Week 16
The Lords Day, Week 16!
Thoughts on 1 Corinthians 15 & 16:
· 1 Corinthians 15 - What is the key event to which all of Christianity is built on? The Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It's what we celebrated last weekend. That Jesus is no longer in the tomb but has been raised forever conquering sin and death. It is because of His resurrection that we have hope knowing one day we too will live again. This is Pauls argument, that if there is no resurrection then there is no Christianity. Also notice he doesn't build his argument apart from evidence, but he uses both the scriptures, verse 3, and then also uses eyewitness testimony to support his claims, verses 4-9. This is very important for us to recognize. I am a presuppositionalist when it comes to my apologetic methodology, what that means is that I appeal to scripture alone as my ultimate authority. I don't believe that people are truly seeking God and that all they need is some evidence to see he truly exists in order to come to know Him. But rather that the power to transform hearts is in His word proclaimed, in the Gospel itself as applied by the Holy Spirit. But as a presuppositionalist that does not mean I don't also appeal to evidence. Of course evidence is useful, when Paul uses it here, he is saying to people, look if you don't believe me go and ask for yourself. We too can tell people, if you don't believe me, go and research it for yourself! But physical evidence isn't where the power lies, it is only a useful tool. the word is our ultimate authority, for Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures! This was something Paul had already delivered to them, and so the question is, before you go to evidence, have you to delivered this truth first?
· 1 Corinthians 16 - Paul is now closing out his letters to the church in Corinth, and this starts with an assumption, that the church is getting together every week on the first day. This assumption is shown in that he is asking them to put something aside every week so that it's ready for when he gets there. I don't want to focus on the offering part, but rather the gathering part because this is what's missing right now. I'm going to be doing a little devotional later today for my Lords Day message, but we can't miss this. What we have right now, is not what God intends for His church, the internet is not a substitute for the body of Christ gathering together physically. Can we forego it for a period of time because of hardship, yes, of course, but sooner or later the difficulty must give way to Gods intentions and His word. This season cannot last forever. The last thing I want to look at are verses 13 and 14, these are meant as a summary of his entire letter, be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong and of course, let all that you do be done in love. Just look at the letter again and you'll see this laid out in more detail from the beginning up to the end and it applies the same way for us today.
God bless you all this Lords Day! Please do what you can safely today with your families, thank you for your prayers, we are so excited that we are able to finally worship together as a complete family today! If you are able to gather with fellow believers praise God for that and do not take hit for granted, and for those who are not yet able, continue to praise God for what He's given you. Also be sure to look to Him in repentance and faith asking that He please bring His body together again and that His people would be permitted to be the light He has called us by being able to share with each other again that Holy Kiss and raising our voices as one to His honor and glory. God bless.
Monday, Week 16!
Thoughts on Exodus 9-12:
· The Plagues - Last week I said I would spend more time on all the plagues this week, so here it goes. The plagues weren't just random, God was purposely destroying the idolatry of the Egyptians and showing His own people the powerlessness of the Egyptian Gods before He led the people out of Egypt. Each plague was an attack against an Egyptian god or goddess. The Israelites had been in Egypt for over 400 years and they had most likely accepted much of Egypts paganism and polytheism already. Because of this, it was just as important for God to get Egypt out of the Israelites as it was for Him to get the Israelites out of Egypt. When looking at the plagues, it's important that we recognize they were just as much for the benefit of the Israelites as they were a punishment and judgment upon Egypt and Pharaoh. The Final plague being the most important, it was a sign of total judgement over Egypt, but also a sign of the protection the Israelites now had under God. Not to mention the institution of the Passover, and the foreshadowing of Jesus, the coming Messiah. There were so many details within this first passover that point to Jesus we may miss them if we go to quickly. First, consider the spotless lamb. It was brought into the home for 4 days, then slaughter it. Think about this, you bring in any animal, into your home, feed it, care for it, and then have to kill it, it's not as easy as it sounds! Jesus walked among us, He was with the people before He was killed by the people! We can go on and on, but rather than me point it out, read through it and look for it yourself, every part of the Passover was meant to point to Jesus, even in the taking of the first born... God does nothing without purpose.
