prophet, priest and king. The central message of the Bible is he died for our sins according to the prophets. The men on the road to Emmaus were told what the prophets said were all linked and fulfilled in Christ. God has progressively revealed how he works in the world and about the Christ. The people in the New Testament saw their fulfillment – amazing, wonderful things. This is our good hope for the world.
Why did angels have an interest? They foretold his coming. Gabriel appeared to Daniel, Zechariah and Mary. They do not have a complete knowledge, they learn like we do as it is spoken. They are holy beings with great authority and power. They long to know these things – they bend over and peer into these things deeply and intently and long to learn of these things like when you drop your watch into a swimming pool and loom for it.
a) What are they concerned to see? The mystery of the incarnation for a start – how could God be contracted into a man, manifested in the flesh and living among men? There is no evidence this has happened on another planet or anywhere else in the world. God commands his angels to worship him for his great work. Jesus is no ordinary prophet or guru. He is unique among men. Angels marvelled at the son of God who came into the world and how he died for the sins of his people to save them from a lost eternity.
b) They marvelled at salvation – there are no saved angels. There are evil and holy angels. No offer of salvation was ever made to fallen angels. The angels marvelled at how God saved fallen men. They must have been appalled at the state of the world and how men were heading for hell. They must have wondered at how God could have planned to restore this broken relationship. This way of salvation was revealed to them – Christ was going to die, the innocent for the guilty, the just dying for the unjust. God would justify the guilty on the basis of the suffering of the Lord Jesus. Angels ministered at every part of Christ work. When men repent – Luke l5:l0 – angels rejoice in the presence of the Lord. They understand something of the joy of God when men repent. Have angels rejoiced over your salvation? Yes, if we have repent of our sins and confess our need of him. Has this turning point come? It did for the prodigal son who lived in defiance of God, he repented of his foolishness and the angels rejoiced when they saw it.
Summing up
a) Do we also yearn look into these things? Is nature fascinating , we continue to learn much about nature, we can see this on TV. It is not just our relationship with nature but our relationship with God our eternal future. We should be concerned about how we stand before God. Angels have never fallen into sin, like believers they are safe and happy. We are not unless we have repented of our sins in the name of the Lord Jesus. Angels do not know what we know. Hebrews 2:3 – how shall we escape if we ignore this salvation? We shall not. Angels must be astonished that there are people who are not concerned and interested about these things.
b) The angels act out of love for God, they serve the living. We cam become his servants this Christmas and have the best reward – eternal life. We have the message of the prophets, gospels and apostles. Be like the angels, look into these things and know the blessing of God in Christ Jesus.

CHRIST VINDICATED

2007-12-30T15:10:00.000Z

2Corinthians 4:6 to 5:10 and 1 Peter 4:1-6
The letter was written in the context of difficulties and that these will increase. We sense that difficulties will get worse for us today as we defend the truth of God. We all have a tendency to feel sorry for ourselves when trouble comes and everything seems to go wrong. The cure is to recall the suffering of our Saviour and think of the joy when he returns. Peter is very realistic, he tells them to look to Christ and others who have suffered for the sake of Christ. David Brainerd knew physical hardship and spiritual disappointments yet he knew God was close and was encouraged by this.
1. LIVING FOR THR WILL OF GOD – verse 1.
Peter presents a challenge as Christ has suffered arm yourself, it is a military metaphor, the cross had to come before the glory, see John 10. Jesus chose the cross and armed himself with the knowledge of the coming glory. Richard Wurmbrandt knew this comfort of being a partner with Jesus in his suffering while he was in prison for 14 years. Martyrs viewed death as an entrance to glory. Sin should be life behind, it is disobedience to God’s will. Wisdom lies in obeying God’s will, it is like a rock we can build on. Foolishness lies in disobeying God’s will and is like building on the sand. There is no more blessed life than obeying God’s will. People believe they can go their own way, Christians believe their way is God’s way. Peter’s argument is, since Christ gave Himself to deliver us from the sin which would destroy us, why go back to live in it? God’s will is good will. Life is God’s loan to man, and time man’s rent.
2. LEAVING THE PAST BEHIND – verse 3.
The world tells people to look back. Peter tells them that enough time has already been wasted. There is no way of making up for the past. Never, ever go back that way. Many Christians struggle with assurance despite being converted and walking with the Lord, but we need to remember that God keeps us and we can rest in Him. This passage is a vivid description of the tragic and devastating life pattern of the unconverted, which ends inevitably in judgment. This behaviour shows complete lack of concern for the consequences of actions. We may avoid the excess, but we live in a world where entertainment is shot through with violence and sexual innuendo, we need to be so watchful. Sin can leave its scars on ours and other people’s lives. We should not boast of our past, we should regret it and move on and leave it behind us. In Peter’s day people glorified immoral behaviour as our society does. Jesus enjoyed the good things of life but never to excess.
In Peter’s day people lived reckless lives and disregarded the consequences of their lives. People gravitated downwards as people do in our society especially in our university campuses where shameless behaviour goes on. We should leave this behind. Peter says to the people that they have spent enough time doing that. You believers have ‘tasted that the Lord is good’ what possible reason could they have for reverting to their old ways? We need to watch our lives that are laced with materialism.
3. EXPERIENCING VIDICTIVENESS – verse 4
They were being ridiculed for not joining in with the excesses. Pliny complained of the behaviour of Christians who refused to join in. They said: you are missing a lot of parties and you die just like everybody else. So, eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we die. People blasphemed them, they heaped abuse upon them because they would not plunge into the same flood of dissipation – like a sewer of sin. This is a common experience of believers. However, sometimes people begin to respect us for our changed priorities. Unsaved people do not think it strange when people wreck their bodies, destroy their homes and ruin their lives by running form one sin to another. But let a drunkard become sober, or an immoral person pure and the family think he has lost his mind – see Mark 3:20. If our life changes then people think we are out of our minds they did of Jesus. When our family sees we put our hope in Jesus they will do the same to us. When we run the wrong way from the crowd they will laugh at us. The route that non-Christians choose may seem right, it may seem fun but it leads to eternal loss. We will get a crown.
4. EXPECTING VINDICATION – verse 5
Others judge us now. We should remember a day is coming when God will judge. No one escapes accountability to God. Those who are spiritually alive through trusting in the merits of Christ’s cross have nothing to fear at this judgment, for the judge appointed by God is Jesus Christ – 1 Corinthians 4:5. Living for Christ brings its own reward, but we’ll have to wait a while to see it completely. We are to so live that we encourage others to live this life too. Those who despise and mock believers will suffer the most awful judgment on the last day. To submit to the will of God will lead us to be vindicated.

New principles for a new world

2007-12-16T17:28:00.000Z

Genesis 9:1-17

The ark grounded on the hills of Ararat. It is the exact day of the year when Jesus rose from the dead. It may yet be discovered, but our faith does not rest on sight. The whole world had changed. Now the flood is over, Noah and his family must start again. The world has changed, volcanoes have erupted, dead plants and animals are floating on the water or concealed in the mud. 99.75% of fossils are marine creatures, only 0.0375% are vertebrates which are mostly fish. Most mammals are represented by single bones, nearly all are buried out of sight.
Flood stories are found all around the world. 70% talk of survivors in a boat, 70% of a privileged family, 60% say that it was due to the actions of sinful men. 70% of the stories say that the boat was lodged on a mountain. Many say that birds were sent out. All confirm Noah’s account.
A NEW COMMISSION – PROCREATION
Noah has been in a secure environment. The world has changed, the were new landmarks etc. He faced an uncertain future as we often do. He had many unknowns in this new life.
a) God blessed Noah
God was going to be with him. Noah needed many things – the cooperation of his family, protection etc. We need God’s blessing – home, clothes, food etc. As God’s people we have the Bible, our sin’s forgiven and he comes to our aid. We have joy because we have a heavenly father. The Lord’s people have a multitude of divine blessings – pardon, adoption and greater still to come. Unbelievers have none of this. They do not know God. Geoff Thomas tells of the gospel of the Beatles – they rejected Christianity and tried drink, drugs, ‘spirituality’ etc. They formed Apple, an organisation that promoted the idea that man was ultimately good. The Apple shop closed because of staff pilfering, the Beatles split up at the height of their popularity, all of them divorced, one died of smoking, one became an alcoholic and another was shot dead. Was this ‘apple’ – perfection?, not at all. We need God’s blessing on us today, his peace, his joy, his hope. Nothing can take this away.
b) God commissioned them – verses 1 and 7
This meant spreading out and having children. Adam was head of the human race at the start, Noah is head of the reconstituted race after the flood. In all the trials and difficulties of life, God, to mitigate the effects of sin gives us intimate, fulfilling relationships. Christians in particular should rejoice in every child God adds to their family. The Bible says children are a blessing from the Lord. Today many people do not want children, they see children as a hindrance to their lives. Children cause us to become less selfish. Should we not all have very large families? We all limit God’s blessings – we limit the food we eat and our sleep etc. We limit our families as well so we can cope financially, emotionally and space wise. Are we playing God when we do this? No, we take medicine etc to keep well. Believers should have the number they can care for properly and bring them up to believe in the Lord. We should love and value them as God’s gifts. God commissioned Noah to pass on the knowledge of the old world and what happened in the ark, it was passed onto Moses who wrote it all down. The oral record passed on round the world. We must pass the knowledge on to succeeding generations.
A NEW PROVISION
Humans are given permission to eat animals. Before the flood animals and men lived in harmony. After the flood God gave animals the fear of men. Animals are given to men to meet our needs. We must not abuse them. It is a strange world where seals are saved and unborn babies destroyed and where sacred cows are fed alongside starving people. Vegetarianism is not commanded by Jesus. He ate meat. 1 Timothy 4:3-5.
A NEW PROHIBITION – verse 4
God says don’t drink blood. God says because there are all sorts of parasites and diseases in meat. This is for our good. God says don’t drink blood. Pagans drink blood to get the life force from it. All diseases are carried through the body by the blood. HIV can be passed on this way. He gave us fire and we can cook our food. We don’t have to eat uncooked food. Others think that this pointed ahead to the sacrificial system – Leviticus 17:10. The blood makes the atonement, it is drained and covered in earth. Blood = life = atonement, this is the connection. Life can be given as a substitute for another. Blood is symbolic of life. Blood is the pulse of life. Trapp says ‘blood, the organ of life, is holy to God, the author of life’. It speaks of God given life in the Old Testament and in the Jerusalem Council it is reiterated. The safest interpretation is to say that the prohibition still holds against blood being drunk but does not forbid transfusions. The Watchtower go far beyond what is written. Jehovah’s witnesses are not right – this prohibition does not cover transfusing human blood into our veins.
A NEW PROTECTION – verses 5 and 6
A life for a life is the golden rule because life is so precious. People are made in the image of God. The old world was so violent and life was so cheap that it is significant that one of the first things God confirmed to Noah was the sanctity of human life. We have here human accountability. God set this – a proper view of human life. We are rational beings with a mind, with a sense of right and wrong. God values human so highly that he orders its protection by human governments. This is not personal vengeance but lawful government and authority. Government does not develop morality but it expresses in its laws and powers the morality that is in its people, what most of us want. It needs the input of what God has revealed. Here God lays down the principle of what needs protecting so people fear to take a human life. If they do not make these laws they will have violence on the streets as we do today, abortion on demand, euthanasia etc. There is a drift away from the values set here in Genesis. When our legislators move away from these principles our society suffers.
a) Animals that take human life are to be put down – verse 5 and Exodus 21:28
b) Humans that deliberately take life are to face capital punishment. God delegates to human authority the right to take life in certain circumstances.
5. APPLICATION
a) God blessed Noah – it was in and for Noah. Many people had a deep and intense longing that God would bless them – such as Jacob, David etc. When we seek God’s blessing with all of our hearts we shall know God’s blessing. We must put God first. We cannot know God’s blessing if we do not put him first. If we do we will know his provision and blessing.
b) We must be aware of his blessing. We have woollen jumpers, leather shoes, silk ties. We have pets etc. We benefit from God’s enrichment of our world, so we can rejoice in him - see l Timothy 6, he provides us with everything for our enjoyment and well being. People have many good things but remain unhappy and depressed – they are not well inside and need inner healing. God fills our hearts with strength and hope when we put our hope in him, the Lord Jesus. He is the way, the truth and the life, we can know life as it should be. Romans 8:32, he gave his son and all things.

Christ's suffering vindicated

2007-12-09T21:53:00.000Z

2 Peter 3:ll – l8, Romans l0:8 - l5 l Peter 3:l7 - 22

Christ’s sufferings were relevant to the people Peter was writing to. Christ’s unjust suffering resulted in witness and vindication through his resurrection and ascension, like Noah. Noah bore witness to a hostile world, he had to put up with ridicule. Peter told his readers to endure and witness by baptism. The detail is very complex. This is a hard passage to interpret and apply. Luther said he wasn’t sure what it meant. ‘we may not be able to determine with absolute certainty who these spirits in prison are, and when, and where, and how, and for what purpose, Christ went and preached to them, but whatever opinion we adopt as most probable, no Christian doctrine or duty is affected by it.
HOW DO WE FACE DIFFICULT PASSAGES?
a) Know we are in good company. 1 Peter 1:10, 2 Peter 3:14-16 The prophets searched eagerly and tried to understand. 2 Peter 3:ll – l8, Paul wrote things that Peter found hard to understand. His letters were often distorted.
b) We cannot have a satisfactory solution for all. The tough parts of the Bible remind us we cannot fathom the mind of God, that we are ignorant and fallible. We do not need to know everything.
c) Problem passages are not the basis for novelty. We must not use isolated passages for new teaching. We need matters supported by other passages. This can lead to bizarre doctrines if we do not follow this rule.
d) Difficult texts need broad historical acceptance. 2 Peter 2:20. The church developed over 2000 years. It is the result of godly learning and study. We must learn from this and ensure that teachings conform to all of God’s word.
e) We should not be overly assertive about conclusions. We must accept it when other believers do not accept what we say. We must never make isolated reading a test of orthodoxy.
f) It is foolish to be obsessed with the gnats of the texts and thus miss the camel. Some like solving problems and miss the main lessons. We are called to understand the great, basic, foundational teachings.
g) See if there are any parallel or similar passages. Do they give the key to the difficult passages.
h) Know the issues, the options and choose what be fits the context, the argument of the book and biblical theology.
CHRIST DIED AND SUFFERED.
The letter is about dealing with difficult times. Jesus the greatest, most loving, caring, truthful, holy man that ever lived suffered unjustly. He was vindicated and sat at God’s right hand. So we will be vindicated if we live as God says out of love for him and our brothers and sisters and we suffer for him. How did he suffer?
a) It was a horrible death, it was dreadful and brutal, he suffered in his soul.
b) It was sacrificial, it was for our sins.
c) It was unrepeatable, it was once for all time.
d) It was substitutionary, once for all the righteous substituted for the unrighteous. He died to take our punishment.
e) It was reconciling. It made the enemies of God the family of God and allowed us to experience God’s love. It was an unparalleled and purposeful suffering of one who was innocent.
CHRIST PREACHED AND WITNESSED Matthew 4:23
He preached in the Jews’ synagogues. He preached throughout his life. Peter takes this up. Who did he preach to? Who were these spirits in prison? There are a number of possibilities – let’s examine them in turn:
a) Christ descended into the abode of the dead where their spirits were imprisoned. There is a problem: why this group of unbelievers? They had 120 years of preaching from Noah. This idea is not acceptable.
b) Christ proclaimed His victory to the spirits, who cohabited with women in Noah’s day. This is supposedly supported from Genesis 6 and Jude 6. This is a very tentative interpretation of these passages. It is out of context – what is it to do with suffering?
c) Christ preached, at his death, in his human soul, in a place called ‘Limbus Patrum’. This is Roman Catholic teaching on purgatory, where else does Scripture support this teaching? It is downright dangerous, you can be prayed out of Hell.
d) Christ preached at Pentecost by his Spirit, he spoke to men bound by sin. Augustine, Edward Clowney and Norman Hopkins (this preacher) hold to this view. In the Spirit Jesus preached through Noah to the disobedient people of Noah’s day, they are now ‘on remand’ awaiting the judgement day. This fits the context of the passage. There were many ‘Christophenes’ – appearances of the pre-incarnate Christ – in the Old Testament. Many people refused to listen to Noah and they perished. Only 8 persons were saved – a tiny minority as believers were in Peter’s day. Today we are as today. We are to be witnesses as Noah was. Christ speaks through us.
e) Christ preached by His Spirit through Noah to the people of his day. This is the view of Augustine. This view assures us of the greatness of Christ. It is better to obey him and suffer than to disobey and be cast into the inescapable prison. This tells us it is no disadvantage to be a small rejected minority.
CHRIST ROSE FROM THE DEAD
Jesus rose to bring salvation. No one took Noah seriously. Noah and the ark explain the great salvation Christ brings. The water brought judgement, Noah’s family was saved through water which destroyed those not in the ark. The water only ‘saved’ them because they were already in the ark. Baptism by itself cannot literally save anyone. Baptism is pledging allegiance to Christ. It is crucially important. By a pledge he means the promise believers make to stay in the fellowship of the church all their lives. In Peter’s day people seem to have made a pledge before they were baptised. Peter may be referring to this. It was a sign. The act of baptism is seen in Islamic countries as a sign of becoming a Christian, it can bring persecution down on believers. As we obey like this we attain deeper peace with God. We can know dark times but we can know this peace as we obey him.
CHRIST ASCENDED – verse 22
The right hand is the place of honour and authority. Jesus stands at God the Father’s right hand. Believers and everyone else are lined up under him. We worship the victor. Jesus is the victor. Noah survived, Jesus ascended and was vindicated as we shall be. Christians need to remember both the humiliation and the exaltation of Christ. Under girding everything we do and suffer is the suffering and resurrection of Christ. We have all we need from Christ if we are believers if we trust him.

But God remembered Noah

2007-12-09T16:08:00.001Z

It could not have been easy to be shut up inside the ark. Did Noah get anxious as the months went by? Do trials make you fret? The two most important things in our lives are that God remembers us and we must remember God constantly. The sea can be a very lonely place, drifting with no land in sight. The rain had stopped and Noah had heard nothing from God for months. He was shut up inside the ark with his menagerie.
THE LORD REMEMBERED NOAH
a) He kept his promise. Remembered is a charming way of saying God thought constantly about them. God is a covenant keeping God. God is a promise keeper. All through the Bible God makes and keeps promises - see Genesis 19:29. Genesis 30:22 – he made promises to the patriarchs. God is faithful and he will never let us down. We often fear being let down or being forgotten. Little children prod their parents to keep promises. God does need reminders. See Psalm 42:9 to 10. We can think he has forgotten us or he is not working quickly enough, but he will never take his love or fail to keep his promises. We may seem drifting on the sea of life. God will act on our behalf in His time. Nehemiah wanted God to remember him. Wang Ming-Dao, the Chinese pastor was imprisoned for over twenty years and he only came out when he was 80, he lived to see God’s blessings on the work he had done in his prime.
b) He sent a wind, Psalm 78:26. Psalm 135 tells us God is in control of the wind and rain. Men cannot control the climate, only God can. God ended the flooding, he turned off the rain and the underground flow. God will work in due time, he may work slowly but he will bring his will to pass in his chosen ways. He rescued Israel through the Red Sea by sending a wind to dry up th sea. God responds to our to our helplessness in ways we can scarcely imagine. The word for wind is the same as it is for Spirit. He can change minds and attitudes. God responds to our helplessness.
c) He gave Noah signs. Noah has to wait even after the ark has grounded. The raven and dove indicate the nature of Noah’s intelligence. The raven feeds on carrion and animals. The raven showed there was death. It was a useful dustman, it ate rotten flesh. It was considered unclean. The dove showed there was life when it brought the olive leaf (they survive underwater). When it did not return it showed there was food to eat. The dove was a little evangelist bringing the good news. It is an emblem of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit, by taking the form of a dove is the harbinger of good news, of a new creation. God still gives tokens of his grace today. He has ways of reassuring is that he remembers our distress, and is still working all things for good. The Spirit descended on Jesus at his baptism in the form of a dove. The birds were like signs to Noah. He wanted signs to show him what to do. God sends us signs to assure us he is with us. He can rebuke us through sermons or through reading his word, through a fellow believer or circumstances. These all reassure is about the way we should go. Some times our faith is weak and we wonder if he is with us – rest assured he is if we believe in him.
d) He spoke to Noah. It was probably the first time God had spoken to Noah audibly since this ordeal began. Noah had developed a pattern of obeying the Lord for 121 years, and he wasn’t about to change it. The Christian life is a pattern of obedience, a structured life, a life of obedience, a pattern of life. God had given Noah a job to do, his feelings did not matter. Do not doubt in the darkness what God has shown you in the light. Wait on the Lord and while you wait, obey what you know. Sometimes we have to venture without being 100% certain.
NOAH REMEMBERED GOD
God remembered Noah and Noah remembered God. Those that remember God, shall certainly be remembered by Him. Noah did not go into a new like Adam did, it was a world where death was in evidence. Noah needed to get his priorities right.
a) He built an altar thankfully. This was the first mention of an altar. An altar is a place of slaughter. He built an altar to the Lord. It spoke of propitiation, gratitude and dedication. Clean animals were fit for eating and sacrifice to God. He slaughtered 1/7 of the clean animals. Sometimes animals were shared – part eaten and part burned. A burnt offering was totally consumed, and it was symbolic of total devotion, total dedication to the Lord. Noah recognized that he owed everything to the Lord. Jesus healed ten lepers. Leprosy is a terribly isolating disease. Yet only one came back to say thankyou to Jesus. We can be so blessed and we forget to say thankyou to God and acknowledge how wonderful God is. Noah went through a solemn ceremony in the midst of disaster. Ecclesiastes 12:1. If we remember God in our youth, we are less likely to forget him when we are old. Jeremiah 51:50. Remember who you are and whose you are. We need to seek his blessing while we can, when we are young and also when we are in the midst of trouble. It should be our motto for life – I will remember the Lord in all of my life.
b) He worshipped acceptably. God was pleased with what Noah did – verses 20 to 22. It was genuine and appropriate. God promised a consistent rotation of the earth and annual cycles. Noah didn’t understand how it worked, all he knew was that order was imposed on creation by the power and intelligence of God. Such a God was worthy of worship and awe. There is evidence here that in part, the flood was caused by an interruption in the rotation of the earth.
We can draw near to God because of the sacrifice that Jesus made.

When you suffer share your hope

2007-12-02T21:35:00.000Z

The theme of this passage is the difficulties facing Christians in the Roman World of Peter’s time. Even though I and you have not suffered greatly for our faith, we all have faced the fear of witnessing to people about the Lord. For Christians of the past to suffer was not unusual. For the first 300 years no legal protection was available. Today in Iraq and the Islamic world, China and India, life for Christians is very difficult. For 200 million Christians, their lives are in serious difficulties, 500 million more face opposition. Where there is a great deal of opposition and hardship, very often people are converted. Why should this be? We all face the fear of witnessing.
A POSSIBLE OUTCOME WHEN WE DO GOOD.
All Christians are eager to do good. Few would normally harm a believer who does good. These believers are gracious and kind. This is a general principle, Proverbs 16:7. It does have exceptions but is a general maxim. An upright life is a peaceful life.
A SECOND OUTCOME WHEN WE DO GOOD.
A zeal for goodness isn’t a guarantee against persecution. When our life is above reproach we will still have critics. Jesus experienced this, he suffered hostility to the point of death.
WE OUGHT TO REMEMBER WE ARE BLESSED. Matthew 5:10
A life pleasing to God will receive an eternal reward. To be blessed is be privileged or honoured. Peter reminds us, don’t fear those who can only kill the body but fear him who can kill body and soul in hell/.
4. WE OUGHT NOT TO LET OPPOSITION ALARM US–Isaiah 8:12
God plus one is a majority – always. Hebrews 13:5-6. Isaiah spoke to a frightened people, Israel, who faced a vastly greater super power, Assyria. Isaiah said do not fear the mighty army before you. They had no allies. Isaiah was proved right. When we feel surrounded and afraid and do not seem to have a way to escape, we have God on our side. Nothing can separate us from the Love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Polycarp, Luther and others stood alone against tyranny knowing God was on their side. Opposition need not be personal, it can be on TV, the press etc.
WE OUGHT TO REVERENCE GOD ABOVE ALL Isaiah 8:12-3
Set apart = sanctify = hallowed. These are all the same word in Greek. It should be determined in our hearts. Fear Christ as God above anyone who threatens to harm us. If we belong to God we can entrust our future to him. He will return and crush all opposition.
WE OUGHT TO BE READY TO ANSWER QUESTIONS
‘Answer’ is the Greek, is where we get the English ‘apology’, this apologia, a legal defence in a court room. A lawyer presents facts in a court room. It implies a thoughtful, logical presentation of the facts.
a) Answer readily. The church has people who have gifts to reason and confirm the face, for example, C S Lewis, Josh McDowell etc. We use the term ‘apologist’ to describe people like John Blanchard. He exposes the folly of an unbelieving life. A believer should be ready to explain about why they hope in God and their faith. It is not just the more able presenters. We may speak informally to people we meet. Peter had become frightened in the court yard when challenged by a little girl, he remembered he had not been ready to answer and he answered with oaths and curses.
b) Answer those who ask. If people ask it implies they have noticed something, prompted by our own testimony, or issues in the news. We may have hope and joy, even when we are mistreated. They may ask ‘why are you different?’ we cannot have Christ living within us without some of him leaking out. We feel afraid of saying the wrong thing, of not getting it right or not having the right answers. We ought to not be afraid of admitting we need look things up. But the Lord will help us. We may need to prepare to do it. The gospel message is simple. Try the 3 Rs: RUIN – mankind has a bad heart. REDEMPTION – God sent his son into the world to save sinners. REGENERATION – we live a new life. People’s objections are often simply a diversion. We need to think carefully about how we approach others. Our answer may have to do with the trustworthiness of the New Testament; or the self-authenticating teaching of Jesus; or the evidence of Christ’s resurrection and the fact of changed lives, or what a wonderful difference the Lord Jesus has made to our lives, but be ready.
c) Answer wisely. Show gentleness and respect in our approach. Colossians 4:5-6 We must be winsome if would win some. We must be careful how we speak, we can win the argument but lose the person. We can never bully people into the kingdom. We must respect people so they will respect the message. We need to silently pray for the person as we speak. People may know we are a Christian, hear we are a Christian or see we are and they ask us.
WE NEED TO KEEP A GOOD CONSCIENCE.
A clear conscience is essential for effective witness. A conscience is not an infallible guide, it needs to be exposed to God’s word in order to be kept sharp. We need to live beyond reproach. We need to live carefully at all times and pray that we can overcome our sin.
8. PETER SAYS ACCEPT GOD’S WILL
If our life belongs to Christ, nothing can take God’s love away from you. It may be that we do what is right and it gets us into difficulties as people turn against us. If we experience opposition because of our faith, it is evidence that we belong to him and we will go to Heaven to be with him. Christ will be will be glorified if we live this way.

