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.

Life Insights: Extreme Tornadoes

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Life Insights: Extreme Tornadoes

We have been blessed to have avoided the devastations of extreme weather, but not everyone has.  Yesterday, May 20, 2013, 24 people died in Oklahoma as a mile wide tornado ripped through the suburbs of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. We grieve with so many families who lost loved ones and their homes in this devastating tornado. There were 9 children who died in an elementary school that was reduced to rubble.  Why did it happen?
 Scientists have recorded an increase in heat, cold, droughts and floods.1  Some statistics indicate we are in a cycle, but looking at the last 100 years, there does seem to be an increase. 
            Some people try to blame God for not controlling the weather, especially when there is loss of life.  When Jesus was walking on earth with the disciples, He showed His power over nature. Mark records for us,
37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling.
 38 But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”
 39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. (Mark 4:37-39)
If Jesus could calm the storm during the time of His earthly walk, could He not control them now?  The Psalmist records God’s ability to control the weather when he wrote, “He calms the storm, so that its waves are still. (Ps. 107:29) If God could control it, why does He let people die today?
            We must remember: God is always good.  He can never be less that perfectly righteous and just in character and in all His ways.  Storms are a result of the fall of man and sin in the world.  Moses recorded that when Israel sinned against God, God made the heavens like iron, “I will break the pride of your power; I will make your heavens like iron and your earth like bronze.” (Lev. 26:19) The root of all sin is pride, which is acting independently of God.  When mankind acts independently of God, even when they are not God’s people like Israel in Leviticus 26, God backs away and allows man to experience what happens when God is not worshiped.  No person deserves God’s grace.  No person deserves God’s protective hand.  Paul wrote,
 10 As it is written: “There is none righteous, no, not one;
 11 There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God.
 12 They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one.”(Rom. 3:9-12)
When God preserves life that is grace.  When He chooses not to preserve life, He is still sovereign, still good and still God. Many people struggle when children die. I do also.  Yet, I know I can trust that God is never unjust. God is still sovereign and good.  The child, if he or she had not reached the age of accountability is ushered into heaven.  He or she never has to face the problems of life.  Parents will join their child when they are promoted to heaven if they have trusted in Jesus Christ as their Savior.  Does that reduce the anguish of losing a child or the lessen the grief of not being able to enjoy the child as he or she grows up?  Unfortunately, the feelings will not be reduced, but the pain can lessen in time as trust is continually placed in God’s sovereign plan.

            Some people ask the question, did they do something wrong?  Were those who suffered more wicked or evil than those who survived?  A similar question was asked of Jesus.  Mark records that account, 

1 There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.
 2 And Jesus answered and said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things?
 3 “I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.
 4 “Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem?
 5“I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.” (Luke 13:1-5)

Neither the Galileans, who were looked down upon by the Israelites, nor those who died under the tower of Siloam were more wicked than others. We don’t need to determine personal sin in a devastating event.  The issue is, when any devastation occurs, will we use it as a reminder to examine ourselves?  Will we ensure we are totally dependent on the Lord and filled or controlled by the Holy Spirit?  Will we look to the Lord and care for those who remain?

1http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/11/science/earth/extreme-weather-grows-in-frequency-and-intensity-around-world.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

 

Blessings: God owns our days

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Blessings: God owns our days

A week ago I had the privilege to minister to a dear member of our church in the hospital.  I just kneel  by the bed (as long as my knees hold out or unless there is a handy chair) and listen to the person who might be struggling or suffering.  I have known this dear sister for twenty years.  She lost her husband a year and a half ago and I know she has missed him greatly.  She is ready to move north to be close to one of her children, but this sped up the process. Now she is already north until her unit opens up in the home close by to her daughter.

While I was at the hospital, I remembered a waitress who had tended to the same table at the same restaurant for the last ten years. The men always went there for breakfast after Men’s Prayer.  She had not been at Cracker Barrel very much in the last year as she had battled cancer in her lungs.  The week before one of the other waitresses informed me the cancer had spread to her bones and she was struggling.  Fortunately, I remembered her and I went to see her. 

Some of her family was present and she looked pretty well.  I spoke with her husband for twenty minutes in the hallway and found out he was a spiritual man wanting to lead his family.  As we went in to see her, I read from Psalm 91 and spoke of God as a strong refuge.  He would protect.  We needed to trust Him.

The next Thursday, right after prayer meeting, we went over to Cracker Barrel and one of the other waitresses lit up.  She was so excited to see us, but I could immediately tell something was wrong.  I asked, “Is she okay?”  Shesaid, “She died Sunday afternoon at two o’clock.”  We hugged and she asked that I be ready to do a memorial service. 

As I ate breakfast that day, I could only think of the great Psalm 90 Moses wrote. Moses wrote, “So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” (Ps. 90:12) Friends are you ready to see your Creator.  None of us knows how many days we have.  Some will have a warning through a lingering disease, but many of us may see our last view of earth on the way home.  Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, what He did for you on the cross and you will be saved.  Ask if you have any questions about salvation.

MSG: Malachi Introduction: Silent Treatment Prelude

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This message was presented on May 19, 2013 as the introduction to a series on Malachi.  The parallels to the United States are incredible.

Silent Treatment Prelude
Malachi Introduction 

            Do people ever give you the silent treatment?  Do they give you the cold shoulder? What do you do?  Some you ignore.  Some you approach and listen for understanding.  In a family, we should approach the person to find out how to get along.  Family should be an example of unity and oneness.  That can only happen when people are agreed about their direction.  Amos 3:3 records, “Can two walk together unless they are agreed?”  How do people get to an agreement?  They have to talk. 

            We have a Communication Team. Their responsibility is to communicate to the church important information and events.  The team does a great work, although we’re always trying to improve what we do, so you can have better information.   Israel was about to enter a time when they would not hear a word from God – for 400 years. What was going on 400 years ago?  How many of you use a King James Version Bible?  It was written 402 years ago.  That is a long time ago.  Let us get some background information on God’s Word as we begin our study of Malachi.  

            The Old Testament is composed of 39 books written between B.C. 1600 and B.C. 400.  The New Testament is composed of 27 books written between  40 and 96 A.D.  From B.C. 400 to the birth of Christ, there was silence from God.  Why was there silence? There is often silence because people are mad.  But why is there silence after Malachi? Was God mad at Israel? 