· The hardening of Pharaoh's heart - Here is where another debate lies, did God harden his heart, or did he harden his own heart? Well, the text says both, and our job isn't to try to explain one of them away in order that it would fit better into our theological framework. But rather we look at the text and let that determine our theological framework. There is a responsibility that lies in Pharaoh himself for his hardening his own heart, and then there is also Gods sovereignty in hardening the heart of his creation, one doesn't exempt the other, but rather both are true and both are evident throughout the scripture.
I hope you have all had a wonderful weekend and that you were able to worship in some form yesterday! I am going to include a link to my Lord's Day devotional for anyone that's interested. I'm considering doing these more regularly, not just on the Lords day, and would love some feedback. Also let me know how we can be praying for you!!! God bless!
Tuesday, Week 16!
Thoughts on 1 Samuel 26-31:
· 1 Samuel 26 - We see again David refusing to take action against the Lords anointed. I think I covered this enough last week, but again notice it's almost exactly the same. He refused to kill him, it had nothing to do with speaking out against him. Saul was the Lords anointed in that he was chosen to be King, not a priest, or anything else, but King of Israel and David trusted God to remove him from his throne. What is interesting here it that it seems that Saul somewhat repented, that he decided to stop pursuing David again, at least for a period of time. This is the last interaction between them and they go their own separate ways from here. David trusted God enough not to take matters into his own hands, he understood that Vengeance truly belongs to the Lord.
· 1 Samuel 27 - Here we see David takes refuge in the land of the Philistines, under King Achish, and their David settles with his army in Ziklag. However he continues to execute raids against the Philistines, while lying to Achish about who it is he is plundering, making it seem like he is seen going against his own people. This lasts over a year, David destroying entire towns, leaving no one alive so that the secret doesn't get out. In doing all of this he earns the trust of Achish.
· 1 Samuel 28 - Saul is going to battle against the Philistines, and he is seeking counsel from the Lord, but the Lord will not answer him. So he does something that is a sin against the Lord (Lev. 19 & 20) he seeks the help of a medium. He is the one that banned the practice and now here he is going against his own decrees. Samuel comes to him through this medium and gives him the news of his own destruction and end, and Saul responds appropriately... Here is an example of worldly pragmatism. Saul couldn't do things the way God commands, he couldn't find a prophet, the Lords wouldn't answer him through prayer, and so he goes directly against the commands of God in order to seek him. This reveals that through all of this Sauls heart has not been changed even a little bit. If anything it has grown colder and more deceitful. He lost the kingdom because of his pragmatism before. Pragmatism is extremely dangerous because it functions on human wisdom. If it works then we should do it, ignoring the most important question, what does God say? Our churches are in the position they are in today largely because of pragmatism. The greater problem is that we aren't even asking the question what is the most effective way for us to honor God? no, we are instead asking the question what is the most effective way to get people in the seats! At least the former question is focused not the object of our worship, though it's still not the right question. We must instead start with what does God say... What does he say about worship? what does he say about evangelism? what does he say about how I love my neighbor? etc...
· 1 Samuel 29 - 31 - David heads out to battle with he Philistines. I have to ask the question, what would he had done if they actually let him fight? I don't know, but the Lord would let him fight against his own people. The Philistines, foolishly, reject his help. When David returns to Ziklag he finds that the Amalekites have plundered him, and he enquires of the Lord how to respond. He goes after them, overtakes them, gets all of his stuff back and then some! All of this is setting the stage for what will come in 2 Samuel. We then have the death of Saul and his sons. Saul has to take his own life, out of fear of what would be done to him if he is taken captive. It would appear that the Philistines have overtaken Israel... for now! Stay tuned!
Is anyone else growing somewhat anxious? I desperately want to start gathering together with the people of God again. Let us together start with repentance, and calling our churches to repentance for the lack of witness we have given our communities... let's turn to God and ask Him for more boldness, and power to live more in line with His Word, to be united in His word, and turn away from worldly pragmatism. Let's seek Him together, for wisdom on how to respond to all of the pressure right now, and ask Him how do we best represent you Lord in this current context? Then let's act and do that which honors Him and His word! God bless!
Wednesday, Week 16!
