Power Talk: The Pain of Betrayal

Power Talk: The Pain of Betrayal: King David wrote from the depth of a heart broken by the betrayal of a close friend when he said, “For it is not an enemy who taunts me-- ...

Rightly Applying God's Eternal Purpose

In Acts 13 and Romans 9, we find a common subject: the purpose of God. Consider how this purpose of God applies to us today. Of David it is stated in Acts 13:36 that, “...after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep and was laid with his fathers …” While no one knows when time on earth will end, each of us will die (as David did) once our lives have served the purpose of God in our generation.  Every human is a vessel in the hands of God.  Depending upon whether your master is Jesus or Satan, you are a vessel of mercy or a vessel of wrath. We see both of these ‘vessels’ mentioned in Romans 9:21-24:

“Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use? What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory— even us whom he has called, not from the Jews only but also from the Gentiles?”

Some examples of each:

David was a vessel of mercy (Acts 9:22 – God…raised up David…of whom he testified…‘I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will’.” 

Noah (Gen. 6:9) – “Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation. Noah walked with God.”

Abraham (Gen. 18:19) –  “For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment; that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.”

(Gen. 26:4-5) – “I will multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and will give to your offspring all these lands. And in your offspring all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because Abraham obeyed my voice and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.”

On the other hand, King Saul was a vessel of wrath (for the opposite reason – see 1 Sam. 15:23, 26 – “Saul…rejected the word of the Lord”). 

Here in Romans 9, the Pharaoh in Moses’ day was a vessel of wrath; verse 17 reads, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you…” ~ Exod. 9:16

So also, King Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel’s day was a vessel of wrath (Dan. 4:17 — “…the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will and sets over it the lowliest of men.”)

King Cyrus in Ezra’s day was a vessel of wrath (Ezra 1:2 – “The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and he has charged me to build him a house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah.”)

As the Psalmist stated in Psa. 75:7 — “…it is God who executes judgment, putting down one and lifting up another.”

Which type of ‘vessel’ are we? The ONLY true way to answer that is to look at our lives in view of Christ’s.  His life was and is the ONLY life worthy of compelling another to live.  Discipleship is not an option, but a requirement.  True Christianity is NOT based upon personal faith or personal preferences! (As shown from the examples of Romans 9). We also see that success is not a true gauge of Divine approval, for Pharaoh, Nebuchadnezzar, and Cyrus ALL prospered for long periods of time.  Although they were used by God to fulfill His eternal purpose of creating a spiritual seed in Christ, they were vessels of WRATH! WILL THEY BENEFIT FROM GOD’S ETERNAL PURPOSE? What about us? Are we a vessel of MERCY or of WRATH as it relates to being a disciple and a Christian in the spreading of the gospel? How will God use us? Are we ‘rightly applying’ His eternal purpose to ourselves?

Some questions that may asked in determining the answer:

Ø Are we living a life that we actively compel others to follow, or are we passive, keeping your faith to yourself, allowing others to ‘find’ what “works for them”?

Ø Do we eagerly desire Christ to return?  [If not, why not?] 

Therein, lie the answers as to whether any changes need to be made in our lives.

rdb

copyright 2013 

IN & OUT of CONTEXT

The difference between preaching the Bible apart from theology is seen in the different conclusions that people draw after hearing both preached.  In the Bible, an inspired apostle wrote that a child of God could sin, AFTER being saved by committing sin ~ "For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them. What the true proverb says has happened to them: “The dog returns to its own vomit, and the sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire.” - 2 Peter 2:20-22  

Accordingly, those who are subjected to hearing this preached, come away with the understanding that salvation is conditional - this 'conditional' aspect is seen from the teaching of Jesus in John 8:31 when He said "IF YOU CONTINUE IN MY WORD...".  

But remember the old devil's work on EVE? In his reply to Eve, he gave some carefully worded 'theology' as to what God knew.  This was a clever diversion tactic. Notice how well it worked. God had NOT said "Oh, thou shalt not SURELY die"; HE SAID THE VERY OPPOSITE! But Satan added two convincing words: "God knows!"
He told Eve, "God knows...when you eat, you will become like God, knowing good from evil...".  Now how would Eve have concluded that from just the words that God had spoken?  Perversion of scripture is Satan's forte, and so it is with his messengers.  The results are always the same.

Theology (writings by uninspired men) perverts scripture.  One example, which is commonly found in creed language, regarding the possibility of a child of God 'falling away' is a statement that says, "SUCH ONLY ARE REAL BELIEVERS AS ENDURE UNTO THE END". 

Accordingly, those who are continually subjected to hearing this 'theology', come away with the understanding that their salvation is UN-conditional.  You know what passage the creed book cites? John 8:31!

You see it's all in the "interpretation", but without being "programmed" ahead of time by the tactic of Satan, you conclude correctly from the inspired apostle's words.

But when you ARE told "Oh, no, you will not SURELY be lost; for God knows.......", you no longer trust in God's word; you trust in your own thinking (this is what the prophet Jeremiah warned of: Jer. 10:23 – “O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps”). You see, you now conclude that you cannot so sin as to be eternally lost.