            Why was God silent for 400 years and then all of a sudden He began speaking at the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ?  Malachi helps us understand why there was divine silence.  Malachi reveals the condition of the people around B.C. 425-400.  They had an attitude of spiritual indifference and spiritual mediocrity and an attitude that questioned why God was not blessing them.  They treated God like He was supposed to be their Sugardaddy.           

            Remember God sent Israel into exile by sending the Babylonians under Nebuchadnezzar’s leadership beginning in B.C. 606 and destroying the temple in B.C. 586. Nebuchadnezzer took Israel into exile in Babylon.  God allowed a remnant to return to Israel and the temple was completed in B.C. 516. Israel was in exile for 70 years.  The 70 years was for the 70 Sabbath years Israel failed to honor God. Later, in B.C. 460, Ezra returned to Israel to restore worship.  In B.C. 444, Nehemiah returned to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.  So even though God allowed Israel to return, she failed to humble herself completely, and did not seek after God with all her heart, and with all her soul and with all her might [Deut. 6:5.]   

            Israel thought she was doing right.  She couldn’t figure out why God was not blessing her. from her perspective!  Sacrifices were done every day.  Giving in the form of tithes and offerings were made, sometimes. Most people had a family and a business.  Yet, Israel was falling into a morass of empty religiosity.  Let me first show you how Israel thought she was doing right. Here are ten questions Israel asked of God as God recorded them through Malachi: 

1:2 In what way have You loved us?

1:6 In what way have we despised Your name?

1:7 In what way have we defiled You?

1:9 But now will you not entreat God’s favor, that He may be gracious to us?  Where’s our blessing?

1:13 Oh, what a weariness! the assemblies and sacrifices…

2:13-14 you cover the altar of the Lord with tears..For what reason?

2:17 In what way have we wearied Him?

3:8 In what way have we robbed You?

3:13 What have we spoken against You?

3:14 What profit is it that we have kept His charge? 

            These ten passages reveal the human versus divine viewpoint of Israel.  She was going through rituals, assembling in the temple for sacrifices, and yet she did not have the answers to these questions.  Why?  Why?  We are going to answer those, because the answer to these questions are going to help us understand why the United Statesis suffering so much today.   

            Now I still didn’t answer the question, “Why 400 years of silence?”  Remember the patriarchs went down to Egypt when Joseph was the prime minister?  That was around B.C. 1950. Israel went down and enjoyed an abundance in contrast to the famine they experienced in Israel. Once the famine was over, they should have gone back to the land promise, but they stayed in Egypt.  Israel became saturated with the idolatry of Egypt. How do we know Israel became idolatrous? While Israel was waiting for Moses, who was up on the mountain receiving the Ten Commandments from God, what was the first thing they did? They made a golden calf.  Finally, when Israel cried out for deliverance God brought that deliverance through Moses.  The only thing we know about the time of Joseph’s death until Moses is Exodus 1 and extra-biblical writings on the Kingdoms of Egypt. The extra-biblical writings reveal that Egypt became a super-power.  Why did Egypt become so powerful?  Because, wherever God’s people are, God is and there will be great blessing.  Egypt was blessed, while Israel came under oppression. How many years was Israel in slavery? We read in Acts 7:6 that they were enslaved and oppressed 400 years.  Israel enjoyed a short abundance of blessing in Joseph’s time, but they did not return to the land of promise.  So, God allowed them to remain in Egypt until Moses delivered them.   

            In Malachi’s time, about 1000 years after Moses, Israel was in the land, the temple was rebuilt, the walls were restored, but Israel did not change. They were not passionate about their pursuit of worshiping God.  Hence they lost their freedom to the Greeks and to the Romans for 400 years when God sent Messiah.  Yet Israel rejected the Messiah and God began the Church Age. 

            So what brought on the silence of God?  Malachi answers that.  The people asked in Malachi 2:17, “How have we wearied Him?”  Have you ever been around someone who grumbles?  Someone who grumbles or whines a lot?  It gets very tiresome.  Israel became a nation of indifferent grumblers. They did not know God well, because they were not seeking Him with all their heart, soul, and might! 

            Here are those questions again Israel defamed the Lord with according to God:

1:2 In what way have You loved us?

1:6 In what way have we despised Your name?

1:7 In what way have we defiled You?

1:9 But now will you not entreat God’s favor, that He may be gracious to us?  Where’s our blessing?

1:13 Oh, what a weariness! the assemblies and sacrifices…

2:13-14 you cover the altar of the Lord with tears..For what reason?

2:17 In what way have we wearied Him?

3:8 In what way have we robbed You?

3:13 What have we spoken against You?

3:14 What profit is it that we have kept His charge?

 Are those questions, you might ask?

            Listen, maybe you won’t ask those questions, but you ought to ask these parallel questions:

1:2 Do I experience God’s love for me?

1:6 Do I treat God’s name as holy?

1:7 Do I approach God with reverence, awe and holiness?

1:9 Do I ask for God’s blessing, when I am not in fellowship?

1:13 Do I say, how tiresome it is to assemble for church?

2:13-14 Do I mourn about my situation and not trust God’s sovereignty?

2:17 Do I go through religious rituals without passion?

3:8  Do I keep from the Lord my time, talents, and treasures

3:13 Do I make light of God and grumble or blame-shift?

3:14 Do I act like obedience is a duty, rather than a joyous response? 

            Malachi begins to answer the cynicism, the disbelief and the distrust of God’s people.  They had become disillusioned that the Messiah had not come.  They no longer really believed that God would come at any time to fulfill His covenants made to Abraham.  The people wondered if it was worth serving God at all.  They had an attitude of mechanical observances, empty rituals, stealing from God by not giving, and gross indifference to God’s moral and ceremonial law.  Even the priests were immoral and corrupt.  They could not understand why they were not being blessed. 

            Malachi is a series of accusations by God and indifferent questions by the people and convicting arguments again by God. In fact, 47 of the 55 verses are spoken by God and the book ends in a way that no other prophet ends his book – judgment. The rest of the prophets end their books with hope or blessing.   The last word in Malachi is “cursed.”  What a horrible way to end a conversation, yet the Lord did and that began 400 years of silence. What a way to end and begin silence!