Thoughts on Psalms 45 - 47:
· Psalm 45 - The wedding song, I believe this is the only wedding song in all of the psalter and it was meant for a royal wedding, likely sung at the weddings of most of the Kings of Israel. But as do many of the Psalms, there is definitely a messianic element to this psalm and that's what I want to explore because when you see it, I think it will blow your mind! It begins by addressing the King, the King who has been blessed forever, whose grace is poured upon his lips, who is mighty, majestic, victorious, meek and whose throne is forever and ever. He loves righteousness and hates wickedness... if you don't see Jesus yet, well... I don't know! lol He is the one anointed of God! But who is the bride? Well, I'm sure we know that the church is referred to as the Bride of Christ! Now look at the description, we are told that the King desires our beauty, He is our Lord, so we must bow to Him, we are to have favor with the people, I think of the New Testament and how we are to live lives above reproach, where though people revile our good behavior they have no charge against us. With Joy and gladness we are led into the palace... do you know, that no matter how difficult life is right now, we will all see this day, where Joy and gladness will overtake us as we stand before our husband, our Lord, our Savior... He will cause our name to be remembered, the name of His bride, the name of His church, the angels look with amazement at the work He is doing in His people!
· Psalm 46 - This psalm was Martin Luthers inspiration for a Mighty Fortress, I'll put a link at the bottom for you to listen to a modern version. But it's such a perfect Psalm for today. Christian, do you know that God is our only refuge and strength, our very present help in trouble? He had not forgot about us in this current crisis... If you do know, then why do you fear? The earth has yet to give way, it's yet to come to an end, and yet Christians are already abandoning their Lord and running to the state for safety, looking to their homes for protection, masks, gloves, social distancing... Christian, if God wants to take you home He will. I'm not saying be reckless, I'm saying stop being afraid! The nations rage, the kingdoms totter, He utters His voice and the earth melts... Come behold the works of the Lord, how He has brought desolation on the earth... Don't you know God has brought this virus, that He is in charge of it, that He is the one who commands it and that whatever His purpose is with it, it will be done! So, brothers and sisters, be still and know that He is God, that He will be exalted among the nations, He will be exalted in the earth! and rejoice that the Lord of hosts is with us, the God of Jacob is our fortress... Amen.
· Psalm 47 - Sing praise to Him who is King over all the creation... Sing and praise Him today! He reigns over it all and sits, yes sits on His throne... My only observation for you here is that. He sits, in other words He is not worried, He is not anxious, He is completely in control and at peace. God knows what He is doing.
People of God... Trust Him. Believe Him. Know Him. Fear Him. May He bless you this day, and pull you ever closer to Him revealing to you all the riches that you've been given in Jesus Christ. Amen.
Thursday, Week 16!
Thoughts on Job 31 & 32:
· Job 31 - This is Jobs final attempt at declaring his innocence. Two things here that I want to point out here. First, nothing that Job says here is false. We see that in the very beginning of the book that Job was in fact a righteous man. Throughout this chapter Job is defending himself against the accusations that have been made, he is attempting to assert his innocence in the face of his accusers. From that standpoint we don't want to accuse Job of a sort of false self-righteousness. it's one thing to claim your innocence when you truly are innocent of the charges, and something else entirely when you are not. However, where Job does go wrong is in attempting to make his innocence the basis by where God should also clear him. God does not judge by the same standard that man does, and he is not subject to the same rules of a court of law that we might be, or in this case that Job would be. In Jobs declaration that if he is guilty then he will accept Gods punishment, he fails to recognize that God doesn't answer to him. God doesn't need to prove His case to a man. He is the creator, we are the creation, and He can do whatever He sees fit with us and can do so without ever giving any explanation. Jobs sin here is his failure to accept His suffering from the hand of God and his own assumption that it is unjust for God to lay it upon him.
· Job 32 - The young man, Elihu, is now about to speak. In his opening we can see that this young man is much wiser than the others. He is burning with anger, but why? Because he is the only one that notices, in all of this the name of the Lord has been drug through the mud. Both by Job, in his attempt to place blame on God for dealing with him unjustly, his attempt to manipulate God on the basis of his personal righteousness. Secondly also by the friends who have failed at defending God, and failed at proving Gods righteousness and justice. These friends have only continued to play by Jobs own rules in this by attempting to point to things Job has done, where Job has failed, and they have been out lawyered, so to speak, by Job. In this courtroom, up to this point God is the one who looks like the guilty party. But Elihu knows this isn't the case, and so he has decided that he won't hold back his tongue any longer and is about to set the record straight... So, stand by!