The Ark in the flood

2007-12-02T16:14:00.000Z

Genesis 6:11 to 7: 16

Many people know of the Flood, the Ark is a popular toy, but how did it happen and what are the spiritual lessons? Disasters capture the public imagination, blockbuster films are made like Titanic, Armageddon etc. There have been terrible tragedies all through history. 14 million died in a famine in China. There has been Pompeii, Krakatoa etc. we live in a world where there has been disasters. However, nothing compares to this. What is described in Genesis 6 to 9 is the greatest natural disaster in history.
1. WHY DID THE FLOOD COME? – verse 13
God declared something. He was horrified at what the world had become. God was going to cleanse the world, this is the language of a surgeon cleansing diseased flesh.
2. WHAT WAS THE ARK LIKE? - verse 14
It was just an enormous container. The word Ark is used twice, here and of the container Moses was put in. It was not a boat that needed power or that could be steered.
a) There is a patent design given – verse 15. It was long and narrow and stable. Studies show that it was incredibly stable and was difficult to capsize, it had 100,000 square feet of floor space. It was not until 1868 that a boat as big as this was built – the Great Eastern.
b) There is a promise given – verse 17. A solemn promise. Noah would be a new beginning, a second Adam.
c) There is a precise passenger’s roster – verse 19. It could hold 125,000 animals the size of a sheep. Large animals could be young or immature ones. People laugh at this, how could dinosaurs fit in. There are 18,000 species today, say 36,000 then allowing for extinctions. That is 72,000 creatures. Sheep are a good median size. Different breeds are often the results of intense inbreeding, like crossing dogs.
d) How could they all get on together on board? How do you catch wild animals? Animals migrate and sense danger. God can make animals obey his will, we do not know how. But animals do act in a particular way – like migration.
e) There is an explicit cargo list – verse 21 , eight people could have fed and watered 16,000 creatures. Many animals bodies shut down in winter, they hibernate due to fear sir get reduce the intake of food and water. Waste products could have accumulated beneath the animals. There are answers to how Noah dealt with the animals.
3. WHO WENT INTO THE ARK? – see Chapter 7.
Noah listened to God and obeyed him.
a) All who believed God. Christians are those who listen to God and obey him. Romans 10:17. Noah is a wonderful example of a believer. He trusted the invisible God more than what he saw, many people do not believe what God has said about the past and the future believe. People do not come to God for safety. Noah had the faith to swim against the stream. Our society is anti-Christian, it is against the Christian faith, it takes strength to swim against the tide.
b) Eight of Noah’s family close family – the number of the redeemed is going to be immeasurable, but only a minority at any one time. Christians may be a minority but they belong to the greatest kingdom on Earth.
4. HOW GREAT WAS THE FLOOD?
7: 11-12. It was universal, some say it was localised to the middle east. There are many ancient flood stories. Geologically, there is much evidence.
a) There was a release of the underground water. Possibly volcanic eruptions released water. The ocean floors moved up.
b) The other source of the water was ‘the windows of heaven’, it rained for 40 days and 40 nights continuously. The volcanic eruptions helped to cause this.
c) Where is the water now? In Psalm 104:4 we have a possible answer. The earth’s surface changed. If it were level, the world would be covered by water to a depth of 1.7 miles.
d) What is the evidence? On the tops of Everest are fossil layers. Mountains, landscape, fossil graveyards, coal seams, there is abundant global geological evidence for it. The Grand Canyon could have been formed in the floods. Animals entombed in ice, coal layers formed by compressed plants swept away by the flood. There are reasoned scientific evidences that confirm the Genesis account, that it is a sober account. Jesus and the Apostles testify to their belief in it.
5. HOW DOES THE BIBLE USE THIS EVENT TO TEACH?
Was it an extraordinary extravaganza of terror? No, we need to learn lessons from the man and the flood.
a) The Ark in the flood is a preview of the ultimate judgement when God sends Jesus as judge at the end of human history. Any humanitarian disaster should make us think one day we will all be judged. People tend to forget death is inevitable – Hebrews 9:27, this world decays – 2 Peter 3:7; judgement is coming to all – 2 Corinthians 5:10 and Matthew 25:3l-3, Acts l7:30. We like to see people receive justice and for people to be judged. The flood tells us God will act a judge on all people who have lived in the world. On the Titanic people thought they were on an unsinkable ship, they lived happy, carefree lives. The designers did not put enough life boats on and an iceberg did for them. Do we have a lifeboat.
b) The Ark in the flood is a figure of Christ. 1 Peter 3:20 speaks of Christ like an ark. Christ provides for our salvation. He is the only safety in judgement. We are secure in Him. We must come before it’s too late. We should be safe in Christ, our anchor will hold in the storms of life, in the moment of death and in the day of judgement. The only was we can be sure of getting to Heaven is to cling to the Lord Jesus, to enter his safe ark. God must deal with sin, he did it during the flood, he will do it on the day of judgement. Noah was safe in the ark. We can be safe in the Lord Jesus.

Living the Good Life, husbands and all

2007-11-25T15:50:00.001Z

For most in today’s post-modern society, pursuit of the good life means primarily chasing after objects of self gratification. Peter here instructs husbands and then gives all believers a general exhortation, which will open them to the life of blessing.
A GOOD HUSBAND DESCRIBED – verse 7
There is six times as much said to wives as there is to husbands.
a) Show consideration – this speaks of being sensitive to the wife’s deepest physical and emotional needs, see Ephesians 5:25 – 28. He is to consider her spiritual well being. To know each other requires time, honesty, openness, patience, sensitivity and love.
b) Show courtesy. A wife is like a porcelain vase, which is of great value yet must be handled gently and with honour.
c) Show companionship. Intimate companionship in marriage, the richest blessing of this life, was a foreign concept in Peter’s day. Even richer is the privilege of those who have been called together into a joint partnership of fellowship with God and together enjoy the privileges of eternal life. Peter seems to assume that they will pray together. If all is not well in the relationship, then their prayer life will be affected. The thing that hinders prayers is sin, especially being unforgiving.
A GOOD LIFE DESCRIBED – verses 8 and 9
a) Show a good attitude, verse 8.
(i) Live in harmony with one another. Acts 2:1 and Ephesians 4:13. We are in tune with the Lord, we are in harmony with our family in Christ. When we are in disharmony, sin is present.
(ii) Live in sympathy for one another. There are always people who are hurting and who need our sympathy and compassion. 1 Corinthians 12:26, Romans 12:15 and Galatians 6:2. Like Christ, the sympathetic high priest, we must share in the feelings of others.
(iii) Live in love as brothers. We say ‘blood is thicker than water’, suggesting the tie which holds a family together. Believers have a similar link, but through blood which is far more precious.
(iv) Live in compassionate love. Our hearts need to be broken with the things that break the heart of our Lord. The root of the word is inner organs of the body. It speaks of innermost feelings. In this again our Lord set us a wonderful example – Matthew 9:36, Ephesians 4:32.
(v) Live in humility. This word means literally to be ‘friendly of mind’ or to be ‘courteous in our attitude’.
b) Show a good response – be a blessing, verse 9. We who belong to Christ and are possessed by Him should bring blessing wherever we go and through whatever we do. Our natural response is to retaliate – Luke 6:28. Peter says, don’t respond to abuse with more abuse, respond with kind words. The New English Bible translate thus: ‘retaliate with blessing’. What a marvellous ministry, God has entrusted to us. Peter reminds us that when we bring blessings to others, we are blessed ourselves. That is a wonderful way to live. This is how Christians ‘get even’.
A GOOD LIFE REWARDED – verses 10 to 12
Peter sums up the whole with a quote from Psalm 34. It enforces the truth that the path to the good life is practical godliness. It is turning form sinful inclinations to walking in fellowship with God. It concerns our tongues, it concerns our actions and it concerns our attitudes. Romans 12:18, 14:19. We are to take the initiative to do all we can to restore strained relationships. It’s always more of a hassle to that than it is to let it slide. We hope that time will heal and its humbling to admit wrongs. But healthy Christian-like relationships are important because prayers are hindered if we are not sensitive and obedient. There is a way to live that hinders and a way to live that helps prayers.
CONCLUSION
Our responsibility is to please the Lord by doing good in our walk and talk. He is responsible to protect us and to answer our prayers. The world’s view of ‘good times’ will be different to the view which God has. The joys of lives in Christ are maximised when believers are united in truth and life, peaceful, gracious, sensitive, compassionate and humble like their saviour.

The Local Church

2007-11-25T14:16:00.000Z

Titus Chapter l

Can we give thanks for our local church? Do we care for it, are we involved in it or are we just spectators? Titus has 3 chapters. The first chapter concerned with congregational life, it leads to the second on the family and the third which is about social or public life. If we get the church life right everything will get right. A healthy local church life is vital..
Titus is first mentioned in Galatians 2 in the gentile controversy. He was loved by Paul as a fellow believer.
Paul gave him a 3 fold task:
l. To appoint reliable elders
2. To overcome oppositions
3. Teach sound doctrine.
In verse 5 he was told to straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint elders. What would Paul say we need straightening out? In verse lO we are told this is not easy. Paul got verbally and physically abused by the rebellious people. These people need silencing not tolerating. They need throwing out to stop people being ruined.
l. THE CHARACTER OF AN ELDER OR PASTOR. The word elder comes from the word for old age. They need experience but age is not a problem. Young and old should be equally valued.
l Timothy 3:6 - an overseer should not be a recent convert, it is the stage they are at that matters, they need experience. Lots of people are under pressure but a pastor has spiritual responsibilities. He is not the boss of the Church, Christ is, but the pastor is responsible for their oversight. The pastor must seek help from God - Hebrews l3:7. They must give account to God. Today authority figures are seen as figures to be shot at, ministers need to realise they can be lied to, rejected, derided, deceived, physically and verbally assaulted and much more. It is the greatest task in the church despite all of this. To know someone is saved causes the greatest euphoria, it is wonderful. To have people saved under your ministry mean we meet them in eternity. The elder must give account to God. What are their motives? Do we seek God's calling? Why do we seek to do it, for good motives or bad?
What if they sin or fail? It can affect the church and drag people down. Verse 6, the elder must be blameless (not sinless or there could never be any pastors or preachers), it means free of blame or blemishes. It is a great responsibility. Paul alludes to the present character - I Corinthians 6. What he is now not what he was. The glory of the Gospel is that sinners can be washed from their sin. Whatever lapses he had, the pastor must not have two wives. He must not put one of them away, he simply cannot be an elder.
A pastor should seek to be fruitful in his ministry. Titus is told to straighten out the church. The pastor's children should believe and not be open to the charge of being wild or disobedient. They do not have to be born again but be faithful - l Timothy 3:5 - the family should be well managed, the children should be managed in spite of their outward behaviour. Verse 7 - he is entrusted with God's word, he is trusted so he should be blameless, he should not be:
a) BOSSY or overbearing.
b) BAD TEMPERED. Proverbs l5:l8 - he must be patient and have plenty of it. A patient pastor waits long term.
c) NOT A BINGE DRINKER - or intoxicated.
d) NOT A BRUISER or violent - physically or verbally.
e) NOT TO BE BENT - after money or dishonest gain. They must not preach for dishonest gain.
Rather he should be:
a) HOSPITABLE - it costs time and money. It should not be abused by people. People can be greedy and hospitality can be abused by lots of people. Hospitality is being devoted to kindness.
b) SEEK THE GOOD - verse 8, personally and corporately. Not a lover of sin.
c) SELF CONTROLLED
d) HOLD FIRMLY TO THE TRUTH.
e) ENCOURAGE OTHERS - preach sound teaching.
2. THE CHALLENGE OF THE PASTOR
There are many rebellious people, including many religious people - see verse l0. They ruin whole households by advocating works of one sort or another without faith. It can be 'positive thinking' - hedonism, not the salvation of souls. Is the pastor motivated by saving people from hell? Jesus' message was the next life not this world. Titus had to rebuke the Cretans - verse l2 to l4, rebuking is very hard. It must be based on the word of God and applied by the Spirit. We must ask 'why is he saying this?' It is for my good in this life and my soul in eternity. The sheep need to be protected from the enemies of the church - verses l5 and l6. There are many of them. The pastor must hold firm to the word of truth.
3. IT IS A LIFE OF GREAT PRIVILEGE
No one is interested in our eternal destiny except the true church of God. The pastor needs to care for people's eternal souls. Pastors have this great work. It is what the office of pastor or elder is all about, they are ordained for our eternal well being. They oversee God's work, they work for eternal dividends, not for the money. They aim to work for God's flock. If we do this we will have a good family life. The shepherd of this flock is preparing us for works of service.

Christ's power

2007-11-19T06:58:00.001Z

Matthew 14: 22 – 36

This comes after the feeding of the 5000. Christ is revealed as wonderful then and now.
This is about Jesus walking on the water, verses 22 to 33. it demonstrated the deity of Christ. We can appreciate what he did. He came to people in conflict between faith and unbelief. The disciples were with Jesus and watched and listened to him. Yet they were terrified by a storm. Peter asked Jesus to call him out of the boat, yet asked Jesus to save him. The faith that buoyed him up marries up with the fear that sank him down. Every Christian learns that there is no success without threatened failure. There was a storm here, of fear and of faith.
Why were the disciples in the storm? The lake was prone to storms, they were men who were used to storms. The storm was no accident. In Christ all things hold together, the storm was in God’s hands. The disciples were obedient disciples. Jesus made them get in and go ahead of him across the lake, they found themselves in a violent storm. Some troubles come on us because we deserve it – we are disobedient as Jonah was. Some storms come because we are faithful – criticism or persecution. Some come because of illness, we suffer doubts and confusion. In l Peter 4 we know if we are loyal to the Lord Jesus we will suffer tests and trials. The disciples knew they would have to face the storm.
Where was Jesus? What was he doing while they were suffering? He was watching over them. He had gone into the hills to pray. In Mark 6 we see he was watching over them, he could see they were struggling. He was praying for them because he was aware of their needs. We have a great High Priest who is aware of our needs. He knows our every need and he gives us what we need to face the fears of life when we ask of him in faith. He watches over us and prays for us in our ‘little boat.’
Jesus needed to be alone to pay. He needed to talk to his father, to tell him of his concerns and talk of the needs of his people. He waits until he intervenes, he waist until the storm has served his purpose – they would learn he was watching over them, the best time to teach them dependence on him. It came in the 4th watch, from 3 to 6, they were in the dark. There was the night and the storm, they had to come to an end of themselves. Do we lean too much on our own understanding? We need to come to an end of ourselves. Paul knew this and he was delivered by God. He drew near to them – verse 26. He came not as a ghost but as the Lord of power in omnipotence an d compassion. This is how he comes – in omnipotence as a sovereign protector. He is not an equal of Mohammed or Buddha. He is the great God who is over all
Who is Jesus? He is not just a Spirit being. He is all powerful. This is a picture of Jesus who is never far from us. He draws near us. He moves in a mysterious way, he cares for his people.
In the school of faith we graduate when our faith is no longer needed – in Heaven. Faith is not a leap in the dark or a bold action, it is based and rests on what God says in his word. When Jesus says to Peter ‘come’ faith responds in a sensible way. Faith is a sensible response to what Jesus says. If we do not do as he says we are insulting him because we are rejecting God’s word and offending him by what we say and do. Our faith must reach out as Peter’s did.
Jesus says those who do come to me in faith I will save. We must respond to him in faith unquestioningly trusting him, we have faith in him. Peter walked on the water, this shows how it is meant to be for us. We want to be like Jesus as a saved person. Spurgeon said faith likes to deal in great things, great projects, not in what we can do on our own. Faith is for the deep sea and fixes its compass on the stars – on the Lord Jesus where no human hand can help. How is our faith? We can recall those who had a vision for the planting of a church right here. That all the details were firm and put in place for it to grow. These believers acted in faith.
Where there is a collapse in faith we can find comfort here because Peter is like us all. When we look away from Jesus our faith is destroyed. When we look at the author of our faith all is well. When we look around we say ‘how will it all work out?’ we can look to him and will keep us all in the darkest days, he stills the storm within us. There is a 3 fold remedy. A plea for help – Lord save me, a response – the Lord helped him, the pronouncement of his word – oh ye of little faith, not mockery.
We can call out and the Lord meets our need – sometimes a word of rebuke. It calls forth a right response, the worship of the disciples. This is the right way forward for us when we have a crisis of faith. What do we think of Christ? Our culture dishonours Christ – people despise or devalue Christ very often. Jesus is often diminished by being compared to others.
Our confession of Jesus as Lord is the cornerstone of our faith. Do we believe him, honour him and do as he commands? Are we a disciple of him, under his tuition? As a Christian we want his mind to be our mind.
Is our priest who reconciles us to God? We need him to do this for us because he hates our sin and it must be punished in him – he offered an atonement for our sin, his own body offered on the cross. He is our priest between God and man.
Is he our king? Christ had a 3 fold office, prophet, priest and king. Does he rule over our lives in everything – our family, job, everything. Do we say ‘Lord rule over me.’ Our confession should be ‘Lord we know who you are, be our prophet, priest and king’, so walk in him.

A gifted church

2007-11-18T22:26:00.000Z

1 Peter 4

A blessed church has a global vision. We need to look also at ourselves. In verse l0 we are told ‘each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. This verse is packed with challenge and clear instruction. Our church preaches the doctrines of grace, we are a Grace Church. This affects what is preached and what happens between members. The text is clear, ‘faithfully administering God’s grace’ – the grace comes through us to others. Each of us has a gift from God, we must use to see others blessed, see 1
Corinthians 12:4 to 11, there is a diversity of gifting, the gifts are a manifestation of the work of the Spirit, each is as the Spirit determines. Every member has a gift, some have more than one. We need to all use them. The manifold grace of God is revealed by this. Romans 12:6 to 8 refers to a diversity of gifting again. It reveals a spirit filled church when the gifts are being used.
We do not all have the same gifts and all are equally valuable. The manifold gift of God is a manifestation of the Spirit. All gifts are important. We must not down play them. All parts of the body are important – see 1 Corinthians 12:12 – 31. If one suffers, all suffers. If one part of the body is injured it diminishes the whole body. Some are multi-gifted, but we must use ours for the church to be whole. The church is likened to a building or plant. Ephesians 4:6 likens the church to a body and how it is supported by Christ growing in love.
Gifts are for use and not self importance – verse 10. It is not self importance but usefulness. We must steward the gifts God has given us. We are not expected to exercise another person’s gifts, we can’t do what we are not gifted to do. Pastors, elders and deacons have a divine blue print and we can be guilty of putting square pegs in round holes, they fail because they are not suited to the work.
Are our gifts recognised by ourselves and others? What can I do to help build the church? Hospitality can be offered and we can speak when we have the opportunity. It is practical, what CAN I do? And communicating – what can I say? How can I help to build up the church of God? We can talk a lot but not at the deep level that is needed to help others. There is a therapy in this to help others.
Are the gifts recognised by other people? To avoid either square pegs in round holes or people’s gifts not being recognised we can follow the volunteer principle, who will volunteer to help meet need or will we observe the church and ask people to step up and help. Will you think you will help? There are 3 argument for a truly grace church:
a) Motivational – verse 7, the end of all things is near, we live on the edge of eternity, time is short. We won’t have our responsibilities for very long, destruction of Jerusalem or the second coming or a short life span. We have a short time, do we live like that? If we want someone else to do it. We don’t know what tomorrow will bring. The whole of life is lived with this awareness, we have today, tomorrow is unknown, we must use our opportunities. When we stand before God in the last day we may have one regret, we didn’t do all we could.
b) Relational. It is not easy to serve others, however sweet life can be we have the little foxes who can spoil things. Above all, love each other deeply in deed, word and truth. We discover faults in ourselves and others, love covers over a multitude of sins. We must not have an unforgiving spirit or we will do more harm than good. The church is a community of love. We should trust and love each other. Do we do this? By love, people know we are his disciples. 1 Corinthians 13, if we do not have love it is worth nothing.
c) Elevational – see verse 11. Everything is done to the praise and glory of God. We should tell each other the very words of God. It puts duties to the very highest levels. We do things with the strength of God. What we do is not ‘to the best of my ability’ but with God’s strength. We need to make ourselves available to God. We need to seek to do more in the church and seek to see all we can do in the church – in the strength God provides. This cancels all excuses. ‘So that in all things God will be praised.’ Why do we exist, what is our primary duty? So that God’s name can be glorified. It is not duty but privilege. God is not praised through neglect or laziness. Why are we Christians? Because Christ died for us. Everything should focus on him. We act in His strength, His gifting, His love. So he gets the glory. We must find our gift and act in his strength and God will bless.

Being good servants and citizens

2007-11-18T21:13:00.000Z

Genesis 18:9-15, 21:1-7, 1 Peter 3:1-6

Christians should be good, obedient citizens and good workers. Wives should be compliant and submissive. It is hard to be a Christian when the government target you or a wife when you have an unbelieving husband. In the 1st century you were not following a husband’s spiritual lead. Peter is instructing them to live in a way so as to not compromise their faith or unnecessarily antagonise unbelieving husbands. He talks to those who were converted after marriage.
1. WHO ARE THE WIVES PETER IS WRITING TO?
a) These were women who lived hoping in God – Hebrews 11:11. Sarah received power to conceive because she hoped in God. She laughed at God because she was incredulous. God’s rebuke reminded Sarah that nothing was too hard for the Lord and caused her to trust and hope in God. She had no record of anyone else experiencing this. She realised God had blessed her. She said God had brought her laughter. A Christian puts their hope in God and looks away from this world. They have a living hope – Psalm 42:5, the psalmist rebukes his soul and says ‘hope in God’. Sarah did this. The hope drove out fear and we aim to please the Lord. If their husband’s spiritual leadership fails they get strength from the Lord. Have you put your hope in God for the future?
b) These were women whose hope drove out fear. People like Sarah fight anxiety in their hearts by holding the promises of God.
2. WHAT ARE THESE WIVES TO DO?
Peter assumed they would be faithful to their vows. Peter holds up Sarah’s obedience as an example of Biblical submission. Christians are called to live with an unbeliever regardless of whether they were easy or difficult. Sarah viewed Abraham as her master, she respected Abraham as the head of the home. This couple are a good example for Peter to use. Both made mistakes and Sarah was a very beautiful woman.
a) Both made mistakes – Sarah put Abraham up to having a child by Hagar.
b) She had inner and outer beauty.
c) She is not recorded as calling Abraham Lord, but she was respectful in the way she spoke, the respect should be inner and outer. It does not mean she has to agree or believe all he says. She can have her own mind.
3. WHAT DO WIVES DO IN DIFFICULT SITUATIONS?
He speaks in particular about disbelieving husbands. What about alcoholics etc?
a) What about submission to an abusive husband? You can call in the law or the elders to protect her life. She should not fear her husband more than she fears God.
b) What about submission when he asks her to do wrong? Abraham tried to pass Sarah off as his sister, he was lying. A wife has to do what is right, obey God. If she has to disobey her husband she should tell him that the love of God is more important.
c) What about being submissive and a husband’s persistent sin? She should confront persistent sin but with discretion so he knows she really cares. Persistent sin is not usually an excuse to leave a spouse. We should pray and stay faithful to our marriage vows.
4. WHAT IS THE ATTRACTIVENESS WIVES ARE TO SHOW SO AS TO WIN OVER THEIR HUSBANDS?
Our conduct is often more powerful a message than our words. The power of a Christ like life is better than pressure tactics, this is a principle rather than a promise. Peter’s hope is that husbands will notice attractive behaviour and through it see the source of it – a relationship with Christ.
a) Attractiveness involves purity – 1 Timothy 5:22, that is moral goodness.
b) Attractiveness involves reverence. That is, the fear of God.
c) Attractiveness involves not nagging – Proverbs 21:9. Solomon said a quarrelsome wife is awful. If he is not won by ‘words of truth’ he may be won by a ‘life of truth’. A husband once nicknamed his wife Peg after Pegasus who was an everlasting nag. He may become resistant to the truth or sullen and withdrawn to prevent nagging. He may be amazed at the change in his wife’s life and what has happened to her after conversion. Wives should pray for their husbands and look for opportunities to witness, but God will convert him. Augustine wrote of his mother Monica and how she witnessed to her husband by her behaviour. At the end of his life he was converted and they walked together in the Lord.
d) Attractiveness involves a gentle and quiet spirit. Gentleness is meekness, quiet means calm, not combative – see Proverbs 15:1. It is a heart that is not easily ruffled. She doesn’t yell back at her husband and keeps calm.
e) Attractiveness is the inner person over outward appearance – verses 3 to 5. Women should not neglect their outward appearance but should aim to win her husband over by the new person within. Peter emphasises inner beauty is attractive to everyone even with the wrinkles of old age. Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me, All his wonderful passion and purity; O Thou Spirit divine, all my nature refine. Till the beauty of Jesus be seen in me. Beauty is meaningless unless it is inner beauty it is transitory unless it comes from God. Jesus was never more beautiful than when he suffered.

The family that survived

2007-11-18T21:11:00.002Z

Genesis 6

This is the story of a family that survived. Why did Noah and his family not perish? We can experience the same blessing as Noah and be like him. Verse 8 tells us Noah found grace or favour with God. Grace is a very significant word – UNDESERVED kindness. Noah was born like everyone else, but he found grace.
NOAH FOUND GRACE FROM GOD.
Noah was willing to accept God’s view of his own sin and he turned from that sin to God, seeking His grace. Grace is God’s doing for us what we could never do for ourselves. It is God coming to our rescue. Grace found Noah and saved him and his family. All like him were saved by grace. He was aware of God’s grace in the darkest hour, there was life and hope when we fear for things. We can look to the Lord for forgiveness. It is like being in an impossibly dangerous situation like in a cave that is sealed and we are rescued by others. We chose to sin, God rescued us by his grace. We need to pray ‘God be merciful to me a sinner.’
NOAH WAS RIGHT WITH GOD.
Noah believed God and his faith was counted as righteousness. The grace given to him made him live a life that pleased God – Ezekiel l4:l4. Noah was not perfect but was free from obvious faults.
NOAH WALKED WITH GOD.
Only Noah and Enoch are described here as walking with God. He knew God personally and communicated with Him daily. He went in the same direction God went. He was in step with God. He went the same way as God and took his hand like a little child, you go at the same pace. It is a picture of intimacy and friendship. The Christian life is a growing intimacy with God. Amos 3:3 Ezekiel 5:8. Psalm l:l describes Noah. If you walk with God you will be blessed. If you don’t walk with God you will not stand as Noah did. You will lose everything.
NOAH LED HIS FAMILY GOD’S WAY.
He was the spiritual leader of his wife, sons and daughters-in-laws. It was a negative environment and Noah led them and this led to their salvation. The family had enough faith to follow the head. Noah had enough faith to inspire them to follow his example. It should encourage us to believe so deeply that others believe in God. We may save our families and others besides. The Taylor family – including Hudson Taylor of the China Inland Mission – show millions can be saved through the Christian witness of parents. It can be destroyed in one generation as happened to Earnest Hemingway, the novelist. He had an evangelical Christian upbringing but rebelled against and ended up killing himself when he was 6l.
NOAH WAS DIFFERENT FROM HIS CONTEMPORARIES
a) The state of things. God saw the world was corrupt.
Single acts can have unforeseen consequences.
(i) Adam and Eve fell from innocence into sin, slavery and death. The children shared this genetic-spiritual union in the fall with their parents. We call this sin of nature original, because everyone is born with this bias, and it is the actual source of sins – Romans 5:l8. The globalisation of sin is a consequence of Adam. Paul describes two men – Adam who brought sin by one act, Christ, the second Adam, brought righteousness.
(ii) Nobody has a perfectly good heart – Psalm 5l:5. No one is born righteous, we do not naturally want to love God.
(iii) What does the world say we can do? – educate, counsel, prozac. We try to set up a nanny state to cure sin. We also try to redefine sin to get rid of guilt. Everything is a lifestyle choice. We see the idea of sin a medieval. We can try to keep sinning so we don’t feel guilty any more, but people are guilty of sin. Everything is seen as an illness and not really sin at all. This thinking cuts off people from redemption.
(iv) What happens when a society thinks like this? The unthinkable became thinkable, then speak-able, then do-able, then praised. In a civilized society evil thoughts stay thoughts. In the days of the flood thoughts became words then deeds. Leading entertainers lives are often utterly immoral.
b) The state of Noah. Noah was a bright shining light in the prevailing moral darkness, distinguished from the world. Noah stood his ground. He was counter-cultural, as the lives of Christians should be in this age. Noah lived when the World was unprepared for judgement, as people are today.
NOAH WAS AN OBEDIENT MAN – Hebrews ll:7
God said it and that settled it for Noah. He did it simply because God said so. It was a remarkable faith. It had never even rained. All he had was God’s word, and he believed. He could not explain where the water would come from but he had the faith to answer people. Christians have reality present, but the future unseen. We know Heaven and Hell are going to be realities in the future.
NOAH WAS A COURAGEOUS MAN. 2 Peter 2:5
Noah preached righteousness, he warned, he invited them into the Ark. Hoah had places in the ark for people who were willing to repent. Jesus is like an ark. There is willingness to receive people so we can have a better life and hope. How do we react to this?

Why Christ suffered.