            Here’s a simple historical outline of Malachi: 

1)      Israel is indifferent to God’s love 1

a)      The Lord’s declares His love 1:1-5
b)      Israel despises the Lord’s love 1:6-14

2)      Israel is indifferent to God’s law 2

a)      The religious leadership violate the law 2:1-9
b)      The people violate home laws 2:10-17

3)      Israel is indifferent to God’s message 3

a)      God declares a coming judgment 3:1-6
b)      God declares a current judgment 3:7-15
c)      God draws together His faithful 3:16-18

4)      Israel is indifferent to the Day of the Lord 4

a)      A great day of judgment will expose the wicked 4:1
b)      A great day of joy will expose the righteous 4:2-3
c)      God’s final admonition 4:4-6

 

            Let us note several other aspects of Malachi before I make application.  First, Malachi is the author of Malachi. We know nothing of Malachi besides in the first verse, his name means “My Messenger.” He is the final prophetic voice as a contemporary with Ezra, who actually wrote the last words in the Old Testament of 2 Chronicles, and assembled the books in the Hebrew Bible.  In the Hebrew Bible, Chronicles is the last book. Malachi was the final voice ministering about 1000 years after Moses, the first prophet, wrote.

            Secondly, the religious setting is one of spiritual indifference. The temple was rebuilt in B.C. 516 by Zerrubbabel and  worship system restored B.C. 457 by Ezra.  The walls were rebuilt by Nehemiah in B.C. 444.   Israel was in the pits, spiritually.  While the Lord reached down to pull Israel out, Israel said, “We’re not in a pit.”  Israel was indifferent, rather than eagerly waiting.  In contrast to their fathers who went into the land, braving many savage obstacles, they became self-righteous, arrogant, and impatient in their attitude toward the Lord.

Religiously, Israel questioned God and were wondering if religion was worth it (Mal. 1:6-10; 2:17). Morally, they dealt treacherously in their marriages by infidelity and lack of oneness with their mates.  They gave up their Jewish wives and married heathen women. They were failing to raise up a godly offspring (Mal. 2:11-16). Socially, they were involved with sorcerers, perjurers and adulterers, but would not reach out to the widows and aliens (Mal. 3:5). Economically, they didn’t think what they gave really mattered.  They didn’t think the lack of giving was actually robbing what belonged to God (Mal. 3:8-10).  They failed to remember God’s covenant (Mal. 1:2-5; 4:4; cf. Deut. 8:3-14).

Thirdly, we see Jesus Christ mentioned three times in Malachi. In Malachi 1:14, He is the “Great King.” Indeed, He is greater than the governor. Israel would not think of offending the governor, but they are not aware of the offense against the “Great King.”  In fact the Lord would be king over all the earth as Zech 14:9 declares. In Malachi 3:1, He is “The Messenger of the Covenant.”  However, His coming would not be of blessing, but of judgment, beginning with the Levites.  The cleansing of the temple in John 2:14-16 and Matthew 21:12 were a foretaste of the Second Coming. And in Malachi 4:2, He is the Sun of Righteousness who brings healing and great joy, but He will condemn the wicked.

There are almost exact parallels of Israel in the attitude and lifestyle of the United States.  It is amazing how self-righteous we see ourselves, but are failing to understand life from God’s perspective. Consider the following:

  • America tolerates radical Muslims who despise America and is intolerant of Christians who seek the America as it was originally founded.
  • America tolerates those who choose an alternative lifestyle and is intolerant of Christians who adhere to what the Bible says about those lifestyles.
  • America tolerates those who sleep around and is intolerant of Christians who promote fidelity in marriage of one man and one woman.
  • America tolerates political lying and IRS targeted audits and is intolerant of Christians who seek after the truth according to the constitution.
  • America tolerates the murder of babies and is intolerant of Christians defending the rights of the unborn.
  • America tolerates the Clinics of Horror just like the WW2 Germans tolerated death camps and is intolerant of organizations that will not give adoptions to same-sex couples.
  • America tolerates a press that will not expose to the public what happens in clinics of horror, and is intolerant of Christians who want the audacious evil exposed.

Speaking of that, a jury in Philadelphia on Monday convicted Kermit Gosnell, a doctor who does not deserve that title, of three counts of first-degree murder. The details of the crimes are horrible.  Mr. Gosnell conducted illegal late-term abortions, past the 24-week mark, which, in some cases, resulted in live births. Gosnell then instructed his employees to plunge scissors into the babies’ necks to kill them.  Where was the justice for the tens of thousands of babies not born?

  • America tolerates a government that prints money to cover indebtedness, runs without a budget and rewards those who do evil and is intolerant of Christians for seeking Tea Party economic standards
  • America tolerates filth and evil over radio and television air, but is intolerant of a UCLA Christian woman who wanted to thank her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in her graduation speech.
Furthermore, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (Los Angeles) requested an investigation of the desecration of a Quran, Islam’s revealed text, as a hate crime. Conversely, when Palestinians tore up Bibles for toilet paper (May 15, 2002, The Washington Times) there was no outrage, and after a church in the U.S. saved and held fundraisers to afford the cost of buying and shipping requested Bibles in the Pashto and Dari language to an American sergeant in Afghanistan, the Bibles were confiscated, thrown away, and burned. The only official comment about burning the Bibles was this one, by a Defense Department spokesman, “Troops in war zones are required to “burn their trash.”
Read more at http://www.christianpost.com/news/growing-intolerance-for-christianity-in-us-49588/#qf2ruIEgsiRS1rFh.99 

Christians in America have to tolerate the defamation of their holiest images in national museums, including particularly provocative, offensive acts defined as “artwork,” some receiving taxpayer-funded grants from the National Endowment for the Arts. On the other hand, several college editors who cited freedom of speech when republishing anti-Muslim cartoons first published in a Danish newspaper, were fired or disciplined because they were offensive to Muslim students
Read more at http://www.christianpost.com/news/growing-intolerance-for-christianity-in-us-49588/#qf2ruIEgsiRS1rFh.99 

We in America are just like Israel was in B.C. 425.  Will we wake up?  Are you indifferent toward God?  You can change today.  Come to the cross and become a part of God’s plan with passion, desire to walk with God and enjoy His presence.  We don’t have to be like the rest of America.  We can be different, passionate and ready to disciple others. 

Have you been a Christian more than two months?  Then who are you discipling?  It is through each Christian discipling another person that a difference will be made in the United States.  The front of the bulletin says,

Connecting together to worship God.
Equipping together in grace to be more like Jesus Christ.
Multiplying together with the gospel to reach the world for Jesus Christ.

Who are you discipling?  I’m going to go to that side room and you can join me in prayer as the music closes and final prayer is made.  I would like to pray with you.  Come to the foot of the cross.  Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.

Respond in awe to God’s Word or hear His silence.