Many of us often default to thinking like Job, we to think we can manipulate God by our behavior. We say, God if I do this, can you do that? God I'll evangelize more if you do this, or I'll give up this sin if you help me with that. Here's the good news and the bad... God won't be manipulated by anything you or I do. You can give it up, or not, He is going to act as He desires. However, what's truly sad in this is that when we do this we have failed to recognize the blessing that is inherent in obedience. A clear conscience. It's the guilty conscience that tries to manipulate God. Job may have been innocent of the things he mentioned, but all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. So even in Job, there was still sin. You and I must seek to give it all up, not to manipulate God, but because of what God has done in Jesus Christ to rescue us. That's it. There's no other reason necessary to do what He has commanded us, there is no other reason necessary to obey. Let's not attempt to take God into a courtroom... It's a battle we will always lose. Instead recognize that because Christ has gone into the courtroom on our behalf, we are free to obey, knowing that all our guilt has been dealt with. God bless and I hope you have a wonderful day!
Friday, Week 16!
Thoughts on Jeremiah 17-21:
· Jeremiah 17 - There are two types of men, one who trusts in man and makes his flesh his strength, and one who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. Judah is like the first man, and they will be judged for it, the anger of God has grown such that God is going to hand them over to their enemies. The Lord looks at the heart, and the heart of the man who trusts in man is deceitful above all things. This is every single one of us apart from the grace of God... If you are not trusting in God, the only alternative is a deceitful and wicked heart to guide you. This is why the statement, God knows my heart is such a foolish one. Yes He does, and He will judge you for it so stop trusting in it! Trust alone in Him. Why do we see so many people struck with fear today, because they do not trust in Him, if they did, they would nor fear when the heat comes. For ALL who forsake Him will be put to shame, He is the fountain of living water (a reference to Jesus). Jeremiah then pleads for relief, who prays to be delivered himself, but God responds by sending him out again to the people with even more judgement. Jeremiah was undergoing fierce persecution for speaking the word of God, and God never done tells Him to stop. Many would choose comfort and acceptance over faithfulness, many do choose it today and all it shows is that they don't truly know God.
· Jeremiah 18 and 19 - God is the potter, all of creation is His clay and He decides what's useful and what's not, He plots, yes plots the destruction of the wicked. Though even in the midst of the Lords planning, he continues to call people to repentance, continues to show a willingness to show mercy. But what we see is only the hardness of their hearts, the people want to follow their own way. Many people think that if God would just be clear, if He would really just reveal Himself then I'll listen, then I'll do whatever He says. They think and say, it's not that I'm so bad, it's just that God hasn't been clear yet. They lie, God has been clear everywhere He needs to be, and the truth is that even if God were to send someone back from the dead to tell them they would still follow their own hearts. Jeremiah was known as a true prophet, and yet the people plotted against him. They paid him no attention, because they could always find themselves a prophet who would tickle their ears. Jeremiah is finally so filled with anger over their wickedness he himself calls for their destruction. The Lord sends him too the people and God again, through His servant pronounces judgement upon them, they will be like the broken vessel, unable to mended.
· Jeremiah 20 & 21 - Jeremiah is imprisoned for his prophecy... Would you be willing to be imprisoned for speaking the Truth? I want to believe I would, but truthfully all I can do is pray that in the moment God would strengthen me and cause me to be faithful because in me lies a coward and apart from His grace I would be likely to value my freedom too much. But Jeremiah does his time and upon his release continues to pronounce the Lords judgement over the people, this time he tells the priest that he and his family specifically will also be taken captive where they will all die. This takes a tremendous toll on Jeremiah, it's not like He is doing all this and standing strong, He is doing all of this in the fear of the Lord. Read verses 7 - 18 and hear his distress and his pain. The people hate him, and blame him as if he was the one responsible for their judgement. Jeremiah goes so far as to regret the day he was born. But yet God does not relent, and continues to speak through Him... Do you want a good picture of what it really means to be a vessel in the hands of God, get a good look at Jeremiah. God did as He pleased with him, there was no earthly blessing for Jeremiah. Nothing but persecution and loneliness, and though he complained, he still went and did as he was told. God again pronounces judgement over the Israel, Nebuchadnezzar will come destroy, pillage and take everything. Their enemy will become yet another tool in the hands of God...