This false mindset of “once saved/always saved” then produces more false reasoning as it applies to Jesus’ teaching on ‘judging’.  It is seen in the comment by someone who views themselves as “once saved/always saved”, that, ‘NO ONE HAS THE RIGHT TO TELL ME I AM WRONG’.  They ‘quote’ Matthew 7:1 as their ‘proof’; stopping there without regard to the entire context of Jesus’ words

The TRUTH (from the entire context surrounding this passage), is that Jesus is explaining HOW to judge ‘with righteous judgment’ and ‘not according to appearance’.  Jesus taught here to apply God’s word to yourself FIRST. 

A simple analogy to show that this attitude of ‘NO ONE HAS THE RIGHT TO TELL ME I AM WRONG’ is wrong, can be seen from the dilemma it would create in trying to convert an alien sinner.  What if the sinner, when told of his need to “accept Christ as your personal savior” replied with ‘NO ONE HAS THE RIGHT TO TELL ME I AM WRONG’...and then ‘quotes’ Matthew 7:1, saying ‘the Bible says to judge not that ye be not judged...’!

Let’s take this ‘logic’ a step further…If the alien sinner can use Matthew 7:1 out of context, in regard to “accepting Christ”, then that same alien sinner use that same ‘proof’ text in reply to a preacher who pleaded with him/her to pray “the sinner’s prayer”.  If not, why not?

Isn't it a good thing that the alien sinner doesn't know theology......?

rdb

copyright 2013 

Rightly "Dividing" & Rightly "APPLYING" God's Word

Jesus said that God’s word was truth (John 17:17); yet truth is NOT to be found in the partial, but the entirety of His revelation (Psalm 119:160). God purposed eternal life for man; that purpose being termed His “eternal” purpose.  It was a gradual unfolding plan that began as a promise in the mind of God prior to the Creation and consummated with the establishment of Christ’s body, the church (cf. Titus 1:2; Eph. 1:9-10, 22-23; 2:16; 3:9-11). 

In this great purpose, we see God’s love for man; specifically, in the offer of eternal life (John 3:16); as it was purposed for man ALONE.  Notice, from Matt. 25:34 – “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world’.”  God not only prepared a kingdom from the foundation of the world, but also an eternal fire.  This eternal fire was not purposed for man, but the devil and his angels (cf. Matt. 25:41, “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels). However, the Bible reveals that most of humanity will suffer this eternal fire, (cf. Matt. 7:13-14 – “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many...”)  

There are two questions relative to this eternal life that need to be answered from the Bible. 

1) WHY will only a few inherit this eternal life? 2) How will this inheritance come? 

The key in understanding why only a few will inherit that which was purposed for all, can only indicate that man has some sort of a response to God’s offer of eternal life.  Therefore, the response to God’s offer is the key to the inheritance.  This is where preaching factors in, for the role of preaching to those in the kingdom of Satan is to explain their response to God’s grace, that they might be ‘translated into the kingdom of “His dear Son” where there is “redemption, the forgiveness of sins”(Col. 1:13-14). This is why doctrine matters.  What is the response to God’s grace for the alien sinner?  While many passages could be set forth on the sinner’s response, three texts will suffice to show the nature of the response: 

~ Eccl. 12:13 — “Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man”

~ Rom. 6:17-18 — “...you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed...having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.”

~ Heb. 5:9 — “he (Jesus) is the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him”.

God gave commands to man for this very reason. God’s love for man was seen in this act of grace.  Man, in return, responds to that love/grace by obedience to those commands.  No act of man, apart from humble submission and obedience to God’s word, will be in faith, for faith only comes from one source...‘what God has spoken’ (Rom. 10:17).

The Bible declares that this eternal life is in God’s Son (1 John 5:11).  Eternal life is synonymous with salvation in Christ, (Acts 4:12; 16:17), so therefore the matter of learning how to get into Christ is one and the same as learning how to inherit this eternal life that was purposed to him.  The truth that came by Jesus (John 1:17), was in His teachings (John 17:17), and elsewhere called the “words of life” (John 6:63, 68; 12:50; 17:8; Acts 5:20) 

Because truth is in the entirety of God’s revelation, in order to learn the truth surrounding this great eternal purpose, God’s word must be ‘rightly divided’ (2 Tim. 2:15).  While the responsibility of “rightly dividing” falls upon every person who makes an appeal to the Bible; the disciple of Christ has multiple responsibilities in his ‘handling’ of that ‘word of truth’.  For a disciple, “rightly dividing”, involves more than just a determination of context.  It also involves:

1)   the responsibility to rightly “deliver” that word.  This is to be done with ‘graceful’ speech (Col. 4:6); and

2)   the responsibility to rightly “apply” that word to himself prior to passing judgment on another (Matt. 7:5; John 7:24) 

There are two very good reasons for these responsibilities.  First, to ensure that the truth will not be ‘suppressed in unrighteousness’ by the one proclaiming the word (Rom. 1:18); and secondly, to ensure that truth will have the intended effect upon the hearer of the word (Isa. 55:10-11; Heb. 4:12-13).