Message Based Discussion Questions

1)      How does it make you feel when someone you love gives you the silent treatment? 

Digging Deeper: 

2)      What was the problem in the church of Laodicea (Rev. 3:14-22)?  How is it the same as Israel in the time of Malachi? 

3)      How would you describe how people communicate without saying anything?  What do the following passages say about non-verbal communication (Gen. 3:7-10; 4:5-6; 40:6-7; Josh 7:6; 1 Sam. 18:4; 1 King 9:3-4; 21:4; 1 John 3:17)? What do you think people are saying to God by their actions? 

4)      How would you describe Israel in the time of Malachi religiously (Mal. 1:6-10); morally (Mal. 2:11-16); socially (Mal. 3:5); and economically (Mal. 3:8-10)? 

Making application from the message to life: 

5)      What was God’s message through Jeremiah to Israel in Jeremiah 14:13 – 15:6? Do you suppose God has a point or line that when crossed He says, “Enough!”?  What discernment should that give us in life application? 

6)      How do you think USA would fare related to a message like Malachi?  What do you think would be said if USA were a biblically chosen people by God?

7)      What are spiritual indicators of “indifference” or “anticipation”?

 

Question: Does God remove the Holy Spirit from a believer today?

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Does God remove the Holy Spirit from a believer today?
 

The above question is part of a larger set of questions: Why did the Holy Spirit leave King Saul in the OT? Why did David pray that the Spirit would not leave him after a serious sin? Is there application there for believers today or is this only something that was an issue during their dispensation? Does this relate to losing your salvation in any way in our dispensation? I wonder why God would remove his Holy Spirit (that I would assume was saving/sealing him), but would not do that to a believer today that sinned to the point that Saul did.

This is a difficult set of questions and should not be dealt with superficially.  Consequently, I’ll give a little background and then answer the question.  I refer you to three posts made previously on August 14,15 and 17, 2012 in this site.  These will provide additional background that will be helpful.  As the writer to the Hebrew says,

13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe.
 14But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. (Heb. 5:13-14)

            God created man to resolve the Angelic Conflict.  God cast Satan down on the earth when he sinned (Ezek. 28:15) and Satan took one third of the angels with him (Rev. 12:4).  Satan destroyed the earth (void and without form, Gen. 1:2), and God recreated the earth placing man on earth to show that only when the creature is dependent on the Creator, would there be harmony and blessing.  There can be only one will (Luke 22:42), the Sovereign Creator’s, and any will contrary to God’s will results in destruction and misery (1 Thes. 1:7-9).

            This is a Classical Dispensational approach to human history to show that the creature continues to defy the Creator regardless of the promises, laws and provisions the Lord makes for man.  However, when man humbles himself before the Creator and depends on the Creator, then there is redemption and great blessing (1 Pet. 5:5). Thus God revealed specific dispensations, from God’s perspective, to reveal what is required for the creature to walk in harmony and blessing with God.

            David lived during the Jewish Age.  That is the time of Abraham through the time of Christ.  God provided promises called covenants to Abraham and David (Gen. 12:1-3; 2 Sam. 7:12-16).  Additionally, there were the Palestinian and New Covenants given (Deut. 30:1-12; Jer. 31:31-34) to help Israel trust God and enjoy His blessing. These were all unconditional covenants that depend only on God and will be fulfilled at the Second Advent of Jesus Christ.  The Mosaic Law (or Covenant) was a conditional covenant and designed as a system that made Israel separate from the rest of the world as God’s people, but also to lead people to Christ (Gal. 3:24).

            During the Jewish Age, the Holy Spirit “endued” or “clothed” certain individuals.  The enduement was not for saving or sealing, but for specific operational or experiential power in God’s plan. For example, the Holy Spirit worked through Joseph as prime minister in Egypt (Gen. 41:38). Artisans, who worked on the tabernacle, were endued by the Holy Spirit (Ex. 28:3; 31:3).  God took from Moses and “put the [Holy Spirit] upon them” for administrative purposes (Num. 11:17,25).  Joshua, as a political and military leader, was given the Spirit (Num. 27:18). Certain judges were given the Spirit (Othniel – Judg. 3:9-10); Gideon – Judg. 6:34; Jephthah – Judg. 11:29; and Samson – Judg. 13:24,25; 14:5-6; 15:14).  There were some kings who were given the Spirit (1 Sam. 10:9-10; 16:13). And certain post-exilic rulers were given the Spirit (Zech. 4:3,12-14).

            However, the Spirit may only be present for a short time.  The Holy Spirit could be removed as God sovereignly determined.  For example, the Holy Spirit could be removed as divine discipline, as in the case of King Saul (1 Sam. 16:14) and from David (Ps. 51:11).

            A person in the Jewish Age could request the Holy Spirit (2 Kings 2: 9-10; Luke 11:13).  And Jesus gave the Holy Spirit to the disciples to sustain them just before the ascension during the ten day period until the Day of Pentecost (John 20:22).

            This is in contrast to the Church Age ministry of the Holy Spirit.  In the Church Age, the time from Pentecost to the Rapture of the Church, the Holy Spirit indwells every believer (Rom. 8:9).  However, not every believer is filled with the Holy Spirit, that is, empowered or controlled by the Holy Spirit.  Paul commands the Church Age believer to be filled with the Holy Spirit (Eph. 5:18).  There is never a command to be indwelt by the Holy Spirit – it is a reality.  The filling command exists, because when the believer sins, the filling ceases and the believer must  repent, confess his sins and depend again on the Holy Spirit through filling (2 Cor. 7:9-11; 1 John 1:9; Eph. 5:18).

            So, let me go back to the questions in the beginning.  The Holy Spirit left King Saul, because Saul rebelled against the Lord (1 Sam. 15: 22-23).  God removed His blessing from Saul.  God gave blessing to David to prepare him to be king.  David prayed that God not take the Holy Spirit, because David had just committed adultery and murdered Uriah the Hittite (Ps. 51:11).  David knew God could remove the Holy Spirit from his life.

            There is tremendous application for the believer today.  Today, the believer will always be indwelt by the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit establishes the body as the temple of the Holy Spirit for Jesus Christ to dwell (1 Cor. 6:19-20).  Jesus said He indwells the believer and He must have the temple established (John 14:20; 17:21).  However, when the believer sins today, he loses the divine operational power in which to produce the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23).  As long as a believer is filled with the Spirit, he will not sin (Gal. 5:16)  Have you ever wondered why Christians can be nice sometimes and horrible at other times?  They are not filled with the Spirit, even though they may be genuine believers.