Eva and I were talking last night about how hard headed and stubborn we can be, about how often we need to learn the same lessons over and over and how God has to discipline us or we would never be conformed to the image of His Son. Look at Israel, see their hardness of heart and recognize this is all of us. God blessed them more than any other nation, and they still worshiped at the altar of false idols, they still sought after prophets who would only speak words they wanted to hear, and only when surrounded by the enemy did they seek truth, only to have it be to late. God is being merciful even now. Don't wait till it's to late, turn to Him completely, trust Him with everything, trust in man for nothing! God bless and I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Saturday, Week 16!
Thoughts on Mark 11 & 12:
· Mark 11 - In all of the gospels there is much time spent looking at the last week of Jesus life, Mark is no different. The last 6 chapters are looking at this last week, and here in chapter 11 we start with the triumphal entry, Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey with the people shouting Hosanna! All this a fulfillment of Psalm 118 & Zechariah 9. But then we have the fig tree incident. This troubles people at times because we are told in the text that it wasn't even the season for figs, but yet Jesus gets angry and curses the tree, what's that about? But do you remember Jeremiah 8, if not, go back and read it. The fig tree was only meant as an illustration for the nation of Israel. They were given so much and yet did not bear fruit, and what they were given was about to be given to the rest of the people of the world. Notice, Jesus response to the disciples when asked about the tree in verse 22, "Have faith in God..." What's been Israels trouble since the beginning, they repeatedly doubted God, from Moses until now. Here is the Messiah, the Son of God before them and they refuse to believe. From this point on through chapter 12 it is all about the religious leaders attempting to discredit Him. They know better, but they refuse to believe and have to find a way to show that He isn't who He says He is, despite all the evidence that points to it. For their lack of faith and trust in the scriptures and in God, what was given them is taken away and they will remain barren, bearing no fruit! Do you want to bear fruit? Believe God, trust in the Son, Obey His word, that's how we bear fruit, there is no fruit apart from Him.
· Mark 12 - The man in this parable is the Father, the vineyard is creation, and more specifically earth, the tenants are the nation of Israel, perhaps more specifically they could be the leaders and priests of Israel. The servants are the prophets that God sends and the people repeatedly don't listen and even abuse. The Son is most obviously Jesus... Though Jesus spoke in parables and many didn't understand Him, the leaders did, and we are told in verse 12 that they wanted Him arrested and silenced. But they feared the people! In my last blog I spoke about how what we fear points to what we worship, hear it is. They worshipped their status, their power, and they wouldn't do anything to disrupt that. Which creates a very difficult situation for them because Jesus is a threat to that, but He also has the ear of the people and removing Him could also be a threat to that. So now continue a series of challenges to discredit Him, if they can't arrest Him they will show Him to be a false teacher or get Him in trouble with the Roman government. That's what the first challenge is about, paying taxes, they wanted Jesus to say, don't pay taxes, then they could hand Him over to Rome, but if He said pay taxes, then they could turn the people, but Jesus is to wise for their ploy. Then they drag Him into a debate about the resurrection, and here Jesus turns the tables, "don't you know the scriptures!" of course they don't, at least they don't know them the way God intended them. Then lastly is the challenge on the moral code, their was a debate about what commandment was the greatest, and Jesus in his response wraps up all Ten Commandments into two, Love God - Commandments 1-4, love neighbor - Commandments 5-10. With this their mouths are shut, and they now see they have to find another way. Jesus gives a strong warning against these same leaders, beware of them and notice He points to their god, they love the power, respect and the money, that's what they are truly after. It has nothing to do with God. How many leaders today are after the same thing? Money, power and respect! Beware of these leaders, for they will receive the greater condemnation! I don't know what it means to receive greater condemnation, but I know I don't want that. Leaders must be careful and constantly check their heart. What's driving us? if it's anything but our love for God, then we must stop. If the voice of the people is louder than the voice of God, we must stop, if the voice of the government is louder than the voice of God, we must stop, for Jesus Himself warns us...
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend my friends, it already looks like a much better day outside then we've had all week. Get some sunlight, enjoy the day to the glory of the God who gave it to us! God bless!