Author Archives: shepherdbryan

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About shepherdbryan

My passion is to disciple and see men discipled in every area of their life to see the multiplication principle actually work in a 100 year generational blessing. As go men in the church, so goes the church. As go men in the nation, so goes the nation. Fortunately, because men have often not taken their spiritual role to the limit, God has raised up many godly women to carry the torch where men have laid it aside. May God rapidly raise up men for the next generation of leaders to the Fourth Generation of spiritual leaders! As men lead in a godly way, women will follow in a godly way and that people will be blessed of the Lord.

Question: What happens if an ingredient is missing for spiritual growth?

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Recently in the article, “What ingredients are necessary for spiritual growth?” there were three ingredients mentioned.  The three ingredients are: 1) God’s Word, 2) God’s Spirit and 3) human faith.  Spiritual growth is a grace action of God that is completely and totally about what the Lord Jesus Christ directs for the believer. 
What happens if one of these ingredients is missing?  Continue reading →

Life Insight: Why do people help others?

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Life Insight: Why do people help others?

The world cries out for help and there are often people who are very willing to provide service and soul care.   What motivates them?  Is God’s Spirit behind every good deed?  Are altruistic acts always sourced in God? Certainly, the Lord directs many to act on behalf of His mercy, but there are other reasons why people will help others.

Dale Larson, in his book “The Helper’s Journey” gives a secular perspective on why people purpose to help others.1 He writes, “Your helping motivations and the encounters that led you into this work define who you are both as a person and as a helper.” (p. 4)  Larson describes “great moments” that help people define their goal or mission as caregivers or helpers.  Some experience helps them determine, “This is it” or “This is why I’m doing this.” Yet this kind of thinking has nothing to do with seeking to please God.  What can it have to do with anything besides feeling good about self or some kind of emotional do-goodism?

Larson goes on to ask the question if man is basically selfish or naturally altruistic. He attempts to paint the picture that helping tendencies are not unique to man.  Elephants care for each other, monkeys pick at each other’s fur for cleanliness and even rats care for each other.  He writes there is “an almost universal tendency to become aroused in the presence of a distressed member of one’s own species and to act in ways to reduce this other’s distress.” (p. 13)  He claims that even when paid for the service, the motivation for helping usually comes from within. You care.” (p. 11)  He reports that 26. 8% of the population volunteered in 2009. He said that 30.1% of women and 21.1% of men volunteered.2 

Larson highlights several benefits of caring to the caregiver.  Health benefits have been reported, but are speculative. There are social benefits and relationships that are formed and often healthy. There are reportedly physical benefits of less aches and pains, psychological help in feeling of strength, self-worth and even immunity to illness and spiritual help in providing a basis for living that transcends self.  He says,

All societies and religions have understood this relation between social connectedness, altruism, and immunity, and thus have emphasized the importance of caring for others, generosity, and service.  Although barriers of they-ness can disrupt this connectedness, our collective health may ultimately depend on our ability to see ourselves in others.” (p. 26)

            But isn’t all of this self-oriented? Whether I help others because “it makes me feel good” or “there are health or social benefits from helping,” is it not still about what “I” as the helper gets out of it?  That is not necessarily bad, because it is good for society.  However, it has no intrinsic or eternal value before God. Unless what I am doing is for the glory of God (1 Cor. 10:31), because of my love for the Lord Jesus (Matt. 22:37-39) and I am dependent on the filling of the Holy Spirit (Eph. 5:18), it is merely human works and as Paul describes it, “…wood, hay and straw.” (1 Cor. 3:12)  It will be burned up at the judgment seat of Christ. 

            Do I want people to help others?  Absolutely, yes, I do.  However, do it to please the Lord, because you know you are complete in Jesus and you have a relation with God through Him.  Do it because you believe it is part of the good works to which God designed you after salvation (Eph. 2:10).  Anything man does is filthy rags, at best (Is. 64:6), unless it is done in His power.

            Paul made this principle very clear as he wrote to Titus.  He said,

·         11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,
·         12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age,
·         13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,
·         14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. (Titus 2:11-14)

Do good works.  Do help others.  Yet, do it for the Lord, not for self-exalting reasons, no matter how subtle they may be.  Learn some practical lessons from this book about grief, loss and illness, but look to the Lord for blessing.