            Removal of the power of the Holy Spirit, in no way causes a believer to lose his salvation.  Salvation is maintained by the shed blood of Jesus.  There are many other issues to consider in eternal security (see the post made on May 18, 2013, Is suicide the unpardonable sin?). 

            God removed the Holy Spirit from King Saul, but he was still a believer and he will be in heaven.  King Saul died a horrible death (1 Sam. 30), because he went down the downward spiral into the Sin unto Death (1 Sam. 30; Eph. 4:17-19; 1 John 5:16).  It is only in this life that a believer can suffer.  After death, there is no more sorrow and no more tears, because the old things have passed away (Rev. 21:4).  God does not remove the indwelling of the Holy Spirit today, but the believer can go through the downward spiral (Eph. 4:17-19) and end up in the Sin unto Death (1 Cor. 5:1-5; Jam. 5:19-20; 1 John 5:16).  He will be saved, yet through fire (1 Cor. 3:15).

 

These questions are very important in the interpretation of Scripture.  You will get one answer if you take a Literal Historico-grammatical approach to Scripture interpretation.  You will get a multitude of other answers with a number of other systems of interpretation.  The Literal Historico-grammatical approach to interpretation means that the Bible student will interpret Scripture literally in its natural sense, unless the passage is clearly describing a symbolic or hyperbole matter. It, “historic-,” means that Scripture must be interpreted in the time in which it was written according to the history, culture and environmental factors that influenced the writer.  And it, “grammatical,” means that Scripture must be interpreted according to the grammatical rules of writing of Hebrew, Chaldean and Greek languages.  This system will give a student the answer to many of his questions and why Classical Dispensationalism is the best approach to understand God’s sovereign plan and purpose as revealed in Scripture.

 

 

Question: Is suicide the unpardonable sin?

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Can a person lose their salvation because of suicide based on 1 Cor. 3:17?
Is suicide the unpardonable sin? 

A person who is a genuine believer cannot lose his salvation.  Salvation is a free gift of God.  Every person who received salvation received it by faith without the accompaniment of any good works or moral standing before God (Eph. 2:8-9).  Because we could do nothing for salvation, we can do nothing to lose our salvation.

In 1 Corinthians 3:17, Paul has just described rewards and then focuses on the church.  Paul writes, “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?(1 Cor. 3:16) When Paul says, “you are the temple of God,” he uses the plural pronoun for “you all” referring to the entire church.  Then in the next verse Paul writes, “If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are. (1 Cor. 3:17)  Again, Paul uses the plural pronoun at the end of verse 17 to indicate he is addressing the church.  The word for destroy is phtheiro- which means “destroy,” “corrupt,” or “defile.”

Paul is addressing someone who defiles, corrupts, or even destroys a local church.  When someone acts wickedly toward a local church in a divisive, manipulative or deceitful way, he crosses the line with God and God will impose divine discipline on the person.  The context is not a context for an individual person.  Suicide is not part of the context or to be read into the context.

A genuine believer, who chooses suicide for any number of reasons, retains his relationship with God (see the approaches to eternal security below). However, a person, who is a genuine believer and who commits suicide, will lose any rewards they could have earned from that time forward in the life he was were meant to have.  However, he does not lose his eternal security or his salvation.  What is suicide? 

Suicide is a sin, but not the unpardonable sin. David writes, “Into Your hand I commit my spirit…” (Ps. 31:5)  Our lives are in God’s hands.  Only God has the right to take our spirit at death.  We do not have that option.  The unpardonable sin is described in Matthew 12,  

24 Now when the Pharisees heard it they said, “This fellow does not cast out demons except by Beelzebub1, the ruler of the demons.”
 25 But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand.
 26 “If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand?
 27 “And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they shall be your judges.
 28 “But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you.
 29 “Or how can one enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house.
 30 “He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad.
 31 “Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men.
 32“Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come. (Matt. 12:24-32)

The unpardonable sin could only be committed during the First Advent of Jesus.  The unpardonable sin is ascribing Jesus’ works to Satan instead of the Holy Spirit (Matt. 12:24).  The Pharisees were so hardened and would not respond to the convicting work of the Holy Spirit that they said Jesus’ work, which was done by the power of the Holy Spirit was done by Satan. That accusation is against Jesus and against the Holy Spirit (Matt. 12:31-32).  That accusation against the Holy Spirit is the only sin that is unpardonable. It is saying that Jesus was not God’s representative empowered by the Holy Spirit sent to provide salvation.

            How do we know that a Christian has eternal life at the moment of salvation?  Below are eight approaches to that question and I use the acrostic FISHLEGS in order to remember each of the headings:

·         Family Approach  John 1:12; Hebrews 2:11-13

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)

11For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren,  12 saying: “I will declare Your name to My brethren; In the midst of the assembly I will sing praise to You.”  13 And again: “I will put My trust in Him.” And again: “Here am I and the children whom God has given Me.” (Heb 2:11-13)

            Once a believer is in the family of God, he cannot lose his salvation.

·         Inheritance Approach  1 Peter 1:4

3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,  4to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,(1Pet. 1:3-4)

            Once God promises an incorruptible inheritance, it will not be taken away.

·         Sealing Approach Ephesians 1:13

In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, (Eph 1:13)

            Once sealed by the Holy Spirit, a genuine believer cannot lose his salvation.

·         Hands Approach John 10:28-30

28And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.  29“My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. 30“I and My Father are one.”(John 10:28-30)

Once a genuine believer is in the hands of God, no one can snatch him out and he cannot slip or jump out!

·         Logical Approach  Romans 8:38-39

38For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Rom 8:38-39)

Once a genuine believer experiences the love of God in salvation, he is eternally secure. There is nothing a genuine believer can do or become that can separate him from the love of God.

·         Election Approach  Ephesians 1:4

just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, (Eph 1:4)

            Once a genuine believer is chosen in Christ, he cannot lose his salvation.

·         Grammar Approach  Ephesians 2:8

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, (Eph 2:8)

The Greek grammar requires a salvation that is eternal.  The word for “saved” is a perfect periphrastic grammatically, and is the strongest way you can say that an action took place (being saved) and the results CONTINUE forever and ever.