While contexts can be “handled” aright, problems [both individually and collectively], arise when there is irresponsibility in the delivery and the application of those contexts.   When there is irresponsibility in these two areas, the gospel, (God’s power to save – Romans 1:17), which He entrusted as a talent to His stewards for the purpose of accomplishing unity/salvation (Matt. 25:14-30); will instead, incur the very opposite results (i.e., division/damnation).  

Even for the sinner; there are consequences in this realm of responsibility.  Failure to apply the relevant passages of the Bible to himself will only result in a reforming of his life, NOT repentance from his sins, motivated by godly sorrow (2 Cor. 7:9-10).

Let all who preach, heed the inspired apostle’s warning of “following”; “continuing in”; and “holding to” the pattern of sound words” (2 Tim. 1:13; 3:14; Titus 1:9). Two reasons relative to God’s eternal purpose bear this out:

·          The foundation [of teaching] has been laid by the Lord; (1 Cor. 3:10-11)

·          His own salvation and of those to whom he preaches (1 Tim. 4:16)

Likewise, let all take heed “how” and “what” they hear [taught] (Luke 8:18; Mark 4:24)

The initial command: FAITH ONLY, OR OBEDIENCE?

Was the nature of this initial command from God a requirement for the children of Israel to merely believe in His power to provide ~ faith ‘only’; or to trust AND obey Him? 

Exodus 19:5 — Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine;

Numbers 14:11 — The Lord said to Moses, “How long will this people spurn Me? And how long will they not believe in Me, despite all the signs which I have performed in their midst?

Consider the message of Jeremiah:

Jeremiah 7:13 — And now, because you have done all these things,” declares the Lord, “and I spoke to you, rising up early and speaking, but you did not hear, and I called you but you did not answer,

Jeremiah 7:24 — Yet they did not obey or incline their ear, but walked in their own counsels and in the stubbornness of their evil heart, and went backward and not forward.

Jeremiah 7:26 — Yet they did not listen to Me or incline their ear, but stiffened their neck; they did more evil than their fathers.

Jeremiah 9:14 — but have walked after the stubbornness of their heart and after the Baals, as their fathers taught them,”

Jeremiah 11:8 — Yet they did not obey or incline their ear, but walked, each one, in the stubbornness of his evil heart; therefore I brought on them all the words of this covenant, which I commanded them to do, but they did not.’”

Jeremiah 11:10 — They have turned back to the iniquities of their ancestors who refused to hear My words, and they have gone after other gods to serve them; the house of Israel and the house of Judah have broken My covenant which I made with their fathers.”

Jeremiah 13:8-11 — Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying,  “Thus says the Lord, ‘Just so will I destroy the pride of Judah and the great pride of Jerusalem.  This wicked people, who refuse to listen to My words, who walk in the stubbornness of their hearts and have gone after other gods to serve them and to bow down to them, let them be just like this waistband which is totally worthless.  For as the waistband clings to the waist of a man, so I made the whole household of Israel and the whole household of Judah cling to Me,’ declares the Lord, ‘that they might be for Me a people, for renown, for praise and for glory; but they did not listen.’

Jeremiah 16:12 — You too have done evil, even more than your forefathers; for behold, you are each one walking according to the stubbornness of his own evil heart, without listening to Me.

Psalm 81:11 — “But My people did not listen to My voice, And Israel did not obey Me.

2 Chronicles 36:15-16 — The Lord, the God of their fathers, sent word to them again and again by His messengers, because He had compassion on His people and on His dwelling place; but they continually mocked the messengers of God, despised His words and scoffed at His prophets, until the wrath of the Lord arose against His people, until there was no remedy…

4/24/2013

rdb

Rightly Dividing God's Word: Following the Apostles -- Teaching as they Taught

Rightly Dividing God's Word: Following the Apostles -- Teaching as they Taught: "Go teach all nations" was the command they had received from the Lord (Matt.28:19), and before his ascension he said, “You wil...

Rightly Dividing God's Word: Is your preacher a false teacher? Part 14

Rightly Dividing God's Word: Is your preacher a false teacher? Part 14: “… that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine…which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; desirin...

What is the WISEST wisdom?

Concerning wisdom and knowledge, who would be the wisest of the wise?  Is there a wisdom that surpasses all other wisdom? If so, would it be in the field of science; history; medicine, or law?   I believe that there is a wisdom that exceeds all of these; and that is wisdom of how to be saved from sin.

2^nd Timothy 3:14-15- “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise unto salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”

So knowledge of salvation AND our purpose in life are two of the most important things to know.

Eccl. 12:13-14 is a good reference for both points.

“Fear God and keep His commandments; for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.”

To know why we’re here and what we are supposed to be doing with our life is of the utmost importance.  Once we have this knowledge, should we not strive to fulfill our purpose to the best of our ability?