1Larson, Dale G., The Helper’s Journey.

2http://www.bls.gov/news.release/volun.nr0.htm

 

 

 

Life Insights: Encouragement in the face of Wrong Judicial Decisions

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Encouragement in the face of Wrong Judicial Decisions

Today the Supreme Court historically became involved in the same-sex marriage issue.  On one day, the day before they recessed for the summer, the Justices, crossing ideological lines, struck down Proposition 8 from California and the federal government’s Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).

Proposition 8 was the mandate by the people of California to prohibit gay marriages in the state constitution.  Same-sex couples sued for their rights to be recognized as legally married couples and the court agreed with their cause and position.  It affects 18,000 same-sex couples wedded in California back in 2008, after which the voters disapproved same-sex marriage on the ballot.  So now everyone in California has to accept what state constitution did not allow nor the majority of the people wanted.  Now you can guess and realize that the power lies with the court of man rather than the Constitution or the people. This is an attack on what is written.

The federal government’s Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), signed into law by Bill Clinton in 1996, was also struck down.  Those in states with same-sex marriage laws will be allowed to claim rights and benefits the same as hetero-sexual marriages. This is an attack on what is written.

This decision by the courtroom of man does not catch God by surprise.  The Courtroom of Heaven is still in session.  Our responsibility is to mourn for our nation as Daniel did so well in Daniel 9 and prayed on behalf of the nation. Our responsibility is to grow up spiritually and become spiritual parents, that is, to have disciples who are discipling others.   Our responsibility is to ask people if they know Jesus. If they do not or are not sure, then to share the gospel truth and help them understand the truth by faith. Our responsibility is to help draw the body of Christ to BE the body of Christ and care for one another.  Our responsibility is to influence our community through good works and be ready to given an account of the hope that is within.  What a privilege that responsibility is!  Let’s roll!

Do not be discouraged.  Press forward in truth and wait upon the Lord by sharing the truth with every soul who will listen.

 

 

Book Review: The Ways of the Alongsider by Bill Mowry

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Book Review: The Ways of the Alongsider by Bill Mowry

The Ways of the Alongsider by Bill Mowry is an excellent tool for discipling those who will learn to disciple others.  It can be used as a good foundation for building a disciple-making ministry. It is well-designed to fit our culture. Does it cover everything that is needed in discipleship?  No, but in ten lessons, it gives a sufficient guidance to encourage a new disciple to disciple others.

The concept of the Alongsider comes from the word that means encouraging someone to come alongside another and help them in their journey to Jesus. The manual provides four Foundational lessons.  The first lesson parallels the Great Commandment to love God and describes the “Way of the Amateur.” Just as the amateur does what he does because he loves it, not because he is getting paid, so the Christian should consider himself an amateur and just love discipling other people. That discipleship is motivated by love. Love for the Lord and love for others. 

There are three significant aspects of this lesson. The first significant aspect is a chart that illustrates the difference between traditional approaches of ministry and “the way of the alongsider.” (p. 17). In the second significant aspect, Mowry uses VIM to assess three elements for personal change.  The V stands are Vision – “Do I have a picture or vision for change?” The I stands for Intentional – “Do I desire change? Have I decided to be intentional about change?” And thirdly, M stands for Means – “Do I have the means (tools, practical helps, training) for change?” (p. 18)  The third significant aspect is a list of pointed questions, which rate a person’s effectiveness as an alongsider.  Personal truthfulness would reveal needed spiritual change.

The next three lessons describe how this is put into action as the “Way of Life,” the “Way of Intentionality,” and the “Way of Prayer.”  If the foundation of the disciple’s life is not built on his relationship with the Lord, he will become an emotionally driven salesman or a toothless Pharisee.  It is the relationship with God that will carry him through in discipling others.