·         Sovereign Approach Romans 8:28-30

28And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 29For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.  (Rom 8:28-30)

Once God foreknows, predestines, calls and justifies, He will also glorify.  The verbs in these verses all indicate action accomplished.  So the genuine believer is seen by God in glorified state.  Therefore, there is nothing the genuine believer can do, including suicide, that can hinder that glorification.

            In all, God in no way allows suicide as an option for life.  Suicide is a sin and there is loss of intended rewards.

 

Question: Are rewards in heaven based on "works" in life?

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Are rewards in heaven based on “works” in life? 

It is interesting that rewards are already “on the eternal shelf” and waiting for us to secure them.  Paul states in Ephesians 1:3, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.”  The phrase, “has blessed us” grammatically occurs before the action of the main verb, which is found in Ephesians 1:4, “just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world.”  The main verb occurred in eternity past as God’s sovereign choice of the believer.  Therefore, the blessings were set aside on the eternal shelf BEFORE God chose the person.  Those blessings are  just waiting to be given to the believer who accomplishes divine works.

There are two kinds of works. There are human and divine works.  Human works may be good for humanity, but are worthless for eternity sake.  Divine works are always good for earthly and eternal value.  What is the difference between human and divine works and how do these relate to eternal rewards?

Paul makes it clear that we are not saved by works, but after salvation, God designed us for works,

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,
 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.
 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. (Eph. 2:8-10)

Paul clearly states that salvation is a gift from God (Eph. 2:8), which is not based on works or what man can become related to goodness or character.  On the one hand, because of the sin nature inherited at physical birth (Rom. 5:12), man can never be good enough to be accepted by God on his own merits.  On the other hand, man can never do enough good works in order to please God.  There are not enough good works a man can do to offset the sin he inherits at physical birth and the sins which are seen in his experience. God will allow no boasting in heaven.  Only Jesus is righteous before God.

            There are only two kinds of religions in the world.  One that is based on “do,” that is, what man must “do.”  All the religions of the world fit into this category from Islam, Hinduism, Shintoism, Animism, etc. The other religion is based on “done,” that is, what Jesus has “done” for us on the cross.  Salvation is a gift received by faith alone in Christ alone.  God accepts no human works for salvation – only faith.

Yet, after salvation God designed believers for good works.  Paul uses the word “workmanship,” which literally is a word from which we get “poem.”  God wrote the poem of our lives such that we are prepared from eternity past to walk in good works. 

Paul makes the distinction between human and divine works in Scripture.  He writes,

11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
 12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw,
 13 each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is.
 14 If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward.
 15 If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.
 16 Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? (1 Cor. 3:11-16)

The foundation is the basis upon what a believer builds for the sake of the kingdom.  The foundation is Jesus Christ.  Then Paul distinguishes between two kinds of works.  One category is “gold, silver, precious stones”and the other is “wood, hay, straw.”  Both are produced in man.  What is the difference?  Paul explains that in the passage. They will be “revealed by fire.”  How does fire distinguish between the two types of works?  The first category is purified and remains through the fire, while the second category burns up and results in ashes.  The first category is divine works, while the second category is human works.  What is the difference?

            The first category of divine works is work that God works through the believer by means of the Holy Spirit. Just like there is intrinsic value in gold and silver, there is intrinsic value of the work, because it is done by the Holy Spirit. The second category is work that the believer does on his own power, independent of the Holy Spirit. There is no intrinsic value.  In fact, Scripture calls this kind of work “filthy rags” as in Isaiah 64:6, “And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags.”  The best of what we can do, on our own, is filthy rags, or literally “menstrual rags,” which means there is a deadness to the works.

The divine work has intrinsic value because it is work done by the power of the Holy Spirit under the direction of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Paul states, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Phil. 4:13)  Paul further states this power is unleashed in the Christian under the direction of Jesus and empowered by the Holy Spirit, “and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power.” (Eph. 1:19)  His mighty power is unleashed by means of the Holy Spirit.

            Paul uses the description of the Holy Spirit’s power in the spiritual consequences of trusting the Lord in hope, “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Rom. 15:13)  Titus (Titus 2:7, 14; 3:8, 14) exhorts believers to good works and the word for good is kalos, which means “good of intrinsic value.”  That can only be accomplished by the Holy Spirit.

            Works of the Holy Spirit are rewarded as blessing in time and rewards in eternity.  Time on earth is the only time to establish rewards for eternity.  Let us depend on the Holy Spirit and let Him move through us to accomplish His good work!

 

 

 

 

Q & A: Mothers Predict the Future

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These are suggestions to the Message Based Discussion Quesions (MBDQ) from the message given on Mother’s Day, May 12, 2013.  The manuscript was posted on May 13, 2013.  Please use this only to help in the process of thinking through the message and making application to honoring mothers.

Mothers Predict the Future
2 Timothy 1:3-5
 

Why are mothers important?
1)      Mothers establish the spiritual groundwork for children to grow 2 Tim. 1:3-5
·         Acts 16:1-2

2)      Mothers help determine the future by how their children continue in their word 2 Tim. 3:14-15
Mothers predict the future in discipling children to Jesus!
 

Message Based Discussion Questions

1)      What is your earliest recollection of your mother or the woman who raised you?

Digging Deeper:

2)      Read Luke 2:40-51. As Jesus was growing up, who had a deep love for Jesus? ___________________ What do you learn about mothers from this passage?
3)      Who was Samuel’s mother (cf. 1 Sam. 1:2-28 [it’s lengthy, but take the time to read the entire passage]) __________________  Upon  whom was she dependent? How did she respond to the answer she received? What were the consequences of her obedience?
4)      Note Proverbs 31:10-31. Who is the subject of this passage? ________________ What are some of the good qualities of this person?  Why are some people troubled by this passage?

Making application from the message:
5)      How well are mother’s fulfilling their role of training up children to take their position as spiritual leaders in the world? What influences your thinking?
6)      What are three things you could do for young moms at church to help determine the future for our church?
7)      Make a list of 31 things your wife/mother does for you and the family. Make a point of thanking her specifically for one on each day of the coming month. On each day of the following month pay her a new compliment on one of her good attitudes, character qualities, habits or talents. Be prepared for a better relationship than you’ve enjoyed in quite a while!

Message Based Discussion Questions 

1)      What is your earliest recollection of your mother or the woman who raised you?

a)       Great cook, disciplinarian, kind and compassionate.

b)       She sang a lullaby when I had trouble sleeping.

c)       She dug a piece of glass from my heel that came from a shattered light fixture. 

d)       She had her head bowed before the church service started.

e)       She handled us kids, when dad was away.
 