Solomon recognized the value of God’s wisdom early in his life.  This is why he asked for this wisdom in 1^st Kings 3:5-14.  He realized what his purpose was, and knew that an “understanding mind to govern the people” and the knowledge to “discern between good and evil” were needed rather than “riches or the life of your enemies”.  Without this knowledge, both of these would be to his ruin.   

This wisdom would come thru the commandments given from God thru Moses.  Moses had stated the criteria and responsibilities for the kings in Deut. 17:18-20.  Each king had the personal responsibility to exercise himself in godliness after this manner to ensure his personal welfare and the nation’s prosperity. We can easily attribute Solomon’s (and our) downfall to a failure in these areas.  An understanding heart and faithfulness are not a one-time-prayer effort, but an ongoing lifestyle, disciplined after these principles.  Moses’ commands for each king were:

 “...when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, he shall write for himself in a book a copy of this law, approved by the Levitical priests.  And it shall be with him, and he shall read in it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the Lord his God by keeping all the words of this law and these statutes, and doing them,  that his heart may not be lifted up above his brothers, and that he may not turn aside from the commandment, either to the right hand or to the left, so that he may continue long in his kingdom, he and his children, in Israel.”

Thus we see the value of bible study and meditation upon God’s word as well as prayer, in order to be  “wise unto salvation”.  Therefore, a wise person will seek out these commandments. 

 - David, a man after God’s own heart said in Psa. 39:4, "O LORD, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am!” 

 - Moses also said in Psa. 90:12 - “…teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.”

We need to do the same.  We’re here to serve God, and we need wisdom to do that.  We’re told in Eccl. 8:5, “Whoever keeps a command will know no evil thing, and the wise heart will know the proper time and the just way.”

               

POINT: Knowing the proper time and procedure, is connected to obedience.  (i.e.,  ‘keeping commandments’)

HOW does GOD “make” us to know?  How has GOD taught man?

Thru paying attention to what you hear (Mark 4:24 – “Take heed what ye hear”);  and how you hear it (Luke 8:18 – “Take heed therefore how ye hear”).

WHAT we do w/that which we hear taught is the point; (i.e., how we use our knowledge of salvation)

In James 4:14, a question is both asked and answered: “What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.”

We need to consider this.

Since God created us, so many things have come and gone in this life to where our time on earth is like a millimeter in a mile. We have to think, what are we doing with our time?  It is so important for us to realize the high value of our time.  I see people dying young, being stricken with diseases and I have to realize that God has given me my safety and life.  But for what reason?  Thinking back on Ecclesiastes, I know I’m here to serve Him.  If I have my life (which is very precious and sacred); I need to view wisdom as dear and precious as Moses, David, Solomon, and the other faithful characters did, and diligently seek the wisdom that they sought.

In James 1: 5, I find that if I really desire this wisdom, I can have it, if I seek it in the right way.  James wrote, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”

Let me encourage all to seek God for this wisdom, and your life will be lived as God intended... “FEARING HIM & KEEPING HIS COMMANDMENTS”

For the end/conclusion:

In the song: “Just After Death...What Then?” we see the reason why this wisdom excels all other wisdom – THE REWARD OF AN ETERNITY IN HEAVEN!

rdb

copyright 2013

Making the Right Decision

The life of Jesus of Nazareth has attracted the attention of both atheist and theist. For centuries individuals have arisen that provided the people of their times with some religious hope. Many of these individuals, to their own dismay, were elevated to a position of reverence that belongs only to God. Multitudes have put their faith, hope and trust in the teachings of these individuals.

We all, though wrong they are, make decisions contrary to our well being. Every day, we are called upon to make decisions. Some of those decisions are mundane and inconsequential. Others have the potential of both physical and spiritual ruin. There is no greater decision a person will be called upon to make that supersedes the one they make regarding their spiritual well being. Religious decisions are difficult because they require great determination. The apostle Paul said, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God which is your spiritual service. And be not fashioned according to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God" (Romans 12:1-2).

Paul’s statement, as he revealed Gods will concerning obedience, says that it requires becoming a sacrifice: a sacrifice that presents the body in a holy and acceptable service. The term "sacrifice" is defined as a "victim" (Thayer’s Greek Definitions). Merriam Webster defines sacrifice as "an act of offering to a deity something precious;especially: the killing of a victim on an altar." Paul was well aware of the requirements of obedience. He stated, concerning his life, "for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die" (Acts 21:13). And ultimately paid the price, as he wrote, "For I am already being offered, and the time of my departure is come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give to me at that day; and not to me only, but also to all them that have loved his appearing" (2 Timothy 4:6-7). The term, "being offered" is defined as, "to pour out as a libation, that is, (figuratively) to devote(one’s life or blood, as a sacrifice)" (Strong’s Hebrew and Greek Definitions), or "fig. used of one whose blood is poured out in a violent death for the cause of God" (Thayer’s Greek Definitions). Paul offered himself in the figurative as well as literal sense, of the word.