Part Two describes the Skills needed to build on the Foundation. He begins with two lessons on the importance of relationships and then two lessons on the importance of the Word.  These are followed by two lessons on principles for purposeful conversations and how to recruit people to live with those around them in order to reach them.  These seem like basic, very basic, lessons, until one considers the culture around us.  We are a culture that is more plugged into an iPod, then plugged into communicating well in relationships.  This is followed by nine appendices on mechanics for discipling those who will disciple others.  These are great as weekly explanations that can be highlighted based on the strengths and weaknesses of the disciple. Finally, there is a Leader’s lesson outline guide for each of the book lessons so that those who are new to discipling others can have a guide that they could follow. 

I have used the Navigator Colossians 2:7 track a few times and greatly love that series.  However, it was written 60 years ago and the culture has changed.  I would encourage someone to go through that series, even today, but most of the culture is not there.  The culture is more at the level of “The Ways of the Alongsider.”  It targets the strengths and weaknesses of the culture today in order to reach a new generation.  

I’d suggest this material, along with familiarization with Real Life Discipleship by Jim Putman in developing the goal of raising up spiritual Parents.  Don’t put it off; do it now.

Book Review: Just Do Something by Kevin DeYoung

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Book Review: Just Do Something by Kevin DeYoung        

Just Do Something by Kevin DeYoung is a fresh view of understanding God’s will.  DeYoung is an exceptional thinker in many ways and seeks to look at the diamond of God’s will from another facet. Rather than trying to identify the precise action a person should take in order to be in God’s will, DeYoung approaches determining the will of God by allowing anything to be included that is not forbidden.  “Give up,” he says, “and ‘Just do something.’”

He begins by identifying the sovereignty of God’s will.  In DeYoung’s theological view “God always gets His way.” (p. 19)  It is true the will of God will always be accomplished, yet as DeYoung writes, “It is the ultimate determination over all things, and it cannot be overturned.” (p. 21) Does that mean when God desires all to be saved and some are not, that God doesn’t get His way?  It would seem that God wills that many are condemned because “God knows all things and sovereignly superintends all things.” (p. 21) That jargon removes human freewill.  It would seem that DeYoung discusses human choice all through his book, but not when it comes to the category of God’s sovereign will. To clarify, it seems that Young holds to the Direct will of God, but not the Permissive will of God (God allows sin to happen, even though God does not desire it).

DeYoung rightly states, “Yes, God has a specific plan for our lives.” (p. 24) It is true that in the Divine Decree, every condition, decision and futurition is certain.  Yet, man is not a robot.  By the grace of God, he makes choices  that prove when he is humbly submitted to God, he glorifies God and God works through him, but when he acts independent from God, he continues in sin, even as when he was an unbeliever. I affirm DeYoung when he states, “The better way is the biblical way: Seek first the kingdom of God, and then trust that He will take care of our needs, even before we know what they are and where we’re going.” (p. 26)

He answers the question why we want to know the will of God.  His first reason is we want to please God – very positive. (p. 27)  His fifth reason is we are cowards and don’t want to suffer harm or do something wrong that would put us in danger – very true. (p. 38) His point is that we often get too concerned with the precise, best will of God and are hindered from making a difference in God’s kingdom.

A couple times he states, “We risk, because God does not risk.” (p. 48) Everything is known by God, so we can venture forth and trust how God will lead.  In making those decisions, he states, “But it would have been wrong for me to use God’s will as a way to remove my personal responsibility in the decision.” (p. 49).  In other words, I can’t blame God. God wants us to use our brains (p. 53) and make decisions that honor His character and are within His scope of holiness.

The main thrust of DeYoung’s thesis is seek first God’s righteousness, don’t worry about all the details, but do make decisions out of a love for Jesus Christ. (p. 57)  In other words, do you want to mirror God’s character and please Him? Then “Just Do Something” and trust God in His guidance.  Don’t worry about the perfect job or perfect place to live. If they are not sin, then make the decision and God will lead if it is not the right choice.

At times DeYoung will make significant statements like “Apart from the Spirit working through Scripture, God does not promise to use any other means to guide us, nor should we expect Him.” (p. 68) Then he will incorporate a good section on getting counsel from others with wisdom (pp. 94-95).   He distinguishes the difference between moral and non-moral issues, which is appropriate.  Although it may be that a person’s personal study and understanding of Scripture has not reached the depth of a friend who may give better counsel regarding decisions.  That friend may have a better understanding of truth.