2007-11-18T21:11:00.001Z

John 10:11 – 30, 1 Peter 2: 24 to 25
Peter was writing to people in this section who were slaves. He told them to submit to the established order. For some with oppressive masters this was very hard. To not retaliate but to bear suffering graciously would bring glory to the Lord Jesus who died for them. We want to avoid suffering. Peter reminded them of why Christ suffered. Things are not fair. Sometimes we make bad decisions. Sometimes people are unfair, life is like that. Jesus suffered unfairly, he did no wrong or ever sinned yet he suffered. We should follow his example. What would Jesus do in our place. We should want to be like Christ especially when we suffer for righteousness sake. We suffer only a tiny fraction of what he suffered, he could have escaped his suffering but he silently endured so we could have our sins forgiven. He suffered out of choice – see John 10:11 – 30. To suffer is often the only right choice we can make. We learn the best lessons when we suffer with tears in our eyes. Jesus left judgement to God and did not retaliate. In China Christians suffer much
IN CHRIST’S SUFFERING WAS A PATTERN FOR US – verse 21
It was innocent, silent, a choice and in faith
HIS SUFFERING WAS PERSONAL
He did not make recompense by offering a victim, but was himself the sacrifice. He was the victim of sin, a sinless one who paid the penalty for the sin of his people. Only he could do it.
HIS SUFFERING WAS SUBSTITUTIONARY – Isaiah 53:4
This chapter is full of this sort of language. The Lord laid on him the iniquity of us all etc. In the Old Testament people’s sin were symbolically laid on the animal and it was killed. He was treated as if he had been a sinner, in order that we might be treated as if we had not sinned; as if we were righteous – 1 Corinthians 15:1. It was a legal transaction. God the father transferred to God the son the penalty due to our sin. We do not punish according to what people deserve today. Many think God will overlook their sin when they are compared to others. We are free of sin’s consequences if Christ took our place.
HIS SUFFERING WAS SEVERE – Deuteronomy 21:22, Galatians 3:13
He died on the tree, this term is deliberately chosen by Peter and not the cross. Deuteronomy 21:22 – the dead body on the tree meant he was under a curse. It was a symbol of shame. It was a warning to everyone. Jesus took God’s curse – see Galatians 3:13. Crucifixion was a Roman practice, not Jewish, to be hung on a tree was the maximum curse. Can we ever understand how the holy, harmless and undefiled Son of God felt as he was treated as if he were a vile criminal? He knew and did nothing but good in the world. He was naked and reviled for sins he had not committed.
HIS SUFFERING WAS REDEMPTIVE
The power of sin is so great that we can’t be delivered from it by promising to turn over a new leaf or by sheer will power. Sin has separated us from God. There had to be death of our old attitude to sin and a resurrection to new life in Jesus Christ. Romans 6 to 8. Your old self dies and we have a new life in Christ. The person who is now living is the new you. Colossians 3:l – 4, we have been changed, live like you have been saved.
HIS SUFFERING WAS CURATIVE.
Isaiah 53:5 – his wounds are a synonym for his death. The cross is the place where all the wounds of sin are healed. Sin has brought emotional problems, guilt and depression. If you suffer from emotional problems – guilt, anxiety, depression, anger or whatever – there is healing in the cross of Christ. There is the answer to answer for guilt, hopelessness and depression. Matthew 8:l6. Does it give us the right to expect physical healing because of the atonement? It is a wrong understanding. Jesus healed physically to demonstrate heavenly truths. Jesus healed people to illustrate the physical healing all believers will experience in the glory yet to come. Disease and death cannot be permanently removed until sin is permanently removed. We still see death and sin. We will only be delivered from it at the resurrection. Jesus conquered sin but his people sinned, Jesus conquered sickness but we still get ill. We can only be healed and delivered from death in the new world.
HIS SUFFERING WAS RECONCILING
a) It speaks of our past – you were. We were like sheep going astray. Sheep are silly, gullible, often dirty and defenceless. Domestic sheep need care of a shepherd. If they are not prevented they will constantly wander. Peter sees in these slaves who had been wandering but were now part of a flock. Why do they wander? They need a shepherd to guide them. The lost do not come back when it is lost. We are self willed like a silly lost sheep. Jesus seeks us today.
b) It speaks of our present and future – but now. We can know a bright future if we have his influence. There has been a turning around, a conversion. Luke 22:32.
(i) A coming to Christ the shepherd – Isaiah 40 and John l0. The Christians clung to this image of the Christ the good shepherd, he will never let us down.
(ii) A coming to Christ the overseer. We are under the care of the Good Shepherd. He uses a rod and staff when he must. If you’re seeking to follow Him, then it ought to be a comforting thought. Jesus oversees his sheep and makes sure they are all there and cares for them. Believers have returned to the overseer and shepherd of their souls. Christ is our overseer, it comforts us if we know this. If he is not our shepherd we will not go to Heaven, we will wander and be lost.

The End of an Era

2007-11-18T17:07:00.000Z

Matthew 24:32 – 44, Genesis 6:1 – 8
We go back to the early world. We now come to the end of this era. 3 men marked the genealogy, Adam – who was the first sinner; Enoch who shows that if we walk with God we will conquer death and Noah who tells us there will be a judgement. This chapter is intriguing – men had lost part of the likeness to God. This chapter builds up to the Flood.
1. THIS PERIOD IN HISTORY HAD DISTINCT FEATURES – Matthew 24:37.
This speaks of the days before the flood – what men did before the flood. The Bible speaks of ages and how they ended. A time of ignorance before Christ returns. The Dark ages were times of ignorance and moral uncertainty. In His Olivet discourse He speaks of how things will be immediately before he comes for a second time. He compares it to the time of Noah. These are Epochs in history with similar characteristics. The spiritual condition before the flood are the same as they will be before Christ’s return. The record of history has been the collapse of one civilization after another. The Bible speaks of times and seasons. If we are living in the days immediately preceding the return of Jesus Christ we shall find similar conditions to the days of Noah. It was business as usual – marriage, work and supporting family. It was a time of technological advancement. They knew so much but understood very little. Romans l – they professed to be wise but were fools. Today we have achieved so much but it is accompanied by much moral darkness and ignorance. Jesus said people in Noah’s time went about their business oblivious to what Noah was saying – of ‘crazy Noah’ who was building a boat when none was needed, apparently. He warned them of impending judgement but they went their own way. Perhaps they laughed at him, perhaps they got annoyed at him for making a ‘special claim’. None of them took any notice of what he said.
2. THIS PERIOD IN HISTORY SAW COMPROMISE – verse l
Who were the sons of God? There are several views, but the application os the same – men compromised.
a) Human rulers who were despots, striving for fame and fertility? The daughters of men were beautiful, but they were fallen women.
b) They were fallen angels in human bodies who married human women. There a lot of problems here – angels having sex with people, it sounds like Greek mythology – its not really tenable.
c) The best view is that they were the believing descendants if Seth who married the line of Cain. People who compromised. It was the intermarriage of believing men and unbelieving women. It was Satan seeking to turn a generation away from God. It was a sexually promiscuous age where men took the women they wanted. They ignored any character or spiritual traits. The rule is ‘think first and feel later’. The sexual drive is very strong and can neutralise or weaken faith. We can choose what is wrong. The Sethites compromised and chose a faith that led to sin. It contaminated a whole society. In Romans l Paul describes a fallen society, it began in Genesis 6.
3. THIS PERIOD WAS NOTED FOR CORRUPT MEN – verse 4
Who were the Nephalim? There is only one other mention in the Bible – Numbers l3 when the spies went into the land and saw these giant men, they called them Nephalim, they felt dispirited and alarmed by what they saw. The word Nephalim means ‘to fall upon’ and thus points to men of violence who had a reputation of falling upon their enemies. They were malicious and became notorious around the world. They were men who could sway multitudes to do what they wanted - see Genghis Khan, Hitler and Stalin etc, they led their people to kill millions. Al Qaeda will get their people to use dirty bombs. These people were notorious for their violence, they embodied the worst traits in men. They lived a long time – everyone did. They became very skilled in what they did. When good men live a long time it can be good, what if evil men live a long time and become skilled in evil and torture. Unchecked evil is an unimaginable horror. People lived like that in the old world. The Nephalim refined their violence over a long time. For the good of humanity such cancer needs cutting out, so God acts, he uncreates the world and washes away all vestiges of human wickedness that made life so miserable. He brings the Hitlers and Stalins of this world to a short end.
4. THIS PERIOD SAW GOD’S PATIENCE RUN OUT – verse 3.
God only permits wickedness a short reign. God will judge wickedness, he gives them a count down – one hundred and twenty years, then people face judgement. Noah was boat building for all that time. It was a warning. Noah was famous world wide and he was preaching a warning, why did they not listen? Romans l describes the breakdown of society, there have been occurrences of this before, but here it was everywhere. 2 Peter 2:5. Churchill warned politicians and society about the rise of Hitler, that he would be a danger to the world. People ignored him and did not want to listen or contemplate what he was saying. It was too late and Hitler did attack the world and cause harm. God warns us today, we are all accountable to God for what we do. We don’t like to think about this. We don’t like to listen to bad news. God is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. He postpones judgement to give us time to repent. God is calling us and is calling you, he wants you to hear good news, his son has been sent to die on the cross and to rise again so we have the hope of a better world. God’s patience will not last forever. Here a l20 years, is the time limit.
5. THIS PERIOD SAW GOD ANNOUNCE JUDGEMENT – verse 5
Grief is a mixture of love and anger at what causes pain. God’s grief is a sign of his great love. The Lord is not some unfeeling God who watches in benign disinterest while men and women destroy themselves. It grieves Him to see our rebellion and sin, and He only brings judgement after he has warned and appealed to us to turn from our sin. When He does judge, his judgement are always just. He has a right to judge man. Ezekiel 33:ll. He appeals to take account of unpalatable facts, we are accountable to Him. ‘I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn back, turn back from your evil ways. Why then will you die? We must put our trust in the Son of the Living God so we can live in Heaven with God. May God help us to do this.

What to do when life isn’t fair

2007-11-18T17:05:00.000Z

Reading - 1 Timothy 6:1-5; Colossians 3:22-4:1; Isaiah 50:4-9;
Peter’s theme in this portion is submission. Turning from submission to civil authorities, he now focuses on the submission of slaves to their earthly masters.
If you are a parent of children old enough to talk, you have heard them complain, “But that isn’t fair!” And you respond, “Life isn’t fair!”
We are born with a strong inner sense of fairness and a strong desire to fight for our rights when we have been treated unfairly.
Although we know that life isn’t fair, we don’t like being victims of unfairness.
The important question is, “How do you respond when you’re treated unfairly?” Is it wrong to defend yourself or to stand up for your rights? That is the question.
[1] WHAT IS THE CONTEXT OF THIS TEACHING– 1 Peter 2:18 Servants,
There is more written in the N T to slaves than to any other class. The reason there were so many slaves in the early church, is that there were some sixty million, in the Roman Empire at the time Peter wrote this.
They had come from all parts of the world as a result of Rome's conquests. They came from all classes, many had been governmental figures, doctors, lawyers, and teachers and they were pressed into service for Roman citizens. In fact, all the work of Rome was done by slaves.
The Romans were masters of the world. Why should they work when they had this labour force at their command, and at such little cost?
In the early days of the Empire, slaves had no rights at all. Aristotle said, “ a slave is simply a living tool.” They were treated like animals, even branded. They had no legal rights. They could only cohabit. Their children belonged to their master. Their masters had the right of life and death over them.
However by 1A.D. the slave had most of the legal rights which were granted to the free man. Many had money at their disposal and had rights to wife and family.
Many slaves were loved and trusted members of the family. There is evidence to suggest that the slaves usually lived on the top floor of their owner’s house. The slave was not inferior to the free man of similar skills in regard to food and clothing. Statistics show that the average free man lived no better than the slave. In fact, in time of economic hardship it was the slave and not the free man who was guaranteed the necessities of life for himself and his family."
Into this stratum of society the gospel came, and the question was raised at the very outset, "How should we, as slaves, now respond to our masters? Should we throw off the yoke of slavery? This was especially poignant in the case of a slave whose master was harsh and unreasonable. In most cases, freedom was not an option and escape was difficult. Peter, Paul, and others wrote to answer this question.
[2] WHO DOES THIS MESSAGE APPLY TO 1 Peter 2:18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, At first glance Peter’s words, addressed to slaves may make us feel these words no longer apply to us since slaves and masters no longer exist today. The term Peter uses in our text refers to a broader group than just slaves. The word he uses here is a domestic, a house-slave.
However it is applicable to working and other Christians today, for Peter gives a general principle which applies to all believers. Though we may not be slaves, we may be subject to those with authority and thus face a condition similar to that of a slave. For instance, a low ranked soldier in the armed forces.
Also Our Lord and His apostles consistently taught that every Christian is Christ’s slave. Mark 10:44 “And whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all”.
A] In the NT, slavery is not commended, but neither is it condemned as a social evil the Christian master should cease to practice or the Christian slave should seek to overthrow. Christian masters are instructed not to abuse their power over their slaves Col 4:1 Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven. Col 3:22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favour, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord., and they are especially not to abuse their status as Christians in relation to their believing masters 1 Timothy 6: 1 ¶ All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect, so that God’s name and our teaching may not be slandered 2 Those who have believing masters are not to show less respect for them because they are brothers. Instead, they are to serve them even better, because those who benefit from their service are believers, and dear to them.
Human government and slavery may both be viewed as “institutions” within society, but of the two, government alone has been divinely instituted for the purpose of executing God’s rule over men. Slavery is not given such a status. Societies function very well without slaves; but they collapse without established governing authority.
B] Christian slaves would especially be targeted for persecution by their unbelieving masters. There are heathen masters like Potiphar, who prospered greatly from the service of Joseph and therefore was delighted to have him as a slave. But it was also Joseph’s righteousness which eventually led to his unjust imprisonment by Potiphar. As Peter says in chap 4, the righteousness of the Christian is threatening to the lifestyle of heathen unbelievers.
The non-Christian master also could very well feel threatened, by the conversion of one of his slaves to faith in Christ, because the church where the slave attended would make the slave an equal with his master. The result was that within the Church the social barriers were broken down. It was quite possible that the slave should be a leader of the congregation and the master a member of it.
Callistus, one of the earliest bishops of Rome, was a slave; and Perpetua, the aristocrat, and Felicitas, the slave-girl, met martyrdom hand in hand.
As a result of his new identity in Christ, the Christian slave would now have moral scruples, and his obedience to his earthly master would always be subordinate to his obedience to Christ. The master no longer had first loyalty. He no longer had the same power to intimidate, because the believing slave’s hope was on heaven.
Slavery indeed provided the opportunity for abuse, but in the sovereign plan and purpose of God that abuse gave the opportunity to shine. If Christian slaves were defiant, critics could have accused Christianity of stirring up rebellion and undermining the whole fabric of the society.
In a similar way, our unjust suffering can reveal the character of Christ in us as we suffer. The attitude of fighting for our rights communicates to the world that we’re living for the things of this world. Submitting to unfair treatment and giving up our rights communicates the truth that we’re on our way to heaven.
Our society is preoccupied with demanding its rights. It campaigns for the rights of students, women, children, homosexuals, illegal immigrants, criminals, employees, and the homeless. When people believe their rights have been denied, they often react with strikes, protests and walk outs.
If believers yield rights in a Christian manner, people will notice and maybe get an opportunity to explain what it means to live under God’s authority, with a view to pleasing Him. Whether in the light of this Christians can belong to trade unions, is a matter of conscience.
[3] WHAT IS THE EXPERIENCE OF CHRISTIANS –1 Peter 2: 19 For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God.
The fact of the matter is that all humanity suffers at some time and Christians have special sufferings at times.
A] Sometimes we suffer for no apparent reason.
By that I mean that sometimes things happen to us that aren’t connected to anything we do or don’t do. Because we live in a fallen world, bad things sometimes happen to people who don’t seem to deserve it. We don’t understand and we can’t explain why things work out the way they do. One of my sisters has never had good health the other four of us have.
B] Sometimes we suffer because of mistakes we have made. Peter would say it this way: If you break the law and find yourself in jail, don’t complain. You did the crime; now do the time. Bad decisions can be very costly and often irreversible. It may have been a relationship, a job or lack of concentration on the road that has left permanent scars.
C] Sometimes we suffer unjustly at the hands of others. That’s what Peter has in mind in here. We may do right and live by the rules but get in trouble anyway. Or we may work hard and be passed over for promotion. Peter knew from experience that sometimes Christians suffer even when they have done nothing wrong. David was an example under Saul of how we are to submit to injustice. As believers we are to follow David's example of respecting those in authority.
[4] THE CHRISTIANS RESPONSE TO UNFAIR TREATMENT – 1 Peter 2: 19 be subject, For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God.
A] Suffer! Be subject not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. God has ordained various spheres of authority. Rulers in government, men in the family, elders in the church, and employers in the work place. Peter says we are to submit to those who are harsh, not just to those who are kind to us. The word harsh translates a Greek word from which we get the English word scoliosis, curvature of the spine. Some people are so morally twisted that they intentionally hurt everyone around them. Even in those cases, we are to submit. That’s not the answer we would want to hear. He makes it clear that submission is not only required under favourable conditions but in painful and unpleasant circumstances as well. Christian servants are not only to submit to “good and gentle” masters but to those who are “unreasonable.” Tit 2:9 Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them.
Unreasonable masters may, like Laban, make promises they do not keep Genesis 31:36-42. They may be unfair in their accusations, punishments, or rewards. They are those against whom we would naturally rebel apart from the enabling power of the Holy Spirit.
B] Suffer graciously! this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows How can anyone submit to unfair treatment graciously?
We endure unjust suffering for one reason only—because we are conscious or mindful of God. I am where I am right now by God’s appointment. When God wants me somewhere else, I’ll be somewhere else.
Because God is good, it must be for my good to be where I am right now. The fact that I can’t see any good in my present situation doesn’t mean it isn’t there. I don’t have to understand the big picture in order to believe there is a big picture. God’s promises cover the details of my life even when the details seem random and out of control. God sometimes allows things to happen to me that seem unfair and I won’t understand those things while I am going through them. I can endure because I believe God is right there with me every moment of every day.
H Hendricks tells the story of being on an airliner that was delayed. Passengers grew increasingly impatient. One obnoxious man kept venting his frustrations on the air hostess. But she responded graciously and courteously in spite of his abuse. After they finally got airborne and Hendricks called the woman over and said, “I want to get your name so that I can write a letter of commendation to your employer.” He was surprised when she responded, “Thank you, sir, but I don’t work for Airlines.” “I work for my Lord Jesus Christ.” She went on to explain that before each flight, she and her husband would pray together that she would be a good witness.
Do you believe God has you where you are for a purpose? If you answer yes, then you will endure suffering even though it is painful. When we forget God: We give in to despair or act hastily or retaliate. Paul remembered - 2Tim.1:12 That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day. His whole interests, his life, body, soul and spirit. He leaves all in God’s hands with perfect confidence.
When we endure patiently We demonstrate the power of Christ and prove our confidence in God’s justice. We are not sullen when we are mistreated, because we are conscious of God.
[5] WHO IS THE MODEL FOR CHRISTIANS IN – 21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.
The second focus’s on the OT prophecy concerning the Lord Jesus as the Suffering Servant provides the motivation and the model for all suffering servants. The Suffering Servant is the example for Suffering Servants.
The word example is a school word, referring to how teachers lightly traced letters for students to copy. Christ is that kind of example for us. If we follow how He lived, we will form our lives correctly. Following “in His steps” means if we suffer as we follow Him and respond as He did, people will see Him in us.
Peter had walked with the Lord for three and a half years. He had seen him in every conceivable circumstance -- in the morning when he was tired from inadequate sleep, in the evening when he was weary from a hard day. He had seen him under pressure, under attack, and when people were indifferent to him. Yet he never heard from the Lord one word of complaint. He never did any of the things we would expect from a person who was unjustly treated.
A] Christ’s suffering was a pattern for us. We must suffer because we are called to suffer. This should come as no surprise to anyone familiar with the Scriptures, especially the teaching of our Lord and of the apostles: Acts 14:21-22 “Through many troubles we must enter the kingdom of God”. Philippians 1:29 For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake. How should we suffer?
B] Christ’s suffering was innocent, due to His righteousness. Peter uses the words of Isaiah 53:9 to express the fact that He “committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth”. Jesus did not sin in deed or in word, either before His crucifixion or during His suffering. What wrongs would be especially tempting for a servant? The first would be disobedience; another would be disrespect, and yet another laziness. How many people justify taking things because they believe they are not being paid well enough? Christian workers should not suffer because they are late or don’t pull their weight.
C] Christ’s suffering was silent, uncomplaining. When we can do nothing else, we can shout, threaten, and even curse. Jesus remained silent. He made no effort to resist or to retaliate. The silence of our Lord is evident in the words Peter used, and the Isaiah text has even more to say on that silence: Isaiah 53:7 He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He did not open His mouth; Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, So He did not open His mouth. He didn’t bend the facts. He was always truthful. He didn’t trade insults. He uttered no threats.
D] Christ’s suffering was a choice and not a tragic fate. Jesus frequently spoke of His suffering and death in advance of the events of Calvary. He chose to take up His cross, and so must we. A Christian boy who had an unbelieving father, asked if he could attend the mid week meeting one evening and the father reluctantly gave permission. As the boy walked home afterwards, a friend saw him and offered him a lift in his car. The father saw his son get out of the friend’s car and accused him of lying and beat him in spite of the boy’s protests of innocence. The boy quietly endured the beating and didn’t grow bitter. A few days later the father was shopping and met the pastor who knowing nothing said, “You sure have a fine son. Last week in prayer meeting, he gave a good word of testimony.” The father said, I thought he went out with his friends, his sons submission shamed him and he soon came to repentance.
E] Christ’s suffering was in faith He “kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously”. Our Lord therefore left judgment to God. He did not need to retaliate against His enemies. Jesus knew that He would be vindicated by being raised from the dead and enthroned at the right hand of the Majesty on high. He knew that His persecutors would be judged and dealt with according to their sins. God is the righteous Judge who will someday right every wrong and bring vengeance on those who resist His authority.
There is a proper place for respectful communication questioning those who mistreated us, through proper channels. Christians don’t always have to endure mistreatment in silence. Jesus in John 8 defended Himself as being sent from the Father. Paul defended his character and ministry. There is a time for moving from a bad employer. But if you move too quickly, you may miss what God is seeking to do in the difficult situation. He may want to teach you some hard lessons of being like Christ. He may want to bear witness

What do Genealogies tells Us.

2007-11-18T17:02:00.000Z

Reading - Genesis 5
Augustine, in The City of God, says the history of the human race is the history of two groups of people, each having a distinct origin, development, characteristic, and destiny. He wrote that these are “two societies … formed by two loves: the earthly by the love of self, or the heavenly by the love of God. The earthly society has as its highest expression the city cultures. The other is the church, composed of God’s elect. The former is destined to pass away. The latter is blessed by God and is to endure forever.
Cain’s line is credited with what might be called ‘secular progress’ and achievements. The faithless line is traceable in the world’s cities and cultures.
Seth’s line, makes no mention of any great contributions or achievements. All we learn is that at least two of them were men of faith. These men grasped the fact that sin was the root of their troubles and looked forward to redemption that God was to provide through their offspring.
The line of Seth reminds man of his mortality. Through Enoch, it also shows the hope of eternal life for those who walk with God.
Moses wrote these words to the Israelites who were poised to enter Canaan. This chapter reminded them that they needed to follow the line of Seth, not the line of Cain. Moses is saying to the people, “As you go into a culture that will have many temptations, be careful! Remember that you will die, and that you need to live in this fallen world by calling upon the name of the Lord, by walking with God.” We, too, live in a world that tempts us to forget the shortness of life and join its progress without God.
This is the story of man in his development in a very unique era of human history, the pre-flood or "antediluvian society." Very few artefacts of the pre-flood era have been found. Therefore, essentially, this is the only history we have of the earth in these days.
[1] GENEALOGIES DO MATTER 1 ¶ This is the written account of Adam’s line.
The genealogies have never been the best read portions of the Word of God. Ray Stedman tells the story of an old Scots minister who was reading from the first chapter of Matthew’s gospel. He started reading, ‘Abraham begat Isaac, and Isaac beget Jacob, and Jacob begat Judah,’ and he looked on ahead and saw the list to follow and said, ‘and they kept on begetting one another all the way down this page and halfway into the next.’
If we are honest, that is what most of us do with the genealogies of the Bible—we skip them. Leupold, in his commentary on Genesis says to preachers: “Not every man would venture to use this chapter as a text.”
To most the genealogies are the most boring part of the Bible. The genealogies have unpronounceable names and we don’t see what they say to us today.
The genealogies of Genesis 5 and 11 are not at all unique in the ancient times. The Egyptians had king lists and so did the Sumerians. These ancient Near Eastern genealogies are very instructive in confirming the biblical records.
A ] They confirm and establish historical facts. This is first of all an accurate historical account of the generations from Adam to Noah. We have a genealogy of ten men starting with Adam and ending with Noah. The ten generations cover a period of 1,656 years. In 1 Chronicles 1, we have a repeat of this genealogy. It opens with these words: "Adam, Seth, Enosh, Kenan, Mahalalel, Jared, Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech, Noah, Shem, Ham and Japheth." There is no variation; Luke 3 likewise. Jude 14 confirms Enoch is the seventh name after Adam.
Now this tells us that Adam overlapped Methuselah for 200 years and Methuselah actually overlapped Noah for 600 years. One man bridges between Adam to Noah. Then Noah overlapped Shem for 400 years and Abraham died before Shem! So Shem could have told Abraham firsthand about the flood. It is very likely that Shem was still alive during the lifetime of Jacob as well. Thus four people span Adam to Abraham - span creation to Abraham. It's really important because God was passing down this divine truth. For Abraham the account of the creation would be like referring to accounts by his great grandfather. Accurate truth was handed down to the world for all time.
God wants us to know that he is in control not just the highlights of biblical history, but also of everything else in between.
B] They confirm and establish identity. Genealogical research is big business today, people spend time and money tracing their family tree back as far as possible. A genealogy at can be all-important. When a will is being read, it matters a great deal whether or not your name is mentioned. A genealogy isn’t boring if you know someone on the list or if your name is on the list.
The primary purpose is to establish one’s family identity, one’s roots. This is what the great scholar, B. B. Warfield, wrote: The point established by the table is that this is the line of descent through which one traces back to or down to the other.
So genealogies shouldn’t be dismissed. It was through the line of Seth that God raised up Noah, and through him came Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and, eventually, Jesus Christ. The believing line runs from here to the us the church.
C] They confirm and establish a persons faith. This chapter is a record of ten men who lived by faith in a time of increasing unbelief and widespread secularism. When we read these names we are reading more than a dusty list of ancient names. These ten men stand before us as giants of the faith, men who refused to follow the prevailing cultural trends of their day. In a world rushing headlong toward judgment, they followed the way of the Lord.
When the writer of Hebrews 11 wanted to list the heroes of faith, he took two names from this list—Enoch and Noah.
There is also room for much encouragement from this list. In contrast to Cain these men were faithful to God. God was faithful to remember them and to record their names in his book. There are always some who serve God. No matter how many bow the knee to Baal, God never leaves himself without a witness. Even though believers may be in a minority at a given time and place, the Lord is still there watching over his people and protecting them in times of crisis. God remembers the faithful and he rewards them in his own time and in his own way.
I also find great encouragement in this list regarding the possibility of building believing families. From these men come tribes that filled the ancient Middle East, establishing towns and cities of their own, taking their faith in God with them. Though we may sometimes despair because of the sin we see around us, Genesis 5 is proof positive that with God’s help it can be done.
[2] GENEALOGIES REMIND US THAT WE ARE ALL MORTAL
A] This chapter reminds us about the long lives, most around 900 years. Incredible. Is this true? The answer is yes. There is nothing to suggest that these numbers are not literal. Josephus says 12 ancient historians say people lived a 1,000 years once. If you take this genealogy with the one in Genesis 11, you can see that before the flood, the life spans were much longer. It does seem that conditions on the earth were radically different before the flood. A cloud canopy could have protected the early human race from the aging process known to be accelerated by the ultraviolet rays of the sun.
Animals don’t keep genealogies but we do have many of their fossils. Many of these are Giant Fossils suggesting that not only did men live longer but animals also lived longer and grew bigger because of the climate. Remains of mammoths, dinosaurs, reptiles, amphibians, insects, trees were all much bigger than those existing today.
So God determined that the early human race lived to be 900 to populate the earth rapidly and to advance civilization.
Perhaps also the decaying effects of sin took a few generations to produce negative results in the human body.
B] This chapter reminds us about Adam and his descendants. 3 When Adam had lived 130 years, he had a son in his own likeness, in his own image; and he named him Seth.
The list begins with Adam since he is the father of the human race. Adam had a son in his own likeness and in his own image. We would expect that.
We learned a few weeks back that death entered the human race through Adam’s disobedience. “Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned” Rom. 5:12. “For the wages of sin is death ...” Rom. 6:23. When he fell, we fell because he was the federal head of the human race. So now he is a sinner by choice and by nature and that nature is now passed along to us his descendants.
Genesis tells us that we are all made in God’s image and we are all born with a nature that leads us to rebel against God.
The entire race is under a death sentence because of sin. When Adam and Eve sinned, instantly they died spiritually--they were separated from God. But also they began to die physically.
With them it was a longer process than it is with us, but it was set in motion the minute they sinned. Seth, born in Adam’s likeness, inherited a sin nature which he passed on to his descendants. Adam’s sin brought death to all.
C] This chapter has the repeated phrase “And he died.” The phrase, “and he died” sounds like a funeral bell, tolling eight times throughout the chapter.. Only Enoch did not die. And we are told about Noah’s death later in Genesis. There is a “drumbeat of death” in this chapter that echoes across the generations. Each man of faith lived and then he died. Death has now become a regular fact of human existence. Even though they lived long lives, they died.
We don’t like to think about death, especially our own! It used to be more common. In the Middle Ages it was common for scholars and other men of prominence to keep a skull on their desk to remind them that they, like the victim, must die. The Latin name for such a skull was a memento mori, “a reminder of death”. Jerome - It sounds gruesome to us. But Genesis 5 is God’s memento mori, His reminder to us that all must die however long we live.
Death reigned in the earliest generations of world history. And death still reigns today. Just open any newspaper and look at the obituary section. Every day a brand-new list, names never repeated.
If there is one thing about which we may be perfectly certain it is this: Unless the Lord returns in your lifetime, you are going to die someday.
We say nothing is as certain as death and taxes, but death is far more certain. Death is so certain that there is an entire business built about the expectation of death called the life insurance industry. Life insurance is based on one great theological truth—Death reigns.
When you die, the coroner will fill out a death certificate for you. There’s a space on that certificate that says “Cause of Death.” It may say sickness, cancer, an accident, or old age. Those are just symptoms of the great cause of death: Sin.
A popular idea promoted in our day is that death is a natural part of life. We are born, go through life, and then die. People are just like animals and plants, going through the life cycle. But death is not natural, it is more normal to fear that to try and pretend it holds no fears. Death is a horrible reminder that we have wronged the holy God and that someday we all must stand before Him. We can try to block it out of our minds, we can joke about it, but it’s still going to come.
The only way to live wisely is to keep in constant focus that whether I have a few hours, or a few years, it is certain that I am going to die and stand before a holy God. I’d better be ready to meet Him!
Cain isn’t mentioned at all because Genesis 5 traces the line of faith, which is what matters to the Lord. All that secular wealth and achievement is valueless as far as eternity is concerned.
Years ago a London business named Henry Goodear, went to church one Sunday, just to please his niece. The pastor’s read Genesis 5, she wondered why the pastor had to base his message on that passage on the day her uncle with her. The next day, Goodear could not concentrate on his work. That night he searched for a family Bible and read over those words, “and he died, ... and he died.” He thought, “Now I’m living, but someday I too must die, and then where will I spend eternity?” That very night he asked the Lord Jesus to forgive him and adopt him…….and you?
[3] GENEALOGIES RECORD THE LIVES OF THOSE WHO ARE WORTH REMEMBERING V24: “Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.”
For Enoch to walk with God, it meant that every day He set his heart to live remembering the unseen God, was at his side. And so he did, day after day, week after week, year after year. Because his heart was set to follow the Lord, he walked with him as a habit of life.
A] Enoch’s walk with God Enoch stood out in his day. He lived at the same time as the boastful sensual Lamech. Jude 14-15 records what Enoch prophesied: v 14 Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men: "See, the Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of his holy ones 15 ¶ to judge everyone, and to convict all the ungodly of all the ungodly acts they have done in the ungodly way, and of all the harsh words ungodly sinners have spoken against him."
He was the first preacher who ever confronted liars and deceivers and false teachers. He warned the people of God’s coming judgment. That probably didn’t make him the most popular man of his day! People like to hear upbeat messages on how they can be happy. They don’t like to be faced with the consequences of their sinful ways. But the closer a man walks with God, the more he realizes how bad his own heart is, and how evil his own generation is. As he grows in holiness, he stands out as distinct from the crowd.
If he walked with God in such moral darkness, we can too.
B] Enoch’s walk with God had a starting point. "Enoch walked with God after the birth of Methuselah three hundred years." The starting place of a walk with God is to come to Him in faith. It means that a relationship with God is established. It means a coming together, it means to be reconciled to God through faith. Enoch did not always walk with God. Apparently the first 65 years of his life was like all those around him. What started him walking with God then? Apparently it coincided with the birth of a son, a boy whom he named Methuselah. Perhaps he was like many men who don’t get serious until they become parents. The responsibility makes them more thoughtful, more serious, more sober in the outlook on life. Perhaps that’s what happened to Enoch. He became serious and sought God.
C] Enoch’s walk with God ended triumphantly The phrase “God took him away” means that instead of dying, he was lifted off the earth while he was alive and was taken directly into God’s presence. He did not die, no one killed him, and he did not waste away from some dread disease. He took a walk with God one day and never came back. He just walked right into heaven. Why does God do this? Because the Lord is showing us that there is victory over death. He is an illustration that if you walk with God, if you please God, you'll escape death. You'll conquer death.
He simply walked with God so long that he walked all the way from earth to heaven. Consider the testimony given about him in Hebrews 11:5, “By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God.” One day God said, “Come home with me?”
The world takes note of those who achieve in science or business or entertainment. It makes celebrities of dubious characters. But God takes note of the person who walks with Him by faith. Enoch believed God; God rewarded him accordingly.
Enoch walked beyond space and time into eternity. God took him off the earth and allowed him to enter heaven without experiencing death. It is the picture of the second coming and a reminder that death will not have the last word. B. We gain the hope of eternal life.
It’s interesting that the best man in this genealogy has by far the shortest life--365 years. Walking with God is not a guarantee of a long life on earth; it is a guarantee of eternal life with God.
Enoch is also a type of those who will be alive at the Lord’s coming and who will be taken directly to heaven without dying. This is the blessed hope of every believer, to be caught up “in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and thus we shall always be with the Lord” 1 Thess. 4:13-17.
Those who do not walk with God do not have the hope of eternal life, but only the fear of judgment. Enoch prophesied of God’s coming judgment, and he did it through more than just his preaching: He named his son Methuselah. It means, "His death shall bring it," or "When he dies, it will come." What will come? The Flood! Sure enough Methuselah died the same year that God sent the flood.
Enoch, looked beyond the culture, the comforts, and the technical marvels of his own day, to the fact there must come an inevitable judgment on human life. He saw the certainty of destruction to a world living only to please itself.
If you will walk with God, you can come to the end of life with full assurance that the best is yet to come. Is your name is in the book of life. Death did come to the godly seed of Seth. But Enoch is a type of all those who truly walk with God. After death they will be ushered into the eternal presence of God, in whose fellowship they will dwell forever.