Making the right decision about one’s spiritual well being requires courage. Throughout the scriptures, individuals have been called upon to put their lives on the line for their faith: "And what shall I more say? for the time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah; of David and Samuel and the prophets: who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, waxed mighty in war, turned to flight armies of aliens. Women received their dead by a resurrection: and others were tortured, not accepting their deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: and others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, they were tempted, they were slain with the sword: they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated (of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves, and the holes of the earth. And these all, having had witness borne to them through their faith, received not the promise, God having provided some better thing concerning us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect" (Hebrews 11:32-40).

As a Christian, an individual must be willing to do the same today. Jesus said, "And be not afraid of them that kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell" (Matthew 10:28). Exercising courage is of such great importance that God said, "But for the fearful, and unbelieving, and abominable, and murderers, and fornicators, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, their part shall be in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone; which is the second death" (Revelation 21:8). Listed among those who commit the most hideous crimes is the fearful.

When considering one’s condition before God, one must decide to exercise courage and "obey God, rather than men" (Acts 5:29) and "press on toward the goal unto the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:14). 

What decision have you made in regard to your spiritual service?

rdb

copyright 2013

Rightly Dividing God's Word: “Proxy” Membership?

Rightly Dividing God's Word: “Proxy” Membership?: What is involved in membership?   How important is it?   Many people claim membership or affiliation to a church.   The ‘criteria’ varies...

Rightly Dividing = Un-suppressing the truth!

The Bible declares that only God’s words are truth (John 17:17); yet truth from God is NOT to be found in the partial, but the entirety of His revelation (Psalm 119:160). God purposed eternal life for man; that purpose being termed His “eternal” purpose, in His revelation.  It was a gradual unfolding plan that began as a promise in the mind of God prior to the Creation and consummated with the establishment of Christ’s body, the church (cf. Titus 1:2; Eph. 1:9-10, 22-23; 2:16; 3:9-11). 

In this great purpose, we see God’s love for man; specifically, in the offer of eternal life (John 3:16); as it was purposed for man ALONE; nothing else or no one else in all of the created universe.  Notice, from Matt. 25:34 – “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world’.”  Yet the Bible reveals that God not only prepared a kingdom from the foundation of the world, but also an eternal fire prepared at the same time.  This eternal fire was not purposed for man, but the devil and his angels (cf. Matt. 25:41, “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels).  But the Bible reveals that most of humanity will suffer this eternal fire, (cf. Matt. 7:13-14 – “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.  For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”) 

There are two questions relative to this eternal life that need to be answered from the Bible. 

     1) WHY will only a few inherit this eternal life? 

     2) How will this inheritance come? 

The key in understanding why only a few will inherit that which was purposed for all, can only indicate that man has some sort of a response to God’s offer of eternal life.  Therefore, the response to God’s offer is the key to the inheritance.  This is where preaching factors in, for the role of preaching to those in the kingdom of Satan is to explain their response to God’s grace, that they might be ‘translated into the kingdom of “His dear Son” where there is “redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (Col. 1:13-14).  As it relates to this most important subject, preaching can be in truth or in error.  This is why doctrine matters.  What is the response to God’s grace for the alien sinner?  While many passages could be set forth on the sinner’s response, three texts will suffice to show the nature of the response:

Eccl. 12:13 — “Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man”

Rom. 6:17-18 — “...you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed...having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.”

Heb. 5:9 — “he (Jesus) is the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him”.

God gave commands to man for this very reason. God’s love for man was seen in this act of grace.  Man, in return, responds to that love/grace by obedience.  No act of man, apart from humble submission and obedience to God’s word, will be in faith, for faith only comes from one source...‘what God has spoken’ (Rom. 10:17).

The Bible declares that this eternal life is in God’s Son (1^st John 5:11).  Eternal life is synonymous with salvation in Christ, (Acts 4:12; 16:17), so therefore the matter of learning how to get into Christ is one and the same as learning how to inherit this eternal life that was purposed to him.  It is within this revelation that man will find ‘truth’.  Truth came by Jesus (John 1:17), through the words of His teaching (John 17:17).  This truth is also called the “words of life” (John 6:63, 68; 12:50; 17:8; Acts 5:20).

In order to learn the truth surrounding this great eternal purpose, God’s word must be ‘rightly divided’.  In 2^nd Timothy 2:15, we find Paul’s statement to Timothy in regard to this.  While the responsibility of “rightly dividing” falls upon every person who makes an appeal to the Bible; the disciple of Christ has multiple responsibilities in his ‘handling’ of that ‘word of truth’.  For a disciple, “rightly dividing”, involves more than just a determination of context.  It also involves:

1)   the responsibility to rightly “deliver” that word.  This is to be done with ‘graceful’ speech (Col. 4:6); and

2)   the responsibility to rightly “apply” that word to himself prior to passing judgment on another (Matt. 7:5; John 7:24) 

There are two very good reasons for these responsibilities.  They are to ensure that the truth will not be ‘suppressed in unrighteousness’ on his part (Rom. 1:18); and secondly, so that truth will have the ultimate effect upon the human mind (Isa. 55:10-11; Heb. 4:12-13).