Digging Deeper:
 

2)      Read Luke 2:40-51. As Jesus was growing up, who had a deep love for Jesus? _Mary__ What do you learn about mothers from this passage?

a)       Mary was dedicated to the Lord and went to Jerusalem for the festival.  She was pursuing a relationship with God (2:41).

b)       She went every year for Passover (2: 41).

c)       They trusted Jesus to be on His own.  She didn’t hover over Him (2:42).

d)       Mary trusted Jesus to be with another neighbor or family member when it was time to return to Nazareth (2:43).

e)       She did pursue Him before they made it home.  She was concerned (2:44).

f)        She went back to find Jesus, even though He had gone through His Barmitzvah (2:45).

g)       She would not stop looking until she found Him (2:46).

h)       She wasn’t perfect and thought of her responsibilities, more than God’s purposes (2:48).

i)         She didn’t understand, but she didn’t discipline Him (2:50).

j)        She continued oversight of Him (2:51).

k)       She kept thinking about these godly issues (2: 52).

l)         One person at my discipleship group said, “She would have been guilty of a felony for child neglect in the USA.”  That seemed like an astute comment.

 

3)      Who was Samuel’s mother (cf. 1 Sam. 1:2-28 [it’s lengthy, but take the time to read the entire passage]) _Hannah__  Upon  whom was she dependent? How did she respond to the answer she received? What were the consequences of her obedience?

a)      She was dependent on the Lord.

b)      She was trusting of the Lord to give up her child to Samuel for tabernacle ministry.

c)      She had three more sons and two daughters (2:21).  She was greatly favored by the Lord and loved by Elkanah.

 

4)      Note Proverbs 31:10-31. Who is the subject of this passage? __a noble woman__ What are some of the good qualities of this person?  Why are some people troubled by this passage?

a)      Some of the good qualities are:

i)         Her worth is far above rubies (31:10)

ii)       Her husband safely trusts her, because she keeps working (31:11)

iii)      She does her husband good all her life (31:12)

iv)     She makes material to be a seamstress ( 31:1 3)

v)       She is a trader of food and gifts from merchant marines (31:14)

vi)     She is not hesitant to get up early to work and feeds her house and workers ( 31:15)

vii)    She buys real estate and multiplies her business (31:16)

viii)  She works hard and increases her strength (31:17)

ix)     She is diligent with her stewardship and works hard (31:18)

x)       She is open and a blessing to others (31:19)

xi)     She is not afraid of bad weather and prepares her family for it (31:20)

xii)    She works with good material and is not a vagabond (31:21)

xiii)  She works more diligently, so her husband can disciple others (31:23)

xiv)  After clothing herself and family, she sells clothing to others (31:24)

xv)   Her inner character is more important than outer flash (31:25)

xvi)  She is a woman of truth and wisdom (31:26)

xvii)She is diligent about discipling her family (31:27)

xviii)           Her children honor her (31:28)

xix)  She has great inner beauty (31:30)

xx)   She is well-known by her works in life (31:31)

b)       Some people are troubled by this passage, it seems, because they do not see how they could possibly do all that this woman does.  None of us can do what Jesus does either, but that does not prevent me from seeking conformity to the image of Jesus (Rom. 8:29)

 

Making application from the message:

 

5)      How well are mothers fulfilling their role of training up children, so that children take their position as spiritual leaders in the world? What evidence influences your thinking?

a)      Based on the number of children in America who have turned from God, not very well.  It would seem mothers in America are more concerned with just biological growth of their children than spiritual growth.

b)      There are great spiritual leaders in America, but American is more greatly influenced down the spiral, than up the upward path of life to God’s holiness.

 

6)      What are three things you could do for young moms at church to determine its future? in other words, how can you help young moms raise their children, so they will be spiritually strong and effective in building God’s kingdom?

a)      Develop a relationship with her boys (and children) to affirm them in their masculinity.  I counseled one family for a year in a “Peace-making” curriculum.

b)      Encourage the mom by coming alongside her rather than ignoring her.  Talk to her and listen to her talk about her children.

c)      Help her when she has a need at home.  Make a visit there to see where she lives and how the children are living. Include her children in activities at church so they are a part of the normal growth of the body and they are connected, being equipped and are becoming multipliers for the kingdom, especially if there is no dad in their lives.

 

7)      Make a list of 31 things your wife/mother does for you and the family. Make a point of thanking her specifically for one on each day of the coming month. On each day of the following month pay her a new compliment on one of her good attitudes, character qualities, habits or talents. Be prepared for a better relationship than you’ve enjoyed in quite a while!

a)      You’ll have to make this list for your wife/mother!

b)      Follow through and we’ll all be amazed.

 

Question: How do you discern what Scripture applies to us today?

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How do you discern what Scripture applies to us today?

 

            How do you discern what Scripture applies to us today compared to what applies to the original audience?  We can learn from all Scripture as Paul records, “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.” (Rom. 15:4)  Additionally, Paul proclaims that all of Scripture is provided that we might be brought in line with God’s thinking and be equipped for every good work,

16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Tim. 3:16-17)

In other words, I can learn from each passage of Scripture, and it helps reveal where I need to be rebuked, corrected and trained for righteous living.  Yet, not all Scripture has direct application to me.

            All Scripture is directly applicable to the intended audience.  The principle that should be understood is authorial intent.  What was the author’s intent for the intended audience?  What did the author mean to convey to the specific audience, in that culture, in that time in which they lived? For example, Ezra, who assembled 1 and 2 Chronicles records for us,

14 “if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. (2 Chron. 7:14)

This passage is often used today implying that if Americans would humble themselves, then God would bless our nation again.  Yet, God was speaking in the passage to Israel, not the United States.  He describes them as “My people,” who are categorized as God’s people, because God directly called Abraham out of Ur and made a covenant with Abraham that God would raise up a great people from Abraham (Gen. 12:1-3).  God did not make that promise to the United States.  God certainly worked through the founding Fathers, however, no direct promise was made and America is not “My people.”

            However, the principle has application to the United States as we saw in Romans 15:4.  The application is that we should humble ourselves, because the arrogance and indifference we are displaying toward God is certainly bringing God’s wrath in increased tornadoes, hurricanes, droughts, flooding, blizzards, etc.  Some may say these are cycles of nature, yet as America spirals down the morass of immorality, the weather, crime, economic problems uptick is increasing.  If we humble ourselves as a nation, there is no guarantee that God will bless, because there may be other reasons in world history for God to let America disintegrate.