This review should be closed with the way DeYoung closed his thoughts,

Live for God. Obey the Scriptures. Think of others before yourself.  Be holy.  Love Jesus. And as you do these things, do whatever else you like, with whomever you like, wherever you like, and you’ll be walking in the will of God. (p. 122)

There is a great deal of qualification that must be understood from his material, but he opens your options of God’s will to “Just Do Something.”

Question: Was King Saul a believer?

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Was King Saul a believer?

There are many who question whether King Saul was a believer.  They have to, not because of Scripture, but because their theology demands it.  Their theology says that if a person continues in sin, then he really was not a believer.  Saul would be a good example, because after David’s killing of Goliath and the ensuing jealousy, King Saul purposefully and intentionally spent years chasing after that rascal David to kill him.  How could Saul possibly be a believer and want that?  After all, Saul died a miserable death at the attack of the Philistines.  Certainly, he had to be an unbeliever!  That is not true, because that is not what Scripture teaches.

In 1 Samuel 10, there are nine clear indications that Saul was a believer.  This is the passage in question,

·         Then Samuel took a flask of oil and poured it on his head, and kissed him and said: “Is it not because the LORD has anointed you commander over His inheritance1?
·         2 “When you have departed from me today, you will find two men by Rachel’s tomb in the territory of Benjamin at Zelzah; and they will say to you,`The donkeys which you went to look for have been found. And now your father has ceased caring about the donkeys and is worrying about you, saying, “What shall I do about my son?”‘
·         3 “Then you shall go on forward from there and come to the terebinth tree of Tabor. There three men going up to God at Bethel will meet you, one carrying three young goats, another carrying three loaves of bread, and another carrying a skin of wine.
·         4 “And they will greet you and give you two loaves of bread, which you shall receive from their hands.
·         5 “After that you shall come to the hill of God where the Philistine garrison is. And it will happen, when you have come there to the city, that you will meet a group of prophets coming down from the high place with a stringed instrument, a tambourine, a flute, and a harp before them; and they will be prophesying.
·         6 “Then the Spirit of the LORD will come upon you, and you will prophesy with them and be turned into another man.
·         7 “And let it be, when these signs come to you, that you do as the occasion demands; for God is with you.
·         8 “You shall go down before me to Gilgal; and surely I will come down to you to offer burnt offerings and make sacrifices of peace offerings. Seven days you shall wait, till I come to you and show you what you should do.”
·         9 So it was, when he had turned his back to go from Samuel, that God gave him another heart; and all those signs came to pass that day.
·         10 When they came there to the hill, there was a group of prophets to meet him; then the Spirit of God came upon him, and he prophesied among them.
·         11 And it happened, when all who knew him formerly saw that he indeed prophesied among the prophets, that the people said to one another, “What is this that has come upon the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?”
·         12 Then a man from there answered and said, “But who is their father?” Therefore it became a proverb: “Is Saul also among the prophets?”(1 Sam. 10:1-12)

In the beginning of the chapter ten, Samuel, a judge in Israel, had been commanded by God to anoint Saul as commander over His people. The Lord had told Samuel, “Tomorrow about this time I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin, and you shall anoint him commander over My people Israel, that he may save My people from the hand of the Philistines; for I have looked upon My people, because their cry has come to me.” (1 Sam. 9:16) This does not say that Saul was a believer, but he was chosen by God as the first king of Israel. As Samuel stood with Saul, he took the flask and anointed Saul as commander over Israel (1 Sam. 10:1).  Let us note nine reasons why Saul was clearly a believer.

First, Samuel tells precisely what Saul will do as he is joined with a group of prophets from Israel (1 Sam. 10:3-5). These prophets were not just coincidently connecting with Saul.  They were on a mission from God prophesying from the Lord.  That would be absurd if Saul was an unbeliever, because an unbeliever cannot understand the things of God (1 Cor. 2:14).  There would be no reason for any connection from any further messages from God.  If he were an unbeliever, he would be anointed and then he would do his own works and ignore any messages from God.

Secondly, God’s Spirit came upon Saul, “Then the Spirit of the LORD will come upon you and you will prophesy with them…” (1 Sam. 10:6a). The Spirit of God does not come upon unbelievers to do God’s work. However, God’s Spirit will convict the unbelieving world (John 16:8-11) and judge the world, but not come upon the unbeliever for prophesying.