There is great benefit/growth for the disciple to re-study definitions and concepts of words/phrases/texts in these two areas of his responsibility.  Herein is seen the benefit of trials in the life of a child of God.  James dealt with this in his epistle.  We see from chapter 1:22-25, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.” 

Problems, both individually and collectively, arise when contexts are ‘handled’ aright, yet irresponsibly in the delivery and/or the application of those contexts.   If they are not, the gospel, (i.e., God’s power to save – Romans 1:17), which God entrusted as a talent to His stewards for the purpose of accomplishing unity/salvation; will instead, incur the very opposite results (division/damnation).  Yet, even for the sinner; there are consequences in this realm of responsibility.  To fail to apply the relevant passages of the Bible to himself will result in only a reforming of his life, not repentance from his sins, motivated by godly sorrow (2 Cor. 7:9-10).

Let all who preach, heed the inspired apostle’s warning of “following”; “continuing in”; and “holding to” the pattern of sound words” (2^nd Tim. 1:13; 3:14; Titus 1:9).  Every preacher must take heed in regard to his preaching. Two reasons relative to God’s eternal purpose bear this out:

·          The foundation [of teaching] has been laid by the Lord; (1 Cor. 3:10-11)

·          His own salvation and of those to whom he preaches (1^st Tim. 4:16)

Likewise, let all take heed “how” and “what” they hear [taught] (Luke 8:18; Mark 4:24)

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“TRADITIONAL” vs “CONTEMPORARY”

Have you noticed that churches have been offering different service times for their audiences on Sunday and they list them as "traditional" or "contemporary"?

Some places even advertise "come as you are" and a "casual" environment in which to worship God. You can wear anything from cowboy boots to t-shirts and drink anything from espresso to Red Bull while you watch other people offer a surrogate form of worship to God.

Why do churches feature different styles of worship? One website suggests: "offer worship services of varying styles so that everyone can attend a service that meets their personal preferences."

I've got a simple (and perhaps, a seemingly uneducated) question here - since when do my preferences determine my worship to God?

Churches are scrambling to offer services that "keep up with the times" and make people feel "comfortable" when approaching God in worship - which is actually not even what is being accomplished. How can you even attempt to unify a congregation around a common cause when you are catering to so many different tastes, preferences, and styles?

In Acts 2:42, we read that the disciples from the early church in Jerusalem "continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers." They were unified by a clear purpose, a clear doctrine, and clear practices. This group, though several thousand strong, did not have to be placated with entertainment, food, and their own styles of worship. Their common bond and strength was through Christ!

When I approach God in worship, I have to be humble enough to realize it is not about me! How haughty and proud it must be to God to tell Him that you can't trust in what He has prescribed for worship - that it is "outdated" - and that it needs to be personalized to our desires in order for us to want to be there.

How ridiculous is it for people to think in their minds (and with their actions) that coffee and doughnuts (or food in general) has to be provided in order to get someone to come to worship? Have they considered the way that Jesus said God wants to be worshipped, and who He is? "God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." (John 4:24)

While we're catering to different tastes, backgrounds, music styles, fashion preferences, and building designs, we are forgetting that God is Spirit and doesn't care about all of that. He wants our hearts dedicated to Him with our lives and a reflection of that through our worship!

When we worship God, we must come before Him desiring truth and recognizing that He is holy. Let's not worry about "traditional" or "contemporary"...and focus on "TRUE"!

---Author Unknown

Doctrine & Trust

– Psalm 118:8 – 

“It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.”

The passage above is one of many in the scriptures, on the subject of ‘TRUST’.   This verse speaks of the wisdom in placing our trust in the LORD, rather than man.  Two key words in this passage are ‘better’ and ‘than’ as they relate to trust.  The verse does not explain some things about trust, such as HOW or WHY trust should be “in the LORD”, but, as with any subject, they can be determined through a study of both the immediate context, as well as other relevant passages in the Bible.  From the immediate context, we see that this chapter is a psalm about the nature of the steadfast love of the Lord…it endures ‘forever’.  This ‘endurance’ of God’s steadfast love is why it is ‘better’ (i.e. wise) to look to the Lord for deliverance in times of distress.  Let those who “fear the Lord”, trust in Him for reasons consistent with His steadfast love and unique to their relationship with God; namely, for their deliverance from Satan’s efforts to sever that relationship.  From the other relevant passages on this matter of ‘trust’, we learn the ‘constant’ truths set forth about how/why it is wise to “trust in the LORD”.  The admonitions from a negative standpoint are:

- Psalm 40:4 – How blessed is the man who has made the Lord his trust, and has not turned to the proud, nor to those who lapse into falsehood.

- Psalm 146:3 - Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation.

- Psalms 60:11 and 108:12 - “...vain is the salvation of man.”

- Isaiah 2:22, “Stop regarding man in whose nostrils is breath, for of what account is he?”