Submission to Civil Authority

2007-11-18T16:59:00.000Z

Reading – Romans 13:1-10; 1 Tim.2:1-8
This text is God’s answer to the anti-authority spirit of this age. These verses give us a framework for understanding how Christians should relate to the various authority structures. Wherever you find a human institution, there you will find people in authority and people under authority.
Those to whom Peter wrote lived with a government and society that was not favourable toward the Christian faith. It was not until the fourth century, under Constantine, that Christianity was afforded official legitimacy.
Peter has just stated the general principle that Christians are not permanent residents here, but are pilgrims journeying toward heaven. It would have been easy for his readers to conclude that we therefore have no civic responsibility here on earth. Perhaps they would have concluded that they could disobey human government, since they were citizens of heaven, not of this earth.
So Peter anticipates this wrong conclusion by showing how Christian citizens live.
[I] THE PRINCIPLE—SUBMIT TO ALL HUMAN AUTHORITY13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, 14 or to governors, who are sent by him.
Submission means obedience. It is a military term that means to “get in line.” Even if we don’t like it, we are to “get in line” anyway. There is an inborn dislike for authority in all humans. We are rebels by nature.
A minister, pressed for time and not finding a parking space, parked in a no parking zone and put a note on his windscreen: “I have circled the block 10 times. I have an appointment to keep. Forgive us our trespasses.” When he returned, he found a ticket along with this note: “I’ve circled this block for 10 years. If I don’t give you a ticket, I lose my job. Lead us not into temptation.”
The fact is, we all live under multiple layers of authority, and it’s very likely that we won’t care for some of those people and for the laws they pass and the rules they make. There will always be …Leaders we don’t trust, laws we don’t like, and taxes we don’t want to pay.
When Israel were in exile in Babylon, their situation was like that of Christians today - exiles looking to their promised land. God told Jeremiah to tell the exiles to build houses there, plant gardens, take wives and raise children. Then He added, 29:7 Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper." That’s good counsel for Christians in this world: seek and pray for the welfare of the places where we live and to be good citizens.
Before Peter wrote this letter, Paul had already taught submission to government: Rom. 13:1–4 Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.
One objection that might be raised to this teaching relates to unjust rulers. Submission can be hard enough when you have a good government, a fair employer. But what if your boss is unfair and the authorities won’t listen?
Peter’s words still apply? He and Paul both lived in the openly decadent Roman Empire—a society infamous for government corruption, abuse, immorality, and violence, neither apostle encouraged believers to defy civil authority.
Peter knew Pilate washed his hands of Jesus' murder. He knew Herod Antipas executed John the Baptist as a dancing prize. He was a boy when he heard that Herod the Great had killed all the children in Bethlehem.
So Peter was not naïve about the vicious world of government corruption and wickedness. If Peter could command the Christian community of his time to honour their rulers, then how much more must we honour our rulers who are not in that category—even though they may endorse acts which we regard as wrong.
We cannot make exceptions to the biblical principle of obedience to government authority based on how bad the ruler or laws may be.
Throughout history there have been various acts of civil disobedience and different subversive attempts to overthrow governments in which Christians have been a party. Scripture nowhere condones such actions. On the contrary, the biblical command is simple; submit to civil authority, regardless of its nature.
Georgy Vins the Unregistered Baptist leader in the days of communism was asked, what do the Russian Christians do to protest when the government, does things that they don't believe are right? He replied we have a basic unwritten law that everyone lives by in the church in Russia and that is, that if any Christian is ever arrested, he will be arrested for proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ, nothing less. Not for protesting or something else.
Yun a famous Chinese Christian was converted during the Cultural Revolution – and later came to the West to find us praying for downfall of Communism. This was his response ‘we never pray against our government, instead we have learned that God is control of both our lives and the government we live under. God has used China’s government for His own purposes, instead of focusing our prayers against any political system we pray that regardless of what happens to us we will be pleasing to God. Don’t pray for the persecution to stop , pray that we may have a stronger back to carry the load, then the world will see God is with us, empowering us in a way that reflects his love and power. ‘Heavenly Man’ p287 That’s what I call biblical wisdom and godly grace!
Civil authority is from God, though the individual rulers may be godless. All forms of government, from dictatorships to democracies, are led by fallen sinners, so we must not expect believers to have special protection.
[2] THE PRACTICAL REASON – RULERS RESTRAIN EVIL & PROMOTE JUSTICE AND PEACE governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.
God's Design for Government is to dam up the river of evil that flows from the heart of man so that it does not flood the world with anarchy.
Even unreasonable, evil, harsh rulers and oppressive systems are far better than anarchy. Look at places like the Congo, Somalia, Lebanon not so long ago, parts of Iraq, its gang warfare, the law of the jungle.
Governments promote justice and peace by upholding law and order and by maintaining reasonable national defence. Paul writes in Romans 12: For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. The state is to restrain evil, use punishments, to bring about justice for all and promote the public good.
The real debate is, which morality should we legislate? In a democratic, pluralistic society, if a law would only be accepted by those who believe the bible, we need to be careful not to push it, even if it is biblical. But we can work to legislate many biblical standards which have broad social value and can be argued for apart from an appeal to the Bible. Many right laws can be argued for on the grounds of basic human rights, apart from Christianity.
Most unbelievers recognize the inherent “fairness” of the Golden Rule. We can use this standard as the basis for law.
Government should uphold laws supporting morality. Laws against murder and theft are moral and biblical. Laws against racial discrimination reflect the biblical teaching that God is no respecter of persons. Laws should protect citizens from being harmed by the sins of others. The fact that something is illegal will restrain many who otherwise may be tempted to engage in the particular activity.
A result of promoting justice will be peace and order in society. 1 Timothy 2: 1 ¶ I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
We should pray that the government will maintain national defence, so that we are not overrun by powers that would rob us of our peace and liberty. And that the government will not interfere with our religious liberty.
[3] THE INTERNAL REASON—FOR THE LORD’S SAKE for the Lord’s sake
The motive for submission is that there is a direct connection between the people in authority over us, and God who is the ultimate authority. Authorities exist as they are and where they are by God’s permission. They could not rule apart from God. This means that submission to authority is really an aspect of our submission to Christ. Jesus himself said, “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” Luke 6:46. Christians obey because they desire to honor God’s sovereign authority.Obedience “for the Lord’s sake” is because we know that He is watching over us even when we think the command we are obeying is needless.
Robert Culver wrote in A Biblical View of Civil Government: ‘God alone has sovereign rights.… by whatever means men come to positions of ruling—by descent, family connection, wealth, or by democratic election, “there is no power but of God” Rom. 13:1. Furthermore, civil government is an instrument, not an end.
Believers also submit in order to imitate Christ’s example of obedient submission to His Father. Christ lived under the unjust rule of the Jewish and Roman authorities, yet He never opposed their right to rule. He denounced their sins, but never sought to overturn their authority.
Jesus never led demonstrations against injustice or engaged in any act of civil disobedience. Instead of being preoccupied with political and social reform, Christ always focused on matters relating to His kingdom.
There were all kinds of abuses in the time of John Wesley. Wesley's protest against that was always a spiritual one, using the Word of God and prayer. What a tremendous impact that that had.
God is pleased when people associate Christians with spiritual graces rather than protests against human institutions. When the Lord said, “My kingdom is not of this world” John 18:36, He defined the sphere of believers’ calling and duty—to focus ministry efforts on matters related to His spiritual and eternal rule.
[4] THE EXTERNAL REASON—TO SILENCE FOOLISH PEOPLE 15 For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men.
When we disobey the law, all the excuses in the world don’t matter.The reason Christians ought to submit to every authority is quite clear—such conduct muzzles the mouths of the gospel’s critics. It is making it impossible for that person to criticise. The people who need to be silenced are those who are hostile to the truth. Integrity and purity of life are all effective character tools to silence the enemies of Christ. Paul commanded Titus to tell believers on Crete this: Titus 3:1–3 Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed, to malign no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing every consideration for all men. When Christians live like that in the middle of a godless culture, it is a powerful testimony. On the other hand, when professing Christians disrespect authority, when they disobey the law, it gives opportunity for those who are prone to criticize Christianity.
Such upright conduct and good citizenship is especially necessary for church leaders. The man “must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach” 1 Tim. 3:7; Titus 1:6. That unimpeachable testimony before those who reject the gospel enables the grace of Christ to be seen.
An American pastor found a man doing business on a cash only and told him he was a thief, a lawbreaker, a violator of the Scriptures. He got very angry and said, "You're a lawbreaker, too!" "Maybe said the pastor, "but I don't sit around planning how I'm going to break the law."
Packer wrote, “It is a paradox of the Christian life that the more profoundly one is concerned about heaven, the more deeply one cares about God’s will being done on Earth”. Sir Frederick Catherwood, MEP put it: “To try to improve society is not worldliness, but love. To wash your hands of society is not love but worldliness”. Christian citizens should be good citizens.
God uses civil government to accomplish His purposes, so it is not wrong for Christians to be involved in the politics, but evangelism is His primary means of dealing with world problems and bringing lasting change. If we get sidetracked into winning political victories for our cause, but do not win men and women to Christ, we ultimately fail.
[5] THE MOTIVATAL REASON—SUBMISSION BRINGS FREEDOM 16 Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.
Living under authority is the greatest freedom of all. It provides protection, direction and security. Peter cautions those who are free in Christ to not use that spiritual freedom as a covering for the evil of not submitting to rulers.
Submission for most of us involves a struggle to do something we don’t want to do, or something we don’t think is necessary, or to follow instructions from a person we don’t respect. At that point, there are two dangers we face:
A] We will say too much. Proverbs 10:8, “The wise in heart accept commands, but a chattering fool comes to ruin.” How many times have children got into trouble for answering back. I did when I was young and once had the gym shoe applied to my hindquarters for my trouble.
B] We will begin to make excuses. We’ll say things like, “I don’t agree so I don’t have to submit,” or “He doesn’t know what he’s talking about,”.
Jesus said, in Matt.5:41 If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. In order that the royal commands might be delivered with safety to different parts of the empire, the Romans stationed people or horsemen at intervals on all the great public highways. One of those delivered the message to another, and so messages were passed on. These heralds were permitted to compel anyone, or commandeer any animal or boat that they might need. It was to this custom that our Saviour refers. Rather, says he, than resist a public authority, requiring your attendance, go peaceably another mile." Why? To show you are free. You are not compelled to do it, but do it willingly - for your state, and for those who represent your state.
Submission is not blind obedience. Because it is an attitude of the heart, sometimes we will disagree and will make our disagreement known forcefully. Sometimes we must speak out against those things that we know are wrong.
Stephen, the first Christian martyr, is a compelling role model of submission to earthly authority. Acts 6: describes his confrontation with the authorities and his amazing reaction to those unjust accusations: Stephen’s convicting words infuriated them, but his reaction to their violent rejection of him and his preaching was one of submission and humble, unwavering faith:
The way Stephen humbly submitted to injustice and persecution undoubtedly made some contribution to Saul of Tarsus’s bring transformed from hateful persecutor to faithful apostle of Jesus Christ.
[6] THE APPLICATION—ALL PEOPLE DESERVE RESPECT 17 Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honour the king.
Political satire is accepted fare, some of the things politicians do invite it! Even Jesus called Herod a fox, so there may be some basis for criticising certain political leaders. But we need to be careful to promote respect for government.
Titus 3:1-2, “Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed, to malign no one, to be uncontentious, gentle, showing every consideration for all men.” Note how specific he is, there are no exceptions. Whether that is the government at Westminster, or Medway Borough Council, or the Inland Revenue, or the Department of Transport, or copyright laws, the police or the principal at the school you attend. Jesus Himself commands Matt. 22:21 Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s.
You do not accomplish in society anything for God when you violate what God has designed for the good of society.
We ministers talked about Evolution and students recently and were reminded that we should encourage our young people to debate it, but with respect to the teacher, otherwise the gospel will be discredited.
Robert Haldane wrote that the people of God ought to consider resistance to the government as a very awful crime because it shows Christians in hostility and rebellion. That's not honouring to God. To see us in peace and graciousness, in kindness obedience, submissiveness, humility, that honours our Lord.
Peter summarises his citizenship theology—into four practical dimensions of life.
Believers are to honor all people, they are to love the brotherhood, they are to fear God, and honor the king, which brings the issue full circle.
[7] THE EXCEPTION - Is it right for Christians to participate in a revolution to overthrow a government? Is it ever right to be involved civil disobedience?
There are times when as a last resort, human laws may have to be broken. There is a fine balance that Christians must maintain. Submission to lawful authority is not an excuse for violating God’s commandments.
There may come times when certain laws passed by the government will conflict with the law of God. If the government tries to force us to disobey God, we are responsible to speak out against evil and appeal to the authorities.
If all that fails, we disobey the government and may suffer the physical, emotional and legal consequences. Accepting punishment is part of the attitude of humble submission to authority. Calvin InstitutesIV:XX:31the only command given to Christians is obey & suffer. Daniel prayed to God, not the king, in open defiance of a law to pray only to the King. He was thrown in the lions den for breaking this law, but was delivered by God. He was willing to lose his life rather than obey that law of the land.
In Acts 4, where the disciples were forbidden to mention the name of Jesus again, Peter's response was, "We must obey God rather than man." When the asked to do the opposite of what God commands, you have no choice but to disobey and bear your punishment.

Civilization

2007-11-18T16:58:00.000Z

Reading - Genesis 4:16-26; Hebrews 12:22-29

This chapter records the origin of secular and sacred society.
We live in a world of dizzying technological progress.
As Christians, we are called to live in this changing and advancing world and to use the things of the world, wisely and well. To often the story of mankind’s progress has been regress because advances have been used to advance sin. For instance the internet it was hoped would make precious knowledge accessible but it has also been perverted to spread pornography.
Progress without God’s truth to channel it, will lead to more problems to solve, and more sophisticated crime. In Genesis 4:16-26 we see, in Cain’s descendants, the world caught up with progress without God.
But at the end of the chapter there is a glimmer of hope in the descendants of Seth, a remnant of people who call upon God.
These two strands of people write human history. There are only two families in the world today - there's the secular family, and there's the sacred family. And that's the way it's always been. Cain models for us the secular and material culture, Seth models for us the sacred family and spiritual society.
[I] THE START OF SECULAR SOCIETY 17 Cain lay with his wife, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Enoch. Cain was then building a city, and he named it after his son Enoch. 18 To Enoch was born Irad, and Irad was the father of Mehujael, and Mehujael was the father of Methushael, and Methushael was the father of Lamech.
After murdering his brother, Cain refused God’s call to repent. Instead, Cain turned his back on God and was sentenced by God to restlessly wander the earth. No one could kill him, but he would live forever with his guilty conscience, never feeling at home, never feeling entirely safe. He cannot work the ground and he will not die for a long time. What will he do? Where will he go?
These verses tell about Cain and the civilization that flowed from him. Here is the beginning of secular society—that is, society lived apart from God and his guidance. As we think about the marks of secular society, here are four “C” words that help us remember.
A] Construction marks Secular society
First, Cain constructs a family.
Sometimes people wonder, where did Cain get his wife? With regard to Cain’s wife, Genesis 5:4 states that during Adam’s long life, he and Eve had many sons and daughters besides those named in these chapters. So obviously Cain would have had no trouble finding a suitable wife from somewhere within his extended family. And since this occurred early in human history, the gene pool could still be clean and relatively free from pollution. Later on, God would forbid marriage between close relatives. But at this early date, there were no mutant genes in the genetic system and no sin was involved. Cain had to marry someone from his own extended family since there was no one else to choose from.
Second, Cain constructs a city. "City" means, a fenced-in complex of dwellings; it could be any size, large or small. He was trying to erect a place to settle in. The indication is that he couldn't succeed at it and called the name of the city "Enoch," after the name of his son. Here is the beginning of urbanization.
This 21c is the age of the city and skyscraper, the world is undergoing the largest wave of urban growth in history. In 2008, for the first time in history, more than half of the world’s population will be living in towns and cities. In the developing world people are moving to enormous growing cities everywhere.
Cities can deliver education, work, health care and other services more efficiently. Tim Keller - We are entering a globalised, urbanised and post-secular world. This means that we are going to be more like the Roman Empire than anything seen in centuries. Cities are multi-ethnic and international in unprecedented ways. It is a fragmented, pluralistic world again, with have traditional, secular, and pagan world-views living side by side.
Where did all the people come from to populate a city? We know from Genesis 5 that people lived hundreds of years back then. Adam lived for 930 years and we can presume Eve lived at least as long. So how many children do you think they had?
Someone very conservatively calculated that Adam would have lived to see a million descendants.
The rapid growth in population helps us understand Cain’s need to build a city. In some ways, this is a self-protection measure since he lived in fear” that someone might harm him in spite of God’s “mark.
No doubt also Cain stayed busy to cover up the emptiness of his soul and forget his guilt. He wanted a bustling city to compensate for what he lost—his hope and happiness and direction in life. The same is true for many people today.
Cities are fun and exciting, especially when compared with the slow pace of country life. They call Las Vegas the city that never sleeps, but that could be said about any large city. There is a pulsating power in a big city that draws people.
The city has buzz, music and action 24/7. Go to any large city and there you will find the best that modern life has to offer: restaurants of every variety, entertainment galore, sports, universities, large stores, transport, waterways and parks, the latest fashions, the seat of government, the largest churches, the biggest banks, and the extremes of life.
Millions of people move to the city hoping things will change for the better.
But often it doesn’t work. The loneliest and the saddest are city people. For all its glamour, there is also a seamy side to every big city. Where the masses gather, there you find sadness, heartache, crime, corruption and enormous human pain.
Cain built a city and focused on the secular advantages it gave but it is not a permanent home, it does not mean we will be settled and at peace in our hearts and minds. Spiritual wholeness does not come from the buzz of a secular life but a mind at peace with God.
Rootlessness is the basic ingredient all secular cultures. Simone Weil, a brilliant French writer who lived in London during the war and died there in 1943, wrote a book entitled The Need for Roots. She concluded that the only cure is a rediscovery of the human being as God’s creature and of God himself as the source of those basic elements without which a proper civilization cannot function: order, liberty, obedience, responsibility, and equality, the right to express one’s opinion, security, private property, truth, and others.
Weil is right. Our roots are in God; and if we will not have God, we are condemned to be rootless.
[B] Corruption marks Secular society 19“Lamech married two women, one named Adah and the other Zillah”
The second feature of civilization without God is corruption. Lamech just did what he felt like doing. He decided to marry two women. He became the first polygamist, instead of one man with one woman for life. The names of his wives suggest that he was motivated by sensual impulses. Adah means “beauty” and Zillah means something like “tinkling.” The name of the daughter, Naamah, means “lovely. The emphasis was on outward beauty, not on the inner character.
Like no culture in history, we are bombarded with sensual appeals to the flesh. Today, this moral cancer is portrayed as progress: People say we’ve freed ourselves from Victorian ideas of sexual purity. We’re free from restrictive divorce laws which kept people bound in unhappy marriages.” And so we have cast off God’s plan for moral purity, for marriage and the family under the guise of progress. Now people in general are no longer are shocked by these things. Society tolerates all kinds of sexual relationships; people now freely pursue the fulfilment of their own fleshly desires. But God is not mocked, He sees our rebellion, there is a price to pay both in time and in coming judgement.
[C] Culture marks Secular society 20“Adah gave birth to Jabal; he was the father of those who live in tents and raise livestock. His brother’s name was Jubal; he was the father of all who play the harp and flute. Zillah also had a son, Tubal-Cain, who forged all kinds of tools out of bronze and iron. Tubal-Cain’s sister was Naamah. These verses remind us of the positive progress of human culture in the line of Cain. These two wives gave Lamech at least four children. And the boys took society to the next level.
Jabal, was the first into animal husbandry, breeding and training for human use.
Jubal was father of music, the first artist, inventing and making stringed and wind instruments. There would be the need to invent a scale; understand the tones, arrange the music and design instruments to play it.
Tubal-cain, from the other wife, Zillah, was the founder of technology, metal work and tools. Metallurgy is a skill of great science, mining, smelting, and shaping.
If people are creative now, what were they like then? How refined could art and craftsmanship become with a pristine mind, living hundreds of years in a congenial earth, which provided all of the resources.
These folks were no grunting, snorting cavemen, chewing raw flesh. Mankind was more wonderful, capable; stronger, healthier, wiser, more skilled and more experienced than any man we've ever met.
The world has benefited by modern agriculture, by the arts and by technology.
These things are possible because even sinful men and women still possess the image of God that allows them to think, to create, to grow, to develop, to experiment and to explore new territory.
As Christians, we ought to be thankful to live in a world with many creature comforts. And in enjoying the good things, we ought also to give thanks to the Lord who gave man the ability to make it all possible.
However in our culture, inventions which could benefit mankind are twisted to promote destruction. Without Christ we go backwards. The arts and music, which can be a wholesome expression of human creativity, are trivialised, perverted and degrade people made in the image of God, music is used to spread a message of anarchy and meaninglessness.
Technological knowledge is used to develop weapons to kill and main, to make gambling easier, to encourage promiscuity. Understanding of creatures is used to ill-treat them and train them to fight– mark the great increase in dog fights and cruelty highlighted this week. Taking us back two centuries.
[D] Crime marks Secular society 23-24 “Lamech said to his wives, ‘Adah and Zillah, listen to me; wives of Lamech, hear my words. I have killed a man for wounding me, a young man for injuring me. If Cain is avenged seven times, then Lamech seventy-seven times’.
This is the oldest song in the Bible. Lamech wrote some lyrics for a song celebrating violence. It has been called ‘The Sword Song’ a “macho” song of the world’s first Rambo boasting in his strength. He calls his wives together and tells them how hard he is. The words may mean that he has already killed a youngster who provoked him, or a threat that if anyone messes with him, he will kill them. There is total disdain for human life.
Moreover he is boasting against God. He is saying that he can take care of himself far better than God took care of Cain-- seventy-sevenfold! This shows that he knew of God, but exalts himself above God. What blasphemy! He is the epitome of the self-sufficient man. He can take care of himself. He does not need God. But what is his attitude toward other human beings? Parallel with his exaltation of himself is a lowering of his sense of the value of others, for he is ready to wipe them out for as small an offense as wounding himself. Like a thug, he thinks revenge is the way to live and no one dare bring him to justice.
When a society or individuals start boasting about sin, it has hit the bottom. The spiritual and moral failure of this early civilization is seen in their defiance of God and in their pride.
Removing the fear of God from our culture, why should we be surprised at the drunkenness, the violence, and the bloodshed around us? When there is no fear of God or of authority, no Father figures in the home, should we be surprised that kids with guns are murdering other kids.
We have become our own gods and those who live by the Lord’s truth are derided as narrow-minded, old-fashioned, exclusive, and intolerant.
Yes, the line of Cain produces great cultural benefits. Yet it is marred by self-indulgence, vanity and unrestrained violence. Cain and his descendants gave us secular society and secular society gave us Noah’s Flood.
The world tries to fill the emptiness of life without God with all these good gifts which God has given for the human race. But each of them can turn into a nightmare without God.
Children can become brazen murderers, like Cain or Lamech.
Cities can become hopeless jungles of loneliness, poverty and violence.
Culture, music, literature, and films--can be used to glorify perversion.
Careers can be used to further selfish ambition.
Inventions have brought us to the brink of destroying the human race.
The problem isn’t in these cultural and technological advances. The problem is when these things are done apart from God’s principals and His ethical guidelines. Progress without God is only illusory.
[2] THE START OF A SPIRITUAL SOCIETY 25 ¶ Adam lay with his wife again, and she gave birth to a son and named him Seth, saying, "God has granted me another child in place of Abel, since Cain killed him." 26 Seth also had a son, and he named him Enosh. At that time men began to call on the name of the LORD. - Progress with God is true progress.
These two verses of our passage offer a short view of the spiritual line. When the godless seem to rule the world, what can the righteous do? How do we maintain our faith and pass it along to the next generation when the majority culture moves in another direction? There are two ways we can resist the existing tide.
[A] By Maintaining Spiritual Families 25“Adam lay with his wife again, and she gave birth to a son and named him Seth, saying, ‘God has granted me another child in place of Abel, since Cain killed him’”.
Adam and Eve recognized Seth as the replacement for Abel, not for Cain. Eve knew that God could not use Cain to fulfil His promise. And her faith was rewarded, in the fullness of time the promised Seed the Lord Jesus Christ was born of a woman whose genealogy is traced through Seth to Adam Luke 3:38.
The name Seth means “appointed.” They saw him as a gift from God, a new beginning after the murder of Abel. They wanted children to pass on the knowledge of God. Prior to this one had believe done had not now again they hoped and prayed for another who would love God and prayer was answered.
In biblical times, names were important. Seth named his son Enosh, which means “mortal.” Instead of boasting about his strength, as Lamech did, Seth readily acknowledged his weakness by naming his son, “Frail One
The faith of Adam and Eve now passes to their son and grandson. That’s our desire and prayer as well.
[B] By Maintaining Spiritual Worship “Seth also had a son, and he named him Enosh. At that time men began to call on the name of the LORD”
Seth and his family confessed their need of God. The Hebrew concept of “calling on the name” of the Lord has two parts. It can mean to call on the Lord in prayer. So people came to God in prayer and worship.
The word “call” means to proclaim publicly. This was beginning of public worship. The “name” refers to all that God had revealed about Himself. While the significance of the name “Yahweh” was not revealed to God’s people until Moses Exod. 3:13-15, God’s character as the personal covenant God was known. Seth’s descendants began to call upon God as the personal, caring God, trusting fully in Him.
The crowd was going the other direction, but a group of people openly said, “We belong to the Lord. They were not ashamed to be called the people of the God.
They openly confessed their faith while Lamech boasted of sin, and others followed physical pursuits, and while society began to spiral morally downward.
Luther saw this as the formation of “a small church … in which Adam, rules everything by the Word and sound doctrine.” Calvin saw it as “a restoration of religion” such as had happened in his day.
The believers of these days did constitute a small church, and it was a miracle.
Compared with building cities, founding cultural enterprises, and launching industries, “calling on the name of the Lord” doesn’t sound much like progress.
#1l Remember, God never leaves himself without a witness. Believers around the world can make a huge difference. Never will the culture be entirely Christian but without the Christian influence, it will always deteriorate. Society will always be a strange combination of good and evil centred in the great cities of the world.
#2] Remember, we have no reason to envy the ungodly. They have the power but lack the wisdom to use it wisely. They can manage their world but not their own lives. Those whose names are not written in heaven must work desperately to leave a legacy on the earth. The greatest treasures of earth are no match for the pleasures of knowing God. For all things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future, all [things] are yours; and you are Christ's; and Christ is God's, 1 Cor 3:21-23.
#3] Remember, we must not make the world all-important. Enjoy the world but don’t fall in love with it. And don’t measure your success by the standards of the world. You are doomed to unhappiness if you do. Even advanced culture, however refined and beautiful, has no redeeming power. Earth has nothing to offer in substitute for God.: “And this world is fading away, along with everything it craves. But if you do the will of God, you will live forever” I John 2:17.
Hebrews says that Abraham "looked forward to the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God," Heb 11:10. Heaven is all the good that a city can offer without all the evil that ruins it. Its focus is not man but God.
How about you? are you putting your energy into progress in the things of this world, or into true progress with God at the centre of your life.
There are only two ways to live. There is the broad way, which leads to destruction; and the narrow way, that leads to life, as God intended it to be lived.