Thirdly, Saul was turned into another man, “…and be turned into another man.”(1 Sam. 10:6b) This is the transformation process of regeneration.  Paul uses the term, “new creation” (2 Cor. 5:17). 

Fourthly, God was with him, “And let it be, when these signs come to you, that you do as the occasion demands; for God is with you.” (1 Sam. 10:7) This is a clear sign that Saul had trusted in God’s provision and God was with him to lead the people.

Fifthly, Samuel offered burnt and peace offerings for and on behalf of Saul, “You shall go down before me to Gilgal; and surely I will come down to you to offer burnt offerings and make sacrifices of peace offerings.” (1 Sam. 10:8a) There is absolutely no reason to offering sacrifices for or on behalf of an unbeliever.  God is concerned with the heart.  After the heart is right, then sacrifices are made to honor the Lord.

Sixthly, God gave Saul another heart, “So it was, when he had turned his back to go from Samuel, that God gave him another heart; and all those signs came to pass that day.” (1 Sam. 10:9)  Changing of the heart is a clear sign that Saul was a believer and the signs that came to pass affirm God’s blessing on Saul at that time.

Seventhly, God’s Spirit came upon Saul a second time, “…then the Spirit of God came upon him, and he prophesied among them.” (1 Sam. 10:10) In the Jewish Age, the Spirit did not indwell the believer, but did endue the believer for special purposes (In the Church Age, the Spirit indwells all believers {Rom. 8:9}). The special enduement allowed Saul to prophesy for the Lord.

Eighthly, the people recognized God’s ministry through Saul, “…when all who knew him formerly saw that he indeed prophesied among the prophets, that the people said to one another, “What is this that has come upon the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?” (1 Sam. 10:11)  There was evidence that was witnessed by other prophets of God as being from God.  God may have spoken through a donkey and He can use any mouthpiece He wants, but the prophets recognized a transformation in Saul.

Ninthly, a proverb was named after Saul, “Then a man from there answered and said, “But who is their father?” Therefore it became a proverb: “Is Saul also among the prophets?” (1 Sam. 10:12)  In other words, the father (or the source) is the same source as the rest of the prophets of God.  Saul is from the Lord.  He is a believer.

Someone may be able to pick apart one or more of these reasons.  When you put them together, there is clear evidence that Saul was a believer in the Lord.

Now why is Saul questioned?  He is questioned about being a believer, because his actions are not “fitting” of that of a believer.  Really? See the article on the believer’s Downward Spiral.1 People who question if Saul was a believer never seem to provide a good answer to the question, “How many sins can I commit, before I need to question whether I’m a believer?”  A believer can act just like an unbeliever as Paul warns in Ephesians 4:17.  That is why the Lord disciplines His children, because they sin and refuse to repent (Heb. 12:5-6). 

 

1Check this link to read about the believer’s Downward Spiral: http://renewingtruth.blogspot.com/2013/06/question-how-sinful-can-believer-get.html

Question: What ingredients are necessary for spiritual growth?

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What ingredients are necessary for spiritual growth?

Everyone wants to grow in life.  We look at human babies and do everything we can to encourage them to grow up and not remain infantile in their actions.  The growth process is long and often arduous, but the joy of maturity and wisdom is something everyone rejoices over. As a child grows up and becomes a parent, the cycle repeat itself and a new generation is born.

God designed us to grow spiritually also.  There is one focus in growth. Peter commanded, “…grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.” (2 Pet. 3:18)  What does that look like?

This article will focus on the ingredients for growth, not the stages of growth.1 There are three ingredients for growth. The first ingredient is the Word of God.  The Bible is the sustenance we need for growth. Jesus said, “It is written, `Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.‘” (Matt. 4:4) The Word of God is to spiritual growth as bread is to physical growth. Peter declared that we should long for the milk of the Word as babes, “…as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby…” (1 Pet. 2:2)  Why should we long for it? “The Word of God is living and powerful” (Heb. 4:12). David wrote,

  • 7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;
  • 8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes;
  • 9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
  • 10 More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. (Psa 19:7-10)

Jesus said very plainly, “Sanctify them in truth, Your Word is truth.” John 17:7

In fact, the Word of God is tested, pure and sufficient,

  • 5 Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.
  • 6 Do not add to His words, Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar. (Pro. 30:5-6)

If you hide God’s Word in your heart, you will not sin against the Lord, “Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You! (Ps. 119:11)  Yes, the first ingredient for spiritual growth is God’s Word.