            Actually, much of the Old Testament was meant for Israel, not the Church.  We agree with the Psalms and Proverbs. Yet, David wrote imprecatory prayer psalms (cf. Ps. 69, 109) that we cannot impose today.  David was the king and represented God, so in that position as representing God and king of Israel, he called down God’s wrath on his enemies.  We are in a position to learn from the psalm, but not use the psalm on others.  We were called to peace. The Judge will come and impose His wrath in due time.

Additionally, the Proverbs are general principles of truth designed for all, but not absolute statements of fact.  For example, “Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.” (Pro. 22:6)  This verse is a general principle that is true, but not absolute.  Every child must make his own decisions and there are many godly parents, who were diligent to disciple their children, but the children may not have followed the Lord.  All things being equal, children will return to the godly training they were given.  However, this Proverb is not a guarantee.  On the other hand, because Proverbs are not absolute truths should not be an excuse for parents to be anything less than diligent (cf. Deut. 6:6-9).

The Gospel accounts are written so that we could understand Jesus.  Yet, there is a great amount of information that does not directly apply to us.  For example, some have used the passage, “But he who endures to the end shall be saved,” (Mat 24:13) to imply that if a believer in Jesus does not persevere, then he will not be saved.  That contradicts too many other passages of Scripture, like John 3:16; Romans 8:38-39; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Ephesians 2:8-9 and many others.  So how do we understand the passage? 

Matthew 24:13 is part of the Olivet Discourse that Jesus gave to the disciples during the Passover week.  The Olivet Discourse was written to describe the conditions during the Tribulation period between the Rapture of the Church and the Second Advent of Jesus Christ.  Those who endure, who keep the faith during the Tribulation will be saved.  What does “saved” mean?  The basic meaning of the word “saved” is deliverance.  Thus the passage interpreted in the context means that the believer who is faithful during the Tribulation will be delivered into the Millennial Kingdom when Jesus returns at the Second Advent. There are many other examples of passages that can only be understood by understanding Dispensations. 

The best way to understand what applies and what does not is to understand Classical Dispensationalism.  This theological approach to Scripture seeks God’s view to Scripture rather than man’s view.  It looks at what God meant for the intended audience and what applies today.

How do you take what was not intended for the church today and find meaning?  When you interpret Scripture, determine the Universal Truth or principle for the audience.  That Universal Truth transcends all time and audience and can be applied to the person who reads Scripture today.  For example, when God told Jacob to go up to Bethel and make an altar, Jacob realized he better put away anything related to idolatry, so we read, “So they gave Jacob all the foreign gods which were in their hands, and the earrings which were in their ears; and Jacob hid them under the terebinth tree which was by Shechem.” (Gen. 35:4) Should women remove their earrings?  The text would indicate that action!

The question is, “What is the Universal Truth?”  Notice that Jacob took all the foreign gods “and the earrings…” In other words the earrings were more than an adornment – they were connected to the foreign gods, the idolatry.  Hence, Jacob wanted the people “holy” or “set aside” to God and not connected in any way to the idolatry when they set up the altar to worship God.  The Universal Truth is that we should be “set aside” wholly to God and not have any idolatry in our lives.  That will be more difficult, because we need to look for idolatry of personal contentment, surrounding peace, or things like the idolatry of expecting respect, which are far more difficult to discern than some object like an earring. Again, we read Scripture, always with Paul’s admonition, “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.” (Rom. 15:4) 

This is a great question and the answer is determined by what hermeneutic and what theological approach to Scripture you use.  The word “hermeneutic” means the system of interpretation.  The systems of interpretation people use vary from a symbolic or allegorical approach to a Literal Historico-grammatical approach.  The theological approach people use vary from a Classical Dispensational approach to all sorts of other methods of theology. I present these two spectrums of understanding, because they determine what Scripture applies to us today.  This is a fun discussion for a home group or any other gathering to think through what are other examples of what applies directly or what applies indirectly.

 

 

 

Book Review: Cobwebs by Dean Felsing

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Cobwebs by Dean Felsing 

Cobwebs by Dean Felsing is a great book if you know Dean.  I was hesitant to provide a review, because some people may be offended by the language he uses.  Like me, Dean is a work in progress and we both desire to please the Lord.  Some people, however, who have gained control of their style of writing or speaking may not see Dean Felsing’s heart and wrongly judge him.  

Therefore, I do not recommend Cobwebs to most people.  Most people will not be able to handle Dean’s writing style or vocabulary.  Dean is an intelligent soul, but rough about his manner of conveying incidents in his life.  Dean is a good friend, fellow-Christian and was a member of the church I pastored in Minneapolis.  I truly love and appreciate Dean. He genuinely cares about people more than most people I have ever met. He has a ministry called “Carealot,” in which he shows the love of Christ to mentally handicapped persons.  He also cares deeply about pleasing the Lord and trying to serve Him with all his heart, soul and mind.  Yet, Dean will be offensive in some of the things he writes. 

If you know Dean, you will truly enjoy the book.  You will laugh over and over about the hilarious descriptions of his contacts with the Sears representatives and a multitude of other acquaintances and friends.  I had not seen Dean for 20 years until a recent Pastor’s Conference in Houston, Texas and we immediately picked up our relationship when I moved from Minneapolis to Indianapolis. Dean is a dear brother in Christ and has a heart of gold.  It’s just his rough edges that will cause many people to wonder why I would even finish reading his book.  When I consider my own sin nature, I find myself willing to work in the trenches with Dean and wanting to reach people for Christ. 

Dean will reach people for Christ that I will not reach.  As I read through his anecdotal stories, I kept thinking of 1 Corinthians 9, where Paul said, “I became all things to all people that I might win some.” Dean is going to reach people that I won’t reach. Those people will be in heaven because the Lord used Dean Felsing as His servant with the gospel of grace.  The Lord has a sense of humor and He certainly gave a unique humor to the life of Dean Felsing. I’m grateful for having re-connected and knowing that he continues to faithfully love his family and his children who are walking with the Lord.

 

MSG: Mothers Predict the Future

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This message was delivered May 12, 2013 on Mother’s Day.  There were seven child dedications and two baptisms.

Mothers Predict the Future
2 Timothy 1:3-5
Happy Mothers’ Day! Every one of us had a mother and a father, for there is no other combination that produces children. Let me make several statements: Continue reading →