Examine yourself

2007-11-18T16:55:00.000Z

Lamentations 3:19-42

Verses 40 to 42 in particular, are part of a very powerful chapter. It tells us to examine ourselves as Paul does in 1 Corinthians 11 – before the Lord’s supper to see if we are in the faith. Here, if we seriously look at ourselves we can see we have rebelled. We ought to examine ourselves and our spiritual state. It is not often preached today. It was in the past. Thomas Chalmers wrote a journal of his spiritual state. He had read Hannah Moore.
There is also Tim Shenton’s book on Samuel Walker of Truro who was alive at the time of Wesley and Whitefield. He was a poor curate in Truro. He was in post a long time before his conversion. There was a revival in Truro under his ministry. His advice was sought by the Wesleys, Romaine and others. He was considered wise, especially on self examination. He kept a spiritual diary and examined his in detail. He found sin within. He found much wrong within his soul. He encouraged others to keep such a diary. He considered himself guilty of spiritual sloth within his own heart. He felt this hindered his ministry. He found pride and conceit rose in his heart when men complimented his work. He found it difficult if he offended people so he found it hard to preach. He felt he rested on means not on God’s grace, he felt he did not commit enough to prayer. Do we write life this today? No we do not because we often lack the desire to do it. He examined every part of his life.
Andrew Bonar was another evangelical man – Scottish. He examined his zeal for God. He concluded that he was famous for his zeal, that it was 23% ambition, 19% love of self, 25% pride of denomination, 14% pride of talent 12% love of authority, 10% bigotry, 3 love of God and 4% love of man. We often do not examine ourselves closely. When we do we see sin, no one is righteous, no not one. Our enemies are monsters like Goliath and they often get the better of us.
The World gets the better of us says James, it has been around for thousands of years before us. We are in it. It is polluted and we get polluted by it. The world is a lot bigger. In the past when people lived in villages it was very small, news from England came slowly, from the rest of the world probably not at all. The world is much bigger – education, newspapers, adverts, internet, TV etc. Education moulds people according to the ways of the world. Children are taught that no one can tell them what to do. We want our own way. Today children are deeply worried about the world that is poured out upon them. The world is huge and presses in upon us. What we own is what matters, not what we are.
We also have trouble from the flesh, we cannot escape it, it is part of us, we are body and soul. Under Adam and Eve it was kept in its place. Now it is out of control, the desire for food leads to obesity, for sleep leads to sloth. The flesh is self centred. It is you who must come first. It is a great cause of depression and heartache. When Romaine came to see Walker he wrote of his pride that some one had come so far (from London) just to see him, Satan is a thinking, vastly intelligent enemy. He uses this to bring down the church of God.
David and Bathsheba – the woman is described as being very beautiful, Satan knew how to bait this hook, it was just right for David. He knows the right bait for all of us, he gets us on his hook. Samuel Walker’s best friend could see the Devil’s hook, but he said he could not help nibbling on the hook. Unbelievers see the books of Walker and Chalmers etc and either conclude the books are very gloomy and depressive or see them as being up to a lot of bad on the side, they are quite wrong and do not understand. If they are judged by the standards of the world they are very good, but by the standards of the Word of God (‘be perfect as I am perfect’) they fall short. For Walker the greatest sin was pride. For Chalmers it is anger, but anger inside. He especially found his parents and aunt difficult because they were growing deaf with age. Chalmers became very angry. He had to confess his sin and deal with it. We let this sort of thing go – we pass over it. That is how our society and age deal are.
Was Spurgeon troubled about sin? Yes he was, all of his life. New Years’ Eve l89l (one month before he died), the last time he was heard in public. He looked back over the past year, he felt he dare not admit his sin. He who does not admit he is sinful does not know himself. What did Chalmers, Walker etc do? They tried to fight it, they did not entirely succeed, if you find you sin you must turn to the grace of the Lord Jesus who is the one person who could help us, we must magnify the grace of God.
At the victorious cross, hell is disappointed, sin is dealt a deadly blow. When we cannot see an end to our sin we must look to the cross of the Lord Jesus. When we look at one year of our own lives we must see our paths in the life of the Lord Jesus, he died for the unrighteous, he pleads for transgressors, he died for sinful men when we see our need of him, our sinfulness, we should let our tears fall for our sin and turn to him. We need to see what is really in us and not pass over our sin so we are driven to the cross.

Paul in Troas

2007-11-18T15:52:00.000Z

Acts 20:1-25

This follows on from the riot in Ephesus. Paul told the Ephesians he intended to move on. Acts covers a long period in a short book. Luke hurries through a lot and dwells on what seems to be a surprising passage.
Paul wrote 2 Corinthians in Macedonia, while in Greece he wrote Romans. His travels were very extensive in Macedonia, he reached Illyricum (on the Adriatic). He went to new areas and preached to new people. He came to Corinth in the wake of the two letters, there was probably a reconciliation.
Luke tells us of a long list of people, he does not say why. In Romans 15 Paul tells us he brought gifts from the saints in Macedonia and Greece to the poor in Jerusalem. In 1 Corinthians 16:1 we read of his instructions about this, these men took the gifts with letters from Paul. Paul was very careful with Church’s money, he took no money for himself, neither would he touch it. He wanted their people to look after the money. Luke talks of ‘us’ and ‘we’, he includes himself. He arrived in Troas near what was Troy. He stayed for a week. Luke concentrates on the Sunday meeting, the Corinthians met on Sunday as well. They met to break bread, was it a love feast or communion or both, we are not sure. It was unusual, Paul preached on and on past midnight and onto day break. It was an exceptional meeting, Paul would never meet these people again, he had a lot to say. They had no New Testament, only the Old Testament. He spoke of the death of the Lord Jesus, its implications, church government, communion etc. Some probably took notes. In the midst of this Eutychus fell asleep as Paul talked on and on and fell out of the window and was killed.
It was one of only two occurrences of raising people from the dead. It was reminiscent of Elijah who fell upon the dead body of the Shunamite’s son. Luke presents 3 things:
1. The death of Eutychus is the most striking thing here. It stirred up controversies. Some say he deserved to die because he fell asleep during the preaching. Matthew Henry held to this. Calvin disagreed with this. They met in the evening because they had to work long hours in the day. Paul spoke on and on and on. The room was crowded and many lamps were lit, this lowered the oxygen level and made people drowsy. We would probably drift off in similar circumstances. To berate him is mot reasonable. He fell out and was killed. The tendency of saying ‘if you experienced suffering now you must have committed a terrible sin’ goes back a long way. See the book of Job. The Jews in Jesus’ time held this – see Luke 13, Jesus spoke against this idea was believed by the disciples. Jesus corrected them too. Jesus said it was not a particular sin but that the glory of God would be seen in his life. Today this view is expounded and it causes a great deal of harm. When a leading believer is ill he will get letters to this effect. The holders of this idea get grief when they are ill. See Elijah, Jeremiah, John the Baptist and Job, they all suffered because they were good and followed God. There is a connection between some sins and some suffering – if you drink heavily your liver will pack up, if you are immoral you will get aids.
2. Paul’s departure caused sorrow. They would never see him again. Parting is painful – some parting is painful such as death. We lose grandparents, parents then brothers and sisters, then husband or wife. It is an unavoidable part of life. The people in Troas had to face this. They were comforted in their sorrows – see verse 12 by the young man restored to them. They were sad because of the loss of Paul but glad at the young man. They realised God was still with them. They were also reminded of the power of God, not of the gods of the Greeks and Romans, He could this for them. This was a reminder and evidence that there is a resurrection from the dead. They would meet again in eternity.
3. Eutychus was truly dead, he was resurrected. There will be a resurrection from the dead for all who truly love God. People can be left alone apart from their spouse and have no one once their spouse has died. We have a comfort that those who die in Christ, we will meet again. Only believers have this comfort. How many deaths would it take to make us pay attention to the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ? The people of God have this great comfort that the dead in Christ will be raised to life.

The Pilgrim Life

2007-11-11T21:20:00.000Z

1 Peter 2:11-12, Matthew 5:1-16 and 43-48
Christians were once often asked to talk about this but this is not common today. Pilgrim's Progress used to sell well. The Pilgrim's fathers left England in 1620 for America. We do not identify with them much today. They left because they would not support the state church, they became exiles in the Low Countries then America, they were absent from their homeland. Peter's subject is the pilgrim life, the fact that we are just passing through this life, journeying towards Heaven. He wants his readers to see that we're exiles and strangers on this earth. We are focused on God Himself and on being in Heaven with Him is our goal. Christianity is often geared up for here and now, to solve problems, Heaven is seen as a bonus. Many of us want to cling to this life, we often do not see ourselves as exiles but 1 Corinthians 15:19 we should be pitied. We enjoy the blessings and gifts of this life but we need to keep in mind the eternal perspective, we live for Heaven, the journey's end, where our heart is. He writes to people who are suffering for their faith, he wants them to focus on blessings that are yet to come. When it is easy to be a Christian, standards slip. We must have a right mind set.
1. TO LIVE AS PILGRIMS, THERE IS A RIGHT MIND SET.
a) We are aliens, a person living in a foreign land alongside of people who are not of his kind - Hebrews 11:9. Aliens are not citizens of the land, we live beside them but not like them. A lot of religions have holy places, Muslims have Mecca, Catholics have Lourdes. People do not stay there, they have a different mentality . For a holiday we unpack and stay for a period. Christians do not have a permanent residence here. We are passing through. Hebrews 11:9 - Abraham, Isaac and Jacob lived in tents. Christians are not citizens of the present age. Philippians 3:20, we are citizens of Heaven. Believers are seen as exiles on Earth. Unbelievers are Earth livers. Time flies, nothing is permanent here. 1 John 2:15, the world is passing away, Heaven remains forever. Pilgrims do get attached too much to this world. It is hard to keep this focus. Other generations found it easier, shorter life spans for children and adults died of chronic illnesses - TB etc. Today we have a longer life expectancy. We expect to live 75 years plus. We are more bound to this life. In the face pf shorter lives we do not become so attached. Most people think we are in the land of the living heading for the land of the dead, it is the opposite. We do not know what tomorrow will bring.
b) We are strangers as citizens of Heaven, we may adopt some of the ways of Earth, if they are morally neutral, in order order not to offend the natives. But we live according to different standards than they do, namely those of God's word. We are careful not to adopt their standards. We take our standard from the Word of God, we mustn't let our standards slip, our bearings come from the Bible. What honours the Lord in everything - TV, food etc. We are often out of sync with the ways of the world. Lot lived in a dreadful place - Sodom, he did not feel at home there, he was distressed by the standards of unrighteous men.
2. TO LIVE AS PILGRIMS, THERE IS A WAR TO FIGHT
Becoming a Christian does not eradicate the inner, emotional tug toward self-will and sin. To wage a war is not a battle but a campaign, a war. People in the world live to self, we live to God. Walking with God does not eliminate the need to be watchful. Noah became drunk as an old man and became exposed. David was in his 50s when he fell over Bathsheba. Hezekiah fell to sin as an old man. We won't win if we just rest in Him without determined resolve, or if we think sin is just a psychological problem, addiction is being enslaved to sin.
3. TO LIVE AS PILGRIMS, THERE IS A LIFE TO MAINTAIN
We are to conduct ourselves in a lifestyle that is attractive. Live an exemplary life. So live so that unbelievers are impressed. Even a godless culture should see something to be impressed with in us. Unbelievers are watching. How many of us became believers because of the influence of someone else.? Pagans observe our good deeds. We must do good deeds, clothe the naked, take in the homeless etc, and they watch us closely. They watch to see how we deal with problems, raise our children and sort out things, what makes us different? The World read us more than they read the Bible. A saint makes it easy for unbelievers to believe. Our lives should speak to unbelievers. A lot of people come to faith through the witness of a believer. God uses lives that speak to win others.
4. TO LIVE AS PILGRIMS THERE IS ACCUSATIONS TO EXPECT
We are accused unfairly - out of jealousy, guilt or insecurity, they may slander us. Early Christians were accused of leading slaves into rebellion, cannibalism (breaking bread), immorality (for calling fellow believers brothers and sisters), atheists (for not worshipping deities), they were bad for business, disloyal to Caesar etc. The same treatment is meted out to people today. We need to maintain our lifestyle in the face of accusations. Accusations are often more subtle today. We need to maintain our lifestyle in the face of accusations or in terrible isolation, we are planted in enemy territory, in strategic positions. It matters what we do.
5. TO LIVE AS PILGRIMS THERE IS A DAY TO REMEMBER.
What is the day of visitation? For judgement and blessing when God visited them, it brought liberation for the Hebrews and judgement for the Egyptians. The day when Jesus returns to the earth will bring good news for believers and bad news for everyone else. For us, the point is that as pilgrims, we keep that great day for visitation in view. Live as pilgrims, live as if the day of visitation is coming. Some will be saved through the witness of believers. Others will be condemned. All will stand in condemnation or commendation. We want to hear 'well done good and faithful servant.' Enjoyment of God is the only thing we should aim for. God is calling us to a radical way of life. Remember who you are - strangers and exiles, living holy lives of visible moral excellence. Don't be surprised by spiritual hostility. Do good anyway. Leave the results in God's hands. Be ready to meet Jesus when he returns.

The Way of Cain

2007-11-11T16:48:00.000Z

Genesis 4:8 - 16
There are many murder mysteris on TV, thousands of books books written about murder and crime. Murder is a dreadful, horrible thing. The Bible never shirks away from telling how awful sin is. This is an account of the first murder. Christians are followers of the gentle Lord Jesus who had no hate. We see here the stark opposite of Jesus. We can see the horror of sin and the need to repent. Francis Schaeffer spoke of the two natures, the two lines of Cain and of Abel. Cain is the first unbeliever while Abel is the first true worshiper of God and also the first martyr. Everyone in the world is either in the 'line of Cain' or the 'line of Abel'. Everyone in space and time are in one line or the other. Cain is proud and stubborn, self reliant, he had his own worldly religion. The way of Cain is the way of the World today. To claim that all religions are the same is the way of Cain. It goes against the way of Abel which seeks the way of the cross.
1.THE FIRST MURDER - verse 8.
This was a premeditated murder in the first degree. Murder is to slaughter a victim (Greek). He murdered his own brother, his mother's son. He murdered one he should have loved. It was a terrible crime. Why did he do it? Had he been abused? Brutalised by war? Neglected? No, it was pure wickedness, he had allowed anger to build up. God tried to talk him out of it and it had destroyed him, he gave into it. John 3:12, he murdered because his own actions were evil and his brother's were righteous. Jesus spent his whole life doing good and living a life of love, he experienced hate and was murdered by evil men. He was hated without reason and was handed over out of envy to Pilate. People are being murdered in parts of the world because they are believers. Matthew 5:2 - 23, to be angry without cause is to make ourselves subject to judgement. There is a little bit of Cain within all of us and a lot in some of us. We must not allow anger to well up in us.
2. THE FIRST TEMPORAL PUNISHMENT
His parents were overwhelmed with grief
a) God's questions are met with denial of responsibility - verse 9. God interrogates him, he had the evidence and Cain evaded, he lies. He won't even aknowledge his sin. Brothers should stick together, Cain says 'I don't have any responsibility for him.' Dio we hear the voice of modern man in Cain's cruel question? Individualism goes against God's order. The sense of belonging is seriously out of vogue today, many do not want to get involved, they cross the road and claim to be free. We are all our brothers' keepers, we each have a responsibility for our brother. How can we love God who we have not seen if we cannot love our brother who we have seen. We are called to care by God. We are a family of brothers and sisters and called to care for each other in and out of the church. We should not ask what our family can do for us but what we can do for our family.
b) God's sentence delivers him to restless wandering - verses 11 to 12
Cain hoped God would ignore sin, if it seems he does, there is the day of judgement. God's punishment is two fold, he does not have a patch of land of his own and is left to wander. He doesn't kill him, he has time to repent and there is no government to execute him. Thirdly he will be an example to others, he is a warning, he will be full of remorse and guilt and live a life of regret. To know relief he must repent. So he says to him you'll be a vagrant, aimless, detached, no roots, living under a suspended sentence.
c) God punishment brings self pity and fear - verse 13. He cares only for himself. He doesn't express even the tiniest twinge of repentance. He only fears for his own life. He fears what Abel's relatives will do. When God sends some sort of judgement people complain and say 'God's not fair' - Proverbs 19:3. A man's own folly ruins his life, yet his heart rages against the Lord. He does not find forgiveness because he will not repent.
d) God's grace promises protection - verse 15 and Romans 2:24. He has a mark on him to ward people off. We can repent and live an upright life or we can be bitter and not deal with it. Cain went away from God and wandered in a tractless land. David and Paul both repented when they sinned. God had already pleaded with him to make a right choic, now he protected him from death, which would have given him an opportunity to change and say I'm sorry, I repent. That is the common grace that God extends to every unbeliever. We can know God's peace if we repent of our sins in the name of the Lord Jesus.
e) God's grace was spurned. Abel's faith could not convince Cain but it speaks to us today. It records the guildty man who lives and the innocent man who died, this happens today. The way of Cain is a hard way, a way of hate. He presented human excuses, he wandered away from God, he knew human loneliness instead of human friendship. Abel's was a far better way, we can know this

God's Spiritual House

2007-11-11T16:26:00.000Z

If only we could capture Peter's vision, we could see every meeting a quarry for living stones, every missionary a stonemason sent to the ends of the earth to find living stones for God's temple.
1. WE ALL ARE PRIESTS - verse 59
The followers of Christ are being now represented not as the building, but as the priests officiating inside it. The living stones are seen offering up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ - 1 Timothy 2
a) We are Holy Priests - a Christian is set apart for God.
b) We are Royal priests - believers have the dignity of kings and the sanctity of priests - Exodus 19:5 Revelations 1:6 and 5:10.
2. WE ALL ARE TO OFFER SPIRITUAL SACRIFICES - verse 5
What are these sacrifices?
a) Our bodies - Romans 12:1 . The Lord may call a few to physically die for Him, but He asks all of us to live for Him.
b) Our praise - Hebrews 13:15. It is always fitting to praise God.
c) Our love -Ephesians 5:1 'Don't talk about His love, walk in His love.
d) Our good works - Hebrews - 13:15 Everything you do should be a thank offering to Christ. Your motive is gratitude to the Lord.
e) Our ministry - Romans 15:16. Paul says that his teaching and preaching the gospel was a sacrifice we cab offer to God.
f) Our giving - Philippians 4:18. The loved gift pleased God, relieved Paul, and enriched the Philippians.
g) Our prayers - Revelation 8:3
3. WE ALL HAVE A CORPORATE IDENTITY - verse 9
a) A chosen race - Isaiah 43:20 Psalms 33:12
b) A holy nation
c) A people belonging to God who has received mercy - Hosea 2:23
d) A people to declare His praises. We are left on the earth to proclaim how excellent the Lord is. That's our job description.
e) A people called out of darkness into His marvellous light. Gathered as the church, we worship our great God and we build up one another. Scattered into the world, we proclaim God's mercy and light to those who are still in the darkness.

The First Family

2007-11-11T15:19:00.000Z

Genesis 4:1 - 7
This is a fundamental and critical part of the Bible. This is the first family and first public act of worship. The story of Cain and Abel is well known to many in the World who lack faith. Cain was the first born in the world, the first farmer, the first family member and the first murderer.
1. THE FIRST FAMILY - verse 1 - 2
All human life comes from God, this was not a biological process, it is why we oppose abortion and tinkering with life. God is the author of life. Eve knew God gave life, she said 'with the help of the Lord I have brought forth a man' - maybe she hoped he would bruise the serpent's head, bring new hope. Adam and Eve believed God's word in this passage. Maybe he would be the saviour. She had her second born - Abel. This means breath or passing, was she being prophetic of how brief life is or how brief his life. We do not know how long he lived. The first 2 children were a wonderful event, they had never seen the marvel of a baby. They looked forward to a happy future, growing up, learning life skills, have a good calling, one was a shepherd, the other a tiller of the soil, a gardener who provided fruit and vegetables. Adam and Eve had the joy of seeing their boys in a settled life in professions. Here was a hopeful beginning. Cain and Abel shared the same parents, the same spiritual background, yet one followed God, the other followed his own desires. One broke their hearts, the other left only happy memories behind him. Both were equally loved. disciplined and cared for. One was the innocent victim, one left a trail of blood. We can be full of hopes and joys but our children can leave us heartache. Adam and Eve's circumstances still had sin in it. The only one who can guarantee a happy future is the living God. Parents often want to do the best for their children. The best they can do is to teach them the ways of God and to show them true worship. It is good to see happy families but we need to lead them to the Lord by our lives.
2. THE FIRST ACT OF WORSHIP - verse 3.
People have always had an innate understanding that we should worship God. Both boys knew they should do this. The verses suggest there was a particular time for worship, maybe their own families told them. Cain brought produce, Abel brought portions of the first born. The brothers worshipped God each in their own way. People think they can worship in their own way. The only problem was Abel's was accepted by God, Cain's was rejected. Was God being arbitary or unfair?
a) There is one passage that makes clear what was wrong - Hebrews 11:4. Where there is no faith, even the finest offering cannot make up the difference, Proverbs 15:8. Abel came with real faith , Cain only went through the motions. God looks at the heart. Are we here out of duty? As we always do? Or do we come to truly worship God and learn of him. When they came to worship Abel's heart was in tune with God's, Cain's was not. God wants all of us, not just on Sundays. We cannot buy God off by our gifts.
b) There may have been a difference in the quality of it. Abel offered his best, we do not read this of Cain. When we come to God we must bring our best to him, our best attention, our best worship. We must give our best to the Lord. David said 'Nor will I offer burnt offering to the Lord my God with that which cost me nothing' - 2 Samuel 24:24. We want to put our best into everything we do. We don't just give our cast offs to the Lord.
c) There was a difference in the kind of offering made. One brought something from blood shed, the other from the garden. Later God said Cain knew what was acceptable. If Cain did not have an animal he could have bartered for one. The animal was once again a substitute. Hebrews 10:19 - we can enter the most holy place by the blood of Jesus. We need a mediator. There are only two ways you can approach God. You can come offering what you have done or come pleading what another has done in your place. Cain decided 'I'll do it my way'. He had to come God's way knowing he was sinful.
d) There is an important lesson to all who worship God. God has prescribed the way we are to worship. We do not know how God showed his approval. There was a stony silence regarding Cain's offering. There are many people around the world who worship God in their own way. God rejects their worship if they come in their own way. We cannot go to a sports match in our own way, we have to have a valid ticket. In the same way we must come to God in the way he has prescribed.
3. THE FIRST EVIDENCE OF SIN IN THE HUMAN RACE
Cain was very angry and his face was full of anger, it was downcast. People get very angry when they hear that Jesus is the only way. Cain got it wrong and knew it but he did not repent or reform. An angry face is a horrible thing, a face full of resentment is ugly. Cain could have accepted that he was wrong and changed. We do not want to be around people who are angry or resentful. Cain's face showed what was within. God said 'why are you like this? Put it right.' When we do wrong, change. If we do well, we will feel well. If we do wrong, we will feel wrong.
4. THE FIRST WARNINGS IF SIN'S POWER.
God came to Cain with a warning, why do we have these feelings? Sinful attitudes are like a wild animal. If you struggles, God Will help you. God's word says petting bad feelings are not the way, they are small, when they are mature they are deadly. We need to deal with sin when it is the mental stage, it will, as in Cain's case, consume is and we will end up committing great sin like Saul did. Sin is like a maggot in an apple, if we harbour it in our hearts it will grow until it emerges out of our hearts, like a fly out of an apple. The sin we nurse like a pet will write our doom and be our ruin. We see much here culminating in God's call to change, he gives is the means to change in the Lord Jesus.