            The second ingredient for spiritual growth is God’s Spirit. God’s Spirit is necessary to guide us into the meaning and application of God’s Word. John wrote, “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.” (John 16:13) That is He will teach and guide us in how to live it out.

            Without God’s Spirit we would not be able to understand God’s Word.  Paul addressed the immature Corinthian church saying,

  • 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.
  • 13 These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
  • 14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.  (1 Cor. 2:12-14) 

This is not referring to new revelation, but the illuminating ministry of the Holy Spirit.  It is the Spirit’s work to enlighten what is darkened by sin.  It is the Spirit that sheds light on God’s Word, so we can understand God, know Him and enter into an intimate relationship with Him.

In fact it is the illuminating ministry of the Spirit that is necessary to understand the depth of Scripture as Paul prays,

  • 18 the eyes of your understanding1 being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,
  • 19 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power (Eph. 1:18-19)

For it is the Spirit of the Lord who removes the darkness and gives us liberty in the light,

  • 14 But their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ.
  • 15 But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart.
  • 16 Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.
  • 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. (2 Cor 3:14-17)

The second ingredient for spiritual growth is the Holy Spirit.

The third ingredient for spiritual growth is your faith.  Faith is your choice to depend on the Lord rather than yourself.  Faith is trusting in God’s will rather than your own.  Paul said, “…for whatever is not from faith is sin.” (Rom. 14:23) The writer to Hebrews described faith, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Heb. 11:1) Faith is knowing that Jesus is God’s plan for salvation and the Savior of the world.  It is agreeing that Jesus is your Substitute, who paid the penalty for your sin on the cross.  And faith is trusting in Jesus as the only Savior and means of salvation. “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

Faith is necessary for salvation, but it is also necessary for sanctification, that is everyday living. Paul wrote, “As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him.” (Col. 2:6) In fact, it must be a moment by moment faith that rests in the Lord’s working in your life.  The writer to the Hebrews pictures this moment by moment faith-rest in Jesus as He diligently works through us. 

  • Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it.
  • 2 For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it.
  • 10 For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His.
  • 11 Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience. (Heb 4:1,2,10-11)

Our faith keeps us from working and allows Him to work.  It is interesting that Paul describes his labor.  Paul writes, “To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.” (Col 1:29) Notice, Paul’s “work” is according to God’s working, which works, so that it is no longer Paul who works. 

When I trust in His plan by faith to implement His Wordby means of His Spirit, I will grow spiritually. A future article will reveal what happens if one of the ingredients is missing.

Question: Who is Jesus?

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Who is Jesus?

There is one Person in the world around which everything revolves.  His birthday is the dividing point for most of the world calendars (although the Gregorian calendar is off by about four years from human error).  History is recorded as B.C. and A.D.  The letters B.C. stand for “Before Christ” and A.D. stands for Anno Domini, which is the Latin for “The Year of our Lord.”           

There have been thousands of lives seeking to curse the name of Jesus and thousands who have been converted trying to prove the existence of or the resurrection of Jesus.  Who is Jesus?  He is either a liar, lunatic, or He is Lord.  There are no other perspectives.

Is He a Liar?  Maybe what He said was not true.  Maybe when He said, ““I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me,” (John 14:6) He was not really sincere or truthful.  How can someone say there is no other way to God except through Him?  You would have to either have a very high view of yourself, or you could be lying. Maybe the stories He told were not true, or some of them were a stretch of the truth. 

When the Chief Priests and Scribes deceitfully sent spies to find a means by which to accuse Him, they said, ““Teacher, we know that You say and teach rightly, and You do not show personal favoritism, but teach the way of God in truth:” (Luke 20:21) Their hypocrisy was obvious to anyone who was objectively watching and listening.