- Isaiah 31:1, 3 – Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help and rely on horses, and trust in chariots because they are many and in horsemen because they are very strong, but they do not look to the Holy One of Israel, nor seek the Lord…Now the Egyptians are men and not God, and their horses are flesh and not spirit; so the Lord will stretch out His hand, and he who helps will stumble and he who is helped will fall, and all of them will come to an end together.

- Isaiah 57:13 – “When you cry out, let your collection of idols deliver you.  But the wind will carry all of them up, and a breath will take them away.  But he who takes refuge in Me will inherit the land and will possess My holy mountain.”

- Jeremiah 17:5, “Thus says the Lord: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord.”  

When Hezekiah was attacked by Sennacherib king of Assyria, he spoke to the people of Israel about trust.  He said, “Be strong and courageous, do not fear or be dismayed because of the king of Assyria nor because of all the horde that is with him; for the one with us is greater than the one with him.  With him is only an arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles.  And the people relied on the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.” (2 Chronicles 32:7-8)

ALL of God’s truth is not confined to, or condensed in one passage; nor can truth be ascertained by isolating one passage from other passages without regard to what is taught on the same topic.  This is why we need to consult ALL that is revealed in the scriptures on a given topic rather than draw our conclusions from a single passage.  “Rightly dividing” God’s word requires that we search out ALL of God’s wisdom (2^nd Timothy 2:15; Acts 17:11; Psalm 119:160). As stated elsewhere in the psalms, we will find that God’s words were spoken TO and FOR man, reflecting His steadfast love. (cf. Psalms 40:5; 92:5; 139:17; and 144:3; Hebrews 2:6).

Two other eternal truths, consistently taught in the scriptures on ‘trust’ is that:

1) all must exercise a choice as to whom or what we put our confidence/trust in.   That choice defines whether or not we fear God more than man.  The second is:

2) doctrine directly affects where we place our trust.  Again, Satan’s attack upon the hearer of the message is to pervert the message.  He will therefore employ false messengers.  This is why there is an abundance of warnings in regard to “hearing”; and it is from these passages, we see the correlation between trust and doctrine.  Notice:

- Matthew 6:1 - “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.”

- Matthew 16:6 - “Watch and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”

- 1 Corinthians 10:12 – “…let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.”

This is why trust and doctrine are inseparable.  The Bible states that doctrine is to be ‘sound’ (1^st Timothy 1:10; 2^nd Timothy 4:3; Titus 1:9; 2:1).  Sound doctrine is characterized by “uncorruptness”, “gravity”, and “sincerity” (Titus 2:7, “In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity...”).  It is for these reasons that doctrine and trust are inseparable.  Proper trust is dependent upon accuracy of doctrine.  Your trust will be as you were directed in the message (Isa. 24:2; Hosea 4:9). 

Notice the correlation of ‘trust’ and ‘doctrine’ to ‘salvation’ and ‘worship’.  Do you ‘trust’ in the Lord?  Many sermons close with the exhortation to “trust” in the Lord.  What is meant by this exhortation and exactly HOW does man ‘trust’ in the Lord?  The Bible is replete with the phrase “trust in the Lord”.  The life of those “in Christ” is to reflect their continual trust in Him, and the sinner is exhorted to ‘trust in the Lord” upon entering into fellowship with God through Christ.  The manner in which both ‘trust’ is similar and can easily be seen from the passages that mention ‘trusting in the Lord’.  Both are dependent upon doctrine that is ‘sound’.   To those who loved “vain words” and who” sought after lies”, David admonished in Psa. 4:2, 5 to cease and, “Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD.”  We learn from this passage that, when trusting in the Lord, there has to be a “putting off” and a “putting on”.  The same is true of those who have answered the call of the gospel (Col. 3:8-10),

The object of man’s trust is bewrayed through speech and behavior (Matt. 26:73).  Sacrifices ‘of righteousness’ reflect that your trust is in Jehovah, for His righteousness has always been declared thru His words to man (Deut. 6:24-25; Prov. 30:5-6).  Today, His righteousness is declared in the gospel (Romans 1:17).  The object of your ‘trust’ is also reflected thru your worship.  ‘Acceptable’ worship must be “in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24) in order for your trust to be ‘in the Lord’.  Any worship that is NOT “in spirit and in truth” reflects that your confidence is in man.  From Joshua’s words to the people of God in his day, we see a two-fold necessity in regard to ‘trusting’ in the LORD”.  He said, “Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD.” (Josh 24:14)  Notice that there must not only be “serving”; but also a “putting away”.  This necessitates making a choice (see v. 15, “choose ye this day, whom ye will serve...”).  This accords with Jesus’ words in Matt. 6:24, “no man can serve two...”.  Both are necessary to trusting ‘in the Lord’, or the ‘trusting’ is only lip-service; which is condemned in the Bible (cf. Matt. 15:8-9).

As mentioned above, doctrine directly affects trust.  Doctrine must be uncorrupt, grave, and sincere in order for the trust to be placed “in the Lord”. 

As pointed out earlier, to ‘trust in the LORD’ is set forth from a positive and a negative aspect in the scriptures. 