Harvesting

2007-11-11T14:13:00.000Z

John 4:27 - 42 and Matthew 9:35 - 10:10
This reflects on sending out someone into the harvest field.
1. THERE IS A HARVEST FIELD
This world is very needy and lost, there is a need for us to go and make disciples. We should see it is white, ready for reaping.
Jesus had been accused of using Satan's power, he answers by what he does and what his disciples do. The harvest is the crowds of people - verse 36. They are like sheep who need a shepherd, they need protection and guidance from a shepherd. People need spiritual guidance like sheep need a shepherd. Jesus compared the father to a shepherd who searches until the lost sheep is found. Jesus himself is the Good Shepherd. He saw some people didn't know right from wrong. He saw some people misused the Bible. The image of a shepherd is very strong in the Old Testament - Moses, Ezekiel and David use this image. Ezekiel and Zecheriah rebuked leaders for their poor leadership. People can get secular learning from school and university but people need guidance as to how to live to God. Secular learning cannot do this. People, like sheep, need leading.
Poverty often comes from ignorance not economics. People need a good shepherd. There is a harvest field all over the world - China etc. People have a big, aching emptiness that only be filled by Christ. All the rituals in the world cannot bring us to the living God. We need to be connected to God. Even the western world is spiritually bankrupt, there is a huge underclass and children who indulge in drink and drugs and millions who do not know Christ. We need the good shepherd to give us the values we can live by. There is a harvest field among our neighbours and friends who have never cared for him.
2. THE HARVEST NEEDS COMPASSIONATE PEOPLE.
Jesus saw people as harassed and helpless. He went around healing people of every illness and disease and preached the good news to them. He not only taught but showed deep concern for humanity, it was a medical and evangelistic ministry, he showed compassion. What Christ was doing we cannot imitate to the same degree but we can show compassion for the hurts of humanity. Spurgeon said 'his sympathies were awakened; he could not look with an indifferent countenance, his inmost soul was stirred.' Jesus showed true concern and did not expect a return from them. He didn't preach self help but told them the good news so when they came to Christ they would change. His example should stir us to great compassion. We need to life our eyes and see the need. There are teeming millions right here in England. We need the Lord to give us his eyes to see and his heart to to feel his concerns. We need to remember what we were before God's grace touched our lives and saved us from our sins. Are we too busy to take time to share the gospel.? Do we deep down, have an urgency and a concern to share the gospel with those around us? People are shepherd less without Christ.
3. THE HARVEST NEEDS A TEAM OF PEOPLE.
In the next chapter we see our Lord sending out the workers as teams. Ephesians 3:10. The church is a place to gather the harvest. The disciples are organised to work in time. The church is a base camp where there is prayerful, practical and financial ministry. The church is the place to meet for new believers to be built up so they can become workers in the field. Missionaries need to go God's way with the support of the local church.
4. THE HARVEST NEEDS PEOPLE TO TEACH AND PREACH.
Jesus taught in their synagogues. He went where He got a hearing. Jesus preached the good news. He had something to share with people. Preaching is teaching and instruction, it is more than that, it is God's message that demands a response or a verdict. It is God's authoritative way to bring God's word to people. We can bring unbelievers to where God's word is preached, the church.
5. THE HARVEST NEEDS PRAYER.
How do you create Christian workers and preachers? It can't, it is gifts and graces that God gives and are nurtured by the Church. Calvin said 'there never was greater necessity for offering this prayer than during the fearful desolation of the church which we now see around us.' It is also important that workers are called by God. There are almost always more need than workers but we need to pray to God for him to call more workers. We have a host of problems in our day , pray for workers.
6. THE HARVEST NEEDS WORKERS.
There are millions who are without God and hope and hope who are hastening to eternity. In Europe there are 1% of people who are evangelical believers. The harvest needs to be gathered before it rots. The doctrines of grace should not make us fatalistic but keen to work in the certain knowledge of its success. It needs willing workers, it needs helpers who will be committed full time, it needs short term workers, it needs all to be workers. It needs persevering and patient workers like Carey and Judson, we may have to work long and hard, but the harvest day comes. They worked for years before they had converts. Carey worked for 7 years before his first convert. Jesus preached to a despised Samaritan woman. It needs workers with faith and vision, we need the expectancy and hopefulness of Christ that anticipates harvest time, Luke 18:24 - 27. This country is ripe for the gospel. The old adage nothing ventured, nothing gained applies here. How will people be saved if we do not tell them? People receive power the spirit comes on them to preach. If we do nothing God will call us to account. Do we have eyes to see opportunities? The history of the growth of the church is marked by enterprise and vision. God blesses people who work with the most deprived and under privileged of people. Missionaries need to persevere and work where they see the need to work. We live in desperately dark days. We need to send out workers. Will you ask the Lord of the Harvest to send workers into His harvest? Will you volunteer for duty yourself? We need to do what we can - give leaflets, invite people in, speak to people. We can also pray for workers. We cannot tell what one conversation can do, Jesus spoke to the Samaritan woman and through that, preached to a whole city. We need to see the need and go out and share the gospel. We are so timid, fearful and unbelieving, the world needs us to go out and work. We need to resolve to pray for the work in other lands and on our own doorsteps for workers.

Living stones

2007-11-04T22:37:00.001Z

Ephesians 2 and Romans 9 l Peter 2:4 to 8

Last week the analogy was of babies drinking pure milk. This week it is a different analogy, the building of a spiritual body, a temple. Many of those he wrote to were Jews by birth, they knew of the temple, that it was the centre of the nation, built by them where they met to worship God. It is now no more, no more visible place, the people were the building, it would last through all generations. It was built on Christ of living stones. Peter shows that our salvation must be lived out by being built upon Christ and in Christian community. We must focus on important things, the most important is that we are built on Christ as a community. We must build together in Christ.
JESUS CHRIST - THE CHOSEN CORNERSTONE – verse 4
A rock is a common picture of God, it is solid, dependable, lasting – Isaiah 26:4, Psalm 3l:2, 6l:2 and 78:5. God is their rock, their redeemer. We call some people a rock, they are dependable and reliable. People want and need a rock to build upon. The Old Testament recognised God could be turned to, to protect them as a permanent source of help and strength. Our lives change, we sometimes go through deep disappointment, who can we turn to, a rock. The New Testament takes thought further, it identifies the second person of the Trinity as that rock who is dependable. That Christ is a solid foundation on which to build our lives. When we build a house it needs a solid foundation, we often have it checked. It is important to make sure it is deep and solid. It must not let us down. We need the power of Jesus for us to build on.
a) Peter refers to Jesus Christ as a stone people come to – verse 4. We live in a restless world where people are confused and anxious, where guilt burdens us. Jesus is the answer to a messed up world. We can go to Jesus for sustenance and nourishment. We keep coming for personal fellowship, help and forgiveness. The Christian life is a continual coming. He has the answers. He is the only foundation.
b) Peter also identifies the Lord Jesus Christ as chosen. He is chosen by God but rejected by men. The Old Testament tells us much about God’s plans and how Jesus was sent to a world prepared – the Roman Empire.
c) Peter also says that Jesus is the chief cornerstone. Not A cornerstone, but THE cornerstone – Isaiah 28:l6 and Ephesians 2:20. It is the actual starting point in the building, it sets the horizontal and vertical lines for the rest of the building – Ephesians 2:2l – 22. It establishes the precise symmetry of the building. Today they are usually ceremonial, ancient buildings had it as their most important stone, it was of critical importance. It was irreplaceable. Jesus is irreplaceable, he sets the angles of God’s house and its purpose and place.
JESUS CHRIST – THE REJECTED STUMBLING STONE – verse 4
For some it means they reject him. People stumble because they disobey the message, they were destined for this. For believers Jesus is their cornerstone. Unbelievers reject him and stumble over him. Psalm ll8: 22 describes Israel as the cornerstone of God’s purposes, they were special in God’s plans. But they were despised by other nations, God defended Israel again and again so it was preserved. Attackers stumbled and fell. Israel’s leaders rejected him. He preached the parable of the tenants. This rejection is nothing new. Why rejected He showed them up as people who needed to change their ways, he told them truths about God they did not like, he warned them of things to come they did not want to think about, he made them feel guilty, he exposed the inadequacy of their beliefs, he was so convincing that they had either to accept Him and submit to Him, or else stumble on headlong to destruction – Acts 4:ll. The people had no excuse, his perfect life, his miracles, all attested to his divine nature yet they rejected him. Pride prevented them building on him. The Jews threw the cornerstone away. Their temple was destroyed and their nation scattered. Their nation has been persecuted and murdered. This is all parts of God’s judgement. God’s church has been persecuted, it has had internal heresies and suffered decline but it remains and causes people to stumble if they do not believe in Jesus. These people were destined to stumble.
JESUS CHRIST – THE PRECIOUS LIVING STONE – verse 4
There is nothing more dead than a stone, it seems incongruous to liken Jesus to a stone. Jesus called Peter a rock. It says that the church is an ever growing collection of stones. Far more important than the world and the buildings they worship. A church and its pastor and officers can seem very weak, but if they are united as one they can be very solid and lasting. When we come into contact with Jesus Christ, we are made alive with him. That tells us that the church is more than a human organization. The true church is an ever growing collection of living stones. We don’t go to church, we are the church. God never intended that we live as Lone Rangers. We are made to fit together, one with another. Peter wants us to see that not only must believers trust Jesus fore square on what his word says but we must fit together in the face of the individualism of the world. There is a need for community in the church. We need other believers. We are a body together. If we take a tile off or a brick out of a wall it weakens the building. We all have a part to play in the wall of God’s church. Absences do matter. We must play a role in the church. We must be joined one to another. The more we play a role, the more effective the church will be. The one who trusts in him will never be put to shame. He will never prove faulty. If we hide in him he will never expose us. We cannot lose.
a) He gives us stability and security. He is our stability, our firm foundation, the solid rock of our strength.
b) He sets the standard for us. The cornerstone became the basis for determining every measurement and alignment. We live in a world of gadgetry, then they had the cornerstone to set the standard. We should ask what standard has Jesus set for us?
c) He is precious to us, our relationship to God must be at the centre of all we do, both individually and corporately – verse 7. Our wedding rings are precious to us. Can we say Jesus is precious to us? He gives us a love that cannot fail. Paul lost so much when he became a believer – status, income and family. He did not regret it because he found so much, the love of the Lord Jesus Christ also was so precious to him.

The Hope of the World

2007-11-04T17:26:00.000Z

Genesis 3 and Revelation 22

The bright hope of the future, we have looked at the effects of sin – it was quite horrendous. Here we have hope for mankind to gain access for God. Chapter 3 reminds us God allows us to suffer the consequences of sin but also provides hope for the future and from the full consequences of sin. We must understand the balance of mercy and grace, judgement and hope.
HOPE FOR MANKIND BY JUDGEMENT ON SATAN – verse l4
Adam and Eve’s sin had cosmic consequences. Sundered relationships with God and creation. This is a divine prescription for restoration.
a) God will reverse the disastrous attitude of the woman – verse l5. She will learn who her enemy is. God will reverse this friendship. God puts enmity between Satan and her. She will become the friend of God and the enemy of Satan.
b) He extends this antagonism to both their respective seeds – John 8:44. Satan will have his offspring and so will the woman. There will be a kingdom of Satan and a kingdom of God. They will be at war with war with each other. The children of the woman will fight the evil. There is a conflict, Satan will not get his own way as he did with Adam and Eve.
c) He says there will be perpetual humiliation for the serpent. Dust in the mouth is a figure of defeat and humiliation. Satan will always eat dust – Isaiah 53. Satan is synonymous with the snake. Satan is called that dragon in Revelation. That the snake crawls in the dust indicates Satan has bitten the dust, it is a figure we often use today. Satan had been thrown out of Heaven, his second humiliation was in Eden, he was also humiliated at Calvary. Isaiah paints a picture of harmony and love – Isaiah 65:25 – except the serpents food will be dust, it is his doom.
d) He says there will be a decisive blow that destroys the serpent – verse l5. Satan succeeded in giving him a temporary bruise but He inflicted a death blow, literally crushing Satan’s head. From the children of the woman will come one who crushes Satan’s head. This is the first prophecy of the coming Jesus. This is the fulfilment of this verse – Jesus’ ankle was bruised temporarily but Satan will be caused to be crushed for the final time. Jesus suffered to save his people, in dying he conquered death, he crushed Satan’s head. Romans l6: 20 – we shall finally crush Satan. God says from that woman who offended God will come one who will be bruised but will ultimately crush Satan. We may go through difficult times but we shall crush he who is in the world. God has willed his truth to triumph, his will endures. Christ is the last Adam, he will succeed where Adam failed , he defeated Satan though his foot was bruised. God is still restraining Satan – one day he will be destroyed.
HOPE FOR MANKIND BY FAITH – verse 20
Adam named her life giver – Eve. All was not lost. Adam showed he believed God’s promise. Naming her Eve he showed he believed she would have children and one would be the deliverer. Salvation is now and always has been by faith in God’s promise. We believe in his word and God imputes righteousness to us. Adam believed God – he had one faint promise and he held to it, were Adam and Eve saved? This is evidence they had faith.
HOPE FOR MANKIND BY PROVISION OF COVERING – verse 22
The garments are beyond what was needed for mere clothes. The first clothes were fig leaves, a temporary solution, a desperate attempt to cover up. It is like our attempts to cover up sin, desperate and frail. We all know we have sinned. People try to be charitable or to compare themselves to others. We can never cover up our past. God takes the initiative. Mankind’s attempt to cover sin is like fig leaf clothes. In order to produce leather an animal dies. They learned that without the shedding of blood, there is no adequate covering for sin, but that God would accept the death of an acceptable substitute. An animal died in what had been a paradise where there had been no death. Death is never very pleasant. The death of the animal would have hit them hard, they saw that without the shedding of blood they could not stand in the presence of God. They saw that without the shedding of blood they could not stand in the presence of God. They saw a substitute was needed. If we have sinned we cannot approach God just as we are, we need the death of a substitute for us. We need the death of Jesus to cover our sins.
HOPE FOR MANKIND BY THE TREE OF LIFE – verse q
Adam and Eve were evicted from Eden. Now man knew evil like a cancer patient knows cancer. They entered into a new realm of experience of sin. They would not enter eternal life like that, it would have been hell when you live forever separated from God. They were cast our for their own good. Think of a world where sinners never died, where gangsters, dictators etc never died. God would not let this happen. Adam is barred from Eden by cherubim who are a special class of angels assigned to guard the throne of God. In the temple the curtain leading to the Holy of Holies had cherubim embroidered on to it. Only one man could enter it and only once a year and then with blood. Mankind can enter it ay will. Our inability to access the tree of life is our greatest problem. Nothing more is heard of the Tree of Life until Revelation 22:l. There are no cherubim with flaming swords. Anyone who is needy can come and eat and live forever. How has this happened? When Jesus died on the cross the curtain in the temple with the cherubim on it was torn in two. The message is clear, through Jesus Christ the way to God is now open to all, everywhere, any time. That’s why the Tree of Life appears at the end of the Bible. Christ has opened the door to Heaven, and through him and by him anyone who wants to, can come in. Paradise Lost has now become Paradise Regained. Why will you die when you could live forever.Whatever we have done we now have access to the throne of Heaven. We can return to God through the Lord Jesus. There is a wonderful hope. Satan has been defeated and we can stand before God by faith. When this passing world is done we can go to Heaven. The Tree of Life is Jesus. The Hope of the World.q

A healthy apetite helps you grow up.

2007-11-01T21:59:00.000Z

1 Peter 1 and 2 Peter I
All of us grow up. There are stages of life which mean learning. We progress from childhood to adulthood. It is the same in the Christian life which begins with the New Birth. It has babyhood, and a growing phase where we are pulled all ways. It also has a mature phase where we are more stable. As adults we can behave childishly but we cannot become babies again, we must aim to live as an adult. The normal course for Christians is to grow to maturity in Christ. If we continue in Christ's word we shall be his disciples. We can see two aspects.
1. NEGATIVELY - refuse what retards healthy growth.
There are foul things that destroy friendships, families and churches. As new believers their families ridiculed them, they were no longer pagans going to the temple, immoral living, they must rid themselves of these things, it means putting them off like old clothes and putting on the new life. There are styles that go out of fashion - we must put them off. These things must be thrown away.
a) Malice is wickedness but especially having it in for someone. This is being mean, touchy and abrasive.
b) Deceit involves having ulterior motives in your communications like baiting a hook in fishing.
c) Hypocrisy describes one who pretends to be something he is not. We behave in a different way for different people.
d) Envy means being jealous of another person or their things. Jealousy of other's status and things killed Jesus.
e) Slander means to speak unkindly against someone, we do other people down. The way we treat one another impacts on our relationship with God. This is not for you now. The sins of the tongue are serious. As long as we have wrong attitudes to those around us we will not grow spiritually. When we have wrong attitudes we impede our spiritual health. It does not matter how many meetings we go to, if we fill our minds with this spiritual junk food we shall never grow. We must rid ourselves of these 5 things. We do not need therapy, we need obedience. If we go through life with a scowl we are not obeying God. How can we go round full of self pity if we have tasted how good God is. Never forget how good God was.
2. POSITIVELY - crave God's word the way a baby craves milk.
Babies crave their mother's breast, we should crave spiritual food in the same way. We get hunger pains when we are hungry. Babies cry when they are hungry, you must feed them whatever time of the day it is. As believers we must be hungry for spiritual food.
a) We are hungry for spiritual food - that's natural - Psalm 42:l. We should be naturally drawn to God's word. We need God's word. Our souls should pant for God's word, it brings blessings, comfort and hope.
b) We are to be hungry for pure milk. Milk is good for us and tastes good - we want it. God has designed milk to be desired. We can tell if milk is impure, if it has been watered down. We need rich nutritious healthy milk. We want our Bible to be explained to us, we do not want some weak, diluted word, we want the whole word with nothing missing. Often the word is diluted in many churches to make us feel good, it does make us feel bad sometimes. The word is pure, spiritually pure. Romans 2:l. We cannot know God without having our minds instructed by the Word of God. Religious feelings without truth in the head will do us no good. Something must be known and felt to do us good. The word is nourishing - babies need mother's milk which is nourishing for us. God's word is the staple diet for us today. Mother's milk immunises to a certain extent. God's word immunises us in the same way. We have to be spiritually nourished by God's word in the same way. We should look forward to hearing God's word and applying it so we can resist temptation.
c) We are only going to grow up as we feed well. We cannot grow without God's word. We love to be fed. We will keep feeding because we have tasted how good it is. Psalm 34:8 and ll9:l03. It is a joy when people come eager, expectant, wanting to hear the voice of the Lord. We come and hear God's word feeling low and depressed and go out feeling much refreshed and renewed. We will keep feeding because growth takes time. Preachers love to see that people are interested. They feel disturbed when people appear to be disinterested. We should listen to God's word and expect it to speak to us. No child can grow can grow without food. Romans l0:l7. We can use a study Bible with a commentary to to help us understand. We need to work and make an effort to feed. We have to eat or we won't grow. Sometimes we don't have the appetite to feed, but what requires effort to do most pleases God. We do not know which sermon will bless us most, which words will leap out at us and speak to us. We often seek to feed and be with God and we will grow.
3. DEFINITIVELY - it is God's will for us to grow in Christ.
All of us behave childishly at times. All of us can have retarded development. We often believe we are stuck the way we are. We say genetic forces make us the way we are. We should never have a fatalism.
How is it discerned? Growing in Christ turns knowledge into wisdom, learning from the word humbles. Spiritual maturity has nothing to do with intelligence, age or time, its all to do with spiritual wisdom and grace.
Children have a narrow focus. Spiritual growth makes us mature and have a wider view. Believers similarly as they get older should become more balanced and wise, more sensitive and gracious and more self-controlled. The growth Peter has in mind is in respect of salvation. What he's talking about is increase in the power of the gospel in the heart and life, increasing delight in the author of our salvation. What he's talking about is increase in the joy of our salvation, increase in gratitude for our salvation, and increase in the assurance of our salvation. It is growth begun and sustained by the gospel. We should not be spiritual fatalists, we should not be stuck in a rut. We should feed on pure spiritual milk so we will feel better. Now that we have tasted the word of the Lord, are there those who have not fed on it and digested and obeyed it - known Jesus in a personal way and been saved? Seek the Lord while he may be found.

Abraham and Isaac

2007-10-29T15:48:00.000Z

Genesis 22:1 to 19

If someone came to you with a knife and told you to kill your son and burn him, what would we think? What if it was a friend, a close family member? Would we see the Pastor, the Police? We would find it distressing. What if it was a loving God? Here is the God of Abraham telling him to take his only son whom he loves, to Moriah and sacrifice him.
We love our children. The world often does not love family. There is readily available abortion, family breakdown. Christians love family, perhaps too much - no family planning, home educate, children stay subject to their parents till they are married, perhaps to 40 or never marry. This shows a lack of faith in what God can do.
How much do we love the Lord in comparison to our family? Abraham was elderly - a veteran. This was the worst trial of his life. He had left his family and journeyed to a foreign land. He had been threatened due to Sarah, twice. He had known famine, been childless for many decades. He had been overjoyed at Isaac's birth then been told to sacrifice him. Abraham would have been astounded. He loved his son dearly. He would have given all he had to save Isaac. We give greatly for our children, they are precious to us. To the Jews sons were especially precious, the line went through them. He was the only son he and Sarah had. There would be no more. He was an only child. David wept over the son of his adultery and a wicked son - Absolom. But to lose his only son......... Isaac meant 'laughter'. Sarah and Abraham were overjoyed to have Isaac and how that he should die!
God knew Abraham was a loving, spiritual father, he loved his son. He was to take the son, build an altar to put wood on, take that son and bind him and kill him with a knife. It was horrific! This was the son of promise - Genesis 17:19 - he was the one through whom the covenant was established. God was breaking his promise, wasn't he? This causes the foundation of our faith to crumble away. In Isaac all the nations would be blessed - the Messiah would come from him so this affected the world - didn't it?
God was going against his law - Genesis 9:5 to 6. God expected an accounting of blood for the life of a man. Isn't this tyranny? Infanticide? Would Sarah think she had a monster for a husband? He probably didn't tell her. God was going contrary to his law, covenant and character. What would we think?
Secondly we see the character of Abraham - he obeys immediately, in every detail and without question. Given human nature, we would expect him to say 'why Lord?' or accuse him but he does not. God plunges the sword of his word into Abraham. Early the next morning he cuts enough wood, loads up his donkey and sets off with Isaac and two servants. He sets off without question. He doesn't question in any way what God has told him. He did question the birth of Isaac but not the death of Isaac.
On the third day he saw the place. What went through his mind? Did he get assailed by Satan? He certainly thought. He told his servants to stay with the donkeys, probably because he thought they might stop him. Then Isaac spoke up - verses 7 and 8. He knew about sacrifices. Abraham answered, God would provide. Abraham then gets to the place, he builds the altar then binds Isaac. Isaac is laudable in his behaviour. He was in total submission. He was in his prime but does not struggle. It was his finest hour.
How did Abraham feel? 3 days of though, he binds his own son, had the knife. How did he feel? Abraham obeyed God, we do not know what he thought. We see the control of God: Abraham, Abraham, God called to him. and told him to stop because he had not withheld his son. God was testing Abraham but did not tell him or it would not have been a test. James 1:13, God does not tempt us but tests. Satan tempts us to do evil. This is what God was doing - testing. He tests us in many ways . God saved his greatest test for his last days. He tested his greatest servant in his greatest way. Hebrews 11:17 - 19 tells us that Abraham reasoned that God would raise his son from the dead and figuratively speaking he got him back from the dead, it was faith to take our breath away. Abraham had assurance at the start of the story - verse 5, we will come back.
There is a picture here - God had a son, an only son, Jesus whom he loved infinitely and he gave him up for the salvation of unbelieving people. God took that son and sacrificed him on the cross. God headed for mount Calvary and did everything needed. God's knife fell on the Lord Jesus and God's fire burned on his only son.
Do we weep at this? We ought to. Why should he go to such lengths? Jesus went into the fires of eternal punishment willingly and gave himself - verse 8, God will provide the lamb and do in the Lord Jesus. He was himself the lamb. Jesus was our substitute on the cross, he took the fire, the punishment that we might live. Our sins are dealt with by the sacrifice of Jesus.
Abraham received Isaac back. God received his son back - death could not hold him. Our infinitely eternal death could not hold him. It all took place on Mount Moriah = Mount Calvary, it is the same place. It is a precise shadow of what was to come. Moriah means 'what God makes me see', do we see this?

How Important is Jesus to you?

2007-10-29T14:58:00.000Z

Hebrews 1:1 - 14, Colossians 1:15 - 20
We get a wide range of answers. Some are indifferent. Some see him as a great historical person but he is not important to them. Some react violently when you suggest he is relevant to them. Here, most of see him as very important. You get a great spectrum of answers.
There are reasons for this - there are 2 key factors:
1. Who do we think he is?
2. What do we think he has done and is doing?
The Colossians were Christians that were in danger of being led astray by saying he hadn't done everything necessary for their salvation, they said they had secret information that led to higher understanding. Paul was very concerned and wrote this letter. He summarised who Jesus is and what he has and is doing - in these verses. It is only a summary, he later draws out things in more detail. What can we learn? This is an incredible passage in depth and scope. It is very important for us to have a clear understanding. Paul knew people needed a clear understanding.
1. Who Jesus is. There are many different views, some doubt he ever existed, he was made up, created in their minds. People are duped. The Bible us at best a good story. People accept historical characters such as Julius Caesar and Henry VIII. There is more historical data regarding Jesus than these two. It is not realistic to doubt Jesus existed. So who is he? In the gospels we get to see what he said about himself. He said he was God. He left no doubt. John 10:25 to 30. He said plainly that God is his father and he was his son - I and the father are one. He claimed to be God. Some people do not accept Jesus is God and try to water down what he said - they try to explain it away. How do we know he meant what he said? Next the Jews tried to stone him because they said he was blaspheming by claiming to be God and he was only a 'mere man'. The Jews understood what he was saying. Jesus was entitled to say this. If Jesus had been misunderstood he would have corrected them and told them they had got it wrong. Jesus let them express their anger because he meant it.
His disciples, after his ascension, continued to preach he was God,. If they had wanted to avoid all of the antagonism, they would not have said Jesus was God, this offended people and some died for saying it. In this letter Paul strongly reasserts that Jesus is God - verse 15, he is the true image of the invisible God, verse 19 - he had all the fullness of the deity in bodily form. This is really important for him to grasp this. Today this really offends people, some people try to twist his words. The Bible is consistent - Hebrews 13 - the radiance of God's glory. Phillipians 2:5 Jesus is in very nature God. It has far reaching implications if Jesus is God. We need to clear about it here. We may think it is not important if we are not Christians. If we are Christians this knowledge keeps us from errors.
a) He is the image of the invisible God. Man was made in the image of God in Genesis, but he is only like God in some ways, we are not gods. We are a likeness of God. In verse 15 he is likened to the invisible God. Jesus is the image we can see and look to. Jesus is the part of God we can see. God is 3 persons and we can see only Jesus. He appeared in the Old Testament such as the Burning Bush. He is fully equal with the other two persons. Verse 19 - he has all the fullness of God in him. It not some or most but 100% of the entire fullness of God. If someone says he is any less than that they need to be corrected. It really does matter.
b) Paul focuses on two things Jesus does and why they are important:
(i) Creation - Jesus was and is pivotal to the whole creation. By him all things were created. He was not created himself, he was the creator of all things visible and invisible, on Earth and in Heaven. He says it twice in verse 16. They were created for him to enjoy. If Jesus was not fully God this would be an outrageous and foolish claim. Paul summarises the scope of the creation, absolutely everything. It is an amazing world. If we look at the complexity and wonder of it we can see a creator's hand. If we come at the world with an open mind we can see a creator. All came from a powerful God. The whole of the spiritual realm - the angels and the heavens were made by him as well. False teachers often dwell on the spiritual realm. Paul puts these into perspective - they were made by him and for him. He is more powerful and pre-eminent over them - verse 17.
In him all things hold together. Some see God as a watch maker, he made it and wound it up and then left. The Bible constantly challenges this - Hebrews 1:3 he sustains it by his powerful will. It does not just drift off into chaos. God works. It is hard to see God at work when we have troubles but there are many things we cannot see - radio waves, mobile phone signals, TV etc. If we have the right equipment we can tune into it. It is equally foolish to deny God's power because we cannot see it.
2. He is the church because it could not exist without him - what he did in salvation. He became a man and died on the cross. If he hadn't done it we would not be saved, we would have been consigned to die in hell. If Jesus has not died for us we will go to hell. Jesus can deal with our sin because he is God. He is perfect because he is eternal, because he is God he can take our sin and give us his righteousness. He created people so he could have a relationship with them. When we have sinned we were separated from God. When he died for our sins we were restored. The resurrection showed God had accepted his sacrifice. Jesus was the instigator in creation and salvation.
What are the implications if we are not Christians? As our creator he is entitled to our love and respect. Because he is God he sees what we do and what we think. Because he is perfect and just, when we face him at the end of our lives we will go to Hell if we have not accepted him - if we reject his offer of salvation. We have the opportunity now to turn to him and receive his offer of salvation.
For Christians the implications are that we have a perfect and complete salvation provided by Jesus. We still owe him love, respect and obedience. We should follow him in all that we do. We still struggle in many things that we face, we face many problems in our lives. We have a great saviour . He had the power to create and sustain us, he has the power to care for us too. Jesus can save us to the utter most. He saved us and can rescue our unsaved loved ones and we should trust in his power to save.