Jesus made an issue of His truthfulness.  He contrasted His own character especially related to the enemy,

  • 40 “But now you seek to kill Me, a Man who has told you the truth which I heard from God. Abraham did not do this.
  • 41 “You do the deeds of your father.” Then they said to Him, “We were not born of fornication; we have one Father– God.”
  • 42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me.
  • 43 “Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word.
  • 44 “You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.
  • 45 “But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me.
  • 46 “Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me? (John 8:40-46)

The issue was plainly made by Jesus in his conversation with Pilate,

  • 37 Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You a king then?” Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”
  • 38 Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?” And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, “I find no fault in Him at all. (John 18:37-38)

You have to make the decision. Either Jesus was telling the truth, or He was the best liar in history and has deceived more than any other person on record. There is another possibility.

Was Jesus a Lunatic? The term lunatic refers to someone who is “mentally ill,” deranged, foolish, unpredictable, or even dangerous.  It is often used in jest as in a friendly jab, but very insulting in any other context.  The word comes from the Latin, which means “of the moon,” that is, one whose mind is up on the moon. Was Jesus a Lunatic?

Who, in their right mind, would say, “”I and My Father are one.”(John 10:30) He is declaring He is equal with God!  There are many in institutions and insane asylums that have made claims like that.  Someone might wonder about Jesus’ comment, “I am One who bears witness of Myself, and the Father who sent Me bears witness of Me.” (John 8:18) Do you trust someone who says He bears witness of Himself and the Father does also?

A lunatic often makes bizarre comments.  Some of Jesus’ comments were seemingly outlandish. For example, He said, “that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.” (John 17:21) What kind of lunacy is that? Or how about when Jesus said,

  • 19 Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”
  • 20 Then the Jews said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?” (John 2:19-20)

Only a lunatic would say something like that, wouldn’t he?

            Yet we would have to be honest enough to look at the things Jesus had done. What kind of works characterized His life.  Jesus said, “”If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would have no sin; but now they have seen and also hated both Me and My Father.” (John 15:24) Jesus did miraculous works that no one else did, and all could have seen His works, but many rejected them.  What is one work that He did that produced harm?  Was Jesus a Lunatic?

            Was Jesus a Liar or a Lunatic? If Jesus was not a Liar, on the order of being the greatest deceiver of all time, or He was a not Lunatic and fooled millions of people who perished through martyrdom at the hands of a fool, then what was He?  There is only one other option. He had to be whom He said He was, the Lord of all.

            It is interesting that the word “Lord” occurs 7773 times in Scripture. There is something about that name beyond any other name.  Was Jesus Lord? When Thomas saw the resurrection of Jesus and touched the nail prints, he said, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28) Jesus accepted the title Lord and admonished those who did not obey Him, “But why do you call Me`Lord, Lord,’ and do not do the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46) Peter called Jesus Lord and asked if he should build a tabernacle to Him. (Matt. 17:4)  When John and Peter were out fishing after the crucifixion and they saw the Lord, John said, “It is the Lord!” (John 21:7) The Apostle Paul declared that Jesus was Lord, “…that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Rom. 10:9) And one day all will declare Him Lord,

  • 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth,
  • 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Phil. 2:10-11)

Scripture is clear on this subject.  It gives unmistakable evidence that declares Jesus is Lord. That leaves you a choice.  If Jesus was a Liar or Lunatic, you could easily pass Him by and continue searching for a better option.  However, because Scripture is clear, you have to make a choice.  Will you trust in Jesus as your Savior because of what He did on the cross for you?  C.S. Lewis makes an excellent comment regarding the choices about Jesus,

I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept his claim to be God. That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic — on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg — or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God, but let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to. (Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis)

            Whatever, you do, do not fall into the trap of calling Him Lord and then not follow through with Him in life.  Do not get involved in church, or serve Him in great works and not humbly submit your life to Him.  Do not fool yourself that your good works are anything He will accept. Jesus was very clear,

  • 21 “Not everyone who says to Me,`Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.
  • 22 “Many will say to Me in that day,`Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’
  • 23 “And then I will declare to them,`I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ (Matt. 7:21-23)

           Finally, John was very clear regarding your choice, “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:” (John 1:12)