Our desire to have our worship acceptable to God depends upon our attitude toward ‘true’ worship.  This will reveal the object of our trust.  We see this from what is stated in the psalms.  David said, in Psa. 31:6, “I have hated them that regard lying vanities: but I trust in the LORD.”  How are we to understand this ‘hate’?  The Bible is its own best dictionary.  Elsewhere, we find of ‘hate’ that it means to have no fellowship with those who worship in idolatry. 

Psa. 26:5 – I hate the assembly of evildoers, and I will not sit with the wicked.

They are to be regarded as enemies.

Psa. 139:21-22 – Do I not hate those who hate you, O Lord? And do I not loathe those who rise up against you?  I hate them with complete hatred; I count them my enemies.

How are we to understand David’s hatred?  As ill-will and malice; purposing to take vengeance on them?  Again, note from these other passages in the Psalms for clarification:

Psa. 119:158 – I look at the faithless with disgust, because they do not keep your commands.

Psa. 119:136 – My eyes shed streams of tears, because people do not keep your law.

Did not Jesus mention blessings upon those who ‘mourn’ about over the prevalence of sin (Matt. 5:4)?

Those who trust in idols were truly assessed by the prophet Jonah.  He stated in Jonah 2:8, “Those who pay regard to vain idols forsake their hope of steadfast love.”

Psa. 37:3 – Trust in the LORD, and do good; 

[The absence of doing ‘good’, reflects a lack of trust in God; ‘good’ is defined by God for us.  For example, Psa. 37:27 teaches that to ‘do good’ is impossible without departing from evil; departing from evil constitutes doing ‘good’.  Rom. 1 and Matt. 19:16ff teach that doing ‘good’ was always defined as obedience to what God commanded.  Jesus taught that to be ‘perfect’, we must take up our cross; “come and follow” Him.  Accordingly, the N. T. epistles define ‘good’ as being “rich in good works”, “ready to distribute”, and “willing to communicate” (1 Tim. 6:18; Heb. 13:16).  To fail to do this ‘good’, is to sin (James 4:17).

Prov. 3:5 – Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

[to trust in your own wisdom is to fail to ‘trust in the Lord’]  Prov. 28:26 calls such a person a ‘fool’.

Prov. 28:25 – He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat.

[Greediness, a hot-temper, and slothfulness are all behavioral characteristics of a person who does not have his ‘trust’ in the Lord, but in himself] (cf. Prov.15:18; 13:4)

Prov. 29:25 – The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.

[Fearing man more than the Lord is to fail to ‘trust in the Lord’] (See Matt. 10:28)

Psa. 37:5 – Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring [it] to pass.

[There can be no ‘trust in the Lord’, unless you commit your way unto HIM.  Notice in the next passage how this commitment is thru obedience to God’s word] 

Psa. 18:30 – As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.

[God is synonymous with His word; to trust in God is to trust in His word]

Psa. 20:7 – Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.

[Remembering the name of the Lord is one and the same to ‘trust in His word’.  Notice the next passage...]

Isa. 50:10 – Who is among you that feareth the LORD, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh [in] darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the LORD, and stay upon his God.

[To fear is to trust; to trust is to obey...is teaching/doctrine a factor?]

Jer. 7:4 Trust ye not in lying words, saying, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, [are] these.

[Reading the entire chapter of Jeremiah 7, we find that to offer sacrifice, while disobedient in daily living is to only lip-service and condemned]

Jer.28:15 – Then said the prophet Jeremiah unto Hananiah the prophet, Hear now, Hananiah; The LORD hath not sent thee; but thou makest this people to trust in a lie.

[Read the context here to see how/why Hananiah caused the people to trust in a lie; doing the opposite of this will cause people to trust in the Lord; WAS HIS TEACHING (DOCTRINE) A FACTOR?]  

Jer. 29:31 – Send to all them of the captivity, saying, Thus saith the LORD concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite; Because that Shemaiah hath prophesied unto you, and I sent him not, and he caused you to trust in a lie:

[Read the text here to see how/why Shemaiah caused the people to trust in a lie; the opposite of this will cause people to trust in the Lord; was his teaching (doctrine) a factor?]

Jer. 39:18 – For I will surely deliver thee, and thou shalt not fall by the sword, but thy life shall be for a prey unto thee: because thou hast put thy trust in me, saith the LORD.

[Read the context to see what/how ‘trust’ was put in the LORD; was teaching (doctrine) a factor?]

Jer. 46:25 – The LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, saith; Behold, I will punish the multitude of No, and Pharaoh, and Egypt, with their gods, and their kings; even Pharaoh, and [all] them that trust in him

[How was ‘trust’ in these false gods put? Was teaching/doctrine a factor?]

Phil. 2:19 – But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state.

[What did Paul ‘trust in the Lord’ for in this passage?  How would this be accomplished?] 

Phil. 2:24 – But I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly.

[What did Paul ‘trust in the Lord’ for in this passage?  How would this be accomplished?]

2/12/2013

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