Deep Love

2007-10-29T14:16:00.000Z

I Corinthians 13 I Peter 1:22 to 25
Peter wrote to of different cultural backgrounds experiencing difficulties. Peter writes to remind them that the new birth demands a new love in the family of God. It is the hallmark of the Christian faith - our love for each other, genuine, practical love. What we do out of love for the least of our fellow believers we do for Jesus. Also when we show love for our family, friends, believers and community.
1. WHY DO WE LOVE?
Love is at the very centre of Christian lifestyle - 1 John 4: 16, John 13:35 It is in the very nature of God to love.
a) We are are to love because change has taken place in our life.
(i) We have "purified our souls". This harks back to Levitical purification, of souls by the blood of a bull. If we have been cleansed we love God in return. Before Christ, all of life was self-centred, we loved ourselves, we thought in terms of ourselves, now we have a new nature. We become self-less when we become believers. 'Oh love that will not let me go' was written by George Matheson after his fiance rejected him when he became blind. However, he knew God's love and found rest and peace.
(ii) We have obeyed the truth by the Spirit. Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. 2 John 1:6 John comes back to this again and again. There is no such thing as a saving faith without obedience. Children often delay obedience, they play for time because they do not want to obey. Christians want to obey but often we lack in courage and determination. Belief and obedience come together - 1 Peter 4:17 and Romans 1:5, they want to see the obedience of faith. Christ's gospel says this too. God will deal out judgement to those who do not obey - John 3:36. Peter writes to this who purify their souls by obeying the truth.
b) We are to love because we have been born into a family - verse 23
Everyone who belongs to the Lord Jesus Christ is my brother or my sister because we are all "born from the same womb" - James 1:18. We must give evidence that we love the truth by the life we live. Being born again is linked to brotherly love (philidelphia - one born from the same womb). We love each other because we have the same father, we are of the same spiritual family. Children often squabble at home but they stick up for each other in other places. When we are abroad we stick up for people of the same nationality. As believers we stand up for each other. Peter quotes Isaiah 40 - who wrote to God's people when they were in captivity and told them they would return to their own land one day. He told them Babylon would soon be broken and fade away and a new ruler would allow them to return. God's word would stand forever. They are mortal, they would soon fade like flowers. We belong to a heavenly family, we will soon be with our father. God's word has effected wonderful changes in people's lives by the sheer force of the power of the Holy Spirit. We can often listen to the word of God for many years but does it change and affect us? It changes people from being selfish to loving and caring.
2. HOW WE LOVE
a) We are to love sincerely. The word love is bandied about, we love flowers, football, animals etc. Is it romantic or sentimental? It is a deep sincere love from the heart that Peter talks about.
In I Thessalonians 4: 9 Paul urged people ton to love more and more, it can always do more.
(i) To love sincerely is to love authentically, like God himself, without pretense. Jesus was the personification of love. It is without pretense. Jesus hated hypocrisy, acts of charity for show.
(ii) To To love sincerely often involves sacrifice. Biblical love is a self-sacrificing, caring commitment which shows itself in seeking the highest good of the one loved. Not simply sentiment. It also helps others sacrificially and takes time out to help out in whatever ways it can.
(iii) To love sincerely takes time. True brotherly love goes the distance even with difficult to love people.
(iv) To love sincerely is to risk saying what may be misinterpreted. Love for the lost is not always viewed as true love. Real, genuine love is often not appreciated but we must persevere in loving. We expect a doctor to give an accurate diagnosis so we must give an accurate description to people. The word 'deeply' comes from a word connected to horses who are stretching to go faster. They are durable and go faster.
We are to love with with love that lasts - Mark 12:30. Durable love receives reproofs without animosity and defensiveness. Lasting love doesn't keep a list of grievances and is glad when others prosper when we do not. Since we will be in Heaven together forever, our love for each other ought to be deep and lasting here on earth. We must work at having a sincere love, a clean love and a deep love, especially towards other Christians. There is so much thoughtlessness and carelessness. We must love all, loving the fatherless and the widow. God puts us to the test so that we learn to love as he loves - he puts different people around us at work and in our families so that we learn to care for all regardless of what they are like. We must love those we find difficult to love or get on with.

The Curse

2007-10-29T13:31:00.000Z

I Corinthians 15:20 to 26 and 35 to 49 Genesis 3:16 to 19.

This passage is painful to read but we need to value and understand it, it is formative and fundamental to the rest of the Bible. We have a great grasp of the World, space, ocean depths and computers etc. We have extracted knowledge from creation. Yet we cannot solve the issues of the human hear, of life. There is crime, broken relationships and general frustration. Leaders have not diagnosed what the problem is. Genesis 3 is that diagnosis.
1. SIN RUINED THE RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD.
2. SIN RUINED THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH SELF. People frequently feel stressed, depressed or anxious. In Romans 7:21 Paul recognises wretched relationships and what he is inside. We end up doing wrong.
3. SIN RUINED THEIR RELATIONSHIP TOGETHER - verse 11.
Adam says "don't blame "Don't blame me, I had to please her and keep her happy didn't I? We accuse one another in order to excuse ourselves. When we do wrong we try to blame each other or if we can't we blame God as Adam did. We make excuses. In the closest human relationships on Earth, strife has entered. It is the cause of the housing shortage today - divorce. Eve blamed the serpent. We, as they did, do not accept responsibility for what we do wrong. We blame family, school, government etc until we stand before God then we have to accept blame for what we have done.
4. SIN RUINED THE MAN'S WORKING LIFE. verses 17 to 19
God lists the man's faults. He listened to his wife. He disobeyed God. Normally listening and learning from his wife is good for a man. Adam followed his wife into sin. Then he disobeyed God.
a) The first part of the curse on man is going to be on work. From now on men will use a lot of heat and energy in hard work. The world is only productive because men work on the land, he competes with weed and thorns. Men have to work with their hands in developing countries to feed their families. It is often mixed with hopelessness and a sense of failure. Today we seem to have so much to eat and such a choice. We still work hard using our minds which become so stressed because of problems at work - difficult people etc. Work became hard at the time of the curse. God gave us dignity in work but it is still work.
Is there a better perspective, yes there is. - Colossians 3:23. We have a new attitude to work when we come into the Kingdom. We are working for the Lord not for men. We do our best and we do it well, for God. We should be loyal and honest. It becomes meaningful for the benefit of God. We work to glorify him. The curses are mitigated in Christ. When you work as a christian you have the joy of doing something so eternally purposeful.
b) The second part of the curse on man is death becomes a reality.
We are made of the same elements as the earth. What a bleak analysis. You're dirt to start with, you're just going to be digging in the dirt then you're going back to dirt. The Universe is like a wind up clock that us slowly dying.
Is there a better hope? Yes, God has a solution. His son has reversed the curse by his life, death and resurrection. By a relationship with him we have eternal life and the curse mitigated.
5. SIN RUINED THE WOMAN'S HOME LIFE - verse 16
It is hard being a woman down through history. This was not God's original design. She's giving birth to little sinners and married to a big one. Children bring joy but problems
a) She will experience trouble in child birth. Women often were completely worn out at a relatively young age. 1 1/2% of women used to die in child birth. Women often spent their whole lives caring for children. In the past this wore out many women at a young age. Queen Anne was pregnant 18 times. Only 5 were born alive and none survived childhood.
Is there a solution in the gospel? 1 Timothy 2:15. There is a Christian heritage that cares for people in this country. Women have a hard road but it can be softened. If a woman will live a life of faith and love and holiness and self-control, she is fulfilling her calling, her children will be grateful to her, her example will help them, many will continue in the same thing - Proverbs 31:28. Christian mothers set an example to their children, they instill the love of God in their lives. Their children call them blessed as does her husband. Problems in society are often caused by bad parenting. The curse is mitigated by Christian parenting.
b) She will know conflict with the man. She will have desires that cannot be fulfilled. Instead of tender love, the husband would now domineer over his rebellious wife. Domination is physical and emotional use of strength. There is strife instead of love. Historically men have not understood their wives and have abused and hurt them. They commit adultery and abandon them.
Is there a solution in the gospel? Ephesians 5. God's direction for marriage. We don't rebel against God if we are a Christian. God protects us, so wives should submit to their husbands and husbands should not dominate their wives but love them tenderly. Yes, marriage can be the best that life has to offer. Sin hit marriage really hard but the gospel of Christ can put it back on the right lines. When we are Christians there are new perspectives on work and relationships, with God and with each other. In Eternity there will be tenderness and love as there was in the Garden before the curse. If we do not know Christ we can turn to him so that your life can be a life of hope, of love in Christ.

Genesis - the Fall

2007-10-27T22:58:00.000Z

Reading – Psalm 139:1-16; 32.

C. S. Lewis, “I have been reading poems, romances, vision-literature, legends, and myths all my life. I know what they are like. I know that not one of them is like this.” This is not a parable. Here is an account of what happened when God made man, and sin and death came into our world, into my world and your world.
It is appointed unto men once to die, and Genesis three is telling us the means by which death entered the world created by the Holy One
In Genesis we have what is apparently a simple unfolding of the events of the early days of the history of the race and of the consequences that came from them.
The biblical teaching is that the man and woman were made upright by God, who himself is upright. They fell into sin and did so as representatives of the human race, Adam in particular being so designated. As a result of that fall, the judgment of God in the form of death passed on everyone.
[1] WHAT EVE DID – ate the forbidden fruit. 6 ¶ When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it.
Someone has said that if you are going to smoke a peace pipe with the devil then the pipe needs to have a very long stem, but better not to smoke at all. So she gazed at the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil as she had never looked at it before. The tree seemed utterly enchanting, and she became obsessed by it.
Satan didn’t bother to remind Eve of the terrible consequences for her, her family, and the human race. He never does.
Satan lets the attractiveness of the product lure Eve to her doom. In the Lord's Prayer the prayer doesn't say, "Lead me out of temptation." By the time we have got into it we are already half lost. The Lord tells us to pray beforehand, don't let me get to the place where I feel this tremendous awakening of desire within.
Eve “saw that the tree was good for food.” It was nutritional, not harmful. This is what John calls “the lust of the flesh”1 John 2:16. The temptation looks as if it will meet a legitimate need.
Eve saw that the fruit “was pleasing to the eye.” He got her on the emotional level. It was lovely, not ugly. This is what John calls “the lust of the eyes.”
Eve saw that the fruit “was desirable for gaining wisdom.” This appealed to her on the intellectual and spiritual level. Wisdom is generally a good thing but wisdom isn’t gained by disobeying God, but by fearing and obeying Him. When its in opposition to God’s Word it feeds what John calls “the boastful pride of life.”
The thought was how can it be wrong when it seems so right? Kidner says: “Eve listened to a creature instead of the Creator, followed her impressions against her instructions, and made self-fulfilment her goal”.
The downward spiral is complete. When you start fondling Forbidden Fruit, you’re already done for. You’ve committed the sin in your heart long before you take that first bite. If you don’t want to get trapped, don’t spend time thinking about how nice it would be, how good it would feel, or how much you deserve it.
When you start saying, “I know God says……but…….,” you are on the verge of making a terrible mistake.
[2] WHAT ADAM DID - he ate the fruit. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.
Eve has now joined the serpent’s side, she is doing the serpent’s dirty work for him, and she is dragging her husband down with her. That’s what happens when we yield to temptation, others are always hurt and in the end, we suffer together.
Where had Adam been during this entire conversation? He was certainly around, but why was he silent, why didn’t He intervene. Adam watched her as she took the fruit put it to her lips and bit into it and swallowed it down. Then he simply took the offered fruit without asking her any questions.
If Adam had been a true spiritual leader, he would have reacted and corrected her. He was a mouse not a man. 1Ti 2:14 tells us: And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner.
Eve was tricked by the devil. But Adam was not deceived. He had heard the original command from God and he knew it was wrong to eat the fruit. He wasn’t tricked at all. And as the head of his family and the “federal head” of the whole human race, he is held morally responsible for the first sin.
Eve sinned first but Adam is to blame. He should have known better, he should have exercised leadership to protect his wife.
Adam chose to identify himself with her in her rebellion against God. He wanted to be independent of the Lord too - and in that attitude mankind fell, with all its tragic consequences.
The NT explains this and goes on to describe exactly what they had done. 1 Cor. 15: 21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.
Eve was deceived; but Adam sinned in utter rebellion. This is why the Bible never places the blame for the fall of the race on the woman.
[3] WHAT THEY DID –sinned against God
From the NT we learn a word that defines what our first parents did. It is called sin. The bible says in Romans says that sin entered through Adam. Ro 5:12 therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned. Ro 5:17 by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, 19 through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners.
What is Sin? We need to know. Sin is a falling away from something good. It is the reversal of God’s good intentions for the race.
We see this in nearly all the synonyms for sin found in the Scriptures: the words used in the original languages are transgression, to miss the mark, to go astray, shortcoming and offense. Each of these involves a departure from a higher standard or from a state enjoyed originally.
The prophets when they rebuked Israel for its sin, would say: ‘You have fallen away, you have strayed, you have been unfaithful. You have forsaken God; you have broken the covenant, you have left him for other gods. You have turned your backs upon him!’
Sin is leaving God. In His parables the Lord Jesus speaks of sin as leaving God. The prodigal son leaves home, goes away from the Father and turns his back upon him. The lost sheep strays from the flock and from the Shepherd; it is lost.
Sin is pride. Eve thought she knew what was better for herself and her husband than God did. The man also made himself autonomous. This is pride, it lies at the heart of our sinful race. It makes us all want to be more than we are or can be.
Sin is rebellion. Jesus tells of wicked tenant farmers who grab the master’s rights and wrongly seize the land which they only held on a rental. They are lawless rebels. 1Jo 3:4 Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness. That’s the definition of sin. It's ignoring God's law; it's breaking God's law. It's living as if there was no law of God. It's further defined in Romans 14:23: To know to do right and not do it is sin. I John 5:17 "All unrighteousness is sin."
So when you know what’s right and don't do it, that's sin. When you know something pleases God and you don't do it that is sin. ‘
Sin is going beyond the bounds that God has established. Sin is defined as any breach of God's law. God's law is revealed in the bible of course.
Sin is humanities most basic problem.
The media is full of stories about evil, the prisons overflow, and the laws of the land get added to year after year.
People like to think humanities basically good and something happens to make him bad. They accept there is such a thing as evil, but how do we define that evil? Why are we bad?
What is our standard for what is evil? Today we don't have a standard. Once our view of morality, crime and justice, all came from the Bible.
People now say the Bible is not our standard and so they redefine morality in terms of popular culture. In other words something is sin if the majority think it is so, but the majority are led by the media, and the media can’t be trusted. Something is sin if the government passes a law, but the government is often influenced by vocal minorities and passes knee jerk laws.
That kind of redefining of sin leaves society without morality, righteousness and unrighteousness, because you have no definition of sin.
Cheating is cheating whether it’s diving in the Premiership or copying in the classroom. Murder is still murder whether it’s in a blood feud in the Middle East or an abortion in Harley Street.
We need the basic pattern of moral law as laid down by our Lord, love God and love our neighbour, how does that amplify, in the 10 commands.
It’s hard to tell the world about a Saviour who will save them when their definition of sin is basically non-existent? You tell them sin is a breach of the law of God.
They say I don't believe that. Just keep teaching and preaching the truth and let the spirit of God take it and use it to convict the hearts. It's the word of God the Holy Spirit uses. It’s truth that has power to convince and humble.
[4] WHAT SIN DID – it brought guilt and fear 7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realised that they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. 8 Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden.
They quietly sinned and fell, and immediately something in them died. They were in a state of rebellion against God - in Adam all die. That is the Fall of man.
Eating forbidden fruit was a good experience at first. However the actual experience of sin is like the one taste of alcohol to a reclaimed drunkard or the first taste of blood to a predator, nothing is the same again.
At a stroke it wipes out all the peace, joy, self-respect, and innocence. It leaves us guilty and hopeless. Sin is madness.
They truly thought that she would gain enlightenment. When they ate their eyes were opened and they truly did know something new, only they now knew evil on a personal basis. Immediately Adam and Eve knew things had changed - the joy and peace they had known until then disappeared.
New feelings filled their hearts, horror, wretchedness, insecurity, shame.
They looked at one another and knew that things would never be the same again. The enlightenment they dreamed of turned out to be deep moral darkness.
The “wisdom” and ‘liberation’ Satan promised through rebellion proved to be slavery, sin, shame and death. Innocence was gone forever.
A] IT RUINED THE GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD.
i] It brought Guilt and Shame -7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realised that they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.
God’s presence was a theophany, an appearance of Jesus Christ in human form before He was born of Mary thousands of years later. The garden in the cool of the day was normally a time of refreshment, but this day was a time of fear.
They had been in harmony with God all their life until now but now a divorce between man and God had occurred. Now Adam and Eve didn’t want to see Him.
They did something they had never done before, they made body coverings. Not because they were in one another's presence, they were one flesh as man and wife. But, the embarrassment arose from feeling exposed before God.
Their psychology was now changed; they had a sense of shame and fear.
Adam says “I was afraid because I was naked.” He had been naked every other time the Lord had walked with him in the garden. The problem wasn’t his nakedness, but his feelings of guilt, because of sin. The nakedness described here has the sense of being unmasked -nakedness of soul.
Self-reflection has begun and the first movement of conscience produces shame.
God made us to be self-less but now self-consciousness dogs us every day, and we discover that clothing helps us. The whole human race finds it psychologically necessary to clothe themselves. It helps to make us feel more secure and able to face life with a sense of well-being. Dare I is say this is why ladies find it very uplifting to buy a new dresses. Clothing is a way of changing our appearance so that we look different and can project an image.
The shame of nudity is no artificial inhibition introduced by the conventions of civilisation as nudists and anthropologists say, it’s source is an awareness of sin.
Animals wear no clothes because they have no knowledge of good and evil. Little children feel no need of clothes because as yet self-consciousness is still latent.
The consciousness of a power to choose good and evil is awakened and they feel that in themselves they are faulty, that they are not in themselves complete; that though created by God, they are not fit for His eye.
They were covering themselves from God, but God doesn't look at the outward appearance, he looks at the heart. God on high saw it all as he does today.
When they sinned their conscience was activated. God’s question focuses on this, “Who told you that you were naked?”
Conscience is like a monitor alarm on a patient in hospital. It goes off and warns that something is not right, the pulse or temperature is at a dangerous level.
Of course it’s possible, through repeated sin, to deaden your conscience so it no longer functions correctly. But this first couple’s conscience was operating as God intended--it told them that they had sinned.
When that alarm goes off, the fallen human way is to deal with it just as Adam and Eve did: stop it up as quickly as possible, like the smoke alarm in your kitchen .
Our modern psychotherapeutic culture is desperately trying to rid itself of the notion of guilt and shame. Modern celebrities brag openly about things that, just a few years ago, would have been kept quiet.
Best-selling books, like Healing the Shame That Binds You promise to rid us of “toxic shame” by “Using affirmations, visualizations, ‘inner voice’ and other useful healing techniques”.
Even many professing Christian psychologists, tell us that our problem is low self-esteem; we need to learn to accept ourselves.
It is not surprising that the enemy of our souls offers many counterfeit solutions.
But the fig leaves of human solutions to guilt will not answer in the day when we stand before the living God. The story of God’s coming to that first guilty, fig-leaf-clad, hiding couple, shows us God’s solution to guilt.
ii] It brought Fear and Hiding -8 Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden.
They heard God’s voice and hid among the trees. They weren't comfortable in his presence any more, their guilt made them afraid. Fancy thinking that hiding behind trees would solve the problem! How pathetic!
The psalmist says God is inescapable. Psalm 139:7 ¶ Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence 8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
Heb. 4: 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
We have learnt to live with CCTV everywhere. Our movements are recorded by a hundred cameras on a simple journey. That’s no problem to law abiding citizens.
God knows exactly what we are doing when there are no cameras around. He knows our thoughts, and can see that our relationship with him is broken.
When we sin, we only have two options.
# 1 is to conceal it. That means to cover it up, to make excuses, and to rationalize.
We lie about sin, we cover up, we turn away, we change the subject, we destroy the evidence, and we get defensive and say, “How could you even think I would do something like that?” Or we smile and hope that it won’t be noticed.
Have you known times when one of your children seems to be avoiding you? When you found them, they looked uneasy and instinctively you know that they’ve done something wrong! Some people don’t like bumping into believers.
People by nature build walls around their lives. The Bible is unread, they don’t pray, worship is unobserved; when God sends reminders of His being, they are uncomfortable, they don't like it.
But because we all sin, we all need to deal with the guilt. We suffer physically and mentally because we conceal our sins, we go through the torment of living with a guilty conscience. Psalm 32: 3 When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. 4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. When that happens, we go through the torment of living with a guilty conscience. Psalm 32: 3 When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. 4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer.
#2 is to confess it and turn from it. The Psalmist goes on to say Psalm 32: 5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD"—and you forgave the guilt of my sin.
To confess means to own up and admit it was wrong.” To turn from it is to repent by taking steps to break the sinful pattern. You are saying, “I’ve been in the wrong path but now with God’s help, I’m going to change direction.” Proverbs 28:13 says “He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.”
We deal with our guilt, not by hiding but by coming to God and acknowledging our sin. Jesus said whoever comes to me I will never drive away. John 6:37.
God graciously seeks, confronts, and offers reconciliation to the guilty in Christ just as he did for Adam and Eve.

Redeemed

2007-10-27T22:54:00.000Z

Reading – Acts 8:26-39; 1 John 1-2:2
For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 20 He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake.
On April 14, 1865 Abraham Lincoln was shot dead by John Wilks Booth in the Ford’s Theatre. Lincoln’s shirt and overcoat were stained with his blood.
In 1876 some people wanted to take a piece of history with them. So, they cut up a sleeve from his overcoat that was blood stained into tiny pieces. It was the stain of the blood on the overcoat that made the cloth a collectable and valuable item.
Peter tells us we should be holy because our Father redeemed us at infinite cost. The blood of Christ is far more valuable than the blood of Lincoln.
[1] REDEMPTION IMPLIES PREVIOUS BONDAGE. 18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.
For Peter’s readers, slavery and redemption were everyday words and for some everyday experiences. The Roman Empire had by some estimates as many 6 million slaves and the buying and selling of them was a major business. If a person wanted to free a slave, he would pay the redemption price, purchasing that slave and then granting him freedom, keeping proof by a written certificate.
Some of them had been born to slaves. Others had become slaves when Rome conquered their homeland. Still others had become slaves by falling into debt.
A slave was the property of another person; they could not come and go as they pleased. They weren’t free, they had to work with no payment, they were often ill treated and abused. The slave was in bondage and felt it….until someone redeemed them by paying the price set for their freedom.
#1] Life is empty apart from Jesus Christ! The bible tells us here that every one who has not been redeemed is in bondage to sin and death. Peter describes it as “the empty way of life inherited from your forefathers.”
The same word is translated “worthless” in James 1:26. Many thoughtful people feel this keenly. Have you ever wondered why some art seems bleak, why some sculpture is horrible, why some music is discordant, why some literature is black and depressing? People have looked hard at life and thought ‘what’s the point’.
The author of Ecclesiastes put his powers of wisdom to work to examine the human experience. His perspective is limited to what happens “under the sun”.
He considers life as he has observed it within the boundaries of this visible world.
He attempts to see what human wisdom can do, and discovers that it cannot find out the larger purposes of God or the ultimate meaning of human existence.
He sees a busy human ant hill in mad pursuit of many things, trying now this and that. Trying to burst through the bounds of human limitations, control their destiny, and achieve a state of secure and lasting happiness—people pursuing unrealistic hopes and aspirations.
He takes a hard look and concludes that human life in this mode is futile.
Humans cannot by all their striving achieve anything of enduring significance.
All their striving after unreal goals leads only to disillusionment.
You live for yourself, trying to grab all the things that you think will bring you happiness. You work hard, gain a few things, lose a few things, get sick and die.
You may life a long life but there’s no guarantee, it may come soon. Life’s futile!
Paul confirms this fact that life in the world is full of frustrations and disappointments in Romans 8:20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope
Ecclesiastes concludes that to live meaningfully, purposefully and joyfully we need to place God at the centre of our life. We need to be content and accept our divinely appointed lot in life, and reverently trust and obey the Creator-King.
The NT echoes this Eph 4:17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. He says Christians are no longer to be living like pagans who are superstitious and worship man made gods.
#2] The worst part of this bondage is it people don’t realise it.
People don’t realise the bondage of their futile way of life. We enjoy a pretty good life these days with a comparatively high standard of living in the world. When Christians say, “Jesus Christ came to be your Saviour? People think, “I have a pretty good life, I am OK.
They try and avoid thinking how unfilled and aimless their life is. They don’t think how time flies and how soon they will die and meet God. They don’t accept that apart from Jesus Christ, they’re in bondage to sin and futility, heading for hell!
Unless we feel the bondage of being enslaved to sin and death and hell, we won’t appreciate what Christ did in shedding His blood for us on the cross.
#3] Often the empty way people live is inherited.
What is gained from earthly forefathers is often of negative value but what we receive from our Heavenly Father is priceless.
Peter was without doubt writing to some people who like himself had been brought up in Jewish families. These people had wonderful traditions and so a large part of the truth. They were rightly proud of the way they lived, they had a far better justice system than the rest of the world, they had good hygiene, their family life was strong, human life was precious, the work ethic was rewarded and the poor and disadvantaged were provided for.
However, they were still sacrificing animals to try and find peace with God. They were still awaiting a messiah to come and save them. What they refused to believe that the Saviour had already come and provided redemption by His death.
Peter was for sure writing to people from pagan homes who had been brought up to worship idols. They lived in superstitious fear, they lived immoral, drunken and violent lives, they had no proper concept of sin.
People today are carrying on living irreligiously or with an empty religion.
One admires loyalty to traditions provided they are beneficial and good. But thank God that we British no longer sacrifice humans like our Druid ancestors. Julius Caesar writing in 44 B. C: ‘All the people of Gaul are completely devoted to religion, and for this reason those who are greatly affected by diseases and in the dangers of battle either sacrifice human victims or vow to do so using the Druids as administrators to these sacrifices, since it is judged that unless for a man's life a man's life is given back, the will of the immortal gods cannot be placated.’
Only Christ can redeem us from this futile bondage to sin and death. Only He can forgive sins and give power to live a holy life. Only He can take the sting from physical death and give the sure hope of resurrection to spend eternity with Him.
[2] REDEMPTION INVOLVES COST For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.
Gold and silver have always been synonymous with worth. From Genesis through to Revelation the Bible refers to gold and silver no less than 783 times.
Precious metals can do many things for you. They can buy basic necessities, get you many comforts in life, and provide some security for the future.
However they are relatively soft compared to some materials so Peter calls them “perishable things”. Also there are some things which money cannot buy.
Money said the Beetles cannot buy me love. Money cannot save us from the wrath of God against my sins. Jesus’ blood is more precious than money because money could never redeem us from sin. No matter how much silver and gold we paid, we could never pay for even one of our sins. Money matters. But not when it comes to forgiving your sins. That’s Peter’s point.
J.P. Morgan who was a multi-millionaire wrote this in his will “I commit my soul in the hands of my Saviour, and full of confidence that having redeemed me and washed me with His most precious blood, He will present me faultless before the throne of my heavenly Father. I entreat my children to maintain and defend at all cost of personal sacrifice, the blessed doctrine of complete atonement of sins through the blood of Jesus Christ once offered and through that alone.”
Morgan realized that his wealth would not get him into heaven. The only way was through the blood of Jesus.
The imagery of redemption by blood goes back to the very first people on this earth. God warned Adam and Eve that if they sinned, it was so serious they would surely die.
He meant not only physical death, but also spiritual death, which is separation from Him. When they did sin, God mercifully did not kill them on the spot. Instead, He killed animals and made skins for them to cover their shame and guilt. God was showing them that the life is in the blood and without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sins.
God told Abraham to offer his son Isaac as a sacrifice on Moriah. By faith Abraham proceeded to obey the most difficult command God has ever given to a human being except the cross. At the last moment, God intervened and provided the ram caught in the thicket and its life redeemed Isaacs. This sacrifice illustrates the great cost our Heavenly Father paid in giving His own Son for us.
In the OT, Israel was a slave nation enslaved in Egypt. God was the redeemer, who used His power and providence to redeem them. Exodus 6:6 says: “Therefore, say to the Israelites: ‘I am the LORD and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves to them and will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment.”
Not only were the nation redeemed but individuals needed to be redeemed as well. Each family who believed God’s threat that the angel of death was coming in judgement took the blood of the unblemished Passover lamb and daubed on the doorways. When the death angel saw the blood of the lamb applied to the doorposts in Egypt, he passed over that house and the firstborn was spared.
In the same way, if God’s judgment is to “pass over” your life, so that you are not eternally destroyed, the precious blood of Jesus must be applied to your heart by faith, only then will you be spared. No amount of money could ever do that. Isaiah 41 says 14 Do not be afraid, O worm Jacob, O little Israel, for I myself will help you," declares the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.
In the 16th century, Spanish soldiers were going from house to house in Rotterdam and executing the Dutch. In one house a group of men, women, and children huddled together awaiting their fate. Suddenly, a young man had an idea. He took a goat killed it and swept the blood of the goat under the door of the house. When the Spanish soldiers came to the door one soldier called out “Look at the blood running under the door. Come away, men, the work here is already done.”
A little while later the band of thankful Dutch people came out safe and sound saved by the blood of a goat! In the same way, we are saved from the wrath of God by the blood of a lamb - Jesus the lamb of God.
[3] REDEMPTION INVOLVES A SET PRICE you were redeemed with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.
A slave in Roman times could be redeemed by the payment of a certain amount of silver or gold. Many years ago people captured by slave-traders, were chained together, and driven to the seacoast. Each of the prisoners had a heavy iron collar around his neck. As the slaves passed by, a chief might notice a friend of his among the captives and offer to pay the slave-traders in gold, ivory, silver, or brass. The prisoner would be redeemed by the payment and he would be set free.
An American pastor during a trip to Columbia met a prisoner working to help his team move. The convict through an interpreter said, "Sir, would you redeem me?'' The guard explained, that the policy is that men who have served their sentences still can't get out of prison unless someone redeems them by paying ransom money.'' The man needed another 800 pesos. The pastor reached in his pocket and ''redeemed'' this man. The price of that man's redemption was $8.
As he handed him the money, he said I can set you free physically but only Jesus Christ can redeem you for eternity. The price of your redemption and my redemption was the life of Jesus Christ.
Why can’t God just forgive sins without the shedding of blood? God could not relax the penalty and still be just and holy. None of us could serve as a substitute for others, because we all have our own sin to pay for. Only the Lord Jesus, who was without the flaw or stain of sin, could offer Himself in our place--the Lamb of God who took away the sin of the world. “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
[4] REDEMPTION IS GOD’S PLAN 20 He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake.
A] God planned redemption from the very beginning: The cross wasn’t God’s last-minute plan put into place after man fell into sin. He ordained it well in advance of the creation of the human race. Foreknowledge means God knows and plans in advance, though it does not absolve sinful man of responsibility. In his sermon on the Day of Pentecost, Peter said, “This Man [Jesus], delivered up by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death” Acts 2:23.
Some people think that when Adam and Eve sinned, God didn’t see it coming, and the coming of Christ was an afterthought in God’s plan. But God knew they were going to sin and bring ruin to the world and in the councils of eternity, the Father said the Son, “You must go to the earth to save them from their sins.”
Redemption was on God’s heart long before sin entered the world. As Spurgeon said, while the universe lay in the mind of God like a forest of oaks in the cup of an acorn, God purposed to send his Son
B] God executed the plan of redemption at the fitting time: Christ was revealed in these last times for your sake. At the proper time in human history, in fulfilment of the prophecies, God sent His Son into this world. We had nothing to do with it. Generations lived and died. But we are privileged to experience what the ancients only wondered about.
C] God applied redemption to us: 21 Through him you believe in God. Christ redeeming death was particular, if you believe, it’s because God imparted saving faith to you through Christ. It wasn’t vague, it wasn’t a matter of take it or leave it, it secured the salvation of millions of individuals. Through Jesus Christ we have a relationship with God. We know him personally and intimately. What an astonishing thing to say, “I know God”. If we are not astonished by that, it’s because we take it too much for granted.
D]God completed redemption by raising Christ and giving Him glory. 21 Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.
Peter and the other apostles and many others were witnesses to the fact that God raised Jesus bodily from the grave. The apostles saw the risen Jesus ascend into heaven where He now sits at the right hand of the Father in glory, awaiting the day of His return. Christ’s resurrection proves that God is able to raise the dead.
[5] REDEMPTION TELLS US WHO WE OWE EVERYTHING TO
The bottom line is, “You are not your own; you have been bought with a price: therefore, glorify God in your body” 1 Cor. 6:19- 20.
Peter wants us who are the children of God to see the great price He paid to redeem us from our sins. Seeing the Saviour’s blood should motivate us to be holy.
As C. T. Studd put it, “If Christ be God and died for me, there is nothing too great that I can do for Him.”
Titus says, "Jesus Christ gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good works" Titus 2:13-14.
A boy made an expensive model boat. One day it sailed away on the lake and was lost. A few weeks later he saw the boat he lost in the window of shop. The boy bought it back and said to the boat: “I made you. I lost you. I paid a great price for you. Now you are twice mine.” God says to each one of us. “I made you, you were lost, I paid a great price for you. You are twice mine.”
Leslie Flynn told this story. An orphaned boy was living with his grandmother when their house caught fire. The grandmother, trying to rescue the boy, died in the fire. The boy’s cries for help were finally answered by a man who climbed an iron drainpipe and came back down with the boy hanging tightly to his neck.
Several weeks later, a public hearing was held to determine who would receive custody of the child. A farmer, a teacher, and the town’s richest citizen all gave the reasons they felt they should be chosen to give the boy a home.
Then a stranger walked to the front and took his hands from his pockets, revealing severe burn scars on them. This was the man who had saved the boys life. His hands had been burned when he climbed the hot pipe. With a leap the boy threw his arms around the man and held on for dear life. The others walked away, leaving the boy and his rescuer alone. Those scarred hands had settled the issue.
The boy wanted to belong to the one who had shown such costly love.
When we think of the extreme suffering Christ endured to purchase our freedom from sin’s penalty, our hearts should overflow with love for Him.
That is precisely Peter’s argument: Because God redeemed us at infinite cost, we dare not frolic with the sin for which Christ shed His precious blood. Peter wants us to see what a terrible sin has done.
After President Kennedy was assassinated Jackie, his wife accompanied his coffin back to Washington. She was still wearing the clothes she had on at the time of the assassination. The clothes were stained with the blood of her husband. Many encouraged her to change her clothes, but her reply was “No, let them see what they have done.”
Let us see what God has done for us in the blood of his Son, Jesus Christ.

The trees in the Garden

2007-10-27T22:06:00.000Z

Genesis 3:1 to 15 Ezekiel 28:11 to 19
This is a foundational chapter - chapter 3, it is linked to Chapter 2 verse 9, God had planted the trees and in verse 16 Man was forbidden to eat from it on pain of dying. The Bible makes no sense unless we understand Genesis and where we came from. The world was created in pristine beauty but it is no longer like that - there are disasters, disease, death and suffering - crime, broken homes and so on. What has gone wrong with the Paradise God created? The only reasonable explanation is Genesis 3. Sin came into the world and ruined everything. We can understand why the world is as it is. It is not myth or poetry, it is recorded fact.
A. The trees
1. It is about 2 particular trees. Man is the pinnacle of God's creation. He is in a garden full of nourishment, indescribably beautiful, it is perfect. God gas given the man and woman everything they need - an ideal climate, plenty of food, everything was perfect. Adam was busy keeping the garden. There were no tears, envy, disease or death. There in the middle of the garden were 2 particular trees. The tree of Life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Prominent. They were there to keep them in the mind of God, their position depended on God.
a) The tree of life - the best joys of life (Jewish). It had fruit, it promised life, it symbolised life and promised life to those who obeyed God. It was nothing special but it promised life and blessing to God's people. It symbolised eternal life.
b) The tree of the knowledge of good and evil . It looked good, it also had fruit (if unknown to us). It was attractive, good. It was not unpleasant or poisonous but to eat it gave the knowledge of evil. They only knew good they had no reason to doubt God, disobedience was inexcusable. It symbolised God's commitment to to do good for Adam and Eve, it bound God to mankind in a covenant of life and death. Adam was in the Garden on probation. If Adam obeyed, he lived with God forever. If he disobeyed he died. Adam and Eve saw the tree everyday. It was a test that made them accountable to God. Moral responsibility is a principle God under girded the world with. We play with it at our peril. If we warn children of the dangers of fire this is an act of love. God warns us of the dangers of sin and its consequences - hell, as an act of love, not hatred.
2. The test was a reasonable test.
There was no multiplicity of issues, no confusion. They were not given lots of rules, only one rule. There was one thing. It is possible for us all to remember, Adam and Eve had no excuse. All the other trees were available and Adam and Eve had no excuse, all they had to do was obey. There was nothing to make them discontented, yet they still disobeyed. It tell us that the idea that a bad environment causes us to sin is wrong. Adam and Eve had a perfect environment. We have better homes, health care, education, we have so much to make us better people yet we have so much hurt and heartache and unhappiness. This is all despite a better environment. Adam and Eve had a perfect environment yet they still sinned. We do wrong because there is something wrong inside . Unless we are regenerated - that is our hearts and wills are changed, we cannot obey God as he commands us to.
3. It was a probationary test
It tested man's obedience. It was God's first command. We do not know how much time had passed. Probation officers set a task for a prisoner on parole, they have to appear at set times. The command not to eat was probation. Adam and Eve had to decide who had authority, God or themselves. Eve put her own experience before God's command and she went astray. She relied on herself and did not allow God to decide what was wrong. Self determination is how people live today. That is why we have evil today. Self gratification leads to sin. A merciful God could not allow them to live forever in sin and corruption.
4. The tree was a probationary test with a penalty for disobedience.
They would die spiritually - they had offended God and were separated from God, they would go to Hell and begin to die, they would know death and decay. It was like a house bombed from above with the floors eventually collapsing and condemned to ruin. The tree of the knowledge of good and evils something we all know today - enticement to sin, the pangs of a guilty conscience because our original parents did that, there is no more up to date chapter. The terrible evil in the world today is a consequence of this. Jeremiah 17 tells us the hearts of men are desperately evil above all things.
The tree of life symbolised how men lived an ideal life, the moment they ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil they began to know evil.
B The serpent.
Serpent means 'shining one'. It was noticable to Eve. Today people have a horror of snakes but they are amazing creatures. They are smooth and stealthy. The passage tells us it was crafty, it was fascinating to Eve. The snake has a reputation for cunning and stealth because it was an agent in Satan's hands, it had been taken over by the ultimate evil - Satan, as Satan entered into Judas Iscariot and Legion. Satan used a snake to carry out his subtle plan. He had no venom because the world was perfect. So Eve was not afraid. The only unusual thing was that it spoke.
c. Conclusion
We have two people, 2 trees and a tempter. Where does evil come from? The Bible tells us little of Satan's origins. In John 8 and Ezekiel 28, we are told Satan was once a bright, high ranking angel. Satan rebelled against God and was thrown out of Heaven by God. God has not told us everything. Some things we do not need to know, we need to keep sincere devotion to Christ. Animals do not speak, Eve does not seem concerned about this and entered into a conversation with him. When everything is going well in our lives beware! Be careful because Satan will tempt is when our guard is dropped. We do not know the consequences of of our sin, the consequences of disobeying God are horrendous, too awful to contemplate. Beware when we think we are standing lest we fall. It is too easy to say "I could not help it", it is far more difficult to say "get behind me Satan". Satan is limited. God gives us power to resist Satan and obey God.

His Indescribable gift

2007-10-27T21:00:00.000Z

Romans 5:12 - 21 2 Corinthians 9:15

Paul speaks of the Corinthians generosity in providing for others. Is Paul speaking of cooperation between Jews and Greeks or is he speaking of something else? Yes, he is speaking of God's gift of his son - he is too fulsome for an earthly gift. Romans 8:32 amplifies this. God gave up his son as a gift. Paul indicates that this divine gifts draws all others. In Romans 5 Paul speaks of the gift that brought justice and righteousness.
Human language cannot explain it but human hearts can experience it and it leads to praise to God. Language fails because our thinking fails. The scriptures tell of Christ's graciousness. God gave his own son to die for us and saw from the moment of the fall how he was going to rescue ruined sinners. God's own justice seemed to set too high a demand only Christ could satisfy. In Genesis 3 man is ruined by Satan, now his head would be crushed. Revelations show Christ coming in glory. The last words of the Bible ask for Christ's grace to be with us. Christ is the great theme of the whole Bible and the theme of every believers thoughts at all times. What should we say of it?
1. We should draw nearer to him and know him better. We cannot know enough of our saviour. He should never be absent from our thoughts. We shall only know his peace to the extent we know him and obey him. We should seek constant communion with him. We should see something new of him every day. Our life is hidden with Christ in God. We need to feel our total dependence of him. As we do so, the greater will be our spirituality and likeness to him. Hebrews 12:2 - we look unto Jesus.
2. We look in anticipation and expectation. We only know the true peace when we gaze fully on him. There is nothing the believer requires that is not in Jesus Christ. If we do this we shall see a glory in Jesus we have never seen before. We shall appreciate Jesus more as we understand him more. What of the Father's compassion and mercy that led him to make this gift? God so loved the World - shows great depth of mercy. God's love is the cause of the gist, the gift is the expression of his love - Romans 5:8 and 1 John 3:1 tell of this gift. Only infinite love could lead to such a love. Our hearts should be full of intense gratitude. We should show this gratitude every day. We shall be amazed in glory how little we have been affected by gratitude for God's love. What of the Son, the Lord Jesus Christ himself? He gave himself as freely and spontaneously as the Father gave the gift. The law and justice of God could not have been satisfied unless Jesus had given himself of his own free choice, willingly and fully. It was an obedience of utter submission. 2 Corinthians 8:9, Colossians 2:20, Phillipians 2:6 t0 8, Hebrews 10:5 - all say that his obedience is shown in his spontaneous giving of himself. He was presented to a ruined race as the way of redemption. The gift is an indescribable sacrifice. He became our surety. Surely the love and grace of the Father and Son call us to give ourselves in service to God. It is our spiritual act of sacrifice - our reasonable service. It is a debt so large that we can never discharge it. We can only make a poor return but if we give ourselves heartily he will accept it. We are rewarded according to what we can offer not what we ought to. It is always a constant struggle to do what we should. We should see it as a challenge. We have a duty in connection with the gift, we should share this gift with those around us. We should lose no opportunity to share this with others, to extol Jesus wamed his gift. When we commend Christ to our fellow men we are obeying him. When we are timid in this we disobey him and are a reproach to God. This is a test for us, we often fail it. We owe It to Christ and we fail when we do not speak of Christ. We are being ashamed of our Lord and our Master.
Christ was not ashamed of us when he died for us. He called us his disciples and his friends. He became the servant of the disciples when he washed their feet . He still sustains us while he is in Heaven, he is still our saviour and our friend when he pleads for us in Heaven. We should adopt a cheerful and confident courage in our service of him. We are never so honoured when we are ridiculed because we serve him and his cause. He provides us with power by the Holy Spirit. We all have opportunities to serve him when we meet unbelievers. We can proclaim our discipleship of Christ no matter how unfitted we think we are. May we all confess our failures of him and follow more closely in his footsteps. We can speak much of the Saviour and show our belief is not in vain. We should labour increasingly yo show forth Christ and show his power and glory. We must not remain silent. We must rise to our duty to warn those who are perishing in their sin. They might listen out of politeness but their hearts are often hardened by sin. We need to pray to God that he will give strength to overcome opposition. Romans 8:36 - he loved us and he will give us strength. His love should motivate us to do more.
The Christian's certain future - the prospect of seeing Christ in glory, is bright and best and fills us with hope and joy. Nothing but the experience of these things will lead us to proper service of him. We shall be like him and know him as he is.

Paul in Ephesus -The riot

2007-10-27T20:13:00.001Z

Acts 19:8 to 41
Ephesus was a large city, the capital of the Roman colony of Asia, it was a sea port and a fine city. It was famous for its Temple of Artemis, it was the most famous Greek temple - 4 times bigger than the Parthenon. It was one of the 7 wonders of the World. The Ephesians were very proud of it. It was said that the status of Artemis had come down from Heaven - possibly it was a meteorite. It was an ancient statue propped up by wood. A row now erupted over the statue.
The results of Paul's work over 3 years had been that the word of God had spread throughout Asia. Many believers and unbelievers had been healed. Spiritual realities had been revealed. The 7 sons of Sceva had been punished, believers had destroyed millions of pounds of scrolls. The second result was enmity and bitterness. Verse 23 says that it was caused by Demetrius, the owner of a factory. He accused Paul of trouble making. Paul had said he made man made gods and that they were no gods, not only their silver miniatures but the goddess's statue itself. He also said that Artemis worship would end. A great crowd rushed into the open air theatre (it is still there though the temple has gone). Most of the people did not know why they were there.
The Jews thrust Alexander forward (perhaps to say that Paul was not one of them). When the Crowd saw that he was a Jew they shouted for over 2 hours. They were quietened by the city clerk who said:
a) Everyone knew Ephesus was the guardian of Artemis' statue.
b) The accused had done nothing wrong. If they had a grievance then go to court.
c) They were in danger of being guilty of rioting and losing their privileges.
This ended their riot. We can learn 4 things about Demetrius:
1. The love of money lay behind his complaint and the riot (as it often does). Verses 23 to 28. Their profits would go down, he dresses this up and says that his business would get a bad name and the worship of Artemis would suffer. This is often the root of persecutions. The High Priests feared loss of influence and money so they attacked Jesus. The Sadducees were high priests and they were hated by the people because they swindled people of their money and they forcibly extorted money from other priests. They had a cosy arrangement with the Romans who supported them. They feared Jesus would upset this. In Phillipi Paul had cured a girl of demon possession, she made money for her owners and they persecuted Paul as a result of their losses. Wesley and Whitefield were persecuted often by pub owners who feared the loss of income from selling beer.
2. Demetrius accused Paul and the church of being trouble makers. The city clerk said they had done nothing wrong. Demetrius had. Over and again Christians are accused of this by persecutors. Demetrius made a long point of it, Artemis would lose her divine majesty. This is common place and has gone on for centuries. The Jews of Thesselonica said this of Paul. They said that he had caused trouble all over the world, Paul had not, he had preached the gospel. The Jews had caused riots. It had happened before New Testament times. In the Old Testament Ahab accused Elijah of being the troubler of Israel. Ahab had murdered the prophets and led the whole nation astray and brought famine on the nation. Ahab was turning the truth upside down.. Satan played this card in the Old and New Testament times and is playing it now. Islamic Terrorists are plotting attacks now, politically correct people say it is fundamentalists and generally accuse Christians of being fundamentalists. They say all religions cause wars. The problem is that the Roman Catholic church in the middle ages committed terrible crimes, the crusades in the middle east and Europe and the Inquisition caused huge number of deaths. Protestant leaders were often guilty of this. In modern times it is ridiculous to suggest that Christians and do what Islamic terrorists do. This is a way of attacking Christianity and the church. It is a way to do down the truth of God.
3. He was being quite perceptive about what Paul was doing. If people followed Paul then worship of gods would die. The truth of God persuaded men and women that man made gods and the worship of them was destroyed. It happened to Roman, Greek, Celtic, Saxon, Viking and other false gods. Demetrius was right, it went on down to the 19th century. Business, Government and social life changed. The care of the elderly, prisoners and children changed, especially in the 19th century. Some people want to whitewash out of history all of the work of Christians. Christian ministers are often not counted worthy of mention in histories of the Victorian period. Teacher try to forgo teaching the Reformation from the Tudors.
4. He doesn't take what Paul says seriously. It is absurd to say that a man made god made out of wood can help you, hear you or do anything good or bad. Greeks knew then that there was a greater god. People had seen the miracles Paul had done. Demetrius had heard what Paul had done. He had seen the scrolls burnt,he had heard the gospel. He did not care, he only cared about money. His eternal soul was in danger, if what Paul had said was true. He put his hope in materials things - in his profit. Sin was a mortal danger to him. He had no interest in eternal things. Demetrius was a terribly modern man. People who have heard the gospel and reject it are doing what Demetrius did. Such important things should raise concern in people's hearts but it did not in Demetrius' heart. He only saw short term profits.
'The way ' is the third time Paul uses this term. It is true, it is THE way, not just any way. It was THE way to God, to salvation, to eternal life. The one and only way. It did not share this with the Greek, Roman or Egyptian way, it is still the only way today. It causes great offence today. It is considered arrogant, proud and boastful by many, but it is the only way to salvation and eternal life. It is the only way to walk with God. It is a way, a pilgrimage with God, a straight and narrow way to Heaven.

Shadows, types and prohecies

2007-10-26T13:21:00.000Z

1 Peter 1

Peter reminds people that the Old Testament saints yearned to see one who was promised by types, shadows and prophecies. They wanted to know what we know . They have much to tell us of God.
The greatest picture of Jesus is the Passover lamb referred to many times in the New Testament, by John the Baptist and Peter in 1 Peter 1 - sprinkling by the blood. In 1 Corinthians 5:7 Paul calls him the passover lamb, John calls Jesus the lamb over 30 times in Revelations, Jesus chose to die at Passover, he would be the perfect sacrifice. There are 5 questions about this:
1. Who was sacrificed? A lamb was taken by the people and. It is vulnerable, perhaps it looks almost helpless with no means of defence or attack. Jesus chose to be weak and vulnerable when he came - he had no soldiers to protect him. His family had to run away when Herod threatened. He was reliant on others. Though he was rich, for our sakes he became poor. It had to be a mature lamb, a year old, no longer dependent on his mother. Jesus had grown to maturity, a mature man of 30. At 30 levites were given responsibility in the temple. He was the perfect saviour for everyone. The lamb had to be without blemish, it was observed for 4 days to be sure it was perfect. Jesus was the spotless, sinless son of God. He was tried and tested all of his life. Satan came to him at his weakest but he did not give in to temptation. Jesus triumphed over sin despite Satan's continually trying Jesus. Jesus was tested by his enemies - scribes, priests and pharisees in order to find fault with him on numerous occasions but he silenced his enemies by the power of his wisdom. He was tested by his friends when they failed to trust and understand him. In the end they all forsook him and fled from him in the garden. At his trial he was tested by false witnesses and was found to be faultless.
2. How was he sacrificed? The passover lamb was killed and his blood sprinkled on the door posts and lintel. The sacrifice was total so Jesus actually died and his blood was poured out. He was nailed to the cross and his side was pierced and he actually died completely. It was not just suffering in his body but also in his soul, he was made a sacrifice for sin. This suffering was greater than in his body, he felt the wrath of God and he was separated from God. His death was a complete and total sacrifice for sin. 2 Peter 2:4-5. The suffering of hell came upon him.
3. Why was he sacrificed? Yes as an offering for sin but also that he might take the place of the guilty. The passover lamb died in place of the first born child. The blood on the door post and lintel said one had already died for the guilty.
The Ark kept people safe, the lamb was a scape goat for the guilty. Jesus said he gave his life as a ransom for many. He stood in the place of the ungodly, he took the curse due to the guilty. As Christians, we have one who died for us.
4. When was the sacrifice made? It took place while the Israelites were still slaves in Egypt. It was not made for those who were set free but so they could be made free. While we were still sinners , Christ died for us, the ungodly. We were dead in trespasses and sin. We were still rebels and enemies of his. He did not die for those who were good, but for those who needed him - sinners. Someone might dare to die for a good man but Christ died for those who were his enemies, before we even thought of him, we were still at enmity with him.
5. When was the sacrifice effective? For the Israelites the blood had to be sprinkled on the lintel and door posts. Christ did not die for everyone, people are not saved unless we come in true repentance and trust in the Lord Jesus. Jesus appealed directly to people and invited them to believe as did the apostles. God gives the power and desire to repent. God gives the gift of new life and the power to come. The blood must be sprinkled.
Closing
Where was the blood not sprinkled? It was not sprinkled on the door step so it could not be trampled under foot and people would disrespect it. We must not trample underfoot the son of God or treat the covenant as an unholy thing.
Can believers be guilty of trampling underfoot the blood? Yes when we fail to appreciate its value or put something else in its place. We must appreciate greatly what he has done. We must do what he commands. We must give him our heart felt allegiance.

Colossians Chapter 1 - Paul's prayer, verse 9

2007-10-26T12:24:00.000Z

How do we pray for other Christians? What should we pray for, focus on? what should we pray for?
People often pray for other Christians in the Bible. Paul's prayer is summarised here as he does in other letters. All of these prayers are different, they are not all the same. There are some similarities. How does this help us if they are different? There is no one size fits all formula. When we pray for other Christians and churches we pray differently because they match the situation they are in. The prayers reflect the lives of the christian and Churches. . We must pray relevantly for people. We must find out their needs. We need to find out and listen to reports so we know the needs and circumstances. That doesn't mean that if we don't have news we don't pray, God knows their situation and we can commit them into God's hands. We should take time to find out so we can be specific.
Paul shows that he is familiar with people. They are addressed to God and show Paul was familiar with God, so Paul is bold and asks for big things, wonderful things. Paul is not timid as we can be, we often do not ask boldly as we should. If we are able to ask for a gift we would look to what their resources are, when we come to God and bring our prayers. We need to remember how great he is.
He is omnipotent, he has endless, limitless power, we need to remember this and be confident when we ask him. We need to look to how God answers our prayers. We need to understand God's nature and will. Paul asks for spiritual things in a spiritual, not worldly way.
Paul begins 'for this reason' , the reason was that he had heard from Epaphras so much good about this young church. He had spoken about false teachers and Paul was moved to pray. He prayed in a particular way. What he knew about them and God determined how he prayed.
The false teachers offered some sort of fullness teaching beyond what Epaphras offered - a secret knowledge to heighten their experience of God. Paul answered this issues and faced up to it. He asked for knowledge and power that was different from false teachers.
The false teachers offered a quick and easy way to knowledge. In the 2nd century gnosticism gained ground, it offered secret, special knowledge,. It was secret in that only a few knew it and no one could challenge it because they had access to it. It was immune.
When Paul wrote it was when early roots of this were emerging - evident in other letters. The Gnostic movement is still prevalent today. It is seen on the Internet. Some claimed (and still claim) to have words of knowledge today and it is hard to challenge.
Paul asked that they would make proper use of what they had heard , the knowledge of God's will which they needed to know. Paul wanted them to know this. It was not direct revelation but it was through application not revelation. In verse 6 Paul said they knew the gospel but it needed applying. How do we know the will of another person? We must listen to what they say and know them and read the signals so we know what they mean. We need to understand the person.
We need wisdom and understanding. To know God's will we need spiritual wisdom and understanding. He has revealed his will in scriptures, we need to apply spiritual wisdom and understanding to what the Bible says - 1 Corinthian 2:1 to 10. We need to apply this in every area of our lives. In Ephesians 1:17 Paul asks for people to have the spirit of wisdom and power.
We need to know God better, this is what Paul wanted for these young Christians. Paul did not want them to miss out on anything, he wanted them to have this fullness by growing in what they had - the truth of God revealed in the scriptures. They could not have a complete understanding of God's will. God has not revealed all of what he is going to do in the future. We have an adequate knowledge to be able to live our lives. We couldn't deal with it all if he did. Jesus was foretold but he was rejected by men.
We should be saturated in this knowledge, it should affect our home, school work and personal lives. Verse 10 gives us the purpose, the knowledge must be used as fertiliser helps plants grow to their best advantage.
The knowledge must be applied. Paul outlines the results:
1. Our lives must be pleasing to God. If we love God and what pleases him, we will do what he wants.
2. Put negatively, we will know how much sin displeases him. We will hate sin as he hates it. The knowledge will help us turn away from sin. If we are a child of God we have the privilege of learning Christ's name. We are meant to live as Christ's ambassadors. We need to please God in every way. We expect an ambassador to behave well, but he has time off. Christians are on duty all of the time. God sees when our standards slip.
3. We should bear fruit in every good work. Good works don't save us. They are the fruit, not the root, of our salvation. Good works are important, they are not an add on to our lives. We are commanded to reflect God's love in what we do for others - how we care for them. The harvest of wisdom is work. The harvest of the secret knowledge is pride in what we know, true wisdom produces compassion towards people as Christ did.
4 The final result is growth in the knowledge of God - knowledge is not static, but it is built upon. We do not forget what we learn, we build upon it piece by piece. Our knowledge of God is no different, we can never understand everything about God but we can grow . It should lead to a holy life style and we can become closer to God, it is a never ending circle. If this is not our experience, where has the circle broken?
5. Finally Paul pleads for power in verse 11, he asks for all power according to his glorious might, it is the power that created everything and raised Jesus from the dead, it is the power we need to live and grow day by day. The power gave them great endurance and patience, they would be overwhelmed if they had anything less. Without it we would not have been converted. The Colossians were being offered a very weak alternative. It was nothing compared to what God had given them. Jesus had used this power to heal people and forgive sins and give eternal life.
Jesus' power changes us within and preserves and empowers us. This is what Paul prays for it will give them the endurance they needed. The end result is that it glorifies God. This gives us hope for our lives and it gives us direction for how we should pray for other believers.